Ivan stared up at the great tree before him. It was always at the end of the avenue, but approaching it had hardly made its size clear. Somehow he had expected it to not remain so large in his vision. Clearly it was absurdly sized from far away, but somehow the closer he got the more absurd it became. Myrn grinned and leaned in over his shoulder to kiss his cheek playfully.
Ivan shook his head and looked back up at the tree. It was a baffling magnificent structure. Beyond the Dungeon gates he could see the branches and pathways more clearly now up above and there was clearly some manner of design to the usual chaotic growth of plant life. He could see walkways, guard umm..branches that curved high over key areas with a flat enough top to provide a means of overwatch. The tiny ghost shapes of tall figures marched those paths along the trees and stood sentinel in defensive points.
Ivan let out an anxious breath and gathered his confidence. Penelope was with him. He could use her magic if he needed to, or simply bring her out and let her cut a way out for him. That would be a last resort for many reasons, many of which related to the fact that he wasn't ready to let go of these new friends just yet. They had many uses and he would need help besides. And...and well he cared about them even if they had only spent a few days together.
Those days had been fun, and filled with each other's company besides. Andy was caring and confident. Marvin was critical of things at times, but it was easy enough to appeal to his sense of humor. Davian was still a bit of mystery with his curse, and that in itself some small concern, but his support and role as a Bard would be ideal for complex fights and bosses. Myrn...well she was becoming a close friend, and was already Ivan's first lover. That made her special all on its own.
Myrn reached into her blouse and pulled out a ornate bronze tag about the size of her palm on a string. She had shown it to him before, and worn it at times when wearing little else. It was the Dungeon pass her family had earned and passed onto her. With it she could enter the Dungeon any time she wished with whoever she wished.
Otherwise a single pass could be purchased by any qualified adventurer, and his team logged by various guilds who had the ability to make the one time use magical items. But this way was ideal. Not only would their progress only be tracked by the Dungeon's sealing magic, a thing only one of the Gods themselves could check by coming here in person, but there was no requirement for Ivan to pass an inspection to get a ticket inside.
It sort of dodged Ivan’s need for the Rogue Job and its disguise skill for now, but that might be important later beside. If they got serious about taking on the dungeon they would need a guild’s help and resources to push further in. The common market stalls would only be able to supply what they needed for the couple floors. Everything else would need to be special ordered and crafted through the guilds, and unless Myrn’s family got out of the camps beforehand they would need to sign up with them for those services at the very least.
“Ready everyone?” Myrn asked.
Ivan gripped her other hand and nodded. She smiled at him confidently, some small worry or sadness in her eyes that could only be for one thing, but quickly hidden away once again. Since he had first tried, Myrn had avoided any attempts at speaking to her about any sort of Black Magic or Occult Craft. If it wasn't a simple change of subject sometimes she would just throw herself at him since he only tried when they were alone, or she would drag him somewhere he couldn't bring it up. She was conflicted, and more than anything Ivan sought to sort out that conflict either way more than drag her into dark practices by force.
He had already decided he wouldn't force Myrn into anything. She would have to choose. She...he didn't quite know how to explain it to himself, but the rage that had brought her to murder her poisoners was related to that tender scar on her mind that always became so apparent to his senses when they were together. He thought he knew the answer, or could at least guess, but that was over and done with now. It would only hurt Myrn to ask and be certain. It would only bring up things she probably wanted to forget.
“We'll come out before the hedge maze. There's various clock squares and courtyards inside, all highly guarded. For the most part we'll avoid those and take on the patrol squads right? Just to get a taste?” Marvin asked.
Myrn nodded.
“Yup. Just like we talked about last night.”
“I've been waiting for this....I'm ready.” Andy said, shifting in his arm and putting his shield and halberd together. With his Militia job aura active he was an almost solid beacon of confidence.
Davian drew his rapier, and conjured a silver version of a reed pipe set into his off hand.
Mryn tilted her head in interest and waited. After a moment Davian seemed to settle his nerves and then began to play.
The tune was mysterious, its notes echoing and haunting, but it filled Ivan with a sensation that made his Thief and Rogue Jobs shiver with delight. The Shroud too billowed lightly in response, and he felt many of the eyes of the watching townsfolk seem to slide off of him, only those with sharp focus on him seeming able to sense him any more.
“My Father would have liked that.” Penelope commented softly.
Ivan would have eyed Penelope for that strange comment at least if he could, but it certainly brought up questions to his mind.
“Ready now. We'll be harder to detect now. You'll hear my play from time to time, but don't be startled when it doesn't come from my actual location.” Davian told them.
Myrn nodded, with a plainly pleased grin on her face.
“Alright.” She said, stepping forward toward the mostly invisible yet slightly hazy boundary of the Dungeon Gate. She pressed the bronze tag into it, and the haze filled with shimmering golden light before falling like mist over their party.
“Let's go.”
As they stepped through the fog day turned to night in the blink of an eye. A great owl called and the insects of the night chirped and sang their chittering calls from all around. The town behind them vanished and to Ivan's senses they were suddenly in a savage and forgotten realm that had yet to see the touch of man.
“The old world Ivan. Exciting isn't it?” Penelope asked, interrupting his intake of the primal surroundings.
A clock with twisted hands and strange writing seemed to show it was a little after ten. By the dark it was clear which it meant if it were accurate. Indeed the clock's seconds seemed to keep time as he watched though the thing was held in the armpit of a twisted young tree.
Light brown tiling lined the paths to the hedge maze Ivan had largely ignored upon first sight, but now that he looked he saw yet again as the tree itself had seemed huge that the maze before him was large and vast. They stood on a rise at the gates before a great stair, placed as if to give those who would attempt it a chance to map out their way.
Myrn grinned and bumped his elbow a few times.
Ivan sighed and gave her a patient look before conjuring his scroll.
Map of the Old Oak Hedge Maze, By the Owlfeather Clan.
The text displayed the title and showed the way through to various courtyards and fountain rest areas that were safe to camp in. The maze itself wasn't difficult, any manner of approach essentially leading to the base of the tree, but depending upon the route one took they would see much more or much less fighting, including some minor Dungeon Boss battles on the way.
Ivan's heart increased its pace as he saw one of the bosses, a noted danger upon the map, as it took flight and started its patrol. Its gaze was easy enough to avoid within the hedge maze with the real danger being the small roosting owls that would cry out in alarm calling him, and nearby patrols against invaders.
“Won't they hear us fighting down there?” Davian asked. “The other patrols and that flying guy over there?”
“Some will, but by the time we get down there the Whisper Fog Blossoms will have covered most of the maze with the magic they produce. The Dungeon was set at this time to make sure that new groups didn't get overwhelmed, but to still provide a challenge to navigation and memory. Or so my parents say. If we work as a team, act quickly and decisively, we'll make it through. For now though I say we just try a few patrols and look for a chest or two around the front edges of the maze like we planned. If everyone is feeling good about it maybe we go a little deeper and clear out the 'Garden Arena'. That's right here off to the right. There's a little stone fountain, but plenty of room to call down the Owl Knight Captain, the first minor boss.” Myrn explained, pointing off in the distance where the growing fog had little effect on vision, and then directing everyone's gazes to Ivan's summoned map.
“Sounds like fun.” Ivan heard himself practically growl, the sharp edge of some dark excitement tinging his voice. He blinked, and felt...strange. He flexed his fingers and found that he had drawn both his Knight's Longsword and Quixla's dagger. His heart was beating fast and his head was swimming with what could only be called a true 'lust' for combat.
A sober clarity spilled over him as his heart raced. Colors sharpened. Scents stood out, and seemed to trail off into the distance only to be dulled by the magic fog. He felt himself instinctually tugging on the little threads he felt inside his mind, and even more clearly felt his own minute use of mana as he pulsed each of his new allies with a subtle magically fueled emotional stimulant. Andy closed his eyes and rolled his head, stretching his neck and flexing his jaw inside his helm, but his hands cracked inside his leather gauntlets as he held tight to his gear.
Myrn silently drew an arrow and was biting her lip as she too took a moment to close her eyes and attempt control of her emotions. Davian shook his head, but had his hand on his weapon. Marvin was grinning, and drew out his heavy two handed blade.
“Hardly thought I would be this excited.” Marvin commented calmly.
“I feel that.” Andy agreed with a soft laugh. “Ready to deal with the slave warriors and their patrolling masters?” He asked the group.
There were various nods. Davian nodded last, looking still rather splendid in his finely made and thickly quilted gambeson. The others wore gear much as they had before, and Ivan was already feeling at home in the leather clad coat of plates he wore. The armor certainly wasn't his arena mail and full brigdine, but it did let him move rather quickly all the same.
He noticed the Shroud moving about him then, cloaking him, each movement sending prickling tingles up his spine and into his brain as he subconsciously tried to use a skill he hadn't learned yet. The dark of the Dungeons night seemed to let him soak into their shade a little more. Myrn blinked, but smiled at him even as he lifted a hand to his head in reaction to the stinging.
“You okay?” She asked softly, her blue eyes glinting in the moonlight like gems stolen in the night.
Ivan nodded.
“Something something spark magic.” He grumbled.
Myrn chuckled as softly as the night wind. It was close to other sounds Ivan was familiar with.
“If you're struggling we can turn back. It's serious business in here.” She urged gently.
Ivan shook his head and embraced that strange feeling in his head he had felt before.
'We've scored her as a mate, but it's no time to show weakness. Claim victory in the hunt and she will want us all the more.' Ivan heard the voice his own, yet deeper and with that growling tone he had used before. It was a thought in his head, but so loud as to not seem like it came from his own mind. Yet even then his grip on his weapons tightened for a moment before a relaxed combat tension slid over his body like a silk sheet down his back.
Penelope and Azalea sat straight at the sound of it as well though otherwise their reactions were very different. Azalea clenched her iron lantern pole whereas Penelope gasped softly and put a hand to her chest. Both seemed to gain some minor infusion through whatever he was doing.
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“I'm ready. I just feel as though I've been waiting for this.” Ivan responded, his gaze catching her own in the cool dark of the Dungeon's night.
She blushed, and he felt the momentary thrill of startled arousal as she met his stare as a thrilling sensation through the web of mental links in his mind. She kept focus however and nodded at him, her uncertainty replaced with an excited grin.
“On you Andy.” Myrn said, turning to look at the fighter.
Andy nodded, and pulled the slotted barbute style visor of helm down before setting out down the stairs. Marvin did the same and followed, great sword at the ready, and moving with the grace of a cat. Davian followed after them, sparing a glance at Myrn and Ivan as they made up their back line.
He looked away sharply under Ivan's gaze, but seemed focused nonetheless. Ivan then had time to pay attention to Myrn as she stepped purposely into his path. The Shroud fell over her, and Ivan slid a possessive hand over her flank and across her hip as his lips found the back of her neck.
She took a shuddering breath and leaned back against him before starting forward after the team bow at the ready.
Part of Ivan's mind was stunned into silence as they all made their way forward and yet he couldn't help grinning as he felt little trickles of mana spilling from him, and catching on some unseen half manifested magic of the Shroud or of his own ability. He felt Quixla's dagger, and its patron demon's hunger and anticipation for the next taste of a living being's vitality. Even then he felt Penelope soaking in his potent emotions, for a moment seeing through her veil of control to the intense desire she concealed. Azalea was spared mostly by her own flames, they flared and shielded her from potential corruption.
More sensation rolled over him. He felt his friends trust that he and Myrn were at their backs like taps on a wire, each somehow with their own color, texture, taste, and smell to tell him what they were thinking. He felt his Thief Job's minor perception power triggering, and feeding off the effects of his other yet unnamed perception ability inspired by Quixla's unique corruption. Even then as he went forward he felt the various pathways of his mana linking further, uniting, and joining with the skill as he used it. Suddenly, and with some relief his scroll still floating with him for now displayed a few new lines of text along the bottom of the projected map.
Congratulations, You have manifested the Innate Perception Skill: Taps upon the Web!
This has come about from your involvement with the Demon Spirit of Quixla Bloodbane, and your own increasing susceptibility to her corruption due to your willingness to interact and gain favors from her. When existing within the same plane or communicating through dimensional transgressing means Quixla Bloodbane will be able to sense this change in you and will likely increase her opinion of you. Just remember that many female spiders devour their mates after the deed is done!~
“Odd...” Penelope mused, her voice a little husky. “You shouldn't be in a state to gain an innate skill like that...unless...unless well your change to an Incubus has already begun. That would explain what just happened nicely I suppose, but I don't like being uncertain.”
“It should have influenced his spark and bound it to one of his jobs shouldn't it?” Azalea asked, seeming under some sort of pressure rather than Penelope's appearance of arousal and minor intoxication.
Penelope took a breath and nodded.
“That was what I would have expected to happen, yes.” She agreed.
Ivan meanwhile listened, but paid only half attention. Ahead Andy was at the first corner of the hedge maze and Ivan could smell the stinking little beast-kin and lizard-man slaves the first patrolling Owl Watchman held like hounds under clinking links of chain.
Ivan ghosted ahead of Myrn, signaling that he would be fighting in his advanced position. Marvin noted Ivan's approach and so did Davian with a rather startled jump. Ivan grinned at him.
“First group. One Watchman. He's got three chained together Mouse-men in one hand, and two lizard-man warriors on the other. He'll likely sic the beast kin on us and try to shield himself from attack with the lizard-men.” Andy summarized.
Marvin nodded.
“I can take the lizard-men.” He whispered, a grim edge to his voice, and an equally dark smile on his face that he was failing to remove from his expression under his slotted helm.
“I'm taking the Watchman then. Davian keep Andy from being surrounded and then run them through if they try to push back to Myrn to keep her from firing on the lizard-men.” Ivan whispered.
They all nodded and moved in formation around the foggy bend of the hedge. The Whisper Fog Blossoms were white phantoms lining either side of the paved three meter wide pathway. They shone with faint light, and were the only source of light other than the stark rays of moonlight cutting down into the fog. The light from the flowers and moon both only seemed to make the fog more dense.
The patrol unit turned as the group approached, the sudden sound of feet upon the pavers drawing their ears. The mouse-men, tails cut to short stalks and clad in clay masks of lesser birds turned and squeaked their surprise to their master, even as he, or it, turned about to face the intruders.
At once he whipped the chains of the mouse-men, each little more than stoutly built children, and sent them forward already too late to stop Andy's charge. Marvin was right behind him and upon the lizard-men, clad in robes and bronze owl-like masks like that of the diminutive beast men. Each held bronze scimitars, foreign and advanced objects compared to the tribal stone weaponry of the lizard of the same breed the group had fought outside the dungeon.
The clash, and even the sound of their feet before was seemingly eaten away in the softly glowing fog of the strange little flowers. Myrn's first shot was an easily forgotten sound, its sharpness stolen by the fog, and then overwhelmed by the smack of her broadhead into the breastbone of the first lizard-man. Already the hedges around Andy were growing Longbow Pods, their dart tips glistening wetly in the fog and moonlight as their vines positioned them to fire into the flanks, above and below, the mouse-men contesting the groups shield wielding Fighter.
Ivan was no stranger to sprinting in combat. He had trained most of his life to fight, whether that be on foot, or upon horseback. When he traveled in his adolescence he often spared his horse the stress of carrying him by running at his stallion's side, but that agility was nothing to what he showed now. Even with Rogue having advanced only to level two in the time it took for the group to feel ready for the Dungeon he felt as though he ran with the wind.
In a strangely slow moment he was sprinting past Andy, and then Marvin's back through the misty fog, the Shroud about him like a living shadow more than an item of supple leather. His blades gleamed with imbued poisons, their steel leaving a sickened darkness upon the light they reflected, and his boots landed without a sound even while moving at his quickest. In the days before after they had hunted down yet another monster beyond the commons peoples means he read this upon his conjured scroll:
Congratulations! You've advanced your Rogue Job to Level 2 of 10.
Level 2 Rogue Skill: Silent Movement: You may now spend minor mana and stamina per second to maintain a completely silent approach to your next extremely violent or dubious affair!
Level 2 Rogue Perk: Proficient Dual Wielder: Your tendency to fight with a weapon in each hand is something embraced by your new shady profession! You will now deal more damage with any weapon in your off-hand and you are now more likely to manifest skills that rely on dual weapon fighting, and thanks to your Adaptive Fighting Skill you may now use counter Skills with your off-hand weapon. Please note that substituting the shield requirement for these skills may subject you to taking damage regardless of the success of the attempted counter!
Ivan used both of his new acquisitions in the first moments of this fight. With Silent Movement he slipped past the occupied front line of captive lesser creatures and for their lanky master, who stood near a quarter of Ivan's own height taller than him.
The strange avian biped drew its weapon attempting to strike, but too late. The sharp ring of Quixla's dagger against the magically crafted edge of its own bronze weapon was robbed of its potency by the fog, but still the weapon sang mournfully as it was torn from its wielder's grip by Ivan's parry. By the time the blade clattered to the ground Ivan was slashing at its long robbed legs with his sword and coming back with Quixla's deadly blade thrusting straight for its heart.
The creature battered him with its heavy and armored wing-like arms, but that was not enough to stop Ivan. He surged forward slashing at the creatures following attempts to rip at his legs with its taloned feet. The Knight's Longsword caught in the tough flesh of its bird like feet more than it cut it, but that was more than enough to provide space for Quixla's dagger to find the flesh of the creature's meaty thigh.
It seemed to hoot and holler in pain and panic, but took a single flying leap back down the path by means of some Job Skill. Ivan hardly hesitated as the creature knelt with its good leg, retrieving its weapon with nimble grace with its feather covered and taloned avian hand.
The single surviving lizard-man it had left behind fell to Quixla's dagger, and Marvin turned, sword spinning, to catch the last of the three mouse-men swarming Andy and Davian. His blade practically split the small bipedal beast creatures in two.
Ivan soaked in the exaltation of Quixla's dagger, seeming almost like a spider's fang in its new shape, as it breathed air once again after giving a moment to soak in the lizard-man's hearts' blood. Its satisfaction, mirror of Quixla's own desires, rolled over Ivan in a heady wave as he turned his gaze back to the Watchman.
The creature readied itself, going into an artful sword stance of some kind. Ivan smiled, eyes upon the wound that did not bleed on its weakened leg.
“It's a shame you aren't all that real in here.” Ivan found himself saying to the creature though it was highly unlikely it understood a word of what he said.
“I find myself wondering how you might taste, properly floured, breaded, and fried.”
The creature started forward, its eyes and emotional presence projecting rage. It was then Ivan realized that he was instinctually distracting the creature and using his new perception skill, already feeling Myrn's deadly focus as she took aim.
The longbow pods snapped and popped, their hollow shells clattering before turning to glowing mist that vanished in the fog. The last of the mouse-men fell then, either dead or too wounded with the incoming darts to endure the two Fighters with whatever small chance they had in the first place. And then Myrn's longbow snapped dully from the depths of the fog.
“Steal!” Ivan called out, opening his fingers while still partially gripping Quixla's dagger.
The sensation of mana being used by his magic Skill flashed in his mind like the dark shape of Myrn's arrow cutting through the fog. Again he readied himself, used to catching nothing with his attempts to steal against an opponent with its full attention on him. But he did not cast out the thieving magic again.
Myrn's arrow plowed through the Owl-man's bronze breastplate and more than a hand into its chest cavity. In the tiny moment the creature's eyes lost focus upon Ivan he activated his other magic skill. The ability stole hungrily from his mana pool, but at the same time it gave him such a rush as to seem a fair trade. Even then with Quixla's dagger in his hand it was more than worth it.
Darkness overcame Ivan like he had blinked his eyes shut on the world of reality, and when he opened them he was in the creature's shadow. Shadow Step, the Level 3 ability of his Amateur Assassin Job moved him into position instantaneously though with its mana cost, considered 'moderately high' by his own Scholar ability, was so great that he could use it only once in a short fight like this.
All the same he had to practice using it, had to train with it even if it made his head ache and sing with the rush of mana. When Quixla's dagger found the creature's heart and Ivan felt the additional shadow magic of his attack provided by Shadow Step rip apart the creature's insides he felt nothing but pure satisfaction. Yet monsters were tough things, and even impaled through the heart the creature could and would still do him injury. So he did not stop there.
With Quixla's dagger hungrily eating away at the creature's vital essence in his left hand he struck out with his Knight's Longsword in his right. Pommel Strike landed first on the back of the creature's head as it slouched, stunned by the massive amount of damage it had taken by the single blow before, only to be stunned into further helpless incoherence by an additional martial skill. Lacking room to move freely pressed so close behind the creature Ivan kicked the creature's knees to take it further to the ground instead of just flailing at it with his Knight's Longsword. It went, still stunned for the moment, but Ivan kept to its back, determined to feed the Bloodletting dagger as full a meal as he could manage with this single kill.
The creature recovered its mind, its head whirling, but was slammed by another arrow to the chest. Even then Myrn swept up her hand in a gripping fist summoning up the roots of the very hedges around them to tie and bind the creatures legs to floor thereby saving Ivan from any attempt of it using the razor sharp talons. In that moment, while wrenching the bloodthirsty demon blade further into flesh and bone Ivan managed to draw back and run his Knight's Longsword into the creature. The blade dived eagerly into its unarmored back driven by Ivan's implacable strength and immaculate dexterity.
If this thing was anything like a human on the inside Ivan had used his blades like pins and stuck them through the creatures heart and lungs. Even then it gasped, struggling, blood dripping weakly from its mouth, and a single dry gurgling caw escaping its lips. As it died Myrn was scanning their surroundings for the watchful little owls that would bring at least the next half dozen patrols their way. Ivan watched too, and saw the others doing the same before Myrn lowered her bow.
It took the biped Avian Watchman the same amount of time to die, even when impaled twice through the chest. That unnatural tenacity was an aspect all magically manifested monsters shared. It was as if the failed attempt to become living beings once again gave them resistance to losing what little life they had.
Ivan stepped back from it, surprised as its form withered like an ashen corpse in an unseen flame. Glowing ethereal smoke played from it in shining, glittering ribbons like liquid starlight until it was entirely gone.
Panting, Ivan watched the creature fade, almost all of the magic of its body consumed by the scarlet blade practically humming in his left hand. He let out a shuddering breath, feeling the blade elate as though its master was already tasting the pure, and mostly formless magic stored with it now.
“Get anything from that Steal Ivan?” Marvin asked, revealing a grin as he lifted his helm visor.
Ivan smiled back at him, but shook his head. With a flourish Ivan stored his weapons and drew back to the group, each of them moving with practiced ease to a position where they would be ready to fight as they just had.
“You like that Pommel Strike.” Davian commented idly to Ivan.
“Just as I like my Shield Slam. A stunned enemy can't strike at you. Isaac was practically on that things back, and those talons on its feet would cut right through his boots. It was the right play, just like Myrn binding it.” Andy replied.
The combat, though relatively quick, had each of them at least slightly winded. No one had taken wounds at least, but that was to plan as well. As much as Ivan would like to advance his Hedge Doctor to Medicine Man, or perhaps even some shadowy healing Job more inline with the Occult it wouldn't do for anyone to take so much as a scratch in this first fight. It was what they had prepared for, and they should expect to face several dozen patrols like this in just this outing.
“How's using Imbue Poison without a chant?” Myrn asked.
“It costs more.” Ivan complained, but shrugged.
Davian gave Ivan's scabbard-less belt a look, but then shook his head.
“Still using that new poison as well?” The Bard asked.
“Black Pine Tar, and Rosy Hemlock.” Ivan affirmed.
“And what's the dagger do? You always leave it instead of stabbing it again and again.”
Ivan gave the Bard a look, but brought Quixla's dagger out from his cloak.
They all blinked at its size change, and the subtle shift in its design from something of a crystalline stone knife to something closer to a finely wrought gemstone fang. Its new hilt still lacked anything of a true guard about it, but the black silk of its grip caught everyone's eyes once they were done taking in its blade. The heavy blade mimicked a fang only so much as other single edged knives did, still being relatively flat instead of round, but in those flats one could plainly see a haunting depth to the item. Its dark and slightly iridescent hues of deep scarlet to shadowy hints of pure black darkness made the weapon's edge hard to determine. At a glance it might even seem that it was blunt, but to put one's hand close to the edge of the blade would give pause to even the most dull witted of beings.
“It's advanced, isn't it? That's no common magical item is it Isaac?” Marvin asked, his eyes perhaps the only of the group to truly appreciate the item's potential upon seeing this second form. The others caught on as he spoke, and Ivan confirmed the assertion with a nod.
“Is it...hungry?” Davian asked, gulping mid way through his sentence.
Andy looked about to say something himself, but heard that and blinked, seeming to need to reconsider what he was about to say.
Ivan decided he would play along with that. Clearly Marvin and Andy were putting together what Davian just asked with what they sensed themselves and the awful bloodless sight of gaping wounds Ivan made with the frightening dagger.
“You could say that. I mean clearly you've noticed how it's grown.” Ivan said, with parent-like pride and affection in his voice.
Marvin smiled and shook his head, eyes back on their surroundings.
“Good deal. You've been dealing great damage with it so I won't complain. Just make sure you don't poke me with it okay?” Andy said, disarming any remotely hostile or sarcastic response with the brilliance of the smile he turned on Ivan.
Ivan made a play to shield himself from the pretend glaring light of Andy's smile making the big man chuckle. The two shared a knowing grin after that; Ivan feeling the tethers in his head pulling on Andy's usually reserved like of violent combat making the man's usual friendly smile gain a darker aspect.
“If we handle every group like that this will be no problem! Keep it up boys.” Myrn said with a grin. “Now get moving before we're spotted!”