On the way to carryout their second contract for The Syndicate, Noir and Carrie stop Shadow Walking in a clearing in the forest. Mt Morte can still be seen in the distance, growing bigger everyday.
Kill Gregor Greene:
One of the farmers in Trin has been committing heinous acts upon his own family and shows no sign of stopping
Such a sinful existence causing unwanted abuse cannot be permitted to continue and Tironia can produce better than this foul ilk
Leave your mark at the scene to increase The Syndicate's fame and to acquire new contracts
Rewards:
1 Contract Point
Fame increase in Ishda
Subclass Unlock:
Farmer
Return with the body to unlock more rewards
"I can't wait to get back! Master will be extremely happy with us. Just like she was last." Noir's laugh rings out through the forest sending birds scattering, the thought of his Master praising him is all he can think about.
Instead of responding, Carrie rolls her eyes at her overly-enthusiastic partner. It's always Master this, Master that, with Noir. He's got a child's mindset that's constantly stuck on repeat, but at least he gets the job done. His job so far, being a distraction so that Carrie can swiftly finish off their targets. Noir's loud and forward personality makes him the perfect candidate for bait.
Wondering how each monster earns their individuality, including herself, Carrie takes a cup from her pocket dimension and enjoys a refreshing drink. Feeling rather parched himself, Noir follows suit. Afterwards, they press on through the overgrown thickets of the forest towards their destination.
A few hours of travelling later, the occasional monster quelling and a couple of toilet breaks because Noir drank too much, they finally arrive in Trin. Moving through the shadows, Noir and Carrie can cross the region faster than most creatures making them the best choice for long distance missions.
Before approaching, each Shadow Walker changes their outfits. After acquiring a pair of travellers outfits on their last mission, it makes blending in and infiltration much easier.
The village they arrive is tiny. Barely ten years old they place is more of a homestead than anything, but who are they to question the contract. A few amenities run down the main, and only, road in the village and houses litter the countryside. Separated by small walls and wooden fences, each family has their own land to take care of. No guards and no militia, the only thing Trin has is a bel tower and even that's been placed poorly. In the middle of all the fields, it will take a long time to get there and notify everyone when shit hits then fan.
And there's always sabotage too.
Everything in the village-stead is made of wood and it doesn't appears to look like they're struggling to make ends meet out here in the middle of nowhere. Which is strange since there are tithes and taxes to contend with. Not too mention actual Bandits. Still, the majority in Trin live a more-than modest life.
Right on the outskirts and almost in the forest itself, they find their target's home. Caught red handed doing exactly as The System said he would, a portal of shadows opens up behind him and a single thrust is all it takes to impale the naked man. Forcefully removed from the act, Gregor Greene is pulled back through the portal and it to the hands of a waiting Noir.
The act itself somewhat ruffled the Shadow Walkers usual composure. Both have one track minds and nothing can normally pull them away from progression, or Abi, but the sad scene of duress pulls on their evolving heart strings. Lest to say, Gregor Greene's death was not pleasant.
Before the body was stored away in Noir's pocket dimension, they use his blood to paint the letter A before drawing a circle around it. Seconds was all it had taken to end an otherwise uneventful trip.
Less than a minute later, they're back in the forest far removed from the farmland. Mission accomplished Noir is back to his raucous self and is boasting about his perfect thrust. Explaining in detail that the Master will love his wonderful execution. Carries can only sigh again at his childish behaviour, but a smile does creep across her face.
If he explains it like that, it will definitely not be praise he receives. Meh. He could be worse though, she thinks to herself, as they both disappear into the shadows. Hop, skip and shadow walking home.
Noir and Carrie. Syndicate Assassins
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It's been a week since the Dungeon Categoriser met Carrie's swift justice inside my dungeon. Personally, I think he should have suffered way more than he did. Not that I had any say in it.
Seriously though, he deserved much worse and got off lightly with how quickly Carrie ended his life.
After his death, Elric, his son, all the mercenaries that came with him and a shitload of Boars, was all absorbed by yours truly. What can I say? I'm a greedy girl. That granted me more XP on top of the already-ridiculous amount that Light and Dropper brought back during my Terrortation.
That night, as the celebrations were nearing the end, I received some distressing news. However, since I've had time to process it, I feel as though I may have gotten worked up over nothing. I mean, 50 years is a long-ass time, but it's not like I had any other friends or family to leave behind. I knew people, but none of them were what I would call a friend; they were more like acquaintances. The only person close enough, that I would have called my friend, died before I did so... Yeah.
After that, I was visited by an old man. He claimed the gods told him to go the growing mountain and to seek out The Syndicate. Once he arrived, they would help him get revenge on the man who killed his son and would stop what happened to him from ever happening to anyone else. Permanently.
Since he'd made the journey and was my first guest not to make my Core rattle, we fed him, listened to his story and then ate him.
...
Psyche. He had that supper-cute teddy. I'm not Trixie, you know?
Either way, after listening to his story, a new contract popped up with his deets and we sent him in his merry way. Both parties happy. Him, because his son will be avenged and he wasn't eaten by your friendly-neighborhood Dungeon Core. Me, because I've got the world's cutest teddy lapping it up in my home.
Now, I just need to find a way to cuddle it.
He also dropped a large-bronze coin in Mira's hand as he left. I didn't know if he was donating to the cause, or slyly implying something to my guard, but I let him go because his payment was satisfactory.
Being a Dungeon Core kinda kicks ass when people just bring you tributes. What? It was for the Syndicate? So? I created it, that means I am The Syndicate.
Since then, time passed, points were spent and I have become more confident in the metaphorical shoes of my new life.
Blowing points like it's Friday night behind Denny's, my family have gone through quite a few class upgrades. The most notable being Light, Dropper and Veris reaching the same rank as Noir and Carrie.
Neither myself, nor Me, can understand why they seem to be losing armour with each advancement though. They become more fashionable and glamorous instead as the recurring trend of beauty strikes again.
After their latest evolutions, I'm mega jelly. With skin that would make Elves jealous and hair that smooth it puts Spider silk to shame, each person that has risen from Vagabond to Shadow Walker did so with a great amount of individualistic flair.
Which is good timing really. I was just going to generically letter the next set of Rogues since there isn't much difference between them, but now I know they change... It's not easy making up names, you know?
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Model number one is still sporting a scruffy, blue goatee, but his previously-short hair now reaches down to his shoulders. Bastard looks like he's gotten younger too. Gods these Rogues are lucky. Instead of black, cream is his colour of choice and silk the material as a simple pants and shirt combo makes up his outfit.
Would that have happened to me?
Model number two has finally got a decent hairstyle and her sunhine locks are plaited up to the max. With her floral dress and open-toe sandals, it must be summer all year round for this Rogue. Although, simplicity is the name of the game and Dropper is murdering it.
They're so cool.
Model number three...
What can I say about model number three? I just...
I can't.
Why?
Me. Can you say something, please?
Model number three has turned full-on Dominatrix. With black leather covering her entire body, you wouldn't even know it was Veris if her snow-white wasn't sticking out of the back... Or would you? Not limited to an all-in-one, this outfit comes in skimpy, skimpier, skimpiest and invisible. With her beaded whip, this Boss is truly a work of art.
I don't want to play this game anymore.
Why does Veris have to be on a different level of strange? I mean... Nevermind. I really missed out as a human. Every Shadow Walker gets there own little pocket dimension at tier three and all I can think is, how cool would that be! Storing my own personal weapon, or the remains of my kill and not having carry every single, little thing.
It would have be great.
On another note, the Veris clones are close to tier three and all of my Rogue scouting parties have become generic Vagabonds. Speaking of, I'm still not sure why every Vagabond I summon comes out female and looking like Veris. Other than that...
Everyone is doing so well.
My dungeon now has a sixth floor and I'm reluctant to admit, it's still the same as my other even-numbered floors. It makes for fast progress, what else can I say? I'll add some mazes later, OK? Beginning the path of Deep Penetration, I placed ten Stone Golems on the sixth floor. This obviously unlocked Mr Iron Golem, who then just so happened to step forward and graciously become a Floor Boss.
Well done, Barry Jr.
What started out as a the Rogues' Hideout may aswell now be named the Rogues' Paradise. What were once partially-damaged buildings, or in some cases no buildings at all, have all undergone serious upgrades. Every feature is now tier three and no longer look the piece of shits they did.
Well, most don't. Some of them...
Mira and Hana are finally off my case because the Black Barracks is a majesty to say it's only a tier three. With brickwork like Barry, the entire building glimmers slightly and is nigh on impregnable. Beneath the fully rebuilt keep is a well-sized prison, reinforced to keep dangerous criminals contained. Which is awesome, but I doubt we'll ever use it.
It looks that good that I barely even remember the rubble that was the Guard House. It truly befits it's status as the entrance to Rogue HQ now. Along with its upgrade, Hana and Mira were both promoted to Commander status.
Sadly, they can't offer quests like Talia can. Which is a shame. What they do provide though is a two-fold bonus. The 10% increase in stats for everyone summoned by the dungeon would be amazing on its own, but the 30% boost to those set to the Black Barracks is just insane.
I'm sure the Retreat offers some type of bonus too? And the Sparring Ground? Either way, that's buff.
Those boosts make it even better that our would-be invaders have to pass through there first. What's even better than that are the eight Shadow Walkers I summoned to staff the Barracks with. Noir and Carrie are ridiculously strong, even with their eccentrics. With all the inside bonuses going on, these new recruits should be like diamond rank adventurers.
Let's see a Catergoriser come waltzing in now, eh?
With more bodies staffing the Barracks, that meant Hana and Mira no longer has to alternate between themselves and could finally take a proper break. The words of gratitude I recieved... I felt so bad.
It wasn't my fault it took so long to give them a reprieve. Well... It kinda was, but you could also blame the Catergorisers. They were partially responsible. Plus my Core was mega damaged and I had to...
Nevermind. Let's not cow tip the Behemoth today.
The System for a good piece of my mind after I'd summoned the Shadow Walkers too. The fourth tier of the Rogue class still says ??? and I couldn't let that slide. What's next? Why hasn't it unlocked? Who's playing silly buggers up there in Dungeon Core creating heaven and not sorting shit out?
So yeah, she got it.
Bitch.
Me doesn't know what's going on either. According to him, every monster unlocks in multiples of ten. Which I have! Eight unnamed that Hana and Mira can deal with, alongside he Ice Queen and Prince Loudmouth. Ten. Ten! Where's my upgrade?
Forgetting about some ancient hag whose cobwebs have caused her to go senile, Me motioned to summon another ten. I shot that idea down though. There's already enough to buy still and Shadow Walkers are 40DP a pop. He's crazy if he thinks I'm spending another 400DP on them just for it not work. I'll just push the ones I do have into leveling faster.
The Swindlers' Den had two simultaneous upgrades back-to-back and became The Traveller's Treasure Trove. What a mouthful. Is she annoyed at me or something? What did I do? The feature still looks like a cheap gambling establishment from the outside, but the inside is like a Palace. With marble everywhere, the interior is decorated in blue and gold and has many different games spread within.
Unlike The Black Barracks, I could only give one of my Con Men a promotion and I chose Jack. As I said, every one knows a shady guy named Jack. His title is The Swindler and once a day he is able to magically steal an item from another person's possession if he's within 10 feet of them. Apparently, he is also the most persuasive man in any room he enters.
With the upgrades came the need for staff and staff is what I did. Con Men for one half, Speed Dealers for the other. At tier two the dealers do exactly what it says in the description. You can barely see their hands as they do their thing and I can almost guarantee people will complain about them. Fortunately, they can dial themselves down and each one is a Mini-Boss.
The more the merrier, right?
Asking about the amount of Mini-Bosses I was racking up on my first floor, Me assured me it wasn't important in any way. Because of that, I confirmed everyone I could as I made the rounds and upgraded features.
After the Treasure Trove, the well that was Lucinda's potion hollow became Witchcraft Creations. The Potion Master, titled appropriately for her position, is still the only person working in the odd-looking cottage. With a second floor twice the size of the first and a chimney that poins out of the side opposed to the roof, the feature is unable to be staffed by anyone else.
That means she might have a lot of work in the future. On the plus side though, at least she can hand out contracts. Titles seem to be hit and miss for contracts, but at least Lucinda can help advance the dungeon from home.
The wooden stall next door has finally earned some brick too. What was The Shop of Secrets upgraded into The Covert Coin. Glass windows, nice wares, ita about time this dungeon got some class. The Retreats been pulling everyones weight so far.
Again, I'm unable to staff the building with anyone else, but we did get a double promotion so I didn't complain. Tara and Lara got titled Cloak and Dagger and look like a proper pair of Assassins. Which is awesome, but since when do Assassins run businesses?
Not that it even matters. I can't explain half this things going on in this dungeon, so yeah.
Assassins.
At least they're contract-offering Assassins. Able to increase their wares and boost The Syndicate, the girls are a right pair. Who would have thought all these crappy features would've turned out so well? Certainly not me. I damn well hoped they would, but some of them...
The Box of Worship springs to mind.
From Box to Shed, the transformation at tier three is just phenomenal. I mean, where's the consistency? Avos, Zen and Ang no longer have to pray in a dingy, little squat anymore. No. The Townhouse of Tribulation looks like the Lord's manor. All white, with a sky blue roof, the feature is absolutely stunning.
Those Priests are so lucky.
Beside the house is a small flower garden and patio and the entire feature is walled off. All white with a metal fence on top, the only way in is through the main gate. The tunnel leading further inside the dungeon has been hidden behind a hedge maze on the other side of the house. Much better than when a Box sat infront of it.
I even had a try of that maze...
Because of how much the feature changed, I wasn't even bothered that there wasn't a title to hand out. Not in the slightest. Not even a little bit. Still, I threw a few Dungeon Disciples to Avos and told him to name them before moving on.
The only feature I didn't upgrade then, was The Sparring Grounds. I didn't have unlimited DP. Even if everything combined was a shitload. Over the week though, my ever active scouting parties brought tribute after tribute and I continued with my ever expanding Rogue Town.
Ali had waited patiently, unlike a certain guard I know, and her turn came next. As per, the first tier isn't worth mentioning and neither was the second. I might even close my eyes in the future when I'm doing features, just so I don't have to endure it. That said, the third tier... Phew. I almost cried so hard.
I just want to eat something. I'm not even hungry, but it all looks so good.
The Crescent Cafe looks like the perfect place to grab a bite and is smack bang in the middle of the room. That way, it's not too far from anyone since the room is fairly big. Finding myself frustrated, Ali's title keeps me calm. Known as The Chef, her building is almost as big as Talia's and is made from light, yellow stone. With a red roof and a menu board outside, the only other features is the sign that reads, Ali's.
It's also one more contracter for my dungeon as she can source ingredients from the Rogues. I'm not sure if any of hers involve the murdering of people, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. A dungeon's gotta grow somehow, right? And if I grow big enough...
One day! I'll get to try her food, one day. I swear it.
The Privacy Palace sits next to Ali's. A three-story hotel with 45 guest suites, 2 royalty suites and a pool on the roof. Each room is equipt with everything a guest could need and they put the Retreat to shame, even though that's a tier-four feature.
What made all this possible was the second Contract I formed with an outside source. That's right, I'm talking about Katrina. I took her words to heart when she said she didn't want to leave my dungeon. She's my bestie now and I even gave her the royalty suite in the Privacy Palace. Not that se stays there. For some reason she's still bunking with Ali. I'll put it down to trauma and move on.
I don't care if she stays with Ali. I actually don't this time. Not like when I lied about the Priests not getting a title. It was bullshit. The System thinks she's so clever making things unpredictable, but that's not what I want. I can never think straight when she's involved.
Even though she was only an apprentice, Katrina still has the Catergoriser class. Even whilst contracted to a dungeon. How bizarre is that. I mean, how can I be a Catergoriser's Master when they're supposed to be my mortal enemies? Either way, I don't find Kat half as scary as before.
Ya know. My friend Kat.
My mate, Kat.
Kat, my bestie.
...
Then again, what kind of Catergoriser contracts themself to a dungeon?
Maybe Kat's crazier than the rest of us?
Except Veris.
No one's crazier than Veris.
Being contracted with Kat means that she can now see and hear me. Which might have worn her out becaise she's been sleeping for a while. There was just so many things I wanted to ask her. More so now that I know it's been so many years since I died.
Plus, I just love her.
She's so cute.
It's just what I needed to keep myself grounded in this thing us Cores call life.