TIER UPGRADE REQUIREMENTS:
1000 XP
5 SHARDS
20 HARROW COINS
A SINGLE FEMUR BONE
TIER 2 BONE BREAKER – CARTILAGE CRANK
Wastrel, peak
The first laugh comes when they snap their own wrist, only to hit harder with the next swing. Bones warp. The cartilage stiffens and grows jagged. Their laughter is not joy, but the rush of the marrow’s heat burning through their?—
I exit the menu and look down at Debbie. “Sorry, Debbie,” I say before I start chopping at her hip.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Vesper shouts, leaping back as I hack off Debbie’s leg.
“I need a femur bone,” I answer. The moment I break the leg free, I start hacking below the knee, smashing it apart. “To level up.”
She covers her mouth. “Surely, there’s a better way?—”
“I’m not taking yours,” I growl, starting to cut the meat off the bone. “This is the only option. It’s dangerous not to level up.”
“Did you read it all this time? What if?—”
“Don’t need to,” I grunt. “I gotta be stronger to protect you.”
I pull the bloody femur bone free and stick it in my inventory. Then I open the notification again and accept without reading the rest of the menu. I don’t care what abilities I get as long as I’m stronger, as long as I can better protect Vesper. I will make sure she doesn’t ever fear death if I can help it. I will make sure I’m strong enough to take on any enemy.
As long as she keeps smiling at me.
“Locke—” she starts, her expression pinched with worry.
NEW STAT UPGRADE
TIER 2 - CARTILAGE CRANK
Wastrel, peak
STRENGTH: 17
AGILITY: 12
VITALITY: 12
WILLPOWER: 11
CHARISMA: 8
LUCK: 10
FRACTURE POINTS: 5. GAIN +5% DAMAGE AND +2% DAMAGE RESISTANCE
CORRUPTION: 15%
CURRENT BUFFS:
