Eventually Evelyn had asked for some space to process Div’s revelation. Ivy was shivering, she wanted to help and hated that powerless feeling where she couldn’t fix things. If she was completely honest though, a small part of her also didn’t want the space to process what Div had said about her memories and emotions. From a cold calculated perspective, it made a degree of sense, but she didn’t want to admit that just yet. It was still… still a… violation. She didn’t want to be logical or see things from his perspective, she wanted to be angry and she had a right to be angry! But being angry was exhausting. So, she found herself alone watching as the beaten and bloody kitsune-esque figure dragged himself up one step after another.
“He shows surprising fortitude.”
Startled from her weary malaise Ivy snapped her head round to look at Evelyn. She looked composed and poised as ever, but where normally it appeared effortless, it now seemed a little forced. Though Ivy couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. Maybe she was just projecting…
“I didn’t think he was going to make it. Still mightn’t all things considered but I hope he does. Definitely feels like he’s earned it.”
“He’ll no doubt be rewarded with at least a level from the experience, if not some interesting skill or class options as well.” Evelyn grimaced, “It may take him some time to fully recover however.”
“Aren’t the beastkin nomadic? Is that going to be a problem…?” Ivy felt her mind going to darker places than it might normally given her mood.
“It shouldn’t be…” Evelyn seemed disturbingly less than certain, but seeing the look on Ivy’s face clarified, “I don’t know exactly what they’ll do, but the beastkin look after their own. They have carts to carry the old and infirm. Depending on how soon they depart and how many healers they have, they may have to leave him in Timberhollow to convalesce until they next return.”
“Well, if he were to join Timberhollow it certainly seems like he’d be a boon to the city.” Ivy offered, trying to lift the mood.
The boy reached the saferoom and after a moment of confusion, put on a sudden burst of speed, unsteadily dragging himself forwards leaving an ominous red trail from the leg that trailed limply behind.
“He made it!” Ivy gasped, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards.
“He did,” Evelyn confirmed with a little amusement before sighing, “I suppose we should place the level gate and make a start on the next floor.”
“Wait! Do you want to talk about things first?”
Evelyn’s face crumpled like she’d just been gut punched though her tone remained controlled, “I’d rather not.” As Ivy was about to speak again, she held up a hand, “Let us at least deal with the more urgent tasks first.”
Ivy felt the urge to fidget as they reached the bottom of the stairs in silence. She wanted to just teleport but the doorway was so close that it just felt lazy and now they’d started walking it would mean acknowledging the awkwardness. Soon enough, through it felt like an eternity, they had passed the ogre skeleton and phased through the door where the six spots for the trial disks stood vacant. The air turned briefly thick as Evelyn placed the level arch just beyond it, marking it officially as the end of the third floor, though they’d both long considered it such. Though her [guide] knowledge had told her as much previously, it was something else to experience how quickly the mana costs rose for each level. Thankfully multiple delver deaths and one falling unconscious had left them with a full tank. In fact they could have benefitted from the extra maximum mana the level gave, speaking of which… Ivy scooted beside Evelyn to look at the notifications that appeared in front of her.
Level 4 created
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All creatures on level 4 increased to meet minimum level requirement.
[Core Room] unlocked
[Core Guardian] unlocked
Mana capacity and regeneration increased
Ivy felt pressure across her forehead as the details of the new features filled her mind.
“So, the [Core Room] is what it says on the tin, a room that acts like its own floor, which will always be at the end of the dungeon, descending as we create new levels, that contains the dungeon core. It’s a last line of defence but generally isn’t allowed to have creatures outside of the [Core Guardian] which is basically a special boss. It can have some environmental effects or hazards based on the affinity of the dungeon though.”
With a barely noticeable swallow Evelyn commented, “It would seem there is quite a bit to work through.”
Forcing extra cheerfulness into her voice Ivy advised, “Let’s just take it one step at a time. Since we’ve gotten the fourth floor why don’t we check out Pamyel’s offer for the third? After all she mentioned she wouldn’t mind us making the necessary tweaks after accepting her offer if that’s what we want to do. Then we can check out stuff for the [core room] and plan the fourth floor with context.”
“Sounds sensible.”
With a nod another blue panel appeared in front of Evelyn.
Third Floor dedication options:
Deity
Domain
Boon
Pamyel
Purity
Delvers who complete a trial related to their element have an increased likelihood of being offered better class options related to that element proportional to the value of the offering. Designated [Core guardian] loses purity vulnerability if applicable and can learn [Purity Resistance].
Arael
Depths
The water in the water trial becomes significantly colder as you descend and unless an offering is made delvers will experience the pressure increasing similarly.
Kalaziel
Earth & Stone
Passages in the earth trial slowly constrict while the token is held.
Drum
Grappling & Ogres
Whenever a trial token enters the central room of the floor Untiring Legions automatically resurrects the ogre skeleton there.
“Is it just me or was that more than you were expecting?” Noting the slightly unsure look on Evelyn’s face and lack of immediate response Ivy elaborated, “We’ve gotten this many offers before, but after Pamyel came in person to give us the hard sell I thought the others might not bother… Oh well, either way it’s good for us. Pamyel’s offer does seem to really shore up a weakness though.”
“Given her prominence and vested interest, it would likely be unwise to reject Lady Pamyel’s generous offer.”
“I mean if that’s what you want to do that’s fine. Honestly, it’s probably the best, though Drum’s definitely interests me. The other two are a little too focused on a single trial to feel like a good fit for the whole floor.” She shook her head as she realised she was getting off point, “But don’t pick it if your only reason is that you feel you have to. From our brief interaction she seems like the kind of person who would want you to take their offer because you honestly think it a good deal. If she or any of the other gods wanted to force you to dedicate a floor to them, they would force you, not make an offer. Unless of course they couldn’t; in which case you definitely aren’t obliged to pick them.”
Ivy noticed her breathing was a little heavy as she observed Evelyn’s face move through scandalised to pained and mentally kicked herself for her insensitivity. She’d just been trying to help but her mouth had gotten away from her again.
“Evelyn I’m sorry, I just meant…”
“It’s fine.”
“Are you sure? I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s fine.”
There was a finality to her tone, though Ivy wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or not that it lacked heat. She didn’t want Evelyn to be angry but her voice was so passionless, almost empty, Ivy wasn’t sure what to make of it though Evelyn didn’t give her much time to consider it.
“Pamyel’s is the obvious choice regardless. [Purity Resistance] is an incredible skill for us, particularly on our last line of defence.”
A brief image of the avarice in Pamyel’s eyes flashed through Ivy’s mind but before any words had left the back of her throat, she felt that Evelyn had made the decision.
“Ivy, are you well?”
Resigning herself that the deal was done, and even if it might have been possible to negotiate for more, that time had passed. She shook her head,
“Yeah, I’m fine. Shall we take a look at the [core room] and [core guardian] options next?”
Evelyn appeared unconvinced but didn’t push the issue making two more screens appear before the pair. However, Ivy’s eyes had barely begun to scan their contents before a gasp drew them back to Evelyn’s paling face.