Thanks to the lifehack of making barriers for safe passage, Zeke was constantly using his skill to provide a quicker way to get around.
He was especially thankful for the increase in skill levels earlier as he barely spent any mana in doing so. He kept around more than 80% of his total mana, which was perfect when night arrived and he could go to sleep to restore it fully.
Of course, this time, nobody complained about him putting up a dome during the night. They even went as far as having everyone rest up and relax, knowing that the dome won’t break as long as Zeke was here. Thanks to that, the tension wasn’t as bad despite getting ready to raid a dungeon.
However, the following day after, monsters finally decided to appear. Zeke was wondering whether they finally exterminated the last of the monsters, but apparently that wasn’t the case. He talked to Cloud about it, and monsters showing up often happen in two different ways.
First is the natural sort, breeding between monsters in the wild. Sometimes new variants show up, and if they live long enough, they could be as strong as the Journeyman Rank they faced before in an observed low level area. Though the chance of that happening is extremely slim since many younger folks often exterminate any monsters with the potential to become strong.
The other, which concerned him a little, was the mana distortions in the air. There is natural mana all over, including in the atmosphere. And in some cases, some of that mana could get distorted by some phenomenon or another, causing monsters to be born straight from it. It could range from plants beginning to gain sentience, animals being stronger when they should be born normally, and other strange occurrences.
Hell, some even popped straight into existence, adding the possibility that there is some other dimension where these monsters could come in. As for how many that could occur–it was too many to count.
So despite killing so many before, it was proven that it wasn’t enough. It was never enough to kill them all, even after hundreds of years, or even thousands of years passed.
Zeke now truly considered whether staying in this world was actually safe. But then after thinking that this won’t affect their leveling speed, he only took it as a sign of good fortune… Maybe.
That was why there are always soldiers in need to kill monsters to defend the town, or monster hunters trying to make a living taking out the particularly dangerous ones, like the Journeyman monster. There is always a market for monster parts as well, and even more importantly, sometimes they drop skill books, the very one that Myra received. So in the end, the world relies on the monsters just as the monsters rely on killing people to gain their own power.
A constant strife that aided each other. A strange way to look at this deranged circle of life.
He only managed to think this far since Zeke was practically doing nothing while the other soldiers took out the other monsters. Sure, he could do the same strategy as before, using the barrier to attack the creatures, but the leaders made it clear that he wasn’t allowed to do that unless something dangerous happens.
He didn’t want to do it so easily either. It costs too many resources, and he’d prefer to get used to it first. That’s why he focused on just raising his Runecraft level little by little by creating new ways to make rune arrays.
Unfortunately after his counter-barrier array, which he believed was a nice name to call it, his skill levels hasn’t risen at all. That made sense, considering that all he’s doing is re-making the array in a similar but easier way, not truly creating a new one. He also needed to be inspired to make a new one, and those don’t often show up as much as he liked.
It was sort of like writer’s block for an author, or in Zeke’s case, a Runist’s block. He could try remaking a spell like with his Air Blade spell, but even after making several for other elements, it didn’t increase his skill at all. Perhaps gained some experience, but barely.
It looked like he needed to use his runes for something other than their intended purpose. Thankfully, it wasn’t the type that forced him to create a new rune array every single time he needed to level. It’s about the scale of the rune array and formation, not its originality. The big counter-barrier array he created before was something that constituted a great experience, as it was not just a newly made one, it was way bigger than he had done before. There was a chance to throw complexity into the array making, making it do the same effect, but just efficiently better–or at least that’s what Cloud taught him.
Right before he could even use any rune arrays for damage, the monsters were already taken care of. Mikella really cleaned them up with ease. Strangely, she became more deadly as her other weapon masteries rose, her own swordplay becoming deadlier.
Despite her doing her best to avoid getting damage, she still gets hit sometimes by some random stray attack or a well-hidden blow, getting Zeke to heal her. It got to the point where Zeke personally knew how her channels moved now.
And he even started to figure out a way to heal her faster, using as little mana as possible. He found out that by studying her channels with his skill ahead of time, he could actually heal her wounds more efficiently. Not to the point where he could use her energies to help him, but at least help him conserve as much Mana as he could.
That eventually got him his next skill level for Recovery.
> Recovery Level Up! It is now Level 4.
>
> You have gained +1 INT from your skill.
> You have gained +2 SPI from your skill.
Another day passed, another day in the dome, and another day traveling and killing monsters on the way. Some have leveled up a bit, but not that often since reaching the milestone increased the amount of XP they needed to advance.
They’re going to need to kill a lot more monsters to reach the next stage. And even after killing quite a few, the two didn’t reach level 30 yet.
Zeke knew and already discussed it with her, but he really did feel bitter about having to share all sorts of experience points with Mikella. It didn’t feel fair for her, and in some way, for him as well. He took gaining XP as something he earned himself, proven by his own level. Having that taken away from him was a little sour, but he knew that was just being childish. In fact, that’s why he relied on his own skills and studies, much as Mikella had. It’s the only way to feel as though he earned something himself rather than have a physical fighter do it for him while he sits on his ass.
Finally, after days of traveling and killing monsters, they managed to reach the dungeon.
The scenario surrounding them was… strange. It was as if life kept getting sucked out for every mile they crossed, and eventually the surrounding area became almost lifeless. Like visiting a graveyard.
And what they saw only proved that more. They ran across several deposits of land that seemed to have been desolated, a rotten scent permeating the air. There were also instances of noticing several… parts that came from animals and beasts alike. Body parts that seemed to have been so rotten that it practically slid off the body, if possible.
Zeke hated the idea of where this was going, and he was proven right. The sense and now smell of rot, and the area surrounding them… it could only be one thing.
But more than that, when they reached the entirely clear area and saw a singular building right at the center of it, he stood frozen.
He couldn’t believe his eyes. And he didn’t even want to think about what it could be until Mikella spoke up.
“Zeke, don’t tell me that this… this is the same place as before?” She asked. Her voice was trembling, and her hand gripped on her sword by her side despite no enemies in sight.
Zeke swallowed through his dry throat. “I think it is… it’s the same tower as the one we got out of.”
They had arrived at their location, so everyone was out of their horses and staring at the one place that could only be considered a dungeon. Standing in front of him with all of its stony glory was a similar tower that reached up to the sky, piercing right through. The cobblestone appearance looked natural, but the sheer height of the tower was immense, almost as if someone decided to continue building on top of it for a millennia.
But that was where the similarities ended. Some parts of the tower seemed grayed out, hints of old age covering it. There was that rotten stench again in small amounts, but it was enough to make some of the soldiers gag.
There were even old blood stains across the base of it, as if someone had been crushed underneath the moment that tower came to be, and Zeke wouldn’t be surprised if that was the real case.
His body trembled without him realizing it. His hands shook when he looked down. The memories of almost dying there three months ago fresh in his mind.
He looked over to see Mikella in the same predicament. Her face was blanched and her eyes kept peering at it. Her hands kept gripping her sword ready to crush the hilt.
Without really thinking, Zeke grabbed Mikella’s hand holding the sword. She turned to him.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
He didn’t say a word. He frowned, his own fear showing. Yet his hand persisted in holding it. He didn’t know whether it was helping her, but it was helping himself stay steady.
Mikella followed. Her hands stopped gripping the hilt tightly, and Zeke noticed that blood was actually trickling down from where her nails dug too deep into her skin.
He looked back at her, to which she also noticed the blood, her eyes widening at the sight.
“Sorry,” Mikella finally said, shaking her head. “I’m such a mess.”
“So am I,” Zeke said, shrugging. “But we’re not alone. Not anymore. And Clara’s safe. She’s not here with us. She’s with Vivian and Ana, in a town where everyone is nice to her.”
It’s what made Zeke feel glad about, and he wasn’t surprised that Mikella felt the same. Her smile slowly rose, and her hand grasped Zeke’s own. For a short moment, the two stared at each other. Wanting to do something about her hand, Zeke used Recovery to heal her. Mikella thanked him and let go, slowly inhaling and exhaling her breath.
Zeke did the same as well to try and calm his nerves, still frayed as they were.
“You two alright?”
They found that it was Val who walked over, a frown on her face as she stared at both Zeke and Mikella.
“Yeah, we’re good,” Mikella answered. “Just… some bad memories.”
“You mean…” Val turned to stare at the tower herself, then back to them. “Is this the same tower as the one you came out of?”
“We don’t think so,” Zeke shook his head. “Ours disappeared, and it was at a different location from here, far, far away.” Zeke turned to Mikella who nodded in agreement. It’s always good to have a second opinion on things. “This tower is exactly what we came out of, except… it stinks here.”
“It smells like a corpse that’s been left out in the sun for too long,” Mikella grumbled, waving the air in front of her nose.
“That is rather interesting.”
Cloud came over, his arms crossed as he stared at the tower before facing the two. Val turned to him with a frown, but Cloud only shook his head, as though he needed to know.
“The dungeons that we know of,” Cloud explained. “they’re nothing like this. We figured the tower belonged to a castle, or some ramparts of an old fortress… but this…”
Cloud looked over at the tower again, and Zeke realized why he looked almost confused. The other soldiers also looked agape at the sight, trying to tilt their heads up to see how long it extended upwards.
“This is nothing like any dungeon we heard of before,” Cloud turned back to the two travelers from another world. “And there is no entrance either. Our scout explained that there was no way inside. How is it possible that you got out?”
“Well…” Zeke tried to explain, but somehow he could tell just how to get in. He just wasn’t sure exactly how to open it.
“Should we head down?” Mikella asked. “It doesn’t look like it’s unsafe. And if we leave it there, it’ll keep messing up with the monsters’ population, right?”
“It would,” Cloud nodded in agreement. “That earlier horde is a good example of that happening. It will happen again, and if this tower continues to exist, then it would only make things worse. By clearing it, we should take control of how much Mana it is inputting out into the world, allowing us to take control of the monster’s population.”
“It’s also another reason why dungeons like these are so valuable to other factions,” Val explained, but then she frowned again. “Still, I don’t think I’d like our town to take control of this disgusting dungeon if possible…”
Zeke and Mikella could only agree to that. They weren’t even sure if they wanted anything from inside. However, it was clear that their goal now is to get inside, and clearly Zacharia couldn't wait any longer as he ordered the army to head towards the dungeon.
With no other option, the group followed the soldiers down to the dungeon, approaching the empty clearing just beyond the tower. As they approached, Cloud went ahead to find a way through. It was already clear that there was no entrance to get inside. But after several minutes went by, Cloud returned with a complicated frown.
“This is very strange. I can’t find a way in,” Cloud commented.
“Not even the Journeyman mage can get in?” Zacharia said, raising his brow. “Then how are we expected to raid a dungeon?”
“I’m not sure,” Cloud stared at Zacharia. “I’m not exactly made up of answers here.”
“Then what was the point of you studying all this time while this mess continues to spread?” Zacharia accused, and before the two could get into anything, Val stepped in.
“Enough. Let’s just figure out what to do to get in.”
Val wasn’t going to have the leaders fight it out like that and instead went over to the soldiers. Looking over at them, Zeke could tell that she was mostly staring at him and Mikella.
He turned back to her, noticing that she looked just as confused as he was. It wasn’t as though they knew how to get in. They were kidnapped into it. But still, figuring there was no other choice, he stepped forward to the tower.
Memories of the giant knight getting pulverized by the portal and disappearing into the void wracked his mind as he stepped closer, Mikella following suit. She didn’t have to, but he was thankful for the company.
That’s when the tower finally shifted. A small rumble echoed, causing the soldiers to react quickly. Even the leaders did as well. Val summoned her sword, Cloud his staff, and Zacharia unsheathed his massive two-handed sword.
The rumbling got louder, more intense, so Zeke went ahead to summon a dome around his party, Mikella staying directly by his side to protect him should anything happen.
Then, against all odds, the mana surrounding them shifted and swirled. It created a pool right in front of the tower’s base, and a small circle of dark light was created.
It quickly expanded, a grand force exuded from the action as the soldiers prepared themselves. But once they managed to get a closer look at it, it wasn’t just a dark light anymore.
It was a giant circle of darkness, a gateway, straight into the dungeon.
“...What the actual fuck?” Mikella muttered, gripping her sword tighter. Then she whispered to Zeke. “You don’t think that’s because of us, right?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Zeke answered, not even bothering to dress it up better for his own sake. “Not even Cloud was able to open it up, and he’s stronger than both of us combined.”
“Then… is it because of our status?”
“Maybe. I don’t know,” Zeke shook his head. “But… what other choice is there but to get inside?”
Mikella frowned, lowering her head. It was only made worse when Zeke heard heavy footsteps approaching them. They saw it was Zacharia, and this time he was glaring hard at the two.
“The tower didn’t react to anything, but now it just opened up a gateway seemingly to hell the moment you two got closer… Now why is that?”
The other soldiers, particularly in his retinue, all stared at the two. Zeke and Mikella subconsciously stood together, standing side by side against the stares.
But Zeke wouldn’t dare to make a barrier specifically for the two. Mikella also didn’t unsheath her sword. If they did, it would only make the tense situation worse and give credit to Zacharia’s accusations.
Not that Zeke could blame the man for pointing two and two together. But if it kept going like this, then…
“It’s no surprise that the two have a connection to the tower.”
Cloud stepped up towards the group, stamping his staff down to the desolate ground. Zeke stared at Cloud’s back as he faced Zacharia, his heart beating rapidly.
“Oh?” Zacharia tilted his head. “Explain then, Mage.”
“Why do you think they were home-schooled?” Cloud asked, tilting his own head. “After speaking with them, their parents are well known adventurers, and they found some secrets about mythical dungeons. It was due to that that these two were trying to find and search for. Apparently, they have found a way to get in the dungeon due to a special treasure these two were forced to take into their bodies. A treasure unlike anything I have seen for dungeons like these. Of course, it wasn’t supposed to be revealed, but I gave them little choice.”
Zeke realized instantly it was another fabricated story, and something that connected well to their strange past. However, he wondered just how much Zacharia would buy it.
“It’s another reason why Zeke and Mikella have such powerful skills and classes. They gained one by attending a tower before, but failed miserably and had to recuperate. That was why they were wandering around with their little sister. They had a group of mercenaries supporting them, but unfortunately, they all perished by the time these kids escaped.”
“You’re saying there was another tower?” Zacharia asked. This time, he couldn’t keep his anger out, heat in his voice. “Why wasn’t I told of this? If there was another tower, that would explain why there would be so many monsters.”
“According to them, the tower was several miles away from here. Quite far, if you consider how long they had to walk through the forest before coming to our town. And do you know how there are special dungeons, right? The ones that seemingly appear and disappear at a whim?”
“...You’re saying that they encountered a spatial dungeon before?” Zacharia asked. “The very same one as this one?”
“There are many different dungeons, general,” Cloud stated. “Ones from caves, others from natural groves, even underwater. That was precisely why I kept them in after finding this out. I wanted to learn more.”
Zeke coudln’t help but let his throat run dry from the tension. The more Zacharia asked, the more it felt like their story would fall apart, but Cloud was keeping up with everything. He kept staring Zacharia down, as though everything he spoke about was the truth.
Val stayed silent, but she was by their side, as though wanting to defend them. She didn’t, however, carry her sword for protection. There was no need to.
“I know that this is strange,” Cloud continued after a moment of silence. “But I trust these kids. I wouldn’t let them in my home with my wife and child if they were dangerous. And besides, their little sister is in our town. Would they really sacrifice everything to get to us, knowing that she is still there?”
“...I do find it strange why they brought a child to a dungeon,” Zacharia said, crossing his bulky arms. “But I suppose some families are strange.”
He stared at the two, his dark eyes nearly piercing them through. “But know this–should I know that you two have any intentions of harming our citizens, I will personally take you two out myself.”
As though in response, the other soldiers in his retinue straightned themselves up. Piker himself also followed along, his hand on the hilt of his bastard sword.
Zeke closed his eyes for a moment, then glanced at Mikella. Now she was at her own fight or flight mode, her fingers twitching as though she was ready to fight.
He turned back to Zacharia, who in turn kept staring at him, as though he was the one in charge.
“Eve Glade…is our home,” Zeke eventually said. “The people there are kind. They took us in when we had nothing, know nothing about the outside world. I… we want to return back home after this.”
His words were strange to him, but he was genuine throughout it all. He can’t help but think of Eve Glade as his home, after everything that happened. Mikella relaxed slightly, staring back at Zacharia.
“We owe Val and Cloud for everything we learned. We also have friends in the town, people we know. I don’t want any of them to be hurt.”
Zeke nodded, and the moment the two finished speaking, the tension finally dropped. The soldiers finally relaxed, and Piker lowered his hand.
His stoic face even looked relieved, but his glare was ever there, watching them.
“If that’s enough, then I suggest we head in,” Cloud said, pointing at the massive swirl of dark energy acting as a portal. “Who knows what might come out if we keep lagging around?”