I entered a hallway again, this one much shorter than the last. This level seems to be made of the same material, some sort of greyish granite that can’t be broken. I’m wondering if later levels are the same, holding their own ‘theme’. That would be fun. I look into the next room once I reached the end of the hallway.
It was smaller than the last. Inside were some skeletal figures wandering aimlessly.
Identify.
Skeleton (passive)
Bones held together by a small amount of magic.
Lv4
Health: 30/30
Stamina: 12/12
Energy: 10/10
Skills:
Repel
Okay. That’s half the level of the rats I encountered. That doesn’t make sense. Unless these monsters aren’t corrupted by magic? Then the Small Rats were originally a much lower level. I’ll have to be careful of any corrupted creatures from now on. I study the skeletons some more.
They seem to be as simple as what the information described. They hold nothing, and walk around aimlessly. I don’t know whether they’re slow or fast however. And that skill ‘Repel kind of worries me. Well, there’s nothing to do except fight. I’ll just have to be careful. I won’t commit until I know what Repel does.
I walk up to one of the creatures. I’m not sure about their weak point, so I stab one of the legs.
[Skeleton] -2 (28/30)
I frown. I stab the same spot again, keeping an eye on the skeleton.
[Skeleton] -6 (22/30)
I quickly jump back now that I’ve proven my theory. My damage has become variable. Why wasn’t it before? I only ever did 5 damage, besides the critical. A message pops up, but I ignore it for now. The skeleton was angry and coming towards me.
Slowly.
I almost laugh. Really slowly. I keep my distance however. I let the skeleton get close enough to attack me, before jumping away from its swing at me. It pauses for a sec to gather itself, before coming after me again. That’s my window. I do the same thing, baiting out its attack. When the swing finishes, I move in quickly and go to stab the skeleton.
Before I can, however, it starts to shine. I try and pull back, but it was too late. My sword connects…
And I’m suddenly flung backwards…
[Skeleton] -0 (22/30)
[Luna] -10 (5/20)
Luckily, I flew into open space. If I had of hit a wall I would be dead. I curse my stupidity. Even after telling myself to be careful, I make a wild swing like that. Okay, just calm down. It’s still recovering.
Identify.
Skeleton (passive)
Bones held together by a small amount of magic.
Lv 4
Health: 30/30
Stamina: 12/12
Energy: 1/10
Skills:
Repel ~ Reduces the damage of incoming attacks to 0, before sending the attacker flying.
Damage: None
Cost: 10 Energy
Okay good. I need to act before he recovers all of his energy. I quickly activate my Trump Card, Condensed Spiraling Sphere. I let it grow until it reaches 20 damage. The impact should do the rest. It uses up 4 of my Void, but right now killing this skeleton takes priority. I could just die, but I’m not ready to yet. I’ll just die when I can’t continue.
I quickly race to the Skeleton, being careful to dodge backwards when it goes for a swing, and slam the ball home. I feel like screaming its name, but felt too embarrassed to. I felt the impact hit it, sending it spinning at first, before the skeleton is suddenly sent flying.
Really fast.
It hits the wall.
[Skeleton] -35 (0/30)
Well shit. I whistled, excitement in my eyes. I can create a critical by having it hit something. The impact magnitude increases it as well. Well, let’s calm down. I’m sure the fact that it’s made of bone is what increased the damage so much. I’m still stuck in the same dilemma. I drag the skeleton corpse to a corner of the room, quacking using it to regenerate what I could. 0.5 Void isn’t great, but it’s better than nothing.
I wonder if there’s something I can do with the bones…necromancy? That’d be interesting. I’ll ask Lucifer later. I finally notice the messages I ignored before. They must be important because they didn’t get removed. I bring them up.
New Update!
Due to player request, a small update has been put in place that makes attacks variable, instead of constant. The chance of getting a higher value, rather than a lower one, depends on your Luck.
Tartarus (Dungeon) Update!
Dying in Tartarus automatically fails the Quest ‘Wrath of Cronus'
The Quest ‘Wrath of Cronus’ cannot be retaken
I collapse, exhaustion rolling over me. I mutter profanities under my breath about the stupid GM. I KNOW he’s the one who made this happen. He’s getting back at me for choosing manual System and getting overridden. I’ve only got 5 health, no way to regain it, and a whole lot of monsters left. I look up, let’s check the next room before I continue on. I move past the skeletons, and look inside.
There’s nothing in here. Confused, I walk inside. It really is empty, just like the first two rooms. There’s another entrance as well. I walk over to it. It’s full of…
IT’S FULL OF PLANTS!! This is exactly what I needed. Wait, I haven’t learned alchemy. Dammit.
Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. I’ll go back to the plant room. I head back over. There’s a few variety of plants inside. I spend a while looking through my book and trying to find one that matches. It took a while, but I eventually found what I was looking for.
It was called Linx. It seemed to be one for the herbs required to create a basic health potion. In this game, instant recovery potions are extremely rare and coveted. General healing potions can only increase health regeneration. Same with mana etc. It’s unfortunate, but makes combat fair.
You’ve learned the craft Herblore!
Herblore: Lv1 (0%)
You can identify herbs and their quality. Greater accuracy and quality in gathering herbs.
Oh. Right, these aren’t plants but herbs. It’s even called Herblore…forget I ever said plants. Did I say plants? I don’t think so. I distinctly remember saying herbs. Well, let’s check it out. I focus on the herb I just discovered.
Linx
A mottly brown herb.
Well, that isn’t very descriptive. Maybe it’s my low level? I guess. Let’s try identifying the rest. In the end, I identify all four of the herbs in the room. Two of the others all give a short description same as the Linx. They were called Keal and Rixen. The last one, however, said that it was poisonous as well. That one was called Teax. I guess it tells you if it has a quality beyond its use as a medicinal herb.
I end up gathering all the herbs into the room I was just in. It seems to be a bit like skinning, where it shows you the place to pull it out. It also identifies anything that needs to be removed. You can’t replant, however, which is unfortunate. I put the three safe herbs in one pile, and the poisonous ones in another.
Now, I need to think about what I need from Lucifer. I wasn’t prepared last time, but this time I will be. I have Herblore now, so I can identify herbs. I need a book for basic alchemy potions, as well as an Alchemy set. Also I need one on how to learn new Enchantments. I was too rushed before, so it didn’t occur to me that I don’t know how to make more. What else…
Perhaps getting the pick was a bad idea. Herbs seem to grow naturally, but minerals? I’m not so sure I was thinking straight when I bought these things. I’ll keep it for now though. What else…I’ll have to ask about leatherworking. Otherwise skinning would be pointless. Okay, so let’s go through what I need.
-A book containing basic recipes for Alchemy
-A kit that allows me to perform Alchemy
-A book detailing how to create Enchantments
-Information on whether I can mine in here or not (hopefully he has an answer)
-Information on how to use the hides I skin.
Simple enough. I have quite a bit of herbs, so I’m hoping they’ll be worth something.
[Luna]: LUCIFER!
Lucifer suddenly appears, giving me a small fright. I’m getting used to it, but it’s still damn scary.
[Lucifer]: Yes? Have you got something for me?
I gesture to the herbs. He picks them up, mulling over them for a while.
[Lucifer]: These herbs are really shit. Did you pick them? I bet you picked them.
[Luna]: w-It’s not my fault I’m a low level on Herblore! I did the best I could.
[Lucifer]: nah, this is bad even for a beginner. Sorry to say, but you have no talent. Still, there’s quite a lot. And they are worth something. I’ll give you two silver Shadow Coins for it.
[Luna]: How much is that worth?
[Lucifer]: Who knows? It’s not like you have a choice right? Hehe.
[Luna]: …
[Lucifer]: heh.
[Luna]: Fine. You win. Then I wanted to ask you how much each of these items cost. An alchemy set. A book containing basic recipes for Alchemy. A book detailing how to create Enchantments.
[Lucifer]: First item would cost you 5 silver Shadow Coins. The second, 1 silver Shadow Coin. The third, 1 gold Shadow Coins.
[Luna]: …
[Luna]: How does the currency work for Shadow Coins?
[Lucifer]: Eh, ruining the mystery already. Okay, it’s pretty simple. It’s like general currency, there’s bronze, silver, gold and platinum Shadow Coins. 1 Silver requires 10 Bronze. 1 Gold requires 100 Silver. 1 Platinum requires 1000 Gold.
Okay…Shit. Guess I have to leave enchanting for quite a while. Is there any way I can reduce the cost for the Alchemy set and the book with Alchemy recipes.
[Lucifer]: Yes, but only because I’m aware of your low health. You’re my precious money-*cough* I mean friend. I can’t let you die.
[Luna]: Yeah yeah. So what’s the deal?
[Lucifer]: This one time deal is simple. Give me everything you have.
[Luna]: Everything?! Even my pick?! I haven’t even used it yet!
[Lucifer]: Nor will you. I had a good laugh after you bought it. After all, there’s nothing to mine in this dungeon.
[Luna]: …
[Luna]: I hate you.
[Lucifer]: Those words sing to my heart!
[Luna]: There’s one problem however. I need my sword to fight.
[Lucifer]: Right, this is true. I’ll leave you the sword, but everything else is mine. Including those clothes.
[Luna]: *splutter* WHAT!!
[Lucifer]: You heard me. It’s not a joke this time.
I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. He wants me to GO AROUND GODDAMN NAKED. IS THAT EVEN ALLOWED?!
[Luna]: Why would you want my clothes?! They’re useless.
[Lucifer]: I don’t. This is a lesson in humility. I’ve only been helping you out because you’re an investment. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. This will be the last time I help you. From now on, its fair exchanges. No matter what. Hopefully, this will make you understand that I am not a friend. I am a business man. You are a business partner. No more favors.
I sigh…he’s right. I’ve sort of come to expect his help. Seems he wants me to learn really fast that I won’t be getting any from now on.
[Luna]: Then one more question. How do I use hides I skin?
[Lucifer]: That requires the Leatherworking craft. You’ll need to read a book on the basics of the craft. It’ll cost you 20 silver.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
So that’s something for later I guess.
[Luna]: Am I even allowed to lose all my clothing…I’ll be naked won’t I?
[Lucifer]: Not fully. You’ll have a bra and panties on.
[Luna]: Great…that makes me feel so much better…
I can’t believe I want to agree to this. This is so degrading. Stupid Lucifer. You could’ve proven your point another way. I steel myself with resolve. I need that alchemy set.
[Luna]: …Fine. I accept the deal.
[Lucifer]: Great!
I feel everything from my inventory disappear, along with my clothes. The only thing I had left was the sword resting in my right hand. An alchemy set is sent to my inventory, along with a book on basic alchemy. I sigh in relief, I should be able to make some health potions now. I turn to give Lucifer a sarcastic comment…
And he’s gone. And I’m almost naked. That guy gets on my nerves. Just leaves whenever he wants. Appears and disappears out of thin air. What the hell is he? I don’t even care…I just want some clothes…
Why did I accept this deal? I can’t even make myself new clothes, because I need 20 silvers to learn Leatherworking. I hate my life right now. Things can’t possibly get worse then this…
A GM has sent you a message!
Message: mmm lookin’ good gurl ;)
I curl up in a ball. Things just got worse. Just block it out. No-one can see you. That’s a breach of privacy…
Suddenly, I snap my eyes open. WAIT A MINUTE. I never looked at my privacy settings. I quickly open them up and, sure enough, they’re all set to public. No wonder they could see me wherever I was. Stupid GM’s and their stupid abuse. I quickly set all of the settings to maximum privacy. Now no-one can see my in-game activity unless they’re with me.
A GM has sent you a message!
Message: Party pooper…Now all I have left are pictures.
*Shudder* goddamn pervert.
[Luna]: Reply to Gm. ‘Go to hell you sick pervert’.
A GM has sent you a message!
Message: You cute thing ;) don’t worry, I’ll see you real soon.
Oh god, what have I done. There’s no way he can get in here. Even GM’s can’t cheat the game. Please, don’t let me down Tartarus. Don’t let that thing inside this place. No, there’s no way he’ll be let in. Absolutely no way. Let’s just move past it. I need to learn Alchemy.
Strangely enough, now that all my settings were at ‘private’ I felt oddly secure. As if I was enveloped in a safety bubble. I wasn’t so upset at being nearly naked anymore. No-one can see me! Focusing back on what I got, the Alchemy set seems to be a small brewing station with a few starter bottles. It has a mortar and pestle with it as well. I start skimming the Alchemy book. It gives a rief description oif Alchemy before going into recipes. Apparently potion bottles can be reused, so you don’t need that many. Right now I have 5, so that should be fine for now.
How Alchemy works is simple. You use the mortar and pestle to grind down the herbs. Then, you mix the herbs into the brewing station. Different combinations give different effects. Finally, once the herbs are completely mixed, you pour them into one of potion bottles and put a stopper on it. Simple enough.
The book contained 5 recipes. Health Regeneration, Mana Regeneration, Energy Regeneration, Rage Regeneration and Antidote. 3 out of the 5 recipes are useless…
Well, I got what I wanted. How to make a health potion. As well as how to make an antidote. But I don’t need that right now.
You’ve learned the craft Alchemy!
You’ve learned some Alchemy Recipes!
Alchemy: Lv1 (0%)
Create various potions out of different herbs.
Health Regeneration (Basic)
Mana Regeneration (Basic)
Energy Regeneration (Basic)
Rage Regeneration (Basic)
Antidote (Basic)
Well, that was eventful. I guess this book is useless now. I’ll put it in my inventory to sell back to Lucifer. Now I just need to use the herbs for Health Regeneration. I believe the combination was Linx and Keal. Wait a second.
I just sold all the herbs.
I cursed at myself, I keep making stupid mistakes. I flung my eyes around wildly, hoping that he missed some only to spot a couple of the herbs each on the ground next to me. I teared up slightly. He’d left them there for me on purpose. He’s a good guy after all…
No! I can’t fall for this trap! He made me take my clothes off! He’s evil. But still…he’s really saved me. I pick them up and start the process. First, ground them in the mortal and pestle. Second, mix them in with some water. Water…Ah! There’s some water with the set. I’ll need to find some more though, if I wanted to create more potions. Okay, pour it all in together and mix it. That’s right…
Slowly…
I can see it starting to go red…
You’ve created the potion Health Regeneration (Basic)!
Health Regeneration (Basic)
Regenerates 20 health over 60 seconds.
Hah, that’s useless in battle. Still, better than nothing. It’ll raise my health up to full in less than a minute.
Tartarus (Dungeon) Update!
Tartarus has become an official Dungeon! Due to the nature of the Dungeon, only an official loot system has come into play.
Tartarus (Dungeon) Official Loot System!
Mini-Bosses and Bosses disappear after death, leaving behind loot equivalent to the difficulty level, with variance. Variance is affected by Luck.
Oh wow! I get some loot for killing bosses. The side effect is I can’t use them to get Void back, but I can live with that. Wonder what else I get…
Nothing…
What the hell is with the GM’s, I think they’re having too much fun with me. This is, after all, meant to be a world quest.
A GM has sent you a message!
Message: We have been restricted. There will be no more GM interaction with your current quest and the dungeon Tartarus. That is all. Good luck.
A tear silently rolls down my cheek, whoever made them stop…
Thank you…
I have been truly blessed. I am finally free from being their plaything. Now I can have some real fun!
…I’m still naked. That doesn’t matter! Let’s go kill some skeletons! I down the potion I made quickly, before making another two with the rest of the ingredients I had. Packing it all up, I store it back into my inventory.
I head back to the skeletons, this time with little worry. I already know how to deal with them now. Simply dodge their attack and do a feint. Then wait for it to use Repel, before going in for the kill. Rinse and repeat, simple. It took me only 10 minutes to dispatch the other 8 Skeletons in the room. I make sure I identify each one before I do. Got to grind my levels.
I gained 2 levels from them, putting me at 5. Strange that I gained more from the Skeletons then the Small Rats, but I put it down to them being corrupted. They mustn’t have been worth much. I then dragged all the skeletons back to the main room, the one with the paintings, just in case I needed their body’s later. Time to check my Status Plate.
Status Plate
Luna
Female
Race:
Draconite
Level:
5
Fame:
0
Class:
Wanderer
Infamy:
9999
Experience:
41%
Health:
20/20
Health Regeneration:
0
Stamina:
20/20
Stamina Regeneration:
1/5s
Void:
7.5/11
Void Regeneration:
N/A
Strength:
0
Vitality:
0
Might:
0
Endurance:
0
Dexterity:
0
Resistance:
0
Agility:
5
Defence:
0
Intelligence:
0
Sense:
10
Wisdom:
0
Luck:
0
Stat Points:
10
Titles
Forsaken by the Gods
Status Effects
None
Crafts:
Skinning: Lv1
Enchanting: Lv1
Herblore: Lv1
Alchemy: Lv1
Sigils:
Dark Attack (Weapon)
Alchemy Recipes:
Health Regeneration (Basic), Mana Regeneration (Basic), Energy Regeneration (Basic), Rage Regeneration (Basic), Antidote (Basic)
Skills
Passive
Active
Celestial Understanding: MAX
Adaptive Body: MAX
Zero Start: MAX
Memories of Time: MAX
Void Manipulation: MAX
Void Mastery: Lv1
Dark Affinity: Lv2
Identification: Lv2
Focused Mind (Toggle): Lv4
Condensed Spiraling Sphere: Lv1
Okay, so I gain 5 stat points every level. Must’ve gained ten for the first level. I’m still not fast enough right now, so I’ll invest all 10 into Agility. I felt my body get a bit lighter again. It also felt a bit leaner, more flexible. Must be imagining it.
I give myself a small break, taking the time to rest up a bit. A lots happened. Not even a day has passed yet. I feel as if everything’s rushing by so fast, is it because I’m having so much fun? I don’t know. I’m just enjoying myself. But I’m sure now that I’m grounded things will start to slow down a bit. I’ve got most of my basics, now it’s time for exploration. Levelling skills. Grinding.
Well, not really grinding. You can’t grind in this dungeon, at least not for long. Breaks over! I gather myself, then look around. I’ve got two ways left. Forward, or right…
Hmm……