Chapter 8: Delve
Cal stood at the entrance of the dark tunnel branching off from his starting point. His Essence Sense didn’t reach far enough into the shadows to reveal anything beyond the stone floors and walls. After taking a deep breath, he advanced. The bug's memories had shown him an entire nest of its kind, and he needed to find them—and that pool of pure essence. Cal moved down the tunnel slowly, doing his best to stay as quiet as possible.
Essence Sense made traversing the tunnel incredibly easier than it would have been otherwise; however, it wasn’t the same as sight. As Cal sneaked through the dark, he realized something crucial: everything had essence—the walls, the floor, the air, even the darkness itself. Each had its own unique signature, a faint presence that hinted at life and energy, though it was different from the pure essence he had created when he stripped the bug’s soul and consumed its core.
This essence was subtle, like a lingering flavor, something that teased his senses but remained out of reach. It was all around him, surrounding him, yet it was like grasping at smoke—intangible and elusive. He could feel it, sense it in the air, but there wasn’t enough to consume, not in the way he had with the bug’s core. It was a reminder that essence existed in everything, but it wasn’t always accessible or usable.
The thought both intrigued and frustrated him. He had tasted pure essence, felt its power coursing through him, but here, in the depths of this tunnel, all he could sense were these faint traces, whispers of what could be, but not enough to satisfy his growing hunger for more.
Cal moved forward, each step deliberate, as he kept his Essence Sense attuned to the subtle signatures around him. The tunnel continued to wind and twist, the faint traces of essence guiding him through the dark, but always just out of reach, like a mirage that vanished as soon as he tried to grasp it.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched, that something in the darkness was aware of his presence, but his Essence Sense revealed nothing more than the same faint, smoky essence that clung to everything around him. Whatever it was, it wasn’t close—not yet.
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“No, Fael, we’re not going to buy a slave. What the hell is wrong with you?”
A young man with red hair and a magnificent goatee stood in bright, shining armor, his rapier at his side and hands on his hips. He glared at a small woman with brown curly hair and pointed ears. Her sharp, angular features matched her piercing green eyes. She sighed and adjusted the heavy pack on her back.
“Well, then you’d better carry this next time because it’s heavy as hell.”
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The young man, named Beron, cleared his throat, smiled sheepishly, and shrugged. “Okay, maybe we do get a slave, unless either of you two want to carry our camp stuff.”
Beron turned to look at the other two members of his and Fael’s party. Tain was a short, skinny man with a wiry build, his face marked by a network of fine scars. His dark, unkempt hair and nervous demeanor gave him a perpetually uneasy appearance. Jora, his older sister, was a stark contrast—tall and muscular with a fierce, commanding presence. Her short-cropped hair and intense, steely gaze spoke of countless battles.
Tain, fidgeting with the straps of his own pack, spoke up with a hesitant voice, “I don’t mind carrying a bit more, but if we’re getting a slave, maybe we should at least consider how we’re going to afford it. And, uh, I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea.”
Jora, leaning against a nearby rock with her arms crossed, shot Beron a steely glare. “Don’t joke about it. We’re not buying anyone. If you want to complain about the weight, just say so. But don’t act like we’re going to solve our problems by making someone else do our work.”
Fael, adjusting the heavy pack on her back with a dramatic huff, tossed a snide remark in Jora’s direction. “Oh, come on, Jora. You’re the biggest and you’re still not lifting a finger. You know, it’s funny how you’re always ‘ready for battle’ yet seem to find every excuse not to help.”
Jora straightened, her gaze hardening. “I want to be ready for battle at a moment’s notice. You never know when we’ll need to spring into action.”
The group looked around, taking in their surroundings—a veritable paradise of a waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool, surrounded by lush, peaceful forest. The serene beauty seemed almost at odds with Jora’s grim declaration.
Fael raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, right. Because nothing screams ‘battle readiness’ like a quiet day in paradise.”
“Alright, alright. How about we enjoy this peaceful spot for now and sort out the gear later?” Beron cleared his throat, trying to diffuse the tension.
He pulled out a weathered document from a pouch on his belt, unfurling it with a practiced hand. The parchment was marked with the insignia of the Adventurers League and detailed their current quest. Alongside it, he retrieved a small, curious tool—a brass device with a delicate crystal orb mounted on a swiveling stand. The tool was designed to track strange essence signatures, its surface etched with runes that glowed faintly as it activated.
He cleared his throat, drawing the team’s attention. “Alright, listen up. Here’s what we’re dealing with. We’ve been assigned to investigate a disturbance in the essence of this region. Recently, there was a significant congregation of essence beneath the earth, and then it vanished suddenly—like it was erased by some kind of spell or powerful force.”
Beron held up the document, pointing to a rough map of the area. “Our job is to delve into the caves around here, find out what’s causing this disturbance, and deal with it. It’s most likely a monster or some sort of creature, considering the nature of the essence shift. The disappearance and convergence of essence is characteristic of a monster summoning or manifestation.”
He glanced around at the team, his expression reassuring. “But don’t get too worked up. This isn’t some high-risk mission. From what we know, it’s likely a minor manifestation—nothing too serious. That’s why a lower-ranked team like ours is being sent in. It should be manageable, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Fael, still adjusting her pack, raised an eyebrow. “And you’re sure it’s not something more dangerous? I’d hate to get caught in a mess we’re not prepared for.”
Beron waved a hand dismissively, a confident grin on his face. “We’re more than capable of handling a minor disturbance. Besides, we’ve got this,” he said, holding up the essence tracker. “This will help us locate it. Now, let’s get moving and sort this out.”
Jora, who had been listening quietly, gave a curt nod. “Alright, let’s go then. But I’m keeping my sword ready. I’d rather be over-prepared than caught off guard.”
Tain adjusted his pack, looking a bit more determined. “Let’s hope it’s as minor as Beron says. I’d rather not deal with anything too dangerous right now.”
With that, the team set off towards the cave entrance, the essence tracker casting a faint glow as it began its search locking onto something far beneath their feet, an essence anomaly. The peaceful surroundings of the forest and waterfall faded behind them as they ventured into the unknown depths of the cave system.