Looking behind me I can see that Drifa was here too.
Good.
Looking at the squirrels that were already climbing up the trees I take one and cut it. Unlike Drifa, however, I didn’t kill it to avoid enraging all the other beasts.
I can probably wait here while I wait for her to wake up. Not a chance I’m pulling her up the waterfall while I’m climbing. The thing is, I doubt she can get up there by herself. There’ll have to be some sort of compromise where I help her while she isn’t a dead weight.
Glancing back over to her I shake my head.
Why didn’t she just follow me? She didn’t really do anything except get concussed.
Scowling I rough my hair and stand up only to be given the notification I’d been waiting for.
> [… Reboot complete. The System is back online due to Dungeons Fishin’, Tipsy, and Apple Orchid being cleared. The System will be restricted to minimal functions to prevent malfunction from occurring again until further notice. All functions will go back online again once there is enough energy to stabilize while all functions are active.]
So which functions are considered unnecessary?
> [You may now enjoy your rewards!]
>
>
>
> [You’ve gained the trait, [Light Sleeper]]
>
>
>
> [Body:D+ (401/500)->(409/500)]
System, What functions are shut down?
Doing some testing I found I could once again open up my status as usual, which was something I was thankful to have back. Not that I’d admit that. However, the System wouldn’t answer any other questions so I just had to assume that it was down for whatever reason.
So I guess it won’t talk. That’s … inconvenient to say the least. Usually, this is sent to all users. So, why didn’t it say so? Maybe it’s the equivalent of a human being groggy when they wake up? I’m not too sure about that but I can’t know for certain.
Sighing I shew the thought away.
Well, I should at least be happy about improving, right?
Nodding I give a wan smile.
* * *
DRIFA
Waking up groggily I take a look around finding myself back in the fight room. Ismund seemed sour and was looking down at me.
Where am I? And why is he so grumpy? Never mind, he usually is.
Shifting around I hear a crinkle sound underneath me.
Odd, oh.
looking down I find I’m in his tent tarp all wrapped up. Flushing at my predicament, I awkwardly pulled myself out of whatever it was he had me in. Unfortunately, all the jostling hurt. In any case, I was out of the trap room, so that’s all that mattered in the end.
Hopefully, I don’t have any head trauma. Erm, permanent damage from the coconut. I’ll have a bruise for sure though.
> [User Drifa will not have any permanent damage. There will be temporary pain and loss of focus. However, it is recommended that you avoid being concussed. One method would be not waving during battle.]
I frowned at the notification for only a second before I realized something.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
It’s working again!
> [It is advised that you read the updates.]
I stood still for a second or two reading about how I was able to use functions as usual due to some other dungeons being cleared. I smiled warmly at the reassurance.
We’re not alone.
There was another notification that made me happy.
> [Body:D (251/500)->(264/500)]
Today’s a good day! I even managed to kill one monster during an actual battle instead of passively killing them when they weren’t bothering me or had just spawned.
Looking over to a confused and unhappy Ismund I re-affirm my thought.
I’m helpful!
Looking back at the bag I was in my smile falters.
Seemingly tired of my antics Ismund asks, “What are you so happy about? The System might be back, sure, but it isn’t running nearly as well as it should. On top of that, we have to redo this whole room.”
Wow, I don’t know that he’s ever really said that much to me outside of an argument. And what does he mean by that…
“The System said it’s back up to 100% though. What do you mean? I gue-”
> [To save on energy user Ismund is unable to speak to me as usual.]
Trying to suppress a laugh I shake my head to his dismay.
“What?”
“Oh, well… " I start.
Should I tell him?
“I’m able to use the System as usual and talk to it.”
This is a way I can help! And as I get to know him better I’ll find more ways to help.
I smiled again.
Letting out a strained smile of his own Ismund spoke through his teeth, “Well you seem to be in a good mood don’t you? How about we get this room over with so we don’t go into a pit again?”
Tilting his head he purses his lips and turns towards the waterfall.
Well, it’s so nice to travel with a peachy little cupcake.
I had to admit, I was a little hurt by what he said.
“So, how are we going to go up, it didn’t go so wel-”
Snapping a toothpick he replaces it with another.
“I have a plan! So leave it,” he says the second part seriously in a low voice.
Scratching the back of my neck nervously I comment, “Okay, sheesh!”
Not saying a word, Ismund snaps the neck of the squirrel he was holding to grab another three.
“What’re you doing?”
Grunting he takes a spare string from his clothes and ties up two of the squirrels’ hands and feet, placing the raging critters on the ground for now. He hands one to me, much to my dismay. Finally, He begins climbing the waterfall for the next few minutes.
Shrugging to myself I cut the squirrel.
I don’t see how this is much different than last time. Also, it was much easier to kill these when they were actively trying to rip my face off… I have more time to dwell on it when I do it like this…
A few slices later I cheer myself up.
He’s right. They’re just monsters anyway. That’s right… monsters that tear families apart when the dungeons incentive sacrifices.
Face crumpling up in frustration I cut it earlier than usual.
I won’t hurt things when I’m frustrated for revenge on a normal basis or anything. But this will count as a change in my mindset. Hopefully, I remember and it stays that way.
“Hey, you listening?”
l look up at him confused.
When did he get here?
“What?”
Sighing in annoyance he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I said, start climbing. I’ll be behind you. You can…,” He sighs, “You can put your feet on my shoulders. I don’t know that you can get up otherwise.”
“Hey!-”
Before I can say anything further he gives me a withering glare.
“… fine.”
Before I start climbing I watch Ismund grab the bound squirrels and feed the belt underneath the knot that held all their limbs together. Satisfied with his monster baggage he grabbed another squirrel amputated all of its limbs and bit down on the torso of the thrashing monster.
Looking back at me with some blood dribbling down his chin, he waves me forward.
Paling at the display, I spit on the handles of my knives so they freeze to me for extra grip.
He’s going to answer some questions.
Pulling myself up a few feet I find that it’s a little easier than before.
Maybe it’s from those boosts the System gave me when it came back?
Not sparing the energy to quirk my head I strain to pull myself up to another one of the holes Ismund made during his first climb.
“How long till you can help me?”
“Mphrphm.”
Right, squirrel mouth.
Kicking myself for forgetting that so easily, I keep straining to get higher and higher. After a while, my palms grow slick with sweat which, fortunately, seals my hands to my handles further.
How’ll I let go of them? hmm… that’s a future me problem.
Swinging my legs back and forth to get some momentum while I’m climbing up I hit something hard on my second pass.
"MRmMMPhpRHPr!"
“Sorry!”
I guess I can put my feet on his shoulders now… Heh. Uhm, hopefully, he isn’t too mad.
Feeling around with my boots at first I find something that feels rather stable, but when I try to put weight on it, it seems rather round and hard…
"Mrph!”
Oops. That’s uhm, that’s his head.
Laughing nervously I finally have my feet land on his shoulders. I had to admit, it did help quite a bit when he let me push off of him a bit while I was climbing. It was good thinking on his part.
A few minutes of climbing later my arms felt quite sore despite the extra help.
Time to test how frozen they are.
Spitting on my hands a few times as an extra precaution I let my arms go slack and release my grip.
Phew!
Thankfully it held and I yelled down to Ismund, “I’m taking a break! My hands are frozen to my knives so I don’t have to hold on or anything! You should try it!”
All I got was silence and the pressure from underneath my feet going away.
Hopefully, he finds it helpful.
Not a moment later did some squirrels think that now was a good time to start bombing us again. It certainly made the climb harder but after some more time went by, along with a couple of breaks, and Ismund switching out his dead-mouth squirrel for a new one we got to the top. We had a few cuts and surprises thanks to the explosive walnuts but we didn’t have to deal with any coconuts for some reason.
> [That would be because only the trap room had coconuts. Fight rooms develop in difficulty over time. This room has not yet matured enough to allow coconut trees.]
Interesting. Well, that’s good news for the upcoming room… if there is one. I’ll ask Ismund once we reach the top. We’re almost there, I can taste it.
Sticking my knives onto the level ice on top of the waterfall I give Ismund a warning, “I’m gonna jump so I can get up all the way!”
Before he can protest, I push up with only the force necessary, (which was admittedly, quite a bit) and squirm until I’m at the top all the way. Looking down at Ismund my heart drops.
The poor man…
His hair was a mess, probably thanks to me, there were matted fur chunks stuck to everything. He had some dried blood stuck to most of his face, not to mention his neck and tunic. His face was, to say the least, frazzled grumpy and tired-looking, it also seemed that one of his eyelids had gained a twitch…
It’ll be fine.
Looking up at me his eyes grew into slits.