“Thank you, and sorry once again.”
“Lady, if you’re going to fight at the level of a Delta-Class down there, just hold back a bit or get it redone.” The repairman shook his head and I handed over three Mithril coins. “It’s a training room miss, not a fighting room.”
The repairman left while looking exhausted as I closed the door. Turning around, I walked into the kitchen and sat down. I felt exhausted, Alice got way too overexcited. Surprisingly her overall strength nearly equaled mine and our form of ‘playing’ had left the training hall a mess, causing me to need to ask for it to be repaired.
Alice was absolutely a control mage, just like Elise. She relied heavily on control based spells and while they could be lethal a lot of them put you under certain ailments or entanglements. For example her shadow creatures and Blindness allowed her to control enemies and if paired with me it’ll allow me to fight a lot easier.
Hearing the chime of the door, I got up and upon opening it I saw a Guild attendant with a cart behind him. Signing a form to show I had received everything, I brought in four large bags of food, vegetables and ingredients as well as two massive bags of monster cores. I had checked our garden earlier and while it was indeed flourishing it had yet to bloom.
Sorting all of the monster cores into pouches and storing them into a dimensional bag so that Alice wouldn’t just devour them all in one setting, I got to work with creating food. It could be a month that we were in the Tomb of Lilith, it could be six. We were heading into unexplored territory of a dungeon that many others had given up on exploring and while it is believed there were only 24 floors left to explore we had to prepare in case there was more.
At the same time, I didn’t want to just consume ration cubes. That recipe, while good, couldn’t keep up with the demands I had when I needed to eat for energy. Sitting there, an idea came to mind. Instead of regular ration cubes, I could always make the recipe bigger and include more energy giving food. I could also bring coffee and tea along as well. Getting to work, I started to make what I liked to call ration squares, less compacted than the cubes but would offer more flavour and energy.
As I made food I stored it into a large cold box that would freeze everything so I could ensure none of it rotted while we were exploring and after nearly an entire day of making food, I had made more than enough to feed myself for a few months. I had imbued everything with mana, giving these ration squares effects like calming one's mind, allowing one to rest more or increase the effects of energy that it gave.
Storing everything away, I walk into the lobby with only the thought of sleep in mind when I hear voices from the living room and walking in I saw Olivia, Elizabeth and Alice.
“Oh, when did you guys get here?”
“A few hours ago, you were so into cooking that we left you be. How was everyone in Crater?” Elizabeth smiled while I sat down. Taking a breath, I started to discuss everything that happened in Crater.
***
“I see, so they’re going strong then. Much better than I thought, to think they moved into the city itself…” Elizabeth had a smile on her face and Olivia looked relieved. “In that case I won’t rush to return there. I’ll be joining Summer and the others to level with them, I take it you’re going to work on getting through your Pathway?”
“Mm, I will be delving into the Tomb of Lilith next week after the funeral. Then going to another dungeon right after that.”
“Busy as usual aren’t you. Well, when you pass the Crossroads take it easy for a bit, ok? With how determined everyone else has become I feel like they’re going to catch up rather quickly.”
Smiling at her words, I turn to Olivia. “Olivia, you’ll be going into a dungeon in three days and I will be joining to guide your party. Afterwards, you need to work with them without me, ok? I’m not going to be around for a while and I can’t always be there for you.”
Olivia trembled for a moment before fidgeting for a moment. “Okay, I’ll do it for you.” Olivia gave me a strong nod, looking a lot more determined. She had become a lot stronger recently, being able to leave my side and do her own thing, a much better state than she had been when we first found her. I never wanted to see her like that again.
After we talked some more, Elizabeth left while Olivia went to the training hall to practise. I went to my bedroom and with next to no time I fell asleep, only to find myself waking up in front of Gastron’s restaurant once again. After being pulled inside, I was asked, or rather told, to start making food once again.
You have received 2,000 ‘Gastron Points’ for your work.
***
Over the course of the next four days, I trained with Olivia, played with Alice and prepared all of our equipment. Olivia’s party and I had gone into a low level dungeon for half a day, where they worked together to make progress through the dungeon itself while I just sat back and watched, filling out the forms Elise had asked me to.
Olivia had at the start kept looking around for me and Alice before turning her attention back to her party, but thankfully she started to do this less and less as the party made progress and in the last few hours she had stopped completely. Her arrows of healing were wonderful, being able to heal most minor wounds from a distance and easily being able to switch back to attacking. I knew that given time she’d really become a strong support like she had for us in the past.
We attended the funeral after the dungeon, and while I didn’t really understand the meaning behind it, I did feel happy that Bloom and Amelia were being recognised like this. Elise has said Guild scheduled funerals to lay the fallen to rest were not the norm and only happened in the event that something big happened. She also confided in me that Amelia’s body had been taken by someone from the Church of War, and I knew this meant an Angel had taken her, since she was the Chosen of the God of War.
Once the funeral was done, I sat at home reading through a pile of notes and maps. This was everything from the twentieth floor onwards. Most didn’t need my full attention, the most dangerous factor in the Tomb of Lilith is mutation, but this won’t affect me in the slightest until the hundredth floor. The levels in the Tomb reached level 100 after the hundredth floor, and from there up till the hundredth and twenty sixth floor it was only level 100.
I found this strange, why hadn’t Delta-Class groups gone in to clear it? I found the answer very quickly, because they couldn’t. While you can go in at Delta-Class, the Tomb will block you from Floor 50 and there have been cases where extremely powerful monsters up to Beta-Class have appeared, very obviously intending to push the Delta-Class out.
From the notes, I would easily make it through to the hundredth floor within a few days. From then, the Tomb becomes…strange. At first it was subtle, party members seemed to be in high spirits but slowly they started going mad, attacking each other or themselves. The reports confirmed that it was due to Darkness magic so I wasn’t too concerned since Alice and I both wielded Darkness magic, but the second part made me frown.
According to the report there were people down there that attacked without warning, as if trying to drive them out. It mentions that the parties who had explored these floors can not communicate with these people but according to the System they were people, not monsters. There were even sightings of people that had lost their lives in the Tomb before, indicating that the dungeon knew who had entered and who had died in it.
As for the bosses, there was no information. I knew why, it was because the exploration was seen as a competition, the closer they got the less information was shared since a lot of parties wanted to be the first to conquer the Tomb. The most that had been shared was that the boss on the 120th floor was a Delta-Class. The monsters afterwards returned to level 100 though. Picking up the maps of each floor, I studied them carefully, they shared the quickest routes through the dungeon and thankfully I didn’t have to fight any bosses until the hundredth floor.
Breathing out, I slammed my head on the table, my mind a whirlpool of notes and information. I didn’t memorise the first lot of floors but it was still a lot to remember, and feeling a soft pat on my head I smiled and turned my head to see Alice offering me a…ration cube?! She still had some left?!
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
“I’m okay Alice, just a lot to remember. Are you excited?”
Alice giggles as she climbs up onto my lap. “Alice yes!”
***
Alice and I walked along a snowy path taking the sights in. It was about midnight, and we were heading towards the Guild to see Alexander before going to the Tomb. However, we were making a slight detour, to a familiar lake that I had first come to when I arrived in Vale. Standing in front of the lake, it was the one that laid before the Lily Pond Inn and smiling gently I put Alice down as she looked at me.
“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” Standing, I visualise Artemis as a pulse of moonlight comes out from me. Alice tilted her head and as she was about to turn her head I stopped her. “The lake, Alice. It’s okay, don’t look right now.”
Alice looks at me and nods before turning to the lake. Closing my eyes, I breath out and lock onto the person who had been watching me since I left my house. This is the reason for my detour, to get rid of this spy who didn’t know how to hide himself.
“Alice.” I spoke as I flash stepped behind the person. Hearing them gasp as they turned to me, I pointed at them as a talon arose from their shadow, grasping them tightly.
“Primordial Darkness.”
“Blind!”
Alice and I spoke at the same time as Dark magic erupted from both of us, hitting the girl who had been watching us.
Level 100 Jinkhe
Sunblighted Human
Apprentice Fire Wielder
Flames erupt from her, melting the snow and causing me to frown. We were close to buildings, though I had brought them here to deal with them I hadn’t expected a fire user.
“Sleep well, and don’t you fear.”
Seeing her eyes freed of darkness, Jinkhe did something I hadn’t expected in the next moment and plunged both fingers into her ears, which started bleeding. I didn't expect her to deafen herself to prevent my Lullaby.
The fire burns the talon in the next moment as I sigh. I had only wanted to capture this person, but now I had to move to kill. As my monster form releases I move right in front of her as all around her a pillar of fire erupted, burning everything around us. Grabbing her throat while feeling my skin burn, I slam her into the ground before applying pressure.
“Get rid of the flames or I will crush your head, insect.”
I knew she couldn’t hear me but I could see pain on her face, both from the corruption and my grip. The fire extinguishes itself and as I’m about to tear her head off her eyes suddenly lit up. Trusting my instincts that had started to flash danger, I let go of her face as beams of red fire erupt from her eyes. Releasing my monster form, I stared at Jinkhe but smiled.
Silver chains erupt from my hands as they bind her tightly and just as she is struggling a talon once again emerges from her shadow and grasps her tightly. In that opening I flash step in and use flowing strikes before using the strength to slam her jaw, hard. Seeing her eyes lose focus, I landed one more blow as she lost consciousness.
I had sensed a group of people arriving which is why I went from kill to capture again. Turning, I saw Roland walking towards me with four others and looking behind me he sighed.
“Don’t tell me you’ve taken up beating up random level 100s.”
“Nope, you know what this person was doing.”
“I had thought it wouldn’t happen for some more time. Alright, seal her and take her in for questioning.” Roland points to Jinkhe as he turns to me. “Has she been following you for some time?”
“Mm, noticed her yesterday and when I left my house today. I figured I would get rid of her before heading off to a dungeon.”
“Thanks for not killing her. To think they’re using non-adventurers as spies now.” Turning my head, I saw that she had no adventurers plate on. “Well, there are plenty who don’t choose the life of an adventurer. Thanks for the assistance, Fox Chef, I’ll be seeing you.”
Turning around and giving Roland a frown, he chuckles before leading his men away. Shaking my head with a smile, I wondered if I should call him by his name of power, ‘The Hardass Chef’ but decided not to.
“A word of warning to me next time you wish to use the front of my inn as a battlefield, Little Fox.”
Feeling a chill down my spine, I turned and saw Floof standing there with a large two handed sword on his back.
“Ah, I’m sorry, Floof. I didn’t expect them to use fire magic so wildly.”
Floof looked me up and down before looking at Alice who had come back to my side, grabbing my arm.
“You’ve grown, that look in your eye is a lot better. I take it you were dealing with a spy of Harrington?”
Raising an eyebrow, I saw Floof smile. “Not much escapes the ears of the inn, many talk like you are not there. Come by when you’ve stepped onto your Path, Little Fox. I believe you can help me when you do. Otherwise, good luck.”
“Thank you.” Bowing slightly to the man who had helped me when I first arrived in Vale, I picked up Alice and continued my way towards the Guild. After another hour where I had taken another detour, I arrived at the Guild and headed up to the office of the Branch Master.
Opening the door, I saw Alexander standing there with two square boxes on his table. “Disciple, you look well rested. I heard you fought with a spy?”
“Mm, thought it would be best not to be followed into the Tomb.”
“Yes, it may have influenced your Condition. Now, your weapons are here. The blacksmith I commissioned was very excited and with my suggestion the weapons have become rather unique.” Alexander opens both boxes as I put Alice down and have a look at the weapons inside. Two Chakrams sat there, one silver and one black. Celestial Eclipse energy and Primordial Darkness energy.
Twin Chakrams of the Night Sky.
A pair of chakrams soul-bound to Alisha ‘The Fox Chef’ Piper.
+3,000 Agility
+2,000 Intelligence
Self Repairing
When striking with these weapons, you will corrupt your enemies with Primordial Darkness and Celestial Eclipse. By injecting the chakrams with their respective energies you can empower them.
Celestial Eclipse Chakram: Causes one to be inflicted with Ruin, causing them to see visions of the last moments of a star.
Primordial Darkness: Corrupts your enemy with a deep darkness, causing them to fall to Despair.
“S-strong.”
“Once you step onto your Path they will evolve along with you.” Picking the chakrams up, I attached the chains around my wrists and twirled them.
“They’re really comfortable.”
“As they should be, it did cost eight Diamond coins.” Feeling shocked at the cost, Alexander shakes his head. “A small price to finally fix the matter that occurred with Hillock. Now, are you ready?”
“Yes, we’re all set.”
“Don’t fail, disciple. Finish it in one go, leave the clean up to the Guild in the case that the Tomb disappears.”
Thanking Alexander, I picked up Alice and together we headed towards the Tomb of Lilith.
***
Sitting in a resting zone at the 99th floor, I took out a ration square and gave a pouch of monster cores to Alice. We had rushed through to this floor, making short work of anything that stood before us. Even the 99th floor with monsters at level 99 hadn’t slowed us down. With Alice binding them and me finishing them quickly, we arrived here fairly quickly. This floor, like all the others, did not feel like it was underground.
Currently we were overlooking a mountain range covered in clouds. We were sitting near a pond with the sun high in the sky. The location of the 99th floor was a floating island high above the other floors, so instead of going down we started going up. Since none of the bosses had appeared while we made our way down here we had no problems. Taking in the rather beautiful sight, I wouldn’t mind living in this sort of place.
I had wanted to meet up with Xia and the rest before coming here, but unfortunately they had been deep within a dungeon. For some reason I had wanted to meet with Aubrey the most, I had been missing her the most but sadly she herself had been hard at work. Olivia had gone to stay with Elise, but she’d be staying at home and only going to Elise’s if she became uncomfortable.
Looking into the distance I could see a big platform. This was the hundredth floor, the boss here is a level 100 griffon like monster that used wind based magic to knock people off. If you were sent flying here you’d fall to your death. Thankfully we had a countermeasure to this, plus the monster was frail to melee so I felt confident in dealing with it.
“Alice?”
Alice looks at me and tilts her head. Not being able to help myself, I pulled her into a hug.
“Let’s beat them all up, ok?”
“Alice yes!”