“So, where are we going?” Karl asked after a little while of walking. “I know you said a nearby Dungeon, but which one?”
“There’s one about one to two days from here, depending on how fast we move. That’s around the minimum distance between Dungeons, by the way. We’ll stop there and resupply, then you four will be running through the Dungeon until you get a few ranks higher.” Ari said, gesturing vaguely to the northeast.
“But what’s it called?” Karl asked, brow furrowing a bit as he tried to visualise it.
“No idea,” Ari said with a shrug. “This is my first time back in Vash for some time, and I’ve been spending most of it at Moira’s Peak. I got directions to the Dungeon from one of the others, though, so we should be fine.”
Jake shared a concerned look with the others at Ari’s carefree approach to travelling, but it wasn’t like they could do much about it.
-**-
The first day of their travel passed with little conversation. They’d learnt a lot since Ascending and had plenty more to reflect on.
Jake was worried about all the extra problems that had fallen on him since he got his Class, but a part of him was still working through the fact that it had even happened. He’d Ascended. It was mad to think about, and Jake could see some of his thoughts reflected in the faces of his companions.
So far, their journey was just right for giving them time to think. The road was little more than a well-worn path, but it was used enough for an easy walk.
Common wisdom held that the further from civilisation you were, the more monsters you encountered, but for whatever reason, they didn’t come across anything for the entire day. Not that Jake was complaining.
“Right, evenings coming in. Time for some impromptu learning, kiddos. Make us a campsite here, by the road. I’m happy to eat cold rations, so if you want a fire, make it yourself,” Ari said abruptly, heading off the road to plonk himself in front of a large tree.
The four of them came to an uncertain stop, looking to each other for reassurance that Ari wasn’t abandoning them to their own devices. The truth, however, was shown in the crunching sounds Ari made as he began to eat an apple, ignoring them completely.
“I’ve never camped on the road when leaving the city,” Alan said, shrugging when they all turned to him. “We either weren’t going far enough or had horses.”
Rhew looked as though she was going to ask some questions, but Jake quickly interrupted her. Now just wasn’t the time. “Karl and I can grab firewood while you two start setting up the camp here if that works?”
“Sure, we can do that,” Rhew said with a shrug as she dropped her pack to the ground and began to gather stones for a fire pit.
“Come on, let’s see what we can find,” Jake said, dropping his own pack and his shield before heading away from the path, Karl following suit a moment later.
They still had some daylight left, and there was no sign of any predators or monsters nearby, but Jake wasn’t about to leave his sword behind and walk about unarmed.
“So why are you in the Guild?” Jake asked casually as they started to collect small pieces of wood for the fire.
“What do you mean?” Karl asked after a brief moment of silence.
“You’re big, strong and good looking. I’m sure you could get in with a fancier group or adventuring company, so why this one?” Jake explained, pausing in his work to look over at his muscular companion.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“My aunt disapproved of all of this, she never wanted me to go down this route, but when I got my Class, I couldn’t back down. So she kicked me out. All I have is what I’m wearing and what the Delver’s Guild has given me.”
“That’s rough. What about your parents?” Jake asked, shaking his head in disgust at the ease with which some people cast away their families.
“Dead.” Karl’s voice was flat, and Jake heard some of the sticks in the big man’s hands snap as his hands curled into fists.
Knowing what was best for him, Jake dropped the subject and focused on gathering the wood they needed. There’d be time enough to get to know each other on the rest of the journey.
“I’m sorry,” Karl said when they were on the way back to the others. “It’s a sore subject, but I shouldn’t have snapped like that.”
“No problem, I get it. I was raised in an orphanage,” Jake said with a shrug as he led the way back into the makeshift camp. Betrayal of all kinds was everywhere in a place like Port Emerald. Jake knew that as well as anyone. They said no more on the subject and soon returned to the impromptu camp.
Fortunately, Rhew had cleared a space for the fire and had worked with Alan to bring over rocks to make a firepit while they’d been gone.
It wasn’t the most comfortable Jake had been, but it was nice to have company.
-**-
“Right, time to get up,” Ari’s voice cut through Jake’s sleep as the instructor rolled him over with his foot. “First lesson of travelling on the road, set watches at night. If I hadn’t stayed up to keep watch, you might not have woken up at all.”
Jake groaned and winced, tired muscles complaining as he got his pack sorted and finished waking up, thankful the other three looked just as out of sorts as he felt.
Ari looked entirely unbothered by the night of sleeping rough as he cajoled them up and onto the road, pressing a piece of hardtack into their hands as they started to walk.
It wasn’t much of a breakfast, but it was enough for Jake to wake up and pay more attention to his surroundings. It was nice to be out of the city, surrounded by patches of woodland and rolling hills covered in fields of crops.
As Jake settled into the walk, he realised that he was in surprisingly good shape. Sure, he was tired and achy, but nowhere near as much as he should be.
“Confused?” Ari asked, slowing down to match Jake’s pace at the rear of the group.
“I’m just surprised with how well I’m holding up. My feet hurt, but I feel like I could keep going all day again,” Jake said, frowning a little as he looked to Ari for answers.
“You said you were a combat Classer. So, your Ascension trait was likely a physical one. It’s all down to the wording on your status; I’m guessing at a minor enhancement to endurance or something similar?”
“It says a minor enhancement to physical characteristics, but how do I know what that covers?” Jake asked absently, only realising his mistake when he saw the surprise on Ari’s face.
“Quick bit of advice, lad. Don’t ever tell anyone your Skill description like that. There’s no way for you to know, but many Traits just increase a few aspects of their category. Karl, for instance, likely has one improving either his strength, resilience or endurance, maybe even two. The higher the rarity of a Trait or Skill, the more it does. A Trait that improves all of a characteristic is at least Rare, maybe higher, and you don’t want that information getting out, understood?”
“I got it,” Jake said, wincing a little as he realised how quickly he’d given away one of his secrets. He might as well fish for more information, given that he had, though. “It’s not that much better to have all of a characteristic, is it?”
"It depends, but usually, yes, it is,” Ari said firmly, catching Jake’s gaze to ensure he understood. “A Trait might improve something like your endurance, or maybe dexterity, both of which are generalised, but it can also do running speed, grip strength or something incredibly specialised. The more specific the bonus, the better it is in that situation, but a general one like you have would apply to everything equally. Get me?”
“So it’s a smaller bonus, but it applies to more things?”
“That’s right, and it will only get stronger as you rank the Trait up. You’ll never be as good as someone with an equal rank skill that’s specialised, but you’ll balance that out by being better than them at everything else.”
“Damn, that’s good,” Jake said, eyes wide as he realised how much of an impact the trait had.
“Now you get it,” Ari said, flashing him a broad grin that quickly faded. “Right now, you’re weak. No matter how strong you might be in the future, you’re not there yet. Jealousy is the biggest killer of those with Classes that start with Rare Skills and Traits. Remember that.”
Jake grunted, his attention turning inward as he considered Ari’s words. He had started with a Rare Trait and a Very Rare Skill, even if the Skill was pointless right now, so his Class certainly had potential. That was a little reassuring, given his rocky start so far.