Disclaimer: I don't own any anime, movies, music or games.
Russell appeared in front of the nearest robot and splits it into two before beheading another and shoots one with the Warden.
Russell quickly turns and leans back as one of the machines went pass him. "Watch it, Blaire." He said before dodging another attack.
"Sorry." Blair yelled. "Pump-pumpkin, pumpkin... Halloween Cannon!" She said before releasing a gigantic pumpkin to the horde.
The cat dodged a laser from one of the machines and gave a powerful kick to the face and sent it crashing to the others.
Russell wanted to summon his Ghouls but considering how the dungeon reacted he wasn't sure if it was good idea to use it... yet.
He quickly fires off his pistols as fast as he could. The bullets tore the machines apart as he spun around before catching a battle axe with his gauntlets.
Jet Stream Kata
Russell immediately performs a grappling move before punching it several times. He quickly teleports to another and performs a spinning heel kick to the nearest foe.
Meanwhile Blaire decided to resort on range attack while occasionally switching to melee to whoever got close.
Thanks to her new power she had an easier time in learning new moves. Like firing her pumpkins like a gatling gun or making smaller amount of pumpkins that were smaller in size and remote controlled.
She quickly swipes her hand to a robot which was immediately bisected by the machine by her clothes before wrapping it to another one and spun it around and then slams it into the ground.
On the other side Russell fully took advantage on his skill Tricks. Teleporting to every blind spot the machines had. Picking up his pistols, he quickly spins around while firing his guns in rapid successions before stopping.
"Damn it, they just keep coming." He growled. This was new, just how much robots had they already destroyed?
Using Observe he quickly looks around until he found three Aggressors waiting behind the horde.
"Blair cover me!" He yelled before summoning his Emperor and drove straight towards the the three.
Blaire took up into the air fired miniature versions of her pumpkin cannon while Russell slams the bike into one of the Aggressors and dodged the other two.
As he swings his sword to the nearest Aggressor it immediately blocked his attack while the other took some distance and pointed it's bow on Blaire.
Russell's eyes widened and bisects his opponent before appearing in front of the last Aggressor and caught the arrow. Russell then jams the arrow into it's head killing it quickly.
As the Aggressor vanished so did the horde. Blaire quickly landed and approached him but Russell was too busy thinking on the sudden change the Aggressors performed just now.
Why did the last one ignore him when he was the nearest one. As he kept thinking about he uses Observe on his memory to find anything that would give him a clue.
Why did it focused on Blaire? Was she the bigger threat? Probably but that wasn't enough for it to suddenly switch targets.
Blaire where was she looking during that moment. "She... wasn't looking? No she was distracted by providing me support." He muttered as fear crept into him.
The Aggressor had taken advantage of her distraction. While he was confident Blaire could have dodge it, the idea that the usual mobs were getting smarter was frightening.
It meant the mobs were slowly getting the mentality of a boss or a mini-boss.
This explained why the dungeon started spawning stronger versions of Aggressors after he had summoned his Ghouls or when his Vultures were held back to hinder him.
"Blaire I'll explain later but right now we need to get out of here. This was a bad move." He said suddenly.
Blaire immediately nods but was curious on what made her friend suddenly afraid.
"What!?" Russell yelled he saw the ID escape was completely covered in yellow glow with a key logo.
No matter how many times he pressed it nothing changed. "C'mon, c'mon work already!" He yelled.
Suddenly a screen appeared.
Do you wish to use force escape? (Warning: Using this method means removing all progress you've made during your time in the dungeon. All Gold spent and skills gained are immdiately confiscated. Additional penalty 400,000,000 fines)
"WHAT!?" The two yelled. Blaire couldn't believe what she read. The game was literally giving them the choice; leave and lose everything they worked for or stay and risk losing their life.
Russell was on a pickle since he spent a large amount of gold on his weapons and skills, he couldn't afford on losing that. Another was if he left he would lose a huge chunk of Gold which is another huge blow to him.
His system utilized both usage and money to become stronger. If he loses his gold then he would have to keep on fighting just to level up.
Still Blaire didn't have to be drag into this mess, this problem was his and he would deal with it himself. Just as he was about to force escape Blaire stopped his hand from pressing yes.
Looking at Blaire, she remained calm despite the situation. Though there was a tint of worry in her eyes, she just smiled at him.
"It's alright. I'm sure we can handle this without giving up." She said.
"Blaire, the Dungeon isn't-"
"What it used to be?" Blaire finished getting a nod. "So? You really think that's enough to stop me or even you. I understand your looking out for me but I know you need this to catch up with that Yujiro guy." She said.
Russell frowned and then sighed while rubbing his head. "Your right. I do need this but I can't risk you being in danger even if you do have nine lives." He said, he had no idea on what would happen should they die in the dungeon and he wasn't insane enough to try it.
"Well then you don't have to worry because I would have still went to the dungeon anyway." She said.
"You didn't even know you could use ID DUNGEON." Russell said.
"Meh details... I would have found out anyway. At least this way you won't have to worry about me accidentally getting into trouble." Blaire said.
"Okay, okay you win this time." Russell said before dismissing the screen and switched to the
Help menu.
Turns out in order for them to get out of the dungeon they had to defeat the Gatekeeper and depending on how many times they kept on spawning new enemies, the number of the Gatekeepers increases. Example if they kept on fighting up to the third wave then they had do defeat three Gatekeepers. Another was that instead of having a large area like a colosseum, the area was now divided to different section with various amount.
Challenge Menu.
Defeat Two Gate Keepers in 180 seconds.
Perform 300 Combos.
Defeat 300 enemies without Tricks.
Russell frowned as looked at the screen. He had incorporated Tricks into his fighting style when it came to dealing with large armies or opponents. Checking his Skill set he could see that his Tricks was wrapped in chains.
"This is gonna a long night..." He muttered before noticing that Blaire was looking at the top right corner of the map.
"So thats where the Gatekeepers are huh?" Russell said looking . "Russell why are those,parts red?"
"The red ones mean those areas are the enemies stronghold, the blue ones belong to us. The yellow part us our main target." Russell explained.
Blaire have an 'ah' expression before looking at the map again.
"The area is divided into ten sections. We have four sections under our wing with the enemy having six." Russell said while pointing at each sectors in the map.
"We got two ways to get to the target. If we head to shortest route, we're going have to go through two sectors with twice the amount the enemy. Though the best way to win is to get rid of the Aggressors since their more of an anchor so the mobs can spawn in the area." Once more pointed at each sector with darker shade of red. "If we head to the longest route with the least amount of enemy we could save up our strength when we arrive to target."
"So let's head for the longest route." Blaire said, Russell shook his head.
"I would agree with you if the dungeon hadn't updated itself and change it's mechanics. Back then I could spend three days inside the dungeon and come out and find that only three hours had passed. Now I can't afford on risking myself on staying safe route. I have no idea how time works on the dungeon now, it could be a day here is a year outside." Russell said.
"We also have two problems. First is that my skill Tricks is completely restricted so I can't just rush in like before. Second is that the Dungeon is learning."
"Learning?" Blaire asked in confusion.
"Yes, it's learning every time we fight it is a learning experience for it. It could be memorizing our attack patterns, spawning stronger versions of my summons, hell it could probably summon something that could kill us in one shot. The point is it's gathering whatever information it could use against us."
Blaire frowned not liking what she just heard. "So what do you think we should do?" She asked.
"Honestly I have no clue. I just know that either way this place wins something it's either we lose time or it gains any info on us." Russell said.
The duo tried to think of plan that could help them but came up with nothing. "We have no choice if we need to make it back before my next match we need to head to take the shortcut." He said.
Blaire nodded before the two heads out to the west side of the sector.
Upon arriving at the first sector the two saw that the mobs were waiting for them. Wasting no time the two rushes in.
Blaire fired her spell at the robots while Russell equips the emperor and drove off to the Aggressors. Running over any unfortunate robot that happened to be in his way. While he was driving he quickly swings his sword beheading one of the Aggressors while the Emperor grabbed the other one.
Russell immediately shoots it with Jackal before looking for the last one.
Blaire jumped back as one robot tried to bisect her. Firing her spell at close range the machine was obliterated. Her instincts began to flare up. Thanks to her cat senses, she quickly jumps away as an arrow passes her.
"Nya? Not bad if you were a bit quieter you might have hit me." Blaire said looking to where the arrow came from.
Unlike the last two this one was the same size as the mob. Making it capable of blending in with the mobs.
The last Aggressor looked at Blaire before running towards where the rest of the Mob were gathering.
"BLAIRE!" Russell yelled rushing towards her only to stop when she rose her hand.
"Don't worry about me, I got this. Head to the next sector, I'll catch up." Blaire said while keeping an eye out in case the Aggressor tried another sneak attack.
Russell frowned and nodded before getting on the Emperor and drove off.
Blaire silently looked at the mob before her eyes widened as three arrows were heading towards her.
While she was able to dodge all three, the arrows managed to graze her clothing. Blaire didn't waste time and fires her pumpkins cannons.
The horde were immediately destroyed but Blaire knew it was too easy for something like that to destroy an Aggressor. Especially if it dispalyed intelligence.
Surely, the Aggressor appeared behind her, through another horde and fired it's bow.
Blaire immediately deflects it with her sleeves. "Pumpkin, pumpkin, Halloween Rapid." Blaire said while firing several pumpkins to her enemy. While she hadn't 'learned' or 'made' this skill in a normal way, it was still a variation of her spell which is lot easier for her to use.
The best way to describe the spell was firing a bullet with yhe firepower of a rocket.
The Aggressor however had dodged some of it while using the mobs as a shield.
The machine then changed tactics and began running in circles while firing it's bow.
Blaire deflects every shot while shooting her own. When one of the Mobs managed to get close Blaire dodges it's axe.
"Hey it's not polite to hit a lady." She said and punches the machine.
As she sends it flying the Aggressor fired it's arrow.
Blaire hat immediately caughts it, smiling smugly at her feat she looks at machine and found it strange. Why was the machine doing a victory pose and had a smug aura? Her questions were answered when the arrow explodes. Thanks to her durability she was still in one piece but still it took a half of her health.
Blaire grunted as her back hits the ground "Ouchy..." Blaire muttered while getting up. "Okay tin can now you've made me mad!"
"PUMPKIN PUMPKIN, HALLOWEEN CANNON." She said while firing her pumpkin.
The Aggressor immediately fires an arrow towards it but had no effect. It then retreated as far as it could only for Blaire to appear in front if it and quickly kicks it in the head. Before it could be sent flying far away, the cat wraps her sleeve on it's leg and pulls it back and delivers a powerful punch.
As the pumpkin gets closer she immediately raises her right hand and catches it before slamming it to it's head.
A huge explosion occurs with only Blaire remaining. "Hmph that's what you get for messing my clothes." She said before chasing after Russell. Unaware that she had just leveled up followed by her health being full once more.
Meanwhile Russell had been using his bike as his main method of attack while using his sword and guns on those that were either far from his range or those managed to move out his way. He had run out of grenades when he got ambushed by them. They were immune to his molotoves and Flashbangs so he didn't bother using it again since it was just a waste of effort.
Two Aggressors immediately appeared on both sides and readies their blade. Russell immediately fires his pistol but the two used their blades to block the bullets.
Russell frowned before revving his motorcycle for additional speed.
However the two dispatched several aerial drones forcing him to change directions. Russell kept on firing his guns yet their numbers seemed to be increasing faster than he could shoot them down. "Alright if thats how they want to play it."He muttered before ramming into another mob.
This time though he used it's body as a platform to get into the air. As the drones surrounds him Russell unleashed a hail charged bullets from Jackal and Warden.
The Aggressors didn't stay idle either, ordering the rest of the mobs to join the fray. With so many enemies coming in Russell could barely keep up. He would have been overwhelmed by their numbers.
Without his skill Tricks he wouldn't be escape the assault. A visage of a man with white hair clad in red coat appeared in his head.
"Okay I can do this." He thought before revving the handle once more. The motorcycle immediately springs to life as the tires changed into saws.
Russell immediately starts swinging his bike like it was some sort of staff. The mobs were torn apart from the wheels, Russell glared at the two Aggressors both jumping into the fight.
Smirking confidently, he revs the handle and spins the bike around before slamming it into the two.
He could hear their parts being torn apart as he lands on the ground. Still he checked the time. It had already been thirty minutes since they entered the dungeon.
He could feel himself getting stronger and rejuvenate once more.
Immediately he checks his stats.
Username: Russell Redgrave
Str: 450
Int: 399
Wis: 350
Dex: 430
End: 440
STMN: 450
Gold: 80, 489, 990
Dismissing the screen he quickly looks around for any hidden items.
Finding none he sighed before hearing Blaire calling out his name.
"What happened?" He asked noticing Blaire's state.
"One of the robots shot an explosive arrow at me." Blaire said. She saw the young man frown and was about to say something but stops.
"Oh and I found this." She said handing him a bottle. Using Observe he picked up some signs that were similar to his rejuvenating potion. Strange his skill wasn't telling him anything other than what he could see. Usually the skill would straight up tell him what it was and effects. Keeping it in his inventory he quickly looks at Blaire while looking for any injuries on her bodies with Observe.
"Can you still fight?" He asked again it was strange at first he thought it was because of the dungeon that his skill Observe was acting strange. He could only pick up signs of weakness like Blaire's injuries, where the most injured parts were and her muscle twitching.
He quickly shrugs it off, he had developed the skill to pick up movements so he could learn things faster when it came to combat so picking up muscle movement was easy but why did it feel weird.
"You ready?" He asked earning a nod from his companion. "Alright then."
The two quickly enters on the third sector but found something was wrong.
Aside from the Aggressors that could be mistaken for a watch tower and the mob. Using Observe he only found Gatekeeper. Where was the other one?
"Be ready for anything." He said as the horde slowly approached them while tge Gatekeeper remained still.
"Any suggestions?" Blaire asked. "First get rid of the Aggressors Second kill the Gatekeeper but be careful I can't find the other one. I'm already using observe and I still can't find it." Russell said.
Blaire nodded and took into the air with her pumpkin as drones start to appear. Russell equips his bike and drove until several dishes that looks like a piranha with oversized fins.
Taking out Jackal he quickly fires at one of them. The piranha glowed red before gaining a short burst of speed aa it's fin slices the bullet in two.
He frowned before using a charge shot. While it didn't kill them, it managed to restrain them with it's tendril. Picking up the Warden he finishes them with ricochet shot. His instincts flared up and turned to the source.
Turning his head his eyes widened. One of Aggressors was heading straight for him fast. Shooting it was useless even with charged shots the damn robot pulled off a beyblade.
He frowned with his Tricks he could teleport and finish it off but where was it's weak point.
Using Observe he frowned as he saw that the weakpoint was the center.
Suddenly he was thrown of balance when one arrow was able get the jump on him. Thanks to his Mastered Ultra-instinct or MUI for short, the blow was redirected to his shoulder but it was enough to get him off the bike.
Russell grunted from the force as he lands on the ground and removes the arrow. Using Observe he quickly looks for it only to cry out in pain when something extremely sharp managed to hit him. Again the only reason he was able to survive it was because of his MUI but even with that overpowered skill it wasn't enough to fully save him. Turning his head to the source he immediately beheads it again another managed to hit him this time his right side hit by another arrow. It wasn't long that he started getting overwhelmed by the mobs and soon he was forced to summon two Juggernauts and shut off Observe just he so could fight more efficiently. The ring was already healing him while his summon made short work of the mobs before fighting a robotic version of it.
Just what was going on, his MUI should picked up the signs of an attack and with additional boost of Observe he should have been dodging those attacks with ease instead getting flanked by the enemy.
Dodging a stray shot, he quickly shoots the perpetrator before beheading one of the mobs. He quickly rushes towards the Gatekeeper using Observe again since he was sure he would see the attack this time. The machine quickly swings it's arm but he was able to dodge the blow. As he was about bisect it another blow came out of nowhere.
"Russell!" Blaire yelled in horror as she watched a blade pierce her friend stomach before a wire wrapped itself around him and slams him to the ground.
Russell's body went into shock as he was trying to register. How did this thing get a drop on him? He was looking at it the whole time even when he dodged it shouldn't have time to counter him like that. Was it telekinesis? No that wasn't it he was keeping Absolute Zero active the whole time. What was he missing? He screamed in pain as the blade was removed forcibly by the second Gatekeeper. Where did thing come from. Did this thing had something like Vanisher?
He could hear Blaire calling to him as she attacks the second Gatekeeper before pulling him into her arms and floated a good distance.
"Russell stay with me, stay with me." Blaire said while shaking him before making him drink her Rejuvenating potion but the wound wasn't closing. "What's going on? The wound should have already closed." Blaire said.
With a grunt, Russell looked into his wound with Observe. His eyes widened when he saw small insect machines eating his flesh.
"Shit!" He thought, the insects were eating his flesh faster than the ring could heal him. Shutting off Absolute Zero, he quickly grabs his sword he immediately stabs himself on where the wound was and flooded his systems with magical energy which fried the machines in the process.
Blaire was about to hit him for the stupid stunt he did just now if she wasn't worried of it killing him.
"Are you crazy?" She asked only to recieve an answer with Russell bringing his index finger and thumb close. "A little bit." She read.
"Sorry about that, I had to act fast or I would've been dead if I didn't hurry." Russell said groaning before using Observe to the second Gatekeeper this one was human size. Shutting off his skill Russell saw that the first Gatekeeper was behind the second one and how the hell didn't he notice that when it's size is ten times bigger then the second one!?
He calmed down before he remembers something from his training with Retsu. He had ignored this since with Observe he could bypass that problem but now tha the skill is giving him a Tunnel Vision or at least close to one, he was actually regretting not listening to Retsu. They weren't invisible his Observe had changed into some sort of aggro-targeting system, the same way MMORPG bosses do.
While useful in some cases like a 1v1 match. It's useless when fighting an army.
"Blaire can I ask you favor?" He asked while looking at the Gatekeepers with a determined
look.
Blaire could only look at her friend, his eyes were showing great fear yet he seemed to be so calm. When she nodded Russell gave her a grin.
Attack on Titan theme: Levi vs Female Titan
The two Gatekeepers stood tall waiting patiently until Blaire fires two pumpkins onto the two.
Unharmed by this, the two started chasing after her when she left. While the second one took off into the air.
Russell meanwhile was falling straight towards them, thanks to his skill Vanisher they were completely unaware of him. Blaire however saw him and hoped their plan would work.
Flashback
"First you get their attention while I get into position." Russell's voice echoed in her head. "The second part is crucial when I drop myself, my skill Vanisher will deactivate as soon as I attack. Your job is to make sure the second Gatekeeper doesn't interfere and whatever you do don't get hit by it's sword." He said while looking the map.
"Have you seen the size of that thing?" Blaire said. "How the hell are you gonna attack it?"
Russell grinned. "Don't worry this time I'm ready perfectly. Plus I have the power of the great Levi on my side."
Who the heck is Levi?
Flashback End
She watched as Russell turned his sword and held it in a reverse grip while charging it up.
The two Gatekeepers sensed him as they turned to his direction. Blaire quickly fires her spell on the smaller one and sends it crashing to the ground.
"Ah, ah, ah. Let's have none of that now." She said as the machine got up 'glared' at her.
Meanwhile Russell waited as the machine turns to deliver a punch. "Not yet, not yet, just a little more." Russell thought. As the fist was so close that there was no way to dodged it, the thrusters on his gauntlets activate in a burst making him change direction while spinning.
The machine watched as it's arm was chopped to pieces before losing visual.
Russell roared as took it's eyes before chopping off it's other arm in the same manner finally it's legs then finally it's head.
Blaire on the other hand was firing everything she had on the second Gatekeeper but it's skill to dodge was amazing that she couldn't help but admire it. When she saw how Russell tore the giant machine apart she saw a mirage of dark haired man behind him.
Then she watched as Russell attacks the second one but the machine seemed to be keeping up with him.
Russell gave a powerful swing with his sword but the machine managed to block it. "Hey buddy are you forgetting someone?" He taunted.
If it had a face he could guess it was horrified when it saw a huge pumpkin heading their way. Russell took advantage of this and punched it's face before chopping of it's arm holding the sword.
He then felt a cloth wrapping around his waist as he was pulled away by Blaire.
The machine had a trick in it's sleeve as it summons a shield and a barrier appears, ready to tank the blow.
Russell grinned. "Godhand!" He yells as the shield appears in his hand before using Absolute zero destroying it in the process.
As the last Gatekeeper dies, the two reappeared to their room. The two sighed as they sat on the bed. Suddenly the door opens with Suoh walking in.
"Russell where have you been! I've been looking everywhere for you, c'mon your match is about to start!" She said while dragging him.
"Oh C'mon!" He thought.
Okay so writing this was hard, had to rewrite several parts but I managed to fix it. Second I couldn't update the story because I had to finish my thesis writing. Hopefully I won't have to revise it again.
