No pain, no gain!

I spent a few minutes making a show of preparing the "ritual". I didn't quite know how normal priests worked, and had to make sure I didn't look too out of place. In addition, I subtly experimented on the intensities I could use on Incur Growth. I most certainly did not want to kill this man like I did the wolf. While I pretended to prepare, I opened the Gamer HUD in order to check my stats.

Moged-Ruun (Mathew Kiegan)

Title: none

Core: Doom

Race: lvl 6 Spirit (life infused) (I) (656/750xp)

Class: lvl 3 Priest (II) (328/330xp)

Health: 170/170

Mana: 17/17

Stats:

Magic attack: 20.4 (1346.4=17+3.4(+40.8 of spell(+612 if life(+673.2 if healing human)))

Physical attack: 51 (56.1=17+3.4+30.6(+5.1 when fighting dark)

Magic defense: 17 (102=17(+85 if light or dark)

Physical defense: 42.5 (255=17+25.5(+212.5 if light or dark)

Pierce: 5

Achievements:

Overgrowth

One Pu~nch!

Nothing else had changed in the menu. There was another popup that begged for my attention, however I could not address it now. I stood in a contemplative stance for a while, focusing myself before I spoke to Oliver, "This will be your last chance to reconsider. If you truly wish to bear the pain, step forward and hold out the arm I must recover."

Oliver steeled himself, nodded, and stepped forward. "I am ready, for even the slightest chance of getting back what I lost."

I nodded in respect. 'Strong resolve like this is quite the virtue, this man would make a good ally'. "Then let us begin." With that, I held my arms forward and syphoned my power through them, focusing as much as I could on his stump arm. I added in some chanting under my breath for effect, though quiet enough for no one to be able to tell I was just singing the intro to my favorite show Digimon in a deep voice.

The effects were quite quickly obvious. A slight grimace appeared on his face as he pushed through the pain, until it clearly became more than he could handle without showing. He fell to his knees and gripped his arm as I began to see the bone grow through the skin. 'I hope my regeneration is far more painless than this, it looks dreadful'.

He let out a shout as the bone exited his flesh. The crowds around backed away as the ripped flesh itself began to grow along the bone like a vine to a pole. I questioned for a moment if he could take it, but my question was quickly answered as he gave me a determined glare, seemingly predicting my thoughts. I gave a nod of acknowledgement and respect as I continued.

It was an actually quick process, though I'm sure it was eternity for everyone there. I had to constantly keep my mana in check, Oliver had to endure unimaginable pain, and everyone else had to watch. I believe I overheard a few onlookers losing their lunch, or whatever meal they had most recently had.

Then we got to the hand. It seems like there being multiple bones growing at once was far more excruciating, as he gave out an immense cry of pain. I heard a feminine voice in the distance cry out, "OLIVER!" just before he collapsed to the ground. As his hand finished forming, I knelt down beside him and patted him on the shoulder as I could hear a group approaching through the crowd.

As the crowd opened, I saw a small group approaching. My first thought when I saw them was, 'Ah, the stereotypical adventuring party, now it's a fantasy world.' An elf woman ran to Olivers side as a dwarf went up to me and pointed his hammer towards my face. "Oi, what 've Yee done to the lad?" I had to try so hard not to laugh at the stereotypicalness of it. "Answer me you-"

"Gru," the elf called out, "You need to look at this."

The dwarf called over his shoulder, "Can't it wait? I need t'give this bastard a nice flatten'n."

"It's his arm..." The elf said in disbelief. The dwarf gained a quizzical expression before turning around, looking to Oliver.
"what're you-" He went wide eyed and silent upon seeing Oliver's new left arm. He swiftly turned back to me, considered for a moment, before lowering his hammer and leaning on it. "How? N'ne has been able to do it, how'd Yee?"

I stared at him, trying to put on a neutral expression. "I simply used the powers my god granted me."

"Bullshit!" The elf called, standing up and marching towards me. "None of those priests were able to do it, no matter how much he tried to pay them. I can't Imagine what he gave you, but I know that none of the gods give their priests the power to do this."

"Do not limit my god by comparing them to those you know." I said with a slight smirk. "This is but a fraction of the power my god granted me. Most of my effort was on keeping it minimal to be honest. And Sir Oliver granted me no pay," She began to speak again before I cut her off quickly, "I asked for none."

She looked at me in disbelief before the dwarf spoke up, "I don' think Yee know what Yee j'st did."

I tilted my head towards him, "I suppose I don't. But before we continue, I must address the masses." The dwarf looked at me confused as I turned my attention to the crowd. "This, is the beginning of the powers of my lord. For those who seek salvation and release from the burdens, remember the name, MOGED-RUUN." I raised my hands above my head in a position of prayer, and the crowd went silent. I turned back to the dwarf. "Is there a place best to have our conversation?"

"Aye," he said, as he led me towards the local tavern.