Kyto cleared the System message and looked at the companions. Brandon was on his knees, his mana pool low after Kyto pulled from him, his face blistered from the beast's liquid strike, and his shoulders slumped. Sniffer's body lay lifeless on the island. The front of his clothes appeared burned by acid. Kyto had not realised from the spray that it was acid-based, ignoring the combat logs or other messages while fighting. Lars knelt by Sniffer's side, lifting the dead man’s head gently. Tiddles moved to sit by him, laying one of his beastly paws on his body, and lowered his head.
Kyto turned to Brandon again and pushed strands into him, having used Brandon's pool to refill his own. As he watched, the blisters across his face began to lessen, and as his mana dipped precariously low, the strands withdrew. Brandon slowly blinked his eyes as they finished repairing. One of his eyebrows was missing from the acidic burn, and his eyelashes had also been melted away.
"What do we do about Sniffer?" Tiddles asked.
As he asked, a bright light began to form around his body. Lars lowered his head and stepped away. Tiddles withdrew his paw as the light encased his corpse, slowly lifting it from the ground. They all watched in amazement as it began to pick up speed, swirling faster, his body behaving like a rag doll being swung by a child. As they gazed open-mouthed at the spectacle before them, in the same instant of it starting, it stopped as Sniffer's body vanished, and the light immediately went out.
"I think he just got sent to the safe room," Kyto said.
"He better have," Tiddles said with a deep growl.
"The mist is clearing," Brandon said.
The companions turned, looking out at the water, and as they watched, the mist that had been rolling across its surface was slowly withdrawing as if being sucked into a pipe. Over the next few minutes, it completely withdrew, the light from the mosses now shining brighter and illuminating the cavern in its green glow. They could now see to the distant end of the chamber, where they noticed a white light.
"How do we get back to Sniffer?" Tiddles asked, turning back to the corridor they had entered.
"I don't know how Sniffer can return with the blocked corridor," Kyto replied, realising what Tiddles meant due to the blocked path. "I think we just need to keep going forward."
"We are a man down, though," Brandon replied.
"We have no choice," Kyto said.
Lars bent, picking up both of their discarded pistols, placing his back in his holster and Sniffers in his belt. He had no ammunition left to reload the weapons. The small quantity they had brought with them had already been spent. The lantern was still on the previous island, and Kyto's familiar was casting its light, competing with the green from the mosses. Lars indicated to Kyto that he would collect it. He lowered himself into the water again and swam back to the island, collecting the lantern and returning it, holding it above its surface. The distance to the next island was even further, and there was more open water before reaching the chamber's end. Kyto looked at the dark expanse, feeling exhausted. Even though they knew that Sniffer would have been resurrected, the emotional draw on seeing a friend and companion killed was a level of intensity Kyto had never experienced before.
"Are you ok, Lars?" Kyto asked the big man.
He turned, smiling with a crooked grin, and shrugged.
"We need to swim to the far end," Kyto said, shoulders slumping. He did not want to return to the freezing water again but knew he must. The four companions eventually climbed back into dark depths and started to make their way to the end. Kyto paddled and splashed as he did.
"You need to learn how to swim," Tiddles said as he easily cruised through the water by his side. Kyto flopping about in the water like a waterborne Wild One would on land.
"I never expected to find a lake in the dungeon, did I," he responded defensively.
Lars had already reached the next island, even carrying the lantern, his smooth one-armed stroke pulling him swiftly through the water, closely followed by Brandon. "Grab hold," Tiddles said.
"What?" Kyto replied.
"Grab hold of my fur. It is painful watching you."
Kyto reached out and grabbed a handful of Tiddles's thick fur. Once he did, Tiddles sped up, Kyto being dragged through the water faster than he could swim. He climbed onto the next island, shivering from the freezing water.
Brandon's newly healed face had a blue tint from the cold, and even Lars looked colder now. "We need to get out of this room and try and warm up. Otherwise, none of us will be good for anything." Kyto stated.
"Last push," Brandon said. The cavern's end was visible now, and they could see what looked like a stone altar or something similar. They again entered the water, Kyto travelling as Tiddles’s passenger, dragging him along. The water felt even colder, with him not using his limbs to swim, and his arms felt numb when he got to the next island. He slowly climbed onto a stone floor. The area was roughly cut but replaced the packed earth of the other isles and corridors. Kyto could see the glowing object take the form of a pedestal and walked towards it. Lars was already looking down at the strange object.
"What is it?" Brandon asked.
The pedestal was about four feet high and had ornately carved patterns covering its surfaces. Across its top, Kyto could see glowing glyphs. They gave off a red hue, and as he looked at them, they moved across the stone surface until he realised he could understand them.
"It reads we may choose one item from a list," Kyto told them.
"What list?" Brandon asked
"No idea, there is no list here."
Kyto touched the top of the pedestal, and as he did, he received a System notification.
Would you like to share the list with all party members or, as party leader, claim your prize? Share/Claim
He selected share and received another notification of a flashing envelope. He selected the envelope, and a list of items appeared on his display. "Can everyone see this?" he asked.
"Yes," Tiddles replied.
Prequice tooth - A skilled artisan can use a Prequice tooth to produce a knife or dagger. The Jenxtarians highly seek this melee weapon.
+5% cold damage, 5% chance of triggering acidic bite when striking an opponent. Acidic Bite will penetrate most types of armour.
Prequice scale - can be used by a skilled artisan to produce armour or a shield. The Jenxtarians highly seek Prequice scales.
+10% defensive capability, -5% received damage, resistant to acid when crafted.
Ring of Mana Projection - boosts the wearer's mana pool by 5%.
Ring of Finding - improves the wearer's ability to observe the world around them.
Collar of the damned - boosts one of the wearer's skills permanently when worn.
"These items are way too specific," Kyto said after reading the details.
"Right," Brandon replied.
Lars shrugged his large shoulders, and as Kyto watched, a tick appeared next to the Prequice tooth.
"Fucking collar. I am not a damn pet." Tiddles complained bitterly at the only suitable option, selecting it begrudgingly.
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Kyto could not help but chuckle at his response as he saw a second tick appear next to the collar. Predictably, Brandon selected the Ring of Finding, and Kyto had no option but to consider the Ring of Mana Projection. He knew the System was deliberately giving them items aligned with their skills, abilities or needs. The items now had ticks next to them as Kyto selected the Ring.
"What about Sniffer, scale or tooth?" Kyto asked.
"Scale," Tiddles said immediately in response.
"But a second tooth could be beneficial?" Kyto stated.
"I do not like seeing him get killed," Tiddles replied sternly.
Kyto tried to select the scale, but the System would not allow him to get a message.
You may only select one item of choice.
"I cannot select it for him," Kyto said.
"So, what do we do?" Brandon replied. As he did so, a fifth tick appeared on the list next to the scale.
"He must have resurrected," Kyto said, another message flashing on his display.
Would you like to accept the party's selections? Yes/No
Kyto selected yes.
As there is no preferred choice, you may now either decide which item to select or, as party leader, have the deciding vote.
"Fuck. I thought we got one item each. It says we can choose one of them, or I can as party leader." he complained.
"That sucks," Brandon responded angrily.
"So, which do we go for?" Kyto asked.
"The ring would be nice for my skill, but my flawless detection is already advanced," Brandon replied.
"I don't want to wear a collar even though the skill boost would be nice," Tiddles added.
"The mana boost would still be handy for me, considering the issue I had of being able to draw in this cavern. Although 5% is not a huge boost, my skill advances give more than that." Kyto said.
"Tooth or scale," Brandon said.
Lars again just shrugged, looking at the rest of them. Kyto stood contemplating what to do for a few moments. "Neither can be used immediately because they require crafting, and we do not know if anyone can even craft with them. Because Lars struggled to penetrate the beast's skin with his knives, having something in the party that could penetrate most armour would be beneficial. I am going to select the tooth." he concluded.
"Can not argue with your reasoning," Brandon said.
Kyto again focussed on the list and selected the Prequice tooth.
Are you sure you wish to select the Prequice tooth for your party? Yes/No
He selected yes.
As he did, a beam of light appeared above the pedestal, and a brilliant light suddenly flashed. They all shielded their eyes from its brilliance, and as soon as it had appeared, it went again. Lying on top of the small pedestal was a pristine-looking twelve-inch-long white tooth. It had an iridescent sheen, and a blue vein ran down its exceedingly sharp-looking edges.
Lars picked up the tooth, turned it in his hand, and nodded in appreciation. The sides of the tooth were razor sharp, and he placed his thumbnail on the blade, carefully drawing it across its surface. His nail scratched instantly, and he smiled at the wickedly sharp tooth. He could not wield it, though, because there was no grip to hold it by, so he slipped it into his belt.
"Once that is styled into a dagger, that will be lethal," Brandon commented.
"We just need to have the dagger crafted. I don't know who can do it, but I hope someone in town can," Kyto said.
In the excitement of the potential loot, Kyto had forgotten about the cold, and it was only now he stood there and shivered.
"We need to get dry," he said.
"No point in staying in here then," Tiddles said. His fur was already dry, his core keeping him permanently warm.
"We could use you as a towel," Kyto said, smiling.
"A towel! I am not a damn piece of cloth to drag across your bodies." Tiddles growled back in surprise.
"I know you are not, but you are the only one of us who can stay dry and warm. Your heat would dry our clothes quickly enough." Kyto replied.
"You expect me to stand here while you all clamber all over me," he said, frowning.
"Unless you have wood for a fire?" Kyto said.
"I think we should go and see what is through that door before you get any more stupid ideas," he replied.
Kyto grabbed Tiddles around the neck and hugged him tightly. "But you are so soft and warm," he said.
"Get off me," he said, backing up.
Kyto laughed at the beast.
"Bastard," he replied
The door leading from the chamber was on the rear wall. Lars grabbed the ring, lifting it and opening the latch. The companions, once again being greeted with a corridor, Brandon naturally stood forward and entered, scanning the floor and walls. They took their time ensuring that the passage contained no traps. The corridor followed an incline and began to turn back on itself. It took them well over an hour to make their way up until they came to another door in front of them. "Here goes," Kyto said, grabbing the loop and lifting the latch, pulling the door inwards as he did.
The room in front of them was brightly lit, and it took them a few moments to realise they were looking back into the safe room, the light from the lanterns they had left behind shining brightly.
"What the fuck?" Brandon said as he saw Sniffer sitting on the floor chewing on some dried meat.
"Wondered when you would be back," Sniffer said, smiling at them all.
Tiddles bounded into the room and straight to him, licking his face. Sniffer chuckled, seeing his friend again. Lars walked over to Sniffer, smiling and bowing, offering him his thanks.
"No need to bow." he laughed in response.
"You sacrificed yourself for him," Kyto said, grinning at him.
"About that, I think I need new clothes." He opened his arms, revealing a clear hole in the middle of his jacket and shirt where the acid spray had melted straight through.
"I did not even realise it was acid until after the fight."
"How did it go in the end? I am glad no one else got killed."
"Mana was getting low, but Lars and Tiddles were unstoppable."
"Glad to hear. I felt useless in the fight."
"I was useless," Brandon added, rubbing at his eyes minus eyelashes as he flashed back to the blindness.
"It said we can enter dungeon level 2, but we have been brought back here and through the doors already. I wonder if we need to go over the chasm Tiddles found?" Kyto said.
"Hang on." Brandon turned to look at the door they had just come through. "That was not here before."
"Nope, it only appeared once the System message about the loot came up," Sniffer replied, standing as he did. He left a round, wet patch on the floor where he had been sitting.
"I see you dying. Did not dry you fully," Kyto said.
"No, but at least I didn't feel a great deal of pain when I died. It was almost instant as soon as that acid hit me. I was a goner." he said.
"This place fucks with your head," Brandon replied.
"Let us rest a few first. We could do with drying out a bit. Our clothes are still soaked, and I am freezing." Kyto said.
"We could go out and come back in?" Brandon said.
"What if the dungeon resets?" Sniffer said.
"I do not think it will. When I added Brandon to the party and entered, it said because the party size had changed, it reset. It would have stayed the same if we had come in as we were." Kyto said.
"I wish we had brought more clothes with us," Sniffer replied, looking at his state.
"Considering that we have no idea what this place will throw at us and what to expect, we could do with the town outside to get resupplies," Kyto replied.
Brandon added, "If we can go out, we could ask TJ to send someone back to grab clothes."
"That is not a bad idea," Sniffer said.
"Let me see what message I get when I touch the barrier," Kyto replied as he walked towards the entrance tunnel. The companions followed him out of interest and watched as he reached out. He could see two guards through the barrier in the chamber beyond, sitting by a small fire, talking to each other. Reaching out, he touched the barrier.
Do you wish to leave the Infestation Dungeon? Yes/No
"It just asks if I want to leave. Should I accept, yes?"
"May as well," Sniffer said.
Kyto accepted yes.
Dungeon progress saved. Level 1 complete. The time remaining is 7 days, 6 hours, and 4 minutes.
"It says progress is saved," Kyto said, smiling.
"That is great," Brandon said.
"Let’s head out and get clothes sorted, and then we can head back in after grabbing some food and drying off. I did not realise how long we had been inside there, though over five hours have passed since we entered," he added.
"That long?" Sniffer said, surprised.
"We need to keep an eye on the timer closely. We may not have the luxury to come and go as we have no idea how many levels there are." Kyto replied.
"Let's go and dry out, and then we can come back in. If we don't get blocked off, we can return and grab clothes later," Brandon said.
The companions walked through the barrier and, on doing so, scared the living shit out of the two guards, who sprung to their feet, fumbling with their weapons. "Calm down. It is only us." Kyto called.
"Thank fuck, I thought you were Geblex." the guard answered with a relieved expression.
"Is TJ outside?"
"Yes, at the tents."
"What tents?"
"He sent someone back for some, considering we may be here in a few days. Also, it has us on a rota as well."
"He has been busy," Kyto replied as they headed up the tunnel.
∆∆∆
In just over an hour, the companions had grabbed food, swapped some of their clothes with guards for dry ones, and began to head back down the tunnel. Lars was the only one who could not change clothes due to his height. He had shrugged off any concern from Kyto. TJ had promised that he would send a runner to get clothes from the girls and provided Lars and Sniffer with another magazine of rounds, each warning them that it was all they had spare. Lars had reloaded both pistols before handing Sniffer his back. TJ had been amazed at their story against the Prequice and the tooth Lars had shown him. TJ knew a blacksmith in the town who may be a suitable candidate to make a dagger with it and offered to take it back for Lars and enquire. Lars had accepted TJ's offer since he could not use it currently, as any attempt to hold the tooth would have meant he was grabbing the edges of the sharp tooth. Kyto had taken the opportunity to refill his pool completely and pushed endurance into the group, Tiddles not requiring any.
They approached the barrier again.
Would you like to enter the Infestation Dungeon? Yes/No
Party dynamics have not changed. The Dungeon position is saved, Level 1 is completed, and please proceed to Level 2. Time remaining 7 days, 4 hours, 23 minutes.
They returned to the safe room feeling much better and refreshed after eating and gaining some dry clothes. Even Lars's clothes had started to dry, and they felt more confident again. The safe room again had the two tunnels leading from it, and the door from the chamber had miraculously vanished again. Tiddles had bounded down the right tunnel until he had reached the doorway and, on returning, had informed the party that it now said Dungeon Level 2 on it. As a group, they again went down to the doorway.
"Here goes again," Kyto said, reaching for the ring.