The Oakenslugs twitched in place as Thrash stood in the middle of the empty glade. He didn’t dare answer Mush. She was clearly attached to the sword, and whenever he had criticised it so far, it hadn't ended well for him. He reviewed the Whimpering Sword of Sigrid once again, but the description hadn’t changed - not in a way that implied it could speak, at least. However, his combat was now finished, so he could proceed with the gains from his battle with the Oakenslugs.
One word at every level? And the first word is ‘stop’? Thrash complained to her, moving towards the first of the slugs. He was somewhat disgusted. I cannot wait to hear the next word. How does the sword level up, Mush?
Mush chirped at him, missing his sarcasm. It will gain experience from each defeated enemy. The Oakenslugs give you 50 experience points each, but as a Common enemy, they only provide Sigrid with 5-10 experience points.
Thrash tried swinging the sword, but it had nothing to say unless it was hitting something. Is she a masochist?
Absolutely not, Mush said, horrified. Fighting is just the catalyst for her to speak.
But she was so into it, Thrash said, shuddering slightly. Her voice is unnecessarily seductive.
That’s just her natural charm, Mush answered angrily. Something a man-child wouldn’t know anything about.
Thrash put the blade away, moving on from the conversation. His own level hadn’t changed, but the sword’s had. Its total damage was now 10.9. Still not great, but a step in the right direction - at least until he found another sword.
He inspected the first Oakenslug.
Oakenslug
Level 2 - Lootable Corpse
Item 1: 3x Slimeball
Item 2: 1x Slug Leather
Item 3: 5x Gold Pieces
Thrash took everything, moving on to each Oakenslug in turn. Mush had the decency to be quiet, allowing him some time to examine and absorb each item. The slimeballs looked to be useful for crafting and potion-making, while the leather could be used solely for crafting; he could even make some armour from it. After looting the four mobs, Thrash had much fuller pockets. He had 13 slimeballs, 3 slug leathers, 20 gold pieces, and one new rare item. The last Oakenslug had a single additional item: a Glade Stone.
Glade Stone
Item Rarity: Rare
Commiserations! You have been awarded a Glade Stone.
They say coal can be transformed into a diamond through immense pressure, and the creation of a Glade Stone follows a similar process. First, you take an Oakenslug, and then you squish it REAL HARD against another, until voilà - this is the result. No, honey, I said REAL HARD. Let me show you.
This small gemstone is imbued with the magic of the glades. Equip it to an item to boost mana regeneration, or use it as a one-time enhancement to increase an item’s base mana.
Effect 1: Equipping the Glade Stone to an item grants a 15% increase to mana regeneration.
OR
Effect 2: Use this once - just once - to increase an item or spell’s base power by 20%.
'Mush,’ Thrash spoke, listening to the description while he looted. ‘What is the magic like for a Dungeon Master? Do I get access to many spells?’
Negative, Mush said. Dungeon Masters rely on their class skills more so than spells. Brigwell hated spells, and Mush much preferred to watch him fight with his hands. They were strong hands, sinewy and rough. They held me so firmly.
‘Huh,’ Trash said, mostly ignoring her. ‘So, if I wanted to sell this Glade Stone?’
You could buy a better sheath for Sigrid! Mush exclaimed. Excellent idea, man-child. Now that you have Sigrid, there’s no need for any other skill, potion or spell anyway.
Thrash bit his lip to prevent any comment, unsure that he would take that advice, before finally moving onward through the floor. As he passed through the glade and the opening in the trees, the environment changed. The sun’s rays thinned, only providing momentary flashes of light as the trees swayed above. He moved into a smaller room, each wall of trees showing a door he could walk through. In the dungeon itself, it seemed that the room was ‘skinned’ to look like a forest, no longer appearing as real as the entrance room. Thrash imagined that higher-level dungeons would be more consistently lifelike throughout.
This room seemed much quieter. The floor was exclusively covered in moss. Thrash moved to the wall on his left, inspecting it all the way along, and then did the same on his right. The trunks of the trees felt real, but he couldn’t reach up to test the leaves themselves. He reviewed the final wall, but nothing rested on or near it.
‘Damn it,’ he said, his eyes better adjusting to the dark.
He walked through the door to his left first. Within a second, a bright yellow light shone from the floor. He had found the staircase to floor two. Luminescent words hung above it; ‘Exit’.
‘Hah,’ he grinned. ‘See that, Mush.’
Commiserations, Mush said. That will bring you back to the base.
‘Noted,’ Thrash said. Behind the staircase, a small chest sat upon the moss. The room was almost identical to the first, except for the single door that he had walked through. Thrash moved to the chest, inspecting its brass hinges and wooden exterior.
‘Pretty,’ he said, opening it.
Treasure Chest
Item: 50x Gold Pieces
‘Yes!’ Thrash exclaimed, jumping into the air. ‘Yes, yes, yes! Mush, we have over a hundred gold coins!’
Commiserations! You have found an incredibly rare chest. Mush tooted from the interface. You can now purchase a bedroom! Mush will no longer have to see your sinewy, small -
Thrash swiped at the comment before it could finish reading itself. Mush sounded offended. He ignored her and moved back to the first room, trying his luck with the door to the right of the entrance. This time, the earth was raw, not covered in lush green moss. It had tiny stones embedded into the dirt, muddy trails leading from one wall to another. There were no doors and no chests. It seemed completely empty. Thrash kicked at the floor. A large ‘clang’ echoed through the room. He kicked some of the dirt away and noticed a large rock beneath him.
‘I wonder,’ Thrash muttered to himself, bringing out the pickaxe. He raised the rusty tool above his head, swinging it against the rock. He struck it, and a small progress bar appeared above it.
Mining Progress: 10%
Hits Remaining: 9
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The sound vibrated through the room, and Thrash smiled. He lifted his arms again, repeating the process until the rock exploded.
Mining Success!
Item 1: 5x Stone Pieces
Item 2: 1x Copper Ore
The items moved directly into Thrash’s inventory, each one appearing with a small description. Mush ooh-ed at the copper ore, voicing her adoration for it. It appeared that an old, rusty AI bot most loved tiny, rusty things. He inspected the room once more before heading back to the first. To his surprise, a Forest Bat flew down from above, squawking at him like a parrot.
Forest Bat: Level 1
Type: Flying Beast
Forest Bats live within the dense, shadowy canopies of the deepest and darkest forests. These monsters are masters of camouflage, their tiny wings melting away as they glide through the air. These beasts have ferocious bites that can leave the strongest adventurer paralysed on the ground.
If you encounter one of these beasts, you are deep within their territory. Be wary of their high-pitched screeches - they can disorient and momentarily stun any who are unfortunate enough to be caught in their soundwave.
Tell me; does that sound like your mother-in-law or not?
Thrash acknowledged the description, leaping to the side of the room. His health was back to full, and the bat itself didn’t look particularly harmful. It swerved down, its mouth opening wider than should ever be possible, teeth as long as pencils glaring down upon him. Thrash’s eyes widened. He inspected the bat’s health: only 30. The bat flew down, and he swiped Sigrid for 11 damage.
‘Stop,’ Sigrid groaned. Thrash swung again. ‘Daddy, stop.’
Thrash dropped the sword in horror, staring at it. The bat came down like a wrecking ball, biting down into Thrash’s shoulders with repeated attacks.
You have received 6 points of damage.
You have received 6 points of damage.
You have received 6 points of damage.
You have 114 health remaining.
‘Shit!’ Thrash shouted in agony, shaking the bat off of him. ‘Ouch!’
The bat flew into the air, strips of Thrash’s skin hanging between its fangs. Thrash looked at his shoulder and gasped; blood streamed from the wound, flowing like water. It had bitten him all the way through; the teeth that had entered from the front of his shoulder exited through the back, and vice versa. He couldn’t move his weapon arm.
The bat screeched again, diving down in full force. Thrash dropped to the floor and narrowly avoided it, picking up the sword and holding it above his head.
‘Stop, daddy,’ Sigrid exclaimed. The bat squealed and then fell to the floor.
11 damage points dealt.
0 health remaining.
‘Daddy?’ Thrash shouted at the sword. ‘Seriously? Daddy? I nearly died, Sigrid! Mush, did you know that her next word would be ‘daddy’?’
Mush beeped indignantly. Mush knows many things.
Thrash sheathed the sword and swore. ‘I need a new sword.’
Mush gasped in horror. Sigrid, he doesn’t mean that. Stop being a man-child, Thrash. Sigrid can’t express herself yet; it’s not fair.
Thrash growled to himself, cursing and frowning. Before he could investigate his shoulder, however, another shriek sounded from the final room. Thrash looked at his interface for a comment from Mush, but she failed to provide any. Quickly, Thrash looted the Forest Bat for a single ‘Bat Wing’, which appeared to be a new crafting item, and 5 gold. He headed towards the door.
Slowly, Thrash peeked around the corner, looking inside while he clutched his arm and squinted through the pain. He really needed a better method of healing; he was terrified to use the Beastly Dungeon Bars and had no alternative. His Passive Healing, however, was working well. Slowly, but well.
Thrash couldn’t see much within the room. There was a small chest in the corner, alongside three rocks not unlike the last one he’d mined. He looked up.
‘Oh shit,’ he murmured, skimming the ceiling. His Passive Healing stopped. A dozen bats looked down at him. In the middle, a much, much larger creature hung upside down, twice the size of the others. He inspected it.
Forest Bat: Level 5
Type: Flying Beast
Before he could read the description, it bellowed at him, a dark, deep sound that caused Thrash to tremble in place. He felt a wetness in his trousers and a shivering in his boots. There wasn’t anything particularly scary about it, but he was dead on his feet. A notification popped on his interface.
You are now afflicted by Fear. Your attack damage is at 50%. Your speed is at 50%.
The bat lifted its wings, and before Thrash could witness its true size, he ran straight to the exit. It took no more than ten strides, and he barely needed to touch the staircase for his body to lurch and whirr back to his room, Mush floating above the counter and beeping at him.
‘Brigwell never ran,’ she said immediately, as if Thrash had never left. ‘Brigwell faced bats far larger than Vlad and was never even scratched.’
Thrash swore at her, sitting down and resting his back against the counter. His arm was agony, but the skin started to pull itself together. Mush lowered herself, hovering at eye level.
‘By the way,’ Mush continued. ‘If Mush ever finds out you’ve abandoned Sigrid, Mush will never, ever let you leave this room.’ She produced a small stone, sharpened like a shank. Finally, the tension left Thrash’s body, and he began to laugh.
‘You’re funny, Mush,’ he told her, rolling his right shoulder to ease the pain.
She beeped back at him. ‘Next time, I recommend you use Mummy’s Tea Set. That might have increased your attack by 15%, which would make it far easier for your small, delicate body.’
Thrash slapped his own forehead, dumbfounded. Of course. He’d completely forgotten about that item. Immediately, he withdrew it from his inventory and placed it on the counter. ‘Well, shit. That isn’t happening again. It stays right here.’
Mush beeped as though laughing. ‘You have two new achievements.’
Thrash sighed, crying for some respite, but he persisted. ‘Fine, let's have a look.’
Commiserations! You have earned the achievement 'Way of the Blade!’
You have successfully defeated your first enemy with a sword. Stick ‘em with the pointy end!
Warriors have studied the blade for aeons. All masters have to start from the beginning, perfecting their craft with each swing and swipe, and your journey will be no different.
Unsheath that long, shiny thing and start swinging, baby!
Reward: Lesser Soulstone
Thrash inspected the soulstone.
Lesser Soulstone
Item Rarity: Uncommon
Commiserations! You have been awarded a Lesser Soulstone.
This is a weapon attachment item. This stone is imperative to long-term survival. Attach this to your weapon of choice and reap the rewards. Each time you slay a beast with this attachment in place, you will receive back up to 10% of their maximum health.
Keep this on hand, darling. Mummy certainly wants you to keep going, and going, and going…
Effect 1: Equipping the Soulstone to an item grants up to 10% return of opponents health upon death.
Thrash smiled, ignoring Mush’s devious comments and equipping the stone to Sigrid immediately. He withdrew the blade and pointed at the attachment for Mush. ‘See, Mush, I’m keeping her. I really need you to try and get her to whisper. Imagine the look on a patrons face if she’s shouting daddy at every swing.’
Mush span in her place. ‘Mush will try to talk to Sigrid, but Mush believes that limiting her would be unwise.’
‘Thanks, Mush. This Soulstone is much better than the Glade Stone.’
‘Mush is excited for you,’ Mush beeped.
Thrash placed the blade on the counter for Mush, continuing with the second achievement.
Commiserations! You have earned the achievement 'Slime Slayer!’
You have successfully defeated your first enemy slime.
There isn’t usually an achievement for this. Mummy just loves, loves, loves, slime. Gushy, sticky, wet, stringy slime. Hmm. Good job, baby. Slime it up.
Reward: 69x Slimeball
Thrash barked a laugh, his entire body shuddering at her words. He chuckled for a little while, not truly knowing if he was happy or delirious. However, he laughed until he couldn’t, and then looked at the robot, staring down at him with her wide display eyes.
‘Mush believes you need a rest.’
Thrash stood, grinning, and moved to the bed. ‘Mush, you have never been more correct.’
He settled in, but not before he looked over to the mysterious AI. ‘Mush, what are the rules for creating achievements? I mean, Slime Slayer said that there isn’t usually an achievement in place for that action?’
Mush’s display flashed an exclamation. ‘Mush has secrets, man-child. Mush will not say.’
Thrash rolled his eyes. ‘Fine, Mush. Keep your secrets.’
Thrash rolled onto his side, reviewing his interface one last time. He had 120 gold pieces now, more than he expected to collect today. Tomorrow would be a new dawn, and he’d make his first step in expanding his dungeon.
He almost closed his interface before noting a final notification. His face flushed hot with annoyance as he opened his private messages.
1 hour ago: Una: Sorry, Thrash. Can’t talk. Protect your head. Too many impacts can cause issues for your pacifier.
1 second ago: Thrash: Better send me a helmet, then. Start replying or Mush starts banging my head with a hammer.
Thrash waited a moment before two final messages appeared.
3 seconds ago: Una: Don’t make empty threats, Thrash.
1 second ago: Una: Potential new patron tomorrow. Be. Patient.