“The grass sings, and the trees talk of a time long thought forgotten.
Before a heart stood still and blood was spilled, before the first life was truly lost.
As the ground quaked and the stars started to shake, the first giants awoke.
The castles were aged, and the vines were thick, but the anger couldn't be denied.
The young will die, but the banners will shine as machines of war start to creak.
War is here, and only those who despair know what will truly have been lost.”
-Demise of War, by Allin the Poet
Aster
The first few hours of the dungeon were tense and full of waiting. Everything I knew about a dungeon spoke to puzzles, quests, or attacks. Since the area was open, lacking any riddles or apparent puzzles, and the only quest had been a dungeon-wide one, it seemed likely that there would be monsters to kill. The problem was there were no monsters, no tracks, traces, not one hint. As the orbs in the sky turned lighter and the specs that appeared as stars disappeared, we were forced to relax or drive ourselves crazy.
“I almost hoped the light would reveal something, but it seems empty,” I spoke to Umbra, looking over the grass.
“Maybe it will be out of the valley when the monsters appear. You spoke of an entrance to every dungeon. Maybe this is one of those,” Umbra responded, standing up and cracking the ice under her as she stretched her wings slightly unfurling.
Sighing, I tilted my head as I thought, looking at the exit to the valley. The valley sloped upwards and then down, making it impossible to know what it held without getting close. While we could start working on our skills, it would be stupid not to know at least what waited for us outside of the valley. If there was something, it could evenly come inside the valley looking for us.
“We should check at least,” I concluded out loud. “If there is nothing, we can spend some time here, but I would like to know what the dungeon has to throw at us.”
Umbra gave agreement to the suggestions with a nod and bent down, offering an easy way onto her back, which I took and sat down, attaching the leather straps. In a matter of moments, we'd taken off from the small ice hole and risen a hundred feet. As we rose, the sheer cliffs on both sides were left behind, and what awaited was nothing short of breathtaking. An endless mountain range of prominent peaks taller than anything I could believe stretched out. Looking down, I blinked at the valley. At the end, I could see it split into another valley, and then that one split into another. It wasn't hard to make out the rivers and small clusters of trees and the things that moved around them. Creatures in all of the valleys, excluding the first, roamed. Staring at one of the larger creatures with a large rock on its back, I identified it.
[Stone Shell Hermit - Dungeon Monster - Level 110]
As I watched, two long pincers that were previously hidden under its rock or rather shell shot out, grabbing something in the water and pulling it back under in a flash.
I watched with interest, Identifying a few more creatures as we circled around the area above the first valley. It seemed like a normal area that one would find anywhere if the amount and grades of the creatures were discounted.
“At least it doesn't look like meat will be an issue if we can get it. Neither will wood or water.” The only reason my words weren't drowned out by the screech that sounded above us was because they were spoken through the bond.
Umbra and I both looked up at the same time, and I gaped at the giant black blur that barreled down at us, Identifying it out of reflex.
[Harrier Eagle - Dungeon Monster - Level 101]
I was glad Umbra had the sense to react as she rotated her body mid-turn, flipping upside down and parting her jaws. I didn't see what happened next as I found myself holding on to one of the spikes, my head spinning, but the screech and impact were enough to guess. I only caught a glimpse of the falling back bird as Umbra flipped around and flared her wings out, stopping the descent.
The notification of Umbra killing it appeared in my vision as it impacted below, but I dismissed It as another set of screeches sounded out, and two of the birds appeared from around a mountain peak and then were followed by another.
“I think we should head back and down a bit. They wouldn't be a problem to kill, but I think there are swarm hunters, so where there's one, there will be more. It explains the lack of any other flying creatures in the valley.” Umbra spoke as she turned in the air, starting to descend. It was a surprise to me that Umbra was flying away from a fight, but I suppose if she believed only a few weren't a problem, then it wasn't exactly a challenge.
I found a grin spreading along my lips as we landed near the ice hole, and I could feel a bit of excitement from Umbra as well. This was nothing like what we'd thought it'd be. No dark caves, no giant rock creatures, and, best yet, no puzzles. The first part of the dungeon was almost like a set of large rooms, except they were valleys. “This place is perfect. Why did Rennald think this would be a problem?”
Umbra let out a snort. “Don't get too excited. There's probably a catch to all of this. Remember, it was meant for twelve-grade threes, and the dungeon’s not behaving right.”
Grimacing, I nodded, undoing the straps and mentally checking myself. I was a bit too eager. Each of the valleys had to have nearly half a hundred creatures, and even if some were in the first grade, quite a few were in the third grade. “For now, I think we can work on what we came here to do, our skills. If the dungeon really is a set of valleys, then it should get harder after each. If we spend part of each week or day focusing on clearing out a few monsters, then we can make progress and gain a few levels.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“I agree, but we need to set time aside to fight the birds. It'll allow us to work on my flying skills and your riding skills.”
My first idea, after a meal, was to pick a skill and set it to a grindstone, so to speak, until it advanced and evolved into another skill. That idea was scrapped for the day when I was reminded of two things by my bond. First was that I still had skills from my grade advancement that I had no idea what they did, and second, I had skill points that could be spent to probably make leveling my skills easier. So, while Umbra settled down to work on her mediation skills, I opened my status sheet.
[Name: Aster]
[Grade: 2]
[Level: 81]
[Titles: True Daughter of Kulni, Bonded, Progenitor]
[Achievements: Skin to Stone, Early Bird.]
[Mana: 965/965]
[Stamina: 1730/1730]
[Race Class: Progenitor Beast Kin - Level 81]
[Class Skills: Stalker’s Movement, Pack Bond, Pack Formation, Spirit of the Wild Hunt, Frost Control - Rank Five, Progenitor’s System, Alteration’s Legacy, Primal Shift.]
[Second Class: Bonded Ranger - Level 81]
[Class Skills: Bond Speech, Frosted Arrow, Ranger's Aim - Rank Seven, Night Eye - Rank Nine, Advanced Frost Arrow, Lesser Draconic Instinct, Arrow Creation, Lesser Bond Transfer, Frost Shard Imbuement.]
[Passive Class Skills: Stealth - Rank Six, Careful Step - Rank Nine, Advanced Rune Etching - Rank Two, Archery - Rank Nine, Frost Affinity Meditation - Rank Eight, Leatherworking - Rank Three, Forest Stride Basic - Rank One, Tracking Basic - Rank Seven, Skinning - Rank Five, Survival Talent - Rank Six, Hand Combat - Rank Seven, Riding - Rank Seven, Woodworking - Rank Five, Aerial Balance - Rank Three, Arrow Shaping - Rank Three, Cooking - Rank Two, Basic Farming - Rank 1.]
[Available Skill Points: 66]
[Attributes]
[Available Attribute Points - 9]
[Constitution - 222][x1.0]
[Strength - 344][x1.0]
[Endurance - 386][x1.0]
[Dexterity - 650][x1.01]
[Charisma - 278][x.9]
[Intelligence - 219][x1.0]
[Wisdom - 327][x1.0]
At first, I felt a little overwhelmed by all the skills I had. There was a lot I could work on and practice to the point that I had to look away for a moment. Rubbing one of my ears, I looked back at the Primal Shift skill, then to the Progenitor system skill. While seeing what Primal Shift did was tempting, I first wanted to take a proper look at the skills I could buy to aid in skill growth. One thing I'd learned from the others was the way the skill store appeared to everyone could be slightly or drastically different depending on their race and class. I was on the major side of the difference, as it turned out. I didn't have a proper screen to look at, and instead, I relied on asking the Progenitor system to pick the best option. I didn't mind this as much as it felt like others might. The Progenitor system made picking new skills less of a hassle, and so far, it hasn't led me wrong yet.
I thought for a long time about what I wanted; I had limited points for my second grade, and wasting them wouldn't be a good idea. My first idea was to pick up as many skills as possible, but that was almost instantly tossed out as the bad idea it was. As it stood, I had enough random skills, and condensing them into more usable and possibly broad skills like Forest Stride Basic would be better. What I really needed and wanted were two skills. One to clean up and organize my status sheet better and one for leveling my skills up faster. With the vague ideas in my head, I focused on the Progenitor system skill and spoke aloud because, for a reason, I still didn't quite understand the skill didn't work mentally as my status sheet and other skills did.
“I want a skill for organizing my status screen so it isn't as cluttered and is easier to understand.”
As expected, a purple screen appeared, and I read over it.
[Progenitor System Recommendation: Progenitor Status Sheet - 15 SP]
I tilted my head and frowned. The last time a skill was offered regarding a change for my status sheet, it had been cheaper, a lot cheaper, a total cost of three or five points if I remembered right. Grimacing, I wondered how different the skill would be, but there wasn't a way to really know. While I wanted to save as many points as possible, I also knew that the status sheet would be with me for, well, life. Spending more now on a better option meant possibly that I wouldn't have to spend more later. I only hope the sharp increase will be worth it. With a thought, I agreed with the skill option and had a brief confused thought on why, once a screen appeared, I was able to mentally interact with it. After a small moment, another purple screen appeared.
[Progenitor System: Confirm skill choice Progenitor System Sheet for 15 SP.]
[Yes/No]
I confirmed my choice and waited, watching as every window, even my status sheet, closed. This time, I was ready as the burning sensation rippled out from the inner core of my body. The feeling wasn't any easier to deal with; the cool burning mixed with the rough feeling of scraping served to hunch me over, making me groan, and I felt Umbra's attention for a moment, but I waved her off. After a handful of seconds, the feeling disappeared slowly, and I was able to sit up straight. I took a moment to pull some water out and drink it while I explained to Umbra the choice I'd made and what the feeling had been. Once she was settled and after giving me an incredulous look with a ‘We'll talk about this later’ expression, I opened my status sheet.
[Name: Aster]
[Grade: 2]
[Top Level: 81]
[Shown Title: None]
[Available Titles - Expand For List]
[Achievements - Expand For List]
[Status: Healthy]
[Mana: 965/965]
[Stamina: 1730/1730]
[Current Classes]
[Race Class: Progenitor Beast Kin - Level 81]
[Second Class: Bonded Ranger - Level 81]
[Attributes - Expanded]
[Available Attribute Points - 9]
[Constitution - 222][x1.0]
[Strength - 344][x1.0]
[Endurance - 386][x1.0]
[Dexterity - 650][x1.01]
[Charisma - 278][x.9]
[Intelligence - 219][x1.0]
[Wisdom - 327][x1.0]
[Skills - Expanded]
[Available Skill Points: 51]
[Bond Related Skills List: Bond Speech, Lesser Draconic Instinct, Lesser Bond Transfer, Frost Control - Five]
[Active Skills List: Stalker’s Movement, Pack Bond, Pack Formation, Spirit of the Wild Hunt, Progenitor’s System, Alteration’s Legacy, Primal Shift, Frosted Arrow, Advanced Frost Arrow, Frost Shard Imbuement.]
[Passive Skills List: Stealth - Six, Careful Step - Nine, Archery - Nine, Frost Affinity Meditation - Eight, Forest Stride Basic - One, Tracking Basic - Seven, Survival Talent - Six, Hand Combat - Seven, Riding - Seven, Aerial Balance - Three, Night Eye - Nine, Ranger's Aim - Seven.]
[Trade Skills List: Woodworking - Five, Cooking - Two, Basic Farming - One, Arrow Shaping - Three, Skinning - Five, Leatherworking - Three, Advanced Rune Etching - Two]
I didn't know how to feel. There didn't feel like a lot of change, but at the same time, there was. The biggest difference was the screen was purple now instead of blue, a change I didn't mind. The addition of a status and a title slot was interesting, but the best part was the ability to open and close sections of the sheet for ease of use. Having my skills shift around, and two different actions appear was also a touch I found amazing.
The only thing I had a hard time understanding was why the cost was so high, at least in my terms. Fifteen points was quite a few levels worth for cleaning up a status screen, something I felt should have been done already, and while I had over fifty skill points, I still wouldn't be getting an infinite amount.
I messed with my status sheet for a bit, finding out I could reorder skills and rearrange my entire sheet as well, but for now, I kept it as I was happy with the layout. Closing it, I leaned back, resting against the thin sheet of ice. With that done, I still had one skill I wanted to purchase. Watching Umbra meditate, I wondered how I would word my request. What exactly did I want? A faster way to rank my skills up? It seemed unlikely that a skill like that would exist. I sighed, rubbing my face, then tapped the ground as I thought. It was surprisingly difficult to think of what I wanted. The idea of asking for a way to know what my skills would evolve into was good, but when I asked for a skill, no screen appeared.
After seven other attempts of trying to reword what I wanted, I landed on an idea I found interesting, but there was a slight problem.
“Is there a skill for allowing all of my skills to evolve in rank?” The question was more asked out of interest to see if anything would appear. To my surprise, a purple screen lit up my vision.
[Progenitor System Recommendation: All that Grows - One - 100 SP]
[Notice: Skill levels and Class Skills can be lost during a Grade advancement.]
It was a skill that I hoped did what I thought was described in the name. A skill with a rank that would allow all skills to be ranked up. At first look, it seemed a bit of a waste, especially because it was sitting at a mind-blowing cost of a hundred skill points, but when thought on, I realized how invaluable the skill could be.
A skill that allowed me to rank up any skill was ludicrously useful. Any skill I picked up through the bond or by a class I could evolve before my own increase in grade, and that could prove to be useful for better class options. I realized that I almost had to grab the skill. I could only hope it did what I wanted. Doing the math, I sighed. Each of my classes gave two skill points each when they leveled, and seeing as I was sitting at fifty-one I would need another twenty-five levels or roughly thirteen in each class. It would be a long while to get that many levels, but I felt a pull, a want, to grab the skill. Closing the option for the skill, I memorized the name. Another goal for this dungeon had been added.