CVETKA KRALJ

She thought that the group was able to tackle the dungeon and initially, it was true: The Spiked Rabbits were fast but really vulnerable to area-of-effect spells. The Phesraohs were also manageable. You just had to remember to never give chase because that is when they throw sharp, knife-like feathers at you. Fortunately, Crystal had been able to heal Igor's wounds when he found out.

Now however, the group was up against a thickly armed White Rhino and none of the attacks they attempted could even hurt it. Well, apart from her own damage reflection ability, as it ignored armour. But they had attempted that one beyond the ability of Crystal to heal her. Now, they were in a convenient cave, too small for the Rhino to enter, if not for lack of trying. They had attempted to attack the weak points and the areas where the skin was thinnest. They had failed, ended up hurt, exhausted and with an angry white rhino not letting go of them. It had been 5 hours and they still were huddled in the narrow, low cave that they only could navigate on their hands and knees. And they all were bickering at each other. Cvetka listened to Rush again telling Igor that it was not his idea to immediately go after a rank 19 dungeon and first to level up in something less challenging, while Igor interrupted Rush telling him that was bullshit as he clearly refused to delve the random Grade 12 dungeon on the way. Which made Crystal ask where that thing had been as she had not seen a dungeon and felt angry that seemingly everyone came to an agreement but she was never asked. Which led to another argument about getting distracted en route. The fact that no one called out the Grade 12 dungeon to those not looking out of the window was not mentioned and Cvetka tried to hold her tongue in order not to add to this clusterfuck.

She had no idea how much time was spent in pointless bickering, arguing for the sake of arguing, getting angry with your group because you actually are angry with the situation. That was when she realised something: "Hey everyone, you are aware that the monsters respawn in a few hours?"

Grunts of agreement were audible in the group.

"You are aware that previously undefeated creatures don't despawn?" Cvetka continued, icily, not in the mood for bickering or the kinds of arguments that can never be solved.

There was a moment of shock as not everyone knew that.

Cvetka continued: "So, maybe we should think about other things than whose fault it is. And by it, I mean everything in general! And maybe instead, we should brainstorm how we can get out of here!"

There was a long silence.

SHIVERS-IN-SUNLIGHT

Shivers knew that xe was just around in case things went wrong. That xe was too low level to actually go into the dungeon. And without xir snails, xe didn't want to either. The foundational skill helped xir in xir dungeon delves, but right now, xe didn't even have combat skills equipped. Xe instead brought communication skills, etiquette skills and Longstrider to get xirself out of any dangerous situation. No point in trying to fight what xe could outrun.

However, now that the sun was almost setting and no one returned, xe was worried. Had they been killed by monsters? Were they stuck somewhere? Had there been an accident? Had they fallen into a hole? Were they in a long fight against a boss monster? Shivers could do nothing but worry. And the weird metallic bubble was weirdly constraining. Not physically but regarding xir senses. In this flying bubble, xe could not hear anything approaching, xe could not feel the wind, and worst of all: xe could not even burrow, so xe was actually rather uncomfortable. The chairs were made for human anatomy, not Scorpion-of-Tsanh anatomy, so Shivers had been awkwardly standing in the bubble near the parts of it that were transparent, not metallic, windows, as they were called and looked outside. He did not go outside as the portal repeatedly spawned monsters. Xe also wasn't sure that xe could get back. That was when xe saw something: A momentary shadow. Too quick to be more than a blur, but it was leaving a very peculiar cloud of dust. Shivers's mood rose. Of course: Skips and her team were looking for the portal and maybe even for xir. Clicking a tune to xirself, Shivers waited. That was rather difficult for xir. Xe was used to there being something to occupy time with: A work to do, a being (generally one of the snails) to observe, a person to talk to. Completely unproductive time was strange for Shivers. So, Shivers tried to keep productive and look at the weird equipment that was in the bubble, but none of that seemed to mean anything, so Shivers only stared at strange items.

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It was a while later when the group arrived. Skips instructed Shivers how to open the door and hugged. For a moment, xe appreciated her body heat. Then, a monster, a huge, blue thing with too many, long appendages, skittered out of the portal.

JAARU ANIIK

Kereu looked about as composed as Jaaru felt in her best moments. The people, both the random group of Sygia who were there for crimes, as labourers and, in one case, as a clerk under that particular unpleasant man and finally got to do what he always wanted. Jaaru made sure all the guards were tied up safely as Kereu handled their dangerous injuries. Then, Kereu reached out to her: "May I?"

Jaaru shook her head: "I am not injured."

Kereu didn't accept that: "I have seen you move. You don't look like you are even a level 30, let alone a 100."

Jaaru shrugged and held out her hand: "Okay… If you think so."

Moments later, she felt more miserable than she normally did. She felt something impact her in a way that she had no word for: It was as if she was beaten up from the inside. She gritted her teeth and held her tongue. Then, the pain stopped and Kereu asked: "Jaaru, when do you, like, sleep?"

Jaaru shrugged: "At night mostly."

Kereu shook his head: "It seems to me that you get far too little of it. Or bad quality. I know, I know, you do your best. I can help with the physical components. I don't know the medical terms, but you seem to be a very bad sleeper and I can fix that."

Jaaru nodded and the magic flooded her again. This time, it felt like a warm stream that was washing over her making her feel at ease and happy. It felt like it washed away her frustration, her exhaustion that had been accumulating for years, her pain. She felt energetic and for the first time in what seemed like Forever, like not everything was but a chore. As she opened her eyes again (that she hadn't even realised that she had closed), she saw an exhausted Kereu who said: "I hope this is making you feel better. I got a skill update doing so, so you are the first getting Level 5 Healing."

Jaaru smiled: "It feels amazing! But now we should all get out to the Repository. What happened was a spur of the moment thing, now we need to strategize!"

Kereu shook his head: "We should go to the dungeon. If it can shield the magic of the governor, it can shield our signatures. If you can get us there, that is."

Jaaru's eyes opened in comprehension: "Sure, but, then, everyone who gets my level 3 skill should be able to do so."

Kereu shook his head: "Without having the stats to back it up? I believe it when I see it!"

After that, he was forced to believe it as Jiiti and afterwards Init took them to the dungeon on the contraption. Jaaru only took care of the last group that was Jiiti and Init after both of them were exhausted from flying back and forth.

The group had assembled in the dungeon which Jaaru had cleared as soon as the team arrived there. There, they were talking about the strategy to continue when the clerk, Kaatiiek, spoke up: "There have been really bad things going on here on Windrush and it is high time that they are made public."