A flat grassy meadow stretched out as far as the eye could see with only a few glowing trees throughout the expanse. It was soon discovered that more plant monsters were on the twelfth floor as well.
Monster – [HUNGRY GRASS] – [LEVEL 66]
Monster – [MANDRAKE] – [LEVEL 67]
Monster – [YELLOW MUSK CREEPER] – [LEVEL 68]
Monster – [TENDRICULOS] – [LEVEL 70]
Now monsters were, in general, difficult to defeat when of a similar level. However, there was a monster on this floor that was truly annoying to disturb let alone fight. The [SOUND] magic it used was annoying enough that even the demon had created earmuffs of [FIRE] to block out the noise. Listening to those screeches, the bunny decided then and there that all [MANDRAKE]s should be eliminated on sight. To help achieve this goal, he constantly kept his [LIGHTNING DOMAIN] active while sending electric bolts through the ground. The shrieking abominations quickly popped up out of the ground only to but cut down by numerous [WIND BLADE]s. This method was also effective in slaying both [HUNGRY GRASS] and [YELLOW MUSK CREEPER]s.
A [TENDRICULOS], however, was quite a bit tougher. With its four limbs, it reminded him of the [SHAMBLING MOUND]s of the previous floor. Instead of a body made of shrubbery, its form was formed with vines. It lacked eyes, but had a huge gaping mouth with thorn shaped, jagged teeth. Wanting to continuing using different magics in battle, the storm rabbit focused on using [BOLT] and infusing it with [LIGHT] mana. It successfully singed his vine bound opponent. This brought to mind a few other skills that were very much underutilised. Continuously firing [BOLT]s he tried combining [SCORCH] and [FLASHBANG] with [BOLT]. The first few hits resulted in serious burns marking the plant monster. Then a hit landed and caused a spark. A spark that caught alight before fire spread across the entire [TENDRICULOS]. The opponent that had previously been five times the size of the bunny, went up in flames and shrivelled to dust.
*DING*
An additional affinity has been unlocked.
[FIRE] – 1% has been granted.
*DING*
Skill: [SCORCH] has upgraded to Skill: [FIREBALL].
*DING*
Skill: [FLASHBANG] has been upgraded to Skill: [COMBUST].
“Impressive” the demon said from behind him, finally glancing up from his book.
“You managed to unlock an affinity without evolving. I’m not sure you understand quite how amazing that is, but I can’t be bothered to explain.”
Finished with handing out compliments, the princeling went right back to his book. He was upside down again. The sovereign decided to just leave things be for now. Didn’t mean he wouldn’t let his own thoughts run wild though.
Wow. Just wow. No matter how much he used his magic the percentage had never increased for any of his affinities. So, it had nothing to do with the use of magic itself. The key was HOW he used his magic combined with HOW he used his skills. His instincts told him this stroke of luck was a one-time thing. It was only going to be even more difficult to do something similar again. For now, he wouldn’t even try. The current goal was clearing the dungeon. So clear it he would.
Throughout the rest of the floor, the storm rabbit continued to keep his [LIGHTNING DOMAIN] active and sliced apart any plant creatures that came at him. Channelling [FIRE] mana through his upgraded skills wasn’t very effective since his proficiency was so low, however, combining the threads of both [LIGHT] and [FIRE] had an explosive effect. Every [TENDRICULOS] was met with a [FIREBALL] that was triggered by [COMBUST] upon making contact with the opponent, resulting in the enemy turning to cinders. In this way it didn’t take the sovereign long to exit the twelfth floor.
*DING*
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 72.
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 73.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
[LEVEL UP] You have reached Level 74.
60 Attribute points have been distributed according to the natural inclinations of your race.
You have 90 Skill points and 15 Attribute points to distribute manually.
The next floor was quite interesting for several reasons. The first thing the rabbit noticed was that crystals on the roof far above were reflecting a dim amount of light. Was there a light source at the end of the dungeon? If each floor continued to get brighter, then it seemed that way. Secondly, the types of monsters were an odd sight.
Monster – [CHIMERIC ALLOCAMELUS] – [LEVEL 72]
Monster – [CHIMERIC SHUG MONKEY] – [LEVEL 73]
Monster – [CHIMERIC KUMO USHI] – [LEVEL 74]
Monster – [CHIMERIC AKHEKH] – [LEVEL 75]
With such a bizarre view in from of him, the rabbit couldn’t help but stare. Yes, some of the creatures on the way up had seemed to be a mix of several animals, but these [RACE] names outright stated that these monsters were chimeric. The allocamelus had the head of a donkey, but the body of a camel. Shug monkeys were long haired black dogs, with a face like a monkey’s. A kumo ushi was a giant spider with the face of a bull. It was the creepiest. The final chimera, an akhekh, was a mix between an eagle, an antelope and a lizard. With its horns, bird beak and reptilian tail, this creature was actually the most majestic out of the four. It reminded him of the [ANZU]s of the fifth floor. This theory was upheld when both the allocamelus’ and the akhekh’s didn’t attack, but simply watched on. They were rather docile monsters in general. Levelling on this floor would be filled with monkey dogs and spider cows.
Before stating the last reason this floor was interesting, it should be brought up again that monsters of previous floors do try to progress further into the dungeon. The majority of the progressing monsters wouldn’t make it more than three floors further than their own due to death or giving up. There were still some that did soldier on, fighting their way deeper and deeper into the dungeon. The key monsters of the floors weren’t the only ones that had tried to attack the sovereign throughout his mission to clear the dungeon. With this in mind, the storm rabbit spotted a particular lone wolf on this floor. Before leaving the dungeon to explore, he had seen a [WARG] hunting by itself well past its own floor. It was the same one without a doubt. His monster senses didn’t lie. He had left it be, not wanting to interfere. But now, now it was interesting.
Monster – [LESSER SHADOW REAPER FENRIR] – [LEVEL 81]
Deciding he really wanted this monster on his side, he called out telepathically once he saw they were each out of harms way for the moment.
“Hi there, would you be interested in having a chat?”
There were three possible reactions that the sovereign expected. Curiosity, the best-case scenario. Attack, the unfortunate worst case scenario. Or retreat due to suspicion, an acceptable outcome where he could try again later. The Fenrir did none of these things.
“[ROGER]? Is that you?”
The sovereign missed a step and landed flat on his face. The princeling, now in a reading pose that would suit if he were laying in a hammock, raised his head and lifted an eyebrow at the unforeseen situation. He was clearly spying on the telepathic communication with his own magic.
Picking himself back up, the bunny tried to regain some dignity by continuing the conversation.
“Max? What are you doing down here?”
“I’d ask you the same question, but I’m pretty sure I can piece it together. The guys that broke in and slit my throat did the same thing to you, didn’t they?”
[ROGER] thought back to that night. The night he died. The bastards must’ve broken into more than just his and Sarah’s apartments then. Max had been [ROGER]s next door neighbor. A guy in his early thirties. As far as he could recall, all Max did was work, sleep and watch television. No friends, no family, no girlfriend. Just a one night stand every month or so. Their apartment walls had been thin.
How many homes had those bastards broken into? How many had they killed? [ROGER] felt sick just thinking about it.
“There were bullets instead of a knife, but basically yeah. They got Sarah too. I managed to take them down, but I died in the process. I don’t know how many they got.”
The wolf bowed his head in grief. “Such a shame. You two were so young. Had your whole lives ahead of you. Come to think of it, Sarah had her boyfriend over that night as well. Connie? Or was it Ronnie? Poor chap probably didn’t make it either.”
They were both silent for a few moments. Grief and remembrance filtering through their minds. Max was the one to change the topic.
“You have a friend with you?”
“Ah, yes. This is… my companion. Um… did you get anything for clearing fifty percent of the dungeon? And how did you get past the boss?”
“The boss? I just snuck around him. Too big and scary for me. At least at the level I was back then. And rewards for clearing half the dungeon? Yeah, I got two contract tokens. They looked fishy to me. Only an idiot would use those, who knows what could turn up or if it would even be friendly.”
In this very moment, [ROGER] was glad that blushing couldn’t be seen through his fur. There was the sound of stifled giggling behind him. He would NOT look at the summon behind him.
Max tilted his head in both question and realization. “Hey [ROGER], you didn’t happen to get some contract tokens as well did you?”
The only answer was the sound of laughter that could no longer be contained. The demon no longer floated in the air. He was rolling on the ground, arms crossed around his chest and tears of mirth running down his face. Loud cackling peeled from the summon as he tried to speak.
“Only. Hehehehe. An. Hehehehe. Idiot. Hehehaha! I agree! Ha ha ha ha. What kind of. Hahahaha. [SPECIAL] grade moron would use. Hehehehehe. [UNIQUE] grade contract tokens?” at this, the demon finally calmed down before aiming a shit eating grin at the idiotic bunny, “Gee, I wonder?”