Alan's mental Stats had risen far ahead of everything other than Luck. In an attempt to balance out his remaining Stats, he tossed five points each into Strength, Constitution, Vitality, Endurance, Perception, Agility and Dexterity. Leaving him with a measly three leftover Status Points. With plans of one day becoming the luckiest man on the planet, if not the entire Multiverse, Alan placed his final points into Luck.
Curious as to what had changed, Alan once again examined his Status tab.
***STATISTICS***
Hp: 1553/1553
Mp: 1732/1732
Stamina: 1584/1584
Hp Regeneration: 231.5 per minute
Mp Regeneration: 260 per minute
Stamina Regeneration: 241 per minute
Strength: 47 (52)+5%
Constitution: 47 (53)+5%
Vitality: 47 (48)+5%
Endurance: 47 +5%
Perception: 47 +5%
Agility: 47 (50)+5%
Dexterity: 47 (48)+5%
Intelligence: 55 +5% (+5%StEf)
Wisdom: 55 +5% (+5%StEf)
Resistance: 55 +5% (+5%StEf)
Willpower: 55 +5% (+5%StEf)
Luck: 81 +5% (+10%StEf)
Unallocated Status Points: 0
I really need to figure out what each Status Point I allocate is worth.. What benefits does 1 point to Vitality provide? Hp or maybe Stamina? Regeneration? How about 1 point in Constitution? I still need to apply a single point to each Stat individually and monitor the effects. But since my mental Stats are so much higher, it would be a shame to add additional points just to satisfy my curiosity. I'm just going to have to wait until I either have a surplus of points, or until my Stats are more evenly distributed...
Just as he was finishing up his internal debate, Alan witnessed the last few feet of the Nagas body withdraw around the corner and out of view. After waiting several nerve-wracking minutes to allow the massive snake-thing ample time to move on, he cautiously crept down the sandstone hallway, his anxiety increasing with every noisy step.
Upon reaching the offshoot the Mini-boss had just entered, the buzz of excitement within his chest noticeably grew in intensity. The pressure in his skull once again started to reach uncomfortable levels. Nervously peeking around the corner, Alan felt beyond relieved to find that the Naga wasn't anywhere to be seen. Though he was able to spot something he felt had to be important.
Spaced out along the top of the corridor where the wall met the roof, sat four large rusted circular gears, each one dwarfing Alan in size. They protruded from rectangular holes cut directly into the sandstone. Each gear emitted a harsh metallic shriek as they made slow but constant revolutions. Evidently powered by hidden machinery located deep within the walls, the constant grinding of unlubricated metal created a deep rumbling reverberated throughout the walls and floor of the entire corridor.
Meanwhile, at seemingly random intervals, a jet of super heated steam shot out of a new type of circular metal object. At least ten of which could be seen embedded it the walls at different heights. The anxious buzz released upon activating [Trap Detection] confirmed Alan's suspicions. This entire new section of the corridor was heavily trapped.
Not yet ready to brave this obviously dangerous hallway, and worried about the risk of being caught by surprise, Alan retraced his steps to the area he had just left.
By the time he reached the previous intersection, he noticed the rumbling from the ancient gears had already lessened to an almost imperceptible level. Walking back through the site of his most recent victory, Alan nearly reached the next junction before becoming aware of the obvious changes to his surroundings. Not only were the walls once more cool to the touch, but the glassed remains of the sand melted by [Spectral Plasma Storm] had somehow been restored.
It was as if the destruction of the two Level 8 Desert Flans had never occured. A thick layer of sand coated the floor, hiding the stone that Alan knew to be underneath. Confounded, Alan searched for any sign of the short but decisive battle, but he quickly had to admit that not a single trace remained to be found.
I was away for maybe 10 minutes max, and the room has not only fixed the damage left from my Spell, but it looks like I never even passed through. Alan inspected the walls around him. If it wasn't for my Mini-map I wouldn't even be sure this was the same passage at all.. I wonder how long it took for the room to return to normal? Hells, I wonder how long I've been trapped in the Sandstone Palace.. Definitely feels like it shouldn't have been any longer than a few days. A week tops. But with the unknown lengths of time I lost while I was unconscious, or healing from injuries AND since I don't have a watch, or any other ways of monitoring the passage of time, I can't really say for sure... Wait, wasn't the first goal of that (Dynamic Tutorial Quest) to 'Survive the first day' or something to that effect?
Alan was confident that at least a day had gone by. Yet he found that he was curious as to why he had yet to receive any notification of completion or received any rewards. In a bid to find out what was going on, Alan opened up his PSA Screen and selected the Quests tab. On a hunt for answers, Alan quickly scanned the provided information.
***DYNAMIC QUEST***
1/15- Survive your first day in the Tutorial.
Completion Reward: Varies depending on completion total and mettle shown in the face of adversity.
***HIDDEN QUEST***
(Conquer The Sandstone Palace Dungeon)
1/4- Defeat every Dungeon Born Monster located on the dungeons first floor. (6/100) Completion Reward: 250 (Iron Grade) lotus coins, 5 (E-Stage) Mana Crystals.
"Wait a minute." Alan blurted out, rereading the quest for the third time in a row, unwilling to trust his own eyes. "You're telling me it hasn't even been a day yet? Does the Sandstone Palace Dungeon have a time dilation similar to the Guadalupe River Dungeon?"
Or does the fact I'm within a dungeon somehow block my (Dynamic Tutorial Quest) from updating? Did I somehow leave the boundaries of the Tutorial when I passed through that barrier? Obviously the (Hidden Quest) is updating without issue, it already shows I've killed 6/100 enemies. Great... More unanswerable questions I can add to the pile..
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Enhanced Cognition] has grown to Level 4!
Sighing in frustration, Alan knew he wasn't going to be getting answers anytime soon. It seemed quite likely he wouldn't even be able to make it out of this dungeon anytime in the foreseeable future.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Before he did anything else, Alan wanted to rid himself of his nagging worries. He had a suspicion that an unseen monster had somehow gotten around behind him, and was now waiting in hiding, biding it's time while preparing to launch a sneak attack.
To alleviate his nerves, Alan decided to make a quick lap through the tiny portion of the Sandstone Palace he'd so far cleared out. After finding no hidden enemies during his walkthrough, he once again turned around and followed his Mini-map back to the last known location of the Mini-boss.
Alan traversed the bland, unchanging corridor back to the site of his first usage of [Spectral Plasma Storm]. Right as he approached the intersection where he'd discovered the Desert Naga, the dull pulsing in his skull once again slightly increased its tempo,
Holding his breath as he snuck down the sand strewn passage, Alan slowed even further as he reached the dreaded passage. Sneaking a glance around the wall uncovered the expected rusted metal gears, and steam traps, but no noticable enemies. With Neither the Mini-boss, nor any lackeys anywhere to be seen, he blew out his held breath in a long rush of relief.
He had absolutely no intention of following the Naga's easily spotted trail leading down the heavily trapped passageway. At least not until all of his other options had been explored.
Alan elected to once more place this path on hold.
Bypassing the trail of the Mini-boss, Alan continued forward. As he proceeded down the corridor, the off-putting pulse in his skull sped up, prompting the excited buzz radiating within him to intensify.
Remarkable! Your Skill (B)[Walking] has Grown to Lvl 3!
Left without any further offshoots or branching tunnels to choose from, his only remaining option was to follow his current path as it turned to the left and immediately straightened out into another long, empty corridor. Alan cautiously crept forward, the faint crunch of boots on sand the only perceptible sound aside from his heart beating it's steady rhythm within his chest. Another left turn and Alan was brought to an abrupt halt when he spotted a new Dungeon Born Monster. A quick use of [Examine] provided him with the monsters basic information.
Lvl 9 Desert Golem Hp: 750/750
Standing at just over nine feet tall, and well over three feet wide, this so-called Desert Golem was roughly humanoid in shape. Though Alan saw that it appeared to have only a single distinguishing feature. Placed vertically, a large blue eye-shaped Core rested atop where its shoulders should've been. It was mostly encased in a bubble of sand that could be technically considered the Golem's head.
Aside from the large blue Core, the Golem seemed entirely made of sand. Yet strangely, the sand appeared to be somehow Fluid as it moved about. Lacking any hands or feet, it was more or less nothing but a thick torso equipped with two arms and legs.
As the Golem had yet to notice the stranger quietly observing from the end of the hall, Alan felt content with continuing his examination. He saw that when in motion, its legs never raised up off of the ground. Instead the Golem appeared to simply glide over the surrounding layer of sand.
Alan almost immediately noted this Desert Golem possessed a couple of obvious improvements over the Desert Flans. The first and most obvious upgrade, it was nearly soundless. And much faster than one would think possible. Giving it the ability to travel swiftly when moving in a straight line, as well as an improved turning radius.
Second, it was able to utilize an ability to disperse itself completely into the surrounding sand, reforming at a location of its choosing. The first time Alan saw the Golem utilize the ability, he hadn't known what was going on. One moment he was staring at the Golem, when suddenly it just Collapsed, leaving behind no trace of its passing. Not a pile of sand, nor an exposed core.
Almost as fast as it collapsed, he Golem simply Reformed ten feet away. Startling Alan when it silently rose up from the sand. It was quite similar to the way the loot boxes appeared, only much faster.
After watching it use this movement ability several times, Alan concluded the Golem would only able to move itself to an area within 15 feet of its current location. With several dangerous improvements, he had to admit it was far more formidable than the Flans.
The Golem disappeared from Alan's view for several moments. Suddenly it rose up from the sand directly in front of him, slamming the rounded off end of its arm into Alan's [Aqua Shield]. The pseudo-fist collapsed Alan's barrier like a stepped-on paper cup, barely slowing on its way through. Leaving Alan open to take the mighty blow to the chest. As if he'd been shot out of a cannon, the heavy punch catapulted him head over heels back to the entrance of the corridor.
Having been punched across the room, Alan very quickly understood he was at a severe physical disadvantage. Knowing the Golem could arrive from literally anywhere around him at any time, Alan shelved his concerns and got back to work.
With a quick activation of [Tenacious Concentration], [Dual-casting] and [Advanced Spell Alteration], Alan dual cast [Wind Blade] in its trap form. He placed them a foot above the ground six feet away from his body. One in front of him and one behind. Utilizing [Advanced Spell Alteration] in an attempt at creating a haphazard barrier off sharpened air, Alan tried to connect his separate [Wind Blade]s into a single circular blade six feet in diameter, with himself standing in the center.
Unfortunately his activation of [Advanced Spell Alteration] came with unexpected results. Instead of allowing him to form a protective circular blade, it somehow created a new Spell altogether. Because Alan hadn't deemed it necessary to activate his [Mana Perception] Skill, he was unable to see exactly what went wrong. But the result was helpful in its own way.
Remarkable! Your Skill (R)[Advanced Spell Alteration] has grown to Level 2!
Remarkable! You have successfully altered the basic formula of the Spell (B)[Wind Blade] and created the (Common) Spell [Blessing of the Wind]!
(C)[Blessing of the Wind] Lvl 1- Upon casting, this Spell provides the (Haste) Buff for a duration of 1 minute.
Duration of Buff increases with Spell Level.
•Cast time: 15 seconds •Cost: 50 Mp
•Cooldown: 1 hour
Caution! You have been bestowed the (Haste) Buff. Movement speed is doubled and casting times halved during the duration of Buff.
Duration: 1 minute.
So far Alan had yet to see the Golem leave the ground. As it moved, it effortlessly slid cross the ground
It didn't even bother with moving its legs. Utilizing the added agility granted by his Buff, Alan zig-zagged around the corridor, attempting to keep his distance and simultaneously find an opening to land a clean shot on the crafty monster.
As the Golem rapidly appeared and disappeared, making a fool of the Trespasser within its zone, Alan launched random Spells in quick succession. First he cast [Spectral Firebolt], which it easily avoided. Even the Spells homing ability wasn't of any use. When it tried to follow the Golem into the ground it harmlessly exploded upon making contact with the sand.
[Lightning Strike] was cast next, which missed as well. Alan clenched his jaw and followed up with a round of Dual-cast [Water Jet]s. As if it could somehow feel the Spells coming, it easily dodged Alan's Spells one after another. It either fluidly dodged out of the way or if that wasn't possible, it simply dropped into the ground before Alan could get a bead on it. In the process of wastefully tossing out Spells, Alan's PSA began to flash.
Remarkable! Your Skill (C)[Dual-casting] has grown to Level 2!
Remarkable! Your Spell (B)[Water Jet] has grown to Level 2!
At least I'm getting SOMETHING out of this shit-show.. Alan thought. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath. I need to slow this thing down!
As the cooldown on his Spells ended, Alan came to a halt in the corner of the room. Fearing the beast may be able to pop out of the walls, he kept a few feet of separation between himself and the potential hazard behind him.
Alan exhaled slowly and cast [Aqua Shield]. In hopes of chopping the Golem off at the knees, and then safely blasting its collapsed form with close-range Spells, Alan both created and executed a hastily concocted plan.
Once more surrounded by a shimmering protective bubble, Alan activated [Dual-casting] and cast two more [Wind Blade] traps. He placed the first one directly on the ground in front of him, which he faintly hoped would somehow cut off the golems movement ability. The second [Wind Blade] was placed in the center of the passage, which prompted another flash of information across his vision.
Remarkable! Your Spell (B)[Wind Blade] has grown to Level 2!
Unbeknownst to Alan, the Golem had a plan of its own. The moment its prey had backed itself into the corner, the Golem slid purposefully beneath the sand, making its way into the corner opposite Alan.
The Desert Golems head emerged from the floor and it calmly studied the irritating trespasser from a distance, searching for an opening. Although it did not possess sentience, it DID possess an objective, given by its Creator. The Dungeon Core. Its only mission in life was actually quite simple. Eliminate anything that entered into its zone.
As Alan peered back at the Golem, it suddenly sank back into the ground. With no warning given, it easily brushed aside his defenses. Immediately disproving his ill thought out [Wind Blade] on-the-ground theory, it rose silently from out of the sand behind Alan, within the boundaries of his hurriedly erected [Wind Blade] barrier.
Alan felt a twinge of danger coming from behind and turned to meet the beast. But before he ever managed to muster any type of defense, the Golems raised fist descended, easily smashing through [Aqua Shield]. It grabbed him by the face with its clumsy sand arms, and began to wrap them tightly around his head. Instantly cutting off his access to fresh air.
With his mouth and eyes filling with sand, Alan knew he needed to fight back. He failed to stifle a cough, which allowed the Golem's grainy 'flesh' to slide further down his throat.
This is not the time to panic! Alan thought, his heart rate increasing by the second. I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING NOW!!