Chapter 005
Hidden
Walking in the middle of the field between the canyon walls I heard the sounds of flowing water nearby so I followed the sound and came upon a stream hidden behind some trees. The gentle stream came from a very small tunnel underneath the canyon wall and flowed downstream before disappearing into another tunnel about 50 feet away. I walked over and attempted a taste test and upon tasting how fresh it was I drank my fill then pulled my canteen out of my inventory and refilled it.
Sitting by the stream for a minute enjoying the sound of the running water I relaxed. I looked at the entrance the stream made through the canyon wall and was intrigued since it was the first thing I’ve seen that actually interacted with the wall at all. The rest of the canyon walls everywhere I could see were just solid flat brown stone. I had even tried a knifehand strike against it at one point and it did no damage. So to see a hole in the wall with water coming out was totally new. Looking more closely at it I saw that there was about six inches space from the top of the stream and the opening’s ceiling. My spidey senses were tingling, and while this wasn’t a waterfall that didn’t mean my gamer sense wasn’t whispering to me that there was a possibility of something interesting in there somehow.
I leaned forward dipping my hand into the water. It was cool but in a refreshing way, not too cold to take a dip. Actually that sounds good seeing as I’ve been fighting for who knows how long since I entered the dungeon. Time feels wonky and I know I’m tired but I feel like I’ve been in here for days already. I slide into the stream and I’m a little surprised when the water is only thigh high. The current isn’t strong, in fact there’s barely any pull in it. I drop into the water and dunk myself under, coming up with a breath after the coolness almost shocks me further awake. “Hoo a bit cool but not bad. If only I had soap!” I complain out loud, bemoaning my inability to really clean myself, though rinsing off dried sweat makes me happy enough that I don’t really mind. Walking up the mouth of the small stream exit I kneel down and try to peek inside but it’s all just darkness. The stream exit is barely two feet wide so I know I’ll be able to hold my arms and legs out and cling to the walls inside unless it opens up further in. The most I’m worried about is getting to a point where there isn’t an air pocket above the water but if it comes to that I can just float out of there. I lay on my back and start crab walking into the exit of the stream fighting the gentle current but not having to fight that bad. As I get into the cave I use my hands on both sides of the wall to continuously scoot myself backwards, careful to keep my mouth above the water.
After about 15 feet the only light is in front of me and I realize I may have some issues seeing if there even is something in here to see. Every few feet I stop for a moment to feel around and see if I’m missing an opening. After about 15 minutes of this the cave walls turn ever so much and the only light visible to me is gone around a corner. 20 minutes later I’m starting to think this was a stupid idea and I’m glad no one is here to see me but I’m stubborn so I keep going. It’s another 30 minutes of me cursing myself out before I feel a change in one of the walls. My right hand feels a slight curve in the wall where there hasn’t been one before. Taking a moment to look behind myself I can see a gentle blue-white glow about 10 feet away. I keep going, cautiously now because who knows what it is. I finally reach the glow and it seems to be coating the walls here, enough that I can see there’s a small cave here. I assay the glowing stuff and get [Bioluminescent lichen] ah so it’s just naturally glowing plant stuff that’s cool.
Leaning forward onto the caves small incline I crawl up out of the water into this bioluminescent formation. I have to admit it is really impressive to see a whole small cave glowing like this. The small cave has enough room for me to stand up and it’s about 15 feet wide with about 30 feet from the water to the other wall at the end. Walking in farther I’m looking out for anything that may attack or anything that looks interesting. I praise this lichen for giving me enough light to see since I would have had some trouble trying to light a torch in the dark with a flint and steel. As I’m coming to the end of the cave at the furthest point from the water I notice something in the middle of the wall. In my excitement I run over to it and kneel down. A CHEST! AH I am a gaming GENIUS! Ooh boy I hope something great is in here! Also.. I hope it’s not trapped or I could be screwed haha.. ah.
Tentatively I check for traps. But since this isn’t a game and is a real world and I have never checked a chest for traps before I have NO IDEA what I’m doing. I slide my hands along the edge where the chest lid would open looking for anything that could be out of the ordinary, but I find nothing that stands out to me. I just say “screw it” and I lift the lid while tensing up, but the only thing that happens is I get a system notification.
[CONGRATULATIONS ON FINDING A SECRET IN BENTO AREA DUNGEON! DO YOU WISH TO LOOT THIS CHEST? Y/N]
I choose yes and a short list of items are added to my inventory.
[RECEIVED: 10 GOLD]
[RECEIVED: (R)HIDE BRACERS OF SHIELDING]
[RECEIVED: TOME OF SUMMON SOUL-BONDED COMPANION]
[TITLE GAINED: DUNGEONEER]
[CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE UNLOCKED YOUR FIRST TITLE. TITLES ARE RARE BENEFITS THAT CAN BE OBTAINED BY TRAVELING OFF THE BEATEN PATH OR THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY ACTIONS. YOU MAY ACCRUE MANY TITLES. WHILE ALL OF YOUR OBTAINED TITLES WILL CONTINUE TO BESTOW THEIR BENEFITS TO YOU, ONLY ONE TITLE MAY BE CHOSEN TO BE VIEWED BY OTHERS AT ANY GIVEN TIME.]
Score! Cash, items, and a title! I don’t know what 10 gold is worth in regards to what it could buy but it being the second-highest currency really has me thinking it’s a lot. I checked out the bracers also hyped that they are rare, so my theory about rarity is panning out so far and 2 items found in one day, woo!
[(R) Hide Bracers of Shielding: +5 AR. Strike bracers against each other and hold to create a temporary shield in front of you that completely blocks up to 3 projectiles or 1 melee attack. Cooldown: 1 hour]
Pretty great, if I can use that ability against a high a level monster to fully block its attack then it could be really handy! I pull the bracers out of my inventory and quip them, when I do they immediately shrink to fit me perfectly. Ah, I love magic. The bracers are dark brown leather or whatever hide is, the ends having slight ridges and there is a design on the outsides that looks like an 8 pointed star. Other than that they are unadorned. Taking a look at the title gets me a little too excited at the possibilities.
[DUNGEONEER: +5% INCREASED CHANCE FOR ITEMS TO DROP FROM MONSTERS WHILE IN A DUNGEON.]
I do wonder what the effect of having a title will be in regards to other people and if it’s possible to toggle it completely off or if I just have to choose one to always show. I take a look at the final item I received.
[TOME OF SUMMON SOUL-BONDED COMPANION: THIS TOME TEACHES YOU THE SPELL SUMMON SOUL-BONDED COMPANION]
Okay thanks system I worked that out already, no mention of what the spell itself does? Do I have to learn it first to find out? I mean it’s obvious from the name I just wanted more detail! Shaking my head, I take the tome out of my inventory and hold it up in front of me.
[ATTEMPTING TO LEARN: SUMMON SOUL-BONDED COMPANION. DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE? NOTE THAT LARGER OR MORE COMPLEX SPELL TOMES HAVE A CHANCE OF FAILURE TO LEARN THE INCLUDED MAGIC. NO DAMAGE WILL BE DONE TO YOU IF YOU FAIL TO LEARN THE SPELL.]
Choosing yes I go through the whole experience of having magic information shoved into my brain again for 5 seconds.
[SPELL LEARNED: SUMMON SOUL-BONDED COMPANION]
[SUMMON SOUL-BONDED COMPANION: SUMMONS A COMPANION FOR THE CASTER. THIS COMPANION IS SENTIENT AND IS AUTOMATICALLY FRIENDLY TO THE CASTER. SOUL-BONDED COMPANIONS CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN FIGHTING, THE SOUL-BOND IS A SOCIAL CONTRACT ONLY. IF DISPELLED OR DESTROYED THE COMPANION MAY BE RE-SUMMONED USING THIS SPELL. YOU MAY ONLY HAVE ONE SOUL-BONDED COMPANION. YOU CAN DISMISS THIS COMPANION WITH A THOUGHT. THIS SPELL DOES NOT TAKE UP THE COMPANION SLOT OF A BONDED FAMILIAR.]
Interesting! So like my personal traveling companion that won’t help me fight but at least I wouldn’t be lonely? It says I can dismiss them at any time with a thought so it’s worth a try. 25 MP OOF that’s hefty, I only have 26 when I’m full! Well it’ll regen. I just hope its someone fun, it would suck to get stuck with a boring person to travel with! Holding my hands out I reach into my mind and use the knowledge that was given to me to cast the summon. A golden circle appears on the ground of the cave in front of me with runic symbols along the edges, spinning clockwise. They start spinning faster and faster until it’s all a blur and then then after a few seconds it all stops as a flood of energy rushes out of the circle and then it all dims. It takes me a minute for my eyes to adjust back to the dim light of the lichen and I’m looking around a little confused. “Hello?”
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-Oh. OH! Hello!- I hear in my head but it isn’t like its coming from anywhere it’s just directly in my brain.
“Uh hey! Was that you talking into my brain? Also where are you?” I look around where the circle was but see no one. Suddenly a very small being pops into view in front of me, standing on the save floor. It’s about six inches tall and has wings remarkably similar to what you would find on a butterfly.
-Oh sorry I forgot I was invisible! Yep I’m speaking right into your noggin’! I prefer telepathy when I’m off my home realm because most things are bigger than me and it’s a strain on my voice to speak loud enough for you biggun’s to hear me! Nice to meet ya, I’m Pepper! Pepper Pixie! Just a last name, it’s a bit of a misnomer because I’m a fairy not a pixie! But we don’t all get to choose our last names! Nice to meet you! What’s your name?-
Reeling from the rapid fire reply I got I knelt down in front of Pepper and smiled “I’m Nyla, nice to meet you as well! So it seems you’re my new companion? And you’re a fairy? That’s cool I’ve never met a fairy before!”
-Yup I’m your new companion! Janet totally thought signing up to become a companion was freaky but it got me 25 percent off tuition plus a really cushy starting job after I graduate plus what does Janet know she’s worked in reception for years! Though I am glad I got you and not some 90 year old wizard that would have been totes awkward am I right? By the way you are super pretty, I’m totally jealous! But yeah I’m a fairy! And now you’ve met me so no you have met a fairy! By the way where in the world are we, why is it so dark? I like the lighting it’s pretty moody, reminds me of the lighting I put up on the walls in my dorm!-
Wow Pepper likes to talk haha. I guess the spell DID say it was a social contract I just didn’t expect it to be this social. “Oh so you’re in college? I don’t know why that surprises me I guess I never really thought about what a fairy’s life would be like. Oh it’s dark because I found the tome to summon you here in this cave, we’re actually in a dungeon right now and if we exit the cave it’ll be light out! At least it was daytime last time I was outside the cave. And thanks, but I think you’re pretty too, no reason to be jealous of me!” Looking at Pepper closely she really was very pretty from what I could see, she looked super adorable. She was wearing a green dress and green shoes both looking like they’re made out of plants, and she had leaf green colored hair as well, with very blue eyes. With the exception of her hair I would say she looks just like Tinkerbell.
-A dungeon, that makes sense! So you’re an adventurer? Awesome! I really didn’t want to be stuck in some creepy wizard tower forever, so not my style. Thanks for calling me pretty, you are SO SWEET! Hey do you mind if I ride on your shoulder? I can fly but it’s more comfortable to sit than fly all day. If not that’s cool I could see why you wouldn’t want a little booty on your shoulder all day.-
I look at Pepper with amusement. She is going to be a handful I can tell, but really she’s energetic and fun so I’m okay with that. “Haha sure no problem Pepper you can commandeer my shoulder as your person seat, what are friends for?” I say with a smile “And yes, I’m an up and coming adventurer. Don’t tell anyone but it seems like I’ve got lots of extra bonuses that are going to make me really strong once I gain some levels.”
Pepper flies up and perches on my shoulder and she’s light enough that I really don’t even notice a difference. –Ooh mysterious! I won’t tell anyone, I’m soul-bonded to you sweetie, we’re basically besties now for life and I would never sell out a friend! If you want since I’m your companion I can take a look at your status that way you don’t have to explain I could just take a look!-
“Sure I have no problem with that! Ah, actually it’s really good to have someone to talk to, I’m flying mostly blind in this world right now so having someone to bounce ideas off of would be great”
-Okay let me check real quick.. hmm.. hm.. ahh.. AH! WHAT?!- Pepper falls backward off my shoulder and almost hits the ground before she swoops around and lands on my shoulder again. -Are you kiddin’ me with this? Your stats are so HIGH for your level and these talents!?!? And a rare class too?! Did someone shove a golden horseshoe and a four leaf clover up your butt when you were a kid?? You know what that was probably a horrible visual I take that back but really what the heck? I’m not from this realm but my realm is adjacent and I studied it enough when I decided to be a companion to know that you have monstrous stats for your level. Most people would be thanking the Gods for one stat point per level, you’re getting FIVE! Oh and this unbound stuff! What is this about being an outsider? You know no one on this world can see their skill levels like you can, I wasn’t expecting to see all this information! People here have to guesstimate, you just get it all! Well if I was going to become a companion it’s best to do it with someone who cheats- I hear her little voice ringing out with laughter next to me and it sounds like bells.
“I’ll be honest I forgot it mentions I’m an outsider in those talents. Since you’re basically my only friend in this world besides a granny back in town who I’ve known for one day, and since you are soul-bonded to me and I would really love to have someone to talk to about everything, I’m going to just trust you and be honest..” It’s hard to just say it out loud even in a cave in the middle of a dungeon where I know I’m alone with the exception of Pepper, but I summon up the courage to just tell her everything. “So long story short Pepps, is that I’m from a completely other world. I don’t know why I came here but I remember dying in my world, and the next thing I knew I was in a field about a day’s walk from where we are right now outside the dungeon. My world didn’t have stats or levels or anything like that, no magic either. The system told me I have benefits for being an outsider and the system itself is very reminiscent of games from my world so I was able to figure out how to use it pretty easily. But I could tell that I’m getting stronger than most people already and I’ve only been in the world for like 3 or 4 days. Maybe 5, time has been weird in the dungeon. Sooo that’s about it.”
Pepper just sat there looking shocked for a minute before speaking –Oh sweetie that is tragic, you remember dying? That is terrible! But whatever brought you to this world gave you one monster of a head start with everything. I can’t even imagine a world without magic, I would literally die if there wasn’t magic in the air. HOLD UP! You’ve been here 5ish days and you’re already level 6, classed with multiple personalized class skills?! You’re a beast, woman! That’s insane! I would say if you lived here and started leveling when you came of age you would probably be level 6 in your early 20’s, you’re over here just casually admitting to reaching 6 in 5 days HAHA. I’m so glad you summoned me this is going to be so fun! Please, let me show myself to people? I think you’re going to become a legend if you keep this up and I want to mooch off the fame, I won’t like I’ll totally fame-whore. So pretty please can I show myself to people??-
“I mean I don’t understand why you wouldn’t, I don’t expect you to just hide away all the time, that would be really mean of me. I don’t mind introducing you as my friend Pepper, in fact it might take some of the focus off of me if they are all too busy admiring you!”
-If I wasn’t too old for it I would totally squee right now!- Pepper leans over and kisses my cheek and I can feel the magic leave her lips and pass through to me.
[TITLE GAINED: FAE-BLESSED]
I looked at the notification in surprise then looked at Pepper “Um, wow. Thank you! Are you supposed to do that? I mean I’m pretty sure the spirit of the summon soul-bonded companion spell is that I get someone to talk to and that they don’t affect things. Is that okay for you to do?” Pepper looks away from me and up at the ceiling like she was trying not to say anything. I just waited until she looked at me again.
-PSH! Who cares what the spell says! I only agreed to accompany someone and not to fight, I never read anything in the bylines of the contract stating I couldn’t use my natural fey magic to bestow a blessing! What are they gonna do take it away? They wouldn’t have allowed it to happen in the first place if that were the situation-
“Well thank you either way. I got a title for it and everything! But I don’t see anywhere what a fae blessing does, can you tell me about it?”
-A title? I wasn’t expecting that but with you I’m not surprised in the least! What does it do? I gave you a blessing of luck, it’s not a huge thing but in times of need it might just tip things in your favor. Also being blessed lets other fae creatures know that you are a friend of the fae, so it’s less likely the nicer ones will mess with you.-
“That is really beneficial thank you Pepper you’re really a sweetheart! Uh, let me check the title. Hmm, says ‘small renown increase for every person that sees that you have a title’ so I guess I can be more renowned? Which is a good and a bad thing, I would like to hold off on being well renowned until I’m stronger, but that’s fine it’ll help get me popular in the end!”
-Mm, sounds like something that will build over time!-
“True! Okay Pepper I was going to sleep in the dungeon entrance room but this place feels more secure to me, do you mind watching out for me while I sleep? I’m awfully tired. Do you need sleep by the way?”
-I don’t mind at all, I’ll wake you up if something comes but these hidden secret rooms are usually hassle free. I do sleep but not nearly as much as a human and I can do that on your shoulder while you’re traveling! Rest up Best.. HOLD UP! Did you give me a nickname?! You called me Pepps but I was so caught up in your story I didn’t even realize! Ah that is such a cute nickname thank you! Can I give you a nickname too?-
“Haha, yeah I like it, I thought it was fun to call you Pepps, glad that you like it! Sure you think one up if you want!” I took my sleeping bag out of my inventory and placed it near the wall at the end of the tunnel farthest away from the water, then crawled inside. Pepper flew off my shoulder and sat gently on the end of the sleeping beyond where my feet reached.
-sleep well bestie, don’t worry about a thing I’ll wake you in emergency so sleep tight!-
“Thanks Pepps, goodnight!” I closed my eyes and didn’t realize how tired I actually was as I passed out almost immediately.