Not an hour later, Queen Grizshara had returned to the throne room with everyone but Zildur, who stayed behind to tend to Nyrissa.
“This is the only thing I would leave my daughter’s side for,” she said, her voice grateful. “To properly thank the three of you for unraveling this conspiracy. And, of course, Borgruk for his help. I never would have imagined it was Zogmar, but his possession of the Moonflower confirms everything. He’d always seemed professional, but in hindsight, there was a certain coldness to him. I don’t think he ever forgave me for granting my sister the Alchemist core. Which, as I’m about to reveal, is truly a shame.”
Justin nodded in understanding but remained silent. While Glamshara had certainly damaged her reputation by prioritizing the Everlasting Draught over her niece’s life, perhaps she had redeemed herself somewhat by brewing the antidote.
“Nyrissa is on the mend,” Grizshara continued. “The antidote has been administered, and when I left her, she was sitting up in bed eating a bowl of soup.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Justin said.
“And now, no doubt, you’re wondering about your rewards. For it wasn’t just potions and ghosts we found in the excavation site.”
Justin shifted on his feet in anticipation.
Glamshara herself stepped forward from her position beside Grizshara. “We discovered several valuable items down there and brought them back in the cart. But there was one item I kept secret from the others. I entrusted it to my sister.”
Grizshara nodded, and Justin’s curiosity piqued. This must be the rare item denoted by the Vault itself.
Borgruk and Ralthog approached, carrying a large chest, which they set down and opened.
The Queen rose from her throne and reached into the chest, pulling out a large shield. Its surface was etched with intricate geometric patterns, clearly of dwarven craftsmanship. The metal gleamed with a soft glow, and the runic engravings seemed to shift subtly as the light hit them.
“Our Enchanter has already identified these items, including their ethereal names and levels,” Grizshara explained.
Justin assumed “ethereal name” referred to the System’s designation for magical items, names that could be detected by skilled Enchanters.
Grizshara continued, holding the shield aloft. “This is the Shield of Bashing, a Gold-Level shield. It goes to Bohemond. It triples your Power Attribute while using your Shield Bash ability while reducing its cooldown by a third.”
Bohemond stepped forward and took the shield, slinging his old one behind his back. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Next, she reached into the chest again and produced a thick, amber-colored ring, its surface polished, resembling solidified honey. “This is for Kargan, the Blood Warden. It’s called the Ring of Knives, a Gold-Level accessory that allows you to cast the Chaos Magic spell Knives of Fury as many times as your level.”
Justin couldn’t help but be impressed. That spell would give Kargan offensive capabilities, despite being a defensive class. It was something they sorely needed. At Level 5, Kargan could use the spell five times a day. Justin looked forward to seeing it in action.
Kargan accepted the ring with a nod. “Thank you, Queen Grizshara.”
At last, the Queen turned to Justin. His heart raced. He hoped for an enchanted leg piece—his only missing slot of magical gear.
“Your reward,” Grizshara said, a small smile on her lips, “is something far better than a piece of gear.”
Justin raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, Queen Grizshara?”
It was Glamshara who produced a vial from her satchel. Inside, the liquid shimmered with an array of iridescent colors, as though it contained the essence of a rainbow. “This is the All-Encompassing Draught from before. While it’s not as powerful as the Everlasting Draught, it will be extremely valuable on your journey. However, I recommend you have it appraised by a reputable Alchemist before consuming it. While I’m not skilled enough to say what it will do, it will give you a powerful benefit that’s likely to stay with you the rest of your days.”
Justin accepted the potion, intrigued. “Thank you, Glamshara.”
Despite Glamshara’s words, he couldn’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed. The others had received powerful gear while he was given a potion of uncertain potency. It might prove useful later, but it offered no immediate advantage. Unless, of course, he drank it first without getting it looked at, which would be foolish.
Before he could dwell on it, Queen Grizshara spoke again. “And that’s not all. I have one last gift for Justin, whose sharp mind was crucial in solving this mystery.”
She reached into the chest once more and drew out an object that caused everyone in the room to gasp. It was an orb glowing with an intense, pure blue light. The icon of a vial, suspended within, identified it unmistakably as an Alchemist Core.
“Ironic, isn’t it?” Grizshara said, her voice almost amused. “Had you not uncovered Zogmar’s treachery, this core would have gone to him. He probably didn’t know my sister found it during the excavation. But given the circumstances, it’s only fitting that this reward goes to you. You not only saved my daughter, but you also exposed the true mastermind behind this plot.”
“Wow,” Kargan said, turning to him. “Congratulations.”
Justin accepted the core, marveling at the raw potential it held. As a Level 9, he couldn’t use it just yet, but it would be an invaluable asset once he had leveled up enough. His mind raced with possibilities. Would his Socialite Prismatic Core fused with this one to create a new class? Would that possibility be open to him now, or did he have to wait until Level 20? Or maybe the best move would be to sell it and earn an inordinate sum of gold.
He tucked it safely into his pack.
“Thank you, Queen Grizshara,” Justin said, bowing deeply.
“No,” Grizshara replied with a smile. “Thank you. You and your companions have my eternal gratitude. If there’s anything else you need, ask.”
“Actually,” Justin said, straightening up, “there is one thing. We’re being pursued by a very dangerous man. A high-level Lexicant, along with his classed followers. They likely know we’re here and are waiting for us to leave.”
Grizshara’s expression turned serious. “Yes, we are aware of the party gathered outside the palace. I’ve already begun preparing my warriors and requested aid from neighboring tribes. The Creator has turned our situation into a Vault, but once the magic fades, there may be conflict. However, there is a moving floor in the Underdeep nearby. Borgruk and Ralthog can escort you there. You should reach it by late evening. The floor’s magic still works, and it will take you to the surface.”
“Seriously?” Justin asked, surprised by the offer.
Grizshara nodded. “You’ll find yourselves in the Seraphim Range, a much safer place than the ruins of Drakendir, though still quite dangerous, especially as the weather turns cold.”
“That’s great news,” Justin said, relieved. “One more thing—have you heard any news about two other humans? A middle-aged male Ranger and a female Bard. We were separated when a tunnel collapsed.”
Grizshara nodded. “Yes, my scouts reported seeing two humans matching that description. They were not attacked since they haven’t encroached on our territory. You likely have no reason to fear. Their path, called Filgur’s Tunnel, leads upward to the same valley where the moving floor will take you. Assuming they stay in the main tunnel, you should be reunited soon.”
That was perfect. Eldrin could use Shadowflight to track them down once they were above ground, assuming they followed the tunnel out. “And what about Baron Valdrik? Will your tribe be able to hold off his forces?”
“I assume that’s the Lexicant,” Grizshara replied. “There are far more of us than him and his followers. If he’s wise, he’ll retreat. If not, he’ll be overwhelmed.”
Assuming all went well, they’d be far ahead of Valdrik by then. Justin could almost taste freedom.
“Thank you for everything,” he said. “We should probably get going.”
“Of course,” Grizshara said. “Good luck in your adventures.”
[The Vault honors your triumph. Now go forth with courage in your hearts, strength in your limbs, and wisdom in your minds.
The Trial of the Vault is complete!
Experience Gained: 1,000
Your experience stands at 1659/1590 (Level-up available!)]
Justin blinked at the notification. Not only had he gained a powerful potion and a Class Core, but he would also level up to 10 upon his next sleep—an important milestone, as it meant unlocking his Class Focus. He wasn’t sure what that entailed yet, but he knew he’d find out soon enough.
For now, though, the priority was getting out of Drakendir.
Borgruk and Ralthog approached, but it was Borgruk who spoke. “All packed and ready to go?”
Justin nodded. “The Vault’s magic should last about an hour, which gives us enough time to get a head start.”
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
“We should leave immediately,” Borgruk said. “There are multiple paths to the moving floor, and I don’t know if your enemies have mapped them, but if they have, they could still catch up. And we need to watch out for the constructs. If we get into a fight with them, it’ll attract other attackers. Stealth is our best bet.”
“Got it. Lead the way,” Justin said.
Borgruk and Ralthog led them toward the Underdeep Gate. It was high time to leave Drakendir and reunite with their friends.
----------------------------------------
As their guides led them through the darkness, Kargan sidled up to Justin.
“Any plans for what to do with the core?”
Bohemond seemed to catch their conversation as he walked slightly ahead.
“I’m not sure yet. Still a ways until Level 20. That’s a long time to hold on to a class core.”
“I’d sell it if I were you,” Bohemond said, his voice low but firm. “Alchemist Cores are quite valuable.”
“How valuable?” Justin asked, intrigued.
“They sell for 80 golds or more, depending on the market.”
Justin raised his brows. “That’s a lot of dosh.”
Bohemond gave a slow nod. “Well, most dealers who handle those kinds of things won’t give you that much upfront. At best, you might get 50 or 60 gold. Depends on your haggling skills.”
“That’s what I’ve invested in my Charisma for, right?”
Bohemond gave a casual shrug, a half-smirk curling his lips. “Anyone who deals regularly with selling class cores has enough gold to invest in the Merchant Class. That class grants them boons and skills specifically designed for haggling. Trust me, it puts you at a disadvantage. That’s why many people go through an agent when trying to sell high-value items. You don’t want to haggle with a Merchant! They’ll fleece you before you even realize what happened.”
Justin thought back to Reginald, the Merchant who’d nearly laughed him and Lila out of the store when he tried to bargain over a few silvers. At least, until Reginald had learned about the Amulet of Equilibrium.
“Do either of you know if a Socialite Core and an Alchemist Core even harmonize?”
“I’m not sure,” Kargan said, his tusks protruding thoughtfully. “Socialite is a Charisma-based class, while Alchemist is Intellect. Might be worth researching later when we’re out of here. Not everything is a valid combination, even if they are differing Core Attributes. And of course, you’d have to unlock an Intellect Core at Level 20 before being able to use it.”
“Is that something I get to choose, or do the gods choose it?”
“You have some influence,” Bohemond said. “With the way you’ve been adventuring, you’re likely to unlock a Power Core Attribute. But if you make decisions that prioritize thinking and strategy, as you did with this Vault, you’re more likely to end up with an Intellect Core. It’s not foolproof, though. Sometimes, the gods have a purpose in mind for you, and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Justin nodded, filing the information away. There’d be time to worry about that later. But first, they had to escape this labyrinth.
A couple of hours passed in the dark depths of the Underdeep. Twice, they encountered isolated spider constructs. But between the five of them, it was simple work to take them down. Ralthog’s raw strength surprised Justin. The goblin could have probably soloed the enemies himself, and the way he moved—precise, deliberate, even performing a quick flip to add momentum to his swings—demonstrated he probably had a Power class of some sort. During the second fight, Bohemond showcased his more powerful Shield Bash skill, which was strong enough to force the spider back into the wall, spraying a shower of sparks. Kargan didn’t use his new spell from his ring, probably because it wasn’t necessary. Better to save it in case it was needed later.
Both Bohemond and Kargan announced they would level up as well, which would put Bohemond at Level 11 and Kargan at Level 6.
“So, Bohemond,” Justin said. “I know you’re a Knight, but what’s your Focus?”
“Aspirant of Arion,” Bohemond said proudly.
“And what does that do?” Justin asked.
“Well, I get various blessings from Arion as I level up. It’s the proper Focus for a Knight who wishes to become a Paladin.”
“Wait,” Justin said. “I thought a Paladin was a Warrior and a Cleric Core combined.”
“There are multiple ways to become a Paladin,” Bohemond said. “Warrior and Cleric is just one path. But you can also start as a Knight, Barbarian, Monk, or Lancer. Rather than combining your core with a Cleric, you could combine it with a Priest Core instead. Or, you can start as a Cleric or Priest and merge with the cores I just mentioned. While all are technically Paladins, each one is unique, depending on how the person developed their core. The boons and skills you gain are shaped by your choices.”
“I see,” Justin said. It seemed there were multiple ways to get a certain Advanced Class, at least with the Paladin. It was probably true for other ones as well.
Finally, they reached a long tunnel that ended in a plain stone wall. As they drew closer, Kargan’s Sacrificial Armor spell revealed a tall vertical shaft with a circular platform embedded in the floor. Enchanted runes, faintly glowing, decorated its surface, and a low hum thrummed beneath their feet.
“This is it,” Borgruk said, turning to face the humans.
“How do we work it?” Justin asked, eyeing the platform.
“Simple enough.” Borgruk pointed to a small, glowing blue crystal nestled in a slot. “See that crystal? Take it out and move it to the slot that matches where you want to go.”
Justin walked around the platform, noticing that at least thirty such slots encircled its edges, each marked with a rune he couldn’t decipher. The stone was currently in a slot about in the middle of the rest.
Borgruk continued. “The leftmost rune is for the highest level. That’ll take you to the surface. The rightmost rune…well, that’s the bottom. Trust me, you don’t want to go there.”
Justin raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“You’ll end up dying, that’s why,” Borgruk said. “These crystals lose charge and take time to power up again. Stick it in the surface slot and pray there’s enough juice to get you all the way up.”
The ominous tone in his voice did not sit well with Justin. “Got it. Surface it is.”
“Good luck,” Ralthog grunted. “We need to return to the tribe. There might be fighting.”
“Fortune favor you,” Justin replied. He wasn’t sure of the goblins would be a match for the Baron, and he felt guilty for leading them right to the goblins’ doorstep. But if Grizshara was right, they’d have the means to repel them.
Borgruk and Ralthog left, their footsteps fading as Justin moved to the blue crystal. He hesitated for a moment. A small, reckless voice in the back of his mind wondered what treasures lay at the bottom. Probably some high-level Vaults with amazing loot.
Damn intrusive thoughts.
“Hurry it up, Justin,” Bohemond urged, the impatience clear in his voice.
Justin shook off the temptation and slotted the crystal into the rune for the surface.
Instantly, the grated doors of the elevator slid shut with a screech, dislodging dust and rust from the stone walls. This thing clearly hadn’t been used in a long time.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a low groan, the floor shifted beneath them, and they rose.
“Praise Arion,” Bohemond muttered under his breath.
The elevator picked up speed quickly, the air growing cooler as they ascended. The walls of the shaft blurred as they shot past. After several minutes, they began passing various floors, each with a brief but intriguing glimpse of what lay beyond. One floor revealed a vast cavern, littered with ancient dwarven machinery, their purposes long forgotten. Another opened to a subterranean lake, glowing softly with bioluminescent plants that bobbed gently on the water’s surface. A third floor showed a grand hall with towering statues of long dead dwarven kings, their stone faces weathered but still regal, as though judging those who passed by. Several of the floors contained doorways that contained the tell-tale green shimmer of a Vault.
Justin had the uncomfortable thought that if this were a movie, this would be the part where the elevator suddenly stopped, and they’d be forced to fight unending hordes of monsters or undead. But dwarven craftsmanship was apparently top-notch, their engineering standing the test of time. The elevator continued its ascent smoothly.
As the minutes ticked by and the pressure in his ears popped, Justin realized just how far underground they’d been. Part of him couldn’t help but wonder: Did Eldrin and Lila make it? What if they’d stayed behind to search for him? Would they think to head to the surface, or were they mounting a rescue mission even now?
Justin decided they could explore the valley above for a day or two before making any final decision
At last, the air grew biting cold as the elevator slowed to a halt inside a small stone pavilion. The building was ancient but functional, built to shelter the elevator shaft. It had the look of an old shrine, squat and sturdy, its weathered stone walls adorned with faint carvings of dwarven runes. The gate grated open, revealing the wilderness beyond.
Before them lay a steep cliff, and a narrow, treacherous staircase wound its way down into an evergreen-forested valley below, blanketed in snow and bathed in the silvery glow of moonlight. The icy wind howled through the trees below, sending shivers down Justin’s spine.
“We need some shelter,” Bohemond said. “This wind’s cutting right through. Even with a fire, we won’t last long up here. We need shelter, too.”
“I’ve half a mind to go down one floor, if only for the night,” Kargan suggested, his voice hesitant as he glanced back at the elevator.
“Too risky,” Bohemond countered. “I’ll take the cold over whatever unknowns lie in the dwarven tunnels.”
Justin peered around their immediate surroundings, but it was far too steep for a suitable camp.
“That leaves the valley,” Justin said, nodding toward the stairs. “But walking down there in the dark? That seems like a bad idea.”
They stood there, pondering their options. The realization soon hit Justin like a cold slap: Eldrin had most of the camping supplies. Their previous nights had been warm enough to pass next to a fire with no real need for cover, or they had inns to rely on.
Not here. The cold could sap their strength and possibly kill them if they didn’t find proper shelter soon. They needed fire, fuel, and shelter—and none of that was in sight. The forest below was their only hope, but it would take hours to reach, and it was far too dangerous to navigate in the dark. The horrors of the Darkwood were fresh in Justin’s memory, and he got the feeling the forest down there was far more dangerous.
“I don’t like it,” Bohemond said after a long silence, “but maybe we could sleep in the elevator shaft itself. We’ve got the crystal, so no one else can use it. It’ll keep us out of the wind, at least.”
Justin’s instincts screamed against the idea. But what were their alternatives? Hiking into the valley meant battling the cold, building a fire, and hoping they didn’t encounter any dangerous creatures or monsters. The Seraphim Mountains were notoriously treacherous.
“Maybe just one floor down,” Justin suggested after a moment. “Can’t be too dangerous this close to the surface, right? We can set a watch, and if anything seems off, we get back on the elevator.”
Kargan grimaced but nodded. “I don’t like it either, but we have little choice. I’ll cast my Ward of Aegis—it’ll give us some protection, at least. I can take the first watch.”
They moved to make preparations. Justin considered Bohemond’s suggestion of staying in the elevator shaft, but the thought of someone or something recalling the elevator from below, trapping them, made his blood run cold. The crystal was the only mechanism he knew to move the elevator. At the same time, an elevator would be pretty useless if one couldn’t summon it to begin with.
No, they needed to find a safer spot underground. He wondered briefly what Eldrin would have done in this situation, though it hardly mattered now. Eldrin’s skills would’ve allowed them to stay warm on the surface, well-hidden from any dangers.
Taking a deep breath, Justin removed the crystal and slotted it into the next level down. The elevator shuddered to life, descending slowly. His heart raced as it came to a stop about a minute later, revealing the new floor.
The gates opened to a cavernous chamber, dimly lit by soft, glowing fungi that clung to the walls. At first glance, the space seemed promising—a wide, open area with natural rock formations providing cover. The air was still, warmer than the surface, though a faint draft suggested some kind of ventilation. There were no immediate signs of danger, though the silence was unnerving. The far side of the cavern disappeared into shadow, and Justin couldn’t shake the feeling that something might be lurking just beyond the light.
“This’ll do for tonight,” Bohemond said, his eyes scanning the cavern warily. “Better than freezing to death up there.”
They quickly set to work, making a hasty camp. Kargan cast his Ward of Aegis, creating a protective barrier around them, while Justin and Bohemond cleared a small space near one of the rock formations. They gathered what little fuel they could find—mostly dried fungi—and started a meager fire. It was enough to stave off the cold, but barely.
They shared another meal of boar meat, which Justin was quickly growing sick of. At this point it was just fuel to keep going, nothing more.
As Kargan sat on a nearby rock, Justin settled down to sleep. He watched Bohemond lay down. Something in his expression seemed to show he was brooding.
“You okay, Bohemond?
The Knight’s eyes widened a moment. “Yes, Justin. Arion watch over you.”
The Knight turned around and quickly fell asleep.
Justin was much too tired to ponder it. The next day, hopefully, would bring him up to Level 10, and hopefully, news of their friends.