Emily Harris
Stories
6
Chapters
1,488
Words
2.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
7 d, 19 h
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“Henry White! Get the fuck out here!” Jack roared from the hotel roof, sending his voice throughout the town. Thanks to his enhanced body, his shout was even louder than usual. The people below froze. They looked around, then up to find a menacing figure standing over them. Some whispered. Others averted their gaze; the afternoon sun shone behind Jack, hiding his form. The dark-skinned man at the center of the yard stood up. “I am Henry White,” he declared evenly. “Who might you…-
126 •
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He had no idea what that was. It sounded like a random trinket he couldn’t use. Maybe he’d get cheated if he sold it now, but he could at least appraise it or ask what it was. He took it out of his pocket; it seemed like an old gold coin. “I have this,” he said. “What do you think it’s worth?” “Hmm?” Ar’Tazul looked down. He inspected the coin in Jack’s hand, then froze. His eyes widened, his professional smile fell for the first time, and he released a gasp. “That’s a Trial…
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126 •
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Three men stood at the edge of the yard fifteen feet away, pointing handguns at Jack. Two looked like hoodlums. The third was Hugo, the slavic mafia man charged with watching the professor. Jack stared down the gun barrel and didn’t flinch. Instead, he grinned and cracked his knuckles. “Hello, Hugo,” he said. “I see your walk has been productive. You found a few more dogs.” Hugo’s face was still as if cut from stone. “I never got your name.” “See those guns, Hugo? That’s called…
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126 •
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Jack raised his gaze to the man behind the professor. His eyes darkened. “Who are you?” he asked. “This is Hugo,” the professor hurried to respond. “He’s with Henry’s Fang.” “And?” “I am here on orders, sir,” Hugo said in a deep voice. “We have an agreement with Professor Rust. I make sure everyone honors it.” Jack narrowed his eyes. Hugo was a big man of slavic descent, with a flat nose and a thick neck. His ears resembled cauliflowers, and his face betrayed a man of stark…
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126 •
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Jack crossed the woods, feeling like Christopher Colombus discovering America. Everything he saw was the same as he remembered, but different. Being outside the nature reserve—the Forest of the Strong dungeon—felt like a dream. What had changed? How had the System impacted humanity? What was the world like? Was it all real? Everything was exactly as he remembered. The trees, the broken branches, that fat bush he’d stepped over once upon a time… It made him doubt whether this was all a…
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126 •
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Jack stood in silence. Yesterday morning had been full of tension. Today, grief. Two brorillas and eleven gymonkeys had given their lives against the black wolves. They were brave. They could have chosen cowardice or half-measures, but every single one of them went forth to fight knowing that their lives might be forfeit. There were many injured, too, but the ice pond had healed them. That wasn’t a pretty sight either. Oz had been forced to keep some monkeys in the pond for a few moments, as their…
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126 •
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Jack was dragged out of his blissful sleep by burning agony. He woke up screaming. The last thing he remembered was the black wolf coming for him. He was still in battle. Hell, his entire body burned everywhere the wolf had injured him. The pain was immeasurable. He jumped up with a splash, still screaming at the top of his lungs. Two gorillas were before him, trying to calm him down—or kill him. Rocky walls surrounded him like a coffin, his body was filled with the cold of death, and everything was…
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126 •
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He didn’t know where to dodge. Was it early or late? How far should he lean? Jack would later swear that, at that moment, the wolf grinned. Its claw came at him, and there was nothing he could do except gamble. It had been toying with him; it had the Dao Root of Shadow but hadn’t used it until now, except for that small illusion it activated at the very start. The claw came for his head, its position vague. Jack had to make a decision. What was best? At that moment, it felt like his brain exploded.…
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126 •
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Jack quickly allocated all his bonus points equally. The wolf stared at him with boundless rage. Time seemed to freeze. Slowly, Jack understood what happened. He remembered the wolf’s description. Mostly. Well, these ones lived in pairs. They just looked the same. Unfortunately, the System didn’t give favors. Sometimes, luck was on the table, and sometimes, there was misfortune. Suddenly, Jack realized something. Last time he saw a black wolf in the forest, it had a scar above its snout. The one…
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126 •
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Jack and the monkey army prowled through the morning forest. The pleasant chattering of birds, the last drops of moisture rolling off leaves, the vivid colors, these all formed a joyful mood that contrasted the soberness of the situation. They had chosen the morning because wolves enjoyed hunting at night. Also because Jack was getting tired of all the monkey business in his cave. A howl cut through the forest. Their bones rocked, their eyes narrowed. This howl hid fury and determination. The wolf was no…
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126 •
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