REWRITE
-Chapter 4-
Looking out at the ocean waves I sighed. "Should have eaten that Pirate ladies body Instead of letting them burn it. But I kind of respected her since she almost killed me." Pulling out one of the pistols I admired its deadly beauty and destructive power. Holstering the weapon I looked out to sea. "How much further is it?"
The bio-construct I now rode upon was a recreation of the giant manta-ray I had eaten before. Raiding in a bulbus pod atop its back, my nerves connected to it via the chair shaped hollow within. I had recycled the bio-mass of the those human pirates and the giant knight puppet to make it. After leaving the island of beast-folk I've traveled north island hoping for several days. Another day passed and I finally encounter a small fishing ship. Stopping next to the ship I hop out of the pod standing atop the manta and call out to the people on board.
"Hey!"
The people were mostly beast-folk of various types but I could also see a few humans in the crew. They were just staring at me in slight confusion. Apparently they never saw some one raiding a giant manta before.
"How much further until I reach the capital?"
They take a moment to glance at each other and decide what to do.
"Just a few dozen kilometers north." one guy replies.
"Thank you." I say hoping back in and departing.
A hours travel later I finally reach my destination. The giant towers of the the cities high sea walls were the first thing I see. Even from a distance they looked gigantic, appearing to raise two hundred or more feet out of the water like a fortress. Various defensive towers, battlements and soldiers walking along them on patrol visible along the cities length.
I whistle. "Impressive. Wonder if this doubles as a sea barrier as well a a military fortress?"
As I slowly drift into port I pass under one of the giant raised doors of a outer gate. The guards above giving me and my manta a serious stare but not attempting to stop me. I was a curiosity but not outside of their experience it seems. Looking around the inner docks I spot a dozen alcoves for docking ships along the high inner wall which had a series of elevators and stairs leading up. Noticing a empty alcove I pulled into it and leashed my manta with a rope attached to the stone dock. As I hop off and walk along the stone walkway a guard walks down the steps next to my dock alcove and stopes me.
"Uh? ma'am were you raiding that manta?" said a surprised beast-folk city guard.
"Yes. I tamed it. What? Is it illegal to dock a manta here or something?"
"No. But uh? Well since your not a citizen you need to register with the cities immigration registry if you don't have one. Everyone who wants to come go or live in the city or do business in our nation requires them. Sorry but its the law."
"Ah! Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I lost all my money in the same storm that destroyed my boat. I was left stranded on the island archipelago and had to island hop my way here on this guys back."
The guard looked shocked. "Wait!? You came up through the restricted archipelago!"
"Yeah. Like I just said a storm sank my boat."
The guard pinched his temple giving a sigh. "Ok. Ok. This kind of thing happens. I see. Look if you don't got any money, which registering requires, then you need to go to the adventures guild and ask some willing party to let you join them."
I tilt my head. "I'm guessing it takes money to register with the adventures guild too then?"
"Yes. But you can join a party as a temporary member and share in the spoils of their dungeon raiding if their nice enough or think your worth it. Or ask them to pay for the ID before hand. Given that fancy armor and weapons your a adventurer from some other nation yeah?"
"Yep. I was traveling the world seeing the sights when that storm showed up out of nowhere."
I'm going to tell this lie often aren't I? I thought to my self.
The beast-folk guard nodded. "Uh, huh. Look. Just go to the main street, continue until you reach the central plaza and you'll find the adventures guild on the left. It's the building with the big wing above the entrance."
I salute the guard. "Thank you... mister?"
"Greg." he said with a tired look.
"Thanks a million Greg."
I leave the docks and wander a bit. The cities huge with hundreds of thousands of people all over. This city must have a population of a million or more. Taking in the sights as I walk through a open market place down the length of a long street I admire the architecture of the white washed buildings. Some with beautiful colored patterns along their walls, windows and doorways. The pillars and arches used in the construction of every building reminds me of roman architecture only on a larger scale and with buildings that on average reach up from five stories high to twenty five stories high at most.
Pushing my way through the hustle and bustle of the city's marketplace I eventually reach the central part of the city. A massive rectangular open plaza with buildings on all sides and what looks like a royal palace on the far end. Looking around I spot a building with a large wing above its entrance to my right.
"Bingo."
I saunter over entering the adventurers guild. Inside it looked like a bar/restaurant/bank. There are many tables with dozens of people dressed differently and of several different races who I assume are adventures, all drinking, eating and talking together. The far wall opposite the front door had a long countertop extending from wall to wall. Along it multiple people were doing business with the clerks, all of whom were woman in fancy uniforms. Some human others beast-folk. And off to the sidewall there's a bar and restaurant where people were getting food from before sitting down at a table.
The Headache strikes back.
"Ow! I'm really getting some fairy-tail x goblin-slayer vibes from this set up."
A big lug with a spear on his back bumped into me on his way out the door.
"Well excuse you."
He just grunts and leaves.
"Jerk!"
Ignoring the rude guy I turn and walk to the registering counter with the well dressed human woman with scales along her body. And now that I'm closer she also has slit golden eyes and gives off a serpent vibe. Is she a half breed or something?
"Helloz. How'z cans Iz helpz youzz todayz?" the counter girl said in a odd accent that added a Z sound in her speech.
The accent throws me off a moment. "Uh? I would like to know if any parties are looking for a extra to join them. I lost my adventurers ID and money in a storm on the way here and need cash quickly so I can register as a visitor to this nation so I don't get kicked out."
The woman look's like she's had to deal with this before. "Ahz, letz mez thinkz? Is believez Rockzz party is low on manz powerz. They shouldz bez overz at the restaurantz last timez is sawz."
"And what does this Rock look like?" I ask.
"Ohz. Hez a big guy withzz a spearz on hizz back."
I glace around the room at the five or ten other big men with spears. "Real helpful." I mumble in a deadpan tone.
Another clerk interrupted. "Sir you just passed him by just now. He was the man that bumped into you on his way out."
I sigh. "That guy!" I shake my head feeling annoyed. "Thanks for the help. Bye."
Turning around I leave the building, stopping just outside and look around. "Where'd he go?"
Smelling the air I pick up the faint traces of his scent that got on me when he rudely bumped into me. Following the faint scent trail through the crowds I end up back at the docks at a warehouse area.
"Yeah. This totally doesn't look shady."
Placing my hands on my swords just in case I enter sneak mode crouching as I walk in. In the distance I faintly hear people talking, their voices echoing around the metal structure and tall stacks and walls of creates. Climbing a wall of creates I move along their top getting closer to the center of the building. The voices get louder and clearer as I approach. Eventually coming to a open area at the center of the warehouse.
"Where is she!" shouts Rock.
"Be patient." said a cloaked man. "So long as you provide the gold she'll be unharmed."
Rock clenched his teeth and hands. "Why are you two doing this?"
The cloaked man ignored Rocks words and gestures to another cloaked person who leaves. I follow them keeping to the shadows and using my spider walk ability to climb the walls and crates. From over head I follow the second cloaked person as they moved through the maze like crate walls. They go to a corner of the building where a young girl is tied up.
I would really love to help out here. But. I really don't know what's going on so I 'll just hang back and watch for now.
The second cloaked person cuts the bindings tying the girl to the chair. Yanking her up by the rune engraved chained manacles on her wrists, the cloaked person guides her back towards the center of the warehouse. I remain a spectator as the events unfolds.
Back in the center of the warehouse the guy I think is Rock looks relieved when he sees the manacled girl. She looks concerned when she sees him and tries to speak but while her lips move, no sound comes out of her mouth.
"Is that dew to a spell?" I wonder watching from my hiding spot.
The second cloaked person unlocks her hand bindings and she runs over to Rock continuing to flap her mouth but making no sound.
Rock embraces her. "A silence spell. Guess they did that as a precaution."
Rock glared at the two cloaked people then held a hand out. A portal opened and several medium sized chests appeared.
I made a mental whistle. "Is that dimensional storage? Just like what Bennett had? Neat! I really want to learn that one. I could store so much biomass."
The two cloaked people opened the chests. Both filled with gold and jewels. Both cloaked men waved their hands making the chests disappear again.
"Pleasure doing business with you." said one of the cloaked men as he threw a key at Rock.
As Rock caught it a glowing circle appeared below the two cloaked men and a instant later they disappeared.
Rock unlocked the rune engraved shackles undoing the spell. The girl started crying, actually making noise now, and hugged Rock who started cursing the two cloaked men as he embraced the girl.
I hummed thinking to my self and returned to the adventurers guild. I sat down and just waited. Shortly after Rock and the girl got back. Rock still looked pissed and the girl looked depressed.
"The two of you look like you've had a bad day!?" I say as they passed me.
Rock glared at me. "You! Leave us alone if you know what's good for you."
I hop off my chair running in front of them. "Yeah sorry. I've got my own situation. I need cash and one of the counter girls told me a man named Rock with a spear could help me."
Rock sighs. "What do you want?"
"A job. I just got into this city but if I don't pay for a city ID. I'll get kicked out in a few days without one. So I need money and this was the first idea I had."
Rock gives me a side long look thinking. "Hm? Ok but I'll pay for your ID and registry. In return I want you to work in my party for a year."
"Deal." I said holding my hand out.
Rock took my hand and we shook. "So what's you're name?"
"Don't have one."
The girl raised a eye brow. "No name?"
Rock crossed his arms. "I assume you have a reason for not having one?"
"Got amnesia."
"Of course." said Rock rolling his eyes.
Rock wasted no time in paying for my ID registry. After that he also paid for my adventures ID and I got a Porcelain ID tag. The girl who introduced her self as Amanda. Explained about the ranking system for adventurers.
In descending order from the top rank it was 1st-rank-Platinum, 2nd-rank-Gold, 3rd-rank -Silver, 4th-rank-Bronze, 5th-rank-Ruby, 6th-rank-Emerald, 7th-rank-Sapphire, 8th-rank-Steel, 9th-rank-Obsidian and then lastly 10th-rank-Porcelain. Which was the starting rank for new adventurers. Ranks were named by the material used to make the ID badge's. In my case weak and fragile porcelain just like the newbies that get it.
Well I know better about my own abilities but I personally I think I should be a much higher ranked but best to play along with the locals ways for now. As they say. When in Rome do as the romans.
"Understand?" Amanda said seemingly without a care in the world despite what happened not to long ago.
I looked at her remembering that just a short time ago she was at the mercy of those two cloaked men for whatever reason.
"You adventurers are made of sterner stuff huh."
Amanda widened her eyes in surprise at that.
I waved my hand. "Never mind that. I get the gist of it. Anyway are we going to a dungeon or do we have another job or something?"
Rock bit into his sandwich crewing a moment before swallowing.
"We'll go on a job tomorrow. For now just relax and prepare your self." Rock looked me up and down. "From the looks you already have some nice armor and gear. Especially that enchanted black sword?"
"I love that silk inlay in your leather armor." said a admiring Amanda.
I draw the blade cutlass examining it. "I won it in a battle to the death with a vary skilled and powerful pirate lady."
Rock stared at the nameless girl then to the lustrous black surface of the blade. "A pirate? There haven't been pirates in these waters for a decade."
Amanda turned towards Rock. " Actually I heared a pirate crew have been raiding the waters just outside the countries borders though!"
Rock hummed to himself. "I see. Well you'll need a name and put down details of your class."
I sigh rolling my eyes. "I know! How about I go by Void for now."
Amanda laughed. "Sorry no. You need a proper name or nick-name. If you really can't recall your given or family name you'll just have to make something up for now. But what about your class?"
Rock snickered like he heard a joke. "How about we call your Rookie!"
"Rookie?" I repeated.
Rock glanced at my gear "You have two swords and two pistols. Gunner or Warrior will do."
"How about dark slayer!" I said enthusiastically.
They both stare at me a moment.
"No." said Rock.
"Sorry not applicable." said Amanda.
I groan in annoyance. "Fine warrior it is."
The ID plate glows. Looking down I see that my selections have engraved themselves in the plate by some kind of magic.
Name: Rookie. Class: Warrior.
I look up to Rock and Amanda. "Wait Rookie is a acceptable name? And did it just do that magically on its own?"
Amanda had a smug look on her face. "Yep. It's a one time self enchantment the plates have. If you want to change it you'll have to wait until you rank up and get a new ID plate. Or pay a fee to have the one you have replaced."
I shrug. "Hmph. Well I guess there's worse names then Rookie."
Looking the ID plate over I flip it over and see it has my states and a gear displayed.
Vitality: 30/100
Strength: 15/100
Stamina: 20/100
Speed: 14/100
Endurance: 10/100
Resistance's: 15/100
[Weapons: Enchanted Black sword/Iron long sword. Fire caster pistol, Armor piercing pistol]
[Armor: Silk-leather and plated-armor]
[Inventory: log book/Magic Book/Magical Medallion]
"Huh? This actually could be useful."
Rock leaned over to look. Glancing up at him I spot his eye brow raising in surprise.
"So how are my states mister veteran?"
He turns to me, glances back to the ID then leans back in his chair. "Not bad for a rookie. Especially your vitality. You'll be fine for the first few levels."
Amanda turned to him. "levels of?"
"I'll let it be a surprise. Be ready to leave early in the morning. And use that money I lent you to buy some items for your self."
"Sir yes sir. There's plenty of light left in the day so I'll go sight seeing."
I leave them behind exiting the guild hall.
Rock and Amanda watch as the rookie leaves.
"Can't believe I got saddled with a damn rookie just after that whole affair." said Rock. "Those two bastards will pay for betraying us!"
Amanda looked down into her cup. "I still can't believe they went and left us like that? And with all the money the four of us worked so hard to save up over the last few years."
Rock snorted. "Just goes to show that those bastards only cared about the money."
"What about Rookie?" asked Amanda.
"Meh. Well use her to remake at least some of what we lost and she'll get needed experience. Win, win."
Outside in the city streets I was lost. Had no clue where to go. So I did what any tourist would do. Ask around. After talking with a few people I finally found the items store. Looking in through the front window it was just as expected. In display shelves behind the window were rows of bottles of varying sizes and colors. Regeneration potion(2,000). Healing potion(150) Magic scrolls(4,000), various resistance potions and even a enchanted dagger.
"Man look at these prices. I'ed love to buy those magic books, but I can't use magic yet so it would be a waste right now. I'll just have to wait until I meet a powerful mage and eat them. Hopefully I can actually gain magic like that?"
"Excuse me." some girl said from behind.
Turning around I spot a young woman around my age, in a elegant knee length red dress with gold embroidery, staring at me. "Excuse me but can you move."
Glancing around I see that the local foot traffic is blocking the straight entrance to the store so this lady walked along the edge of the street. I stepped back from the window letting the lady through.
"Thank you." she said pulling the door open and entering the shop.
"Right. Got too buy some items."
Following after the lady I enter the Item store. The shelves are full of bottled and boxed items of varying sizes and colors. Box's hold various strange items and some other products in beautifully etched bottles. I also see plenty of books along the other shelves. Glancing at the counter I notice the store clerk, a leopard beast-folk reading through a book. It must have been a love novel given the picture on the front.
"Yep. Definitely in a fantasy land now." I say reminding my self.
I glance around at the various items comparing quality and prices with what I need. I already have pretty good healing and regeneration abilities as well as adaptive abilities so a potion that heals me or gives me a state boost wouldn't really be all that useful. But I do spot some enchanted potions that say they give the drinker a variety of temporary magical abilities. That looks interesting and they aren't terribly high priced. I grab a few of them and walk around to the books and scrolls section. Most are useless to me since I can't use magic yet. I'm biding my time for some powerful mage to catch my eyes and stomach.
Browsing the books and scrolls I notice the girl that entered before me. She was looking through the magic books like she was looking for something specific. Then one book caught her eye and she grabbed it up making a beeline straight to the front counter. She payed for the book and left looking vary eager to read her new prize.
"Wonder if she's a mage?" I licked my lips making sure to remember her face.
Returning to my own browsing I look over the store for anything else of use to me. I do find a bag of holding but its way out of my price range. Not finding much else I take what I have to the counter and pay for them. Exiting the store with my gains I walk around a bit before finding the Arms and Armory store. The bell above the door rings as I enter. All over the place the walls and counters and shelves are covered in armor sets all made of various materials, some leather or cloth and others metal. Along with weapons of all kinds. Even a few fancy clothes, for nobility I assume.
Glancing around I can't really see anything substantially better then the gear I already have. And if there is anything that catches my eye it's way out of my price range. And the enchanted armor and cloths are in the tens of thousands. With a tear on my cheek over my poverty I move on to the other areas. Some of the items in the store include ammo for my pistols.
The two pistols I got from that pirate lady are both magical and fire spells. The fire ball pistol castes fireball spells and the armor piercing pistol castes a bullet of dense mana enchanted with a piercing spell. Both take mana crystals as ammo but they can be recharged by various means.
Thank you Vallin for explaining all that to me.
I pick up a few extra mana storage crystals that fit my pistols internal slots and move on. Looking through the store I find a few leather satchels for carrying gear and items. All a lot cheaper then the bag of holding I saw in the other store.
It then hits me and I remember that my silk could be a expensive item and that I could sell it.
-Clerk POV-
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"
The man at the checkout counter notices as a customer smacks their own head. "What's her problem?" he wonders.
The customer runs out of the store. Returning shortly after words with a pile of beautiful white silk in her arms.
"Sir. How much can I get for this?" the young lady askes.
The store clerk is taken aback a moment but soon collects him self and examines the pile of silk threads. Using a appraisal skill the clerk reads the quality of the threads and is surprised as the quality is top notch. Easily a high grade material and quality.
The clerk gulps at the item. "Ma'am this is high quality spider silk. Only greater spiders and other monsters like them produce threads of this size and quality. Where did you get this much?"
-My POV-
I look him straight in the eyes and say. "Killed a greater spider and ripped it from its corpse. Carefully." I say trying to look legit.
The clerk blinked. "Oh. Ok. Well then I assume your looking to sell this silk?"
I think. Then a dastardly plane forms in my mind. "Mister may I ask something. Are there any other stores that would give me a better deal for this silk?"
The clerk expression changes like he put his business hat on. "Yes. There are several other clothing stores in the city that would buy this silk for a high price. They like my store uses this material in the construction of armor and clothes for adventurers, nobals as well as other high quality goods. However as my goods are to protect adventurers and meet the strict quality requirement I can assure you that my prices will be second to none should you sell too me."
I counter. "Unless some high priced noble pays better because they know they can sell my product to other stores or even to other cities at a even better price."
The man looked stumped. He went through several facial expressions as he thought on how to make a compelling counter offer. "Miss."
"Rook. Call me Rook."
"Miss Rook. You make a compelling argument. And yes there are clothing stores owned by nobles that would love to get their hands on silk of this quality. It wouldn't matter if it was one small pile like this. If you sell me this silk you've gathered I'll pay two hundred silver coins right now."
I smile closing my trap. "What if I can supply you with a continues supply?"
The mans eye twitched. "That? Can't possibly be?! Where would you even find a large number of giant spiders to harvest?"
I stare him in the eyes. "The how and why aren't important. Just that I can. Wait here."
I leave again. Ducking into the ally-way beside the store I spin more silk into a pile twice as large as the first one before returning to the store with it in my arms. Placing the even larger pile of spider silk beside the first the clerks face turns slack jawed for a moment.
"This! Will all sell at quit the high price!" He turns to me. "And you say you can supply me with more continuously?!"
"Yes. In return I want a appropriate compensation as your...partner."
The man looks at the two piles of high quality silk thinking. Turning back to me with a smile he extends his furry hand. "It will be a honor to work with you then. Miss Rook."
I smile innocently taking his hand and shaking. "Why thank you."
He takes the piles of silk to a backroom. Meanwhile I grab a few more leather satchels for all my gear and items. I already have weapons and armor so there's no reason to waste money buying more. The clerk returns paying me 256 large and small silver coins. Which also accounted for the cost of the satchels. We hammer out a official business deal written in magic paper that disappears after words sealing our deal with magic. Waving goodbye I leave.
With some extra money in the pocket's of my new leather satchels I return to the adventurers guild and ask one of the girls at the counter for the location of a inn I can stay at. With a map and a name I depart. I find the inn in a few minutes and pay for a room. But since there's still some day light I return to the market place and buy a bunch of meat and vegetables. Carrying them in large baskets I return to the docks and feed the giant manta to maintain its functionality.
Returning to the inn I pass a certain restaurant. Smelling the enticing aroma coming from inside I detour inside and eat my own fill. With my own stomach full I return to the inn. Pulling my boots and gloves off I undo my belts and buckles hanging the satchel belts and bags on the head board. Removing my outer clothes I pull the blanket over my self and get some sleep. Somethings telling me I'll need the energy for tomorrow.
-The Next Day-
The early morning sunlight beamed into my bed room. Yawning I stretched, scratching my belly.
"Should have closed the damn curtains." I growl.
Groaning I pull my self out of bed and get dressed arming my self and attaching the item satchels around my waist and over my shoulder before heading out the door. Entering the adventurers guild I glance around spotting Rock and Amanda.
I yawn waving at them.
"Good morning."
Amanda laughs at my messy hair. "You look like you could use some extra sleep."
I sit down at the table. "I could use another hour or two."
A waiter walks over placing two cups of coffee on the table.
Rock picks up his cup. "Why not have a cup of coffee to wake your self up."
I yawn again. "Meh? Sure. Oh miss waiter I'll have some coffee too." Minutes later I have a warm cup of coffee in my hands. "Never actually had any coffee before?"
Taking a few sips I down half the cup as Rock and Amanda watch.
"How is it?" asked Amanda.
"Eh? Not bad. But not really a fan of the taste. I do feel more awake though."
"Good." said Rock. "Were moving out shortly. I hope you got those items?"
"Well I did buy some potions yesterday. Didn't get any healing types but the ones I did get grant me some neat temporary abilities."
Rock sighed and Amanda looked disappointed.
"Why didn't you get a few healing potions?" said Rock.
"In a dangerous dungeon healing wounds after a battle can mean the difference between life or death." said Amanda sounding concerned.
I shrug. "I don't really need healing potions. I'll demonstrate why."
Pulling one of my swords I slit my wrist shocking Rock and Amanda. Blood quickly spills out into my cup as I hold my hand over it. Both Rock and Amanda's shocked expressions turn into dumbfounded looks as the bleeding stops and the wound seals up. They both look more closely seeing see the wound has healed without a scar.
"See. I can regenerate damage pretty quickly. Don't know about decapitation though? Don't want to find out. But other minor wounds can be healed in moments thanks to my regeneration ability."
Rock and Amanda both stared at me.
"That's incredible!" said Amanda.
"How did you get a ability like that? Are you a half breed or something?" Rock said with a raised eyebrow. His words remind me of that clerk women with the scales and accent.
And here's where I lie to them. Just a bit.
"Don't know. I just can. It was pretty weak at first but after repeated use it's gotten stronger. Or rather faster and better at healing injuries."
Amanda shrugged with a smile. "You are quite the mystery aren't you Rookie?"
I smile back. "Guess I am. Also call me Rook."
"Is that the name your going with." said Rock.
"No but its a place holder until I think up a more fitting one. So when are we leaving?"
"I've arranged us a place in the Stone tower. We leave in one hour." said Rock.
"It's also called the great sea tower." explained Amanda. "Its a small island with a giant tower that stretches high into the sky. Unlike most dungeons that go down this one goes up."
"Oh!" I said making a semi impressed expression. "So how high does it go?"
"A hundred floors." said Amanda. "Though given how powerful the monsters and deadly the traps are in the higher floors almost no one has ever gone higher then the lower to mid levels."
"Except that hero from several hundred years ago." said Rock.
"Yeah." said Amanda. "These days most people only go as high as floor fifty at most. A few people had reached as high as floor seventy I hear. But I don't know of anyone in recent memory that's reached farther then that and not died."
Rock made a sorrowful expression crossing his arms. "There have been a lot of fools that's gotten themselves and their parties killed pushing themselves like that."
"So how far have the two of you gotten?"
Rock looked distressed as he sighed. "Twenty nine."
I was un-impressed. "Really. Just floor twenty nine! Does the difficulty curve increase that much per level?"
Amanda smiled with a depressed look on her face. "Well we never really needed to go higher. Farming the monsters and chests in the levels up to twenty nine has worked out for us so far."
"Farming? What does the gold and treasures regrow or something like fruit on a tree?" I asked needing to look somewhat confused since my story was I had amnesia.
Amanda looks surprised. "Oh. That's right you probably don't know how dungeons work because of your amnesia?"
I nod my head slowly.
"Well then allow me to explain." said Amanda.
I sat there listening to the long winded story of how the God of Chaos created the Dungeons to test the mortal races and to provide the gods with entertainment. And for those who succeed great riches and glory are gained. When the first dungeons were created it created mass confusion and disorder among the nations of the time. Monsters normally stay in or around a dungeon but if they are left alone for too long then the monsters will start traveling beyond the dungeons borders in what's called a dungeon rampage.
That happened to the nations bordering dungeons as many were assaulted by monsters of all kinds. Monsters and animals are differentiated by their behavior. Animals attack other animal and some times people for food, to drive off or kill intruders into their territory or to protect themselves and their family or packs. But if they encounter a enemy that's too strong they will often runaway if their in danger but only if they aren't protecting their young.
Dungeon monsters however will only attack people of any sentient race ignoring animals unless they are Familiars or if they attack the monsters. And while a animal will eventually try to run a way if out matched, all monsters will ALWAYS fight to the death.
Amanda also explained that all dungeons have a core. This core connects with the planets lay-lines through which vast rivers of magical energy flow. Using this source of power the Dungeon cores manufacture vast quantities of materials and monsters to populate a dungeon with. Or at least that's the current theory.
There have even been cases of rare individuals finding and becoming contracted to the dungeon core making them Dungeon Lords. Dungeon Lords can control alter and change the dungeon in any way they wish as well as summon specific types of monsters. But they must follow certain rules as per the Dungeon cores programing by the god of chaos. So these Dungeon lords cant just do something like make a army of monsters to conquer other nations with or make the dungeon unbeatable or unreachable, because of their intrinsic nature of being tests for mortals.
"Wow." I say drinking the last of my bloody coffee.
"You uh. Got some blood on your lips." Rock said looking uncomfortable.
Wiping the blood off with a napkin I think a moment. I remember that structure at the bottom of the cave on the island I woke up on.
"Can there be things like hidden or lost dungeons?"
Amanda thought about that. "Well for hidden dungeons so long as the entrance can be reached and can be opened I guess. As for lost dungeons I don't know? Out of the thousand recorded dungeons that have been found around the world I guess a few could have remained undiscovered or lost?"
Rock crossed his arms. "I'm no expert on their history but it's possible for a dungeon to have been submerged during a battle between powerful creatures or during a cataclysmic war or natural disaster where the land is submerged or covered over by lava, water or shifting land?"
Amanda turned to him. "There have been a few wars like that if I recall. Battles so intense that whole land and sea masses are created and destroyed." Amanda turned to Rookie. "Why the sudden interest in this subject?"
I nervously scratch my cheek. "Well some time after I first woke up on the island I was marooned on I found a structure in a underground cave. I also found a book of magic and a medallion on the same island. The structure was solid stone and looked older then the cave around it. Almost as if the cave was formed around it?"
Amandas eyes sparkled with interest. "Can I see this medallion and book?!"
Pulling the book and medallion out of my leather satchel I place both on the table. "I can't make heads or tails from the book since I don't know the first thing about magic but the medallion looks magical given its fancy design."
Rock picks up the medallion while Amanda looks through the book.
"And you found these in a cave?" said Rock.
"I found the door in that main chamber and these items in a flooded side-cave that lead back out into the ocean."
I was kind of lying but mostly speaking the truth.
Rock examined the medallion for awhile before putting it back down. Amanda kept her eyes glued to that book skimming its contents page by page. After a whole thirty minutes she had finally read the book cover to cover and closed it with a look of joy on her face.
"You ok?" Rock asked Amanda.
"It's a Vox Arcana!"
"A what?" I questioned.
"A Vox Arcana. A long time ago a famous traveling arch-mage called Vox Remore lived and traveled the world writing all about everything he saw. He wrote ten volumes of books detailing everything he say in his travels. This book is one of them. I can tell by the signature and number on the index page." Amanda said hugging the book like it was the most precious thing to her.
I just stared at her blissful face. "You really like books huh Amanda?"
She beamed a smile. "Yep. Can I keep this? I mean its written in arcane text, so anyone who can't use magic will be unable to properly translate it. Mages encrypt their writings a lot to keep their magic and knowledge from being abused by certain people."
I lean back giving a sigh. "If its encrypted how did you read it so fast?"
"Oh I actually have a decryption spell for this kind of stuff. There have been other volumes of Vox Remore's books and copies of them have been found all over the world or left in museums for study. But this volume has never been seen before. Its also unnumbered. All the other copies of his books I've seen have have had a number on their cover? This may be a unpublished volume! Or even a complete compendium of all his other books?!"
Rock leaned closer. "How much money are we talking about?"
Amanda kicked Rocks leg giving him a death glare like he had kicked her cat. "This is a priceless artifact you dolt! And you just want to sell it to the highest bidder! I know were doing bad financially right now but were not that desperate!"
Rock actually looking terrified raised his hand defensively. "Ok Jeez. I was only asking?"
Amanda turned to Rook. "Can I keep this book for a while?"
Amanda had a desperate but fiery look of interest in her eyes as I stared into them. "Su...sure. I can't read it anyway. Just tell me what its all about when your done."
"Yay!" shouted Amanda with a big smile on her face as she hugged the book tightly.
She instantly started flipping through the book mumbling to her self as she read. After a hour passed we departed for the Stone tower dungeon. It was located several dozen miles away so we needed to take a boat. But boats cost fare so we took my manta.
At the docks Rock and Amanda stared down at the giant manta in the single separate dock alcove.
"Is that a giant manta?" Amanda said with a surprised/uncomfortable look.
I hopped onto the mantas back opening the control pod. "Yes and no. I created it."
"What!" said Rock.
-Later-
The ocean waves lapped at the rocky base of the island. The massive stone tower loomed over us casting a vast shadow over the island and the ocean. The structure reaching into the sky like a mountain. I was in awe of the scale and size of the structure. I also found the fact it looked shaped from a single unbroken piece of stone, rather then assembled from inter connected blocks, vary odd and only made it more impressive.
"That's a big building! I really hope it has some kind of magical elevator or teleportation system?" I mused not wanting to think of how long walking up or down stairs in that thing would take.
Glancing back I see Rock and Amanda getting off the Manta-ray. Their steps shaky as they walked. Apparently they didn't have their sea legs so to speak.
"Are you two ok?" I ask.
"Fine. I'm fine." said Rock looking a little green under the gills.
"Raiding a giant manta! Not the worst way to travel I suppose." said Amanda as she walked.
"Come on you two I barely even rocked the manta the whole trip."
Amanda sighed taking a few steps closer. "That's not the problem. It was too smooth. When we ride ships they normally bob up and down or rock side to side because of the waves. Not dive through them and surge up to the surface at a vertical angle and fly through the air and then dive in again over and over!"
I shrug with a sly grin. "Guess I WAS kind of rough." I'm actually highly enjoying this new side to them.
After a few minutes rest both of them were looking much better and we move on. Walking up a smooth slopped trail from the beach we quickly reach the massive tower. It looks at least a few hundred feet wide and several thousand high now that I'm standing right at its base. The twenty foot engraved stone double-door that served as the entrance slowly and silently swung open as if to greet us.
"Does it normally do that?" I asked feeling a little creeped out.
"Yeah." replied Amanda. "The dungeon opens on its own when anyone approaches."
We enter the first floor. Clang!. And the doors slam shut behind us.
"The doors closed!" I said with considerable concern but was oddly drawn to the fact the room was still illuminated despite the lack of windows.
Rock pulled his spear out. "Don't worry Rookie. It'll reopen once we clear the first three floors."
I un-sheath my steel long sword and fire-breath pistol. "Good to know."
Amanda raised her hand an array of magical circles appearing over her palm. A dozen small fire balls formed over her in a halo like ring. "Get ready. Here they come."
"Rarrragh!"
"Rarrah!"
"Raaaaagh!"
Hungry roars echoed through the room. Now that I was actually looking around I saw that the whole floor had five large raised platforms surrounding a central pool. From the pool leapt several short humanoid fish monsters that stood on two legs. Their bodies covered in scales and fines with a fish mouth filled with sharp fangs, clawed hands and a fish tail.
"Oh! That's not too bad." I say as ten more leap out. And I get a headache. "Shit! Don't tell me this is a timed survival thing?"
Amanda launched a rapid fire barrage of fireballs killing half the fish creatures and forcing the rest to scatter. "Don't let the water goblins scare you. Their weak individually and in small groups. Just don't let them flank you or get too large in number!"
"Goblins! These things are Goblins!"
"What! Afraid Rookie?" said Rock impaling two charging water goblins.
Mentally triggering my killer instinct I raised my pistol holding the trigger down. A fire ball formed at the barrels tip growing and growing until it was the size of a basketball. "Afraid? Hell no!"
Releasing the trigger launched the fireball just as a second wave of water goblins leapt out of the water. The over charged fire ball impacted the center of the group detonating in a fiery explosion. Most of the goblins were enveloped by the blast and reduced to steaming charcoal scaring the survivors to cover.
Amanda and Rock glance over at me with raised eye brows.
"What. It has a overcharge function. Uses up a large amount of the stored mana but worth it to kill large groups of enemies like that."
Rock laughs. "Nice. Just keep track of your ammo levels."
Amanda formed another ring of fireballs around herself. "If it runs out I'm not charging it up for you. You gotta take care of your own gear."
I aim at some freshly arriving goblins and pull the trigger sending a baseball sized fireball slamming into ones chest. "I know how it works."
We burn and skewer the goblins as they rush out of the pool in groups of ten every minute or so. During a brief pause in the goblins appearances we run up onto the nearest platform. After a minute we greet the next wave. The goblins now continuously leap out of the pool and charge at us. Drawing my armor piercing pistol I aim and pull the trigger gut shooting one and hitting the two behind it. The condensed round of mana pierced through them like a high caliber rifle round.
Both my pistols are magic based but have different effects. The red and gold Fire-breath pistol can shoot small but strong fireballs and when the trigger is held down it can charge up and fire a larger explosive fireball. It's more draining but useful in situations like this.
The black and silver armor-piercing pistol fires a spell called Ruin. Essentially it's a solid bullet of condensed magical energy that's given mass and weight like normal matter by a particular spell and then shaped into a cone like rifle-round for armor piercing. In this case the piercing allows me to hit multiple targets when they are lined up. Both pistols storage crystals can be replaced or recharge their energy from their user or from the environment or from mana crystals from monsters. Lucky for me since I cant make mana my self. Yet.
Me and Amanda hammer the goblins at range as they try to rush us. Rock handles the odd few that manage to get close with his deadly spear skills. The battle reminds me of a tower defense/survival games. Eventually after what felt like ten-minutes of constant fighting the ground became covered in corpses. Then the goblins suddenly stop appearing and we catch a break. I check the pistols energy levels seeing both are down but not critically low, but I really need to start using my swords. The next wave starts and this time there's a lot more of them.
-One Hour Later-
With a flick the monster blood staining my blades splashes on the floor. Rocks spear is covered in blood and a pile of blackened corpses surrounds Amanda.
"That was fun!" I said having enjoyed the fight.
It was tough because of the number of enemies we had to deal with but they were really weak other wise. Our elemental spells were a great match up against them since they were water elementals.
Amanda stretched with a tired look on her face. "Oh just you wait until be get to the higher levels."
Rock walks towards the back of the room. "This way. The next level awaits Rookie."
With a shrug I sheath my blades and follow. In back of the room we find a staircase leading up. Walking up we reach a new floor with a large number of large treasure chests scattered around the room.
"Ok is this a puzzle or a trap? Because I highly doubt those have treasure in them!"
"Both." answered Amanda.
She castes a spell sending a faintly visible energy wave out across the room. Ten of the treasure chests begin to shutter and shake before sprouting long gangly arms and legs. They stand up and start crawling or lumbering towards us. Their slimy tongues hanging out of their giant mouths.
"Fucking Mimics!" I yell drawing both pistols not wanting to get close given their melee reach.
I fire a barrage of shots into the closest two dropping them quickly. Knowing my pistols are low after that I swap them, out for my two swords. Better to have a close ranged option then have a empty guns in melee.
Amanda fires three fire balls killing another. Rock dodges a Mimics sweeping grasp impaling the creature from below. Another Mimic gets in range of me and reaches out with its long skinny arms. I side step slashing its grasping hand with a spinning slash.
Several of the creatures fingers drop off. It shrikes in pain as it pulls back a moment. I charge in while its stunned slashing at the back of its leg, cutting tendons on the back of its knee and ankle. The Mimic drops to its knees crippled. Repeatedly I impale it in the back of its box shaped body over and over until it falls. Turning around I face the next enemy.
About ten minutes later the Mimics all lay dead.
I glance around seeing Rock prying open a Mimics treasure chest shaped body/head and reaching in. Walking over I ask.
"What are you doing?"
With a push and a yank Rock pulls a small dull crystal out of the body. "Its a mana crystal. All monsters have them. It's like the magical heart of the beast."
I suddenly had a odd thought. "Do people have them?"
Rock glances back at me. "Yeah. But those are different. We collect monsters mana crystals to sell them. In addition to certain parts of the monsters bodies the mana crystal is the most valuable part."
"Wait then why didn't we pull the mana crystals from those goblins bodies?"
Rock shrugged. "Unfortunately those are pretty small and not vary valuable. Besides you know how long it would take to carve the mana crystals out of all those corpses and we would need to carry them. There may be a lot of them but its not really worth the cost to waist time when we could be collecting more valuable gems from monsters in higher floors."
"I see."
Turning to the Mimics I killed I reach in and start harvesting my own mana crystals placing them in one of my leather satchel bags. Getting a idea I put one up against the drained mana crystal in one of my pistols. Nothing happens and I shrug disapointed.
After collecting the Mimics mana crystals we move on to the third floor. On arrival I notice the runes carved into the floor and walls of the large square room. The four large bowls in the rooms four corners ignite with a blue flame. Amanda caste's several buff and protective spells on all three of us. The moment her last spell is cast the floor glows and everything go's white for a moment. Opening my eyes my vision is filled by a stormy ocean environment replacing the stone chamber we were in just a moment ago. The next thing I hear is a high pitched shrieking.
The noise catches my attention as writhing slimy tentacles raise up from the sea wrapping around the large rocks ringing around the small island we were on.
"Don't tell me. Its a giant Octopus Boss!"
The main body of the roughly three story tall Octopus raised out of the water blinking its large oddly shaped eyes at us.
I turn to my seniors. "So how do we deal with this thing? Were surrounded by water?"
Rock smiled. "Like this! Wind spear!"
As I watch a dense powerful wind gathers and blows around Rocks spear. He then casts fire magic igniting the compressed air making it twice as hot and intense and forming a fireball that looks twice as powerful as my pistols.
Launching it at the Giant Octopus the orb of inferno orb explodes sending a wave of hot air washing over me. The creature screams and roars taking significant damage.
The spell reminds me of a combo spell of two or more elements mixed together to create a more powerful spell. I'm getting ideas.
The Octopus rolled up one of its tentacles flicking it outwards at us. The three of us leap back scattering slightly. But then the tentacle flicks my way sending me flying across the small island into the water. Coughing up salty water I pull my self out of the turbulent ocean and check my self for damage and make sure I hadn't lost anything.
"I'm going to kill that bastard!"
While Rock keeps its attention up front Amanda launches a fire-ball offensive aiming at the tentacles. The giant Octopus screams and roars counter attacking with several of its undamaged tentacles.
Climbing out of the water I charge the beast both of my swords in hand. Rushing towards the closest tentacle I pierce and slash and hack it to pieces severing it in a stream of flowing combo of attacks.
I dash over to another tentacle hacking it to pieces and repeat the process. Roaring and writhing in pain from the punishing attacks on three fronts the giant Octopus started desperately slamming its tentacles up and down to crush us. Sheathing my long sword I lower my stance and leap out of the way avoiding their crushing weight by side-stepping just out of their path and swing my black sword slicing the annoying tentacles in half as they try crushing me.
"I'm starting to get the hang of this!" I say as another severed tentacle lands behind me.
The battle drags on but as the octopus loses more of its appendages it changes tactics. With a loud roar the sea beast retreats back into the water pushing off the island with its remaining tentacles and the stumps of the ones its lost.
"What now?" I say turning to Rock.
"Just wait and be ready to dodge."
Turning my attention to the stormy ocean I keep my head on a swivel. A full minute passes. Then another roar comes from the sea. The octopus erupts out of the sea flying at us. All three of us dodge out of the way as the beast slams onto the center of the small island.
Separated from Rock and Amanda on the far edges of the island I have just a small ten foot wide area between me the Giant octopus and the sea. The giant creature then raised its body up a little bit balancing on a trunk of its many tentacles.
"Well this ain't good." I muse wondering if we have to cut its tentacles off again.
One of the tentacles raise up curls inwards and rapidly flicks at me.
I dodge out of the way and get a idea to quickly end this fight. Reaching into my satchel I pull out one of the special potions that grant even non magic users a temporary power. Uncorking the bottle while dodging the tentacles I down the yellow glowing liquid. Suddenly my body feels so much lighter as tiny sparks of electricity jump between my finger tips.
"Lightning imbuement huh! Nice"
With my new power I rushed at the octopus moving easily three times faster then normal as I leap onto one tentacle and jump stabbing my normal long sword into its flesh. I then swing up landing on the handle and jump landing on the creatures head. My feet start to slip dew to the soft and slimy body. Stabbing my black blade into its flesh I look around spotting Rock and Amanda fighting off its tentacles on the other side of the island. They were being slowly pushed back but at the same time they were taking the creatures full attention.
With a grin I felt the energy flowing through me still surging and would for a while. But while I had this power I could also use it in another way. Pulling my black blade out I focus imbuing it with all my power and stabbing it into the creature. The giant octopus roared in pain as it got a powerful surge of electricity sent directly into its head. It roared and flailed wildly for ten seconds before going still. I felt a sense of loss as the energy left me. But it had all been used well as the smoking body of the beast fell silent.
"Rookie!" Yelled Rock. "Cut it open and get the mana crystal!"
Hearing Rocks words loud and clear I start cutting into the beats head easily severing its flesh. After a few moments of intense chopping I finally reach in with both hands and pull out a basketball sized mana crystal from its body. Holding the gem in my hand a light envelops me. The next thing I know were back in the previous room. With a echoing creak the massive doors in the back of the room open revealing a stair case.
"Are all the bosses that easy?"
Rock raises a eye brow at me. "Well you did hit it with its natural elemental weakness right on it's head so yea?"
I shrug. "Well none of us were seriously injured so I call that a win."
"That giant Octopus boss WAS quit easy compared to the bosses monsters of upper floors." said Amanda.
Rock shrugs. "True. I remember back when we first fought that thing. We almost died. Twice."
Amanda laughed. "But then we started using fire magic and it fell much more quickly."
I tucked the large mana crystal into my back pack. "It was a water elemental type so of course fire and lightning would do more damage to it."
"Hindsight's twenty twenty." Rock said with a sigh. He walked away.
We take the stairs up to the next level. There we, or rather I encounter a surprising sight. A small town in a sunny grass field encircled by a rock wall. As I took in the view I spotted a building on the far end of the encircling stone wall which I assume was the stairs to the next level.
The small town was complete with a few inns, blacksmiths shops, Item shops and a general store. Dozens of people all armed adventurers went about their daily business as we approached the town.
"What's all this?"
"Some dungeons have safe zones after a boss room like this." said Amanda. "They regularly become make shift towns like this one if the dungeons frequented often. Its more efficient then constantly going back and forth from the city and the tower."
Turning back to the town I feel the logic fits. "So I guess people live here for a long time while they fight through the dungeon. I wonder if the shops got any interesting stuff?"
"First we need to get a place to sleep." said Amanda. "Rock please secure a pair of rooms for us please."
"Sure. I'm on it." he said walking off.
Amanda turned to me. "Lets get you cleaned off. I know of a bath house here that's great for relaxing."
I glance down at my slimy wet body. "Sure. I could use a bath."
Following Amanda through town we arrive at a bathhouse. Amanda paid the clerk at the counter for the normal price and a special service of cleaning our clothes while we bathed.
In the changing room we placed our clothes and gear separate baskets and our weapons in a weapons case. With a cheerful look on her face Amanda hoped into the steaming bath. Following I dipped a toe in then slowly my whole leg and then I slid into the piping hot bath. A moan of pleasure escaped my mouth as the prefect temperature of the bathwater made me feel so much better.
"Enjoying your self!" Amanda said with a grin.
"Yeah! This is the first warm bath I had since waking up on that island."
Amanda chocked her head. "Can you tell me more about it?"
Sliding deeper into the water I felt content and at peace. "Not much to tell really. The most interesting thing is that ruin in the cave. Though looking back I got the impression it wasn't always underground. Maybe some powerful magic sank it down in there? Not that I would know."
Amanda slid over sitting beside me. "There are mages that powerful. From what I've been able to tell from that book the medallion is part of the key to the door you found down there."
I exhaled enjoying the soak. "Think its really a dungeon?"
Amanda extended her arms forwards stretching, pressing her breasts together. "Maybe. Or it could be a ancient ruin. In the past few thousand years there have been wars and upheavals all over the world. Large scale tactical and strategic magic are often used to destroy whole cities or reshape the land. The world map has changed quit a lot in the past few thousand years because of all that."
"Tactical and strategic magic?" I ask.
Amanda turned to me. "Tactical magic is on the scale of buildings or individuals. Strategic magic is more on the scale of natural disasters like a flood, hurricane or earthquake."
"Or a volcano erupting?" I added.
Amanda sighed relaxing as she leaned back against the rim of the pool. "Exactly. Though these days most major nations have signed international agreements forbidding the use of such large scale magic unless under certain situations or needs are met."
I stared at the ceiling. "I can see why. If everyone starts throwing volcanoes and meteors at each other casually the whole worlds fucked!"
Amanda chuckled. "Crude. But you aren't wrong."
Me and Amanda soaked in the steaming hot bath for awhile, just talking and enjoying ourselves. After awhile when our fingers were getting wrinkled we left the bath and put our now clean and dry clothes back on after they had been washed while we bathed.
Leaving the baths we meet up with Rock in the lobby. We left going to the local restaurant next and enjoyed some hot food.
After filling our bellies we went to a local bartering store and sold off our collected mana crystals. Splitting the money evenly we left the building. As we walked down the street I saw a armor and weapons shop and jogged off to continue my own bit of business.
"Where are you going?" asked Amanda.
I turned around. "Just some business matters to attend to. I'll meet up with you later."
Amanda and Rock shared a look shrugging before continuing on their own way to the items shop. I ran into a ally way and started spinning more of my valuable silk. After creating a arm full I carried it into the armor and weapons shop. The lay out was quite different then the shop in the capital but the intention and function was the same.
"Hello?" I said laying the pile of silk on the counter.
"Yeah yeah coming." said a grouchy sounding shop owner from a back room.
I stood at the counter eyeing the large forge in back of the building. Then my eye caught the form of a short man covered in muscles wearing a thick leather apron and matching gloves.
"Your a Dwarf!" I said.
The ill tempered pile of muscles glared at me with his steely eyes. "Yeah what's it too yeah?"
"Oh sorry. My apologies. I meant no disrespect. It's just your the first Dwarf I've meet."
The Dwarf choked out a short laugh. "Hah! What are yah. A country bumpkin or a ignorant nobleman's brat?"
"Don't know. I just have amnesia. Woke up on a island one day with no idea who or what I was. And no knowledge of the world."
The dwarf stared at me rubbing his chin under that thick beard. "Amnesia aye? Wonder if some psionic messed with yer head maybe yeah?"
"What's a Psionic?"
"There kind of like a mage but use their minds to pull tricks like moving things, manipulating energy, matter. But mostly messing with peoples minds, reading thoughts, memories, emotions or manipulating them."
Sounds like these Psionic type people are what I'm looking for. If I was in deed mind-fucked by one that is? The Protoss were powerful psionic users! I wonder if there are any on this world? Or people or races like them? Given psionics are real so maybe?
"Huh? Can they communicate mind to mind?"
"Yeah. Telepathy is a thing." the dwarf replied.
"Interesting. Anyway I would like to sell this pile of silk. Will you buy it?"
The dwarf lumbered over to the counter standing on a stool to stand higher and examined the silk, pulling a small magnifying glass down on his headband over his eye.
"Ah! This here's top quality? How did yah get your hands on so much?"
"Hunted giant spiders and harvested their silk. I've stockpiled a bit. I'm currently selling it off here and there."
The dwarf shot me a discerning look. "Heh. Quit the entrepreneur are ya?"
Headache time!
"Ow! Uh not that much. I just happen to be able to supply this product and know various people would pay lots for it. If your not interested in buying it I'll see if one of the other shops are interested."
The dwarf snorted eyeing me a moment before going back to examining the silk. He examined a large portion of it before turning to me. "For none magical silk this is in pretty good condition and quality. Crystal spiders silk is a lot better but them are quite rare."
"Crystal spiders?" I say with interest as my stomach grumbles with desire for new strong essence.
"Crystal spiders are a rare variant of giant spiders in the stone tower. Though they only appear on levels over fifty. The last time some adventurer brought me some crystal spider silk was some twenty years ago. And that was only a few pounds of the stuff. Sold like hot cakes to some noble."
"Well facts aside are you willing to pay for this silk?"
"Meh? I'll pay yah 80 silver for this bunch."
I cross my arms. "Oh really 80 silver. I brought the same amount to a shop in the capital city and they paid a lot more then that. Over 200 in fact."
The dwarf grumbled rolling his eyes.
"Fine. A 150 silver. That's my final offer. Don't have anymore then that on me at the moment anyway."
"Deal!"
We shook hands and the dwarf took the silk into the storage room in back. Not a moment later Rock and Amanda entered the shop.
"There you are!" said Rock. "Been looking for new gear?"
"You're armor and weapons are already pretty decent. Did you need them repaired?" said Amanda.
I turned on my heel. "Oh no. I was just browsing."
The dwarf returned with a money bag. "Here you go. This should cover it."
Spinning around I snatched the clattering bag of coins up and left. "Thanks. Nice doing business with you. Bye."
Amanda and Rock stared at me as I walked out the door looking stiff and not at all suspicious. They turned to the dwarf.
"Hey Lundim did Rookie sell you something?" asked Amanda.
Lundim crossed his arms shrugging. "That would be confidential info."
Rock stared at the dwarf narrowing his eyes. "Uh huh? Well what business you and Rookie has is between you two. I need you to sharpen my spear and give it a good bit of TLC. Been awhile since I had its serviced."
Rock handed Lundim his spear.
Amanda stared at her lover. "You should just bit the bullet and have it enchanted with some self sharpening spells. It's edge would keep much better."
Rock sighed. "Yeah but really good enchantments like that cost a lot."
Lundim examined the spear but stopped a moment turning to the two customers. "If they didn't people like me would be out of business." He focused back on the spear. "Yes, it needs a good bit of work. The shaft looks like its got a might few micro-fractures and the blade needs re-forging and sharpening." Lundim looked up to Amanda. "And will you bee needing anything?"
"I've been thinking about getting a catalyst staff and some new armor."
Lundim raised a eye brow. "Aw in that case your in luck. I've just procured a bit of new material for high grade light armor. It'll take me a few days to complete it however since I only got the raw materials in today."
"That will be fine." said Amanda.
Lundim thought to ask something. "So are you going to meet up with those other two?"
Rock and Amanda gave the dwarf a look of surprise that quickly turned to worry and angered scowls.
"What?" said Rock.
Lundim cocked a eye brow. "I'm mean your other party members, Salena and William. They came through here yesterday."
Amanda looked away. Rock clenched his teeth and fists.
"No. Were not?" Rock looked Lundim straight in the eyes. "Did they say where they were going?"
Feeling the atmosphere was getting awkward Lundim hesitated but answered.
"They uh, mentioned meeting up with their party on the 40th floor. I assumed they meant you two?"
"Thanks old man. But if you see them again don't mention us to them." said Rock as he pulled several small gold coins placing them on the counter.
"Uh thanks?" Lundim said in confusion taking the coins.
Amanda and Rock left the armor and weapons shop. As they walked Amanda held her arm tightly still remembering how those heavy chains felt.
Rock glanced over seeing her state of mind. "You ok?"
"Yeah. I just thought they would have left the country is all!"
Rock placed a arm around Amanda's shoulder. "They should have. But since they decided to be greedy they've given us a chance to get revenge on them."
Amanda closed her eyes in a moment of regret and worry. Opening them her eyes were full of hatred but also worry. "Can we kill them? Lundim said they were joining another party?"
Rock thought. "There's us. And Rookie. We could hire two more as we ascend the tower. No teleportation magic can work in the tower so they would have to descend level by level. We would run into them sooner or later. We just have to keep going up."
"But we've never gone higher then the twenty eighth floor? We've never fought anything higher then that!"
Rock sighed. "Then we better get information on the enemies on the higher floors and some strong recruits on our way up. If I know those two they'll stay on one of the mid levels and grind and farm there before moving on. They've always talked about getting stronger and becoming rich. Hah! You can achieve both in a dungeon if you can survive its dangers and harvest its riches long enough."
"Why did they betray us though? Was it just for the money?" said Amanda.
"I don't know. Maybe they needed the money to get better gear or pay strong merc's to join them as party members. I've heard that some mercenaries provide their swords to nobles and adventurers that want to raise their levels and win where they can't do it alone. Think its called false leveling or something like that?"
Amanda placed a hand on her chin as she thought. "Maybe they payed another high ranked party to join them in the higher levels?"
"Maybe? Guess well get our answers when we meet them again. Until then we should level grind on our way up and get stronger as much as we can, because I know they will."
-Later-
Yawning I blink my eyes in the early light beaming in through the window. "Guess its morning?"
Hopping out of bed I got dressed and armed my self. I met up with Rock and Amanda at the inn's first floor and we got some food. The Inn was like a bed and breakfast but for travelers moving up and down the tower.
After having a filling meal The three of us departed making our way to the gate to the next level. After a lengthy climb up the stairs we finally reached the next floor.
"Woh!" I said standing surprised. There stretching out before us was a field of flowers and open plains not to different from the safe zone the little town was in, however the main difference was the size. The level looked like it stretched out for miles. "Is this normal?"
Amanda giggled at Rookies expression. "In the last floor the safe zones sky and everything passed the wall were illusions. However some of the floors of this tower are pocket dimensions like this one. There bigger on the inside and contain vast open areas. This is the flower garden. There are many plant type enemies here."
Rock snorted. "Yeah and watch out, they all have poison attacks."
I snapped out of my stupor turning to them. "Poison? What kinds?"
Amanda glanced at me. "Well there's the normal lethal kind. The kind that weakens your stamina. Paralyzing poison. Necrotic gas that rots your lungs and skin and blinds."
Rock put a grin on, thinking the Rookie would be scared. "Yeah so you need to be... what the!"
Amanda looked at Rookie who was drooling like a starving animal. "Uh! Rookie are you ok?"
Oh the strong essence! My mouth was watering just thinking about them all. "Huh!? Oh yeah. I'm fine." I said wiping the drool off my face.
Rock and Amanda gave each other a look of surprise and growing worry as Rookie jogged off over the hill.
Amanda gave chase. "Hey wait for us!"
"Yeah its dangerous!" Rock said following.
Suddenly a plant monster like a giant thorny rose burst out from the ground. Its red spiked green tentacles whipped around trying to strike its prey.
"Oh! What are you?" I said with a grin on my face as I dodged left and right, backing off a few feet as the spiked tentacles whipped around violently.
Amanda and Rock rushed over.
"That's a Rafflesia!" shouted Amanda multicasting fire balls.
The blazing orbs of thermal energy impacted the closed flower pod on the monster upper half. Giving a ear splittingly shriek the monsters upper pod split open revealing its circular fanged mouth surrounded my beautifully colored flower petals.
I turned to them. "Don't interfere. It's mine!"
Rock sighed as Rookie dashed towards the Rafflesia by her self. "Should we really stay back?"
Amanda shrugged. "Lets let her fight on her own for a bit. If she gets stung we'll help out. I bought a few antidots for just a situation anyway. Plus I learned Esuna last week so I can cure poison status."
Rock and Amanda watched as Rookie battled the plant beast on her own. She dodged between the enemies lashing strikes methodically cutting its thorn covered tentacles off one at a time until the main body was left vulnerable. Dashing forwards she stabbed and slashed and hacked at the main body until it was a chopped salad.
With pleasantly pleased looks on their faces Rock and Amanda walked closer. Then they became shocked by what Rookie was doing as she stood over the dead Rafflesia, lifting one of the barbed tentacles to her mouth.
My mouth was watering. I could sense the strong essence. I wanted it. Biting into the thorn covered tentacle I felt a rush of pain as the poison ran down my throat and the thorns pierced my cheeks. The pain only lasted for a moment but was followed by extreme nausea. But that too passed after a few moments. My body adapted to the poison only becoming stronger. After my body had adapted I munched on the tentacles one after the other. I felt like I was in my own world as I devoured the creature slowly bite by bite. It was tough fibrous and mostly tasteless. But worth it.
[Gained Poison gas mid]
[You can now produce various types of poison gas in your lungs and expel it.]
Wiping my mouth I gave a malicious grin. "Why thank you Announcer-chan. This will be vary useful."
Standing up I turned around to see Rock and Amanda staring at me with deer in head lights looks on their faces. "What?"
"Why did you... eat that thing? It produces a deadly poison! You could have died!" shouted Amanda with raising concern.
I shrug walking up to her and Rock. "Sorry for not mentioning this before but I'm immune to most poisons."
Rock looked pleasantly surprised. "What! Really?"
I nodded. "Yep. Well to be more accurate I can rapidly adapt to any damaging stimulation that hurts me. It's one of my base abilities I guess. Am I a freak?"
"Kind of!" they both blurted out with deadpan voices and facial expressions.
"Hey! That's rude you know!"
The two have a laugh at my expense.
Not a moment later I get a smell of a new scent and hear the distant pounding of feet. Turning to the incoming threat I spot a dozen red eyed dog sized white rabbits on a nearby hill rushing towards us.
"Rrrrar!" they growled charging with their rabbit tooth fangs bared at us.
"Were-rabbits!" yelled Amanda.
We got into a defensive formation as the killer bunnies rushed at us. One leaped at Amanda only to get speared end to end by Rock. Another jumped at me. Swinging my steel long sword I cut right between its upper and lower jaws cleaving its upper head off.
More and more of the furry murderers rushed us only to be cut down. By the forth ones death Amanda completed a incantation instantly creating a tall stone wall all around us.
"There. That should keep them off us a moment." said Amanda.
I turned to the mage. "So Amanda how many elements can you use?"
"Fire is my primary element but I can use earth and water magic too."
A light bulb goes off in my head and I make a evil grin. "Say Amanda could you control the walls you make to a fin degree?"
She looked at me awkwardly. "Yes, if I have enough time to focus. Why?"
The murderous fluff bags dashed around the circular stone wall leaping and clawing at it. Their skulls smashed against the rock wall only to hurt themselves instead of the thick solid wall and their claws only carved small grooves in the stone. Then a hole opened up. The creatures were cautious at first sniffing at the opening. But then they smelled blood and their instincts for slaughter took over and they ran in pushing and shoving each other to get through.
Inside the wall they found nothing but a thick pillar in the center. Soon after the hole they had entered through closed again and many smaller holes opened along the pillars surface. Out from the holes spewed a dark fog. Soon after the were-rabbits started coughing and hacking feeling dizzy and fainting.
Rock and Amanda stood atop the pillar looking out over the edge as the pack of were-rabbits slowly died one by one. Each trying to escape by slamming their thick skulls against the thicker stone wall but to no avail.
"How's she making that poison gas?" asked Rock?
Amanda just stared down at the dying monster rabbits. She had been bitten by them during her first time on this level and never got over a mild fear of them.
"I don't know? But its useful."
Rock shrugged. "Can't argue with that."
-Chapter End-