Rowan didn’t even react to her dropping like a sack of bricks. He just picked her up and took her out of the street. It took him a few moments to find a good place to set her, but he found a nice shaded area under a tree that didn’t seem terrible.

After only a few moments, Ark awoke.

She clearly was surprised to see him, maybe she just assumed she was dreaming?

“Oh- uh. Sorry for freaking out like that. I uh. It was just a lot.” Ark managed to awkwardly mumble.

“I don’t mind. Vorn informed me that most people would react like that. Sorry.”

“Uh, okay. So, are you going to kill me now or something?” She half-joked.

“No, it would serve no purpose. I don’t even really care if people know about our Class, but the Guildmaster insisted I hide.” Rowan said

“Cool. Cool. Before I try to calm down, you got any other bombshells?” She asked casually, once again half joking and half serious.

“No, that should be all… Actually… You said Classes are personal? Well, then I have one more bombshell, but I probably shouldn’t tell you.”

“Okay, that’s fine. Just don’t drop it on me out of nowhere, passing out isn’t great for your health, you know?” She joked, then continued, “So, are we still doing this dungeon?”

“Hm, I thought I would be the one asking you that. If you're willing, then I see no problem with it. It is probably for the best that you know a few of my ‘secrets’ if we are working together. It’ll be nice to openly talk to Vorn, I think. I haven’t been able to do that outside of home yet. Just because it isn’t a secret doesn’t mean we wouldn’t look crazy. I don’t really care, but Vorn is adamant about appearing sane” Rowan explained.

“Just give me a sec to get my head straight, okay? Then we’ll get going.” Ark said, still a little faint.

— — —

They were on the road not much longer after their conversation finished. Ark was still clearly processing everything, but she seemed oddly… calm about it. Passing out was about the least nuclear reaction possible, and even still, she was traveling with them after waking up. That wasn’t normal. Most people hear ‘Mythic’ and think, “Oh gods, this man is probably from a noble house! I’m going to die” not this… placid reaction.

As they were walking, his curiosity got the better of him, and Vorn took over. He still asked first before grabbing the reins, he didn’t want them falling over.

Ark noticed something off with Voran the moment they switched. His strange yet graceful twisting and turning walk/dance routine stopped and he was walking like a normal person on the road. Before Vorn could even speak, she casually asked, “So you're Vorn, then?”

“Huh? How could you tell so quickly?”

“Really? How could I not? Your demeanor is different, your walk is different, your eyes are different, even the way you breathe is different.” She spoke incredulously, “You’re lucky this isn’t supposed to be a secret, because you wouldn’t be able to keep it for a second.” She admonished him.

“We kinda haven’t been doing this long. This is our first time switching while visible to others. Well, besides the Guildmaster.” Vorn sheepishly admitted.

She sighed, “How are you going to keep your ‘Epic Rarity’ Class a secret if both of you are this bad at keeping them? I’m the first person you’ve gone to a dungeon with, right?” Vorn gave her a quick nod.

“It took me five minutes in the woods with you to realize that you weren’t an ‘Epic Rarity Warrior’. You guys really need to up your game.”

“Weren’t you terrified of us trying to kill you like… fifteen minutes ago?”

“Yeah, well that was before I realized that you two were fuckin’ idiots.” She said teasingly.

“That was why I switched over in the first place. I needed to ask, how are you so calm about this? Most people would be terrified, confused, or both. You just kinda seem to be going with it.” He asked, slightly impressed with her demeanor.

“Oh, that’s simple. I’m used to facing the same reactions. It is strange to be on the other side for once, though. Especially with you two being a Unique Being. It’s strange experiencing what others must feel when they learn about my Class.” She explained.

“Huh. Well, consider me excited to see it then.” Vorn said, then switched back with Rowan.

“Before we get to the dungeon, I feel I should ask, what can you do? I don’t need the specifics of your Class, just your general capabilities. Is that okay to ask?” Rowan genuinely questioned.

“Yeah, in fact, it’s strange you didn’t. It’s rude to ask someone’s Path, as that is incredibly personal to some, but broad capability is no big deal. You should probably do that before heading to a dungeon with somebody. Not like I can talk, though, I got so excited that I forgot to ask you as well.” She sheepishly admitted at the end.

“Anyway, I’m best at crowd control, but I have decent self healing and buffs, too. I can spread those to allies, but they are way weaker. I mainly damage enemies through debuffs, so I use a bow primarily, but I have a sword for back up as well.” She explained succinctly.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“That certainly sounds versatile. I agree with Vorn, I’m excited to see it in action.”

— — —

They arrived at the dungeon a few hours later, it was a fair few miles away from town. They did some pre-delve checks. Weapons? Good condition for the most part, but a few repairs were needed. Potions? Stoppered and ready on Voran's new belt, check.

Rowan pulled out one of the few whetstones they bought and used it on his dagger. The beat-up and nicked metal smoothed before his eyes, no new metal was being made, but the material that was already there was being redistributed to make the most of what was there. It was a thorough repair, even the rust that came with the weapon was wiped off.

Ark checked her things as well. Arrows? Dry and ready. Mana? Full and raring to go. Leather Armor? Fitted and fully secured.

“No armor?” She asked, confused.

“Can’t afford anything worth taking. We’re saving right now, and a decent set costs over seventy brights.” Rowan explained.

“If you can handle yourself without it, that’s your business, but please try not to die. That would tank my reputation.” Ark finished with a little sniff and a straight face, or at least an attempt at one. A small wriggle at the edge of her mouth gave away the faux stoicism.

A wry smile grew on his face, “Thanks for the concern.”

Ark returned the grin, “Of course!”

— — —

It was time to head in.

The crack in reality was much larger for this dungeon. It apparently had Orcs up to level fifty, but they were rare.

They expected to land in a Safe Room. Apparently, that was a common, but not guaranteed, feature. A little room to get ready before heading in.

According to a few Mad Priests – unwilling disciples of the Mad God, Lunaris – they were a feature that cost almost nothing but caused a few deaths every year. It was designed to make you complacent. Low on mana? Slightly winded? That didn’t matter, you would be heading into the Safe Room the moment you entered.

But you weren't guaranteed to end up in one. Not even in dungeons with the Safe Room. Sometimes, it would just drop you into the dungeon.

Like it did now.

Now for most, this would be dangerous and would stun them for a few moments. Not so with Rowan. And surprisingly, not so with Ark.

They were beset on all sides by Orcs, a good amount of them over level twenty if the feeling they gave off was correct. The only blessing in this situation was that the Orcs didn’t seem to be expecting them either.

They were all minding their business in the camp they just dropped in. Some playing cards, others just napping.

It didn’t take them long to enter murder mode, though. They all carried their weapons on their hip.

Before they could ever reach for them, though, Rowan was moving. His knife was unsheathed and ready. He reached the first Orc like a hurricane of violence, not even pausing after casually slashing its bear chest from collar bone to hip.

It wasn’t dead, but he wasn’t going for the kill. According to Vorn, Orcs were big, tough, and angry. It was doubtful, even with his stats, that he could kill them in one strike. Especially with his ‘poor’ skill with daggers. He was still just a little bitter about that assessment.

Based on how shallow the wound was on the Orc he struck, he was right to assume that. Monster races got certain advantages to offset being killed on sight until they could break free from the Mad God’s chains.

The Orc’s was Tree Skin, though it had multiple variants depending on their habitat. These were reported to have Crystal Skin, and based on the environment, it was fitting. It gave them exceptionally tough – and spiky – skin.

Rowan continued on his attack, but Ark wasn’t just sitting still.

Under her breath, she whispered, “Unleash Plague: Targeted.”

A small beam colored a sickly and virulent green rushed forward. The first Orc that was hit by her attack staggered back and then laughed. It wasn’t hurt at all! A few other Orcs noted the lack of damage and seemingly dismissed the strange woman, instead focusing on the man dancing around like a hyperactive ballerina with a knife.

That confident dismissal was the best move, they were sure of that. A caster with spells that puny? She was surely no threat, and they were certain about that… Until they felt a stir in their gut and an itch in their nose. Still, it was probably nothing. They were tough, they were big, they were ORCS!

Rowan was beset by them on all sides, and they were getting angrier the longer he dodged and weaved around their attacks. He was beginning to worry, they were healing faster than he could damage them…

Then they started sneezing and coughing. The Orcs thought that was weird, but who really cared? It was just a cough. Their stomach hurt a bit, but it wasn’t that bad.

Their fingers started to go a bit numb, but again, it was nothing. Maybe the adrenaline? Or blood loss? The male human was bleeding them dry, after all. They weren’t worried, however. They were tough, and their vitality could carry them through some blood loss. The human would get tired eventually, and then his incessant dodging couldn’t protect him.

A few were now beginning to notice that small lesions were beginning to open on their skin. Maybe they had gotten a cut from that human that they hadn’t seen? He was fast.

Then the coughs turned to wracking and awful fits, and their lesions turned into real wounds that were absolutely weeping blood and pus. Their stomachs began to protest their last meal, and they began vomiting black bile. Their skin had gone from a healthy crystal cyan into a sickly and crumbly yellow. The fast human didn't even have to try to avoid them now.

They quickly realized it must be the work of the short human female. They attempted to find her, but between their own coughing fits and the human bladestorm, they couldn’t find her.

Slowly, they began to succumb to their accumulated wounds. Their vitality drained faster than it could heal them.

The moment the first Orc dropped, they knew they were finished. The dagger human didn’t even look winded! They attempted to run. It was futile, and deep down, they knew that, but their survival instinct demanded they do something. No Orc worth the name would die without fighting to their last breath.

— — —

After the battle, Rowan found Ark perched in a tree. She was just chilling there. He took a moment to observe the strange woman.

She was short, even shorter than him, at a decidedly disarming 5’1. Her hair was electric blue, which was rare even for those of the Axelite race. Her eyes matched her hair, both in color and intensity.

A short lightning bolt of a woman with plague magic. Interesting.

“So how do we distribute loot? Half and half?” He asked.

She leaped from her perch and landed right in front of him, answering, “We can do sixty/forty. You're risking your life on the frontlines, after all. Seems only fair.”

“If you say so, it will certainly be helpful.” Rowan said gratefully. It was the first time she had heard genuine emotion in his voice, however dim it might be.

“No problem.” She said.

“So, um. How’d you like my magic?” She asked, suddenly nervous.

A little thrown off by the sudden shift in the atmosphere, Rowan honestly answered, “It’s powerful. Vorn informed me that Orcs would be tough to kill, but with your help it became much easier. I heard you call your ability a plague, am I correct in assuming that’s your branch of magic?”

“Yep! Plague magic! Or rather, Plague Sorcery. You know how those mage types get when you don’t respect the distinction.” She replied, now in much higher spirits.

“Cool. Do- Ah, Vorn has questions. He is a ‘mage type’ as you would say. Very curious. Incessantly curious.” Rowan said with… was that exasperation? Ark wondered how curious he must be if it irritated the walking rock of a man.

“THAT'S SO COOL! How does it work? Can you discriminate between targets? Of course you can, otherwise we’d be coughing! How do you target your enemies then! What kind of plague is it! Is it magical or mundane! What-” Ark kind of zoned out after a while.

That’s how curious.

— — —

They had landed in a rather obscure camp. It must have been a scouting location or a small outpost at most. There were only fifteen Orcs, all between levels fourteen to twenty-three. They [Converted] Most of them, as that didn’t destroy the body, and looted a few others. As long as the body wasn’t [Destroyed] the blood would be fine.

They came out with a grand total of one bright and fifty lumies split between themselves. That was all from conversion, though. They would be splitting the funds from the vials after they turned them in.

Rowan got himself a new knife, mostly to use in conjunction with his previous one, and Ark managed to pull a pretty solid short sword. She just replaced her old blade with it. She still kept it in her spatial bag, however. No need to waste a perfectly good backup.

Rowan dragged his way through level eight with that fight, finally reaching level nine. He loved his Class – no, his Path, and he wouldn’t replace it with any other – but god did it level slowly.

Still, that was one hundred and thirty-five points in every Physical Attribute. More than a lot of people would ever get in their lives. In any stat.

No matter, they had other things to accomplish. This camp was just the first of many. The sooner they got to the Academy, the sooner they would unlock their full potential. Rowan wouldn’t say it out loud for fear of pushing his younger soulmate – Rowan still remembered how easily swayed he was before he served and his confidence was solidified –, but he was excited to see what they could do when they were finally complete.

Just a few more dungeons.

But, for now, he would enjoy this one.