(Day 166) Aprilis 11th, 12th year of the Dragon, Age of Enlightenment
They made their way down to the 2nd level. “Okay everyone, I want you to stay right here. There are going to be a lot of loud booms and flashes as fireballs go off. Do not move until I come back for you.” With that, he went off and started spamming fireballs. He didn’t even bother to worry about what he was destroying until he ran into a nest of salamanders. Six to be exact. They were, of course, immune to fire. Fun! He’d switched to unarmed attacks, using Shadow Step, Displace, and Stealth to make short work of the Salamanders. When he was done he made his way back to the party. “
“All done, levels safe,” he said.
“The party walked out gingerly to find barren rock and the bodies of the 6 salamanders. After they’d collected all the loot everyone received 3 platinum, 9 gold, and 7 Silver.”
“You guys want to try level 3?” Adam asked.
“That is way above our levels, even your level,” Daranus said.
“Well, as I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve. Tell you what, we’ll continue down, you guys stay near the exit to the upper level, and if I fail, well, I’ll be dead, but you’ll all be able to get away. If I’m as big and nasty as I think I am though. We’re going to get to level 9. Then I’m going to go down to level 10 and have a talk with the asshole running this place and we are going to get some epic loot. What do you say.?
Greed won the day and all five followed him down to the next level.
Level 3 took under 5 minutes and earned them 6 platinum each.
Level 4 took another 5 minutes, and they found their first magic item. A Composite Longbow of Deadly Accuracy +3 was given to Xander. They also found 11 platinum each.
Level 5 took 10 minutes because the element of fire started to become prevalent. He couldn’t just fireball everything, Instead, he used Light Beam which was usually a single target spell or Death’s touch. They’d earned 15 Platinum each from that floor as well as three epic Healing Potions that healed 500 hp each. Daranus had taken them as party treasure.
Level 6 took 10 minutes. It was the first time Adam had ever run into undead. The extra five minutes had been used to try to see if his nanites could just disintegrate them and then to see what attacks worked best. Nanites were a no-go, the magic animating them wouldn’t even let the nanites affect them. In the end, Fireball was the ticket. Death’s Touch had healed the undead, so at least he now knew not to use death magic on the Undead When he’d cleared the level they’d earned 20 platinum a piece and found a Staff of Healing that could heal 100 hit points per charge and had 25 charges. The staff had been given to Desari.
Level 7 took the standard 5 minutes. They’d earned 25 platinum a piece and found three sets of Chain Mail +3 which everyone had been excited about, it had been awesome!
Level 8 Took 10 minutes. Every creature on that level had been immune to fire. The entire level had been infested with just one creature type, some man-sized lizards. He’d activated Displace and used Stealth as much as possible to sneak up and use Death Touch on each. It hadn’t been difficult, just time-consuming. They’d found a Cloak of Fire Resistance that gave its wearer 50% resistance to fire. They’d also found 31 platinum a piece. The Cloak had gone to Daranus.
Level 9 took about 16 minutes. The monsters, a type of Minotaur with flaming horns that were as comfortable on all fours as they were on two legs, had been between level 900 and 1000. Serena was probably smiling down because it had been his turn to receive a lesson in humility during that combat. One of the Minotaur had moved so quickly that he’d actually scored a hit as Adam just stood there awe-struck at how fast it was moving. After that fight, he’d berated himself for just standing there. At the time he’d simply thought “This should not be happening” as he flew through the air after taking a total of 1,600 points of damage from the initial hit. Just before he landed his next thought was, “Oh, so that’s how it's going to be,” as he rolled to his feet and brought his “A” game.
Adam then proceeded to turn each of the Minotaurs into a bloody physical mess. He hadn’t reduced his damage. He’d just hit as hard as he could and moved, allowing himself to flow between the minotaur that couldn’t hit him once he’d started using all of his skills fully. 20 seconds later, a level that had been packed with minotaur was empty. It had been a bloody mess when the party came down.
The rest of the party had looked at Adam with a little concern but said nothing. His nanites had made sure that he appeared clean, though there was blood and guts just about everywhere. The party had gathered their loot and found multiple magic items this time. There was a Wand of Lightning Bolts level 200 with 30 charges and a Staff of Fireballs level 100 with 20 charges. Both went to Chesarie. A Shortsword of Quick Strikes +5 which allowed a follow-up attack. Thrum had absolutely lost his mind when Adam told him the stats. He’d taken the Shortsword. A Longsword of Fire +5 that had gone to Daranus and Bracers of Air Defense +100 that gave the wearer a +100% to defense while worn against ranged attacks. Those had gone to Chesarie. There had been no money on this level though.
Once they’d finished identifying and handing out all the new magic items Daranus had exclaimed, “Holy shit!”
Everyone had smiled at that.
“I told you I could get us here,” Adam said. “This next part though. I don’t think you guys should come down those stairs. Before I even arrived at the guild I’d heard that no one that goes down comes back.”
“You know what’s down there right?” Daranus asked.
“Yep a very big and angry Fire Elemental,” Adam said.
“No, a very big and angry Legendary Fire Elemental” His fire is so hot that it will melt stone. Nothing that goes down comes back because if you make it to the bottom, you melt.
“Yeah, not concerned,” Adam said.
“And why wouldn’t you be concerned?” Daranus asked
He put his fingers over his lips in the obvious “shh” symbol and said, “Fire doesn’t bother me.”
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Daranus looked at him, looked down, then looked at him again “Well, okay if fire doesn’t bother you then go down there, knock that boss out so we can get some awesome loot and some experience. You’re sure you’re immune to fire?” Daranus asked.
“Yeah, I got this,” Adam said with a grin
“Well, I can see that you won’t be talked out of this. So… good luck! Come get us when you’re done. If you’re not back in 30 minutes though or the bottom of the stairs start to glow, we’re heading for the exit.” Daranus said.
“Fair enough,” Adam said laughing and slapping Daranus on the back lightly. “You all stay safe up here.
As Adam started walking down the steps he looked over his shoulder and said “I’ll be Back” in his best Terminator impression. They wouldn’t get the joke, but he thought it was hilarious. He made his way down to the next level and looked out onto a sea of molten lava. Immediately he was struck by a column of fire that probably did millions of points of damage. Adam didn’t check his prompts, He was immune to fire so he didn’t care. Finding his target immediately standing off over the lava about 100 feet away he cast Water Bolt. It flew from his hand and evaporated 30 feet into the room. So, spells can be affected by their opposite and even destroyed. That was definitely knowledge worth knowing even if it sucked to figure that little bit of knowledge out in the middle of a fight.
Where he was standing erupted as Lava flowed up and around him but didn’t actually move him. The 100% immunity to Earth spell was coming in really handy right now. He moved and cast Light Beam. The elemental was hurt but its magic resistance reduced his magical attacks by 75%. The Elemental returned with another gout of flame. Adam hit it with a 2nd light beam. The fire Elemental moved toward Adam and tried to hit him with a flaming fist which missed. Adam used Death Touch, which hurt it and removed another chunk of its health. The Fire Elementals' last attack was to bear hug him. Adam relented and let himself be drawn into the hug and hit it with Death Touch again. The fire Elemental vanished. Immediately the magma started to cool and then turn into a normal rocky floor as a prompt appeared in his vision.
Hail and rejoice Adventurers. The Harbinger of the Dungeon of Divine Elements has been Slain. Fear not, the Harbinger will return in 30 days.
Adam activated his investigation skill and sent his Nanites out searching as he moved around the room. His vision actually noticed the tell-tale signs of a trapped storage area in one of the walls. Using his nanites, he disarmed the trap in short order and opened it to look upon a shining Golden Crystal. He activated Identify.
Identify: Success: You have found the Soulstone of the Divine Detrik. This Soulstone contains the trapped soul of the God Detrik. Unlike Common Soulstones, Soulstones containing Divines are considered Artifacts. This Artifact is acting as the Item of Power for the Dungeon of Divine Elements. You may claim this Artifact which will cause a message to go out to the Dungeon Master of the Dungeon of Divine Elements that their Item of power has been removed and they have 24 hours to replace it or replace it with another item. Once removed everything within the Dungeon of Divine Elements pauses until a new Item of Power is placed within.
Do you wish to Claim the Soulstone of the Divine Detrik, Yes or No?
Adam chose “Yes”
Congratulations. You have claimed the Soul Gem of the Divine Detrik from the Dungeon of Divine Elementals. A New quest is Available.
Divine Quest: Free the Divine.
The Divine Detrik has been trapped in a Soulstone for over 500 years and wishes to be free. To complete this quest the Soul Gem must be taken to a Place of Power and shattered. Once shattered this Divine will utilize the Place of Powers Spheres of Power to reform into a Divine. This may only be done at a Place of Power. If shattered anywhere else. The Divine’s soul will be released, and The Eye will claim him.
If reformed the Divine Derik may choose to reward those that have freed him as the will of the Divine is a fickle thing. Reward type unknown.
Adam placed the Soul Gem in his ring of holding and then made his way upstairs. Once he’d collected the party he led them down and opened their single loot ball. They each earned 80 platinum, 80 Gold 80 Silver, and 80 Copper. Additionally, there was a magic item for each of them. There was a Dagger of Backstabbing +5 that Thrum took. A Quiver of Endless Arrows for Xander. A Ring of Spell Casting that allowed a mage to put up to 300 spell slots worth of spells in it that went to Chesarie. A staff of Resurrection with one charge that Desari claimed. A ring of the Sword Master, that allowed the wearer to utilize any sword as if they were level 100 if their skill was lower and a bo staff +5 made out of Ironwood for Adam. His herbalism skill had triggered, letting him know what it was an Ironwood bo staff +5.
“Okay everyone I kept my end of the bargain. Let’s make our way out of here then I need to be on my way.” Adam said.
“Sounds fantastic Adam. Thank you! When you took down that elemental you helped each of us earn enough experience that we each made it to level 101, almost level 102.”
“Power leveling for the win,” Adam said with a smile.
Adam walked with them up through the various levels until they exited the dungeon under the obelisk.
A man in a black robe was rushing past them into the dungeon muttering “How? Who?” Adam just kept walking until they stepped back through the gate and found themselves at the Adventures Hall again. He reviewed the treasure he’d earned 192 platinum, 93 gold, 89 Silver, and 80 copper all after a 20% tax and a bo Staff +5. If he could find a dungeon, or he could return to this one after they’d put another item of power in it. Dungeon diving would be a really good way to make money, though he’d want to go in alone next time.
Turning to his party he said “Thank you, everyone. I hope I helped you out and maybe we’ll get together and do this again sometime.”
Adam made his way back to the college and decided that he needed to upgrade his Monk and Clerics classes. He activated his portal to the 30x30 room, stepped in, and closed the door to his pocket dimension. Next, he had his nanites create a bed with pillows and a blanket. Then he put them to their default settings of defense, hydration, nourishment, and bodily waste recovery before he laid down on the bed. He wasn’t sure if doing what he was about to do was a good idea or how it would affect him. He opened his Personal Interface as he did some quick math in his head. Yep, he had enough. He also made sure to set up an auto-distribute function for his attributes to be distributed evenly with any remainder going to his Luck attribute. Then he set the interface and hit execute.
A bright white light filled his mind and body. Even his willpower, constitution, and endurance couldn’t stand against the changes adding 25,000 class levels, attributes, abilities, and skills he was going to get. The overload of his mentality hit and his vision narrowed as darkness embraced him
As he came to, Adam saw that his sight was flooded with Prompts with a flashing red one drawing his attention.
“What in the hell, just happened Adam?” Abi asked.
Adam ignored her and pulled up the flashing red prompt.
Warning Adamantadine Tower is under attack!
“No time Abi. Please go through the prompts and set up a list of interesting things you think I should look at. Also, if you see anything that could help me with whatever is happening back at the tower, do not hesitate to speak up” he said quickly as he opened the door, stepped back into his college room, and used Teleport to go to his place of power. Adam paid the 475 mana without a thought. Just before he vanished with a pop.