Next day we had to sign new contracts and pay for next semester. Myne already had Earth, Fire and Water magic skills, so she chose Air magic skill as her next goal. I chose Earth magic skill, just as I planned, and we paid for next semester. Cleo's and Shayla's benefactors already paid for them, and also for their stay in dorm rooms until next semester.

Myne and me had two weeks, before next years lessons so we decided to spend them in town. Unlike us Trevor and Luara still had one week, before their graduation, so we had one week left before they could join us.

So we decided to visit Adventurers guild and increase our levels. This was the only time we could do it. Our summer break was opportunity for us to visit the dungeon for a whole week and use leveling crystals to increase our levels and possible our adventurer ranks. I did not level up for a whole year and expected to finally reach level twenty and C rank.

Receptionist took us to leveling crystal and Myne put her hand on it.

Human, LV 18 - 19

Name - Myne;

Job: Mage;

Status:

Health: 27 - 28;

Mana: 190 - 200;

Strength: 13;

Defense: 10;

Spell power: 12;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 5;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:Earth magic (Advanced);

Knitting (Novice);

Agriculture (Basic);

Wisdom (Basic);

Intelligence (Basic);

Fire magic (Novice);

Water magic (Novice)

Possible skill acquirement:

- Knitting (Basic);

- Fire magic (Basic);

Please choose one skill!

- Only level nineteen, - Myne sighed. Well, she used leveling crystal six month ago, and we were taking it really slow in the dungeon.

- At least you can increase your Fire magic skill level. That's very useful. You will be able to cast fire spells faster now.

- Ye, that's great. But I really hoped to reach level twenty.

Myne chose to increase her Fire magic skill, and stepped back from the crystal. With high expectations I put my hands on the crystal, but, just like Myne, was highly disappointed with the message.

Elf, LV - 19

Name - Avone;

Job: Ranger;

Even after a whole year I still could not level up and reach level twenty.

- Don't worry. I'm sure you are close to leveling up.

- I hope so.

I slouched, and in depressed mood returned to main hall.

- We still have one weak, want to go with me to Mages guild and learn new spells?

- No, I'm in no mood for more learning. Maybe I take some easy quest to pass the time. Killing monsters always helps me to relax.

Myne sighed: - Fine. Just be careful and don't do anything reckless.

I nodded and Myne went to Mage guild. I still had one weak and had no idea what to do. It would be wise, to go with Myne and learn a level two spell or two, like she suggested, but I was tired of learning and felt depressed by my luck of leveling up. I dreamed of reaching level twenty three, and was very disappointed. Never thought that reaching level twenty will be so hard, after jumping through levels in Grimsburg.

I decided to take a look at quest board, but nothing interesting caught my eye. Myne told me not to take risks, but only reason why I reached level nineteen in Grimsburg, was by taking risks.

I considered visiting dungeons. It was risky, but I was confident in my abilities and equipment. Still Dead man's chest dungeon could be too dangerous, and the usual Golden goose dungeon did not caught my interest. That left only Cemetery dungeon. According to rumors it was filled with high ranking undead. But undead monsters were mostly dangerous because of their magic. I learned Dispel spell, and at my level could use it to counter any low ranking spell. And it's not like their will be any high ranking magicians in there. Right?

I had my doubts, but decided to try it out. After all if things go bad I will simple run away. I ordered some food from guild worker and went to Cemetery dungeon. Technically, as D rank adventurer I was forbidden from entering it, but it's not like the dungeon was guarded or anything.

Cemetery dungeon was located four hour walk from the capitol. The road was rarely used and mostly overgrown. But it was still visible and it was hard to lose way. When I approached Cemetery dungeon the smell in the air changed and it stunk like rotten flesh. I shuttered and took out my sword. Usually I use bow and arrows, but they never work against undead, so this time I will have to rely on my sword and spells. I hid behind a tree and took a close look at Cemetery dungeon. In front of me was land covered with withered grass, broken tombstones, and old mausoleums. I did not see anyone. Somehow I imagined it being covered by swarms of skeletons and ghosts. The worse thing about undead monsters, was smaller amount of life force, that they had comparing to other creatures. But at least they had life force, which was surprising in itself.

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I took a deep breath, It was not too late to change my mind. But just as in previous life, most of time I was cautious person, who preferred to take things slow, but then once in a while I made reckless and stupid decisions that I always regretted later. Nothing had changed, even after my reincarnation.

I entered the dungeon and hid in the shadow of one of mausoleums. I casted View earth spell, hoping to find all kind of treasures, but nothing was there. Well no surprise. All mausoleums, especially so close to dungeon's borders were searched by swarms of treasure hunters hundreds of times. This place probably had not a single copper coin left inside it.

I hoped that stronger monsters will be in the middle of the dungeon, and went deeper inside. My plan was to scout outskirts of Cemetery dungeon, to make sure that I can spend nights outside its borders. No need to take unnecessary risks.

I finally encountered first monster. It was a ghost. slowly drifting in the air it aimlessly flew around cemetery. From my studies in Adventurers guild, I knew that ghosts, and other incorporeal monsters were immune to physical attacks, but could be killed, using magic weapon or spells. I did not know if my sword could kill or harm it, but it was perfect opportunity to find out. A blade made of pure adamantium could not harm a ghost, but my sword and daggers were made from orichalcum or adamantium and floor guardians fangs and claws. Technically they were not magic weapons, but added monster materials could make a difference. I armed myself with my sword and dagger and casted Haste spell on myself. Then I prepared Slow spell and stepped on the street. Ghost noticed me and immediately flew towards me. Undead-incorporeal monsters could not cause physical damage, but their touch could drain person's life force, and sometimes also age them in mere minutes.

I casted Slow spell and earth bubbles appeared beneath the ghost. His flight speed decreased, which meant that my level one magic was powerful enough to affect undead monsters.

My sword slash went through ghost, but it still shuttered and moved back. At least my sword caused some damage. Next was my dagger. I jumped forwards and used it to cut monsters face. It shuddered again and retreated further away.

Good. Weapons did not kill it, but caused damage. Several more attacks with my sword and monster turned to fog that fell on the ground. Then pieces of fog came together and formed magic stone. I was wandering, why ghost did not have one inside him. Guess that was the answer. I put the magic stone in my magic bag and continued my exploration. Next ghost I killed using my Magic arrow. My spell blew it to fog pieces that solidified into magic stone.

Soon after that I encountered the wight. It was a type of ghost. But unlike ghosts, that I could see trough, wight had red cloak on it and no legs. It screamed and flew towards me with outstretched arms. Monster had life draining touch, and only magic armor could protect against it. My Magic arrow destroyed monster in one shot, and just like ghost it disappeared and left behind magic stone.

That day I did not encounter any more monsters and left Cemetery dungeon when sun started to move towards west.

Early morning I continued my hunt, but only monsters that I encountered were ghosts and wights. Four days later I killed more than fifty ghosts. I considered going deeper into dungeon, but fear of death stopped me from doing so. Evening was approaching and I decided to leave Cemetery dungeon, when a zombie stepped onto the street in front of me. Unlike usual zombies, this one had the remnants of the wizards robe on it. Just in case I prepared my Dispel spell. Zombie pointed his finger at me and between us appeared several meters wide magic circle. I never saw anything like that before. The magic circle glowed and when its disappeared, it left behind four dog sized spiders. They were black, and top of their legs looked like scythe's. I recognized death spiders. According to legends they were servants of Spider goddess, worshiped by necromancers. Huge dangerous spiders with strong venom that could kill even a drake. Undead mage used summoning magic. I made a mistake preparing Dispel, I should have used Magic arrow or Haste spell. I turned around and run away. I glanced back, spiders were following me, but undead-mage stayed behind. I turned left and run around one of the mausoleums. It gave me enough time to prepare Magic arrow. Spiders run after me, but I was slightly faster. I run around mausoleum and back on the street.

Summoner was still standing on the street. I released my magic arrow, and mass of magic energy flew towards zombie. He picked up his hand, to protect himself, but my spell blew away his hand and most of his upper body. I turned around. Spiders were still following me. I hoped that they will disappear, after I killed mage, but no such luck. I continued running for a while and casted Shield barrier and Stone skin spells on myself. That should be enough.

I faced spiders and took out my dagger. Four on one, was not the best odds, but I should be able to take care of them. I jumped towards closest spider and stabbed his forehead with my dagger. At the same time I used my sword to cut off second spiders front legs. Third spider tried to jump on me, and I jumped to side. I had to leave my dagger inside monster's head, but I already expected that.

Spider's attack missed and he turned towards me. He prepared for an attack, but a second too late. My sword cut the front of his body in two. Fourth spider used scythe's on his legs, trying to cut off my leg, but my spells protected me, and all I suffered was a light cut. He tried to launch a second attack, but I was faster and pierced his forehead. I turned towards wounded spider. He tried using his remaining legs to jump at me, and I used my sword to cut him in two.

I exhaled. I won, and survived my encounter with a mage. Well, weak undead mage, but still a mage. I cut out spider's magic stones and gathered their venom. I had several empty vials inside my magic bag, just for such cases. I used four vials, to gather venom from all spiders. I decided to keep it, and use as a weapon, instead of selling it. I wanted to gather also undead mages magic stone, but my spell destroyed it. That was a shame. I used Cure spell, to heal my leg, and finally exited Cemetery dungeon.

Next morning I spend wondering around and only closer to evening I found a lonely ghost and killed it. Probably I already killed all the nearby monsters and decided to return to capitol next day. I had two days left before, meeting with my party members anyway. I picked up ghosts magic stone, and wanted to put it inside my magic bag, when chills run through my spine.

- Who dears to enter town of the dead, and disturb the sleep of the departed! - voice was deep and angry. First I did not realize where it was coming from, but then I saw a monster. It had man's head on top of lions body. Behind him were two large bird wings. His mouth was filled with sharp animal teeth, and his eyes glowed with yellow light. It was lamasu, guardian of the dead, servant of god Lama, the main god of necromancers. From what I understood by reading the books in Adventurers guild, lamasu were not undead - more like living guardians of cemeteries and similar places.

That was bad. Lamasu was as big as a bull and looked dangerous. His wings will also give him an advantage. My spells already stopped working. I started casting my Haste spell and tried to talk my why out of the fight.

- I didn't disturb anyone. I did not enter a single house of the dead, - that was true. No point going inside without any chance of finding reasures, and with possible undead waiting to sprang a trap on me.

- You disturbed the dead by coming here with evil intent. And you killed guardian spiders. Prepare to die intruder.

No chance for peace then. And fight it is. I hoped that monster had no long range attacks, or my chances of defeating him will be pretty bad.

Lamasu jumped from the roof and spread its wings. It tried to land on me, but he underestimated my agility. I jumped aside and above and cut his wing. My sword left a deep wound, and I nearly cut off monster's wing.

Lamasu roared and after landing turned towards me. He glanced at his wing and put it closer to his body.

- Impudent mortal. You will die for that!

Like he was not planning killing me before.

I took out my dagger and prepared for a fight. Monster looked dangerous, but thanks to my increased stats and weapons I was more than a match for it. After his first attack failed, lamasu was more careful, he slowly walked around me waiting for an opening. I decided to attack first. I started moving towards him, but at the last moment I jumped to the side. My sword left deep wound in his shoulder and monster roared in pain. Instinctively he moved back. I predicted his movement and followed him. My dagger went deep inside monsters body and pierced his heart. With his last movement, lamasu tried to bite my shoulder, but his teeth could not pierce my chainmail.

Lamasu fell on the ground and I sat down by his side. That was my first time defeating monster without magic, well my Haste spell did not count.

But I had enough of warnings. I cut out magic stone and quickly left Cemetery dungeon. It was time for me to stop risking my life and return to capitol.

After selling my magic stones I earned only two gold coins. I expected more, but lamasu's magic stone turned out to be of less value than I expected.

I still had two days before Trevor and Luara would get their vacation and decided to use them to rest. I used my two gold coins to rent a room in an expensive tavern that we used before. The tavern had excellent room and huge bath that I could use for free there. I decided, that I earned some rest and relaxation, before my next journey.