Chapter Twenty-Nine


    This dwarf is powerful Ambrose acknowledged. Focusing his mind to a sharp edge, he unleashed the spirit from his spiritual skill. The dwarf’s eyes widened in surprise as his spirit met resistance. He stood up from his rock, a smile curling his lips, beard quivering as his spirit pressed against Ambrose’s own.


    This was not a being new to this, not some newly integrated like Ambrose, who had just unlocked his spirit. The dwarf had the focus and training needed to be formidable. He was running a thumb over his pickaxe, eyes now narrowed as he regarded the human before him with new interest.


    He said something to Ambrose, but he had no idea what it meant. Knuckles whitening, Ambrose took a step forward. He snarled with defiance, but the dwarf may as have been a mountain. It was a feat all its own that he was still standing.


    The dwarf before him knew this because a light of respect twinkled in his blue eyes. As suddenly at it had come, the pressure vanished.


    “Ah must say, ah’m impressed human! Yer the first ah’ve encountered with access to spirit. Ah was growin’ bored!”


    His voice was as deep as the mountain’s depths must have been.  To Ambrose''s surprise, the dwarf sounded Russian. From out of nowhere, the dwarf produced a small silver flask that he took a sip from. He smacked his lips and held out to Ambrose.


    “Bit oh snifter for ya?”


    A little bemused, Ambrose shook his head.


    Shrugging, the stout warrior took another sip before closing the flask and making it vanish.


    Deciding to take stock of the situation, he used [Retributions Gaze] on the dwarf.


    [Aleksei Strongpick Level 170]: Dwarves are known as the craftsmen of the multiverse. They spend their days mining, smithing, enchanting, jewel working, and perfecting many other crafts. Aleksei harbors a secret guilt, something that isn’t truly his fault.]


    “Done analyzing me, human?” Aleksei arched a brow.


    Ambrose brushed the notification away. He didn’t answer the question. Instead, he said,


    “I want to discuss an alliance between your people and mine. I''m sure you know that we can’t allow the Incursion to remain open. But neither do I want violence if it can be avoided.”


    Aleskei rubbed the point of the pickaxe as he arched a brow,


    “Ah wasn’t expectin’ a negotiation, to be sure. Hmm.”


    The dwarf seemed to mull over something for a bit, his mouth working like he was chewing on a piece of gristle.


    “Tell ya what, human. We dwarves are craftsmen to our bones. All we want is to live in this mountain and practice our craft. We do trade from time to time and have sent out a few patrols. There’s a dungeon nearby, in this place called the Valley o’ Kings or some such. Information we have says the dungeon rewards ya with valuable resources we need for our craftin’. Go complete that dungeon, bring us back half o’ the rewards, and ah’ll get you a sit down with the King. What do ya think o’ that?” Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    He almost groaned. Another dungeon? Really? It made some sense, dungeons were one of the only ways you could get direct rewards from the System.


    Aleskei was surprisingly reasonable. He could have demanded the full reward from the dungeon, but instead, he asked for half. Part of Ambrose considered saying no, however. It was more time he had to dedicate here instead of going after Eric.


    It would be far easier to just kill of them. Aleskei’s spirit was powerful, and it was a worry for him. It wasn’t insurmountable. Especially as he had other abilities to call on. A quick portal to behind the unsuspecting dwarf, or even in front of him, grab him and activate [Retributions Gaze] and it would be over.


    He rubbed a hand through his hair. Aleskei appeared perfectly content to let the human take all the time he needed to think.


    Not all fires start with a roar.


    Akaroth was right again. He didn''t know how strong the dwarves were  Aleskei spoke as if others held more authority than he did. At least a king.


    He highly doubted the King would place his most powerful warrior at the entrance. Oh, Ambrose had no doubt the dwarf in front of him had lots of power.


    Level one hundred and seventy with a powerful spirit like that meant he was no slouch.


    He also had to consider the long game. If these dwarves were as good as craftsmen as Aleskei claimed, then their people would make better allies than enemies.


    Something hot built within him, a pressure built in his ears. More delays he growled to himself. It was as if someone out there wanted to drag things out and were arranging things to make it happen.


    “Fine. I''ll take on the dungeon and bring back your rewards. I want that audience right after, though.”


    Aleksei produced his flask again with a beaming smile.


    “Ah knew you you''d agree! I have good feelings about you, human!”


    He drank, as Ambrose turned and stalked away.


    ****


    The Valley of Kings wasn''t hard to find. It had been a tourist area in the old world. The Systems arrival had changed a lot.


    Avalon towns folk talked about it. Ambrose had been freeing Avalon’s curse at the time, but there had been great earthquakes, and portals, with monsters pouring out of them, and the weather going wonky.


    It altered a lot of areas.


    This meant the Valley of Kings was no longer a tourist area. Instead it was a place of ruin.


    It was also guarded by a giant monster. A huge wolf creature in ancient egyptian attire wielded a gargantuan spear. It''s fur was the black found in ink stains on parchment. The eyes were golden, glowing with avarice light.


    Behind its massive legs was a small cavern that Ambrose just knew was the dungeon. To get an idea of what he was dealing with, he tossed a [Retributions Gaze] at the creature.


    [Anubian Guard (Sector Lord) Level 182]: Sector Lords are elite creatures designed to truly test an areas inhabitants. Defeating them will grant a special reward.]


    Akaroth, do you know anything about Sector Lords?


    Her reply came quickly,


    Defeating them usually grants a spiritual skill, or vast experience if you already have one. They are dangerous foes, hatchling. But dragons do not back down from a challenge.


    He sighed, looking at the stationary monster. If he didn''t know better he would have swore it was just a statue with how still it was.


    It was interesting that it offered a spiritual skill. It was one of the few ways to correct your advancement if that were true, and he had no reason to doubt the dragons words.


    He would just gain increased experience, probably more than increased, but he didn''t have much of a choice. It wasn''t going to just let him walts into the dungeon.


    He could portal past it, but that was leavings threat behind for later. He didn''t want anyone else gaining power from this thing. Especially an enemy. Nothing for it, then.


    He summoned Akaroth from his infernal dimension.


    Noelle sent an image of her stretching her claws.


    “Okay then, big guy. Let''s see what you got.”