Claire watched Agnetha slip out of the dungeon, still unnoticed by either Layne or Tamrin, who were squaring off against each other.
“Claire, hey Claire,” Rick whispered. He looked all pale and flickery again. Almost like when they first met, and he realised that she was an anomalous core.
What’s up Rick, is something wrong? Claire questioned while trying to also stay focused on the evolving fight between Layne and Tamrin.
“Did you hear what Tamrin said? They’re here to remove your core!”
Claire half-listened as she watched Layne passionately gesticulate across from Tamrin. Just look at those arms, Rick. Man, he must work out five hours a day…
“What? Arms?” Rick paused to look at what Claire was observing. “No Claire, the physique comes with his class, since a lot of those skills tie into body enhancement… What am I saying?! Focus Claire, focus!”
Claire reluctantly tore her attention from Tamrin, who was now yelling and smacking Layne with a frond from one of the ferns Claire had created. Layne, not taking kindly to the assault, grabbed the frond, attempting to tear it from Tamrin’s grasp. Her hold was secure, however, resulting in a brief tug of war between them before the frond snapped into two. Disgusted Layne tossed his piece onto the muddy corridor floor. Tamrin proceeded to shove her destroyed frond into his face, as she continued her diatribe. Layne tried to smack her arm away. With a little shake, Claire snapped her focus to Rick.
What is it, Rick? Why are you yelling like this?
“Do I have your full attention now? Do I?”
Claire’s attention, in fact, was just about to drift back to the scene between Layne and Tamrin. She hurriedly squeezed them out of her mind and gave Rick as much attention as she could muster with her paltry remaining 28% of processing speed.
I’m sorry, Rick. What were you saying to me? I’m listening now – I promise.
Then the glow of her core also paled, as Rick repeated Tamrin’s words.
<>
Outside the dungeon Lily gasped in the fresh air, while relief and embarrassment warred inside her. Relief to be out in the sunshine and fresh air, embarrassed for throwing up. She was supposed to be an adventurer now. What kind of adventurer vomited before even drawing any blood at all? What will young master Canewhold think of her? And the young lady Highreach? It was just so humiliating.
Agnetha’s cane prodded her in her side, where Lily was bent over inhaling big gulps of air.
“You’ve got vomit on your shoes,” she remarked.
Lily’s embarrassment doubled. Never mind the young master, how is she supposed to impress her teacher if she can’t even hold her breakfast? She just always assumed that dungeon corridors had, well, floors and walls made of brick. At the very least cobblestone pathways like some of the main roads in High Plantation. The stench of death and so much mud were not part of what she had ever imagined. She must look like such a bumbling fool from the perspective of an erstwhile highly successful assassin. Heat rose up her neck, reaching into her cheeks as she wiped her shoes on the grass, and then faced Agnetha.
Agnetha gave her a once-over and then said, “Better. Now, let’s be gone. Maybe we can try the other dungeon tomorrow.”
Lily stopped. Was her performance truly that abysmal? And at a new, beginner dungeon no less. If she failed here, she’s doomed over at the established dungeon.
“But Agnetha, we need to come back here! How will I be any good at the other dungeon if I couldn’t even get past this one’s first corridor?”
Agnetha just shook her head. “Come on, Lily. Let’s get the donkey and be on our way. More’s the pity.”
It was the ‘more’s the pity’ that got Lily. Looking closer at Agnetha, she seemed … resigned. Why? Yes, Lily conceded that her performance was horrible, but it also couldn’t have been that bad. What changed? Agnetha also hadn’t answered her question, almost like she didn’t want to talk about this dungeon. Additionally, she avoided looking at the dungeon entrance as she walked away. Lily brushed away the notification flaring in front of her.
Skill increase: Observation +3
Walking up to Agnetha she laid a hand on her arm and asked, “What is it, Agnetha? Is there something wrong with this dungeon?”
“No, nothing in particular,” Agnetha sighed. “I might as well tell you. The young master and lady intend to remove the dungeon core from the dungeon.”
Lily gasped.
“No, that can’t be true. Only true villains steal dungeon cores – it’s a crime punishable by death!”
“When have laws ever applied the same way to nobles as to the rest of us?” Agnetha replied. “Also, you’re making assumptions. This will not serve you on your path. If you want to evolve, you need to think broader and deeper. Now, let’s go. We should not be here when those two exit the dungeon with their prize. It could be dangerous for our health.”
<>
Back at the entrance of the corridor Layne and Tamrin regarded each other in silence, Tamrin still hanging on to her half of the ruined frond. Layne was surprised at the improvement in his mental state he felt. Almost like the fight had lanced the build-up of resentment accruing in his soul. Now emptied of the discontent, Layne wondered to himself whether he had just been confused. Maybe his irritation was due to the personal pressure he was under. Was he projecting his own frustrations onto Tamrin? She had been his steadfast companion for so many years, and even now she had called him out when it was needed. How could he doubt a woman like that, his betrothed? Tamrin raised her frond up to eye level, almost like she was surprised to find it in her hand.
Shaking her head, she too allowed it to drop to the dungeon floor with a little laugh and said, “So, did I manage to beat some sense into you?”
Layne started laughing, “If only you could’ve seen yourself!”
“I bet I was the perfect incarnation of righteous goddess,” Tamrin laughed along. “Come on,” she continued. “Let’s go get that core.”
At these words a tiny prick of doubt stabbed into Layne’s being again.
“Tamrin, are you sure about this?” he enquired. “Think about it. We’re lowering ourselves to the level of core smashers – is this really who we want to be?”
“Come on Layne, not this again. We’ve been through it already. We know we’re dealing with an anomalous core. The sooner we remove it, the better.”
“But is it really the right thing to do? You know as well as I that anomalous cores have also brought great blessings to their territories in the past.”
“And how often does that happen, in comparison to the other kind of anomalous cores? It already almost randomly killed one man,” Tamrin replied with the corner of her lip drawing up unconsciously at the thought of Stanley. “I say we know enough at this point. Besides, your father and my mother have already thought this through. We just need to follow their guidance.”
<>
No, no, no. They DON’T know what they’re doing, Claire moaned. Rick, they don’t understand. I was trying to save Lily!
“Which is also why I told you to just let it be,” Rick replied, rather unsympathetically Claire thought.
Desperate Claire cast around her senses, trying to do something. Anything.
I can’t do anything Rick. Why does it feel like I’m shut down?
“It’s part of the natural laws for dungeons,” Rick replied. “As soon as adventurers enter a dungeon, its creative abilities are locked down. Dungeons altering and creating on the go just wouldn’t be fair.”
Stolen story; please report.
Wouldn’t be fair? You know what’s not fair? Being under attack and not being able to defend myself!
“Well, I guess now we’ll find out how effective your plan is,” Rick murmured, pale as a bleached sheet as he watched Layne and Tamrin starting their advance into the dungeon.
<>
Layne and Tamrin fell into their dungeon formation with practised ease – Layne at the front and Tamrin following closely at the back. If anything dangerous attacked, Layne would be there to head it off. Tamrin’s role was to support him and watch their rear. For a higher-level dungeon, they would group up with other adventurers, especially where traps might be involved or higher level healing required. For a starter dungeon, it really wasn’t necessary. At their level of experience, they should be able to easily spot any rudimentary traps the dungeon may have come up with. For healing, Layne always had a general higher grade healing potion on hand. The rest they could deal with themselves.
As they moved forward, the corridor darkened dramatically. They were being watched. Layne could feel it in his bones.
“Something’s watching us. Switch to dark vision?” Layne murmured.
“Are you sure? I don’t sense anything,” Tamrin replied. “But yes, we should switch to dark vision.”
“Switching now,” Layne stated.
“Switching now,” Tamrin confirmed.
This communication may have seemed redundant to non-adventurers, but you didn’t want to take a chance on someone casting a glow orb while your dark vision was engaged. That was a recipe for spending an afternoon with a healer to soothe your burnt eyeballs.
The tunnel lit up in dark vision as Layne adjusted his sight. Dark vision was nowhere near as effective as normal sunlight, but at least you could see well enough in hues of grey, white, and black. Layne stopped short in surprise. The tunnel was a lot shorter than he thought it would be, and he couldn’t see any entry into a next section.
“What is this supposed to be?” Tamrin murmured from behind, studying the bare corridor. Then her foot sank into the mud up to her calf as she stepped forward. Layne swung around at the sound of insect chittering.
“Did you hear that?” Layne asked.
“Hear what? For a moment I thought there was a buzzing, but I must’ve been imagining it. Listen. It’s all quiet now.”
<>
Rick, why didn’t Tamrin hear my chittering effect? Claire enquired, engrossed in the adventurers' advance. Knowing that every step they take is a step closer to your demise can really sharpen one’s focus.
“Remember that little note about perception and resistances in your mental constructs table? She obviously has a higher development than Layne, hence she is less susceptible.”
Claire chewed over that little detail in surprise. I thought he was more advanced than she was. Him being at level 14, and she only at level 12?
“True, but that doesn’t mean they’re equally developed in all aspects. From what she just said, Tamrin definitely has a higher mental resistance than Layne, …”
At that point, Tamrin who had been advancing behind Layne slipped and fell into the mud with a yelp.
“… although her mud resistance appears to be quite average,” Rick concluded.
Oh look, here come the cockroaches! Claire grinned despite their precarious situation.
<>
Layne dropped to his knees, clutching his ears as the most terrifying scream he had ever heard sounded from behind him.
Status effect: Dazed
For the next five seconds you suffer from impaired focus and coordination.
Deliberately calming his spasming heart, he dismissed the notification with practised ease, grabbed his sword off the ground, fumbled, dropped it, grabbed it again, and wobbled round to face whatever attack Tamrin was suffering.
Tamrin was on her knees, staring down her body in horror and wildly flailing about, alternating between slapping at her legs and torso, and smacking spots on the floor below her, splattering mud with each smack.
A quick survey informed Layne that there was nothing dangerous around, and he hastened over on his hands and knees, only to stop in his tracks as an incredible stench suddenly washed over him, making him gag. So that’s what happened to the girl, he thought. Just as he was about to continue towards Tamrin, she blew out her breath with a sigh and relaxed.
“Don’t worry, I got them all. And a measly six points of experience,” she said with disgust. “Cockroaches? Really?”
“Cockroaches?” Layne repeated. “Well, I guess that’s something different. What was that scream though? I’ve never heard anything like it.”
Tamrin mumbled something. Layne tilted his head and smacked his ear a few times.
“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you with my deafened ear. What did you say?”
Shaking her head, Tamrin displayed her new notification for him.
New skill unlocked: Sonic scream 5/20
“A new skill! Great work, Tamrin!” Layne said to her.
“Not so loud, we’re still in the dungeon,” Tamrin shushed him. Which was when a gliding treefrog hit her in the face, its limbs splayed across her features. Once more she screamed.
Status effect: Dazed
For the next five seconds you suffer from impaired focus and coordination.
<>
After Layne had recovered his hearing from the second scream, finishing the dungeon wasn’t so hard. He even got something out of it.
Mental resistance +1
The notification came right after they confirmed that they had killed all of the creatures. It was a bit confusing since he had no idea what he had resisted. The constant feeling that they were being watched was also strange because there was literally nothing left to watch them. Tamrin was standing in front of the wall at the end of the corridor with a frown on her face.
“Where is the entryway to the next chamber?” she asked.
“Remember how new this dungeon is,” Layne replied. “This may be all there is for now.”
“But there still needs to be some connection to the boss chamber.”
Layne stood back and studied the wall.
“There,” he pointed upward. “There’s a hole, which probably connects to the boss chamber.”
“But we will never fit through that.”
“You know, this dungeon had an exit on the beach as well. The boss chamber may not be directly behind that hole. It could be much further away.”
Disgusted with the whole situation, Tamrin stamped her foot. “This dungeon just does not follow any rules!”
Layne took a step back in the face of her frustration.
“You’re not going to scream again, are you?” he enquired.
“No, but do you see now? That’s why we must remove the core. It’s just too unpredictable to be safe. We didn’t even get any rewards for the work we did in here!”
Privately, Layne debated just how predictable and safe a true dungeon was supposed to be. The rewards, however. Tamrin had a point there.
“Are you sure we weren’t rewarded? How often do adventurers at our level gain or progress any skills at all in a beginner dungeon like this? Yet, you unlocked a whole new skill today, and I gained a point of mental resistance.”
“That makes no sense. Rewards are tangible and helpful things.”
“Not if it’s a mental-type dungeon.”
“But this dungeon run wasn’t illusory, and there were no puzzles to solve. It had real constructs and we killed them.”
She had a point. Tamrin snorted and stomped her way back out through the mud.
Layne shrugged and turned to follow her when something caught his attention on the ceiling. A faint glimmer of something. It wasn’t very easy to see with dark vision, but it was definitely there.
Perception +1
Bunching his leg muscles, he launched himself upwards, grabbing onto the vines covering that part of the ceiling and tearing it down. And there, tucked into a hollow in the ceiling, hovered the dungeon core.
It had a delicate round-cut diamond shape, emitting a soft glow. Floating close to it was a stem with some vicious-looking thorns, although they were currently too small to do any real harm. He smiled in wonder. All the dungeons he had trained in, and he had never seen a core before. He wondered if all cores looked the same because even in dark vision this was the prettiest thing he had ever seen.
“Are you coming?” Tamrin called from the front opening. He should call her back. He couldn’t keep a secret like this from his intended. Just as he reluctantly opened his mouth to let her know, she called out again.
“Will you please hurry up? I need to go wash this filth off.” There was an irritation in her voice, like he was inconveniencing her deliberately.
“On my way,” Layne replied and walked out after one last look at the core.
<><><>
Character sheet summary at the end of Chapter 13
Claire
Type: Life-Mind
Level: 1
Integrity: 64%
Processing speed: 28%
Functional capacity: 32%
Progress to next level
-680/250 LF Performance provision
643/500 Dungeon Investment, consisting of:
498/≥125 LF
145/≥125 ME
33/250 Skill Share Value
Core defence enabled
Cutting thorn barrier
5 LF to initiate
Continuous drain of 10 LF per day
Resources available
Biomass: 9
Mental energy: 5
Raw material: 486
<>
Lily Hunter
Rogue Level 1
Progress to Milestone 1
1/250 EXP
First-tier skills
Basic herbalism 2/20
Deception 2/20
New: Identify 1/20
Lock picking 5/20
Observation +3 → 6/20
Petty theft 1/20
Pick-pocketing 4/20
Quick thinking 2/20
Sneaking 8/20
Sleight of hand 2/20
Second-tier skills
Spying 0/50
<>
Lily’s tab (Yes, Agnetha is counting.)
x1 donkey
x1 glowstone
10% of Lily’s profit
<><><>