Chapter 21

They quickly discovered a few facts about the treasure chests in Caseville dungeon. The first was that they were all empty at first. Sometimes, depending on who opened them, an item would appear inside them. It was usually an item useful to whoever opened the box.

Sevin got his javelin. Rory got a throwing dagger that got him rather excited. Jessica got a pair of boots which were more comfortable and more fashionable than her current pair. Emil got a chalkboard with chalk. Antoine got a flash of light and then the box fizzled for a second before closing its lid and pretending that nothing had happened.

Tom got crossbow bolts that were sharper and sleeker than the ones he already had. And Grant got a pair of gloves which both fit him perfectly and increased his grip.

Once they had each gotten an item out of the common boxes, however, they didn’t get anything further. Tom suggested that the dungeon budgeted the items that it was granting based upon how many of the zombies the group had killed, and nobody was in a position to argue with him, so they decided to kill some more zombies to see if they could get better items.

They delved down to the tenth floor without encountering much difficulty. The zombies were high level, but a high level zombie wasn’t too dangerous unless they were in a swarm. Not when the party was as strong as Tom’s party was.

The tenth floor of the Caseville dungeon had better treasure chests than the previous floors had, although they were fewer and harder to find. When they did find one, there was some discussion over who got to open it, which was resolved when Jessica suggested a game from Earth known as rock paper scissors.

Tom won the first chest, and inside of it was a new satchel to replace the one that he usually carried Alpha Core inside. Sevin was next, and he got a new lorica. It was a significant upgrade to the boiled leather armor that he had on presently, although it would take him some time to feel completely comfortable in it.

They found one more treasure chest, which Grant won the right to open. It contained another pair of boots, ones which fit him perfectly, increased his traction, and simply looked fashionable. After moving around in them for a bit, he reported that he thought they even synergized with his Flicker ability, although it was a minor effect and he wasn’t entirely certain he wasn’t imagining it.

While Tom knew there were more treasure chests to be found, when he checked the locations where he thought they should be, they weren’t always there. In fact, most of the time they would clear a room where he expected to find one only to come up empty. Still, it was good Experience for the others, so nobody was complaining about losing time.

They delved to the fourteenth floor and paused at the precipice.

“This is where they found the first body,” Tom said, motioning towards the grave marker cut into the side of the hallway to honor the fallen.

“Do we turn back or press forward?” Grant asked.

“The only thing down there should be Cassius,” Tom asked. “I, I think I want to talk with him. I’m pretty sure he’s responsible for killing those three, but I want to get the story out of him before I pass judgment.”

“Are you certain even that is a good idea?” the politician asked. “Tom, Cassius was strong when he was spawned. It’s been weeks since then, and I’m guessing that he has been hunting zombies on his own and leveling. He might be too strong for us to bring him to justice even if he deserves it.”

Tom looked at Antoine, who simply shrugged.

“This is a matter you need to decide on your own, Tom,” Antoine told him. “I could certainly bring a rogue minotaur to justice if it comes to that, but I plan on only interfering if it looks like someone is about to die. I’m not all powerful, however, and there’s a chance I might be too slow to make a difference if it comes down to it. You’ll be risking your friends’ lives if you go forward and find that Cassius has turned on you.”

Tom nodded. “We’ll put it to a vote,” he declared, and everyone agreed with that measure. Tom was a little surprised when nobody voted to turn back.

The fifteenth floor was mostly empty, and they wandered around in circles for an hour before they finally found the minotaur’s chamber. Cassius was waiting for them, his eyes and inhuman expression impossible to read.

“Master,” Cassius said. “You have come back.”

“Hello Cassius,” Tom said. “You’ve Evolved.”

“Yes,” Cassius agreed, looking down at himself. He was even larger than he had been, three meters tall, with two pairs of arms, each rippling with muscle. His voice was a deep baritone. “I did not expect it. But it is welcome.”

“I didn’t know that monsters could evolve without me using my Skill on them,” Tom commented.

“Requires Sacrifice,” Cassius explained. “The fools that attacked me provided it.”

Tom swallowed nervously. “So, it was you who killed those three adventurers who died in the dungeon?”

“I killed two of them,” Cassius admitted. “They were attacking me. Charging me with a hammer, shooting me with arrows. I defended myself.”

“And the third one who died?” Tom asked.

“Zombies,” Cassius explained. “She fled the battle while the other two fought and ran into zombies. They too evolved into Zombie Lords, but I ended them.”

Tom swallowed nervously. “Cassius, what would you do if another adventurer group found you?”

“Defend myself,” Cassius answered. “If necessary.”

Tom exhaled a sigh of relief. The monster was dangerous, but if it only defended itself, then could Tom really pass judgment on it for doing so?

“Just make certain that it’s only ‘if necessary,’ Cassius,” Tom said. “Don’t attack first. You’re much stronger than any of the adventurers who should be delving this dungeon, so even if they attack you, you should be able to survive a round or two. I’ll believe your version of events this time, but if you turn Caseville Dungeon into a deathtrap, then I’ll have no choice but to kill you. Is that understood?”

Cassius seemed amused by the threat from the level thirty boy. He was far too strong to be cowed by the threat. The bond that was between them, that of master and minion, was too strong for him to overcome, however. He exhaled and nodded in agreement. “As you say, Master. I will defend myself.”

There was nothing left to be said, so the party retreated out of the dungeon, leaving the Minotaur Champion behind to guard the final floor.

“Are you certain it’s a good idea to leave him behind?” Jessica asked. “I mean, you’re the dungeon master or controller or whatever, but it seems like leaving a monster that’s known to have killed someone behind is a bad idea.”

“I believe him that he was defending himself,” Tom explained. “Besides, delving dungeons is a dangerous business. I think it’s a terrible thing that those three adventurers died, but maybe they taught their friends a lesson in caution by dying like they did. Not that it makes it any better for the three who died, but I think that eventually someone was going to challenge Cassius, and there are only two options for a fight like that. Either they kill Cassius, or Cassius kills them. Maybe now that Cassius is stronger, they’ll be less likely to challenge him in the first place.”

“I suppose.” Jessica said, frowning. “I wasn’t saying that I wanted to fight him after all. He’s scary, to be honest. Did you sense the pressure he was giving off?”

“Not really,” Tom admitted.

“I did,” Sevin said.

“Me too,” Rory agreed. “It was like me armor weighed twice as much when we were around him.”

“Huh,” Tom said. He glanced at Antoine, who shrugged.

“High level monsters and individuals release an aura,” Antoine explained. “I keep mine suppressed most of the time. I doubt that Cassius knows how to do that. Fortunately you won’t have to worry about that, Tom.”

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“I won’t?”

“Your aura blends in with the mana field of the dungeon,” Antoine said. “It’s how you’re able to control the dungeon without being near the Core. You’re already working on your aura control by exercising your other abilities. The rest of you, however, should begin working on developing your aura control. When we get back to the surface, I’ll give you each some exercises to identify and manipulate your auras.”

“Meditation exercises?” Sevin asked. “Is that really necessary?”

“Only if you want to be able to walk down a street at level fifty without giving off the sort of pressure that you just complained about Cassius releasing,” Antoine answered. “There are other advantages, however. One you’ve got a proper aura sense, you can use it to spot hidden enemies. At a certain level of proficiency, it even serves as an attack.”

Sevin grumbled, but the idea of walking through town and causing everyone to stare at him in fear of his aura, while possessing a certain allure, discouraged him from further complaints.

The party emerged from the dungeon at sunset, returning to their inn for a hot meal and rest. Klein emerged from nowhere and leaped onto Tom’s shoulders, causing the teen to “oof” at the Worsican Lynx’s weight.

“You’re getting heavy, Klein,” Tom complained. “If I wasn’t level thirty, I think you would have knocked me over just now.”

Tom, on a whim, checked his Familiar’s status and was nearly flabbergasted at the creature’s growth.

Familiar

Klein (Worsican Lynx)

Level

25

Health

160/160

Stamina

180/180

Strength

19

Dexterity

32

Constitution

16

Endurance

18

Abilities:

Enhanced Stealth

Enhanced Claws II

Ambush

“When exactly did you get so strong, Klein?” Tom asked.

The Worsican Lynx licked its paws and kept its secrets.

~~~~~~

Lubald’s arrow struck home, piercing the heart of the goblin. The critical strike was enough to end the goblin, and the follow up shots did likewise for the goblin’s companions. The small group of humanoid monsters had not even identified the source of the attacks before the last of them fell.

Lubald dropped his Stealth and went to examine the bodies. He wasn’t expecting any sort of loot on them, but his adventurer instincts prevented him from simply moving on. He found a few flint daggers and nothing else worth looting aside from some dirty loincloths.

He reached for his belt knife to collect their ears for the bounty before he stopped himself, recalling that the changes to the system meant that the grisly practice was unnecessary. He should have already gotten the bounty for the five goblins he’d just slain. And the six in the group before that, and the four before that…

Tilluth dungeon was deeper than he was anticipating. He was down to floor twenty-three and he suspected there were still floors yet to come.

He exhaled a throaty sigh, debating whether or not to turn back. He had been delving for most of the day, but he’d been anticipating reaching the bottom floor quickly, so he hadn’t bothered to pack the supplies he’d need to overnight in the dungeon. Additionally, he’d feel uncomfortable sleeping in the dungeon without a watch.

Reluctantly, he turned back.

He met up with the militia on the tenth floor. Harvold and the others were working hard on fully clearing the upper levels in hopes of preventing an outbreak. Lubald took the opposite strategy to heart, delving into the depths to relieve the pressure at the source. Between himself and the militia, they’d manage Tilluth dungeon effectively. And safely.

Lubald Examined the leader of the Militia and sighed. The newly awakened Warrior was gaining levels quickly. He was already level fifteen, as were most of the other militia men and women. They had, perhaps ironically, been higher leveled as Commoners and Villagers. Once they had begun delving Tilluth dungeon, however, they had unlocked Warrior and Rogue classes.

Mostly Pikemen for the warriors, and Archers for the rogues. Which was fine. In a formation unit like the militia was accustomed to being, that was actually a somewhat ideal outcome. A combination of pike wielding warriors and archers was truly a terror to face in battle. The archers covered long and mid ranged combat, while the pike wielders protected the archers from charges.

Of course, in Lubald’s estimation, that was a little beyond what was required for dealing with the upper floors of Tilluth dungeon. He thought that they were being overly cautious and hesitant in claiming the upper floors for themselves. But although he was their lord, Lubald was not their leader. That position remained with Harvold Tinnerman, and the militiaman was welcome to it.

“Well?” Harvold asked when Lubald emerged from the floor below. “How deep is it?”

More than twenty-two , Lubald signaled back. I turned back there because I don’t fancy sleeping rough tonight.

“Is that so,” Tinnerman said, judgment in his voice. Lubald ignored him and continued on his way out of the dungeon. “You know, Lubald, eventually we’ll have to deal with the Lynxes again.”

Lubald stopped for a second, turned, and signed I haven’t forgotten. The entire reason I am leveling in this forsaken place is to get strong enough to hunt them all down .

He turned and stalked out of the dungeon. He was nearly level forty now. Soon, he would be high enough leveled to stalk down the stalkers plaguing his valley without using children as bait.

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