Noracin surveyed the area around the entrance to the new Dungeon. What was once a rather sparsely vegetated small forest clearing was now substantially bigger as everyone worked to clear out the surrounding trees. But even this larger space was filled to the brim with people carrying supplies back and forth as the new outpost was being set up, and even now a group of people were hard at work expanding the perimeter. The Hallmaster herself scurried between the various stations, her team in charge of leading the operation personally. Something that he under normal circumstances would have found extremely unusual, even for the find of a new Dungeon, as a Hallmaster was usually a more political position. And were often extremely busy with the different dealings between the Guild and other organisations to handle the day to day operations.
But this wasn’t normal circumstances. As one of the few who had entered the Dungeon and lived, Noracin should know that most of all.
He’d overheard the leadership talking one night during the journey out here, so he was familiar with the Order sneaking in an investigatory team into the Dungeon, as well as the fact that they never walked back out.
He’d spent the night praying for them when he’d heard, asking The Lady to light up their path through the afterlife and for them to reach the safe harbor of Astrala. While he was disappointed in their actions, as he felt that sneaking about wasn’t proper behavior for members of the Order. Though he wasn’t naive enough to think that the Order didn’t partake in the same politicking that other organizations did. Not anymore, at least. More to the point though he didn’t believe for a second that the scouting team had just decided to sneak on their own accord. And even if they had, their souls still deserved proper respect and well wishes for the Great Journey.
It had been a few days since he found out, and the workload he’d been given as the leader of the only official Challenger party had done wonders to distract him from the morose parts of Dungeon Challenges. Both his and the Orders’. He looked back at the stack of papers in front of him, only for a second pile to be dropped unceremoniously on top of the lot.
“The Guild says the outpost should be made ready for Challenges to begin in three days.” One of Katherine’s senior clerks, Redar, said. As a high Tier 3 [Scribe], ordinarily he would have outranked Noracin by leagues, but as one of the discoverers of the Dungeon he and his party had been granted a few privileges. Such as priority access to Challenges and a seat at the table for decision making regarding the Dungeon. But just because the [Scribe] had to follow his directions during this excursion it didn’t mean he had to like it.
“This is a new list of applications for entry going from week 2 to week 4. Once you have a free moment the Hallmaster has requested you to go through these and work out a good schedule for the Challenges.” Redar said.
With those came also increased responsibilities, and so Noracin was now sat with over a dozen requests from various parties and individuals who all wanted in on the ground floor. Next to those were an equal amount of papers laying out the various supplies and services which would be needed for the Outpost, as well as the Guild’s decisions on how frequent Challenges could be and the system for how to allocate them. And that wasn’t even counting this new pile. Still if there was one area he felt confident it was organization and paperwork.
“That should be fine.” Noracin said. “We have all but the last shipment of supplies, and most of the housing has been set up. We’re still waiting for an [Item Scanner], but it should be here within the day. Once the scouting team finishes their report for the day I should be able to start work on this new schedule.”
“Very good.” Redar nodded. “Your draft for the first week’s schedule was approved, with one addendum.”
“Oh?” Noracin asked.
“There will be an inspection done by a secondary team on the first Floor as written, but the Guild has decided that your party should be the ones to undertake that role.”
“Us?” Noracin blinked. “Why, if I may ask?”
“The Hallmaster will be busy with the staff arriving from Ebereya, and you’re the only other party to have entered the Dungeon before.”
“Is that important? I was under the impression that inspections are made by those over-Tiered for the Floor.”
“Normally, yes. With one exception; if the Dungeon is new, and the Floor is being suspected of having changed since the last inspection was done. Then priority shifts to having inspections be done by those with previous experience of the Floor first and foremost.”
“And right now that leaves only the Hallmaster and us.” Noracin said.
“Exactly.” Redar said with a nod. “Your priority will be to document the changes to the Floor rather than clearing it.”
Noracin nodded, then paused as he realized something. “Wait, did you say ‘changes’?” He asked. “What do you mean? I thought Floors were locked from changes once they were finished.”
“Initially yes,” Redar explained. “Dungeon’s unlock the Skill needed to make some changes to previously made Floors at their level 5, as well as way more increased options for Floor variety. Large changes like a different Guardian or a wholly new appearance are still prohibited though, we think. Or at least I haven’t ever heard of a Dungeon doing that.”
“Huh, I had no idea.”
Redar shrugged. “Most Dungeon’s don’t bother changing their early Floors, preferring instead to focus on expansion and improving their higher level ones. Just because they unlock the Skill doesn’t mean they have to use it, after all. Besides, only about 35 percent of Dungeons ever reach Tier 5. Or ‘Level 5’ as they would call it.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Noracin opened his mouth to respond, then paused as a thought occurred to him. “Doesn’t that mean this Dungeon is level 5 already? After only having formed a few months ago? Isn’t that incredibly fast?”
“Yes, it is.” Redar confirmed. “But no, as far as I know it isn’t entirely in the fifth level yet. Still fast though, no doubt about it.”
Noracin blinked, confused. “But…”
“You’ll have to ask someone more familiar with the inner workings of Dungeon System Mechanics for a complete answer. I just relayed what had been told to me. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to get back to work.”
“Right, of course.” Noracin said. “I’ll have the new schedule for you by lunch tomorrow.”
“Very good.” Redar said and strode away back towards the Hallmaster. Noracin stared after the man for a few seconds as he pondered what he’d just heard.
It’s changing the Floor without being level 5…
This Dungeon might be even more special than even he’d believed.
He shook himself. That issue was above his paygrade. What he had to worry about was how to wrangle and organize the Challenges of several dozen different parties, as well as where and how to house them all while they were here. And he now had to plan an inspection into the Dungeon as well. Which meant he’d need to send for Ceria to come from Aspenfield a few days ahead of schedule. Unless the Guild had done that already. He’d also need to find Alerio wherever he’d run off to and convince him to do some actual work for once.
At least with the work this time being some actual Dungeon Delving Noracin thought he stood a chance of getting the boy to stop using his ‘reduced Vitality’ excuse to get out of doing anything difficult in favor of spending time with the Dungeon Scholars, discussing whatever they were talking about.
He thought for a moment. Maybe Alerio himself wouldn’t be the worst person to ask about this new ‘changing’ situation… Noracin stood and walked off towards the hastily built yet still entirely official Scholar’s Pavilion.
It even had a wooden sign hanging out front. Thought it was wobbling slightly in the wind.
***
Aira was currently helping to carry planks of wood from the edge of the outpost to the center. She hadn’t really known what to expect when she’d agreed to go on this expedition, but it hadn’t been doing this. Still, she was grateful. The work she was doing would do wonders to push her up the list of applicants to Challenge the Dungeon, though she still likely wouldn’t get her turn until she was level 10 and at the cap for Tier 1. And while carrying wood and helping the Guild construct primitive houses for prospective Challengers granted some Experience, it wouldn’t be enough to get her there anytime soon. Anytime this year even was doubtful. No, if she wanted to level up she’d need to go out into the forest and actually find some monsters to fight. Not just hang around in the camp all day.
As she reached up to place the plank on top of a pile of identical ones that reached higher than her head, she heard a voice call her name from across the clearing. She turned to see Athilana standing with the redheaded woman from the march here waving at her to come. Aira hastily unloaded the wood, excused herself to the foreman, and hurried over.
“What is it?” she asked once she arrived.
“We got permission!” Athilana exclaimed. Aira blinked, then her eyes widened in confusion as she realized what her friend was talking about.
“You mean we get to go out on missions!?” She said. Athilana nodded.
“Exactly!” Athilana said. “We won’t be allowed to go out alone though. It seems two people isn’t enough to be considered a proper party out here.” She gestured towards the woman to her left. "This is Emmalia, the rogue friend I was telling you about. Her party is pretty spread out with different tasks right now, so she can’t take on any large missions…” She paused and blushed slightly and turned towards the other woman. “Sorry, I should let you explain.”
The redhead shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me, but alright.” She said. “What Athilana said is true enough. With everyone else being otherwise occupied I’m bored out of my skull hanging around here all day. And with my build hunting and scouting are what I excel at, so there shouldn’t be any issues with you going out despite your slightly low level as long as I come with.”
“See!” Athilana said excitedly. “I told you I’d get us out of construction duty!” She beamed at Aira, who looked between the two women with a mix of excitement and overwhelmed confusion.
“So…” she said, trying to organize her thoughts. “Basically what you’re saying is that if you come with, we can go out and hunt monsters?”
“Ostensibly the mission will be for scouting the surroundings.” Emmalia said. “But if we find any monsters within the proper level range there is no reason we can’t take them out. Normally the issue with sending out Tier 1 parties here is that around half the monsters here are Tier 2. But with me around to detect them that won’t be a problem, so I was given special permission to go out scouting. And I see no issue with taking the two of you with me when I go.”
“See, it’s perfect.” Athilana said. “We get to go on a mission, and it won’t even get dangerous.” Aira thought for a moment, then smiled.
“When do we leave?” She asked.
“Right away.” Athilana said, handing Aira her bow. Aira blinked, when had she…
She shook her head and accepted the bow.
**
The forest didn't turn out to be a scary place at all. Part of Aira had been expecting something much more ominous and threatening with how adamant the Guild had been of keeping Tier 1’s out. But an hour into their scouting mission and so far the forest looked just as it did back home, only with slightly taller trees.
With Emmalia leading the way they hadn’t had any difficulties avoiding monsters. In fact even with her Glyph Aira hadn’t even seen one yet, that was how safe Emmalia was being. A part of her was a bit disappointed that the mission had seemingly turned into nothing more than a walk through the woods, but the smarter part of her brain knew it was the better option compared to the alternative. Even fights between those of equal level were risky as mistakes sometimes happened. And most of these monsters weren’t on equal level with them. Rather than disappointed she should be thankful they hadn’t found anything they couldn’t just walk around or sneak past yet.
A screech of anger and hunger came from the trees above them. Aira looked up with a start. Above them a monster was emerging from the wood near the top of the tree. An [Eyeless Tree-Monkey]. No, it wasn’t just the one. As her eyes scanned the canopy Aira saw a second start to emerge, followed by a third. Each of their names showing up as a dark yellow within her System. They were still Tier 1, but each one of them was at the peak.
“I’ll hold them off. You two try an attacking retreat. Run away if you see an opportunity to do so.” Emmalia hissed three commands in rapid succession, simultaneously pulling out a dagger and hurling it at the closest monster to draw its attention.
Run away and leave this woman to fight the monkeys on her own? Aira thought.
She raised her bow at the same time as Athilana raised her hands, and a [Water Bolt] shot towards the closest monkey at the same time as the first arrow imbued with arcane energy flew towards the same target.
Fat chance of that happening.