Survival Quest (The Way of the Shaman: Book #1) by Vasily Mahanenko Page A

he reaches their level at the time of his death. For example, if I die, that's it. I'll never again feel the sensation I just felt from levelling up in Chattiness. Of course, I'll keep trying for a few more months and then just fade away. I'll be gripped by apathy. We already had people like that, so I had plenty of chances to observe this. When someone falls into apathy, he stops working and gets transferred somewhere else. That's the way the cookie crumbles. 
    "I read that the habit of gaining pleasure gives rise to Addiction among the prisoners, which on release is treated in rehabilitation centers. Everyone gets sent there once they finish their terms — it's compulsory. This is also the reason why those who regain their freedom do everything they can to avoid going back to Barliona: they will be given the same class, same profession and all the same stats, but the system would remember the last time they levelled up at the mines. You can create and delete three hundred characters, the system would still remember that you were in a prison. They would start at the first level, but in order to receive pleasure, they would have to bring all their stats and professions to their old level again. And this is very difficult. Many totally lose it, scream and attack other players or succumb to apathy. And again, they disappear from the mine. This is why ex-cons spend nearly all their time in Barliona continuing to develop the characters they had as prisoners, to avoid going back as prisoners and starting from scratch. And Meanness allows them to find their place in Barliona.”
    "How do you manage to avoid being set up by Bat and the others? After all, you are one of the highest level players at the mine. Level 11, right? Someone can gain several levels in one go if you die."
    "It's simple. I managed to increase my reputation with the mine guards to Friendly and when someone tried to play me again, the governor gathered everyone and said that he would be very upset if anything happened to me. So it's been three months now since anyone touched me. Anyway, I've lost track of time chatting with you. We should go or we'll miss the food."
    "Wait, one last thing. I discovered that I can cast healing spells, but that I can only heal someone else, not myself. Would you mind it if I healed you in the morning and in the evening? Only do me a favor: don't laugh, because the whole healing bit looks ridiculous."
    "No problem, it might even be interesting: in all my time here no-one tried to heal me, most tend to want to do the opposite. Also, I've never seen a Shaman's kamlanie, so it should be interesting to watch."
    I summoned the Spirits of Healing twice for Kart and, depleting my mana reserves, saw the now familiar message.
     
    +20% to Intellect. Total: 50%
    Your Hit Points have been reduced by 2. Total: 38 of 40.
     
    What's this?
     
    Attention, you have healed another player. You have unlocked a new stat: Healing. The higher your level in Healing, the less mana you need for healing spells and the spells themselves become more powerful. There is a chance for the spell to be cast again without mana.
    Do you accept? Attention, you will not be able to discard an accepted stat once you activate it.
     
    No, I had no desire whatsoever to become a healer, either in the mine or outside it. No thanks.
    "Oooh..." said Kart, when a light wind from my spell ruffled his hair. “You know, it's ticklish and invigorating... Well, let's do it: as soon as your mana recharges, heal me. You dance pretty well too," Kart could not help smiling.
    The morning meal acquainted me with a new type of dirty trick — putting sand in the food. Kart's prophesies came true. How did I miss the moment when Bat came up to me and, pretending to stumble, poured a handful of sand into my bowl?
    "Oh, how clumsy of me... You're not going to eat that, right? Give me your plate, I'll bring you a new portion," Bat was a picture of concern.
    "No, thank you. I'll go myself.