The tide turned almost immediately as the reinforcements took their positions. A volley of arrows flew overhead, embedding themselves in the monstrous forms trying to break through the last line of defense. Magical spells followed, lighting up the dark tunnel with bursts of arcane energy. Sinclair felt an immense sense of relief wash over him; they had backup, and just in time.
He looked at Chewy and Leia, both of whom wore expressions of relief mixed with a steely resolve. "Ready to finish this?" he asked, grinning despite the exhaustion.
"Born ready," Leia shot back, her eyes flaring with magical intensity.
Sinclair activated Primal Resonance, a skill designed to draw the enemy's attention. A low, guttural growl emanated from deep within him, echoing through the tunnel. The creatures hesitated, their attention now divided between the onslaught of arrows and spells and the imposing figure at the tunnel's mouth.
With the reinforcements holding the line and covering his flanks, Sinclair could now focus solely on the enemy before him. No longer restrained by the need to protect his companions, he felt as if chains had been lifted from his limbs. His axe danced through the air, each swing faster and more precise than the last.
He was a whirlwind of destruction, hacking through the lesser creatures in seconds. Larger beasts met the same fate, albeit with a little more effort. He triggered abilities like Savage Cleave and Focused Charge in quick succession, cutting through swaths of enemies. The energy in the tunnel shifted palpably; where there had been desperate resistance, there was now a sense of overpowering force.
And so they fought, side by side, until the last creature lay defeated or fled back into the depths from which it came. The reinforcements cheered, their voices echoing through the tunnel.
Sinclair and his companions stood, catching their breath. Though the arrival of reinforcements had shifted the battle in their favor, the effort expended had been enormous.
"Thank you for the timely assist," Sinclair said, turning to the commander leading the reinforcements. "I'm not sure how things would have turned out if you hadn't arrived when you did."
"Given how fiercely you three were fighting, I think the outcome would've been the same—just more protracted," the commander replied with a grin.
"We're planning to take a short break before we continue down the tunnel," Sinclair said. "The path to the left appeared to be caved in some distance ahead, but you might want to confirm that."
"We'll handle it," the commander assured him. "Go catch your breath and let us secure the area."
Sinclair nodded, then added, "Do you have someone capable of teaching me a darksight spell? Torches aren't ideal when you're fighting, and even our enhanced vision has its limits in this darkness."
The commander looked thoughtful for a moment before calling over Turgrin, a Dark Elf donned in floor-length robes. The robes appeared simple but must have been incredibly comfortable, Sinclair mused, certainly more so than his own armor.
"Turgrin, could you teach Lord Sinclair your darksight spell? You've mastered it sufficiently to share it, haven't you?" the commander asked.
Turgrin blinked owlishly, taking a few seconds to formulate his response. "Yes, I can do that," he finally said, though his tone made it sound as if he was still mulling over the answer.
Sinclair found the mage's hesitant demeanor odd but shrugged it off as they moved aside. Whatever peculiarities Turgrin had, Sinclair was more interested in the spell he could learn from him.
As they stepped aside to avoid interrupting the ongoing cleanup, Sinclair's curiosity piqued. "How do you go about teaching me a spell, and what exactly does it do?"
Turgrin, whose speech had an odd, measured cadence that Sinclair found oddly captivating, began to explain. "The spell is known as Shadow Sight. It's an essential skill for anyone delving deep into the mines where open flames pose a risk. I've recently advanced mine to a Journeyman level, enabling me to impart its basic form to you. The system itself will manage the transfer; we merely need to initiate the process."
Intrigued and slightly perplexed by Turgrin's cautious yet deliberate manner of speaking, Sinclair nodded. "Sounds good to me. What's my part in this?"
"You don't have to do much," Turgrin explained, his voice still maintaining that peculiar, measured cadence that Sinclair found so intriguing. "I will initiate the process from my end. You just have to accept the skill transfer prompt when it appears in your system interface."
"Fair enough," Sinclair said, growing increasingly eager to acquire the Shadow Sight spell. He could already imagine how much easier navigating the labyrinthine tunnels would be without the encumbrance of a torch.
Turgrin closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly concentrating. Soon enough, a prompt appeared before Sinclair, hovering in his field of vision.
**Skill Transfer Request: Shadow Sight (Basic Level). Do you accept? [YES/NO]**
Sinclair didn't hesitate to select 'YES.'
Shadow Sight (Rare) - Shadow Sight is a specialized night vision spell coveted by dark elves for its ability to turn darkness into an ally. Upon casting, the user's eyes momentarily flash a deep violet before the world around them shifts into varying shades of dark and gray. While under the effects of Shadow Sight, the user is capable of seeing clearly in pitch-black conditions, as if it were dimly lit. The spell eliminates the need for any external light sources, allowing the user to navigate and identify objects and beings even in total darkness.
A rush of information flooded his senses, as if pages from an ancient tome were being swiftly flipped in front of his eyes, imprinted directly into his mind. When the sensation subsided, Sinclair realized he now understood the mechanics and the incantations needed for the Shadow Sight spell.
"Thank you, Turgrin," Sinclair expressed, a sense of gratitude mingling with the disorienting sensation that came from the swift influx of new knowledge. "This will be invaluable."
Turgrin's response carried a rare undertone of warmth. "You're welcome. My subclass is that of a teacher, so this exchange benefits both of us. I gain experience in my role, and you acquire a useful spell."
Sinclair nodded, his mind already buzzing with anticipation to put his newly acquired skill to the test. Armed with Shadow Sight, the dark, labyrinthine tunnels of the mine seemed suddenly less intimidating.
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Sinclair was about to walk away when Turgrin's words suddenly registered. Spinning back around, he asked, "Wait, your subclass is a teacher? What's that? No one's mentioned subclassing to me before."
Turgrin appeared equally shocked by the abruptness of Sinclair's return and by the task of explaining what was commonly considered basic knowledge. "You mean no one has explained what a subclass is, or how to acquire one?"
"No, they haven't! I swear, this system seems designed to get me killed with its lack of information. You could write a book on all the things I don't know," Sinclair vented for a moment.
Seeing the perplexed look on Turgrin's face, Sinclair quickly added, "I apologize, Turgrin. I'm not angry with you. It's just frustrating that information comes to me in such piecemeal fashion. If only there were a spell to impart basic System knowledge." He sighed, preparing to turn away.
"Actually, there is such a spell," Turgrin interrupted, "I can cast it for you. It will cover fundamentals like class mechanics, subclasses, stats, hidden stats, skills, masteries, system interfaces, and some other essentials. However, it's rather costly—it requires a magic core of at least 'rare' quality. The rarer the core, the more comprehensive the information."
Turgrin had barely finished his sentence when Sinclair thrust a large gemstone into the air, his hand trembling with urgency. "Take. The. Core. Please."
Turgrin felt a twinge of something he'd never quite felt before—a precursor to fear, perhaps. From childhood, he had been single-mindedly focused on learning and magic, seldom considering the emotion of fear. But the man before him, Sinclair, evoked a new sensation that came uncomfortably close to it. In that moment, Turgrin made a silent vow never to cross this human, whatever the cost.
Turgrin cautiously approached and took the gemstone core, levitating it into a slow spin above his palm. His eyes widened as he appraised its quality—Legendary. Where had Sinclair even acquired something like this? Turgrin doubted he even knew enough about the System to justify using such an extraordinary core for an informational spell.
Gently, he requested Sinclair to bend down a bit, as he was taller than the elf. Placing one hand against Sinclair's forehead, Turgrin said with gravitas, "This is going to hurt. Take a deep breath and hold it, please."
Sinclair complied, inhaling deeply and nodding. He braced himself for the inevitable rush of pain, which, when it came, was akin to the discomfort he had felt during his race upgrade. However, his increased stats and higher level of pain tolerance reduced the ordeal to a fleeting moment of agony. The only external indication was a slight twitch in his eye, a subtle signal to Turgrin that the spell had succeeded and that Sinclair was now, presumably, a great deal more knowledgeable than he had been moments before.
Sinclair thanked him and walked back over to his companions. As he was turning to go Turgrin spoke up. "Before you go home please find me again. I would ask a favor before you go."
Grateful, Sinclair nodded in acknowledgment to Turgrin's request for a future favor and rejoined his companions. His mind felt cluttered, overburdened with freshly acquired insights, and he yearned for the soothing influence of food and ale to relieve his pounding headache.
Turgrin watched him go, a little shaken. Most people were barely able to remain conscious when using the knowledge transfer spell with a rare core—let alone an epic or, heaven forbid, a legendary one. He decided he, too, needed an ale to steady his nerves.
Retreating to a side tunnel, Sinclair sank to the ground, his back against the cool stone wall. Chewy and Leia settled beside him, a comforting warmth at his legs. For half an hour, he endured the throb in his skull, worsened every time he tried to think.
His decision to use the Legendary core he had acquired from the Centipede Queen had amplified the spell's effects. Sinclair had been astonished by the core's quality but had reasoned that anything of legendary status had to hold significant value.
As his headache gradually waned, Sinclair felt ready to resume their journey. Signaling to Chewy and Leia, he rose and approached the tunnel entrance. He waved briefly to the commander and activated his newly acquired Shadow Sight spell for himself and his companions.
It took a moment to adjust to the transformed vision; the pitch-black tunnel now resembled an old black-and-white television screen. The deepest shadows had softened into discernable darkness, making navigation feasible. Content, Sinclair took the lead, yearning for the comfort of his own bed. Though not tired in the traditional sense, his spirit felt drained, weary.
He pondered how many days it had been since he last slept. He had been exploring the mine for a couple of days now, taking breaks but never truly resting since leaving the main Dark Elf encampment. It was high time he remedied that.
Resolute, Sinclair shoved thoughts of rest aside. Duty beckoned. With Chewy and Leia in tow, he advanced cautiously down the serpentine tunnel, eyes keenly alert for any signs of danger.
They reached the tunnel's initial bend without encountering any resistance. Beyond this point, Sinclair's map offered no guidance, serving only as a record of where they'd already been. Undeterred, the trio pressed on through the labyrinthine twists and turns for another half-hour before reaching their first fork in the road.
Each member of the group took turns examining the tunnel floors and peering into the gloomy abyss, hoping for some sign or clue to indicate the better path.
A smile tugged at Sinclair's lips. He remembered the oft-repeated adage from countless horror films: never split the group. "Back home, we had a rule for exploring new areas or playing games that involved such adventure—always take the right-hand passage. Given the tracks leading down both tunnels, it seems as good a guide as any," he relayed to Chewy and Leia through their telepathic link.
Wordlessly, they aligned themselves with the tunnel that veered to the right. An eerie silence enveloped both passages, heightening their sense of anticipation. The absence of any activity or sound was paradoxically more unsettling than facing a horde of enemies. The quiet seemed to bristle with the tension of the unknown, and all three adventurers found themselves bracing for whatever—or whoever—might break it.
Two hours of relentless forward march had started to weigh on Sinclair and his companions. Their pace was slow due to their cautious approach, and Sinclair felt like they had been walking for an eternity. A glance at his map confirmed that they had indeed been steadily distancing themselves from the original tunnel, delving ever deeper into the heart of the mountain.
Suddenly, a resounding crack reverberated through the air. The sound seemed to emanate from somewhere in front of them, but the labyrinthine acoustics made it difficult to pinpoint the source.
Another loud crack echoed, accompanied by a subtle tremor that rattled the tunnel walls. Sinclair felt a momentary pang of terror—was the earth itself shifting beneath them? The last place he wanted to be during an earthquake was in an underground tunnel. His fear almost immobilized him until he felt a gentle nudge from behind, pushing him forward.
Shaking off his hesitation, Sinclair quickened his pace. They rounded the next corner at a heightened speed and emerged onto a ledge overlooking a vast underground dome. The cavern's ceiling stretched so high it was almost lost in shadow, and the ledge they stood on was midway between the dome floor and its zenith. To the side, a ramp chiseled out of stone snaked its way down to the ground level.
But the scene that unfolded below them was far from comforting. Behemoths meandered across the cavern floor, moving between what appeared to be nests. The enormous creatures shuffled from one nest to another, sometimes repositioning what looked like massive eggs or depositing the carcasses of centipedes and other subterranean fauna.
The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying, filling Sinclair with an unsettling mixture of awe and apprehension. Here, in the bowels of the mountain, was a hidden ecosystem—a place of life and danger both alien and extraordinary.
Backing away quietly, Sinclair and his companions retreated into the tunnel to confer. "I managed to analyze a couple of those behemoths, and they're definitely potential XP earners for us, especially since their levels are just question marks. We need to tread carefully; I counted twelve of them. The rest appear to be larvae or too young to pose a threat," Sinclair shared.
"Agreed," Leia responded. "I spotted two other tunnels leading off from the main cavern floor. Creatures were moving in and out of them. I can't say for certain if those are the only threats down there, though."
"I'd bet there are more," Sinclair mused. "This place feels ancient—like it's been here for a while. There's no telling what else could be lurking in the depths."
The trio weighed their options, each keenly aware that they were standing on the threshold of a perilous, unknown world. With behemoths below and an untold number of additional threats possibly lurking in the dark recesses, they knew their next steps had to be calculated with extreme care.
Gazing into the abyss below, Sinclair assessed the behemoths with a calculating eye. Towering at least twice his height and possessing a bulk that surpassed his own frame, these monsters were clearly not to be trifled with. Yet, there was a glimmer of strategy forming in his mind.
His combat skills, honed from previous encounters, were particularly effective against fewer but more formidable foes. While he struggled against low-level swarms, his abilities were optimized for taking on a small number of powerful enemies. This could be his proverbial bread and butter in this perilous scenario.
"Listen, I think we have a shot," Sinclair finally broke the silence, addressing his companions through their telepathic link. "My skills are better suited for these types of enemies. If we can separate them, take them on one or two at a time, we stand a chance."
A sense of determination settled over the group. There was inherent danger, yes, but also an opportunity for victory, and perhaps even glory. This was, after all, what adventurers lived for.
"If we start fighting at the bottom of the ramp, we risk getting surrounded. However, the ramp itself could serve as a tactical advantage," Sinclair explained thoughtfully. "It's wide enough for us to stand side by side, yet narrow enough to limit them to coming at us one or two at a time. If we position ourselves correctly and retreat when needed, we could prevent any behemoth from standing on the sides of the ramp to trip us up."
This strategy could effectively curb the behemoths' numbers, at least to a manageable degree. As a last resort, they could always retreat into the tunnel from which they'd come. The towering behemoths would likely struggle to navigate the confined space, much less engage in combat while hunched over.
The notion of collapsing the tunnels as a quick fix had briefly tempted Sinclair, but he swiftly dismissed it. Such a short-term solution could lead to more significant, long-term problems. It seemed as though this subterranean realm—this Myrkr—had been assembling its own formidable force, only to stumble upon the Dark Elves' network of tunnels prematurely.
That's all right, he mused, a determined glint in his eyes. He'd ensure that nothing in this dark abyss would pose a threat in the near future—or ever again.