Blake looked up just in time to spot the creature that had his blessing on high alert, it was a scaled rat, about as big as a horse, and twice as long, “Holy Barrier” He roared as a shower of pointed scales rained down on them from the ceiling.

The barrage the creature had unleashed held for five seconds, making the ladies shriek before stopping as it dropped and landed between them and the treasure. Growling at them, while it drooled, its eyes were a shining red.

“Why is there a treasure guard this high up?” Claira asked after she had looked at the creature, as she dropped her bag.

“Doesn’t matter now, we need to kill it.” Blake said as he glanced over his shoulder to see a barrier form over the door, dropping his bag “It is do or die time, don’t hold back.”

“Right, Holy Guardian, Power Boost, Magic Boost.” Jessica said as she stood up, shaken, after putting her bag down.

“Holy Shield, Holy Ward, Holy Blessing.” Blake said then ran forward as he dropped the barrier, “I’ll keep it on me. Heavy Guard!” He roared before changing direction to the right, watching as the creature turned its head to him.

He came back around as the creature fully turned its way to him, and got ready to attack it, gripping his halberd tight. Seeing Block close the gap too and slam his axe into its back leg, Blake rushed forward and thrust into his neck as it became exposed with the turning of its face to Block, making the creature roar out in pain, before rearing up a bit and swiping its clawed foot at Blake, forcing him back and out of danger. Its tail was coming around to hit Block but an ice shard hit the tail and shifted the impact to off of Block’s side.

Blake ran forward again, rearing his halberd up and cutting down as the creature opened its maw to bite him. The blade cut at the monster’s eye, making it withdraw with a whimper before it spun around faster than Blake could see, sending him flying with a tail slam. His collision with the wall was harder than the hits of the troll, and Blake had to gasp at the pain of the two impacts, as he got to his feet.

“Blake! Are you ok?” Jessica cried out, but Blake just gave her a wave and a smile before running back it, spotting Block cutting into the monster's tail, followed by a sudden ice axe doing the same.

Blake didn’t have time to get healing, [if I fell, then Heavy Guard would break and they would get attacked,] closing with the monster again, he saw the forward claw come at him with a swipe and swung a counter, [Devastating Blow] he thought as his weapon connected, destroying the creatures paw, and covering Blake in thick and viscous blood. Before he could think, he spun the halberd in his grip and swung upwards at the neck, but the monster spun again slamming its tail down on him. But he switched to a guard the second he missed, but he was still forced to a knee.

The pressure broke as an ice shard slammed into the side of the creature, followed by Block cutting into the other forward claw, buying Blake a few seconds, enough for him to stand up again. Leaning on his Halberd he noticed something as the scales on its back were slowly growing back. [those, the scale shot it did, Shit.] Blake thought as he rushed forward again, catching the creature with the hook of his weapon he yanked it back towards him, then rolled out of the way at the swipe of its claw, before getting back to his feet and thrusting hard into the side of the creature.

The monster spun again but Blake was ready, using the Halberd as a pole, he jumped high and over the tail, then landed with a swing at the rear of the creature where Block and Claira had cut it before. [Cleave] He willed, and his blade cut the tail clean off, making it roar, but it broke ground and fell back. [what is it doing…] Blake thought then noticed the way its scales expanded up and out in a wide arch on its back, Looking to his teammates he saw them notice too, but only Claira had a way to stop the attack, and she could only save Block, [Jessica, Fuck, FUCK, SOLAR FORGE] he gestured at her and summoned a hard light wall between her and the creature, only to be thrown back as the first scale hit him, carrying him into the wall behind, shattering his defensive magic.

“BLAKE!” He heard Jessica cry out, but he was hit again, and again. Before landing on his feet, his eyes looked over to his side, and he saw his severed left arm still holding the Halberd in its hand, then he felt a pain in his abdomen and reached down with his right hand, and felt the blood, as well as a bit of his missing abdomen.

[Is this how i die, here and after all this bull… I can’t not yet… ] he thought as he fell forward, landing on his right hand, he coughed blood out, then looked up at the creature running at him. [not yet you asshole, I have somewhere to go back to…] he willed himself to sit on his knees and reached over placing the stumps of his left arm together. “GREATER HEAL, GREATER RECOVERY” he roared, as the creature reared up over him, then he threw his right hand forward. “LIGHT WEAPON!” he screamed as three halberd heads thrust out of the air at the creature, forcing it back before he stood. Looking to his side, his allies were hurt, Block was covered in shallow cuts but standing in front of Claira, who was being healed by Jessica, who was missing an arm too. [i fucked up on the solar forge... I can’t let them die here, I can’t let their lives end so soon.] he turned back to the monster and smiled a bloody-tooth smile. [I need to fix this bullshit, it’s not fair.]

[Indomitable has reached a threshold, one hundred percent damage reduction now active] His mind told him, as he tested his left arm and found nothing wrong with it, he reached down and grabbed his halberd, he rushed forward, using the three Magic Halberds to block the creatures attacks with counter swings, he closed the distance then dropped to a slide, as he held his weapon high to cut at the monster's belly. Rearing up at the end he felt an impact in his back that did nothing, but he turned around and swung again, catching the monster’s rear foot, [Devastating Blow] he mentally roared, and shattered the foot, before spinning to land a second hit on the midsection of the monster.

[Cleave, Rend] he thought as the hit connected, feeling the maw of the monster close on him, but it did nothing, but cough blood over him. Bringing his halberd up once more as he turned to the head of the monster he glared down at it. “You hurt my allies, your death is now assured.” He said before bringing the halberd blade down [Devastating Blow] he thought as the blade connected, annihilating the head of the monster.

[Indomitable effect activation threshold terminated, Force rest will occur in two minutes standby] his mind informed him, [shit not yet, last things to do] Glancing over to his friends, he walked over to Jessica’s severed arm, picked it up, and walked over, he smiled at her as he held it close, and placed his other hand on her shoulder, “Greater Heal.” He said and watched as the magic positioned the arm right and reattached it. Then he looked down to the unconscious form of Claira and rested his hand on her forehead, “Greater Heal.” he cast again, seeing the deep cuts she had received get closed before his world went dark, with his last sight being Jessica catching him.

Blake’s eyes snapped open to the ceiling, and the upper body of Jessica, who was gently stroking his hair, feeling his abdomen still in pain he let out a groan, making the priestess look down at him and smile.

Blake sat up slowly and looked about, Block was sitting and eating some snacks, Claira was off stuffing the treasure into the magic bag they got, and Jessica was sitting next to him, smiling with genuine happiness, “How long was I out?” He asked as he rubbed his eyes.

“By my count about an hour, I am not sure what you did but you did save us and defeated the guard.” Jessica said before reaching over and hugging him tight. “Thank you, Blake, I don’t think we would have survived if you didn’t kill it, I was out of most of my power after getting Block to his feet, and Claira was worse off.” she added as she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t mention it, I didn’t think about it, I must have been really tired the last time I used that power.” Blake said back, “I remember passing out back then too”

“What was that power exactly?” Jessica asked without letting him go.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“It’s the Blessing of the Indomitable, makes me unkillable if I think something is unjust,” Blake said back then reached for his bag, and fatched a snack he had packed, taking a bite of the dry fruit. “I guess it stops all forms of damage but then they are released slowly back or something, The last time was after the goblin tribe thing, and I didn’t bother blocking, I was out until the following day.”

“Well, it is a good thing you managed to heal us, if you didn’t I am sure Block would have been the only one left.” She said as she pulled him down, and back into her lap, before taking the snack out of his hands and holding a piece for him to eat, her expression was warm and loving, “Now rest and tell me how you feel.” she added in a tone that sounded very affectionate

Blake was lost for a second in her silvered eyes before he closed his eyes and sat up, “I am fine now, a bit of pain but nothing I can’t handle.” he reached over and took the offered piece eating it quickly. “Also I am sorry Jessica, I would like for us to stay as friends and teammates.”

He heard her shift a bit “I understand, you are sworn to this Jackie and Hilda, but I am just thankful, and I remember one of my sisters saying that when a man saves you as you did then we should shower them with affection,” she said, in a clear and sincere tone, that sounded a bit hurt. “I just want you to rest while Claira gathers the loot, it will take a while. So please rest your head on my lap and let me feed you for now?”

[Come on, Blake, it’s not anything, she just wants to show her appreciation that is all, It's not like she wants to be with you or anything… actually I should check on that…] Blake thought and let out a sigh, glanced over his shoulder, “Jessica if you can say with honesty that this is just you being appreciative of your rescue and not anything else then I’ll do it, but if you have feelings for me, I’ll have to reject them.” he said, his eye watching her.

She looked stunned for a second, then she withdrew inward and got a bit sheepish, followed by her glancing everywhere but at him while blushing, and finally, she shook her head, before locking her eyes on him, “I can’t lie anyway, so there is little point in trying, I do find you handsome and dependable, you are also a kind man and you have a big heart, moreover you act and speak like someone that believes in the old teachings which means you also understand my point of faith when it comes to Geie, and lastly you are respectful and caring, and I understand that you are held by these two others, so I will not try to push myself on you, but I do like you, and if you ever find yourself able to take on a third wife, I would love to be that, and even if it doesn’t happen, then I’ll be ok with being your supporter from the side.” she said very clearly and honestly, then blushed a bit “Now please just rest for now, I will be happy if you did.”

[fucking fuck, really… what the shit, are all the men dickheads in this world or something…] Blake screamed internally, then blinked a few times, before turning to Jessica, “I can’t return your feelings, and I don’t think I ever will be able to, so I am just going to sit and eat on my own, thank you for the offer, but I can’t play with your feelings even at your own request. Please understand.” He said slowly then bowed his head to her.

"Oh no, Blake, I understand, you don't really know me or anything and we did just meet." She lifted him up, before pulling back and smiling "I am not sure if these feelings are true or not, so for now let's just be friends. Besides, I have a feeling that your wives would be mad if you found comfort in my arms, and I am not one to damage your life by meddling." She said with as much candidness as she could muster, but Blake could see she was not happy or being completely honest.

Blake closed his eyes and turned his head, “Ok, I’ll believe you for now.” he said as he opened his eyes and started to eat his snack, focusing on it, not that dried fruits and meats are tasty.

The three sat in silence until a grunt followed by a woot came from the middle of the room. Turning all their heads that way, Claira was standing over the now open chest, Her posture was clearly stunned, and Blake could swear he could see drool, but she turned and yelled out to them “HEY GUYS GET OVER HERE.”

Blake and Jessica shared a quick glance and smile, then said in unison, “Well, there she goes for the coins.” before standing up with Block, who picked up Claira’s pack and walked over.

As they got close Blake took a look inside and saw four items, one was a circlet that didn’t close in the front but arched up like it was a tiara, made of pale gold. The second was a ring with an ox head sculpted on it, made of a silvery-looking metal. The third was a helmet that had a horizontal slit over where the eyes would be and very fine arcane runeworks along the edges that Blake’s mind recognized as dwarvish. The last looked like a wand made of a twisting and spiraling branch of an almost porcelain wood.

“Wow, any idea what they do?” Blake asked, looking over the items.

Claira shrugged, “Nope, but I bet they are valuable. I wanted to ask if any of you are interested before I throw it in the bag.” She said as she held up the magic bag, that Blake couldn’t see the bottom of even this close.

“I think we should have it all checked out before we decide on what to keep or sell.” Jessica said. “Besides, we are going to get a lot of rewards from the mission and the magic stones we will get.”

“Yeah, we killed ugly rat in room, so that gives money, right?” Block asked.

“Yeah,” Blake said then looked at Claira, “Wait you and Jessica called it a guard, what does that mean?”

“Oh, well on the lower floors that is considered harder, The treasure rooms are guarded, depending on the floor you may fight a few or one big guard, but no one really knows why they are there, they just kill anyone trying to get to the treasure.” Claira explained, then thought it over. “Now that I think about it maybe it has to do with the amount of treasure that there is in the room, There is a theory that the more adventurers or people die in a dungeon the stronger it grows, and on the lower floors death comes more often so the guards are there to make sure the treasure is kept and by extension that floor’s power, and when they are defeated the treasure is all taken so they don’t come back for a bit.”

“That makes some sense when you consider that we are the first ones here, and that pathway was teeming with rats, I guess clearing the floor completely is needed to make the way safer for weaker parties.” Blake said after a second, “actually that reminds me of a question I have been having. What happens if someone clears a dungeon?”

Claira thought it over and looked up at him, “Well, if stories are to be believed, then a dungeon is cleared the team that did it gets a unique skill and a massive boost in power. However, the last recorded clear for this one was like a hundred years ago by the last heroes.” she said after a second.

“And how long has this dungeon been active for?” Blake asked as he had thought of something both stupid and brilliant in his mind.

Claira narrowed her eyes at him, “like fiftyish years, but the book was made like three hundred years ago by a hero while he was clearing it, and the book says there should be twelve floors.” She said back, “why are you asking?”

“I had a brilliant and idiotic idea, but we will need to test it on the next two floors.” Blake said back with the biggest smile he could. “Now let’s stow those items and go get The Horned Rat head” before turning around and heading to the door.

Claira scooped the items up, and rushed after him, followed by Block and Jessica. “Blake as team leader, I want to know what your idea is.” she said as she got the magic bag over her shoulder and fixed her pack.

“Oh, easy, next floor we hit the boss then the treasure room, the floor after that we hit the treasure room then the boss, see if there is a difference in strength between the two fights.” he said and looked back to the rest of the party and smiled. “If the theory you spoke of is true then looting the treasure room would diminish the power of the boss making them easy to kill if that is true then we may be able to clear this dungeon and reap all the rewards, plus we could claim the clear mission and immediately turn it in too, no?”

Claira’s and Jessica’s eyes widened, and they looked at each other before looking back at him. And Jessica finally spoke, “Well, yes but the clear mission for this dungeon is a joke as the reward is small. Also, no one counts this dungeon as dangerous, moreover, if we do clear it then it will just close for a bit, at most we found the first-floor treasure room.”

“Yeah, but what about the eleventh’s and twelfth’s floor treasure rooms, How many adventurer teams go down there before failing to clear it or escape?” Blake said back, then looked down the hallways, “Besides, if we clear it we will all get skills right, wouldn’t that make us stronger and we could go clear a better dungeon? I think I would like to do the one called The Core Dungeon.”

Claira took a step back with Jessica at his statement, and Claira was first to respond, “Blake why do you want to go to that one, it is considered unbeatable like even A-rank teams don’t try it, the last team to try was an S-rank task force of ten and only three made it out, why that one?”

“Because, I have my reasons, and I think you guys have reasons to get stronger too,” he reached over and pulled her in and gestured into the air above them “Imagine the stories, The Raven’s Wing clears the unbeatable dungeon, fame and fortune awaits these mighty warriors. The Raven’s Wing is the Number One S-rank team due to their capabilities at dungeon clearing. And think of all the loot down there and here.” he said as he slowly let her go as her imagination ran wild in her head.

As Jessica moves to object Claira starts to shake, then overheats for a second before bouncing back. “YES, let’s do it, We can start here, then do The West Mountain Dungeon then go over to The South Ravine Dungeon and finally the North Winter Peaks Range Dungeon, and then we can hit the Wynward Core Forest Dungeon before winter, and become S-rankers before the new year.” she said before standing tall and proud, and beaming her eyes at Jessica, breathing heavy as she did.

Jessica looked at the two, “No, we can’t just do this, We are barely C rank, we aren’t going to grow that strong that fast. Besides Block doesn’t want to,” She said pointing at Block.

Block just glanced at Blake and then at Claira, he was obviously swapped up in the energy but did not fully understand what they were about to do.

“See, he had no idea the danger we are about to go through.” Jessica added but Block patted her head, messing up her nun's veil.

“It's ok Jessica, you have me and Blake to protect you now.” He said with a note of reassurance and care.

“Hey Big buddy, you like fighting right, and partying, yeah.” Blake said, feeling a bit guilty for what he was planning.

Block looked over and nodded.

“Ok, well me and Claira think we can fight a lot of monsters, and kill a lot of things, and get lots of money, so we can party for a long time, so can you help us?” Blake asked and got Block to nod with a smile.

The smoldering stare from Jessica held for a few more seconds, before hiding behind her expression of acceptance as she sighed. “Fine but, I am not responsible for you two idiots, and I want you to promise to run away if it looks like we can’t win.” she said and took her place in the formation they were using.

Claira let a hard exhale from her nose and took her place, “OK, Let’s go Raven’s wing, time this dungeon gets cleared.”

“Ok, you got it Claira.” Block said as he started to walk then stopped and looked at the team. “Which way is it?”