Edited by god. Again :<
Of course, it was a cave. The author is getting lazy, or maybe he will try excusing himself with being busy in past weekend, still, lack of ambition in designing this little place is off-putting and breaks the mood. I will have to discuss this with him later on.
It was a crater with the rounded stair-like formation which was leading down, to weird hatch-opening. After getting down and inspecting we noticed that… it is one way only entrance. Behind a hatch, there was a slide which after using would dump us somewhere. A complex formation, meaning it is not your average-easy-rookie dungeon. To leave it we had to either conquer it or find a glyph of return.
You have discovered [Fiend's Pit] dungeonYou are first to find this dungeon50% exp bonus in 47h59m55sSuggested party level to conquer???Newly formed dungeon. It was made because of mana malfunction, making it grow rapidly.
Earth-themed, if you are fire mage think twice before entering.
- “What do you think?” Gis asked looking at me.
- “It is pretty much shut-in formation with very little light, monsters will be probably some gruesome creatures that undergo regressive evolution, making them simpler and more savage so they could more easily…”
- “Zari! Speak in common!”
- “Beasts probably will be big and toothy, not very smart.”
- “So just as I like them!” she grinned widely.
- “Ok, use those few next minutes to thoroughly think about our actions and patterns of…”
- “Last on the bottom is a rotten egg!”
She gave me a pat on the arm and jumped inside with loud “Ya-hoo!”
- “Oh, for fuck sake! Gisele!”
…. Like hell that I will be a rotten egg. See you on the floor below, silly girl!
I jumped after her. A slide was narrow and inclined quite a lot, making me accelerate greatly. Here and there it twisted and turned making me a little dizzy, but only after a moment I noticed with horror the real trick behind it – it was separating itself into different tunnels. And then again, and again. Whatever created this dungeon, it designed it to separate party members right at the start. Dangerous place, indeed. I was more than sure that I would be thrown into completely different place than Gisele.
Your party member [Gisele Redwing] reached 1st floor of [Fiend's Pit] first.You are now [Rotten egg]Xoxo
Ok. Who is responsible for system’s messages? Someone is clearly having too much fun.
You have arrived at [Fiend's Pit] floor 1Enjoy yourself, [Mr. Rotten Egg]
Ha-ha. Someone has the mentality of 5-year-old kid.
Maybe you!
Whatever. Let’s just deal with it…
Map mind…!
Indeed, a map has appeared in my mind showing large, darkened area and two dots – me, and a little ring of light around my position, and Gisele in the middle of darkness. At least I know where she is. Still, finding her may be proved to be tricky, in the end, caves tend to have tunnels and twists. Whatever, I will just scout the whole floor, eventually, I would find her. Of course only if she wouldn’t dive into deeper floor alone…
… And she totally can (and probably will) do it.
My eyes quickly got used to the darkness around me. The cave itself was big and wide, so were tunnels leading from one chamber to another. It meant that beast could, and most likely were, big. Large even. Behemoth-sized. A water was falling from the walls and mushrooms were growing pretty much everywhere. It was bad. It was very, very bad. If dungeon was giving you ways of sustaining your life, it meant it wanted you to spend a lot of time here.
Dungeons. Specific formation. Few considered it to be living beings, feasting on emotions. They didn’t want to kill adventurers (mostly) but to bring them into the extreme state of stress. The easiest way to stress someone? – make them fight for their life! Of course, that often lead people to death. Happens. It rewarded adventurers with treasures to compensate their efforts… or simply lure them in.
Ah, I would love to study them. What were they? Living? Undead? Animated Creations? Something completely different? Maybe if I would...
I needed to duck as one of the large stones moved, bared its clawed paw and swiped near my head.
What I thought to be a rock was actually horse sized beast looking like… Imagine something you have never seen before. Yup. It was it. Moving on all fours, with rat-like tail, wolf paws and head of an animal I couldn’t name. From this angle, I could see its back and head being covered in some shell-like exoskeleton with spikes sprouting out from it.
Average speed, quite impressive strength and endurance, indeed, just like Gis loves them the most.
[Stone smasher]Level18Hp[744/750]Sp[411/500]SkillsHardened Body [Passive] [Level 4]
Swipe [Active] [Level 6]
Bite [Active] [Level 14]
Roll [Active] [Level 4]
Very big and very hungry. Very resistible and very strong. Not very smart tho.
If you don't want to fight them you can just turn around and walk away, they won't catch up with you, still, they may still be overwhelming in a big group.
Walk away? They are not paying me for walking away. Also, it would be a sin not to use that exp booster, wouldn’t it?
- “D’iabel… Spear.”
- “I live to serve!” ring whispered changing its form.
A plain spear appeared in my hands as I readied myself for battle.
Both me and beast started circling around the room gazing upon each other. I waited for it to make 1st move and I didn’t have to wait long. The creature roared and charged at me from the front, I waited still waiting for it to get closer. The ground shook a little with each of its steps.
Much to my surprise it stopped few meters before me and raised its body on its rear legs, much like a bear would. Of course, I used this opportunity to stab its exposed belly, yet blade slid over armor-like structure that apparently covered rest of its body too.
I needed to duck under blow moving to the side as beast’s body collapsed on the place where I was standing smashing little rocks under its paw. Monster growled annoyed, unhappy that it missed its blow.
Its body is really had so I found stabbing weapons useless. Damn it! I hoped to train with a spear a little, bad luck. I could aim at its eyes, just why? I don’t mind challenging myself, but only when I have control over surroundings, the last thing I wanted was to exhaust myself while attempting performing a neat attack when another monster could approach soon. No, I needed to finish it relatively quickly.
- “D’iabel, hammer.”
- “As my command dictates…” another whisper
Blunt weapon materialized in my hand.
- “If I can’t stab you, I will crack you open! ... And then I will stab you!” I hissed in mocking tone.
Monster, of course, couldn’t understand my words, but it understood my intentions. It knew I was making fun of it and challenging him.
Beast once again moved in my direction, but this time is started swinging its body to the sides gathering violent momentum, once again it leaped raising its upper body slashing air with its claws. I avoided by taking two fast steps back and twisted my body performing a rotated blow that hit beast in its head.
You have dealt [31] dmg[Stone smasher's] armor has been reduced Current armor state [94%]
What? The direct attack on the head did so little? Tough bastard! Here goes my plan of wasting as little stamina as possible.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
- “May the night embrace you, oh foolish beast,
Cry out loud, as shadows will feast,
As you are bound, by the darkest of spells,
The temples will ring you funerals bells.”
I chanted [Dark Binding] with a low tone
I snapped my fingers. The ribbon made of pure miasma twisted like an enraged snake which tied itself to beasts limbs making it trip and fell.
The creature started flexing its muscles against the spell, which started stretching. I knew that it wouldn’t hold monster for long. Yet, it was more than enough. I took a stance breathed in and combined techniques.
You are performing [Powerful Strike]You are performing [Mana shock wave]
Binding spell snapped and beast already started raising, yet it was once again pushed on the ground as I hit him directly in the head.
Focused strike - Luck even triggered[Critical Strike]Effects added- Armor breaker
- Bone smasher [enemy resisted]
- Knockdown
- Stun [enemy resisted]
You have dealt [287] dmg[Stones smasher's] armor has been reducedCurrent armor state [28%]
The monster roared as a helmet-like exoskeleton on its head cracked open revealing red flesh under it, then it started whimpering in pain. Beast started clumsily moving back, curling its tail under its belly.
- “Hee? Being polite now? Regretting attacking? Sorry, you could pretend rock, I would pay you no attention… but now…” I raised my mallet again
You have slain [Rock smasher]You have obtained [210] exp + [105] exp
Now, do I need your DNA? I have few spare cores, but… No. I don’t. I had exoskeleton from Giga mantis. Let’s keep looking for something better.
I heard little scratches from the direction of next corridor, but lighter steps than those of the huge creature I just killed. Once again I quickly rotated to see what I was dealing with. What I noticed was a much smaller creature, just like a medium-sized dog. It had quite long heads with enormous ears. Teeth were too big for its mouth so it grew out of it, creating a creepy image of something with appetite even bigger than its ears. But, there was something wrong with it posture, it was having troubles with walking. Its rear legs were much larger and more muscled. Soon, I found out why.
[Fiend's Hound - Scout]Level11Hp[224/230]Sp[311/250]TitlesStubborn
Part of Pack
Vengeful
One for All, All for One
SkillsEnchanted senses [Passive] [Level NA]
Tracking [Passive] [Level 7]
Bite [Active] [Level 3]
Pack Call [Active] [Level Na]
Scratch [Active] [Level 6]
Status effectBlinded [Permanent]Despite its name it had nothing to do with actual Fiends. It was simply named after them to point out their obvious corruption.
These scouts are working for the pack queen - looking for food and possible threats. Also, it may be wise to consider leaving them alone. Scouts are not aggressive, but it can't be said about their pack-brothers and sisters.
If they would sense blood of their brother being spilled, they would do everything to locate attacker and get rid of it.
Ps. Packs counts few dozen of beasts
It got up and looked around. In this action, it resembled a little a meerkat. Once again, a very toothy meerkat. It opened its mouth and tasted air with its very long tongue. It came in lured by the sounds of battle and smell of blood. It ears twitched few times listening. I stopped breathing to hide my presence, for I was curious what it was about to do.
It moved shyly to the carcass, took two fast bites as if tasting if it was edible. Then it stepped back raised again and let out a deafening shriek.
In a moment cave’s chamber was flooded with about 12 small creatures, that until now were waiting outside. One of them took a risk and entered alone to scout surroundings? For an undevolved beast, it’s actually quite spectacular.
Little creatures started ripping beast apart, dividing meat into smaller portions reading to transport it.
Small bodies with sharp, long claws. Agile type of beasts. This dungeon is quite frightening! Tank lone monsters, pack beasts that will swarm area if you would kill just one of them, and a top of that all of these on 1st floor!
I started moving. Creatures froze in places twitching their ears. They ran back a little shivering. These were not warriors and did not intend to fight. Indeed, not aggressive at all. A dungeon made them a bait, adventurers seeing such weak beasts would start killing them right away. I pulled the small piece of dried meat from my sack and left in on the ground few meters away from them, then I took few steps back. A leader of scouts, the one that entered cave as first, slowly took few steps closer and licked my offering.
And then it bared its teeth at me hissing aggressively. His companions followed. Did my action was wrongly interpreted? I did that so they would leave me alone, maybe, even so, they would “tell” their brothers about me to not disturb me. I checked if it was possible to reason with them. Yet, here they thought I was trying to bribe them. They thought this food offering meant I was weak, defenseless, and that they could take me down by their own. Foolish creatures.
Leader tried pouncing at me with maw opened wide. I smacked it as it was in mid-air with my hammer, throwing it on the wall.
You have dealt [146] dmg[Fiend's Hound - scout]'s limb is now dislocated
Indeed, fast, but fragile. A small trail of blood run across crippled monster's body. Rest of the beast froze in place, then raised on their lower limbs are cried out again. The echo of their screams traveled across the tunnels.
Not even ten seconds passed when from the deeper part of the dungeon angered answer could be heard. Their voices were “deeper” and stronger, belonging to bigger individuals. Then I could hear the echo of dozen claws scratching the rocks as small army traveled to my location.
Oh boy, here I go killing again. That’s what you get for trying to be nice to monsters.
* “D’iabel…” I consider which weapon should I use. Spears? To keep them in distance? Hammer was out of options, it was far too slow. “...GIve me a
* “Your will, my duty…” artifact whispered forming a simple sword.
I jumped on one of bigger rocks as I wanted to gain an advantage.
Soon the first beast charged from the tunnel enraged. If scouts were as big as Airedale Terriers, these were as big as big as Great Danes, just much bulkier, and once again rock like armor could be spotted covering its backs.
[Fiend's Hound - Warrior]Level15Hp[387/400]Sp[271/300]TitlesStubborn
Part of Pack
Vengeful
One for All, All for One
SkillsEnchanted Senses [Passive] [Level NA]
Tracking [Passive] [Level 2]
Bite [Active] [Level 9]
Mutilate [Active] [Level 4]
Pack call [Active] [Level Na]
Status effectsBlindness [Permament]
Enraged [00h59m59s]
Despite its name it had nothing to do with actual Fiends. It was simply named after them to point out their obvious corruption.
They usually are waiting in the lair until they would be called by scouts, then they enter frenzy state and bite everything in its path. Extremely aggressive, if they would spot anything that isn't part of their pack, they would attack right away
If they would sense blood of their brother being spilled, they would do everything to locate attacker and get rid of it.
Ps. Packs counts few dozen of beasts
Mindlessly it charged at me.
* “It’s over! I have a high ground!”
I yelled at beast which completely ignored my warning as it jumped in the air, pretty much like its brother before him. I spun in place slashing thrice while ducking under its body. The creature fell behind me with three of its limbs cut off. I quickly moved toward crippled animal and finished it with a fast stab in its unprotected guts. In the end, I didn’t want it to return in some fancy robotic life-supporting armor making it breathe like asthmatic while epic music would be playing in the background. No-no. If movies learned me something is that if you have an opportunity to kill something, you kill it. And then you make sure that you really killed it. Like killed it to death. That much.
Oh, I would love to sink into deeper philosophical thoughts about matter of life and death, but unfortunately, another toothy monsters decided to swarm the chamber.
Dealing with one at the time was nothing difficult, dealing with two was a nice exercise, three were focusing my whole attention and dealing with four was a challenge.
Four at the same time - only that many could keep attacking me at the same time not getting into one’s another ways. So, the question remains, how many of them there was? Too many. I continued doing killer’s deed as quickly and efficiently as it was only possible, yet each time one head would roll, each time one body would fell lifeless on the ground two more would come from the corridor.
And soon my body reminded me of wood chopping session. As I held hammer I used [Powerful Strike] twice, each cost somewhere around 7 stamina points. using it twice made it over 16. how did I count that? 10% increase in stamina consumption due to muscle exhaustion.
The monster dropped its body low trying to beat my calf. In very last moment I jumped up landing on its head and kicking it I leaped away from the uncomfortable spot, gathering some distance for a moment. Yet I didn’t enjoy my freedom of movements for long. If there just was someone watching over my backs! But nooo! Somebody had to race down the dungeon! I will have to talk with somebody about somebody’s actions, somebody needs to remember that somebody is not alone here and such actions may harm also other individuals and not just somebody. I will engrave meaning of word
Head appeared on the side trying to bite my neck off, I quickly shoved my blade down its throat. Yet, before I managed to pull it back I felt teeth sinking into my shoulder.
This is where I draw a line. Yes, I wanted to fight as long as it was only possible using nothing but my physical strengths, but if it means that I would get hurt then I would rather getting rid of them with any means necessary. In the end, I am not a masochist….
…. well, I have a relationship with Gisele, I think it can be considered as a certain form of masochism but… but it’s not time nor place for such thoughts, damn it!
I felt mana rushing through my veins as I kept ignoring the pain in my body and notification about losing hp, about my shoulder blade being shattered and stamina being drained.
My eyes shined with blue glimmer as once again mana shock wave threw beasts near me in all directions. I cursed ugly as a process of removing monsters from my backs wasn’t pleasant at all.
I looked around the place, all over creatures that already started getting up from the floor.
My mana started being drained even more as I felt my bones snapping back on right places and skin hiding my muscles revealed by beast’s bite.
This place is pretty crazy, I was more than sure that I will have many more possibilities to train my body. Finding Gisele has a priority. I would feel much comfortable with someone watching my back. And to find her I need to get rid of those foolish animals. I checked my Hp bar. Thanks to Hydra regeneration it was full again, I proceed to check my Sp bar, around 70-75%. More than decent. I looked at Mp bar.
I cursed once again. Of course, that healing myself right on spot had an enormous cost. I need to stop getting myself wounded.
* “Ok kids. Playtime is over…” I hissed with irritation.
Few words appeared in the corner of my vision as I was about to break hell loose.
Shifting in process