Their laughter died off shortly after, giving them the chance to explore the Lizardmen’s area. Atreo felt a pang of guilt as he began looting the bodies the old-fashioned way. The Lizardmen had been nude except for loincloths covering their midsections, and for some reason, he couldn’t shake the idea that he was stealing. He’d never stolen anything before. Well, that wasn’t entirely true; he’d accidentally walked out of a gas station holding a candy bar once, but his hide had been tanned as soon as his mom realized she hadn’t paid for it. Did she make him return it? No. But had she guilt-tripped him all the way home about not raising a criminal? Yes, she had.
And here lay the problem: he was literally picking through corpses, trying to find their goods. He kept feeling like his mom was standing over his shoulder, watching him. Quietly, he whispered some good will into the air.
“Miss you, Mom. Hope you’re doing alright.”
Feeling slightly relieved, he realized that he hadn’t even taken the time to identify the Lizardmen. Using Identify, he received a detailed description and discovered they were actually Kobolds.
Kobold Grunt Level 2 (Slain by Atreo)
Language: Tsk Sakish
Clan: Gor Tsk Rath
You have learned the language Tsk Sakish. Re-inspecting.
Kobold Grunt Level 2 (Slain by Atreo)
Language: Dragon Speak
Clan: Red Dragon Clan
Description:
Kobolds are a unique and diverse species whose physical characteristics and societal structures reflect their deep-seated belief in their draconic heritage. The most frequently slain Kobolds are those of the Tskatan variation. These grunts, believed to be the furthest descendants of dragons, are treated with little respect and often considered expendable. Their small size and inability to coordinate without a Tskra make them vulnerable in combat situations. However, when a Tskra is present, the dynamic changes significantly.
On occasion, rarer and more powerful Kobolds emerge within the clans. These exceptional beings, often the result of unique circumstances or ancient bloodlines tracing closer to their draconic ancestors, possess extraordinary abilities and are revered and sometimes feared within their society.
All Kobolds possess scaly skin that varies in color, often reflecting the hues associated with their specific clans, such as reds, greens, and blues. Their eyes are sharp and reptilian, often glowing with a fierce intensity. Their hands and feet are clawed, providing them with excellent climbing and digging abilities.
Kobolds are divided into various clans, each with its own distinct identity and traditions. Despite these differences, they all speak the same language, Tsk Sakish, which is a point of unity among them. Clans often take names that reflect their draconic heritage and unique traits, such as Gor Tsk Rath for the "Red Dragon Clan."
Kobolds hold a strong belief that they are descended from dragons, a conviction that fills them with pride and purpose. This belief guides their actions and shapes their culture, driving them to emulate the dragons they revere in strength, cunning, and ferocity.
Would you like to loot this Tskatan?
“Thank god,” Atreo thought impatiently. He hadn’t been finding much loot, and he really didn’t want to go digging under the loincloth.
You’ve received Common Spear.
Common Spear: A simple yet effective weapon, the common spear consists of a sturdy wooden shaft tipped with a sharp iron head. It is a versatile weapon favored by many for its balance of range and melee capabilities. The spear can be used to keep foes at a distance or thrown for an unexpected attack. Though not the most elegant or powerful weapon, its reliability makes it a staple among warriors and hunters alike.
You’ve received two Tskzarka.
Tskzarka: The Tskzarka, or Kobold coins, are small, intricately designed pieces of currency that reflect the Kobolds' draconic heritage and their practical, resourceful nature.
Since you have no available loot bag for these items, they will relocate to within 1 foot of the slain Tskatan.
“Easy enough,” he thought as he reached down and picked up the spear and Tskzarka that had popped into existence in front of him. The two Tskzarka were the same type of coin that he’d gotten from CJ. At least that cleared up some of his questions. Checking his inventory, it showed that he had the Goblin Heckler card and now the four coins.
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“I need to get a loot bag quick,” he said aloud. Kore, who had also finished looting her kill, echoed the sentiment. She was sporting a new spear as well, and hers looked to be in better shape.
“Get anything good?” he asked.
“Yeah, actually, this spear gives me a +1 to Dexterity. How about you?”
“Nah, just this spear and some coins. My spear doesn’t give any additional stats.”
“Do you want to trade?” Kore asked, handing him her +1 spear. “I’ve got my Essence Drain, and you don’t really have any abilities yet. You’ll probably get more use out of it than I will.”
“You sure? Never know when that +1 Dexterity might save your life.”
“Yeah, take it. Maybe you having it might save both of our lives.”
“Alright, thanks then.”
They made their way to the passage the Tskra had gone through, cautious not to step on either of the bodies. The pathway was lit with torches, a welcome ambience compared to the dark, serpentine caverns they’d arrived through. However, the further they hiked, the thicker the air became. Before long, the top half of the path was covered in a thick steam that impaired their vision, causing Kore to bump into Atreo more than once. They crouched low as they moved, trying to maintain a good range of visibility but struggled due to the increased strain.
Though they couldn’t see much, their ears were on high alert, so when they heard the sounds of running water, they weren’t taken by surprise. They cautiously approached another opening similar to the other alcove, except this time, upon peeking inside, they saw no Kobolds. It was empty except for what appeared to be a natural hot spring that shot piping hot water into a steaming reservoir. They both stood there in awe.
Torn between the overbearing need to clean himself and his cautious nature that had kept him alive so far, Atreo stood still and observed the area.
“Is that what I think it is?” said Atreo, but his words fell on deaf ears as Kore was already halfway towards the inviting pool. She had immediately begun stripping off her tattered clothes once they confirmed the area had no enemies.
“Not like they covered much anyway,” thought Atreo as he watched her run towards the water.
“Damn, that woman is reckless.”
Snapping out of his daydream, he steeled himself to search the area and make sure it was indeed empty before it became another killing zone. He noted that there were two additional exits from this chamber: one that led straight ahead and one that sloped down deeper into the dungeon.
“Are you alright?” he called over his shoulder. He’d turned away from her after scanning the area. “I’ll keep watch while you clean up.”
As much as he wanted to dive right in or sit there and ogle the young woman, he wasn’t going to be some pervert. For he was a chivalrous man, and he would not fall victim to the little devil on his shoulder. He smiled to himself, feeling as if he’d just accomplished something.
After what seemed like far too long, he heard Kore exit her bath and walk over, approaching him from behind. Her wet feet tapped softly on the stone floor as she walked.
“I guess some things are the same as back on Earth. Women taking forever in the bathroom.”
“By all the gods, that was amazing. I literally can't remember the last time I bathed.”
Atreo caught her scent before he even turned to face her. She now smelled like an ocean breeze, rich with salt and sand—a vast improvement from how she had smelled before.
"Mental gag."
Who was he kidding, though? He had no room to judge, for he was sure he smelled just as bad, if not worse, than she did.
He imagined Kobolds surprising them and swarming into the room, stabbing him to death before he had the chance to clean himself. He would die, covered in dungeon grime, human filth, and whatever else had hitched a ride along the way.
He scrunched up his face in disgust and shook his head, trying to dispel the unpleasant thoughts. With a deep breath, he turned his attention back to the task at hand.
Atreo stripped off his hoodie, his undershirt, and the rest of his clothes, stacking them in a pile. He washed his hoodie thoroughly in the pool, scrubbing away the accumulated grime before setting it aside to dry. His mind returned to the eerie Kobold thoughts he’d just had, and he climbed into the pool deciding to clean the rest of his clothes later. He was immediately enveloped in supreme bliss. The warm water soothed his aching muscles and washed away the filth that had clung to him for so long. As he closed his eyes, he felt a wave of relief and tranquility, the oppressive weight of the dungeon’s horrors momentarily lifting from his shoulders.
Every drop of water felt like a balm on his weary body, cleansing not just the dirt from his skin but also the stress and tension from his mind. The truly gross manner of fluids and dirt that had been caked into his ears, eyes, and every crevice of his body gradually dissolved away, leaving him feeling almost human again.
He let out a contented sigh, the kind that comes from deep within, a release of all the pent-up anxiety and exhaustion. For the first time in what felt like ages, he allowed himself to fully relax, surrendering to the comforting embrace of the water. When he opened his eyes again, he was jolted from his reverie by the sight of Kore watching him with a thumbs up, startling him so much he nearly soiled himself anew.
“Good, right!?” she said.
“Jesus Christ, Kore, turn around! Have you no boundaries?” Atreo said, though a smile tugged at his lips. He hadn’t even mentioned that Kore had taken his hoodie. She now sported the oversized garment as if it were her own. He wished he could have washed it first. He probably should have given it to her a long time ago anyway. Guess he wasn’t as chivalrous as he thought. Ah well, she’s got it now.
Determined to make the most of the situation, he set about washing the rest of his clothes. He dunked them repeatedly, trying to get as much grime off as possible. The pool had a natural flow, carrying away all the gunk and grime to the side and down a sloping waterfall that led further into the dungeon.
Feeling refreshed, Kore and Atreo gathered their weapons and few belongings. They felt more hopeful than ever that they’d survive this dungeon and come out stronger—maybe even able to escape the grim fate that awaited them once they completed it.