Hampshrine City Inn

"Miss Fey, we just got here today." Lord Carnage, Little Bai, squeezed the innkeeper a little before pushing her back with a smile. "Want to come with us to the dungeon?" We plan on raiding it in a few days." He asked the girl who went back to behind the counter.

"The new one? Isn't it a tier 9? Why bother with it?" Fey took the few empty mugs to the basin to wash while Bai took the seat at the counter. "It's been a long time since I went for a raid. Besides the news is that there might be traits in this dungeon." Fey paused for a little and stared at the kid standing next to Bai. "Is it for this kid? Stop standing in the way. Sit to the side." Fey pointed at a stool to the right away from the counter front.

"Yes, I plan on letting him pick it up. Guess who's kid it is?" Fey took a closer look at the 12-year-old. "Val? He doesn't look anything like the other meatheads I know off." "She is too busy with politics and asked me to help him out a little. Sam, meet Lady Fey. She used to be in the party with me and your mom."

"It's good to meet you, Miss Fey." Sam lowered his head a little facing Fey.

"So, when will you be free?" Bai asked Fey who started to mop the remaining mugs. "When do you plan to leave for the dungeon?" Fey asked. "On Monday. I want to take Sam to the dungeon here before it's too dark." Fey turned towards the counter and took out a few cakes from the cupboard. "Take these. I induced a little blessing on them. It should help you recover your stamina a lot faster."

The brown plum cakes looked warm as Bai took them and placed them in his storage bag. "Thank you. Spare a room for us in case we end up late." Sam and Bai the inn towards the tier 4 dungeon.

The south of the city had fertile land and the city used it as a primary food source. The northern part was usually covered with snow but the pines grew strong and helped the city keep warm. During the winter, the path further north was closed. Only questers who had an ice attribute could sustain the climate further north. Bai and Sam approached the north gate. The dungeon gates were close to the north gate by just a few kilometres.

The path immediately to the cities and towns were laid with polished brick but the further one went it would turn back to common dirt roads. Since road traffic was no longer a thing, the roads were only used by the commoners. The questers and their family could use spatial drifts and teleportation circles to travel faster. The authorities never maintained the roads to limit the mobility of the common folk.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The path to the dungeon was made similar to the city streets. As far as Hampshrine City was concerned, the dungeon was just an extension of it. Walking on the paved path, the two reached the dungeon area quickly. It seemed that Bai had a party agility boost that helped.

The dungeon gate to the Horned Beast's Furrow was crowded. Countless street vendors were trying to buy and sell the dungeon loots. One could see the massive pink teleportation circle away from a kilometre radius. The teleportation circles were all heavily guarded by the city mayor's office.

Bai approached the heavily guarded gate and registered for a single time permit to access the dungeon. The formalities were simple and the two were allowed in faster than at the city gate after charging them 20 gold each.

"Is this dungeon worth 20 gold per head?" Sam asked Bai, curious. The dungeon was already cleared and there was no special loot that could be obtained anymore. "Well, the dungeon might be cleared but it still gives out the experience and sometimes bonus loot. Considering how much experience the dungeon gives, 20 gold isn't a huge price to pay." Bai took Sam, approached the teleportation gate and crossed over to the other side. "Just close your eyes and step forward. You won't feel any difference then." Bai said right before they stepped through the gate.

Stepping into the dungeon, Sam felt he entered a different world. The atmosphere was similar to the countryside. There were multiple patches of paths going through deeper into the dungeon. The sky appeared pitch black but there was sufficient lighting in the place that they both could see. A notification window appeared similar to what he's used to in the game world.

You have entered tier 4 dungeon,

Horned Beast's Furrow

There was an aura in the place that made Sam breathe heavily. Bai walked in front not waiting for Sam. The dungeons all have a similar layout. They were split into multiple regions with each region containing a boss or puzzle for the raider to solve.

The two stepped further into the open region away leaving the small teleportation circle behind. As Sam walked behind Bai, his master explained how to fight in the dungeon. The horned beasts in the place tend to try and stab the raiders with a small rush. As long as one sidestepped before getting plummeted under the strong horns, he could hit the beast with full power.

Bai walked ahead looking at the fee spawned beasts. He took a pebble from the ground and threw it at the horned beast closest to them. The beast roared and rushed at the two, stomping heavily on the ground. Sam who was already level ten used 'identify' on the beast approaching them.

Silver Horned Casus

A four-legged beast capable of plummeting any raider that invaded their territory. Although found in herds, these beasts are prideful and tend not to attack an enemy as a group. Their skin is hard and cannot be penetrated with common weapons.

Tier: 4

Physical Malee type.

As a mage, this wasn't a monster that Sam could fight on even grounds.

*****