They ran silently for a while, as Derek was still trying to process everything that happened. It looked like the other two were trying to give him some space, or at least Neri was. Cree was still occupied with his healed sight, making sure to absorb as much information from his surroundings under the light from Neri's floating fire as he could. Derek was thankful for that; a lot had happened in a short time, and he thought that it would take some time for him to digest it.

To keep up with the other two, Derek activated Augmented Sprint. It was easier to run with them, especially Cree, while he had it on. After only a few minutes, he got a notification from the System.

OH YES! Your [Augmented Sprint] is now Level 10 (max)! You can now upgrade this Skill to one of the available options!

That took his mind off of the discussion. He opened his Skills tab and was instantly prompted to make a choice. He quickly read through the short descriptions.

[Enhanced Sprint] (Steel, Common)—A basic Skill. An increased version of [Augmented Sprint], with better modifiers. Very versatile.

[Augmented Dash] (Steel, Uncommon)—A basic Skill that allows for a greater increase in speed, but costs more and lasts for a shorter period.

[Tireless Sprint] (Steel, Uncommon)—A basic Skill that gives a smaller increase in speed, but costs less and lasts longer.

[Armored Sprint] (Steel, Uncommon)—A Class Skill that decreases the burden of running while carrying heavy weapons or wearing heavy armor.

It wasn't a hard choice. Derek was constantly running around carrying his 33 kg hammer, and it was definitely a burden. He mentally selected Armored Sprint.

Congratulations! You have upgraded [Augmented Sprint] to [Armored Sprint] (lvl 1, 0%)!

Derek took the opportunity to look at his Racial Talents. He had two new ones now, and he guessed that the ones he already had would have improved a bit. Opening his Talents tab, though, he was slightly overwhelmed by how much they had changed.

[Dwarf Senses] (Passive): Dwarves are well adapted to live in underground cities, caves, and mines. Very useful ability if you like dark places! Now that you have Awakened, you can live underground without worrying about darkness and other trivial things like that! xP

Effect: This Talent allows you to see even in complete darkness (300m*R.level), to sense rare ores in your vicinity (5m*R.level), and to perceive vibrations through solid matter (200m*R.level).

[Mineral Consumption] (Passive): Deep underground where the Dwarfs live, normal food is often scarce. But this isn't a problem when you can literally eat rocks! O_o This Talent allows you to consume and digest minerals (but not pure metals). You can also store them inside your body for further use. As an Awakened, you can live off only minerals for an unlimited time! Rock on!! XD Also, as an Awakened Royal Dwarf, you have the ability to absorb the Essence from rare minerals and some special organic materials, permanently enhancing yourself. You sure are something, Derek Smith!

Maximum Storing Capacity: 10 kg plus 2 kg per Race level.

Currently Stored Minerals: 8/20 kg

[Stone Body] (Passive+Active): Dwarves are famous for being tough. Like, really tough. This Talent is the reason! Passively, it makes your bones and muscles relatively hard to damage. But there is more—you can activate this Talent to deplete minerals stored in your body and, as a result, make your skin as hard as stone! The better the minerals—the better the effect. Pro Tip: Try using diamonds! ;))

Passive Effect: Bonus 5 CON, additionally 1 CON per Race level.

Active Effect: Stored minerals are absorbed to create a defensive barrier and increase the durability of the body. How high the Armor of the created barrier is depends on the composition of the minerals and your Race level. (mineral hardness+15%*R.level)

Cost: 5 AP or 10% of total AP (whatever is higher) per kg of consumed minerals.

Duration: 20 seconds per kg of consumed minerals.

Cooldown: 180 minutes minus 10 minutes per Race level. (180-10*R.level). Currently: 130 min.

[Earth Domain] (Active): Dwarves have a natural connection to the Earth element. This can come in handy when you're surrounded by rocks! You can activate this Talent to command the earth around you to do as you please, taking whatever shape you desire! Neat! :D

Effect: Shapes the earth around the user into whatever form is in the user's mind. Just don't go playing dirty tricks! Dirt-y, get it? xP Some substances require a higher MAG to be molded. The Cost per second decreases with the Race Level. Cost Decrease=(5%*R.level)

Duration: 3 seconds upon activation, and can be sustained with additional MP cost.

Cost: 5 MP+1MP per cubic meter (minimum 1) at activation, then 2 MP per second per cubic meter to maintain (minimum 2).

Cooldown: 180 minutes minus 5 minutes per Race level (180-5*R.level). Currently: 155 minutes.

[Royal Dwarf Bloodline] (Passive): You're a Royal, Derek. You have the Bloodline of the Ancient Dwarf Kings running through your veins, and that comes with its perks! ;) Other creatures will recognize your status, especially other Dwarves. Besides, creatures who also have Royal Blood will instinctively see you as an equal. Way to go, Little Prince!

Effect: Dwarves of lesser Bloodlines will defer to you, and treat you with reverence. Other Royals will recognize you as their kin and treat you as such, even if they come from other Races.

Derek stared at his display, astonished. He wasn't sure how to feel about being called a Prince but, aside from that, his Talents had improved immensely! Now he didn't even have to activate Dwarf Senses! He touched his hand to the ground and, sure enough, he could feel the vibrations of everything around him in a huge radius. He couldn't help but give out a hearty laugh. This Awakening had truly made him a lot more powerful. He decided to think about the Royal part when he had more time.

"What is it?" Neri asked, looking at him with a hint of concern in her eyes.

He gave a big smile toward the Exiles. "I've just checked my Talents; I hadn't looked at them since my Awakening. Could you do me a favor and extinguish your light just for a bit?"

Neri promptly did so and, just like he thought, he could see perfectly in the dark. His vision was clear as far as the tunnel went. He laughed again. "Now things are getting interesting!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Derek!" Cree said, full of enthusiasm. "It is quite a feat you have achieved. Awakening by yourself is truly remarkable."

"He's right, Derek," Neri added. "Even I forgot about it, but that's truly something. You should be proud."

"Now we don't even need your fire to walk around!" Derek said, happily. "With your glasses, Cree's echolocation, and my Dwarf Senses as a passive, we can walk in the dark without drawing attention to ourselves!"

"That is indeed helpful," Neri said. "It was getting a bit tiresome having to keep that flame up all the time."

"Sorry for not noticing it earlier," Derek apologized. "I had a lot on my mind."

"It's ok, I understand."

Derek read his Talents once more, noticing how his Stone Body would now last a lot longer, especially with the increase in storage for minerals. He could also see in the dark for over a kilometer, and this Earth Domain seemed incredibly powerful. He would have to increase his MP if he wanted to use it often, though.

They resumed their walk in silence, with Derek still thinking about his incredible increase in power. It took them some time but, eventually, they reached the second floor without any interruption.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

After a few minutes there, heading for the tunnel that would lead to the first floor, Neri approached Derek. She placed her hand on his shoulder, interrupting his line of thought. "How are you holding up?" she asked, softly. "About telling all of that to everyone."

His enthusiasm diminished slightly. Derek shook his head and sighed, rubbing his face. "I'm ok, I guess. It wasn't exactly my plan to have everything revealed like this."

"I had a feeling it wasn't," she said, smiling.

"I'm glad it's all out now, though," he added. "I hadn't realized how exhausting it was to keep all that to myself, even if some of the important bits are new to me too."

"So you already knew, Ms. Neri?" Cree asked before Neri could answer, making both her and Derek jump a little.

"Oh, crap! Yeah, I kinda knew. Sorry, Cree," she answered, lowering her head.

"It is quite alright. I understand why Mr. Derek wanted to keep this a secret," he said, nodding.

"You do?" Derek asked, surprised.

The Dolphid nodded, turning his big black eyes toward Derek. "It was a wise decision, considering the circumstances. You would not want your new companions to think you are untrustworthy, especially in the position Ms. Elleiswille placed you in. I do not judge you for it, and would probably have done the same, in your place."

Derek felt a huge weight drop off of his shoulders and sighed with relief. "Thank you, Cree. You're a good friend."

"As are you, Mr. Derek," Cree answered, with what Derek assumed to be a reassuring smile.

Neri squeezed his shoulder and gave him a small smile, then let go and continued walking. Derek had to hold himself from reaching the spot where she touched him. It was just light contact, but he still missed the feeling of her hand.

Not the time, Derek, he thought, trying to focus on the path ahead.

He was using his evolved Dwarf Senses to check their surroundings from time to time but, even with his vastly expanded reach, he couldn't find any enemies. "Where are all the monsters?" he asked the other Exiles.

"Well, we defeated three Broodmothers, so they won't regenerate anymore," Neri answered, thoughtfully. "We also killed a bunch of them in the Hall, so I would assume that there aren't many left. Moreover, I believe the twins are still trying to understand how the Core works, so it should take a while before they can summon more monsters to defend the Dungeon. Still, we should be careful; there are still bats, and we didn't check every corner of this Dungeon. There could be smaller Broodmothers like that Giant Spider, for instance."

"And this is still a Dungeon," Cree added. "Other monsters will spawn eventually, even without the Broodmothers and the Core." The Dolphid seemed strangely excited with this prospect.

Derek nodded. It made sense. He made sure not to give in to a false sense of security and continued to check their surroundings every few moments.

They passed near Derek's old hideout, and he couldn't help but marvel at how far he'd come from when he started. I'm getting stronger by the minute, he mused, but I'll have to get even stronger if I want to save Elle. The mere thought of the Origin Dungeon Trial made him shiver. I don't know how I'm supposed to defeat a million people, but I'll do it. For Elle.

After walking for a few more minutes, they passed by the cave where Derek had first fallen into the Dungeon. He thought about stopping to search for his lost flashlight, but then remembered what had happened to his phone and gave up on the thought. Suddenly, he heard a faint shout coming from the pit above: "Derek! Come on man, are you here?"

He instantly recognized the voice. How couldn't he? He had heard that same voice nagging him for years.

"Andy!" Derek shouted up at the pit. He could sense that his friend was on the floor above, just past the Dwarf Senses' range. "Andy, is that you?"

"Derek! Oh, man, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice!" Andy shouted back.

Derek could feel tears coming to his eyes and started to laugh. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed his best friend.

"Yeah, I think I have a pretty good idea, you rascal! Don't move, I'm coming to get you!" Derek shouted.

"Ok, I'll wait here!" Andy shouted back. Derek could hear the happiness in his friend's voice.

"Uhm, Derek, I know you're happy that it's your friend, but I don't think it's such a good idea to be shouting so loud," Neri said, in a careful tone. "This is still a Dungeon, after all."

"Shit, you're right," Derek said, lowering his voice and wiping away the tears. "Sorry, Neri. Guess I got a bit carried away."

She nodded. "I get it. Just be careful, ok?"

"I will," he answered. "He's not far; barely over a kilometer away, and the tunnel that leads up isn't much further either. Come on, this way," he added, leading them toward the tunnel that would take them to the first floor of the Dungeon.

It only took a few minutes to get to the first floor. From there, though, they would need to rely on instincts to get to where Andy was. Derek knew the general direction, and he could see where the pit was on the map—it would be a good reference point. Other than that, it was all guessing which tunnel would go toward the right place. The tunnel that led to the first floor was directed away from Andy, so they had to take a longer route to get to him. Still, being a Dwarf, Derek had an instinct for the underground; even his Clarity attribute said so, with his Underground+.

Being on the first floor made Derek slightly uneasy, though he couldn't tell why. Perhaps it was due to it being the only floor they hadn't explored yet, not even in the hunting parties. He checked with his Dwarf Senses, but there were still no monsters around. Even Neri's Hermit Glasses couldn't find anything.

"Let's be careful," Derek said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Something about this place gives me the creeps."

The two Exiles nodded as they continued along the tunnels.

About 20 minutes passed as they walked about until finally, Derek sensed a living being on the edge of his Dwarf Senses. His heart started to beat faster—it was the same direction where Andy was!

He was about to tell his companions that when he sensed something else moving. Something big. Then another one appeared, followed by two more, and they were all moving toward Andy's position.

"We have to hurry," Derek said standing up and starting to run, not even waiting for his companions. "Andy's in danger!" he said, not looking back. Neri and Cree didn't need any other words; they followed Derek instantly. Cree barely had to sprint to keep up with the other two. He was already faster than them while Cursed; now he could easily outrun them. Still, he stayed behind Derek, trusting the Dwarf to guide them.

Derek relied only on his instincts, turning blindly to whatever tunnel felt the most appropriate whenever he found a fork. The group ran and ran, passing through unknown caverns and tunnels until, out of nowhere, the path opened into a large cavern. Inside it was a sight that Derek would not soon forget.

Four monsters were disintegrating on the ground. They looked like big, muscular, furless gorillas, with red-tainted skin and huge underbites. Their fangs were massive, protruding outwards and almost reaching their eye level. The four corpses lay motionless, slowly becoming ashes. In the middle of them, his fists still raised in a defensive position, stood a figure that Derek would have recognized even with his eyes closed. A tall boy, with dark, short hair and lean, muscular arms. A notification appeared in Derek's sight:

Intruder found: (1/1)! Congratulations, you have completed [Find the Intruder!]! Now report to [Greg and Grig, the Glock Brothers] to receive your reward!

"Well," said Andy, lowering his fists and beaming at his friend, "took you long enough."

Derek beamed as well, and the tears started to flow again. "You son of a gun, I ran like Hell to get here, and you took all the fun for yourself?" he said, going toward his friend.

Andy laughed and went to meet Derek halfway, his arms stretched. "You took an entire Dungeon to yourself and now accuse me of taking all the fun? You're a little shit, is what you are."

They hugged for what seemed like hours. Derek's head barely reached his friend's chest, but he couldn't care less. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy. After all he'd been through, he now had a way to save Elle, Cree was back, and even Andy showed up. Looked like his luck was finally starting to turn!

"Oh man," Derek said, stepping away from the hug and wiping the tears from his face. "You're indeed a sight for sore—WHAT?" he stopped himself, looking at the number above Andy's head. It was a bright, steel-colored 13.

"You're at Level thirteen? How the hell did you get so strong, dude?" Derek couldn't help but shout a bit, even with Neri's warning.

Andy waived him aside. "Pure luck. I stumbled upon a battlefield some days ago where a bunch of Spawns had fought some evolved animals, so they were pretty strong. Got quite a bit of EXP from that," he said, grinning. "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Level nine. What Class did you get?"

Derek was about to answer when Neri interrupted. "Derek, how about we continue this in the Hall, shall we?" She gave a meaningful look toward the remains of the monsters Andy had fought.

"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot! Andy, this is Neri and Cree. They're Exiles from Kimevis, and they've been helping me find my way around here. Neri, Cree, this is Andy, my best friend and the lowliest scum you'll find on this side of the ocean."

Andy laughed again at that. "You sure know how to introduce a guy, Dwarf! Nice to meet you both. Thanks for looking out for this runt here," he added, tousling Derek's hair.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Andy," Cree said, bowing his head and extending a fin, which Andy shook.

"Yes, nice to meet you," Neri added, "but we really should get going. We still haven't explored this floor, and we don't know what else could be in here. We can introduce ourselves and talk properly once we're safe, okay?"

Derek nodded. "Okay, let's go. Should be quick enough. Plus, now we've got a black belt in taekwondo with us! If we had something to worry about before, now we certainly don't!" he said, still beaming at his friend.

Andy just smiled and shook Derek's shoulder. "Nice to have you back, Dwarf."