Thorian rendezvoused with the expedition teams as planned. His previous discussion with Hamur had been fruitful; the alchemist had concocted a fresh batch of detoxification potions, vital for the fighters' upcoming challenges. Fully equipped and ready, they mounted their direwolves and hastened back to the Verdant Labyrinth, urgency in their stride.
The fighters, seasoned by their prior venture into the labyrinth's fourth floor, required little guidance from Thorian. He, understanding the value of independence in battle, refrained from burdening them with excessive instructions. Micromanagement, he knew, would only foster reliance on his direction rather than their own instincts.
Thorian, along with Caedar, Ifrit, and Vigil, navigated the dungeon with remarkable speed, swiftly arriving at the cave beyond the golden grotto.
Ifrit, with a light chuckle, remarked, “My lord, clearing dungeons with you is a wholly unique experience. Yesterday, it took us over thirty minutes to reach this point. Today, we’ve done it in a mere ten.”
Thorian, acknowledging the compliment with a smile, responded, “I’m merely fortunate to have gained an advancement particularly adept at swift dungeon clearing.”
Vigil shook his head, amused. “Ifrit, comparing yourself to our lord is futile. In this forest, you’re already among the strongest. It’s the world beyond—” His words hung in the air, sparking a contemplative silence.
Ifrit’s voice softened, a hint of curiosity lacing her words. “Beyond this forest, I wonder... Are there beings even stronger, more formidable than what we know here?”
“I’m sure there are,” Thorian said, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the notification he had received after defeating the guardians. “The world is vast, filled with untold dangers and hidden mysteries.”
Ifrit’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “That excites me. To battle against stronger foes and to grow stronger myself—what more could I ask for?”
Thorian replied, “You don’t even need to leave this forest for greater challenges. We still have the second layer of the Thunderous Citadel and Eärendil's Sanctuary to conquer.”
Mention of Eärendil's Sanctuary drew a solemn look from Vigil. “My lord, are we preparing to take on that challenge soon? The deadline is drawing near.”
“Yes, it is,” Thorian said, his voice tinged with frustration, directed not at Vigil but at the pressing situation. “What level are you at now?”
“I’m level 26 in my race and 24 in my class,” Vigil answered. “I believe I can level up both by the end of this floor.”
Understanding dawned on Thorian. “To restore Nox, we need both the tear from the Sanctuary and the ultimate skill from your second advancement. But given your current level, tackling that dungeon now would be too risky, without guaranteeing the outcome we need.”
Vigil’s expression clouded with concern. “But at the rate we’re progressing…” He paused, hesitating. “Will I be able to advance in time?”
Thorian, deep in thought, stroked his chin, contemplating their predicament. Our progress is slow, yet, by normal standards, it's incredibly fast. It's just that our objective is extraordinarily challenging.
A sudden realization struck him. The abyss! How could I have overlooked it? His thoughts raced, piecing together a potential solution. But, is it accessible yet? The abyss should become available once the fortress system is fully operational.
Breaking the silence, Thorian spoke confidently, "I believe I've figured out a way to address our issue. However, we may need to bide our time for a few days."
While Ifrit looked puzzled, Vigil exhaled a relieved sigh. "If you believe it's the right course, my lord, my concerns are alleviated."
Observing the unwavering trust in Vigil's eyes, Thorian felt a fleeting surge of emotion, prompting a moment of introspection. The trust he was afforded felt alien, yet deeply moving, stirring memories of a life once lived. This feeling is so strange...
Before he could linger on the thought, Harald's deep, resonant voice brought them back to the present. "Not to disrupt, but we've arrived at our destination."
Looking back at the front, Thorian could see the light at the end of the tunnel. He could also taste the faint rusty touch of the poison in the air. “Let us finish it quickly.”
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Clenching his ancient, rune-etched staff, Thorian urged Harald. At his command, an electric aura burst to life, crackling ferociously along Harald's formidable form. The Alpha Storm Direwolf, a creature of mythic speed and power, responded instantly. With a ground-shaking leap, he charged into the chamber, his velocity so intense that Thorian nearly lost his grip.
“Hold on tight. I will not be stopping,” Harald's voice echoed in Thorian's mind. True to his word, Harald's pace was relentless, a blur that would leave the most skilled assassins awestruck. He navigated the labyrinth of roots with supernatural agility, each leap spanning impossible distances. In mere moments, they stood before the treant's massive, twisted form.
With a silent roar, Harald summoned a tempest, a maelstrom of cutting winds that tore through the treant’s defenses. His body, now a beacon of pulsating green mana, transformed into a devastating force of nature. Like a meteor hurtling from the heavens, he descended upon the treant's hollow visage, the mana coalescing into a vortex of razor-sharp winds that spiraled violently around them.
The impact was cataclysmic. Wood and roots disintegrated in the wake of the tempestuous assault, the treant's face crumbling under the relentless fury of Harald’s skill. Its red core, a pulsating heart of ancient power, was now exposed, shimmering ominously in the chaos.
Channeling his mana into his paw, Harald became an avatar of destruction. He lunged towards the core, shattering the remnants of the treant beneath him with a deafening sonic boom. In a singular, fluid motion, his claws struck with precision and ferocity, reducing the core to a cloud of crimson dust.
The battle unfolded with such blistering speed that Thorian struggled to process it. His entire being was consumed with the effort to remain astride Harald, matching the rhythm of his ferocious attacks. The dungeon lady's announcements and the level-up notifications blurred into a distant hum, barely registering in his mind as he grappled with the aftermath of the swift encounter.
Amidst the whirlwind of action, Thorian's first reaction was an uncontrollable laugh. The overwhelming victory, courtesy of his partner's prowess in defeating the guardian of the fourth floor, was a spectacle of perfection in speed, execution, and power.
"Ehm, was our participation even necessary?" Ifrit quipped, her gaze oscillating between the scene of devastation and her companions.
"I've pondered that very question twice by now," Caedar chimed in with a resigned sigh.
Regaining composure, Thorian stifled his laughter and addressed his team. “Let’s collect our rewards and depart.” His eyes lingered on Harald’s formidable figure. “With this triumph, we’re ready for the second layer of the Citadel.”
The group efficiently collected their spoils. After exiting the dungeon, they rendezvoused with the other teams, who had emerged with minimal injuries, having learned from yesterday's ordeal to prioritize safety and strategic planning.
Upon reviewing the loot, Thorian noted with satisfaction the acquisition of four vials of corrupted sap and sixteen treant barks.
Returning to the village, Thorian made a beeline for the Alchemy Lab. The familiar hum of activity greeted him, with Hamur engrossed in his work by the fireplace. This time, a red liquid simmered in the flasks, a deviation from the usual blue and green concoctions Thorian had seen in the past days.
“Hamur,” Thorian announced himself, capturing the alchemist's attention. “You’ve made advancements, haven’t you?”
Hamur turned with a smile of assurance. “Of course, my lord. I wouldn’t dare commit to a promise I couldn’t fulfill.”
Handing over the pouch filled with ingredients, Thorian entrusted Hamur with a hopeful sentiment. “I hope fortune favors your endeavors.”
Hamur accepted the pouch with a nod of confidence. “Worry not, my lord. I shall not let you down.”
With a reassuring smile, Thorian departed from the Lab. He recognized that his presence would only impose unnecessary pressure on Hamur. Trusting in his subjects' abilities was often the best course of action in such situations.
With a heart brimming with a mix of emotions, Thorian set his sights on the Magus Guild. He had accumulated a significant number of Arcane Coins, enough to invest in a variety of first-advancement skills.
As he neared the guild, Thorian paused to check his own status. Despite having disregarded the flurry of notifications earlier, he was aware of having leveled up a few times during their recent exploits.
Display Panel.
Ding
Race Flame Kobold Level 29/30 (exp: 3486/18000) Class Elemental Magus Level 25/40 (exp: 15345/20000) Lifespan 40 years Cultivation realm Qi Gathering Fifth Stage (92.3%) Stats Strength 117 Agility 128 Constitution 107 Mana 105 Qi 100 Free Points 35