Re-evaluation of the dungeon rank: F => E
Dungeon « Hive of Xolona »
Rank E
Demarcation of the dungeon’s subsections completed
That day, the doors became green and fewer in number. Perhaps there was even only one active door left in the entire hive, continuing to move regularly, like the previous doors.
Enemy attacks had also stopped, which was worrying. Food supplies were dangerously low as there were few mushroom farms in the part of the city that had been sealed off in the Dungeon. There were some burrowing prey and small insects, but it was necessary to secure more sustainable and numerous resources to feed new generations.
Eventually, Xicackna heard of an enemy incursion. According to the story spread by “The Hive Mind”, there were first a few enemy scouts who helped to understand how the doors had changed. First, they were new monsters, a kind of servants obviously.
Smaller than the bipeds, they were quadrupedal and covered in fur. Passing through the green door, they began to search the dungeon, sniffing it warily. They easily detected the workers, despite the darkness, and growled at them, revealing fangs more carnivorous than those of their masters.
Then, without attacking, they went back through the door without it stopping them. Shortly after, they returned followed by their owners. These were connected to their animals by ropes and carried an arsenal similar to the soldiers from previous attacks. They didn't stay very long either and left after a brief altercation during which they killed two guards, without going far enough to be ambushed.
After that, the days passed without incident. Then, while Xicackna was observing the green shimmer of the portal without much motivation, the monsters came out. As before, there were only twelve of them, including one of those hairy monsters.
However, there was something different about them. Xicackna knew it, but did not guess what it was. She continued to watch them carefully. The little monster that accompanied them growled left and right, systematically pointing towards the workers and soldiers, whether in ambush or not. The bipeds did not seem to care and began to quietly massacre the workers using their magic weapons or large metal spades. As on previous occasions, they were ordered to flee in order to lure the monsters into an ambush.
Everything went well, until the ambush. As expected, the soldiers rushed to attack... but one of the monsters made a gesture in the air, freezing the attackers. It seemed as if an invisible force was pinning them to the ground. The monsters let out enthusiastic exclamations and attacked those who were supposed to take them by surprise.
The magical weapons crackled again, mauling the shells until they pierced them. Other monsters used bladed weapons: strangely made swords and spears. If she thought that the use of such weapons was ridiculous next to their magic spitters, Xicackna changed her mind instantly: tracing luminous curves in the air, these weapons cut through armor more easily than those at a distance... It was as if the monsters had some sort of destructive power that came through their weapons.
Freed from their stupor at the moment they were attacked, the soldiers defended themselves as best they could. One of them managed to slash an enemy with its spear. But just as it was about to collapse, seriously injured, another monster raised its hand and a green glow burst from it, spreading all over the injured body. Instantly, the wound closed.
Paralyzed by fear, Xicackna watched the massacre motionless. Although she wanted to look away, she couldn't help but observe. Only half of the monsters seemed to have strange powers. The other half consisted of three warriors similar to those before, who were no less formidable in groups, as well as the hairy creature and finally two monsters who must have been workers.
The latter two carried strange weapons, perhaps tools. They stayed away from the fight, but did not stray too far and, as soon as the last soldier fell, they rushed to the remains. They picked up almost intact pieces to put them in sort of baskets and, sometimes, seemed to be holding with satisfaction an invisible object which they put in a separate pocket.
During this stripping, the other creatures stood guard, then one of the monsters, probably a noble, ordered them to resume marching. They advanced into the tunnel and passed Xicackna, invisible. Even their beast did not detect her, its nose no doubt saturated with the smell of dead soldiers.
And the princess remained motionless for a long, long time, in a state of shock. There were only a dozen of these creatures and they could wreak such havoc? What would happen if a portal similar to those of the Disaster opened at the palace, pouring out continuous streams of these bloodthirsty monsters? The queen herself would eventually succumb despite all her power!
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She was taken out of the abyss of her despair by a new passage of monsters. Fewer in number, some appeared injured and supported by others. The one with the power to heal was still there, but perhaps there were limits to it power?
Growling in their grotesque language, the leader of the monsters visibly urged its troops to reach the gate. The hairy beast was no longer there, but having remained invisible for too long, the princess could only rely on her camouflage to avoid the enemy's gaze. She trembled as a stream of light illuminated her, but the monsters did not see her.
The better-conditioned warriors established a defensive perimeter around the gate while their comrades carried the wounded through. Eyes wide, in a sort of unhealthy fascination, Xicackna did not miss a single moment of their movements.
Crossing the last one, the leader of the monsters took one last look behind it, scanning the surroundings. It waved its hand and a wall of fire rose at the entrance to the tunnel, charring a soldier who was still pursuing the invader.
Feeling the heat of the fire from her hiding place, Xicackna flinched. The movement coupled with the light of the flames was enough to reveal her to the monster who raised it hand again.
Was she going to die like this? Roasted by the fire?
But only a small flame erupted on the princess's body, inflicting only a slight pain that the System estimated at five hit points. The attacker staggered, either from its injuries or from exhaustion. Apparently, its destructive power had run dry. With rage it threw itself towards the portal and disappeared.
Dungeon invasion defeated
Quest successful
Combat XP: 0
Participation XP: 0
Current experience: 708
Experience stored: 2008
Experience needed for next level: 292
The message startled Xicackna. Then, after observing it, it annoyed her: a message simply to tell her that she had been of no use?
Her mood darkened: indeed, the System was right. She had only watched helplessly as the monsters massacred her own people. It was others, further away, who had repelled the invaders. Probably Captain Kurk's guard post, located at a strategic crossroads.
Validated achievement
« Survivor »
Condition: Survive alone, for the first time, in a confrontation against a higher status enemy
Detail: With your F status, you survived alone a confrontation with a level 11 (Status E) “Human Hunter” adventurer with the “Mage” class.
Reward: 600 XP
Xicackna was speechless at this second message, her anger falling immediately. Without losing track, she analyzed the information that was thus delivered to her.
You could therefore gain experience, perhaps even other rewards, by completing difficult conditions. And the enemy faced was called a “Human Hunter”. The monsters now had a name.
You gain a level!
Current level: 6
Current experience: 1008
Stored experience: 2308
Experience needed for next level: 342
A mysterious warmth ran through Xicackna's body at this announcement. All traces of the burn she had received disappeared. So that was what gaining a level was like? Instant treatment and… was that all?
She checked her “creature sheet” and looked around but didn't see any other changes. No increase in hit points or additional skills... This was to be reserved for passing certain particular levels, but not the six one apparently.
Ah, yes, there was a change! Near her stats, a new symbol appeared, indicating that she could increase them. Next to it, a small window stated “1 unassigned ability point”. It wasn't much, but cumulatively from level to level, she guessed that it could greatly change an individual's power. She would have to think long and hard about the best stat to increase this time. Perhaps endurance, since it seemed linked to hit points?
Class gained!
« Analyst »
You are now a named monster!
« Xicackna the Observer »
What? A class? Finally! But…
The princess frowned at the name the System gave her. “Observer”? Was it really glorious? Not even “The Survivor”? Was it to emphasize that she had only observed and only survived by luck? Anyway, she finally had a class and they usually came with one or more bonus skills.
Class:
Analyst
Class Skills (1):
Observation (F) [supernatural power, allow you to obtain information on targets using the System]
A supernatural power, this time, and not a natural one? Did this differentiate the simple normal abilities of individuals from the abnormal ones given by the System? But, more importantly…
Tears clouded Xicackna's vision and she fell onto her back, watching the stalactites of the vault as if she hoped they would fall from it and pierce her.
"I finally have a class," she moaned, "but why does it come with a single, useless skill of the lowest rank? Sniff! Even those who get F-rank skills with their class, they have at least several, and useful ones! Bwaaaa! Why does the System hate me?"