christopherf- I appreciate your sentiment and your half star.  That being said, please get your facts straight otherwise the sarcasm fails miserably.  Thank you :D

Anyway, here's the next chapter, with hopefully another tonight for you guys.

Echo is not Shelly

Enjoy!

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Just for the heck of it, the group made their way to the last room of the first floor to look at the staircase. Loaded with spoils aplenty, they peeked into the staircase room, which as behind the elevated platform. It was a single room with two sides holding torches, the first floor behind it. The fourth wall held a doorway with a winding down staircase that also held torches at intermediate lengths. There was also a notable lack of dust and debris in here, even though it was so close to the previous fight.

"Huh, not as interesting as I thought it would be." Steel commented.

Mary raised her eyebrow, "What did you think would be here; marble railings and gold plated walls? It's a dungeon my over expectant student, not a treasury"

He smiled widely at her hefted his bag, "I'm not so sure about that, seems like we're going to make a huge profit from all these kills."

"I doubt it unfortunately." Mary sighed, "More than likely the other travelers and mercenaries have been hauling these pack as well. That'll lower the price to mere coppers or nothing at all."

Steel shook his head, "That may true for some, but those rats were level 4. That's a lot higher than the majority of the adventurer's right now, especially in packs. That weird group from before might of had some luck though."

She shrugged, "Maybe. Anyway we will be fine regardless due to your skinning skill." She gestured toward his bag, "The majority of your skins are above average quality, which is a lot better than the normal drops from the gods. Also, your boss loot . . . what did you get anyway?"

Steel brought out the core and the pelt. The pelt was huge, capable of covering all 4 of them at full stretch. Mary inspected it gleefully, "This is an excellent cut! This would net us a lot of silver, maybe even some gold."

Steel stowed it away, shaking his head, "This is for some new armor, not to be sold. I'm taking the boss loot as my share of this raid."

Mary frowned, "I. . ."

Steel put his finger to her lips, feeling the tingle of warmth beginning. "Next boss monster we kill, I'll skin for you and make it into something that okay?" He removed his finger,

She shook her head, "That. . ."

Steel glared at her so fiercely she took a step back, "No discussions on this, understand?"

Subdued, she nodded and backed down, "Okay then, I accept your offer. What about the core, how is it?"

Steel held it out for the two of them to inspect, Echo and Shadefur running around the elevated platform in a strange game of tag. "It was in a weird place, inside the neck and under the fur."

"Mary nodded, her eyes fixed on the core, "I've never seen a core like this before. Even bigger monsters have black cores, but this one is grey. Maybe it has some sort of special ability?"

Steel focused his identifying eyes on it, but all he got were question marks. "It seems like we need a professional to appraise this." He announced, "Can your mage guild store identify this?"

Mary nodded, "Of course, though they will take a small fee though. We should go there first after we leave to get some potions as well.

Nodding in agreement, Steel walked into the stair room and felt the walls.

"Unlike the rest of the floor, this place feels like something made it rather being natural." He pondered, his hand sliding smoothly without interruption. A blue glyph began glowing at his touch, throwing a strange blue tinge into the room.

For defeating the boss of the floor, "Rat Pack Leader", you have gained the ability to bypass this floor on future visits.+ 500 fame for killing the first secret boss in Everlife

"Sweet, that's a lot of fame." Steel lunched the air in exultation (Might be wrong word here). The ability to bypass the floor was also convenient, allowing the prevention of unnecessary loss of time and equipment in future raids. "Hey Mary, looks like we can bypass the first level because we beat the boss."

She clapped her hands together, "That's great! Now what?"

"Now we leave of course. Let’s go sell out spoils and get a bath." Steel paused a moment, "Any chance you can make a hit bath with your spells Mary?"

"What do you think I've been doing this whole time?"

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Failing to find a quick portal out, the group made their way back to the entrance the long way. After passing through all the caved and tunnels, they were finally greeted by a beautiful sunset setting down through the rocks. The area had notably less people than before, and the quick merchant stalls had been closed down for the night. Steel stretched his arms, in an almost comical worship of the sun pose. He laughed when he realized what he was doing.

"Do you even praise the sun?" He whispered to himself, setting off another laugh as his companions stared curiously at him.

"What's so funny Steel?" Mary asked.

He shook his head wryly, "Just an old memory of a joke long past from a very old trial. Let’s see if we can make it through without you getting mobbed again, shall we?"

Mary punched him lightly on the shoulder, a brief heat flashing through it. 'She is the perfect thing for a cold night.' He thought neutrally as he rubbed his arm, 'Though like fire she shouldn't be touched too long....huh?" With a jolt, he realized the geas made Mary feel like fire to him; it made so much sense. That was why a hair could hurt him, it acted like an ember, which did cause itchiness due to irritation. She didn't hurt him because he fell unconscious first, allowing her to touch him without fault, and then he woke up when she was out, like a fire that was extinguished.

'The Archmage sure is a sucker for irony.' Steel muttered inwardly, 'Turning his flaming hot daughter into an actual flame to potential trouble.'

He shared his realization with Mary, who nodded after her own consideration. "That does make sense." She agreed, "The geas is powered by my own power, which is primarily based off fire. Mages don't exert power when sleeping, which is why most assassinations happen during their sleep. Trust my father to think up a simple usage like that though." She shook her head in amazement.

Steel shrugged, "Well, nothing we can do about it. Let's go sell our loot."

With Steel leading and the Shadefur/Echo combo bringing up the rear, they made their way down the rocks back to the base camp. Luckily, it appeared that the stores were still open, though the stalls were all packed up. The mage run store was a cute little house with a sign displaying a tower hanging over the door. They walked through the doors to smell calm incense that hung in the air.

A single worker was waiting behind the counter, who stood up and bowed respectfully to Mary. "Greeting Vice-mage, it is good you have come." She smiled gently.

Mary nodded back, "Thank you for coming to manage the shop Shigure. Thanks to you, the tower will receive a good influx of cores."

"Vice-mage?" Steel whispered to Mary.

"I'm the second most powerful under my father, experience not counted, so that's my nickname." She whispered back.

Shigure walked over from behind the counter and hugged Mary. "I was worried because I heard you were coming today, but I hadn't seen you yet. Why did you not visit me sooner?"

"We went into the dungeon to see what it was like. . ." Mary was interrupted by Shigure pulling her in and petting her rapidly.

"Oh my goodness! This is terrible, are you all right? Tell me where it hurts? Shall I get you some new clothes? Why did you go to such a dangerous place so soon? You!" She glared at Steel, who was still bewildered by the sudden personality change, "You are responsible for this! How could you take her into such danger?"

Mary managed to pull herself away from the suddenly panicky attendant, "Shigure, its okay. I wanted go in and explore, you know that. Steel took care of me and even saved my life in there."

"You wouldn't have been in any danger if you hadn't gone in." Shigure declared, giving Steel a hard stare, "I don't like you being around this. . .boy." She sneered at Steel.

Steel scratched his head awkwardly, "Err, excuse me for asking, but are you one of those people who thinks women are superior to men? I'm not good with those kinds of people."

Shigure blinked at him, "You're a very honest person aren't you?"

Steel nodded, "Getting straight to the point eliminates time in my opinion. Being all wishy-washy just takes the day away."

Another stare, than Shigure barked a laugh at Steel. "Ha! I like you boy, even if you got the dumber gender." She grinned and gave him a small bow, "Thank you for taking care of the little mistress; this is from all of us at the tower. Her dream is one we all know, and we're all excited she's finally out and about.. Maybe now we can get some sleep and shut eye now." She joked.

Mary blushed, "What's that supposed to mean? I didn't do anything wrong." She stomped her foot in embarrassment.

Shigure giggled, her demeanor changing suddenly into a young lady's, "Silly, you've been the life of the tower for all your years: asking questions, making messes, exploding. It'll be a lot quieter once the youngest is gone."

Mary pouted at her, "You’re only a few years older than me, so where do you get off teasing me about being troublesome?"

Shigure patted Mary on the back, "Tis the wisdom of age talking. Now, I'm sure you didn't come in here just to talk. I wouldn't be so lucky." She winked at the group, spying Echo and Shadefur, "Oh, I'll be sure to play with you two later as well, k sweeties?"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The two of them made a hasty retreat out the door while Shigure giggled. Steel moved over and whispered to Mary, "Does this girl have a personality disorder or something?"

Mary giggled, "No, she just messed up on a potion a while back. It'll ware off eventually, but for now her personality changes with her mood. It's actually quite fun talking to her like this."

"What's she like when she's angry." He asked curiously.

Mary hurriedly calmed her giggles, "Like a drunkard with no coordination."

Ignoring the interesting ideas he could do with such a quirk, Steel walked over and emptied the loot onto the counter from the dungeon. "Here you go, fresh loot from the first floor."

Shigure walked over and inspected with a careful eye. "Hmm, quite a haul you guys brought back here. I'm impressed, very impressed. Almost no one was brought back a haul even close to yours, and even then not in such fine conditions." She lifted a fur and felt it, "Interesting, you skinned this yourself didn't you? Yes, I can feel the knife edges. How curious; all the other travelers merely accept the god's gift, yet you seem to be a hard worker."

Her hands moved to the cores, which she inspected with an eye pierce like a jeweler, "Even these cores have a bit of an extra shine, not that it'll affect the price. Still, this is a good amount for your first dungeon raid."

She crossed her hands and hummed to herself, "Do you guys need things from the shop? I haven't made the coin yet to buy all these things from you."

Steel nodded, "Actually yes, we could use some supplies for entering the dungeon tomorrow. Today we went in under prepared, so I'd like to avoid a repeat."

Shigure nodded, "Well, I can offer you a raid bundle and some potions for the lot here, as well as a future 5% buying price for anything else you might bring me."

"What's a raid bundle?"

Shigure reached under the counter and brought up a satchel. She described each item as she removed them from the bag, "This is a magic rope for a quick escape from the dungeon. Merely hold it and say 'Escape', and it works 5 times. This is a crocked eyeglass, perfect for looking down corners. This is monster bait, one time use that attracts all monsters in the area. Oh, these are ration packs in case of a long raid. Also, a book on dungeons and the basics. The bag itself is magic, capable of holding this stuff and others within it with a minimal weight gain."

Steel nodded, mildly impressed. "That sounds good and all, but that really doesn't seem worth the hassle we went through to get these fur and cores." He stood in front of Mary, holding a 'shhhing' gesture behind him.

Shigure gave him a smug look, "Why of course. The real deals are these potions." She pulled out three different colored potions and placed them on the counter.

Steel took a quick look and did a double take. The potions were at least two levels higher than his basic set, easily capable of refilling any of his bars from empty to full. "This is a bit overkill isn't?" Steel asked slowly.

Shigure shrugged, "Maybe at the moment. I guarantee they'll become more practical as you continue your raid, especially since they provide a bonus to regeneration as well."

Steel was sold at once. "How many are you talking here?"

Shigure smiled like an angler with a fish on the line, "5 of each type, with a discount on all others."

Steel nodded, "Deal." They shook hands and exchanged items. Steel gave the raiding pack to Mary, who put it on with an excited smile. She walked over to a mirror and began posing, forgetting about her audience.

Chuckling, Steel turned back to the counter in time to see Shigure use a crystal in Mary's direction. "Is that for preserving images of her?" Steel whispered.

She nodded, "Yes. Everyone in the tower wants to see her living the dream. Even her father has dropped some hints of desire." They shared a conspiratorial laugh.

"Throw in one of those crystals, and I'll deliver some of her sleeping and in battle."

Shigure stumbled over herself to give him one, saying "Do it and you'll have eternal gratitude."

[td2]Reward

Quest ReceivedTake discreet pictures of the Archmage's daughter while she’s on her adventureDifficulty: SuicidalRequirementsHigh intimacy with the Archmage's Daughter

Be with the Archmage's Daughter during her first adventure

have at least an average intimacy with the Mage Guild[/tds]Increased Intimacy with the Mage faction

Daughter will become the idol of the towerFailure Condition:Daughter finds out and destroys the image crystalRefusal of quest:No penaltiesFailure ResultLooks of pity and condolences for possible missing limbs

'Oh dear lord what did I just accept?" Steel looked in horror at the difficulty, 'Seriously, why is this suicidal? What is this mentioning of missing body parts? This seems scary!"

"How do I look guys?" Mary asked cheerfully from across the room.

Steel quickly pocketed the image crystal, "Like a real adventurer Mary, good job. Why don't you look around the shop for interesting things?"

Steel turned back to Shigure as Mary skipped around and inspected the wares, "Okay I'll do it, but give me something in return, otherwise I'll be risking my limbs and little Steel for nothing."

Shigure pointed at the image crystal, "You can keep that no matter if you succeed or fail. It's worth 15 gold, so it's worth it."

"If I fail it gets destroyed."

"Yeah, but now you won't have to pay for it."

"Fair enough." Steel took out the leader core, "Can you explain this to me. I got it. . ."

Shigure snatched the core out of his hands with a shocked expression. She held it up to the light and fell onto her behind. "Dear lord, don't tell me you killed the secret boss of the first floor?"

Steel cocked his head, "We did. Why?"

Shigure shot up and grabbed both of Steel's shoulders. "The pelt, show me the pelt."

Shaking at little at her intensity, Steel pulled the massive pelt out of his inventory. Shigure felt the pelt with such love and affection it seemed like she was holding her baby. "Amazing, so this is what it feels like." She sighed in contentment, startled as she remembered her place and noticed Steel's raised eyebrow. She coughed.

"Err, well, yeah this is great stuff you have here." Her tone became gruff, "Not that any of this interests me personally. It's just scientific intrigue and all that."

"Bullshit, tell me what's up." Steel deadpanned.

"Right, honest fellow. Anyway." She held up the pelt, "This is in excellent condition, such so that some of its spirit lives on within it. Now that I look, your armor is like that too." She squinted at Steel's armor, "You made an impression on it before it died, and since it was so much stronger than you it left its mark. Besides the natural magic properties, if you wear this you'll get something unexpected as a bonus effect. Congrats to you."

She held out the core, "This here is the more interesting of the two. From obvious glance, it's not a normal monster core. You can't feel it, but I am tuned to souls, so I can tell this is more of a soul core than a monster core."

"What's a soul core?" Steel asked.

"A soul core is between a monster core and a heart crystal. Heart crystals are only found in ancient ruins because they are the remains of ancient monsters that evolved far enough to become sentient. A soul core is the next evolution of a monster core, and tells of some sentience in the monster. That being said, they are extremely rare because adventurers kill the normal monsters far faster than they can evolve. 200 years is the minimum at least. It's strange though, why is this in a dungeon only a few days old?" Shigure's eyes wandered into the air, thinking of things beyond Steel's comprehension.

"Right, got it. What does it do?" Steel pressed.

She blinked and returned to the conversation, "Oh, well it depends. It can be used the same way as a normal monster core, with much higher results, or it can be used for summoning."

Steel's inner greed perked up, "Summoning you say?"

Shigure nodded, "Higher cores have a special capacity for summoning their previous holder, though only the body will appear and obey like a golem. Technically, monster cores can also be used like this, but to a lessor effect."

Steel's heart rose, "Can heart crystals also be used like that?"

"No, that is impossible. Heart crystals are soul containers with no body to summon. It was tried a long time ago when they were more uncommon than rare, and the failure destroyed the core."

"Okay. Well, it was good to ask anyway." He said, a little down, "So I can summon the boss with this crystal?"

"Yup, though for a limited amount of times before it breaks. Tell you what, leave this with me for the night, and I'll craft it into a bracelet for you."

"Sure, sounds good. Thanks for the potions and the kit." He smiled at her.

"No problem. Be sure and take of our cute little Mary. She likes to act like she's an adult, but she's real fun to fluster." Shigure winked at him, "Try not to die~~" The cutesy voice popped up again, "Oh, and next time you come in let me pet those two cuties you brought with you. I just want to dress them up and play with them.~~"

Grabbing Mary, they waved good-bye and left the shop, their supplies for the next raid acquired.