Octavius checked the runes covering the stone blocks a third time. He didn’t want to make the same mistake as yesterday, accidentally choosing the wrong formation and being scolded for his carelessness. Landon was fierce in all aspects of the word. Octavius preferred to be behind him rather than facing him, but unfortunately the latter was happening more often.
The runes lit up bright before completely diminishing. The group waited for a response from the tower. Not a single noise could be heard.
Octavius’s staff felt heavy in his hand. He felt a bead of sweat fall down his cheek. His initial response was to wipe it away, but he was frozen. Panic began to set in. It was one thing to be right and the boss to show, but it was another matter entirely for Landon to lose his composure if the secret room didn’t appear instead of the giant skeletal boss.
Jane jerked her head to the side. Octavius was always impressed at her awareness, even eclipsing Landon’s impressive reflexes at times. She choked out a laugh and slapped her brother on the back beside her.
The sound of stone grinding against stone was music to the group’s ears. Octavius audibly laughed, and Corbyn stretched his arms in preparation. That unfamiliar sound was beautiful. A change in the floor, different from the normal climb.
Exactly what they were looking for.
“It’s here!” Octavius yelled. “Gods, I can’t believe it!”
“About time,” Landon said, drawing his swords. “Took damn long enough.”
“You know what they say,” Jane said. “Alistair makes its own path and can’t be predicted.”
“But it can be overcome. Ready yourselves. This is no skeleton pushover.”
Corbyn took the shield off his back and raised his war hammer. Jane twirled her rod and pointed an open palm towards the ceiling. A small runic circle appeared in the air above her hand, glowing faintly white. An orb the size of a large bowl appeared above her, shedding bright light in a wide berth around them. It hovered above her as she moved closer into position.
Octavius clutched his staff close to his body. The challenge wouldn’t be impossible, but was definitely on the difficulty level of the second tier, somewhere around the seventh or eighth floor. Not the third floor they were currently finishing. He needed to focus and stay vigilant.
A strange tug from his pack diverted his attention. His heart raced from the sensation. It called to him, he could feel it. The pull of desire, greed, and power. It was loud in his mind, a force greater than Landon, more enticing and convincing. A magic artifact that hummed with near sentience, reaching for a host.
The other beast mask that resided in his pack seemed to long to be reunited with its brethren. Octavius felt a chill run down his spine at the thought. Just how powerful were these masks? Were they something that would make them or break them?
“Vi,” Jane said, shaking the Cleric.
Octavius shook his head. “Hmm?”
“Focus. We’re about to enter.”
Octavius nodded, doing his best to ignore the yearning call coming from his leather pack. “Got it.”
Beside the familiar throne and red portal was a new pathway, an opening in the wall that looked purposefully out of place. The skeleton giant didn’t appear but that was normal when the secret room was opened. Their final challenge in the floor changed, a challenge worthy of its prize.
Landon led the group while Corbyn protected their rear, keeping the two less combat focused Climbers in the middle. Jane’s magical light was bright and lit up the space well, showing the new room for them to quickly analyze.
The space was familiar but not exactly the same as before, like each new day inside the tower Alistair. The layout would be consistent only until midnight, at which point a new path was formed for Climbers to follow. But it always felt eerily similar, like a foggy memory of a place once visited though the details weren’t right.
Three flames lit up in braziers on the far wall in the wide room, each one large enough to resemble bonfires. One was colored red, another blue, and the third green. Jane cancelled her floating orb of light to be able to concentrate on other spells.
“That’s new,” Jane said.
“Is it because another mask is waiting for us?” Corbyn asked.
“Who cares,” Landon said. “We’ll do whatever it takes to get it.”
Corbyn scoffed while his knuckles went white gripping his warhammer. Landon was an asshole, but he wasn’t necessarily wrong. They needed to defeat whatever was in their way. Whatever waited for them was going to be strong, especially if it was another masked monster.
Which it was likely was. Secret rooms didn’t tend to create simple challenges to overcome like regular floors. That was fine with Corbyn, though. He was in the mood to smash something durable since Landon’s head wasn’t an option.
The red flames flickered and sparked as embers fell around the brazier. The fire grew from a small flame to a large one, then expanded to be larger than a person. It flashed, causing all of the Climbers to shield their eyes. As they blinked back the bright light, a figure stood just in front of the now-empty brazier. It was humanoid but also dog-like, like a wolf man hybrid. Dense grey fur covered its body like armor, while actual, intricate metal armor adorned its torso and thighs. It was easily over seven feet tall, and its legs were wrong with its knees bent backwards. Large feet were exposed with claws that appeared razor sharp.
On its face was a simple, dark wooden mask that covered the top half of its face and had a long snout like a wolf. Two pointed ears came up from the sides. It was similar to the other beast masks though covered the monster’s face less. While the others looked like jester masks, this one resembled a masquerade mask fit for a noble’s ball. Underneath the mask were piercing yellow eyes that gave away its intelligence.
What made Octavius back away, though, was the weapons it held. A large sickle was in each of its hands, the blades black as night. He knew just how deadly those weapons would be in a monster of this caliber. The other two bosses they killed to obtain the masks were equally terrifying, both representing their respective mask. This one would likely drop a dog or wolf mask.
Landon took a step forward, slowly twirling his swords beside him. A faint green aura appeared around him, his Mobility skill that improved his dexterity and reflexes. Corbyn stepped beside him and activated his own skills, Focus and Strength Up. Both layers of aura surrounded him, and he looked demonic with the red and grey auras.
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The monster stepped forward and held the sickles to its side. Then it looked up to the ceiling and howled.
Bright blue flames bellowed from the brazier beside it, creating two monsters. The brazier darkened as wolves as big as cattle appeared next to the boss monster, snarling and growling.
The masked monster raised a sickle to the climbing group and the two monsters pounced from the order.
The Climbers didn’t hesitate. Jane immediately pointed her rod at the two wolves and fired an Arcane Blast, sending a wave of pure magical energy at the pair. The translucent spell washed over the monsters like a pounding wave, hitting both of them and stopping their advance. They briefly whined from the hit, stunned.
Landon and Corbyn took the opportunity and rushed them. Landon, with his advanced speed, reached them first, instantly carving one of the wolves with large gashes from his curves swords. He moved like the rushing wind, fluid and quick, dancing more than fighting. The wolf he damaged tried to retaliate with a claw swipe but Landon skillfully ducked under it, rolling to the side while slashing and landing another hit.
Corbyn, meanwhile, reached the second wolf just moments after. Landon might have been faster, but Corbyn was stronger, and his long, powerful strides easily carried him forward with a similarly enhanced speed. He used his shield to bash the other wolf, catching it further off guard while it yelped in a pained surprise. He then brought down his war hammer and smashed the front leg of the monster, completely shattering the limb as bones broke under the weapon.
Jane carefully watched the boss monster, waiting for an opportunity to attack. But the monster stood still as though it expected the wolves to easily handle the Climbers.
Or, rather, as it patiently waited its turn.
She didn’t bother attacking the boss but instead bided her time. She learned her lesson from the last boss fight. When she attacked the bull boss, a barrier formed around it completely rendering her spells ineffective. She wasted too much mana trying to harm it while the others dealt with the minions and the fight became far more difficult from her impatience.
She wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Instead, she decided to boost herself to make the most of the opportunity when it would arise while keeping a close eye on the wolf boss. It looked like it might follow the similar pattern from the first two but expectations killed Climbers. Weaving her hands and fingers in an intricate pattern while holding a green rarity monster claw in her free hand, she cast Witch’s Boon to improve her magical abilities. A wavy blue aura settled around her as the spell began to form and the claw dissipated. The rod in her right hand glowed brightly with a magical, purple light.
Her Witch class was the best advancement from the Sorcerer base class most people dismissed. She never understood why, though. The elemental Magicians were strong, but they were locked into a single element. Finding a monster that resisted it meant they were nearly useless. For her, all of her spells were neutral, being pure magic. She didn’t have the same straightforward support skills, either, as hers often required components like monster drops or potions to use. Even some of her stronger spells required some form of item sacrifice in order to be cast. She didn’t care about that, though. Spell for spell, she was far deadlier than upgraded Magicians.
Octavius lifted his staff and began chanting his own support spell. Landon and Corbyn would be able to hold their own, and it looked like they would overcome the two wolves they faced. But that didn’t mean it would be smooth. Hopefully he could help guide them to victory. His Cleric’s ability to spread spells throughout the entire party was strong, even if it took more mana than normal. That didn’t bother him too much. Potions helped ease that negative.
In moments his spell took hold, settling in another layer of magical aura around each of the team members. A golden light covered all of them, protecting them from negative effects and harm until it expired in five minutes or was used. It was one of his strongest support spells, called Protector’s Law, formed from his Protector’s Domain. Being a Cleric was more involved and complicated than Divine Wizards, but the benefits they offered were more powerful. He found other Climbers never bothered to even consider it.
The wolf Corbyn was facing went silent as he brained it for the third time, his war hammer finally hurting it enough to kill it. It was a strong enemy but he was stronger. In a one on one match up, he could handle nearly any non-magical enemy in the first and lower second tier, bosses included. He looked over to see Landon’s wolf shredded from his twin swords, and knew they would be victorious soon.
He moved to the wolf boss standing still twenty feet away. The monster raised a sickle and pointed it at the final brazier, causing the green flames to erupt. Two more monsters emerged, but instead of wolves they looked like decrepit humans. They both wore tattered robes that looked old and shredded, with bodies more skeletal than fleshy. Their eyes shown with a bright green light while they held weapons with shields. One carried a mace and the other a sword. They wore similar masks to the boss but theirs were less intricate, covering their entire faces while having shorter dog ears and snout.
Corbyn immediately moved to attack them but stopped when the wolf boss howled once more. It raised its sickles in a cross above its head and began moving towards him.
“Shit,” Corbyn said, changing course to fight the boss. Landon would have to deal with the others.
Landon’s wolf was nearly dead but frustratingly was more resistant to his swords than he assumed. Its fur was dense, and glancing strikes only left minor wounds that didn’t seem to effect it at all. They were better match ups for Corbyn, but that didn’t deter him. Looking over to see the new enemies appear, he cursed and decided to be a bit more reckless. Vi could always heal him, and he didn’t care about a few minor injuries.
He shifted from a slash to a heavy stab, burying his sword into the side of the wolf before it could swipe at him. The monster went limp while still impaled and immediately started to disappear back to the tower. The two new monsters began to walk to him, and he met them with earnest.
The first monster blocked Landon’s sword with its shield and the monster held firm. Landon hoped the hit would have knocked it back, but it appeared to be strong. He swiped at its leg but his sword only grazed it. The monster dropped its sword quickly in an overhead slash, faster than expected. It connected with his side but the golden aura around him absorbed the hit and dissipated.
Saying a silent thanks to Vi, he continued his assault with more dizzying attacks to try and overwhelm the monster. The second monster closed in on him but a blast of blue and grey magic in the size of a large ball hit it and knocked it back several steps, completely disintegrating the rest of its torn robes.
Jane stepped forward and cast another spell at the monster, launching a straight line of pure energy. The monster raised its shield, causing the spell to flow around it in an ethereal wave.
These monsters were definitely tier two strength. But that didn’t mean it was impossible to defeat them. Together, Landon and Jane pressed against the minions, wearing them down with speed and brute magical force respectively.
Across the room, Corbyn yelled in pain. His golden aura was already gone, and cuts appeared all across his body. Another one opened up from his shoulder to his hip, and the pain nearly brought him to his knees. But Octavius was there, chanting spell after spell to both heal and guard for Corbyn when able.
The wolf boss wasn’t as strong as the Barbarian but he was faster, had more of a reach, and had weapons that were deadlier. Each hit seemed to be just too fast, even when Corbyn could have sworn he was positioned to block it or moved enough to avoid a hit. As he took damage, though, his own strength increased, and the auras around him expanded as he continued to bleed.
Landon screamed from a hit causing Octavius to turn his attention away from Corbyn and the boss. Landon’s opponent was on the ground unmoving, but his left arm was hanging limply at his side. Octavius quickly chanted Cure and pointed his staff at the Duelist. As he recovered, he activated one of his staff’s effects and caused a magical bubble to appear around their leader. It would block several strong hits, enough for him to overcome the monster.
But that was also the last charge that he hoped to save for Corbyn.
Jane realized Vi’s move and left the minion to join her brother. She immediately began launching one spell after another, peppering the boss with smaller but effective hits given enough time.
Corbyn took another slice across his stomach but he traded a blow with his war hammer, opting to take the damage in exchange for a solid hit. He connected with the boss’s head, causing a loud crack to form as the tall monster was knocked to the side. It staggered before struggling to right itself.
Jane pushed her hand forward, casting her Witch Whip. A line of magic formed in front of her and she grabbed it, then whipped it at the boss. It cracked with a resounding boom, hitting the boss with a magical force that knocked it back further. A white light enveloped Corbyn and his wound partially healed, enough to stop the blood flow but not enough to close the wound. Octavius pulled out a mana potion and popped the cork, ready to drink it.
Enraged, Corbyn leapt forward and began attacking the boss while Jane continued to beat it with her magical whip. The monster recovered and began fighting back, though Octavius was quick with his short-chant protective barriers.
Landon dashed across the room and joined Corbyn, and they all knew it was only a matter of time as they all focused on the boss. As it succumbed to sword slashes, hammer blows, and magical hits, it slowed and showed signs of defeat.
Soon Landon roared in victory as the boss fell. Octavius dropped to his knees, fatigued both in body and mind after the ordeal. Corbyn had a few close calls, but thankfully they all pulled through.
Landon walked over and picked up a wooden mask that resembled the minion’s mask more so than the boss. But, there was no doubt about its authenticity. It looked similar to the two in their possession, too, except for one important difference.
The Duelist turned and held out the mask for the others to see. They ignored the other piles of treasure to look at their main prize closer.
It glowed with an obvious purple aura.
“How is that possible?” Corbyn asked. “Maybe this isn’t part of the set?”
“No,” Jane said. “It’s in the exact same beast style as the others.”
“But they’re blue rarity. Why is this one purple?”
Jane just shook her head.
Octavius ignored them as he felt a familiar tug from the pack on his back. Unlike before, though, this pull was stronger. And he didn’t just feel it in his body. He felt it in his mind. As though it was trying to connect with him somehow.
As though it was trying to speak to him.
Octavius dropped his leather pack and reached inside for his mask. His heart thumped in his chest harder than when they faced the monsters as he saw it and held it in his hands. Pulling out the lion mask, he slowly showed the others.
Jane gasped. Corbyn took a step back.
“What in all the hells is going on?” Octavius asked, holding the lion mask out for the others.
The wooden lion mask shone with a similar purple aura where it previously held a blue aura.
Everyone stared in fascination and horror at the masks, unsure at their power. Everyone except Landon. His eyes glittered with possibilities.