Chapter 9: Doubt in the camp

As the party hiked down from the hill they had climbed, looking for a place to make camp, Jones couldn't help but chastise himself once more. The mood was a lot brighter than before they left the dungeon, as the notification they had upon exiting visibly lifted their spirits.

[Ding! Dungeon exited! 33 XP earned!]

[33 (100%) Bonus XP assigned!]

[Accept? Yes/No]

They had all received the same notification and after they finished reading it, a few more details of dungeon delving were revealed to the group. As they had just learned, dungeon XP is apparently "delayed" until they actually leave the dungeon and any bonuses they would receive would be calculated afterwards. This meant that the everyone in the group had received 66 XP in total, which was more than 1/3rd of what they needed to advance to Level 6.

Jones himself, inspecting his own [Status] screen, already had 72 XP out of the 153 they would require for their advancement. Since acquiring their new classes and being introduced to the system of advancement used by the Adventurer's League, the group had already been made aware of the requirements for advancing to rank 2. They weren't informed of how to advance to rank 3 yet, but Jones assumed that they would be made aware of the requirements once they had gained the rank. Furthermore, as they all had [Adventurer] type classes, which was essentially a step above the [Common] classes most people receive from living day to day, and below the [Noble] classes of people more well-born, their requirements for advancement were also harsher.

For one, most [Common] classes did not have so many levels or ranks. People with [Common] classes would be able to increase to rank 2 by level 3, which would only require earning 95 XP in total, or 45 XP for level 3. On the otherhand, [Adventurer] type classes required them to increase to level 10 first, the final level requiring 777 XP. To reach rank 2, they would need a total of 2288 XP. Being Level 5 himself, Jones had so far earned 337 XP in total, a far cry from what they would require to rank up.

At first, he would wonder how other parties increased their rank to 2 so fast, seeing the staggeringly high XP costs. After investigating further though, he learned that most of the XP these parties received were for finishing the contracts and rarely from slaying beasts. However, [Jones and Folks] had unable to receive any contracts at all and had gained all of their 337 XP from combat.

Reviewing their abilities and situation further, Jones realized on hindsight that perhaps this was better for them. He doubted that his party would be able to take on a level 8 or 9 party; however, he believed they were strong enough to defeat most level 6 or 7 parties, being a level 5 party themselves. Granted, the group were more skilled in facing beasts rather than people.

As the rest of the party made camp at the base of the hill, Jones busied himself with scavenging herbs around the area. He had used a few during the fight today for casting [Mend] but he had an ample supply from their frequent jaunts in the forest and the recent trek to the dungeon itself. He also looked for some edible mushrooms, finding a few button and cremini shrooms hugging the trunks of the overgrown flora.

Soon enough, the smouldering wood and tinder at the center of the camp gave way to a slowly shifting fire as the skies darkened and the visage of the Maiden shone silver on the lands. The cold months of King Winter had recently passed and they would soon welcome the fair weather of Lady Spring. Yet, the nights continued to be chilly.

The group sat around the fire, Harry slowly boiling the mushrooms, some roots he had found, and week-old jerky into a stew.

"Y'all assigned your XP, yeah?" Jones asked. John, who was seating the closest to him, nodded his head.

"Sure did Jones. Got 80 XP in the bank. Still hard ta believe I'm almost halfway to the next level already, without even completing that dungeon." He remarked, although the sensation was shared amongst the rest of his brothers.

Pausing for a few seconds while focusing his thoughts together, Jones continued. "I know what y'all thinking. We did good today but we ran away when we saw that rank 3." He stated hanging his head lower but continuing to stare at the flames. The splintering echo of the wood amid the dancing flames transfixed his mind for a moment, and as if empowering by the fire his own words, he continued.

"But that wasn't a challenge for us. That rank 3 [Stone Slime] would've been our end. Y'all have heard of the stories. Those folks that think themselves more than they are, running into danger out of a need to challenge the impossible. And dying. So many of them dying, with a few ever making it to the higher ranks and only a handful able to live old enough to have a family." Jones said, his voice hinting at a sorrow he shouldn't have. He looked up from the fire, seeing the rest of his party listening to his, their gazes filled with a sorrow most shouldn't have at their age.

"I don't want ta be that adventurer. I want to grow strong but more than anything I want to live. And I promised y'all that if you follow me, one day we'll all be powerful enough to find them. I still keep that promise to you. But we'll do it slow. Slower than the rest. We'll take twice, thrice, the time needed to rank up if required but we'll live." he finished lapsing into silence once more.

Harry, the former [Cook] and now [Trapper], spoke up while he kept stirring his stew. "We know Jones. You don't gotta tell us. We know. Its just difficult is all." he stated.

"We got no contract for 16 bloody freaking days and now we finally do something ya know. I...I thought so many times that 'twas a mistake. That we weren't good enough for this life. We weren't ready, like all the elders had told us." George added in, grabbing a few bowls and placing them on the pile of rocks to surround the campfire. "And then we got this quest. Ta delve a dungeon. Like one of them stories ya hear the [Bard]s sing in the taverns." he added, his accent growing thicker and the somber atmosphere lifting for a moment before descending once more.

"We go in, yeah. An' as we finish each of them mobs, I felt so strong. The time I threw my shield and was able ta hit that stone bugger rolling towards y'all filled me with a thrill. But when them slimes ran away an' joined, when it kept on tackling into me, I felt my blood boil Jones. Being able to protect y'all and taking it on, I felt alive. Defeating it, it felt good Jones. It felt good." the [Shieldbearer] added, sitting back down on the detritus of leaves and twigs they had used to cushion their small clearing. "But then. When I saw that...'monster' in the tunnel, I was scared. I ain't afraid ta admit it, I wanted ta run away. And we did. We ran away!" The burly man yelled out. His words attacking the hearts of his brothers.

Realizing he might have undone everything Jones had managed to fix with his speech, George quickly continued, "I mean, we couldn't ha-"

"It's okay George. We know. We all ran away like old man Jerry from Ms. Karb." John, the [Hedge Mage] replied chuckling. His levity seemed odd but it had achieved it's effect. The reminder of their shared history and the joke that only they would understood reminding them why they ran away.

"That's right." Jones replied, bringing back the topic but keeping his tone of voice lighter. "We all ran away but we're going back. Y'all going back with me tomorrow or am I gonna have to carry you sack of shites like the drops from ol' Martha?" his gag eliciting groans from the rest of his brothers.

"Yeah yeah, we'll go, we'll go if ya stop with ya'r jokes. Leave 'em to John please." Harry quipped. "Stew is ready though so let's all eat." He stated, ladling the hot broth into the bowls that were set aside. As the brother's got up and retrieved their meals, they couldn't help but recall the final notice they had all received after acquiring their XP. Bringing up the new quest, Jones felt a burning quiver in his gut. It could've been the stew as well.

[Quest Received!]

[Conquer the dungeon and forge a connection with the core!]

[Note: This is a System-issued quest. Possible rewards include but are not limited to XP, [Skill]s, [Armament]s, or [Boons].]

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