Liam and Gimmel spent the next few nights working on the opening stances Nabal had marked for them to work on before moving into a couple of the techniques they found interesting. During the day Liam did his Crafter training Uncle Naro had made him do increasing his Construction Craft Focus Point as well as the abilities in them. He also increased his Mana Type Manipulation and Control with several different Mana Types instead of just Arcane, Earth, and Air.
His Non-Class ability Mana Blend also gained a few levels as he used the Mana Hand he had casted it on to make wooden daggers and throwing knives. He made these for Gimmel, and he so they could do some practical practice with what they were learning so they could get a better feeling and understanding for how the moves and body positioning felt.
To his and Gimmel’s surprise while training these they had also gained some levels in their Sub-stats. All the Sub-stats in Dexterity, except for speed, had gained one or two levels. The same in Stamina and Body Endurance. They had also gained a couple levels in Physical Practicality thanks to their late night training. He also tried to mix in some Shadow Magic training in with it, but due to the spells he wanted to work on needing to be chanted, he left that for during their breaks when they replenished their stamina.
During one of his practice nights with Gimmel Liam tried to see if he could string a couple of the techniques he was feeling comfortable with. However, as he tried to transition from one to the next he would either over extend, trip, or be slightly off during the transitions. This annoyed him because when he asked Gimmel for his input, the teenager only stated he wasn’t sure what was going on.
Gimmel had tried to do the same with a couple of his string combo techniques trying to see if he could understand what Liam did wrong. Albeit, when he tried going through the motions he also ended up tripping, spinning too much, or was off centered. As Liam watched Gimmel, he understood why he wasn’t able to give him an answer to his problems. From an outsider’s perspective the movements looked flawless. He couldn’t find any issues when Gimmel transitioned from one technique to the other. However, that didn’t change that when they tried to transition they would end the movement perfectly before going into the next.
They looked at the pages to see if there was something they had missed, but no matter how many times they stared and read, there was nothing hinting about these problems. It was starting to irritate them when they finally agreed that they would pause on trying to string the techniques together for now. They decided to just focus on further mastering the technique’s foot work, body positioning, and other aspects of the form.
Each morning Liam went out to help Uncle Naro, Artem, and the cooks of the ship make breakfast. During those morning he would talk to the others to see how they progressed with their training. During those talks he would listen to them while trying not to make eye contact with two people who stared at him.
Both stares felt like they had different meanings. One stare came from Sebastean who looked like he was staring daggers at him while the other came from Omira who looked like she was trying to figure something out. While he didn’t know why they were looking at him like that, he also didn’t try to acknowledge it. He felt like if he did try to then questions would be asked that he didn’t feel like answering. It might have been a gut feeling telling him that, but he trusted that feeling and kept his sight away from the two.
His team members had seen the stares and a couple tried to ask what their deal was but were stopped as Liam interrupted them with a question about their training. After he did this a few times they caught on to what he was doing and decided to go along with it. Liam wasn’t entirely sure what was going with the two. Especially Sebastean who had been hiding away, but he wasn’t also sure if what they had to say was going to be well. So instead of figuring it out he chose to push it aside and tried to avoid them as much as possible.
One morning, a couple hours after breakfast, the ship came to a sudden halt which made Liam feel a bit uneasy. The last time this happened they were under attack by a Sea Parade. He did hear some shouts as he waited for some sort of impact to hit either side of the ship, but it never came. Instead he heard some footsteps racing over to the door.
After the door opened, Mercer entered looking a bit excited. With a raised brow Liam waited until Mercer said, “A Dungeon. We found a wild dungeon. Uncle Naro and Key are asking for us to meet them on deck.”
Surprised by this pronouncement, Liam followed his friend up to the deck. As he looked over to the side he saw a large sandbank with a light green and blue color portal in the middle. On the sandbank stood several monsters and plants inhabiting around it. There were crocodile like monsters along with several smaller birds bouncing around across their heads and bodies. Scattered across the sandbank were random tree like plants. At least, Liam thought they were trees at first glance, but instead of having a trunk they looked like a bundle of branches intertwined together.
Before Liam could assess the creatures, Key shouted out, “Nar’s group of trainees! On me!”
Liam turned to see the others making their way over to the short blue skinned elf who was standing on the side of the ship that was looking out towards the sandbank. Uncle Naro was right by her side. Their backs were facing them as they all gathered together. After Liam and Mercer approached them the two finally turned around.
Key smiled when she saw Omira and Sebastean had joined them. She then focused her attention on the Barrier elf and pointedly stated, “Glad to see you joining us this time Mr. Wobbleknees.”
Sebastean scowled at the unwelcomed nickname. He decided to ignore it as he schooled his features and asked, “What is going on here? Why have we stopped?”
“Nar here has requested that we stop here for the day so we can have his little trainees tackle this dungeon a few times,” Key started to explain.
Sebastean frowned as he started to protest, “Stop here for the day? So these low leveled piec…” Sebastean stopped for a brief moment as he felt the pointed stares from Key and Uncle Naro fall upon him. He coughed as he said, “We do not have time for stops like these. Need I remind you that we are on a schedule?”
Key’s stare remained as she replied, “You do not need to remind me of the schedule you and Miss Omira are on. However, we are ahead of that schedule by a few days. I have deemed this stop to be fine to make and we will still be well within the time line of our scheduled arrival date. Need I remind you that I am the captain of this ship and not you?”
Sebastean’s scowl didn’t disappear as he continued to press, “Be that as it may, why did you say that they will tackle this dungeon a few times? Is this not just a random one time dungeon?”
“No. This dungeon has firmly planted itself here,” Key answered.
“What makes you believe that?” Sebastean asked.
“The creatures that have broken free from the dungeon are much higher than the dungeon itself,” Key hiked a thumb pointing at the sandbank. “The color of the dungeon portal is light meaning it’s a low leveled dungeon while the level of the creatures on the sandbank are well within the thirties pushing forties, which means that this dungeon has been sitting here for quite a while.”
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“What makes you think that wasn’t their levels within the dungeon?” Sebastean challenged.
Key sighed before saying, “Look. I don’t know how you think arguing with me will get me to change my mind, but I will tell you to stop now. Nar and his little group were originally my guests before I was given this job. I have taken everything into consideration from the islands we are going to be stopping and staying as well as keeping track on how long the trip is. Like I mentioned earlier, we are ahead of schedule, and we can afford this stop. I was being kind in informing you of this stop, but if you’re going to be a stickler each time this happens then I won’t be so kind in the future.”
Liam noticed the look on Sebastean’s face harden for a moment before he took in a breath and slowly let it out. when it looked like he wasn’t going to say anything else Key looked at Omira and asked, “Would you care to join them in taking on this dungeon? It could help you…”
Before Key could finish, Sebastean interjected, “Absolutely not. She will not be joining these people in the dungeon where she could possibly be left to die.”
It was Uncle Naro’s turn to say something. He narrowed his eyes and said with a low threatening growl, “Are you implying that my group of people would aim to hurt her and leave her to die in a dungeon?”
Sebastean took a step back while raising both hands up looking a bit frightened as he said, “I…I am not…I am just saying people get hurt and die all the time in a dungeon. As her body guard I simply cannot leave to chance that your…trainees here…can properly protect her.”
“Says the guy who didn’t come out when the Sea Parade hit us, “ Avery scoffed.
Sebastean whirled to look at Avery and was about to chew her out, but was cut off as Omira chimed in, “I thank you for the offer and chance to improve myself, but I think it would be best if I don’t join in this time.”
Liam looked at the teenaged girl. He could see that she was saddened but also looked firm in her choice. He wasn’t sure she wanted to decline joining them, but with how Sebastean was acting and protesting, he believed she did it so he would shut up. That made Liam pause for a moment. If she did that so he would stop, was she not fond of him? Was there something there he didn’t understand?
Liam didn’t think more about it as Key announced with a disappointed look, “If that is what you wish to do then I cannot stop you. However, if you change your mind just let me know.” She then looked at the others and said, “We’re going to clean up the monsters around here and after we’re done we’ll have you start your dungeon runs.”
Liam quickly assessed the monsters as Key and Uncle Naro jumped off the ship and raced towards the creatures. As he assessed them he found out the crocodile like creatures were named Sharp Tooth Croc and the small birds around them were called Aquatic Plover. The biggest surprise to them though were the tree-like plants. They were monsters known as a Mangrove Treant.
Liam wasn’t able to gleam much from what the creatures could do since Key and Uncle Naro cleared them out too quickly. He was hoping to get some idea as to what they did so he could prepare a plan, but since the two higher level individuals seemed like they had other plans, he just settled for knowing what the monsters were. Judging by the look on the others faces, Liam understood they had the same thoughts as he did.
Liam shook his head and thought about what he could prepare for already. After seeing what the creatures looked like he understood that there were some weaknesses he could use against them. However, he needed to make a few things before they entered the dungeon. After making a mental list of some things he looked at Mercer who was already making his way towards him.
As they waited for Key and Uncle Naro to finish they discussed some ideas. Mercer was in agreement on some of the things Liam had suggested and Liam in turn agreed with some of Mercer’s assessments. Avery, Ariyana, Artem, Blair. Gimmel, and Roman noticed the two talking and made their way over to them. The two discussed with the others what they were talking about and asked for their input.
While in the middle of their talks Key and Uncle Naro reappeared on the ship and looked at them. While Key couldn’t hear them as well as Uncle Naro could, she was still able to understand that they were discussing not just how they felt they should tackle the dungeon based on the monsters they saw, but also what they wanted to work on while inside it. Uncle Naro nodded along with the last parts he was able to hear and agreed with how they should proceed.
Key, not knowing what they had talked about, stepped forward and stated, “We went ahead and confirmed what the dungeon is. It’s a Tower type dungeon, three areas instead of floors, seven person party restriction with a kill the final boss type requirement to consider it cleared. The name of the dungeon is called Kelp Bank. Are ya all ready to take it on?”
Liam and the others turned to look at her. In response Liam said, “Not yet. I would like to make a few things I’m currently low on if that’s alright.”
Key eyed them for a long moment before saying, “Do the rest of ya agree, or would ya like him to sit out this first round while the rest of ya take a crack at it?”
“We discussed it, and we want to wait for him to finish,” Mercer stepped up and informed. “We have already decided the teams for each turn, and we feel that we are going to need what he makes. We’re low on certain potions and Artem has a few things he wishes to make as well. If all goes well then I believe we should be ready to make our first attempt in an hour.”
“Interesting,” Key said as she slightly smirked at them. “Could I inquire what the roster for each attempt will look like?”
“For now we have decided for the first attempt, myself, Liam, Ariyana, Artem, Blair, Gimmel, and Roman,” Mercer started. “Second attempt would have Gimmel and Avery switch. Third would have Gimmel and Roman. Third would have Liam switch with Roman.”
Key looked at Avery and questioned, “Interesting choices. Might I ask why you’re sitting out in the first round?”
“My current abilities have a lot of fire magical abilities. While the green indicates grass or plant type monsters in there, along with the presence of those Mangrove Treants…there’s a chance my fire magic could only be useful against those type monsters and useless for the rest,” Avery started to explain. “The idea is we test some fire type items Liam wishes to make to see if they have any impact and if so that will clear me to join on the next round.”
Key nodded her head in agreement with their idea.
“The other reason is that since we have a scout like person in our group we should put him to use so we can get better used to having a scout while in a dungeon,” Avery added. “After the first attempt is done and I can join in the second we can rotate him back in on the third and have him in as a fighter instead of a scout so he can get some experience that way as well and he isn’t being treated as only a scout.”
“An excellent strategy,” Key smiled. “Something most teams are doing too much of is have people take on a single role and having them stick to it. When someone is too used to a single role then when it comes time for them to do something else they end up flailing around unsure of what to do. People get hurt that way and they can die. I think ya all should do the same except for the tank. Your team only has two of them and it wouldn’t be wise to send someone in as one who doesn’t have the proper skills, abilities, and equipment to handle it.”
Key looked at Uncle Naro to see if she had overstepped anything. When he gave her a smile she continued, “I think for this first round ya should have select people stick to a single role so they can get better accustomed to it. For example, Blair will be the sole tank. Artem ya will be the healer only. Ya both need to get used to when Artem needs to heal and the only person to tank would be ya Blair. Gimmel…you already have your role as scout. Ariyana, you should stick to support and only use your plant magic when ya see fit. Mercer, long ranged attacks, and support. Roman will be front line melee. Try to also utilize more of your illusion magic the best ya can. Liam, while I have heard from Mercer ya are the Control Tower, ya will not be taking on that role. Leave that to your back end support team, Ariyana, and Mercer. Let them take command while ya focus on mastering the task Nar here has given ya.”
Everyone nodded as they took in the orders given to them. While they liked to do things their way, they understood what Key was telling them. They needed to get better at what they had. While Ariyana did have some good magical attack abilities the same could also be said about her support abilities that she needed to work on more. The same for Mercer.
As for Artem and Blair, they did both take the tank role pretty well all this time, but there was a day that was sure to come when someone in their party would take a hard hit that would require Artem to focus on that. Blair seemed to be pretty dedicated to the tank role so she would need to get better use to being in the front line at all times even if she was by herself. Liam had to give it to the woman. Her instructions weren’t just sound but also gave them a good challenge.
“Alright,” Key started back up bringing their attention back to her. “If that is all, then I suggest we get ya to the sand bank so ya can get going on whatever ya need to make. I’m not having ya fumble around and accidentally blowing up a portion of my ship due to the waves tipping it side to side.”
Liam nodded in agreement before they made their way over to the row boat Key’s crew had already made ready for them. After loading up they made their way over and got ready.