Chương 28: A feature of the helm that I neglected to mention.

"You should, of course, Identify these items, but may I also give you a brief summary of their attributes?" Murdo said. Murdo picked up the ring first.

"This useful piece of kit will give you a five-cubic-foot dimensional storage space. It isn't much, but unless I am mistaken, you have not been able to acquire one yet. To use it, put the ring on; it will allow you to send any inorganic object you touch into storage. To withdraw an item, open your hand and think of what you want to recall. It will reappear."

"Some use storage spaces like this one to store healing vials, small weapons, or devices such as traps or explosives that would be cumbersome or dangerous to transport outside dimensional spaces. There are endless uses for dimensional storage items, and even if you do not choose this item as your gift, you should acquire one through some other means as soon as possible." Murdo set the ring down and picked up the necklace.

"This amulet has a twofold effect. It grants the wearer passive healing and can project a limited-use energy shield against blunt-force attacks. This would be a good choice if you are concerned about defending yourself. However, I must say that your own kinetic energy powers the shield, and it must recharge after each use. Depending on the force it absorbs, that process can take several hours. Also, it only applies to blunt force beneath a certain threshold.

It would stop, say, a punch from an armored gauntlet, but it would not block a stab from a dagger. If the force were too great, the amulet would reduce the damage slightly and transfer the rest to your body. It is useful but limited. Still, given your notable lack of armor, you might want to consider it." Murdo gestured at the helmet.

"The helm is a type called a mirrorveil. It is opaque from the outside but transparent within. It has several useful properties, including low-level resistance to mental attack. We have learned there will be at least one telepath in the trial. The ability to resist their influence at a key moment may be the difference between life and death. A powerful telepath can be a formidable enemy if you do not take precautions."

"How many people will be in the trial?" George asked.

"Forty," Murdo answered.

"But we expect that number to dwindle quickly due to the nature of the trial." >>Well. >>We're screwed.

"The helm is nearly indestructible, and, as such, it acts as armor. It also has a mild mental clarity effect, equivalent to a boost of three intelligence points." >>Oh, you need that one.

"If I might say, George, in your unique situation, the helm will have one other useful characteristic," Murdo tapped his own cheek in the spot where George's Saar death brand had appeared.

"What is the story with the brand?" George said.

"It just appeared after the first trial."

"George, conversing with you is a refreshing adventure. You are so direct and grasping, yet so ignorant. It is like speaking to a precocious child!" Murdo said with a laugh.

"Allow me to enlighten you. All of us who have found a home in this world must find a way to survive the trials. The best find a way not only to survive but also to leverage the trials to their own advantage. The Saar guild copes with this relentless reality by requiring its members to bind themselves to a vengeance pact. If anyone kills a member of the guild in a trial, they receive a deathmark.

It is the duty of any guild member who encounters someone bearing a deathmark to kill that person during the trial, lest they suffer rather unpleasant consequences. If they do so before the trial ends, they gain great rewards."

"It is a terribly effective deterrent, causing so much trouble for those who bear a deathmark most will go to great lengths to avoid killing a Saar, even if it means losing a trial."

"Oh," George said.

"Yes," Murdo said, affecting a sad smile.

"I regret to tell you that there will be not one but two members of the Saar guild in the upcoming trial. This helm will provide you with visual protection from them and will block them from learning of your deathmark, provided their levels are close to yours. Unfortunately, if their levels are high enough or they come in close contact with you, they will sense the mark despite the helm. That is part of being a Saar."

"Now, it is time to make your decision. If you need to converse with your node spider, feel free to do so. I shall await your response," Murdo said, folded his hands and waited.

"If you accept my offer, you may choose one of these items. If you should choose to reject the offer, we will conclude our negotiations, and I will leave you to the fate that awaits you." >>What do you think, Nod? >>I think Prince Neco sounds like he needs a royal spanking. >>Also, Murdo seems OK but in a weird way… like he might dress up as a clown in his spare time and have bodies buried under his floor back home. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. >>Nod. Focus.

Do we take the deal or not? >>What choice do we have? >>It seems like this Prince Neco guy has a big head start already. I bet the others will have other types of advantages. Who knows how long they've known about the trial and what they've done to prepare? >>Narrowing that advantage gap wouldn't hurt us. Having an energy shield beats wearing that baking sheet under your shirt any day. >> Plus, how hard can it be to not vote against the prince?

If it is really going to be as gnarly as Murdo said, there is a chance someone else will take him out of the game early anyway. >>Ok. Which one do we choose? >>I say we take the helmet. Those Saar guys sound like bad news. >>Yeah, that's where I was leaning. Plus, I didn't even know telepathy was a thing. Can those people really control other people? >>Asks the guy with a node spider in his body… >>Yeah. They can. And they're scary as hell. A strong telepath can make you do whatever they want. Walk off a cliff.

Kiss your mother. Eat your hand. Etc. Etc. >>The thing is, they get so used to controlling others that they are nearly all terrible people. I mean, why would you try to convince anyone of anything if you could make them do what you wanted and make them think it was their idea? >>That terrifying scenario aside, we are agreed, yeah? Let's get this helmet and do whatever else we have to do before the trial starts. Then George had an idea and turned his attention back to Murdo.

"I'll take your deal on one condition," George said. Murdo clapped his hands again and said, "That is the spirit, Mr. Brandiss! Let's make a deal. Tell me your condition, and I will meet it if possible."

"In addition to an item, I want 150 gold. Right now," George said.

"150 gold," Murdo said, allowing himself a small smile.

"Yes, I believe we can accommodate that." Murdo flicked his hand the way he had after making the rune, and George received a notification. Received: 150 gold.

"I take it we have an understanding, George," Murdo said.

"Choose your item, and we can conclude our business. You do not have long before the trial begins." >>Trial starts in 00: 46: 44 >>And ticking faster every minute.

"We choose the helmet," George said. The other two items disappeared, and Murdo gestured at the helmet, inviting George to take it. George reached forward and picked the helmet up. It was lighter than it looked despite giving off a feeling of solidity.

"Put it on," Murdo said, unsmiling. George slid the helmet over his head as Murdo watched him. He felt motion inside the helmet as the material reconfigured itself to fit his head. In a moment, it fit so comfortably he could hardly feel it. Just as Murdo had said, it was transparent inside. He could see the faint grey outline of the visor on the edges of his vision, but in front of his eyes, the helmet was so clear as to be invisible.

Then, it suddenly tightened around his neck and hugged itself around his jawline and the base of his head. It was not painful but was tighter than he would have liked. As soon as he thought that, he felt a series of needles jab into his neck. He reached up to feel the spot where the pain was, but whatever had caused it was gone. He tried to take the helmet off, but he could not. It was gripping the base of his head too tightly. When he pushed his fingers in to pry it off, the whole helmet got even tighter.

"You have probably just felt a few small pinpricks in your neck, Mr. Brandiss. I'm afraid that was the activation of a feature of the helm that I neglected to mention. We know that many unforeseen things can happen in a trial, and even a bargain struck with the best of intentions may go awry, so we installed a small insurance policy so that your determination to carry out your end of the deal does not waver."

"As I can see that you are discovering even now, you will be unable to remove the helm until the trial is completed. You have been injected with a neurotoxin that will activate if you vote against Prince Neco. Furthermore, should the prince die during the trial, the toxin will activate. The prince can also trigger it upon command, should he deem it necessary," Murdo said.

"If this happens, you will be dead within seconds. If you try to remove the helmet, the neurotoxin will activate." George stood up quickly, drawing the pool ball into one hand and the sewing needle into the other. George took a step toward the smaller man and raised the needle.

"Ah, ah, Mr. Brandiss." Murdo didn't stand up but raised the black finger he had used to draw the rune in the air.

"I wouldn't. We have made an investment in you. I'd hate to see that investment damaged now."

"You must understand, Mr. Brandiss," Murdo said.

"The Rook would not simply offer you these advantages on the strength of a smile and a handshake. The house felt the need to take measures to ensure your cooperation. But fear not; adhere to the imperative to aid the prince at every possible opportunity, and you will not be harmed." >>He snuck a few extra clauses into that deal, didn't he? I'm doodling all over this guy the next time we see him.

"You feel that you have been wronged because you have been. Consider that another welcome gift as a new player. Learn to trust less readily, Mr. Brandiss. This is the way the game works," Murdo said, levering himself to his feet.

"Apply that righteous anger to your enemies in the upcoming trial, and you will find the helm—and the ordeal it entails—will disappear once the trial is concluded. We have every confidence in you, George. That is why we chose you." >>Yeah, right. They chose you because you don't know shit about this game, and they sent this asshole to pull a fast one on us.

"But I will tell you this, one inferior to another," Murdo stepped closer to George and lowered his voice, "the prince is young and can be, hmm… how to put this… fickle in his affections. However, he can also be lavish in rewarding those who serve him well." Murdo clapped him on the shoulder and favored George with a wide smile as though he'd given him happy news.

"Before I leave you to your last-minute preparations, I will say one more thing. You are not the only person in the trial with whom we have come to a similar arrangement. Two other co-conspirators will join you in addition to Prince Neco. With their help, we know you will overcome. Good luck, Mr. Brandiss," Murdo said and disappeared as silently and as instantly as he arrived. Ability Deactivated: From the Fragments to the Aftermath Ability Notification!

Development points assigned: 3 Progress toward ability upgrade: 3/1000