Notes/Stats at the end.
Chapter 6: First Dungeon!
Nathan Hale: A man of achievement during the American Revolutionary war. He was known for his bravery behind the warfare, as he told the Americans exactly what the British were doing. He was a soldier, and a hero. But most importantly;
He was a spy.
"Where the hell do I even start?" I say aloud, looking down at the map. Now standing at the top of the mountain, I look at the scenery below, a beautiful forest, with a Distant Lake quite a ways away. I'd take it in, If I wasn't so frustrated at the Moment.
Sighing and tracing the map, I find Hajimari, which wasn't easy, finding the tiny-ass dot on the world map. Either way, I trace my finger along to the mountain, and am pleasantly surprised.
"I'm on a peninsula?" I say aloud. "So Hajimari is on that peninsula, and that lake isn't too far from the ocean. Then Why can't I see the ocean?" Looking behind me, I see Hajimari, but not an ocean. "Can I really not see that far?"
Squinting, I try and find any ocean, but Give up.
'So the farthest you can see on a clear day is 10-12 miles before it disappears behind the curvature. But at sea level, that's like, 3 miles. So at the top of this mountain, I should be able to see a lot farther. This Peninsula is massive if I can't see to the ocean.' I put the map back in my inventory and groan, pressing both of my hands against my face. 'This is way too complicated. I didn't even think about something like the sheer scale of Earth and Remnant. For all I know, Remnant could be twice as Large as Earth. I guess Math will have to come into the equation. Heh, puns. Okay, think. If Earth's radius is roughly 4,000 Miles, using Pythagorean's theorem, That means… I need paper.' Looking around, I purse my lips and shrug. Opening my inventory, I take out a single beowulf claw and start to dig in the dirt with it.
'Alright. 4,000 miles, Pythagorean's theorem. Walking exactly straight one mile will put me roughly…'
Skipping the mathematical technicality, I stand up, looking at my work in the dirt.
'So the earth's Curvature is nearly 8 inches per mile. Good. Now I know what to compare to. I just need to measure a mile here, and I'll be able to do the math to measure exactly how much larger or smaller Remnant is than earth. If they're the same size, I'm going to be pissed.' Looking down the mountain, I sigh and start my way down. Since its rather steep, I just sit down and slide, carefully avoiding sheer drops and jagged rocks, I reach the bottom, and stretch for a second.
'Great, now I just have to count to 1,760. And take three foot strides.' I take a deep breath and start walking.
Beacon
Ozpin waits at his desk, just listening to the clicking of the gears in his office. He sighs and glances at the window behind him, looking at the currently empty courtyard. Taking a sip of his hot chocolate, his Computer starts to ding for barely a second, before he answers, displaying a man with black hair and a stubble on the screen.
"Qrow. Are you in Mistral?"
"Yeah, Oz. Whe-"
"Start in Hajimari. That's where I'd like you to start." Qrow raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"I'd like you to keep a low profile, as usual." Qrow resists the urge to facepalm, and says:
"Alright Oz, but I need you to tell me something, what exactly am I looking for? Something like a relic, or someone using magic? I really don't have a clue since you just asked me to come to Mistral to find something in the south." Ozpin bobs his head back and forth in thought, before saying:
"You're looking for…" He closes his eyes tight, and tries to envision it. Through gritted teeth, he says:
"A swordsman." Ozpin opens his eyes and gasps, breathing for air.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Fine, Qrow. It seems that after using so much magic, I'm having a hard time envisioning him. Its a swordsman." Ozpin leans back in thought, before saying:
"Not Hajimari. There's a mountain North of there, on a large house with Cherry blossoms growing around it. There's an old man there, find him and ask. He must know something."
Qrow nods and says:
"Anything I should Know about this guy, then? Or if He decides to attack me?" Ozpin Just shakes his head, responding with:
"No. He's not that type. I've known him when he was a student here. Just tell him that Ozpin sent you. He'll know."
"Alright. But just in case he does attack me? What's he like?" Ozpin Remains quiet for a moment before speaking up.
"Honestly Qrow, I'm not sure. Its been too long. But he was a prodigy of his class. Don't worry about it, though. He won't attack unless you do so first." Ozpin takes another sip and sighs.
"Be careful, Qrow. And good Luck."
His scroll blinked off as Ozpin cut off the call. Qrow rolled his eyes and took out his flask, taking a short drink.
"gOoD lUcK." He says in a goofy manner as he unplugs his scroll From Haven's CCT network tower. Sighing, he grabs his weapon leaning on the table and gets up, walking out of the broadcast room.
"This guy's got to be something real special if Oz has me going all the way out here."
Back with Bryzan
'IT'S THE SAME FUCKING SIZE!' I fall flat on my face, after finishing carving the equation in a tree. I get up quickly, though, and adjust my Jingasa.
'Since I'll be heading Northeast, I should probably just go around the Lake. Actually, do I have a flask? Since I don't know when I'll be getting water next.'
Check your Inventory
The window almost startles me as I nod and do so.
Inventory (Sorted by New)
Survival Kit: x1
Undead Dungeon Key: x1
Flask (Empty)
Camping Set: x1
Shurikens: x3
I nod for a second, and take out the flask. Observe.
Flask. Common, Common
A flask used for containing water. Automatically Filters water when Filled.
+10 HP when drank from.
Your [Observe] Skill has leveled up!
I raise an eyebrow and think for a minute. 'Interesting. Its basically a life straw except in Flask form. And I heal 10 HP. Its not a lot, and I assume I have to drain it, but It might help in a pinch.' I start walking again, with the lake now in view. 'Now for the elephant in my inventory.' I take out the Dungeon Kay, a jet-black key with a Jagged bit and a smooth blade with a tiny point on the very end. Observe.
Undead Dungeon Key: One of its Kind, Legendary
A Key that leads to a small portion of the underworld. If Used in a Cemetery, The Dungeon's Difficulty is doubled, but so are the quality of the Drops, as well as the EXP gain.
The Key will break once used once.
I smack my lips, nodding. 'A bit edgy, but Okay. I'd like to use this in a Graveyard, but I have no Idea how fuckin' Dangerous that would be. I don't know the base difficulty, So I should be careful with this. I'll need a reference to scale it.'
I walk for another ten minutes, before I reach the edge of the lake. Honestly, Its beautiful, considering my standards for Lakes. Its crystal blue water, almost like an ocean, that seemed to reflect into the sky like a mirror. I kneel down and fill my Flask, sitting on the Rocks.
'I only walked a mile, but It feels like I left Ages ago. Actually, I only really left earth yesterday. I know I'll get really Homesick later, but I have to say, I think I'm glad I'm here. Of course, I'm sorry for leaving my little sister behind, but She'll be fine. I'm sure of it.' I smile softly and am about to get up, before I see something glint in the water.
'No. No fucking way.' I stick my hand in and grab it, revealing a dripping wet azure key.
"Another Key!" I exclaim, Shaking it off to dry it, sending water everywhere. After a few seconds, I stop, and wipe it on my shirt, finding that its completely dry. Its constantly dripping off water, however, as the Key appears to be solidified water. Observe
Water Dungeon Key: One of its Kind, Legendary
Key leading to the Water Goddess' Dungeon. Must be used in any body of water, to as small as a cup of water, to as large as the ocean, the Dungeon's difficulty will rise or fall accordingly. The Key will Not break after any uses.
I nod and say: "So its a pocket dungeon type of thing. Makes sense why I got it so quickly, then. I Take a glance at it, and a glance at the Undead Key. Alternating between the two, I look at my flask, and then at the lake.
"You Know what I'm thinking." I get up, and put the keys in my inventory.
'I'll need to think this over for a minute.'
Fifteen minutes later
"Always closer to the emptiness and sadness that has come to take the place of you. Actually, come to think of it, almost everybody in RWBY has their own theme, don't they? Yang Has 'I burn', Ruby has 'Red like roses… Part two'. Weiss has 'Mirror Mirror' and Blake has… What's… 'From Shadows!' Yeah, that's what its called. What would mine be? I'd assume It'd be by Jeff Williams, cause if anybody were to write a theme about me, then it'd be Jeff Williams." I ponder aloud, on the edge of the lake.
"I'm pretty sure None of the main cast's themes will fit me. 'One life, is not a long time.' That kinda works. 'When you're waiting, for a small sign.' I'm lost there. A little further into the song… Broken wings won't pull you down. You'll take flight to.. No. I never had literal of figurative wings, unless I actually decided to Join the Air force." I think for another minute, before:
"'It was just fine, we lived in peace, looked to a happy ending. The days were bright, they shined like gold' No. I'm looking for a happy ending, making it myself. Actually, 'Die' is Volume 2. I guess I could have a new theme song for each volume that passes. But I'm focusing on me, right now. 'There's a day when Our hearts will be broken, where a shadow will cast out the light.' Eh. Could be better or worse. 'I may fall, but not like this, it won't be by your hand.'" I physically stop, and nod. 'That could work.'
"'When we lose our faith, forsake our friends, when the moon is gone, and we reach our end.' I like it. The next few stanzas, 'There's a moment we make a decision, Not to cower when we crash to the ground, The moment we face our worst demons, Our courage found. When we stand with friends, And we won't retreat, As we stare down death, Then the taste is sweet.' And then the chorus. I like it. 'I may fall, not this place, not today, I may fall, Bring it all, its not enough to take me down. I may fall.'" I sigh, looking up into the sky.
'I guess the first step to becoming a savior is recognizing my own faults, huh? Like how I'm a bit self-absorbed.' I facepalm and take out the Water dungeon key.
"If 'I May Fall' is what I claim my theme is, then I guess I'll have to start somewhere." I spread my legs a little wider, taking an almost offensive stance as if I were using a sword.
"I wonder how this works… I hope this works or it'll be embarrassing as fuck." I raise the key above my head, and shout:
"I OPEN THE WATER DUNGEON GATE." I swing the Key down, and… Nothing. I hear my voice echo a bit, before I'm left in silence.
Absolutely nothing happened. I scan the area quickly, making sure nobody saw me. When I didn't see anybody, I sighed and say:
"How the fuck do I use this then? Does it work like Aquarius… Ah, It is a key." I walk over to the shore and stick the key in the water, turning it. At first, nothing happens, and I sigh, before a massive ripple came from the Key, I swear that I hear the sound of a small gong from the lake, as the water in front of me starts to rise.
"Holy shit." I all I can say, as the water forms a cave in front of me, with descending stairs made of water leading into what I can only assume is the dungeon. I purse my lips and get up, taking Underdog out of my inventory, and sheathing it on my back.
"Let's fuckin' roll." I descend down the staircase, looking back, I find that the water started to close up, sealing my exit.
In Dungeons, you can only leave by either defeating the dungeon boss, or by using a [Homeward Stone]. In other words, you're stuck in here.
I nod, and unsheathe my sword, descending further down the stairs.
Hajimari
Ray closed up his stall for the day, heading into his building. He sighed at the number of boxes left scattered around. He shook his head and started organizing them by cost. He took the beowulf claw he bought earlier and placed it on his desk.
"How the hell does a kid like that get his hands on a beowulf claw? That shouldn't even be possible." He grabs another box and starts to take it outside. In the back, he sets it down and sits on it, lighting up a cigarette.
'Something like that is not only priceless, but also groundbreaking. He should be giving that shit to scientists, not some Pawner.' He takes a puff, and looks out into some trees, looking at a raven perched in a tree, he puffs smoke towards it, before flicking the Cigarette away, and walking back into the small storage building.
'I'm glad either way, I'm not entirely sure how much this is worth, but If its one of the only ones that are in existence, it ought to be a good price, I'll make money on it. Probably a million Lien or more.' He opened up a box and took a Blacksmith's hammer out of it, before turning around and finding a Woman Wearing a Nevermore mask with some sort of sword aimed for his throat. Before he can even scream, the blade aims downward and jabs itself into his stomach, only to bounce harmlessly off green aura. He brings the hammer over his head, but doesn't bring it down, since his attacker's blade was already headed in an upward direction. It dragged all along his aura up to his chin, effectively breaking it.
"You have aura." She pointed out, pressing the crimson blade against his neck.
"Wha- What do you want?" He asks, voice almost trembling. He couldn't tell behind her mask, but she looked him up and down, pressing the blade a little harder against his neck.
"I want you to tell me some things. Have you seen a stranger in the past few days? Someone you haven't seen before?" Ray blanks completely, staying silent.
"I don't have a lot of time, so tell me quickly." Sliding the blade a slight amount, she makes a small nick on his neck, bleeding ever so slightly.
"Gah, I can't recall! I don't keep track of everybody's names!"
"I don't need a name, just a face. Better think harder." Her grip tightened, and the blade seemed to grow warmer, until it felt like it was searing his throat.
"AH! Red hair! There was a kid with orangish red hair and purple eyes! He sold me a beowulf claw a couple days ago! I never saw him before, and he walks in here and sells me a Beowulf claw!" He fumbles around for a minute, before pointing to his desk, showing the claw.
"He didn't say his name or anything, he just sold it to me! That's it!" His assailant seemingly stares blankly at him, before taking the blade off his throat. He gasps for air, only to find a boot aimed straight for his face.
Water Dungeon
I find myself Staring at a giant blue double door, ten feet tall, and no conceivable way to open it.
'Well I haven't even entered the dungeon proper and I'm already stuck. Is this some sort of puzzle? Or… Fuck, I'm stupid.' I sigh and push on the door, finding that it open inwards.* The first room, is absolutely gorgeous. It looks like a massive Aquarium, with clear blue water circling around, and the occasional fish swimming about. I gingerly take a step, and find that the water is indeed water, but for some reason or another, I can step on it.
'Oh, god this is trippy.'
Gamer's Mind has nullified effect: Nausea
'So regular people would get Nausea from this? Good to know.' I take another few steps in, and the door closes behind me, effectively sealing me off. I ready my sword, and scan the room, looking for anything that could potentially be an enemy.
Sense Danger!
My eyes widen and I move Underdog to just behind my head, deflecting something off of it. I turn around, and take a defensive stance, finding a creature probably the size of a person, except floating and with a whirlwind of water under it. Observe
Minor Water Elemental
LV: 12
HP: 5,000/5,000
'A yellow Name. It should be easy enough, but I should be careful if there are more than one.' I watch it carefully, before its whirlwind of water beneath it starts to spin violently, and it charges. I Hold my ground, and am about to strike, when I see:
Sense Danger!
My eyes widen as I sidestep at an unnatural pace, dashing directly to my right. I look at as the Water elemental charges into a completely identical one, the two colliding into an explosion of water
SP: 850/900
You have learned the Skill: [Quick Dash]! (Cost: -50 SP)
'Alright, I can only assume its what I just did, a quick dash.' I look at the two water elementals, and see them starting to re-form. I purse my lips as I look behind me for a second, seeing another water elemental raising its two hands behind me.
"Oh Shit!" I shout, stepping out of the way of the attack. Its hands slam down as I raise Underdog and slash at both of its arms.
Observe
Minor water elemental
LV: 12
HP: 4,900
Skill: [Observe] Has leveled up!
'... Okay, what the fuck!?' I look at Its HP and back up, bumping into something much… Wetter behind me. 'Fuck me.' I turn around and slash at the New elemental, successfully bisecting it into nothing but a Pile of water. I don't get to watch it, however, as another one charges me from directly behind that one. I grit my teeth and sidestep it, dashing to a clear area.
'One, two, three… Fifteen of them in here. Wow. I do 100 damage after cutting their arms off, which means that each of them take… I'd say 50 strikes? My SP probably would hold out, but I'd be exhausted by the end if I had to keep dodging. Not to mention that this is the first fucking room. I need to find their crit area if I wanna get through this.' I nod and take a step forward, when the Elementals all stop, and start spinning around. I freeze up, and tilt my head.
"The Fuck're you all doing?" I find out, though, as a water spear the size of a baseball whizzes beside my head. I flinch, only to find several more flying by me, and a few of the water spears hitting my Aura.
AP: 39,500/40,000
'Hey, at least they don't hit like a fucking truck doing eighty in a school zone' I flip my blade in my hand, and press it to my left cheek, activating focused Strike.
[Focused Strike] Activated! -10MP/s
'If I can stall with these guys for long enough, I might actually be able to one-shot a few of them. So long As I find their "Back" area or their crit zone. Then again, they might not have one, seeing as they're made of water.'
I take quick steps to avoid both spears and the occasional Water elemental ramming into me. They may look intimidating, but they don't hit hard at all. Observe
Minor Water Elemental
LV: 12
HP: 5,000/5,000
Ability: Liquid Body. Water Elementals are resistant to bludgeoning, slashing, stabbing, and fire attacks.
'So that explains why they're so hard for me to kill, my entire moveset is slashing and stabbing! This might have been easier if I had some sort of magic build, huh? Well, I guess I'll just have to deal with it.' I take a deep breath and release Focused strike, Attempting to strike two with one blow.
Critical hit!
Critical hit!
-500 MP
MP: 19,500
+200 XP
The blade slices clean through both of them, straight at center mass. I feel a slight tink! In the flow of the blade, and watch as they drop, water just spilling out of the Elementals. I freeze for a second, before I pick up two small marbles, cleaved in half. Observe.
Water elemental core.
Core of a water elemental, their actual body.
'Well, I guess that was fucking lucky. Who needs to level up Luck when I can just get lucky!' I nod and point my sword at the remaining Water Elementals.
"Come get some."
Twenty minutes later
"I want to die." I say as a matter of factly, as I lay down on the ground, completely drenched from head to toe. I see that in front of me, is another blue screen and a door, that more than likely leads to the next room of the dungeon. As it turns out, taking out all of the elementals took a LOT of effort, aiming specifically for their cores was a bit of a tiring task.
SP: 33/900
'I just need to wait. How do I get my MP up? I didn't use a LOT during that fight, but It'd be nice to know how to get that up.'
In order to restore your MP, You can Rest, Eat, or Meditate!
I purse my lips and say:
"Look, I didn't pack any food, I am resting, and Meditating is boring. How am I supposed to get through this dungeon if this is the first room?"
You didn't have to enter the dungeon.
I blow a raspberry at the text box and look at the other one, which says:
First room Cleared! Here's your reward!
[Class- applicable spell scroll] x1
I raise an eyebrow and accept it, looking in my inventory. Observe
Class Applicable Spell scroll: Unique, Legendary
If used: You will be granted one spell to use that is compatible with your class. This spell is random, however.
Use? Yes/no
I look at the box for another few seconds, and say: "Thank you, system." I sit myself up, and select yes. As I do, a scroll unfurls itself in front of me, and it burns purple before exploding into flames.
You have learned the Spell: Enchant Weapon!
[Enchant weapon] Spell. Cost: 100 MP
For one minute, you can buff your Weapon to deal more damage, Absorb more damage, or to use skills more effectively. The correct chant must be said first, however.
Your Skills Page has been split into two groups! [Basic skills] and [Special Skills]!
Anything Combat- oriented will fall under Special Skills.
I sigh and put my head in my hands. 'It's good, don't get me wrong, but I don't know the chants. This is why I didn't want to be a mage class, I can't remember every single spell that's handed to me. Its why I didn't even play as a wizard in D&D.' I Sigh and see my SP is back to full, so I just get up and stretch a little bit, Walking over to the next room.
"Fuck this dungeon."
Bryzan Jade: LVL 18
Title: Master of Yugai: +50% ATK when using the Yugai sword Style.
Sub-title: None
Class: Swordsman
Career: N/A
XP: 150/3,000
HP: 3,825/3,900
AP: 38,000/40,000
MP: 19,000/20,000
SP: 900/900
STR: 55
AGI: 80
DEX: 85
VIT: 35
END: 30
INT: 40
WIS: 80
CHA: 61
LCK: 5
Available Stat points: 0
Special Skills:
Backstab: LVL MAX. If you target the back area of an enemy, it will guarantee a Critical hit, so long as their END does not outweigh your ATK.
Preemptive strike: LVL: MAX. Before you enter combat, you are granted the first strike, so long as your AGI is higher than your enemy's.
Vital Strike: LVL 2. Go for the throat! If your attacks hit a vital area, then you are allowed Critical effects/damage.
Bloodlust: LVL 1. If activated, all Entities in a 10 Meter Radius have a 50% chance to be inflicted with Terror.
[Enchant weapon] Spell. Cost: 100 MP For one minute, you can buff your Weapon to deal more damage, Absorb more damage, or to use skills more effectively. The correct chant must be said first, however.
So I saw a few reviews about the decision made last chapter, and I honestly can't blame you. Especially if you don't know who Nathan Hale is, so I added that bit at the top cause I love teaching people about history.
As for edgy nonsense, HA. If I wanted to make this Edgy bullshit, I would have gone with reaper. Of course, I think almost every good character needs their 'low point' where they get some edge, but that won't be coming for a while. I honestly cringe myself when I write that type of edgy shit.
Also, "Just an Isekai Writer" I totally see where you're coming from! I just wish I could correctly portray a character in the first chapter. I doubt you're reading this, but just know I'd like for more people to be a bit harsher when it comes to reviewing my work here.
A common thing I saw in the last chapter's reviews was a worry that I'd go full anime, and that's just no for me. I chose primarily from animes because they were the ones that came from off the top of my head.
Three sword style because its badass, Circle sword because I had a dungeon Idea for a little later on, and Wind scar because Nostalgia. I'll gladly take sword styles from any type of media, not just Anime. As a side note, I never played Devil may cry before, any of the games, but once I saw some vergil shit, you can say that Bryzan is definitely going to be doing some of that shit.
Let's talk about pairings for a second.
I for the love of FUCK am not going to have Raven as a pairing. The reason She's here is to teach Bryzan another style, and some other things. Romance is not one of them.
Now let's move on to Pairings…
When I started this, I didn't really think of a pairing, like, at all. But now I saw it mentioned in the reviews, I can't stop thinking about it, and now I wanna do it. So I'll let you decide. A few I'm blacklisting are:
Salem (oh christ almighty what the hell)
Cinder(HAHA Fuck this chick)
Emerald (You'll see why)
Pyrrha(Arkos for the win)
Nora (Boop!)
Glynda (You'll see)
Raven (God no)
Anybody from Volume 6 and beyond, cause they're married and/or I really don't know them all that well yet.
I'm not doing guys, because Bryzan's real-life counterpart would castrate me if I did, seeing as He's not into guys, nothing against people who are, but Bryzan is kinda based off of him. Either way, You guys could vote in the reviews, or PM me who you think would be a good ship.
Ruby
Yang
Weiss
Blake
Velvet
Coco
Vernal
Neo
Malachite twins (Yes, both of them)
Other (Explain who, cause These are the ones I though of off the top of my head)
So yeah, I'll leave that up to you guys, if there's a Tie, I'll put up a tiebreaker when I feel like it.
So I'm going to go to sleep now, seeing as I rushed this a little and Its currently one in the morning where I'm at, so yeah. Toodles!