The Party continued down the main tunnel. The second room had been easier, with only two Kissa’s inside. Lianna took care of one while Felix managed the other. The fight ending in seconds. This last tunnel continued downwards, getting larger as they walked. Adam remained in the back of the group, with his light behind him as to not blind anyone. As bright as his light was it didn't reach very far down the pathway, being more of a ball of light that scattered everywhere rather than a beam of light.

  Approaching what appeared to be an exit into another room to the cave system, they could see light up ahead this time. The tunnel opened up to a vastly larger room with dense trees and vegetation all around. It reminded him of a jungle, vines, and plants growing everywhere amongst the large trees. The light they were seeing was coming from all the vines along the ground and climbing their way through the trees. They had a soft green glow radiating from them. He wasn’t able to see how high the ceiling was, as the trees blocked their view above completely.

“How is this possible?” Lianna asked

“How is what possible?” Felix asked her

“This.” she gestured to all the plant life around them. “All these trees and plants growing underground like this.”

“Why wouldn't it be?” Felix asked in confusion.

“They should die without having proper sunlight. Something to do with photosynthesis, I think. Right, Adam?” Lianna turned towards him.

“I’m not sure.” Adam thought for a few seconds. “This world seems to play by different rules. Maybe these glowing vines are providing the proper light they need or they can somehow sustain themselves with mana.”

“Right… anyway, we have company.” Felix said pointing towards a dozen glowing eyes heading towards them through the trees.

“Fudge.” Adam prepared himself.

  With this many enemies, he would have to pull his weight in this fight.

  All of the glowing eyes turned out to be Kissa’s, and from Adam's quick count as they exited the trees, there were fifteen of them. Each with there name and level appearing above them as they came into view. The lowest one being level one, and the highest level six, most were around level three and four.

“Anyone have any bright ideas?” Felix asked, knowing they were significantly outnumbered and that it was useless to lure them into the tunnel. As they had already tried that before.

“Actually I do,” Adam spoke up. “Close your eyes on three.”

  Sending his small orb of light out ahead of them towards the group of Kissa’s he began to count down.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

  After three, he dialed the brightness up to its maximum, consuming the rest of his mana he had put into the light all in a single moment. This caused an intense flash of light, blinding all who had their eyes open. Adam heard the group of Kissa cry out in surprise and pain. Opening his eyes he could still see fairly well from all the glowing vines.

“Attack now!” Adam yelled, charging towards a group of three.

  Two of them were pawing at there eyes on the ground while the other was clawing around randomly. His makeshift flash bomb worked perfectly he thought. Adam managed to stab the two on the ground, ending their lives quickly. The last one was flailing around and made it more difficult but the reach of his spear still made it easy. His biggest issue with the Kissa was their speed, he couldn't kill what he couldn't hit. Once he was able to hit them, his spear easily pierced their skin and made easy work of them.

Experience Received: 6.8

Experience Received: 13.8

Experience Received: 13.8

  Looking around he saw his party dealing with the rest, even Gen had taken one out with his dagger. Lianna had managed the most with seven bodies lying around her.

“That was effective. What spell was that?” Gen asked Adam.

“It wasn’t a spell, I just made the light I already had really bright all at once, hoping to blind them,” he answered.

“Smart. I didn’t know that was possible other than with more advanced spells.” Gen said.

Adam just shrugged.

“Now what? That looks like a large forest that would be easy to get lost in,” he said, looking to Gen for an answer.

“Well, that is actually the next biggest reason for death in this dungeon. The secret to this room is actually to not go into the forest but to follow the wall along the left until we reach the tunnel that leads to the boss room. Wasn’t a cheap secret either.” Gen answered.

  Felix nodded and followed Gen’s directions, Continuing on.

“Makes sense. Wait, you paid for the information on this dungeon?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” Gen answered.

“I suppose that makes sense, Information can be the difference between life and death I would imagine. How much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?” Adam asked.

“Very true, twenty five silver. Which will be worth it when we complete the dungeon successfully.” Gen answered. “The experience earned will be the biggest reason it's worth it.”

“I see. Where did you buy the information?” Adam was curious.

  Information was extremely important he knew. Knowledge really is power, and information was what he was lacking most in this strange new world. Though he lacked power as well he knew, both physically and socially.

“The dungeoneers Shop. It can be bought for cheaper from outside sources or other people who have completed the dungeon, but might not be real information or as accurate. Information from the dungeoneers shop is verified and always accurate or they won't sell it.”

“Good to know. So the boss room is next?”

“Technically no, there's a small resting area before the boss room, but the boss is all that's left as long as we don’t get attacked along the way.” Gen continued.

“I thought we had to worry about the Kissa coming to attack us while fighting the boss? Shouldn't we make sure to clear out the forest as well?” Lianna spoke up from in front of them.

“No. For some reason the Kissa don't go into the boss's room, they stay in the forest. The Koira was the exception to that. Which is why we dealt with it.” Gen answered.

“Then why did we kill the two Kissa in the other side room?” Lianna asked.

“Two Kissa's are easy to deal with so simply for the experience,” Gen told her.

“Oh,” Lianna said.

  Adam found the conversation made him feel better so he leaned closer to Gen and quietly asked him something that he had been curious about.

“I hope this isn’t too rude but is there a reason Diane hasn't talked at all?”

“She’s mute, lost her tongue when she was younger. I won't go into details as it is not for me to share.” Gen Whispered back.

“I see.” was all Adam said, leaving the eerie silence of the forest to press in on him once again.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  They continued on in the light of the vines along the wall. Adam had created another light source but was quickly told to put it out, as to avoid attracting any attention to themselves. After a fifteen minute walk, they arrived at a tunnel that leads them slightly upwards. It was a short tunnel that almost immediately turned sharply to the right leading to a small set of stairs.

  With the party's consent, Adam created a source of light as it got very dark once they turned the corner of the tunnel. Up the stairs, they were presented with a closed door. Felix went to open it but had his hand knocked away by Gen.

“It’s trapped,” Gen told him with a look.

  Felix cursed before stepping aside to let Gen handle it. Gen reached above the door and disconnected what Adam now saw was an almost invisible wire connecting to the door handle. Above the door was some kind of small red orb.

“Fire essence. Set to explode when the handle is turned.” Gen told Adam when he came closer to inspect it.

“What is fire essence?” Adam asked.

“That is not something I can explain very well. You’d have to ask a mage for that. All I know is that it’s powerful and would have killed anyone close to the door. Well except maybe Diane. She might be resistant enough to fire damage to survive.” Gen answered.

  Gen didn’t wait for Adam to respond, opening the now untrapped door and going through it. Adam followed. It was a small room with stone walls. Except this time it was a square room with smooth almost polished stone walls. The floor was flat and smooth for the first time upon entering the dungeon.

  On the other side of the room was a large metal door. Oddly there were no handles on the door, nor any indication on how to open it, as far as Adam could tell.

“Normally people would wait to recover here before going into the boss room, but as we didn’t have much of a fight in the forest thanks to Adam, were all decently prepared,” Felix said.

  Both Felix and Diane looked towards Gen, waiting for him to speak. This prompted Adam and Lianna to as well. Once everyone's attention was on Gen he began to speak.

“This boss is fast and can be tough. Most groups find a way to limit its movement then can take it out more easily. As we don't have anyone here that can immobilize it, we’ll have to figure out another way. From what I’ve seen, Lianna may be fast enough to hit it but can’t hit very hard. This Kissa is much larger than the ones we have fought so far, and daggers won't be as deadly to it. Adam, can you do that flash of light again?” Gen looked towards Adam.

“Yes,” Adam said with a nod of his head.

  Then if you can do that, and we can get enough hits off before it recovers, just maybe this will go smoothly. Otherwise, If Felix can focus on defending while Diane, Adam, and Lianna can try to keep up the damage and slowly take it down.” Gen explained his thoughts.

“Actually. We may have a way to immobilize it.” Lianna said. “Adam, do you still have that paralysis poison stuff?”

“Oh ya I do actually. Though I don't know if ill be able to hit it easily.” He told her.

“Well you won't have to, Give it to me and I'll do it obviously,” Lianna said smiling at him.

  Adam reached into the pouch on his side and handed her the small vial. He was surprised it hadn’t broken in the fight with the Koira. Lianna poured the liquid along the edge of each of her daggers, emptying the vial.

“We can stick with Gen’s plan, but in case this works, be ready as well to take it down quickly,” Lianna told them.

  With a nod from each of them, Felix walked to the door and placed his hand on it. A Prompt appears in front of Adam.

[Kissa Den] Boss

Do you wish to enter the boss room?

Note: The door will only open once all party members have selected yes.

[Yes][No]

  Adam hesitated, he really didn't want to die. He had difficulty with the normal Kissa’s speed. He did feel a bit better having a plan, as well as a backup plan. He also knew Lianna’s void flame dagger would probably be able to help, which he figured she had been saving for the boss. Breathing deeply, he let out a long breath and selected yes. The door swung inwards, and they stepped into the room.

  Inside was completely lit by bright torches along the walls of the circular room. They crossed a bridge that led from the door over a ring of water that surrounded the perimeter of the walls. Looking over the bridge into the water, Adam could see only darkness below. The Floor of the room was some kind of patterned green stone. In the center stood a large decorated pillar of the green stone with what Adam thought were gemstones embedded within it at the top.

  The Boss monster stood up on the Pillar and looked down upon them with a calm gaze.

Kissa Level 10 [Boss]

  The text above its head indicated that it was a boss, and appeared a deep orange color. Adam regretted hitting yes instantly as it jumped down from the column. They said it was going to be larger, but he didn't expect it to be nearly as tall as him.

“Adam. Focus.” Lianna shouted at him “Flash it.”

  Adam looked back at the Kissa boss and sent his light out in front of them. Felix had taken the lead ahead of them along with Lianna. Diane stood back charging up one of her fireballs. As the light got close enough he began his count.

“Three.”

“Two.”

  He didn't get any further as the Kissa disappeared from his sight and Adam turned to see Felix barely managing to bring his shield up in time to block a clawed strike. Adam was relieved to not see him fly across the room but manage to hold firmly against the attack.

  The light was now past the Kissa and using it would be useless unless he could get it to look towards it. So he ran towards it and past it, preparing to use it when the beast looked his way.

  Turning to look at his party he no longer saw the Kissa near Felix but fighting Lianna. She was struggling to dodge its attacks. It was much faster than she was used to with the regular versions. The Kissa managed to land a hit on her side, claws cutting through her armor and into her flesh. He watched as her health dropped by twelve percent.

  Just as the Kissa managed to land a hit, a fireball exploded into the side of its head, causing it to turn and hiss at Diane. The fireball had done damage but it was far from being seriously injured. It disappeared from Adam's sight again and he knew it was going after Diane. Felix managed to get there first and blocked two of its attacks but was a little too slow on the third and took a hit to the head, knocking him aside and to the ground, blood dripping from his head.

  He stood frozen, unsure of what to do. He saw Felix’s health had dropped by over half, and wouldn't be able to take another hit like that. Before the Boss could attack Felix again or Diane, Lianna came from behind it, slashing across it rear with one of her daggers, only managing a single hit before the Kissa spun around and caused Lianna to dodge back out of the way of its claws.

  Adam noticed her health had increased back up to ninety one percent. Gen must have healed her a bit. Looking for Gen, he found him off to the side of the fight, now healing Felix. Who’s health was slowly increasing. Adam knew he had to give Gen time to heal Felix to get him back in the fight.

  Lianna ran towards Adam leading the Kissa his way. Adam knew what she was thinking, and the moment Lianna passed him, he set off his flash, blinding the Kissa. It reared back from the explosion of light.

  He noticed he had blinded Diane as well as he did not announce what he was doing. Lianna quickly ran past Adam again towards the thrashing Boss with her small void flame dagger in her right hand. Adam finally managed to spring into action and followed after her.

  Lianna ducked under one of its blind clawed swipes and tried to slash at its neck with her spell dagger but the Kissa moved back out of the way as it continued to move around wildly. She chased after it, keeping away from its sharp claws. She managed to cut along its side with her void flame dagger, the magical dagger slicing through its side easily, causing it to bleed heavily. Lianna had tried to hit it in the same spot with her poisoned dagger but missed as it moved, hitting beside it with a shallow cut.

  The Beast jumped to the side away from her once again and blinking its eyes focused on her. Adam managed to catch up and stood beside her. It ran towards them, though quick, Adam was surprised that he was able to track it as it bolted for them. The poison must be slowing it down he thought.

  Lianna ran to its right, drawing its attention on her, letting Adam thrust his spear into its side as it turned towards her, his spear sinking in much less than he expected.

Damage Inflicted: 5

  Well at least he did some damage he thought before the Kissa turned to him and smashed its claw into his side, sending him sprawling to the ground. Its claws had luckily not managed to pierce his armor, but it hurt more than he’d like.

HP - 6

  Adam lay on the ground dazed from the hit for what was probably too long. Adam felt like the fight had been going on a long time yet he didn’t think they had done much damage to the boss. Adam finally sat up to see Felix heading to join the fight with Lianna. With the Kissa’s speed reduced, Lianna was managing to avoid its attacks more easily and land more hits as well. He saw a few deep cuts on its side and one just below its neck.

  Just before Felix arrived, Diane managed to hit it with another fireball causing it to nearly fall over from the explosion. It somehow managed to keep its footing as Felix lunged for it, slashing at its throat. Unfortunately, the blade didn't cut deep enough to do significant damage. The Kissa managed to grab onto Felix’s sword arm with its teeth, piercing through his armor. He screamed out in pain, sending shivers through Adam. It began fighting with Felix, trying to rip his arm off. Felix continued to scream in pain but fought against it.

  Adam Stood up and decided to throw his spear while it was a stationary target, aiming for its side. He briefly considered its head but didn't want to miss and hit Felix instead. His spear hit, managing to sink into it once again, though still not as deep as he had hoped.

Damage Inflicted: 15

  Just as his spear hit, Lianna jumped into the air, jamming her dagger of void flame into the top of its neck, slicing across its throat as she fell back to the ground. The Kissa let go of Felix’s Arm, letting out a final and almost silent growl as it fell to the ground dead. After a couple of seconds, it began to glow and dissolve into the ground like all the previous monsters in the dungeon. This time however a small sphere appeared in its place.

Congratulations

Kissa Level 10 [Boss] has been defeated.

Experience Received: 1653

Reward granted