Questing for Titles: A System Apocalypse Short Story
Date: 2020-10-30 23:35:55+00:00
Keywords: Fiction; Science Fiction; Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic; Fantasy; General; Short Stories (Single Author)
Description: What’s in a Title? That which the System gives by any other Title might not smell as sweet. In the System Apocalypse, a single Title can make or break a build. And in the entire Galactic System, there are Title Seekers, those who make it their life quest to acquire the most unusual and rare Titles possible. Earth, a new Dungeon World offers multiple possibilities. Not least among them, the one from a familiar set of golden arches. For the Kyaz, it’s a chance in a million to get a rare Title. If he can manage to evade the machinations of a fellow Title Seeker and trust his human sidekick, Xi Pi
Publisher: Starlit Publishing

Questing for Titles

A System Apocalypse Short Story

By

Tao Wong

License Notes

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Questing for Titles: A System Apocalypse short story

Copyright © 2020 Tao Wong. All rights reserved.

A Starlit Publishing Book

Published by Starlit Publishing

69 Teslin Rd

Whitehorse, YT

Y1A 3M5

Canada

www.starlitpublishing.com

ISBN: 9781989994337

Questing for Titles

Golden arches on an elevated billboard glowed in the dark of the night, illuminated internally by Mana lamps and offering the surroundings its only source of illumination. The lights glowed brighter than they ever did before, which allowed the words beneath the sign to stand out even more starkly. Both words and viscera decorated the billboard.

Over a million served at this location!

Dried blood, poisoned spittle, and globules of torn flesh covered one portion of the sign, much of it originating from the ground beneath the sign and leading all the way to the sole standing building in its expansive parking lot. To the right of the group that stared at the billboard stood their goal, little concrete barriers helping to designate the drive-through windows. Knee high, clear glass windows offered a view of the inside where overpowered-florescent lights powered by Mana illuminated the familiar red and yellow upholstery and white plastic tables. In the corners, where light failed to penetrate, shadowy figures moved within.

Of course, only one of the parties would recognize what was normal for florescent lights. Of the three that stood before the building, one was native human, barely breaking five feet in height, clad in a simple white blouse and black slacks that gave her a business casual demeanor. As she stood, she fiddled with the glasses that she still wore, frames adjusted to remove any magnification or light refraction and offered additional data on the System world.

For most though, it was the other two who would have brought an exclamation of surprise, at least five years back unless you were at a cosplay convention. Before the System Apocalypse, before the changing of everything. One of the figures was over six and a half feet tall, muscled like a steroid-ridden bodybuilder with a simple orange mohawk. More importantly, his green skin and tusks gave a clear indication of the Hakarta’s origins. The space orc wore an eccentric combination of modern tactical wear and silver medieval armor over his body, tactivest holding the double-bladed axe and the pair of belted beam pistols.

The third figure was a menuhene, a three-foot-tall, chubby and happy pink figure who carried a bow slung over his shoulder and a quiver of arrows by his hip. Mostly though, the menuhene watched the surroundings, fingers twitching by his side, Mana flowing from his eyes and body.

“The System has a sense of humor it seems. This is the nine hundred ninety-eighth such establishment and there are hundreds more turned into dungeons?” The Hakarta said. “It doesn’t normally highlight individual establishments when they are of great cultural importance.”

“Well, they did serve over a million humans,” the menuhene said.

An errant gust of wind brought the stench of rotting corpses to the group. It was strange, but even the smell of rotting flesh had changed since the System, as monsters and aliens whose body compositions were entirely different from the carbon-based life forms of Earth made their way over. This one, mixed with the usual breakdown of human and animal flesh, also consisted of a slight, almost sweet smell, reminiscent of smoked paprika. Smoked paprika, cinnamon and of course, rotten eggs.

“We told you before, if you wish to speak, speak up!” the menuhene shouted.

The youngster flinched, tucking her head low. But at the urgings of the menuhene she looked up and saw his Status once more.

Kyaz Zeal, Brotherhood of Title Guides – Yellow Initiate, Slayer of Goblins, Partaker of Feasts, the Variable Discipline of Moya, Appreciator of the Music of qWaz, more… (Level 18 Kismarnos Guide – Av14)

Con Variable-9xmil43: 254/254

ManaAbsorp-xneg-Regen-Overflow-W-minusgras: 540/540

As always, it took her a few seconds to put together the information that had been showcased to her, comparing it to the same information that she had on her sheet.

Xi Ping, Wen (Earth Food Guide Level 2 – A-m)

Health (ConVar): 160/160

Mana (AbsorpoReg): 180/180

The Status Screen alteration that she had paid for eleven restaurants back had made understanding other people’s Status information so much easier. She knew that there were actual Classes and Skills that would fix her view of the System completely, but the cost of doing that was too high. At least, until such time as she made enough for a goal. She was going to earn enough to buy the Ares armored food truck - Fireball v2.3 no matter what.

In the meantime, penny-pinching on things that she absolutely did not require like new Skills to read the System was definitely something she could do. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t done it before, when she’d scrimped and saved to put herself through chef school, all the while working late into the evenings at her father’s restaurant serving fried noodles.

That she still hadn’t received a Chef Class from the System on integration, but a Foodie Class from the random blogs that she had posted on the Internet rankled. Sure, she had a decent following, but it hadn’t been her passion. Cooking had been.

Then again, she wasn’t exactly sure if she would accept a Chef class now. After all, it still felt a little like cheating. Using System skills to make food taste better, make your ingredients stretch a little, give buffs. It didn’t feel like proper cooking, not the way she had learnt from her father, from Chef Ward. It was also why so many of the ‘Chefs’ she ran into couldn’t cook any better than a first-year student. They were so focused on their Skills they’d forgotten their skills.

Still, a portion of the savings was being set aside for a Class reset, just in case she changed her mind. There definitely was something to be said about being able to give full buffs to a party for eating your food. It certainly made for good money. And a Chef or not, she was her father’s daughter, and Yi Ping knew that money mattered if you wanted to keep cooking.

“Well?” Kyaz asked.

“The company was innovative for its ability to serve food quickly and cheaply and with good quality. At first. And then, it became quick and cheap,” Xi Ping said. “along with being a sign of American cultural dominance.”

“You speak, but so often, your words make no sense,” Chogfal rumbled. Xi Ping looked over at the Hakarta, who shook his head. “Dominance is a matter of strength, not… culture.”

Chogfal Barellyz, Wearer of the Indigo Sash, Partaker of Feasts – Flowers Division, Landslide Architect, Master of the Sixth and Eleventh Form of Opdeff Puzzles, Famed Hunter of vaxX, Asteroid Bounty Hunter, Pilgrim of the Jungle, … (Level 9 Weekly Disaster – Mpv-14.v3)

Con Variable-13xmil678: 3780/3780

ManaAbsorp-xneg-Regen-Overflow-W-minusflaxfor+endvar82_ks: 1270/1270

“Oh, America had strength,” Xi Ping said. “They had the fastest planes, the most modern technological pieces, aircraft carriers and ICBMs and, of course, nukes.”

“Much good it did when the System came. It fared worse because it had too few people of worthiness!” Chogfal said, pounding his chest. “Strength from Skills and Classes, from warriors is all that matters.”

“And Titles.” Kyaz said.

“And Titles.”

Xi Ping lowered her head again and fell silent rather than argue as it would get her nowhere. In truth, there was little to be argued with. The countries which had been packed with people had been both fortunate and tragic at the same time. They’d been targeted with higher-level creatures, some of which had rampaged and massacred populations, and others which had just found new lairs after their initial surprise, coming out only to snack. Due to the higher volume and higher level of their monsters, they’d lost more people as a percentage of population than other, less dense countries and cities. But dense as many of their cities had been, it had also meant that they had more people.

With danger came opportunity. Opportunity to Level, to kill and keep killing. Those who managed to survive the initial days and to increase their Levels managed to pile advantage on advantage, working the hard way to climb higher and higher in Levels. Of course, more died than survived, but the uncaring mathematics of numbers meant that heroic survivors began to shine.

A few, a very few, even managed to kill the titanic monsters that had been portalled into their cities, working in small groups or alone. Titles, Levels and prestige followed those victories. As for other cities, the sheer volume and numbers finished them off. At least, where the cities had not been destroyed entirely.

All of which lent itself to the argument that individuals and Levels were more important than technology. For cities that tried the same with Shop-bought equipment often found themselves unable to wield the equipment or unable to secure their victories.

Chogfal sniffed. “Now, come. Let us clear this dungeon.”

Xi Ping bobbed her head and fell in behind the hulking Hakarta as he strolled toward the doors. Behind the human female, Kyaz hopped along, his bow unslung from his back. He kept a little farther back than Xi Ping, the human having activated a simple Shield enchantment to keep herself protected.

Halfway across the empty parking lot, cracked asphalt filled with fallen leaves and plastic bags, the first trap sprung. From the ground, weeds that had forced themselves through gaps exploded into motion, tearing at Chogfal’s legs as they attempted to slide through his armored jumpsuit and drain his blood.

The weeds slithered and twisted, striking at the Master Classer’s feet and armored jumpsuit. They thrashed, desperate to find purchase, but failed as his high Constitution and defenses refused to give way to the stabbing tendrils of the vegetation. He lifted his foot just once and it tore the vegetation away. Another step, and he stomped down and a Skill-made fire rushed through the cracks, catching upon each of the biotraps hidden beneath. A high, keening whine rose from the ground as the weeds died, burning away.

“Come. Let us be done with this,” Chogfal said, his pace never changing even as new traps rose to strike at him.

Muttering quiet agreement, the pair followed.

***

Forty minutes later, the trio stood in the blasted, torn remnants of the kitchen. The dungeon had warped the structure of the building on the inside, making the dining room multiple sizes larger. The corridor to the bathrooms and the bathrooms themselves teemed with monsters and, finally, the kitchen where they found the Alpha.

The battles had been quick, bloody affairs. Using his axe to carve his way through the animated, virus-ridden Mana-created corpses, Chogfal had led the way. None of the creatures could touch him, and the occasional one that he missed, Kyaz shot down. Xi Ping took little part in the fight, firing the beam pistol in her hand occasionally but mostly, spending the time cowering.

At the feet of Chogfal lay the Alpha, an overweight Middle Eastern man whose torn uniform did nothing to hide his bulging belly or the pustulant sores that covered his lower body. Every so often, the body twitched, as one of the many controlling parasites that made the zombie creatures escaped, only to be crushed under foot. Without the controlling parasite, the rest were on a long journey to final death.

“Level 40 dungeon. Pitiful.” Chogfal spat to the side. He glared at the monsters within, before gesturing everyone outwards. As he left, he triggered the numerous explosives he’d left behind, the incendiary devices burning the dungeon to the ground behind him. Only when the structural integrity of the dungeon failed did the Hakarta nod to himself in satisfaction.

Dungeon Destroyed

+1982 Experience

“One more, yes?” He said and glared at Kyaz as he dismissed the notification.

“Yes.” Kyaz nodded his head quickly at his employer.

“And I’ll be satisfied with this Title?” Chogfal snarled.

“It’ll be a Title for certain,” Kyaz said. He pointed to the burning remnants of the dungeon. “But you have to acquire the loot from within for destroying the dungeon.”

“I know,” Chogfal said. “Why do you think we wait here?” He shook his head. “This Title better be worth it, Guide.”

“I only promised that it would be a rare Title. I’m certain of that much, but more details are uncertain. As you were informed,” Kyaz said, straightening a little. “You know that Title guiding is a difficult matter. Especially on new Dungeon Worlds.”

Chogfal grunted. Looking around, the Hakarta gestured for the group to leave. They had a long way to go before they made it to the next Dungeon.

***

The creak of metal echoed throughout the machine, the hiss of hydraulics shifting the numerous legs a dull and unending accompaniment to the evening’s ride. The vehicle that traversed the sloped, majestic heights of the Nepalese alps walked on accordion-like hydraulically powered feet, bearing the large, bullet-shaped body across the rough terrain. The cavernous insides of the walking behemoth had been divided into multiple cabins for rest, while Riggers, Mechanics and Gunmen ran around on the curved railing outside. Occasional blasts emanated from the vehicle to destroy incoming monsters, lighting up the surroundings with their fire.

The Ugdam had been pieced together from the hull of a cruise ship. It had been reshaped and modified with multiple legs and layers of mobile tank armor which had been reworked by Machinists, Mechanics and Blacksmiths as necessary to provide additional protection. Slapped-on Shop purchased beam weaponry had been added to the vehicle, with cabling run against the empty interior bulkheads to the Mana engine which replaced the engine of yore. Of course, the Mana engine was a tenth the size of the old oil burner, along with being significantly stronger.

All of which meant that much of the internal drivers had been ripped out to give even more space for the backup Mana batteries and the hydraulics that moved the legs. With a total of twelve different limbs, the Ugdam had significant backups and flexibility in movement. Unfortunately, that came with the necessary drawback of drawing monsters on the regular. Luckily, between the Captain, Vice-Captains and Ship Owner’s combined Skills along with the unceasing watch of the Gunmen, most monsters on their path were easily dealt with.

“I can’t wait for the teleportation networks to be finished like a civilized world,” Chogfal said, not for the first or fifteenth time to Xi Ping.

The young lady ducked her head, lips pressed together in irritation.

Chogfal snorted.

Kyaz spoke up, offering a placating smile. “Even if they did have one, the Dungeons we go to are unlikely to be on it.”

“Bah. It’s because these Dungeons are so scattered…” Chogfal trailed off as the door to the shared dining room creaked open.

Pushing against the heavy metal obstruction, a Jarack strode in, glancing around. Her eyes fell upon Chogfal, widening into a wide grin that showcased her jackal-like features even further as she strolled over. Behind her, a Grimsar followed, who spotted Kyaz and offered a short nod in acknowledgement.

“Chogfal… so good to see you.” The female Jarack looked up purposely at Chogfal’s Status, then let her gaze fall as she continued. “Still no luck acquiring a new Title?”

“Edval,” Chogfal greeted her curtly, ignoring her barb. At her next sentence, he looked up automatically.

Edval Lurra, Zeus’s Chosen, Betrothed of the Lodre Clan, Tushai Varz, Valedictory of the Eleven Lakes, Mistress of the Six Scarves and Fourteen Spotted Lilies, … (Rolling Thunder Level 9) (M)

HP: 2984/2984

MP: 3214/3214

“You…”

“Yes, just got it on our last run,” Edval said, preening. “Bateqa was right. We managed to finish the labors of this Hercules and acquire a Title.”

“Hercules?” Chogfal said.

“Some mythical human, supposedly with great Strength. Couldn’t be more than a few hundred though,” Edval said, sniffing. “And it was a bit of a cheat, using what we know. The last task was a bit difficult, having to lift an Earth Elemental for an evening.”

“You lifted it yourself?” Xi Ping said, surprised.

“Well, no. We used a series of gravitic beams to hold it off the ground and when the night was over, we blasted it to bits. But setting it up took forever,” Edval said. “Still, it was worth the Title.” Again she grinned, her mouth lolling open and tongue sticking out as she looked at Chogfal. “Human Titles really are worth it.”

Taunted again, Chogfal leaned forward. His curiosity finally gave way to his irritation and jealousy and he asked to see it.

Title: Zeus’s Chosen (Semi-Unique)

As one of the prolific god’s favorite children, Hercules laboured mightily before he gained his father’s respect and achieved godhood. Like him, you have completed the seven labors, and with it, you have received the god’s blessing as well.

Effect: +50 Strength, +25 Endurance, +20% Lightning Resistance (stackable)

“That is a good Title,” Chogfal said finally, his face twisting in bitterness as he was forced to admit it.

“Yes. Made all the harder because we had to find Alphas for them all,” Edval replied. “We didn’t know that until we had completed it all the way through once. Could have saved a lot of time if we had known, right Bateqa?”

“It’s a Semi-Unique Title. You know what that means,” Bateqa said, crossing his arms under his barrel-like chest.

“I don’t,” Xi Ping said.

Bateqa turned to stare at Xi Ping, his lips turning up into a sneer when he noticed her race. Before he could retort, Kyaz cut in. “Semi-Unique Titles are a term we Title Seekers came up with ourselves. It’s to denote Titles that are likely impossible to replicate, but we’re uncertain.”

“Why uncertain?”

“Because the System can – and has – changed its mind. But for the time being, we’d assume it’s unique,” Kyaz said.

Xi Ping opened her mouth to ask further but was silenced by Edval talking over her as she spoke to Chogfal. “You still on your original hunt?”

“Yes.”

“Must be close to finishing it, I would think.”

“Maybe.”

“Oh, come on now. You know I would have shared mine with you. I have before…”

“Not shareable,” Chogfal said, eyes narrowing. “But what about your next one?”

Edval looked uncomfortable, turning away, and Chogfal smirked. “I thought so. Not that into sharing, are we?”

“They’re all new. There’s a chance they might even be Unique….” Edval said.

“Exactly.”

An awkward silence fell between the group before Edval stood up. “Well, I guess another time then.” She strode out, followed soon after by Bateqa.

Silence grew between the remaining trio before Kyaz asked what everyone had been thinking. “What is she doing here?”

Sadly, none of the group had an answer to that question. Just suspicions.

***

It was early the next morning when they were finally alighted from their transportation, the Ugdam’s multi-faceted legs rising and falling, carrying the crew and the remaining passengers away with deceptive speed. Skills and a mixture of Earth and System-tech powered the moving craft, leaving the trio alone in the vast wilderness of the southern alps. Like its state pre-System, the alps continued to be missing towering trees and dense vegetation, sticking to low-level alpine brush.

A long hike later, the group came across the abandoned town. In four years since its abandonment, the wilderness had taken over the outpost of civilization, buildings lying crumbled, walls torn, roads cracked. Without a System Shop or anyone fighting for it, the town had reverted to its base level, becoming pristine wilderness.

All but their target.

Eyes set- upon the sullied and familiar golden symbol, the group ran down the reclaimed street, its different and raised texture marking its difference from the normal wilderness they’d journeyed through. Eyes flicked from side to side, checking out climbing vines and crumbled walls as they searched for monsters. To their surprise, they encountered no monsters at all, even the occasional maddened attacker missing. The lack of danger only heightened the tension, Chogfal speeding up to such an extent Xi Ping was panting as she expended more energy than even the System could regenerate.

For all their haste, they were too late.

As they arrived at the dungeon, they were surprised to see a familiar duo exit the building covered in gore.

“What are you doing here?” Chogfal snarled.

“Nothing.” Edval smirked, and then tapped her wrist. The signal set off the high-explosive grenades left within, causing the building to collapse as the dungeon was destroyed. The rush of Mana as the System dealt with the destruction drew a hissed breath from the surprised group while Chogfal unslung his double-bladed axe.

“You!” Chogfal took three threatening steps forward, raising his axe which burst into flame. “You thieving Title thief!”

“Really, is that the best you can do?” Edval said. “There’s no rule against running a dungeon.” Her eyes glazed for a second, then she frowned as she did not see what she sought. “Though, this one seems to be a failure as well.”

“I should carve you up and send you back to your pack in pieces!” Chogfal threatened. In the back, the pair of Title guides had slunk away, followed closely by Xi Ping as the Title Seekers snarled at one another.

“Go ahead. I dare you. See what my pack does to you and your family,” Edval said, jutting her jaw forward. In one hand, held low, dancing pinpoints of light formed and swirled around her fingers.

Chogfal cursed at her, switching to Galactic. His hands trembled as he cursed her, but he made no move to act, cognizant of the greater implication of an attack. As representatives of their clan and family, conflicts could spiral faster than he cared for. And while certain leeway for such conflict could be expected in a Dungeon World, he was certain that Edval had taken steps to ensure this incident would become highly inflammatory.

“Fine,” Chogfal said eventually. “But don’t expect me to be quiet about this insult.”

Edval let out a yowling snigger, her head thrown back. “Go ahead. If you think any Title Seeker cares. Those who can’t safeguard their goals do not deserve their Titles.”

Chogfal refused to turn back as he slung his axe onto his back, stalking over to Xi Ping and Kyaz. “Come. Let us go. The air stinks around here.”

His words only elicited even more laughter, one that followed them as they trudged away. As they walked, Xi Ping watched Chogfal communicate with the local transportation companies, seeking an emergency pickup. It seemed his irritation had burnt away his parsimonious nature.

It was when they were well away, standing on an empty hillside awaiting their pickup, that Chogfal strove to break the silence.

“They can’t learn of the Title, can they?” He said.

Kyaz shrugged. “Not unless Bateqa’s purchased more Skills. You’ve seen the notifications we get.”

Chogfal snorted. “I’ve seen what I see. But you Title Guides are always so secretive about your Skills…”

Kyaz smiled at this while Xi Ping rolled her eyes. She stopped when Chogfal fixed her with a heated gaze.

“Find me another dungeon, woman.” He paused, then leaned forward. “And if I find out that you were the one who told them about our objective…”

Xi Ping quailed as she shook her head from side to side in mute denial.

“It was probably a matter of simple deduction,” Kyaz said. “It’s not as if there’s much else out here worth doing.” He waved his hand around the barren, low-Leveled zone they stood within. “Especially since we didn’t try to hide our pickup point, like I recommended.”

Chogfal let out a low growl at the implied criticism. He turned away, searching the sky for their transportation, even if there was no way it would have arrived already. Behind him, Xi Ping bobbed a head in thanks as Kyaz rolled his eyes and mouthed the words ‘sorry’ to the female guide.

***

Two days later, the group stared down at the blasted remains of the city of Malacca. The coastal city that had been colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British before returning to the Malay people – and the various other cultures that had assimilated into the city over its six centuries of occupation – had once again been conquered by another invading force.

Long known for its ability to assimilate new immigrants, the local population was still struggling to handle their new conquerors. It did not help that the invaders had a close resemblance to local legends of south east Asian vampires – the pengallan – with their floating heads and exposed lungs and intestines. That the aliens were a jellyfish-like flying creatures, whose internal organs were thus exposed to sight but not free hanging did little to appease the locals. Especially since the shape-shifting jellyfish-aliens had sought to integrate by changing their faces to look like the local humans.

“Wearer of the Indigo Sash Chogfal Barellyz, it is a pleasure to have you here!” the Junior Administrator said as it floated up. It bobbed low, the boneless body flopping forward, lungs and intestines squishing together and then uncompressing. That Xi Ping could see partly into the lungs and the intestines, where the aliens partially digested food lay made her turn green.

“Administrator,” Chogfal said. “I understand my requests have been approved?” Arms crossed, he glowered at the man.

“Yes, completely. We’ve even blocked a pair of additional requests for the same matter,” the Administrator bobbed again. “We were surprised since the dungeon itself is so low-level. We had the local sapients running it for food.”

Xi Ping made a face at the mention. The local surroundings were quite high Level due to its proximity to various nautical dungeons and a few plantations, forcing the human populace to find alternate forms of food. If they destroyed it, it would compress the options for cheap food.

Then again, it was five years in. And while there were still children growing up and assimilating into the System, most survivors should have Leveled by now. Or had chosen not to. And to those, Xi Ping could only look upon with disdain.

“I see.” Chogfal glowered, making the poor Administrator compress its body in fear. A few more murmured words and the entire group followed the gloop-sweating alien down the streets. As they walked, Xi Ping could not help but look around.

Malacca itself had changed significantly. The colonial era buildings that had lined the streets in downtown Malacca now stood beside towering, alien edifices. A crystal spiral, a lump-sized hillock with numerous doors of stone, a twisting trio of trees that connected over the street via wooden walkways, were the most uncommon. Skyscrapers of metal and glass, twisting high into the sky in defiance of physics beside stone, yellow-washed peranakan houses were a painful contrast. One that, Xi Ping noted, was being protested against by a small but determined trio of old ladies of Chinese and Malay descent, each holding signs and walking up and down the streets.

Xi Ping’s lips twisted up, as she bowed to the first lady to cross her path and twisted even further in amusement as she received the donation notification.

Donate to the Restoration of Traditional Malacca Fund!

Help us buy Earth-owned plots of lands and restore traditional Malacca.

Donate? (Y/N)

A moment’s hesitation and then Xi Ping sent them a hundred Credits. She dismissed the automated thank you, while hurrying after the trio of aliens. Not that she was the only one following along behind the ‘invaders.’ In the middle of the day, the sun-baked streets of the city were filled with humans and aliens, all concentrated in the safe zone as they went about their daily business.

As a group, they came to the familiar sight of the golden arches, the building connected to others in the traditional rowhouse format of this particular street. Standing outside the dungeon, barred from entry by a pair of nervous looking human Polis and another Junior Administrator was Edval and her guide.

“You. What are you trying to do?” Chogfal snarled. “Do you not have better Titles to acquire?”

“Me? I’m just here to cheer you on,” Edval said, all innocent like. “After all, you’ve worked so hard – and paid so much –” that last elicited another growl from Chogfal, “that we wanted to make sure we were here to applaud your acquisition.”

“You…”

“We’re thankful to the Wearer of the Indigo Sash for his purchase of the dungeon rights,” the original Junior Administrator said, speaking up quickly. “Its presence has caused some issues with the local population.”

“Really?” Xi Ping said. That seemed strange considering what he had said earlier.

“Yes, the meat acquired has been very controversial. Something to do with local customs. It’s too complicated for us to understand, especially since multiple ummm…”

“Imans,” the other Administrator supplied.

“inImans have different interpretations.”

Xi Ping frowned, but rather than wait for her to inquire further, Chogfal strode right to the glass doors that separated the dungeon from the street. He did not turn around as he entered the building, disappearing from view as the dungeon warped him away into its own instance. Rather than let themselves be left behind, Kyaz grabbed Xi Ping and dragged the human in after the impatient Hakarta.

***

Kyaz prodded the burnt and crisped body on the ground, flipping it over. The hallways of the building were a pale-grey of faded concrete mixed with the occasional splash of yellowed paint and the dark ombre of clay. As he moved the corpse, its smell assaulted Kyaz, dispersing motes of crisped fat and skin.

“These look familiar,” Kyaz said.

“Boar. Humanoid, wild boar,” Xi Ping said. She crouched down, touching the corpse to loot it before pulling the corpse into her inventory. Pig – could you call it a pig if it was Mana-warped – flesh was anathema to the Muslim population that inhabited the city. Of course, the Chinese and Nyonya members had no issue with it, unless one considered eating semi-sapient creatures an issue. Which, some might. “I get why they’d be upset now.”

Kyaz cocked his head to the side to ask but was interrupted by the resounding crash and the shrieks of dying monsters ahead of them. He sighed, gesturing for Xi Ping to hurry up as they looted and stored bodies. Chogfal had not waited for either of them, tearing through the dungeon with a vengeance. Even the hardened stone of the dungeon had seen numerous cracks, in one case, being broken open entirely to reveal another room.

Not that any of it mattered to Chogfal. He so out-Leveled the Zone 10-19 dungeon that he wasn’t even getting any experience. Even Xi Ping and Kyaz were receiving but a trickle and that was mostly because the System was taking pity on them. Certainly, they were barely helping with the actual fight.

Normally, they’d have complained – being carried through dungeons and gaining some experience for it had been part of their contracts – but considering how Chogfal was acting, and the numerous delays they’d faced, neither felt inclined to protest.

In the end, by the time they made it to the final Boss, Chogfal was standing over the gross, minibus sized mother sow, its body split into two by a single strike. The Hakarta was breathing hard, more from suppressed fury than exertion it seemed, forcing calm upon himself.

“Boss? We good here?” Kyaz asked. Chogfal’s Class might be powerful in short bursts, but it also had the tendency to overstimulate the Disaster’s emotions at times.

“Yes. Plant the bombs,” Chogfal said.

“Already done.”

Chogfal nodded, striding over to the newly revealed dungeon core. He slapped his hand down on it, leaving a clay-formed mine around the edge before he gestured for the team to leave. Together, the trio scrambled out, stopping only long enough for Xi Ping to finish looting the Boss Pig and adjust her inventory to take it in.

Outside, Chogfal triggered the explosives the moment Xi Ping scrambled out. The rumble of contained explosions covered by the hastily thrown up, temporary shielding by the Administrators contained the explosions. The building the fast-food restaurant dungeon had once been in shuddered and twisted before it finally collapsed in on itself as the furious explosions were reflected back.

Once it was finished, Chogfal dove right into the building once more, ignoring the burning remnants and tossing concrete walls and rebar aside with careless abandon. The team moved back, allowing the Master Classer to work in silence. Finally, the Hakarta walked out, holding a yellow wrapped food substance in hand, ash and dust streaming from his form.

“Done?” Kyaz asked, staring at Chogfal as he reached the waiting group. There had been no talk while they waited for Chogfal.

The Hakarta pursed his lips, glaring into empty space. Long seconds passed after he put the loot away. And then, finally, a familiar blue notification formed.

Congratulations! Title Acquired: Looter of the Hamburgers

You have shown a spirited and dedicated passion for hamburgers and their most famous dispenser. You have destroyed a thousand such dungeon dispensaries and looted them all.

Effect: +10% damage in dungeons, +25% chance of acquiring food related loot (in addition to normal looting opportunities), +5% experience gain when combatting traditional hamburger related monsters.

Lips pursed, Chogfal stared at the Title. It was a good Title with decent effects. The addition of food loot opportunities could make a big difference in certain biomes. It could make or break certain kinds of expeditions, in both revenue levels and survivability. The experience gain was disappointing though, restricted as it was, though the dungeon damage increase could be useful. Overall, as a Title that had taken long Earth months, it was decent.

But was it worth it? There was only one way to tell.

“What did you get?” Edval leaned forward, almost as if she wanted to see the hidden notification. There were, of course, Skills that could allow her to do that. But like any good Title hunter, Chogfal had Skills to block such Title acquisition.

“Let us see.” Chogfal’s hand raised, and he tapped into the Title Hunting Registry. A few quick swipes, a simple authentication and he finished registering the Title. Long moments passed, while Edval and the guides waited impatiently.

When the notification arrived, it startled even Chogfal who had been waiting for it. Tusks pushed against his lips, before the lips parted into a savage grin.

Title: Looter of the Hamburgers Registered with Title Hunting Registry

Rarity: Unique

Registration Bonus for Unique Title: +5,000 Contribution Points

Acquisition records and Title hunt records received.

Would you like to register acquisition method with the Title Registry of the Azuma-Kiro Order of Title Hunters?

Expected Payout: +25,000 Contribution Points

Quarterly Bonus Payout: Eligible

(Y/N)

“Well?” Edval said.

“Look at it yourself,” Chogfal said. He showed her the first notification, the marking of its rarity. He debated, briefly, keeping how to acquire the Title to himself. But with these buildings slowly disappearing, he doubted more than a couple others would ever acquire the Title. And the contribution points were well worth it.

“UNIQUE!” Edval shouted. “That’s so unfair. Mine was only a semi-unique!”

“I told you, quality is more important than quantity,” Chogfal said, smirking. So saying, he rearranged his Titles on his Status bar.

Xi Ping, seeing it for the first time, coughed and hid her grin behind her hand. Chogfal turned, glaring at the human who waved a hand.

“Dust. Just need some water.”

Chogfal snorted in answer, muttering something about lacking Constitution.

“Well, we best get started on the next Title,” he said. Grabbing Xi Ping and Kyaz, he hauled them away from Edval who had turned around and was shouting at her own guide. A feeling of deep tranquility rose within him as he dragged the pair away.

Triggering a Skill to keep their conversations to themselves, he leaned down and lowered his voice. “So, human. Do you know of any other good Titles? Maybe another one of these… fast food restaurants?”

Xi Ping paused, eyeing the Hakarta. She’d done well and once she got rid of her loot she’d be even better off. Of course, his Title was a little absurd if you knew human pop-culture, but Chogfal seemed more focused on its rarity.

Chogfal gestured, obviously wanting her to hurry up and speak.

“Well, there’s a few other fast-food chains. There’s the Colonel – a military designation – and then there’s the king of burgers. And well,…”

With each word, the Hakarta’s grin widened as the trio headed off to the nearby Shop orb. Kyaz fingers were dancing, his eyes glazed as he triggered his own Skills as he attempted to divine potential Titles for his employer.

Grins plastered on their faces, the trio ignored their surroundings as they discussed new options.

Opportunities abounded on a Dungeon Planet. If you knew where to look.

And didn’t mind the odd Title or two.

###

THE END

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading this! I hope you had fun with Questing for Titles. Check back on the store to see if we released any additional short stories!

In addition, please check out my other series, the Adventures on Brad (a slice-of-life fantasy LitRPG), the System Apocalypse (a post-apocalyptic LitRPG) and A Thousand Li (a cultivation xanxia series), and Hidden Wishes (an urban fantasy Gamelit). Book one of each series is named:

● Life in the North (Book 1 of the System Apocalypse)

● A Thousand Li: The First Step (Book 1 of the A Thousand Li series)

● A Healer’s Gift (Book 1 of the Adventures on Brad)

● A Gamer’s Wish (Book 1 of the Hidden Wishes series)

For more great information about LitRPG series, check out the Facebook groups:

- LitRPG Society

- LitRPG Books

If you’d like to support me directly, I now have a Patreon page where previews of all my new books can be found! You will also have access to additional, exclusive short stories!

- Tao Wong Patreon

About the Author

Tao Wong is an avid fantasy and sci-fi reader who spends his time working and writing in the North of Canada. He’s spent way too many years doing martial arts of many forms, and having broken himself too often, he now spends his time writing about fantasy worlds.

For updates on the series and his other books (and special one-shot stories), please visit the author’s website: http://www.mylifemytao.com

Subscribers to Tao’s mailing list will receive exclusive access to short stories in the Thousand Li and System Apocalypse universes: https://www.subscribepage.com/taowong

Or visit Tao’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/taowongauthor/

About the Publisher

Starlit Publishing is wholly owned and operated by Tao Wong. It is a science fiction and fantasy publisher focused on the LitRPG & cultivation genres. Their focus is on promoting new, upcoming authors in the genre whose writing challenges the existing stereotypes while giving a rip-roaring good read.

For more information on Starlit Publishing, visit our website!

You can also join Starlit Publishing’s mailing list to learn of new, exciting authors and book releases.

Short stories in the System Apocalypse universe

Valentines in an Apocalypse

A New Script

Daily Jobs, Coffee and an awfully big Adventure

Adventures in Clothing

Questing for Titles

Blue Screens of Death

Table of Contents

- Title Page
- Questing for Titles
- Author’s Note
- About the Author
- About the Publisher

- Short stories in the System Apocalypse universe