REWRITE

-Chapter 5-

laying on my back I stared up at the night sky shining with tiny twinkling lights of the far distant stars.

"Hey Amanda?"

"Yeah?" she replied stirred the steaming pot of rabbit and vegetable soup over a fire.

"How can there be stars if were in the dungeon?"

"Well its some kind of illusion magic. Same with the sun and sky during the day. It would be impossible for the plants and animals to survive without their light and warmth."

"Oh!" I say my mouth a O shape. "Are there bosses like that giant octopus every few levels?"

"No." Rock replied. "The forth floor boss is a odd exception. Most other bosses are spaced one every ten floors. And their much stronger then that octopus. The bosses above the fiftieth floor can only be beaten by parties who number ten or more. And even then there dangerously strong. Plus some boss areas have environmental hazards too. I hate those."

Amanda hummed. "Yeah. That's the primary reason most parties don't go higher then floor fifty. Most adventurers are just looking for a safe payday. Not a life or death battle every time they go out adventuring. Though some do like the danger."

Rock crossed his arms giving a sigh. "Yeah but every now and then there will be some nut job who wants to push themselves. More often then not those types get themselves and their parties killed."

Amanda brought a finger to her chin in thought. "But there are those few that succeed and become super rich and powerful from all the higher level dungeons they raid. Without dying. Those few usually become what's considered hero's in the modern world and are highly valued by their home countries for various reasons."

Rock grunted in disdain. "Yeah! Valued as living weapons to use against enemy nations and as propaganda to control the masses."

Amanda shrugged. "Harsh but true. Most adventurers live a free live traveling the world completing quests and conquering dungeons. Though a few who get rich and powerful more then often become the soldiers of a nations rulers for money and various gains like land, noble status and even the right to marry into nobility or royalty."

Rock snorted. "Heh! Some adventurer falls for a princess or wants to live the high life so they fight tooth and nail and sweat blood and tears to get rich and powerful by grinding in dungeons to win the hand of some member of royalty. It doesn't happen often but it does still happen."

I think on the information. "Sounds like most adventurers do it just for the pay off and not the. Well. Adventure."

Amanda shrugged. "True. The foods ready."

I jump up sprinting to the camp fire. "Vegetable and rabbit stew. Looks yummy."

Rock dips the ladle into the pot. "In addition to a skilled mage Amanda's also a great cook. Heck she even removed that poison you killed the rabbits with from their meat." he said beaming with pride.

Amanda crossed her arms raising a eye brow. "I wish you would learn to cook to. It's not all that difficult."

"Can you teach me to cook?" I say.

"Sure." Amanda says with a smile.

We all eat our fill of the stew and get to bed. As the artificial sky transitioned from night to day illuminating the pocket dimension many Were-rabbits scampered about at the base of the small raised plateau. A little later.

I leaned over the edge watching them trying to get up the vertical wall.

"Persistent bastards aren't they?" I say watching them growl and claw at the rock pillar.

Amanda walked up behind me looking down at the little monsters. "That's what distinguishes monsters from animals. A animal more often than not would run if you wounded them. But monsters just keep going until either you or they are dead. It makes them more like a machine then a living being. Also why most adventurers have no hesitation in killing them."

Rock joins us. "That's why I have no problem killing them either. Their really just things to fight and obstacles to over come like that chaos god intended. Their just things created by the dungeons."

"Sad but true!" said Amanda.

"Have there ever been intelligent monsters?"

Rock and Amanda turned to me. "What do you mean?"

"Well have there ever been monsters that communicate and work together. Or ones that talked and use magic?"

Amanda crossed her arms. "Those types of monsters do exist but their normally higher level. There are even those that can control other monsters like a general."

Rock sighed. "Yeah those types are the worst. There so hard to deal with without a solid plan and numbers."

"I take it you two have fought these general types?"

"Yeah." said Rock. "There's one boss like that on the 40th floor. Hate that guy."

Amanda gleefully smiled. "You just don't like bugs don't you Rock."

I smiled. "So you don't like bugs huh!"

Rock shot me a glare. "Don't get any funny ideas!"

"I wont I wont. But I thought you said before you've never been higher then the twenty ninth floor?"

Rock slumped his shoulders looking uncomfortable. "Well... Not since my... Brother died on floor thirty. That's been many years ago now. I would rather not say anything else on the matter."

I shrugged. "Sure. No need to say anything if you don't want to." I stood up looking down over the edge at the Were-rabbits and drew my swords. Raising one leg I stepped off the plateau.

"Rook!" shouted Rock and Amanda.

I plummeted down to the ground landing right on a were-rabbit. My blades piercing its back staining its white fur red. Pulling one blade I swung it down severing the monster rabbits dead from its body. The other were-rabbits turned leaping at me. I leaped back rolling along the ground and swing my blades like a spinning top as they come at me. Blood spilled across the ground as one after another my enemies fall with large cuts across their bodies.

Meanwhile Amanda and Rock watched from above.

"For a rookie she's actually pretty good." Rock said with a slight smirk.

"Should we help her?" said Amanda.

"There's only two left. May as well let her finish them off."

Plucking the last mana-crystal from the rabbit monsters corpses I wipe it off and tuck it away in my bags. Glancing back I see Rock and Amanda walking down stairs she made a-long the side of the pillar.

"Lets get going." said Rock.

We grinded for hours harvesting the grassy plain of targets. Slaying more plant monsters and were-rabbit packs collecting their mana-crystals while collecting some herbs along the way. Holding a mana gem in my hand I think.

"I wonder if I could eat these?"

[Not recommended] said Announcer-chan.

"Heh. Yeah. Need to wait until after I devour the essence of a magic user and gain that ability my self."

I look over at Amanda with a hungry thought. Then shake my head. "Nah I'll feel bad if I eat her. Rock and Amanda have been good to me so I'll stay friendly with them."

After stocking up we progress to the next floor. This ones a normal smaller floor with a stone ceiling and walls. But it was styled like a graveyard. Tombstones, mausoleums, bushes, metal fences, skeletons and ghosts everywhere with the ground covered in dirt and mud with some shallow pools of water like it had rained.

I stare at the transparent beings floating around the chamber. "How are we going to deal with those things?"

"Easily." said Amanda pulling several items from her bag and handing them to me and Rock.

I examine the feather and beads talisman. "What are these?"

"Purifying talismans. They will allow your weapons to effect the incorporeal ghosts." said Rock.

I watch as Rock places the talisman around the shaft of his spear. Looking back to my talisman I shrug and wrap it around my black swords hilt.

"So what kind of magic are you going to use on them Amanda?"

"None."

I turn to her. "Huh? Don't you have any holy magic or something?"

"Nope. I can deal with the zombies and skeletons but the ghosts are out of my league. That's why I have the talismans."

"Zombies!"

A hand erupted from the ground nearby. Spinning around I watch as a rotting corpse pulls its self from its own grave. "Heh! That's... actually scary. And cool!"

I dash over cutting the zombies head off before it was half way out. Ten more erupt from the graves all around me. "Me thinks this was a trap?"

I swing my blades around in a circular arc slashing and beheading several zombies. Looking over I spot Rock spearing a ghost. It wailed making a prolonged high-pitched scream as it's transparent body evaporated into mist. Amanda levitated several rocks with her magic. Launching them she shatters the bodies of several skeletons.

"This shouldn't be too hard." I think.

Turning back to the remaining zombies around me I spot a ghost phasing-through a row of tombstones and a rusty fence heading straight for me.

"Shit!"

The ghost raised its wickedly curved serrated blades and swings. Rolling away I stand up facing the ghost and remaining zombies.

"Ah! That hurt!"

Reaching back I feel a thin bloody slash along my lower back. But the strange thing is my armor wasn't damaged.

"Oh you got to be kidding me they can negate armor!?"

Getting serious I dash towards the zombie on the left beheading it in one stroke and severing its torso in my second stroke. Backing off I take a short breather and repeat the process until all the zombies are properly dead? With the ghost left I wait for it to attack and then dodge. Countering I run it through with my black sword with the talisman. The incorporeal being shrieks, raising its blades. I pull my blade out and slash it once more. The ghost freezes as it moans fading away for good.

Two ghostly cyan colored daggers clatter to the ground.

"Sweat. Loot!"

I sheath my longsword and one of the ghost daggers and hold the other in my other hand. Running back to Rock and Amanda I dash at a ghost approaching them from the side. Leaping at it I pierce the apparition in the chest with my new dagger, pull it out and then slash along its neck. The ghost moans fading away. No loot drop this time though.

"What's that!" shouted Amanda staring at my new dagger. "Did you get a ghost dagger drop!"

"Yeah. Got two of them. Here."

I join Amanda and hand Her my extra ghost dagger. She glares at the single edged slightly curved cyan colored serrated blade with a eye of satisfaction and joy.

"This is a rare drop and you just got two of them!" she said with a air of frustration in her voice.

I shrug, kill two zombies behind me. Then turn back to her. "Yep."

Amanda looks like she's about to faint. Or scream.

"You ok Amanda?" asked Rock as he cleaved a zombie in half.

Amanda breathed in and out. "Ok. Ok. Calm down."

"What did you want one?" I ask killing another ghost.

"Yes!" she shouts. I've been wanting to get one of these cursed daggers for two years now. Two years!

Killing the last of the zombies in the area I walk back to Amanda. "Wow their really that rare a drop?!"

"Yeah and you just happen to get two of them? You have any idea how that makes me feel?"

I shrug. "Unlucky?"

Amanda drops her head letting her arms hang making crying noises. "Yes."

"Sorry."

"It's ok. I'm ok. I finally have my cursed dagger and I'm completely fine now!" she said wiping her eyes.

I stare at her. "You sure?"

"YES!" she yells loud enough to wake the dead.

On a unrelated note ten more zombies and skeletons raise from the ground all around us.

"That's not my fault!" said Amanda.

Rock spines around aiming his spear at the nearest enemy. "Forget it Amanda. I'm glad you finally got your dagger. But we need to get out of here before THAT guy shows up."

"THAT guy?" I question parrying then splitting a skeleton in half.

Amanda gets a fearful look to her face. "Your completely right lets run for it."

And we run. Cutting a path through a hundred more undead-enemies as we dash towards the exit and leave running up the stares. We only stop to rest when were between floors.

"Who were we running from again?" I ask.

"Oh there's this sub-boss fight that can trigger on that level if your not fast enough to leave." said Rock.

Amanda shivered holding her self as if disturbed by something.

"What kind of boss is it?"

Rock glanced at Amanda then turned back to me. "The worst kind for girl's."

"Tentacles?" I say.

"No!" Amanda says shaking. "Slimes. A giant slim that eats your clothes and violates you."

"What? There's a enemy that rapes you!?"

Rock shrugs red faced. "Guess that goddess of chaos is a bit perverted too."

"Do the other enemies attack you while its... having its way with you?"

Rock looked at me oddly. "Uh! No. It eats any enemies other then ghosts and their repelled by it for some reason. And please drop this Amanda had a bad experience with it a while back."

"Ah! ."

-Meanwhile on the 34th floor -

A woman in mage robs wielding a ornate staff cast a spell creating twelve lightning bolts floating around her. The bolts of lightning lashed out like snakes striking a large beast with six arms frying it to a black crisp, some parts of its fur burned and others on fire. The beast made a loud thud as it hit the stone floor.

"Impressive." said a armored warrior.

The mage held the staff tightly. "It took a lot of the money we got from that fool Rock but our new gear is far better then what we had before."

The warrior playfully swung his ornate long sword around. "Worth every gold coin. Now we can join the lightning Tigers. With our new gear well definitely be accepted."

The mage looked concerned. "I'm still worried about Rock though. He can nurse a grudge. Are you sure this is the best move. I mean back in the day the four of us routinely reached the twenty eighth floor. If they think we haven't left to another country and stuck around then won't they come to the stone tower?"

"Even if they do come here they won't go past floor twenty nine. Rocks too scared to go any higher ever since his brother was killed by that boss. And by the time were ready to leave well be a lot stronger and richer." The warrior wrapped his arms around the mages hips pulling her closer. "Trust me baby after we raid a few of the higher levels for a few months well be set for life."

The mage blushed. "Well if you say so my beloved."

The two kissed wrapping their arms around each other.

-Two weeks later Level 15-

I leaped into the air catching a large majestic bird with beautiful feathers by its wings. Biting into its neck I broke its spin.

"Ah fresh essence!"

I plucked the birds feathers clean and devoured it raw. Been awhile since I had ate anything like that and the tinge of revulsion I feel makes me understand that I need to do this more often. Don't want to become domesticated like the others.

[Gained Mythic Feathers generation]

"Ah! My bellies full."

Rock and Amanda stood off to the side watching in revulsion.

"Disgusting?!" said Rock.

"Rookie how can you eat a bird raw like that?" said Amanda.

Turning back with a feather sticking out of my mouth I stared at them. "It's not... pff!" I spit the feather out. "That bad once you get used to it."

"Doesn't eating things raw make you sick? And why did you eat it in the first place?" said Rock.

"You told me the feathers were valuable."

They stared at me confused. I thought a moment about weather or not I should tell them about my whole essence devouring abilities.

"I have my reasons. I'll show you later."

I turned around and left. The two eyeing me with dumbfounded expressions. They glanced at each other and sighed.

Moving through the forest we eventually reached the end of the floor and made our way up the stairs to the next level. There at the entrance I waited for the others. Staring out at another pocket dimension floor. I looked around at the tall trees and misty forest.

"Another forest floor like the last one huh." I said looking left and right.

A moment later I glanced back as Rock and Amanda approached. "So what now?" I asked.

Rock took a moment to look around. "There's a castle at the center of this floor. The stronger monsters congregate there so our best beat to get through with little trouble is to go around the edge of the area."

I shrugged. "What? were not fighting anything here?"

"No." said Amanda. "The monsters of this level are pack hunters. They surrounded their prey and overwhelm them with numbers. Were too few in number to get through directly. Besides the door to the next level isn't blocked so we don't have to fight anything on this level."

"What kind of enemies are we talking about?"

"There large wolves." said Rock.

"There are also large centipedes and moles too." explained Amanda.

"Do they have any unique abilities or are any part of them valuable or useful."

Amanda blinks at my question. "Huh? Well I guess the centipede's carapace plates are useful in making armor and their pinchers can be used in weapons?"

"The moles make some good eating though." quipped Rock.

Amanda elbowed Him. "Don't encourage her." Amanda turned back to me. "Um actually there's also those lizard folk."

"Lizard folk?"

Rock rubbed his side. "Oh yeah those guys. Their not monsters but some tribe of lizard people that moved into the tower a few decades ago."

I blinked surprised at that. "So there is a whole tribe of people that just lives in the dungeon. Like. All the time. Their whole lives?"

Amanda shrugged. "I don't know about their whole lives but yeah. Theirs several clans of them scattered between multiple floors. This is one of them."

Rock shrugged crossing his arms. "Guess some people are just weird like that huh! Guess they just like it here. Anyway they'll leave you alone if you leave them alone."

Despite my interest in these lizard folks essence I shut up and we moved on, making our way along the floors outer wall. The pocket dimension may make some floors larger but they still have a end to their territory. This one looks a few kilometers wide with that large castle at its center. As we walk I can see it off in the distance standing higher then the fog and trees.

We move quietly along the stone wall slowly picking our way through the edge of the forest. Some times we have to move around trees and other times wade through shallow streams whos water pours from large cracks in the wall. The water coming from a unknown source beyond. After several hours of travel we finally reach the exit and move on to the next floor.

We blitz through the next few levels only killing bosses and enemies in our way. The bosses are mostly large beasts of one type or another and a few even have minions or cast minor spells. We even meet a few of those lizard men and trade some things. Getting a good look at them I'm slightly intrigued by what their essence tastes like. But I'll have to wait for a better opportunity to hunt some of them when Rock and Amanda are asleep.

Eventually after a few days we finally reach the safe zone on floor 25. After reaching it we all check into the local inn and sleep. In the morning I wake up stepping over a pile of feathers as I get out of bed. Entering my own private bathroom I turn the warm water on and slowly slip in.

I yawn as I soak in the bathtub. Looking at the ceiling I reflect on my journey. The time I spent on the island alone. My trip across the archipelago. The little war I had with those pirates. The beast-folk I befriended. And now arriving in the capital meeting Rock and Amanda and becoming a adventure. The time we spent exploring the tower.

We've collected so much stuff all of which Rock and Amanda store in their pocket dimensions storage areas. Meanwhile I only have limited space in my pouches and backpacks. I need to create my own dimensional storage when I get magic powers. From what Amanda explained to me creating my own isn't that difficult. But the size of ones personal storage depends on ones mastery of the arcane and spatial magic arts.

"Some of the creatures in the stone tower are really tasty. And others have useful essence. I really want a personal dimensional storage so I can store them to experiment on and eat whenever I want. I think I'll stay in the tower for-a-while. At least until I get magical powers from eating a mage. I wonder if I could conquer the dungeon with a army of Zerg minions. Heh! That would be like easy mode."

After enjoying the bath I got my clothes on and walk down the stairs to the dining room. Several other adventurers were eating in the room enjoying their meals. Glancing around I spot Rock and Amanda by the window having some coffee.

"Good morning." I say joining them at the table. I yawn again leaning back into my chair. Glancing up I see them staring at me. "What?"

Amanda holds up a feather. Its a mythic feather from the same birds I had ate before. "Rookie. Would you like to do some explaining." she said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" I say my brain not quite fully awake.

Amanda waves the beautiful feather about. "Well I just so happen to find this feather in your room when you were in the bath this morning. I was going to ask if you wanted any breakfast. But I found a whole pile of these vary beautiful things in your room instead."

As my brain started waking up I suddenly remember that I had tested my feather creation yesterday. Like with the silk I plan on selling these feathers I produce from my own body. It seems I had went over board last night and made too many. I try to think my way out of this situation.

"Uh, when I was plucking those birds I just grabbed them and put them in my bag." I said trying to sound believable and failing miserably.

Amanda sighed shaking her head. "We watched you and you never put any of the feathers in your bags. Which was strange since you only started attacking and eating those mythic birds after I had told you that their feathers were valuable. Strange that?"

Rock flicked the feather around. "Vary odd. You ate the birds whose feathers were valuable but you didn't take their feathers? But low and behold we found a big pile of these feathers in your room. Now how did they get there I wonder?"

I'm sitting stiff as a board while the cogs in their heads are working the mystery out. After a full minute of awkward staring I sigh hanging my head down. Looking up I glance around the room at the other adventurers then to Rock and Amanda.

"Ok I'll tell you. But you need to keep everything a secret ok." I whisper.

They leaned in. "Ok deal. Now tell us how and where these feathers came from?" said Amanda with a focused look of great interest.

Glancing around the room again I turn facing the wall with my hands over my lap. I focus generating some silk and a mythic feather from my- forearms. I place the strand of silk and the feather on the table. Both Amanda and Rock stare mouths open in shock at what I just did.

They sat straighter glancing around then leaned in examining the items.

"Do you have any idea what you just did Rookie!" Rock whispered.

"Make a feather and some silk. That are valuable?" I said with a nervous smile.

Amanda sighed keeping her voice down. "That silk is from a giant spider and..." she stopped and sighed again. "This way."

She picked up the feathers and silk leading us back to my room for a more private talk.

Once the door was closed she turned around staring at me intently. "Ok. Rookie how did you get this ability?" asked Amanda.

"Is it some kind of magic?" asked Rock.

I sigh scratching my cheek wondering how they'll take the truth.

"Eh fuck it. Ok you want the truth. Well-."

I explain the truth about me being a Zerg and about my abilities and my powers and how I used them to make money in that clothing shop in the capital and that dwarf blacksmith some levels below. They stare at me both of them going through various emotional expressions as I explain.

Rock gestures holding his hand up. "Hold up! So you can eat animals and monsters and gain their non-magical abilities and features?!"

"Are you a monster?" shouted Amanda in shock. Rock and me glare at her. "Sorry. Inside voice. But was that why you asked about intelligent and talking monsters before?"

Actually no. But I can see the parallels. "Oh!" I exclaim smacking my hand on my open palm. "No. I wasn't even thinking that? I never considered the idea I could be some type of dungeon monster. Mainly because I got this voice in my head I call Announcer-chan and she told me I'm short of a reincarnation? Don't know the details though?"

Rock and Amanda stare at me with different looks then before and it worries me. "What's with the looks?"

"Um. Rookie." says Rock. "You sure about this voice in your head?"

I nod my head up and down.

"Does she tell you to do things?" asked Amanda.

I shake my head side to side.

Amanda facepalms. "Rookie. You could... be from another world."

"I kind of already knew that was the case. It would explain the headaches and the knowledge I got in my head about other worlds and realities."

Amanda sighed crossing her arms. "What have we gotten ourselves into?" She looked back to Rook then turned to me. "Is there anything else you know about your self that this, Announcer-chan told you?"

"She said I was a, short of reincarnation but that's it."

Rock raised a eyebrow. "A...short of reincarnation? What does that mean?"

I smirk. "That's what I want to know?"

"Well your odd abilities aside your a outsider who was some how reincarnated in or brought to our world?" Amanda hummed, eyes closed, arms crossed thinking. "It's possible you are from another world but some how fused with someone from our world? Or maybe your body is from our world but your soul and mind are from another reality?!"

Rock snapped his fingers. "Like a soul twin."

"A what?"

Amanda turned to Rock. "Soul twin. As in twins that separated at conception but later fused back together during their development. But in this case the souls of the two fused back together after they lived their own lives and died in different worlds?"

I lean back staring at the ceiling with a big sigh. "This sounds way to complicated!"

Rock nods. "I'm in total agreement."

Amanda shrugged. "I'm in complete agreement with you two. Lets drop this for now and focus on being more constructive with our time since speculating won't amount to much. Unless we ask a god. And I don't see that happening any time soon."

I raised my hand. "Lets go murder something and eat it." I suggest agreeing to the keep things simple idea.

Rock and Amanda glanced to one another a moment then laughed.

"Well can't disagree with you there Rookie." said Rock.

Amanda shrugged. "Guess simple is better."

-A few days Later-

"He-yah!" I yelled cleaving a small blue slim in two. Another wobbled up to me so I slashed it in half too. "There are a lot of these things!"

Glancing around I see the rooms filled with blue slimes.

A slime dropped from the ceiling landing on Amanda's shoulder. It's gooey body deformed and slipped it's way in-between her breasts while eating away at her clothes. "Ack! get off!" she yelled in a panic trying to pull its slick body out.

Rock's eyes glinted red. Reaching between his lovers breasts he grabbed the slimes solid core yanked the whole thing out and threw it against the wall smashing the core and splattering the slimy body against the wall. "My boobies!"

Amanda stood in shock a moment giving a relived/sarcastic sigh. "Wow my hero?!"

In the next instant her dress split open exposing her chest as the soft bouncy boobies escaped their confinements.

"Ah! my dress!" Amanda yelled in a panic covering her self.

With a sigh at that little scene I refocus casually slashing through a dozen slimes. Stopping I turned around. "Just put on that new clothes Lundim gave you."

We had back tracked to Lundims shop in the safe zone on a lower level before hand to pick it up before continuing our march up the tower.

Amanda screamed in panic. "This is why I hate slimes! And for your information I can't just put it on in the middle of combat!"

Waving her staff Amanda conjured a wave of fire that swept across the floor, walls and ceiling reducing the slimes to steaming masses of goo.

Rock relaxed sheathing his spear. "Well that worked. Why didn't you just do that in the first place?"

Amanda shot Rock a glare. "Oh shut up and help me change!"

I pointed a thumb behind myself. "I'm just going to move ahead while your doing that."

Moving deeper into the cave I pull my fire-breath pistol. This level was one big cave network complete with twisting turns and multiple floors of its own with tunnels that go up and down like a labyrinth. And its filled with slimes. Mostly blue slimes but Amanda and Rock said that there's other rare colors too. The one I'm really looking for is the green slime and purple slime. Amanda said the green slime had the ability to regenerate at a accelerated rate and the purple slime could cast spells and use basic instinctive magic. Both of those are on my to get list.

I walk down a passage killing a few common blue slimes and peeking down branching passages.

"Wonder if there are any purple and green slimes in here. I hope they've respawned after the last adventurers came through?"

Scratching my head I head back to the others. "You done yet?"

Exiting a side chamber Rock smiles as Amanda walks out in her new silk, leather and plated light armor dress. It's kind of like mine but a mages dress with long gloves and leggings. The armor plates on the chest and shoulders with the rest being leather and silk that I recognize as my own I sold to Lundim.

"If your a spell caster why does your clothes have armor plates?"

"See the runes." Amanda's says pointing to the small rune carvings on the armor plating.

"Ah. Now I see it. Didn't really notice since its so small."

"Those runes are a type of enchantment that boosts my defense against physical and ranged attacks. Since I'm a spell caster the greatest threats are enemies getting in close and being shot in the back when casting my spells."

"Is it slime proof." I ask with a sly grin.

Amanda's eye twitched one before she smiled ear to ear. She turned around showing the runes on her leather belt. "With these I am. These runes protect my clothes from acid attacks. And slimes use a type of acid to dissolve fabrics and anything they consider food. A slimes acid is weaker outside its body so most adventurers natural resistance will stop it but any un-enhanced clothes will get eaten."

I look her in the eyes. "Then why didn't you just change into these new clothes before we came here? Are you a exhibitionist trying to give Rock a peep show?"

Amanda didn't respond and just walked past me. "I'm not going to say."

I shrug. "Meh? Whatever."

Rock says nothing as he joins us.

We spend hours weaving a trail through the tunnels killing slimes collecting their mana crystals. All we ever encounter were the blue slimes without a hint of any green or purple ones. Eventually we clear out a chamber and settle down to camp. Amanda places some lesser mana crystals with runes etched into them around the camp creating a warding barrier. She says it keeps most monsters away.

Eating my beef soup I enjoy its aroma and the texture of its broth. I've really enjoy cooked foods over the raw stuff. Though I'll still eat raw meat to obtain new abilities.

After our meal we put the fire out and settle in for the night. The semi-glowing rocks scattered through the cave become brighter in the lightless dark. Drifting to sleep I yawn one last time before nodding off.

In the dreamscape I see my self. Or another me. She's talking with odd looking monsters in what looks like a fleshy cave. The scene changes showing the other me fighting against humans in thick armor. Only they're using weapons I don't recognize. I get a major headache as the scene changes again showing the other me fighting against giant gray people in golden armor. Strange thing they don't have any mouths, just a flat plate where one should be. Protoss?

The dripping of water echoes in the cave. With a head pounding from the headache's I open my eyes. Mumbling as my vision changes from hazy to clear. I spot a purple object a few meters away down the cave tunnel. As my vision clears I rub my eyes and sit up. My vision now clear I recognize its a purple slime.

"Now you show up?" I say deadpan feeling vary annoyed.

The purple blob shuffles away down the tunnel.

"Hey get back here!"

Grabbing my sword I chase after it. It starts jumping and bouncing around the cave to get away.

"Oh no you don't get back here!"

I chase the purple blob through the tunnel network. It's bouncing leaps accelerating as I catch up. It ducks left and I follow. It bounces down a descending tunnel I jump in after it. It rebounds off a dead-end wall flying behind me. I turn on a dime, my feet sliding on the ground as I shift momentum around. Eventually the chase ends at another dead end.

"Hah! Got you now."

Drawing my blade I approach the blob. Then it creates a giant fire ball and flings it at me.

Sid stepping I barely evade the blazing orb. "Wow! So you can cast magic. That's good to hear. Now just die and get in my belly already!"

Slashing at the bouncing blob I carve a inch thick groove in the floor as the purple slime escapes leaping on my shoulder and jumping away.

"Get back here."

Chasing after the slime again I spend the next few hours running through the tunnels only to lose it in a four way intersection. Looking down the other three paths I chose one and ran down it. But I chose wrong and lose the purple creature. After spending the next few hours trying to find it again I give up and return to camp after hours of searching. Only to find Rock and Amanda packing up camp as I return.

"There you are!" said Amanda her tone of voice full of concern for me.

"We were worried about you!" said Rock. "When we woke up you were gone?"

With a tired exhausted look I flopped down on my sleeping bag. "Saw a purple slime. Chased it. It got away. Tired."

Rock grimaced at the thought of disturbing a woman's beauty sleep. He turned to Amanda and shrugged. Amanda sighed walking over and kneeled down rocking the sleepy Rookie.

"Sorry to disturb you but we need to get going."

Slowly I lifted my head turning to her with a undead expression on my face. "Ugh. Fine!"

Motivating my self with the thoughts of food and baths I push off the ground and pack up my sleeping bag. I slowly follow behind Rock and Amanda as we make our way out the cave and up the tower to the next floor.

Lagging behind the others I rub my tired eyes cresting the final stairs. Looking out at the landscape I'm caught off guard by the beautiful sight. Bright shimmering light reflects off the distant blue water. I cover my eyes as the light stuns me a moment. After a few seconds my eyes adjust and I see a large lake surrounded by a forest. Across the lake is a stone castle with a large balcony in-front, standing tall and looming as a den of monsters and obviously a boss on the horizon.

"Woh! That's a pretty sight. Any fish?"

"Sure are!" Rock replied enthusiastically.

Amanda turned back to me. "This lake is the location of a boss fight that's quit difficult. The boss is a real headache. And his minions stalk the whole forest so were going to have too make camp here."

"Don't forget those lizard-folk that's taken up residency here too. I think they live up in those mountains over that way?" Rock adds pointing.

I wearily blink at Amanda. "What you mean right here? But the monsters will see the fire and rush at us!"

"Well not right here." said Rock. "We'll camp just below here. Come on just a little further."

With a heavy sigh I lift my legs feeling like I'm walking through deep mud or snow as I follow. We make our way eastwards and down a side a trail to the base of a small cliff side a few dozen feet high. There we find a cave and enter it stopping at a inner chamber. The cave has a few side chambers connected to its main room but it's most distinguished feature is the deep or rather high hole in the ceiling letting light in the dank cave from the opening high above. I can even see the edges of tree branch's swaying in the wind far above. I plop down leaning against the wall staring up at the beam of light streaming in from the opening.

"Ok. I'm sleeping. Wake me when were ready to head out."

Amanda cheerfully smiles as Rookie nods off to sleep. "She's almost cute like that."

"That purple slime she chased must have been a real energetic one if it wore her out like that."

As Rock and Amanda made camp Rookie leaned against the wall recovering her stamina.

Hours later the smell of cooked meat and boiling broth caught my attention. Opening my eyes I spied Rock and Amanda cooking up breakfast. Or was it dinner?. The smoke of the camp fire drifting up through the hole in the ceiling but near completely dissipated before leaving the rim of the hole.

Stretching out I notice the blanket on me.

With a grateful look on my face I stood up. "Morning."

Amanda turned to me. "Finally up Rook."

"Unfortunately its not." said Rock. "It's evening. And were cooking supper."

I bow regretfully. "Sorry for being a lazy bum and wasting the day."

Amanda smiles waving me over. "It's ok. I get lazy and sleep in some times too. Come over and eat. Your going to need your strength."

Folding the blanket up I join them for dinner. I sniff the air enjoying the aroma. The half fish cooking on sticks near the fire and roasted boar meat in the pot tantalize my senses. Getting a bowl of broth and meat with a campfire cooked fish I sit next to the fire and dig in.

Rock swallows a bit of boar meat. Getting a thought he turns to Rook. "Hey Rook."

I continue chewing as I turn to him. "Mm?"

"So do you get that essence stuff from everything you eat?" Rock asked.

Chewing a moment I swallow. "No. The process of cooking damages the essence so its no good. That's why I have to eat creatures raw to get anything."

Amanda swallowed her food. But startled at my words she started choking, but got it out with a coughing hack. "Ew! That's why you raw meat?"

I cringe. "Eh don't remind me. I didn't even have a problem with it until I tasted properly cooked food. I'll still eat raw monster guts but I don't enjoy it all that much." I downed another cup of broth and vegetables. "Back when I first woke up I didn't even have a concept of cooked food so it all just was survival to me. Though I do much prefer cooked meals." I say making a vary pleased smile as I bit into the fish on a stick and chew.

Amanda and Rock smiled with a short laugh.

"Glad you like our cooking so much." said Amanda. "It's a vary important skill when being an adventurer. Even if your in a party it's always best to have every member cook to a degree."

Rock stoically ate his meal. "That way everyone pulls their weight just like in a battle. It's important that adventurers... be able to... trust each other." Rock trailed off.

Sensing the mood shift I turn to him. "Something up Rock? You look depressed?"

Rock glances up then back down. "Oh? Sorry. Just thinking about something."

I think and think and think running through reasoning and reaction scenarios about weather I should push the issue. Rocks mood shift started when he was talking about adventurers being able to trust each other. Obviously he's thinking about that time Amanda was kidnapped by those two cloaked guys. They must have been party members of Rock and Amanda's before they betrayed the two of them. I make a decision.

"Are you depressed about that time you had to pay those two cloaked guy's in the warehouse to get Amanda back?"

Both Amanda and Rock practically spit their meals out coughing in shock. After they recover they stare at me intently.

"How do you know that?" Rock shouts. Amanda stares glancing between me and Rock.

Gulp. I swallow a mouth full. "Rock you remember when you bumped into me when you left the adventurer guild to go to the warehouse to get Amanda. I followed you. All sneaky like."

Rock stares in shock a moment before face palming. "Ah! That was you at the door!" he realized.

I nod. "Yep. I got a good nose so I was able to follow your scent."

Amanda sighed. "So you saw the whole thing!"

"Yeah. Didn't know what it was all about so I didn't interfere or bring it up until now. But when I saw the way Rock talked about adventurers trusting each other it clicked. So who were the two that betrayed you and why?"

Rock gave Amanda a questioning stare. She locked eyes with him a moment before nodding.

"Ok. Well to explain in full those two were Salena and William. The four of us were a party, and I thought friends, for several years until recently. I think it was around six months ago they started pushing for us to go higher up the stone tower dungeon. I know how many people die in the upper floors so I was afraid to push higher then floor twenty nine. The enemies and bosses get progressively more difficult and deadly after that point."

Listening a thought crossed my mind. "Did they just want the money from the dungeon raiding or did they have another reason?"

Rock shrugged. "Don't know? They just talked about getting to upper levels. I guess they wanted the glory and riches that adventurers get when they conquer a higher level. It's a common fact of most dungeons that the deeper, or in this case the higher you go there are better and better rewards and loot drops from monsters."

I turn to Amanda. "They had you tied up. Did they ever say anything?"

For a moment she just looked dejectedly at the fire. "No. They never talked about anything like that. They just kept me locked up in a corner of the building until they released me."

I look down into my soup bowl with half a grilled fish on a stick laying on it. "Sorry to have brought all this up. I understand it's a sore spot for you."

"Nah!" said Rock. "It's fine. Besides it was just coincidence we ran into each other is all."

A few silent moments passed until I spoke up. "Want to go find those two and murder them!"

Both Rock and Amanda stared at me with horrified looks. But then Amanda's face cracked as she laughed.

Rock stared at her, his mouth agape. "Uh Amanda sweetie?"

She laughed a bit more before stopping. "Sorry. Sorry. She just caught me off guard!"

"I'm guessing the two of you have thought about it huh?"

Amanda faced me. "Well to tell the truth we do plan on forcing those two to tell us why they did what they did. And get our money back. If they havent spent it already."

Rock turned from Amanda to me. "We actually got word that they were in the tower. Apparently they are heading up to the 40th floor to join another party."

I slurped another spoon full of my soup as I thought. "They may be trying to get to the top of the tower? And also their stupid for not skipping town and running. Only a moron stays where they know the person they just betrayed and stole from is going to show up."

"Agreed." said Amanda. "But are you sure you want to get involved with our personnel business Rook?"

I thought a moment then turned to Amanda. "We've been together awhile so I consider you two comrades. That's another reason I decided not to eat you Amanda."

"What?!" exclaimed Rock.

"Huh!?" exclaimed a confused and slightly scared Amanda.

I meet their stares while swallowing another spoon full. "Don't worry. It was only a passing thought. I am on the look out for new and powerful essence after all."

Rock and Amanda shared looks. They both realized that despite looking human Rook was something quite different as she even considered eating another person at all.

"Oh" I said remembering. "Is one of those people, Salena or William a mage?"

They nodded silently not liking where this was headed.

"Just a question but can I eat them?" I said with a completely straight face.

Rock and Amanda went silent a moment eating their meal.

"Uh." Rock stuttered. "We'll think about it."

-The Next Morning-

Exiting the in the early morning cave I stretch my arms with my full gear on. The fog making the forest look creepy and dangerous.

"Time to get some work done."

Leaping into a sprint I dashed through the fog weaving between the trees as they appeared through the pale miasma. Leaping over a rock. Jumping over a log. Ducking under a low branch. After a brisk jog I arrive at the lakes edge. A rock rested half submerged close by along with several logs from long dead trees. I stood there at the waters edge admiring the view of the shimmering lake reflecting the artificial light projected from the ceiling. Occasionally a fish would leap out catching a bug fluttering over the waters surface.

"Pretty!"

After a few minutes of admiring the view I got to business and started producing a creep pod. Once done I made it cover a large area in creep including several trees forming into a membrane structure covering a wide area with a perforated roof. Once it was completed I took out my fire-breath pistol aiming it skywards. The over charged fire-ball flew into the sky exploding with a loud, ka-bang!

Across the lake a man sized lizard hunched over a dead tree log wearing leather armor with a axe in hand. His gaze was drawn upwards by a loud noise where he saw the dissipating smoke of a explosion high over the forest canopy. The lizard man extended his split tongue tasting the air as another fire-ball flew out of the forest canopy near the lake and exploded. The lizard man growled as he moved followed by four others of his kind.

They swiftly marched through the forest making good speed around the lake. They knew these trees and forest for this was their home and they protected it from any threat. Many a foolish adventurer who threatened the forest and the tribes livelihood tasted their wrath. This was their tribes home and has been for many generations. Even though the adventurers who come and go through the tower are tolerated, all who endanger the forest must die. For it provides food and prey for the tribe.

The group of lizard men reached the general spot where the fire-balls were launched from finding a odd fleshy structure weaved into the trees. The leader of this hunting pack poked the membrane with his axe. It was tough with some give. Raising his axe he swung with a heavy blow. The moment the axe hit the membrane it cut through several inches spraying blood over his armor and scales. But the fleshy material quickly changed becoming hard and rigid making subsequent blows less damaging.

Though this blood was different from the blood of most creatures it was still warm and flowed. The pack leader pulled his axe out looking disgusted at it was covered in the vile gunk. Hissing in disgust he cast a fire stream spell engulfing his axe in flame purifying it as the blood evaporated into to steam. A few moments of this and the blade was clean. Darkened but clean. The pack leader gave a satisfied growl, then turning to the obscene structure.

"Burn this vile filth!" the pack leader said.

The other pack members lined up raising their scale and clawed hands. From each palm blazed a stream of fire that enveloped the skin like membrane. Sizzling and steaming, the membrane slowly burned away.

"Fire magic huh! Didn't expect that. No matter." I said from my hiding spot at the center of the creep nest.

Raising both pistols I unleashed a barrage of magical projectiles killing one lizard-man out right with a clean head shot and engulfing another two in exploding fireballs. Three of the six lizard men fell dead before they even knew what hit them.

The moment their comrades were attacked the axe wielding lizard man roared charging me followed by the other two. But as their feet treaded upon the carpet of creep they slowed down considerably. It was like walking on a floor made of well fleshy chewed bubble gum with heavy boots. With them slowed I casually aimed and fired dropping two of them like fish in a barrel. The last one with the axe hissed giving me a dirty look.

"This is dishonorable!"

"All's far in love and war." I replied pulling the trigger.

Surprisingly he deflected the armor piercing shot with his axe. But I countered by shooting a fire ball at his feet stunning him a moment then shooting him again with a armor piercing shop. The mana round erupted out the back of his leather armor dropping him to his knees. As he glared at me I ended him with one last shot to the head.

With the last of the Lizardmen dead I got to work removing their armor and weapons. Pulling their corpses over onto the creep I let it digest them while I kept the leader for my self. Cracking his skull open I at his brain then moved onto his organs eating them one by one. Once again I felt the flow of information through my body and a new ability.

[Disease Resistance mid]

"That will be helpful. Guess that was the best thing they had. I expected more. Disappointing."

It's pretty convenient that these lizard-folk are living here. The main reason I wanted to try their essence out was because Rock had explained that a tribe of them had taken up residence on this level. Not only because its abundant in natural resources but a place no one would bother them. Though they do get angry with any adventurers using fire magic in the forest. Which was why my fire-breath pistol was a good lure for them. Now that I have some extra biomass and their essence I don't have any reason to attack them further. But if they attack me in retribution it's not like I can fault them for it. I'll still kill them in self defense though.

After awhile the lizard-men bodies were all completely digested. Their gear and weapons weren't that great so I just tied them together in a silk bag and swam to the lakes center to dispose of them. It was there at the center of the lake I saw the shadow of something deep below that peeked my interest. Using the weight of the weapons and armor to drag me down like a weight I got closer to the shadow.

-Meanwhile-

Rock yawned sitting up. "Morning."

Beside him Amanda moaned rolling over in her sleeping bag. "Just one more hour."

Rock rolled his eyes giving a stretch, rotating his arm and cracking his neck as he slowly woke up. Glancing around he noticed Rookie was missing. "Eh? Where did she get to?"

Standing up Rock stretched a bit more warming his body up. He then rolled his sleeping bed up and snacked on some dried salted meat that was useful on long journeys. A hour later Amanda woke up. She lazily got up rolling her sleeping bag up and went out to go to the bathroom in a side chamber with a deep pit. On her return she finally noticed Rookie was gone. She turned to Rock sitting by the smoldering fire.

"Where's Rookie?"

Rock met her gaze. "I don't know? I thought she was outside doing her business? You don't think she went out hunting or exploring on her own do you?"

Amanda placed her hands on her hips sighing. "Not much we can do. I just hope she stays away from the lizard-folks camp. They don't like being messed with."

Moments later Rookie walked in dripping wet. "Hey your up! Great. Get everything packed up and follow me. I found something!"

Amanda raised a eye brow. "Found what?"

"It's a secret something at the bottom of the lake. Come on I'll show you."

Disappearing out the entrance Rookie left Rock and Amanda behind. The two shrugged packing everything up and followed. By the time they reached the lake Rookie had built, or rather grown something. It was a large organic dome of transparent fleshy membrane covering a domed skeleton. Its circular base had two clusters of sacs ringing around it. One kind hanging heavily in the water while the other floated on the surface seemingly holding the dome up like a ballast systems.

Rookie glanced at them. "Oh that? It's the best I could do at the moment. It's a diving bell. It has these two bladder types to allow it to float or sink."

Rock felt slightly horrified at the flesh and bone object. "You mean were. Taking. This into the lake. To do what?"

Rookie sensing Rocks mood felt he didn't like being underwater. "Sorry Rock but? Are you afraid of being underwater?"

Rock rolled his eyes trying to deflect. "Oh well. Everyone hates drowning and my grand-ma. Yeah my grand-ma drowned. I've never gotten over it. So yeah I hate being under water."

Amanda started laughing. "You did pretty well back when we were crossing the ocean that one time. Weren't you afraid of falling in back then?"

Rock rubbed his neck feeling the heat. "I uh, just don't like diving. I don't hate water or swimming but I prefer to stay...above the water line thank you."

"Fine. You can stay here." said Amanda as she turned to Rookie. "So what did you find down there anyway?"

I grin. "Something vary interesting. I'll be happy to have you along Amanda. I'm sure your magic will be a great help. Three people would just be a waste of air and space anyway." I say eyeing Rock.

Rock crossed his arms. "Yeah nope. Your not getting me in there. I'll just uh guard the surface. Yeah."

"Whatever." I said.

"Suit your self." said Amanda.

Both Amanda and me pushed the diving bell into the water. Jumping in we pushed it to the center of the lake and then entered it diving under the bone rim of the dome. I then deflated a few of the buoyancy bags. As we held onto its edges from inside the diving bell started slowly sinking deeper and deeper into the water. The air trapped in the dome membrane allowed us to breath and kept the water out.

After a few minutes of descending we reached the lake's bottom. Amanda had been in awe of the view and the idea of this contraption. Though I could tell she had some strong visible displeasure of the construction material.

But whatever opinion of it she had she remained silent about it and just watched out the transparent membrane as we both stood there holding up the membrane dome by its hardened rim.

"Ok which way?" asked Amanda.

I looked around a minute getting my bearings in the dark water. "I... think its this way. The general direction I mean."

With a course set we walked along the bottom of the lake carrying the relatively light membrane dome thanks to it's buoyancy. A few minutes of slow progress passes and we finally see our destination. Amanda's eyes widen in shock as a shadowed pyramid became visible in the distance of the deep water. Its form less and less obscured by the water as we got closer. We stand there at the base of the large white pyramid.

"Wow?" said Amanda.

"What is it?" I said.

Amanda glanced over to me then back to the structure. "I... I think its a secret zone in the dungeon. Lets move around to see if there's more to it."

We move around the pyramid discovering a entrance on one side. Nodding to each other we enter the building. Entering the threshold we pass through a barrier of some kind that keeps the water out and step onto a cold stone floor. The front of the diving-bell drops to the floor stopping our a movement.

"I got a idea. Lets back up a moment." I suggest.

We hang out at the entrance a moment as I produce some silk. Leaving Amanda alone I enter the building and tie the silk rope to a pillar. I return tying it to the diving bell. With the bell secured in place we leave it behind as we enter the building. Water runs off us as we enter the air filled chamber. White stone walls and six pairs of twelve pillars surround us on all sides. Glancing down I notice a magic circle inscribed into the floor. Amanda examines it recognizing it as a teleportation spell.

"So this leads to another place?"

"I suppose." said Amanda holding her chin in thought. "However there has never been any teleportation system found in this dungeon before?"

"Maybe a adventurer made it? Or maybe the stone tower dungeon does have a network of teleportation sigils like this but their all super hidden?"

Amanda pondered the idea. "That could be the case. But if true then many other dungeons that are thought to not have such teleportation networks do in fact have them but their all well hidden like this one. Guess no one ever thought to look at the bottom of the lake before?"

I got another idea. "Hey. What if this isn't a teleportation network but leads to a hidden chamber filled with treasure? Or more enemies to defeat then get treasure. That's how dungeons work right?"

Amanda thought a moment. "That sounds more plausible. But if its a trap or trial we'll need Rock. It would be foolish to go with just the two if us."

"Agreed."

And so we returned to the surface convinced Rock to finally come and returned. Upon entering the pyramid again I had a thought I needed answering.

"Hey Amanda? How come our armor and clothes aren't wet. And for that matter shouldn't they soak up water and get heavier?"

"I used the water spell hydro-phobia to keep the water from getting our clothes wet which become heavier when their soggy. It doesn't interfere with our buoyancy though."

"Ah. That's convenient. I bet there's all kinds of spells that can do all kinds of things?"

Amanda grins with a prideful look. "That's certainly true."

Rock sighs. "I'm not comfortable being here!"

I pat him on the back. "Aw what's wrong? Are you claustrophobic?"

"Yes? A little. I just hate being in closed in spaces with no exit."

"Well lets get going then." Amanda said stepping on the magic circle.

It lights up.

Rock sighs. "Lets get this over with."

I join them on the circle. Amanda activates it and in a flash of light. Nothing happens.

"Huh? was that it. Were still here?" said a disappointed Rock.

Getting a thought I turn around. "Nope! It worked."

Rock and Amanda turned around to the sight of a harsh light beaming into the entrance.

"It did teleport us. But where-ever it is, its identical to the other structure. Mostly." said Amanda.

"Time for exploring then!" I say dashing down the hall.

"Rookie wait up its dangerous to be running off like that!" yelled Rock.

"I'm not going far." I yelled back, my voice echoing through the hall.

Quickly arriving at the exit I'm assaulted by a bright harsh light and dry air. Peeking out the door way I saw more stone pyramids in the distance surrounded by a sandy desert.

"Were we teleported to another part of the planet or is this another level of the dungeon?" I ask no one in particular.

A few moment later Amanda and Rock catch up to me and together we exited the building. Walking out a bit we found ourselves on a upper balcony on the side of a massive pyramid in the middle of a seemingly vast desert. The wind blew almost continuously pushing sand across the desert in wispy trails moving from one sand dune to another shifting the deserts shape over time.

"I... did not expect this!" said Rock sounding worried.

"What's wrong?" said Amanda.

"This is the 55th level!"

"What! How do you know that? I thought you only ever went as high as floor thirty?" I said.

Rock glanced between Amanda and Me. "Well yeah. But...my dad had been part of one of the rare expeditions to the higher levels. Some rich guy had gathered a bunch of high ranking adventurers and had them map the upper levels of the dungeon. They only made it to floor 75 before turning back."

"I've never heard about this?" questioned Amanda.

Rock shrugged. "Not many people do. Most of the expedition members died. And there was a event that made the patron of the expedition angry with the surviving adventurers and they all had a falling out. It ended in a blood bath. The only reason my dad survived was because he wasn't a greedy man and knew when the getting was good. He took his pay as soon as he could and left before things got bloody. The fight destroyed a whole ship that the rich patron had docked at the capital."

"Damn! That sounds tough." I say turning to the desert vista before me.

Amanda took a few breaths. "I guess this is one of those stories you thought didn't concern anyone?"

Rock shrugged. "I never brought it up because its not the type of story you tell over a camp fire. Especially with the rumor that the patron in question was actually the Duke."

"The who?" I said.

"The Duke." said Rock. "He's the ruler of our country."

I scratched my head. "What's the name of our country again. I never really asked?"

Amanda gave a short laugh at that. "Really? Well its Akren. Try not to forget it."

"I'll try. Akren huh." I glanced around at the desert. Thinking it both beautiful and foreboding. "If the placement of safe zones is consistent then this should be one. Wonder what's around the place?"

Amanda looked out towards the other pyramids surrounding us, each connected by long archway bridges held up by thin supports raising up from the desert sand. "Well only one way to find out. If that magic circle really is apart of a teleportation network we've hit the gold mine. Well get a nice bonus from the guild for finding this."

Rock held a finger up. "Or. We keep it to ourselves and exploit it for all its worth and get all the fancy high ranking gear that's usually in secret places like this?"

Amanda sighed glaring at Rock. "Guess you fathers abstinence from greed wasn't apart of that sperm when it hit your mothers egg!"

"Oh hey leave my mom out of this!" Rock shot back.

I jumped off the pyramid.

"Rookie!" Amanda shouted.

"What?!" Rock said confused.

As the two panicked above I slid down the smooth sloped side of the giant pyramid, rolling onto the warm sands laughing. "That was fun!"

Far above I see both Rock and Amanda peeking out over the balcony at me.

"You ok Rookie!" yelled Rock.

I waved at them. "Never been better. Come on down!"

Up above Amanda gauged the height. "I'll just use the stares."

Rock laughed. "She's crazy. I don't know weather to be impressed or worried for or because of her?"

Amanda chuckled. "I second that. Come on lets find a staircase or something."

I see Amanda and Rock leave to find a alternative route. Standing up I shake the sand off and look around. Elevated walkways and bridges connect several of the pyramids in a crisscrossing network.

Headache strikes back!

"Ow! These pyramids remined me of the Gaza pyramids? Only white with some of them taller while others are short. Their surface must be made of marble or something?"

Marching off through the sand dunes I made my way towards the closest pyramid. From far off I see it has a flat platform on one side of its base. Moving that way I maintain a steady space. Reaching the stone platform I look up at the stairs going up the side and into the pyramid.

"Wonder what's in there?"

I take a single step forwards and stop hearing the sound of shifting sand behind me. Drawing my weapons I roll forwards turning around. There before me is a giant scorpion twitching its mandibles and pinchers.

"Guess this zones not so safe then after all. Fuck! Hope the others are doing ok?"

In a flash the scorpion leaned forwards wiping its tail out impaling the intruder for a instant injecting its venom.

"Ow?! That was... fast!"

I fell backwards with a small hole in my torso.

-Meanwhile-

Rock and Amanda descended a staircase they had found weapons drawn and ready for any monsters.

"If this is level 55 then were in big doodoo." Amanda mused. "If there are any enemies around were not going to last vary long. Maybe if we actually tried going higher and improving our abilities and skills more often we would be better prepared for this scenario."

The star-case ended and they continued down a hall way illuminated by self igniting magic torches that burst into light as they came close.

Rock sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah! And how was I supposed to foresee the little Rookie finding that ruin in the lake?"

Amanda huffed. "I guess that was out of your hands. She certainly seems to have a knack for stirring up trouble."

"She's not the only one." said unknown?

Rock and Amanda turned to the voices source.

-Meanwhile-

Lying on the warm sand I was remined of the warm sands of the beach I first woke up on. Except my body felt heavy and stiff and I was unable to move or talk. Oh and I had a hole in my chest. Thank you redundant organs!

"Shit. That was fast. Couldn't even dodge." I mumble deadpan.

Looking down I see that scorpion moving closer.

"Oh come on. He's going to eat me! Hell no. I'm the one that's going to do the eating!"

Trying to move, my body fails to do what I want.

"Shit! don't know if its because of the hole in my chest or because of some poison! Have to do something?"

The scorpion starts nibbling on my foot using its mandibles to shred my boots and flesh. Gritting my teeth the pain is highly uncomfortable but my pain resistance helps greatly making it bearable. Think think? How can I get out of this? It then hits me. The blood fungus! Better then nothing. Focusing I manipulate my essence and cells to generate blood fungus on my skin along my lower leg. The parasitic mushroom soaks up my blood growing quickly.

"I just hope your not immune asshole!"

My pant leg expands being pushed out as the blood fungus grows and grows. Eventually the scorpion reached it and without even stopping devours it and my leg. All I can do is wait.

Seconds pass. Then a minute.

The scorpion continues feasting on the preys body when it suddenly changes taste and flavor. It ignores this. Food is food. It continues eating the intruders body devouring the appendage up to the knee joint. The new taste mixed with the fleshy taste. Food is food. All fleshlings are food. All food is good?

The scorpion stops feasting, feeling odd. Raising its pinchers it started scraping at its mandibles as the odd taste and pressure fills it's mouth. The expanding pressure turns from a irritation to pain pressing against it's mouth and insides. Then the pressure and pain expanded across its body. The pain grows as the scorpion shrieks as its blood and flesh is devoured.

Raising my head I see the scorpion acting oddly. It starts backing up while scraping at its head and mouth with its pinchers. Soon I see the fungus growing out of it's mouth and expanding. Then patch's of the fungus erupts from between the scorpions exo-skteleton segments and joints. Then its eyes pop out and are replaced by fungus stalks. The creature drops on to its belly crying and shrieking in pain as its body was devoured from the inside out by the parasite.

After several minutes the creature remains silent and still with fungal growths continuing to slowly expand across its body.

"Hah! Bit off more then you could chew didn't you you bastard! Always wanted to say that. I think?"

My wounds heal up after a few minutes. My regenerated leg and the hole in my chest back to normal. With the exception of the hole in my clothes and the loss of my pants leg and boot I'm fine. Everything's great. Pulling out my fire-breath and armor piercing pistols I unload into the beasts face splattering and burning its carapace to relieve some stress. With a hole open I reach in and devour the largest part of its flesh not consumed by the fungus.

"Blah! That's terrible!"

Despite the taste I keep eating and eating. Eventually I open up another few holes in the creatures armor and pull and yank its fungus covered organs out. The speed of the fungus growth seemed to stop after that. I keep eating the unconsumed flesh of the scorpion until getting what I want.

[Gained Paralyzing poison greater]

[Gained Heat resistance mid]

[Gained Armored carapace]

"Sweat. These should be useful. The fungus sure was. Never thought about using it as a weapon before? Maybe it would be a good idea to coat my blades with some if its spores and the new paralyzing poison?"

Cleaning the gore off my face and clothes I turned back towards the pyramid I jumped off. "Better head back to the others. Unlike me they don't have extra lives!"

-Meanwhile-

Rock spun around drawing his spear. His eyes lighting up in fear. "The hell! What are you?"

Amanda stood hands positioned to cast a spell. But her mind froze as the being standing before them frightened her to her core. "Impossible? A automation! Here?"

The robotic woman tilted her head in slight confusion. She had pale gray skin, slits below her eyes, mechanical ball joints, a semi-flexible plating shaped like hair covering her head and a gear floating behind her.

The automation stared at the two adventures her face blank and expressionless. "As I said you are in trouble. This floor is far to high level for the both of you to survive in. I recommend retreating down the tower until you are sufficiently strong to complete this challenge."

For a moment Rock and Amanda stared awkwardly at the automation.

"Y... Your not a enemy? Your not going to attack us?" questioned Amanda.

The automation tilted it's head slightly. "Correct. I am not a, as most call them, a monster. I was created by a artificer named Vox Remore."

Amanda's ears perked up. "Huh! You... you were created by Vox. The Vox Remore!"

"Correct. Unfortunately My master and I were separated many long years ago dew to circumstances beyond our power."

Rock chuckled nervously. "Heh! It's been a lot longer then a few years."

Amanda stepped on Rocks foot.

"Ow!"

"I'm sorry for my partners attitude. Since your not going to attack us I would like to talk and ask you a few questions if that would be ok?"

"Talk? Yes. I would like that. It has been such a long time since I had a good conversation." the automation placed her hand on her chest and bowed. "Allow me to introduce my self. I am Eres."

-Chapter End-