6 Trouble is Brewing

Kyler felt his hand where the tattoo appeared. It felt like his hand, there didn't seem to be anything new or different. In his head, he heard a voice welcoming him to the system. The computer voice caught his attention once more. "User, Dr. Gilmore Harvey has prepared a welcome gift to help you. Based on an analysis of the user's physiology and skills, the following three abilities will be synthesized with the user's DNA. The new hybrid body will strengthen the abilities of the body and integrate it with current skills.

The user is adept at hunting and has basilisk poison coating his weapons. Basilisk petrification eye is also part of the user's equipment. Ability one, converting the fingernails of each index finger into basilisk retractable fangs. The user will be able to directly use basilisk poison. Two basilisk poison sacks are added to the user's organs.

The body of the user is extremely weak. Hibagon DNA for increased physical strength is added. This will be the second ability. The final ability is the fire of a salamander. The user as a practitioner of the blacksmith arts will be greatly aided by the salamander fire attribute.

At first, Kyler was expecting to see himself glow or some kind of sign of magic but all he felt was his body warm up slightly. He looked around the room for the exit. It seemed like Dr. Harvey was done with him, so he might as well leave. He was worried about the Raiders. Where were they, where would the exit take him? Were they still waiting in the cave? Even though he would suffer some problems from Uncle Clyde by not bringing back any ore. He decided it was better to face Uncle Clyde than murderous Raiders. He just wanted to go home.

Kyler heard a swishing sound and saw an opening in the room. He walked through it and found it was an enclosed box. As soon as he entered, the door shut behind him. The box he was in felt like it was moving. As far as he could tell, it felt like it was going up. Going up felt like it took much longer than coming down.

The box stopped and the door opened once more. He stepped out of the box and found he was outside. He wasn't sure, at first, where he was. After a few minutes, he was able to get his bearings. He realized he was much closer to the Smith Family estate than he thought. He worked his way back slowly. He slipped into the estate without anyone noticing him. He went to his room, locked the door, and fell asleep.

For the next three days, Kyler slept a deep sleep not stirring even once. When he fell asleep he was worried about his uncle causing him problems because he didn't report back with the ores. What he forgot was Clyde expected Kyler to meet his doom at the mine. Clyde wasn't expecting Kyler to return so he never bothered looking for him. Kyler slept peacefully for three days. On the third day after his return, he stirred, made some food, drank some water, used the restroom and went back to bed. He slept for a couple of more days.

Over the last week, while Kyler was asleep, trouble was brewing in the Raider camp. The Raider Boss, Nezzer, escaped to the Raider base with his body covered in wounds. He was unlucky in his travels. The stink bait stuck to him and he was constantly running for his life. He was able to find a stream and swam in it and wash the stink bait from his body. After cleaning himself he was able to return to the base.

He was only a team leader for the contracted kill of Kyler Smith. Nezzer reported the disaster to the real leader. His name was Vin. He was one of the biggest Raiders in the base. Standing at six feet five inches he had bulging muscles, a bald head and brown eyes so dark they almost looked black. He wore the Raider uniform of dyed blue wool pants and a red leather vest. He carried a halberd with him. It was his primary weapon.

"You think you were set up?" Vin asked Nezzer.

"I don't know how else to explain what happened. We were ambushed by an expert assassin. I've never seen someone use a bow and arrow like that before. He didn't even bother killing me, he just left some stinkbait and let a scorpion leopard take care of me and Gil. It killed Gil and almost got me. The stinkbait was so strong it got on me and I nearly died on my way back. I was constantly attacked by demon beasts. My survival is pure luck. Someone must have set us up," Nezzer said.

"You think it was Clyde?" Vin asked.

"It doesn't make any sense for it to be him, but who else could it be?" Nezzer asked.

"I've dispatched some spies to observe the family. No one has come out for the last week. I can't help but think they know something is going on. Maybe they know we'll be coming for some answers," Vin said.

"What do you want to do?" Nezzer asked.

"I want to talk to Clyde," Vin said.

"Have you seen the kid he wanted us to kill?" Nezzer asked.

"No, but if this was a set up the kid should be fine," Vin said.

"Clyde worked with us to kill the kid's parents, why betray us now?" Nezzer asked.

"Who knows, maybe someone got suspicious and he got nervous. Maybe he's working on redemption. He wants to kill us Raiders and prove his loyalty," Vin said.

"That's the only thing that makes sense," Nezzer said.

Vin thought for a while before speaking, "Screw it, let's just kill Clyde and the whole Smith family. I'll call back the Raiders out on missions and we'll go to war against the Smiths. No one betrays the Raiders!"

"Sounds good to me, let me kill Clyde personally. Those were my men he killed. He tried to kill me too," Nezzer said.

"Of course, the kill is yours. After we kill the Smith family we'll take over the estate. It will be our new base," Vin said.

"Perfect," Nezzer said with a dangerous smile.