Returning to the kitchen, I found Gordon had returned and upon seeing me, he looked very excited for a moment. Rushing over to me, he stops and frowns.
“Missy, is everything okay?”
Responding by slightly shrugging, he puts a hand on my shoulder. “Well, we all have those kinds of days. Come, let me show you something.”
Leading me over to a counter, he points down and looking at the counter I saw the garlic bread I had made earlier. Instead of the usual colour, it had a slightly silvery glimmer to it, like a faint glow from the moon.
Lunar Garlic Bread
Created by Alisha. Eating this at night will allow one to feel rejuvenated, giving them energy throughout the night they consumed this.
As I read, another System notification popped up, surprising me slightly.
Subclass unlocked: Apprentice Chef.
Food that you craft, cook and have embedded your mana into is more enhanced, allowing the food you create to have certain effects depending on your mana type.
Receipe unlocked: Lunar Garlic Bread
Raising an eyebrow, I saw it had been added to my Status, however, there isn’t any experience for it. Recalling the information that I had read about subclasses, it never mentioned how Subclasses gained experience…or if they did at all.
“Did you unlock the Chef Subclass missy?”
Nodding meekly, Gordon laughed out loud. “And on your first time cooking too! You really do have a talent for this! I’ve made up my mind, you’ll be my apprentice from now on.”
Smiling slightly, I wanted to accept his offer, but Jessica’s words still rang in my ears. I needed to focus purely on fighting and levelling, I couldn’t take the time to do something like this. Telling Gordon I didn’t have the time, he pats me on the shoulder once more.
“That’s fine, just come seek me out when you want to learn. For tonight and tomorrow, I’ll teach you some more recipes and techniques that you can use. We likely won’t be resting until the blizzard is over, we have a lot of customers. We’ll keep the food you craft with mana a secret, for now, don’t use it unless we’re making food for the staff.”
After that, we went back to work, and as Gordon predicted we didn’t rest. After eating the food I had made, I found the effects worked on me as well, not that I needed it since I had received the level-up refreshment.
After another day and a half of working in the kitchen, I found that learning new recipes would still add them to my System, even if they were not embedded with my mana. The rule for this was simple, the food simply had to be completed, but if I made something incorrectly it wouldn’t be added. After asking Gordon, it turned out the System actually recorded the recipes in full, meaning I could view all the ingredients I required.
I couldn’t get excited about any of this, however. My mind kept wandering back to Jessica’s words which rang clearly in my mind, making my mood rather solemn. Gordon didn’t seem to mind, in fact, his mood switched from excited and happy to grumpy and impatient way too quickly.
Upon the third day around midday, the blizzard finally started slowing down. After helping in the kitchen for the lunch rush, Jessica came to me once again and handed me Alice.
“Come, time to clean up the snow. Put this on, Master’s orders.”
Handing me a cloak, I had a look at it. There wasn’t any System information, but I could feel the magic coming from it.
“It’s enchanted to hide your face since it's problematic for you at the moment.” Biting my lip, I understood the meaning of her words clearly. Putting the cloak on and lifting the hood, I didn’t see anything change. Jessica turns and walks out of the kitchen while I put Alice on my head under the hood.
“Alisha, take care of yourself okay? Come by and learn from this old man when you have time.”
Turning my head to Gordon, I nod before leaving the kitchen and outside. For the next few hours, I used my wind magic to shift the snow over to Jessica, who used strange magic to dissolve it quickly. Raising her hand, a giant white square appears before her, encasing a block of snow and after a few seconds the square disappears, leaving nothing behind. I wonder what type of magic that is.
My mind was still on her words from earlier, causing me to just focus on doing the work I had been asked of. After a few hours, it was nightfall and the blizzard had fully finished. Calling me over, Jessica nods and says “Good work. The request ends here. Keep the cloak, Master will provide it as part of the request, in addition, he has provided seven days of stay. Give this to the Guild and they will give you your reward.”
Handing me a wooden token, it was the same one as before but with a stamp on it. Putting it in my pocket, I follow Jessica inside, then go to my room and without waiting for dinner I lay down with Alice on the pillow next to me and fall asleep.
***
Lifting my head up as I wake up, I look around the room. I see a cart of food had arrived at some point, and looking out the window I saw it had turned morning at some point. Slowly sitting up, I pet Alice for a minute to wake her up as I opened my System. Seeing the quest reward I had received the other day, I decided to claim it before heading to the Deep Dungeon.
Appearing in my hands is a pair of gauntlets. I hadn’t had a weapon like this since my previous pair broke in the Temple of the Blood God. Picking one of them up, I looked it over. They were made from some sort of metal, due to a lack of knowledge I had no idea what material it was however it felt rather smooth to the touch.
The design was rather simple, however, my eyes rest on the backhand of the gauntlet. There was a moon, beautifully etched onto it. It’s the same colour as the rest of the gauntlet, a void black in colour. Feeling a bit hesitant, I had become wary of the sight of a moon over the last few days, since the encounter with those assassins. In fact, I felt slightly unsure of these gauntlets, but I also thought of how I required strength so I decided to check them first
Checking the System, I discovered that these gloves were associated with the Moon Goddess, making me feel complicated.
Lunaria’s Fury
Gauntlets filled with the power of the moon. Grows with the user and utilizes Lunar energy. These gauntlets have been blessed by the Moon Goddess, granting her chosen unique power while wearing these gauntlets.
+100 to Agility and Strength
Self-Repairing
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Moon Goddess’s Blessing: The strength of these gauntlets increases as your anger grows.
Current Grade: D+ (Unique)
Looking over the gauntlets, I bite my lip and put the gauntlets aside. I didn’t want to use them at all. Being associated with the Moon Goddess any further will likely lead to my death, and now I simply did not want to use or wear anything to do with the Moon Goddess. I’ll figure out what to do with the gauntlets later, perhaps I could sell them somehow…though that would lead the Church to find me...I might need to change locations.
Looking down, I was still wearing the clothing that Jessica had given me. Planning to return it, I grabbed the clothing I had bought with Elise and put it on. It was my first time wearing these so-called adventurer clothes and I felt a bit excited. Thinking over what my plan for today was, I wanted to go to the Guild, drop off the request token and then head into the Deep Dungeon, Tomb of Lilith.
Putting on the gloves I had purchased, I made sure the bracelet was hidden. I needed to find a way to remove it, perhaps someone in the city would know how. Planning to ask Elise once I finished in the Deep Dungeon, I scoop up Alice just as Lenny arrived with a new cart. Replacing the untouched dinner cart, he left with a bow. Sitting down with Alice, we ate while I silently thought of what I’d experience in the Deep Dungeon.
***
After we finished eating, I stand and check over everything. My bag was mostly empty, in it was the coin purse and an extra set of clothing, something Elise had recommended to have on me in case my clothing became damaged. Checking my pockets, I had the last bottle of alcohol Teacher Lee had given me as well as that weird note from Luna. I decided to bring it on a whim, perhaps it was something that could scare away anyone from the Church, though I wasn’t betting on it. Putting on the hood that Floof had provided to me, I make sure it covered my head correctly.
Scooping Alice up from the table, I put her on my head. Doing a final check, I left and locked the room before heading out of the inn, passing and greeting Jessica on my way down. Her words still rang in my ears, and I hoped that after this trip I would become stronger.
Retracing the steps I had walked before, it didn’t take me long to arrive at the Guild, which was swarmed with many different types of adventurers. Such a sight made me feel excited within and moving into the building, it was as busy…or was it bustling…as it was outside. Squeezing through the crowd, I managed to reach the second floor and moved towards the desk.
After waiting for a while for my turn, I turned over the request token and after a small wait, they delivered me six silver coins. Storing them in my coin purse, I turn and head back down the stairs. Since I hadn’t paid attention before, I needed to ask Elise where the Deep Dungeon was and how to get there.
Spotting Elise amongst the crowd, I saw she was speaking to another adventurer, and making my way there, I waited nearby. Seeing her send off the adventurer after some time, she looked directly at me before I even move. Waving at me, she made her way to me, even though I was wearing the hood that Jessica had given me. As Elise arrived in front of me, I took off the hood…I figured I was safe here.
“I knew you’d arrive, though I expected you to come along last night. Did you get another request?”
Shaking my head, I told her I wanted to head to the deep dungeon. Frowning, she looked at me a bit dumbfounded.
“By yourself? You should at least get a party together before heading in, it’s not a safe place.”
“I have Alice, we’ll be okay.”
Shaking her head, Elise stared at me and said “Nope. You don’t know the dungeon nor are you prepared, your bag is empty! You need healing items and a guide before I’ll allow you to enter. And since you’re level 21 and alone you only get to go to the third floor, no lower.”
Scratching my ear, I told her that I was level 24 now. Raising an eyebrow, she paused for a moment, obviously checking my System information. I had thought she would ask first, though I didn’t care too much.
Looking back up at me, she shakes her head before saying “I won’t ask so don’t tell. That being the case, level six and no lower. Oh! I know the perfect person for you to take! Come with me quick.” Grabbing my hand, she leads me back up the stairs and drags me to the stairs leading to the Silver grade floor. Stopping, she turns and points towards the shop section.
“Since you can’t come up here, go and buy supplies. Five healing potions if you’re only going in for a few hours, twenty if you’re planning to go in for a day. Double that number for each person you’re going in with unless you have a healer then half that number. I don’t want to hear any excuses, go buy those supplies, and get some rations too!”
Nodding, I watch as she climbs the stairs as I make my way to the stalls. After waiting for a while, I get to the counter and ask for forty healing potions and enough rations for a day. The lady serving me smiles and grabs two sacks from under the desk, it seemed they had them prepared. Paying her the ten silver that it cost, I gulped at the cost as my coin purse felt lighter.
Putting both sacks into my bag, there wasn’t much space remaining. Wondering if I should buy another bag, I made my way back to the stairs in time to see Elise bring down a young girl, about my age, she had antlers coming from her brown hair while on her head is a giant bag. She wore similar clothing to me. She looked shyly around with her blue eyes before looking at me with a bit of surprise.
“Alisha, this is Aubrey, an evolved monster at level 26. Aubrey, this is Alisha, a human and monster hybrid at level 24. You’ll be partners for the Tomb of Lilith.”
Looking towards me and shyly nodding, Aubrey remained quiet. Smiling at her slightly, I turn my attention back to Elise as we move to the side, out of the way of the staircase.
“Alright, Alisha, Aubrey has explored and conquered floor 10 of the deep dungeon with various parties. She has extensive knowledge and plays a unique role in parties. To conquer the 10th floor requires you to be in a party of at least six others at level 30 or higher. Aubrey here has assisted those groups, and while she has yet to participate in those fights she has the knowledge you need.”
Turning to Aubrey, she continues speaking “Alisha here is a new adventurer, but don’t underestimate her. She is much stronger than the average level 24; I’d estimate her true strength is around level 32. She even has the Aspiring Hero title. However, she is absolutely not to go past floor 6. I will allow floor 7 if she manages level 26. You have my permission to use *that* if she doesn’t listen.
“Alisha, Aubrey has a unique class, just like yourself. Thanks to her unique Class, she has a perfect memory and can recall any memory very easily. However, she is not much of a fighter and acts as a guide for newer adventuring parties since she knows every monster in the dungeon, their exact descriptions and strengths and weaknesses. She is Silver grade due to her extensive knowledge, not her combat ability… her combat ability is non-existent, however, she will not hold you down.”
Looking at Aubrey, I knew she must’ve had a trick or two up her sleeve, but I wondered why she didn’t have any combat ability, was it related to her Class? Resisting the urge to look at Aubrey’s System information, I turn to Elise as she speaks to me again.
“Alisha, in the Deep Dungeon it’s not uncommon to see adventurers or students of the Academy trying to kidnap or kill monster-kin like you two. Be careful, kill them if you must. The Royal Guard passed down a Decree that states killing in the Deep Dungeon is acceptable and that anything that happens in there will not be prosecuted. Kill anyone who tries to harm you, or run if they’re too strong.”
Nodding along with each sentence, Audrey at one point pulled out a notepad and began writing. Blinking, I recalled my first attempt at writing the other day and looked away while feeling a blush of embarrassment creep up. I needed to learn how to write as she did.
“M’kay, one last thing. Aubrey, Alisha has to wear a special cloak that hides her face. Can you use your scent to follow her safely?” Looking at me and sniffing once, she nods. Tilting my head at Elise, she winks.
“The hood you are wearing is fairly rare, but we’re training on identifying objects like that. I could tell it was you because I just identified your adventurer’s plate.” Looking down at the plate, I had forgotten to hide it…I’d forgotten someone could identify me off it.
Tucking the plate deeper into my clothing as Elise and Aubrey watched, I nod to indicate I had finished. “Alright, I’ll leave her in your care, Aubrey. Be careful all three of you.”
“Kraa!”
“Yes Alice, I leave them to you too.” With a giggle, Elise leaves us. Is it me or did Elise understand what Alice said as Gordon had?
Turning to Aubrey, I wasn’t sure how to talk to her, others usually initiated the conversation with me, but not the other way around. Squeezing out a smile, I say “S-shall we go?” She looks at me and nods. Pulling up my hood, I noted her scent as well, in case we became separated. Walking out of the Guild, I turn to Aubrey who starts walking in a direction.
Following her, we start walking before I froze in place, my eyes widening. This scent I picked up on…no, it’s impossible! Sniffing once again, the scent was gone…that’s not possible, it should linger. My mind spun as I looked around for her…for Elizabeth. Seeing nothing around, nor picking up any smell, I thought it over.
She can’t be here…right? She was still unconscious, in the elven village. There is no way she could be here, but it was undeniable, that was her scent…Or was it? Perhaps after not seeing her for so long, my mind recalled her scent. Frowning, this would mean my mind had played a trick on me, but why Elizabeth and not Sally?
Shaking my head, I put it down to the stress within me and the concern I had about Elizabeth, I had been thinking of her and the others, so I likely imagined the smell. Catching up with Aubrey, we continued on our way to the Deep Dungeon.