It was a one-handed longsword crafted with meticulous attention to detail, that bore the marks of both age and battle, yet retained an air of ancient elegance.

The blade, forged from a dark, lustrous metal that seemed to drink in the surrounding light, was razor-sharp and finely honed. It curved gently from hilt to tip, its edge honed to perfection, promising swift and deadly strikes in combat.

The hilt of the sword was equally impressive, wrapped in supple leather dyed a deep, rich shade of crimson.

The crossguard, crafted from the same dark metal as the blade, was adorned with intricate filigree work, depicting scenes of battle and conquest. Despite its age, the metal gleamed with an almost unearthly sheen, hinting at the sword's enduring strength and resilience.

Jack eagerly Identified the weapon.

[Cursed Dusk Iron Longsword

Rarity: Special

Quality: Excellent

Durability: 238/250

Material: Dusk Iron, Necrospawn blood, Powdered onyx

Properties: Enchanted to wield and enhance Necrotic energies

Damage: 55-67 Slashing damage, 33-48 Necrotic damage

Special Effect: 15% chance to apply Curse of Necrosis on successful hit, causing target to continually lose health for 2 minutes.

Requirements: 30 Strength

Description: This weapon is especially effective against foes weak to Necrotic energies and can be further enhanced with the blood of creatures with a strong connection to Death.]

Jack let out a relieved breath as he read the items description. When he had first seen its name, he had worried the swords curse would affect its wielder. Thankfully, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Jack remembered the Curse of Necrosis he had suffered when fighting the necromancer and how it had almost killed him. He felt grateful that the Warlord hadn’t managed to score a direct on him this time, otherwise the battle might have turned out very differently.

He considered giving the black sword to Lyla, but having seen her fight, she was obviously someone who prioritized magic over martial prowess.

Giving the sword to either of wolves didn’t make much sense either. With their teeth and claws, they didn’t really need more weapons.

Picking up the sword, Jack turned to Cael who was sitting on the floor still trying to catch his breath. His Stamina must have really been depleted during the battle. Jack handed the sword to Cael, who looked up in surprise.

"Here, take this," Jack said. "You earned it."

Cael's eyes widened as he took the sword, examining it with a mix of awe and gratitude. However, his expression swiftly changed to one of disappointment as he looked the weapon over. "You take it” he said, handing the sword back to Jack “I don’t meet the requirements."

At first Jack was confused, then a memory flashed through his head. Looking the goblin over, he Identified him for the second time since they had met.

[Name: Cael Y’ Grusalag

Race: Night Goblin

Level: 8

Health: 220/220

Mana: 100/100

Stamina: 260/260

Skills: Silent Steps, Alchemy, Dagger Mastery, Camouflage

Attunements: N/A

Abilities: Darkvision, Shadeblend

Description: Night Goblins are renowned for their stealth and cunning, lurking in the shadows and striking from the darkness with deadly precision. They possess keen senses and are adept at moving silently through the night, making them formidable adversaries in the realm of subterfuge. Night Goblins receive 2 free points per level, along with a +2 bonus to Agility and Dexterity. They are typically characterized by their gray, dark eyes, and lithe, nimble frames]

It was good to see that Cael had levelled multiple times through their battles. However, what caught Jacks attention were the Night Goblins racial bonuses. They were all skewed towards agility and dexterity, which made sense for a stealthy, agile fighter like Cael. But it also meant he lacked the strength required to wield the sword.

Jack hesitated, caught in a conflict between his desire to keep the powerful weapon for himself and his recognition of Cael’s significant contributions to their group. The sword’s potential was undeniable, yet it didn’t seem practical to give it to someone who couldn’t fully utilize its power. After a moment’s consideration, Jack decided it was more sensible to keep the sword for himself. He carefully stowed it inside his Pouch of Holding, ensuring its safety. As he did, he resolved to find another worthy treasure—one that Cael could use—believing that such an item would be a fitting reward for his loyal companion’s bravery and dedication.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Turning his attention towards the odd shimmering space he had seen behind the sarcophagus, he was surprised to see Lyla standing right next to it, her expression serious and focused.

"Lyla, do you know what that is?" Jack asked, gesturing toward the shimmering space.

Lyla nodded, her eyes never leaving the portal. "It's almost certainly Dungeon Portal. These are rare, and they can lead to places of incredible danger... and potential rewards."

Jack's curiosity was piqued. "How do you know that?"

Lyla took a deep breath, her gaze still fixed on the portal. "I’ve studied ancient magics and portals as part of my training. Dungeon Portals are remnants of old, powerful magic. They can connect different places, sometimes even different dimensions. The necromantic energy we've encountered here likely originated from this portal."

Jack looked at the portal, then back at Lyla. "So, what’s on the other side?"

"I can’t be certain," Lyla replied, "but from what I can sense, it's likely a Dungeon, a pocket dimension created by powerful energies. Given our recent battles, it might be related to the same forces animating these undead. I’ve never heard of Barrowborn in these forests before, so they likely came through the portal. I’ve also been through this area before and never seen anything like this mausoleum here. Most likely it was generated through creative energies that leaked through the portal."

Jack was confused. “How can a portal create a mausoleum?”

Lyla shifted her gaze from the portal to Jack, her brow furrowing as she gathered her thoughts. “It’s complex. Think of it as the portal influencing the physical realm around it. The Dungeons energy seeping through could warp reality, creating structures like this mausoleum. This kind of thing happens when a Dungeon goes unchallenged for too long. Its energies start to build up and end up getting expelled through portals like this”.

Cael, having regained his breath, approached cautiously. "Do we go in?"

Lyla nodded grimly “We must. Clearing the Dungeon is the only way to stop more monsters from coming through and ravaging the forest”.

“Couldn’t we gather a larger force and and come back with reinforcements?” Jack asked, concern evident in his voice.

The Scraeling shook her head. “Dungeons don’t work like that. I’ve never heard of a Dungeon that allows more than 10 participants inside it. We could try to ask some more experienced fighters to handle this, but by the time we got back, more energy would have leaked through the portal. This time it was a mausoleum and a small band of Barrowborn. Next time it could be a fortified castle and an army of undead. No, the only way to keep the forest safe is for us to clear the Dungeon ourselves.”

A notification popped up in Jacks vision.

[You have been offered a Quest:

Save the Forest

Objective: Clear the Dungeon

Penalty for failure: The Dungeon will continue sending monsters through the portal

Rewards: Experience, Attunement Crystal

Accept Yes/No

]

Jack’s eyes widened as he read through the quest details. The mention of an Attunement Crystal caught his attention immediately. His mind raced with possibilities. If the crystal could indeed grant him a new Attunement, it might unlock powerful abilities or even new spells—like the healing magic he had seen Lyla wield. The prospect of acquiring such a valuable reward was tantalizing, and he could feel his excitement building.

He glanced at his companions, who were visibly exhausted from their recent battles. Despite their fatigue, the determination in their eyes was clear. They had fought hard and faced numerous dangers, and now they were about to delve into the heart of the Dungeon. Jack knew they needed to be at their best if they were going to succeed.

"We need to heal up first and prepare," Jack said firmly, his voice carrying a tone of urgency. "We can't afford to enter the Dungeon without being at full strength. Let’s take a moment to regroup."

The party members nodded in agreement. They began to distribute the remaining healing potions, their movements deliberate as they worked to restore their health. Lyla stepped forward and, with a focused expression, used her magic to mend their wounds and rejuvenate their mana. The healing spells she cast shimmered with a soft, soothing light, gradually bringing them back to a semblance of readiness.

As they took this much-needed respite, , Jack turned to Lyla with a thoughtful expression. “I’ve been offered an Attunement Crystal as a Quest reward, and I wanted to understand more about what it does. From what I’ve gathered, these crystals seem to be quite significant. Do they actually unlock specific Attunements or enhance existing ones?”

Lyla took a moment to ponder his question, her gaze focused and contemplative. “Yes, that’s correct. Attunement Crystals are indeed linked to particular elements or magical affinities. They can unlock new types of magic through granting new Attunements. However, it’s important to note that if you already have an Attunement related to the Element of the crystal, using it wouldn’t provide you with any additional benefit. It would essentially be a wasted opportunity.”

Jack’s expression shifted to one of understanding. “So, if I already have an Attunement for a particular element, using a crystal associated with that element won’t be of much use. Instead, it would be better to either hold onto the crystal until I find a new Attunement that I don’t already have or consider selling it.”

“Exactly,” Lyla confirmed with a nod. “The true value of an Attunement Crystal lies in its ability to grant access to new and different types of magic. If you’re aiming to expand your magical capabilities, you’d want to ensure that the crystal you use is for an Attunement you haven’t yet acquired. Otherwise, if you already possess the Attunement related to the crystal, it wouldn’t serve much purpose other than potentially being a valuable item you could sell.”

Feeling reassured and more knowledgeable about the use of Attunement Crystals, Jack turned his attention back to the shimmering portal before them. His companions were now gathered, their energy and resolve renewed. They shared a look of determination, each one readying themselves for the challenges ahead.

With a final nod to each other, they stepped through, the world around them dissolving into a swirl of dark energy.

On the other side, they found themselves in a vast, shadowy expanse. The air was thick with a palpable sense of dread, and the only light came from faint, ghostly torches lining the walls of a narrow corridor ahead. The atmosphere was suffused with an almost tangible darkness, pressing down on them with an oppressive weight.

There was a pair of massive double doors at the end of the corridor, made from some kind of white stone that Jack didn’t recognize. As the party approached, they could see words etching themselves onto the surface of the doors.

Welcome to The Eclipse Caverns

Confront the fiery lord, dancing amidst the blaze,

Challenge the water’s lord, resting in the depths’ embrace,

Face the shadowed lord, where darkness holds its sway,

Stand before the lord of death, where souls are claimed beyond the fray.

Fire, Water, Shadow, and Death— they guard the Dungeon to their last breath.