WATER SPELL!!! NEED WATER!!!
Why does this woman insist on screaming everything? After finally getting everyone to stop vomiting Davren directed their focus to looting. Not wanting another “incident” he disintegrated the rest of the body and used the one water ability he knows to clean the ground and his face and hair. This started the mega voice he now associated with “princess” Jada going as she couldn’t have a speck of dirt or entrails on her if we were going to move forward in this ridiculous venture. Why did he ever think she was a good choice of future wife for his brother.
To top it off the system token only gave him one point which he added to health. At his level this is the hardest stat to increase off of the baseline. This hydra was generally disappointing for Davren, he received no stat increases which he expected but he did think the token would do more. This is why he doesn’t do beginner runs or chaperone, he thought. His idiot brother received a major boost that finally moved him from an anemic F- rank to E- Rank. With almost 2000 xp each and a ton of weapons and potions they will be the envy of their peers. Davren didn’t want to rain on their parade by mentioning that these weapons are poor quality and would likely not even tickle a real threat.
After cleaning the “princess” and waking the healer, AGAIN, Davren pulled the rest from the rest of their celebration. Ok guys, he said, you did an amazing job here but we have one more step before we leave. Everyone looked bewildered and fearful, The rogue had a face that made Davren think he would be sick again. Wanting to nip that in the bud quickly he continued, I recently learned that most dungeons have hidden rooms that can be found only when the guardian has been defeated. We have six hours before this one respawns, if we are still here when he does we will have to fight all the mobs in all levels again so we would need to get a move on. Who is up for more loot? I do NOT want to go through all of this again!! Jada screeched. Darven thought her voice was getting worse as the minutes passed by. I have a return key he interjected, since we are all connected through my brothers party the system will recognize that bond and bring us all to the relay point outside of the dungeon when I trigger it. I will do so in five hours and thirty minutes regardless. Still seeing the unsure faces he dropped the bomb. I, he emphasized for effect, will be searching. You, he pointed to each of them, can feel free to find the exit if you like but again thirty minutes before the boss respawns I will be exiting via return key. He said that last bit slowly so they can all get it. Before the complaints could start he walked off to begin.
What Davren did not tell them or even his parents is the only reason he agreed to this child dungeon run is this secret stash. According to his books, since he was B - Rank he could not access it for an F- rank dungeon. Since those entering the dungeons were supposed to only go into the ones matching their level the door would never appear to a higher or lower level normally. Pixie? Davren scratches his head trying to remember if that is really her name, used her family’s influence to add him onto the approved list for this run. He just did not understand why there are rules for dungeon runs when he could power level anyone anywhere outside. This group would have been killed if not for him, their healer can’t stay upright at the sight of blood and their tank is his brother. Thinking about it he concludes that the only non idiot in this group is the rogue but not by much. He would be down a sibling if he did not come. Granted they were also told they were not ready for a dungeon. His parents have multiple warning letters to prove it. He finally decided this was getting off track. I wonder where a secret room can be hidden here. Davren had run this dungeon numerous times when he was a little older than his brother. His team was always excited about the loot from the hydra and never considered there would be anything else. Couple that with the elders of the town never mentioning one how would they have?
Being under his brother's party meant that account was the one recognized, not his. This is also why he restrained himself from interfering in this dive other than ensuring this group did not get themselves killed and then again with the guardian. Look at them, he thought, bumbling around and too afraid to go back themselves. Search under every rock, it has to be here somewhere! He yelled, that should keep them busy.
Two hours of searching later he suddenly dodged to the side prepared for an attack. A barn sized boulder smashes into the ground right next to where he was feeling the ground for clues. Swords in hand and ready to pounce he found the source of the projectile. Running at his top speed with his outstretched swords poised to strike he readied a swing. Thinking strategy he decelerated, with a sigh he placed his swords back in his storage ring. The ring was the only recognition he received for reaching B- Rank; this was from his friends, not family. If he continued his plan all his brother’s dumb friends would not be a problem anymore. Quietly he comes to a stop behind the rogue, who jumps in fright. The boulder that would have killed a lesser rank came from Javen literally looking under a rock. He must have increased his strength to its maximum limit because the rock was the size of a house. What did you guys find? Davren asked. Jada responded by pointing to the ground underneath the rock. The team was looking at a field sized circular seal with crisscrossing and jumbled images. Around the edges was a depiction of what looked to be a hydra, a serpent, a dragon and a flightless lizard. These were repeated around the edges, as Javen went to touch the seal Davren pulled him to the ground by his collar. Don’t touch, he warned with a growl. Alright, alright Javen said begging off with his hands. He knew his brother's serious face and also knew what an impatient Davren looks like.
You, Davren points to the rogue, you’re the smart one right? The thin pale skinned teen with beady eyes and a thin frame gave a “who me” expression. Everyone else unconsciously shook their heads affirming the choice. Although he was a good fighter and could formulate battle strategy Davren knew his limits, puzzles and riddles were it. He pointed at the challenge, do this, he said.
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They all watched as the rogue went to work unraveling what turned out to be family lines that connected subspecies to progenitors. Davren hadn’t even known some of these species existed. After an hour of work the group heard a loud click followed by the unfastening of locks. The scrapping of the ground shook the cavern as the seal rolled away to uncover a long and dusty stairway leading to a lower level. The stairs dwarfed all of them in height, it seemed to have been built with a giant in mind.
Suddenly an ominous system notification booms throughout the space with enough pressure to rattle bones.
Team Javen Rules you have uncovered the hidden entrance to the inner sanctum of the Ricker Dungeon. Enter at your own risk, beyond these stairs you will find either a greater reward or insurmountable challenge. Plus five exploration points, Plus five hundred experience points to all Rank F challengers. Each group member will receive a life token. This token will automatically restore life to those on the brink of death. You must be mortally wounded before the token takes effect. Single use item. Cannot be used by any other than the intended owner. Item bound to personal account.
Davren didn’t know whether to be frustrated with losing out on five hundred experience, as it is difficult to come by that at his level without facing death, or jump for joy at their stroke of luck. He had only heard tall tales and whispers of people finding life tokens. Those ethereal tokens are basically free respawns just like the dungeon creatures. Humans normally die unless they receive medical care via healer, potion or herbs. There are no resurrection abilities. This is a get out of death free token. If this is what he can expect from an F Rank dungeon imagine what the rest are like.
Before the complaints have a chance to start He leaps down the first few stairs using his abilities to cast first lights dawn. This ability creates a ball of soft light that brightens an area of ten feet ahead or behind the caster for a period of 90 minutes or until released. The others look at Javen who shrugs and jumps behind him. A loud “REALLY” echos through the stairwell followed by “keep up princess” from Davren.
The ominous darkness warred with the soft light from Davren’s ability as the party made their way down the giant sized steps. He took a brief glance back to ensure they were all following. Javen was the closest struggling to keep pace but it looks like that strength stat was good for something Davren thought as he watched his sibling leaping from step to step. No stamina increases I assume He said as beads of sweat rolled off Javens face and long and hard breaths testified to the pace Davren was keeping. Jada didn’t seem to be trying much as she stayed on the edges of the light source using a floating ability that just barely held mustard. He wondered for a moment if he should tell her that ability wastes a ton of energy and will likely run out soon. That thought crossed his mind for only a moment though as he began quietly whistling again. The rogue, Severis maybe?, is carrying Pixie, the passed out healer. Someone should check to make sure she’s still alive. The rogue keeps a steady pace and seems to keep steady breaths, impressive, Davren says.
When he reaches the bottom of the stairway Davren is startled as first lights dawn suddenly shrinks in diameter ahead of him giving way to all encompassing dark. Out of the darkness two sets of red eyes appear seventy feet in the air. An aura of fear grips him forcing Davren to fight the urge to run.
WHO DARES DISTURB THE TREASURY OF THE ANCIENTS? ONLY THE WORTHY SHALL BE ALLOWED ACCESS. DO YOU DECLARE THAT YOU ARE WORTHY?
As the last of the party touches down on the bottom level the stairs disappear leaving a solid gray wall with the same symbols of the hydra, dragon, lizard and serpent. I KNEW IT! screamed Jada, this is why I should be party leader. Your brother has gotten us killed. Javen in an attempt to save face with his girlfriend places himself and his big sword between the eyes and her. Still fighting the pulling to run and claw his way through solid rock Davren looks to everyone's faces. Did his greed get them killed? Will his little brother ever forgive him? Is this it for his journey to ascension?
Wait a minute he thought, none of the others were giving in to this fear. The resolved face of Javen as he protects his girlfriend, the steady breathing of what’s his face and even the healer is finally awake. If these idiots can stand their ground he will not give in. Pulling himself together he stands tall on shaky legs. Cracking his neck as he moves his head side to side he addresses the eyes. He reminds himself that as a B ranker he is overpowered for this dungeon.
YES I AM WORTHY!!
Davren stands a little taller knowing the party are drawing strength from him. Looking defiant he takes a step forward while equipping his sovereign shield and dual wielding matching slim swords. Twirling the blades in each hand he spares a quick glance to Javen whose face screams amazement, Jada who if he’s not mistaken drools a little. The rogue Foggy?, no that can’t be right, maybe I should stop trying he says to himself. Well anyway he and the healer girl are softly clapping.
YES, he reiterates. I AM WORTHY!!!!! He says with a primal roar.
He takes two steps forward as a bright red light illuminates the former darkness to reveal two enormous statues of finely carved dragons. Both of them had teeth bared. Each incisor larger than the tallest man Davren has ever met. The light uncovered the pristine pathway leading to the treasury. He could see the glistening objects and armor that he knew had to at least be master ranked. Squinting his eyes he could only imagine what else lay ahead as he pressed forward.
Davren only then realized that his legs refused to budge. He looked in horror to see that both of his lower legs were missing up to his knees. His precarious situation did not entirely dawn on him until he watched as his knees and slowly the rest of his legs, torso and arms evaporated. He turned his head and the last image he saw before being engulfed was his brother breaking down in tears.
A booming voice echoes in his head:
YOU HAVE DIED