Sitting down on a bench in the resting zone, I breathed out. Finally, we could get some proper rest that wasn’t on a timer. Looking at Aubrey and Xia also sitting down while looking relieved, I knew they were fatigued as well. Looking at the System, I saw the mutated quest was sitting there, ready to be claimed.
Mutated Quest completed. You have befallen an army and overcome an impossible task.
You receive the following rewards:
2,700,000 experience
1x Wish Box of Need
1x Tome of Advanced Knowledge
1x Shard of a Dying Star
1x Vial of Mystical Moon Energy
50x Core of the Greater Wind Spirit
As you killed the most enemies, you will be rewarded with the following:
1x Key to the Unknown Trial
Those that abandoned their duty have been punished by having their levels stripped.
You have levelled to 42!
Gained the following Stats:
Strength: +315
Agility: +450
Intelligence: +225
Toughness: +18
You gain 10% more Stats due to Aspiring Hero, you gain the following:
Strength: +32
Agility: +45
Intelligence: +22
Toughness: +2
Health increased to 5,000.
Lunar Mana Increased to 45,000.
As soon as I saw the level up notice, I felt my muscles flare up in pain as I felt every single muscle in my body start to change, becoming stronger and more flexible. A massive headache overcame me at the same time, causing me to gasp in pain. Hearing a whimper to my side, I knew Aubrey was experiencing something similar. Tears ran down my face as I spent the next few minutes in agony as Xia watched with some concern on her face.
After some time, the pain gradually faded before the feeling of being refreshed washed throughout my body. Panting for breath, I felt shaken. I had never experienced anything like that before, I could feel every single muscle in my body throb with pain while that happened.
“W-we O-overleveled.” Aubrey’s voice trembled. Sitting up slightly, the pain had faded but the fatigue was deep within my bones.
“W-what is Overleveled?” Asking this question as I caught my breath, I leaned back as Aubrey explained.
“I-it’s when you level up too much at once…I’ve heard it’s only when you get a quest with large amounts of experience. It’s fine if it’s two or three levels, but any more than that…well, we could’ve died.”
Exhaling, I looked at Xia with a bit of confusion. Seeing my expression, she bowed slightly before saying “My stats are simply restricted, I will not experience growth. The quest did not provide me with experience, likely because the enemies were under level 50.”
“Why would that happen?”
“Because you can’t gain experience from anything level 49 or under when you reach level 50, Alisha.” Answering me was Aubrey. “Heh. Bloom must be pissed though. He’s going to level up for the first time in years.”
Stiffly smiling at that, I leaned against Aubrey’s shoulder. “I need sleep, Xia wake me up later and I’ll switch with you. You need rest too.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Looking at all the items that had piled up at my feet, I was about to get up to put them away when Xia stepped forward. “Allow me, Madam. I’ll store everything.”
With her words, I nodded and closed my eyes. I fell asleep while looking over my stats.
Stats
Elite Aspiring Hero, Alisha
Strength: D+ 858 (+172)* Agility: C+ 1,337 (+268)* Intelligence: D- 625 (+125)* Toughness F- 123 (+24)*
Current Bonuses: Monster Title
***
Waking up slowly, I opened my eyes and sat up. Looking up, I saw Xia standing by the door, looking out. Yawning, I stretched and moved my body. I felt completely rested, in fact I felt at my peak. Before I had come into this dungeon I hadn’t fully recovered, but now it felt like I’d finally mostly recovered. My right leg was still stiff, but it had been less of a problem recently.
Standing up while rubbing my eyes, I walked slowly over to Xia who turned and bowed to me. “How long was I asleep for?”
“Two days, Madam.”
Frowning, I glanced at Xia before sighing. “Get some rest, Xia. I’ll stand guard.”
Bowing to me slightly, she sat on a bench before closing her eyes and sleeping. Leaning against the wall near the door, I checked on Alice to see she was still asleep in my scarf. Thinking over everything that’s happened while we’ve been down here, I couldn’t help but shake my head. In the short amount of time we’ve been down here, a lot has happened, all I wanted to do was head home, take these gloves and gauntlets off and relax.
After half a day, I heard noises at the door as I picked up familiar scents. Seeing Bloom and his team walk in, they greeted me quietly as they stood around me.
“Rest well, Alisha?” Giving me a short hug with her arm, Elizabeth looked me up and down. As I told her I did, she gave me a smile. “I’m glad. You’ve changed so much since Crater, I barely recognise you from that little girl anymore.”
Scratching my ear with a bit of embarrassment, Amelia changed the topic. “Alisha, we discussed something before coming here. Although it can rarely happen, there have been cases where the Guild questions or imprisons adventurers based on stories of others. Though fooling an executive of the Guild is impossible as they can tell when you’re lying, considering the strange things we’ve come across with some adventurers like the increase in slavers recently, we want to be prepared.”
Glancing at Xia, Amelia asked “Are you an adventurer, Xia?” Xia opens her eyes and looks towards Amelia.
“I am not.”
“Perfect. In that case, let's give our valuables to Xia and get her to meet up with Elise or Rachael in the case of something going wrong. The Guild can’t arrest someone who is no an adventurer, so Xia can just walk away.”
“She can use my bag.” Hearing Aubrey, I frowned slightly. When did those two wake up exactly?
“Good, store the valuable items you guys have in a separate bag, it can’t be a dimensional bag. Once done, we’ll head off.”
As we quietly set to work, we quickly finished. Aubrey and I hadn’t really gotten any loot, while Bloom’s team had a lot.
“Your weapons as well. We won’t need them while ascending. Especially after that unexpected level gain.” Nodding to Amelia’s comment, I took off my gauntlets and gloves and stored them in Aubrey’s bag.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As soon as everything had been packed, Xia carried the bag as we headed out.
***
“Finally, the first floor. I just want to take a bath and relax.” Hearing Elizabeth mutter, I chuckled as I felt the same. I wanted to eat some tasty food and play with Alice for a bit. As we made our way towards the exit, I thought about what I should do first after a few days to rest. Figuring I should consult with Elise, we finally exit the dungeon.
Standing in front of us is a large, bulky and slightly fat man. He wore a Ruby adventurers plate and looked down on us with a stern face.
“Detain them.”
The five people that had stood beside him moved forward while pulling out a strange contraption. It was a pair of cuffs, chained to what looked like a necklace. At first I wanted to try to escape, but remembered we had discussed what could happen at length, and this was one of the scenarios. Standing still, I let the woman put the cuffs on as she clipped the necklace on. My arms crossed my chest and sat just below my chin.
Your magic has been restricted.
“I’m not an adventurer. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Looking at Xia from the corner of my eye, I see her attempt to walk past the person attempting to cuff her before they grabbed her hair and slammed her into the ground.
“Did I say you can leave, bitch?” Hearing the Ruby grade person speak up, I saw Bloom become red in the face as Xia too was chained. They took our bags and checked us for any other equipment. The woman who searched me saw Alice and left her in my scarf.
“Under my name, Hillock, I hereby detain you as an executive of the Guild. All of you will be put on trial for the crime of abandoning an adventurer. And you.” Staring at me, he continued. “Your charges include enslaving adventurers and sacrificing them on the tenth floor.”
Huh? I felt speechless at that. Before I could speak, Bloom spoke first.
“Those are false accusations, we ha-”
“You will be silent.” Feeling an odd feeling coming from my mouth and throat, I quickly realised I couldn’t speak or make any sound. Even opening my mouth wasn’t possible. Feeling my eyes widen, I knew some sort of magic had been cast.
Hillock held out a chain with two links, which then quickly grew with more links, connecting to the front of the collar they had put on us. Turning around, he pulled it as we were forced to follow. Turning my head to Amelia, sure looked back at me completely confused as she shook her head.
This was never a possibility that was brought up. Amelia said the worst case scenario was that we’d have our equipment and bags confiscated while we were brought to the Guild for questioning. Nothing about being chains, restricted of our magic and lead like we were criminals.
We were led down the streets, as if we were being showcased to as many people as possible. I felt the stares of people around us as whispers sounded out. I didn’t feel embarrassed, no, I felt furious. It felt like I’d returned to the days of being a slave in Crater.
As if they decided to take the long route, we returned to the Guild after an hour of walking. Turning to look at everyone, they seemed furious except for Bloom, who oddly looked amused. Was it how he appeared angry? However, I saw him take a glance at Aubrey again before turning back and giving me a wink. What was he hinting at?
Hillock leads us directly through the front doors, and into a very busy Guild. It was currently the middle of the day so I wasn’t surprised, but feeling the stares of everyone as we entered only deepened my hatred for this man who led us.
“Out of the way! We will be holding a trial for these criminals and traitors in the 3rd trial room!”
Hearing whispers all around me, I started to realise what was happening. He was intentionally labelling us as criminals, but for what reason?!
Trying to speak out, I was shocked to see I still couldn’t open my mouth or make a sound. What was this magic that was used on us, and how long did it last? Being yanked forward, I continue walking along listening to people around us.
“Isn’t that Bloom? What on earth did he do?”
“Hey hey, it’s that beauty, the hero of the slums or something. Did she trick the Branch Master?”
The comments didn’t bother me, in fact I couldn’t really care about what others thought of me. What angered me was the actions this man took, treating us like we were already guilty. And soon, the answer was revealed to us.
We entered a large room, a panel at the back with a large chair, and on either side were dozens of chairs, facing the middle. In the middle was a podium, and we were led to that podium. Leading us up, Hillock placed the chain on a strange device that sounded out a click. I heard the sounds of people, and turning I saw adventurers of all different grades entering and sitting to the sides, most wore looks of confusion, while a few looked excited.
At the desk we were facing, I saw Joan sitting in a chair to the side of the middle. Her facial expression showed sadness, pain and fear when she looked at us…but her eyes, I saw a sadistic happiness in them.
Hillock walked behind the desk and sat down before looking around. It was only him and Joan at the desk, while dozens of adventurers sat on the sides in silence then us in the middle. I could still feel the stares, some of them looking at me with hatred. Gritting my teeth, I tried to speak but found I still couldn’t.
“Brave, courageous and victorious adventurers! Three days ago, these criminals committed a grievous crime within the Tomb of Lilith! The criminal, Alisha, a Bronze grade, was witnessed by Joan, the Silver grade to my right, enslaving fellow adventurers just like yourselves, before forcing them to sacrifice themselves to the tenth floor boss.
“Joan upon seeing this heinous act by one that dared to call themselves a ‘hero’ then gathered fellow brave warriors before following the criminal. However, she and her group were lured by Bloom, Amelia, Aubrey, Xia, Leon and Elizabeth into a trapped monster room, leading them to be ambushed while they killed any adventurer who tried to resist.
“Once she was the last one alive, Joan was restrained before Aubrey, a Silver grade, used her power to drain Joan of her lifeforce, and by consequence her level has been drained to Level 1. For these crimes, I issue the following punishments!
“Bloom, Amelia, Elizabeth and Leon will henceforth be expelled from the Guild and all their possessions seized. Their possessions will be given to Joan and her family as compensation, though it won’t heal the damage we do hope it will assist.
“Alisha, Xia and Aubrey are hereby sentenced to death! Criminals, how do you plead?!”
Trying to talk, I still found myself unable to speak, so I tried to shake my head but I couldn’t. I felt a fear creep up as I tried to struggle on these chains. I can’t even defend myself or say anything, yet so many lies have been said. I heard muttering coming from the crowd, and oddly it was full of confused tones. Suddenly, someone stood.
“Sir, that doesn’t make sense. It was reported that Alis-”
“SILENCE!” With a booming voice, Hillock looked at the person who had stood to speak. “I will not stand falsehoods spoken here! The testimony has been verified by me, and these criminals and traitors have shown their guilt with their silence.”
Another stood, a Gold grade. “With all due respect, sir, what about the law that says what happens in the Tom-”
“I SAID SILENCE!” Slamming a fist on the table, cracking it, he glared at the man who had stood. “If anyone else dares to speak in favour of these criminals who have been found guilty, you will join them as accomplices.”
Standing, he made his way around the desk. “I will now execute the three who enslaved fellow adventurers.” As he said this, mutters arose once again, some once again confused, others angry. Joan on the other hand, no longer hid that sadistic smile as she stared at me, a foul grind spreading on her face.
In that moment, a voice rang out, one filled with amusement.
“Oh? A trial? How amusing, you should’ve invited me.”
Suddenly, a lanky figure appeared before us. It was Alexander.
“Branch Master, I apologise for not inviting you. I was abou-”
“Now now Hillock. No need to apologise, I was simply interested in the commotion and came to find out what happened.”
“As it concerns your disciple, I can see why you are interested, sir. As for what happened…”
Retelling the bullshit he just told, Alexander stayed silent for a moment before tilting his head back to look at us. I saw a glimpse of anger pass his eyes before they returned to being calm as he turned back Hillock.
“An unfortunate incident it seems. However, Hillock. I do not remember hearing the testimony of the ones you have accused here, one of them isn’t even an adventurer. How about we let them speak?” Snapping his fingers, I suddenly felt my body become freed as my voice also returned. Opening my mouth to speak, Alexander continued.
“In fact, lets not bother with hearing their story. After all, there are many curious adventurers here, why don’t we allow them to witness the truth of the matter instead? Amelia, I trust you still have it?”
“Y-yes Branch Master.” Stuttering a bit, Amelia tried her best to point towards her chest. Alexander turned to her and made a beckoning gesture. A blue stone attached to a necklace flew towards him from Amelia.
“This here is a memory stone. It records what the wearer sees. I trust you know what this is, Hillock?”
“Branch Master, I have already verifi-”
“A testimony from your niece, or the testimony of everyone involved, including those you are quick to judge as criminals? Oh, my mistake, those under the control of your magic were forced into silence while being unable to move, so verifying their testimony wasn’t possible, right?”
Hillock suddenly looked troubled for a moment before frowning. “Branch Master, those are some serious allegations. I ha-”
“In that case, shall I show everyone of the events that unfolded? And by events, I mean those that I personally oversaw.” Alexander’s voice changed in the next moment. “Do you take me for a fool, Hillock! Do you believe I would send my disciple into a dungeon, alone, without a way to watch her?! Now, let us witness the true events of Alisha’s journey.”
Holding the blue stone up, he crushed it as a faint, blue mist formed into a projection of sorts. Very quickly, it showed the moments of the mutation from Amelia’s point of view. It showed the colosseum, however it didn’t have the darkness that the others would’ve been obstructed by, much like my own vision.
As everyone watched, the events of the mutation played out, including all sounds and voices. It showed everything from Amelia’s point of view. Everything played out exactly as it had unfolded. Oddly, it showed everything yet it had felt like no time had passed. Watching how Joan had threatened us, how we dealt with the monsters at the doors, how Joan yelled at us and then her leading a group to the door, only for them to be killed instantly by the boss.
As the events finished, a silence filled the air. Joan’s face had paled, while Hillock looked angry. “This doesn’t absolve the crime committed by the so called he-”
“If you mean the accusation of enslaving adventurers and using those to pass the tenth floor, I believe the testimony of fourteen adventurers and two Guild staff who monitor the tenth floor will suffice. If not, then how about we watch from Aubrey’s point of view?”
Alexander pulls another blue stone from his pocket as he crushes it. This time, it’s the moments leading up to entering the tenth floor, followed by my fight with The Blade. Soon, it finished as I heard a mutter from the crowd before it erupted in whispers. “Holy shit.”
Alexander stands there staring at Hillock before saying “Hillock, for your crimes of falsely accusing adventurers for your own personal gain, I hereby expel you from the Guild. As for young Joan behind you, I find her guilty of the same crimes, as well as abandoning her comrades and leading them to their deaths. She will be expelled, while her family and branch families attached to it will be banned from all Guilds in Draken. As for those you accused, their innocence has been proven, thus they will not be punished.”
Suddenly a huge, overwhelming amount of power radiated from Hillock and his eyes locked onto me over Alexander’s shoulder.
“Imprison.” Alexander mutters, pointing his finger at Hillock. In the next moment Hillock disappears. “Tsk, fool.” Alexander then turns and looks past me. “I’ll leave them to you.” He too then disappears, leaving the room in complete silence as everyone sat there in complete shock.