Chapter 198. An Unexpected Turn._You are Summoned

Chapter 198. An Unexpected Turn.

“You are correct, I’ve been here before, but not of my own volition. I was summoned here by another person, as were the others with me. For that summoning, the system offered me a reward, a chance to explore your dungeon on my own. You mentioned thieves, but I tried to contact you to make sure I wasn’t dealing unfairly with you,” I said.

“You helped the thieves, those that cut off my dungeon from others and use it for their own purposes. I will see if your previous visit was as you claimed,” the dungeon told me before going silent.

Dungeons had many ways to view what was taking place inside them, and I had to believe they had something in place to review previous dungeon runs. What it would find should confirm that I was just a summoned being, but what it would do with that information was a mystery. I really wanted to get a good run in and gain enough experience to finally reach tier two.

“It was as you say. You were not allies with the tormentors, only their unwitting pawns,” the dungeon said.

“Tormentors? I’m afraid I don’t understand. Were the kids threatening your core or doing something to harm you? How do they torment you? I’ve worked with a dungeon before, but there was little time to understand how she functioned,” I asked, confused over what the dungeon’s beef with the kids had been.

“The system restricts what I can tell an outsider, but I can explain this. For a dungeon to survive, it must have mana brought in from other beings. Much of it is gained by their presence inside, as well as when they engage directly in defeating the challenges inside. When a summoned creature is inside, the amount of mana gained is negligible. The tormentors rarely enter my home themselves, and when they do, it is briefly, and they never engage directly in combat with my challenges, they only send their summoning minions to do their work for them.

“For whatever reason, these tormentors, and several groups like them, are the only ones who enter inside my home. They prevent normal adventurers from testing themselves against my challenges and prevent me from growing and evolving. They often take more mana from me in the form of rewards, than they return with the presence of their summoned creatures,” the dungeon explained.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea, and I expect that they might not know either. Have you tried to contact them directly as you’re doing with me now?” I asked.

“Yes, once I did, the older one, the powerful mage, dismissed my concerns and said I was here to provide entertainment for his charges. He threatened my core if I did anything to harm them,” the dungeon said.

“I didn’t know that, and I’m afraid that my visit here is limited, or I would gladly help you. Tell me, have you considered offering your own summoning contract? The dungeon I assisted before had offered one in the city of Somhagen. If you do, adventurers might come and help to defend you against this wizard, or maybe make sure your dungeon is open to all who wish to visit,” I offered.

“The city of Somhagen is known to my kind, but I lack the power to visit it,” the dungeon said with surprising sadness in his voice.

“You can’t visit Somhagen, but I will soon. If you’d like, I could take your offer to one of the brokers I trust. They’ll find you an appropriate summoned being that can be called on to help you against this wizard if he tries to harm your core. Maybe they can exit the dungeon and negotiate with the wizard so you aren’t starved of resources,” I offered. I wasn’t exactly sure how it would work with me as a messenger, but maybe Lavelle, or the new broker on tier two, that Rhett guy, could help me with the details.

“That would be appreciated,” the dungeon said. Before he could continue, a system prompt cut him off.

You have offered to facilitate a contract between the Ruins of the Forbidden Glade dungeon core, and a summoning broker in the city of Somhagen. As you currently have employed the services of a negotiator, do you wish to attempt to summon the being known as Tzes’zod to assist you in these negotiations? Y/N.

“I think I can summon someone who can help us work this out. Before that, do you have a name for yourself. I feel bad just calling you dungeon, or Ruins of the Forbidden Glade,” I asked.

“I am the Ruins of the Forbidden Glade, but perhaps my assistant, Capria, can assist us. It taxes me to speak directly, and she can work through any details with you. Thank you for offering to help, summoned being, you have my gratitude and I’m now happy that I didn’t immediately kill you when you entered my home,” the dungeon said.

A portal opened behind me, and out stepped Tzes’zod. At the same time, from the stairwell portal, a young woman appeared. She looked almost human but had a greenish tint to her skin. It wasn’t like an orc or goblin’s hue; it was a more natural and healthy shade. Instead of clothing, living plants grew around her body, clothing her in nature’s embrace.

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“Rico, I heard you might have need of my services, what have you gotten yourself into this time?” Tzes’zod asked. He was wearing the guise of Gimblewalt again, which was probably a good thing when we started negotiations. Tzes’zod’s normal undead visage was a bit more threatening than I wanted this negotiation to be.

“I believe you are Capria? Hello, I’m Rico, and this is Gimblewalt who will be facilitating our deal,” I said, ignoring Tzes’zod for the moment.

“Greetings, and just so you know, there is no need for subterfuge. Your negotiator’s true form is not something that frightens or intimidates us. It is very hard to fool a dungeon assistant while inside the very dungeon we serve,” Capria said.

“My apologies, Capria, I am Tzes’zod, and I find my form often troubles others and leads to misunderstandings in the process of negotiation. Perhaps we can start with a recap of what you two have discussed so far,” Tzes’zod said, dropping the illusion of Gimblewalt and revealing his true form.

I spent a few minutes bringing Tzes’zod up to speed on what I’d learned from the dungeon. Capria added anything I’d missed and went into their desires in more detail. Tzes’zod quietly absorbed everything, asking a few questions to clarify important points.

“I believe I have a thorough understanding of the situation. It is within the scope of my ability to bind an agreement between both parties, as well as facilitate the interaction with the city of Somhagen. Rico is willing to assist you in bringing an offer to a broker in the city, but what can you offer in compensation for his services?” Tzes’zod asked. I almost interrupted him, I wasn’t looking for anything back from the dungeon, I just wanted to help it.

“Before I can make an offer, Tzes’zod, perhaps Rico can explain a bit more about his visit here,” Capria asked. I tried to explain how the dungeon key was given as a reward for my previous summoning, and I was here to gather loot, and more importantly, experience.

“I’m afraid the loot I can offer is minimal, as you know the impoverished situation that we find ourselves in,” Capria started, she began to pace as she spoke, and I was surprised to see flowers grow in her footsteps.

“We cannot offer much in the way of financial compensation directly, but my dungeon can inform the system that you completed all the objectives inside with exceptional skill. This should grant you a higher rating than normal and allow you more of the experience that you desire.”

“Can a dungeon do that; you can influence my summoning ranking at the end of a session?” I asked.

“We have some influence on such things, but, as always, the system is the final arbiter,” Capria explained.

“You should know, Rico, that not all dungeon cores are as sapient and understanding as the one I serve. I would warn against attempting to contact most, as the more simple-minded types will often take that as a direct challenge and throw everything that they have at you,” Capria warned.

“I know a bit about dungeons as well and can confirm that Capria is correct. Most are guided by instincts and, other than with their direct assistants, they view all communications as a threat to their core,” Tzes’zod confirmed.

“Got it, no trying to make small talk with most dungeons,” I said.

“If you both would allow me, I think I have what I need to form a binding contract between both parties,” Tzes’zod said. Both Capria and I nodded our agreement, and a few moments later the system presented us with Tzes’zod’s offer.

The being known as Rico Kline has offered the following to the Ruins of the Forbidden Glade dungeon core.

1. Rico Kline will create a summoning contract with a broker of his choice inside the city of Somhagen. Monetary rewards for this contract will be provided by Rico and will be sufficient to recruit a skilled summoned being of an appropriate Tier and Rank.

In return for this, the dungeon will offer the following.

1. A confirmation that they consider Rico’s efforts inside the dungeon to be of the highest quality, which will influence his overall ranking at the end of this summoning.

“It looks fine to me,” I said.

Thinking back on how much silver I had received for taking a contract, it shouldn’t cost me too much to set up a contract with the broker. I was more than happy to do so if it helped the dungeon survive. After all, I had just received 600 gold from Gary renting out my personal space expansion. A handful of silver or even a gold or two wasn’t going to hurt me. I’d gladly pay that much to hit tier two as soon as possible.

“There is one addition to the contract that I wish to make,” Capria said, and the updated contract appeared.

The Ruins of the Forbidden Glade dungeon has modified their offer.

In return for this, the dungeon will offer the following.

1. A confirmation that they consider Rico’s efforts inside the dungeon to be of the highest quality, which will have an effect on his overall ranking at the end of this summoning.

2. The dungeon will offer a token to allow Rico to return and explore once the threat to it has been resolved.

“It’s just something I wanted to offer you, I would like you to see our home when it is in its glory, not in its current, deprived state.

Both parties have agreed to the new terms, and the contract is now binding and enforceable by the system.

Almost as soon as the agreement was confirmed, I was pulled from the dungeon.

Your summoning is now considered complete.

Your performance rating has been deemed Exceptional.

You have earned 48 experience points.

You have earned 117 summoning points.

Congratulations, you have reached Tier 2, Rank 0.

You have unlocked a class evolution.

A visit to the city of Somhagen has been unlocked and a portal to the city has been added to your personal space.

Current Status.

Rico Kline, class pending.

Tier 2, Rank 0.

Experience/experience needed for next rank: 32/35.

Summoning points: 224.

Chapter 198. An Unexpected Turn.

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