Day: 12th October 800
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Pilgrim of Lost Souls(Dungeon)
Kalkin's POV:
Since yesterday, I don't know why Sir Paul's team is in a state of panic! Even Ranvijay whose normally carefree and proud is unusually disturbed!
Even Mr. Smith(Sir Jack) who is generally very composed is in a state of passive fear I think, I mean it's hard to tell what's going on with him as even though on the surface, he immediately rushed to me as soon as those cuffs withered away like dust, and he was really happy but suddenly, his whole demeanor changed as he ran frantically towards Sir Paul's tent. Since then, I haven't seen Sir Paul, and although I had a little conversation with Sir Jack last night through the index, I could tell he was hiding something and he was constantly thinking of something which of course, he didn't tell me. I am happy that I am free now but the atmosphere of the whole party under Sir Paul is so tense and I don't know why every member of Sir Paul's team seems to be on edge when I am there with them. Therefore, I decided that maybe, it's something related to Sir Paul, maybe his God punished or reprimanded him for cuffing an innocent person without proper investigation as the God of Virtue is the symbol of righteousness and is known for even taking away his very Champion's powers if they do not follow the path of good. Despite all that, I don't think that Sir Paul will face such hard consequences, I mean I was angry that I was cuffed and everything that happened then but he took care of me and properly fed me and made sure that I was safe and no one treated me unfairly, so I don't think so that's the issue but then what else?
"Ahh! Man, just forget it, thinking about all that stuff makes me angry and hungry again since Paul's team is not here to keep an eye on me anymore, I can now properly have my first adventure of the dungeon, I packed all the mining stuff, some weapons I "took without anyone noticing", and an extra map of the place which Perl made for me sometime back as an apology 'cause Ranvijay destroyed my bag. Well, to be frank, that bag was almost empty and it had an old map of this dungeon but the one Perl made is much more detailed and new, covering previously unexplored or undiscovered labyrinths in the dungeon. It's all cause of her power to sense magic in large areas that she is able to properly make a map just for me, by pointing out areas with weak monsters and others with increasing levels of toughness.
Since I came to know that Nitin was actually a member of Sir Paul's Shadow Network, I just don't feel as connected to him as before. Also, now that I know that he was an emblem wielder all along and all our fights and competitions were just some mock battles where he was hiding his actual strength and I was giving my all, feels like I was betrayed by my best friend. I know he was just following Sir Jack's orders but all this while all the secrets I shared with him, he must have reported them back to Sir Jack, it's not I am scared or afraid of those secrets but like I really trusted him, like probably in some matters even more than Sir Jack and even my wife Aadya. It also feels that those competitions I won are all false now, I mean it feels like I was just given those rather than earning them. And now, I also think that the real reason that God hasn't chosen me still is because I was not as great as I once thought of myself. Maybe, they knew all of this was a farce and maybe thought I was just cashing on that farce, so they didn't even bother to look my way. It feels like that to me. The more I think about it, the more it hurts, so I will do what Aadya always tells me: follow my heart so, despite all that, somewhere there is still a little hope in me that maybe the time I, Nitin and everyone in the mining team spent together meant much more to him than just a mission and with that in mind, I will now leave before anyone can find me.
(Sometime later ~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
"Why is there no monster for me to hunt, today?"
I have been roaming in the weak monster zones as highlighted on the map but I can't find any. The monsters that you can find in this dungeon are divided into categories. Outside in the forest around us, there are normal animal-type monsters that look like some super-scary versions of the normal animals found in our world and some mythical beasts as well. Other than those, the ones that we commoners need to worry the most about are the Ghoul-type monsters. Then there are monsters inside the labyrinths that are the "actual monsters" of this dungeon and from whom the name Pilgrim of Lost Souls was devised. The monsters inside the labyrinth are also subdivided into the following classes:
Low-level: zombies, ghosts(literal souls), skeletons(mostly skeletons of monsters that died outside the labyrinth)
Mid-level: Werewolves, Vampires, Skeleton Knights
High-level: Lich King, Vampire Overlord, Werewolf Primordials.
Well, it's not like every labyrinth has every monster in it, Only the most unlucky of all the unlucky people in the world will ever fall into a labyrinth so big that could hold all the High-level monsters. Each Labyrinth can also be defined as the territory of The Highest Level Monsters, so the possibility of them serving another high-level monster or sharing a labyrinth is almost impossible. Well, Since this dungeon is just one big area with three paths, it was relatively easy for Perl to point out the labyrinths in her map. This Map also shows the location of monsters in real-time as well. So, I need to just keep on following the path and avoid dangerous locations and I will be alright.
So begins, My first-ever adventure and my path to becoming a Champion. Even if my previous achievements were ignored, these will not be, as I have decided that despite being a commoner I will hunt not only the monsters outside including Ghouls, but I will also fight the Low-level and mid-level ones inside the labyrinth as well. Even if I am not able to find monsters on the way, inside the labyrinth it's a different story, monsters will be present no matter what the scenario and I will bring back some mined ores as well as the proof that I went and safely returned from a labyrinth despite being a commoner. No pain no gain.
And with this thought in mind, I started walking, singing too to easily pass the time.
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Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Royal Scientist Territory, The Kingdom of Almighty (To the west of Empire of Wisdom)
Eilonwy's POV:
"Oh! What should I do, Claire, I'll be hosting the Captain of the ground units this evening and we still haven't started on any preparation for the dinner.
"Oh! What's with you suddenly hosting someone, you are always busy in your laboratory and seldom come to your estate, what's with this sudden devotion to such a gentleman? Has this gentleman, perhaps caught your heart, m'lady" replied my maid and best friend Claire.
"Well, he caught my eye, nothing more nothing less," I said to Claire not wanting to tell her my real intentions.
"So that's why you suddenly invited him to dinner ?"
"It's something I want to discuss with him, so I thought having a conversation over dinner would be perfect. " I said normally.
"Well, M'lady may I speak freely and not as your maid in duty?" asked Claire politely.
"Are you gonna scold me again? My dear Friend Claire," I asked trying not to look in her direction.
"Look me in the Eilonwy, what you mean you thought that it would be perfect to invite a gentleman to your home for dinner and that too an "informal dinner"? Do you know that you are still a maiden and you are inviting a young, handsome Gentleman to your house, for dinner? Do you even know what it means?" shouted Claire in one full breath.
"What would it mean? my Chief maid Claire?" I just love how she goes back and forth with this my friend Claire and maid Claire inflection. She is pointing daggers at me with her eyes :), mission accomplished :).
"My lady, you as a beautiful young maiden, inviting a young ambitious, and handsome Gentleman at home for an informal dinner means that you look at him with an eye of affection, knowing how you spent all your time in your laboratory and the remaining in your books, your thirst for knowledge is something I deeply admire M'lady but it has also made you a little different from the Nobles in the Kingdom, I apologize If I spoke out of line, M'lady," said Claire, I could feel her trying her best to hide her anger towards me.
"It's just a dinner, Claire, don't worry, I am not in any way interested in him romantically but if it looks like that to the outside world, it is better for me actually, 'cause somethings are better when misunderstood, my friend." I blinked one eye at her as if trying to say that it is perfect that way.
Finally, she shook her head and replied, " Fine, as you wish, I am going to prepare something, do I also need to make something using your mother's special handwritten cookbook?" asked her friend Claire.
"Hmm, well the meeting is important even though it's informal, I'll assist you too as well in the preparation, it will be faster that way!" I said as I started leaving the room.
"No, Nooooooo, My Lady, no ahh! What I mean is you don't sweat yourself, my lady, I will do all the preparations, you focus on getting ready, Sir Jill will arrive around 6:00 PM at the estate so you need to focus on getting ready and greeting him, I will handle all the preparations, " said Claire as she hurriedly left my room and closed the door behind her.
{Claire ran as fast as she could as she still remembers the horror of Eilonwy's cooking, it is a catastrophe the world still isn't ready to face yet, and only she can save the world, so she tried her best and ran away as fast as she could to stop Eilonwy from entering her kitchen and saving the Young Gentleman Jill from his untimely demise, truly she is protecting the world from the shadows by not allowing Eilonwy to enter the kitchen}
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Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Unknown Facility, North of Saint's Hospital
X-05's POV :
"You are actually really very brave, I'll give you that at least, did you think that if you sedate me you will get all your answers?" asked a laughing Dr. Hiten.
"Well, first of all, don't shout I am right here, cuffed with my hands tied at the back of the chair, the least you can do is not shout," replied an uninterested X-05.
"You speak as if you will be able to free yourself, well you can try 'course but the only way those cuffs will be removed is if you rip off your own hands but then I believe you might die which will happen anyway but I still need to keep you alive, you know, gotta get all the info I can from you," asked an excited Dr. Hiten.
"Well, the only thing I don't understand is how did you find out about your food being sedated and still ate it, why?" asked X-05 clearly trying to delay the process as much as he can.
"Shh, shut the f**k up, only I ask questions here," shouted Dr. Hiten as he signaled one of his men to punch X-05 in the stomach.
Blood came out from X-05's mouth as he got punched repeatedly.
"Ahh, now it seems you might understand your position, well, since I am gonna kill you anyway, I might as well answer your final question, I mean even gods say that one should fulfill a person's dying wish you know!" laughed Dr. Hiten.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Well, you see, Nurse Aadya's blood is special, I mean you know that already that's why you are here, her blood goes in different directions to multiple such facilities and I am the manager of this facility. I know I was sedated because Nurse Aadya's blood while it works mainly as a healing potion also makes one person's natural senses stronger. Not only does it increases the physical stats of the human body but also enhances the 5 senses. Yesterday, I could smell something different in my food thanks to regularly consuming her blood, not natural blood but processed blood, I am not some Vampire right, that's how I knew I was being watched, so I made sure to act normal. Since I have been consuming those blood potions, I knew I won't be killed with any poison immediately and since I had a stock of her blood, I could just drink it again, so I ate a little of my food and signaled one of my men to immediately insert me with some blood if anything happens to me. But to my surprise, your sedative is pretty different and effective, despite taking Aadya's blood potion, it still acted, and only after a few hours did her blood had an effect on me. For a second I was also scared thinking, I won't be able to complete my research but you know I am just favored by God. Today, morning my men came back with the report where it was concluded that I had been given a sedative, so I knew that whoever did that knows my secret and laid out a trap for you in this facility in which you humbly fell and here we are now, two hours after your whole "spy adventure". "
"hmm, you are not bad, I mean for a minor lackey you are good, pretty good, I think I was the one lacking here, so I accept my defeat, so you can kill me now," said X-05 bored.
"What are you saying I won't kill you now, we just captured your friend what was her name, oh! yes, Jane Foster, the moment we came to pick up Nurse Aadya, she tried to escape along with her but she is not fast enough compared to the mindless soldiers we have created by utilizing Aadya's blood. Turns out a little change in composition could turn Aadya's blood from a miracle to someone's worst nightmare, we tried the failed products on commoners and they soon became mindless addicted soldiers whose physical stats increased drastically to the point that they can even scare a Champion, but at the cost of mental stability. These guys are now no more than mere puppets who follow anyone as long as they receive the supply of their favorite drug. So to sum it up, your friend wasn't much so we captured her as well along with Nurse Aadya." said Dr. Hiten boastfully.
"This is an issue with every researcher villain I have faced, you guys speak a lot, as advice for the future, not that you will be alive to follow that, tone down yourself a little and try to keep your plans secret, it's easier that way, you know, now that I know everything, I believe I cannot allow you to kill me, so you will have to die, I guess, but as a show of courtesy, I'll also allow one last wish of yours," said X-05 as he yawned.
"Well, everyone tries to keep a tough face in front of death, I don't blame you, once your friend and Aadya arrive, I'll kill you don't worry," said Dr. Hiten as he signaled one of his men to carry me away.
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Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Pilgrim of Lost Souls
(Kalkin has been walking continuously toward a Labyrinth, for a quite few hours now, he also met a few monsters but was able to defeat them, though it took a lot of his strength)
"Man, how long do I have to walk, on the map it looks so close but the reality is totally opposite. I remember Perl stating that they defeated all the high-level monsters on the path toward this labyrinth within a day and came back in like 3-5 hrs. However, it took me more than that just to reach here. This is the difference between a normal human being vs someone favored by the Gods. Also, the temperature keeps on fluctuating in here, one moment it will be hot, and another moment freezing cold. Those guys ran in such an atmosphere and hunted High-level monsters, even the weak ones that I saw on the map took all of my energy, just how much of a difference is there between normal people and God's favorites?" shouted an exasperated Kalkin.
"But I will not give up, I can see the entry point of the labyrinth now, I will go and mine the ores inside as proof that I a commoner went inside a labyrinth," said Kalkin as he lifted his spirits up and again started walking with a look full of dedication.
"I can see it on the map, now, I am pretty close to the entry point, I'll camp near the entrance so that I won't be attacked by the outside and the inside monsters, soon it will be dark and as Sir Jack explained to me, fighting monsters like Ghouls, zombies, etc at night is a headache for even Champions so it is better to wait at night and re-think my strategy for the next day. Sorry, Aadya, I think I'll have to postpone my return," said Kalkin as he walked towards the labyrinth.
(An hour later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
"Ok, so I have now found the entrance and set up my camp, I have pretty much everything I need food, water, and shelter, so I can now start actual planning about how to proceed forward in this labyrinth. This labyrinth is called the "Vampire's Lair" and the reason I picked it up is that out of all the three labyrinths the monster inside it are the most difficult to kill because of their meta attributes, like ghosts, how will a physical object beat a ghost, you specifically require a holy attribute based weapon to purge them, same goes for Mid-level Vampire servants too. Lucky for me, the index I carry, I already bought, a holy-attribute sword, when I first got my index in an offer, so even if it is limited in strength, low and mid-level monsters are not a problem and I won't travel deep inside the dungeon where strong monsters start coming up. These monsters have low vision but have good auditory senses so as soon as I'll start mining tomorrow they will start coming in bulk. The best strategy is to have 2 people, one does the mining, and the other protects but it all went sour when Nitin revealed himself. So now, before they can approach me I need to set up some traps so that I can kill them without much issue. My new mining equipment also has a special auto-working feature but I have never tested it cause of Sir Jack and Carlton's constant nagging about learning the art well. So, I think this is the best enough strategy one can have in here." said as he now relaxed and started prepping up for the dinner.
(Meanwhile, Kalkin was unaware that some people were approaching him~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~)
The moment he started cooking, someone rushed up to him and pushed him onto the ground, with his hands on his back as he fell and finally sat on him.
"So you like wander hann, boy" It was none other than Jenna.
"Hey, let go of me, I didn't do anything wrong, I was free to move now and so I started my journey," said Kalkin struggling to free himself.
"Hey Jenna, let go of him, we were told to find him not to break him," said Perl as she reached the camp, behind her was Ranvijay.
"Ok, ok, I'll let him go but I seriously want to beat him up, I don't understand how can someone be so stupid to approach a Vampire's Lair, a f***king Vampire's Lair alone and has the guts to plan, you know we have been watching you for half an hour now, when you couldn't predict our presence how will you dodge the ones inside. Being Courageous is good, but being an idiot is not. You don't just approach something just cause you want to prove a point. Are you a retard by any chance, Kalkin" shouted Jenna in one big breath.
"Mam Jenna, keep your voice down ghosts have started coming out of the lair, Mam, 'cause of your sound," said Ranvijay, (Kalkin: I am surprised how well-behaved he is in front of them).
"anhh, You dare ask me to stop?" asked an angry Jenna.
"Jenna stop, you are seriously no different than Kalkin right now, maintain your order as a member of Sir Paul's team," said Perl without even blinking an eye.
"hmm, ahh, ok I give up, ok I apologize new recruit for being tough on you and good work with those Ghosts, but Kalkin you, you dare not do anything anymore that would further anger me!" said Jenna, Kalkin could still feel her anger as he felt daggers pointed at him from all sides.
"Jenna, enough, now you guard this camp near the entrance, and Ranvijay you look out to clear the monsters in the surrounding area while I tend Kalkin's wounds," said Perl. She was suddenly a literal Goddess in Kalkin's eyes while Jenna was the reincarnation of the devil.
"Kalkin what you did was wrong, you are not capable of surviving in here, you don't know why are vampire lairs considered the most dangerous out of the 3 labyrinths found here," said Perl as she started treating Kalkin's wounds with her healing magic buff.
"What am I supposed to do tell me, I don't want to be a miner and I am not allowed to go anywhere near an actual dungeon, this was my one and only shot!" said Kalkin as he calmed himself down.
"Why do you want to become a Champion so badly, it's not a path of roses, it's mostly thorns?" said Perl I could feel a little inflection in her voice but nothing on her face.
"I have my reasons, I know I am not as strong as you all but I just need one opportunity, one chance, even if I am not even given that, I'll make one for myself and that's what I am doing here and I will explore this labyrinth," said Kalkin in a decisive manner.
"I don't understand one thing, how did you guys come to know about my location? and why are you here and not Sir Jack?" asked Kalkin.
"We were sent by Sir Jack and Paul to rescue you, we noticed around 12 pm that you weren't in the camp, so we started looking for you and informed Sir Jack about the situation. He immediately called for me and asked to detect your presence through my magic but since you don't have even an emblem it was difficult tracking you as your presence was getting masked by the monsters around. But then I suddenly felt my own magic in the area and that's when I remembered that I made you a map which you must be using! and that's when we drafted a team of 3 and tried to catch up with you. We brought Ranvijay as we wanted to train the recruit for retrieval missions." said Perl.
"Why is everyone in the camp so on the edge since my cuffs withered?" asked Kalkin, finally healed through Perl's magic.
"God of Virtue is dead, we initially thought maybe God of Virtue was reprimanding Sir Paul for his rash decision but when Sir Murthy also couldn't use his powers we were confused until Sir Jack's God: God of Mischief informed Sir Paul, Murthy and Sir Jack about the eternal slumber of God of Virtue. Emblem wielders now feared that the power granted to them by the emblem will be no longer available but it wasn't that we are just without a God while we won't be receiving additional powers and buffs, we have whatever was previously given to us, however, the channel of connection between us and the God is no more," said Perl in one big breath.
"WHAT, what do you mean that a God is dead, and why God of Virtue? Aren't Gods immortal?"
"Since you are a commoner you might not know this, Gods are not as omnipotent as one may think, they have certain boundaries and limitations too, however, what I also don't know is why God of virtue who always followed the path of righteousness is dead. What's even more annoying was the fact that God of Mischief asked Sir Paul to become one of his Champions! which Sir Paul refused but then he summoned Sir Paul's soul into his domain, even Sir Jack isn't allowed right now in his own God's domain and is told to guard Sir Paul's body until he returns. That is why Sir Jack couldn't come here himself and sent us to rescue you."
"This is just too much info to handle all at once, first that emblem turned black, now a god is dead and Sir Paul is being summoned what is happening in this simple mission?" Kalkin started wondering.
Just as Perl and Kalkin were finished talking, suddenly the ground beneath them started shaking and Jenna was sent back flying towards them and crashed into the tent behind them. Ranvijay was next as he was sent flying and fell down near Jenna. Everyone could feel a sudden pressure around them, as they heard a crackling laughing sound coming from the labyrinth's entrance.
Perl's eyes widened and fear was visible on her face, even Kalkin who didn't understand much about what suddenly happened, to see such an expression on Perl's face couldn't believe his eyes. He looked towards the entrance and saw a humanoid-looking figure wearing a butler's uniform with his face masked and with big red eyes and big claws laughing at them as he launched a powerful crescent-shaped mana wave at them, Perl with all her strength pushed herself and Kalkin to one side but her leg was still grazed by that wave of an attack, suddenly her whole body was paralyzed. Kalkin's heart was beating frantically he had never felt such fear in his life. Jenna tried attacking next again with her magic axe but that thing just blocked it with his big claw and kicked her flying again as she fell down beside Kalkin, and blood came out of her mouth. Ranvijay was lifted up with magic as he was unconscious. Kalkin couldn't even speak as his whole body was paralyzed with fear. Perl seeing him tried to calm him down with her calmness buff but that creature that thing just broke her hand as if it was a twig. As she shouted in pain that figure just laughed.
"I am not gonna kill you all now, my master has summoned you all to him. We will have a feast tonight with your magic" said that creature.
"And by the way, I am Morvin, my master's servant and butler but you may refer to me as Sir" as he picked them all up and carried them in a cage with his magic.
Kalkin now understood for the first time the actual terror of the dungeons and the cost of his foolishness.
The only words here could muster were: "What are you?"
Before he was put to sleep, the last he heard was: "You powerless midget dare to speak to me .... " and then everything turned dark.
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To be continued