Our first semester came to an end and our party gathered in Adventurers guild. Myne was the only one who learned a new skill - Fire magic, and was able to use leveling crystal to increase her levels, before the start of next semester. She reached level eighteen, but her skill choice was not great, so she had to increase her Agriculture skill to basic level.
We had one month long break before the beginning of next semester and gathered to discuss our plans.
- Should we explore deeper floors in the dungeon, - offered Luara. Until now, we could only go as far as third floor, because of our limited time. But we were strong enough to handle stronger monsters, that lived in the lower floors.
- Actually I wanted to do something else, - said Trevor.
- Really? What is it?
- You already know that once a year during winter break king organizes a tournament between the first year students of the Adventurers academy and the Knights academy. Principal offered me a chance to participate. I agreed, because of the prize that king every year promises to the winner of the tournament.
- What kind of prize is it? - I asked interested.
- King promises a small favor to whoever wins the tournament. I wish to ask him, to order one of his mages to grow back master Evan's arm. I heard that there are magicians in the king's court that are capable of such miracle.
- But you cannot even participate, - objected Luara: - Only those who are below level ten can participate in the tournament. And you reached level ten in Grimsburg already.
- Actually I registered as a level three knight, in the academy, - blushed Trevor: - Because of that I am qualified to participate in the tournament.
I laughed, and Trevor blushed even more.
- I was so proud of my knight job, that I didn't mention my previous job. I told principal about it, but he said that his records say that I am level three Knight, so that's not a problem. There are plenty of nobles who also hide their previous commoner job, so there is unofficial agreement between tournament organizers that only current job and level is considered.
- That's great. Hope you win. Is there a money prize as well? - I asked.
- No just a honor from a victory, and favor from the king. I think that it is more valuable than any amount of coins. But for last ten years all of the victors were students from the Knight academy. All participants are allowed to were armor and use any artifacts, that are their possessions. Low ranking adventurers can't compete with students from Knight academy because of that.
- I heard that current favorite is some archduke's son, - commented Luara: - Bookies accept rates on him one to one hundred. He will probably be covered in artifacts, like dragon in scales. Nobles who fail entering Magic academy always use this as opportunity to get king's recommendation. That is their second and mostly only chance to get acceptance for Magic academy. Last year that boy had fourth place, and lost because of the lack or sword skills. This time it will be different, he probably already has at least two warrior skills, and even more artifacts than last year.
- His name isn't Graig, is it? - asked Myne.
- Something like that. You also heard about him?
- His sister goes to Magic academy. She will be second year student next semester.
- I see.
- When will this tournament start? - I asked.
- In one week. It gives time for teachers to chose academies representatives and students have time to prepare for it. Well, aristocrat sons have time to receive more artifacts from their parents.- I don't think I can win, but this is a chance for me to repay master Evan.
- One week is enough time for us to visit the dungeon and find Trevor some artifacts, - I offered: - We could still visit the dungeon and come back in time.
- Oh, I like that idea, - agreed Luara: - Let's do it.
- I can't ask you that.- What are party members for then, - Luara tapped Trevor on the shoulder: - It's decided. Let us buy enough food, and be on our way. Everyone has their equipment with them?
We all had magic bags and usually carried our possessions inside them, so we all were ready to go. Luara ordered food supplies from guild worker and we packed them inside our magic bags.
- Well our mission is finding an artifact for Trevor or earning enough money to by one, - declared catgirl: - Let's go and do it.
We all smiled and fallowed our fearless leader.
We went through first three dungeon floors and entered the fourth. Monsters in there were stronger and were in bigger packs, but we managed to get past them.
Finally we reached floor five. We heard rumors that this floor was different and no maps were available for it. All we were told that exit to the floor six is on the other side. As soon as we entered it, we understood why there were no maps.
First - the floor was bright. Light resembled the one that we had outside, during the day. There were huge glowing crystals on the ceiling providing the light to all floor. Unlike other floors, there were no caverns and corridors. It was one huge kilometers wide cavern with forest covering all of its surface.
- Not what I expected, - I said surprised.
- Neither did I, - agreed Luara. We spend a lot of time simple standing and looking at it. Finally Luara shook her head and started moving.
- No reason to just stand here. We need to get to floor six, if we hope to have a chance of finding a single artifact for Trevor.
We fallowed our leader, still feeling surprised, by the sight in front of us. No wonder there was no map for this floor - I decided. No use making a map for one giant forest floor with no roads. I put my bow inside its sheath and took out my sword. It was a thick forest and my arrows would be useless in it. Luara smelled the air, and sneezed.
- Too much pollen, - she said with tears in her eyes, rubbing her nose. First attack came from an unexpected source. Myne was passing by one of the trees covered with vines, when vines suddenly started moving and wrapping around our mage. Myne screamed, when vines lifted her in the air and started moving her towards the tree. Trevor grabbed her waist, trying to prevent vines from pulling her away. I jumped in the air and cut the vines. I needed several slashes, before Myne finally fell in Trevor's arms. We quickly retreated from the tree, with vines shaking and reaching towards us.
Myne shook of the vines that were still on her and angrily glared at the tree. She extended her staff and fireball flew towards the tree. It burned down several vines and scorched the tree. Vines shook, and it looked like there were in pain.
- Burn down the vines, - advised Trevor: - If they are trees only weapon, we will be able to cut it down afterwards.
Myne nodded and used seven more fireballs until most of the vines were burned to ashes. I did not even know, that she learned Fire ball spell. We approached the monster-tree and used our swords to chop it down. Ordinarily we would not use swords for that, but all our swords were made from adamantium or orichalcum, and we did not risk dulling them. Tree was more that a meter wide and we chopped it from four sides. When I cut deep enough, blood came out of the tree trunk. I stopped and stepped back.
- There is blood coming out of it.
- From my side too, - said Trevor.
- I don't like it. I think that tree learned its lesson. Let's just leave, - said Luara. We all agreed and quickly left the weird tree behind us. We carefully avoided all trees with vines, but we should have paid more attention to other surroundings. Earth opened up under Myne, and she started falling into a pit. I barely managed to grab her arm and fell on the ground, slowly slipping down with Myne. Trevor and Luara grabbed my legs and slowly pull us both out. After we reached safety we looked inside the pit. There was water in it and something moved inside it. We recognized leeches. As long as human appear arm there were more than a dozen of them, probably even more in the water.
Myne shuttered imagining what would happen to her, if she would fell inside.
- Watch your step, - said Luara, who also looked scared and disgusted. This forest turned out to be like nothing that we expected.
We continued walking for an hour when we finally were attacked by normal monsters. At that point we were almost happy to see them. They looked like armadillos, around meter and a half long, reaching to our waists, and armed with long claws and small sharp teeth in their mouth. First we heard them, which gave Myne time to prepare her Slow spell, and me to prepare Magic arrow. As soon as we saw them, Myne casted her spell and I used Magic arrow to blew away first monsters head. They had tough armor that Trevor only damaged, even using all his strength. But, while attacking, they left their heads vulnerable. With Slow spell, slowing their movements, they were easy prey for us. Soon we disposed of eight monsters. Myne used her Magic arrow to kill two of them, while the rest died from our swords. We had to roll them over on their backs, to cut out their magic stones, Armor on their stomachs was thinner, but we still needed almost half an hour, before collecting all magic stones. Three hours later, we finally reached the other side of the floor five. We walked by the stone wall for half an hour more, until we finally found the stairs, that led to the floor six.
Floor six resembled the usual dungeon floors, long dark corridors and caverns with occasional monster attack. We killed two huge rat packs, and one horned bear. We slowly moved towards floors right side, hoping that it will be the lucky one.
Then we encountered bee hive, and I finally get to use my archery skill to its full potential. There were almost thirty bees, but thanks to their loud bussing, we noticed them early enough and Myne and me casted all protection spells that we knew, before challenging the cat sized bees. Thanks to our protection spells we avoided being stung by their stingers, and only suffered light injuries. That was the first time, that Trevor ended up unharmed, unlike the rest of us. His armor protected him from bee stings and he managed kill more of them than Luara and Myne. We started collecting their magic stones, when one more monster entered the cavern. He slowly approached one of the bees and after eating it, looked at us and licked his lips.
We were standing still, pretending that we were frozen in fear. Well, mostly pretending. It was a floor guardian. With all the adventurers earning money by collecting magic stones, the floor guardian was the last monster, that we thought we would encounter. He looked like a bull sized tiger, covered in flames. He was called Burning tiger. A low ranking floor guardian, but still a floor guardian. What was it with floor guardians and our party?
Floor guardians overconfidence and willingness to see fear of their victims, gave us time to prepare. I managed to cast Haste spell, and Shield barrier, and also prepare Magic arrow, while Myne also casted Shield barrier on herself, Trevor and Luara. She also prepared her Slow spell and casted it on Burning tiger, as soon as he started running towards us. Trevor, Luara and me run towards the monster. When the distance between us reached five meters I used my Magic arrow and wounded monsters leg. We all acted in complete silence. By this time we all knew what needed to be done, and also strong and weak sides of our party members.
We separated, surrounding the monster. Burning tiger jumped on Trevor and he used his shield to block monsters attack. Mine and Luara's swords wounded his sides. Burning tiger used his paw to hit Trevor's shield and he flew away several steps. Myne's magic arrow hit monster's face and Burning tiger roared in anger. One of his eyes was damaged and bleeding. Luara stabbed the tiger in his side, but the wound was not deep. She could not use her body's weight, to inflict more serious damage, because she could not get too close to the monster, because of the flames that surrounded his body. But she managed to distract the monster, and I used opportunity to cut off his back leg. Trevor got up and joined the fight. Monster tried to attack me, humping on his three legs, but Myne's second Magic arrow wounded another one of his legs. Tiger fell on the ground and we surrounded him. We attacked monster from all sides, using opportunities when he turned his head toward one of us. Myne used her Magic arrows to further weaken the monster. It took as some time, but finally monster stopped moving and his flames went out. We were covered in sweat, from jumping around and heat that monster generated. He was covered in wounds and blood, and for a moment I regretted that. Monsters hide could bring us a lot of money, but it was too damaged now. I cut out few pieces of undamaged hide, maybe I could use them to make me gloves.
After short rest, Luara cut out his magic stone, while Trevor and me removed his largest claws and fangs. We got our hands on one more magic gem. As big as chicken's egg, the magic gem was red like flames.
- We will finally earn a lot of money, - happily said Luara. I remembered Tanot's experiments with immortality elixir, and his need for magic gems. Selling this beauty would be such a waste. I still had three orichalcum coins, that I earned in Grimsburg and decided to take a chance.
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- If you all don't mind, I would like to keep it to myself. In exchange I can give everyone one orichalcum coin. That should be an approximate cost of the stone.
Luara curiously looked at me: - I don't mind. But why do you want it?
- I heard that alchemists can use them to make artifacts. Maybe one day I could need it. Call it investment in the future. Or gamble.
I took out three orichalcum coins and stretched out my hand. Luara shrugged her shoulders, and took one coin.
- Fine by me, - catgirl gave me the magic gem and I put it inside my magic bag. Myne and Trevor felt uncomfortable taking money from me, but took their coins.We finished collecting magic stone from bees, and continued our search for artifacts. Three days later we killed many monsters, but did not find any artifacts. Luara sighed and took out two maps.
- At this point I think that we have only one chance of finding an artifact, - she pointed at one map: - There is a hidden room on floor seven. It's a floor guardian room. I heard that other adventurers avoid it, because... Well it is floor guardian's room. Floors seven and eight don't have traveling floor guardians, instead every floor guardian that appears on those floors, after previous one is killed, ends up in that room. Since high ranking adventurers prefer hunting in Dead man's chest dungeon and only low or mid-ranking adventurers come here, they avoid that part of the dungeon. According to guilds records last time someone tried to kill that monster, was five years ago. C rank adventurers party never came back, and since then no one tried to approach the hidden room.
- What is the hidden room? - asked Trevor.
- Unlike ordinary caverns, the entrance in this one is hidden by overgrown glowing moss. This room was first discovered around a century ago, when some adventurer decided to collect the glowing moss. Since then no one went there or at least came out for many years, it will be the only part of the dungeon where no one has looked for artifacts for many years.
- But there will be floor guardian, - objected Myne.
- And we don't even know what kind of monster it will be, - agreed with her Trevor.
- We have all kind of potions, even if it can use petrifaction or something similar, we can protect ourselves. And Avone has her Night vision skill, that will warn us early enough. If it's too strong for us, Myne will use her slow spell and we will run away. Unless we go there, by this point we can forget about finding an artifact for Trevor.
After discussing it some more, we finally agreed to try visiting the hidden room. We needed half a day to reach it, and before going to hidden room, we decided to take a nap.
Floor seven was overgrown with glowing moss and it was easy to go past the entrance to the corridor, that led to floor guardians chambers. We had to search the cavern were the entrance was supposed to be, and without knowing exact cavern were it was supposed to be, we would never had find it.Trevor's sword went through the plant, without hitting the wall. He used his sword to cut the moss and we saw long corridor.
- Get ready everyone, - ordered Luara: - Corridor is supposed to be around three hundred meters long, with huge cavern at the end of it. Myne, Avone cast your protection spells.
I used my protection spells, Haste spell and finally Bless spell to increase my strength. Myne used her protection spells and prepared her Slow spell. We went ahead with me in front of the party. When we reached the cavern, I, as silently as I could, peaked inside it. In the middle of the cavern was stone structure resembling an altar. Floor guardian was there, using the altar as his bed.
He resembled a large human with hound's head. That was the archon - servant of one of the gods who according to the legends ruled the afterlife. His big bronze body, was covered in muscles. Unlike other monsters he had a piece of cloth draped around his hips and groin, and sandals. I never read about such beings being floor guardians.
I stepped back and after we retreated deeper in corridor, told the others what I saw.
- Do you think we can win? - asked Trevor Luara. She thought for a while and nodded.
- Yes. Don't see why not. Let's attack right now, while spells are still working.
I took out my orichalcum arrows and replaced them with my ordinary ones. We all mentally prepared and stepped into the floor guardians chambers. Myne immediately casted her Slow spell, and I released my arrow. I wounded floor guardian in the shoulder and small stream of blood flowed from the wound. He immediately jumped off from the altar and grabbed a greatsword, that was concealed by his body. My second arrow went inside his chest. He pulled took it out and dropped to the floor. He also took out my first arrow and broke it in two. My arrows did not go deep enough in his body, but they could at least pierce his body and inflict wounds.
Archon roared battle cry and run towards us. Myne used her Magic arrow, but he cut it with his sword. Even slowed down by Myne's spell he still moved almost as fast as Trevor. His speed stat must have been at least eight or even nine, since Myne's advanced Earth magic skill increased her spell's power, reducing her opponents speed by half.
Trevor put his shield in front of him and stepped forwards. More agile Luara run to the side. She did not use her shield probably judging that she was not strong enough to block floor guardians attack, even with her artifact-shield. I stayed behind. I wanted to inflict as much damage as I could with my orichalcum arrows, and I wanted to make sure, that our mage will be safe.Trevor and archon exchanged blows. Trevor was slightly faster, but archon was much stronger. Any ordinary shield or sword would have been cut to pieces by archon's greatsword, but adamantium armor was a match for servant of deity and his sword. Luara cut monsters back, and Trevor moved slightly to the side. I used the opportunity and wounded archon's leg. Annoyed archon used his left arm to pull it out, and missed Trevor's attack. Trevor used all his strength and cut the monster's left shoulder. He probably wanted to cut him in two, but blade went only as deep as clavicle. Trevor tried to pull out his sword, but it got stuck. In return archon used all his might and hit Trevor from above with his greatsword. Trevor tried to protect himself with his shield, but monster's strength was too much for him. Shield flew to the side and greatsword hit Trevor's head. Adamantium helmet protected Trevor from lethal wound, but he fell on the ground, with blood flowing out beneath his helmet. Luara immediately jumped forward and wounded archon's shoulder. He turned to face next opponent and Luara jumped back. She avoided archon's attacks, but could not find an opening to counterattack.
- Myne keep your Slow spell ready, - I ordered and took out my sword to join the fight. Sadly Myne could not use her spell while monster was still affected by it. She needed to wait till the effects of the spell wore off to use it again successfully.
I already prepared my Magic arrow, and used it as soon as I got closer. Cluster of magic energy hit the monster's torso and he lost his balance. My sword hit the hound's head and left a deep cut. Blood flowed in monster's left eye, and he blinked, trying to clear it. Luara slipped by him and cut one of his legs.
Monster could not use his left arm, and had to rely only on one hand to swing this greatsword. It slowed down his movements even further. Luara and me had advantage in speed and we used it in fullest, jumping around archon and cutting him whenever he turned his back towards one of us. Monster started to weaken from the blood loss, and I started to hope that we have a chance to kill him. Then suddenly his speed increased and I missed archon's attack. His sword went directly to my heart and hit my chainmail. My orichalcum armor protected me, but I felt one of my ribs breaking. The impact threw me back and I fell on the ground. I hit the ground and lost my breath. Sharp pain from the broken rib overwhelmed my mind.
Through my cloudy vision, I saw earth bubbles forming beneath the archon. Slow spell wore off for a moment, and he used the opportunity to its fullest. Archon faced Myne and run towards her. Myne used Magic arrow, but he again cut it apart with his sword. Luara tried to stop him, but he ignored the catgirl.
I could barely move and was in no shape to cast spells. I reached for my magic bag and took out an elixir. No time to be stingy and use ordinary healing potion. I swallowed the liquid and my wounds immediately started to heal.
Myne tried to retreat, but monster caught up to her and swung his sword. Myne tried to avoid attack and also used her staff to block archon's attack. She partially succeeded and sword did not cut her in two, the way archon intended. But greatsword left deep wound in Myne's body and she fell on the ground, with blood flowing out of her. Her adamantium chainmail partially protected her, but Myne was in no shape to continue the fight.
Luara cried in despair and doubled her attacks, trying to stop archon. He stepped back trying to keep his balance and Luara cut his torso in several places. He kept retreating, using his sword to protect himself from Luara's attacks.
I felt better and used again my Haste spell. No time for anything else. I got up to join the fight. Angered monster used his wounded left arm and caught Luara's sword. The blade left deep cut in his palm, but he squeezed his fingers, holding Luara's sword in place. She pulled as hard as she could, but monster was too strong. Archon pick up his greatsword and Luara rolled aside to avoid the attack. She had to leave her sword on archon's hand. He threw it aside and followed Luara cutting the ground, in places where she was moments ago.
With Myne, wounded and dying it was a matter of time before archon could use his speed and strength to its fullest and cut us to pieces. We had to finish the fight now or it will be too late. Thanks to elixir I regained all my strength and felt rested, in top of my fighting abilities. But I had to finish it in one blow. Archon noticed me and again used the same attack that he used before. Horizontal slash from right corner to lower left corner. I avoided his blade by an inch, and trusted my sword with all my strength. Tip of blade went into monster neck, beneath its animal head. Blood flowed from his mouth and archon fell on me.
He was heavy and I could barely breath beneath him. I tried to pull him off, but he was too heavy. Luara helped me and we rolled the body to the side.
- Myne, - gasped I, catching my breath. Luara nodded and approached our mage, taking out healing potion. She used it on Myne's wound, but it only managed to slow down bleeding. Luara took out several vials from Myne's magic bag and had to use three potions, before Myne's wound finally healed. After catching my breath I approached Trevor and used Cure spell on him. I removed his helmet and touched his head. His skull seemed to be whole. Helmet was slightly dented, but it protected Trevor's head, and he looked just unconscious. Just in case I used one more Cure spell and went to see now Myne is doing.
- She will be fine, - said relieved catgirl: - But no more fights with floor guardians. We are far from ready for them.
I nodded. Could not agree more. We got lucky fighting low level floor guardians, but stronger ones would definitely kill us. And even now, we all survived only thanks to our orichalcum and adamantium armor. Luara cut out the archon's magic stone, while I was watching over Myne and Trevor. Soon they regained their consciousness and were relieved to find out that everyone was fine. We searched the cavern, but did not find anything of value. Few pieces of rusted armor, probably all that was left from adventurers who previously challenged the archon.
- We got lucky, - said Luara: - But it is time for us to leave. We just have enough time left to get back to capitol, so Trevor could have some rest, before the beginning of the tournament. Besides, we at least got floor guardians greatsword.
I looked at the sword, it was heavy, and placed on the ground reached to my chest. The blade was more red than steel color. Trevor could probably use it, but it was two handed weapon, and Trevor's strength stats were too low for him to use it with one hand. Unless it enhanced users strength or something similar, it will be useless to us.
- Let us take the sword to guild and pay for appraisal there, - said Luara: - Maybe it is just the advantage that Trevor needs.
We all agreed and after a short rest prepared for departure. We needed two days to get out of the dungeon. Fifth floor again surprised us with some nasty traps. This time it was pitfalls with spikes on the bottom. But thanks to Luara's senses and trap detection skill we successfully avoided them. Weaker monster of the floors were no match for us and the evening of the second day we reached the capitol.
After spending a night in the tavern we went to Adventurers guild to cash in our loot from the dungeon.
- Hello again, - greeted us one of the receptionists. After six month we were familiar with most of receptionists, and they were used to us, bringing steady supply of magic stones. This one was a cheerful bunny-girl, who was always in good mood and greeted us with a smile: - One more successful dungeon hunt?
- You can say so, - Luara took out most of the magic stones and monster materials that we got from our hunt.
- Much more than usual I see. I will need some time to count and appraise it all.
- We can wait.
After counting our earnings it came to nine gold coins, five silvers and two copper coins. We all got two gold ones, and Luara kept the rest to replace the potions, that we used in the dungeon.
- We also have something that we need guild to appraise. Can we talk somewhere more private.
- Of course, - nodded receptionist: - Please follow me.
She took us to one of the back rooms and Luara took out the greatsword and archon's magic gem from her magic bag.
- We want guild to appraise the sword and sell the magic gem.
- Appraisal will cost you three silver coins, - impressed bunny girl took the magic gem and looked at it: - Magic gem, those are incredibly rear.
- Yes. We got lucky, - Luara handed her three silver coins and receptionist put the magic gem and sword in her magic pouch: - Please wait here, it will take some time.
We got comfortable in the soft chairs and waited for a while. Bunny-girl returned with old man, who still had the body of a warrior.
- Greetings, - said the man: - I don't think we met before. My name is Donar I am the current guild master. And you are Grimsburg dungeon party, then. Interesting things you brought, - we all stood up, but Donar waved his hand: - Please sit. Adventurers were never known for their good manners, so keep it simple.
He nodded to receptionist and she put the greatsword and magic gem on the table.
- First the sword. Its name is Sword of the undertaker. It is a mid ranking artifact. No curse on it, so anyone qualified can use it. The necessary qualification lowers and raises its value. One of you will need advanced level of Swordsmanship skill or something similar to use it. Sword increases magic resistance of the user and can cut through magic, even high ranking spells.
I remembered archon cutting through Myne's Magic arrows. So that's how he did it.
- If you wish we will gladly by it from you, or you can try selling it in auction. Some nobles will gladly by it, with proper advertisement, that only chosen swordsman can wield it.
Luara thought about it, but shook her head.
- Our warrior will keep the sword for himself. It will be useful to us, once he can use it. Unless you can offer us some similar weapon in exchange. We will consider a trade even for less valuable sword?
- Sadly, we currently don't have anything, that I can offer to you in exchange for it. But as you wish. If you ever decide to sell it, our doors are always open. Now the magic gem, as you already determined it is of higher value than magic stones. May I ask, were you got it?
- We would like to keep that information to ourselves, and also keep our transaction private, - I quickly said. We already discussed it, and I convinced the others to keep our success quiet, explaining that this way Trevor's opponents will underestimate him.
- Strange request for adventurers party?
- Myne and me are students in Magic academy. We wish to avoid unnecessary attention to us, - I came up with explanation.
- I can understand that. Relations with nobility can be difficult for all adventurers. It will be done as you ask. About the money. I can offer you two hundred and eighty gold coins for it.
Seventy gold coins for everyone. That was better than I expected. Our attempt to get Trevor an artifact failed, but at least we earned a lot of money. With the orichalcum coins that everyone received from me, by now they had enough money to complete three year studies in their academies.
- We agree, - nodded Luara: - Can you pay us in gold coins, so we can divide them between us.
- That won't be a problem. Hope you stay in the capitol, after you graduation. We could always use skilled adventurers, who aren't afraid to hunt in the dungeons, - guild master stood up and bowed to us: - Good luck to you in the future endeavors.
We bowed in return and guild master left the room. Receptionist soon returned with our coins and we happily divided them between us. Usually we would spend the time celebrating after such success, but this time our male adventurer needed rest, to keep his strength for the tournament.