Luke’s loud and deep laughs reverberated through the thin floors and walls of Liam’s room. Liam’s attempts to zone out Luke’s happy bantering with his parents downstairs were impossible. Most of Luke’s words sounded muffled, but Liam clearly heard ‘hairless’ and ‘kid.’
“That Luke! He better not be telling anything weird to my parents!”
Liam made his way over to the upstairs bathroom.
Thinking about Luke, a different thought crossed Liam’s mind. Curious but happy for Luke, Liam was suspicious about why the Adonis Guild went to the extent of helping him to keep Luke in their guild.
“Ordinance, analyze Luke when you get the chance. I wonder what about that loud buddy of mine caught the attention of the Adonis Guild. They better not try to take advantage of Luke.”
“Yes, Master. Preparing to analyze Luke upon sight.”
Clean and decent enough to leave the house, Liam made his way out and down the stairs. Of all things, Liam first noticed Luke’s full beard had grown back. He didn’t realize it earlier when Luke barged into his room, but now he clearly saw Luke’s dark brown bushy beard on full display.
Feeling his smooth chin, Liam complained to himself, “how did Luke manage to do that? Why does he have a full beard again!? He has to be using some potion or something!”
“Master, after analyzing your friend, he appears to be distantly related genetically to another species. That species is known for its quick regeneration. His bloodline could explain why your friend grows hair faster. However, the ability is not limited to hair, but to his wounds would likely heal faster as well. The trait applies to the whole body.”
“Another species that make him regenerate quicker? So Luke is in a similar situation to me?” Liam was thinking of the possibilities of animals his friend could be related to and a hairy animal popped into his mind. Excitedly, Liam continued asking Ordinance. “Is he a distant relative of a hairy bear?! Show me his information.”
“Yes, master. Displaying a status window now.”
Ding!
System Ability: Analyze
Name: Luke
Species: Humanoid - Human
Subspecies: Draconian
Unique Talents/Constitutions:
Enhanced Recovery - Might of a Dragon’s Body (Can be further unlocked)
Stats: (Average Humanoid)
Strength: 4
Agility: 3
Dexterity: 2
Intelligence: 8
Willpower: 8
Aligned elements: (Showing element value over zero)
Earth: 12 Fire: 8 Metal: 9 Dark: 6
Unique Soul Skill
Stone Barrage
Skills: (Entry, Basic, Apprentice, Advance, Master)
Apprentice Swordsmanship - 20.29%
Apprentice recovery - 80.99%
Basic Fighting Tactics - 40.39%
Apprentice Lazar Breathing Technique - 20.33%
“Draconian? What are Draconians, Ordinance?”
“Draconians are a race descended from dragons. Either his ancestor had an unfortunate run-in with a dragon in heat, or they forcefully integrated their blood with that of a dragon successfully. Chances of the latter are low as blood integrations usually end in an excruciating death. Your friend, Luke, likely is a descendant from the intermingling of a dragon and a human.”
“Luke’s stats do reflect him. Though descending from a hairy bear would be more fitting. But his stats are correct; he is a muscle freak with a decent head.”
“Master, his current data and summon give him a good balance between attack and defense. His summon leans slightly on the defensive side, while he is likely to be the one to initiate attacks. His Unique Soul Skill is an area of effect skill that would be useful in long ranges or at the beginning of an assault. I presume the Adonis Guild recruited him for his unique soul skill and his summon.”
“I think so too. I wonder if the guild knows about Luke’s bloodline. I can’t believe how lucky Luke is! His beard grows because of his bloodline! But then why can’t I grow a beard? My dad has a full beard. See?”
“Regarding Luke’s bloodline, currently there weren't any visible methods of… ”
Noticing Liam oddly staring at him from the stairs, Luke called out to Liam, cutting off Liam’s and Ordinance’s conversation.
“What are you doing frozen on the staircase, Liam? Shocked by my manly beard and handsome face? If you don’t hurry, I’m going to eat the remaining half of your breakfast!”
Seeing Luke swiping a meat patty off his plate, Liam ran down the stairs, grabbed a fork, and tried to take back his food. Liam’s father laughed at the two’s foolery. Liam’s mother sighed and brought over another plate of meat for the two friends.
“Alright, you two. There’s plenty more, so don’t worry and stop fighting. Liam. Did you finish cleaning the library like Ms. Maribell said yesterday? Should your father and I help you?”
“Yes, we’ll go and help you. There must still be many left,” Leon added.
“I'm already finished. There weren't that many books anyway. I made sure I got everything cleaned off before I came back last night.”
Liam was shocked. “That strict old bird really made you dust off every book on the first floor? She’s got a stick up her ass!”
Liam grabbed a patty off the plate his mom brought and replied to Luke.
“Yes, and… I may have challenged Ms. Maribell to a duel in the process… Anyway. So, how is the Adonis Guild? What did you and the Adonis Guild have planned for the Tower?
“…You what?! Don’t try to change the subject! You challenged Ms. Maribell?! Why?! She has powerful summons! Did you forget her Shadow Leopard!? And then there is her other summons we’ve never seen! How are you going to fight her without a summon? Tell me your Soul Skill is good enough to fight her?”
“Well…no. I don’t have anything currently that I can use to defeat her. I was banking on the second summon and the second Unique Soul Skill.”
“That’s your plan? That’s unlike you... Kinda like me…” Luke looked at Liam’s mom and wildly waved his hands in denial. “Ms. Kanna! I swear I didn’t teach Liam that!”
“What? No! The duel has nothing to do with you, Luke. Ms. Maribell insulted and degraded my parents! Was I to let her nasty comments go?! Was I to let any of those busybodies looking down on my parents go?! You heard them in the Coliseum! They all blamed my parents for something no one could do anything about! Because of that, they will have to face the dangers of the Wilds by themselves! The others will avoid working with them.”
“I’m sure my parents wouldn’t just ditch your parents for something like that. They’re not like that. Others though, I can’t say so much... I get your concerns, but still… Why does it sound so weird for me to say that? What the heck?! I should be telling you to kick her butt and show everyone what you’re capable of!”
Luke felt odd being the voice of reason for a change, and he had to take a breath. Yet, he couldn’t stop his concerns and continued.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“This is new and weird coming from me, but… Liam, the odds are against you for your second summon to be a physical type that can be called out. But I will help you and do what I can. I hope you can break the stupid way people look at you and the others in similar situations. Especially Ms. Maribell! Show her that she’s wrong! Show her not to judge!”
“I know the odds aren’t looking good, but I’m not backing down from this. So yeah. Defeat Ms. Maribell. That’s the plan. But how, is now the question.”
“No use worrying about spilled milk! Let’s swap your ticket and get something good from the treasury of the Adonis Guild. You have the ticket I gave you, right? Maybe a protective treasure or something like that can help you in your upcoming duel! We’ll then meet with my mentor, who will guide us on what to prepare for the Ivory Tower. We’ll probably leave for the second floor tomorrow after preparing everything.”
“Ok, that sounds good. I have the ticket with me.”
“Alright! Let’s eat and then go! You’ll need to eat some more to grow. Maybe some extra protein will help you push out some more cat whiskers.”
“Hey! I just shaved! That’s why there’s no hair on my face!”
“Uh-huh. I just shaved yesterday, but look at me.”
Luke gave Liam a smirk and brushed his bushy beard with his fingers. The two continued to argue all the way out the door of Liam's parent’s house. Kanna and Leon looked on by the door and smiled at the two friends, arguing on their way to the Adonis Guild.
“I’m glad Liam isn’t letting this mess get to him. I worried he would get depressed again,” Kanna vocalized to her husband beside her.
“He’s found some light on his path, Kanna. Luke is a great friend. To go so far, Luke is a good young man. We should thank Axum and Sheri later. Currently, we can’t do much for Liam except continue to support him from the side. Let’s get ready too, Kanna.”
Liam’s parents went on their daily foraging, while Luke and Liam walked down the cobblestone road to the Adonis Guild. Like all of the major guilds, they were closer to the center of the kingdom by the Ivory Tower. Liam and Luke passed by the Lazar Institute to get to their destination.
“Doesn’t it feel like another day going to the academy, Liam?”
“To this point, yes. But I wonder what the Adonis Treasury looks like. They’re not wealthy like the Fortuna Guild. Hopefully, the stuff I can choose from has some decent items.”
“They should. Adonis is one of the main three guilds. Let’s go! It’s right around the block!”
The two friends gazed at the Adonis Guild’s headquarters as they kept walking. The multi-floored building of the Adonis Guild was much larger than the branch of the Fortuna Guild Liam went to. The building was a small castle with many stone towers. A mix of stone and rich wood trims spanned around large open windows of the ground floor. The building was simple and rustic, yet quietly refined.
“Your new second home, Luke! It’s not as fancy as Fortuna, but it feels safe yet cozy.”
Luke laughed, but a louder blaring laugh blasted from Liam’s side. Liam flinched from the booming laughter coming from the sudden presence beside him.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, at least you know that much, squirt! Maybe you aren’t so bad even if you are a Dysfunctional! Rich bastards! What’s to the use of flaunting wealth on a useless building?! It’s a waste of money! They should get better weapons or power up their summons!”
Once the loud shouting quieted down, Liam looked to his side. He had no idea when a beefy man larger than Luke appeared by his side. Luke didn’t seem to be phased by the loud man. Liam thought the two were somewhat similar, not only in looks but also personality. He thought the two could pass as brothers.
“Vice Guild Master Hansel! What are you doing out here already? I thought you said you wouldn’t be back until the end of lunchtime?”
“I sped things up a bit with the Polaris Guild to make sure I got back on time, but I got back earlier than expected. Here! Take this, my young disciple!”
A large and heavy bastard sword lifted from Hansel’s back. He threw it forward and stabbed deep into the cobblestone street before Liam and Luke.
Liam gulped. The sword was a bit away from him, but the burly man tossed it around like paper. He looked back at the man. Seeing Liam cautiously and somewhat in awe of him, Hansel felt his ego rise.
“There’s more than one way to beat the monsters in the Tower, young Dysfunctional! No summon? No problem! Beat the shit of them with your muscles! See this! If you become like me, the first five floors will be easy peasy!”
Hansel flexed and showed off his powerful physique. Luke was excited and wanted to become like his new mentor, but Liam was not so enthusiastic.
Liam thought to himself, “another muscle-obsessed freak.” Imagining himself like Hansel made him shudder. Liam wouldn’t allow himself to become that buff. Misunderstanding Liam’s silence as more awe, Hansel swaggered more.
“Watch me break a rock with my hands!” Hansel pulled a stone out of the cobblestone street and crumbled it with his bare hands. “This is the Hands of Steel skill! If you work hard, you can do this too!”
Liam was unsure how to feel. Hansel was not belittling him but encouraging him instead. Liam was relieved, but seeing himself as a muscleman was still impossible. Liam just nodded awkwardly at Hansel.
“Mentor Hansel! This scrawny kid hasn’t even grown his hairs yet! We need to shape him up!”
Liam glared at his friend, but Luke just smirked with a grin. Seeing the two on good terms, Hansel didn’t feel so bad about his disciple’s friend being a Dysfunctional. Hansel commanded his disciple.
“Luke, your friend will trade his ticket first. Meanwhile, you and I will train. Dysfunctional, you can ask the receptionist to direct you to the treasury and then to the training grounds below. Tell them, Hansel, the Awesome said so.”
Liam's appreciation of Hansel was teetering on an edge, seeing how he still kept calling him a Dysfunctional.
“My name is Liam, not Dysfunctional, Vice Guild Master Hansel.”
“Ho. Spunky one aren’t you, Dysfunctional? We of the Adonis Guild only respect power and hard work. Even if you don’t have power, we will respect hard work. Since you’ve made a good impression of yourself, I shall stop calling you Dysfunctional if you can prove yourself to me. I’ll even bring you into the guild myself if you prove useful! Now go, Dysfunctional.”
Liam could not argue, but a burning determination surged in his heart as he left to find the receptionist.
Entering through the large open doors of the building, Liam was greeted with a vast and long hall. Part of the ceiling above the entrance expanded through the other levels of the structure to an expansive skylight in the roof of the structure.
Busting with guild members decked in leather and metal armor, the first and second floors of the hall were lively from the busy walking and talking members all around. The second floor was a dining area, and everyone sitting beside the ledge of the second floor and the first floor looked over at Liam as he walked in with this thin clothing.
Liam stood out, but he was not alone. Others dressed like him made requests by the counter or dined on the second floor. Liam walked and dodged around the crowd, making his way to the line waiting for the receptionists.
Finally his turn, he walked up to a pretty lady professionally smiling at him as she greeted him.
“Welcome to the Adonis Guild. I am Lera. How can I help you today?”
“Hello. Vice Guild Master Hansel the Awesome said to talk to a receptionist about a ticket exchange.”
The lady chuckled. “Our Hansel the Awesome is teasing the newcomers again. And yes, we were informed. Please wait while I get someone to switch with me, and I will take you.”
“Yes, of course.”
Liam looked around as he waited. An unwanted sight walked over towards him.
“Well, if it isn’t ‘broke’? What are you doing here?” Darrel was down a couple of counters and saw Liam first. He made his way over while at it again with his usual bullying antics.
“Huh? Ugh. What’s it to you? Mind your own business. We don’t know each other, Darrel.”
“As former classmates, you’re rather cold. Could it be due to your thin clothes? You can’t afford anything made by the guilds. Are you really trying to get into Adonis?”
“Waiting for Luke,” Liam partially lied to get over the ordeal, “what are you doing here? Are you signing up for the Adonis guild too?”
“Ha! I’m not like you. I was previously recruited. I’m waiting for my mentor to take me,” Darrel chided.
As if on cue, a woman’s voice came from behind Darrel, “and here I am. I will tell you now if you want to be my disciple, you will immediately stop interacting with that lowlife thieving Dysfunctional. It is beneath us true climbers to associate with them.”
Liam was shocked by Darrel’s reply. “Well, it seems we are not a match. You should find a new disciple, and I will ask for a different mentor.”
The lady was taken aback. She had not expected a refusal and was embarrassed in front of the onlookers. She made a scene to cause trouble for being embarrassed by Darrel.
“You stupid bastard! You’re siding with a Dysfunctional over a qualified climber! Look at these two! Pathetic sh…”
Liam’s receptionist returned and stopped the lady. “What is this commotion about?!”
Darrel answered first, “I request to change mentors. We are not compatible. This lady is not suitable to be my mentor.”
“You little shithead! I’ll…”
“Stop. The mentor and mentee both have to agree. You both will find new partners. Those are the rules,” the receptionist told the lady, “As a climber, you should know the consequences if you go any further.”
“Shit! I’ll remember this, bastards!” The lady stormed off.
Liam had somehow gained a new enemy, but he was more confused by Darrel.
Noticing Liam’s questioning face, Darell huffed, “humpf, don’t think I was protecting you! You’re still poor! You’re nothing but trouble! I need to request a new mentor.”
Darrell walked off, and the receptionist reminded Liam of his original purpose.
“If you’re ready now, shall we go?”
“Oh yes, of course.” Liam looked back one more time at Darrel, confused by his actions.
Liam followed behind the counter and down a heavily guarded hall to stairs leading underground. Liam followed the receptionist and got off the stairs to the first underground floor. There was one metal door with two guards blocking it.
“This is the first level treasury, and you can select only one item in exchange for your ticket. The treasures are placed behind a barrier. Once you decide, you can place your ticket on the barrier. The ticket will resonate with the barrier, and both will disappear. You have only one chance to choose your item. Be careful before you use your ticket. Any questions?”
Liam shook his head, and the receptionist motioned the guards to open the door. The guards placed their hands on grooves on both sides of the door. The lady pulled a key from the sleeve of her robe, inserted it into the keyhole, and turned it.
The engraved symbols light up from the hands of the guards placed on the sides of the door. The clicking of gears and clacking of metal resounded in the room. The door slowly opened, and a light barrier blocking the door turned off. Liam was stunned at the many levels of security placed upon the door.
The receptionist's voice brought Liam out of his thoughts. “You may now go in.”
Liam nodded and entered, amazed at the rows of treasure encased in orbs of light. Ordinance’s voice shouted in Liam’s head.
“Master! I recommend taking the token of the dungeon!”