"Haaah..." I sighed. It's already morning and I still haven't found the monument. It was difficult to sleep since this place is overrun with zombies, skeletons and ghosts. Good thing Vers helps me out by waking me every now and then, apparently, she doesn't need to sleep. That was how she was 'programmed' or so she says, I just think of her as somebody made similarly to a certain 'Great Steam Golem' or some 'Lady of Clockwork', since I lived my life as a gambler, I also get valuable information every now and then. I once received some information about those two champions.

Vers consoled me. But that smug look on her face really kills the sincerity.

"Urghh" I grumbled out my frustrations. I don't even have the energy to argue.

'Ding!'

You have leveled up!

A system message suddenly popped-up after I bashed a skeleton using a hammer I was 'given' back at the gambling den.

On a side note, I now have a Beginner Weapon Mastery Level 2 from using different tools and weapons I've gained back in the town. Hunting hordes of monsters is quite boring if you just repeat your actions so the idea of using my hoarded weapons was suggested to me after I killed my 50-ish undead.

*Hmm, anotha' level, eh?* I thought after looking at the window that suddenly appeared. Leveling up feels really great, I can feel getting stronger even though I just do the simple job of allocating stat points. My stats usually goes to Agility, Wisdom and Intelligence. By using weapons I've also gained 4-5 points in Strength, Agility and Vitality.

Anyways, I've just hit level 36. Twice my level when I first came here. It really feels weird how I just doubled the strength I gained in my lifetime within a simple 3-4 days.

As I was thinking about my progress, I heard a female's wailing voice.

"Kyaaaa!" the voice came close to where I am. I've thought about whether I should go to the source or not, but having nothing else to do, my boredom forced me to act. I'm lost in this place anyways, it would really help me if the person who screamed knows her way.

I've reached the location and surveyed the place. There, I found two girls back to back with each other. One equips a bow, the other brandishes a sword. They are currently surrounded by undead. 2 skeletons and 4 zombies on the warrior's side, 2 ghosts on the archer's side. The warrior is quite strong as she's able to hold back multiple enemies at once, but she's clearly exhausted. On the other hand, the ranger is quite in peril, though her speed and precision are top class in which she could hit the ghost's quick bodies alternating between 3 of them, those arrows does little to no effect. At most, all she could do is stall for time since each of her arrows simply passes through those monsters as if cutting through air.

I stopped for a bit and thought whether or not should I lend a hand. I weighed the benefits and the disadvantages of helping strangers. In the end, I've decided to help them anyways.

First, I have to kill of the ghosts since the warrior seems capable to at least last for a minute more.

"Wild Cards" I said the name of my skill, though it isn't necessary since I've already mastered it, saying the skill name out still helps me lessen the amount of concentration needed to perform the action.

I ran quickly and jumped forward towards the ghosts, I was watching them from a cliff using my superior eyesight from my ability 'Destiny'. I was falling quickly downwards as I threw the cards while in the air, hitting the mark. I dropped into the bushes right below the cliff, cushioning my fall.

You received 15 damage!

I was unable to completely nullify the fall damage. Though, it was still better than falling flat into the rocky ground.

The ghosts which were hit from their blind spot was confused for a moment, using that opening, I've continued my barrage of attacks.

Their health bars quickly fell into dangerous levels, they attempted to retreat but their efforts were crushed by my attacks.

After confirming the ghosts' deaths, I turned around in a flowing motion.

The archer girl's face seemed rather stupefied, a face filled with fear, shock and awe. Just for this, my efforts is already rewarded. It was truly an interesting sight.

Dispelling my thoughts, I quickly returned into motion. I ran back towards the cliff and forcefully jumped up. When I reached the wall, I looked back to the fight and did a wall jump. I've done this so I could get a good angle for attacking. The female swordsman's body was in the way on my previous location.

While in the air, I rapidly shot out numerous cards. Activating different skills at the same time. Though, in truth, I have a pitiful amount of offensive skills. My skills are other mostly self buffs or support-type.

While some missed, most of them hit their targets. Killing a zombie right then and there.

After reaching the ground, I charged forwards towards the undead.

I've took out one of my better swords and started slashing away, making use of my Agility.

The female warrior looked at me with shocked eyes then as if regaining composure, started attacking the zombies in front of her.

With her help, the undead didn't even took a minute to fall. Unlike me who attacks multiple times, quickly sapping the opponent's health, she was the type which makes full use of Strength. Each of her hits knocks the enemies back, giving her time to attack once more. And boy, those attacks are really heavy. It's a wonder how the skeletons that was hit by her still has their bones intact.

Anyways, after cleaning up the last zombie, I looked back and saw the girls on the ground, panting heavily from exhaustion.

The warrior girl is quite something, she's still capable of standing up even through what happened, though, she uses her sword as a cane to maintain balance. It wouldn't be a shock if she just simply collapsed on the ground, she seems to have been fighting hordes of those monsters for a while now, there were already a lot of monster corpses around them before I even came to their aid.

I walked towards them and noticed that the archer collapsed. I tried checking her breathing to see if she's alive but before I even got close to her, she suddenly shrieked the moment she opened her eyes.

"Nooo!" she screamed, as she moved backwards until her back hit her companion.

The female warrior seemed confused for a moment and after a moment, as if she suddenly realized, she hastily stood up.

She looked at me with suspicious eyes for a moment but she quickly changed them into a gentle one.

"Thank you for saving me and my friend, I'm sorry for her sudden outburst but she's quite afraid of males. Please understand." the sword-wielding girl calmly explained to me.

*Well, I guess that makes sense...* I thought inside, I'm a stranger to them after all.

I looked towards the terrified female and noticed something.

She seems really familiar. I feel like I've met her somewhere, but where?

The warrior girl talked to the scared archer. In a few moments, the female archer started to calm down.

"Ah!" I suddenly spoke out.

The two of them got shocked from my voice and almost jumped out.

"W-What?" the archer timidly said.

*I knew it!* I thought as I looked at her, copper-red hair and gem like green eyes... There's only one of those that I've encountered.

"You... You were that girl from Inn Luck, right?" I gently asked her.

She gave a dumb look for some time and answered in a panicked, as if remembering it.

"Y-Yes, how did you know?" the girl asked.

"Ah, I rented a room there about three nights ago." I answered back indifferently.

"Hmm, that's the night before we had set off." the warrior exclaimed, as if an afterthought.

"Is that so?" I said, though, I already knew since the girl was already gone by the morning "Anyhow, I'll first introduce ma'self. Twisted Fate, at your service."

The archer looked at the warrior for a while. The warrior noticed her friend's gaze and gave a small nod. The archer then glanced at me shyly and introduced herself.

"M-My name is Dusk." said the female ranger.

"Dawn. Nice to meet you." the warrior replied following her companion. This girl's personality completly fits her appearance. A golden mane just like the radiant sun, matching her name 'Dawn'. Her eyes were blue, though unlike the normal blue of the sky, her eyes were more like a deep blue sapphire the color of the ocean.

*Dawn and Dusk, eh?* I thought to myself, the two of them seem to trust each other the most. And to them, I would just be a stranger... I wonder what should I do now?

I was contemplating about my future actions. But as I was in deep thought, a familiar voice rang on my ears.

it was my little companion. I've totally forg- I was too excited and left her alone. I must apologize to her later.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Vers! I'm ova' here!" I've shouted in the direction of the voice.

Moments later, the little fairy approached me in a rush.

Vers teased me coquettishly. Is it just me or is she becoming better at expressing emotions by the time passes? She's becoming more and more playful nowadays...

She was floating gently like a leaf blown by the wind as she slowly approached me. But few moments later, she finally noticed the two girls I helped. When she saw them she was in shock. She immediately turned tail and hid on one of the trees around.

*Damn, I've forgotten 'bout these two! Damn Vers, her aloof attitude made me careless.* I looked back to the two girls and noticed their expression. A mixture of interest and surprise.

"Aaahhh, Dusk, Dawn, that girl was Vers. A companion of mine. I'm currently helping her out. A quest, in other words." I've pulled an excuse out of air. Looking back, it's really a shabby excuse. But, well I've tried giving my most serious look so it should be fine... right?

Anyways, it seemed like the two bought it. They must have thought that I was being obscure because it's a quest. Other than that, the look of interest that they displayed before was now plainly visible. I really must call on Vers or else I'd take the full brunt of their barrage of questions. It's her fault in the first place, anyways.

"Hey Vers! Come over here." I loudly exclaimed. The eyes of the two girls behind me glistened. Scary. Vers then came out from hiding and slowly approached me in the same manner as a criminal being brought to the court.

Vers glared at me for a bit before speaking up.

the little fairy asked with a smile that's obviously fake. She's emitting an aura that says 'You're dead after this'.

*Sorry...* I could only apologize in my heart.

"Vers, this is Dawn and Dusk, I helped them out a little." I explained in which the two girls nodded.

Vers then sat on my shoulders, seemingly tired from flying all around the place. Given her small body, it takes more effort for her to move around compared to me.

I rubbed her head with my fingers in which she leaked out a 'Funyaa~'. She really worked hard didn't she? I thought in my head.

The two girls' eyes gleamed with delight.

Some moments later, Dawn jumped towards me, no, towards Vers who was sitting comfortably on my shoulder.

"Soo cute~!" Dawn exclaimed going closer and closer by the second. Even Dusk was looking on my direction with dangerous eyes, ---Eyes of a predator. Good thing that girl has some restraint. Or else I would definitely escap -tactically retreat, unbecoming of a man.

Vers said while puffing her chest with pride.

"Ehhh? That's really mean... Come over here little one~" Dawn gleefully said, in which Vers complied and flown around the female warrior.

Dawn then went towards her companion, noticing her best friend's envious gaze. The three of them started to talk with each other about things I could never hope to understand.

Never have I ever regretted a decision of mine this much. Dangerous... Way too dangerous. I've started to seriously consider leaving the trio behind and continue on my journey alone. But if I weigh the possible punishment once they captured me, I just couldn't put it into action.

"Haaah" I sighed out. All I could ever do is wait for the time in which my actions would bite me back... I knew it, I shouldn't have trusted my decision back then when I was about to save the two...

Fortunately (for me), hordes of undead are littered around the place. Monsters which I could vent my anger... No, hunt leisurely can be found on every corner.

That night, soul-piercing screams echoed around the dungeon 'Spooky Graveyard' which terrified everyone who heard it, monsters and humans alike.

Afterwards, rumors of a ghost torturing everything it meets, undead and travelers alike, have circulated throughout the nearby area.

------------------------------------------

"Hngggh" I groaned. I am quite exhausted due to yesterday's happenings "Good mornin', e'eryone." I spoke up groggily.

I am still in a half-awake state. The only one already awake other than me was Dawn, who greeted me cheerfully. I really wonder where she gets all that energy from...

"Yaho! You're finally awake~ I thought you actually died since you slept like a log. Anyways, I've just logged in. Dusk should be here anytime now." Dawn energetically retorted. Well, I guess I do sleep weirdly, it's a habit I gained back in the days where I lived in the slums. Danger is always around and a moment of negligence would cost you your life.

"Haaa" I sighed out, stopping my reminiscence of the past. Looking at the girls' peaceful expressions, they must have lived an easygoing life.

Though, through our interactions during last night, there were times where Dusk acts strangely. Sometimes terrified of something, sometimes showing sorrow, other times anger. She's a really weird girl, though I can't criticize her, it's not like I myself am a follower of normality.

"I logged-in earlier than you guys, I just slept since I was feeling a little tired while waiting." I said, acting like I was a player.

I heard a soft yawn. Of course, it came from our little fairy companion. She was rubbing her eyes while still on a sleepy state.

I also noticed that Dusk was already here, I don't know when but when I looked over their direction after hearing Vers' yawn, she was already preparing herself for more traveling.

This log out thing is really freaky, they suddenly disappeared last night after emitting blue light. Apparently, they would eat and take a shower on the 'other side'. If Vers didn't explain things like this before, I would have thought these two were crazy.

"Hmmm... So ya'll ready yet? Lookin' for Fortunas' monument might take a while so you guys should take time to prepare." I announced in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear but soft enough to prevent taking the attention of the nearby monster.

During the time I was with them, I told them about my class and my quest. Though, they didn't ask too much since they thought it was a hidden profession. They knew that it was rude asking for stuff like that. Well, that makes things easier for me so I won't complain.

After they heard a brief explanation of why I was on this dungeon, they said they wanted to help. Apparently, there was a place in the dungeon which was still uncharted. It was a in the depths of a cave within the dungeon. A dungeon within a dungeon in which the monsters were a lot stronger than the ones living around it. Though, just like the ones in the graveyard, the monsters inside the cave were still undead. But in the deepest part of the cave, there was a door said to be impossible to open. Even the greatest of lock picking skills were unable to open it since it was apparently closed using magic.

The only clue that the group that reached that area was a certain name.

---Fortunas Gutierrez

Many people looked for information regarding this person and only found out a bits of them. About how he was able to recapture the borders of the kingdom, and how he was a great fighter. Other than that, there was nothing else that could be learnt so the players just gave up.

They were quite shocked when they heard that name when I was explaining things. Well, this makes it easier for me now that I've got a lead. They know the way towards the cave and had a map which they drawn themselves. Apparently, they copied it over the 'Internet', I could only hope of ever finding out whatever that thing is. Though, I had to nod whenever they talk about things even though I have no idea what they're talking about. I was acting like a 'player' in front of them.

Like that, we set off towards the cave entrance, bracing ourselves in our own ways.

------------------------------------------

Author's Note(Grumblings):

Ughh... School's just right around the corner. This means my updates would slow down. I had stuff to do the past few days so this one's a little delayed.

The updates in the future would also get delayed by quite a lot. Though, I'll try to update once a week.

Key word: 'TRY'

Anywhoop, please tell me your suggestions and comments about this series. They really help motivate me. Critical remarks are also welcome, but please keep it at a minimum. :3

That's all for now, folks~ See ya next time.

Previous ChapterContinue?Next Chapter