Valerian Maximillian
“How long till we reach the first layer, Valerian?” asked Alanus Alypius.
“Be patient, young Alypius. As the heir of your house, asking the same question 13 times in half an hour sullies your image.” I said casually, watching the veins on the brat’s forehead spread further.
“We are almost there, your lordship. We will be able to find high level Abyssal Raptors for you to tame.” said the adventurer ahead of us, eager to please.
Or at least avoid an aristocrat brat’s wrath.
Soon enough, the tunnels that seemed to go down endlessly finally began to level out, with an entrance directly ahead.
“Please gather within 2 meters of me, so that the [Divine Eye’s Light] incantation reaches you.” said the priest.
The five of us approached him, and the priest began to pray to Artrorus. A moment later, a soft light descended on us in a 2-meter ring, coalescing onto our eyes.
“This incantation will last for roughly four hours. The ceiling of the first layer is covered with glimmering obsidian, but it’s not enough to see normally. Make sure not to stray from me, or you will end up blind in a pit of monsters.” Warned the priest.
Nodding, the rest of us were about to proceed, only to hear a distant beast’s roar.
“ROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!”
“Strange. I don’t recognize any beast with a roar like that. Could it be that a monster from the second layer emerged?” said the scout.
“In any case, follow me, and prepare to attack or flee. Let’s go!” she immediately dashed forward, and the rest of us moved quickly behind.
Eventually, we arrived, but the beast seemed to expect us. The scout did not move from her cover, and the beast – some form of reptilian lizard – did not move either.
"What on Earth is an Abyssal Drakeling?" said the scout, narrowing her eyes.
"Whatever, I am here to tame Abyssal Raptors. Get rid of this thing so we can move on." Said Alanus.
I turned to it and used Appraisal.
[Abyssal Drakeling]
Rank E creature. The Abyssal Drakeling is a powerful all-rounder, with resilient scales, agile movements, and powerful strikes. Its powerful vitality grants it a moderate regenerative ability. However, its greatest asset is its future potential. As an evolution for particularly ambitious and fearless reptiles, members of this species tend to attack more powerful monsters. As a result, not many of its kind get to capitalize on this future potential.
As I was pondering on the nature of this monster, the pebble-brained legionnaire spoke.
“It has the same rank as the raptors. Killing it shouldn’t be challenging, but don’t get careless.”
My eyes widened in surprise. This is definitely an interesting and rare creature. We should probably leave it be; I am excited to see this “future potential” that appraisal seems to hint towards. The creature then tilts its head at me, its eyes brimming with curiosity. Is it trying to understand us?
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"The beast seems to be intelligent. It hasn't attacked us, and instead seems intrigued." I said.
As the adventurers began to unsheathe their weapons, Alanus suddenly spoke, seemingly having changed his mind.
“This beast might be a bigger catch than I thought. Keep it busy; I am going to subdue it.”
Realizing I spent time thinking instead of telling them to stop, I was too late to intervene.
“Wait! Don’t do any-“
“GRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWRRRRRRR!”
Before I even finished my sentence, Alanus used his [Domination] class skill! The other three cautiously approach it, waiting to see if the taming skill succeeded. Alanus scoffs, waiting for the skill to run its course.
“Do you seriously think this thing can res-“
“ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRR!!!” the Abyssal Drakeling roared in fury!
Just as the others covered their ears, I cast a spell to protect our ears!
[Wind Shield]!
A dense concentration of air formed around us, refusing to allow the sound to pass through it. Soon enough, the Drakeling looked at us hatefully and lunged at us quickly!
[Anchor Howl]!
The legionnaire activated a skill, and the Drakeling immediately turned towards him.
“Attack it from range while I hol-“ the legionnaire did not finish his statement before a strike from the Drakeling struck his tower shield and sent him flying, hitting a wall!
[Lesser Smite]!
[Poison Stab]!
The priest and the scout attack at the same time. The smite is not very effective, while the dagger managed to pierce its scales. However, the Drakeling seemed to shrug it off entirely and struck at the scout with its tail! The scout quickly dodged, returning to the side of the healer, just as the legionnaire managed to get back in front of them. The Drakeling’s wounds slowly began to close in front of us! It stared us down and growled menacingly but made no moves.
“How is this a Rank E creature?! And you, mage. Are you going to keep staring or will you help us?!” yelled the priest at me in fury.
“You were hired to escort us, and my duty is to protect the young lord. If you can’t even guard us from the first monster we encounter on our expedition, then what did we hire you for?” I ask.
Gritting her teeth, the scout plead for my help anyway.
“Please help us handle this thing. We’ll negotiate compensation with you later! We don’t have time to argue now!”
Just as I was about to respond, the Alypius scion turned and ran towards a side tunnel, leaving the rest of us behind!
“You damn brat!” I yelled under my breath and ran after him.
Behind me, I heard the sound of fighting continue once more, but I decided to chase after the cowardly runt regardless lest the Alypius Patriarch shows me what happens to those who disappoint him personally.
***
Soon enough, I discover that the boy stopped in front of a bottomless pit and turned behind to yell hysterically.
“Stay away from me you overgrown lizard! I can’t die yet! Not here!”
“I am not the damned drakeling you complete imbecile! Why did you attack the monster without consulting the rest of us?! And why did you just bolt away during the battle?!” I screamed at him in fury.
It’s going to look very bad if we return alone and yet without a scratch on us.
“Gods damn it.” I clenched my teeth.
Suddenly, I realized that the sounds of fighting are over, and that heavy footsteps were quickly approaching.
“What are we going to do?!” screamed Alanus.
“Stay behind me and do your best to support me in fighting the monster. It shouldn’t have come out from that fight unscathed. Now you’d best pray to the gods that we can win this fight for our lives, or we can directly confront them on why they allowed for destiny to have me agree to be hired as a bodyguard for an absolute moron like you!” I grit my teeth in anxiety as I prepared a [Gale] spell.
Suddenly, the Drakeling emerged from the tunnels, looking gravely wounded and furious. As soon as it laid eyes on us it lunged in the air, determined to strike us!
[Gale]!
In a split second decision, I decided to change the direction of the spell. A gust of wind suddenly picked up beneath the beast, increasing the height of its jump several times over. It immediately sailed over our heads, and its claws barely missed my forehead!
“ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!” the Drakeling roared as it fell into the gods only know how deep pit, its voice quickly growing distant.
Alanus’s legs began to shake, and he fell on his rear.
“We’re saved… We survived! Thank the gods you managed to kill that thing!” he said, his voice cracking.
“Don’t celebrate just yet. We need to head back and tell the adventurer’s guild about what happened and then get you on the soonest ship to the Empire. On my name as Valerian Crassus Maximillian, I swear that I will not serve as your bodyguard ever again!