AN:

Well for those of you curious enough to wonder what happened, the main reasons this took so long was university and issues in my private life. Nothing serious.

This chapter should be the last one with heavy exposition, at least I certainly hope so. For however boring it is to read, just know it is just as boring to write, and then, on top of that, I have to re-read it multiple times.

Originally, this chapter was supposed to be longer. I decided to upload it as it is, simply because it has been so long since the first one.

Anyways, enough rambling. Enjoy the chapter.

/********/

The hustle and bustle of the city quieted as we transitioned from the livelier part of town into the seedier District. We had both agreed to head to the pawn's home, where we could better avoid prying eyes. But as I watch him turn into the slums, I wonder if it was such a good idea.

"I am most pleased to see you Arisen. We have not had one chosen by the Dragon in so very long."

Without pausing in his stride, the pawn strikes up conversation about a particularly interesting topic.

"How long exactly?"

"It has been over a millennium."

Now, I have no real clue as to how long Arisens go for and how long of a time is spent in-between them. But considering that the Duke is still around when you get picked in the game, I assume it has been much, much too long.

"Jesus! That doesn't sound good."

The only form of answer I'm granted is a small, almost imperceptible nod from the pawn. With no further answer forthcoming, I am left to my own the rest of the way.

Before long we find ourselves in front of an old shack, one which is far better kept than the other buildings around it. Nailed to the front of the house is a sign which reads:

'Gail's free medicant services'

"I provide free medicinal services to all who procure them. I am mostly known among the less fortunate."

While that was certainly an inquiry I wished to make, it was not the only one. However, I decided it best to wait until we were inside.

Gail fiddled with the lock and promptly opened the door. Stepping inside, I notice that the place is surprisingly clean, though I suppose it makes sense to provide treatment in a disinfected area. As for decoration, there really wasn't any. The main room was spacious, but all it had was wooden floorboards and cupboards, and a large dark oak counter. From what I could see, there was a wooden staircase leading to what is likely the pawn's room, and a hatch that leads to what I assume to be a storage area.

"So your name is Gail?"

"It is the name I was given, yes. Gail Erstwhile if you wish to know."

Hmm, interesting name. I wonder if I could use it. I still need to create a backstory for myself in this world. Deciding to go for it, I call the pawn to get his attention.

"Yes, Arisen?"

"I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you. I would like to hide my identity, so I was thinking I could call myself Alexander Erstwhile and we could pretend to be related. I just feel that my story will be more believable if I have a realistic tether to this world."

I would likely need to change my speech patterns to match his, if he agreed that is. We could pretend to be cousins who reunited after I had to flee from Melen, after all, the best lies are those that hold a bit of truth to them, or so I've been told. On the other hand, I can't help but want to distance myself as much as possible from the tragedy at Melen… but that's not realistic, is it. In this world, I have only ever been seen in Melen. If I were to claim to be from somewhere else, I would have nothing, not even simple eyewitnesses.

"I would be more than happy to aid you in this endeavor Arisen. We pawns exist to serve the Dragon's chosen, if there is aught I can do, you need but say it."

It is uncomfortable to be treated as a master, as in owner, but it is also reassuring to have someone so devoted to helping me in these uncertain times.

"Great! From now on, we are cousins who got separated when you headed to Orario while I headed to Melen. After the Dragon's attack on the village, city, whatever, I travelled to Orario where we were finally reunited. Is that alright?"

I really hope hiding in plain sight won't come to bite me in the future.

"I believe so, Arisen."

"You can't keep calling me that, Gail. Call me Alex or cos instead."

"I shall try, cos."

Satisfied, I let out a small smile. Things were finally starting to look up. Taking a deep breath, I channel all the acting practice I had over the years, in an effort to better shape our conjoined lie into a believable reality.

"It has been long. I am pleased we could meet once more, cos."

/Line Break/

Graciously, the pawn had offered me reprieve for the rest of the day, allowing my sore muscles a well-deserved rest in an admittedly nice bed. The following day, I was even blessed with a hearty meal, my first since arrival. But all good things must come to an end, and as I finish my breakfast, I am beckoned by the pawn.

"Arisen. There is ought I must ask of you. "

I was going to remind him to not call me that but, this seems serious. In light of that, I rise from my seat and release a tired sigh.

"Lead the way, cos."

Nodding at my words, Gail opens the hatch to the basement and steps inside. Not wishing to delay, I follow afterwards at a leisurely pace. To my surprise, I am greeted by an almost barren room. Decorating the tiny space, was a small bookshelf, a table and two chairs. The room could have passed for a mere study, had it not been for the fragmented riftstone sitting opposite of the hatch.

"A newly Arisen is issued a trial by the pawns from the rift. Such is no longer possible as all the riftstones of this world, have long since eroded past function."

My gaze shifted to Gail as he stood next to the stone, a blank expression on his face.

"Arisen. Your challenge is to repair the riftstone. Should you succeed, the trial will be unnecessary, and the myrmidons will be yours."

"Won't I need rift crystals to repair the stone? You ask much of a newly Arisen, cos."

In the game, you would need thousands of RC to repair a single riftstone. Given that to earn RC in the game you would have to hope your pawn was recruited by another player, or grind in the extremely hard DLC dungeon of Bitterblack Isle, this was nothing short of an absurd request.

In response to my incredulity, the pawn merely rose a placating hand and spoke calmly.

"Fret not Arisen, rift crystals are abundant in this world. Every monster in the Dungeon is powered by one, should you kill them without damaging it, the crystal will be yours. If you destroy the gem, the monster will be instantly slain."

I won't lie, I let out a sigh of relief at those very uplifting news. The implications of this are not lost on me, it could certainly be a great boon indeed.

"Were you aware, Arisen. The city of Orario is also named the city of adventurers. At the heart of the city lies the Dungeon, which was covered by the massive tower of Babel that was built over it by the divines as a form of lid. The very walls that are now the city's trademark, were built to prevent the monsters from leaking onto the world."

'The divines? I thought a seneschal was supposed to be in charge. Then what the Hell is an Arisen FOR? Why have you RIPPED ME from my WORLD?!'

I could feel the fury etch itself into my face, and I had to take a deep breath to cool the heat building within me. Perhaps it was egotistical or maybe it was a matter of pride but knowing me to be Arisen had more than helped justify the world transferal. The implication that I was needed, that I was a savior to this world had made the kidnapping bearable.

With the divines possibly nullifying such a reason, I could feel the desperation and indignation set in. I had done my very best to avoid thoughts of home and its comforts, and now, it felt as if I had been punched in the liver.

"Divines? Explain."

"Numerous gods exist within this world. As of late, they have taken to leaving their realm, called the Heavens, to live amidst the races. Each individual god may have its own reason, though I hear most have descended to combat boredom."

Boredom? I am already starting to picture what these gods are like and which pantheons they might have taken inspiration from.

Jesus Christ lord almighty in heaven! Fuck me!

"What are they like? What can they do? And are they immortal?"

"Each god can behave rather differently, but all of them share some traits. All of the divines are at the very least pleasant in appearance, they also all possess the ability to know when a mortal is lying. The goddesses of love in particular, effortlessly charm those that gaze upon their countenance, including other gods. It is said that the divines are incapable of subduing these abilities, as such, they are permitted to abuse them even in the lower realm."

I felt a major anxiety spike as Gail mentioned love goddesses. Love gods were always, ALWAYS, fucked up. No matter the pantheon or culture. It isn't bad enough to have literal celestial entities living in the city, apparently, they had to throw them in as well.

"The gods have decided to live in the lower world without using their Arcanum, which is their source of power. They have a certain ruleset they must abide by while living here, as such, they cannot do as they please."

Oh thank God! Wait... that's a bit ironic.

"They wish to experience both the virtues and the hardships of life. Nevertheless, they possess an aura that alerts mortals to their true nature. As for their power, as I've spoken, they are not allowed to utilize it. Should an attempt be made without permission, the deity in question would be evicted to Heaven and barred from returning. As such, I cannot rightly say I know of their capabilities."

It gets more convoluted, of course it does. I couldn't help but rub my forehead in frustration as various possibilities drifted through my mind.

"Permission from who?"

"Ouranos, the first to descend. He owns the Guild and monitors the Dungeon. His permission is seldom granted, usually during special events."

What a bloody mess. I rubbed my forehead soothingly as dark thoughts drifted through my mind.

"So what? They're just deadbeats that laze around the world?"

"No, they play a pivotal role in the defense of the races, the economy, the upbringing of promising talents, and even in the social aspects of the world, with a focus on Orario. Such is possible given their most famous and coveted power, the Falna. Even with the restrictions in place, the divines are allowed to apply the Falna. The Falna is a blessing applicable to mortals capable of enhancing a person's physical, and magical, capabilities so they may stand against the horrors of the Dungeon. It is a staple of society, and no adventurer lives without one."

"So they really are an indispensable asset to the world, huh?"

Gail did not answer right away, he merely looked at me as if uncertain. It would seem he is aware the truth will not please me and is thinking of what to say.

"I am afraid so, Arisen. Mortals are simply too weak in this world. Most members of the races cannot even fight the weakest of monsters without a blessing. The stronger monsters are simply too overpowering for even large groups of trained soldiers. The difference in strength between the monsters and the races, is much too unfair for them to stand a chance."

Gosh that's just... depressing. My shoulders sagged heavily, and I let out a troubled sigh, it almost felt like the weight of the world had crumbled upon my shoulders. Is this why I was needed? To grant mankind a strength of their own.

"And had that not been incentive enough, the Falna also boasts the ability to accrue and stockpile power, which is referred as excelia, improving the abilities of its host whenever they perform strenuous activities such as lifting heavy weights, fighting or training. The more intensive the action, the better the result, with the opposite holding true as well, the lesser the effort, the smaller the increase. If an adventurer defeats an opponent much more capable than them, they are bound to improve by leaps and bounds, while defeating a foe much weaker than them grants little to no benefit. The blessing is even capable of revealing and granting skills, magic, and development abilities, which are similar to augments, to the user, further cementing it as indispensable to any adventurer.

That sounds very game-like. Being able to turn your life into a videogame, in which you are capable of, essentially, levelling up and earning powerful passive and active abilities, is certainly life changing. No wonder mankind is so dependent on it.

"For reference, Arisen, the Falna showcases a person's strength, endurance, dexterity, agility and magic in numbers and letters. The numbers represent a mathematical representation of the user's power in that category, while the letters represent rank, additionally, independent of the mortal's capabilities before being blessed, they always start with zero in all five attributes, which marks them as rank I in those categories. Every hundred points the rank increases, going from the letter I to A and then S. As an aside, development abilities are also ranked with the same letters but not with numbers. As far as I'm aware, there is no way to rank or increase the power of skills and magic. A blessed mortal is also measured by their level, of which they always start at the number one. A level is notoriously hard to increase, one must have an ability at rank D, and then perform a feat capable of impressing the gods. It is to the point that over half of all adventurers in the city are level 1, with only about 10 to 20% having surpassed the second level. The payout, however, is worth the hassle. Even should one hold off on levelling, referred as ranking up, so as to raise all their attributes to S rank, they are still likely to lose in a battle against another of a single level higher, that ranked up as soon as possible."

I had simply let Gail spew all this info on me, as I was a bit shocked at how game-like this Falna was. And the only reason the pawn had stopped, was to drink water to soothe his likely sore throat. However, before he could continue, I voiced a doubt of mine.

"Surely one who diligently increases their attributes will eventually surpass those of higher levels, no?"

"Certainly, yet it is unfortunate that increasing attributes becomes progressively harder, and it quickly boils to a point that it would be more prudent to rank up and start once more to increase your attributes from zero, for your progress would be far quicker and the boost from levelling much grander than a single attribute increase. Yet, there lies the issue. The higher your attributes and level, the more difficult it is to raise them. The paradox therefore is, imagine the effort and challenge needed to gather enough Excellia to raise an attribute to A rank at level 1, is about the same needed to raise an attribute from F to D at level 2 from one who ranked up immediately. The adventurer at level 2 has an enormous advantage given that they possess much more power than the level 1 counterpart, and therefore, they do not needlessly risk their life for a small extra boost to their strength. To give an example, a level 1 and level 2 are both fighting an Orc. Obviously, the first levelled adventurer, will earn much more Excellia from the encounter. Yet, in the time it takes them to kill the Orc, the second levelled adventurer has already killed eight. Additionally, the first levelled was at a higher risk of injury or death compared to the second levelled. Is that understandable, Arisen?"

Who knew that travelling to another world would involve so much learning. I have to learn social etiquette, sayings, terms, slang, and other bullshit all over again.

"It is. Still, I see no benefit to remaining at a lower level. It seems much more effective to quickly rank up. Where is this paradox you speak of?"

"Apologies, Arisen, I had yet to clarify. I had briefly spoken that to rank up, not only does one need the sufficient rank in at least one attribute, but they must also perform an impressive feat in the eyes of the gods. All adventurers eventually reach a roadblock. The higher the level, the more impressive the feat must be. As such, every mortal reaches a level, where the feat required of them, is simply unfathomable for their person. Most encounter this block at their first level, others with more talent, recklessness, ambition, and skill, encounter it much further ahead. But all, without exception, face this issue. Where the feat required to rank up, would certainly take their life. Yet had they chosen to diligently raise their attributes to their utmost, such an accomplishment might not have been an impossibility."

In a haggard motion, I leaned against the wall for support, the wall itself was irregular and I could feel protrusions poke into my back. A moment passed as air flowed through my lungs. I was the first to break the silence.

"Orario is called the city of adventurers, is it not? Yet, it is also the center of the world economically and politically, so you've said. My question is… how? I understand the political aspect of it, since all the strongest people gather here, and its geographical position over the Dungeon grants it an extreme social and political advantage, for if the city is destroyed, all the monsters will be unleashed. Nevertheless, how is it an economic powerhouse? All the adventurers in the city lead to a plethora of business opportunities, such as metal smithing, bowyers, fletchers, armorers, and the whole shebang. But how does the city itself gather wealth to afford this? How do the adventurers pay for these services? What can Orario possibly offer in trade? How do adventurers earn their wage? Are their untold riches in the Dungeon? Surely, they would all have been plundered by now, no?"

"Orario's financial success, trade, and its adventurers' motivation and earnings, are all connected to the dungeon. In truth, it is fair to say that without it and the adventurers that venture through it, the city would collapse. The solution to your doubts, lies in the task I have bestowed upon you. The inhabitants of this world have succeeded in withdrawing power from the rift crystals, know to them as magic stones. With them, they have powered useful utensils and tools that greatly improve modern life, amongst other uses. Therein lies the answer to your inquiry. Adventurers collect these crystals, along with materials reaped from monsters, and trade them at the Guild for Valis, the predominant currency. In turn, the Guild supplies craftsman, sells the stones to merchants or other sources, or keeps them to themselves. Craftsmen in addition make valuable implements for anyone to use, that then get traded outside Orario, creating a powerful monopoly that only Orario can truly benefit from."

Tenderly, I rubbed my forehead up and down with my palm on my chin. I understood everything, and it is certainly helpful beyond description. But I honestly cannot carry on this topic, or I will have an aneurysm.

"That sounds incredibly complex and obnoxious, but I would prefer to return to the original topic. I have one more question about the gods."

Standing here conversing was starting to become a bit awkward, the pawn, however, looked unaffected. I motioned for him to follow me upstairs and repeated the part of my question that was still left unanswered.

"Are they immortal?"

"They do not age, no. But if you wish to know of a way to slay them, I would not know. Should they suffer injury, their Arcanum would activate and heal them of any wound, no matter how fatal. Rumor has it that, if one were to try to behead a deity, their healing abilities would mend, and regenerate faster than a blade could cut."

That was... wow. What he just said really drove home just how loyal pawns are to the Arisen. Gail figured that my intention was to discern if gods could be slain, and without a hint of concern or hesitation, presented me with all the advice he could give. This is in spite of the fact that, killing the gods would throw the balance of the world into chaos. Without their blessings, the races would be helpless against the monstrous tides of the Dungeon, and the entire economy of Orario, and possibly the world, would collapse.

That kind of devotion was frightening. It is almost like… actually, not almost. I am leading a cult, one where the target of worship… is me. I felt my palms become unusually sweaty, and a magical heartbeat-like pulse rhythmically beat in my chest. I… I'm not ready for this responsibility, I'm just a guy.

As we came up the stairs into the room proper, I pulled out a chair and took a seat. I heard the hatch close shortly before Gail joined me at the table. I took a deep breath to calm my aching chest and refocused on the topic.

"Just a moment, doesn't that mean that all you have to do to get rid of an annoying God is to stab them, which will force their Arcanum to activate, which in turn will send them to Heaven for unauthorized use of their power?"

Gail took a second to ponder as his face scrunched up in thought. The loud popping of joints reverberated across the room as I nervously cracked each of my knuckles.

"I believe so, Arisen. Yet, to my knowledge, this has yet to happen. The divines are revered or feared by most, as such, the majority would never attempt such a thing. Those with the will to follow through, either never found a large enough motive to do so, or they were simply wary of the consequences and risks."

"Those being?"

"There is an unspoken rule in which only the divines may judge another deity. Forcibly sending one to Heaven would be a form of judgment. Doing so would warrant the attention of the gods, a fate most would wish to avoid. Additionally, most gods possess a Familia, which will undoubtedly protect them at all costs."

I run my hand through my hair, frustrated at the turn of events. My fingers drum on the wooden table while I re-run through all of the details in my head. I just got dumped with a shit load of relevant information... worst of all, that was just the gods, I still had other things to inquire about.

"My knowledge on Familias and Falna is limited, yet I believe it to be of use. I will relay it to you now, if it please you."

"No. It's fine. I would like to digest what you've told me today. We can continue this another day."

"As you say, Arisen. Still, I shall leave you with this. Familia refers to the group of blessed mortals headed by a specific deity. For instance, the Loki Familia, would refer to all mortals that carry Loki's Falna. Additionally, Familias are also ranked with the same letters. The rank determines their taxes..."

Taxes? Well, actually, medieval people also had them, just not in currency form. I suppose it is not that peculiar.

"…if an exploration type Familia, those that brave the Dungeon, reaches D rank, they are required by the Guild to go on expeditions to lower floors periodically. Oh, three more things."

It took every ounce of strength to not slam my head on the table. Not just because Gail refuses to end the conversation, but also because Loki had almost completely slipped me by. When I had heard that the gods were very much real, and that they descended out of boredom, I had immediately compared them to the Greek gods. Yet I had not expected in truth, that the divines could be ones I had knowledge of. The Norse gods… this is terrible. I suppose… better the evil you know than the one you don't. I have to stay well clear of Loki, that's for sure, Thor and Freya too.

"If the word Status reaches your ears, just know that it refers to all the attributes, skills, magic, augments and level of an adventurer. If you ever find yourself in confrontation with a spellcaster, know that the magic of this world is far different from the one you'll employ. Magic tends to be incredibly slow but with the power to match, though this is not always the case, beware of fast casting magic. Furthermore, should they lose their focus on a spell they are casting, Ignis Fatuus will occur. The magic will implode on itself after going haywire, be sure to mind the radius, Arisen."

That seems… highly ineffective, completely redundant even. It fucking sucks, in simpler terms.

"If supporter reaches your ears, know that it refers to those that mostly do not engage in battle in the dungeon. While blessed, they focus on supporting others by carrying their equipment, gathering the magic stones and drop items…"

Drop items? This is literally just a video game. Where the fuck am I? So… when Gail said that adventurers collect materials reaped from monsters, he meant drop items?

"…supplying adventurers with backup weapons, healing potions, and occasionally, providing small support in the battlefield. A word of caution, supporters that ally with others outside their Familia are uncommon, and if I'm honest, dubious at best. Keep in mind that the average adventurer does not care, or contains disdain, for supporters. Seeing them as naught more than leeches that profit off of their struggle. Mistreatment of them is not uncommon, so if you must acquire their services, be aware that they might not think fondly of you, independently of your actions."

Slowly, I once again run my hand through my hair, feeling the awful straw-like texture of it. I look terrible, product of not having a bath since I ran into that river. I must smell awful too. If the pawn is in any way bothered by it, he certainly doesn't show it.

"Gail, I really, REALLY need a bath. How can I go about that?"

My caretaker seems to consider the question for a second before answering me with an apologetic tone.

"Forgive me Arisen as I do not have a bathing facility installed. If you seek a place to bathe, then I would defer you to the river or one of the various bathhouse services in the city."

He approaches me before dropping a heavy pouch in my hand. The rustle of coin alerts me to its contents.

"If you wish, I hear the ones at the pleasure district offer additional services."

This city has a pleasure district... because of course it does. Ignoring that particular suggestion, I instead ask some questions of importance.

Turns out, they also wash clothes at those establishments, which is a relief as I have nothing else to wear at the moment. Having what I need, I call out to Gail one last time and head out the door, looking to both explore the city, and to have a proper bath for once. Before I can leave, he regards me one last time.

"Arisen. Before you venture the Dungeon, seek out the Guild. They sell maps of the floors and are apt at explaining the Dungeon and its peculiarities, along with possible tactics to use, which monsters you'll find on each floor, and other beneficial knowledge. I must admit I am lacking in this department, so seek out their aid instead. If you must get equipment, the Guild sells basic ones, but you'd best procure the floors of Babel, the large tower in the center of the city."

Babel, that is why I had estranged that name. It was a mythological tower.

"I shall hold it in mind, cos."

"I have talked your ear to death, but I must tell you one last thing. Perhaps the most important advice of mine thus far. Steer well clear of Loki, Freya and their Familias."

Yeah, you can say that again.

Carefully, I pull out an aged map handed to me by Gail. As I peer at the layout of Orario, I quickly make note of which district is which in my head. Gazing one last time at the dot that represents the pawn's home, I stuff the parchment away and start walking.

/Line Break/

I was still not familiar with all the races of this world, and I caught myself staring more than a few times. But what really befuddled me was this... culture? Of human women with dark skin that wore only minimalistic clothing. Some wore skimpy garments, others wore cute or fancy vestments, but regardless of the style, they only ever had clothing to cover their chest and groin. Rarely did you ever see one wearing more than that, and when they did, it was usually semi or fully see-through. They also seemed keen on accessories. Things like bracelets, rings and earrings. They reminded me of amazons actually, well the common stereotype of them that is.

While I did see one man rocking the style, he was the only one so far.

Sometimes, the people would catch me staring, unsurprisingly, when an elf would catch my gaze, they would either completely ignore me, turn away with a huff, or wrinkle their nose in disgust. To be fair, I can't really blame them for the last one, I looked absolutely vile right now, probably smelled it too. In fact, most animalistic races actively avoided me.

Despite everyone going about their day as you'd expect, there seems to be this sort of... uneasiness? Dread? I'm not quite sure. Now what I did notice, was the poor district I came from had a plethora of people down on their luck, along with a few homeless. One would expect it to be different in the other districts, however, while it seemed so at first glance, one could make out the very same sort littering the corners of every street. It was almost as if the entire town was hanging by a thread, and it took everyone's willpower to conjure this facade, this illusion of wealth and well-being.

I gripped my staff tighter, the smooth wood digging into my palm as I took a calming breath. I'm overthinking things, I should just focus on taking that bath. Now where can I find a place to take care of that?

.

.

.

Gálgalos bathhouse extraordinaire. An extravagant name for a seemingly mediocre establishment, though to be fair, I did come across it somewhat near Deadalus Street, which I found to be an infamous maze-like area. I enter the wooden building and take a look at the place. It was fairly standard décor, so I ignored it in favor of approaching the man behind the counter.

The man in question rose from his chair, standing at an impressive height, about one and a half heads taller than me. He smiled as if seeing an old friend and extended his arms outwards, proudly showcasing the building. He wore fine and extravagant clothing in reds and purples, the form-fitting outfit highlighting his toned physique. His dark and short curly hair contrasted with his icy blue eyes as he spoke with a silky warm voice that soothed the ears.

"Ah! Welcome, welcome friend, to the most splendid bathing experience you will have. So tell me, what can I do you for?"

I approached further, wary of him now that first impressions have been made. He had gestured animatedly while talking, which is yet another aspect of his that raises red flags. He really gives me the vibe of a charlatan or conman.

"I... I just need a bath."

Despite my less than enthusiastic answer, never once did the man stop smiling. Talk about commitment. This guy has more of it in his smile than I do in my entire lifespan.

"Certainly, but first, I must ask... are you a part of a Familia?"

As unexpected as the question was, I only had time to raise an eyebrow before the man continued.

"I offer discounts to the fine guardians of this city, including group rates for members of the same Familia."

Isn't that almost the entire city? Must be a tactic to gain popularity with that demographic.

"I am not a part of a Familia, no."

"That is most surprising coming from such a robust person like yourself. Those adventurers must have poor eyes if they are to turn away one such as you."

I can see why he's in this line of work, definitely the charismatic sort. Still, I do not wish to confirm nor deny his last statement. I pull out my coin pouch and start grabbing at coins inside.

"How much did you say it was?"

"Oh, apologies. That would be 800 valis for the bath and an extra 100 valis if you want your clothes washed."

He finished with a smile, which I promptly ignored. I gathered the necessary amount before handing it over and storing the pouch once more. He counts the coins before directing his attention to me once again.

"Excellent. Head in through that door and leave your clothes on the basket. I will have them prepared for you soon."

I thank the man and head to where he indicated. I walked inside into what seemed like a typical locker room. I undressed and dropped my clothes in the designated basket before heading into the bath proper with a towel wrapped around my waist. The bath itself was decently sized and the water looked clean, and to my pleasure, it was currently empty aside from me. Taking one last look around, I removed the towel, hooked it on the rack, and headed into the water.

It had taken me awhile to find the soap, but not soon after, I had finished my bath. After an excruciating amount of time spent drying my hair, I was fully ready for the rest of the day.

Before leaving, I took one last look at the mirror installed in the changing room to check my appearance.

Much to my chagrin, I could see the beginning of a stubble starting to form on my face. I have always hated how facial hair felt, especially when wearing a mask. As I put my hand to my face, I made a mental note to shave later.

Switching my attention to my hair, I can gladly say that it has returned to its original splendor. Its common brown only disturbed by the occasional reflection of ginger. Because of how much volume my hair has, coupled with its length and natural curls, which are more pronounced towards the tips, to the point that some of the ends even look like drills, it strongly resembles something you would see in a women's hair commercial. Given that my hair is not curly, but wavy instead, and that it cascades about halfway down my back, I'm surprised Pantene hasn't contacted me yet. Then again, I never comb my hair, which could have something to do with it.

If it wasn't for my physique and stubble, my somewhat androgynous facial features might have been grounds for some confusion.

Speaking of, I was a muscular dude. I had a very toned physique, not just because I practiced martial arts, but mainly because I have a gym enthusiast friend which I still exercised with even after having lost all the weight I had wanted to lose.

Given that I was broad shouldered and nearly 190 centimeters tall (about 6'1ft), I would cut an imposing figure in most countries. The gap I had in my right eyebrow certainly further accentuated it.

Yet my best feature had to be my eyes. Whenever one would lock eyes with me, they would be faced with a ring of green and brown surrounding the black of the pupil. My irises were mostly filled with a faded, dull green that almost looked grayish. But amongst the verdant was a very thin outer ring that appeared gray, while closer to the pupil, there were inklings of hazel that sometimes formed a ring around the pupil.

Taking a look at my skin, I find it to be the same pasty white it has always been.

Satisfied, I put on the, now clean, clothing I came in with and exit the establishment. I exchange farewells with the man at the counter and step out into the street.

Immediately I noticed the attitude of the people around me had changed, and the weird human/animal hybrids would no longer skirt around me like I was carrying the plague.

Now, onto fixing this stubble of mine.

/Linebreak/

I palm my face as I exit the barbershop. The barber did exactly as asked, removing all of my facial hair and returning me to baby face status. Unfortunately, that leaves me with only about 1600 valis.

I'm going to need a reliable source of income real soon. I'll need to talk to Gail about it. Though… I could just sell rift crystals like the adventurers. Best to ask Gail about it. Hmm… what to do. I suppose I could start collecting rift crystals. It will take a while to accrue enough for repairs.

Mind made up, I strolled through the busy streets of Orario. Never having lived in a city, I found it awkward to wade through this many people. Especially since the closer to Babel I got, the denser the crowd became.

Initially, I had planned to enter the Guild and make use of its information before entering the Dungeon. Knowledge is power after all. As an adventurer, you cannot hope to always know what you're up against. Nevertheless, when one is presented with the chance to come to battle with knowledge of their foes, only an utter fool would disregard it.

So it is with great shame that I briskly move past the large building, marking myself as one of those fools. Damn my social anxiety and Asperger's syndrome. I had fully intended to go in, I truly did. Yet when my eyes found the overwhelming crowd moving inside, an uncompromising anxiety overcame me, and I eventually caved.

Stumbling towards the Dungeon, more than disappointed in myself, I notice I am of the few marching towards the tower. Gazing up at the sky, I find night hastily approaching. I suppose most adventurers are coming off their 'shift'.

I hesitate slightly at the entrance of the imposing tower, earning a couple of looks as I had accidentally stood in the way of some the crowd. I step inside and head the opposite way of the flow of the crowd, hoping it will lead me to the Dungeon itself. I ignored Babel for now, while I wished for better equipment, with only 1600 valis to my name, I could barely afford food let alone good gear.

Soon enough, I found myself staring down an enormous spiraling staircase that seemed to descend into the very pits of Hell. The lack of guard railings did unnerve me a little, but given the stairs colossal width, it shouldn't be an issue. I gazed down the wide-open circular space in the center of the stairs. It was left open and unprotected, and the long drop would certainly kill a normal human.

It was in this precise moment I found out that, despite lacking a heart, I could still feel the anxiousness build in my chest, and a pulse beat in my ears. Gazing upwards, I found a breathtaking painting depicting the sky. It had been just what I needed to shrug off the unease.

Slowly, I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I stand a little straighter, gather my resolve, and begin the long, arduous descent into the monsters' lair.

None seemed to pay any mind as I descended the steps, whether it be from fatigue or general disinterest, I do not know. And soon, I found myself at the foot of the stairs, right at the threshold of the first floor of the Dungeon.

In front of me I beheld a particularly long and wide hallway. The walls were light blue with a natural curvature that arched inwards. The grisly sight reminded me of an open mouth, with its long hallway resembling the throat. Suppose that's why they call cave entrances 'the mouth'.

The lack of adventurers promotes an eerie quiet that washes over me. As I stand at the limit of the first floor I become keenly aware of all the negative thoughts that pervade my mind.

'I forgot to tie my hair! What if a monster grabs hold of it?!'

'I'm not ready for this, who am I kidding? Six, almost seven, years of HEMA is not enough to prepare for real battle.'

'Who am I trying to fool? Do I really think I'm going to survive the notoriously deadly Dungeon as a solo Mage?'

'I have no armor, no shield, and no real weapon. What am I trying to accomplish? What do I have to prove? I can just walk out and play it safe, play it smart.'

'Becoming Arisen must have given me a surge of confidence. What was I thinking?'

But then, just as before, an inexorable sense of calm, ambition, and confidence overcame me once more, and I steeled my resolve. My will had already gained an impenetrable defense, and my mind was sheltered from self-doubt. Abruptly, the situation was reversed, and all the pessimistic thoughts had perished, replaced with encouraging words of praise and conviction.

Emboldened, I strode into the Dungeon proper. My gait was steady, and my mind was sharp. I walked as the embodiment of poise. My soul a serene ocean deflecting the foreboding aura of the Dungeon.

Coolly, I walk down the hall, mind and body ready to jump on any threat. After a tense few minutes of ambling down the hall without incident, I decided to turn into one of the many side paths.

A large oval chamber stood before me, completely closed off save for the path I'd come from. I walked to the center of the room, confused at the lack of activity.

"Have all the monsters on this floor been slain already?"

I spoke aimlessly into the air, as if that were enough to rouse the monsters from their refuge. It was then that I had begun to wonder a few things I neglected. How could low-levelled adventurers keep a healthy income? In fact, how could Orario be economically stable? Wouldn't all the weak monsters be dead by now? Wouldn't most monsters be dead by now? Do I have to go 50 floors deep just to find monsters, and would they all be far above my weight class? Something doesn't add up. Ahh! Why couldn't I think of this while talking with Gail?

Unexpectedly, as if to answer my question, a large shattering sound echoed across the chamber, the total silence causing it to stand out all the more. Curiously I watched a part of the wall of the chamber split and crack. As the hard exterior crumbled away, a more tender and flesh-like interior revealed itself. It almost resembled a gnarly wound, in a way. Softly, a small goblin was birthed through the wound-like fissure and promptly dropped to the floor.

Did that goblin just fucking spawn like in a video game? That… that would certainly answer all of my prior doubts. I suppose I have no further questions. As I sought to quickly neutralize the greenskin, I was put on alert by a quick succession of thunderous snaps. I retreated to the entrance of the chamber as I watched wide-eyed at the six extra fractures occurring along the chamber walls.

"This… complicates things."

Cautiously I watched as four more goblins birthed from the walls. The two remaining ruptures showed a different humanoid creature instead. From the last two cracks came dog creatures that walked on two legs and had two arms. They harbored thick matted fur, sharp claws, and pointed teeth. Their two pairs of fierce eyes locked onto mine. Within the monsters' orbs lied a deep hatred and a ceaseless rage.

On instinct, I had secured my own escape path by withdrawing as I did. In spite of that, the thought of retreat never crossed my mind.

As I stared down the monsters with my own unyielding scowl, my Magick gathered in spades, coalescing densely around me. Words of power flowed around me in a ring, yet no incantation left my lips. Perhaps sensing the shift in the air, the beasts rushed towards me. It would appear these dogs are far faster than their goblin companions.

Finally, I saw the flaming ball stabilize at the tip of my staff. It is now or never. It's do or die!

I released the Ingle spell, the ball of concentrated magic fire bursting against the two beasts and the fastest goblin, which had managed to catch up. Through the smokescreen, the four remaining goblins charged straight towards me.

Using my massive reach advantage, I crush the skull of the first goblin and quickly thrust at the throat of the second. The staff strikes true as the gullet of the greenskin collapses on itself. I shift to the left to cut off their attempted flank, striking at the goblin's side in the process. The monster manages to avoid the head of the staff, no doubt preventing an instant death, yet it is still hit by the shaft. Maintaining the momentum of the strike, I pushed the injured goblin into its companion. Utilizing their momentary confusion, I follow up with a powerful strike cracking yet another skull. The last greenskin steps into a slash with its claw, hoping to catch me off guard. Reacting quickly, I use the staff to intercept the attack, blocking its momentum at its wrist. Further pressing the staff forward, I control the arm and retaliate with a push kick, creating further distance between us. With the reach back on my side, I swiftly finished the battle with a side swing that broke the goblin's neck.

Taking a breather, I gaze at all the monsters I killed. Some fine work if I do say so myself. Now, how do I get their rift crystals. Wait… how DO I get magic stones from slain monsters? Slowly, I bring my hands to my head as I realize I had once again forgotten to ask Gail a very important question.

"Why do I do this to myself."

I let out a frustrated sigh as I approach the carcasses. Well, I suppose I'll have to figure it out on my own. Now, where could the rift crystals be and how do I retrieve them without breaking them.

I knelt down next to one of the intact goblins and looked him over unsuccessfully. I opened its mouth but saw nothing inside. I let its head drop as another sigh left me.

'The bloody gems are inside their bodies aren't they.'

Morosely, I started gathering the corpses. Unfortunately, try as I might, I had no real way of exposing their insides. My hands were definitely not well suited to the task, and neither was my staff. My Ingle spell would simply charr their flesh, and Anodyne would do absolutely nothing. Eventually, I cracked the staff onto a goblins chest and heard the sound of something fragile break. To my surprise, the goblin simply vanished in black tendrils of smoke, leaving naught behind.

That must have been where the gem was located. Ultimately, I decided to awkwardly use the dog beast's claws to carve into the other bodies, followed by its own. I managed to retrieve the magic stones of the six remaining corpses, causing them to disappear when the stone was removed. To my immense disappointment, they were barely the size of my fingernail and, most likely, wouldn't even be worth 100 RC, maybe not even 50.

"This… is going to be a long, long grind."

Dejectedly, I leave the side chamber and return to the main hall. I continued the trek through the quiet hallway, hoping to find the way to the second floor. The rewards so far were frankly pitiful. I could only hold onto hope that deeper in, they would vastly and quickly improve.

"A man can dream."

I reached a set of stairs, which I promptly flew down, officially situating myself on the second floor of the Dungeon. Honestly, it looked much the same as the first, except without the obscenely long hallway.

That being the case, I brazenly strolled in, ready for anything the Dungeon could throw at me.

/********/

AN:

So that's about it. Once more, please tell me what you think and sorry for the wait. Hopefully, I can get the next chapter out much quicker. But if I'm honest, this semester looks even more complicated than the last.

Next chapter Alexander explores more of the Dungeon floors as a solo Mage with only two spells. Fantastic.

Well that's it from me, have a good one folks.

-BleatingWail