I attack the neck of the invincible training dummy and follow the strike with an instantaneous strike at its belly. Like usual, the dummy stands there like nothing happened, the attack having done the usual single point of damage.
Quick Slash 5
Mana: -500
You have done 1 damage!
You have done 1 damage!
To make things worse, I felt no improvement on my skill either, that means I wasted 500 Mana for nothing, over 8 hours' worth of Mana regeneration gone, just like that. Still, if there is a chance my Quick Slash skill can increase to Level 6 without wasting a skill point it is worth every Mana point.
"Luke!" Someone screams from a distance. I turn around to see Ethan bringing along a kid of about ten. The boy has been under my group's care for about three weeks now, practicing his swordsmanship every day. Ever since the day I brought him to the camp at his mother's request, she almost begged me on her knees to escort him to the camp, I couldn't say no.
"I take it you want to go into the labyrinth?" I ask the kid. Ethan just looks at Matthew, who nods. As of now he is too weak to venture into the labyrinth, if he died, he wouldn't survive a resurrection much less afford it. In addition, his mother would probably never forgive me if I do something so reckless.
"He asked for you personally, give him a gentle shutdown no?" Ethan tells me up close making sure the kid couldn't hear.
"Are you sure you want to try your luck this soon?" I ask him. "You aren't twelve yet, you could take it slow for another two years and still be on track to being decently strong." I tell Mat. Some people like Annabeth have trained since much younger but being too strong at such a young age carries a huge burden.
"I want to be stronger, I'm not a little kid anymore, I can fight now." He says with a determined face. In his waist he has a Level 2 Celestial Bronze sword and on his body two level 1 pieces of basic armor that won't help much in a fight. Still, it's good that he has such mentality at such a young age, it will make his life as a hero easier to endure.
"Alright Mat, go get all your equipment and be at the entrance in five minutes, if you hurry up, maybe I'll teach you one of my favorite skills… assuming you can keep up." Once we fight our first monster, he will notice the labyrinth isn't for newbies like him. He needs to train more before he can put up a fight with even a Level 1 monster. He nods vigorously and runs away eagerly. Ethan looks at me disapprovingly but sighs.
"Why are you wasting your time with him, you know he respects you too much to actually leave our group." I give him a short glare but put my sword back in its sheath.
"You know I can't do that, when the gods left, they let people like him defenseless. Someone has to help them, at least until they can protect themselves." Ethan nods dismissively but I continue.
"Plus, the fact he asked for me in specific means my words can influence him more than anyone else's in our group. He's not ready yet but after our visit he will notice how much he must train to not die in the labyrinth. And one day everything that I taught him will help him survive outside the camps."
"I know, I know but we can't afford to slow down our training helping everyone that begs for our help, you know it's kind of a waste of time." Ethan pulls out his sword and slashes one of the training dummies.
"I spent 3 months personally training you to be top tier swordsman, was that a waste of my time?" Ethan groans and keeps attacking the dummy.
"Whatever Luke, just make sure he doesn't die. It's been 12 weeks since the true death and our faction is going for the record 19." I say my words of departure to Ethan and head to my cabin. I make sure everyone is actively training, working on their equipment or group combat strategy while heading there.
I walk to the head room of the main cabin and change into my secondary equipment; Level 1 Celestial Bronze armor that is much cheaper to repair than my rare +9 gear. I spot a mace canister on my nightstand and pull out some more spare equipment to put into my inventory.
I was planning on letting him fight with minimal armor so he would get injured but not so much that he is in real danger. Then, when he finally realizes how dangerous monsters are, I will step in and tank a hit as well to show him even someone of high level like me can get hurt. But on second thought, I should probably help him get stronger if he really wants to. One day he'll have to keep his friends safe.
New recruits tend to get enough handed down equipment from people in my faction but sometimes they don't get a full set until they venture into the labyrinth at the usual age of 12. It looked like nobody bothered giving Mat enough gear since he is so young.
Level 3 chest plate, helmet, leg armor, a pair of boots and gloves, four rings and a sword. I get multiple sets of them upgraded a bit in my spare time for occasions like this.
I walk directly to the entrance and notice the kid waiting for me. He has nothing equipped except the chest plate and leg armor he showed me and a small flask of health potion.
"Where you get that potion Mat?" I ask, already knowing the answer. Annabeth convinces young ones to collect scrap metals and other valuables from the outside of the camps, then she pays them with beginner items like small Health or Mana pots. The monsters around don't usually target young ones because they're afraid of punishment from the GRID so it's generally safe. That's the only reason Chiron and I let her do her little scavenging tactics.
"Oh, some guy named Malcomn traded it to me 2 of them for picking up a Level 1 helmet from outside the barrier. It was a bit damaged, so it seemed fair compared to what everyone else got. One guy found a perfect condition Level 3 sword buried in the dirt though, so Malcomn offered him a full set of Level 3 armor, 2 health and 2 Mana potions for it and he took it."
"Lucky kid." We open the entrance of the labyrinth and I place my hand on his shoulder. "But you're even more lucky, you're one of us so you get this for free." I take out a full set of Level 3 Celestial Bronze armor and a level 3 Celestial Bronze sword. Mat's eyes widen and he smiles gleefully.
"Put it on Mat. We're a party so I'll need you to watch my back, think you can do that?" Mat quickly finishes putting on the armor and wields his sword.
"Yeah, I got your back Luke!" I smile and pull out a Level 1 sword.
"Then let's show these monsters what heroes are made of."
Name: Luke Castellan, Son of Hermes
Race: Demigod, Sub-race: Human
Party: Luke Castellan's Party
Level: 46, Age: 19
Health Pool: 8,653/8,653
Mana Pool: 8,653/8,653
Strength: 35
Dexterity: 57
Intelligence: 20
Wisdom: 14
Luck: 7
Attack Power: 525 (LV 10 Sword)
Defense Power: 420 (LV 10 Armor)
"Are you sure the labyrinth can take us straight to New Jersey?" I ask Alecto in disbelief.
"I could just fly us there, but you'll catch the attention of Zeus for sure." I nod in agreement. "Or would you prefer that?"
"The labyrinth it is." I say touching the symbol on the museum wall.
"Also, ever since the GRID took over, the labyrinth is a lot less dangerous, the first floor just has Level 1 monsters. Although, it is possible to find the occasional Boss Monster so watch out for them." She warns me while opening the door.
"Are they that strong?" I ask her.
"They are no stronger than regular monsters, but the GRID gives them 70% damage reduction and they attract other monsters nearby. They drop rare things too, I got one of my most useful skills from them."
"What skill did you get? Was it those summoned flames?" She turns a little pale and lifts her finger. She pretends to hear something and then shakes her head like it was nothing.
"You're not going to tell me?" She looks at me and scratches her head.
"It's my Information 2 Skill, it gives me some basic information about whatever I use it on. Nothing too important." That catches my interest and Alecto looks a bit panicked.
"What does it say about me?" I finally ask her. Alecto sighs but answers.
"Nothing much, it says your full name and tells me you're skilled with water and magic. Chiron is skilled with swords and archery. Small details like that." Alecto points to a hellhound that is ahead and grows her claws. With a lazy swipe the hellhound gets hits by her invisible mana attack and dies.
"How are you doing that invisible claw thing?" I ask her. Truth is it seems useful, especially for someone like me that doesn't have ranged attacks. Except for the water torrents, but they scared the life out of Alecto, they are probably too strong for Level 1 hellhounds.
"This is my Mana Slash; I can use up to level 5 but these hellhounds only need level 1 since my Intelligence is so high." I can't help but let out a chuckle much to her annoyance.
"As I was saying … Mana attacks are pretty useful since they are invisible. The only way to feel them is with Mana Sense of the same level. Anything under level 40 can't hope to dodge a level 5 Mana Slash, unless they get incredibly lucky or use an instant skill like Evasive Slash of the same level."
"Cool, is there a way for me to learn it?" I ask earnestly, although aware that Alecto is kind of my servant now, so she must help me if I ask her.
"I suppose I could teach you. Do you have enough skill points for it?"
"Skill points?" I ask.
"Yeah, the points you use to unlock skills on your GRID… I have to say you are really selling the idiot bit." I consider blasting her in the back with a full power water torpedo but just chuckle instead.
"Pretend you're a good teacher and just teach me about it. Surely you know more about them than me since you're so strong and said all that stuff about being useful or whatever." Alecto turns around and pulls out a card that looks like my GRID card.
"This is the key to everything, every time you level up you get a skill point for your stats and another one for your skills. To learn a new skill, you usually need a point and teacher, unless you have a natural affinity. After that, every ten levels your skill can be upgraded with a skill point. Simple right?" I try to take in all the information and nod.
"Yeah… So, if I was level 10 the highest a skill can be is 2?" Alecto nods and keeps guiding me through the labyrinth.
"You said you were level 98, does that mean the highest ability you have is level 10?"
"That's right Percy, 2 more levels and I will reach the realm of the gods." So, Level 100 is the realm of the gods? I remember my level is over 980, this doesn't make any sense. "Like you, Jackson." Alecto says as she turns around
"Like me you say?"
"I swore my loyalty with the GRID because I know you are not just some mortal hero Percy. You will do great things one day, and I will be at your side." Alecto says with conviction straight into my eyes.
"In the meantime, lets kill the ugly sister and get us some rare materials." Alecto says pointing at the labyrinth's exit.
"That was fast," I tell Alecto.
"It usually isn't, but we appear to have luck on our side. Since the Labyrinth is always moving, if we are lucky, we can get to wherever we want in record times."
Surprisingly, the labyrinth exit leads straight into Aunty Em's Gnome Emporium's basement. Once we open the old wooden door, I recognize the place immediately by the statues. There aren't as many statues as I remember so that is a good thing.
"Keep watch for Medusa, or don't, just watch my back." In the fountain at the center of the store, I see a few Golden Drachmas and eagerly collect them. She won't be needing these after we kill her. She might even have other rare stuff hidden around here. Wish there was skill to spot valuables, that would sure come in handy when looting things.
There was a total of 28 Golden Drachmas in the fountain, so I put them into my inventory. Immediately, a HUD appears on the bottom left with a message.
You have gained 28 Golden Drachmas!
Currencies do not occupy inventory space.
Nice, it only saves me a single inventory space since identical items stack but it's still a cool feature.
"Percy," I barely hear Alecto whisper. "She's here," she mouths at me as soon as I turn in her direction. I focus on the fountain's water and try listening for Medusa.
Passive Skill Detected: Heightened Senses 2
Something comes straight at me, but I manage to easily dodge it. In power, it felt identical to Alecto's fire attack but like a bomb instead of fire. I put a wall of water between Medusa and us and look straight at her. She is dressed like an old-style housewife for some reason.
"That was kind of rude Medusa, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were trying to kill me." Medusa eyes me carefully through the wall of water and then looks at Alecto.
"I would argue I was actually being nice, considering you are raiding my humble establishment you… wait." Medusa takes a closer look at me and smiles. "Those eyes, this wall, yess, the smell of the sea within you. Come boy, those beautiful green eyes, let me see them up close." I look over at Alecto but she just shrugs.
"Yeah… I don't think so snake lady. We're actually here to rob and kill you, Alecto and I are going to be heroes you see." Medusa frowns in confusion but then smiles.
"Very well boy. I don't know why Alecto is helping you, but I am specialized mage, even with her help you can't hope to defeat me." Medusa removes her bonnet hat and reveals her true form. She then spreads her arms and explodes my wall with the same explosion attack from earlier.
Alecto attacks her from below with her fire attack but Medusa easily dodges it. Alecto must have intended for the attack to just be a diversion because she instantly rushes to close the distance between her and Medusa, just like me. With her claws out, she slashes at Medusa, but she is prepared.
Around medusa is an invisible barrier that prevents the attack from landing. It absorbs the attack easily so now Medusa attacks Alecto at point blank. I take my chance and, with a rock I found nearby, use my full force to smash it on her back.
Strength Enhancement 18
God Power: -1,800
Strength: +540
Active Skill Detected: Heavy Blow 18
God Power: -1,800
Enemy has nullified 19,980 Damage!
Medusa ignores me and blasts Alecto, but she manages to dodge it instantly with something that makes her flicker away. I attack the distracted Medusa again with two more attacks from behind, trying to bring her shield down.
Active Skill Detected: Heavy Blow 18 x 2
God Power: -3,600
Enemy has nullified 19,980 Damage!
Enemy has nullified 19,980 Damage!
I sense Medusa's explosion attack again and but Alecto dodges it with her flicker ability and instantly slashes at her face while I back away to dodge. Medusa manages to throw a paper at Alecto that covers her in a dark mist.
"What is this!" Alecto shouts as she backs away. Medusa smiles and refreshes the shield around herself.
"I am the greatest magician Alecto. While you spread yourself thin, I have mastered the path of a mage. My magic is supreme!" She screams at the top of her lungs. I look at Alecto and she glances at me with a smile as if saying 'Can you believe this idiot?'.
"Finish her off okay?" I nod but Medusa interrupts. It takes great effort to not look straight at her.
"Tell you what Alecto, come visit my shop my shop every day and I'll forgive this little raid on my home ever happened?" Alecto frowns but answers.
"Really? And what of the boy?"
"Naturally he keeps me company. If only he would look at my eyes and stay with me, help out a lonely woman like myself."
"Yeah… I don't think so. We're here to kill you and take everything you got, you're much stronger than last time but so am I." Medusa shocks us all by unleashing a gas of poison at both our directions but I easily dodge it. Unfortunately, Alecto had to use her flicker ability straight at Medusa to dodge it only for her attack to phase through the shield to not effect.
"What the-, "Medusa smiles at her and throws her another paper than covers her in mist once again. Alecto backs up next to me and talks in a hushed but hurried tone.
"Damn, this must be the Cursed Talisman, it negates the opponent's next special attack. And level 10 at that, how annoying." Alecto finally explains to me.
"Then just use Mana Slash, since it's level 5 it will waste the Talisman."
"It only works on abilities of the same level, and they stack," she further explains. "I heard about it a long time ago but since heroes don't use it, I never bothered learning much about it." I frown at the implication but just keep guard against Medusa.
"How much damage do you think the shield can block for her?"
"If I had to estimate, I'd say about 120,000." My eyes widen when I hear the number, that is a ridiculously strong shield compared to the damage I have dealt so far.
"Also, I think we should finish her off in the next exchange. The more she learns about our abilities, the easier it will be for her to properly rotate her skills." I nod and think of what I could do to break a 120,000 shield.
"I need you to unleash your strongest attack after breaking the talisman," I whisper at Alecto while Medusa smirks in the distance.
"It might break the shield, but it won't kill her, then she will make another one as soon as possible if she doesn't die." Alecto explains.
"I'll finish her off," Alecto looks at me with some doubt but just nods and charges at Medusa.
Medusa easily dodges Alecto's attack, but when she launches one of her Mana Slashes Alecto flickers and attacks her, breaking the talisman. Medusa quickly activates a Mana explosion, but Alecto uses a skill that absorbs the explosion's effect and momentum to attack her back.
I never seen anything like that attack. It hardly seems possible, more so than the flicker slash but if that breaks the shield, we have a shot at killing her in one go. Medusa's shield breaks and I place my hands on the ground as the first step of my plan.
Active Skill Detected: Earthquake 3
God Power: -300
Alecto turns to look at me in shock while Medusa loses her balance. Before she touches the ground, I grab my trusty rock and smash it on the back of her head.
Active Skill Detected: Concussive Blow 6
God Power: -600
Enemy is Concussed!
You have done 5,700 damage!
I had hoped to knock her unconscious, but this will do. While the earthquake is still at large Alecto isn't affected by it, much alike me. This must be the effects of friendly fire off. I hit Medusa in her head with the rock three times and finally kill her.
Active Skill Detected: Heavy Blow 18 x 3
God Power: -4,800
You have done 19,020 Damage!
You have done 19,020 Damage!
You have done 19,020 Damage!
You have gained 1,164,596 experience!
You have gained 120,690 bronze credits!
She bursts into dust like the hellhounds I killed earlier except she drops much more loot and her head, just like last time. I look at Alecto to ask about the head, but she is fixed on the other drops.
"How? All this loot, vials of blood, about twenty equipment rings, a dozen stat orbs and even rare skills." She hands me the three white orbs and puts the color ones into her inventory.
"How do we know what skills they are?" Alecto points one out to me and hold it to my face.
"Eat this one," She says firmly. I reach out to it and chew it. It tastes like nothing and just melts my mouth, like water flavored cotton candy.
You have gained a new skill: Information 3
I look at Alecto with excitement and she signals at the others.
Name: Price Orb. Gives the approximate value of an item, it will come in handy when looting things. Prices may vary depending on locations or events.
I was just wishing for something like this, it is extremely suspicious that I got a perfect skill for stealing with a description like that, but I look at the other orb.
Name: Treasure Orb. This skill will reveal valuable items, perfect for finding hidden treasures. It can be used continuously until there are no more items hidden.
"Cool, what does it say to you about this Price Orb?" Alecto looks at the orb and replies.
"It's a Price Orb, it gives the approximate value of an item and will be useful for looting things. What does it say to you?"
"Nothing more, just that prices vary on location or events."
"Ah, so it's just a little more information. It's a rare skill occasionally useful since the GRID is the source of the information, naturally the higher the level the more information I figure we get. Although… out of curiosity, what does yours say about me that mine doesn't Percy?" I look at Alecto and activate the skill.
Name: Alecto. A versatile monster skilled in survival, combat and torture. Under contract, she wishes to help Percy Jackson become what she once was.
The last sentence catches me by surprise.
"It says you are under contract because you want to help me a be a hero." Alecto smirks and inspects the rings that Medusa dropped
"All the rings won't be of much use to you," she says. "Rings have the weakest defense of all equipment, but they give the same percentage buffs so only monsters wear full sets of rings." She points towards her hands, ten rings, one on each finger.
"So, I'm better off looking for body armor around here than wearing the rings if I want a better defense?"
"Don't get me wrong these have good buffs since they are Rare class, but they won't increase your defense much. As for me, my equipment is Rare+ so they won't help me either. Eat the orbs and let's look for some armor." I eat the orbs and activate my Treasure skill.
You have gained a new skill: Price 1
You have gained a new skill: Treasure 1
We find some scattered pieces of armor and a bronze sword but aside from that there aren't many valuables out here. Alecto breaks the cash register and gives me the $60 and 5 Golden Drachmas hidden there.
You have gained 60 Dollars!
You have gained 5 Golden Drachmas!
We go to Medusa's office and rob some more of her Golden Drachmas hidden on her desk.
You have gained 8 Golden Drachmas!
I use my Treasure skill and find a little rod that resembles coral reef and tiny crystals. It looks kind of new like it was barely used so it must be special.
Name: Wand of Love and Salt. A Legendary +9 Celestial Bronze wand made from a necklace Poseidon gifted to Medusa before her curse. It deals 50% increased damage to Athena and her descendants.
I wasn't sure of how to feel about a weapon like this one, on one hand it was a legendary weapon but on the other hand it dealt more damage to Athena and her children. It might make me her target, then again, the gods aren't communicating anymore so maybe it doesn't matter.
"What do you think Alecto?" Alecto grabs the wand and shrugs. "Made from a gift from your father, nice. What else does it say to you?
"It deals increased damage on Athena and her children." Alecto thinks a bit and gives it back to me. "If you don't use it against any heroes, I don't think it will matter. Personally, I don't like wands since they give away your class, but I don't think that will be an issue for you. Plus, you do need a weapon, your rock isn't going to cut it." I look at my beaten rock and notice a crack in the middle.
"Very well, this is now my weapon." I aim my wand at a wall and unleash its power. The wall cracks a little, but it doesn't break.
"You need to use your full power if you want to break a wall with it. They are no stronger than arrows, knives or swords, except they scale with intelligence as opposed to strength or dexterity and don't need to reload. That also means they need repair faster so don't go around spamming it either, even if it looks like it has high durability."
"Ah, I see." I was expecting it to be super powerful but that's probably the reason Medusa doesn't always keep it with her. It would also make mages like Medusa too strong if they could just blast things without the weapon breaking. Since it scales with intelligence, it reminds me that I only have 15 so I wonder if that's why the attack power is low right now.
Intelligence Enhancement 20
God Power: -2,000
Intelligence: +600
I point the wand at the wall and blast it again with full power. The wand fires a shot that easily makes a hole through the office wall and the next one.
You have done 1,115!
You have done 1,115!
Alecto looks at me in disbelief but I just grin. She packs the rest of the loot into her inventory in silence and then places her hands on her hips.
"Back to the labyrinth!" I can't wait to try it out on some monsters.
Name: Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon
Race: Demigod, Sub-race: God
Party: Percy Jackson's Party
Level: 983, Age: 12
Health Pool: 10,035,123/10,035,123
God Power: 9,988,431/10,035,123
Strength: 555 (Strength Enhanced)
Dexterity: 15
Intelligence: 615 (Intelligence Enhanced)
Wisdom: 14
Luck: 9839
Attack Power: 500 (LV 10 Wand)
Defense Power: 1000 (Divine Threshold)
Name: Alecto, Mistress of Torture
Race: Fury, Sub-race: None
Party: Percy Jackson's Party
Level: 98, Age: None
Health Pool: 61,665/61,665
Mana Pool: 45,190/59,382
Strength: 3,885 (Strength Enhanced)
Dexterity: 4,053 (Dexterity Enhanced)
Intelligence: 200
Wisdom: 21
Luck: 9
Attack Power: 1,260
Defense Power: 1,104
Yesse2362: LOL I looked it up, it looks cool but my reflexes aren't fast enough for gaming anymore :(
LuisAU: Sorry for the long time Luis :( Also IMO Percy is clever but not that smart, but I guess that's why things work out for him :D
NecrorexSparda: Thanks man, It took a lot of pre-work to get the idea of its feet but I'm glad you found it intriguing.
merendinoemiliano: The level thing makes it sound like he is just going to be extremely broken right and just oneshot everyone but I wanted to make a story where "being strong enough" is not THE issue. Also, I wouldn't know how to handle a Harem so writing one seems very hard, specially for a biological 12 year old D: At least for now, it is rated M after all.
Xerzo LotCN: He got way more XP than he should have, that's why his level is so insane. It is almost like he got the XP of everyone in his old world or something O.o P.S. He needs all the luck he can get D:
Alfa123: Me too man, hope I see more of you too :D
Percykirito4: That means a lot man, hope this chapter met your expectations
SpiceyBoy: Never man, it took too much work to set the dominos up for me to abandon it, forget about it for a while maybe because of school but I have one or two followers somewhere that still remember it and so will I. A lot of pressure in my other story too, people asking for the fights coming up and they want blood D:
KJWolf, Kratous, Sidvicious, Strife, Crimxson, Combatfan, Dragonborn and Jalwtoo, thanks for your support too, even if you WTF me, I appreciate the comments. Cheers :D