Bonnie appeared behind the bow wielder a moment later. Her dagger flashed forward and across the man’s throat, finishing the man before he could so much as turn around, and then she immediately shifted her assault to the Healer. Before she reached him, however, a pair of arrows sprouted from the Healer’s eyes courtesy of Lucas’s new Naga ally.

With only five players remaining, Lucas used his old lightning rod trick. The surge of Lightning arced toward Nick and then bounced away into the remaining combatants. The five were fried where they stood, and their charred remains dematerialized after crumbling to the floor.

Level 1 is still just as easy as I remember, Lucas thought as the group returned to their starting positions.

“That worked well,” Viola cried enthusiastically. “Great job acting! I had no doubt that a fellow role-player like yourself could immerse himself fully into the character, but you definitely went above and beyond. The way you said that line, ‘Your voice, a foul unwanted whisper from an undug grave, counts for NOTHING!’ was perfect! But should we do a second take just in case?”

“It really did sound cool, boss,” Bonnie agreed. “Between a nice guy and an evil overlord, you’re definitely more convincing as the second one.”

“Once, ga-damnit. Once, man, just once, could you not use me as a dang jump point for your Chain Lightning?! I swear! I never should have gotten you that stupid staff,” Nick cursed loudly. “I might have a lot of hit points, but you need to cut back on cruelty to your employees!”

Lucas looked over at Nick, unphased by his pleas. “You just . . . You’re just such a good lightning rod.”

“Rod is a good name for him,” Bonnie giggled. “He looks like a rod.”

“Well, that he does,” Lucas agreed. “You guys ready to try again?”

“I thought you said we weren’t doing a second take?” Viola asked, looking up at him from the floor.

“The fight gets tougher,” Lucas replied with a grin.

Chapter 9

Character Name: Lucas

Level: -53

Hit Points: 280

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: 60

Current Elemental Attunement:

Lightning Affinity: 1%

Effects: +2% Lightning Element Damage

+4% Lightning Element Channeling Speed

-2% Non-Lightning Element Channeling Speed

+0.5% Lightning Element Damage Resistance

Combat Proficiencies:

None

Lucas was caught off guard when his gestures changed after choosing to skip the villainous monologue and when, just as before, he was already partially finished with casting Meddling Minds. The spell landed just like last time, and the enemy Mage once again began focusing a Frost Breath on the rest of his party. The enemy archer even put the Mage down in one quick shot with an arrow.