A Gunslinger’s System in a World of Magic

•••

[Main Quest: Escape]

[Quest Completed]

[You have Leveled Up]

[You have Leveled Up]

[You are now Level 21]

[Hit Point Maximum increased to 210]

[Hit Points: 38/210]

[Mana Point Maximum increased to 320]

[You have received 12 Stat Points to Allocate]

[You now have 18 Stat Points to allocate]

*[Nyx has Leveled Up]

[Nyx is now Level 8]

[Nyx's Hit Point Maximum increased to 140]

[Nyx's Mana is now 150]

[Strength: 65 ———> 70]

[Speed: 120 ———> 130]

[Stamina: 60 ———> 65]

Henry lay on the floor of Elminster's workshop —somewhere he had not been able to go due to the Control cuff that used to be on his wrist—, and he was faced up as he watched the notifications arrive one after the other in a long list. Of all of them, it was the ones about Nyx that Henry focused most on. Again, they made him feel connected to her. Wherever she was.

He was glad the System had rewarded her with the usual 50% of his rewards because he hadn't seen it on the Quest description screen.

Henry had just let out a sigh when he heard a familiar voice that he almost couldn't believe he had missed hearing as much as he did,

"You look like crap," Elminster said even though he didn't look up from a piece of Armor he was running his hands on.

"Yeah, I feel like crap too," Henry said with a chuckle.

With two Level Ups, he had gained more Hit Points and his vision was no longer tinged with red, and yet, he still felt tired. Because his weakness had very little to do with low Hit Points.

His weakness came from fatigue.

Somehow, even though he had not killed nearly as much today as he had done on certain other days since he had been in this world, Henry felt like he had overextended himself.

If he was to really give it some thought, Henry knew the fault was on him for neglecting his Stamina Stat. His body's energy was barely able to keep up with what he was capable of, which was his now very high Agility and his ability to channel Mana to do more than just fire magical shots out of a gun.

Henry found that casting *Shocking Grip* seemed to sap his energy far more than shooting magical bullets did. It was like the Mana in his body was far more involved when it came to casting a spell. Or whatever it is one calls it to use Magic through magical tattoos.

"Ugh."

With a groan of effort, Henry rolled to his front and rose off the ground slowly which took every bit of energy his body had so far recovered.

He walked toward Elminster and watched as the old Craftsman ran a tool across the Armor he was attending to. Carving little symbols on the surface and infusing every one of them with Mana so that they glowed and permanently imbued it with Magical effects. What those effects were, Henry had no idea.

"You smell like death too," Elminster said.

Henry nodded,

"I've been around it quite a bit."

"I suppose you'll be wanting more Potions then. Even though I've told you to stop treating me like a Potion Maker," Elminster said with a bit of a grumble.

Henry found a structure to lean against for support as he managed a smile,

"Old man, I haven't been here in a week. You must at least have some Potions for me. And that's not all I need either."

Henry pulled 'Violent Retort' from his Inventory and held it out to the Craftsman,

"I'll take slugs to this too if you have them."

Elminster looked up from the Armor he was tending to and furrowed his brows at 'Violent Retort' before reaching out to take it from Henry.

Elminster held the gun close to his face, scrutinizing it with a smile,

"Fine craftsmanship," he said.

"Yeah. Been liking it so far," Henry said and while he was genuine, he also spoke with a tone that made it clear he wanted to speed things along.

"Did you notice something familiar about it?" Elminster asked.

"What?" Henry said confused.

Elminster scoffed,

"Of course, you wouldn't," he said dismissively.

'How could I?' Henry asked in his head, 'I've had far more pressing matters to worry about.'

"Did you make it?" He asked out loud.

Elminster chuckled,

"No. I didn't."

Henry looked taken aback as he asked,

"Then why would you ask if I noticed anything familiar?"

"Because it was made by someone who learned from me. A disciple of mine from years ago. While I didn't make the gun and it doesn't bear my brand, the workmanship should be familiar to you. Considering how long you've had 'The Hydra's Sting'."

Elminster sounded accusatory and even glared at Henry over the gun to which, Henry let out a sigh and said with urgency,

"Elminster, I haven't had the time to make comparisons. Please, do you have the slugs or not? I really hope you do."

"I do," Elminster said as he handed 'Violent Retort' back to Henry and added for further affirmation,

"Of course, I do."

As usual, Elminster led the way to the back room where he quickly laid out boxes of shotgun slugs.

Henry pulled open one of the boxes and he could immediately tell the slugs were better than the ones he had loaded into 'Violent Retort' before now.

"I have better ones, of course," Elminster said.

"Better than this?" Henry asked almost in surprise because this already complemented the gun perfectly.

Elminster nodded,

"Of course, I do. What do you take me for?" He asked and laughed with a casual mirth that was rare with him.

"Let me see 'em," Henry said excitedly.

"Ho ho, Settle down," Elminster said as he stroked his beard before he gestured at 'Violent Retort' in Henry's hands,

"Get a better gun first. Load any of my better slugs in that thing and it'll blow up and likely take your hand with it."

Henry smiled lightly,

"You could just give me a better gun. I'm sure you've got one."

"Yes, I do. But I don't make sales anymore, remember?"

"It doesn't have to be a sale," Henry said, "You can just lend it to me."

Elminster shook his head,

"No. Until I get all my products back, I'm not letting go of anymore."

"Oh yeah," Henry said sullenly, "There's still that."

Henry decided to drop the topic. Especially since he remembered the System having said something about Elminster not selling weapons until his grievances were soothed.

"The slugs will be 30 gold apiece," Elminster said and eyed Henry like he was expecting him to haggle as usual.

Henry didn't. He just counted the slugs,

"There are only 30 here," he said.

"What?" Elminster asked, "30 not enough for ya."

"Might be. Might not. I'd like not to take any chances. Make it 50."

Elminster eyed him for a bit and then brought 20 more which he placed on the slab.

"Good," Henry said and sent them to his Inventory.

"Hey, you haven't paid yet," Elminster said.

"I'll pay later," Henry said and made a 'gimme' gesture with his hand,

"Potions now please."

Elminster provided bottles of both Healing and Mana recovery potions.

"Here."

Henry counted. There were 12 of each.

He grabbed one Healing Potion and downed it.

[You have recovered 60 Hit Points]

[Hit Points: 98/210]

"Good stuff," he said as he reveled in the rejuvenation provided by the potion right before he sent the rest of the bottles into his Inventory.

"You didn't pay for those either," Elminster noted with a frown while wondering to himself why he had watched Henry swipe the potions and the slugs out of sight and done nothing.

"There's a pressing matter I have to attend to right now so we'll talk about payments when next I'm here…" Henry said as he activated Elminster's brand and summoned the oval portal.

Before the Portal swallowed him, Henry added with a smile,

"… And I'll have you include the required discounts as well."

If Elminster had a response to that, he didn't get to deliver it because the Portal closed then and Henry was gone.