They dispatched the skeletal mage with relative ease. Unlike its brethren, the mage lacked vitality and endurance, allowing them to quickly finish it with a combined assault. Talax provided cover fire with a barrage of arrows, while Qalo and Franny closed in for the attack. Qalo's strength and Franny's precision were a formidable combination, leaving the mage in a pile of bones without putting up much resistance.
It seemed the mage had depleted its mana with the previous spells, resorting to weak attacks from its staff that barely troubled the fearsome orc. A few of these feeble dark balls managed to hit Qalo, but they posed no serious threat.
Without its melee puppets, the mage became helpless, crumbling under the furious assault of the trio.
Talax experienced a moment of pure bliss when he felt his level up.
He had finally reached level 10!
A milestone he had eagerly anticipated. Unlocking the next gate, he felt an explosion of mana surging though his body, revitalizing his pathways with newfound vigor and power. The sensation of power coursing through him was more pronounced than ever, as if every part of his being had finally aligned into a stronger, more powerful whole. It felt like every part of his body was connected, like cogs of a machine that had finally come together to create something better.
It was intoxicating. The feeling of power made him crave greater strength and deeper control of the arcane arts. With each surge of mana coursing through his veins, his ambition grew, fueled by the addictive sensation of empowerment. The possibilities seemed boundless, and he yearned to explore them all.
He was ready to enter the second tunnel filled with skeletons and earn as much experience as possible when he remembered their purpose, the reason they had entered this tunnel. The key that would help them unlock the door to the next chamber.
Talax stepped toward the pedestal that loomed at the center of the platform. There, the once-imposing sarcophagus had been reduced to tiny fragments during the mage's awakening. His gaze swept over the scattered remains, searching diligently for any sign of a key that could unlock the central door. As his fingers traced the debris with utmost care, his hand froze.
A memory floated in the back of his mind, tantalizingly close yet just beyond his grasp. It felt like an action he had performed a million times before, as familiar as breathing. He furrowed his brows in concentration, trying to coax the memory into full clarity, so close he could almost taste it.
"What's wrong with you?" Qalo's shout made Talax jump, and the memory dissipated like a wisp of smoke. He glared at Qalo, his eyes burning with frustration and anger.
"What?" Qalo asked, oblivious to the turmoil he had caused, unknowingly shattering Talax's chance of unlocking something from his forgotten past.
"Damn it," Talax whispered through gritted teeth, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He had been on the verge of a breakthrough, an opportunity to uncover answers about his enigmatic past. Now, all he had were fragments, slipping away like sand through his fingers, thanks to Qalo's interruption.
Pushing down his frustration, Talax refocused on the pedestal, determined to accomplice his goal. He meticulously examined every surface, hoping to discover something that could unlock the central door. Minutes passed as he methodically searched, until finally, his keen eyes caught a faint glimmer. A plaque bearing the same symbol they had found at the tunnel entrance.
His heart quickened with anticipation as he gently traced the engraved lines, hoping for a reaction that would open the door. Yet, disappointingly, nothing changed. The metal plaque remained inert, refusing to yield any hidden mechanism.
Talax recalled a previous encounter with a magical symbol, where a simple touch had triggered a mystical vortex and revealed a keyhole. But this time, the symbol remained stubbornly unchanged, its flowing lines and intricate symbols remaining dormant.
Frustrated, he let out a sigh of exasperation. Determined not to give up, he started over, scouring every available surface of the sarcophagus. With his companions taking a well-deserved break, Talax remained focused, hoping that somewhere in this chamber lay the key.
Talax's fingers danced over the plaque, seeking the hidden lock he was certain was there. Then, an intriguing thought crossed his mind, what if the plaque itself was the key? The notion sparked excitement within him as he carefully probed around its edges. However, the plaque seemed expertly embedded into the pedestal, defying any attempts to lift or manipulate it.
The idea of destroying the pedestal briefly flitted through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Even Qalo's immense strength would barely leave a scratch on the sturdy construct.
Returning his focus to the metal plaque, Talax continued to explore every angle, trying various touches and motions to unlock its secrets. As minutes ticked by with no breakthrough, his mind drifted back to the elusive memory, searching for a connection that could trigger its return. Then, in a moment of blank concentration, a peculiar sensation surged through him, vaguely familiar, akin to the connection he shared with his bow.
Eyes wide with anticipation, Talax had an epiphany. He knew what he had to do, he had to infuse the plaque with mana, just like he did with his bow to activate its abilities. It was something so simple that he berated himself for not having thought of it before. Glancing at his core, he saw that about 30% of his mana had already been restored. Hoping it would be enough, he willed the mana to flow into the plaque.
The process was slow, but as the mana entered the artifact, signs of life emerged from the metalic symbol. The lines began to vibrate with magic, gradually awakening like a glass filling with water from the bottom up. However, Talax was puzzled when he noticed the color changing. Instead of the expected blue hue of mana, the symbol transformed into an unsettling black.
Uncertainty crept in, and he considered withdrawing his hand, but then the symbol pulsed with an otherworldly black glow before suddenly shining with an intense brilliance, bathing the tunnel in oppressive darkness.
"What have you done now?!" Franny demanded, edging closer to the pedestal with reluctant steps, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
Ignoring Franny's protests, Talax remained fixated on the symbol which was casting its disorienting black light. Despite the darkness, the symbol illuminated the tunnel like the noonday sun, creating long, eerie shadows that flickered on the walls. Franny's conjured light and Qalo's orb, usually reliable sources of illumination, seemed to shrink under the oppressive influence of the dark light, barely illuminating a few centimeters ahead.
"That was the key," Talax said, his own voice sounding distorted and hollow, as if echoing through an infinite void.
With a sense of urgency, he urged Franny and Qalo to move on, eager to leave the foreboding tunnel behind.
Qalo quickly collected the small mountain of copper coins, figurines and an assortment of battered armor and cradling them in his arms, like a doting father, started rushing towards the exit.
Talax looked at the half orc confused, seeing the meager loot, and stopped. After having cleared the first tunnel, they should have been rewarded with loot according to the difficulty they had faced. He looked around the empty tunnel, trying to find some piece of treasure that they had overlooked.
"Let's go!" Franny called out, but Talax remained still. He was convinced that there must be more to find. He instructed them to continue ahead while he stayed behind to thoroughly search for hidden treasures.
Alone in the barren tunnel, Talax combed through every shelf of stone, meticulously examining each riddled sarcophagus and inspecting every crevice in the walls. Determination fueled him; he refused to be discouraged, firmly believing that his efforts would eventually lead to the discovery of hidden treasure. Besides, the arduous process of unlocking the key to the door had already taken him nearly an hour, a task that would have been a breeze for a seasoned adventurer.
As the hours wore on, his persistence paid off. His sharp eyes caught a faint distortion on the wall opposite the pedestal. Intrigued, he observed how his shadow was bisected by some invisible barrier, and as he drew closer, the shadow stretched, revealing a subtle depression running down the wall. His heart quickened with excitement as he tentatively inserted his finger into the narrow gap, barely wide enough for his pinky, and began dragging it downward.
At thigh level, Talax's finger encountered a small bump on the wall. Applying pressure, he felt it give way with a satisfying click. A surge of mana washed over him, and he was about to inspect his core when a sudden groan echoed through the tunnel. Dirt rained down on him as rocks grinded, and a piece of the wall started to roll down.
In triumphant excitement, he exclaimed, "Yeah baby!" as a small hidden room was unveiled. Dust settled, and the wall completely submerged into the floor, revealing the secret chamber. Talax eagerly entered the room, his heart racing in anticipation. Amidst the barren surroundings, he spotted a small wooden chest that made his pulse quicken.
His hands trembled with excitement as he knelt down and gently caressed the wooden chest, hardly able to believe his luck. Unable to restrain himself he opened the lid. His smile froze when he saw the meager contents inside. "What the actual crap!?" he muttered in disbelief.
Within the chest lay a somewhat well-preserved pair of black boots, a small vial containing a dark liquid, and a minuscule gem that he could barely see. Talax rifled through the contents, hoping there was more to discover. After a thorough check, it was evident that these were all the loot he would get after hours of meticulous searching.
"Ugh! This is not fair!" he grumbled, feeling robbed of the grand treasure he had envisioned. He had hoped for an enchanted scepter or a jewel-encrusted crown, but instead, he got old boots and a tiny, almost invisible gem.
Though despondent, he couldn't ignore the emanating mana from the boots. Curiosity piqued, he carefully examined the well-cured leather, which appeared well-worn and comfortable. Despite their unassuming appearance, the boots exuded a powerful aura, unlike anything he had worn before.
Talax decided to try them on, swapping out his current boots with a small grimace. As he stood up and took a few steps, he didn't feel any immediate change, but they certainly looked cool. He pocketed the small gem and the unidentified potion, deciding to examine them later. With one last careful glance around the room, in case there were any more hidden treasures, he exited the tunnel.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
His two companions were engrossed in their lunch, completely oblivious to Talax's approach. Despite taking a few more steps, they remained fixated on their food. Puzzled, he checked his stealth skill to see if it was accidentally activated, but it wasn't in effect. A satisfied smile crept across his face as he looked at his new boots and took another step, realizing that his feet made barely any noise. He moved as silently as a ghost, his footsteps a mere whisper on the dusty floor.
Coughing to get his friends' attention, they both jumped in surprise, their glares directed at him. Qalo even gestured with his finger, a habit he had developed, using it as frequently as a child learning a new swear word.
Talax laughed in delight, settling down and grabbing a piece of pie. Qalo asked, "Did you find anything?" while munching on his food. Talax grinned and pointed at his new boots.
"Oh! Cool!" Qalo murmured.
Franny moved closer to inspect the boots, nodding and whistling softly. "They are enchanted," he informed them. Talax's excitement grew, and he asked if Franny knew the specific enchantment, but Franny shook his head.
"How can I see enchantments and information about loot?" Talax vented his frustration, not being able to identify items was vexing. He wanted to know if he carried valuable treasures or worthless trinkets.
Franny offered some insight, "There are skills that have identifying abilities, like blacksmithing or crafting. Also, some spirit guides can identify items associated with their nature." Franny shrugged as if he didn’t find the matter troubling.
“There are people you can hire to do that job for you.” Talax sighed and muttered. “Not in here.”
As they sat around, Talax couldn't resist showing off his newly acquired boots to Qalo. With a sly smile, he stood up and announced, "Hey, watch this!"
He took a few exaggerated steps, trying to be stealthy and silent like a shadow, but instead, he tripped over his own feet and stumbled forward. His attempt at a dramatic demonstration turned into a clumsy display, much to the amusement of Franny and Qalo.
Qalo burst into laughter, holding his belly as he guffawed at Talax's failed showcase. "Nice one, Talax! You might need some more practice in your walking skill!" he teased between fits of laughter.
Talax blushed, trying to regain his composure. "Well, these boots are still pretty amazing. They make me walk silently, just like a real shadow!" He defended himself with a sheepish grin.
Franny joined in the laughter, unable to contain his amusement seeing Talax stumble like a drunk.
Undeterred, Talax straightened up and tried to walk quietly again, this time with a bit more finesse. His efforts earned him a round of applause from his companions, accompanied by mock cheers and laughter.
“Did you find anything else?” Qalo asked with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"Yeah, I found this potion and a small gem," Talax revealed his loot, and Qalo tried to grab the tiny jewel.
"Nope, that's mine. Besides, where's my share of the loot?" Talax demanded, and half-heartedly, Qalo handed him a small number of coins. Talax narrowed his eyes, since he was sure that the orc had kept three times more than him but ultimately, he decided to take the high road and let it go.
"I need to take a nap," Talax announced, getting comfortable and using his small backpack as a pillow.
Before drifting off to sleep, he decided to unlock a new ability with the two tokens he received from his level up. Scanning through the options, he sought a powerful attack. Since his skills were still relatively low level, he needed an attack that could inflict significant damage. To stand a chance against powerful opponents in the dungeon, he would have to rely on special abilities that utilized mana as fuel.
After considering all his options he landed on two potential abilities. The first one was from the swordsmanship skill.
Surgical strike: you wield your sword with surgical precision, landing a single critical hit.
Active, Duration: single hit, Cooldown: 2 minutes
He already had two abilities unlocked on that skill tree, but he still felt too weak when he was facing an opponent in melee. Maybe with this ability he would be much more efficient, besides it would be an invaluable ability against armored skeletons.
The next ability was from his archery skill.
piercing shot: your arrow ignores any armor landing a critical hit.
Active, Duration: single hit, Cooldown 10 seconds
He already had a powerful ability in his archery skill, explosive arrow, able to do a massive amount of damage to his opponents, but the short cooldown time made the new ability very appealing. In the end he decided to unlock the surgical strike ability, since he was still lacking in close quarters combat.
With an expression of his will the accumulated mana flew into his core and activated the withered branch of what was his new ability, surgical strike. The branch came to life and shone with brilliant life. He now had unlocked all three available abilities on his swordsmanship skill, he was about to ask Franny how he could get more abilities when he spotted a new skill tree, a small sprout with two delicate leaves.
Mystic insight, level 1
1% to detection of hidden paths, 1% perception of mystical constructs
Gazing at his newest skill tree for a couple of seconds, Talax realized that he had unlocked it as a reward for discovering the hidden room. This new skill promised to make searching for treasure much easier in the future.
With thoughts of hidden treasures and powerful artifacts swirling in his mind, he surrendered to sleep.
A few hours later, he woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the next tunnel. The trio lingered for a while in the dark tunnel, with the pulsing orb providing their only source of light, as they prepared to face their next obstacle.
They decided to start by checking the massive door, and upon arrival, they noticed one of the symbols shining brightly with an otherworldly light. The other three symbols looked normal, with intricately etched swirls in the metal lining of the door but no trace of mana within them.
It took them two days to clear all three tunnels. Each tunnel was a mirror image of the first, divided into four sections, each one more difficult than the last. The enemies remained the same skeletons, but they became progressively more well-armed and dangerous. In the final chamber of each tunnel, they faced a formidable mage, each one with different abilities.
In the second tunnel, the mage shot beams of concentrated light, leaving blistering scorch marks on their skin, causing them to moan in pain. In the third tunnel, the mage demonstrated the power to heal the wounded skeletons. Seemingly lifeless, severed heads blinked and rolled to reattach themselves, and limbs broken and discarded mended and crawled back to their owners with a single spell from the mage. The trio found themselves locked in a relentless battle, only to realize that destroying each skeleton entirely was the key to disrupting the healing spells.
Feeling the odds were stacked against them, Talax activated his stealth skill to approach the unsuspecting mage. Utilizing his deadly aim ability, he pinpointed the creature's vulnerable spots and delivered a well-placed thrust of his sword, ending the troublesome mage's life. Once the mage was defeated, the rest of the fight became more manageable. Without the aid of their healer, the skeletons fell one after another to the relentless onslaught of their blades.
The last mage they encountered proved to be the most troublesome of all. It possessed the ability to resurrect fallen skeletons endlessly, leaving the trio in a frustrating cycle of defeating the undead only to see them rise again. Talax couldn't employ the same tactics as before since the mage had placed two skeletons as guards, preventing any easy approach. The relentless fight dragged on until the mage eventually ran out of mana, finally giving the companions an opportunity to clear the tunnel.
After the grueling and nonstop fighting, the three companions were left physically and mentally exhausted. The constant danger and the gloomy atmosphere of the dark tunnels took a toll on their psyche, leaving them in dire need of respite.
Yet, amidst the danger, there were rewards. Both Qalo and Franny had leveled up, reaching level 12 and 11, respectively. Qalo eagerly spent his tokens to unlock new abilities. One granted him temporary boosts to his constitution during battles, allowing him to endure more damage as the team's defender. The other ability enhanced his crushing power when using blunt objects like hammers and clubs.
In contrast, Ferdinand chose a more cautious approach, deciding to hold onto his tokens for the time being. He knew he had a range of abilities yet to be unlocked, and he preferred to keep his options open. He believed that holding onto the tokens until his next level up would allow him to choose a specific ability in case of emergency during a battle. With a confident smile, he reassured the others that they would have ample opportunities to level up again soon enough.
Talax couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy as his friends leveled up. However, he understood that his contribution to the battles was still limited due to his inexperience and relative weakness. Nonetheless, with each fight, he grew more confident and adept, learning to harness his abilities and skills to better support the team. He knew that his last level up wasn't too long ago, and after defeating the mage and gaining a significant amount of experience, he felt he was on the cusp of another level up.
One positive outcome of battling the horde of skeletons was the abundance of loot they collected. The sheer amount of copper coins they had accumulated was absurd, and both Talax and Qalo had to fasten several additional pouches to their belts to carry the small fortune. After clearing each tunnel, Talax skillfully unearthed hidden rooms, each time at a different location in the tunnel.
Inside each chest, they discovered a piece of armor, an unidentified potion, and a small gem. Talax engaged in some shrewd negotiation with Qalo, eventually convincing the half-orc to let him keep the contents of each chest in exchange for a slightly reduced share of the remaining loot. As the one with the unique ability to locate the hidden treasures and with Qalo's insatiable love for coins, the half-orc eventually relented and agreed to the arrangement. However, Talax couldn't help but harbor a sneaking suspicion that he had come out on top in the deal, as each piece of armor exuded an intense aura of mana, making them particularly valuable.
In addition to his prized boots, Talax discovered a cloak that he quickly donned. He realized that the cloak aided in his ability to hide, subtly changing colors to help him blend into his surroundings more effectively. Next came a pair of pants that, when worn, brought about an imperceptible change in his body, akin to the sensation of casting his spell, Rejuvenating Water. Lastly, he acquired a pair of dark gloves. As he slipped them onto his hands, he felt a small but noticeable transformation in his body, as if he could run a marathon and then party all night. Though the intense rush eventually faded, the effect settled in, granting him the strength to keep going for a while longer.
Upon reaching the door, they saw all four symbols radiating with intense brilliance. The resulting light show was both uncomfortable and mesmerizing, shifting with each breath they took. Bright darkness, hollow brightness, oppressive obscurity, and suffocating light seemed to alternate, creating a surreal atmosphere. Talax thought the spectacle resembled a falling star that might explode at any moment, yet minutes passed without any evident danger. Nonetheless, the sense of anticipation and uncertainty hung in the air as they stood before the enigmatic door.
"I guess we now know what the symbols mean," Franny said, gazing at the door with keen interest.
Talax nodded in agreement, but Qalo looked at the noble with a puzzled expression. "What?" the half-orc inquired.
Franny's eyes lingered on the four pulsing symbols for a moment before explaining, "We found a chamber with four doors, each one displaying one of these symbols. As we progressed, we faced mages using dark, light, life, and death magic, each unlocking one of the symbols on this door. It's quite clear, these symbols represent the four elements. Probably an ancient form of language, long forgotten but well preserved in this sealed dungeon. Although I don't know their exact significance yet, I am confident we will uncover the truth soon enough."
Talax had been nodding along, as he had already deduced the meaning of the ancient symbols. However, Qalo seemed entirely oblivious, his mouth slightly agape and his gaze blank. In the end, the half-orc shrugged, unbothered, and asked, "Should we go and open the door?"
"I would rather have lunch and relax," Talax replied. "Who knows what awaits us on the other side of the door? Besides, I've seen enough bony butts for a lifetime. I could use a break."
Franny let out a sigh of relief, and Qalo nodded, flopping down like a sack of potatoes. Once again, Franny offered them a small meal. His stock of prepared meals was running low, and they needed to be more cautious with their food supply, especially since the dungeon seemed to be devoid of life. Rotten bones weren't exactly appetizing, even for Qalo.
"You know you promised me mice and other delicious animals. I am still waiting," Qalo said with a petulant tone, munching on a juicy steak that Franny had prepared. Talax sighed and replied. "Oh, forgive me, Your Highness. I hear mice are a delicacy reserved for the most prestigious banquets in all the land. So, do enjoy that exquisite steak, which, incidentally, was prepared by the Franny’s most renowned chefs!”