ZANE RIDER

  level 2.

  Strength: 8

  Dexterity: 7

  Constitution: 11

  Intelligence: 6

  Wisdom: 9

  Charisma: 9

  Titles

  First Blood!

  (First to kill a Dungeon Defender on planet EARTH

  (+1 to all Stats per level until level 10)

  Who needs Blood? Not you!

  (Your HP went down to 1% due to blood loss.)

  (plus 20% to Constitution when your HP is below 10% for 2 minutes)

  Skills

  Basic Item Appraisal

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  Tarni Walker

  level 1.

  Strength: 7

  Dexterity: 10

  Constitution: 7

  Intelligence: 10

  Wisdom: 3

  Charisma: 8

  Titles

  Well, you were almost first

  (You are the SECOND to kill a Dungeon Defender on planet EARTH.

  You will receive +1 bonus XP (Experience Point) for all stats at each level up until level 8.)

  Skills

  Medium Poison Resistance

  (This skill is passive)

  Both men let out a large sigh of relief when they made it back to the Ute without any further encounters.

  "OK, we need to get back to the house and work out a plan… for everything," stated Zane as he unlocked the doors and climbed into the driver’s seat, making sure the towel was still covering the bloody spot.

  "Yeah, mate. You’ve also still gotta call your kids and let them know about Bell," replied Tarni, as he tried to find a station on the Ute’s radio without success.

  Zane nodded slowly, the weight of that particular task settling heavy on his shoulders again. “Yeah... I know. I’ve been trying not to think about it, but... I can’t put it off any longer.”

  He turned the key in the ignition and the Ute rumbled to life. The towel beneath him squished slightly, still damp in the middle. It sent a fresh wave of discomfort through him—reminder of everything they’d just faced, and everything still to come.

  Tarni gave up on the radio, turning it off, making it display the date and time

  Friday 16/03/2034

  11:30am

  Then he leaned back in his seat with a sigh. “No signal, no music, and I forgot to bring the aux cord. Guess it’s just the sweet sound of post-goblin trauma and emotional weighty conversations.”

  Zane gave a dry laugh. “Perfect road trip playlist.”

  They drove in silence for a while, the gravel crunching beneath the tyres as the eucalyptus trees thinned out, giving way to the open paddocks surrounding Zane’s property. The landscape was peaceful—deceptively normal, considering the day they’d just had.

  Zane finally broke the silence. “You really think we’re in some kinda game system?”

  Tarni glanced sideways at him. “Mate, I watched you hit a goblin with a cricket bat and then level up like it was Doom Eternal. I think we’re past the point of maybes.”

  Zane grunted. “Yeah. I just… I don’t know where this ends.”

  Tarni shrugged. “Hopefully with less goblins, more beers, and your kids being safe. We’ll figure it out, mate. One weird bloody step at a time.”

  As the house came into view, Zane let out a long breath. “Alright. First step—coffee. Second step… the call.”

  Tarni nodded. “I’ll put the kettle on and find some beer.” Then, after a pause, added, “And maybe start writing a goblin-slaying playlist. We’re gonna need one.”