After leaving Black coin auction house, I went to Adventurer guild. I was not broke yet, but my vacation came to an end. I needed a job. I hated that word - job.
I looked over the quests, until noticed dungeon clearing quest. That was unusual, since dungeons near capitol were frequently visited by adventurers. I kept reading.
"Dungeon clearing quest near Gornagog village. Reward fifteen silver coins. Lodging and food included."
Never heard of Gornagog village. I took the quest sheet and waited until Bonnie was free. Cute bunny-girl was my favorite receptionist. I went to her and put the quest in front of her.
- Can you tell me about this quest?
- Certainly, - she nodded: - Gornagog village is located three days north east of the capitol. It is a small village, with big fields were villagers grow grain. No important roads go through it and grain is most important source of income for villagers. Almost thirty years ago a dungeon appeared near the village. Back then many adventurers went to explore it, but even after reaching floor ten they did not find any artifacts. They encountered some poisonous monsters, but the income from magic stones was not so big, and absence of major roads and with only small village nearby, made the dungeon unpopular. But, because of possible monster stampede, Gornagog village was granted tax relief, and was tasked with obligation to hire adventurers every year. Adventurers are tasked with dungeon cleaning quest. The quest is completed after you will hunt down at least forty monster, and bring back their magic stones. The income from magic stones will be yours, and also all monster materials.
- Why didn't someone just cleared the dungeon?
- No one knows how deep it is. And dungeon clearing could be dangerous because of the last floor monster. Are you interested in taking this quest? - bunny-girl looked at me with hopeful eyes. She was really easy to read.
- So, this job is unpopular?
- Yes. Three days travel there and three days back. Hunting monsters with unknown abilities and levels and small reward, makes this quest not very popular. We need to beg adventurers every year to take this job. There are more attractive jobs, not so far away from the capitol. Not to mention that the lowest party rank for this quest it D.
- I see, - I scratched my cheek: - I wanted get something more out of it, but nothing came to mind: - Is there a time limit for the job.
- No. As long as you regularly visit the dungeon and hunt there. You will need to show village elder magic stones that you got there, but there is no need to hurry.
- Good. I will take the quest. For this year and the next.
- For next year, - she asked hesitantly.
- Yes. You said that quest is posted every year, right?
- Yes, but... Well I guess it is fine. I will make special reservation for you. But you will need to confirm that you are excepting the quest in eleven month time.
- Very well. I will do that.
- Thank you for taking the quest. Please wait, I will bring you the map.
- I will also need food supplies for six days.
- Of course. It will cost you six silver coins.
I put the coins on the counter and Bonnie soon returned with the map and dried meat. I placed supplies in my magic bad, and left the guild. There was nothing else left to do for me in the capitol and so I left the capitol and went for the Gornagog village. I spend four days on the road. I took my time hunting on the way to test my new bow. It was excellent weapon, just as good as my first one. I hunted down two rabbits, but spared the boar and doe. They were too big for me alone to eat, and I had enough food anyway. Road to the Gornagog was almost empty and I after going farther away from the capitol I encountered only one traveler. It was a villager who was taking his grain to the capitol.
When I was approaching the village, I saw first big fields that villagers used to grow grain. Some of the villagers were working in the fields, and followed me with curious looks. As in many villages, the lands around the village had collective ownership, and because of that, most of villagers lived close to each other. Several houses near border of the village were abandoned. Gornagog village center, the most inhabited area of a village, was surrounded by small fence. The gates were open and I went directly threw them.
- I called out one of the villagers and asked directions to village elder house. It was the biggest house located in the centre of a village. Not far away from it was a building that looked like a church. Man who looked like a village elder was chopping wood, when I greeted him.
- Are you the village elder? - I assumed that it was him. He was around fifty years old, wearing simple, but durable clothe that looked mostly clean.
- Yes, - he turned towards me, but relaxed, when he noticed that I was a young woman, and also alone: - How my I help you?
- I accepted dungeon cleaning quest.
- Just you? - he looked at me doubtfully.
I took out my adventurer tag and showed it to him. He paled and bowed deeply.
- Please excuse me I did not realize, that you are B rank adventurer. Please come into my house.
He opened a door for me and I went inside.
- Daughter bring as some milk and food. We have guests.
- Water will be fine, - I never liked fresh cow milk. I was born in a town and actually preferred pasteurized milk. Not that it existed in this world.
We sat down at long wooden table, and young girl around twelve years old brought us jug of water, bread and cheese. She glanced at me though her curly red hear.
- Please excuse me, but our village is poor, and this is the most that I can offer you, - apologized elder.
- That will be fine. Please tell me about the dungeon.
- It is huge hole in the ground. My grandfather told me that when it appeared some children went inside and disappeared. Villagers went after them, but no one returned. Only month later when a monster came out of it they realized that it was a dungeon. They send word to the capitol and begged king for help. Word about our dungeon spread and many adventurers came. Things did not went well. They were arrogant people, demanded village women, free lodging and wine. Then, when they realized that they won't make much money and fame, they slowly started to leave. Villagers had no choice, but to beg the king for help again. But a war broke out, and king had no time for us. Years and many tragedies later, villages taxes were lowered and we were tasked with hiring adventurers, like you, to hunt monsters in that dungeon. But people do not like that dungeon is located so close to village. Many left, many more later.
- That is why there are abandoned houses?
- Yes. Dungeon and monsters scare us. We are no heroes, and we do not have a lot of money to hire strong adventurers who can get rid of the dungeon. Living so close to it drove away many families. I am sorry, - he waved his hands: - I did not wanted to burden you with this story.
- Calm down. I wanted to know that. So it is fine. It was interesting.
- Oh, thank you.
Well, probably saying that it was interesting, after hearing about village's hardships was not best choice of words.
- Your job request mentioned, that you will provide me with food and rest place.
- Are you alone, or will your party join you later?
- I work alone.
- Of course. Someone with your rank do not need help. I will prepare a room for you in my house, and...
- No. I will use one of the abandoned houses. Tell your people to fix it and build a fence around it or restore one, I don't care what. Fence must be higher that your highest village men. It does not need to be durable. Make it out of grass, for all I care. All I need is something that you cannot see threw.
- But, I can give you my best room.
- No. Three days, should be enough to prepare it. I will visit your dungeon in the meantime. Tell me where I can found it.
- You are planning to spend three days there?
- Yes. Is that a problem for you, - I asked sarcastically.
- No, of course not. It all will be done, as you wish.
- Good. I may need some time to gather all magic stones. You will leave food to me near the gates of my house, once I return, and keep leaving it until I am done. If the food will be untouched, it will mean that I am inside the dungeon. Is that clear.
- Yes, - he nodded.
- Good. So where can I found this dungeon?
- It is located around tenths of an hour walk from the village, in a forest.
- Is there a road, that leads to it?
- No. Why would we build a road that leads to the dungeon?
To make it easier for me find it - I wanted to say, but held my tong.
- Fine. Then send someone with me, to show me the location. Just as far as the entrance. Do not worry, no need to go inside with me.
- I will take you there myself.
- Good. Let us go them.
- Right now?
- I rested enough. And I do not want to lose more time than necessary.
- Yes, of course. Mary, I will be back soon, - he told his daughter and she nodded.
We left his house and went to the woods.
- My name is Avone, - I introduced myself, after realizing that I did not know his name.
- Of course. I am Eldrin, village elder.
- Were your wife outside?
- She died last year. Got sick. Now it is just me and Mary.
- I see.
- Many people blame dungeon, when people get sick.
- I do not think, that it is true.
- Maybe. Our priest says that dungeon is a test from the gods.
- Dungeon is a dungeon, - I shrugged: - In Magic academy I was taught that dungeons just are, neither good or bad.
- You went to Magic academy.
- Yes.
- You must be of noble birth, - he fell on his knees: - Please forgive me I did not realize.
- I am not. I am adventurer and got recommendation letter as payment for the job, - I sighed: - Please get up now, your clothe will get dirty.
- Yes, yes of course. This way.
Soon we reached the dungeon. Not even seeing its entrance I felt familiar chills.
- We are close.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
- Yes, you can feel it too? There.
He pointed ahead and I saw a hole that went deeper under earth. I took my bow and put one arrow on the string.
- I will return in three days. Maybe longer if I lose track of time. Just prepare my house, and do not do anything.
- It will be ready, - he nodded. Probable B rank adventurers reputation was even more impressive that I thought. I went inside the dungeon, feeling his eyes on my back.
The hole led me through long corridor to large underground cave. It had one more exit, dungeons first corridor. I entered it and soon inside first cavern noticed six huge frogs. Nothing unexpected, but very close to exit. I took my aim and shot first frog. Other monsters immediately started jumping towards me. Their mouth opened demonstrating huge fangs. They were big clumsy targets and it was over even before they got close to me. I sighed and took out my dagger. It was long time since I had to cut out magic stones from living creatures, and that was not something that I ever enjoyed. Their fangs probably could earn me some coppers, but it was more trouble to me than it was worth. Besides I will not be able to sell them until I return to capitol, and even my new magic purse was not bottomless. Cavern had two exits. I stopped. Dammit. My plan had one flaw. I had some paper pages, but not enough to make a map. Well I will be able to use my paper pages during my first visit, but I will have to think of something after that.
Three or four days later, probably four, since I got lost on my way back, I returned to Gornagog village. I explored most of what I called floor one. There were only low level monsters that were similar to the ones that I killed in Grimsburg dungeon, and at my level I could easily handle them alone.
Judging from suns position, time was between midday and evening. I went to village elders house. On my way I saw villagers, but they did not started conversation, and I had nothing to say to them.
Mary was playing in front of the house, but run inside as soon as she saw me. Eldrin soon came outside, following his daughter.
- Lady Avone. You have returned.
- Yes. I told you I will, - I showed him four magic stones: - Proof that I killed some monsters.
- Yes, of course. I did not dear to doubt you. I was just worried that something has happened to you.
- I am fine. Is my house ready?
- Yes. I did as you told. Please follow me. Or would you like some food first.
- Some food would be nice, - my own food supplies run out yesterday, and I did not had any food since then.
- Please, come inside.
After lunch, that consisted from bread and cheese. Eldrin took me to my new house. It was surrounded by a fence made from branches and straw. I tried to peek inside, but could not see anything. Good, that was exactly what I wanted. Fence was higher than me, high enough to be at least two meters above ground level. We went through the gate. House had a courtyard, big enough for a small garden, or for my sword practice.
Door was not new, but they used wood boards to nail the holes in the door and walls. Roof was also patched up. Not careful job, but good enough to prevent it from leaking. Inside the house was one big room. It had fireplace with a pot, two benches, table, some plates and a bed covered with straw and pieces of cloth.
- That will do. I will need two or three days rest, and then I return to the dungeon. Please ask your people to not disturb me without a good reason.
- I will. Is there anything else I can do for you?
- No, that is enough.
- I will send my daughter with food for you in the morning.
- Thank you.
After he left I took off may armor and boots and lay down on the bed. I could use my cloak as a blanket, but missed a pillow. I had a lot of work in front of me, but for now I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Next morning I went outside and took of my cloth. Morning was warm and it seemed that day will be a hot one. I put up my hands and used Life magic to create a small stream of hot water. My improvised shower felt good. After using my spare shirt to dry myself I went outside the gate. At the gate was a basket covered by small blanket. I took it inside my house and put it on the table.
Basket was filled with vegetables, cheese and bread. There was enough food, to feed two people. I ate as much as I could and took a shirt rest.
It was time to go outside and hunt. I took my bow and left for the forest. Around two hours later I killed a boar. It was big, with plenty of meat on it. At Adventurer academy I was thought, that I should remove its entrails, skin it and hung it on the tree, to let it bleed to improve the quality of meat. But then I will need to carry back the skinned body. That was really disgusting. I thought for a while and then decided to let villagers handle all the boring stuff. I still removed the entrails to make him lighter and cut of boar's head. It still left me with probably seventy or eighty kilos of animal's body. But with my improved stats I could lift up weight of two hundred kilos, so carrying it back to village will not be easy, but possible. I lifted boars body and put it on my shoulder. An hour later I returned to village and took boar's body to village elder's house. I dropped it near it and massaged my shoulders. It was more difficult task than I thought it will be.
Eldrin came outside and looked at a boar with surprise.
- I will need provisions, for a long period that I will use to stay in the dungeon. So smoke the meat, or do that stuff, that you do to preserve meat. And prepare it for my dungeon hunt.
What? I did not grow up in a farm. I had no idea what people did there. Smoking meat sounded about right.
- Yes. I see. I will do as you ask, - he nodded with doubtful expression.
- How long will it take?
- All will be ready the day after tomorrow.
- Good. And I will need its skin also. Do what you people do to preserve it.
- Fine, yes, I will take care of it.
- Good. Bring meat to me when it is ready. I will go to the dungeon then.
I returned to my house and eat the rest of my breakfast. I left the basket near the gate and spend the rest of my day practicing my swordsmanship and spell casting. In the evening Mary brought me another basket with food and took the empty one.
Next day I hunted a doe and asked Eldrin to do the same thing. Meat was ready by the next days late morning and Eldrin brought it together with Mary and another young boy. They carried three baskets, full of meat that was cut in thin, lean strips. He also brought a basket with some vegetables and pears.
- Thank you, - I showed all the meat inside my purse. They all watched with surprised expression when all food disappeared inside it.
- Most of meat is still inside my house. And there is still a doe that you caught.
- How long would that boar feed one person?
- Well, more than a month, definitely.
Really? That was more meat that I thought. Who knew that a single boar could feed a family of two people for at least half a month.
- Well, you can keep half of it then. I will let you know when I return. Make sure its hide is ready by then.
- Yes, thank you. But are you sure about it?
- Yes. It is not like I can eat it all myself and if I need more I will hunt more prey. Just make sure you prepare meat and animal skin for me.
Maybe I should learn how to preserve meat myself? But it sounded boring and time consuming. So I put that idea aside.
- Yes. Of course, - he bowed and they left taking empty baskets with them. Hmm, people in villages had many baskets. Maybe I should have bought myself a slave, who could cook and take care of the rest of boring stuff. But it was too late now, and I was not sure that I had enough money to buy one anyway.
There was nothing else to do, but go to the dungeon. I used up my remaining paper, mapping second floor. Dungeon was similar to the one in Grimsburg. Caverns and corridors, just these one where holes in the earth, and temperature there was lover. But monsters were similar and in seven days time I successfully cleaned out most of dungeons second floor monsters. I collected few of monster materials, such as claws and fangs and returned to village.
- Lady Avone, you have retuned, - greeted me Eldrin: - Was your hunt successful?
- In a way, - I placed on the table ten magic stones and monster materials that I collected: - I killed several monsters, but had to destroy their magic stones. I brought their claws and fangs as proof.
- I see. That is fine. I believe that you did your job.
- That is not enough, I will need to continue my hunting, until I collect enough magic stones. But I will need more time than I expected.
- That is fine. You are welcome to stay as long as you need.
Guess, no commoner was brave enough to show a B rank adventurer the door.
- I will do that. I will hunt tomorrow, and I will need you to prepare more provisions for me.
- It will be done lady Avone. I also prepared boar's skin for you, as you asked.
- Good, - I run out of paper and planned to use animal skin as a replacement, for my maps. Now I had all I needed to continue with my dungeon hunts.
* * *
Eleven month later I reached dungeons last floor and faced the fourth and last floor guardian. I already killed a cockatrice, ghoul and another skeleton dragon and now was running away from an ice giant.
He was three meters high and he could froze anything he touched. I casted Slow spell on him and now used my run and shoot fire ball and magic arrow tactic. I had only one mana and one stamina potion left and managed to inflict only minor damage on him.
I spend eleven month in Gornagog using the excuse that I destroyed most of magic stones during my hunts. Eldrin did not mind, since having a high ranking adventurer provided his village with security, and meat that I brought him after hunting, provided him with additional food. That way he had no need to use his own supplies to feed me. In exchange for meat that I left him, Eldrin provided me with vegetables and steady supply of bread and cheese. After Edrin's request I even got rid of several monsters that appeared near village and earned his additional favor. That earned me additional supply of fruits and berries, fresh or dried ones, depending on a season.
Until then many families left Gornagog village, but now the flow of people stopped and two new families even came to live there. My relationships with villagers were almost non-existent. They stayed away from me, just as I preferred, and all my communication went through Eldrin and his daughter.
I spend almost a year in Gornagog and finally reached floor twenty which was the last floor of Gornagog dungeon. I had several near death experiences, but successfully reached the dungeons lower floor.
Now I had to kill my third mid level floor guardian, after two skeleton dragons that I killed before. Ice giant turned out to be formidable opponent, but after successfully casting my slow spell I got an advantage and used my best run and shoot tactic that I used against stronger floor guardians. Now the question was will he die before I run out of mana or will I run out of mana first. Best weapon against ice monsters were fire spells, but my fire ball was too weak and just barely effective. After using it alongside Magic arrow I damaged ice giants chest, but not deep enough to reach his magic stone.
I had to use may last mana potion and concentrated my spells on ice giant's leg. After half an hour running casting and using up my last mana potion I managed to inflict enough damage on monster's leg for it to crumble and ice giant fell on the ground.
Ice giant concentrated on his leg and it started slowly to regenerate. Apparently he could not regenerate on his own, but could build himself new leg by using his innate ice magic.
I drunk stamina potion and took out my sword. I needed to kill him before he could get the use of his legs back. I threw one more fire ball at his face and them used follow up attack with my sword. He protected himself by putting up his arm, but it was just what I expected. My sword got stuck in his arm and I immediately twisted it, using sword's cross guard. Monsters arm crumbled and half of it fell on the ground. I jumped back to avoid the touch of this second arm. I kept attacking and jumping around fallen ice giant. It had a choice to protect his head and body by sacrificing his arm or to risk a lethal wound, but keep his only offensive ability. Ice giant chose to keep his arm, and tried grabbing me, every time I attacked.
My combination of Haste and Slow spells gave me more than enough advantage to avoid his attacks and continue my own. The fight also allowed some of my mana to restore itself, and I could continue casting my two spells.
I managed to inflict damage on ice giant's body and cut off his fingers and them his palm, shortening his attack range and preventing him from using his freezing touch.
Another half an hour later ice giant suffered enough damage from my sword and hundreds of ice pieces fell on the ground. Finally it was over. I sat on the ground next to the wall taking deep breaths. It was my longest battle yet, but I managed to defeat dungeons final guardian. I took his magic stone, my biggest one yet, since I had to destroy skeleton dragon's magic stones in order to kill them and returned to the room where I first saw ice giant. Inside it was an alcove with big dark crystal. My second dungeon core. I pocketed it and suddenly magic circle appeared in front of me. I was curious, but read about such possibility. I stepped inside the circle and appeared in front of the dungeon. Talk about convenient.
I returned to the village and showed village elder forty magic stones. I asked him to deliver message to Adventurer guild about my successful completion of a quest and also to confirm that I will take on this year's quest as well.
- But is it necessary to post another quest?
- As far as I know, you must post a quest every year with no exceptions. Or do you want to deny the king and start paying complete amount of taxes?
- Of course. I did not think about that. I will depart for the capitol tomorrow.
- Good. Bring me back news, that my application for this year's quest is accepted.
- I will do that.
I had no idea what he thought about me, but Eldrin was not a fool. He probably suspected my intensions, but since they would benefit his village, he did not mind, probably.
Next I visited the church. Until then I saw priest several times, but never talked to him. Church was build from wood, with huge front room, where village's people could gather and have meetings, or listen priest's teachings.
- Welcome adventurer. How my I help you?
- I wish to use leveling crystal.
- Of course. But it will cost you three silver coins. I am sorry, but there are no exceptions.
- Of course, - I handed him three silver coins and he took me to back room.
- Leave the room, - I ordered him.
- My apologies adventurer. I know that it is different in Adventurer guild, but I must stay and observe the use of the crystal by every human who uses it.
- Good, - I put strands of my hair behind my pointed ears: - I am not a human, so that will not apply.
- But...
- Leave. I will not repeat myself, - I glanced at him angrily and put my hand on sword's hilt.
- Yes, I think that in your case I can allow you use the crystal privately.
After he left I put my hand on the crystal and looked at the familiar words and numbers.
Elf, LV 28 - 29
Name - Avone;
Job: Ranger;
Status:
Health: 20;
Mana: 270 - 280;
Strength: 14;
Defense: 9 - 10;
Spell power: 11;
Luck: 1;
Speed: 6 (+1=7);
Morale: Neutral
Skills:
Archery (Advanced);
Night vision (Advanced);
Mana rapid recovery (Novice);
Magic resistance (Advanced);
Wisdom (Basic);
Earth magic (Basic);
Butchery (Novice);
Water magic (Novice);
Air magic (Basic);
Intelligence (Advanced);
Fire magic (Novice);
Life magic (Novice);
Swordsmanship (Advanced);
Increased speed (Novice);
Throwing (Novice);
Hunting (Novice);
Weapons master (Novice);
Double skill slots
Possible skill acquirement:
- Butchery (Basic);
- Scouting (Novice);
Please choose one skill!
Even after clearing whole dungeon, I got only single level. That was slow. And skill choice. It was almost the worse one possible. Butchery my most useless skill or scouting, another skill that I did not want. I sighed and chose basic Butchery level. Talk about useless.
Ten days later Eldrin returned and brought me a letter from the guild, confirming that they received news about my quests completion and that my second quest was also approved. Now I had an excuse to stay in the village and train a little. And also learn how to smoke meet.