Liam stirred as he started to wake up. He felt his body aching still, but the level of pain he had felt earlier had dampened quite a bit. There was still some pain, but it was bearable.
Liam slowly opened his eyes to see the room was dark. He turned his head in the direction of the window and saw it wasn’t covered up but was dark outside.
Feeling like he wasn’t going to be able to go back to sleep, he slowly brought himself up into a sitting position. As he did this he focused on the internal clock he had to see what time it was.
5:01 a.m.
“Jesus, how long did I sleep for this time?” Liam softly muttered to himself.
“Over thirteen hours,” a voice replied. It was stern, but also soft at the same time.
Liam’s body tensed as he jerked his head in the direction of the voice. A dark silhouette sat in a chair against the wall facing him.
At first all Liam was able to see was a dark shadow-like figure staring at him. He wasn’t able to see any features or details and he was about to yell out. However, Liam stopped himself as his Dark Sight kicked in.
The dark silhouette started to reveal all features as his vision accumulated to the darkness.
It was Nabal.
As Liam brought a hand to his heart he let out a sigh and said, “God damn it Nabal. You almost gave me a heart attack. How long have you been here?”
Nabal didn’t say anything to that, nor did he look apologetic. Instead, he said, “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up for the past five hours. You really must have worn yourself out to be able to sleep for so long. How are you feeling now?”
Liam slowly reached out for the Yooperlite lamp that rested on the nightstand next to the bed. It was an interesting device that reminded him of one of those touch lamps back from Earth. If you tapped the device it had a few different brightness levels. He tapped it three times to make the brightness as dim as he could.
After getting the brightness adjusted to what he wanted he looked back at Nabal and responded, “I feel better. Still a bit sore, but not as bad as I felt yesterday.”
“Good,” Nabal nodded.
“What are you doing here so early? Why not wait till later when everyone is up?” Liam asked, curious why the man had come so early and waited for so long for him to get up.
“I’m here for a few reasons,” Nabal started. “I am leaving the Tutorial Area as soon as I leave here. My purpose for being here is coming to an end. As your mentor here I wanted to let you know that.”
Liam frowned at the man as he asked, “As much as I appreciate it. I don’t think that’s all you came here to do right?”
Nabal let out a slight chuckle. “You’ve got good instincts. I like that. Never lose it. It’ll come in handy when you leave this place. Yes. That isn’t the only reason. I’ll start with this and don’t lie to me. You know Lunar Magic…don’t you?”
Liam felt his blood run cold. He thought he was in the clear since not even Nalia suspected him due to them being in the Tutorial Area. But how did Nabal know? Why did he suspect him of having Lunar Magic at all.
Nabal eyed Liam as he hesitated to respond. Recognizing the war in his eyes, Nabal decided to throw him a bone. “I’m not asking you for any nefarious reasons. My reasoning for believing you have Lunar Magic is simply because there are a few in my clan that can use it.”
Nabal allowed his words to sink in. “I talked to them about it and they informed me about the cons using that kind of magic has. One of them is developing the affliction Stellar Afflictions From Within. A nasty Debuff that can only appear on a person if they use Lunar Magic too much over a period of time. The type of Debuff Nalia was thinking about was a different one than that. But we won’t get into that for right now.”
Liam stared at Nabal. He now knew why he knew Liam had Lunar Magic. He didn’t realize that anyone would be able to deduce that just from the Debuff he received. He needed to be even more careful.
Liam licked his lips before replying, “Yes. I do.”
Nabal nodded. “Thank you for telling me the truth. I wont ask you to tell me how you got it, but I will tell you not to let anyone know you have it. Not until you get to at least level fifty. Around then no one will try to force you to tell them. Lunar Magic is not only rare, but there are plenty of people who try to collect rare magic like that, and they will do anything to get it. Do you understand?”
Liam nodded. He didn’t need to be told twice. Eri had warned him before about it and hearing the same warning from Nabal made it even more clear. He couldn’t and shouldn’t use it around anyone who wasn’t his teammates.
“The next thing I want to ask you is…what really happened during that floor?” Nabal suddenly asked.
Liam stared at the man. He remembered what the note he received from Avery had said. That they trusted him to tell who and what he felt was appropriate. He trusted Nabal, yes. But he was still someone who he didn’t fully know. What would this man do with this information. How much should he tell him. Should he play ignorant and say he had no recollection of anything? All these thoughts and more swirled around Liam’s mind.
Liam took another glance at Nabal. This man was someone who helped him before. He has scolded him for not saying anything about him and his team facing the Forbidden Path floors. Instead of refusing him from continuing he trained him to help his survival. He really did have his survival and interest in mind.
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“I think he is trustworthy enough to receive some of the information. – Eri.”
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Liam read what she said. After thinking it over, he made a decision.
“Before I say anything I want you to know. There really are parts I have no recollection about,” Liam finally said as he let out a breath.
Nabal nodded as he got ready to listen to Liam.
Liam informed him about the sixth floor boss monster. What they had to face as well as how strong he was. He then told him about Steve and Gary. What they had said about their plan and what Steve had mentioned before he died. He decided to leave out the parts about he, Jude, Aranis, and Inyis evolving their classes, and anything related to Deities.
He knew what he told Nabal left a few holes. It showed on Nabal’s face. After he finished saying that he blacked out after hitting the wall he stared at Nabal and waited to see what he would say.
Nabal brought a hand to his chin and started thinking.
The room was silent as Liam waited for Nabal to say anything.
After a couple of minutes had passed, Nabal finally said, “What you told me makes me understand why the others played ignorant. Discovering that not one but two people infiltrated this place and worked to warp the nature of the Black Tutorial Dungeon under the noses of not only the Overseers, but Deities can lead to distrust and paranoia.
“It can make someone believe there is a chance there are more people hidden within the crowd. And the mention of this Order…I don’t know what he was saying and its frustrating. If there is an Order out there doing this to dungeons then they need to be stopped. However, since we have no clue who they are we can’t keep a look out for them.”
Nabal looked back at Liam as a new question popped up. “What you have told me is good information to have, but its only your word. The timing is suspicious too since the other groups left without anyone knowing. If the others were wary enough to play dumb about everything that happened in the dungeon floor and dip out, then why did you tell me?”
“I received a note that told me they were leaving when they had the chance and they would leave me to tell whoever I trusted,” Liam informed leaving out the part about what he felt would be safe to tell.
Nabal nodded, understanding what he meant. “You trust me enough to tell me. I appreciate that… Do you plan on telling the Overseers about this?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Liam thought it over. He was hesitant to tell anyone at first. Letting Nabal know about it felt like he was pushing his luck. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell Adva or Phorge nothing. His main concern was really Nalia. Even though the woman did try to save him from Gary when he was being kidnapped, the woman was still an evil bitch in his eyes.
After thinking it over he finally shook his head and said, “No. I would like to tell Adva and Phorge since they deserve to know, but I’m not sure about Nalia. My other concerns are like you said earlier. I don’t know if there are any that are allied with Gary still around here. If they hear what I say then there is a chance that things might get…troublesome.”
Nabal nodded, agreeing and understanding his concerns. He then started to think about something. After a moment passed he nodded again after coming to a decision and stated, “I agree with your assessment and your decision on how you acted. It was wise to feign ignorance earlier. However, that won’t keep you safe for long. Nalia is prone to wanting to know anything and everything. She won’t buy that you can’t remember anything for long. Once when you are fully healed she will try to pry everything out of you with spells she has. You have to leave as soon as you can.”
Liam furrowed his brows. “I would like to, but I’m still in no condition to leave.”
“Not at this exact second you’re not. However, after I leave here I’ll get Adva to see if she can finally fully heal you and get rid of that Debuff you have. After she leaves the room, jump out the window and head to the Portal Area and leave through the Main portal immediately. As for Adva and Phorge knowing. I’ll leave a note letting her know what you told me and for her to let Phorge know. I’ll also add in to not let Nalia know anything.”
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“Wise decision on his part. The less this Nalia knows the less her goddess knows. And we don’t want her to know anything yet. – Eri.”
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“But…,” Liam was about to argue, ignoring Eri’s comment, until Nabal suddenly pulled out three bags from his inventory and set them next to the bed.
“I’m glad I had a hunch to do this,” Nabal started. “I have your stuff from your room in this bag right here. These next two bags are from your other mentors, Fia and Galin. I talked to them while you were asleep yesterday and told them about your condition. They were worried about you, but I informed them that you would be fine, and they didn’t need to wait around for long. It took some convincing, but they finally agreed and gave me some gifts to give you.”
Liam’s eyes widened as he looked at both of the bags. The last time Fia and Galin gave him some things they were exceptional and helped out quite a lot. He was excited to see what they gave him this time.
“I also have left you something in the bag full of your stuff,” Nabal added. He watched Liam look at him and knew he was going to ask, but Nabal beat him to the punch, “I won’t tell you what it is. You wont have the time since you’re going to be really busy after I leave here.”
Liam frowned after hearing Nabal tell him this.
“Listen to what I have to say now. This is what I want you to do,” Nabal started.
Liam felt the man grow serious and gave him all his attention.
“After I leave here, I’m going to grab Adva and have her heal you. Once when I know you have fully healed from the Debuff, I am going to find your teammates and tell them they to leave the Tutorial Area now. After Adva leaves the room, get dressed, jump out of the window and make your way to the portal area as quickly as possible. Do not stop to talk to anyone. Do not let anyone spot you, especially Nalia. If she see you then she will grab you and try to interrogate you to get out as much information as she can. Do you understand me?”
Liam nodded.
“Alright, put these bags into your inventory now so Adva doesn’t suspect anything,” Nabal stated as he started to make his way to the door.
Liam watched as he moved but then stopped him before reaching for the knob when he said, “Nabal…thank you. For everything.”
Nabal looked back at him. A slight smiled formed on his face as he replied, “It was fun…being your mentor. If you wish to continue to study under me and learn more than just dagger arts then seek me out. I can’t tell you where I’ll be because I’m always on the move, but…if you do want to continue being my apprentice then I’ll gladly continue being your mentor.”
Liam smiled back at the man as watched him leave the room. He quickly looked at the bags and placed them into his inventory. As soon as he looked back at the door, it opened to reveal Adva quickly walking in.
Nabal stood in the doorway and watched the woman quickly make her way over to him.
“You’re awake,” Adva stated. Her hair was sticking out and tangled in different areas looking like she had just woken up.
Liam stared at the woman. He felt a pain of guilt keeping things from this woman, who was worried about him. He could see how stressed she had been since he woke up yesterday. However, he was resolved not to say anything and to leave that to Nabal. Instead, he sat there and waited as Adva used a few different types of healing spells on him.
Each spell washed over his body, making him feel cool then warm. It was like a refreshing breeze on a summer day. The aches and pains he felt from the soreness he had slowly drifted off of him as the spells worked their magic.
A notification appeared before him.
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“Congratulations! Debuff – Stellar Afflictions from Within Level 1 and Whispers from Beyond have been cleansed!”
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“It worked,” Liam said with surprise. He moved his arms around to test out if all the soreness he felt was gone. As he moved his arms in a circle motion from his sides, Adva let out a sigh of relief.
“Do you feel any pain anywhere? Any tingle, numbness, or issues?” Adva questioned.
Liam stopped moving his arms around and slowly brought his legs over to the left side of the bed. He slowly moved to his feet, in case anything happen, but as his feet touch the ground and he stood up, he felt…nothing.
There was no pain, stiffness, or soreness.
He looked at Adva and gave her a smile while saying, “I’m all good. Thank you.”
Adva gave him a warm smile as she said, “Thank goodness. I won’t lie and say that I didn’t have any reservations when Nalia said I could heal you when the Debuff lowered down, but I’m happy to know she was right.”
Liam turned to look at Nabal at the doorway, but was surprised when he wasn’t there anymore.
That’s right. He said once when he confirms I was healed he was going to leave. Liam thought before looking back at Adva. Which means I don’t have much time to execute my escape. I first need to get Adva out of here.
“Now just because you’re able to not feel any more pain doesn’t mean you get to run around just yet. You still need to rest for a little longer. At least until we know for sure you don’t have any other issues,” Adva stated in that sweet grandmotherly tone of hers he grew to like.
“Fine,” Liam said, trying to sound like a spoiled brat while getting back into the bed.
After he pulled the blanket over his legs he noticed Adva had a strange look on her face.
Curious, Liam asked, “Are you alright?”
Adva looked hesitant, but then said as she slightly bowed her head, “I’m sorry.”
Surprised and confused, Liam lifted his hands up and said, “You have nothing to be sorry about.”
“No there is,” Adva started. “I haven’t been much help to you or anyone else that had to go through the Black Tutorial Dungeon. And because of that you guys weren’t able to feel like you could trust me or go to me for help when you needed it most. All I could was intervene when Nalia caused trouble. Everything you and the others had to go through could have been prevented if we had educated you properly about types of dungeons you need to be wary of. This had never happened before, so we didn’t believe it was necessary for any of you to know until you were out there. Because of our ignorance, many have died, and you suffered a lot.”
Liam didn’t know what to say. It was true what she had said about not properly teaching them about all different types of dungeons, but he also knew it wasn’t her fault because dungeons like the Forgotten Realm should never have appeared in the Tutorial Area.
He could see that the outcome of all the events weighed heavily on her, and she was reflecting on it. That was enough for him. Someone who genuinely felt guilty about what had happened was someone who needed to know it was okay.
He couldn’t blame her too since it was not her fault for Gary and Steve, she had no control over who came here. He wasn’t sure who was to blame for that, but he knew he shouldn’t blame her or Phorge.
He gave her a soft smile as he said with a sincere tone of voice, “Thank you.”
Adva lifted her head and looked at him.
“Thank you for everything you have done. Don’t stress over things you had no control over. You have done all you can for me, and my team and I thank you for that,” Liam said. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I’m going to try and rest for a bit more.”
Adva nodded as she slowly made her way to the door. She grabbed the door and was about to close it, but stopped. She looked at him once more and said before closing the door, “You’re a good boy. Don’t let that change. When you leave here and truly enter the world of Paracosm, don’t let the harshness and negativity change you.”
Liam stared at her as he let her words sink in. He thought about his past before coming to this place. All the things that happened around him, what the madness brought, how it changed everyone, and lastly, the things he had to do.
A sad expression grew on his face as he thought to himself, You wouldn’t say that if you knew.
He then shook his head and opened his wardrobe feature. He looked over his armor set and noticed something was missing. It was his Kassan’s Beginner’s Goggles. They weren’t there.
Where did my goggles go? Liam panicked internally as he scoured his inventory.
They weren’t there.
Where the hell did my goggles go? Liam thought. Did something happen to them?
His eyes then landed on the new pair he had gotten. As he looked at them he thought to himself, Is that why I got these as a reward? I got these because I lost my original pair of goggles?
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“Focus Liam. I’ll explain what happened to your old goggles later… - Eri.”
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Liam shook his head. He was distracted. He needed to change clothes and leave as fast as he could.
He placed the goggles in the slot where his old goggles were and quickly pressed the change button as he pulled the blankets off of him and stepped out away from the bed.
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“Liam, you need to get out of there now. – Eri.”
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Why what’s wro… Liam questioned as he started to move.
Before he could move to the window and finish what he was asking, he heard steps coming from the other side of the door. They were fast, almost like someone was running.
His brows scrunched as he tried to determine how close the person was to the door from the sound of the footsteps and found they were closing in on the room fast. He tried to activate his Veil of Shadows as he moved to the window sill.
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“Don’t waste time using that ability. Just get out of there. Now! – Eri.”
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He looked out and noticed it led into an alleyway. He didn’t listen to her as he felt his ability start to wrap around him while he climbed halfway through the window, however, after a second had passed he felt his ability fail.
As he felt the effects start to dissipate he turned to look at the door and saw Nalia barge in and turn to stare at him.
“Shit,” Liam muttered before throwing his other leg over the edge and started to sprint.