The Fourth Secret: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Divine Apostasy Book 4) A. Kay (best management books of all time .TXT) 📖

the large cat and wondered if giving commands required the interface. “Scout the city, please.”

Ruwen’s door opened and Whiskers dashed out, hopefully headed to scout the city, and not just take a nap somewhere. The edges of Ruwen’s map had turned yellow from Lir’s update, which reminded him of his minimized notifications. He opened his map and found his parents along with Tremine in the room they’d been using as a dining hall. Excitement and anxiety warred inside his stomach, making him feel a little nauseous despite all his buffs.

Glancing in the mirror, he tried to smooth his hair. Rod Spider blood had covered him the first night in Blapy, and it had solidified into something like stone. He’d needed to cut the blood out of his hair, which had left it short and spikey. Since nothing grew in the Spirit Realm, that haircut had happened less than a week ago, or maybe two weeks if you counted the time compression in Blapy. Keeping track of all the timelines was a headache.

You’re not making it any better, Rami said. Quit stalling.

Ruwen left his room and headed for the dining hall. He brought up the minimized notifications that had appeared shortly after he’d returned to Blapy.

Ting!

You have completed the Quest – Watch your Step.

You have received Clan approval for Master assessment.

You have received Mentorship in the Shadow Grandmaster path upon becoming a Master.

You have received 30,000 experience (25,000*(1.2 Tutor Modifier))!

Ruwen opened the next notification.

Ding!

Uru’s Blessings, Worker! You have reached level 23.

You have gained +1 to Strength!

You have gained +1 to Stamina!

You have 2 unassigned points.

Uru’s Blessings, Root! You have reached level 23.

You have 2 unassigned points.

New Spells and Abilities are available to you. Choose wisely.

Level twenty-three, Ruwen could hardly believe it. He looked at his experience.

Experience:1,705/276,000

The extra twenty percent from the Tutor buff was responsible for Ruwen leveling again so soon. Including this level’s gains, he had a banked four Attribute points, eleven spell points, and twelve Ability points. He needed to distribute these soon. Maybe after catching up with his parents.

Ruwen’s stomach twisted in nervousness. Why was he so anxious? He opened the next notification.

Ting!

You have received the quest…

Last Steps

You have demonstrated your worth to the Bamboo Viper Clan and received permission to prove your Mastery in the trial. If successful, Dusk has found you worthy of the Shadow Steps.

Reward: Bamboo Step Master

Reward: Viper Step Master

Reward: Shadow Step Grandmaster path

Reward: 50,000 experience

Accept or Decline

Ruwen chose Accept, and wondered what the Master’s trial might entail. Maybe Sift would know. Ruwen looked at the next notification.

Tring!

You have discovered…

Name: Soul Pearl (Lesser)

Quality: Uncommon

Weight: 0.2 lbs.

Effect: +2 Charisma when worn as jewelry.

Effect: Soul energy sink.

Description: A small translucent sphere. Pearl will glow in proportion to soul energy absorbed.

Ruwen needed to make this pearl glow, but it required he find his soul first. He hoped that wasn’t as difficult as Mist and Thorn implied. He cycled through the other notifications.

Tring!

You have discovered…

Name: Soul Fruit of Revelation

Quality: Special

Weight: 0.1 lbs.

Duration: 1 minute

Effect: Perception increased by 300%.

Effect: Senses increased by 200%.

Description: Small red fruit with a sweet and sour taste. Many look but few see.

Tring!

You have discovered…

Name: Soul Fruit of Potency

Quality: Special

Weight: 0.1 lbs.

Duration: 15 minutes

Effect: +30 Strength.

Effect: +30 Stamina.

Effect: +30 Agility.

Description: Small green fruit with a very sweet taste. Some problems are only solved with overwhelming power.

Tring!

You have discovered…

Name: Soul Fruit of Obscurity

Quality: Special

Weight: 0.1 lbs.

Duration: 30 minutes

Effect: Invisible to observers with a Perception under 400%.

Restriction: Aggressive, loud, or sudden movements decrease Perception threshold.

Description: Small black fruit with a sweet and tart taste. Out of sight is out of mind.

The fruit appeared to have made the trip back in good shape. Ruwen hoped Fractal could grow these in the dungeon. It would be fantastic to have a steady source of these amazing fruits.

Ruwen closed the notifications and stopped in front of the dining hall door. Low voices came from the other side, and he placed his hand on the handle. He stood like that, frozen.

What’s wrong? Rami asked.

Ruwen shrugged, his throat tight. They’ll blame me for taking so long to find them.

We both know that’s dumb. What you’ve accomplished since your Ascendancy is astounding.

Ruwen looked down at the handle. They’ll be disappointed in me.

Why? Is this about your Worker Class again? Even someone with your mental handicaps can see that worked out well.

They don’t know that, though.

Your parents never appeared prejudiced in your memories. They seemed open minded actually. In fact, considering what they knew about you, and how they let you live your life, they were amazingly tolerant. If you were my kid, I would have forced you into combat training from—

Rami stopped as Ruwen went completely still. Oh, this is about all the secrets.

Ruwen shrugged again.

Rami remained quiet for a few seconds, and in a soft voice continued. My mom has more secrets than stars in the sky. I hate that she has them. But now, I recognize a little why she does.

Why?

A combination of love and protection.

Ruwen stood up straight. What? Love is a reason to not keep them.

Even now, you keep secrets from the people closest to you. Worse, your friends suffer because of them. You could have destroyed that Bone Sculptor with a thought and a fraction of your Spirit. Instead, everyone risked their lives so you could keep the secret of your Core. Because if you didn’t, all of us, and millions more, would die from the consequences. Secrets can be good, necessary even.

Ruwen wanted to scream at Rami that she didn’t know anything. Instead, he pressed his lips together in frustration. She was right. As usual.

It still hurts, Ruwen said.

That I understand all too well.

Ruwen took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Rami spoke again. You know the pain of a secret. Your parents have been carrying theirs a lot longer.

It’s time to hear them, Ruwen said and opened the door.

The conversation in the dining hall stopped.

Clarysa Starfield screamed, something Ruwen had never heard his mom do before, and ran toward him. Colyn Starfield smiled and stood. Seeing