The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became with the entire scenario. This was a prime situation in which to kidnap her, but he had no idea how he was going to manage it. Not to mention the throne room is likely to be up in the trees . . . Lucas’s mind still raced as he tried to figure out a solution. Even something as simple as grabbing her and slaughtering his way out in a bloodbath presented inherent difficulties, the chief amongst them being that he didn’t want to. Such malicious violence was too crass for what he had in mind, and he had just worked so hard to save the NPCs of the town. Killing them now would feel like slapping his own face.

Lucas clenched his teeth together, and a determined yet grim grin formed on his face.

“What’s that look on the boss’s face?” Bonnie asked, failing to do so quietly. The small group had only just begun climbing one of the rounded staircases that encircled the trees and led up toward the Alfar city. “Something is definitely wrong with him.”

“No, nothing is wrong with him,” Nick answered. “It’s just . . . I think . . . I think he’s smiling? That’s . . . so weird. So very weird to see him looking happy.”

Chapter 8

Character Name: Lucas

Level: -57

Hit Points: 240

Arcane Energy: 800

Stamina: 100

Holy Energy: Class Locked

Current Class: Enchanter

Stats:

Arcanum [increases Arcane Energy by 10 per point]: 70

Holy [No Effect/Class Locked]: 0

Athletics [increases Stamina by 10 per point]: 0

Fortitude [increases Hit Points by 1% per point]: 0

Charisma: 50

Luck: 0

Unspent: 20

Current Elemental Attunement:

Lightning Affinity: 0.5%

Effects: +1% Lightning Element Damage

+2% Lightning Element Channeling Speed

-1% Non-Lightning Element Channeling Speed

+0.25% Lightning Element Damage Resistance

Combat Proficiencies:

None

The city proper was far more interesting than the forest floor if for no other reason than the system of wooden bridges that linked each platform. Strangely, however, there was only a short, one-rail fence blocking people from directly falling off of the massive connected structure that was the main part of the town. It definitely wasn’t the type of safety-inspired design that any modern town in real life would be able to get away with, and any clumsy idiot walking around could trip and tumble over the lone railing or roll underneath it.

“You think paint is illegal here? Maybe they hate the smell of it or something? Or do they just not know how to use dye?” Nick asked while looking out at the lush town. The place lacked a single house of a different color.

“They really like to stack them deep,” Bonnie commented, pointing to a house.

“Can’t blame them. Everybody loves fat stacks and nice homes,” Nick suggested. “Why not combine the two?”