Mathew knocked on the office door to Mr. Melton's personal work space. He hadn’t moved out of the same place since even before S-Day. The glass in the door was currently replaced with a piece of plywood.
“Come on in.”
Inside was a personalized place. Mathew didn’t pay it much mind last time, given the circumstances. Now, he gave it a proper look over. Posters related to older movies or TV Shows hung, along with several trophies and certificates.
“Like my accomplishments? Most of those I earned years ago when I still served in the navy. That one there, the one shaped like a pickle, was my going away gift from my old friends.”
“A pickle?” Mathew asked curiously. He looked at the plaque, and sure enough it was a gold plated pickle, just about a foot long. He saw several names signed all over it.
Melton chuckled, “Yea, I was in for about four years. It was an initiation they did back in the day. You had to eat and drink an entire jar of pickles. Sadly for them, I enjoy them. So it was a treat for me. Ever since they called me ‘Pickle Lover’. God I miss those boys. Makes me feel older every day I think back. Do you have anything like that? I know you're not old like me, but you are not that young.”
“Nope. All my Lawyer stuff is in my house, I didn't think I would need it here. The few photos I did have are all on my phone. Now dead due to us rationing power for the hospital and other high prioritized areas. I didn’t come here to talk about the past all day though.”
“Be weird if you did. What can I do for you?” Mr. Melton asked. He was leaning against his desk now, arms crossed.
Mathew pulled out one of the fruits. “I know you don’t get out much to train, this should help you out. Eat it. I had one myself already, they are only good the first time you eat one.”
He looked at the star shaped fruit curiously, but took it no problem. “I’ll eat it with my lunch, thanks for the snack.”
Mathew rolled his eyes, “I killed two giant birds for those, don’t be mean. I want to see your face when you realize what it does. It’s not a normal fruit.”
“Fine, fine, don’t make it weird.”
“Says the Pickle Lover. It’s even green like a pickle!” Mathew smiled at the joke of comparing the two fruits. “Wait, is a pickle a fruit?”
Mr. Melton ate the fruit in a few bites, glaring at Mathew, after two bites his face became euphoric with happiness. His eyes rolled up into his head, and even let out a small moan.”
After swallowing and leting out a singular cough, he checked his sheet and let out a whistle. “Five in Intelligence, Wisdom, and Vitality? How many of those did you get? That’s easily a couple levels worth of stats.”
“Five left. I plan to use them as a reward for doing outstanding work for me.”
“Smart idea. Show people what kind of special rewards for remaining on your good side.”
“You make it sound like I’m bribing people to love me.” Mathew said with a knowing grin.
“And you are not? Come on. If you didn’t care about public opinion, you wouldn’t do half the things you have so far. You would stay in your office, do the work, and not give a rat's ass about what others think unless you care about public opinion. It’s not a bad thing to care about, it’s just stupid to not admit it.”
“Fine, yes that’s what I plan to do. Happy now?” Mathew admitted.
“Very.” Mr. Melton smiled brightly with a forced expression and leaned back into his chair. “There will be some more things to go over later this week. We need to officiate those laws, Sergeant Franks has been working with Captain Henderson on the guard forces, and lastly I want you to make a few contracts for the workers to sign. Purely just to make the payments automated with your magic.”
Mathew nodded, “Sounds good to me. But don’t expect me to be around much longer. I need to get Agnox up to the next rank, plus I imagine Leo will want to leave soon. You’ve seen him recently?”
“I haven't. Have you two talked lately?”
“Nope, hence why I know we are going to leave soon.”
Mr. Melton scrunched up his face in confusion, “To where?”
Mathew sat down, since it would be a long explanation. He told Melton about Leo’s sister, and the Dungeon inside her old apartment. How he promised Leo he would help remove it. “That’s why he is gone training so much. I imagine he plans to do it himself, just me there in case things go south. Add in Damien, Zack, and probably a couple others.”
“There are two other safe zones there. Have you checked the map on them yet?”
Mathew hesitated.
“You've been ignoring that function haven't you?”
“I’ve been busy studying mana and magic. Much more important things in my opinion.”
“Sure sure. Pull it up now. We can go over what’s the state of the world right now.”
Mathew opened up the menu, as did Mr. Melton on his side. The tab for relations had a large list of enemies. All the New America claimed places that were in with Payne. The other side had a list of Allies and Claimed zones. Both of which are empty.
In the center was a map of earth. Mathew could see a bunch of red areas, all declared enemies. Only near his own area, marked with a blue circle, could he see a few gray zones.
“I take it the gray ones are neutral to us, and we only know that because they are close by?”
“Close. It’s because one of them, or one of us has visited. Your scouting party returned yesterday. But you were busy, so I talked to them for you. To the south west is the large city. The one you and Leo came from. What they came back with was a whole lot of nothing, but the important stuff is huge.”
Mathew totally didn’t notice the UC from his own pockets depleted. He also didn’t know the group was back. He was so deep into his studies, he ignored most other people. Including almost forgetting to eat or sleep.
“Okay, so what do we know?”
“The two zones are at a scuffle with each other. However, the only reason they haven't taken each other over is due to the Dungeon’s influence. Undead roam the city streets. Not just one or two, but packs of them. The smaller safe zone was instantly hostile. It was due to the fact the group you sent had equipment not from earth. They are all heavily against magic and The System. The scouting group thinks based on how they looked is due to the attack. Nobody had equipment not easily found on earth. Mixed clothes, crude leathers, a few police or firefighter clothing or armor. This was an afterthought, after talking to the main zone by city hall.”
“The other is just as weird. At first, it was very nice. However they had a recent change in leadership, and our people were pushed away. Apparently what used to be a gang took over. Killed the mayor who used to run the place.” Mr. Melton said very seriously. “I don’t think either group will be willing to work with us.”
Mathew at first agreed, but paused. “Any idea how the undead are controlled? Are they mindless puppets?”
“That’s the thing, according to the report. They are not mindless. One group was seen carrying supplies. So they can at least follow orders. Like robotic slaves.
“That’s…almost too good to be true then.” Mathew was conflicted. On one hand, that sounded like free work. Undead were just dead people, so was it really slavery? Are robots slaves? To him, they were not. Yet, others would be against it. Primarily Leo.
A request from Agnox echoed in his mind about recruiting or inviting others from Dungeons to join him. “How large are the two zones?”
“The smaller one isn’t that large of an area. Maybe a mile or two in diameter. Probably a hundred or so people. Maybe more. The other was far larger. It was hard to get a proper count. I’m guessing it's easily equal to ours, if not more.”
“There is no way that many people are happy with leadership if it’s in conflict. Esspecially if it was a hostile takeover.”
“I agree. So they are there out of desperation is my thought process.” Mr. Melton shuddered slightly.
Mathew kept his opinion to himself for now. But, the idea of such free body workers will stick with him. “That done, what else do we have around us?”
“Just a couple smaller ones that Payne sent scouts out to before. Nobody we need to worry about right now. However, we should start thinking of uniting them or at least allying with them. Set up trade routes even. Those are all over a day of travel on foot away. The city is the closest.”
“What would we even trade?” Mathew asked.
“That’s for me to worry about. The crafters over at The Workshop are all still figuring things out. What we need is to find a Dungeon, and not absorb it’s core.”
Mathew nodded in agreement. “My thoughts exactly. Mind helping me with that announcement?”
“What sort?”
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“The star fruits. The first group to find a Dungeon gets the last five. It can’t be one already known about, and less than a day’s travel by vehicle from our growing town. Throw in a monetary reward, or that they can run through it first after we claim it if it’s a Beginner tier one.”
“Smart plan. I like it. I’ll be sure word spreads quickly.”
Mathew stood up, not having anything else to take care of. “I’m off to continue what I’ve been doing. I have a few leadership things to do as well. Starting with a visit to the Library if anyone needs me, send them there. See you Melton.”
“Mr. Melton to you Mathew. It’s Mr.”
----------------------------------------
It only took two and a half days before Mathew was standing in a room with four grown adults dressed like they were going to a comic convention. Two women, two men. They didn’t have a team name, which Mathew found odd. Most groups had a team name. It’s how they differentiated themselves. Some even color coordinated if possible with gear. Di could easily recolor most gear he sold.
Mathew looked over the report and sat it down on the table. “So, you four found it. Nobody else?” He asked curiously.
“Yes sir.” Their team lead answered. “We discovered it while we were out training. Melony just reached 15, and wanted to practice her new ability. So we went out a little further away from here. That’s when we noticed weird creatures around.”
“Right the,” Mathew double checked the report, “dinosaurs. Rainbow colored dinosaurs.”
“They looked like cartoon reptiles. At first we thought they were fake. A small fight with a pack of them makes it very clear that they are real.
Mathew nodded, knowing the rest from reading the report. “You all four made it alive. Hospital gave the green thumbs up right?”
All four nodded, “Of course. Even had Dr. Garcia visit each of us personally.” Melony said.
“Good. And you swear you saw the Dungeon portal right? If I don’t find it, you won’t get your reward. I do not want my time wasted.”
“We promise! It was a soft yellow color. We just didn’t get close enough to tell what rank it was. Sorry about that.”
Mathew smiled, “No, I’m glad you four made it back alive. Once I return, and confirm what rank it is, you will get your reward. Wouldn’t want to give you just the basic one, when if it’s a higher rank you get a better reward right?”
That put them back in a slightly higher spirit. “Of course. Thank you Mr. McGonald!”
“Right, take a few days off. Your training can wait that long. You deserve it. Plus, once we clear out the Dungeon and claim it. You four can go through it first. Sounds good?”
Mathew watched all four leave after signing a few Non-Disclosure Agreements. To ensure this information stays heavily private. He had to stop himself from running toward the Dungeon alone. If it was Novice, he had a feeling he could do it alone, or with at least one other person. Yet, if it was Beginner, or higher…”
The odd part of the story was how the four of them claim to narrowly escape with their lives. The prehistoric-like creatures were fast. But if it was Novice a bunch of Beginner ranks could handle a handful of them no problem. Right? If it was Beginner rank, like the Infernal Dungeon, that was a different case altogether.
Mathew was leaning more toward it being Beginner rank. Which means he would need a full team to help him clear it. “Leo would be on board, especially if I spun it as practice for the undead one. Lindsey would want to go as well, so that’s two. Zack, Damien, maybe Henderson? What about Dr. Garcia…”
Putting together a proper team would be important. He wanted to really test out clearing it out alone and see the possible rewards, but living was far more important. Add in that Agnox was Level 9, and this would surely push him to that new level. Himself included. He was still stuck at 20. His practice lately has been splendid, but not much actual combat has taken place. Everything near the base was killed or scared off with the ever growing mindset of fighting.
Mathew would need to find new ways to train that way. Having a Dungeon would be the prime way to do so. He stood up from his desk, and headed off to The Workshop. He wanted to talk to Zack first. Having the walking shield would be a strong start.
The golf cart ride over was quick, as it was midday. Less people out, cluttering the road with foot traffic. Mathew walked into The Workshop. It was hot, sweaty, and loud. He pulled out a pair of ear plugs he acquired a few days ago.
He recently started to come here daily to use his enchantment spell again. He stopped doing it a week ago, and his spell stagnated because of it. The spell was easily his least mana intensive one, so it was great practice to use with his study of mana and rituals.
Inside, Mathew walked toward the back where all the smiths worked. There was only one large figure that Mathew knew. Zack was hammering away at an ingot of red hued metal. Next to him was Damien, who was polishing some of the items Zack had recently made.
The two were inseparable friends. Damien hasn’t picked up any skills of crafting, and probably never will. But he enjoyed being with Zack and helping the other smiths with small errands. He doubled as Zacks shop front man.
“Mathew!” Damien waved at the summoner. “Good to see you around again. What’s our fearless leader doing these days? Blowing up any more of the training yard?” He asked cheekily.
“No, I haven't blown anything up in almost a week! Besides, I’ve been doing leader things.”
“Yea, rumor is you are sending out people to find Dungeons. You're here to get me and the big guy to go kick some alien ass?”
Mathew nodded, “I am, but if the Dungeon is Novice, I’m doing it alone, or with Leo at the most. Just keep the fact I’m bringing people quite. I don’t want people going to it before us.”
“Awww, keeping all the good rewards to yourself? That’s not fair.”
“Firstly, I’ve yet to even be inside a Dungeon, Mr. First Clear of Goblin Dungeon. Secondly, I have summons. I’m a walking one man team.”
“Ya ya. Zack will be upset if he can’t go in though. I don’t mind that much. Not really feeling up to fighting these days, but if it’s to help out, I sure can go. Got a new weapon I wanna test out properly.”
Damien pulled out an odd looking long chunk of wood. It looked like a crossbow. But it was missing the cross…and bow part. Just a hunk of wood with a stock. There was still a slit for a bolt.
“Is it not done yet?” Mathew asked curiously.
“Ha! Knew people would think that. Hence why I got it from Di. Here, watch this.” Damien aimed it toward a practice dummy made of cloth and straw and a blue energy appeared around the weapon. A bolt flew forward by an invisible force piercing through the target and into the wall behind it.
“It’s a weapon for scouts. Light, stealthy, and it uses my mana to create the force behind the attack. I’ve been working on controlling the output, but it’s working fantastically so far. Accurate too. I don’t have to constantly pull a string back on a crossbow anymore. Now I can just fire bolt after bolt. Like a mini machine gun.”
Mathew was impressed. “That sounds good. I’m working on mana control right now, once I figure it out better, I’ll give you some pointers. It sounds like it works similar to my staff. You get that warm feeling in your hands and judge that on how much mana there is right?”
“Correct. Same for you?”
Mathew nodded in response. “What’s Zack working on?”
“Well, once you announced that reward for finding a Dungeon, he has been sweating here daily. More than usual somehow. Rarely eats, I have to keep reminding him. He is working on finishing his shield.”
Mathew looked at Zack who had been working constantly since he arrived. He was dozens of feet away, with several walls to help dampen the sound. Mathew and Damien were practically yelling at each other to hear over the noise.
To the left of Zack was a suit of armor, and the hilt of some weapon. There were several chunks of metal around the place as well.
“I feel bad sometimes. He is always mumbling to himself. He took Madison's death badly. Not as bad as Leo, but still…”
“I know, but we can’t help either of them any more than we have. You being here for him is the best. Trust me.”
“So you’ve done the same for Leo right?”
“What Leo needs isn’t something I can give. Madison gave him that. A new purpose to living. Now…he has his God for that, and the promise I made to him.”
“Damn, that’s heavy. Zack has a God too, by the way. I didn’t get a visit from anyone. What about you? What kind of boon did you receive?”
Matehw smiled down at Damien. For being barely eighteen, he sure was good at driving a conversation. “That’s for me to know. Can you get him for me?”
“Sure sure, keep your secrets magic man.” Damien went further into the shop to grab him.