The following morning, James was getting ready to leave, doing a weapons and equipment check. He laid out all of his gear around the room and tried to organize everything he would need.

His Backpack of Holding (20/20) had its contents laid out over the bed, and there was a mountain of gear. He had the following:

Leather Armour (VG)

Iron Long Sword (G)

Steel Long Sword (F)

Iron Short Sword (VG)

Steel Short Sword (F)

Iron Dagger (F)

Iron Dagger (G)

Iron Dagger (VG)

Steel Dagger (F)

Iron Round Shield (VG)

Steel Round Shield (G)

Padded Gambeson (G)

Leather Greaves with Iron Reinforcements (VG)

Leather Cuisses (F)

Leather Bracers with Steel Reinforcements (F)

Steel Helm (F)

Iron Helm with Iron Chain Coif (G)

Iron Chain Coif (G)

Tent - Medium

Mess Kit - Deluxe

This Bag of Holding (8/8) was on the washstand, and its contents were on display:

Iron Rations x10

Water Skin x10

Potion of Healing x10

Potion of Mana x10

Potion of Strength x5

Parchment x10

Iron Arrows x10

246g, 154s, 24c

James was very low on funds but had to admit that he had got a lot of mileage out of the almost two thousand gold he found in the first Dungeon. He never knew the Champion's name but wished for a way of thanking him.

On the armour cross and the floor around it was his gear:

Padded Gambeson (VG)

Steel Scale Mail Armour (G)

Leather Cuisses with Steel Reinforcements (F)

Leather Greaves with Steel Reinforcements (F)

Leather Bracers of Shield (G - Uncommon)

Steel Nasal Helm (F)

Boots of Stealth +3 (G - Common)

Oak Bow of Piercing (VG - Uncommon)

Glrick Sword (E - Very Rare) and sheath (F)

Fine Steel Dagger (F)

Steel Boot Knife (F)

Leather Quiver (F)

Iron Hunting Arrows (20)

Belt of the Dwarves (VG - Rare)

Gold Ring of Poison Resistance (VG - Common)

Silver Ring of Fire Resistance (VG - Common)

Silver Necklace of Darkvision (G - Uncommon)

Mana Crystal (E - Rare)

Wand of Flame Bolts (G - Uncommon)

Leather Satchel (F)

Large Leather Pouch - (F) (filled with assorted Gems and Jewelry)

Quill, ink, charcoal stick (x3)

Potion of Healing x2

Potion of Mana x2

Potion of Physical Shield

Pocket Knife (F)

Compass

James had picked up the Fine Steel Dagger in his shopping spree and tossed the Iron Dagger he got from the Champion in the first Dungeon in his backpack for Glezda. He had replaced his Leather Cuisses with a Leather Cuisses with Steel Reinforcements that he purchased with the other armour. He hoped that Glezda would be able to collect the pattern and then recreate them for his use.

Name: Fine Steel Dagger Quality: Very Good Damage Range: 1d4 + 5 Accuracy: +4% Crit Change: +7% Durability: 60/60 Damage Type: Piercing Special: One-handed

Name: Leather Cuisses with Steel Reinforcements Quality: Fair Armour Rating: 7 Durability: 25/25 Special: Worn: Lower Legs

He used his Analyze Skill on the Belt of the Dwarves again and found out a little more information. Once per day, it would allow him to assume the form of a Dwarf. He tested it the previous day and found that the state was preset, so he could not alter it. However, by using the Power Alter Self II, he was then able to modify the features, shape and size of the Dwarf. When he checked the timer on the shape change, he discovered it lasted for 24 hours. This confirmed for Rocko that it was not an illusion but an actual change.

He seriously considered taking the form of a Dwarf when he returned to Milgarden, but he wasn't convinced it would be prudent. Other than Ash Rumba, he had not seen any other Dwarves.

'How come you didn't call me right away?' Rocko asked telepathically for the third time since finding out about Ignatius' late-night visit.

'Because I had to sort out how much I would tell you,' James replied telepathically for the third time.

'That doesn't make sense. I am your guide. Why would I guide you wrong?'

'Do you deny that your actions have not been solely for my benefit but that you have considered the wellbeing of other individuals?' James accused.

'Of course,' Rocko confirmed bluntly.

'Then you can understand why I had to figure out if I could trust you.'

Rocko sighed, 'How did you figure out that I was trustworthy.'

'I can't afford for you not to be,' James said.

Rocko looked over at James and frowned, 'That is not the same as trusting me.'

'You have never done anything that would warrant me not trusting you.'

'Again, that is not the same,' Rocko said, shaking his head.

James sat on an empty spot on the bed, 'I am also aware that you have interests outside of just me. You have a group of people working on this, remember.'

'Yes, but what they are working on is a plan to keep you alive and have you grow as strong as you can.'

'And there is no other hidden agenda in there?' James inquired, already knowing the answer.

Rocko nodded his head, 'It is true that most of the individuals I am working with have an ulterior motive. But everything is being filtered through me.'

Stolen story; please report.

'And you have no ulterior motives?'

Rocko and James stared at each other for a moment.

'I have never done anything other than what has been in your best interest.'

'And that is why I told you.'

Rocko harrumphed.

'What did you make of Ignatius?' James asked.

'He is a deity. Who understand the mind or motivation of their kind.'

'Do you think he was sincere when he told me the contract was biased against me and about restoring my memories for free?' James inquired. He hoped his instinct with Ignatius was right, but it was hard to tell.

'You can make yourself sick trying to figure out the motivations of the gods, James,' Rocko confirmed.

'I have dealt with many people who are like that. Senior officers, politicians, and some civilians who would sell their children with a smile if it gave them an advantage.'

'That is with a small 'a'?' Rocko asked.

James laughed, 'Ya.'

Rocko is giving James a single nod. 'Several people within our team are hoping that you can turn this Championship on its head and mess up the status quo.'

'And how do they plan on having me do that?'

'Several of them have placed some heavy bets on your survival to Rank 500 and beyond. Several of them are hoping that you can kill specific Champions. By doing that, they hope to earn a large sum of money. That money will then be used to seed their rebellion against the gods,' Rocko told him plainly.

'Is that even possible?' James asked.

'Yes. But it won't be easy, and many will die.'

'What do you hope to gain?'

'Our freedom. Our freedom from the oppression of the gods and their forced servitude. Freedom away from these cursed challenges ravaging our world every ten years.'

James could understand that. His country was rift with examples of people oppressing liberties and other people fighting for their return.

'I can appreciate that,' James stated flatly.

'Before we can do anything more, we need to get you some experience, more robust Enchanted items and more money.'

'All of those sound nice. How do you plan on doing that?' James asked.

'Your Title, Dungeon Friend, gives you a bonus of 10% to all rewards offered by dungeons. That is one boon we plan to exploit. There are three more dungeons found but have not been completed. The next one is level 11, so I hope it will be enough to get you up to that level in a few days. If your idea with Glezda works out, that may resolve your money issues and your need for more potent Enchanted Items. The last thing you need to do is work on improving your skills.'

'What is wrong with my Skills?' James asked defensively.

'There is a reason why your Class Skills can go above your Intelligence.'

When James looked at him blankly, Rocko continued, 'Because they are supposed to be above your Intelligence. Currently, your highest Skill is half your Intelligence.'

'I am not gaining levels as fast, so that should help my skills improve, right?'

'It will, but not in its own right. You have to work hard to improve your skills. If you can get all your Skills to level 20, then you will have two bonuses for each.' Rocko explained.

'What other skills?' James asked.

'Espionage, Slight of Hand, and Deception,' Rocko ticked off each Skill with a claw.

'Deception is just lying,' James dismissed.

'No, Deception is lying so convincingly that no one knows you are lying.'

'What about espionage?'

'That is a Merged Skill. I don't know if you will get it in time, but we will try.' Rocko hoped.

A knock at the door interrupted James before he could continue.

"Come in," he called out.

Veronika opened the outer door and walked through the parlour. She had a large cloth draped over her arm. Holding out the fabric, James could tell it was a cloak. "Oh good, I hoped I would catch you before you left."

"A cloak?" James inquired.

"Very observant, yes, a cloak. While shopping for your clothes, I found this item and thought it would look dashing on you. And since you specified that you had a budget, I got it for you as a gift."

James took the cloak from her and held it up. It was a beautiful forest green and had what appeared to be a waterproof lining. The cloak had a hood and a clasp of darkened steel. The shape of the clasp was unusual for him and not something he recognized, but he was intricate and still sturdy.

"It is beautiful," he said truthfully.

"Let me show you how to put it on," she said, taking it back from him. "Without armour, you would use the clasp to fasten it, like so." She demonstrated how to open and close the clasp. It was rather ingenious and simplistic in design. "When you are wearing it with your armour, these two clips attach to the back of your pauldrons." Looking over, she noticed that he didn't have any pauldrons. "Well, that is inconvenient. I guess you can attach them to the scale mail." Walking over to the armour cross, she attached the cloak to the shoulders of the scale mail. "I would speak with an armoursmith and have them attach the rings to your armour for your cloak. You can wear the cloak done up by the clasp over the armour, but I think it would look silly and bulky. Up to you."

"Thank you again," he said with a smile. Taking her hand. "I appreciate you are looking out for me," he said, standing up. "But it is time I get ready to go."

Taking a deep breath, Veronika sighed, "I don't like the message I got this morning, James. I fear that there may be someone who will try to take advantage of it and kill you."

"The message is out already?" James asked.

Veronika seemed a little distressed, "Yes, it was waiting for me when I awoke."

"I am sorry, but it doesn't change anything. I will continue to be careful. I promise." James ignored the laughter coming from Rocko.

"Please do. I have grown rather fond of you," she said with a smile.

"I am rather fond of you too," he replied, giving her a kiss, "But I do have to go."

"Then may I recommend you change your appearance. Pick something very different than what you were before, and don't carry any of the gear you had before. Carry nothing that is above iron. Rub some dirt on your face and hair, roll in the dirt a bit and try walking with a bit of a hunch. All these things should make you a little more inconspicuous," she said, placing a hand on his chest.

"Thank you, I had planned on doing some of that, but I will take the other suggestions under advisement," James agreed.

"This changes things, now," she sighed. James waited for her to finish. "We won't be able to go to that party now."

"Is that what you are worried about?" James asked with a grin.

"I thought it would be funny to have you show up on my arm with a different face on each time. The rumours it would have started about me would have been priceless." she smiled.

"Are you that bored?" he asked.

Veronika stepped away from him and moved to the washstand, perusing the items that went into his Bag of Holding. "Ever since my husband died, I have been adrift." Her words were soft and hard to hear, but James gave her the space to speak.

"He died about five years ago. He was a merchant." she turned to him and grinned, "A real merchant, unlike my father." Turning back to the washstand, she picked up a Potion of Healing and stared at it. "We had a normal life. Parties, celebrations, festivals, social events, gatherings. But that all changed when he died."

Veronika turned around after placing the Potion of Healing back on the washstand, "And then you came along."

"You have been mourning for five years?" James asked.

"I have been coming out of my shell a little at a time. You coming into my life was a bit of a shake-up, I must say."

"Are you ready for all this? You realize it can't last, right. I only have a little more than eight months left in this world, and that is if I make it to the end." James inquired.

Veronika stepped up to him and kissed him on the chin, "I know. I have no illusions that this is not forever, but we can pretend it will be a while longer. Okay." She looked up at him, a pleading look in her eyes.

James' heart was torn, he wanted to help her, but this wouldn't be helping her. But what harm would it do? "I will be here, regardless of what happens between us. If you need something, I will help. If you want to go to some festival, I will do what I can to go, so long as it doesn't interfere with my mission. That is all I can promise."

"That will be good enough. Now pick a face and win this damnitable Challenge so people can move on with their lives." With that, she walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

"She's right, you know," Rocko said.

"I know. I already decided on a disguise," James stated.

"No," Rocko clarified, "I mean about winning this damn Challenge."