(Dungeon):
A type of Domain generated by Dharta itself, a Dungeon’s main function is the production, alteration, and maintenance of the world’s Mana. Usually found in enclosed areas with denser Mana than their surroundings, Dungeons typically form in caves, tunnels, and other such cavernous formations underneath the earth, and grow further as time goes on. Dungeons also serve the purpose of being a trial for Dharta’s inhabitants, a blessing from Dharta given unto them that rewards those who delve inside to challenge the dangers that lie within.
It looks like my luck hasn't run out yet. I'm not sure what exactly the rewards will entail, but anything that will help in fixing my current Rusalka problem will be more than appreciated. Since the display said that the Dungeon is Tier 1, which I assume is the same Tier I am based on how Tier 2 is when I can Level [Light Of Justice] again, which also means that anything inside should be about as dangerous as what I've been fighting up until now, maybe a little higher in Level at most. That is, if the danger it mentions regards monsters, which it hopefully does, as I am not fully sure how I would handle more environmental threats.
My biggest concern is actually the name itself, as dungeons aren't something I have a pleasant track record with in the past. The only reason I continue inside besides that apprehension is because a cave in the middle of the woods filled with vines growing along the walls and ceiling isn't what I usually imagine when I think of what a dungeon would entail. But should I be worrying about stuff like that in the first place? I mean, isn't the whole point of my newfound goal specifically about making it so that I won't be entrapped ever again?
With that mindset reinforced, I disregard my mild hesitation and confidently stride further down the darkening tunnel covered in vibrant green vines. As the light coming in from the cave mouth begins to fade and my eyes adjust to the diminishing illumination, I notice a sharp rightward bend in the tunnel. I press myself against the wall once I reach the turn, peeking around slowly to check around the corner for anything dangerous on the other side. While I don't see any wildlife waiting in ambush, the sight before me does surprise me a little. In the shade cut off from the sunlight, the vines begin to emit a dim, ethereal green glow, giving an otherworldly atmosphere to the cave’s tunnel. I step out from my hiding position, just admiring the almost unnatural looking view before me. I try to use [Eyes Of Aspirations] on one of the vines to see if I can get any info on it, and receive a message stating nothing more than that the vine is called a (Creeping Luminvine). I continue to walk at a sedate pace down the path, entranced by the veinlike plant life splattered all over the tunnel, with patches now covering the floor as well.
It is as I am enjoying the sight around me that I encounter my first danger of the Dungeon, as something dark drops from the ceiling onto my face, darkening my vision instantly. I try to scream out in surprise, only for something to flow into my mouth and start to creep into my throat. I immediately try to claw at whatever is covering my mouth, but it's as if I'm trying to swipe through a blob of dense, sticky honey. Attempting to bite down on the intrusion doesn't help either, as my mouth actually opens wider due to the honey-like tendril forcing itself down my throat to choke me. While I struggle to breathe, my left foot catches on one of the vines below me and I fall backwards, smacking my head against the ground and dropping my axe from my tail’s grip.
Due to the panic caused by the combination of all these things happening in a matter of seconds, it takes me a few moments to try something other than scrape futilely at the substance covering my face. Once I actually take a moment to due something more effective, I activate [Light Of Justice] on my hands to see if that will help, as I don't think any of my other Skills apply to this situation, and am met with immediate relief as the luminescent hands evaporate the sticky liquid almost immediately, allowing me to see my surroundings again. The only issue is that everything [Light Of Justice] shined down on disappeared, which unfortunately didn't include everything filling my throat. Seeing no other solution, and not too happy about being choked out yet again, I activate [Light Of Justice] once more for a brief moment, targeting my throat itself this time.
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This thankfully manages to disperse the rest of the honey-like liquid, but something solid remains lodged in my throat. I turn over, getting onto my knees, and bend over as I try to expel the object stuck there. Since my throat isn't fully blocked now, it only takes a few seconds for me to finally retch out a small spherical object that looks similar to a marble. I just stay there for a few moments, on my hands and knees and emitting a rhythm of raspy breathing through a throat that burns as if I'm currently having a horrendous cold, wondering why everything wants to fucking choke me to death. As I roll over to a lying position, an odd screen appears in my vision as I gulp down air.
[You Have Defeated {Sap Slime: Level 5}]
[Reward Drops Shall Now Be Generated]
The screen isn't just odd because of the differing message layout than what I'm used to, but in how the screen is a slightly-transparent green hue rather than the slightly-transparent blue it usually is. A small flash of light draws my attention to the marble-like object I choked up earlier, where there is now a tiny glass vial with an unknown liquid inside. Suspicious of the sudden appearance of something that wasn't there moments before, I activate [Eyes Of Aspirations] on the objects, getting an unexpected result for one of them.
(Minor Monster Core)
(Vial Of Diluted Sap Slime Sap):
Contains the sap from a Sap Slime, diluted to aid ingestion. Consumption of the sap will temporarily aid in the Recovery of the user who consumed it for a short period of time.
The names of the objects both appeared in the normal blue colored windows, but right under the one for the sap is another greenish colored window that gives a description of the item more detailed than I have ever received before. Picking up the vial, I use a tiny application of [Light Of Justice] on the index finger of my other hand, shining light on the vial to get a better look at it. The golden light I emit shows me an amber colored liquid sloshing around a tiny vial about the size of my thumb. I try using [Eyes Of Aspirations] a couple more times, but I get the same result each time, a normal item name followed by a green window housing a detailed description of its use.
Deciding to test out the trustworthiness of the newcomer invading my System, I uncork the stopper and dip my pinky in the amber liquid, then proceed to lick a small amount off of it. I wait a few seconds to see if I can detect any signs of poison, not that I know how to do that in the first place, but when I don't feel any pain from the liquid on my tongue or have any other signs that I just ingested something that will kill me, I go ahead and throw caution to the wind and down the rest of the amber liquid down my stinging throat. Nothing really happens for the next few seconds, and I dejectedly walk over to my axe on the ground so that I can re-equip my tail, but as I do so, a slight cooling sensation comes over my throat, and the pain coming from the small burns inside starts to lessen. While I am used to quicker recovery from injuries now, the pain from my throat disappears in just seconds, and my head clears from a miniscule headache that I hadn't really noticed until it just now disappeared. I bring my tail up around in front of me to see if it is now regenerating at a faster pace, but either the sap doesn't affect it, or the effect is so small it doesn't make a noticeable difference.
Well Goddess be damned, that is so effing cool! Thank you mysterious green window for your generosity.
Really though, even if it was just a small burn and a headache that got healed, the immediate healing effect is something I could only dream of back on Earth. My Recovery might have been able to do the same in a few minutes, but if I could get more of this sap, I would gladly rather use it than just suffer through pain I don't need to. If only I had a bag to carry stuff with, but I just had to leave it behind while checking out the stable house like an idiot.
With a lack of storage options, I put the cork back in and place the empty vial through one of the straps holding up my leather chest piece, deciding to hold onto it just in case I need it for something in the future. As for the Minor Monster Core, I manage to fit it inside the small vial due to its small size. Now complete with my sap testing session, I pick up my axe and sheath it on my side until needed, and continue my journey into the depths of the Dungeon.