After reuniting, the pair recounted their discoveries while finding a suitable inn for the night. After a bit of searching, they found a decent one located two blocks away from the main square. It cost a silver a day, which didn't sound like much- but would add up over time. Money was always a necessity, whether one was inside or outside of Halcyon.
They also stopped by different vendors to purchase new clothes, and supplies. After being confined to the galleon for so long, they were deprived of a spare change of clothes and necessities. Faye decided to rent one room with two beds to save money, as they would be pooling their resources as they worked together.
To say the least Argo wasn't unfamiliar with sharing a room, but with someone of the opposite gender- he felt very uncomfortable. But he knew he couldn't complain, her decisions were absolute.
After showering in what felt like forever, and changing into more comfortable clothes, they gathered inside the room under the glow of an oil lamp.
Argo mulled over the information Faye had discovered. While most of their findings aligned, he discovered the current quest had been going for fifty years. Something that had shocked Argo to his core, and he felt his uneasiness grow.
She has also mentioned there were request boards that littered the city, serving as a form of compensation besides slaying monsters. While she was recounting what she had discovered, Argo noticed her expression didn't seem to falter in the slightest. Not even when mentioning the quest had been going for fifty years.
'Is she confident? Or has she already moved past it?'
"Do you'll think we'll be able to join an adventurer group?" Argo ventured, hoping she might've stumbled upon something. Working in a group would increase their survival chances by a lot.
Faye shook her head, "No, it's nearly impossible to join an existing one. From what I've gathered, the strongest teams at the moment are the Red Cohort, and the Black Cohort. Unfortunately, the Pirate King still reigns as the strongest on this floor."
"Did you find anything about the Pirate King?" Argo asked curiously, not expecting a definite response. He would try his hardest to avoid provoking such a powerful being, but it was always better to be informed.
"Apparently much of his personal strength is a mystery; anyone who encountered him hasn't lived to tell the tale. He has a flagship, followed by two other galleons to form a small fleet. While they lack numbers, those three ships are capable of leveling a city."
He nodded, digesting this newfound information about the ruler of the seas. Faye had been more concise with her information gathering, revealing more then Argo had learned.
"Why do you think he hasn't tried to clear the quest?" The question had been bugging Argo. If someone possessed the military might to hold free reign over an entire floor, why not clear the quest?
She shrugged, "No clue. Probably for selfish reasons, he's a pirate after all. Not exactly known for their nobleness." Faye reached for the lamp's switch, "We'll train tomorrow. Get some sleep."
***
Under a star-studded night sky, two figures exchanged in a cyclone of strikes. Sparks flew, and metal shrieked as their blows collided in a dance of swift steel. A mundane human would've barely made out flashes of silver, while more experienced warriors could notice the intricate technique of their swordplay.
While Argo had been training for a week with feverish intensity on the Blind Knave, he couldn't bridge the gap in skill between himself and Faye. If even mimic a portion of her technique. The strokes he practiced had grounded his form, and tempered his technique but still prevented him from mastering basic sword forms.
Mana reinforcement had started becoming more natural for him as he worked on its efficiency, but he still had far to go in terms of mastering it. His aptitude for mana manipulation remained vital in this aspect, but did nothing for his sword technique.
His progress had surprised Faye to an extent, noticing her previous nonchalant attitude cracking with hints of concentration. His reflexes, and by extension battle sense had also made advancements, allowing him to gain insight into her moves. He had made considerable ground in lasting longer in their spars, from fifteen seconds to nearing a minute.
Faye's short sword sang through the air, twirling in a storm of strikes that threatened Argo's endurance. Parrying a straight thrust that split the air, Argo pivoted on his right foot before reinforcing his follow up swing with a burst of mana. While mana reinforcement was a constant stream of power, he decided to toss a boulder in to create a temporary wave.
His slash cut the wind, achieving a speed he was incapable of replicating before. While Argo had a faint understanding of her capabilities, Faye couldn't parry his current strike with her remaining blade. Once again, when he felt victory within his grasp his attack was instantly warded off.
CLANG!
Taking a back step to reorganize himself, he watched with conflicting feelings as Faye's second short sword manifested itself from light. She had managed to disrupt his attack with her second blade, finally shifting to using both of her swords.
He couldn't help but grin, "Have I made progress?"
Before he could relish in the small victory, Faye's figure blurred. Employing his earlier use of mana, Argo launched himself forward in an effort to match her speed.
Once again, the two became tangled in a maelstrom of deadly steel. Unfortunately, Argo could only last for another ten seconds before he collapsed. Dealing with one sword was already taxing on his mind, when two entered the equation it left his mind whirling. The two blades would create a symphony of meticulous strikes that capitalized on speed and produced unparalleled power.
It was like trying to hold back two overflow rivers with one hand. He had to concentrate on predicting the flows of both, while maintain a firm grip on the overwhelming force. A tall order, but it helped his multitasking ability greatly.
While it was their first day training on solid land, Argo was more then satisfied with his progress. Practicing those sword swings didn't go in vain. His brows would still knit when he remembered he would still have to continue doing them.
He sat on the ground panting, watching Faye's swords disappear into the Records.
Currently, the two were on a grass flatland, stretching around the walls of the City of Selene. The city had guards manning the walls, with smaller groups patrolling the outer edges. Faye told him about the Abhorrents populating Blackrock Island when they made their way through the city in the morning.
The most common creature was a Pale Wolf, characterized by their silver manes and six eyes. They were a Grade F Abhorrent, hunting in the vast grasslands of the island. They were armed with a keen sense of smell, advanced eyesight, and sharp claws making them quite a fearsome foe. Sufficiently dangerous on their own, but when they hunted in packs did their true abilities shine.
In the foggy forests bearing Lunar Fruit, were Mist Treants. Consisting of thick wooden bodies and metallic leaves, they were also Grade F. Capable of wrapping their long limbs around their prey, they could utilize their leaves to lull their targets into a deep sleep. Their main weakness was their mobility- they were unable to move from their stationary positions.
Faye clarified the deeper one traveled into the island, the more dangerous the Abhorrents would become. The latter two were the most abundant, and weakest monsters of the region.
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As he gazed at the moon above, trying to catch his breath, Argo realized he was slowly getting used to the darkness that ruled the land. His vision had slowly adjusted to the lack of light, and he could more or less get used to waking up and still seeing the darkness.
'Not something I'm excited about.'
"Your use of controlling mana in bursts is good. Your growing stronger at a rate much faster then I thought. Teaching you wasn't a waste." She touched her chin, lost in contemplation. Argo felt a little prideful, managing to peak Faye's interest. Nothing really managed to catch her eye nowadays.
Glancing at her, his face paled watching her make an expression that felt alien. A small grin tugged at her mouth. Combined with the moonlight shrouding her face, it radiated a breathtaking beauty.
"A-are you smiling?" Dumbfounded, he voiced his concerns. Did she hit her head somehow? Inhale a dangerous gas?
"Your imagination," Her expression quickly hardened, returning back to the cold mask of indifference.
"Before you woke up this morning, I heard about a large dungeon on the island. Apparently each main island has one, and it could help us make money and get stronger."
'A dungeon?'
Faye briefed him about the existence of dungeons, which were areas or strongholds infested with corrupted creatures or monsters. For one reason or another, there would be a malevolent power that created and sustained abominations, or the creatures were multiplying without restraint.
"Do you think we're capable enough?" He asked uneasily. Argo knew Faye was more then capable of fending for herself, but he was a whole other story.
Faye nodded, her long hair blowing with the night breeze. "Adventurers frequent it daily, and we'll stick to the higher floors. It shouldn't exceed our current capabilities."
Convinced, Argo rose to his feet before returning his sword to the Records. They had been training from early morning till what should be sunrise and he was growing hungry.
"Let's get something to eat then head over," he proposed. With her tacit agreement, they returned the city bathed in light.
***
The City of Selene not only had Lunar Elixirs as staple products, but harvested a type of mineral called moonstone. It had a peculiar nature that allowed it to absorb moonlight; like the plants that formed Lunar Elixir, allowing it to produce an everlasting white glow.
While the glow didn't produce enough light to be used in the city, it was perfect for maintaining paths through the darkness. The duo were currently proceeding along one such main path, lined with moonstone that created a trail of light.
Faye explained they were heading to the dungeon, which used to be a series of catacombs. When the city was first established, there were numerous casualties. After all, trying to establish a civilization in a place as unforgiving as the Tower was a humongous task. In order to prevent the dead from being corrupted, or their burial grounds preventing the city from expanding, they constructed a large series of catacombs.
Ironically, twenty years ago an untold disaster occurred and a malevolent power had taken residence up in the deepest parts of the underground labyrinth. Over the years its hold tightened, springing numerous defiled monsters that roamed the burial grounds of the city's ancestors. Unfortunately no one had made it deep enough to understand what the source of corruption was. That was how the catacombs had turned into a dungeon, serving as an important lifeblood to the city's adventurer populace.
"What was the name of this place again?" Argo asked, the name provided to him earlier eluding his memory.
Lifting the lantern in her hand, Faye responded tacitly. "The Catacombs of Yore."
Argo didn't know what 'yore' meant, and didn't both asking as they arrived in front of a stone gate.
There were three main entrances into the catacombs, and many untold smaller undocumented ones. Using a map she had purchased from an information broker, they had arrived at one of the main entrances.
"The higher floors have creatures ranging from Grade F to G, meaning its ideal for us. There are many warnings about the structure of the catacombs, many parts have become unstable with time." She informed, examining the cliff in the distance.
Argo nodded, feeling somewhat useless. He had neglected to dig up more information in favor of sleeping in.
Contrary to the city, the stone entrance was fashioned out of cut stone harvested from cliffsides. It lacked elaborate designs, and represented a square orifice jutting out of the cliff face. Argo attributed their construction was due to the use of mana and special Inherent.
Despite the dungeon's popularity he saw no one in sight, prompting Argo to frown. It was the equivalent of high noon, were people already inside?
Oblivious to his thoughts, Faye raised her lamp and made her way into the entrance.
***
The duo made their way down stairs carved from thick stone, the air becoming colder and damper. It felt like Argo was descending down the throat of a dead beast, the hairs on his arm sticking straight up. The light from the lamps served as the only source of comfort. The wind whispering empty words in the air.
When the stairs leveled off, they travelled down a long corridor filled with bones. The torches caused the shadows on the wall to jump, and move as if they were alive. Mimicking the dead trying to regain some semblance of life. Skulls and bones lined the walls and ceiling, forming a macabre artistry and eerie patterns.
The eye sockets of the many skulls seemed to harbor disdain for trespassers. Their dark orifices absorbed all light, and produced hollow sounds as the occasional wind passed through.
A pervasive silence hung in the air, their footsteps and breathing the only sources of sound and life. Coupled with the lingering scent of decay, Argo felt he was tramping on countless souls attempting to find eternal rest.
This corridor was only the entrance to the grand series of tunnels that made up the Catacombs of Yore, yet he was already creeped out of his wits. So many remains of the dead in one place, it felt like a ritual used to summon a demonic entity. Without Faye's presence Argo would've found himself losing his sanity as the seconds ticked by.
After thirty minutes of twisting turns, encountering collapsed passageways, and taking paths at random a clearing opened up before their eyes. Faye observed the map in her hand, marking their journey before nodding in approval.
The clearing resembled a small cave, with about a thirty meter diameter. Multiple tombs decorated the walls, along with the macabre decorations of skulls and bones. The air was thick with moisture, and smelt of ashes as Argo observed a particular inscription of one of the many tombs inside the wall.
Silco Bornova
Father, friend, husband.
Year 32
Argo frowned with the date inscribed on the stone. Thirty-two? Was the city founded on zero, and the following years were marked when they started keeping track of time? The logic would line up as this room was considered older and one of the first places people would be buried.
"Why exactly are we stopping here?"
Before Faye could answer his question, a slight hiss filled the room. It sounded like the whisper of a specter, filled with bloodlust. Appearing from the other end of the room, cloaked in darkness, a skeletal creature emerged.
With glowing red eyes, tattered rags, and skeletal frame, it moved forward like a marionette with its strings controlled. It wielded a shortward long rusted by the ravages of time. It's edge blunt, and hand guard falling apart. On the other arm was a buckler, filled with tears and scratches with a quarter of it missing.
"An undead skeleton," He remarked rather bluntly.
Before Argo could move, another three pairs of glowing rubies appeared from the darkness trailing behind the first. With the [Eye of Gleneus] from his armor, he had seen them coming.
"Remember your training, they shouldn't cause you any trouble," She called out from behind him. Looks like she would be observing him instead of fighting.
Summoning his sword and armor from the Records, while reinforcing his body with mana a white hue sprung out of his body. Instantly the light from the lanterns were eclipsed with the white glow as he sized up his foe.
The leading one was far enough from its companions that he could fell it in one strike without facing opposition. He just had to make sure to do it quickly.
Releasing the energy in his legs, Argo shot forward swinging his sword in a horizontal strike. His speed surpassed the skeleton's by a lot. He bisected it's head- moving onto one of its companions.
With a swift kick, another undead was sent careening into the wall, dislodging rock and dust into the air.
'Two down. Now for the-.'
In the corner of his eye a thin blade entered his vision, aimed for his left side. Caught off guard, Argo panicked and jumped backwards. A sudden attack?! Panicked, he used too much mana in his legs and slammed against the wall.
Letting out a pained groan, dust covered his vision as he felt impending danger. Rolling to the side on instinct, the clanking of bones followed with a stream of sparks.
"Fighting monsters is way different then sparing. They are undead creatures, remember?"
Faye's voice entered his ears, prompting Argo to gauge his surroundings as the dust cleared. The first skeleton had its head on the ground, but its body continued moving. Argo cursed his stupidity, the sudden attack was the body swinging at him. It was not bound by the limitations of life.
On the other hand, the skeleton he kicked into the wall had died on the spot.
Swiftly dodging another lazy sword strike, he saw crimson dust flowing from the crushed remains of the undead. They have a weakness in their torso?
This simulation wasn't to test his combat abilities, but his thinking. If he had analyzed the situation beforehand, and gauged his opponents properly, he wouldn't have been so panicked. After all strikes from rusted weapons would bounce off his armor.
Enlightened, Argo dispatched the remaining undead with relative ease. He avoided overusing mana as a crutch, unleashing slashes that tore through their cores. Feeling the essence gained from slaying the undead fill himself, he observed the skeletal remains. The undead had a red spherical core inside of their bodies, the nexus of their existence. Destroyed, they would return to the grave.
"You know your mistakes without me telling you, right?"
Argo nodded at Faye's question, disappointed with himself. He let the power that came with reinforcing his body with mana get to his head, and he neglected the basics about engaging in combat. Information was key. At least the enemy this time wasn't something as deadly as the Deep Kraken. He still had a long way to go.