They took branches to feel where the path was. Mayana randomly cussed and then explained that there was magic around making it seem like there was a curve in the path when there was not.

Kiresula was not surprised: that dungeon was offering them an out, but it would not stop laying traps, probably hoping to catch them unawares.

Eventually, they reached the end of the path. Mayana, who was first due to her ability to perceive traditional magic, noticed that everywhere around her, the ground ended. She mentioned it, dropped the branch making it fall to the ground far below, then held her right hand out as if she was receiving a high five. Then, she disappeared without a trace.

Kju nodded, stepped forward, held up his right hand and disappeared as well.

Kiresula stepped forward until her feet were partially in the air. She looked around and noticed a message in synthic magic: Drop the branch. She did so. Then another message appeared: Raise your right hand. She did so. Then, she found herself outside of the cave.

She looked around and saw that she had pending notifications:

Class Achievement: Escaping the Forbidden Dungeon. This provides experience in your Seferian Mage class. It also grants you the dungeon reward: Spell: Forbidden Fruit

Class Achievement: Reached Rank emergent, Level 7 in your Seferian Mage class.

60 stat points assigned, 5 free stat points.

New Skill: Botanical Awareness.

Looking around, she realised the effect of the new skill immediately: For every plant, she had an awareness as to whether it was edible, medicinal and if yes in what manner, or poisonous. It was an amazing skill for foraging. Or for finding specific medicinal plants.

She noticed that both Kju and Mayana looked as if they had also levelled up. “Someone looks like they have reached level 6!” she smiled at Mayana.

Mayana grimaced: “Indeed. And apparently gaining a second green class doesn’t turn me into a glitchling. I gained the Swift Blade Warrior class.”

Kju smiled: “I am glad to see it! I have advanced to level three in my Gravitational Elementalist class. And you, Kiresula?”

“Level 7 as a Seferian mage. I plan to stuff all 5 free points into Fortitude in order to recover faster. I feel like I had been savaged by 5 giant eagles.” she said.

“Same. And hung on a poplar tree for my dear life.” Mayana said.

Kju nodded: “I get you. I feel like this as well, in addition, I feel like I overextended myself too much to crash two of the eagles. And I am not a mage, I am an elementalist, this is Fortitude based for me.”

Kiresula understood: “I feel you. Let’s get to Ilkshehir. We might find a place there to recuperate – or some glitchlings who can gain a healer class.”

Mayana smiled weakly: “That would be for the best. But first: water! I am parched!”

The others agreed and slowly made their way towards Ilkshehir. At a small stream, they drank clear, cold water and cleaned their wounds. Then, they once again walked on the road towards the capital. When they heard others approach, they hid in the bushes until they were out of sight (both regular and magical) and earshot. This worked a few times when merchants went to Ilkshehir and pilgrims came from there. But a group of clerics from Mabetshehir noticed movement in the bushes and stopped their horses. One of them shouted: “Your attempt at an ambush is pitiful! If you bandits come out now, we will spare your life.”

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Kiresula looked at the others who also looked like a rabbit in front of a snake. Then, in unspoken agreement Mayana stepped forth. She shifted her gait to accentuate her injuries. “We did not mean you any harm, we merely feared for our own lives. We had been attacked and the only things we are left with are the clothes we are wearing and our lives. As we didn’t want to lose those, we hid for caution’s sake.”

The cleric had the grace to look embarrassed: “Is this the case? Please come out so we can get you to a healer.”

Kiresula and Kju did so, cautiously.

The cleric asked: “Why are you travelling with glitchlings?”

Mayana smiled: “Because I was told it was good to travel with people of higher level!” As the cleric was speechless, she continued: “Jokes aside, I am their protector on this journey. And yes, I did a poor job at it.”

The cleric made an unhappy noise: “Why do glitchlings need to travel?”

Kju looked at him: “We have families and, occasionally, we miss them. I know that clerics value advancement as the most human thing, but the care for others might also be.”

The cleric nodded. “I would normally not transport glitchlings, but you are hurt. So hop in!”

Kiresula and Kju didn’t need as much Deception to make it seem as if they were regular glitchlings. They were hurt and now that the excitement of the dungeon and the rush of the fight faded, they were exhausted, in pain and weak. However, despite that, they were in reasonable spirits: They had gotten out of the Forbidden Dungeon with their lives, in all but Kiresula’s case new classes, level ups and a new spell as reward.

In the carriage were two other [cleric]s and two [holy guard]s, who looked at the three with a sense of displeasure.

“Can you sit on the ground? It would be terrible if the cushions got stained in glitchling bood,” one of the clerics stated coldly.

Kiresula smiled at the arrogant cleric and responded: “Certainly so.” and sat down at his feet. She then leaned forward and tried to fall asleep.

Mayana sat next to her despite the protests of the very same [cleric] that human blood was less of an issue to remove from the cushions.

Kiresula put an arm around Mayana and whispered: “This guy has experience with removing glitchling blood from cloth. And probably not because his glitchling wife had their period.”

A quick glance around told her that the group had overheard everything.

The glitchlings pretended to fall asleep and listened to the talk of the others. The clerics talked about logistical matters of the order. There were new versions of the [Book of Classes and Skills] to be distributed. There were new acolytes that would start their training soon in Ilkshehir and from context, she realised that these [cleric]s would do the class assignments.

Kju perked up at this. He made it seem like he woke up drowsily and asked: “Can you assign what class people gain? Or can it happen that an acolyte ends up in a different but related class based on their mental perception?”

The [cleric] stared at the glitchling suspiciously: “Why do you ask? It’s not like you can gain a class in either way.”

Kju made a vague gesture while being tapped on the shoulder by Kiresula to indicate to please not start talking about blue classes. He responded trying to sound nonchalant: “I cannot gain classes or levels, but I can still gain knowledge. So, take it as me no longer being able to walk but still trying to crawl on the path of advancement that the church preaches.”

The [cleric] laughed: “You’re a person after my own spirit. I like you! Technically, it is possible that acolytes end up in a related class, but with the Holy Order understanding the prerequisites for each class well, the chance that someone does is very low. Though in the current era, I guess, we should not be surprised if things change.”

Kiresula perked up: “Have there been recent [System] changes?”

The [cleric] nodded: “The [System] is always changing. But at certain times, it is changing faster than normally. And with just how much broken magic there is, glitching everyone who happens by, now is such a time.”

Kiresula raised her eyebrows: “Is this related to the increased magic point consumption with certain spells?”

Now the eyes of all [cleric]s are on her. “How do you know‽”

She made a vague gesture: “I used to be a mage. I was aware of it. It is weird that there are no spell costs that are prime any more apart from 2, 3, and 5.”

The interested [cleric] asked: “You don’t happen to be a former [Ice Mage] named Kiresula, do you?”