Chapter 140

  No Rest For the Wicked (I)

The massive group landed back into the city feeling somewhat disoriented, over half of them sprawled on the floor, groaning. Their vision was hazy for a few seconds, and the churning feeling in their stomachs hardly helped the compilation of uncomfortable sensations.

Emma looked around for a moment, nodding; they were teleported at the same spot as the first time they entered the city, on the edge of the sprawling slums darkened by the ashen 'skyline'. She cried out silently as her gaze veered further to the side where she saw a cloaked, yellow-eyed figure staring at their group.

"What?! What's wrong?!" Kramer asked abruptly as he withdrew his weapon.

"Nothing, sorry," Emma sighed, holding him back. "Just got startled by that guy."

"... huh? Who's that?"

"A... friend?" Emma tilted her head, uncertain as to what to call the strange figure. "More like a vendor, actually. Hello, Shopkeeper."

"... good day to you, Miss," the man replied in a raspy voice. "It pleases me to see you have arrived back safely."

"Yeah, me too. Cain's not with us, though; he had to leave."

"That is fine," the Shopkeeper said. "He'll return eventually. I am here for you."

"For... us?" ears of everyone perked up as they lined behind Emma, including Kramer and his group.

"Perchance, I have a Quest suited for you."

"..." Emma's expression dropped, though she was the only one to feel that way. Unlike others, Cain had specified that the Shopkeeper was a double-edged sword; though the rewards from him were heaven-inspiring, they were not gifts, and to get them would be a proportional struggle. "Do... tell." she couldn't just say no, however, and at least wanted to hear him out.

"I can nary lie to you -- it will be difficult," the Shopkeeper said. "And will require all present here for a chance at victory. I promise, however, that the rewards will be equal to the effort and struggle."

"..." Emma waited for the man to elaborate.

"Within Underworld resides a powerful creature currently threatening to emerge from the deep chasms and into the light, Moru'gh the Soulmaker. He is protected by three Guardians that you will have to slay to gain access to the Chamber of the Deeps, where Moru'gh resides. Killing him shall lift the Veneer and free the thousands of souls trapped within the Chained Maws."

"..." So... basically, four raid battles... Emma quickly concluded. Others in her group cooled as well, and even Kramer's didn't seem nearly as excited anymore as they realized what the 'quest' would entail. "Time limit?"

"A month. I will personally open a portal directly to the Underworld, but it will be up to you to reach the Chasms of the Deep."

"Of course... what are the rewards?" Emma quizzed.

"I have no doubt that Moru'gh accumulated a lot of treasures over the eons, and whatever you find, you may keep. Additionally, I shall open my treasury to you and allow you to choose one item for yourselves. Furthermore, as to aid you in your quest, each of you will be able to choose one of four buffs to help you within the Chamber of the Deeps."

Right after, every member of the group got a set of notifications, quickly glancing at them and realizing it was a list of those buffs and what they did.

//Herald of the Living -- reduces damage taken by creatures within Chamber of the Deeps by 40% and has a 10% chance to reflect incoming attacks. Additionally, you become immune to Curses.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Champion of Starlight -- your attacks have a 10% chance to trigger a 'Starlight Burst', increasing your Mana Regeneration and Conversion rate by 400% for 6 seconds. Additionally, the first Skill used will gain an extra 100% Damage and unleash a burst of starlight at 4 nearest targets, dealing 250% of your total damage.

Ardent of the Maidens -- every 14 seconds during combat, a visage of a Maiden will appear behind you and sing one of 3 songs; 'Song of the Courage' will increase Vitality of ALL members of the party by 25% for 20 seconds; 'Song of the Brevity' will increase Damage of ALL members of the party by 50% for 15 seconds; 'Song of the Ancient' will grant ALL members of the party a shield equaling to 10x your highest Stat. The buffs can individually stack up to 3 times, but cannot overlap, with the newer one taking precedence.

Ashen Calling -- gain 1% to your Damage each time you slay an enemy, stacking up to 60 times. Gain temporary access to a Skill called 'Fallen's Avenger' that consumes ALL stacks to deal a massive amount of damage. Stacks are then, passively, restored, 1 stack per 10 seconds, but 'Fallen's Avenger' cannot be used again until ALL stacks are restored. //

Sounds of the gasps echoed softly throughout as everyone began eyeing that one buff they believed would be perfect for them. Emma sighed, furthermore convinced that, should they accept the Quest, it would be a long time before they returned. However... she had to accept it, she knew. It wasn't just the party, but she herself needed to rediscover the reality that she could be helpful, that they could be helpful. This would be a way to prove to themselves that they wouldn't have to cower and hide and let Cain take on the most difficult bosses all on his own in the future.

"Hey," she glanced at Kramer and called out the man. "What do you think?"

"Your choice." Kramer replied with a smile.

"Ah, quite nice; toss all the responsibility onto a lady."

"You don't get to play that card," Kramer chuckled. "Lady."

"... let's do it, then." she said. "It will be incredibly difficult, but I'm confident."

"So am I." Kramer nodded. "No rest for the wicked, eh?"

"No rest for the wicked," she repeated before turning toward the Shopkeeper. "Fine, we'll accept the Quest."

"... very well," the Shopkeeper faintly nodded before lifting his finger abruptly and pricking at the space next to him. A moment later, a swirl of energy gathered there and ripped open a tunnel in space in the shape of a vortex. "When you are ready, just step through this portal and you will be taken to the Underworld. I cannot guarantee where, but at least I can promise it will be a safe zone."

At the same time, every member of the party got a notification for the quest as well as a detailed description of what they had to do in order to complete it.

//Stopping the Ancient Threat (???)

Requirements: Affinity with '???'

Recommended Group: 15+ Conquerors

Context: After remaining in slumber for the time unknown, old Fallen slowly seems to wake from the Deeps; Moru'gh was once a Champion of Light and fought wars to maintain order within the Crucibles. However, he has fallen prey to the whispers of the Corrupt and Fell, raising arms against his King. Eventually defeated, he was driven away from the Kingdom in the Sky and ushered to the bottom of the Crucibles where he forged a lair to hide and recuperate within, slowly obtaining followers through his wicked whispers.

Description: Defeat Moru'gh's three Guardians -- Azara the Skytorcher, Lek the Usher of the Dead, and Myeala the Unshackled -- to obtain three pieces of 'Undying Crystals' and combine them into a 'Key of the Deeps' that unlocks the massive gates to the Chamber of the Deeps where you shall face Moru'gh, the Soulmaker. Defeat him and exile him from the plane of the living once and for all, ending the eons-long struggle.

Rewards: A Unique-rated Title fit for your Class; +2 to Levels; a single item from the '???'s' Treasury; +1 to Classless Skill slot; a random combination of 3 upgrades to your Stats, ???, ???, ???.

Time Limit: 30 Days

You have obtained: 'Tattered Map of the Underworld'

Good Luck, Conquerors!//

Emma sighed audibly, rubbing the bridge of her nose. I guess we'll get the details of the fights as we reach them... Jesus, this is gonna be a bitch...

"Alright, we'll take an hour to sort everything," Kramer said. "Gather back here after and we leave. Everyone okay with that?"

"Sure."

"Yup."

"See you in an hour."

The two groups split and went their way, with Emma leading others back to their 'house' here in the slums. Everyone had a complex look on their faces, a cross between excitement and nervousness. She could hardly blame them for it; the experience thus far with major bosses wasn't exactly smooth. Furthermore, this time around, they'd have to go at it without the safety card sitting just behind them. It would truly test their skills and how far they can go.

The key will be how well we can cooperate with Kramer's group, she sighed again, looking at Taima.

"You'll stay here, in the city, Taima," she said. "Unfortunately, we won't be able to help you gather materials. We can leave you with some items, however -- a lot of them, actually -- to help you kickstart the whole ordeal."

"That's quite alright," Taima said. "When you return, I will have weapons prepared for each one of you, I promise. That's... that's why... please come back safely."

"We will," Emma chuckled at Taima's reddened cheek as she stretched lazily. "Well... leave hope behind, I guess, 'cause it's all in our arms now."