The ground burst from beneath the party’s feet, sending each member sailing through the air. A creature burst from the disturbed earth, mandibles clacking and body pulsating with the black ooze. It looked like a giant ant, five times the size as the normal ones, with equally large tentacles. It remained partially submerged in the soil, lashing out with limbs before the group could even stand.
“You had to say it!” Targe shouted, absorbing one blow with his shield. The Fighter let out a pained groan as his boots sunk into the dirt.
Ethan shook his staff and did a little jig on the spot, activating [Caller’s Sprint] and [Spur]. Luca grew twice his normal size and blurred to attack the massive tentacles. Void unleashed everything she had at the monster, disregarding her mana usage and letting loose. Twist had the hardest time attacking the sub-boss. He skirted near the edge of the battle, holding back and taking opportunistic shots at the flailing masses of oozing black flesh.
“We need a plan!” Ethan shouted as he cast [Cure Minor Wounds] on Targe.
The act took him down to 135 mana. His new ability did not trigger that time. The Caller urged Luca to fight more dangerously, getting closer to the snapping mandibles of the monster. If he could trigger [Caller’s Resilience], gaining 84 mana if he waited the full 30 seconds. The skill stipulated that he couldn’t resummon his spirit, but it said nothing about casting healing magic.
Targe couldn’t keep up with the pace of the monster’s attacks. He couldn’t reposition himself to counter-attack. The Fighter just stood as though stemming the tide of an ocean with just his shield.
“Sorry if I say anything mean!” Void shouted, her skin flashing with the blue-black energy. Void bolts poured from her body, creating a steady stream that whittled away tentacles and damaged the sub-boss’ appendages. It reeled back, screeching.
That opened things up for Twist, who wove a deadly path with his daggers. At one point, he vanished on the spot, only to reappear at four tentacles simultaneously to deliver an over-head stab. When the ability was done, he returned to his old position. Targe doubled the pressure, turning from a stationary brick wall to a train. He dashed forward with his shield leading, slamming into the pulsing body of the monster. Although it was rooted in the ground, the massive ant still reeled from the strike.
Luca, not one to pass up a chance to inflict damage, clawed away at the monster’s tentacles. The attack forced it to writhe on the spot, limbs and tentacles flashing out until they found the summoned spirit. Flying across the room, and impacting the far wall, Lucantele’s power faded. Ethan felt a rush of mana flood through his body, and he topped off Targe. [Clarity of Mind] activated, making the ability almost free. Then he began counting the seconds down.
“Luca is down!” Ethan shouted. “Taking a second for my mana to regenerate.”
“Gimmie some of that mana, caller!” Void shouted back, sending a massive bolt of void energy that slammed into the sub-boss.
But for all their attacks, the monster was done reeling. Targe was the first to get smacked in the face, then Twist. Tentacles reached out, intent on wrapping around Void. But the Mage swatted them away with a wave of blue-black force. Ethan noticed something within her he hadn’t seen before. He was distracted for only a moment when he felt something like a fissure within her. Distracted long enough for the wind to leave his lungs, his feet to rise from the ground, and his body to tumble across the dirty floor.
“Healing priority. Me, Twist, you,” Targe shouted. Then he was back in the fight. Down to a quarter of his total health.
“Damn,” Ethan said, forcing himself to his feet.
The Caller’s mana dipped when he performed the first cast of [Cure Minor Wounds], eating into 10 seconds of his regeneration. But the second one aimed at Targe only cost 2 mana. Then he targeted Twist, topping him off completely, then himself. After the gout of healing magic, he was down to 100 mana. And his mana regen ability had expired. Ethan popped his [Mana Tap Ring], only gaining 10 mana after channeling the [Summon Lucantele] spell.
Luca burst from his silver circle after the cast time, rushing to join with Targe. Void cackled as bolts flew from her hands. A strike that should have cracked stone slammed into Twist’s mask, seeming to do minor damage to the man. It wasn’t even worth healing.
The fight had already gone on too long. Everyone targeted those damn tentacles. Each strike to the vulnerable spots sent the monster wheeling around, desperate to push off its attackers. Instead of the slow attrition Ethan was used to, they were grinding the sub-boss down with raw power, going all-out for the unexpected fight.
One tentacle fell away from the sub-boss, still writhing on the ground. It was much more calm than the rest of the beast, but still disgusting enough to turn Ethan’s stomach. Luca seemed to radiate an idea. Without hesitation, the Caller accepted. Jumping down from the ant’s body, the spirit tore into the discarded appendage. Each slash of the spirit’s claws sent the main body squirming in pain.
“The disconnected tentacle!” Ethan shouted. “It still hurts the main body.”
Twist rolled mid-air, kicking off from the monster and slashing into the oozing tentacle. The sub-boss roared this time, looking down at the group with defiance. But each strike on the stationary thing sent it squirming, unable to control itself. Ethan hoisted his staff and drove it into the goo. Void came over, biting and cursing. Targe stabbed his sword into the thing. They were chipping away from the sub-boss’ health pool without even touching the main body.
A weakness they could exploit in the future.
Wild stabbing, cursing, and bashing saw the creature whittled down to nothing. No visible wounds appeared on the monster’s protective shell, but it flagged. The group, covered in slime and ooze, fell back when the beast finally went still. All but Void, who continued to gnaw on the tentacle, threatening to destroy every species of ant in the world. A system message appeared.
[Targe’s Party] has defeated the [Hive Tunneler 5368]!
[Bonus Fight]!
[Puzzle #82]!
“Oh, thank the gods,” Targe said, collapsing.
A black mirror appeared in the room’s center. It reflected a distorted image of the room, shimmering with magical energy. Ethan dismissed Luca and approached the mirror, staring inside it.
“The mirror puzzle is easy,” Twist said, approaching it with Ethan.
“Even a baby could solve this!” Void shouted through a mouthful of goo. “Can you solve it, baby?”
Ethan turned around to shoot her a look. Her face was covered in black ooze. It dribbled down her chin, collecting in fetid pools on the ground. Turning back to the mirror, he thought about it. The last puzzle he solved was the one with the keys. He got that one from dumb luck, but this didn’t seem easy. He walked around the mirror, humming to himself as the others recovered. Twist had fallen to the ground to catch his breath, but still watched the Caller try different things.
Ethan pressed his fingers against the glass, finding it to be normal glass. He made faces, ensuring the key wasn’t to spot some imposter. Then he studied the room, using the reflection to spot if anything was out of place. How many ants had they killed? He spun around, finding that one corpse was missing in the mirror image.
“We’re missing an ant?” Ethan asked.
“Puzzle 82 is for children,” Void growled. She spat a mouthful of goo at the mirror. “Yay, you’re as smart as a baby. Good job!”
“I don’t like her when she’s glowing,” Ethan said, pointing an accusatory finger at the Mage.
“I don’t either,” Targe said. “Could you top everyone in the part off before we solve the puzzle?”
Ethan obeyed, casting [Cure Minor Wounds] until everyone had full health. He hoped another sub-boss wouldn’t emerge from the ground, but wouldn’t voice that out loud. If Void’s display was anything to go by, just mentioning a sub-boss would have it find them in the dungeon. Superstitious, but it was better to be safe.
Once everyone was rested, the Caller touched the offending ant. The room flashed, time halting for a moment. A system message appeared.
[Targe’s Party] has defeated the [Hive Tunneler 5368], earning a [Gold Sub-boss Chest]!
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Solving [Puzzle #82] has earned [Targe’s Party] a [Silver Bonus Chest]!
Defeating a sub-boss with 4 party members has earned a [Gold Bonus Chest]!
“Good haul,” Targe said, stepping back. Three chests descended from the ceiling.
“My ass! You’re going to keep the treasure for yourself!” Void shouted. “I’ll kill ya!”
“Why don’t you have a nice scream?” Ethan asked. “That worked last time.”
Void narrowed her eyes at the Caller. “Fine.”
The Mage shouted at nothing in particular. She let loose a series of curse words, accusing everyone in the room of something. After a moment, her shimmering skin faded to its normal color. She collapsed.
Ethan stuck his pack behind her head, propping it up so she wasn’t directly on the dirt. “That’s not a fun ability,” he said.
“Some kind of ability that reduces her mana consumption. It has side-effects, I guess,” Targe said. “Who is opening the chests?”
“Does it matter?” Ethan asked.
Targe let out a heavy sigh. He offered Ethan a weak shrug. “Depends on who you ask. Some people think the person that opens it gets preference. Others say its the phases of the moon. Others claim it’s just random.”
“You open it,” Twist said.
“Agreed. Targe needs gear more than anyone,” Ethan said. “Did you see how he took those hits? How did you not break any bones?”
“I’m pretty sure it broke every bone I have. Just that fancy healing magic set them,” Targe said. “Alright. Let’s do the [Gold Sub-boss Chest] first.”
The Fighter kicked open the chest, nodding to himself. Ethan edged closer, trying to get a peak.
“Well, at least we have some Rank 2 [Sub-boss Monster Cores] that aren’t corrupted. Well, one Rank 1 and one Rank 2. Two pieces of gear… This one goes to Twist.”
Targe held up a copper ring with a green gem set inside. He handed it off to the Rogue, but Ethan inspected it as the transaction occurred.
[Rogue’s Leaping Ring]
[Ring]
Rank 1
Epic
Description:
Use this ring to jump higher once every 10 minutes.
Effects:
Double the height of your jump after using this ring.
10 minute cooldown.
“Jumping ring,” Ethan said with a nod. “Not bad.”
“Would have been useful in that fight,” Twist said dryly. He slipped it over his finger.
“Unfortunately, it looks as though the dungeon wanted to support the Mage,” Targe said, withdrawing a midnight-black caster’s robe from the chest.
Ethan inspected it.
[Void Mage’s Subduing Robes]
[Robes]
Rank 1
Epic
Description:
Traditional robes for a [Void Mage] meant to mitigate the harmful effects of void magic.
Effects:
When using any ability that generates [Void Madness], you may invest an amount equal to half your total [Void Madness] into these robes.
Allows you to siphon [Void Madness] back into your body at will.
When the [Void mage’s Subduing Robes] reach full charge, you’ll receive 100% of the stored [Void Madness].
Ethan let out a low whistle, letting his eyes linger on the prone Mage. “Don’t think I’d want to be a [Void mage].”
“Yeah, just from that item’s description… I can’t imagine having the class,” Targe said. “And we got some money. As always. Right. Next chest.”
Those who remained awake in the party let their eyes linger over Void. She was still prone, snoring away on the ground. While Ethan feared the appearance of another sub-boss, he doubted their luck was that bad. But as he thought about it, he gave four firm knocks to the wooden shaft of his staff. Just for good measure.
“Silver next,” Targe said, kicking open the next chest. “Ugh.”
Ethan edged closer, leaning over to see what was in the chest. On the left was an item, but on the right was a class core. It seethed with malicious energy, a black cage pulsing around living ooze. Targe snatched the item from within and slammed the chest shut.
“Ew, I examined it,” Twist said. “[Corrupted Core].”
Targe turned to stare at Void before shaking his head. “The world doesn’t need to know that exists.”
“Agreed,” Ethan and Twist said in unison.
“As for the item,” Targe said, holding the shirt of chain mail out. “Mine.”
Ethan examined it anyway.
[Mail Shirt of the Earthenworks]
[Chain mail Shirt]
Rank 1
Rare
Description:
Provides excellent protection against slashing attacks. Wearing this chain shirt with a padded cloth underlayer is a popular form of protection for mobile Fighter-style classes.
Imbued with the power of the giant ant monsters.
Effects:
Spend 10% of your maximum health to create an earthen barrier.
Effect generates new earth, which will degrade.
Can be used once every 20 minutes.
“Yeah, that’s sick,” Ethan said.
“It seems healthy enough,” Twist said.
“Nah, I mean it’s awesome.”
“That it is,” Targe said. He didn’t delay, removing his armor to put on his new piece of gear. “Some money, too. Someone open the last gold.”
Twist moved forward, kicking the chest open. There were two items and some money in this chest. Ethan’s eyes shot to the gloves, but he didn’t discount the core inside. They were a pair of supply leather gloves, lined with an incredibly soft material. As he slipped them on, before examining them, he noted how well they fit him. Not only were they the perfect size, but they weren’t stiflingly hot. His hands felt cool, and a sense of power rushed through him as he clutched his staff. He inspected them.
[Caller’s Steadying Gloves]
[Gloves]
Rank 1
Epic
Description:
Creating a solid connection between Callers and the spirits is difficult. These gloves help achieve that end.
Effect:
Once every 5 minutes, you may enter a channeling state.
While in [Caller’s Steadying Stance], you may not move.
While in [Caller’s Steadying Stance], you are more connected with your spirit, increasing it’s combat abilities.
Casting a spell, or taking any other action will break this trance and put [Caller’s Steading Stance] on cooldown.
That was the most complex ability Ethan had seen on a piece of gear so far. Twist let out a whistle, running his calloused fingers over the supple material.
“Fine pair of gloves,” he said. “Very nice.”
“And the core?” Targe asked.
“Something to sell to some rich guy,” Twist said.
Ethan inspected the class core. It wasn’t a subclass core. It was a base core, which he had no idea how someone slotted. There was a divide amongst people where some people could slot cores, and others couldn’t. While he didn’t understand it, he knew this was significant. He inspected it anyway.
[Healer’s Core]
Epic
Healer-Style Core
Rank
0
Level
1
Description:
[Healer] is the base class that all healing-style cores are derived from. Healers are the menders of the land, finding themselves in the thick of battle, or among those in the streets requiring aid.
Latent Effects:
Spellbook
“It’s not about how good the core is,” Targe said, moving in to inspect the item. “But the potential. Anyone who wants to start down a healer’s path starts here. That’s a great find.”
“Lines our pockets,” Twist said, snatching the core and stuffing it in his bag. “What do you think? Five gold?”
“At least. Depends on where we sell it,” Targe said.
“Fine. Just fine. Scones? Tea?” Twist asked.
Without prompting, the dark elf fell to the ground. He twisted his pack around to his front as he fell. The chests remained in the room, even as the Rogue pulled out his flame-machine, a kettle, and a bit of cloth wrapped around something. Ethan came over to join him, eager to see what scones he’d brought. But the scent gave him away. A sweet scent filled with citrus and sugar. The Caller tried not to clap his hands together like an idiot as Twist unfurled the lemon scones.
“Thinking you should stay away from sweets,” Targe said, jabbing Ethan in the ribs with his elbow.
Ethan looked down, lifting his robe to reveal his belly. It had rapidly reduced since he’d been on the road. An effect of his limited diet, perhaps, but it could be related to his leveling. He didn’t know, as the attributes didn’t seem to affect one’s physical appearance.
“My fat tummy is a work in progress,” Ethan said, snatching a scone. He then watched as Twist prepared the tea.
“Just giving you a hard time,” Targe said, clapping a powerful hand on the Caller’s shoulder. “Only way to make sure someone keeps at it, sometimes. Especially with friends.”
Ethan let out a long sigh as he smelled the scone. Buttery, sweet, and filled with more lemon than should be legal. But Targe had a good point about the belly fat he was working hard to reduce.
“Back home, it was easy to do nothing,” Ethan said.
Twist removed a paper packet from his pack, dumping an amount of tea in the kettle. Ethan didn’t know where he got the water to boil, and wouldn’t question it. Tea sounded pleasant right now. The water boiled quicker than it should have, filling the room with a deep aroma of black tea.
“Uh-huh,” Targe said.
“It’s very easy to eat poorly there. Very easy to sit on your ass and do nothing all day. After work, of course,” Ethan said.
“Work?” Twist asked. “We’re working. Right?”
“Yeah. This is like work. I mean, I died at my last job. So that means jobs on Earth are more dangerous than here,” Ethan said, scratching his head. He held the scone in his other hand, salivating at the prospect of dipping it in his tea. “What’s the name of this world?”
“Avansea,” Targe said. “Don’t burn it, Twist. Give it a little shake.”
“I am,” Twist said.
“That’s fine. Just fine. Caller Bells… Ethan. Tell us more about Earth.”