The three looked at each other. Darrel smirked and took the lead.
“Come forth, Molt of the Abyssal Flames!”
A young lion, covered in pitch-black fur with a growing mane of fiery red, dashed out of the fracture of space in front of Darrel. It roared with an adolescent voice, but its muscular body, sharp claws, and large canines intimidated many. But Luke was not part of those many people.
“Aw, how cute! Look, Liam! It’s just like you! Unable to grow a beard. Hahaha!”
Molt could not speak but knew it was being ridiculed. It crouched, ready to launch itself at Luke. Seeing his summon ready to rip Luke apart, Darrel commanded Molt immediately. “Stop! I did not give you any orders, Molt!” It turned its head and glared at its owner, grumbling like a child as it returned to Darrel’s side.
“Jeez, the kitty has a short fuse just like its owner,” Luke chided, and Molt roared back. Liam warned Luke, not to egg-on Darrel’s summon.
Liam spoke to Ordinance in his head. “Analyze Molt. The title of Darrel’s summon sounds familiar, but where did I hear that before?”
Ding!
System function: Analyze
Name: Molt
Stage: 1
Species: Mammal - Lion
Subspecies: Abyss Shadow
Stats:
Strength - 8
Agility - 7
Dexterity - 4
Intelligence - 4
Willpower - 6
Aligned Elements:
Fire: 8
Darkness: 6
Skills:
Flame Breath Stage 1
Shadow Blitz Stage 1
Magma Burst (hidden)
Hidden Shadow (locked) requires stage 3
Meteor Rain (locked) requires stage 5
Evolution Paths / Ratings:
Abyss Lion / 3 Stars
Mutated Magma Lion / 5 Stars
Solar Shadow / 7 Stars
Liam looked at the popup window, but Vice Guild Master Hansel answered Liam’s earlier unvoiced question. “Another powerful summon from the Ruler of the Abyssal Flames! You contracted a summon from the same entity as Guild Master Kai! A difficult feat, from what Kai tells me. He expects great things from you and your summon, young Darrel!”
Darrel snickered at Luke and replied back to Hansel, “Thank you, Vice Guild Master Hansel.” Darrel loudly emphasized his next words to ensure Luke heard him clearly. “I must also thank Guild Master Kai for his gifts to help Molt evolve.”
Luke snorted. He knew Darrel was trying to outclass him, but he couldn’t retort the connection between the Hero Kai and Darrel’s summons. He felt Darrel got special treatment, but he remained silent and didn’t comment on the Guild Master’s actions.
Seeing Luke unable to make some sort of snide comment, Darrel grinned and commanded Molt into action. “Let’s go, Molt! Stay close first until we find our first prey.”
Darrel and Molt led their entourage down the hill to the plains. Treading through the grass and rocks, they came across a grazing herd of buffalo. The huge beasts were docile and calm as they chewed on the grass. The group stayed further back, and Darrel ordered Molt to sneak attack.
“Molt! Use Shadow Blitz to merge with the shadows below the grass, and kill the closest buffalo without alarming the herd!”
Molt nodded and dived head-first into the vegetation growing on the ground. Its body turned into a shadow and raced across the field underneath the grass. Unknown to the buffalo, a pair of yellow eyes looked up at its soft neck from below. Lunging through the grass, Molt opened his jaws full of sharp teeth and swiftly clamped down on the buffalo’s throat. Before the buffalo could even comprehend its predicament, Molt ripped out its throat with a powerful thrash and disappeared again into the shadows.
The peaceful buffalos soon became alert and cautiously strode over to look at their fallen brethren. Seeing one of their own killed out of nowhere, they vehemently looked around for the killer. However, nothing could be seen, and the herd became distressed. Soon anger turned into fear, and the herd ran off.
Hansel complimented Darrel. “Well done! Perfect execution for an assassination! Little risk for a good kill. High potential for scouting as well. However, I will give you a few pointers. Your technique may work on those unable to detect your summon’s presence. That will not always be the case. Be careful, or there could be deadly consequences. We will have to see how your summon will fare in an actual fight, and how you fight yourself. However, you did well!”
Hansel pointed at the carcass of the dead buffalo. “Let's collect the beast's origin core and dinner for later tonight! Follow me!”
Hansel showed the three how to carefully remove the origin stone. Afterward, he showed them how to skin and clean the buffalo carcass. Completed, he ordered Liam. “Store the spoils. This origin core is worth 18 low-grade origin stones, but I’ll give you two for storing and bringing the meat. The rest is Darrel’s.”
Hansel looked at Liam with an expectant look as if he politely asked Liam. However, Liam felt the request was a demand. For sure, it sounded like a demand. Liam did not give up on any chances for more origin stones. He needed as many as possible to grow his second soul house.
So Liam happily replied, “Deal!” He stored the carcass in one of the three remaining slots of his inventory. He looked expectantly at Darrel, hoping he would pay him to carry his bag. But Darrel only said, “if it’s free like Luke’s, then sure.”
Luke argued back, “you don’t even consider Liam a friend! Why should he carry your stuff for free?”
“Stop, you three! I’ll smash your heads if you utter another word!” The three went quiet, and Hansel chuckled at how obedient they were now.
He looked over at Luke. “Alright, my other disciple! I have high expectations for you as well! We’re fellow contractors from the same entity! Bring forth your summon!”
Luke grinned and shot a smirk at Darrel. “Come forth, Sardonia of the Terra Dragons!” A rhino-like creature shook the ground as it strode out through the cracks in the air in front of Luke. The light reflected off the black scale-like skin of Luke’s summon, making them gleam a metallic hue. Luke took charge and led the group.
“Let’s show them what we can do, Sardonia!”
It stomped its front legs, eager for Luke’s instructions. Luke headed further into the flat plains and found the same herd of buffalos Darrel attacked earlier.
“Sardonia, I will begin our assault! Once I attack, use Stone Spires to create a maze and separate the herd! Ready?” Sardonia huffed, acknowledging Luke’s command. He lifted his hand and called out his Soul Skill, “Stone Barrage.”
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His eyes glowed a silver light. With a grabbing motion, rocks and boulders larger than the size of his head pulled out from the earth. Luke’s eyes glowed brighter. With a throwing motion, the masses of floating stones launched straight at the herd.
The herd was still on guard from Molt’s previous attack. However, against an onslaught of large rocks and boulders, the closer part of the herd was left battered with broken bones. Yet, even with their injured bodies they rampaged and charged at Luke and Sardonia in a stampede.
Sardonia reacted and lifted her front legs high before slamming them down into the earth. The ground trembled, and columns of stone spikes pierced up and through some of the rampaging buffalo. The appearance of the columns of stones stopped the stampede, throwing the herd into confusion. The majority of the herd further away bellowed in anger and ran off. The handful of unlucky ones closer to Sardonia were trapped or impaled.
Luke commanded his summon for one last showdown, “Blitz Charge!” Lowering her head, she pointed her twin horns at the four buffalo. Sardonia charged, launching her body at the remaining buffalo. The ground cracked and shook from the powerful gallops. Her horns impaled two buffalo, killing them upon impact. She tossed her head and threw off the two buffalo on her horns. She ran back around and stabbed one more, killing it in a similar fashion.
Luke dashed forward and swung his broad sword, infused with his soul energy, down at the neck of the last buffalo. The remaining buffalo at the scene died. Luke’s face had a solemn look. His parents were hunters and foragers like Liam’s. He was taught not to waste food. Each life of the beasts they took was precious and fed their family. But he killed the herd aimlessly, and now he felt perturbed.
Noticing Luke’s silent victory, Liam came over and patted his friend’s shoulder. He knew his friend well. “Let’s thank them for their sacrifice. They will not go to waste. My inventory will keep them fresh. We can take some back for your parents.”
Hansel looked at the two, offering a prayer, mixed with emotions, but he waited until the two finished. Darrel rolled his eyes, unbelieving at the two’s actions, and commented. “Hey. Better not get sentimental now. We’re in the Tower. It’s kill or be killed. Time to toughen up.”
Luke glared back at Darrel, wanting to say something but couldn’t refute the statements completely. Hansel stepped in. “Young Luke, you're not wrong, but your fellow disciple has a point. You won’t feel remorse for the creatures on the other floors. Overall, you performed well. The execution of your plan worked best for your skills and summon. Riskier than your fellow peer, but done well. The Ruler of the Terra Dragons would be satisfied. I recommend better working on timing with your summon. Your summon could have acted faster, and the stampede would probably not have occurred. However, I commend you for your plan.”
Hansel looked over at Liam. “Now then, that leaves only you, Dysfunctional. I don’t recommend fighting large herds with just your body and sword. Let’s get to the base of the staircase to the next floor. There are more suitable creatures for you to fight there. You can showcase what you know then.”
Liam nodded, and he helped Luke harvest the fallen buffalos. Storing the carcasses filled up his last slots, and he had to take out Luke and his backpack to fit all the bodies of the buffalos. They followed Hansel through the plains of the second floor, arriving near the spiraling staircase to the next floor. A small river ran along the side of the stairs.
“Alright, Dysfunctional. You see the little frogs over there by that river? They should be good practice for you. I’m warning you now, they’re not as easy as they look. You can be badly injured if you're not careful. Let’s see what you can do.”
Liam looked at the ‘little frogs’ the size of a chair. They croaked like in a harmonious symphony. He wanted to get as many origin crystals as possible. With another avenue of earning origin stones for absorption, Liam thought about how to kill as many as possible.
“Master, shall we analyze the creatures? I can assist you with detecting their movements. I also recommend selling their body parts on the Marketplace for some small amounts of stones, but we should accumulate as much as possible.”
Liam spoke to Ordnance through his mind. “Yes! Let’s go with what you suggested!”
Ding!
System function: Analyze
Name: (Not Named)
Stage: 1
Species: Amphibian: Frog
Subspecies: Sepharath (modified)?
Stats:
Strength: 3
Agility: 6
Dexterity: 3
Intelligence: 3
Willpower: 9
Aligned Elements:
Water: 9
Skills:
Water shot stage 1
Headbutt stage 1
Sticky saliva stage 3 (locked)
Icicle (locked)
Evolution path / Rating:
Tundra Bullfrog / 4 stars
Yin Toad / 5 stars
“Master, the frog creatures are physically weak in attack and defense. They are nimble and tenacious creatures. They will likely retaliate and chase their attackers.” Ordinance stated.
Liam was more curious about the subspecies of the frogs. “Ordinance, why are the frogs part Sepharath? How did frogs obtain the bloodline of the creators of the Tower?”
“Master, the frogs are not completely Sepharath. They have been modified by the creators of the Tower. The alterations and effects on the creatures are currently unknown with the available information. The current analysis shows nothing different in terms of characteristics typical of the species. The purpose and effects of the alterations done to the species are uncertain, however, I suspect the reason is partly related to the tokens.”
Liam was more confused by Ordninance’s conjecture. “I don’t get it. Aren’t the tokens pretty useless, besides not having the monsters hoard and attack you in the dungeon or tower?”
“Correct, but how the dungeons and towers control the hoard of monsters to attack intruders is likely related to the modifications.” Ordinance replied.
Ordinance's statement led Liam to further questions. “Then how come the Towers just didn’t control the monsters and wipe out the Dungeons? I know the Tower is helping us but doesn’t the Tower itself have the power to do more?”
“That is the larger and troubling mystery, master. We currently do not have enough information to draw an answer. From all the books I have scanned, not once was an incident recorded of the Towers and Dungeons attacking each other with their hoards of monsters. According to multiple sources, the dungeons initially corrupted the Wilds and this world ages long ago. We would need more sources from the dungeon side to verify, however, according to the known sources, the living organisms mutated and changed with the exposure to origin energy. In addition, the interbreeding of dungeon creatures further mutated the bloodlines of the lifeforms of this planet since the first appearance of the Dungeons.
However, never have the Dungeons or the Towers directly attacked each other with the monsters inside them. Monsters may leave the Dungeons and attack the human citadels, but never were the Towers touched or invaded by the dungeon monsters. No known incidents of monsters leaked by the Tower were recorded either. From what I understand, the human followers adhered to orders to infiltrate either the Dungeons or Towers. However, the Dungeons and Towers themselves, never openly and directly attack each other.”
Liam smelled the reek of a conspiracy.
He wanted to ask more questions, but Hansel brought his attention back to his current task. “You're just going to stand there all day, Dysfunctional? I want some frog legs for dinner tonight. Get going!”
Liam noted to Ordinance to continue their concert later. The frogs littered the area around the river. Liam left his backpack by the group. Picking a less populated location, Liam lifted and readied the sword given by Hansel with both arms. Ordinance advised Liam on further action.
“Master, given the nature of the frogs, I recommend attacking them one by one. With no cover, you will have to dodge or take the hits from their Water Shot. If you must take a hit from a Water Shot, stab your sword in front of you to block the shot. The goal is to get yourself to a distance of about three lengths of your body from the frogs. The range will likely have the frogs leap at you with a head butt. Due to the physique of the frogs, the leap will be straight and in mid-air. Pay close attention, and dodge. Once you’re out of the direct path, slash down at their neck to kill the frog.”
“Got it. Keep the detection function active on the surroundings. Let’s go!”
With nothing for cover, he dashed forward, holding the blade by his side with both hands.
“Master! Incoming water shot. Block this first shot! I need to analyze how quickly they fire!”
Liam complied and swung his sword quarter-way into the ground with the edge of the blades to the side. He placed both the palms of his hands behind the handle of the sword and braced for impact. Balls of water spat out from two frogs, colliding against the sword handle with a heavy splash. Even with Liam pressing back against the sword, the impacting force of the Water Shot pushed the sword backward at an angle. Liam’s joints ached from resisting the impact, and his body was drenched from the imploding water, but the rush of adrenaline kept the pain at bay.
Ordinance quickly commanded Liam. “Master! Keep moving forward! I will tell you when and where to dodge.”
Liam nodded, standing up, and pulled the sword from the ground. He dashed forward, and the frogs continued to shoot balls of water at Liam. Ordinance guided Liam around the barrage of water balls, sometimes dodging and other times blocking with the sword. The frogs acted as Ordinance predicted. Once Liam entered within range, a frog croaked in anger. It leaped at him and tried to headbutt him. He followed Ordinance’s guidance and quickly jumped out of the path and slashed his sword down, cutting off the head of the frog. Liam continued to do so until Hansel stopped him. Luke and Darrell looked at Liam’s blood-plastered face, happily smiling as he collected the origin cores.
Hansel reminded Liam, “Don’t forget to get my frog legs too! How much more can you fill up?”
Ordinance told Liam that he had no space left in his inventory, but he could move the tokens into his backpack. He placed the two tokens in his bag and replaced their slots with two frog carcasses.
“That’s all I can fit, Vice Guild Master Hansel,” Liam replied. Hansel made a troubled face and mumbled to himself. “I can’t let these perfectly good frog legs go to waste!” He went out his own way and collected just the legs into his backpack. “Here, take these as compensation for your frog legs! Let's go up to the next floor. I want to start roasting as soon as possible! Our goal is a safe spot where we will rest for the night.”
He dashed off, gulping down his saliva as he thought of the soon-to-be barbequed frog legs. Noticing himself alone up almost quarter-way of the spiral of stairs, he yelled down at the three still on the ground. “Hurry up, you slowpokes! I’ll smash your heads if you don't get moving!”
The three were in shock at how fast Hansel moved. The spiraling stare case shot up to the sky, but Hansel was already far up the stairs. He was a hefty burly man, but his size did not slow him down. The three panicked and ran up the stairs, afraid of Hansel’s threat.