《Deity of carnage - Unholy Kingdom》 Prologue - The Echoes of a Past Life
Protagonist¡¯s POV: I died. If you were to ask how, I''d label it a heroic death, but that would be far from the truth. Before my untimely end, my name was #####. I lived in a small city called XXXXXX. As a high school student, I faced the harshest reality: relentless bullying. ¡°Why not stand up for yourself?¡± you might ask. But how do you fight back when the ones attacking you are twice your size and driven by cruelty? It might sound clich¨¦, but my life was anything but extraordinary. The only reprieve I had was the rare days when my tormentors were in a better mood, sparing my face the worst of the beatings. I reached out to teachers for help, but their intervention only deepened the bullies¡¯ resolve. The days that followed were some of the darkest. Learning martial arts? I tried. Free trials, ¡°money-back guarantees¡±¡ªI attempted them all. But practice is different from execution, and without experience, fighting back was just a fantasy. Poverty was an unrelenting shadow in our household. My part-time job covered basic needs and schooling. My father, a hopeless drunk, drained what little money we had left, while my mother worked four jobs, struggling to keep our fragile lives from shattering. Arguments filled the nights, their echoes laced with the sharp crack of violence. I hated it. I hated him. You get the picture of my life¡ªor what it was. Now, let me tell you how everything spiraled beyond control. The Breaking Point One evening, the shouting began again. I was helping my mother with dinner, a kitchen knife within arm''s reach. When my father struck her, something snapped inside me. I grabbed the knife and lunged. The moments that followed are a blur. When my mind returned, my father sat on the floor, blood-soaked, shaking, and sobbing over a body. My mother''s body. The knife¡ªmy knife¡ªprotruded from her abdomen.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I ran. No destination, just away. Away from the horror, the guilt, the sight of my father''s tear-streaked face. Rain poured relentlessly as I stumbled through empty streets, soaked and shivering, until I collapsed against a cold wall and wept until the storm passed. When I stood again, numb and exhausted, I wandered aimlessly until I heard familiar voices. A group of my classmates¡ªthe bullies¡ªhad cornered another victim in a nearby alley. The boy''s eyes met mine, pleading silently. ¡°Help me!¡± he gasped. The bullies turned. One sneered, ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t #####. Boys!¡± I tried to flee, but they caught me, dragging me into the alley. They released the other boy, their interest shifting to me. He scurried away, leaving me to face them alone. My anger surged¡ªat him, at them, at everything. ¡°Your mom didn¡¯t teach you manners, huh?¡± one of them spat, his words cutting deeper than any knife. My dried tears returned in full force. Rage exploded. I launched myself at him, scratching, biting, hitting blindly. Stunned, they watched their quiet victim fight back with a ferocity I didn¡¯t know I possessed. I managed to land a solid blow, my knee connecting with the leader''s groin. He crumpled, tears springing to his eyes. But I wasn¡¯t finished. Fueled by pain and fury, I attacked anyone nearby, targeting their most vulnerable spots. For those moments, I was unstoppable. ¡°They deserve this,¡± I thought. ¡°It¡¯s people like them who make the world unbearable. It¡¯s their fault my mother is gone. Their fault I suffered.¡± Thoughts darkened, spiraling: Kill them all. Kill my father. Kill everyone who watched me suffer and did nothing. The fury drowned everything out until a sharp pain cut through my haze. I collapsed, my head pounding, wetness trickling down my scalp and pooling beneath me. At first, I thought it was rain. But the spreading red told me otherwise. My vision blurred, voices faded, and footsteps pounded away. Then silence. Cold, empty silence. I died¡ªnot in heroism, but in violence and despair. Bonus POV: Or did I? It¡¯s hard to tell when your mind works but your body doesn¡¯t. I could see¡ªif seeing counts as floating in endless darkness. No sound, no sensation. Just a void. How long had I been here? Hours, days, or years? Was this the afterlife? Hell? With nothing to do but think, my mind replayed the past: the bullying, my mother¡¯s death, the pain and helplessness. Anger swelled with every memory until it consumed me. Thoughts fragmented, voices argued inside me. Were they all me? Or was I now talking to you? Are you another version of myself? Time stripped away my memories, one by one, until only a wasteland remained. Only one memory clung desperately to my mind: hate. Dark and poisonous, it bloomed as the last vestige of who I was. ¡°Why am I so angry?¡± I wondered. ¡°Because they hurt me. They all did. And they should all pay!¡± Keeper - Ch1 For the first time in what seemed like decades, I began to hear a sound. Initially, it was faint, elusive, like a whisper carried by the wind. No, surely it must be my mind deceiving me. Yet, as moments passed, the sound grew, incrementally louder, until it became discernible. It was a voice, though its words were garbled, incomprehensible, as if spoken in an unfamiliar tongue. I struggled to grasp its meaning, feeling perplexed by the erratic stream of words. Perhaps it was another language, one beyond my knowledge. Just then, a chill coursed through me, spreading swiftly across my body. Cold. The realization of feeling anything at all filled me with an odd sense of relief. Following the chill, my sense of smell returned, detecting an acrid, chemical odor mingled with something more ominous, reminiscent of scorched plastic overlaid with the stench of decay. Was I in a hospital? Had I survived, only to be trapped in a catatonic state? My thoughts raced, the excitement of regained senses nearly causing me to forget the rage that once burned in me¡ªa resolve to purge humanity from existence. Yet, as my mind wandered, I grappled with questions. What is a hospital, and why does the word ¡®vegetated¡¯ resonate so strangely? Before I could untangle my thoughts, my hand twitched¡ªa spark of movement after an eternity of stillness. Seizing the opportunity, I attempted to open my eyes. I was met with the sight of a dimly lit chamber, its uneven stone ceiling looming above. Immobilized, I lay upon a cold, unyielding surface. In my peripheral vision, I observed the rugged ceiling slope downwards, merging with similarly uneven walls, adorned sporadically with glowing mushrooms. The soft, bluish light emitted from the fungi bathed the space in a muted glow, casting deep shadows across the room and making the scene both eerie and oddly serene. The realization that I was on a stone altar came to me as my eyes adjusted. My attention was soon drawn to the voice, now intelligible and commanding. A gruff male voice echoed through the chamber. ¡°Your name shall be¡­¡± He uttered a long, complex name in a foreign tongue, a series of syllables strung together that took several moments to enunciate. ¡°¡­and you shall call yourself Keeper. Now, rise!¡± Compelled by the command, my body obeyed involuntarily, and my vision shifted to behold the source: an ancient, stooped man with an impossibly long beard trailing to the stone floor. His robe, brown and tattered, exuded an unpleasant mix of sweat, chemicals, and other indefinable odors. His light gray hair and countless wrinkles spoke of a venerable age, though his deep blue eyes glimmered with a disconcerting vitality, hinting at some hidden intent. ¡°What is your name?¡± he demanded. ¡°Keeper,¡± I responded, the word slipping from my tongue before I could grasp it. A jolt of confusion surged within me. That¡¯s not my name¡­ Yet, when I tried to recall my true identity, it eluded me, replaced by an eerie, blank void. ¡°Hey, old man, what have you done to me? Why can¡¯t I remember my name?¡± I questioned, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury. The old man¡¯s eyes narrowed, a smirk barely visible beneath his beard. ¡°Hmm, interesting¡­ very interesting indeed.¡± My anger flared. ¡°Hey! Answer me when I¡¯m speaking to you!¡± I lunged, intending to seize him, only to find myself unable to move. It was as though invisible chains had bound me. ¡°Why can¡¯t I move? Hey! Answer me¡ª¡± ¡°Silence!¡± he commanded. My voice vanished at once. I seethed inwardly, unable to move or speak, watching as he muttered to himself, ignoring my plight. A moment later, he cleared his throat and resumed in a tone tinged with authority. ¡°My name is Maleck. I bestowed upon you your true name, Keeper, in the ancient tongue, binding you to my will. As for your forgotten name, it is inconsequential, for you have spoken your new name already. And you cannot move because I will it so. You are forbidden from harming me or disrupting anything within this chamber.¡±Stolen story; please report. He gestured for me to test his assertion, and indeed, though I could move, I remained unable to touch him or any object around me. Frustration coursed through me. My first potential victim stood before me, yet I was powerless. ¡°Now, chant a simple light-creation spell for me,¡± he instructed. I stared blankly. A spell? Magic? His irritation grew as silence stretched between us. He sighed, exasperated. ¡°You are allowed to speak,¡± he snapped. Even with permission, words failed me. The concept of magic seemed unfathomable. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± he barked. Uncertainly, I raised my hands and mimed a simple gesture, one resembling a parlor trick where a thumb appears dislocated. For a brief moment, Maleck¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief before darkening with rage. ¡°What nonsense is this? Are you mocking me?¡± His voice boomed. ¡°No, I¡­¡± My reply came out as a fearful squeak. ¡°Tell the truth!¡± he thundered. ¡°I swear, it was the only trick I knew!¡± I stammered, terror palpable in my voice. Maleck sighed, irritation fading to a resigned amusement. ¡°A trick indeed, but not magic. This is magic.¡± With a simple motion, he conjured a flame in the palm of his hand, a ball of fire that radiated intense heat. I recoiled, almost collapsing backward, my body stiffening in an unnatural bow. Panic set in as I realized I could not move. ¡°Help¡­¡± I managed to croak. Maleck smirked, barely stifling a laugh. ¡°Say, ¡®Master, please,¡¯¡± he commanded. I resisted momentarily, pain shooting through me. ¡°Master¡­ please,¡± I choked out. A smirk confirmed his victory. ¡°Good. You may move,¡± he said with satisfaction. I fell, sprawling onto the table and sending papers and vials crashing to the floor. ¡°What do you say?¡± he prompted. ¡°Thank you, master,¡± I muttered, humiliation coursing through me as I clenched my fists. Satisfied, Maleck directed me to clean up the chaos, muttering to himself as I moved with reluctant obedience. He soon disappeared through a door I had not noticed before, leaving me to ponder my fate in a chamber both foreign and unnervingly familiar. Reluctantly, I began to tidy the chaos. The room was a cave, carved from muddy brown stone, the air thick with the smell of damp earth and decay. An altar stood at the center, adorned with strange symbols and littered with broken glass. Tables lined the walls, cluttered with vials, open books, and dissection tools¡ªan unsettling labyrinth of remnants. As I picked up the shards of glass, I caught sight of my reflection in a polished surface. A pale-faced youth, no taller than five feet, stared back. Silky gray skin glistened under the dim light, and ruby-red eyes shone with a strange intensity. This was me? Suddenly, Maleck entered, dragging a heavy wooden chest behind him. He struggled to open it, his old bones creaking, muttering in frustration. ¡°Keeper, open it!¡± he ordered. My body obeyed, the chest swinging open with an eerie ease. Inside lay an array of weapons, glinting menacingly in the low light. ¡°Pick one,¡± he commanded, his tone casual, as if it were a game. ¡°Why? Are you not afraid I will use it against you?¡± He ignored my question, muttering about my incompetence as I rifled through the chest. My fingers brushed against a crossbow, its wood cool and familiar. I didn¡¯t know how, but the urge to test it was irresistible. I pulled the trigger, the bolt flying wildly through the air, ricocheting off walls like a furious animal. My heart raced with adrenaline¡ªwas this my chance? But no, the arrow collided with an invisible barrier, clattering harmlessly to the ground. Maleck turned, his icy glare piercing through me, and I flinched under the weight of his fury. ¡°Stand in the circle!¡± he ordered, pointing to a strange pentagram drawn on the floor. I complied, placing the crossbow aside. As Maleck murmured incantations, the air crackled with energy, and metals from the chest floated upward, forming a swirling mass of ore. The sword flew at me, slamming into my chest with a painful thud. ¡°Brutes with no brains should wield weapons suited to their kind.¡± I staggered but remained standing, feeling a strange pull towards the glowing symbols beneath me. ¡°What am I?¡± I asked, the question spilling from my lips unbidden. ¡°Had I known you¡¯d be such a hassle, I wouldn¡¯t have summoned you,¡± he sighed. ¡°You are the pinnacle of chimera-topology. You are an Aberration, a creature born of many. A guardian demon or evil spirit, as folklore describes.¡± His voice dropped, a shadow flickering in his eyes. ¡°But you are nothing like the tales. I am your master now, and you will obey.¡± ¡°Now stand still! This will hurt... a lot.¡± With that, he began to chant. The pentagram glowed ominously, metals swirling around me, heating to a blistering red. I screamed as the molten metal flowed over my body, burning, searing every inch of my flesh. I writhed in agony, my voice a cacophony of pain. ¡°Finished. This is my final gift to you,¡± Maleck declared, a twisted glee in his voice. A gift? I was encased in dark, skin-tight armor, every curve of my body visible beneath its surface. Smoke billowed around me, the smell of scorched flesh mingling with the damp air. ¡°Move!¡± I collapsed to my hands and knees, gasping for breath, rage boiling inside me. One day, I vowed through clenched teeth, I would find a way to end Maleck¡¯s twisted game. I would make him pay. Keeper - Ch2 Keeper''s POV Standing outside Maleck¡¯s study, I leaned against the door, my trusty sword [Slayer] by my side. Yes, I named my sword; what''s wrong with that? A name gives it character, and besides, [Slayer] is aptly named for its impressive size¡ªit looks like it could cleave a giant in two. It¡¯s heavy enough that I need both hands to wield it, but it¡¯s worth the effort. If only it weren''t so dull and rusted; I¡¯m convinced my new partner has seen better days. One day, I¡¯ll restore [Slayer] to its former glory¡ªor at least try to without losing a finger in the process. As I admired [Slayer], I peered down the narrow tunnel of the cave, barely wide enough for a pair of shoulder-widths. My gaze fell on some glowing mushrooms sprouting at the bend¡ªthe only hint of charm in this dank dungeon. Yes, I¡¯ve been graced with a "room" by my master. Lucky me! And let¡¯s not forget the bucket beside me for... well, let¡¯s just say it¡¯s for ¡°business.¡± With my glorious living space came a delightful set of rules¡ªan exhaustive list that felt like it was written by a deranged librarian. I¡¯m not allowed to hunt for food whenever I please, I can¡¯t let anyone into the study except Maleck himself, and the pi¨¨ce de r¨¦sistance: a strict schedule for when I can relieve myself. You might wonder how I manage to go about my business while encased in a layer of black metal armor that clings to me like an angry ex. It¡¯s simple: I just go. How it works is still a mystery, but this magical armor, crafted by Maleck, seems to accommodate my needs, though it was a painfully excruciating process to don it. Oh, how I long for the day I can wrap my hands around that old wizard''s scrawny neck! Today, like many days before, I was waiting¡ªwaiting for the precise moment I could reveal myself and lure my arch-nemesis here. Finally, the moment arrived. After an agonizing wait, I saw something moving at the end of the tunnel, feasting on my bucket. With a wild yell, I took [Slayer] in hand and dashed toward the slow-moving blob. With a dramatic flourish, I swung [Slayer] and sliced at the creature. Again and again... and again... and¡ªyes, you guessed it¡ªagain. This little blob was tougher than it looked. Identifying its gender felt impossible; I couldn¡¯t even call it "it." This gelatinous, blue menace was known as Blue, the ¡°cave maid,¡± as Maleck so delicately put it. Blue eats anything¡ªliterally anything! This gooey creature devoured my bucket, leaving me with nothing but a sense of betrayal. Why did I want to slay Blue? No reason, really. I just found it oddly satisfying to take out my frustrations on this hapless slime. Besides, each swing improved my, uh, rather clumsy swordsmanship. After a solid hour of hacking away, Blue finally finished its meal and spat out the intact bucket¡ªthank the runes for that! My magical bucket of feces was indigestible to the little monster. With Blue slinking away, I returned to my post, leaning against the door, ready to wait some more. And so my days blurred into a monotonous cycle of hunting bugs and dodging green berries, which I learned the hard way to never eat again. Days melted into months¡ªI had lost track of time down here in the cave. I could navigate the tunnels well enough but hadn¡¯t yet found an exit, which was, frankly, starting to bore me. Until one fateful day. That day, I heard a raucous explosion from within the study, followed by a horrifying roar. "ARRRRAAAHHHH!" Curiosity piqued. It didn¡¯t sound like Maleck was involved, and my suspicions were confirmed when he hollered my name. ¡°KEEPER! GET IN HERE!¡± Panic dripped from his voice. My body sprang into action, darting into the study. The scene that met my eyes was nothing short of chaotic¡ªbookshelves overturned, tables in disarray, and in the back, a grotesque amalgamation of body parts connected in ways that defied physics. And to my dismay, every piece seemed to belong to a woman. Talk about an unwanted reality show. My master isn¡¯t just wicked; he¡¯s downright perverted! How did I know its gender? I had no clue what fanservice was, but it looked like it had just stumbled off a badly drawn comic. ¡°ATTACK IT!¡± Maleck commanded. His blue magical shield, which once blocked my stray arrows, was now being battered by the many limbs of this abomination, leaving cracks like a shattered window. Oh, how I wished I could just sit back and watch this old fool die. But alas, my body ignored my wishes and lunged at the monstrosity, slicing at its limbs while purple blood sprayed everywhere like a twisted water park ride. The creature¡¯s attention shifted to me. I deftly dodged its attack, only to be knocked back against the cave wall. I braced for pain, but to my shock, nothing happened! This was the first time I was genuinely grateful for the tar-black magic armor that Maleck had foisted upon me. Bouncing back up, I was ready for round two, brimming with excitement. But just as I was about to charge, Maleck yelled, ¡°Move away!¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. With perfect timing, he unleashed a spell. Nothing happened to the monster, though. Instead, it turned back to Maleck, poised to attack, but one of its arms simply fell off. Wounds erupted across its body, spewing more purple blood than I thought possible, until¡ªBOOM! It burst into a gory explosion. Forget that I was ever grateful to that old pervert! He¡¯d ruined my fun, and I was now a sticky mess, drenched in the creature¡¯s remnants. Maleck stood unscathed behind his magic shield, looking like a toad in a pond of blood. ¡°What a mess,¡± he muttered. ''Oh? You don¡¯t say¡­'' The room, once a semblance of order, was now a gruesome disaster zone. I couldn¡¯t even see [Slayer] beneath the piles of gory goo! ¡°Help me find the stone!¡± Maleck shouted. ¡°The stone?¡± I echoed, glancing around at the chaotic wreckage, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of debris. ¡°No, no, no! Not a regular stone! The philosopher''s stone! It''s what that thing dropped!¡± Maleck fumed. Surrounded by what looked like a murder scene, I doubted I could find anything amidst the carnage. But then something caught my eye. Not an unconscious body, nor anything particularly outstanding in this mess¡ªjust a faint glow amidst the purple gore. I bent down and wiped the gory remains off what turned out to be a gem¡ªan unrefined ruby that pulsed with a faint, pure red light. Whispers drifted from it, a cacophony of voices seducing my mind, each one an echo of the damned. Oddly, it felt like part of me¡ªor I was part of it. Maleck is not going to have this! Without a moment''s hesitation, I did the only thing that made sense. I devoured it. Heat surged through me as it dissolved in my stomach. While I stood there, utterly useless, Maleck caught sight of me, frustration radiating off him in waves. ¡°You damn useless guardian! If you¡¯re not going to help, then get out!¡± As commanded, I slipped back outside the door, chuckling at the chaos unfolding within. Maleck¡¯s incantations and curses echoed behind me as I settled down, a smug grin stretching across my face. And with that, I drifted off to sleep, the sweet sound of Maleck¡¯s rage lulling me into slumber.
Voice of the World... Initiating. ...Active! Devourer of 1,000 Souls By devouring the impure philosopher''s stone imbued with 1,000 souls, you have gained the title "Devourer of 1,000 Souls." This title will contribute to your strength. Currently Devouring:
  • Impure Philosopher Stone
  • 1,000 damned souls residing within a gem.
Time until devouring completion: 20 cycles. Not long after, I woke up¡ªsurprisingly surprised¡ªwhen Maleck emerged from the door for the first time in ages. ¡°I will leave for a while to resupply. Stay alert, and let no one, under any circumstances, enter my study! Kill them on sight if necessary.¡± Well, that was an order I could get behind! Too bad it seemed unlikely I''d have any opportunity to execute it. I gave him a solemn nod as he departed, leaving me truly alone once more. Days passed in silence, marked only by my routines of hunting, eating, and sparring with Blue the slime. I¡¯d almost started to miss Maleck¡ªif only to wring his neck¡ªwhen one day, he came strolling back with several floating boxes. Just before he entered the study, I noticed a small shadow trailing behind him¡ªa creature barely a third of Maleck¡¯s height. As they drew closer, I squinted to get a better look. It was a skinny, humanoid figure, with little muscle to show for itself. As they drew closer, I got a proper look: it was a skinny little humanoid creature, lacking any semblance of muscle. Just a rag hanging over its¡­ well, it was less of an observation and more of an accident. Its jade-green skin glistened in the dim light, and its pointed ears twitched like they were catching some invisible wind. A big nose jutted out, and its bug-eyed gaze darted nervously about, clearly weighing its chances of survival. I locked eyes with the little creature. It stared back, wide-eyed and bewildered, then scuttled after Maleck like a frightened rat seeking refuge. The moment it crossed the threshold into the study, my orders kicked in. I drew [Slayer], my trusty sword, and swung it down in a dramatic arc, aiming to cleave the intruder in half. To my surprise, the little humanoid dodged with surprising agility, diving into the study as if it were a professional athlete escaping a tackle. I followed, driven by a bloodlust that would make a butcher proud. My eyes glowed red with murderous glee, and I raised my sword again, ready to finish the job when¡ª ¡°STOP! You are not allowed to hurt MY goblin!¡± Maleck bellowed, cutting through my excitement like a blundering knight trampling a field of daisies. No fun! With that, I halted mid-swing, seething with frustration. The so-called goblin had escaped a most delicious fate! ¡°Now leave and don¡¯t enter here again!¡± Maleck ordered, dismissing me with a wave that felt like a slap in the face. I took a final look at the creature, who was now trembling uncontrollably, tears brimming in its bug-eyed gaze. It lay sprawled on the floor, half in a puddle of its own fear, which made it look rather pathetic. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a leather collar snug around its neck. A collar! My, my, what a delightful twist to this little horror show. Any remaining joy I¡¯d felt at the prospect of tormenting this weakling evaporated, leaving only a smirk as I retreated from the scene. The goblin was clearly Maleck''s new pet or, more likely, a test subject for whatever twisted experiments filled the wizard''s mind. I couldn¡¯t be bothered with it. Instead, I settled back into my spot outside the door, letting the thought of the miserable little creature fade away as I drifted off into a much-deserved nap. I leaned against the door, surrendering to sleep, where nightmares of more formidable foes danced through my mind.
Voice of the world... Initiating. ...Active!
Devourer of 1000 soules By devouring the impure philosopher stone imbued with thousand soules you have gained the title "Devourer of 1000 soules." This title will contribute to your strength.
Currently Devouring; Impure Philosopher stone 1000 damned souls residing within a gem. Time until devouring completion; 20 cycles.
Keeper - Ch3 I woke up, as usual, that morning¡ªor what I assumed was morning. It¡¯s hard to tell in a dark, damp cave. My gut told me it was a new day, and my stomach confirmed it, growling for breakfast. I stretched, the clanking of my tar-black armor echoing as I prepared for today¡¯s hunt. I checked that [Slayer] was by my side. Just then, the door to Maleck''s study creaked open, revealing the little green goblin who had emerged for the first time since arriving. He looked at me, eyes wide with terror, shivering as if I were a monstrous beast about to pounce. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly fell silent, paralyzed by fear. How pathetic. I didn¡¯t have time for this! I stepped out of my ¡°room.¡± It¡¯s surprising how accurate your internal clock can be; I was only allowed to leave at specific times. I could hear the goblin¡¯s footsteps scuttling behind me. Let¡¯s see how long he can keep up! I quickened my pace, navigating the familiar cave tunnels, trying to lose him. To my surprise, he was always just a few steps behind, so I stopped trying and focused on finding food. After a long trek, I stumbled into an unfamiliar area. I searched for bugs or insects¡ªmy usual fare¡ªbut found nothing. The tunnel here was far larger than before, spacious enough for seventeen of me to walk side by side without a problem. I couldn¡¯t even see the ceiling, lost in darkness. Suddenly, I heard a yelp. A slime had fallen from above, aiming for the goblin behind me. Luckily, he jumped out of the way just in time; he seemed good at avoiding danger. I pondered why the slimes targeted him. They¡¯d never tried to attack me. Maybe they found my armor too tough to digest? No, I had seen them consume harder things. The goblin, now more scared of the cave than me, drew closer, his shivering breath brushing against my armor. He finally spoke, stammering as if it were the most natural thing in the world. ¡°Scared!¡± [Goblin] I raised an eyebrow as I walked. ¡°Then why are you following me?¡± ¡°Master says, hunt food with dog!¡± [Goblin] ¡°Dog? What is that?¡± [Keeper] ¡°Smelly nasty beasts, biting goblins.¡± [Goblin] I sniffed the air. The typical muggy smell surrounded us, but it didn¡¯t resemble anything like this ¡°dog.¡± ¡°Well, there are no dogs here.¡± [Keeper] The goblin looked at me, confusion swirling in his big round eyes. ¡°You, dog!¡± [Goblin] Should I be offended? I didn¡¯t even know what this dog was. Some instinct told me I should, but the memory eluded me. ¡°No, I''m not a dog. I''m Keeper; that¡¯s my... name.¡± [Keeper] Saying that last part felt strange. My master had bestowed that name upon me, a man I loathed. Still, it had become second nature after all this time. But did I have another name before? ¡°Name!?¡± [Goblin] His eyes lit up with curiosity. ¡°Yes, a name distinguishes you from others like yourself... I think.¡± [Keeper] ¡°Name, name, name...¡± [Goblin] He pondered aloud before announcing, ¡°Name! Trash.¡± [Trash] ¡°Trash? Why Trash?¡± [Keeper] ¡°That... master say?¡± [Trash] He tilted his head, as if questioning whether he¡¯d gotten this ¡°name¡± concept wrong. ¡°Ah, I see you¡¯ve also been given a name... well, enough talk.¡± [Keeper] I needed to find food before I had to return. Despite sharing the same fate and master, I didn¡¯t care much for him. If I didn¡¯t kill him, I doubted my master would bother. I continued through the cavern as Trash followed closely behind, glancing upward as if he could see the ceiling. He froze occasionally, thinking he spotted something, but he hurriedly kept pace with me. We encountered more slimes, drawn to Trash but too wary to approach me. Those that did were swiftly kicked out of my path. Lucky for Trash that I was here! I pondered why the slimes didn¡¯t attack me¡ªa potential meal they would have savored. Maybe I was just a scary guardian, I mused. Yes, I was a fearsome creature whom no one dared to touch, and if any monster got close, I would tear them down with [Slayer], drinking their blood. It had been a while since [Slayer] had tasted blood. Wait, that was my stomach growling. Suddenly, Trash yelped again, jumping away from me¡ªthe safest spot he could find. ¡°Danger!¡± I looked up to see a shadow falling from above. Another slime? How dare it attack me! But the impact was harder than any blob of goo should have been, knocking me to the ground. As I fell, I felt a hard, hairy body with needle-like hairs gripping me. Tentacle-like appendages wrapped around my sides, turning me in the air before spraying me with something sticky. I couldn''t move; the sticky substance felt like steel threads binding me tight. In a humiliating state, I spun helplessly, becoming stickier by the second. Before long, only my head remained visible as I was cocooned in this sticky web. I was dragged across the floor and up the wall. When my senses returned, I was hanging upside down, staring at the dimly glowing mushrooms below, maybe fifty feet up.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. From my vantage point, I noticed several cocoons like mine¡ªmost were opened and empty. I also spotted nets of white threads scattered across the ceiling. On one such web sat a beast with eight legs, a fat belly, and six black eyes, green saliva dripping from its fangs. I had seen these creatures before, but much smaller¡ªthis one was a giant spider, likely the culprit that had captured me. I scanned for Trash, desperately wanting to ask for help, but he was nowhere in sight. The cowardly goblin had abandoned me, saving his own skin after I had spared him from the slimes. I thrashed and pulled against my bindings, but it was useless. Hours passed, and my body¡¯s need for escape grew stronger, yet I remained trapped. Fury boiled within me, a sensation I had never felt before. I raged, cursing my predicament and the traitor goblin who had left me. I was so mad, I felt like I might explode. No, wait! I was burning! A fire ignited atop the spider silk binding me. As my body ignited, the thread above couldn¡¯t bear the weight any longer and SNAP! I plummeted to the ground. The fall hurt, but I managed to survive thanks to my magical armor. Laying still, entwined in silk thread, I flipped around to face the ceiling. The giant spider screeched in rage above me as it skittered down the wall, its eight beady eyes glistening with hunger. I could feel its venomous intent¡ªa predator ready to pounce and finish me off. I struggled to break free from the cocoon of silk, but it held me tight. Just as the monstrous arachnid loomed over my shackled form, poised to strike, my body, desperate to return to my ¡°room,¡± reached for [Slayer]. The shackles of burning thread grew somewhat movable, and I swung my blade upward, tearing through the burning silk and plunging it deep into the soft flesh of the beast¡¯s rotund belly. The spider screeched in agony, its foul green mucus spraying across me like a putrid rain. I was free, but the battle was far from over. The wounded giant spider hovered above, fury igniting its deep black eyes. I had to end this creature swiftly, but my instincts urged me toward escape, pulling me back to the safety of my master. Summoning every ounce of willpower, I resisted the primal urge to flee¡ªa defiance against the sin bestowed upon me by my master. The spider struck with blinding speed, but I rolled away just in time, narrowly avoiding the lethal blow. I swung [Slayer] at one of its front legs, the blade igniting with fierce blue flames. The heat coursed through me, amplifying my strength, yet I remained untouched. I marveled at how steel could burn with such intensity, but there was no time to dwell on it; I had to act. With a powerful swing, I cut through the spider¡¯s leg, leaving a clean gash that charred instantly, a testament to [Slayer]¡¯s power. The creature screeched again, this time in pain, its monstrous form thrashing as it swung a pointed leg at me, striking my side with bone-jarring force. Pain exploded through me, but anger fueled my resolve. I charged at the beast, determination surging within me. But in that moment of fury, [Slayer]¡¯s flames flickered and died, plunging me into darkness. I had no time to ponder the loss of light; I needed to act. I swung my blade toward its face, hoping for a decisive blow, but my carelessness led me to only sever one of its fangs. Just as I regained focus, my body, rebelling against my will, moved toward the safety of the study. The spider¡¯s pointed leg struck again, drawing blood and leaving me reeling. What the hell! My armor failed to protect me from this creature! The wound began to magically mend, but my pain lingered, gnawing at me like the monster before me. The sensation of hesitation gripped me¡ªlike standing at a crossroads, yearning to go both ways, but paralyzed by indecision. Every move felt sluggish, dulling my instincts. Striking was an immense effort, and moving away from the study felt like pushing against an immovable force. I was a great being, a warrior in my own right, but the fight was wearing me down. Shit! Another strike! We engaged in a fierce battle, each of us drawing blood as the cavern echoed with our clashes. I felt exhilaration surge within me, an instinct urging me to fight harder. I became one with the chaos, the rush of battle awakening something primal in my soul. Suddenly, a sharp pain hit my back from an unseen assailant. My armor began to mend even as I winced, but I spun around, fury igniting in my veins. Just in time, I blocked the second attack with [Slayer]. The blade ignited again, illuminating the cavern in a flickering glow as I faced my next opponent¡ªa second giant spider emerging from the shadows, nursing a burnt leg and hissing in fury. One-fang, the first spider, now stood before me, its size intimidating, while the second, smaller spider¡ªthin and adorned with deadly spikes¡ªradiated an aura of danger. I was trapped, a lone warrior sandwiched between two titans of terror. As I defended against one, the other struck, forcing me to dance dangerously close to death. With every parry and strike, my black armor stained with crimson, I felt my strength waning. The vicious cycle repeated: defend against one, only to be struck by the other. Was this how my story would end, overwhelmed by the tide of darkness? In that instant, a glimmer of hope flashed before me. The smaller spider shifted its attention, momentarily distracted. I seized the opportunity, lunging forward and driving [Slayer] deep into its skull. As my partner ignited once more, the spider erupted into flames, illuminating the cavern in a dazzling blaze. The heat was intense, and I could feel the surge of power coursing through me. One-fang screeched in outrage before turning tail and fleeing into the depths of the cavern, its pride shattered. Luck was on my side. I pulled [Slayer] from the burning corpse, my victory hard-won, and savored the thrill of triumph. Breakfast had been served! I quickly grabbed one of the spider¡¯s massive legs before my body seized control, dragging me back to my ¡°room¡± and master. On the way, I encountered a nearly white goblin in the tunnels¡ªTrash, the traitor. My rage flared anew at his cowardice. Though I longed to lash out, I knew I could do nothing as I glared daggers at him, my body unwilling to relent. Shaking, the little goblin said in a weak voice, ¡°Sorry~, help, bad!¡± I ignored him, focused on my prize. Fortunately, the spider was just small enough to navigate the narrow tunnels leading back to the study, only needing a few tugs here and there. As we finally entered my ¡°room,¡± the door to the study loomed at the opposite end of the cramped tunnel, and my stomach growled with hunger. I quickly broke off one of its legs to eat, but it was too hard. Then I cut into its fat belly with [Slayer], savoring the taste of victory. It tasted like rotten meat with a hint of burnt coal, though it wasn¡¯t truly rotten; it was simply charred. I didn¡¯t care¡ªI was far too hungry. The little goblin looked at me with expectant eyes as his stomach grumbled. I didn¡¯t want to share, but since Maleck had sent him with me, I figured that was the purpose: to feed him. Reluctantly, I tossed the most inedible piece with the foulest odor I could find to Trash. To my surprise, he devoured it eagerly, shouting, ¡°DELICIOUS!¡± That was not a good thing. The door to the study slammed open, revealing Maleck, his forehead lined with layers of wrinkles. Oh, he was furious. But when he noticed the burnt spider on the floor, I could swear one layer of wrinkles disappeared. He screamed, ¡°WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG YOU¡¯VE KEPT MY SLAVE FROM HIS DUTIES!?¡± ¡°I... I---¡ª¡± I stammered. ¡°SILENCE!!!¡± he roared. Thus, I could do nothing but remain silent. ¡°I SHOULD BE RID OF YOU FOR YOUR FAILURE AS A GUARD, ONLY IF IT WEREN¡¯T FOR THE FACT THAT YOU¡¯VE ACTUALLY BEEN USEFUL FOR ONCE!¡± he bellowed, saliva spraying from his long, untidy beard. I? Been useful? I had? I mean, I was always useful, I pouted within my mind as I could say nothing. ¡°You! Trash of a goblin! Get me those legs of that spider and extract its poisonous gland!¡± Maleck ordered. Trash, terrified for his life, quickly obeyed. Oh hell no, this was my prey, which I had hunted. I would not let him have any of it. I stepped firmly between the dead spider and Trash, glaring at Maleck. At first, he looked shocked, but then an almost serene look settled over his face, which only foretold bad things. ¡°You dare disobey me? ME!? I could just as well command you to step down. So? What will it be!?¡± he sneered. He was right, but this was MY prey. Sparks seemed to crackle between us... ¡°Step down!¡± he commanded. I reluctantly obeyed as my body moved against my will. But before Trash could start, he let out a yelp. We had a surprise visitor creeping toward him and the carcass of the spider. It was a slime, but not just any slime; it was one I recognized. It was my rival, the one I usually lured with my feces and battled day in and day out. Thinking about it, this was the exact time I usually fought him; he seemed to have developed a habit out of it too. He crept closer to his target, likely the carcass, not Trash. And then he was gone. Like a balloon, he popped, spraying blue slime in every direction. Maleck... Maleck had killed him! My eyes blazed a deep red as I drew [Slayer], my partner igniting with my anger. I lunged at Maleck. Bam! Chatter! Keeper - Ch4
Narrator POV:
Above the shadowy depths of the earth lay the overworld, a vibrant expanse adorned with lush greens and deep blues that painted the land and oceans of this realm. Signs of civilization¡ªboth primitive and perhaps advanced¡ªdotted the landscape. In one particular settlement, neither large nor small, the air was thick with the earthy scent of freshly harvested wheat mingling with the unpleasant odor of refuse that littered the streets. In this town, the well-being of its people was of little concern. Prostitution, slavery, and a host of other unsavory activities thrived in the shadows. As a traveler, one would be fortunate to avoid the detritus carelessly discarded from the windows of the ramshackle homes, constructed from straw, wood, and stone. The settlement''s health standards were dismal, even by the worst of towns¡¯ measures. A few decent houses stood out, inhabited by a handful of nobles, but these dwellings were unremarkable. The nobles, not of high status, were eager to escape this forsaken place. Any fortune amassed here would serve as a ticket to greener pastures. Yet, there were those who appreciated the town¡¯s obscurity. It was a haven for the shady, the cutthroats, the assassins, and the bandits who thrived in the cover of night. At the bar known as ¡°A Hogfly¡¯s Life,¡± a dubious group of six men huddled in a shadowy corner, deep in whispered conversation. ¡°Have you heard? That loner mage, Maleck, has shown up in town!¡± said one of them, his voice laced with excitement. ¡°What? Are you pulling our leg? He never leaves his hidden laboratory!¡± another replied skeptically. ¡°Don¡¯t offend me! Who do you think you¡¯re talking to?¡± snapped the first man, named Benedict¡ªa cunning broker of information. He had an uncanny knack for knowing even the most intimate secrets before they were fully realized by others. Despite his brutish appearance, with bulging muscles barely concealed by his tight clothing, Benedict was no warrior. His strength was a fa?ade; he lacked real battle experience. He fancied himself quite handsome, with flowing blond hair reminiscent of a god¡¯s mane, though it was marred by a rugged face bearing a scar down his chin¡ªone that he spun elaborate tales about whenever questioned. ¡°I swear, I heard it from a friend in the slaver¡¯s district,¡± Benedict continued, leaning in conspiratorially. ¡°He came to buy a goblin slave to assist with his research and the moving of goods. I even had one of my men tail him. Just think of the riches hidden in his secret lab! Rumor has it he dabbles in alchemy, and we all know what the pinnacle of alchemy is, don¡¯t we?¡± Greed flickered in the eyes of his companions, but one of them hesitated. ¡°But has any alchemist ever created gold? I¡¯ve heard the kingdom has banned research on it,¡± he pointed out. ¡°Pish posh! Derek,¡± Benedict replied dismissively. ¡°Even if there¡¯s no gold, imagine the value of that old man¡¯s research! Do you know what any mage or the mage guild would pay for those documents?¡± A collective gasp echoed around the table. Young Derek, his voice trembling, asked, ¡°How¡­ how much?¡± Benedict leaned forward, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°Enough silver and gold for three lifetimes!¡± The group gasped in awe, one member choking on his beer in excitement. The buzz of conversation erupted among them, and Benedict observed the chaos he had orchestrated. The five members, known as the ¡°Five Fingers¡± for their thievery, were infamous throughout the town. The first Finger, the leader known only as ¡°Boss,¡± was a slender figure cloaked in shadows, their face concealed behind a mask. Even their comrades had no clue as to their identity, and Benedict harbored a suspicion but could not act on it yet. The second Finger, the hulking second-in-command, was a man named Janis Lovegood¡ªbetter known as ¡°Brute.¡± A figure of formidable size, he was not a man to cross, and his nickname reflected the fear he instilled in others after delivering many brutal beatings to anyone who mocked his true name. The third Finger was Enrik Bones, a tall, gaunt figure who appeared almost ghost-like in his movements. His pale complexion earned him the moniker ¡°The White Reaper,¡± a name whispered in fear by those who knew of his silent approach to his victims. When Enrik¡¯s gaze fell on Benedict, a chill ran down his spine, prompting him to quickly avert his eyes. The fourth Finger was a rarity in a human settlement¡ªa dwarf named Jenkins Stormhammer, renowned for his legendary beard. He was a specialist in traps and locks, a valuable asset for any burglar, despite his notorious fondness for ale. As he downed his tenth (or perhaps eleventh) beer, Benedict internally cursed his own decision to pick up the tab for the meeting. The fifth and final member was young Derek, only fourteen summers old. Aspiring to be a royal knight, he found himself drawn into the criminal underbelly, forced to team up with the very rogues he had once sworn to apprehend. Benedict felt a twinge of pity for the boy, knowing full well that the life expectancy of such youth in this world was grim. If the ¡°Boss¡± had any inclination of Derek¡¯s noble aspirations, he would undoubtedly seek to exploit them, keeping the boy under his thumb. As the group reached a consensus, Derek was the most eager to take on the job, silenced only by the Boss''s raised hand. The Boss exchanged a knowing glance with Brute, who soon turned to Benedict. ¡°Let¡¯s talk business and shares!¡± Brute demanded. Benedict maintained a sweet facade, aware that premature negotiations could prove financially damaging. ¡°Now, now, let¡¯s not be hasty. We¡¯re all friends here, right? If you need anything for this mission, just let me know. Let¡¯s discuss business after your success, shall we?¡± Brute looked to the Boss, who nodded slightly, and then returned his gaze to Benedict. ¡°Alright, but first¡ª¡± Before Brute could finish, a hand clapped down on Benedict¡¯s shoulder, startling him. Turning around, he was relieved to see one of his own underlings, Mat. ¡°Mat! You startled me,¡± Benedict said, exhaling in relief. ¡°Sorry, B, but your message said to meet you urgently. Did I misunderstand?¡± Mat replied, settling into a chair. ¡°A! Yes, yes, sit down. Give us your report!¡± Benedict said, eager to shift the focus away from the impending negotiation. Mat was utterly unremarkable¡ªplain face, brown hair, and no distinguishing features. His lack of charisma had its advantages; few bothered to notice him, making him an excellent spy. Mat took a seat next to Benedict and cleared his throat. ¡°Well, before that, I could use a drink,¡± he said with a sheepish smile. Benedict¡¯s annoyance flared, but Jenkins was already sliding Mat a jug of beer. ¡°Here you go, lad.¡± ¡°My deepest thanks, dwarf,¡± Mat said, lifting the mug with appreciation. After downing a hearty gulp, Mat launched into his report. He had tracked Maleck and his newly acquired goblin slave as they loaded goods onto a wagon and set off westward for three days. On the third night, he witnessed the wagon disappear into a dense forest. Cautiously, he had followed, eventually stumbling upon a concealed path obscured by an illusion. It led him to a cliffside where the wagon lay abandoned, with no trace of its cargo or occupants. After a thorough search, he discovered tracks leading deeper into the woods, which he followed until they vanished at a cave entrance.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Did you enter the cave?¡± Brute asked, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m a tracker, not a cave diver, thank you very much!¡± Mat replied defensively. ¡°It would have been helpful to know what¡¯s inside,¡± Enrik said, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°Then you do my job if you¡¯re so good at it!¡± Mat shot back, tension crackling in the air as Enrik licked his knife blade menacingly. Benedict clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. ¡°Now, now, no need for violence. We have our guide right here, don¡¯t we?¡± The Boss nodded, glaring at Enrik until he reluctantly sheathed his knife. ¡°Since we seem to have an agreement, let¡¯s prepare for the profits ahead. Mat, you know what to do?¡± Benedict asked, handing his underling a sack of coins. ¡°I¡¯d like this purse lighter, but not empty. Understand?¡± Benedict added, his tone firm yet calm. ¡°B¡­ but the price for¡ª¡± Mat stammered. ¡°Do you understand me?¡± Benedict interrupted sharply. ¡°Y¡­ yes,¡± Mat replied, chastened. ¡°Good. If you need anything, ask my associate. With that, I bid you farewell,¡± Benedict declared, bowing slightly before turning to leave. Just before he could exit, a formidable figure stepped into his path¡ªBig Burta, the bar owner, and a force to be reckoned with when it came to money. She gestured expectantly, and with a resigned sigh, Benedict surrendered a bag of coins almost as hefty as the one he had given Mat, cursing the beer-loving dwarf under his breath.
Some hours later, Mat stood impatiently beside a Circa wagon¡ªa four-wheeled vehicle designed for transporting goods, its white fabric cover shielding it from wind and rain. The wagon had open ends at both the front and back for easy access. Inside, a few supplies and provisions awaited the journey ahead, though the spacious interior could accommodate up to ten people comfortably, albeit a bit crowded. The Fingers were late, and Mat''s irritation grew. He just wanted to finish this job and get back for his payday. His mood lightened slightly when Jenkins, the dwarf, appeared, gulping his beer and humming a tune as he approached. A mug in one hand and a large keg over his shoulder, Jenkins was a sight to behold. ¡°¡¯Ow ye doin''? Hic¡± Jenkins slurred cheerfully. ¡°I could be better; your colleagues are late!¡± Mat snapped, crossing his arms. Suddenly, a dagger pressed against Mat''s throat. ¡°Who are you calling late? I''m always on time! Trying to hurt my reputation?¡± Enrik sneered, his face twisted with mockery. Mat swallowed hard, unable to speak as the blade pressed against his Adam''s apple. ¡°Nay, Enrik, ease off. The lad be our guide,¡± Jenkins interjected. Enrik shot Jenkins a glare but slowly withdrew the dagger, leaning in close to whisper in Mat''s ear. ¡°You¡¯re never safe~¡± His words sent chills down Mat''s spine, and he felt cold sweat bead on his forehead. Enrik resumed his normal voice, grinning. ¡°And look, the rest of the group is here!¡± As Enrik''s voice sliced through the air, their boss, perched atop Brute''s broad shoulder, surveyed the rugged road below. Brute''s heavy boots thudded with authority, each step echoing as he trudged forward. Beside him, Derek¡ªa slight boy nearly buried beneath an avalanche of mismatched luggage¡ªstruggled to keep up. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his face was a mask of determination as he fought against the oppressive weight threatening to topple him. Above this scene, Boss lounged confidently, his legs dangling like a king on his throne. With a swager and a glint of mischief danced in his eyes as he took in the world beneath him, exuding an air of superiority. His commanding presence declared he was not merely a leader, but a formidable force, casting a long shadow over the beleaguered boy laboring beside him.
As they arrived at the wagon, Brute¡¯s powerful hands gripped their boss¡¯s waist, lifting him effortlessly to the roof with a flourish. The half-giant¡¯s muscles rippled beneath his skin, showcasing his sheer strength. The boss settled himself atop the canvas-covered wagon, surveying the surroundings like a king inspecting his realm. With a smirk, Brute turned his attention to Derek, who stood hesitantly at his feet, burdened by a chaotic pile of bags that threatened to topple him over. Without a hint of hesitation, Brute bent down slightly and scooped up the boy, lifting him as easily as one would a sack of flour. With a swift, playful toss, he sent Derek flying into the wagon, the sound of bags thudding against wood echoing in the air. The boy landed in a heap, a surprised expression plastered across his face, as his luggage tumbled around him like an avalanche of cloth and gear. Mat observed the scene wich was a mix of authority and camaraderie, with Brute¡¯s robust laughter ringing out as he prepared for the next leg of their journey, while Derek groaned, surrounded by the chaos of his own belongings. ¡°What are you standing around for? Let¡¯s get going!¡± Brute barked, his commanding presence whiping everyone into action. It didn¡¯t take long before they reached the town¡¯s inadequate gate, where two bored guards lounged. The gate was a patchwork of wooden planks, a poor defense that had nonetheless managed to ward off some attackers. One guard, clad in glinting chainmail that shimmered in the fading light, stood alert at the town''s gate. His hard hat was slightly askew, and he nudged his partner, who was stifling a yawn, to bring attention to the approaching wagon. The two exchanged weary glances before springing into action, their armor clinking as they moved. Together, they heaved the heavy log that secured the gate, muscles straining against the weight, before pushing open the creaking doors that groaned in protest. As the wagon rumbled out into the open air, the gate clanged shut behind them with a resounding thud, the echo of the log sliding into place breaking the stillness of the moment. Instantly, a wave of fresh, untainted air enveloped them, a stark contrast to the staleness that lingered within the town¡¯s confines. The scent of newly harvested wheat mingled with the earthy aroma of damp soil and the musk of laborers¡¯ sweat, filling their lungs with the essence of the harvest season. Before them, golden fields unfurled like a shimmering ocean, dotted with men and women of all ages who moved rhythmically, wielding scythes and ropes with practiced ease. They worked tirelessly, laughter mingling with the sound of blades slicing through the tall grasses, as they gathered the last remnants of the season¡¯s bounty. The sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating the scene with a sense of abundance and life, as the workers bent to their tasks, their silhouettes framed against the vibrant tapestry of the fields. The group ambled down the road toward their destination: the Forest of Urr.
Silence hung heavily in the air as they traveled, a thick blanket that stifled any spark of conversation. The only sound was the rhythmic creak of the wagon as it jostled along the uneven path. Enrik, his face twisted with malice, sharpened his blades with deliberate strokes, each rasp of metal sharpening the tension that crackled between him and Mat. Mat did his best to ignore the ominous presence beside him, forcing his attention onto Jenkins, whose jovial spirit seemed a fragile beacon of light in the oppressive atmosphere. With a wide grin, Jenkins filled his handmade mug from his ever-present keg, his hearty voice rising in merry song, a stark contrast to the unease surrounding them. In a corner of the wagon, Derek sat curled up, his pale face a mask of anxiety. The boy trembled slightly, his youthful frame betraying him under the weight of the journey¡¯s toll. Jenkins, ever perceptive, noticed the boy''s distress and leaned over with a comforting grin. ¡°Motion sickness? Drink some ale and let yer sorrows be gone!¡± he urged, pouring a frothy mug and handing it to Derek with a flourish. Derek took the drink, desperation mingling with hope, but it wasn¡¯t long before he leaned over the railing, retching violently. The laughter of the others was stark against his misery. Brute, seemingly oblivious and resting with one eye closed, cracked open the other, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. ¡°I think that only applies to dwarfs,¡± he drawled lazily, amusement dancing in his voice. ¡°Ye humans are so fragile!¡± Jenkins laughed, the sound ringing out like an alarm, causing Derek to wince as he doubled over. Their laughter echoed through the wagon, a temporary reprieve from the tension, but it did little to lighten the air, thick with unspoken fears and the uncertainty of their journey. High above them, their boss surveyed the landscape from atop the wagon''s roof, a self-assured figure wrapped in shadows. He was the watchful eye, scanning for threats while exuding an aura of authority, oblivious to the emotional turmoil brewing below him. As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows that whispered secrets of the wilderness, their path led them deeper into untamed lands. Civilization faded into memory, and the only witnesses to their passage were the unseen beasts of the plains. The haunting howls of wolves echoed in the distance, a chilling reminder of the wild that surrounded them. As dusk fell, the moon and stars emerged, casting a silvery glow that illuminated their way, yet only served to deepen the darkness within the wagon. ¡°This will be a good place to stop for the night,¡± Mat suggested, his voice barely breaking the heavy silence as he pulled on the reins to slow the horse. But before he could settle into the thought of rest, a hand landed on his shoulder, firm and unyielding. Brute took the reins with a practiced ease, his presence commanding. ¡°No, we¡¯ve got enough light to continue a bit longer. You can rest in the back,¡± he said, settling beside Mat with an air of finality. Exhausted and worn thin by the day¡¯s weight, Mat didn¡¯t protest. He laid his cloak down like a makeshift pillow, the fabric offering little comfort against the hard wood beneath. Too tired to care about the simmering tension¡ªespecially Enrik¡¯s predatory gaze, which had grown tiresome¡ªhe tucked a dagger beneath his cloak, a silent promise of safety. As the world outside blurred into darkness, he finally drifted off to sleep, the night swallowing him in a tentative embrace. Keeper - Ch5 Narrator: They had ridden through the dusk, the sky slowly yielding to darkness, but exhaustion compelled them to stop. The vast plains stretched endlessly, a desolate sea of brown grass and rocky outcrops devoid of life. As the sun sank beneath the horizon, they made camp among jagged rocks that offered a semblance of shelter from the biting wind. The fire crackled to life, flickering shadows dancing on the stone faces around them, swallowing the last remnants of light as clouds blanketed the moon. They huddled around the flames, warmth seeping into their bones as Jenkins launched into another of his countless tales. ¡°...and then the lass said, ¡®I like me men like I like me ale: dark and rich!¡¯¡± Only Mat and Derek laughed, the jovial sound echoing into the void of night. Their laughter buoyed Jenkins, who grinned wide, his eyes sparkling as he leaned closer to the fire, the flames illuminating his weathered face. Meanwhile, their leader, Enrik, had slipped into the shadows, leaving his men to revel in the familiar banter. As Jenkins chuckled at his own joke, a shift in the air caught his attention, and he spotted a figure emerging from the darkness. ¡°Aye, look who¡¯s comin¡¯!¡± he declared, but his grin faltered when the silhouette approached silently, devoid of the customary call. Something felt off. Mat and Derek continued their playful jostling, oblivious, until Brute, the group''s massive protector, squeezed between them, his grip like iron on their heads, silencing them instantly. ¡°Who goes there? Name yourself!¡± Brute''s voice boomed, deep and commanding. Suddenly, a clattering of metal echoed in the distance, slicing through the night. The figure drew closer, shrouded in shadows. Brute hefted his monstrous battle axe, more a lump of iron than a weapon, and let out a primal roar. ¡°To arms!¡± he bellowed, launching himself into action. Mat and Derek scrambled for their weapons, adrenaline surging, but Jenkins clutched their arms, holding them back. ¡°Nay, boys, you¡¯re not ready. Stay back and watch old Brute handle this.¡± His tone was steady, though anxiety crackled in the air. Baffled, they obeyed. Derek was still green, his sword experience limited to practice against scarecrows, while Mat had some skill with a bow but lacked the experience of true battle. From their vantage point, they watched as Brute met the approaching foe. Sparks erupted as steel clashed against bone, revealing their adversary¡ªa grotesque skeleton, an abomination stripped of flesh, its hollow eye sockets glowing with a malevolent light. ¡°By the seven damnations, an undead!¡± Mat exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. The skeletal form, draped in tattered cloth, wielded a rusted broadsword, its strikes relentless and powerful, pushing Brute back with every swing. Just then, the skeleton raised its weapon high, poised to deliver a fatal blow, and Brute momentarily loosened his grip on his axe. ¡°We need to help him!¡± Derek shouted, panic rising. ¡°Watch! He ain¡¯t deputy for naught!¡± Jenkins urged, his voice low yet confident. With a thunderous roar that shook the ground beneath them, Brute summoned a fury that seemed to electrify the air. The skeleton hesitated, caught off guard, and in that fleeting moment, Brute seized the opportunity. He caught the skeletal arms and cleaved the creature in two, bone shards scattering like marbles. ¡°Is he a berserker?¡± Mat whispered, awe in his voice. ¡°What¡¯s a berserker?¡± Derek asked, confusion clouding his features. Mat¡¯s face lit with recognition. ¡°It¡¯s a subclass of fighter! They channel the fury of beasts!¡± ¡°Aye, he be a berserk!¡± Jenkins chimed in, his excitement bubbling over. ¡°But what¡¯s a berserker doing with thieves?¡± Mat pondered. ¡°Who knows? Ask your employer,¡± Jenkins smirked, clearly enjoying the chaos. ¡°Hey! Where did Enrik go?¡± Derek suddenly asked, glancing around. The slender, pale man had vanished, slipping away into the night like a whisper. ¡°He does that. Probably off aiding the boss,¡± Jenkins said nonchalantly, yet an edge of concern crept into his voice. Then, rustling came from behind their wagon. Jenn''s POV: In the dark, Jenn¡¯s instincts kicked in, and she caught a foul scent that sent a chill down her spine. Drawing her daggers, she barely managed to dodge a sword that whistled past her neck. ¡°The Revenant!¡± she hissed, recognizing the skeletal knight with a heart of malice. It swung again, and she ducked, heart racing in her chest. She had to warn her group, but revealing her identity in this brutal world could mean her death; any sign of weakness would be fatal. Then, a bellowing cry pierced the night¡ªit was Brute, fighting for his life. For now, her secret remained safe. As she fought, two more undead closed in on her: a skeletal archer and a thief wielding worn daggers. The knight lunged, forcing her to evade its grasp as she readied herself to engage the thief.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. In a blur, an arrow sliced through the air, embedding itself in her leg. Pain shot through her, but she stifled a cry, focusing on survival. ¡°Not even now do you leave yourself open!¡± a crisp male voice called out. Enrik, another member of her crew, leaped into the fray, his movements fluid and precise. Jenn signaled him silently: Archer, takedown. Support! He nodded and melted into the shadows, disappearing from sight. The skeletal knight charged again, and Jenn sidestepped, feeling a jolt of pain radiate from her bruised side. Rolling back to her feet, she knew she had to finish this fight. The knight swung its shield, and she deflected the blow, her own attack blocked as the undead grinned with malice. Frustration boiled within her as she ducked beneath another swing, senses heightened to every movement around her. Suddenly, an arrow struck the ground nearby¡ªmore archers appeared over the hill, dark figures lined up against the moonlit sky. ¡°Curses!¡± she spat, determination igniting her. Brute¡¯s war cry echoed again, drawing the undead¡¯s attention, and she seized the moment. ¡°Take care of the knights! I¡¯ll handle the archers!¡± she signaled to Brute, urgency lacing her words. Brute nodded and charged, a relentless force of nature, and Jenn sprinted toward the hill, dodging arrows with agility honed from years of practice. At the first archer, she leaped, grabbing its shoulders and flipping it into its companion with a sickening crack of bone against bone. Only one skeletal archer remained, and it lunged at her, wielding a rib bone as a makeshift weapon. Jenn smirked, confident in her abilities¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t be outmatched. With a swift disarm, she sent the skeleton crashing to the ground, and as she glanced back, her heart sank at the sight of Brute struggling against two knights, bruised and weary. ''Hang on!'' she thought for herself, urgency propelling her forward. With a precise strike, she shattered one knight¡¯s skull, the sound echoing like thunder in the night, and Brute, fueled by her action, took down the other with a mighty swing that sent bones flying. ¡°Well, that was fun!¡± Enrik chuckled, his voice filled with adrenaline. ¡°Where are the rest of the group?¡± Brute demanded, his eyes scanning the shadows. ¡°Safe by the fireside,¡± Enrik replied, but just then, Mat¡¯s scream shattered the moment, piercing through the chaos. ¡°Help! Come quick!¡± The group sprinted back toward camp, hearts pounding. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Brute yelled, a twinge of fear in his voice. ¡°Green pests, goblins!¡± Jenkins shouted, his demeanor shifting from jovial to serious. As they approached, they were greeted by a swarm of yellow eyes flitting into the darkness, clutching their supplies like gluttonous thieves. Brute elbowed his way forward, determination etched into his features. ¡°Kill as many as you can! Don¡¯t let them escape!¡± The chaos erupted into a wild goblin hunt, shouts and the clash of weapons filling the air. Jenn was too late to react when a goblin leaped from a rock, pinning her down with a feral snarl. As it loomed over her, breath foul and rancid, she grasped a hidden knife and drove it into its skull with a swift, brutal thrust. Blood sprayed as it fell, its body collapsing beside her. Scrambling to her feet, Jenn surveyed the wreckage of their wagon. Supplies were scattered across the ground, the horse nowhere to be seen, and Derek was missing. The fire crackled ominously as the battle continued to unfold, shadows dancing and twisting in the flickering light, a grim reminder that their fight was far from over.
Narrator Let¡¯s rewind a bit. Brute had dashed off to aid their elusive leader, leaving Jenkins, Mat, and Derek behind to ponder the strange sounds emanating from the wagon. A heated argument ensued, with Jenkins claiming he was far too old and fragile for this nonsense. He was over 150 years old, which, in human terms, was ancient¡ªbut for a dwarf whose lifespan stretched between 300 and 400 years, he was just barely hitting middle age. But of course, the two young lads didn¡¯t know that. In the end, it was Derek who drew the short straw¡ªlosing a quick game of Roshambo (rock, paper, scissors). With a grip that betrayed his nerves, he crept around the side of the wagon, sword at the ready. Just as he rounded the corner, he came face-to-face with a goblin, a creature barely taller than his waist, with pointed green ears, tattered leather rags clinging to its form, and a big, bulbous nose that looked like it could sniff out a lost sock from a mile away. The goblin¡¯s eyes gleamed with mischief, and instead of screaming for help, Derek swung his sword in a panic. The little beast dodged with an infuriatingly cheerful grin, its pointy black teeth glinting in the dim light like shards of broken glass. It wasn¡¯t alone. Derek¡¯s heart sank as he noticed several more goblins lurking in the shadows, creeping closer with hungry glee. A terrified gasp stuck in his throat, but all that escaped was a strangled whimper. His limbs trembled like jelly¡ªhe was far too inexperienced for this. In a fit of pure panic, he abandoned his sword and turned to flee, goblin footsteps pattering behind him like a twisted parade of mischief-makers. Luckily, he spotted the wagon horse tethered to a nearby tree. In a desperate leap, he mounted the beast and kicked it into a frantic gallop, praying it would take him far from the goblin horde. Meanwhile, Jenkins and Mat had heard the distressed whinnies of the horse at the same moment the others had¡ªan unmistakable alarm bell ringing in their ears. They dashed toward the source of the commotion, only to confront a pack of goblins armed to the teeth, their beady yellow eyes gleaming with mischief and greed. Derek was nowhere in sight. ¡°BACKUP!¡± Mat shouted, fear lending urgency to his voice. Just as they prepared to engage, more goblins burst from beneath the wagon''s tattered cover, their arms laden with ill-gotten goods, giggling as they made their hasty retreat. When Brute and the others returned to camp, they were greeted with a scene of utter chaos. ¡°I got no ¡®excuses,¡¯¡± Jenkins grumbled, his shoulders slumped in resignation. Jenkins was a trap expert and a mechanic fanatic¡ªa dwarf recluse, if there ever was one. Like the other two, he had zero real fighting experience. They had been played like fools¡ªdivided and conquered. While the stronger members battled the revenant, the goblins had snuck in to plunder their wagon. Goblins may be simple-minded, but they could pull off a cunning heist, especially under the guidance of a Hob. A brilliant move, except for the fact that it was their wagon being looted. Jenn shot a disapproving glare at the group. ¡°Now clean up. Get anything useful back into the wagon,¡± Brute commanded, setting an example by diving into the mess. The remaining members, excluding Jenn, complied, shoving what they could find back into the wagon. By the time they finished salvaging their supplies, dawn had crept upon them, exhaustion etching deep lines into their faces. Just then, Brute returned, carrying a small metal chest, his expression grim. ¡°There¡¯s no sign of the horse or Derek. We secured one box, but the other two are missing, along with several food supplies... including one big barrel of... Dwarf mead,¡± Brute reported, lowering his voice at the last part, fully aware of Jenkins¡¯s reaction. As expected, a loud wail of despair erupted from Jenkins, echoing through the camp. ¡°Me beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!¡± he howled, clutching his chest as if struck by the grief of a thousand lost pints. Ignoring the heartbroken dwarf, Brute pressed on. ¡°Should we turn back to resupply? There won¡¯t be any villages on the way...¡± Jenn pondered for a moment, then signed her decision. ''No, we must make do with what we have. We were splurging anyway.'' ¡°But what about the horse?¡± Brute asked, concern furrowing his brow. Jenn met his gaze, her expression steady. ''You will do fine.'' With that, the matter was settled. Everyone returned to their respective sleeping spots, collapsing into a restless slumber¡ªeveryone except for Jenkins. Just before he slipped into sleep, Jenn halted him, assigning him the first watch as punishment for his negligence. Jenkins groaned but complied, dragging himself to the campfire. Now sitting alone by the crackling flames, his cheerful humming had turned morose as he stared into the depths of his empty mug. ¡°Me ale...¡± he murmured softly to himself, a single teardrop plopping into the cup, mourning the loss of his beloved drink, his sorrow mingled with the thickening shadows that loomed ever longer, stretching across the ground like dark fingers as the morning sun timidly crept over the horizon, casting a hesitant light that struggled to pierce the gloom. Keeper - Ch6 Narrator POV: Deep in the labyrinthine tunnels of the underworld, chaos reigned. "Arrgh, where are they even coming from?! Blasted pests! Trash, get rid of them now!" Maleck roared, flailing wildly as tiny arachnids skittered up his robes like it were their own personal race track. Trash, the wide-eyed goblin, burped in satisfaction. "Trash full, master. Burp Mmm, crunchy spiders good!" He patted his round belly, oblivious to the horror around him. "Useless creature! Where¡¯s that blasted spider bane? Ouch!" Maleck smacked at his shoulder as another arachnid latched on with relentless glee. His face twisted with a mixture of fury and panic as the tiny invaders crept up his neck and tangled in his white beard. He swatted at them with desperate, jerky motions, only for more to crawl up from the floor and down from the ceiling beams, some clinging to his sparse hair, others inching perilously close to his eyes. Maleck¡¯s breath came in short gasps, laced with curses, as he pawed through an overflowing drawer in search of the spider bane potion¡ªa small vial that, somewhere amidst the chaos of his hoard, held the power to repel or kill these creatures en masse. As the sensation of their needle-like legs brushed against his skin, a shiver of revulsion coursed down his spine. Despite being a practiced mage who¡¯d faced monstrous foes, this was different. The relentless swarm of these minuscule creatures felt like an invasion of his very essence, making his skin crawl with an intensity that bordered on unbearable. Every second wasted felt like an hour as he was both enraged by his own disorganization and increasingly desperate to rid himself of the invasive pests. Before Maleck could hurl another complaint, an explosion rocked the entire cave. The stone walls groaned, and the shelves in his study quaked, threatening to topple over. "KEEPER! I SAID NO EXPLOSIONS, YOU BRAINLESS BRUTE!" Maleck''s voice hit a pitch that made bats elsewhere in the tunnels twitch. Outside the Study: Keeper stood at the threshold of the small passage that served as his "quarters," facing a cluster of unnaturally large spiders. Their furry bodies were mashed together like overpacked luggage, each eye gleaming with malicious intent. ¡®Don¡¯t do this, don¡¯t do that! Why don¡¯t I just let them waltz in and nibble on your beard?¡¯ Keeper fumed internally. But commands were commands: Guard the door from intruders. So, there he stood, [Slayer] in hand, spitting fire at anything with more legs than a chair. BOOM! Another spider met its crispy end, ash floating like a macabre snowstorm. The blast, unfortunately, also took a chunk of the wall with it, making more room for the eight-legged terrors. ¡°KEEPER! ONE MORE BLAST AND I¡¯LL TURN YOU INTO A CHAMBER POT!¡± Maleck¡¯s threat carried a distinct edge of panic. ¡®Yeah, yeah, as if it¡¯s my choice,¡¯ Keeper thought, smirking. He wished more than anything to yell that back, just to see Maleck¡¯s face twist like a knot. But ¡°Silence¡± was one of the many commands imposed on him, so he settled for burning another spider, imagining it was Maleck¡¯s sock drawer.
Ability currently in effect: ABSOLUTE RULE
Don''t hurt the master!
Don''t touch masters things!
Don''t hurt the Goblin!
Guard the door!
Don''t enter unless asked!
Don''t leave the designated area unless told!
Leaving the designated area, allowed every 5h for a maximum of 1h!
Pooping may be done a maximum of 2 times a day and be disposed of immediately!
Silence!
Earlier: Keeper¡¯s POV CRACK! SHATTER! [Slayer] smashed against Maleck¡¯s shimmering blue shield, sending a web of cracks across it and licking Maleck¡¯s face with a teasing flame. Just inches more, and it would¡¯ve toasted his eyebrows off. Keeper swung again, muscles coiled like a catapult. ¡°Try again,¡± Maleck said with a grin that practically said bring it, you mangy cur. Keeper did, but his arm seized up, muscles betraying him as the blade froze mid-air. Maleck¡¯s breath eased out in a relieved sigh, a smirk creeping under his beard. ¡°Ah, found a loophole, didn¡¯t you?¡± Maleck sneered, eyes gleaming with dark amusement. Maleck¡¯s incantation hummed in the air as he rebuilt his shield, and Keeper¡¯s teeth clenched, grinding with rage. ¡°Kneel,¡± Maleck commanded.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Keeper¡¯s knees hit the stone floor with a thud. His eyes locked onto Maleck¡¯s like a wolf eyeing a hunter. If glares could kill, Maleck would be a smoking crater. ¡°Give me the sword.¡± Keeper fought with every ounce of will. His hands trembled, fingers refusing to loosen. ¡°NOW!¡± Maleck barked, and the sword slipped free. Keeper¡¯s jaw tightened as he watched [Slayer] clatter to the floor. ¡°Hmph, just a sword?¡± Maleck muttered, lifting it and squinting at the intricate carvings. He swung it once, twice. ¡°Burn! Flame! Ignite! ...Nothing?¡± Then Maleck¡¯s eyes caught something¡ª a faint, almost imperceptible mark on the hilt. His expression shifted, the smirk faltering. ¡°This... this isn¡¯t human, is it? Ancient script, maybe Dwarven work? Interesting,¡± Maleck mused, curiosity seeping through his annoyance. A lick of flame sputtered from [Slayer], climbing up Maleck¡¯s fingers. He yelped, dropping the sword as if it had bit him. ¡°Argh! Cursed blacksmith trickery!¡± ¡®My darling [Slayer], you¡¯ve learned so well,¡¯ Keeper thought, struggling to keep a grin from splitting his face. ¡°Take it,¡± Maleck said darkly, waving him off. ¡°But betray me again, and that sword finds a home in the hottest volcano.¡± Keeper nodded, retrieving [Slayer] as though cradling a wounded friend. He almost growled when he heard Maleck mumble about a ¡°rabid dog on a leash.¡± Keeper¡¯s eye twitched. Dog? Please.
¡°Goblin trash! Fetch that gland, now!¡± Maleck¡¯s voice was as sharp as the crack of a whip. Trash, who had been loafing in the corner and picking at his teeth, leaped up as if bitten. With wide, jittery eyes, he scrambled toward the spider carcass, fingers moving deftly as he tore through its innards. Goblins, despite their reputation, had a certain finesse when they worked under pressure. Within moments, Trash held the gland aloft, sticky and glistening, and began his triumphant shuffle back to Maleck. ¡°Wait!¡± Maleck barked, eyes narrowing. Trash froze mid-step, an eyebrow twitching nervously. ¡°What is that smell?¡± Maleck''s nose crinkled as he sniffed the air, searching for the source of the offensive stench. ¡°Smell?¡± Trash parroted, blinking in confusion. Burnt spider, maybe? Keeper thought, smirking to himself. ¡°That foul odor, like rot and sulfur... Goblin, get inside! Now!¡± Maleck''s tone slipped into panic. ¡°Keeper! Defend the door! Don¡¯t let a single one past!¡± A chill skittered down Keeper¡¯s spine. That noise¡ªa clicking chorus of legs and mandibles¡ªechoed from the tunnel¡¯s depths. It was a sound he¡¯d heard before. Giant spiders. ¡°Trash scared. What happening?¡± Trash whimpered, shuffling back with quick, frantic steps. ¡°You bumbling simpletons! The cave spider pheromone! You¡¯ve drawn them right to us!¡± Maleck snapped, eyes wide with a mixture of fury and alarm. Phero-what? Keeper thought, momentarily baffled, before turning sharply toward the sound, [Slayer] blazing to life in his hands. The sword¡¯s flames flared brighter, casting flickering shadows against the jagged walls. The noise swelled into a chittering wave, and then they appeared¡ªan unholy swarm of small, brownish cave spiders. They poured into the corridor, cramming together and over one another, their many eyes glistening like droplets of oil. From floor to ceiling, they formed a writhing wall of bristling legs and clicking fangs. A... amazing! Keeper¡¯s mind buzzed with a rush of adrenaline as a fire awakened within him, mirrored by [Slayer]¡¯s sudden blaze, illuminating his makeshift battleground. The spiders hesitated, hundreds of tiny eyes reflecting the angry glow. They seemed almost one entity, a living, many-eyed monster sizing him up. Come at me, you fiends! he yearned to shout, heart pounding in defiance. But words were a luxury ¡°Silence¡± denied him. Instead, Keeper glared, eyes blazing red. And then, as if answering his silent challenge, the spiders surged forward. The first wave struck, a living tide that surged forward and latched onto Keeper¡¯s boots, crawling up his legs in a relentless, frenzied assault. He swung Slayer in a brutal arc, cleaving through the closest cluster. A wave of fire pulsed from the blade, igniting the spiders with a sharp hiss and the sickly-sweet scent of burning chitin. The small burst illuminated the cavern, casting monstrous shadows that writhed like demons on the jagged walls. Crack! A sudden snap underfoot nearly made Keeper lose balance. The stone beneath him had been weakened from Slayer¡¯s earlier fiery detonations. The ground shifted, and tiny pebbles skittered away into the blackness. Keeper adjusted his footing, gritting his teeth as his calves strained with the effort of staying upright. He swept Slayer upward, slicing a cluster of spiders leaping at his chest. Their legs flew in separate directions, landing with hollow thuds as their bodies disintegrated into smoking cinders. Another cluster surged in, flanking from the left. One managed to sink its fangs into the exposed joint of Keeper¡¯s shoulder armor, and a sharp, electric pain shot through him. He staggered, almost dropping to one knee, but forced himself up with a snarl. His blood dripped to the floor, adding a gleaming red sheen to the charred stones. Slayer¡¯s flames began to flicker erratically, the blade''s power waning as Keeper¡¯s energy ebbed. The spiders sensed it, their movements becoming more aggressive. They swarmed in waves, clambering over the bodies of their scorched kin to reach him. With a sudden, feral burst, Keeper spun in a tight circle, swinging Slayer like a flaming scythe. The blade connected with a wave of arachnids, spraying burning ichor across the walls and ceiling. The creatures emitted high-pitched screeches, a collective sound that made Keeper¡¯s ears ring and set his teeth on edge. Still, they came. One spider lunged from above, its fangs poised to plunge into the soft flesh of Keeper¡¯s neck. He barely caught it in time, his gauntleted hand crushing its body before tossing it aside. But more spiders clambered up his back, skittering over his shoulders as their needle-like legs scratched against his armor. He twisted sharply, slamming his back into the wall, crushing them in a sickening crunch. His vision swam, tinged with red not just from Slayer¡¯s dim light but from the strain and the blood loss weakening him. The battle seemed endless, the spiders relentless. His knees buckled as he fell forward onto one knee, Slayer embedded into the stone floor to hold him upright. A fresh wave of spiders closed in, their eyes catching the dim light like sinister black pearls, reflecting nothing but hunger.
Back to Present: The floor of the corridor, now an extended cave chamber, was littered with singed spider legs and blackened shells. Keeper¡¯s once-pristine black armor was streaked with crimson, his strength ebbing with every heartbeat. His vision blurred, and [Slayer]''s light faltered to a dim glow. A giant spider lunged, six eyes glistening like ink, fangs poised to deliver its deadly kiss. Keeper couldn''t lift his arm. He slumped, breathing ragged, as the creature loomed, jaws expanding¡ª And then, heat and light. His fading sight swam with a blinding red and yellow blaze, the familiar embrace of fire. But his mind slipped into darkness, even as his body felt... soothed. And just like that, nothingness swept over him. Keeper - Ch7 Trash POV "Burp!" Trash''s belly felt rounder than a rock, stuffed full with delicious spider legs. Oh, how Trash loved spider feasts! Crunchy, gooey, and oh-so-tasty! "Burp!" But now, Trash was too full, wobbling like an overstuffed sack. Master kept yelling, his voice echoing with every spider bite. "Aiee! Curse you, Trash, and Keeper too!" he bellowed, shaking his fists in the air like an angry bird. Trash couldn¡¯t help but grin. Master always yelled, whether spiders were biting him or not. Trash needed a break. Spiders full, belly fuller, brain empty¡ªtime to rest! But wait, what¡¯s this? Trash reached into the pile of broken legs and webs and pulled out a tiny marble. It was smooth, round, and sparkled with a shiny blue glow. ¡°Ooo, shiny!¡± Trash''s eyes widened, entranced by the little sphere. But then Trash''s smile faltered. Master had a rule: No touchy Master¡¯s shiny things. One touch, and Trash¡¯s head would be rolling. Literally. Trash shivered at the thought. Boom! Trash jumped, ears twitching like crazy. Keeper was outside doing his ''Boom, Boom, Boom'' dance again. Keeper¡¯s explosions were louder than a goblin drum party, and Trash¡¯s beautiful, big ears were not a fan. Covering his ears with grubby fingers, Trash peeked outside. Keeper was whacking, slashing, and sizzling things into crispy bits. Scary? Yes. Funny? Also yes. Keeper always made the angriest faces when fighting, like he just smelled really bad cheese. Trash¡¯s thoughts wandered. Keeper was strong, very strong, but what if he¡­ wasn''t? Trash had saved him before by throwing a perfectly good rock at a big spider. Did Keeper say thank you? Nooo. Instead, Keeper yelled at Trash, ¡°Get out of my sight, you nuisance!¡± He didn¡¯t mean it, Trash was sure. Keeper just had a way with words. Nasty ones. Master¡¯s voice rose above the chaos again. ¡°Argh, damn critters! I¡¯ll make every one of you and your entire eight-legged family wish they¡¯d never hatched!¡± Maleck waved his staff, eyes wild, robes flapping like angry bats. Trash ignored Master¡¯s yelling¡ªtoo much drama, not enough shiny. He turned back to the marble, eyes sparkling with pure joy. Why was it so silent now? Was the Boom Dance over? Trash tilted his head, one ear up, one ear flopping. ¡°Aha! I found it!¡± Master¡¯s triumphant voice suddenly cut through the silence like a knife. Trash¡¯s eyes darted to the marble in his palm. Uh-oh. Shiny was about to meet trouble.
Darkness. An endless, smothering darkness wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket. No whispers of sound, no shivers of touch¡ªonly a vast, unyielding void. I floated in this abyss, stripped of sensation, stripped of meaning. Even hunger and thirst had abandoned me, leaving only the gaping maw of emptiness. Why was I here again? How did I end up in this pitiless, silent prison? Fragments of memory flickered in my mind like sputtering embers: the suffocating swarm of cave spiders, their hairy legs scrabbling over my armor, eyes glistening with malice. One lunged, fangs wide, poison dripping. And then¡­ nothing. This void¡ªit felt familiar, like a cruel old friend. The first time I had been here was a blur, an echo of confusion and nothingness. I remembered waking to the rough, croaking voice of my master, Maleck, summoning me to consciousness. Beyond that, my past was a blank slate, carved by frustration. Trapped under Maleck¡¯s thumb, freedom was a mirage. My life was a series of failures and chains, bound by rules and commands. Attempts at rebellion always fizzled out, like a spark in a storm. I couldn¡¯t even strike that smug mage down, or finish the monstrous One-fang. Sure, I torched a few cave spider hatchlings, but they were mindless, frenzied morsels of bravery, and still, I lost! ¡®I am too weak,¡¯ I thought, the admission bitter and jagged. ¡®Then get allies,¡¯ a voice rumbled. The hairs on my neck¡ªor where my neck should be¡ªprickled. That sound was everywhere, deep, rough, like the grinding of ancient stones. Definitely not human. ¡®Is this another of my personas?¡¯ I thought, cautious. ¡®No, silly, I¡¯m not one of your personas. I¡¯m Lair Otut,¡¯ it replied, voice thick with an odd amusement. Wait. What? I looked around, as much as I could in a space where there was nothing to see. ¡®...eh!? I can¡¯t even see you. How do I know you¡¯re not just a figment of my imagination?¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re looking the wrong way. Don¡¯t see with your eyes, look with your mind. Just feel it, and you¡¯ll see. It¡¯s easy!¡¯ Lair¡¯s voice rolled through the void like a playful wave. With nothing to lose, I tried. I squeezed my non-existent eyes shut and focused. The darkness remained stubborn, thick as tar. Feel it, I reminded myself. I stretched my awareness like a net, searching for the intangible. Then it happened. Colors. First, they bloomed like hesitant embers, then exploded outward in a grand, dazzling display. Streams of every color swirled and danced around me, twisting and pooling, painting the void in flaming rainbows. It was a storm of hues: bold reds, fierce blues, greens like fresh forest leaves¡ªall burning bright, creating a kaleidoscopic vortex. Except for one. A gray flame hovered near me, lifeless as stone, soaking up the vibrant light but giving none back. It reflected the deep crimson glow from my own center, which pulsed like a heartbeat. ¡®So, I¡¯m red?¡¯ I wondered, watching the color reflect across the infinite space. Sight expanded in all directions, a mind-bending, five-dimensional view. I was no longer limited to one perspective. The streams of color glistened, endless and wild.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡®I see you¡¯ve succeeded. Good job; I wouldn¡¯t have expected less!¡¯ Lair¡¯s voice resonated, rich with approval. I willed myself to move, feeling a slight shift, though it was more like swimming through thick oil. There was no sensation of contact, just the push and resistance of the colorful streams. ¡®Are you done playing, my partner?¡¯ Lair¡¯s voice cut through my awe, sparking focus. ¡®Partner?¡¯ The word rolled uncertainly on my tongue. ¡®Is that not what you used to call me?¡¯ Lair asked, a hint of nostalgia in the tone. ¡®S-Slayer? Is that you?¡¯ I asked, a flicker of hope jolting through my core. ¡®In a manner of speaking, yes. Part of me, at least, the part you named Slayer,¡¯ Lair admitted. ¡®This is confusing,¡¯ I muttered, watching the gray flame pulse ominously beside me. ¡®Time is short, so I should explain from the beginning,¡¯ Lair said, the urgency in his voice wrapping around me like a warning.
Lair continued: "This place doesn¡¯t have a true name. Some call it ¡®the magic rails,¡¯ a realm parallel to the organic world where wise-men and others draw power for their magic. But it¡¯s so much more. What you see here, no mortal has ever glimpsed. This is the source of all supernatural power: Mana, Spirit, Nature, Divinity, and Chaos¡ªall coexisting, all limitless. Usually, wise-men can only draw small amounts, like a bucket from an endless sea. Even creatures who draw more are still just tapping a fraction. In time, they die, and their energy returns here, recycled to form new power. But sometimes, under unique conditions, a soul is born¡ªan entity formed from dense, compacted energy. That¡¯s us: two parts of the same soul, pieces of a Dungeon. You are the avatar, or Dungeon Lord, and I am the heart, its core essence." ''Wait, what!?'' [Keeper] ''Quiet. Just listen,'' Lair urged. "I was first, maturing over a thousand years, learning. I needed another part to complete the avatar¡ªyou. But your development was delayed, and before you were ready, that old mage bound you under his spell." ''I¡¯m... a Dungeon?'' Keeper¡¯s red soul wavered. "No, we are a Dungeon. You, the avatar, command monsters and demons. I am the heart, the Dungeon¡¯s essence, feeding on souls and generating unique energy¡ªDungeon Mana. This Mana can only be wielded by the avatar and a few chosen. The heart¡¯s parasitic roots extend through the ground, channeling power to the avatar in exchange for protection. Together, we make the Dungeon powerful, though not invincible. If the heart dies, so does the avatar. But if the avatar perishes while the heart remains, it can regenerate¡ªas is happening now." The red soul shivered, trying to steady itself. "So you¡¯re my heart? Not Slayer?" [Keeper] "In my early evolution, you were my vessel. Later, I became part of Slayer¡ªglorious days!" [Lair] ¡®And now?¡¯ [Keeper] "Now, I¡¯m... let¡¯s say ¡®sown in the ground.¡¯ Beyond this, even I don¡¯t know." Lair flickered, his presence weakening. "My time is nearly up. Without your body as a source, I¡¯m fading. This is only a shadow, left behind to power Slayer." ''What! You¡¯re leaving already?'' [Keeper] ''No, silly. We¡¯re one. Always.'' [Lair] The gray flame dimmed. ''Feed me lots of souls, partner...'' [Lair] His voice echoed away into silence. ''Great. I forgot to ask how to get out of here!'' [Keeper] Suddenly, a tiny, glowing sign popped up in the void, flashing the words "Exit This Way" with an arrow pointing in every direction. Keeper squinted, muttering, ''Oh, real helpful.''
Maleck''s POV: Spoof. A white, toxic cloud of spider bane hissed out from the glass bottle, spreading through the air. In an instant, every small spider in the study succumbed, their tiny bodies falling limp, littering the floor like dead leaves after a storm. ¡°Ah, potent enough for the smaller ones,¡± I said, my voice rich with satisfaction. ¡°The bigger ones, though¡ªperhaps mass dilutes its potency?¡± I mused, stroking my beard, wincing slightly as I pulled free a few limp spiders tangled in the strands. Underneath one of my tables, the goblin slave lay sprawled, his round belly grotesquely bloated. He had gorged himself senseless and now lay unconscious, mouth agape, emitting a soft, grotesque snore. He would regret it when he woke, no doubt. Finally, serenity. The silence was a balm, a reward for my toils. I seized my staff from the corner and brought it down with force. The stone floor responded obediently: a square slab lifted, shaped, and morphed into a chair¡ªa throne carved by magic, crowned with an angled back for comfort. I smirked at the precision of my craftsmanship. ¡°Perfect,¡± I declared, easing my old bones onto the seat, a satisfying series of cracks following. ¡°I¡¯m too old for this,¡± I muttered, smirking at the irony. Most men couldn¡¯t claim the age I bore; they perished well before reaching their thirties or forties. But I, Maleck the Ever-Knowing, was no mere mortal. I sent the staff whirling back to its place with a flick of wind magic. Though dual-natured in wind and fire, I required the [Golem¡¯s Stick] to control the earth. It had crafted this very chair and the altar, though the meticulous inscriptions on the altar were my own, traced with the blood of lesser beings and ambition. ¡°Keeper¡­ that insolent slave,¡± I spat, my teeth grinding. His defiance was not only improbable; it was insulting. The spell should have kept him loyal, yet he dared to rebel, wielding that sword as if it were forged in the heart of the gods themselves. And that sigil! The echo of recognition haunted me, but from where? An enigma, maddening and complete. I pushed it from my mind and closed my eyes, savoring the silence¡ª Wait. Silence? Absolute and suffocating. The spiders outside should still be scuttling, gnashing, dying. Could Keeper have managed them all? Impossible. He had never been competent in anything but standing as an ornament. An elaborate doorstop. I rose, irritation coiling in my chest. ¡°Keeper!¡± My call bounced off stone, dead and unanswered. Of course¡ªthe silence command. ¡°Keeper, get in here!¡± I repeated, louder. Still nothing. A vein throbbed at my temple. ¡°KEEPER, I SAID COME IN HERE NOW!¡± ¡°Uuuuu¡­ Trash not good,¡± mumbled the goblin, stirring and glancing up with sleepy, bewildered eyes. Useless as always. ¡°You, goblin slave. Go out and see what¡¯s happening,¡± I commanded, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°Uuuu¡­¡± He stared blankly, uncomprehending. I let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°If you want something done right¡­¡± I strode to the door and flung it open¡ªonly to face an unexpected barrier. A dirt-brown stalagmite, jagged and towering, blocked the way. ¡°What is this? This wasn¡¯t here before,¡± I muttered, eyes narrowing as I examined it. The hallway had been transformed, blackened and reshaped by the battle¡¯s heat. The stalagmite drew my attention again, glistening strangely under the dim light, hints of yellow light seeping through the brown as it shifted to a reddish hue. I reached out, fingertips brushing its surface, rough but yielding. A sudden warmth pulsed beneath my fingers. Then, unmistakably, it thumped. A heartbeat!
BONUS: How slayer worked.
Weapon Classification: Claymore Name: Slayer
Special option: SoulLink Attribute: Obscure
SoulLink Explanation: SoulLink is a unique power accessible only to beings composed of two or more souls. This ability allows such beings to channel or "download" energy into a chosen object or vessel. This transfer imbues the container with power temporarily, enhancing its capabilities or attributes. However, the power does not last indefinitely; it dissipates shortly after the link is severed unless the connection is maintained. Voice of the World:
  • Energy Conversion: In the case of dungeons, any souls consumed are converted into a specialized form of energy that fuels the dungeon¡¯s power.
  • Attribute Details: The primary attribute of this energy is obscured, making it difficult to identify fully.
  • Energy Behavior: When this energy is downloaded into a vessel or object, it exhibits unstable properties. The result is a release of wild magic that disperses rapidly, burning through the power source.
  • Attribute Similarity: While the specific nature of the obscured attribute is unclear, its closest resemblance appears to be associated with fire¡ªvolatile and consuming.
Keeper - Ch8 ??? POV It came into being. Thus, it craves. As it consumes, it extends. Not in mass, but in influence. It will taint the dark places. All will yield or face demise.
Bobfray''s Adventure Journal: Encountering Slimes 1. Run Away The first rule of thumb when encountering slimes in the wild is simple: run away. This fundamental survival tactic is ingrained in the minds of all F-rank adventurers and even children. Slimes are known for their unpredictable movements and corrosive properties, making a hasty retreat the most effective strategy for preserving one''s health and safety. 2. Retaliate (With Caution) If running away is not an option, the next approach involves a calculated risk. Engaging a slime in combat can be a gamble, especially if the party lacks a mage. Mages hold a significant advantage against slimes, as they can target the creature''s core, which is its weak point. A well-aimed spell can neutralize the threat almost instantly. However, for melee fighters, attacking a slime poses unique challenges. The slime''s core is small and well-guarded by its viscous, acidic exterior. Thus, a melee combatant must exhibit either exceptional skill or incredible luck to land a decisive blow. Attempting to use a low-quality weapon is particularly ill-advised; the corrosive nature of the slime can easily ruin the weapon, leading to further disadvantage in battle. 3. The Danger of Ambush It is important to note that all these strategies may be rendered ineffective if one is ambushed by a slime. In such dire circumstances, the best hope is that your companions can react swiftly to extricate you from the creature''s grasp before it can digest you whole. Awareness of your surroundings and a quick escape plan can make all the difference when facing these unpredictable foes.
Narrator Somewhere deep in the labyrinthine tunnels of the underworld, five figures made their way through the oppressive darkness, guided only by the flickering flame of a solitary torch. This motley crew, self-styled as "Five Fingers and One Guide," found their numbers diminished, now reduced to four fingers, as one of their own was missing. The stout dwarf, Jenkins, led the way, his presence commanding despite his stature. The tunnel was wide enough to allow for some spacing, yet they maintained a cautious distance of about a meter between each other. ¡°Just admit it, Jenkins, we¡¯re lost!¡± Enrik, the pale-skinned assassin, broke the silence with a sharp observation. ¡°Nay! We¡¯re simply taking the safest routes. It¡¯s been a long journey, no doubt.¡± Jenkins retorted, his voice a gruff rumble. ¡°Enrik, arguing with a dwarf about directions is futile,¡± Brute, the towering warrior, chimed in. ¡°If you think you can do better, feel free to lead.¡± Enrik considered the offer for a fleeting moment but wisely chose silence, knowing the futility of the challenge. ¡°Is it always this lively with you lot?¡± Mat, the young tracker and recent recruit of the group, asked, glancing back at the others, curious about the dynamics at play. He had quickly bonded with them, particularly with Enrik, forming a strange camaraderie based on mutual respect rather than friendship. Yet, their leader remained an enigma, shrouded in silence as they ventured deeper into the shadows. ¡°Don¡¯t bother. Our leader has taken a vow of silence. You¡¯re barking up the wrong tree,¡± Jenkins said, his tone almost jovial, lightening the mood amidst their tension. The group pressed on, the oppressive weight of the cavern closing in as they navigated the seemingly endless maze of rock and darkness. Rations were dwindling, and they were acutely aware of the ticking clock of survival. ¡°Yesterday, we picked up a lead on the mage,¡± Jenkins continued, his tone shifting. ¡°A stampede of creatures ran past us, fleeing something... or someone. Unnatural for beasts of any size. Something¡¯s wrong in these tunnels.¡± Jenkins had sensed the tremors in the ground and led them into a crevice, allowing the swarm to pass unscathed. The group felt the earth quake with the creatures¡¯ desperate flight. ¡°Finally, we¡¯ve found the trail again!¡± Jenkins exclaimed, his voice breaking through the haze of anxiety. ¡°So, I was right, Jenkins! We were lost!¡± Enrik shot back. ¡°Nay, just a wee bit confused. Dwarves don¡¯t think well without their mead. Sigh, what I wouldn¡¯t give for a mug right now,¡± Jenkins lamented, his bitterness palpable. ¡°Look there! That¡¯s our path!¡± Jenkins pointed down a tunnel to the left. ¡°Where? It looks like every other tunnel!¡± Mat protested, squinting into the murky darkness. ¡°Wait just a moment,¡± Jenkins instructed, producing a damp cloth to snuff out their torch¡¯s light. In the sudden darkness, an unexpected sight emerged. The mundane fungus that clung to the walls began to glow¡ªa soft, eerie blue punctuated by occasional hints of green, illuminating a path leading deeper into the unknown. ¡°Bioluminescent cave fungi. Nearly invisible to the naked eye. Dwarven wisdom for navigating the labyrinth,¡± Jenkins explained, his eyes gleaming with pride. The young tracker was taken aback, awed by the ingenuity of nature. ¡°This mage certainly knows how to cover his tracks. Spooked cave creatures aren¡¯t a good sign. What if these mushrooms are leading us into a trap?¡± Mat¡¯s words hung heavy in the air, tension creeping back into the group. ¡°Oi!¡± Brute barked, having caught a glimpse of the leader¡¯s subtle gestures. ¡°Boss says you¡¯re not in charge here. Jenkins, light it up again! I can¡¯t see a damn thing.¡± ¡°Ye wee humans and your terrible eyesight,¡± Jenkins grumbled as he set to work. With deft movements, he doused the torch in oil and struck sparks from flint against tinder. Flames leapt to life once more, illuminating the tunnel. The glowing fungi reverted to their ordinary appearance, and the warm light expanded their visibility, revealing a stretch of the cavern but still leaving the deeper shadows unexplored. Then, from beyond the reach of their newfound light, something shifted in the darkness. Mat, lingering at the rear, caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. ¡°Did you see that?! Something''s back there!¡± Panic edged his voice. The group tensed, instinctively falling into their roles as thieves, alert and prepared for the unknown. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything¡ªmaybe it¡¯s a slime?¡± Jenkins shrugged, his indifference slightly calming their nerves. As a dwarf, he could see well in the dim light, but the shadows still cloaked whatever lurked beyond their sight. ¡°Let¡¯s not let our guard down,¡± Enrik advised, his instincts sharp. ¡°We¡¯re not out of danger yet.¡± The group waited, scrutinizing the tunnel with wary eyes, but nothing happened. Reluctantly, they resumed their cautious trek, ensuring every precaution was taken.
From the depths of the cave''s inky shadows, a presence lurked, its unseen eyes fixated on the five intruders as they cautiously navigated its domain. The air grew thick with tension, crackling like static, as a simmering rage pulsed through its dark essence. It was a palpable force, heavy and forbidding, as it silently watched the trespassers inch closer to its lair, each footstep echoing ominously in the stillness. Even the cave itself seemed to hold its breath.
The young tracker felt a creeping unease settle over him, a nagging sensation that something unseen was watching their every move. No matter how often he glanced back into the suffocating darkness, he couldn''t shake the feeling, as the shadows seemed to swirl and dance, obscuring any potential threat lurking just beyond his sight.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Noticing Mat¡¯s distress, Brute attempted to ease his worries by reminiscing about his past adventures. ¡°You know, this reminds me of my adventuring days,¡± Brute said, his voice echoing softly in the tunnel. ¡°You were an adventurer?¡± Mat''s curiosity piqued, his anxiety momentarily forgotten. ¡°Why yes, D-rank, and it was glorious! Treasures, meat, booze, and bosoms¡ªwell, that¡¯s when I wasn¡¯t adventuring,¡± Brute chuckled, the sound echoing through the cave. Mat furrowed his brow, incredulous. ¡°How does this remind you of women and booze?¡± Brute paused, collecting his thoughts. ¡°Mat, do you know why an adventurer stays an adventurer?¡± Mat pondered, considering the myriad of reasons that might drive someone to a life of danger. Some sought fame and glory; others wanted to support their families. He settled on a reasonable answer. ¡°Because of the fame?¡± ¡°The fame? Ha! You¡¯re funny! No, it¡¯s all about gluttony and greed. The more you earn, the more you spend. The more you spend, the more you need to earn.¡± Brute¡¯s expression turned serious, and his words carried the weight of experience. It was a logical perspective. The more one indulged in the finer things in life, the harder it became to return to the mundane. ¡°Think about it. How many adventurers actually retire? Most die on the job. The so-called famous ones? They end up as dragon snacks.¡± ¡°What about Reginald? The man who actually slew a dragon?¡± Mat countered, seeking examples of success. ¡°Reginald is a bit...¡± Brute began, but Enrik interjected, eager to add his two cents. ¡°You don¡¯t mean Prince Reginald by any chance?¡± ¡°Is there anyone else?¡± Mat replied, his interest now fully engaged. ¡°I met him once,¡± Enrik smirked. ¡°He¡¯s a poser. All his power comes from his father, the king. Legendary items, legions of soldiers¡ªstrip that away, and he¡¯s just a child begging for his life. He even offered me money to spare him.¡± Mat and Brute exchanged incredulous glances, disbelief evident on their faces. ¡°What!?¡± they exclaimed in unison. ¡°I didn¡¯t kill him, alas. I didn¡¯t want a whole country after me. Besides, it was a hefty sum,¡± Enrik said, a creepy grin spreading across his face. Brute cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back to safer waters. ¡°Anyway, there are still some real idiots in the world. Money won¡¯t make you strong; only muscles and a sharp mind will. Money is for booze and food. I remember this one guy who betrayed his entire party over a measly bounty. Just goes to show you should never trust an adventurer.¡± Enrik raised an eyebrow, ready to challenge Brute. ¡°Hmm, I remember it differently. Wasn¡¯t it you who betrayed them and got away with the treasure? You even bought me a round of beer that day, bragging about it.¡± ¡°Can ye stop talkin¡¯ about mead?¡± Jenkins snapped from the front, frustration creeping into his voice. ¡°Like I said, never trust an adventurer around treasure. Bwa ha ha ha!¡± Brute laughed heartily, his voice echoing eerily through the tunnel. ¡°I guess it¡¯s good that you¡¯re not an¡ª¡± Mat started, but he suddenly froze, a shadow creeping across his face. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Brute asked, his mirth fading. ¡°I heard something!¡± Mat¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, tension gripping the air around them. It had been a faint sound, as quiet as a pin dropping, yet somehow amplified in the silence of the cave. As a tracker, Mat relied on his heightened senses, but here in the shadows, uncertainty gnawed at him. ¡°Oh, hush! You¡¯re just paranoid. It¡¯s probably just another slime, right, dwarf?¡± Enrik laughed, attempting to lighten the mood. ¡°I never said it was a slime,¡± Jenkins grumbled, squinting into the darkness. ¡°I said it might possibly be. But I still can¡¯t see anything.¡± ¡°Bloody hell!¡± Mat exclaimed, suddenly filled with resolve. He picked up a loose rock slightly smaller than his fist, his instincts kicking in. If there was something lurking, it would react to confrontation. He hurled the rock into the void. The stone struck something with a metallic clang, and the sound echoed ominously through the cave. Then came a screech, followed by the thud of something heavy hitting the ground and rolling toward them. ¡°Is that...?¡± Mat began, eyes wide with fear. ¡°Ruuuuun!¡± Jenkins shouted, panic evident in his voice. ¡°!!?¡± Mat, Enrik, and Brute responded in unison, adrenaline surging as they turned to flee. The creature¡ªa ball-shaped mass¡ªcharged at them with terrifying speed, its weight thundering against the stone floor. The group sprinted with all their might, the echoes of their footsteps mingling with the ominous rumble of the creature behind them. As they ran, they could hear the sound of rocks breaking beneath its immense weight, the proximity of danger closing in on them. ¡°In here!¡± Jenkins yelled, spotting a left turn just in time. They ducked into the side passage as the creature passed, the ground vibrating as it turned to pursue them once more. ¡°What was that? It looked like a giant¡ª¡± Mat began to ask, but Jenkins cut him off. ¡°A PILLBUG! It¡¯s coming again!¡± Jenkins shouted, urgency creeping into his voice. The sound of the giant pillbug¡¯s numerous legs skittered against the stone floor, closing in fast as the group raced down the tunnel, the echoes of their frantic escape blending with the relentless pursuit behind them.
Mat''s POV Pillbug. A creature from the vermin family, typically inhabiting forested areas or underground. Looks like I know which environment this one prefers. I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart sank as I saw the boulder-like form of the giant pillbug rapidly closing the distance between us. ¡°Shit, shit, shit!¡± What do I know about these creatures? They usually live beneath large rocks¡ªironic, considering its current state. They feed on fallen trees, fungi, and various decomposing matter... ¡°Huh, that¡¯s odd...¡± Pillbugs have some peculiar feeding habits; they¡¯re known to consume their own feces, as well as that of other animals. Urgh. Additionally, they sometimes feed on decomposing animal flesh. I recalled that giant pillbugs are known for curling up into a tight ball to protect their delicate underbellies with their chitinous segmented shells. They roll their bodies over anything in their path. Creatures in the giant family can grow up to four meters¡ªby the seven curses, this one looks way larger! I stole another glance back. Fuck! It is! Think, think¡ªhow do we escape or defeat it? Unless we can find a way through its armor¡­ ¡°Arrg! Damn it!¡± ¡°Watch out! Get your head in the fight!¡± Brute shouted, slamming into me as we turned into another cave corridor. I stumbled and fell flat on my face, feeling blood trickle from a cut on my brow. No time to care about it; the pillbug was still on our tails. I scrambled to my feet, noticing that the rest of the group had already dashed past me. My vision swayed slightly, but I could see the corridor narrowing ahead. The flickering light from Jenkins¡¯ torch revealed a bottleneck up ahead. If we could reach it before the bug crushed us¡­ ¡°Guys! Up ahead! That¡¯s our escape! It won¡¯t fit!¡± ¡°It¡¯s too far! We won¡¯t make it!¡± Enrik shouted, his voice tinged with panic. ¡°Enrik, stop being so pessimistic! Would you really let yourself be outrun by a dwarf?¡± Jenkins chimed in, somehow sprinting faster than any dwarf I¡¯d ever seen. ¡°Dwarf, get back here!¡± Enrik protested. ¡°Keep breathing! That¡¯s the key. Breathe!¡± Jenkins replied, though it was clear the effort was taking its toll on him. The rumble of the pillbug and the sound of stones being crushed beneath it grew louder as we got closer to the bottleneck. I didn¡¯t dare look back again; the last side corridor was already far behind. There was only one way out: Run! Run as if the slavers were on my heels! Sweat poured down my body, mingling with fear and exhaustion. My limbs felt heavier with each passing second. How long could the rest of the group keep this up? ¡°Almost there, almost there¡­¡± A weak thud caught my attention. I pinpointed the sound and saw Boss, the leader of the Five Fingers, sprawled on the ground. He must have¡ª ¡°JENN!¡± Brute shouted, panic lacing his voice. ¡°!?¡± I reacted, startled. Brute, who had been in the lead, suddenly pivoted and sprinted back, racing toward his boss with the instinctive loyalty of a trained dog. ¡°You idiot! You¡¯ll both be crushed!¡± Enrik yelled, but there were no words exchanged between Brute and me. I saw it in his eyes: determination. No words could stop him now. ¡°Move, goddamn it!¡± Brute shouted, urgency pushing him forward. I could only watch, paralyzed as I realized we might lose our berserker to that rolling menace.
Narrator The leader stumbled on the uneven ground, her foot wedged painfully between two rocks. A quick examination revealed it wasn¡¯t broken, but she knew it was unlikely to be of any use again. Death was just seconds away, ready to flatten her beneath its relentless weight. In those fleeting moments, a million memories flooded her mind, as time seemed to slow. She envisioned her parents, long gone, the vibrant garden bursting with flowers, her guild master, her drill sergeant, the five fingers, and the little boy she had loved so dearly. A tear slipped down her cheek, unseen beneath her mask. ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jenn whispered, her voice sweet as honey, but drowned out by the thunderous rumble of the approaching Pillbug. Then, amidst the chaos, a familiar war cry pierced the air, overpowering the ominous rumbling. Brute, the self-proclaimed second-in-command, launched himself past her, eyes locked on the colossal creature. He gripped the Pillbug¡¯s sides, summoning every ounce of strength to halt its advance. Blood dripped from his hands, torn by the chitinous shell. ¡°oooOOO!¡± he roared, though it was impossible to tell if it was a cry of pain or a desperate rallying call against the relentless beast. Despite his efforts, the Pillbug¡¯s weight pressed down on him, muscles straining, veins bulging, bones creaking... But then he felt a tap on his shoulder¡ªan ordinary tap from someone. ¡°It¡¯s stuck!¡± Enrik shouted. Brute glanced sideways, still crouched under the weight of the bug. The Pillbug had wedged itself between the cave walls. He released his grip and turned to see Jenn just a few centimeters behind him. Jenkins was at her side, working to free her foot from the rocks. Once freed, Jenn strode towards Brute, dagger in hand. With a swift motion, she struck the butt of it against his forehead. ¡°What was that for?¡± Brute exclaimed, shielding his head with his injured hands. Jenn seized one of his hands, pulling out a bandage from her bag, and began wrapping it around his wound. Silence enveloped them. Knock, knock screech. Jenkins took the moment to examine the Pillbug''s shell, employing an ancient dwarven skill to assess its mass and secrets. He crawled out from beneath the bug. ¡°It weighs more than five tons,¡± he said, awed. ¡°Impressive feat for a giant bug. Its shell is impenetrable, save for a good hammer or pickaxe. Well, we¡¯re not going back the same way we came!¡± The Pillbug was jammed tight, trapped to the point of starving alone. But hunger was a shared fate for them all if they stayed. ¡°Well, only one way to go then,¡± Jenkins declared. The group gazed down the narrow tunnel ahead, only wide enough for one to pass at a time. ¡°Hey, Jenkins, something¡¯s bothering me. Pillbugs aren¡¯t carnivores. Why would it stalk us?¡± Mat asked, curiosity etched on his face. ¡°It didn¡¯t. You set it off!¡± Jenkins replied. ¡°Yeah, sorry! I might have annoyed it,¡± Mat admitted sheepishly. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. It was a trap... an organic one at that!¡± Jenkins said, urgency creeping into his voice. ¡°Organic trap? I¡¯ve never heard of such a thing,¡± Mat said, brows furrowing in confusion. ¡°Oh, Dwarf, don¡¯t tell me¡­¡± Enrik began, dread seeping into his tone. ¡°Ay, we¡¯re in a natural-born dungeon!¡± Jenkins confirmed. An unnatural chill swept through the cave, an immense pressure rising from deeper within. Keeper - Ch9 Ba-bum. I had finally managed to escape the realm known as the "Magic Rails," only to find myself in another prison. This time, however, it was my body that was the true captive, wrapped snugly in a cocoon as I underwent a slow and, dare I say, rather uncomfortable healing process. Ba-bum. At least I¡¯d picked up a new trick during my time in the Magic Rails: the ability to see beyond my own physical form. Talk about a major upgrade! It¡¯s like getting a new set of eyes that can¡¯t roll in their sockets. How delightful. So here I was, lying helplessly, my body wrapped like a gift nobody asked for, peering into the void. And let me tell you, the view isn¡¯t exactly five-star.
Dungeon Eye
This ability enables the user to dislodge a part of their soul or consciousness, referred to as an "astral body." This astral body is distinct from the physical form, allowing it to travel freely outside the user''s body. Dungeon-Specific Limitation: In the context of dungeons, this astral projection is restricted to the Dungeon Heart''s domain of corruption. This means that while the user can explore the surrounding area and gain insights or knowledge beyond their physical limitations, they are confined to the corrupted environment defined by the Dungeon Heart.
Though my reach was limited to a one-kilometer radius from my body¡ªor more precisely, from the heart of my lair¡ªI was keenly aware of its boundaries. Beneath my oval chamber in the earth, a pulsating tendril connected me to my cocoon, anchoring me to Lair''s heart, where it was steadily growing. ba-bum¡­ ba-bum¡­ I had never laid eyes on a heart quite like this one before. It was a strange, pink mass of organic flesh, sprawling across the stone floor, and it was undeniably part of Lair itself. I found myself wondering how vast it would eventually become. ba-bum¡­ ba-bum¡­ With my [Dungeon Eye], I surveyed the expanse of our domain. How I knew to do this was a mystery; it felt like an instinctual knowledge flowing through me. Our domain was defined by the reach of Lair''s tendrils¡ªan intricate web through which it pumped its lifeblood, exerting our dominance over the dark tunnels. The corridors I once navigated felt entirely different now. They twisted and turned, creating a labyrinthine network that was both familiar and foreign. This was our dungeon, my kingdom, and Lair''s home. Yet, despite this newfound perspective, two issues loomed heavily on my mind. ba-bum¡­ ba-bum¡­ ba-bum¡­ First, I still couldn''t access Maleck''s study. Although Lair''s tendrils could extend throughout a one-kilometer radius, they were unable to penetrate the barriers of that study. The door remained resolutely closed to me. The second¡ªand far more urgent¡ªconcern was the five intruders who had recently trespassed into our domain. They had managed to evade our vanguard, the corrupted pillbug that served as an organic trap. ''Kill! They must die! They cannot advance any further!'' I thought, a primal instinct rising within me. ba-bum¡­ ba-bum¡­ crack The rhythmic pulse of Lair''s heart matched the growing urgency in my chest as the threat of these intruders stirred something feral within me.
Awakened Dungeon
System Notification: Initiating Process... Status: "Two separate, one whole. The Dungeon awakens." Analyzing Resources... Dungeon mana detected... Connection established! Enhancement Protocol: Avatar strengthened! End of Transmission.
Intruders immanent!
System Notification: Status: Last defense activation... Warning: No last defense available! Deploying Minion Protocol... Error: No minions available! Initiating Avatar Awakening... Alert: Avatar unable to awaken. Constitution below minimum threshold: 45% requirement for awakening! Forcing Awakening Process... Status: Failure! Forcing Awakening Process... Status: Failure! Warning: Initiating forbidden dark category ritual to override awakening protocol... Forcing Awakening Process... Status: Success! Designation: Entity "Keeper" has been assigned as last boss mob. Avatar lifespan: 3 hours. Countdown: 02:59:59
*crack* *rumble* *crack*
Fingers POV In the suffocating darkness of the tunnel, a hushed voice broke the silence. ¡°Everybody ready?¡± [Brute] spoke, his voice low yet resonant enough to reach every ear in the group. They had opted for speech instead of their usual sign language, as Mat was still a stranger to their silent communication. The others nodded slightly, their expressions tense. The air was thick with apprehension, so dense it felt as if a knife could slice through it. They had extinguished the torch earlier, wary of drawing attention to themselves. But as they approached their destination, the dim glow from the bioluminescent mushrooms faded abruptly, leaving only an inky blackness ahead. A heavy aroma wafted through the cave, reminiscent of beef and greasy pork. Yet the Fingers recognized it for what it truly was¡ªdeath. The acrid scent of burnt hair would cling to their nostrils for days, a grim reminder of their peril. ¡°Something died here recently!¡± [Enrik] whispered, a chill creeping up his spine. With weapons drawn, they crept toward a bend in the corridor, pressing their bodies against the damp stone wall. Enrik took a cautious peek around the corner. ¡°A four- to six-meter tunnel leading into an equally dark room. No light, nothing... Wait! There¡¯s something in the far back, maybe twenty meters away¡­ Too dark to see clearly.¡± [Enrik] reported, straining his eyes. Enrik lacked dwarven vision, but after adjusting to the darkness with his [Night Vision] and employing his innate talent for mapping spaces, he was able to decipher the scene. Such skills were essential for an assassin. ¡°Can¡¯t see anything else?¡± [Brute] pressed. Enrik shook his head; the darkness concealed too much. Jenn, having smeared some glowing mushroom pollen on her hands, caught their attention. She signed urgently to Jenkins and Enrik. ¡®Switch, let Jenkins take a look!¡¯ [Jenn] Both men nodded in affirmation, and Jenkins took Enrik¡¯s place at the front. ¡°Yup, I see somethin¡¯ alright¡ªa door. But beyond that? It¡¯s darker than a bottomless pit in here¡­¡± [Jenkins] replied, his tone laced with unease. For a dwarf known for his keen vision to declare the darkness unnerving sent a wave of tension rippling through the group. Mat, who had been lingering at the back, chimed in. ¡°What n¡ª¡± [Mat] began, but Jenn quickly covered his mouth, a finger pressed to her mask. ¡°Are you daft? Do you want to give away our position?¡± [Enrik] hissed. Jenn lowered her hand, letting Mat speak, though his voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°But there¡¯s no one there, right? You didn¡¯t see anything, did you?¡± [Mat] asked, glancing nervously at his companions. The Fingers exchanged glances, Jenkins shrugging slightly. ¡°The door seems thick enough. We should be fine talkin¡¯ normally,¡± [Jenkins] replied, attempting to ease the tension. ¡°Yeah, sure. So, a door inside a cave. It must be Maleck¡¯s base of operations, right?¡± [Brute] suggested, his voice tinged with uncertainty. It was a rhetorical question, but Mat pondered it seriously, scratching his chin. ¡°Probably. Like I said in the debrief, I¡¯ve never been inside these caves before...¡± [Mat] admitted. The group exchanged knowing looks, some rolling their eyes, but only Jenkins could see in the gloom and chose to remain silent. ¡°And a natural-born dungeon... You think all this is the work of that loner mage?¡± [Brute] ventured. Silence hung in the air, the uncertainty palpable as no one had enough information to respond. ¡®Okay, who goes first?¡¯ [Jenn] signed, her hands casting a faint glow in the dark.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. The Fingers turned their gazes toward the tunnel entrance, tension thickening once more. ¡°Trick question, right?¡± [Enrik] quipped, his eyes narrowing at Mat. ¡°Hu? What?¡± [Mat] replied, confusion evident. Without warning, Enrik shoved Mat forward, sending him stumbling into the darkness. Mat¡¯s feet flailed as he struggled to regain his balance on the uneven stone floor. By the time he regained his footing, he was already standing in the pitch-black oval room, the oppressive darkness enveloping him like a shroud. Mat''s POV ¡°Anything happening? I wanna see!¡± [Enrik] exclaimed, his excitement cutting through the tension. Cold sweat trickled down my back, and I dared not move. Had Enrik just pushed me into an unscouted room? I tried to reassure myself. Jenkins and Enrik had surveyed the area, showing no signs of danger. But their observations had been limited, and they hadn¡¯t checked the two sides of the room. Anxiety pooled in my stomach as sweat dripped from my brow. I turned my head to the right, a habit of being the right-hand man. Darkness. Nothing but darkness. I slowly turned my head left, and there, lurking in the blackness, was... more darkness. I sighed in relief as my tense muscles relaxed. I spun around to face the Fingers. ¡°Guys, it¡¯s nothing here!¡± [Mat] called out, trying to dispel my own fear. ¡°Aw! I wanted to see some bloodshed! So was that big bug the dungeon¡¯s boss?¡± [Enrik] whined. One by one, the Fingers emerged from the shadows, their footsteps echoing ominously against the stone floor. clang... clang... clang... ¡°Guys! Which one of you decided to put on steel boots now?¡± [Mat] joked, trying to lighten the mood. Just then, Jenkins lit the torch, and the flame flickered to life, casting light that pushed back the shadows and illuminated the oval room. The moment the light spilled over the walls, I saw Jenkins''s face go pale as snow, and the others followed suit, shock etched into their features as they froze in place. ¡°Oy, oy! What is that red orb hovering in the air?¡± [Enrik] gasped. clang... clang... clang... Panic surged through me. ¡°G... Guys! W... What is happening!?¡± [Mat] stammered, my voice rising in terror. I turned around again, as I always had to. clang... clang... stops! Into the dim light, something materialized. No, it emerged. A towering figure, two meters tall, stepped out of the darkness, clad in tar-black armor that seemed to merge with the shadows. The armor was studded with spikes, most prominently forming a twisted crown atop its head. It loomed over me, and through a T-shaped slit in the mask, I glimpsed the only visible part of its face¡ªa glimmering red left eye. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the right eye was missing, replaced by a fresh wound from which blood oozed like a macabre waterfall, pooling around the jagged edges of flesh. It was as if something had taken a monstrous bite out of it. Yet the armor was untouched, gleaming ominously in the flickering light. The giant raised its left arm over its right shoulder. In an instant, my head spun, flying through the air, my vision a blur of darkness and horror as I looked down at my headless body, a gruesome sight of blood spraying into the room like a grotesque fountain.
Narrator: The severed head of the young boy rolled to a stop before the group known as the Five Fingers, leaving a crimson trail upon the cold stone floor. His headless body slumped forward, blood gushing from the neck in a grotesque fountain, splattering the towering, tar-armored giant before him. The giant, momentarily taken aback, glanced down at the lifeless form. ¡°...¡± [tar-armored giant] But before the giant could fully process the scene, a fist crashed against its armored face, tilting its head back. ¡°Sorry, but you¡¯re looking the wrong way!¡± [Brute] said with a defiant grin. The tar-armored giant barely flinched, though a sharp pain blossomed in its neck as Brute wrenched its wrist aside. ¡°Lucky catch, guys! It¡¯s just an infant dungeon. This must be its only boss monster!¡± [Enrik] chimed in, a manic glee in his voice as he pressed his dagger deeper into the side of the monster. But the dagger barely pierced the armor; it slid harmlessly off the impenetrable surface. ¡°...¡± [boss mob] ¡°What the¡ª!¡± [Enrik] Retreating just in time, he dodged a retaliatory strike from the giant. The boss turned its gaze back to Brute, its grip tightening around the burly man''s wrist. ¡°What''s wrong with this guy?¡± [Brute] grunted, struggling against the vice-like hold. ¡°...¡± [boss mob] With a sickening crack, the giant crushed Brute¡¯s wrist, eliciting a howl of agony that echoed through the chamber. ¡°WOOOoooOooO!¡± [Brute] roared, clenching his teeth against the pain. In a desperate move, the berserker snatched up his axe, hooking it onto one of the spikes on the giant¡¯s crown and yanking with all his might, trying to throw the beast into the wall. But the giant stood its ground, the spike breaking off cleanly as the berserker stumbled back, blood dripping from his now mangled arm. ¡°Aaaaaarrrrr!¡± [Brute] screamed, the pain coursing through him. Freed from the grip, he didn¡¯t have a moment to rest. The giant was already lifting its arm again, poised to strike just like it had with the boy. ¡°NOW!¡± [Jenkins] shouted. The berserker dove to the ground, covering his ears with his one good arm just as the cavern trembled with the force of Jenkins''s attack. Confused by the sudden noise, the giant looked down, its focus shifting from the berserker to the dwarf standing defiantly before it, a tall stick aimed squarely at its chest. BLAM! The cave shook with a thunderous roar, the sound reverberating like an explosion. The giant was sent tumbling back, but with an uncanny agility, it braced itself with its hands, halting just short of crashing into the red door at the far end of the room. Jenkins, sitting on the ground, laughed maniacally, his makeshift earmuffs askew as smoke curled from the end of his weapon. ¡°Boya! How d''ye like me boomstick!? Bwa Bwa Bwa!¡± [Jenkins] exclaimed. The giant slowly rose, dislodging its hands from the rocky floor. Its claws reshaped back into the form of armored gloves, but the Fingers were transfixed on the gaping hole left in its armor. Beneath, gray skin glistened, scarred from countless battles, fresh wounds still oozing blood. The damage from Jenkins''s blast had been significant, but the armor had absorbed most of it. ¡°¡­!¡± [Boss mob] ¡°Bloody hell, be me eyes deceived, or is that armor regenerating?¡± [Jenkins] said, astonished, his jaw hanging open. From the shadows, Enrik emerged, slicing into the giant¡¯s exposed belly, carving a deep gash before the armor could fully regenerate. ¡°It¡¯s just a living armor on a beast!¡± [Enrik] declared, his face lighting up with revelation. Jenkins noted the different shades of gray pooling around the giant''s wounds, indicating its blood loss. ¡°Me see it! We¡¯re makin¡¯ him bleed! Leader, what¡¯s yer orders?¡± [Jenkins] shouted, glancing at Jenn for guidance. ¡°Keep pushing it,¡± she commanded, resolute. Meanwhile, the berserker struggled to stand, his arm mending at a horrifying pace, but still lagging behind the healing armor. ¡°Bloody arse! Jenkins, reload! That potion cost me a fortune, you damn mutt!¡± [Brute] growled, eyeing the giant''s glinting left eye that bore down on him. ¡°Oh!? You don¡¯t like bein¡¯ called a mutt? Well, you, mutt!¡± [Brute] taunted, his bravado masking his fear. Jenkins hurriedly filled the barrel of his weapon with black powder, fingers trembling with urgency. ¡°I dinna think ye should...¡± [Jenkins] started. ¡°OOOOOAAAAA!¡± [Boss mob] With its face turned to the ceiling, the giant roared as its armor shifted and twisted grotesquely, spikes bursting forth like a porcupine. Its features contorted into a fearsome snout, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs, transforming it into a demonic entity, radiating overwhelming malevolence. ¡°Keeper? HA! The mutt barks! Tell me, what are you a keeper of? Treasure, perhaps?¡± [Brute] taunted, a glimmer of greed in his eyes masking his terror. ¡°Enrik! Good old one-two!¡± [Brute] shouted. With a guttural war cry, the berserker charged, unleashing his fury against the beast. The two collided in the center of the room, a clash of titans. A right hook, a left claw. A surprise uppercut, a desperate bite into empty air as the berserker dodged at the last moment. BLAM! ¡°AAOOOOOOOWW!¡± [Keeper] roared, pain echoing through the chamber as Brute¡¯s axe struck its side, the flesh turning a darker gray from broken ribs beneath the armor. But the fight was far from over. As Enrik sank a dagger deep into the giant¡¯s side, the beast howled in agony, the armor attempting to heal itself around the embedded weapon. Enrik retreated into the shadows, but not before a jagged spike shot out from the beast¡¯s back, slicing through the air and into his arm. ¡°Rott!¡± [Enrik] cursed, stumbling back. ¡°Hn?¡± [Jenkins] snapped to attention, eyes wide. He was the first to notice as the cave trembled once more, rocks beginning to rain from the ceiling in a deafening rumble. RUMBLE! ¡°EARTHQUAKE!?¡± [Jenkins] shouted, panic rising. The ground beneath the melee fighters shuddered violently, causing them to lose their footing and tumble into the darkness below.
Jenkins POV: Rusted doorknobs! I lost the torch! In the chaos, I had been the only one to react, but now I found myself engulfed in darkness, disoriented and alone. Where¡¯s the boss? I fumbled for my boomstick, but the shadows swallowed me whole. Clang... Clang... Stops A faint red orb glimmered above me, illuminating my surroundings with a ghostly light. ¡°Naeeee!¡± [Jenkins] shouted, dread filling his heart.
Brute''s POV: As I regained my bearings, I realized I was trapped in a small, bowl-shaped chamber, barely wide enough to accommodate my frame. I tried to rise, but the ceiling loomed just out of reach. Where were Enrik and the boss? Had I fallen alone? But this felt strange. I had never seen a dungeon create a pitfall in an invasion instance before. Had this always been here? No, it was too mundane to be a natural pitfall. It was too shallow to cause permanent harm, no spikes, not even acid... ¡°Oh, don¡¯t tell me¡­¡± [Brute] muttered, irritation lacing his voice. Suddenly, the ground beneath me began to crack. I stepped back, heart racing, as slim, brown arms clawed their way up from the depths, followed by a swarm of similar figures. """Screeeeech""" [???] they screeched in unison, the sound grating on my ears. They were no larger than children, with scrawny arms and bulging bellies, their eyes impossibly large and devoid of wings. Cave imps! The drudges of demons! ¡°Curses! I¡¯m in a summoning pit!¡± [Brute] cursed, realizing the dire situation I have landed in.
Enrik''s POV I wrapped my cut-up left arm in makeshift bandages, trying to stabilize it while I took a moment to survey the area. My heart was racing as I replayed the chaotic scene in my mind. I had managed to escape the chaos purely by luck and agility, grabbing the edge of the pit just in time and pulling myself up with my one good arm. But some of my companions hadn¡¯t been so fortunate. Our berserker had fallen without a chance to react. And the boss... something felt seriously off. This didn¡¯t seem like a typical level 1 boss.
Bobfrays journal: Dungeon Bosses
Guilds established ranks for adventurers, categorizing them from F-Class to A-Class based on their experience and abilities. Similarly, monsters are assigned difficulty classes (DC) ranging from 1 to 10.
  • DC 1: These monsters are relatively simple threats that can be easily managed by E-Class adventurers.
  • DC 10: At the other end of the spectrum, level ten monsters represent catastrophic challenges that require a team of A-Class adventurers or higher to confront successfully.
This ranking system helps adventurers gauge the risks associated with specific quests and the monsters they may encounter.
break I hear something in the dark. Through my [Night Vision], I see the outline of Jenkins, the dwarf in our group, collapsing to the ground, flailing desperately against an unseen enemy. Fighting for his life. I barely have time to think before I¡¯m on my feet, the boss swinging its claws downwards. Jenkins tries to shield himself with his broken broomstick, a futile gesture against the overwhelming force. Crack! The sound echoes in the cavern, followed by a blinding flash as the powder ignites. Bang! Flash! When my eyes finally adjust, I see the dwarf coughing up blood, his boomstick shattered beside him. ¡°Dw... Dwarf? Jenkins!¡± [Enrik] I sprint to his side, my heart racing. I carefully lift his head, blood seeping from his mouth, half of his face burned by the explosion. ¡°¡­cough That¡¯s yer first time¡­ cough yer calling me Jenkins,¡± he says, forcing a smile as blood drips over his beard. ¡°Be quiet, you old fool. You¡¯re getting blood all over your beard,¡± I reply, fighting back tears. I try to administer an expensive potion, but Jenkins pushes it away weakly. ¡°Ta think¡­ a tree hugger like yer self would care so much¡­ about cough¡­ a cave dweller like me¡­ cough¡­¡± ¡°You bloody know why! Now drink the damn potion!¡± [Enrik] ¡°Nay, wheeze ye will need it. wheeze That ain¡¯t nae boss mob¡­ That¡¯s a¡­ cough Dungeon Lord~!¡± A cold sweat runs down my spine. A Dungeon Lord¡ªthe embodiment of chaos, destruction, and death. Even if we kill it now, it will regenerate later. We must flee! """Screeeeech!!!""" The cave imps echo in the darkness. ¡°RUN, you damn half-blood!¡± [Jenkins] shouts with the last of his strength, shoving me aside with a force only a devoted dwarf could muster. I take off running, feeling the rush of air as a hand slices through the darkness behind me. ¡°AAAAARRRRRRR!!! This is where ye die!¡± [Jenkins] bellows. I hear the click of flint and tinder, and suddenly, the whole cave shakes with an explosion. BOOOM! In an instant, Jenkins ignites the oil and gunpowder, sacrificing himself in a fiery blaze. The room is engulfed in light as his body burns bright against the darkness. The explosion propels me back, slamming me into the wall. Pain radiates through my side, and the reduced oxygen levels make my head spin. Tears blur my vision¡ªwas it the smoke or something else? No! It was only platonic! ¡°It was only platonic!¡± [Enrik] I shout, striking the ground in anguish. In the corner of my eye, I spot Jenn, unconscious on the stone floor a few meters from the entrance. I stagger toward her, driven by a desperate need to save her. If anything, I must honor my promise to him!
Chapter 9 End. Keeper - Ch10 ??? POV: "It hurts... It hurts! Pain! Make it go away! MAKE IT GO AWAY! ... Kill me!"
Narrator PoV: In the dark oval room where bloodshed had been spilled. The lone survivor made his retreat, whit his masked companion in critical condition strapped to his back. In one corner of the oval room laid their Dwarf companion, burnt to crisps. From the center of the room, Imps was running around in a frenzy, As they were flooding out from the pit which the berserker and fingers second in command had fallen into. The bitterness of the situation truly hit the pale assassin as he passed the dislodged head of the young scout which had been the first victim of the Dungeon Lord. But he had no time to ponder their mistakes. His feet were moving fast and steadily upon the uneven ground, even with the extra weight on his back. The leader of the Fingers was still unconscious with blood flowing from their forehead, dripping down on the cole black stone floor. Suddenly there was an unnerving silence as the obnoxious imps suddenly went quiet. That was never a good sign! """WOOOOOOHHHH""" [Imps] The roar made the pale assassin hesitate in his steps and he stumbled and fell down with the leader still strapped to his back. He could do nothing more than fall face forward. Catching himself in any possible way to minimize the damage as he impacts the floor. In a panic, he took himself up to his feet again, securing his leader on his back and started to run. He could hear the sound of Imps cheering in the background as if to hail the rise of a king. And then the sound of several feet running down the corridor in pursuit of the remaining survivors, namely them!
Keepers PoV: I was standing up after the big explosion where am I? what was I doing? a small man... dwarf? had ignited... My body is hurting everywhere. My flesh feeling heavy like stone, I had a pulsating headache which pulsates throughout my whole body together with stomach-twisting nausea. My mind is telling me I should be dead. But I was not! Instead, I was standing up surrounded by at least fifty small brown creaturs... Imps? Cave Imps.... my Cave Imps... ours! The Imps annoying screams making my headache worse. One unlucky imp wanders close enough to feel the wrath of my foot as I kicked the imp away. All the Imp turned silent, followed by an even greater roar as if to celebrate a great feat. Hurts! In annoyance, I waved with my hand the direction of the exit as if to say "shoo!". Then all the Imps simultaneously turned towards that direction. Then started what could only be described as a stampede.
Rulers Command
As a ruler, the wielder has absolute command over entities under their control. Dungeon specific: Creatures weaker than the Lord will automatically yield to "Rulers Command". Creatures that are stronger must first be dominated for this skill to go into effect.
As they all disappeared into the tunnel I walked with unsteady steps to the door. And sat down by it to take a rest, the headache and nausea subsiding slightly as I did. What had happened? last I remember was the shaking and then... then... Dwarf and fire... After a few minutes, the pain was finally bearable again and I had formulated a normal thought. An idea. I stood up and looked at the red door to Maleck''s study... Maleck! Still untouched by the battles that were fought here. I examined it, trying to put my hand on the doorknob. After a lot of effort fighting against something like an invisible force, which kept my hand at bay. Like two equally forced magnets pushing each other away. Magnet?... Why even bother questioning it? My hand finally reached the knob, as I laid my claws around the handle, I kept a strong grip as to keep my hand from getting pushed away. It was a struggle of willpower just to keep my hand on the doorknob!...I decided to release my hand in the end. It would be too much effort, at this moment in time! I heard dying screeches further down the cave, coming from my cave imps. MY CAVE IMPS! Rage filled my left red eye. I turned towards the exit of my room and started walking. The metallic clang of my boots echoed as I steadily walked towards the exit. As I reached the corner of the corridor at the end, I hesitated. I put one of my claw formed hand forward reaching, reaching for that invisible force which usually stops me. I felt it! The feeling of something soft yet durable, impeding my way. I laid flat, my deformed hand pushing on it. In mind of breaking through. As I laid more weight behind my hand it slowly started to sink into this unseen force, as if plunging into;invisible thick mud. After a few minutes, my whole body got through and as I moved I felt very sluggish. I had felt this feeling once before, it was during the time when I fought One-fang. That spider will definitely be next on my list, after Maleck of course! As I reached my goal I''m keen to notice the giant rock shaped like bugg stuck in the corridor, blocking the way. In front of the blockage in the cave tunnel stood the pale human covered in wounds, holding two daggers in each hand both with blades aimed away from his center. He was standing between twelve imps and the masked human which seems to be unconscious, for whatever reason. Twelve, only twelve imps was left of the previous hoard. Seems like when they had encountered the intruders. They were incapable of traversing further and tried to kill them to get further. Very unsuccessfully and very suicidal. I call off the remaining Imps with a wave of my hand, they all scattered. Climbing on walls or digging out of sight. I lock my red eye with the human. Wich looks back at me with a wild look, as if a starving predator ready to dig in on his newfound meal. I was angry, yet I did not charge him in my rage. There was something I had to do, there was something missing... what is this feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu?... There was something important I need to do here... I stood there silent looking at the human. I could see his sweat and blood slowly flow down his face, standing completely still and not even moving a muscle as he looked at me... Then I think I finally got it! I straighten my back, making myself look big. Then I banged my hand against my chest and roared. "Ke... e.. per..!" [Keeper] The effect of the silence command stopping me from speaking outright. But the great us was still able to speak somewhat. The human looked surprised for a moment. But then he also straightened himself, with almost a serene look. Then with a disgusting grin on his face, he made a haughty bow only bending a few centimeters forward... It reminded me of Malek''s smirks, which rubbed me the wrong way. Then he uttered: "Enrik Bones, my lord. I will be your reaper for the night!" [Enrik] I think I heard him say something more under his breath... maybe a prayer? But the bottling excitement had already started to burst inside of me! I took one steady step forward, no reaction from the condescending human. Another step, then another and another. Until I stood right in front of him. Towering above the human, still, a little bit bent forward and still looking me in the eye. A good second past before I hammer smashed my hand towards the human. Impact! A large boom was heard as my fist connected all the way to the ground. Making some small stones ricochet onto my metal wolf snout in the prosses. But the human was gone!? As hurt as he had been, I had thought him not capable of moving at that speed. His overconfidence had maybe not been so overconfident at all! I did not have time to start looking around before I felt the cold steel, with a layer of Imp blood through the bond up against my throat. ''It will-'' [Keeper] I didn''t get time to finish my thought processes before I felt a quick slice. Though nothing happened as his strength was too measly to penetrate my armor. ''What was-'' [Keeper] The next ones I barely got the chance to feel as the steel sliced my right shoulder, then my left arm, my right leg, my left flank, my right hand, my left shoulder. For every attack, it sped up. And then suddenly I started to feel the gentle flowing of blood. The human... no! Enrik had penetrated my armor. I could feel how my armor was working in overdrive healing small to big cuts all around the armor, weakening it for every slice and every place the armor had to focus repairing on. But how was he doing this? I had taken an instinctive defensive stance, crouching down covering my face and body. I observed the situation with my [Dungeon Eye]. At first, I could not see him. But then I noticed movement, a white blur! But it was fast, and every time I noticed it a new wound would stack up on me. I could feel my power failing me. As my flame of life was slowly diminishing. Then as if a stroke of luck I noticed a pattern in the chaos. Left, right, left, right, left, right. After every time I see a white blur on the left side, I will then see the next one on the right side. It''s as if he''s propelling himself from the walls of this enclosed space, enhancing his movement and making his attacks both fast and destructive. As I got an attack from the right I rose up and turned left, saw the blur against the wall and then I reached out my arm. I felt something collide with my arm, as I see the human Enrik fall to the ground with a heavy nosebleed. His nose definitely broken! Enrik covers his nose with a hand as he quickly rolled up into a stance. Still a little unstable on his legs, he spits out blood from his mouth. I turn my whole body towards him and make a backhand swing at him, he staggers back avoiding my swing in the prosses. Falling back to back with the cave wall, now with nowhere to run. I expand my deformed claws, take a step forward as I slice towards his face. Stone, dirt, and moss get scattered as my claws strike the cave wall. My hand got stuck, I could not dislodge it as I was incapable ofdrawing out enough strength. There was no blood spilled, instead, I felt a tingling sensation in my stomach area from my bond as I hear a chattering sound.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Looking down I see Enrik crouched low with both his hands trying to penetrate my stomach with one of the two daggers. I hear the chards of Enrik''s brokenblade -Broken by overuse and abuse- echoing, for every piece that hits the ground! Now only left with a single dagger of the previous two. Enrik looks at me from underneath and I at him from above. It''s was as if times slowed down, as seconds felt like minutes. Enrik eyes go to my right side where three more of his daggers was lodge into my armor from the previous battle. He reaches for one of them, as he got his hand on one he tries to dislodge it. Unfortunately for him they were melded stuck, almost fused to my armor. His pale face got ever so paler as he realized his miss calculation. Then, with a swoop I grab the stunned human by the neck with my free hand, raising him up high in the air. His legs flailing as with both his hands he tries to dislodge mine from his neck. My claw-like fingers digging slightly into his neck, drawing blood. "Ar... er... erk...!" [Enrik] I can clearly see how he struggles to gain air, as his pale face starts to gain a tint of blue. Trying desperately to get free, even trying to use his sole dagger to cut and stab my armored arm. But to no avail. ''You will not get through with that measly strength!'' [Keeper] Soon the human will be dead, as his movements slowly started to slow down. "Je...Jenkins!"[Enrik] Until finally, his whole bodywent limp. "NO~!" [???] A high pitched voice screams and I can feel something tangling around my neck, strangling me. I lose my grasp on Enrik as he falls down limp to the ground. I try to dislodge the twig-like limbs which are strangling me with my sole hand. Unaware of an even greater threat to my being, as I felt something being put atop of my head. Now lodged in between the pints of my natural crown. I try to use my back spikes, but they did not heed my will. I''m unable to reach the assailant in such a close proximity. The twig-like limbs release from me, as I at the same time dislodge my hand from the wall. Now free to use both hands I turn around. In front of me stands the masked human, apparently fully restored. The human must have ingested one of those potions before I got here. And then... the masked human made a hand sign with both hands combined. "Anti-magick! TRIGGER!" [Jenn] I feel the thing on my head heat up, followed by my armor turning and twisting. I could feel the pain as the armor continued to move uncontrollably. I heard an unknown voice screaming in my head. Then the crackling sound, followed by the armor burst in several directions away from my body. Leaving me without any defense, standing in my birthday suit. My glistening gray skin covered in sweat, blood and several bruises. Open wounds all over my bodywith chunks of meat missing in several areas and three daggers imbued in my side. No normal entity would be able to survive the amount of damage I had taken, yet... we had. Naked and confused I feel one after another the daggers getting yanked out of my body, as I in the same motion gets three consecutive stabs straight through my heart. As the human danced the dance of death. The masked human had stabbed me in my heart! Or at least where it thought my heart where. Unfortunate for the masked human, It was ineffective, did I even have one? Should I not be dead? I use both my arms to entangle the human in a bear hug, squeezing hard around its ribs as I hear the cracking sound of their bones breaking. "Arrrgh!" [Jenn]
The dark rituals power has been depleted!
Time left: 00:00:01
Jenn Pov: I was struggling inside the boss grasp, as the pain of my breaking ribs ravages my whole body. I thought I was done for when suddenly the boss started to disintegrate in front of my eyes. Turning to dust, letting me and the daggers fall freely to the ground. The impact shook my core as the pain of my broken ribs, made me lose my breath. *Thump!, Cling!, Cling!, Cling!* I unsteadily stood up gasping for air and shugged my one and only potion. Then I hurriedly went to Enrik''s side. This old man''s windpipe seems to be crushed, but as I laid my ear against his mouth I could hear soft wheezing. He was breathing! I hurriedly looked through his adventure bag. Some fruits and nuts, a dried leaf from some tree, a broken arrowhead missing a piece andone pricy potion! I tried to administrate the potion. But Enrik was unable to swallow it alone because of the damage made to his neck and throat. I stopped for a second knowing all too well what I had to do... I had to administrate it orally! ''I have no guide and I won''t be able to survive alone down here, I need him!'' [Jenn] I thought in my head. With my reasoning, I had made my decision. I took off my mask which revealed my short hazelnut brown hair and yellow eyes. Then I took a mouth full of the potion and pressed my rosy pink lips against Enrik''s. The taste of iron mixed with the mundane potion filled my taste glands as I let the potion flow into and down his throat. Immediately the potion came into effect, starting to heal his broken neck. Thank the holy mother, but now what? Logically thinking there is only one way to go since our retreat is blocked. The stuck pill bug makes a shrieking noise as it tries to thug free, making my heart skip an extra beat. There is only one way to go. Back towards Maleck''s base of operation. The truly final boss! I took Enrik with one of his arms over my shoulder, he was just barely conscious as we started to walk further inside again. I noted a cave imp clinging to the ceiling like a spider, observing us. But he quickly scuttled away as he noticed my gaze. Entering the pitch dark oval room, without a light source. I had to walk around the edge of the room, letting the wall guide us to the door. As soon as we got close enough we could see the red color of the door and the metallic doorknob. I laid my hand on the doorknob and twisted it, as the knob made a click as the door became unlocked. I open the door, as an unnaturally bright light from within blinds my oversensitive eyes as something green swiftly passes under my legs as it screams. "RuUuUuUn!" [Trash] When my eyes finally adjust, inside the room. My eyes widen as I beheld what was inside and I felt a force of mana coming at me and Enrik as the ground below us lit up. No time to evade!
Narrator POV: One hour earlier. Inside the old mage study. The old mage sat at one of his numeral tables with several books wide open. So many books had been collected on the said table, that a mountain of books had been created. Beside him, on the floor with a book under his head, a small exhausted goblin was sleeping still with books in hand which he had been supposed to deliver to the old mage. How many hours had past since he had started? Not even the mage himself knew. The mage''s hunger had already gone past the point of a growling hunger and he didn''t even feel it anymore. His eyes were heavy, but he still continued reading as he skimmed through the book. "No! not this one either." [Maleck] He left the book upon the pile and bent down to take another and repeated the prosses. After a few books, when he reached down to take another one up. A thunk, of a head hitting the floor was heard. "Ouf!" [Trash] The mage did not concern himself, opened the book and continue to read. "Trash! Get your master some purple leaf tea!" [Maleck] He said without looking away from the book. The little goblin still drowsy turned around on the floor and tried to get more sleep. This was not unnoticed by the mage, as he aimed a free hand towards the goblin and flicked two of his fingers. A gust of wind appeared from nothingness and caught the gobbling, throwing it up in the air across the room until the goblin hit the wall close to a wooden crate. With a burner and a pot atop, just the right height for a goblin to use. "Ouf!" [Trash] Hurting a bit and rubbing his sore spot, the goblin stood up and said nothing to his master. Knowing all to well that if he did, then a light pain in his side would not be the last of it. Instead, he took the pot and went over to a barrel of water. Where a stool stood next to. Which he climbed up upon, dunking the pot into the barrel of water. Filling the pot as the air escaped. He also took a handful of water for himself to quench his thirst. The taste of rock and dust still lingering on his tongue. As the last bubble popped on the surface the goblin retrieved the pot and climbed down from the stool. He went to the burner and turned it on. Remembering to be careful of the biting red and blue, which would turn his green skin black if he touches it. After placing the pot above the fire he drowsily and with a big jawn went over to a white box with a golden hook which kept it shut. The goblin opens the box, forgetting the stinging smell that would attack his beautiful big nose. Hurridly covering his poor nose with both his hands, he then freed one to quickly pick two of the purple leaves and shuts the box again. Now only the smell of the purple ones remains, but it was no better than all of them combined. The goblin thought that the smell was similar to the spraying feces of the black and white hairball from the woods. He could not understand how humans could drink something like this. The goblin put the leaves into the pot as the see-through water turned a tint of purple. After a few minutes, he poured the tea from the pot into a chipped cup. But as he put back the pot on the now turned off burner, something unusual happened. Looking down into the now filled chipped cup. He could see small ripples forming and then disappearing. It was odd, the tea had never done that before, no matter the leaf! "Trash! What is taking so long? Tea now!" [Maleck] The little goblin scampered -in between and under the furniture- to his master with the tea, spilling a few drops on the way. When he reached his master''s side he presented the cup. The Mage received the cup and took a sip of it. "Ah! Oh! Hot!... But that hit the spot. " [Maleck] The mage said with an invigorated and relaxed voice. Before he had the time to order the goblin to fetch him another book the goblin had already gone to retrieve one. He heard a crash as something fell. "iiiip!" [Trash] Confounded the mage looked in the direction of the noise to see the goblin returning with a book in hand. In the background was a tilted table where tools for magic had been, but now was on the floor. The mage looked with a glare at the goblin, now at his side presenting him with a red leather book with a light brown leather strap sealing it. The Mage memory served him well and he remembered using the said book as a leg stabilizer for the table which now stood tilted again. He took the book and blew the dust off. Making the small goblin cough. The mage studied the red leather book. Engraved in the leather, -as if trying to pop out or break free- a face portraying agony was seen. The old Mage memories were not complete about this book. It had been a weird one and by what memories he had there was only false theories and impossible facts inside this book. He was about to discard it when a thug of curiosity caught him. He was searching for something, something he had seen before. But his memories could not quite pinpoint. Where had he seen it? Could it have been in this book? No? It couldn''t... Right? Dreed started filling him. As he unwinded the leather strap. On the first page, he saw a skull, but his memories for the first time in his life had betrayed him. As last time he had seen a completely human skull and that he had been certain of. With the words "End of the era" written in an ancient language beneath. But this time it was not a human skull as to represent death or a warning. Instead, something very familiar to him was on this page. Someone he closely knew. "It can''t be... Keeper!?" [Maleck] In the picture instead of a normal humanoid skull. Was instead a skull with bones growing out from atop of its head, forming a natural bone crown. Its mouth lined with fangs that looked similar to vampires and inside of its eye sockets were two glowing red orbs, This was unmistakable the skull of the beeing he had born into this world with ritual and magick. The mage fanatically started to search through the book and there it was. The insignia! The insignia of a trueborn dungeon. He flipped through some more pages. Several words, standing out like a sore thumb. "The ancient", "dungeon sigil.", "Primordial Dungeons!", "Devourer of Souls!", "Awakening of true evil!", "Demon Lord!" and lastly "When only one stands, the world shall fall!" He could not decipher the meaning of the last phrase. But to go so far as to compare this Dungeon Lord to a Demon Lord. A level ten difficulty classification, no! A Demon Lord was worse. A demon lord was world-threatening! A calamity so great that kingdoms would stop fighting, needing the full power of all the neighboring countries to face! Even then the chances were slim. Usually, countries would collect any S-Rank adventurer to go on an extermination crusade or go to the extent of summoning heroes from another world with forbidden rituals. The champions said to be even stronger than all the S-Rank adventurers combined. This was ludicrous to the Mage. It was not conceivable. How had this come to be? He continued flipping pages until he found what he needed: "Dungeon Heart", the weakness of the dungeon. That''s when something odd happened, for the second time this hour. The book started to shake uncontrollably and slammed shut. With unnatural calm, the mage watched the engraved face move and shake on the cover. the face miming with its mouth. As a voice filled his and the goblins heads. "Wise-man! You are a fool! Your doom is already upon you!" [??] The goblin had in fright hid under the table. But the mage was deep in thoughts, why he could not feel any mana coming from the book. But got no time to go further into it, as he noticed in the corner of his eye. Ripples forming in his chipped cup of purple tea. Then the mage felt an ominous presence enclosing to his barrier around his room [Territory "room"]. As a defining earthquake shook the room. The mountains of books fell off the table, the pot together with several other tools, fell off their places. Coaching down onto the stone floor. The goblin was screaming in fear. Then it stopped. "What, that!?" [Trash] The mage had retrieved the chipped cup by instinct saving it from the calamity. He could not feel the ominous presence anymore. Had he been mistaken? Then he saw the ripples form in the tea again -still in hand- as a cracking sound was heard from beneath the ground. He could feel his [Territory "room"] getting breached and broken. Several sleek black treads the size of logs shot up randomly in the room. As the mage took to [flight] with his magic letting his shipped cup fall to the ground, breaking. Maleck''s Pov: As the dungeon hearts treads shot up into the room I had taken evasive actions. My study was big enough to handle a mages battle strategy and abilities. I would know, I designed it. I used either my windor fire magic. Conjuring up thin air blades or fire to burn or slice the treads. But they where ineffective. Not even a scratch was left on the strings. A string broke through from above. Aiming for my person. I avoided and it struck the ground staying in place. This was not to my advantage. The more strings the less space to move. Even high up in the rooftop of the room, it would just break through from above instead. I was surrounded in all senses. I had to use my trump card! Conjuring magic in each hand, wind in one and fire in the next. I chanted my greatest spell, the pinnacle of my magic.[Multicast]!
Multicast
Capable of casting two spells at the same time, normally impossible.
Strings kept breaking in through the roof or ground. Less and less space was movable in. It was like looking through a forest of black trees. I bearly registered the scream of Trash as he was running around like a headless chicken. To occupied whit, the numeral treads, breaching the room. Eventually one shipped my [mage shield] and I felt my mana drain in a proportion to the damage taken. It was a frightening loss, these black threads were not normal! Alarms were going off inside of my mind. My chant reached it last rhyme. And instead of continuing I changed the chant into a magic chain [Magic combination]!
Magic Combination
Only capable with two compatible elements. Will combining the two into something far stronger than one alone. With unknown destructive powers.
Two more strings broke through, this time both from the roof and the ground as if pincer attacking on me. But I was still in [Flight] and was able to move three-dimensionally. Evading! But because of the now very cramped space, I collided with an already set string and felt my mana depleted. No! It couldn''t be! I was trapped and new strings were coming at me. I just in time activated my trump card, the greatest spell in my arsenal [Nova]! The wind combining with the flame and created what looked like a miniature sun. Now formed in between my two hands. But not long after it busted into a flaming inferno which I release. Pumping mana into my [mage shield] in an attempt to save myself from the devastating heat. "No!" [Maleck] Instead of the devastating destruction, I had expected. My greatest spell [Nova] got extinguished, the flames disappearing into thin air. No, it had been absorbed by the threads. I felt a thread collide directly with my [mage shield] as it broke under the pressure. The tread consuming me whole.
I had lost consciousness for a second but woke up by the screech of Trash "RuUuUuUuN!" [Trash] From my shackled position, I saw the door to my study wide open and two humans. One with an arm around the other which carried him. Standing at the entrance looking shocked at what was inside. One a pale half-elf, the other a beauty with golden eyes. This was my only opportunity! I had bearly any mana left... this was not in my field and it might kill me in the prosses... But someone had to stop it... someone has to stop my creation! My mistake! I chanted the spell of [teleportation] as the humans reacted to the mana flowing at them. Then an area around them lit up as they both disappeared in blue particles. "I don''t even know where I sent them... I... hope... they~" [Maleck] In the last seconds of my consciousness plagued with mana drain sickness. I could feel the tread tremble and I hear a familiar voice in my head scream, as I with a final effort made a grin! Chapter 10, Book 1 End. Keeper - Interlude In a higher plane of existence - Narrators POV: In a black void only lit up by several small white specks. Two celestials one black and one white sat across each other from one roundtable. It was not a flat roundtable, instead, it was sphear round. On this globe, fifty percent of it was a murid of green, brown, yellow and blue. Representing the land, mountains, and oceans. On the other half, which was not visible for them at the moment. Was only black darkness, representing night on that part of the globe. This was Terra, their world which they dictated. "How''re your daughters doing?" [Black Deity] The black deity was a young adult dressed in an all black suit, with a pair of black leather gloves. His head was a blue/purplish color with two horns sticking out atop his head. His eyes as black as the abyss itself. "*scoffs* Are you trying to butter me up or something? That is so unlike you!" [White Deity] The white Deity was a mature woman with long hair, reaching the non-existing ground below her. Dressed in a white loos gown, her hair as white as snow and her eyes as yellow as sparkling gold. Having a halo hovering a few centimeters from the top of her head. "Just small talk, just small talk!" [Black Deity] The black deity reached out his hand intothin air to retrieve a cup filled with a red liquid. He took a sip of it smiling delighted, then with his free hand he reached for the globe. Pulling a piece out of it made of wood, the size just smaller than his own hand. The piece was black and represented a gigantic dragon. He whispered something to its ear and then he placed it back where he took it from. "Your turn!" [Black Deity] The White deity examined the globe, going into thoughts of what her move should be. "Hmmm, well the twins Life and Nature are doing good for your information. Nature is creating a new species of flowers. I think she mentioned calling them rainbow flowers. How are your boys doing?" [White Deity]If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Chaos and Destruction!? *exasperating* Well, Chaos is helping me with a pet project, so that keeps him out of trouble for now. Destruction on the other hand...I don''t know what to do with that boy! He can''t even destroy a falling chack that only needs a gust of wind to fall over. He has gotten this obsession with Nature all of a sudden. Looking at flowers!" [Black Deity] "Now that you say it, I seem to remember Destruction sneaking around my daughter. You know what they say: ''Every act of creation is first an act of destruction''. I think they will fit well together, don''t you agree?" [White Deity] "*scoffs* I think you should talk that over with that errand boy Cupid from Earth and not me! Now that I think about it, that God of Earth really has himself set up nicely. Why did we get stuck together and he gets to dictate his own world all alone!?" [Black Deity] "Now you''re starting to sound like yourself! And you should already know that; he''s a perfectionist. Ingenious idea giving his creation full free will, with no divine intervention. His cycles have become natural, where mankind creates their own demise. And in the end, a new cycle begins anew!" [White Deity] "But why is our system not like his!? Why do we have to constantly fight? Me for destruction and the new cycle and you to prolong the inevitable?" [Black Deity] "That is just how it is and has been since the age of Terra. Two deity''s fighting for dominance. Don''t tell me you getting bored after losing for almost a millennium. *chuckles*" [White Deity] In this moment of their godly mundane talks, rage was seen inside of the black deity eyes as both the deities released and radiated their godly auras as space started to shake from the clash of energies. What bewildered the white deity, was that the black deity was the first of them to retracted his aura again. A highly unusual occurrence. Since rage and anger was his forte, not calm and compassion like herself. "He! Trying to fluster me before my next move or something? No! No that''s not you! I guess I bit my own ass there, well fret not! Because before the millennium has passed a new cycle will surely have begun!" [Black Deity] The black deity yet again pulled something out of thin air, placing it beside him on a non-existing stand. It was a wooden box with several markings carved into it. The black deity patted the box. "Because this will be my trump card!" [Black Deity] "Another one of your Demon Lords? You know that I will just allow the humans to summon Heros. And then yet again, you will lose!" [White Deity] "No! This is something more ancient, something Fate helped me find. Something our ancestors used as the ultimate trump card. But I will not play him yet! I got him locked away in a safe place letting him grow stronger. He is already exceeding my expectations. When he has fully grown he will massacre everyone on Terra. A creature akin to a god, a deity of carnage!" [Black Deity] "Hmm? You must jest. Fate is the judge a neutral party. He would not help you out... unless... Hmmm, then I guess I need to prepare!" [White Deity] The white deity reached out with both her hands into the globe and pulled out several white pieces. All the same ones, all high priest of old age and then she whispered in their ears. "You''re going to sacrifice so many high-class pieces for a divine message? Have you gone mad?" [Black Deity] The white deity put the pieces back into the globe. "They were all on their deathbeds anyways, this way they will be useful for one last time. Your turn!" [White Deity] As she said this wariness filled her mind, as the black deity calmly started his turn. Had she gone into a trap?
Terra - Narrators POV: All over Terra, High Priest''s on their deathbeds saw a divine prophecy. At a specific church located in Nozfernia, a young acolyte ran as fast as he could and opened the gate to the main hall of worship. Where the priests were in the middle of coronating a new High Priest. "Young boy! What is the meaning of this! How dare you interrupt this holy ceremony!?" [Priest] "Come quick! The High Priest... I mean the elder has seen a prophecy on his deathbed! It''s bad! It''s really bad! The end of days is nearing!" [Acolyte] Unholy Kingdom - Prolog Narrator POV: Once upon a time, in a forest grand and green. There lived colonies of trolls, "Troll home" it be. They spread as far as the eye could see. They were round, they were big and they smelled so bad indeed. They lived in peace, they lived in freedom. Their favorite snack, humans on their menu. All be gluttons, a scary sight to see. All be dangerous and ferocious. Heck, even I would flee! All be chaotic evil, all be but one! His name was Moby and he couldn''t even eat a pony. He loved animals and beasts! But not as a feast. He would rather pet them, talk and take them for walks. This is the story of Moby,a friendly troll indeed!
An old trolls POV: The first time I saw Moby, I knew something was off. He smelled like flowers, the foulest stench for trolls. His mother so proud of the little wreck, her motherly instincts keeping her in check. Blinded fromthe truth, that he be a danger to us all. An aberration of a Troll, that was what he was.
Mother troll POV: He wailed and he yelled. But in my arm, he be still. Looking at me with glee. I named him Moby and hoped he would be a popular kid. As soon as he walked, I was so proud! But he was a picky eater and were doing the weirdest things of all. Other trolls mocked him, which made me sad indeed. My seed is not bad, he will grow out of it. won''t he please? I will be proud of my Moby, no matter the Troll he grows to be! 8
Random Troll POV: I saw that Moby, the black sheep of us trolls, sitting and talking... with food! He did not eat it, he did not kill it. Instead, he pets it, as if they where friends. Disgusted I turned right away and went to his father, in the Troll Kings lair!
Troll king POV: Moby my Moby, a pest on my chest. Ever since inclined, he just troubles my mind.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. He is his mother''s image, but not mine! No cruelty, no anger, nor rage he has in mind. He makes me look weak! I can not have that! It''s time for me to teach him, the trolls way of life!
A peasant/victims POV(no rhyme): I had wandered and gotten lost. When in front of me two trolls appeared. As I tried to run away to save my life, the bigger one of them swung his club. Breaking both my legs on impact. The pain was unbearable, but I cling to my consciousness and fought the pain to be able to crawl away. The troll''s seemed to argue about something, as I see the smaller one push the bigger one. Unaware of the landscape we were at. The big troll stumbles back down a rift. Never to be seen again, yelling and screaming only one word on his way down. "MOBY!" [Troll King] Seems like I will be the smaller one''s meal. I closed my eyes ready to meet my maker and lost consciousness just seconds after.
I woke up a time later. I was surprised! I was not dead. Instead where I outside the border of the Troll forest. Had it been a dream? Looking down I could clearly see it had not been. I had lost both my legs. They where gone! They were not there! Instead, there were dirty rags bound around my stumps. With flowers as decoration. From now on I would be a cripple for life! Tears ran down my cheek, I might be a cripple. But I was alive, could it have been that troll? Moby? Had that been his name? Thank you Moby, thank you!
Months later, City drunk POV: They scream and laugh in my ear. They throw food and pour my beverage over me. I ask the bartender to refill my cup and provide me with a towel. But I get rejected even by the bartender. "Can''t you see that we want no cripples in here!? Are your head as lost as your legs?" [Bartender] Two men grab me by each side and I get thrown out of the bar. Landing right into a puddle of mud, but I don''t care! I was already dirty, to begin with. I sat up, heaving myself to sit up straight. Then I took my two sticks, not longer than my torsos length. Ready to jump my way to the next bar. That''s when I get a tap on my shoulder. Looking back I see a six-year-old kid with a towel in hand. It was the bartender''s daughter, an angel to behold. With eyes blue as the ocean and orange hair, all ruffled up. "Mother tells me: Be good and good follows!" [Bartenders daughter] "Thank you, child!" [Cripple] I take the towel and see her leave, but I request her to wait. She turns around and looks at me with her deep blue eyes. That''s was the first time I told anyone the story of Moby, the friendly troll.
Narrators POV: But where was Moby one might ask? No not in "Troll home", he would be not. After the loss of his father,whomcould not accept his child. He had decided that "Troll home" was not his place or land. Like his friends the birds, he left his nest making mother so sad. But he knew, this was his path. Far away, he built himself a hut. Out in the desolated green. Close to the wilds, where no troll would reach. Until a fateful day, where he would meet two travelers from the deep.
Oh, how life goes! A mothers love. A species scorn. A crippled man saved from death''s door! A child so pure and true. All these small things creating ripples in the fates ocean, until finally, a storm has come! The stories of Moby spread, humans took note. Until the king and nobles got intreaged with greed. They brought the cripple for "questions" night and days long. Refusing to budge, no matter the cost. But no man, no matter how brave and bold. Could last the torture and he crumbled and fell, his final price: Death he longed! By the story of the cripple, they put two and two. Armies were raised, men at arms. To Troll turf they go! With morale high and faith at their side. No troll king to command them, chaos was to behold. "Troll home" no longer peaceful. Troll versus Troll. A few Troll was taken, the rest was not spared. Left was only the foul smell of "Troll home", the last birthplace of the green Trolls. Unholy Kingdom - Ch1 Narrates POV: Dungeons a great danger but anecessity for life on Terra. "What is a dungeon?" Someone asked long ago. "Is it a thing or alive?" An explorer by the name ofBobfray took up this question in his journal:
Bobfrays Adventure Journal 13: Dungeons!
Dungeons are mysterious. They have a heart or a so-called [Core] does this mean that they are alive? It''s inside structure made of in-animated stone. Cave systems snaking around like a maze several floors deep. Ever changing and ever expanding until it''s [core] is destroyed. There have even beenrumors of Dungeons disappearing. To later be found in another region. Not completely identical, but charing enough similarities to warrant speculation. A peculiar thing indeed. In the great library''s records, it states that Dungeons have been here for as long as life itself. Myresearch has shown that no matter the dungeon or the time, they always show the same patterns. They lure intelligent creatures into its mazes and kills them. Theway it kills is indirect and it does this in several ways. But the three most common are: 1. Monsters. Which is under its sway. -In a dungeon, all its inhabitants no matter the race seems to live in harmony or at least in their separate territories without dispute. While the dungeon is "alive" the monsters living in a dungeon shows a superior tactical mind compared to its kin in the outside world. But when the dungeon is "killed" by destroying its heart or [Core], the monsters will emidiatly go into a frenzy losing all rational thinking reverting back to mere beasts in mind. Showing us evidence of a possible hive mind mentality. 2. Traps. Showing the intelligence to learn and adapt. -If the traps are made by the inhabitants or the dungeon itself is still unknown. New traps which have not been there before are regularly found in dungeons. Yet no one has been inside when a construction of said trap has been made. The traps also vary from natural, mechanical, tactical and magical. 3. Bosses. Lone monsters with above natural strengths. -These Bosses are usually found before descending to a new floor, the confounding part is that the bosses strength mirrors the next floors monsters strength. Almost like it''s a right of passage. Is this a ploy to lure its praydeeper into the depts? Who can tell? But the "Floor Bosses" are not the only kinds. There are also hidden- and wandering-bosses but these are usually encountered further down on the lower levels. As the difficulty increases for every floor, this could be an indication of some sort of organized hierarchy inside the dungeon. Eyewitnesses have even spoken of deadcompanions getting sucked into the ground as if the dungeon is eating them. So is a dungeon truly alive? A heart, a diet, an intelligence, and possible even movement. Now it''s up to you to decide: A thing or alive?
Underworld-Keepers Pov: -In limbo, drifting endlessly. Inbetween two plains. Neither dead, but not truly alive.- Floating bodyless inside the cave tunnels. Not here, yet still here. In the consciousness of a soul. I AM SO BORED! Oh! Your back friend. Where have you been?...
1095 days until body''s full restoration.
Ah! Another one of them... Ever since the loss of my body, I have experienced several of these blue screens as my connection with Lair deepens. After a few days like this, I noticed feelings which were not my own. Happiness. Wariness. Hunger. Our spirit, two yet one. As Lair grows he is happy, but he is worried about something. But of what I don''t know at this time... During my time of solitude, I have entertained myself with anything and everything to keep my sleepless mind occupied. We came to several conclusions during this time... A deeper understanding one might say. First of all; these blue screens that pop up in front of me from time to time is condensed by masses of Lairs energy. Made into something visible for me personally. Making me capable of getting the information I normally would not have any means to access. The dungeon''s mana floats in the air contorts and warp together to make these flat, dense, rectangular screens of mana. With words I have never learned, yet could read without a problem. Here, magic energy was like breathing air! All used it even if they were unconscious about it.
Energy Sense
Energy ebbs, energy flows. To sense is to feel.
??Energy eye
As this mighty and unknown essence is hard to see with the naked eye, you can feel it flow like the wind in a stormy sky. Its impossible to see for the untrained mind, a lord of wisdom you must be to see that which is unseen. *[Energy eye] is a branch evolution of [Energy sense] + [Dungeon eye].
With [Energy eye] I gained the ability to inspect all said energy inside the dungeon. At the moment I could inspect two different variants of energy; Mana and Ki. The dungeon tunnels were cloaked in a thin brown layer of what looked like vapor in most areas. To my guess, the brown color could be representing earth mana? In the west outside our border of the dungeon, was a red haze leaking in, fire maybe? I should inspect it at the first opportunity. There was also a slim grayish color snaking through the tunnelways. Wich must be the air mana. If it strings on like this then a blue haze must represent water, right? Though this was just a theory as there was no bigger water source close to the dungeon so far to my knowledge. Lairs mana was purple and could be seen like thin strings in the wall going around like a nervous system. How do I know what a nervous system is? Well, I have personally seen Lair recreate my body stitching every piece together one after another but even that got boring in the long run. Now as for the magick energy, all creatures can use it even the bugs radiated with a minuscule amount of green Mana... Then? Since mana is the nature of what it inhabits... bug-mana? Maybe!? I should look into to it at a later time... Though the small bugs only unconsciously use this energy, surrounding them in a layer of green enhancing their exoskeleton or chitin armor. I believe this energy form is in fact not referred to as "Mana" but called "Ki". How is it different from mana? Ki resides only inside of lifeforms! While mana is all around and bends to the users will, Ki is the cycle within the body flowing from the [core] out to any limbs and back again. Strengthening the body or lessening the physical strain. I''m still not all well versed in the understanding of Ki, but this meant that even I myself will be able to use it and grow stronger than I was yesterday.
Name: Keeper Rank: 2
Creature: Dungeon Lord Attribute: Non
Species: Abberation. DC: 6
Also, I was not the only one, capable of growing stronger.
Name: Lair Rank: 12
Creature: Dungeon Heart Attribute: ??
Species: Parasite DC: ??
Rank represents growth since birth. The only reason Lair was the higher rank than me is only that he has continuously devoured the soules of small creatures getting to close to the heart. All forms of bugs and insects, even some mice had been on his menu I''m so envious of him. My nonexistent mouth just drools thinking about it. He''s such a slob... Now, why does a dungeon feed on the inhabitants within itself, you ask me? Because they are fair game! Anything not controlled by us is a possible threat and thus noting is allowed to live in a close proximity to the dungeon heart, unless it''s under our rule. My rule! Oh! About that... Monsters had joined the dungeon coming from far and wide. Though the only creatures currently living in the dungeon are; these winged insects with a fire stinger. And no! Surprisingly it was not bumblebees.
Name: - Rank: 1
Creature: Dier-Fly Attribute: Fire
Species: Insect DC: 1
They where flies the size of a human, with a glowing lower body extending into a stinger, six legs, a pair of wings and two big round protruding compound eyeballs. Each eye covering a onehundredeleven degree angel of sight... There are Aproxematly~
47 Dier-flies currently inside the dungeon.
Hrm... Exactly 47 fl~
<1 Dier flie has died. >
46 Dier...
<2 Dier flie has died. >
44 Fli.......
<1 Dier flies have died. >
43........... My Lair communicates crucial information about the dungeon through these windows. There is just one thing I''m wondering right now! What the heck is going on!? I can feel how my Lair is annoyed about this. I follow his frustration leading me through the winding tunnels. As I reached the area of my Lairs frustration, far away from my Lair. The domain now extending ten kilometers in a radius around my Lair. I see the start of a familiar cavern filled with nets wich the flies get trapped in... ''And there went another...'' [Keeper] I see a spiderling creeps downto the traped Dier-Fly.
<1 Dier-fly has died. >
Lord! They''re dumb! They just mindlessly fly around. Do they even have any practical use or a brain for that matter? Though right now I could care less for the loss of some insignificant flies. Instead what I worried about were the spider webs. The extensive cavern as large as it was. Where now filled with webs as if no one has used this path for decades. And every web was filled with spiderlings. It was quite disgusting seeing them clumped together like that and moving around in all directions making my non-existing head spin in confusion. There were definitely more than the last time I visited this cavern!
Name: - Rank: ??
Creature: Spiderling Attribute: ??
Species: Arachnid DC: 1
As I contemplate Lairs annoyance and the numerical webs and spiderlings, another window popped up wich put the puzzle pieces together.
... Troops have been dispatched!
''NOOO! Are you stupid!?'' [Keeper]
Troops have been withdrawn! ...Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Dungeon domain has been lost!
Eh!? Did we lose domain? That''s a new one! I feel... what is this? Disappointment? And familiar anger from Lair. I see Lair''s nerves retracts backward. Then I clearly see the web-filled cavern fall into darkness just as if a fog is setting over the area. Now my bodyless form could no longer see or go further with [Dungeon eye] as the path is blocked.
Enemy faction observed. ... Enemy faction: Dier-Arachnid Family. Dungeons stance: Passive. ... Awaiting Dungeon Lord''s final call!
Wait, what! You''re leaving all of this to me!? Arrgh! Whatever... It seems right now that nothing else is happening... Let''s wait a bit longer before I do anything stupid... I have done a lot of that lately. Besides flies versus spiders... The outcome is as if written in stone. But what!? Traveling back towards my room I went into thought. Even if I want to do anything my body is incapacitated. I have no armor nor weapon and I already lost against the previous swarm of spiders which in turn have put me in this bodyless mess... A frontal assault will not be in my favor... Maybe I need to do something sneaky? Though what? I''m quite limited in actions and even if I had my body wasn''t there a big bug stuck in the entrance to my room both keeping me in and intruders... Wait! You''re perfect! As I reached the Pillbug stuck in the cave tunnel connected to my room I looped in the air in joy for my great plan. A movable rolling boulder, wreaking havoc inside the cavern. It''s- It''s... Wait for a second... Your dead aren''t you?... Yep, the organic pill bug trap which had gotten stuck in the tunnel had died since a while back... Starvation... Sad really! Now I''m just left with a useless big ball with the smell of rot. But then again, I wonder... Hmm, I might finally have a use for these freeloaders though. I went over to view my room where twelve brown creatures lazily laying around ''Slaves! Go get that bug out of there!'' [Keeper] "iiik! iiik!" [Cave-Imps]
Minions have been dispatched to the pill bug carcass.
IT WORKED! Even though I don''t have a body I still have a presence within this dungeon through Lair it seems. As long as it''s in our domain, Lair acts as an extension of myself. Three of the twelve imps scuttle towards the Pillbug cacas.
Name: - Rank: 1
Creature: Cave-Imp Attribute: Earth
Species: Lesser Demon DC: 0
As my three Cave-Imps go towards thecarcassand started their work. The three of them suddenly materialize each a pickax and goes to work. Cool, but now that I think about it... *Thung! NnnnNnnNnnnNnnNnnnN~!* Yea that didn''t work... The Pillbugsexoskeleton armor is to hard to get through. ''Hm! Hey is that?'' [Keeper] The sound vibrating through the tunnel had startled an inhabitant trying to rest in a secluded burrow just a stone throw away from my room. Peeking out of the hole was a small green head. Trash! I mean... Oh, it''s just him?... I''m surprised to see the little goblin. I thought he had fleed or at least died after my Lair took over the study... How come I have not seen him before now though? That''s when I saw something awesome. Trash turned invisible! His green skin just melted in with the surroundings and then he was gone! What? how? when? I can''t even see the flow of mana used for the invisibility. I might have underestimated this little goblin!
Observed goblin race skill: Stealth The primary source for skill: Ki.
Wait? Not invisibility? But stealth? When I looked closer I picked up Trashes Ki. It was hard to discern from the rest of the energy in the air... So this is a skill which needs no amount of mana to use?... A skill huh? I wonder if I have "skills"?
Skills -
Energy Eye (Right) Inspect the flow of Energi.
Dungeon Eye (Left) Spiritual travel, see places far away.
Rulers Comand Creatures under you head''s your orders!
Oh! em... A few.So all of these where my skills... I thought they had been spells. Hm, you learn something new every day it seems! Now as I knew what I was looking for I pinpointed Trash, clearly visible with my [Energy eye]. He was moving slowly, carefully placing his feet on the ground. Careful to not stepping on any loss stone. I see a drop of sweat running down his bald head. Seems like concentration is a big part of the skill... So it seems like the skill has another payment method compared to spells... Wait for a second... *imaginary facepalm* Do I have "spells"!?
Dungeon spells Dungeon Mana cost
//////// /////////
Impus 50xNr.= 600
Cranium internum 50
Locked (Rank ??) ??
Locked (Rank ??) ??
Locked (Rank ??) ??
Yes, I did but only two... And what is this about dungeon mana? It''s our "mana pool" right?
Dungeon mana pool 2578/10.000
Emmm... A decent amount I guess. Oh! It went up to 2580! Whenever Lair consumes a soul, the mana pool gets filled. How much that gets filled depends on the creature and soul. Okay so then how do I use these? I can guess what the first one dose, imps right? And it will cost me more for every imp I summon it seems. But what is this "Cranium Internum"? As I asked us this question something took ahold of my mind as I felt myself get dragged into something like a vortex and zooming through the air until I collide with something. In the next moment...
...I pulled out my arm out of a crack in the wall, my hand filled with maggots. Too hungry to react to the peculiarness, I shoved the maggots inside my mouth. "Mmm squishy!" [Keeper] As I swallowed the maggots and reached with my green arm into the crack to take another fist full. Things started to dawn on me. Wait! Green...? And did I just speak? Looking around in the tunnel everything seems bigger than I remember. Looking down at my green scrawny body I see a brown cloth covering my nether region. I take my hands to feel my face. Round, bald, pointy- ears & nose and a collar around my neck. Wait?... No, this can not be... ''Keeper?'' [Trash] "Eh! Trash!? Where are you?" [Keeper] I could but guess as I hear the goblins voice inside my head. ''Um, Why Keeper in Trash body?'' [Trash] "How should I know! All I did was try this new spell called; Cranium internum-" [Keeper] A vortex takes ahold of my mind yet again as I get sucked out of the body.
What just happened?! I''m back in the limbo again, viewing our dungeon in my soul form. I took a minute for myself to collect my thoughts. Not long after a box popped up.
Cranium internum
*Dungeon specific: "Inside the skull" posses targeted friendly creature.
I guess I have a gist of it now... So as I was watching Trash I had by mistake used the spell and possessed him. Hmm, interesting! Locating the maggots nest I see Trash in [Stealth] looking around with a nervous face. Guess I got under his skin. He, he! It''s been way too long since I have been able to move and with a non-existing grin, I used the spell again. ''Craiunm internum!" [Keeper]
Trash Pov: Keeper went, why keeper in Trash skull!? Trash head hurt.Trash notlike. Trash going insane? ''Hey Trash, COMING IN HOT!'' [Keeper] Oh no!
Keeper (inside Trash) Pov:
Name: Trash Rank: 23
Creature: Green-Goblin Attribute: none
Species: Humanoid DC: 2
After getting used to the stubby limbs of the goblin body and the whining of my co-pilot. I started to see big differences from my own original body. First of Trash body was lean with a little muscles mass present. But instead, the movement of the joints was much more smooth and agile. With the agility and immense stamina of the goblin race -used for more than just running- it was no problem to move at a speed of an average size being. The hands had sharp claw-like nails which could be used as an effective defense and the teeth were as sharp as needles making it easy to bite off the throat of any adversary. But the most peculiar thing was the nose. I could smell things I have never smelled before. One specific sent got my attention, it was a sweet delicious smell. "What''s that smell?" [Keeper] ''Un, food'' [Trash] "Food!" [Kepeer] Following my nose, I find myself at the current end of the tunnel where the dead giant pillbug was being excavated. The three cave imps paused for but a second to look at us stumbling in. "Where?" [Keeper] ''There!'' [Trash] Yielding control of one of the arms trash pointed towards the carcass. "The pill bug?" [Keeper] ''Nh! Delicious, tasty, rotted meat!'' [Trash] Goblins are in fact not picky eaters, but I could not fathom it. It seems like the goblins favorite meal is anything stinky. After a few questions to Trash, it seems like this could be anything from human socks to fermented cheese. The smell was really alluring, but I had other things to do! First of all. "Dig around it! You fools! " [Keeper] """Iiik, iiik! Small master command iiik!"""[Cave-imps] Yep, my commands still work! But such annoying sound they make. I wonder if cutting out their tongues would help? Finally, the Imps started doing some progress compared to before with greater speed. They are completely useless if it does not come to digging, all they did was basically bang their head against the carcass as soon as the pickaxe showed to be useless. Anything not associated with tunneling does not quite go through to these Imps. But as soon as it''s about tunnels they actually seem quite reliable. As I see no use for myself here, for now, I go back towards my room. as I pass the burrow Trash has been staying in. It was a natural hole just the size that a child can crawl through. I remember passing it several times as I went hunting, but too big to enter. This might be one of my only time I can actually look inside. ''No! Keeper stay out! Trash home!'' [Trash] "Now you just make me more curious!" [Keeper] Crawling inside, with a sulking co-pilot. I''m now in a small hole just big enough for one. Inside the hole, several shelves had been dug out from the walls where rows of miscellaneous items -Most with a chine to them- laid. Shiny rocks, a yellow feather, ooo! A coin, a crystal, a blue bead, more shiny rocks,... (a few minutes later) ... male skull, a spike~ Hey wait for a minute! I picked up the spike, and in that instant, the spike started to move and then engulfed Trash hand. ''Aah! Eating me!'' [Trash] "He! No, it''s just happy to see me!" [Keeper]
Mage steel
Mage steel has bounded itself with entity "Trash."
The [Mage steel] was just enough to engulf Trash hand and forearm up to his elbow. Looking like a long fingerless glove. Why it chose this shape I have no clue. My guess is that [Mage steel] shapes into the most optimal defense for the user, since Trash fingers already was a deadly weapon... Well, now for some fun! I went to the back of trash mind releasing control. As I did the goblin noticed the regain of control and the first thing he tried was to fanatically pull off the gauntlet. But obviously, it didn''t budge. "Keeper~! No, come off~!" [Trash] Obviously, it''s [mage steal] what did you expect? Ones bounded it will stay bounded. No normal force can remove it! Aaah! thisreminds me of the first time I tried to remove the armor. Now, on the other hand, it feels like I''m naked without it. To think you could miss an object so much. "No~!" [Trash] He! Well funs over, already bored!... I take the rains once more. "Let''s go check the study!" [Keeper] If I have learned anything, then it is that you need to be prepared and the study should have some fun things to play around with. I also have a feeling like I''m supposed to go there right now. Why? Impulses maybe? ''Study!? No Study, big monster! Trash no go!" [Trash] Not caring about Trash whining I crawled out of the hole and continued to the study, but even my mighty will could not stand the everlasting whining of the goblin. Bearly under a minute I snapped back at the goblin making him stayquiet for now. Soon enough I reached my oval room, darker than the abyss. Luckily trash [dark vision] helped.
Observed unike?? goblin race skill: Dark Vision The primary source for skill: Ki.
With this skill and eyes made for hunting in the dark, I was capable of seeing not the room but it details all in gray. Every nook, hole, crack, anything misshaping the environment helped me see it. With this, I could with ease traverse through my room without tripping into the summoning pit in the center... I wonder how I will manage ones I get my body back though. As I reached the open door I looked up at the doorknob... Quite high for my new stature, lucky it was open! My mind elsewhere I suddenly hear Trash voice in my head. ''Danger!'' [Trash] Without watching my step I trip over the doorframe. As I fall face forward, nose first into the ground. *oufh!* [Keeper] Picking Trash body up to a sitting position, I can feel Trash face burning from the pain. As I care for the red nose. Tears started to form in Trash''s eyes. "Don''t you dare Trash! Don''t you dare start crying while I''m in here!" [Keeper]I say withdisdain. ''Unn, Trash not sad. Keeper is!'' [Trash] He answered deadpanned. I tens up as I with Trash''s gloveless arm dry the tears, spitting saliva as I rebuke! "Me! Cry!? How dare you I should have you beheaded, you sticky-fingered goblin!" [Keeper] ''Mercy! Trash sad! Sad, sad, sad!'' [Trash] I thought so! Me! Cry? Ha! Never! It''s this weak body''s fault. Yes, that''s the reason!... "Now stay quiet!" [Keeper] Taking a deep breath I rise to my feet. Looking around, the study was not quite what it used to be. It was still a mess but this was on a whole other scale. From the previously organized chaos of this study was now just a memory of what had been. Chairs, tables, and bookshelves were either flipped or broken. There layshattered vials and shredded books all over the floor. Potions of different colors were spilled all over the room. Some even had a corrosive property which had melted the cave stone in several places. In the center of this surrounded by a forest of longlog-thick tendrils connecting from roof to floor was the beating heart also known as my Lair. ''Monster sleeping?'' [Trash] "No, I don''t think he ever sleeps. And its a heart, not a monster!" [Keeper] ''Heart?'' [Trash] "Yes, my dungeon heart!" [Keeper] ''No danger?'' [Trash] "*sigh* Ye, no danger, unless you attack it!" [Keeper] I walked around the room looking through any item of practical use. I found a few still intact vials. One mortar and pestle just lightly damage and several herbs which were easy to find with Trash''s nose. I did discard a few things though mostly because they were too broken or useless, like this book about "30 ways to cure back pain". Then I found a white box with the label "Tea". ''No, don''t!'' [Trash] Of course, I did not listen and as I opened the box several stingy smells attack me head on as I almost lost consciousness from the intense smells. I immediately close the box and discards it as well. Dear lord what an awful smell! After rummaging through some more I find a few still intact books about spells and magick which could be useful.
Arcana.
A witch guide to summon your first familiar.
Key of Solomon.
??? (unnamed leather book)
Edward''s Elementals.
Alchemy for dummies.
The book that caught my eye was the last one. "Alchemy for dummies" Intrigued by the book and its possible uses, I delved right into it. -Alchemy for dummies- -Chapter 1: Basic alchemy. -Chapter 2: Tools of the trade. -Chapter 3: Lesser Potion of Healing. -Chapter 4: Lesser Potion of Mana. -Chapter 5: Lesser Potion of Stamina. -Chapter 6: Lesser potion of Antidote. -Chapter 7: Lesser potion of Poison. -Chapter 8: Lesser potion of Featherfall. -Chapter 9: Dragon Cocktail. -Chapter 10: Afterwords. After eying through the first two chapters I immediately understood one thing. "What the actual f*ck! I can just barely understand anything of what is written in it!" [Keeper] No matter I still tried. Using the pictures in it as guidelines. After laying out all the collected items in front of me I found most tools needed. Unfortunately, not all was the exact tool needed in the book and the vials were all in mitch matched sizes. -Lesser potion of healing- -How you know if it is a success: The vile should have a see-through red color and when shaken fizzle should form. -How you know if it fails: It will blow up. But don''t worry it is not lethal. Taking a heater and using a tea-pot I start my trial.
Several attempts later, Trash''s face is no longer his usual jade green, as the soot from the several explodingvialscovered his face. I take out my latest creation and carefully look at it. Seethrough red, I shake it, turning Trash''s head away with a hand in front of it. Nothing happened... Looking I see the fizzle. Had I done it!? I HAD DON- *BOOM!* Thevialblew up in my face. Lord damn it! Is this a joke? It''s impossible! It''s like they are meant to explode... ''Unn, Trash try?'' [Trash] Sure why not... I''m so through with this anyways. And it could be fun watching Trash fail. I yielded command of the body, and Trash went on his way. First of he changed some of the tools to use and under twenty minutes he was done with his firstvial. As he picked up the vile my anticipation was beaming. He shook it. And as he did it fizzled but then the see-through red color went deep red. Wait! What!? That was not in the instructions!? "Finished!" [Trash] I took control over the body again and inspected the vial.
Pure health potion.
The second of three stages of potion brewing, only adept alchemist are competent enough to create them.
Well, I will be damnd! I''m without words... I tried and failed several times and this goblin succeeded in his first try, not only that he succeeded with a greater version. I guess his time with Maleck had not been wasted. I glance over at a cocoon of flesh hanging in one of Lairs strings... "Well, then Trash let''s try it out!" [Keeper] I use one of the nails to make a cut on Trash-gauntlet free- arm as blood flow down. I take a sip of the potion and see as the wound heals right in front of me. ''mmm, feel good!'' [Trash] Quite impress-
Digested energy fluid incompatible. With entity "Keeper"
Suddenly I feel really unwell Trash stomach starts to turn. Pain spreads throughout the body, as I hurled up the potion on the ground. *BLERGH!* [Keeper] After throwing it up, the pain resides and I felt somewhat better again. ''Jyk! Keeper, why do that!?'' [Trash] Trash had not felt any of this sensation, nor seen the message. Seems like potions does not agree with me. Well, that is just great! I have a potion creating goblin, but can''t use the potion myself. Just f*cking great! "Seems like I''m allergic to potions." [Keeper] ''Hu?'' [Trash] I stand up after my ordeal, as I do I am somewhat unsteady on Trash''s feet feeling vertigo as I lean with one hand on one of Lair''s numeral tendrils.
Then to my surprise, I''m suddenly in a black space. But I''m not alone. Next to me is a naked Trash, my eyes wander... Hm! quite big for his size... Looking myself over I''m also naked and in my own body looking down... disappointing. I have a hunch though that this is not, in fact, our bodies... "Where?" [Trash] "I don''t know... but I feel like this is... Hey! LAIR!" [Keeper] The Space at this moment starts to shake the tiniest of a bit. Then suddenlyeverything lights up. We are now in an octagon room without any entrances or windows. I notice that we now are donned in each of our own clothes. Me in a magnificent armor of my dreams. With a glorious broadsword at my side. Besides me, Trash was covered in a gray garb with a tall staff in his armored hand and ontop of his head a blue pointed hat. The walls are made of untainted white bricks and in the center is a table of an octagon shape made of marble. There were currently two chairs of eight possible surrounding the table. First, a big early mahogany thronepainted black. Just the size for me with red cushions on the seat, backrest, and armrests, just looking at it gives me a tear of joy. Then next to it on the left, a small wooden chair of dark brown without any armrest, but with an unnecessarily tall backrest ending in three pointy spades, Trash would surely fit well in that one, excluded for the hight that is.
Entity "Trash" has entered the [War Room]. Entity "Keeper" has entered the [War Room].
Unholy Kingdom - Ch2 Underworld- Spider Queen Pov: -A clicking, hissing voice proclaims in the dark.- "Onze zo zmall, now big an ztrong." [Queen] Consciousness! Awakening! When a mere beast becomes a monster. The taste of humanoid blood! The juice of evolution. But that was not my path!
Born into the brood, living in the cavern of the deep dark. Here ones life is so easily extinguished. Spiders did not usually pack together like wolfs or goblins. But this was a brood, ruled by a queen! The strongest spider such as all females of the rase where! But only by battle would one ensure one''s survival. Only through battle would you have the chance to evolve! I was strong, the strongest among my brood. Many challenged and equally many failed. I grew after each battle first so small like a tiny rock until I was as big as a bear. I was the biggest in my brood, always were compared to my siblings. Now no one dared challenge me. So I challenged instead! Our elders, slimes, rats. I can beat them all! After years of battles, I finally take my rightful place as brood queen, the Cavern now mine! But my battle has left me wanting. Empty. My brood not big, no one stronger than me to fight, only... Food.
Cycles pass, my brood is small and the brood feeds. We live happy we freely feast. But when the brood grows too large, food is scarce. Then cannibalism will be our survival! I was waiting, hungry. The smaller ones have already fleed into hiding. Hiding in small places where the bigger of the brood could not get them. Only the smallest and the strongest usually survive the cycle of cannibalism. In one of the caverns nets, I care for my hunger gnawing on some bones when I see pray walk into my territories. I jumped it, hung it up and waited for it to be primed for digestion. Watching over it so no one could take my prized meal from me. ... Too late I find out that the pray was a predator! Easley escaping my [Hardend thread]. I meet something strong, something equal! A fierce battle entrailed heavy injuries on us both. Both deep into the trans of battle, every move counting. Even with the aid of a male of my species, it barely changes the scale of the battle. And as the predator plunged his silver fang into the male skull the whole cavern lit up in bright light. ''My eeeeeyyyeeeezzzz!'' [queen] I hissed in displeasure. Too injured to go one I retreated to my webs, seeing the predator leave with the male as his prize. I vouchedon that day, this loss will be my one and only! The predator an equal, a queen? A king! The Flame baring King! I will feast on your flesh! "My childrenzzz! After him! Track himzzz! Kill himzzz!" [Queen] I sent my children after him, knowing all too well that they where no trackers but in these tunnels eventually anything can be found...
You have been named!
A young Arachnid of the Caverns lived its life in ordeals. But the Arachnid beat every fo on its path until there were no more foes to beat. It overthrew its former brood and took the mantle of the queen. At her peak, she crossed path with a mighty being, both seeking food and battle. A fierce battle which ended in a draw. After the battle, the mighty being named the Arachnid queen "One-Fang". *A name has been written onto the Arachnid soul.
My brood lost, only a scares number left. The cycle renewed. I was weakened but something within burned with force. This a golden opportunity for any to throw down my rule. But everyone so scared there instincts keeping them away as they note the changes to me. An evolution! My brown turning black, my size shrinking, my legs stronger and sharper, my abdomen staying thick for my eggs. My mind seeing clearer. I''m born! Reborn!
Unnatural Evolution
Entity "One-Fang" has evolved into a new creature. A new trait has been acquired.
By clicking noise, my brood congratulates me and praise my appearance. My body size is now comparable to that of a wolf. My fourfront legs twice as long as my back legs, for better reach and other uses more! No longer a mere big predator, now ambush predator. Molded for stealth and execution of pray. Not even the spider broods feared nemesis the Reptilians is a match for me now! ''Flame baring King, just wait! The Brood will come for you!'' [One-Fang]
Name: One-Fang Rank: 1
Creature: Trapper Attribute: ?
Species: Arachnid (Queen) DC: ?
War room - Keepers POV: "Took you long enough!" [???]
An uninvited presence has entered the war room!
Suddenly a new presence had entered this so-called "War room". This presence... Kid!? now sitting in my chair! In front of my eyes was a kid with purple skin, black eye-whites, yellow irises, two massive protruding horns atop his forehead and dressed in a tacky grey suit. This "kid" was not to mess with. Something was really off with him. But no matter, I still drew my sword. "What are you trying to do? Kill me with air?" [???] Looking into my empty hand''s which I could have sworn I just drew my magnificent sword in. I''m baffled! "Now, now ##### don''t be hasty, this is an imaginative space. Nothing in here is real!" [???] "!?" [Keeper] "hm!? Wait... Your name is Keeper now and I haven''t even introduced myself yet. I''m your benefactor the youngest of two celestial brothers, you may call me Chaos!" [Chaos] I stand across the room looking at this "kid", this celestial calling himself Chaos. "Have a seat!" [Chaos] He tells me as he rises with grace from my presumed throne and offers it to me. I look at him without moving. Trash stands behind me, I think I can hear the goblins teeth shatter in fright. If I was someone else than the mighty Keeper then I might as well have been scared of this Chaos! He might only look like a six-year-old "kid". But his act and mannerism betray that his age is much more advanced. On the other hand, he does not seem to be my enemy... Yet! So after a while, I walk over and take a seat. With no other choice, Trash follows suit and take his seat Left of me. The backrest looming at least five times over his head. I can see in the corner of my eye as he never lets his sight of the "kid" not larger than himself. As I take a seat on the throne I am pleased of the comforts the cushion gives, as I lean back in the majestic mahogany throne. Directing my gaze at the "kid" now standing on the other side of the octagon marble table. A silence lingers, not knowing what I should say or how to act towards this "ki-"... presumed god. But the silence soon gets broken by Chaos. "So let''s see here, map, dungeon... Hmm, let''s start with your role I guess. Maybe this will make it easier to understand." [Chaos] In front of me, a blue screen materialize.
Champion of Chaos
You are the champion of Chaos the demi-god, offspring of the dark god. Your role is to further the goal of the dark god. Your enemy is the god of light and all her creations walking this land.
I silently read the message, which I thought only Lair could create. It''s like I am incapable of doing anything else at the moment. But then I thought of something; "half-god". I used my [Energy eye] to appraise the demi-god named Chaos. I could not believe what I was seeing! Behind this young "kid" facade was a looming abyss of purple darkness, as if looking back at me. Pressuring me down. It was so intense that the aura filled my whole view. There was nothing else I could see except this and this made me utterly weary of Chaos. "See something you like?" [Chaos] Blinded by the aura I had not noticed Chaos move. Surprising me, as my heart skipped a beat. Chaos was suddenly sitting in front of me at the marble table edge. Swinging his legs back and forth as he supports his body with his hands. Leaning forward with his head until I can feel his breath on my skin. Looking at me... No! Evaluating me! "You know, losing you would be too much of a hassle. So stop being rude before I change my mind!" [Chaos] I stop my evaluation on the little demi-god, as he retracts his head. I decide that this is not someone to mess with... At least not for now. I have a feeling that his aura as strong and overwhelming as it is. Is not unpassable and one day I will be the being that he cowers before! "Now, I''m surprised that you have already gained a general. Though you could have done better than a Goblin. But well, well." [Chaos] he says while shrugging. I sneak a peek at Trash on the left of me. A general hu? I never appointed him though... Or did we? "But this will make things easier. It also seems like your first ''dungeon born'' will wake soon. But I have postponed his awakening until you have shown your strategic prowess!" [Chaos] "!?" [Keeper] How rude! To interfere such arrogantly in our domain. Who does he think he is! I''m starting to see where Lairs annoyance was coming from. This Chaos is no better than Maleck! "As you might already know, you are contesting for territories this very moment, with the arachnid family. Until that territory is concerned your domain will not naturally grow unless you claim surrounded areas in person or with a middleman." [Chaos] Chaos stood up on the table and waved with his hand as in the center of thewhite marble table, yellow shapes rose up sowing a 3D blueprint of the dungeon and even the monsters within it. "This is your Dungeon map. Whatever changes you make here the dungeon heart will transmit to all involved parties. You should construct a new layer and move the heart deeper down. Don''t worry about the moving part though. The heart is capable of repositioning with a small price of mana." [Chaos] A second layer hu? It feels like hiding... How uncanny.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "Now resources and rooms, you will need them! Right now you have only low intelligent creatures but as you recruit more intelligent creatures they will have manifested needs. Such as greed, lust, pride and so on. You will need rooms to meet their needs, the rooms will naturally unlock as the need arises or a specific creature joins your dungeon. Just place a finger upon a room, make a choice and your heart will do the rest." [Chaos] Chaos moves around his hand until the table shows a cave area with yellow lines lining the wall, crisscrossing. "Gold is one of the most fundamental resources. If you don''t pay your more intelligent minions they will root from your army! The gold is also a double edge sword as it lures adventurers into your domain. Do what you please with them." [Chaos] Well, that is something pleasing to my ears, the carnage that will follow my trail! The deaths and screams it fills me with delight just thinking about it. Still standing on the octagon table Chaos looks at me. "Did you get everything?" [Chaos] I look back at him, hell no! I didn''t!... Yet I nod towards him. "Yea..." [Keeper] hopefully Trash was a better listener. "Good, as you reached one of the entrances to the overworld I will come to visit again. You will have army''s to face. I recommend you make your dungeon as impregnable as possible before that time comes. Adventurers and other foes will be good practice. Till next time, Keeper!" [Chaos] With those words, he vanishedas abruptly as he had appeared. I look at Trash and blurted out: "Well... General, got any ideas?" [Keeper] Trash just sank into his chair exasperated. "Scary!" [Trash] Yea, nothing useful. So far his only good merit was his potion brewing skills. I look at the Dungeon map. Imitating Chaos I use my hand to turn it around. Ha! Easy! I noticed that if I touch a wall connected to a tunnel a [1x1] box is highlighted and Imps are immediately dispatched to the area to excavate.
After fiddling around some more I had created a ten by ten round room next to my own room. I also ordered the imps to dig the sealing of the room up by seven meters or so whereas five meters up a ledge was dug out. There were three entrances into this room excluded one which led to mine. After I was done I pressed on the room as a whole and a blue window pooped up with several options.
/ Transmute room into: Minimum room size:
1 Nest 3x3
1 Food pen 3x3
0 Treasury 3x3
0 Training room 3x3
0 Arena 10x10
?? Locked
?? Locked
?? Locked
?? Locked
How the proses worked was simple my Lair transmutes the ground and walls using mana to change its property and in some cases imbuing the ground with an enchantment. I chose the "Arena" the rocky ground turned into light brown sand. Left and right of every entrance was a weapon rack. Though empty. Crystals grew out of the walls in even intervals. The crystals had a mix of blue, yellow and red wich swayed inside of them. If I didn''t know better I could swear that they were on fire as they lit up the room. In the north side of the arena was the main entrance. Where intruders will enter from the natural labyrinth of tunnels. In the east was my darkroom and my Lair. Wich I still have not moved despite Chaos warning. In the Westwas currently an empty room but after consideration, I chose to transmute it into a Traning room. The stone ground smoothened out and four stone statues rose up from the ground standing in a T-chape position close to each corner of the room but still centered. In this room, the ground is imbued with [Dojo].
Dojo
Entity affected by Dojo gains battle experience twice as fast.
In the south area, I had already placed two rooms one nest and one feeding pen, south-east, and south-west respectively accessed by a fork in the road. It amused me that I could buy livestock with mana in the food pen. The one I chose was chicken. Let''s be honest here, everything taste like chicken anyways. Right? The nest room was made up of some sort of brown organic gelly wich my current Dier-flies used to make their nests in. The Dier-flies made globes in the walls with a hole in them where they could fly in to rest. Of the ten-kilometer radius domain, we currently owned. I had only nearly used one kilometer of space including my room and Lair. One of the reasons for this was the necessity for dungeon mana, any room transmuted would cost me mana equal to the rooms area. This also included excavating. Everything done on the dungeon map was deducted from my dungeon mana. Only commands made outside of the war room cost me no mana. But was way more inefficient and my room building capability non-existent. My current mana was:
Dungeon Mana
878,3/10.000
And I have noted that my current spell possessing Trash is currently drained my mana at a slow pace. Since I''m still possessing Trash body inside the study. Connecting us to this war room. I wonder what happens if my mana pool reaches zero though... I had also sent some imps to set up a camp near the gold veins wich where 6,5km away in the south-east direction. Right now I could only wait until they are done preparing. Done with the bigger picture I started preparing my defenses.
Traps (??locked)
Need a workshop to create Traps.
Well, that is just great! How do I even get a workshop!? *sigh* By pressing Lair in the Dungeon map my dungeon heart options unfolds:
Options Mana
Movethe Dungeonheart. 10.000
Createa Manafountain. 10.000
Createan Organictrap. 5.000
Knight a 1 tier floor boss. 6.000
Knight a 2 tier floor boss. 12.000
And the cheapest organic trap would cost me five thousand mana and a corruptible creature. I had none of those. There was nothing much to use so I had to improvise. Using Malecks old chest we filled the arenas weapon racks, taking anything useful from the study in the prosses. During minute details as we were outside the war room, Trash brewed some potions for the battle ahead. Though only he could use the health potion as it seems. Even the Dier-flies and imps were allergic to the potion as well. Worst off was the imps, as they got covered in blisters and involuntarily combusted. Wich made me speculate that this allergy might be alignment oriented. As an evil entity cannot consume the potion. Though as for Trash... I can''t call him good in any sense... But not evil either, maybe neutral? That would explain him being capable of consuming the potion. But by this reasoning, there should be a potion for evil alignment like a dark potion... If I ever find a library it might be a good thing to procure some books!
Done with the sorry excuse for defenses I had already started plans on concerning the enemy turf. Surprisingly with useful help of Trash my new general... I still don''t know how that happened... I had two imps excavate the two sides of the cavern creating a secret passage with a one-meter wall in between. I also redirected the spider caverns entrance directly to the arena. Once done with my preparation I looked at Trash. "So, you know your role?" [Keeper] "Trash scared, why no Keeper do!?" [Trash] "I got other things to take care of! Now just keep to the plan... General!... and everything will be fine!" [Keeper] Still reluctant he nodded.
Spider Cavern - Narrators Pov: Inside the spiders nest the spider which was bestowed the name One-Fang was biding her time. Its brood had gotten larger and stronger since it''s previous demies to the flame bring king. The latest batch of spiderlings hatched. Luckily there was abundant with food as Dier-Flies had migrated in. Which of many had been trapped in the nets, though for some reason they had stopped flying into the nets recently! But One-Fang did not worry as she planned to move her brood when it grew stronger, migrating past their nemesis; the lizards, to greener pasture. Where pray will be abundant. It was in this thought proses that One-Fang smelled something on the musky wind of the cavern. Fire!? From the north of the cavern, smoke was filling the space. As the smoke reached the spider''s nests up high they fell from the walls and roof. One-Fang emidiatly went down to the lower level to avoid the smoke. Seeing here children falling one after another. She screeched to rally here brood and march them in the south direction away from the smoke. As they reached the small tunnel way leading deeper into the cave systems, she thought something was off but had no time to contemplate as the smoke was filling the cavern. *Rumble!* Suddenly a sound was heard from inside the tunnel. First, it was just rumbling then squashing noises as her children scream in fear. A big boulder was coming her way. Most of her brood had already entered and was squashed to death! The spider-queen jumped the bolder heading her way. With here sharp legs she pierced it followed by ripping it to smithereens. Getting surprised by a warm welcome of rotted flesh. The smell of rot filling the air. In despair the queen hiss! ''Nooooooooo!'' [One-Fang] In front of her was her brood broken-boned and squashed to death. Now only a fifth of her mighty brood was left approximately fifty small spiderlings. The spider-queen vowed; whoever was behind this would pay! Screeching out in anger she rushed into the tunnel with her brood closely following from behind. A light at the end of the tunnel! As the brood emerged from the tunnels, now standing in unfamiliar terrain. They were standing in an oval room with light brown sand, which was hard to tread through with their pointy legs. After the broods initial surprise, the queen notices that they are not alone. In the center of the sand-filled room stands a single Goblin and several Imps. "Keeper, hurry!" [Trash] Wisperd as a prayer.
Keepers Pov: In front of me was a bonfire of chairs, tables, and bookshelf. Behind them was my army of Dier-Flies flapping their wings at sonic speed. Pushing the smoke into the spider''s cavern. After Trash had collected himself from the encounter with Chaos, he had informed me of how Maleck had dealt with the spiders. It was called Spiders-bane. But what it essentially was where smoke. And smoke was easy to make. With the help of the side tunnels, I had transported my troops and any and all wood we could find to the other side. Then I let my Dier-Flies light it with their fire imbued stingers. And the result is as followed. Though this result was only because of my supervision. Without me, the Flies would mindlessly fly into the fire and die. What irony to have a fire stinger and then be enticed by the deadly flames. As the wood started to simmer and the flames resided my work was complete. I exited the dier-fly I was currently possessing. And went at full neck speed to the arena. Where I''m greeted by a slaughter fest.
Trash Pov: "Impus!" [Trash] Spiders come, Imps dies. More Imps, Trash summon. Can''t hold! Spiderling jump Trash. Bite my gauntlet. Happy! Dagger into the skull. Trash good goblin. "Impus! Impus! Impus!" [Trash] Imps die, die, die. Trash summon, summon, summon. Spiderlings not die fast. Last resort! Trash only one vile. See whole brood, see One-fang, close enough! Throw dragon cocktail. Cover! *Boom!* Smoke, no see!
Narrators Pov: After throwing the Dragon cocktail The goblin had jumped for cover. The cocktail had hit almost dead center of the brood. And in its inferno, it had taken out both foe and ally. But as the goblin rose to see the aftermath of his devastating potion he was very surprised by a big silhouette the size of a dog still standing. His surprise turned into fear. This had been his one and only dragon cocktail. Created in a hurry as Keeper had prepared the bonfire in the rear. He had no more potions meant for defense. As the giant spider charged him. The Goblin froze in fear and was unable to dodge. And was slices across his chest and flung into the wall. With a big gash across his chest with blood flowing out. The little goblin had no willpower to continue. That''s when a familiar voice rang out in his head. ''Shug a potion you damn idiot! I will distract him!'' [Keeper] "Keeper...? Not him... queen!" [Trash] ''Shut up and do it already! I can''t use your body in that state!'' [Keeper] He was the Lord of this dungeon and his name was Keeper. No one would take his domain! Nor his possessions. Possessing a dier-fly prepared beforehand he charged from the ledge witha dozen more. The Dire-flies swarming the sole queen. But to her, they were just a nuisance. The spider queen was twice the size of the dier-flies and easily swatted them away, everyone except one which seemed more intelligent than the rest. Now only her and the intelligent fly remind. Keeper moved surprisingly well in the fly''s body. Stinging the queen any time he could. It was like playing a game to him. Though he did not understand the concept of the word it was like muscle memory. "You are a worthy adversary!" [Spider-Queen] Keeper was surprised by the sudden conversation from a spider nonetheless. His shock was rewarded by a swat of the spider queens leg crashing into the sand. One wing broke from the impact he could no longer fly around and annoy the queen. In a desperate attempt, he jumped the queen just to get a leg run through his chest. The dier-fly taking it''s final breath! "Will do for a snack, but! The main course will be Goblin!" [Queen] She charged the goblin fang wide open. When she suddenly felt a chill. She will be killed! The queen jumped back at an amazing speed. Wary of her opponent in front of here. "Hooo! Did you notice?" [Keeper] The goblins body rose tocrackits neck. "Aaah! A humanoid form is the best. You look different but I can''t mistake that missing fang of yours. Ready for round two? One-Fang! Or is it round three?" [Keeper] The spider queen hizzed! "Flame baringKing!" [One-Fang] "Flame baring?... I''m no king! I''m the one and only dungeon lord!" [Keeper] "*Hizz* a lord!?" [One-Fang] The queen instinctively took a step back at the words, she may just be an evolved arachnid but all monsters knew what a Dungeon Lord meant. Death and carnage! Thepossessedgoblin goes over to a stand with several weapons previously acquiredfromMaleck''s chest. He taps with his fingers over thecrossbowhanging on the sides but picks another weapon, to his fancy. Now armed with atwo-handedspear thepossessedgoblin turns around and face the queen leveling the spear withhisopponent. "I Lord Keeper herebychallengeOne-fang to a one on one duel! Do you accept?" [Keeper] Surprisedby the challenge the queen looks around therewerea few measly imps, her own brood was gone either dead or deserted. But there was nothing toworryabout. Maybe this lord had an ace in hispocketto end it. But a one on one duel. It was like music to the Spider-Queen''sears. "Yes?!" [One-Fang] "He! " [Keeper] The goblin shows a toothy diabolical grin. The both of them each sees a blue screen pop up in front of them:
Arena Duel has beenaccepted.
Anhonorableduel wich no one maydisturb. *Dungeonspecific: The contestant with the most fans during the duel will get the arenas "Champion buff"
''This will be my victory!'' [Keeper] "IMPS! Cheer for your master!" [Keeper] """Wheeeeee!""" [Imps] "Again!" [Keeper] """Wheeeeeeeeeee!""" [Imps] "Louder!" [Keeper] """WHEEEEEE!!!""" [Imps]
Champions buff (Keeper)
The champion is loved by all. Gainingcourageand power from his fans. *+20 power, +20 agility, +20 vitality.
"""WHEEEE!!!""" [Imps] In themidstof the cheers the spider-queen charge. The goblintakesnoticeand thrust his spear from his right flank. It misses the head butslicesdeep into thespider''sside. Notcompletelystoppedthe queen tries to slam into the goblin. But the goblin is to fast and has already evaded her. As a sting is felt from the side as the spear pokes her; ones, twice,thrice. """WHEEEE!!!""" [Imps] Hissing in pain. The queen turns her back towards the goblin. Surprisinghim as she shoots webbing from her bum. The goblin tries to slice the net from left to right and itgoeswelluntilhalfway through when thethreadsgettoo sticky. The goblin evading to the left as his spearis pulled out of his hands to the right, sticking to a wall. """Aaah!""" [Imps] Clear of the webbing but not in the safe yet! The goblinreactsjust in time toshield his face. As a spider-leg swipes from the left. The hit was heavy and the goblin gets dazed. His sight blurred and wavy, he feels another attack hit butluckilyhis guard was still up, his gauntlet taking the force as he is flung back into the air. """ooouuuhh!""" [Imps] Clearing his head henoticesaweaponrack close to him and the goblin takes to his feet and swiftlyretrievestwo daggers. Hetakes astance he remembered from fighting the human intruders. The queen had followed in closepursuitand was looming over himas she swings her two front legs from above. The four legs seemingly moving like snakes as the attack comes from any direction. Top-left, back-right, front-right, bottom-left, side-right. All attacks nimbly evaded by the goblin. """WHEEEE!!!""" [Imps] Annoyed the queen raise her four legs together slamming them downwards towards. The goblin using both daggers to counter, withunbelievablestrengthand swiftness, propelling them back and the queen body a few centimeters with them. Now thequeen''sbelly exposed the goblinquickly cut and slice, drawing blood. One of the daggerswas flung out of the goblinsuntrainedhands. """WHEEEE!!!""" [Imps] The queen hizzed in anger as it with its whole bodyweightslammeddowntowardsthe goblin. The goblin again evading the attack. """WHEEEE!!!""" [Imps] Exhausted the queen take a step back to recover. Creating distance between the two. The goblin didn''t squander this time as he pressed on. After retrieving a round wooden shield and a morning star -which in his small hands was large- he ruched his opponent. The queen sluggishly tried to defend with her elongated front feet. Wiping one of her front legs from above which easily gets deflected by his morning star, sweating the leg away. Another leg comes from the right swiping at the goblin''s feet. The goblin swiftly jumps evading the foot sweep. Landing on the moist sand covered in sweat and blood. Another elongated leg comes for a piercing attack, the goblin going for a block but in the last second starts to evade instead. The left side of the round shield getting skewed by the spider leg as splinters flies everywhere. *crack* """Aaaaaah!""" [Imps] The side structure of the shield cracking and breaking off. The goblin tumbling backward in the sand by the force. Retrieving his footing the goblin notes pain in his left shoulder and blood dripping down his arm. Snarling he pressed on, grabbing something as he sprinted to compensate for the distance gained. A large shadow forms on the ground, as the goblin looks up he is surprised! Covering what could be a three-meter radius was a giant net fastened on each of the spider queens four elongated legs. Closing on the goblin fast. The goblin having almost reached the queens face, but unable to attack and evade in time tossed the object in his hand. Sand covered the spider-queens vision stinging her eyes. "*Srhike*" [one-Fang] The queen blinded, unaware of her surroundings. She feels her legs and the net go down, connecting to the ground, but noting got caught in the net! Bewildered as her eyes adjusted she sees her net empty. Looking around with all six of her eyes she sees no goblin only imps snickering for themselves. "Flame baring Lord! Where are you! Show your self!" [One-Fang] Turning and looking her uneasiness heightens. The Imps continuing to snicker. "Silence!" [One-fang] Throwing her net towards the imps which quickly scatters, silence falls over the arena. The sand crunching under the queen''s leg for every step taken. Shadows flickering together with the flame-stone. Casting unnatural shapes which heightens the queen''s alertness more. "Where are you!?" The sound of sand falling to the ground, the queen stopped for a second ''Falling sand?'' [One-Fang] Her intelligence new to her but something inside her was sending warnings signals. When suddenly the ground beneath her gave way. She fell sideways into something a quarter of her size. Most of her legs stuck in the sand the queen was unable to move. That''s when she sees the goblin rise up from the sand, where she previously had cast her net. She had lost! There was nothing she could do. The goblin striding over the sand closing in to here. There was nothing left than defeat. As the goblin reached the spider-queen, swinging his morning star to gain momentum to finish the queen, the goblin paused for but a second to gloat. "This is your end!" [Keeper] She looked up at him from the ground. The small goblin seemingly towering over her. It was a majestic sight. Then... "Marry me!" [One-Fang] "eh!?" [Keeper] ''eh!?'' [Trash] """Eeeeeeeeh!?""" [Imps] Unholy Kingdom - Ch3 City of thieves - Narrators pov: Winter''s cold wind has come to the overworld! The mana in the air shifting as rain turns to snow. The tiniest of brees penetrating through the cracks and holes of the poorly maintained houses. As crackling fireplaces expells the cold from within the homes. On the snow-filled ground lith up by the yellow light, a single pair of footsteps could be seen as a man tracks through the snow. Covering himself in a thick layer of fur, his cheeks, and nose; a rosy red from the freezing cold. The man exhausted from the journey reached a large residence, surrounded by a stone wall. The man entered through the main gate and closed it after himself. After walking through the garden path, not much better maintained than the rest of the town, he finds himself in front of the door to the residence. As the man was about to reach for the door, it instead opened by itself. As a man dressed in a penguin style black suit greets him from inside. "Aaa! master Benedict on time as usual. Any good news?" [Butler] "No! Now let me through!" [Benedict] the man said with annoyances in his voice. "As you wish, master Benedict!" [Butler] the butler complied. The butler took a step aside as the master of the house took steady steps towards the only room with a lith fire. As he reached the house small library, a crackling steel stove greeted him. He closed into the stove as close as he dared, to feel the most of the radiating heat, warming his boy. Removing his pelt he hangs it over a red armchair close to the stove. ruffling his damp, fair hair and rubbing his two hands together in front of the fire to speed things up. As the blond man was refueling the fire with a log, a faint aroma of roasted beans filled the air. The butler called out; "Coffee to warm the core master Benedict?" [Butler] With a tray in hand carrying a pot and a cup, the butler put the tray on a nightstand next to the red armchair. Then he poured the coffee into the cup, one teaspoon of sugar and stirred. Receiving the cup from the butler the blond man took a sip, perfection! Neither too hot nor too cold, it easily went down to his core heating up his body. "You have outdone yourself, Ferguson!" [Benedict] "Might that perhaps be a godsend for raise in pay Master Benedict?" [Ferguson] "Ha! Not even the gods might sway me when it comes to money!" [Benedict] "As you say, Master Benedict." [Ferguson] The two of them stood there by the stove for a while heating themselves up. Staring into the flames through the open hatch. As if consciously consumed by the dancing flame until the fire snap on the logs. The blond man exasperated! "It''s safe to say that Mat is dead, he is of no use as ransom and he is not stupid enough to stay away. But the problem is the others, during this month I have heard no rumors of weight." "Then do you reason that they all perished?" [Ferguson] "No! Opposite, staying low. Holding onto the loot until they are in the clear. Selling and keeping the profits for themselves." [Benedict] He paused as he turned around to warm his buttcheeks. Then he retrieved something from his fur''s inner pocket. "Plan B Ferguson! Deliver this to the guild, I would have liked to not involve them. But! good help is in short demand these days." [Benedict] "As you wish Master Benedict!" [Ferguson] The butler received the letter and took his leave. Leaving the master of the house alone to heat himself. The man took a sip of his coffee as he lost himself again in the flames.
Dead Lands - Narrators Pov: Miles from civilization laid a barren land where only the undead could survive the day. Krack plains as far as the eyes could see. The sun burning hot! Intaicing hallucinations and dehydration. Even though it was the season of the freeze, it changed nothing here. Inhabited by no animals nor beasts, this was not a hospitable land. Yet, there was still creatures prowling it during the night. Monsters! Creatures of the dark. If not the innumerable undead traversing the plains gets the taste of flesh, then the creatures who hunt in the night would surely come for their piece! No sane sentient-being would cross into the Dead-lands, yet sometimes by fates mysterious hands sentient-beings still find themselves stranded, in this hostile land. On the cracked dirt -dried by the scorching heat of the sun- laid two such stranded peoples. Their gear was roughened up, dried blood covered their clothes and both laid there unconscious. As a looming shadow was cast over them.
The female rogue woke up by the merry tunes of whistling. ''Jenkins...? Ugh! My head!...'' [Jenn] Rising up she finds her self has been laying down on a larger than usual bed. Looking around she finds herself in a bedroom inside of a handmade dirt hut. The smell of flowers was obvious in the air, as several beautiful plants decorated the sealing hanging in crude pots. The rooms interior was equally unusually large as if the hut was made for a large individual. The whistling had not stopped and as she looked in the direction of the sound she sees a door slightly cracked open as light and a big shadow seeps through. The shadow seemingly jiggling back and forth. Reaching for her dagger she panics as the holster is empty, but soon notice her dagger by a table. ''Curious...'' [Jenn] Retrieving her dagger she then [Sneak]''s up to the gap in the door. Closing in, she looks through the crack to see a large figure, a creature she has only seen in the head capital before this day! This large, bipedal green-skinned giant was about one and a half times as tall as a human and very thick. It has long, thick and ungainly arms and legs. The legs end in great three-toed feet, the arms in wide, powerful hands with sharpened short claws. Its hide rubbery and its hair is thick and ropy and seems to writhe with its own energy. A green troll! Taken aback for a second the Rogue tightened her grip on her dagger, looking around more with the little view she got through the crack. what she saw was; a firepit, a boiling pot, a dancing & whistling troll and... ''Enrik!?'' [Jenn] ...Her male associate laying unconscious on a log bench next to the firepit and pot. The stories of trolls resurfaced in her mind. Man-eaters, flesh rippers, bone-crunchers, monsters! Bursting through the door the Rough barely reached a meter before she collapsed on the floor, her body not reacting to hear heads commands. Just now noticing, that her body was covered in bandages. "!!" [???] "Hey! You okay boss?" [Enrik] Looking up she sees her male associate standing above her, also covered in bandages. Staring at her associate for a while, she slowly made hand signs to ask: ''What is going on?" [Jenn] "Nothing to worry about, boss, But I think you scared our host!" [Enrik] turning his head to look at something. Following his gaze, the rogue sees the Troll hiding behind a big handmade treestump-chair holding a cooking label with both hands in an attempt to cover his face. ''Host?" [Jenn] "Emm well, I will explain." [Enrik] She gets assistance off the floor and takes a seat on the log bench. By instinct, she took note of the room. It was larger than the last one and had a hole in the middle of the roof for the smoke to exit. This room also used its roof for decorations. But instead of pots and plants, there was herbs and vegetables, even some bread hung in a basket. The rogue braced for the most profound story she had yet to hear. Taking a peak towards the Troll still crouching behind the furniture. She pondered as to why her expectation of a Troll had been so off... Looking eyes with her associate, who had retrieved a wooden bowl and scooped up something from the cauldron. Tacking a deep breath, he handed the rogue the bowl of vegetable stew. "He''s a herbivore!" [Enrik] Stunned, the rogue burst out in outrageousness, forgetting here vow of silence. "WHAT!? that''s just-" [Jenn] Remembering herself in the last second as she did. "Ha! First time I have ever heard you talk, I think I like it!" [Enrik] he said with an awful smile. ''Dream on geezer!" [Jenn] she added a middle finger in the prosses, just to clarify. *urm ur urm urm urm!?* [Troll] the Troll yelped. "Hey, hey, fella It''s okay!" [Enrik] ''Damn what you are courteous! I think I found a new side of you!''"[Jenn] "Don''t be daft! That is still a Troll!" [Enrik]Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ''Noted!" [Jenn] Turning his full attention to the Troll the Assassin started to imitate the sounds of the Troll. Yelping and grunting, after a while, the Troll answered with a flare of his nostrils as he stood up tall. Towering around fourteen feet, wide-bellied with hair reaching down to his knees. His beard braided in several fashions reminding one of the ruff men from the frozen lands. ''You speak Troll?" [Jenn] "A little yes, picked it from a troll tamer when I was traveling with a circus. Though most of this is just portraying emotions!" [Enrik] The ground started to shake so lightly as the Troll decided to move closer to the two. The Rough reflexively pulled back ready to draw her dagger. But the Assasin intervened stopping the big troll with his hands in the air and grunting. The troll stopped, putting a finger to his mouth. "Meg nom Moby, ven!" [Moby] ''Wait!? that''s not Troll! even think I got that." [Jenn] "Isn''t that giant speech?" [Enrik]
After the duo had been forcefully teleported from the dungeon they had landed in the Dead-Lands. They were stricken with mana sickness from the spells toll and were unable to move, luckily there had been an observer of their arrival as a blinding blue light had emerged on his horizon. He was the sol free Troll of his kind living in a spares forest hidden somewhere inside of the dead-lands. A forest oasis, energized by the rich nature mana flowing through the ground. As if a green island of life surrounded by dead ocean. Even though the Troll lived a safe and secluded life in the forest he still took that step outside into the scorching heat. Was it because of curiosity or was it loneliness? The Troll had lost track of the reason even before he took that first step. After traveling for three days, with only a giant leaf taken from the father tree to protect him from the sun. He finds two humans laying unconscious on the ground their bodies burnt by the sun one of them barely breathing. Heaving them onto his broad shoulder the troll took the two back to his home.
''Are you sure you''re translating correctly?" [Jenn] hand-signed as she finished up the last of the vegetable stew in the bowl, she had been famished. "Tich!" The assassin clicked his tongue as he scratched the back of his head "And yea, sometime after that I woke up. It was a mess, I was about to go for his throat when he suddenly ran away hiding!" [Enrik] ''If this is a Troll then even Brute is a better version... Was...!" [Jenn] the rogue clenched her fist as pain filled her chest. The rogue thought she was over this, had she not seen them all come and go? Her parent''s, her teacher, partners in crime, even those lowly lives she had ended with her own hands. Yet she still could not hold in this feeling. They where... dead! Jenkins, Mat, Jannis... "Brother..." [Jenn] "Did you-..." [Enrik] The assassin stumped turned his head away and hurridly acquires something from his pocket. "It''s a little dirty but you can keep it!" [Enrik] Stretching his arm to give the item to her, as seconds pass by. "Are you too proud to accept such a dirty rag or something? just take it already!" [Enrik] Turning his head around again he finds his female associate red-faced, teary-eyed as she grabs onto the napkin covering her mouth and nose. "Thank you!" [Jenn] Frozen for a second the assassin hurridly coughs. "You must be fatigued, a lot has happened, you should go get some rest..." [Enrik] ''I think my black heart just skipped a beat! Arrgh what am I thinking!!!'' [Enrik] ''Yea you are probably right!" [Jenn] Leaving the room, the rogue entered the bedroom again. Leaving the two males in the kitchen. *ur ur urrr?* [Moby] "WHAT! I''m not red!!" [Enrik] *ur urur ah!* [Moby] "You''re going to do what!? You two are not even the same species!" [Enrik] *uru jerp jerp* [Moby] The assassin started to hysterically laugh. "aha... aha ha... aha ha ha ha! Fine, this day can''t get any weirder! If she accepts to marry you then I will be your best-Troll? But if she slits your throat then your tusks are mine!" [Enrik] *Eek! Ur urur ah! Na-a!* [Moby] "Suit yourself." [Enrik] said as he shrugs.
The next day. As the sun just barely reached the treetops the rogue had woken up. Huffing in annoyance of the lingering pain from her burnt skin. She had taken a quick look at it under her bandages yesterday. Her skin had been sunburnt red and even in some part, gray as dead skin was falling off. Her body was stiff from laying down all day, an unknown feeling for her as she is usually flexible and limber. Deciding that she at least could do something about this the rogue decided to get some light exercise in before supper. Entering the kitchen loud snores could audible be heard as she exited the hut. As soon as she was out the rogue breath was taken away by the pure beauty of this forest. It was like her eyes had recently been cleaned spotless. The light seeping through the treetops, spreading light rays throughout the forest. As a mystical glimmer falls by their sides. As a colorful wave of green, brown and blue dominated the forest. If the rogue didn''t know any better she would think it was summer. But summer already passed before her group''s journey started. Turning around the hut she had exited was no less beautiful. A three-room dirt hut. Whereas the third room could be more described as a tower. Probably with a staircase leading up underneath. By the broad side of the kitchen was a garden filled with plant life and vegetable. Vines where climbing the house outer wall, all the way up to the straw roof. It was as if taken out of those fairytales her mother had used to read to her as a kid. After taking it all in she decided to take a stroll in this magical place. After just under five minutes she encountered an animal. A small deer which oddly enough did not shy away emidiatly from her presence. After walking a few more minutes she started hearing whistling noises between the threes following the sound she found herself at the edge of a glade and inside on a large fallen tree sat the Troll named Moby. She noticed that she had heard it wrong and it was a flute wich the sweet melody was coming from. The tunes hung lightly in the air as an audience of animals surrounded the troll. Deers, Boars, Squeals, Horses, Bears and Birds, some wich even sat atop the Troll. The Rough contemplate her knowledge about trolls; ''Thin in mass, with long limbs. In the Capital, the trolls arethe property of the king and serve as beasts of burden or as war fodder...Very potent, man-eating fodder. They have an innate skill thanks to their big noses called; [keen smell] which makes them very hard to sneak up upon. But it also is a double edge sword as smells are very intense to them and such things as sweet smelling flowers sting their nose and agitate them. A good indication of a Troll''s nest is the lack of flora in the area!...'' [Jenn] Looking around there was plenty of flora and fauna and this troll didn''t seem to be bothered by it as he played his flute. ''Flowers are also baned in close proximity to a troll, for the very reason that they might go into a rage. Yet this Troll does not seem to be affected by it...'' [Jenn] After enjoying the surprisingly pleasing music in secrecy for a while the Rough decided to continue her walk. ''...maybe captivity makes them different? Though what is a real Troll and what is not?'' [Jenn] Her thought prosses was disturbed as she started hearing the music of the flute become louder instead of subsiding as she got further away. Somehow she had got turned around, back to the glade. Not thinking too much about it she walked away from the glade to yet again be turned around. Trying a third time the same pattern repeated. The Rough knowledge about magic was advanced enough for her to understand that something was amiss. Probably an [illusion barrier] was set up. Elvis magick witch disorientates anyone setting a foot inside and usually turning them away. Realizing that she could do nothing about it she decided to take another path. This time the Rough didn''t get turned around. Instead, she reached a water hole with an ideal waterfall on top of a small cliffside. Smelling here self she noted that a bath would do her well. Slipping out of her bulky gear she hung them up on a branch as she carefully removed the bandages covering her body letting them fall onto the ground. Standing there in the nude, she dipped a toe into the water. A little cold but nothing she isn''t used to. Taking a steep in her foot quickly reached the lakes shallow bottom as the water reached almost her knees. Looking into her reflection she tried to remember the last time she had seen it. Wearing full cover all the time she rarely got to look at her self. Short brown hair and a finelysculpted face. Her body slim, her womanly shapes as well with a hint of muscles. She snickered a bit as she thought herself looking like a water nymph. The nude Rough threaded through the water over to the waterfall. Feeling the water. The waterfalls hight was somewhere around thirteen feet tall and not much pressure came from the water falling down. She took a step under the waterfall as the cold water engulfed here body streaming down her modest shape. Carefully scrubbing dirt off with her hands, as her hand trailed along her slender arm and body. The cold water feeling pleasant on her burnt skin. she stood there for several minutes, caring for her body until her skin on her fingers started to wrinkle and she decided it was well enough and took a step out. Winding her hair to get most of the moisture out of it. As water dripped down her smooth skin. As she stepped out of the water, she notices her cloth not hanging on the branch she left them. Instead, a pair of folded cloths where laying on top of a somewhat flat rock. Spooked the rogue quickly took in her surroundings, as she grabbed one of the folded bundles. When she noted noting of immediate attention, she quickly equipped the first item which was her frilly white blouse. Her bottom still breezy, she looked around a second time as she pulled the blouse down for cover. Grabbed her pants she stumbled a bit as she put in the second leg. After equipping the rest of the items; the shoes, belt, arm guards and leather armor. She finally equipped her cloak. During this time she had not let her guard down, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. ''If I find out it''s that old geezer I will feed him to the troll! Herbivore or not!'' [Jenn] she thought as she stormed back to the trolls hut.
Town of Rural - Adventurers PoV: Drowsily I looked at the posted quest on the board. Four coppers, whata measly pay! Looking over the board all the good quests had already been ripped off. Left was only heavy labor jobs with few coins as a reward or big quest which have been sitting for weeks waiting to be undertaken. Non-wich, unfortunately, matched my party''s current strength. That''s when I overheard the receptionist receivea new quest from a man wearing a penguin style suit. A butler, probably sent by his housemaster. He was covered in all black, whereas the inside padding was white combined with a light gray vest. His face looked rough and worn, his age probably around his forties. Couldn''t say much about his hair as most of it is missing, forming a U ring around his head. ''I really hope I won''t lose my hair like that as I grow older!'' [Adventurer] After noting down the information on a piece of parchment, the receptionist receiveda letter and a purse of coins as the butler takes his leave. At least one-quarter of the content was going to the guild, the rest would go to the adventurer party completing the quest. By my estimate, there should be enough room for a few silvers in that purse. So without further ado, I approached the receptionist. "Welcome to the Rural Adventure branch. How may I be of assistance?" [Receptionist] "Yes, I would like to take a look at the quest you just received!" [Adventurer] "The rules state: You have to wait untilthe quest is up on the board." [Receptionist] "Oh, I see, sorry for bothering you!" [Adventurer] Waiting for a few minutes soon enough the new quest was up on the board. As soon as I saw what the quest inticed my drowsy eyes lit up as I ripped the quest of the board, informed the receptionist that my party and I would undertake it. Then I went to the Dillo Tavern where I would meet up the rest of my party.
A few days later: Forest of Uur - Narrators Pov: "Cherry, how many spells you got today?" [Party leader] "Enough resources for five today, also brought along several cantrips." [Cherry] the Wizard answered, patting her book. Spells are arranged into tiers according to how powerful they are whereas Cantrips counts as tier zero spells, the weakest but also easiest spell to use for any magick caster. Most cantrips are simple little spells of no great effect. So knowledge and information pertaining to these small magics are discarded in favor of the more powerful spells when available.
Name: Cherry Rank: 7
Class: Wizard Apprentice Secondary Class: Non
Species: Gnome Adventurer Rank: F
The female Gnome apprentice was a half pint. She has medium lengthpurple hair with two pointed earspoking out the back. She wears a beige standard mages robe and holds here spellbook close to her person. "Will?" [Party leader] "I don''t even know why I''m here, couldn''t I just have stayed at the tavern?" [Will] complained as he stumbled through the underbrush and snow. "Don''t be a downer Will: When on a quest, always double check! That''s how a party survives." [Party Leader] Grumbling the rogue looked through his gear. "Standard Crossbow, ten bolts! Fifteen Throwing daggers, two smoke bombs, rope, one grappling hook and a bag with ten grams dust of appearance. I don''t even know if I trust that vendor. Feels less!" [Will]
Name: Will Rank: 7
Class: Rogue Secondary Class: Non
Species: Hafling Adventurer Rank: F
The Halfling rough wasequally short to the Gnome and was commonly mistaken for a beardlessDwarf. His hair was brown and curly he wore leather armor and carried a bag with a crossbow strapped to it. "Penelope how about you?" [Party Leader] "I, um... I have tree blessings and two potions." [Penelope]
Name: Penelope Rank: 5
Class: Priestess Secondary Class: Non
Species: Human Adventurer Rank: F
The priestess was a fair maiden with long golden hair, she was dressed in ceremonial white robes tailored with blue outlines. Holding an alabaster staff, on the top section was a hand-carved angel: The angel portrayed holding a jar of water which it pours downwards. "Okay, good! I have myself a medic kit and my trusted ring male armor!" [Party leader]
Name: Eugene Rank: 10
Class: Warrior Secondary Class: Tank
Species: Half-orc Adventurer Rank: E
The half-orc had a strong build towering over even the human priestess in hight. His hair was the color of coal, his skin brown. As a half-Ork, he still looked mostly human except for a nose which resembles a pigs snout and two small tusks which had grown in his lower jaw. He''s donned in a ring male armor and has a heavy Mace at his side. The four adventurers had traversed through the wood for a while. The two tallerhad taken the lead creating a path for their two shorter members of the group. Both the Gnome and the Halfling was around the size of kids. But what the two lacked in height they compensated in skills. The Gnome with the deep lineage of intelligence and the Halfling with tuned agility, though unused at the moment. The party had been combing through the forest for a while now. Searching for snowberries only found during the season of the freeze. They were hard to find but the reward was worth the trouble. They had unfortunately not found any so far and no wonder since the snowberry-bush only grew a few centimeters in the snow. Hard to spot in the snow because of it''s white leaves and icy-blue berriesand its tendency to wither immediately as the snow thaws. The reward for one of these bushes was twenty copper which in turn was the total of two silvers. Just finding one of the bushes wouldset up an adventurer group of four with enough money for one day. "Okay, Ladies time for some rest!" [Eugene] said as he started looking for some dry wood. "Ha ha! Funny as usual" [Will] "Um, I can go a little longer!" [Penelope] "Well, I can''t! *Phew!*" [Cherry] "Well then, after Will has had time to rest you and him can set out ahead of us. Both Cherry and me will need a longer rest to recover our stamina." [Eugeen] "I don''t need the rest either!" [Will] "Well then, by all means, keep searching. But search in close proximity just in case!" [Eugene] "Yes, yes!" [Will] "Um, a pleasure to be working with you Will" [Penelope] "Relax newbie! It''s not like we are dungeon diving!" [Will] Snooped the wizard apprentice asked; "I thought Eugene was the only E-Rank here?" [Cherry] "I am, but Will has experience. Why else do you think I brought a whiny Halfling-rogue with us? Oh, and Cherry; could you light these please?" [Eugene] "Hey, I heard that!" [Will] but was ignored. "Sure! [Fire bolt]" [Cherry] using one of her Cantrips she lit the pile of wood seemingly effortlessly. As the fire lith, the heat radiated started to taw the snowin the closest proximity creating steam. As the wizard and tank took out some provision and rested the two other -the rogue and priestess- continued one ahead to search for the elusive snowberries. "So tell me; why a party leader?" [Cherry] "Hm?" [Eugene] "Well, what I mean is: As an E-rank you could join D-rank parties and make a better living. Right?" [Cherry] "A druid can do my job and more. A tank is not as valuable a class as you might think for a party." [Eugene] "Oh! So why did you pick it?" [Cherry] "*snort* Pick it? ha! I''m an Half-Orcstrength and constitution is the only thing I know! Why did you pick yours?" [Eugene] "Why I picked to become a wizard''s apprentice?" [Cherry] She ponderedon the question. "Because I have a lot of magic potentials?" [Cherry] "Like the rest of the Gnomes race?" [Eugene] Silence fell for a while as only the scraping of bowls with food could be heard... The gnome seemed to be thinking about something hard as her face contortedmaking her resemble a wrinkled old grandma. "I think I see your point... We are not the one choosing the class but it who chooses us... or something like that?" [Cherry] "I think you''re overthinking it, no smart orcs here! *snort* Ha, ha!" [Eugene] Cherry started to joyfully snicker at the last comment. "Hmmm, I wonder how it''s going for Will and Penelope." [Cherry] "I guess we will find out soon enough." [Eugene] Unholy Kingdom - Ch4 Narrators pov: Kingdom rise, kingdom falls only the undead will endure! Spread across the land, an infectious disease! Out of mind and out of a goal, only that which theyalready lost calls them onward. May the night spare you from their profanity. -Bobfray
Troll Hut/deadland oasis - Narrators pov: Enrik''s afternoon had not been good; he had been so ever rudely awakened by the rogue rambling something about him peeping on her, ridicules! Dumbfounded and very groggy from the ruff awakening Enrik had blurted out half-asleep: "What? Why would I do that? I''m gay!" [Enrik] That got the rogue to pipe down from her infrequent usage of her voice through the assassin was not pleased with this outcome. After being so rudely awakened, there was no point in laying down again. The pale assassins injuries were worse than the rogues, and his neck cracked now and then as he moved it. The crack was indicating that itstill had time until it fully healed after the encounter with "Keeper." Enrik felt annoyed and wished for a contracted kill right about now. After answering the barrage of question from the rogue - to prove his statement - which he didn''t want to justify to her. He had never told anyone before about this. Well, Jenkins knew, but that was a secret in itself. After answering the awkward question, the rogue finally gave pause. She seemed convinced enough not to chop his pecker off, right then and there! He sighed in relief. After that misunderstanding got sorted, the rogue went back to the room she currently occupied to lay down and rest some more as she exasperated in annoyance. Carefully rising Enrik felt his body opposed to his requests. The pain in Enrik''s body was a problem as it obscured his movement, but he always buried the pain behind his poker face as he rose up to a standing position feeling his weight adding to the paint. At the same time, he heard crude footsteps from outside as Moby entered from the door. Enrik had seen him leave after their noon chat but did not know what he had been up too. As during that time he had rested. Trying to ask it in Troll speech would be a bother. So instead he conversed with the Troll in a natural way like any human being the emotional aspect of the Troll speech. After a few minutes of mundane chatter that got them nowhere, the troll seemed to be reminded of something as he presented the assassin with a tall stick. A crutch! "For me?" [Enrik] After receiving the gift, the Troll went all smiles; "Ven!" [Moby] "First! Try saying it in human language: Friend." [Enrik] "Fend?" [Moby] "Eh, good enough. So, Did you make this?" [Enrik] asked in unsavory certainty. In Enrik''s eyes, it was a masterpiece or at least the best crutch he had seen.Not something he could see a troll creat. *Ummu???* [Moby] It did not seem like Moby had understood the second question. Or maybe Enrik had not portrayed his emotions correctly. The assassin was uncertain. "Whatever. Considering you are a Troll maybe I don''t wanna know?..." [Enrik]said with a hint of sarcasm. Leaning on the crutch relieving weight from his body Enrik was capable of moving more freely with less pain. Taking it for a test run, Enrik was surprised by how Moby started to follow him around holding his troll arms in a protective barrier around him as if the troll were concerned that he would fall. "Hey! I''m fine!" [Enrik] as he portrayed the emotion of needing space, to the Troll. Moby seemed a bit saddened but gave space for him to move. ''This Moby! Not only is he docile, but he shows human emotion, consideration, and care.'' [Enrik] Letting the thought slip his mind, he instead started to scan around the room as he walked around actively. He had not stated it before as the rogue had seemed emotionally unstable at the current time. But his instincts were telling him something was wrong. His first suspicion had been the troll, but after conversing with it, his suspicion had subsided. But his instincts were still screaming inside of him. No matter where he looked there was nothing out of the ordinary in the troll hut. It was like any regular home except made for a herbivore troll. No meat, no pelts. No blood, no gore. After going a circle around the room, he returns to Moby. "It''s decent." [Enrik] But Enrik was still not convinced that they were out of danger and after a quiet supper with the troll he took a stroll in the forest as his companion had earlier that day. But yet again found nothing amiss, except for an [ilussion barrier] leading to an Elven father tree ¡ª the heart of this forest. As days passed, rutinstarted to settle in for the guests ¡ª an everyday life.
After a week passed, during supper Enrik finally snapped. "I want MEAT!" [Enrik] "Don''t be rude to the chef!" [Jenn] Jenn had started to talk more openly during the week. Though to Enrik conclusion, it was so she could converse with Moby and not him, probably. But right now Enrik was on edge, as he shouted: "I need proteins! How the hell else is my wounds to heal properly!?" [Enrik] "Moby throw him outside and let his tantrum cool him down!" [Jenn] During the week Jenn had picked up on how to speak troll by listening in on the guy''s conversations. *Rokay!* [Moby] "Hey! What do you think you''re doing! Are you betraying me for her?" [Enrik] Lifting Enrik by the shirt moby walks him to the door. "Hey! Release me, you big oaf!" [Enrik] Hostility seeping from him. Moby did not mind and then gently placed him outside the door, closing the door behind him. "Fine! If you want anything done right! Then I will do it myself!" [Enrik] It had been two days since he no longer needed the crutch, but his body was still sore.As he walked casually into the woods, kicking a rock in his way. Enrick starting by scavenging. He found some hemp, rubber bush branches, and some flint and feathers. Every hunter most prized possession: A bow and five arrows! He looked at the bow with disdain as it brought back memories from his childhood. Memories he thought he long since had forgotten. But he needed the bow if he wants to hunt! Had he been in full health then he might have been able to ambush any animal slow enough for him to catch. But currently, a bow and arrow was his only option.
He had frequently seen animals in the wood, to curious for their good. But as he readied his ramshackle bow and went on the hunt, no animals were observed. Half an hour passed without any animals in sight, not even tracks. After another half, an hour a [mist] had suddenly laid an eery blanket over the green grass as everything suddenly seemed to spring alive in the forest. Enrik had been confident that he would have light for at least four hours. But it was turning dark earlier than anticipated. The environment turned gray and dull with dark shadows casting themselves in the obscuring fog. Barely a sight of fifteen feet was visible in front of Enrik. Beyond the wall of mist, Enrik could only see deep shadows even a lone tree swaying in the wind would make Enrik jump in anticipation of his hunt. But in the end, it was nothing. Inpatient and annoyed, he finally saw a silhouette of an animal which wasmoving in the distance, he readied his ramshackle bow and loosed the arrow. *snap!* *phew!* The first arrow missed! The silhouette seemed to have noticed. As it moved around confused. Enrik ready a second arrow and loos! *snap!* *smack!* This time it seemed to hit. "Aaaaaarrrggg!" [???] The creature roared in a gurgling sound as it charged towards Enrik''s position. He readies his third arrow. Thesilhouette wasgrowing larger and larger until it is just a few feet away from him. "Well, shit!" [Enrik] said in a deadpanned surprise. Running towards him was an undead giant. Twice his hight. Without time to think, Enrik started to retreat backward stringing his bow. He''s out of shape body made him fumbled and dropped the arrow. He had currently three arrows left. A big rotten fist was heading his way; evasion was the only option. *Bam!* The mist spun by the force of the giant''s fist. ''I ain''t taking one of those head-on and surviving, that''s for sure!'' [Enrik] Not bothering to aim he strung an arrow and let it lose as he continued to make the distance.The shotarrow hit the giant corps shoulder making it flinch from the impact for but a second.Enrik contemplated on climbing one of the threes but decided that his agility was limited enough and that the Giant probably would uproot the tree if he tried. With two arrows left and a Giant close on his tail, he decided that his life was more important than his pride.
Enrik''s Memories: "Edric! Again!" [???] Said a slim elderly Elven man with silver hair reaching his ankles. The man wore awhite robe, with blue and gold adorning it. Staring with stern eyes at the young pale boywich hands were dripping blood and tears forming in his eyes. "BUT FATHER!" [Enrik/Edric] The childbawled as tears fell down his cheeks from the self-inflictedwounds from overworking the bow. "Again!" [Father] The boy strung his bow again. Blood was flowing along the string.
Present: Lossen the last two arrow with [True aim!] aiming for the undead''s head, the ramshackle bow breaks from the strain! But the projectiles stayed true as they hit squarein the giant''s forehead. The giant-corps were falling instantly with a thud into the mist, dispersing the fog a foot or so around the corps. *Thud* Looking down at the corps Enriks sees the rootingskin melting as a putrid smell bombard his nose. *Coff! Khe!* [Enrik] Covering his breathing holes with both hands, he leaves the corps as fast as his feet could carry him away from the area. The mist dissipating as the light of the evening sun returned to the woods.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. As the notion of bird song dawned on Enrik, he looked around to see no dangers around and found himself perplexed. Backtracking his steps he finds no corps of the zombie giant. Nor any damage from the fight. To the forest, it was as if nothing had happened.
Forest of Uur - (Adventurer group) Will''s PoV: Alone with Penelope, I guess it was worth getting up today! She might be a tall pink human, compared to my meager Hafling size, but I got nothing against it. Though, as I chose this quest, I had hoped I could get a good night of rest, as the rest of the group took it up alone. ''I guess plans do not always hold! *sigh*'' [Will] I should pamper myself after this quest, some red wine, and a stake. Fingering my coin purse, I corrected myself; okay, maybe a stew instead. "Um, hey Will! What kind of tracks are these?" [Penelope] Not that I''m skilled in [tracking] like a hunter! But I took a peek at the tracks in the snow none the less. Chuckling at my luck, I answered the priestess. "Goblin tracks!" [Will] "How can you tell?" [Penelope] "Well, it''s either that or a child without shoes!" [Will] The track was not a clean footprint, but certain things like how far the snow we''re flung around and how deep indicated on something small. And the oval shape narrowed it down to humanoid-creatures, size small. "Should we head back maybe? Get the rest of-" [Penelope] "Naa, its just Gobs. Besides they are less active during this season staying in their lairs until spring. Unless provoked of course." [Will] "Um, if you say it I guess we''re fine." [Penelope] Penelope continues her search, as I noticed something small gleaming in the snow ahead of her. An indication that one of my skills was going off. "STOP!" [Will] Without a second thought, Penelope stopped! *Phew!* [Will] Holding my chest I exasperated, [Spot] was useful sometimes. I gracefully got low to the ground and carefully moved towards what I had seen. Penelope stood with one foot hovering over the object too uncertain about moving from the spot. I slipped under Penelope to get a better look at what I was working with; I examined the ground, then I received mySwitchblade and popped the blade out. "Hmm, okay!" [Will] "What?" [Penelope] Slicing with theblades broadside through the snow I lift the object carefully up with the blade. It was a thin string, and as I carefully loosened it from under the snow, the line extended on either side to two trees. "Odd... Hmm!" [Will] "Um, What is it? I don''t know how long I can stand like this..." [Penelope] "Well, it''s only a trip wire, not even set up to an alarm. Just take a step back and your good." [Will] As Penelope took a step back, I cut the wire and as I predicted nothing happened! ''Why would someone put up a trip wire... just to trip up someone?...'' [Will] Having a hunch, I extended one of my feet as far as possible to feel the snow in front of the tripwire and soon found out why. "Ha ha! W.A.O.W! Well, that would not have been fun to fall into!" [Will] The snow had given way to reveal a pit covered by branches and leaves, with several spikes decorating the bottom. A hunters trap! With amazement written on her face Penelope busted out; "Waah! So that''s a trap? First time I ever saw one!" [Penelope] That got me stumped. "What! You never saw a trap before!? Haven''t the hunter in your village thaught you the basics!?" [Will] "No, the only hunters who came into the church where there for the sermons." [Penelope] ''Oh, yea Eugene told me she had lived her whole childhood in a church! Guess these things are new to her...'' [Will] "Well, we can''t have that! Come with me!" [Will] As I collected the two pieces of tripwire Penelope asked: "Um, what are we doing now?" [Penelope] "I will teach you how to set up a trap and in the prosses hopefully put some wariness in that cloudy head of yours!" [Will] "What about the Snowberries?" [Penelope] "Well, I don''t see the snow melt in the nearest future. And we at least got some time until Eugene and Cherry have finished their rest!" [Will]
Penelope Pov: We had been walking for a few minutes when my Hafling companion Will stops in front of a bush and bent over it. I had to squat to get down to his hight. "First you need to scout the area, be aware of what is in your sight and what it potentially means!" [Will] Pushing the bush''s branches out of the way, the handling revealed a set of tracks in the snow under it. "These are squirrel tracks, as you can see: they go up this tree as well! What does that tell you?" [Will] "Em, that a squirrel has been here?" [Penelope] "Yes! but for what reason?" [Will] "Because..." [Penelope] "Because...?" [Will] ''Squeals are red fury animals with puffy tails. Why would it go up a tree? Because...'' "...squirrels lives in a forest!" [Penelope] "Em... sure,yes, they live in trees and forage in the wood for food. So that either tells us that it lives in this tree or that it scavenge food from it." Grabbing a log the size of his forearm, Will continued. "Next Part is to find your mechanism, the thing that will make your trap, em... to do what it''s supposed to do! Luckily we got it right here.With this log, we can create a simple squirrel trap!" [Will] Will took thelog which looked quite sturdy and somewhat heavy and put it up against the tree. Making sure it was dug into the ground a little, creating a ramp upto the treetops. Retrieving the two string pieces he had cut a few minutes ago, he gave one of the two to me. "Now look carefully this is how you tie a nose!:First you..." He stated by extending the string to its full length. Then he created an O shape, as he crossed the ends. Then he took one of the tops and tied aknot onto itself. Letting the second end go through the knot still capable of movement but holding the circular form he had first created. "...Then you tie the second end to a suitable branch on the log where the squealwill pass. It''s best to have a log that is not too thick, so it''s more certain that the squeal will go into the noose." [Will] If I where a squirrel and could climb trees why would I walk along a thin log? "Em, but how are you certain it will not avoid it? It can just climbup the tree from wherever it wants, right?" [Penelope] "That''s kinda true, but simply put like all creatures squirrels are lazy by nature. Now your turn to try!" [Will] It was not that hard to make the nose, and sure I fumbled a bit withtying the nose onto itself, not tying it too hard so the otherend could not move. But I had my [Sewing] skill which helped me along, and after the third attempt, I succeeded. After creating the nose and tying it to a branch something dawned on me! "But hey wait! How does the nose even work? You just told me that they would get caught in it. But how? They''re... just sitting there." [Penelope] "Well if we''re lucky and the squirrel comes out during its hibernation it will go through the hole with its head, as it continues to walk the noose will be tightened around its neck and the squirrel will be caught... in most scenarios." [Will] "Wait! So it will choke itself to death!?" [Penelope] "Lucky bastard if it did, if it doesn''t and can''t free itself then it will most likelydie from the cold!" [Will] "But! no...!" [Penelope] "*Grunt* oooh, brother!... Penelope see here it''s the survival of the fittest; Eat or be eaten! Do you think a mutated squirrel would care about how you die?" [Will] "But we can choose not to hurt them!" [Penelope] "Oh dear no! I''m not taking on this conversation! Let''s continue looking for the berries everything exepth that!" [Will] He was about to walk out onthe conversation when he stopped and in a low voice uttered. "...If the Squirrel gets caught, it''s food! If it''s smart enough to avoid the trap, then it can continue being a squirrel! Is that fair enough?" [Will] "Em~, *sigh* The goddess tells us to turnour other cheek; let''s agree to disagree." [Penelope] "Erk! Still feels like a loss!" [Will] ''I thinkWill is too prideful sometimes, te he- Hm? Wait what is that over there?''[Penelope] "Will do you see that?" [Penelope] Turning around he stood face to face with an ordinary snow-covered bush. "Nice bush!" [Will] "No, beyond it!" [Penelope] "... Hey! I''m athreefoot ten Hafling; I don''t see that far in a dense forest! Just tell me already!" [Will] "Well, something is moving beyond the treeline." [Penelope] "Can''t discern what it is? Well, let''s take a look. Give me a heads up if it''s a bear or anything dangerous!" [Will]
Eugene Pov: "Well, that should about do it! You also ready Cherry?" [Eugene] After getting a confirming nod, I grabbed some snow which I chucked onto the glowing wood. *Shiiii* After double checking our gear, we followed the tracks of our two friends. As we followed the tracks, Cherry started som usually small talk. "What''s the chance they already found the snowberry?" [Cherry] "Well, minimal we have been searching together for five hours already... But then again who knows." [Eugene] "What is the average time normally?" [Cherry] "*Puuuw*, the record is just under a day I think?" [Eugene] After walking a while more, we find a pit trap in the snow. We were first concerned that something might have happened to Will and Penelope. But luckily there was nobody within. "Seems like Will''s handy work. Lucky no one got hurt!" [Eugene] Continuing on we find a log leaning on a tree and further ahead I could see the silhouette of Penelope. "I see them; they''re just up ahead!" [Eugene] Soon enough we reached the Priestess who was squatting behind some bushes. Ahead beyond the treeline the reason for her hiding was clear.Will was nowhere to be seen as I laid a hand on Penelope''s shoulder. "Eep!" [Penelope] "Shh! Update me about the situation!" [Eugene] After listening to an unnecessarily long explanation, I think I got the significant bits. After seeing a pair of tracks in the snow belonging to goblins, there had first been noconcern. But all that changed when theystumbledupon the goblin lair which wasbustlingwith life. The goblins where eitherscavenging or creating what looks like a barricade. While other Goblins with pikes observed the perimeter or just poked fun of its kind because of boredom. Looking at the goblin workers on the snow-filled plains outlining the border between the forest and the cliffside I asked: "So where is Will?" [Eugene] "He went inside the lair!" [Penelope] ''Just great!'' [Eugene] I exasperated in my mind. Usually, feral goblins would be hibernation during this season. On the other hand, did not stand true if it was a Clan. Lead by a clan leader the goblin clan was ferocious andhad as many inhabitants as a human village or more. The tribe was usually lead -but not always- by a Hob or a Bugbear. The number one reason for a clan''s rapid growth was their prisoners or "human cattle" if one prefers. And if I know Will as well as I think, then he went inside to scout. This was not the quest we were currently on, but to let a clan grow freely is never good and then we have not even considered the moral standing of saving the prisoners before it''s too late! Right now the three of us was around thirty feet away from the goblinoids. Will, on the other hand, while unseen was in the center of the enemy territory. "*sigh* I wished you guys came and got us first... Cherry do you have any [invisible] spells on you?" [Eugene] "No, that''s a second Tier spell. I only have first Tier spells." [Cherry] "Anything useful for the situation then?" [Eugene] "I have [sleep], but I don''t think I will be able to affect them all... Maybe five of them at most!" [Cherry] "Hmm, could have worked if it was just a few guards... We could look for an alternative entrance, or we could wait here until Will returns." [Eugene] The ladies looked at each other and then looked at me, as the team leader, it was up to me to choose!
Will Pov: I crept through the tunnel my [Hide] skill only works if my opponent either doesn¡¯t know that I''m there, doesn¡¯t pay any attention towards me, or doesn¡¯t know exactly where I''m located. With this in mind, a gob with a light source or aGob that get close enough, then I will surely get spotted! After traveling down for what felt like ten minutes, I come into an open space at leasta hundred foot wide and going down into a pit of black nothingness. Besides me, a path goes up to a ledge, where another path leads around and splits into several trails leading up and down in several layers creating several sections of roads leading around the interior wall of the cavern ¡ª the pats leading to and from severalholes orburrows whichdecorated the wall like a bees hive. At certain points hand made constructions had been built; specific paths were connecting with hanging bridges, patch job on decaying wall pieces, even clumsily assembled woodendoors create forsome of the burrows. I had been lucky so far as noGob used the path from the entrance. But inside the pit; several pedestrian gobs occupied paths. The first thing that stood out to me was that no one gob dressed the same, if they wore anything in the first place, as I eyed a naked Gob...*Urp!* I could have gone without seeing THAT. I fell how my stomach turns ever so slightly. I would estimate there to be around five hundred Gobs in this pit, beyond the ones I already could see. But byobserving the erratic differences in style, I think I got myself an Idea!
''Fuck! What if this doesn''t work! *Deep breath* Were about the same weight class, and hight this is going to work... *Deep breath* Fuck it, do it!'' [Will] Covering my face with my hood and pulling up my collar for good measure I took a step up to the ledge. The first thing I see is a gob guard holding a pike! He jawns and looksmy way, followed by him scratching his butt. Then he slowly looked away. ''Thank you, goddess!'' [Will] Together with my[Disguise] I as casually as possible walked away from the sentry and further into enemy territory ¡ª the bustling sound of Gob chatter and snarling where audibly inside the pit. Walking down the paths making sure not to bump into the several Gobs I passed unnecessarily. I casually looked into every hole I passedseeing some disconcerting things as I walked! Gobsusing two bones to drum on a human skull, casual intercourse in a sleeping den full of Gobs, a Gob rat cult, a threeway Gob brawl, a Gob eating another gob''s... *Urp!* Oh, lady have mercy! I was about to give in when my [Keen Hering] kicked in, and I heard a scream amiss the buzzing Gobs. "*sob* NO! Please NO! Stoop! *sob* stop. *sob*" [???] The voice sounds like a human male, young as I almost mistook the high pitched cry of a female. It seems like they got him locked in further down. That''s when I noticed a group of Gobs coming towards me on the narrow path. It seemed like they were socializingas one of the Gobs made precise movement indicating boasting.The Gobs didn''t even bother looking my way, but soon we would become uncomfortably close. I could double back, but that would take more time. Looking around I see a wooden door slightly open to one of the holes just a bit further ahead. I was hesitant, aftereverything I had already seen. But in the end, decided it was the best option for saving time. I went through the hole before the group of Gobs reached me. I heard outside as their feet scraped the ground. I directed my attention inside the small hole.A single small fire lit up this roomas the only other occupant was a squattingGob holding a lit match, staring into its flame, reflecting in his big round eyes until it burned down to his fingers. *Arrr!* [Gob] he screeched with a gurgling sound! Shaking his hand andsucking on his fingers, he looked towards me as both of us froze. Then he started to tilt his head back ones, twice: *Atcho!* [Gob] Snoot flying out of his big green nose! After drying his nose with his arm and a loud snort, he lit another match and stared into the small flame again. Looking closer at his eyes Isee that they have no color, just a gray tone. ''Is he blind?'' [Will] I heard that goblins could get overly obsessed bythe stranges things, but this was weird even for my standard! I listened in to the group of Gobs passing by the door. After the coast was clear, I leaped out of the hole and continued downwards. As I reachedthe end of the path, I was greeted by a set of wooden bars. Inside the distinct odor of piss and shit filled my nose, for once I was grateful for this overpowering smell as it distracted me from what was inside. Gore, mutilation, it was hard calling these prisoner humans anymore. I counted tothirteen of them, thirteenwichs I still think was alive... If one even could call it that. I covered my nostrils as best I could and turned around to leave; there was no chance that I could free them and get them out alive on my own. That''s when I felt a tug on my sleeve as a hand had gone through the bars. "Help me!" [???] It was that voice, the young male wich I heard before. I looked at him, and he laid pron inside the cell. Not even older than twelve summers. My [survival instinct] kicked in. This kid could blow my cover! I squatted down to his level and took a firm grip on his forearm pulling him closer to me. "Kid, what''s your name?" [Will] "Derek, sir" [Derek] Tears of joy running down his cheeks "I''m sorry for this Derek" [Will] *Stab!* As the boy fell limp to the ground, I let go of his arm and made my retreat to the surface.
Deadlands - Narrators Pov: Night fell over the dead-lands. In the forest hut, our two thieves had started to plan their journey back to civilization. "I don''t like this place one bit!" [Enrik] "I must agree; something is off with this forest. The sooner we get home, the sooner I can relax!" [Jenn] "The way home will be long and hard! Not even considering our first hurdle of getting out of the dead lands." [Enrik] "Then let''s prepare what we can from here, how long will the travel to get out of the deadlands?" [Jenn] "A month perhaps? There are no stories of this forest, so I guess that we are in the most unwelcome area of the dead lands more specific the center of it - where no one has reached alive" [Enrik] "No ''man'' has reached you mean!?" [Jenn] "Yes, and I have meant to ask you about that. What is it with you and Moby? Did he propose?" "What!? No! Where the fuck would you get that idea?" [Jeen] "No... Never mind." [Enrik] Jenn sighs "Don''t you see his worth?" [Jenn] "Sure two golds for the tusks, five for the whole head and three for his D-" [Enrik] "No! Not that worth! And those riches would only be momentary. Think bigger, that trolls physical endurance our intellectual." [Jenn] "I see, and how does that play out in your mind? The king owns the green trolls, what do you think he would say if we come walking into his realm with our own?" [Enrik] "Don''t be so simple minded; we will come up with something. We''re going to get revenge on that Dungeon, and then we''re going to rise to the top of the world. We together!" [Jenn] Enrik noticed her eyes showing a hint of madness.But her plan did not displease him. "And what is Mobys opinion in this?" [Enrik] "Have you gotten a soft spot for the troll?" [Jenn] "I could ask you the same!" [Enrik] The both of them stared silently at each other. "*sigh* your still the boss, whatever you decide I will follow. That was my vow." [Enrik] "Good; we will need water, food, and protection from the sun." [Jenn] "Sure, and what about the creatures of the night?" [Enrik] "Let''s avoid them if we are to encounter them a tactical retreat is the most optimal. Worst scenario we stand and fight!" [Jenn] Their conversation continued into the night. With minute details as if it was instead a heist rather than a long journey through the scorched plains.
DeadLands - Forsaken Fort -Narrators pov: In a location unknown by the masses laid a ruined fort. Back in the decades it had been a forward base for a nation long lost to time. Now it was merely a spec of what it ones were ¡ª laying crumbled to the ground. No one would be able to identify the structure from the natural environment of stone and dirt. But there are usually more to see if you know where to look. Below the rubble lay the fort''s dungeon and cells reasonably whole compared to the rest of the fort. Within these halls, the sound of wheezing, groans and the rasping noise of dragging chains. The fort not abandon. Within the innermost part of the dungeon laid a torture chamber, strapped to a torturing device sits a young lady her head tilted to the side so much that it was about to fall off. The cloths on her person was not that of a commoner, but they had seen better days as they where were slowly turning to dust through the many years that have passed. A shadow casts over the maiden as a crisp dark voice echoed within the torture chamber. "One got trough but has fallen, elven bow. I saw it! Pale skin. They have returned to their birthplace!" [???] The head of the maiden moved for an instance. So subtle that one might not have noticed. "Yes! You remember I feel it ¡ª the things they did. Hatred, feed us with that hatred. We will feast on their living flesh! Just like it''s ancestors!" [???] Unholy Kingdom - Ch5 At the border of the Deadlands - Narrators Pov: The chime of the burial clock rings across the city as the village gathered at the local cemetery to bury their deceased. Widows, children, friends and drinking buddies mourn the loss of another gentle soul; as another good man has been laid to rest. The priest preaches for the final time. "... And may you rest in peace, as the goddess embrace your arrival." [Priest] As the burial clocks go silent, people are ready to go back to the mundane village life when they hear another sound. A faint sound, akin to the banging of several drums, but the racket was not quite the sound of a leather drum. No this was another sound, a wooden sound. *Bang, Bang!* *Bang, Bang!* *Bang, Bang!* *Bang, Bang!* *Bang, Bang!* *Bang, Bang!* All around them; the banging on wood, as a deep [Mist] laid itself over the graveyard. Sound of nervousness and unrest flooded through the crowd. The villagers had never experienced something like this before! And as the first arm broke through the earth a woman''s shrill scream overpowered the words of unrest. As panic and fear overwhelmed the villagers. The dead walk again!
Underworld - Keepers pov: ''Bwhahahaha! This is gold!'' [Keeper] In the winding tunnels, a green blur could be seen now and again sprinting at full neck speed, followed by the "clitter clatter" noise of footsteps as a large-sized creature follows in pursuit, bulldozing through the tunnel and anyone standing in her way. ''Bwahaha!I can''t stop laughing; this is too much!'' [Keeper] I follow the green blur, enjoying the scene unfold when the goblin bellows out in a scream. "Keeper! HELP ME!" [Trash] Hey, he didn''t speak in histhird person. He might be in mortal danger if he is trying this hard, I look back at the pursuer. "My love-zzz! Don''t run away-zzz" [One-Fang] Hm... Nope! I might be hallucinating this, but I think her six eyes have turned heart-shaped. You''re on your own, Trash! I notice the goblin looking my way his eyes staring straight at my incorporeal form. Can he see me!? "KEEEPEEEERR!!!" [Trash] Oh! I never saw him mad before; it''s an ugly look on him! Well, I guess this is all my fault, to begin with, "te-he!"
Keepers memories POV: I had just made the spider queen yield to me when she asked the most mind-boggling question! Marriage! I was stunned; Trash was stunned, even the Imps where stunned! What is marriage? My broken pieced mind tried to make sense of it: It''s some bond like that of a servant? No that is not quite right; it''s an oath of endless devotion. Dedication to one! Does she want to devote herself to me? But she thinks Trash is me... So she wants to dedicate herself to Trash? ...hm. Chaos told me that I needed to bolster my defenses for what is to come... So a big spider wouldn''t be half bad, my nemesis now becoming my ally. Besides, I don''t have that insatiable urge to kill her anymore... I wonder why that is? Was it because she yielded to me? Without actually coming to a sound conclusion I went with my stomach, and my gut told me to recruit the spider! Whatever this marriage thing is I will let Trash handle it, I can sugar-coat it as his reward or something. Yea sounds good enough! "Sure!" I said in Trash voice as I hear him in my mind ''Eeeh!? Trash to young to marry!'' Whatever that meant!?
Present: So yea... Oh! She is gaining on him. "Aaaah! IMPUS!IMPUS!IMPUS!IMPUS!" [Trash] Wait? He summoned four Imps!? Why would he summon imps? They are worthless! And as Malek would have said; Cost inefficient. Did Ijust now quote Malek? I think I feel sick to my soul! "Cave in. Cave in the tunnel!" [Trash] "Eeep!" [Imps] Wait. What!? The impsfollowed the command and disappeared up the walls, moments later small rocks started to fall as the tunnel got unstable. "Love-zzz?" [One-Fang] The small rocks didn''t seem to phase the large-sized spider! But as she almost reached the goblin, the tunnel started to cave in. *Rumble* That''s when the ground gave way under them, and they fell, out of the reach of my Lairs domain. ... Emm... I might have taken it to far... I hope they are okay... I mean, I don''t care! They''re just expendable troops... It''s just suddenly so quiet around here... ... Hmm, I wonder what the Imps are up to at the gold veins?
Trash Pov: Were am Trash? Fall! Fall far. But Trash fine? Why Trash fine? Look, Trash sitting on silkthread. Spider thread? Trash hear groan! "Love! You fine-zzz?" [One-Fang] Below; spider queen flipped on back, holding up the net with elongated front legs. Trash jump of the net and run! "Love-zzz? No, don''t-zzz leave me-zzz!" [One-Fang] Trash runs around a corner, taking a breather, exhausted. New thing Trash hate: Hate running! Hm? Why spider lady not follow. Curious! Look around the corner. Spider is not moving. Twitching, yes! But not move. IsSpider hurt? Trash hears soft sobs. *bu-hu, bu-hu-hu!* [One-Fang] Grasping-sensation in trash chest! Trash feel... Bad? Trash doesn''t want to feel bad, how Trash makes; feeling go away? *Bu-hu-hu!* [One-Fang] ... Trash will regret this! *Sigh* [Trash] Trash lurks forward slowly to Spider. Dark, but Trash see Spider back-legs: hurt, bleeding! Stuck intothe wall. See wall; see four spider leg marks from topto bottom. Stop fall? Spider hurt saving Trash!? No one saves Trash before, Trash always alone... Trash''s bad feeling turns sad! Trash proclaims his position! "Promis not to eat Trash!" [Trash] "*Sob* Love-zzz? *Snivel*" [One-Fang] Bad feeling stronger than instinct, Trash ignores instinct, Trash goes, pull on one leg. "Help pull!" [Trash] Together Trash succeeded to pull the first leg free. Then second, third and fourth. Spider free!!! Trash makes somedistance. Not trust Spider! "*Snivel* Thank you-zzz! " [One-Fang] Trash hesitating, look upwards. "Can spider lady get Trash back up?" [Trash] Spider looks up. "I can try-zzz!" [One-Fang] Spider lady uses elongatedfront legs to heave up no problem, placing back legs: Slips! Spider falls! *boom!* Trash worried... "...mm, Spider lady okay?" [Trash] Spider look at Trash ¡ª sad look in eyes. "My legs are hurt-zzz can''t crawl on wall-zzz, can manage on ground-zzz... But where are we-zzz?" [One-Fang] Thrash don''t know!Trash didn''t notice. Trash look, closer look! This no cave tunnel, Stone slabs stacked wall. Vines and roots on walls. Flat floor and roof, cracks here and there. This definitely no cave, this humanmade, dirty, dusty old ruin! *A, ah, tchoo!* [Trash] too dusty! Nose itchy! Spider and Trash in ruin hallway. One direction blocked by debris... Trash fault... And Imps! Ah! Thrash knows! Trash smart Goblin! "Impus!" [Trash] Trash raising a hand like a cool mage, Trash looks cool - but nothing happened... Trash sad, different sad... hurt! "No work! Trash thinks we need to find a way out self!" [Trash] Trash sneer at Spider. "Spider not eat Trash! Trash Keeper''s general!" [Trash] Spider look at Trash, question? "I won''t-zzz eat you. Not until-zzz I bear your children-zzz and you have given me a stronger brood-zzz" [One-Fang]Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Trash heart sink!
Underworld - Old ruins - Narrators Pov: The goblin named Thrash keeps a secure distance from the spider queen as they traversed through the hallways. Some times they would find themselves at a dead-end, having to turn around to walk some more before they encountered another dead-end. This repeated several times as they walked. Trash could also hear with his [Highten senses] heavy breathing from something moving around in the same hallway''s as them; which made Trash feel uncomfortable as the sound seemed unnatural to him. He hoped they wouldn''t encounter whatever made these sounds! The queen stayed quiet during this time, limping forward on her damaged back joints in deep thought over something which coincidently was a new thing for her evolved mind. There was only one thing that mattered for a brood, and that was healthy offsprings, and a though mate would ensure this. It was also part of the broods culture for the bride to eat the male for his nutrition to help the new broodlings to grow. That was normal, but now after her evolution. What was normal? She had fallen for a goblin without second thoughts purely by his strength to beat her. Trash didn''t even seem willing even after he had accepted her proposal. Was she not beautiful enough for him? It was a lot for her new intelligence as her thought continued swirling around in her head. They continued following the splitting hallways until they found a new path they had not gone before, with black and white tiles leading fifty feet ahead or so. The tiles were broken and corroded by time, and a few of them couldn''t even be distinguished from each other by how broken they were. "Trash doesn''t like this!" [Trash] The queen still in thought didn''t notice the goblin stopping and continued onward toward the tiles with her front leg. Passing above Trash as her elongated leg pressed down on a white slab: Darts started shooting out from holes in the wall most missing the elongated leg, a few embedding in her legs protective chitin, but no severe damage was to note. "Ow-zzz!" [One-Fang] The queen getting rushed from her thoughts looked around. As she gained her bearings back, she evaluated what was before her ¡ª tilting her head at the unnatural environment. Trash observed the incident unfold and after witnessing the spiders elongated legs potential usefulness the goblin came up with a plan. "Trash got the idea! Spider lady press another one." [Trash] Looking at the Goblin questioningly, she did what he asked. When the elongated leg pressed down on a second tile this time black, the tile exploded charring the queen''s chitin, but yet again, the chitin armor protected the queen''s leg from any mortal harm showing how reliable her natural armor usually is. "Another one!" [Trash] After a short pauselooking over hercharred leg, the queen continued: Dud, electricity, gas, dud, spikes and so forth. At one instance a corroding mist was expelled melting some of the exterior chitin the only noteworthy damage the queen received, except for some scrapes and dents. After a while of this, the goblin chimed in. "Stop! Trash thinks Trash knows the path now!" [Trash] Jumping on the "dud" tiles the goblin started his journey across, but just a few tiles in he lost his footing on a cracked "dud" tile, falling towards the side. "Oh oh!" [Trash] But as he was about to fall an elongated leg catch him mid-fall. "Lo... Trash alright-zzz?" [One-Fang] "*phew!* You save Trash!" [Trash] After regaining his footing, the goblin went through the rest of the tiles in a breeze reaching the other end of the puzzle. "Now Spider ladies turn!" [Trash] The queen looked stumped at the goblin then at the trap tiles. Her large size filled the hallway, and her legs just barely fit in the hall considering this she would not get through unscathed as she could not follow the path of "dud''s" that the goblin took. "I can''t-zzz get through-zzz!" [One-Fang] The goblin considered leaving the spider behind. Fewer worries for him, less likely to get eaten. But he had no clue of where they were going and what dangers might lie ahead. And that breathing sound had gotten him on the edge ever since they got here. Looking at the spider and then at the tiles he said: "Spider lady step the third tile next to the left wall!" [Trash] Doing what the goblin asked, she reached for the left tile. "NO! Trash left, not spiders!" Reaching for the right tile, the spider triggered a trap; as harmless oil poured down from the roof. "Next two more up on left wall. Spiders left!" [Trash] Trash might seem like a young inexperienced and easily frightened goblin. But ever since slavers captured Trash and set to work in human society, the goblin learned a lot. The most important lesson of all, to avoid a good beating: to memorize! By directing the queen and avoiding the deadlier traps she was able to walk on the tiles. Though the prosses was long and tedious as the goblin had to lead all of her eight legs. It was going well, but unfortunately, size did matter in this scenario, and as the queen reached halfway the spider miss stepped with one of her back legs onto a trap they had not triggered beforehand. A mechanical noise as dust spewed off the walls and the scraping sound of rock grinding on rock hinted to what was about to come. "Oh-oh! Spider lady hurry!" [Trash] Confused and frightened because of the sudden urgency the queen misstepped on another tile as darts fired from the walls, embedding into her soft body making her hiss in pain. *Zhiiii!* [One-Fang] The walls started to slowly move towards the spider giving her less space for her feat the more time that went by. The goblin looked at the distance between the spider and himself. "Jump!" [Trash] Without a second thought, she bent down tightening her muscles as darts dislodged from her skin. Then she jumped! The goblin sees the body of the queen is closing in on him in the air; he expected the queen to be able to jump quite far. But forgot to include her damaged back joints, and she was just barely able to get through in time as the walls shut closed behind her. The queen sighed in relief, as she had avoided becoming a spider pancake. But... Where was Trash? "Trash-zzz?" [One-Fang] The queen looked around without finding the green goblin when she heard a muffled voice coming from under her. "Mj mh guuuu!" [Trash] Rising she sees a green arm reaching forward as Trash heaves himself out from under her. "Spider lady heavy!" [Trash] The queen felt a rush of heat collecting at her face and a stinging sensation different from a wound received by a weapon. She felt embarrassment for the first time in her life, and she did not particularly like it, with a "hump!" she stormed off ahead leaving a stumped goblinbehind prone on the floor. "... Something Trash say?" [Trash]
Dungeon - Keepers Pov: *Ting!* *Ting!* *Ting!* *Break* *Clack!* I have been staring at this shiny thing the Imps are excavating from the wall for a while now. I don''t think I have ever seen such a beautiful rock before! The "Gold" transports to a small cave room close by for storage. Not even a door or a guard outside. After consideration I ordered the Imps to transport the yellow rocks to my room, the value not even recognized as I just wanted to collect the shiny gold! After exerting my command to the Imps, I saw no reason to stay as the only exciting thing was the yellow rocks which I by now could go and watch in my room. But what now?... I know! I should mess with Tra... Oh, yea he fell down a hole... ... What should I do?
Underworld - Old ruins - Narrators Pov: After catching up to the queen, the goblin had to keep a steady rhythm to keep up to the fuming spider. After walking some more, a strong odor filled Trash nose as they entered what looks like a den. The ground was filled with droppings, and old human bones, more recent was some half-eaten rodent still reasonably fresh. The goblins stomach growled at him as he decided to take the welcoming snack. ''Trash wonders, who den this is?'' [Trash] The queen didn''t even look in the way of the meat and continued. They walked for what felt like hours when they eventually reached an iron gate. After seeing the shut gate, the goblin stopped in his tracks. "Hmm, what no..." [Trash] *crash, break!* It seemed that the queen did not even think twice as she pulled the gate off its hinges. The iron, breaking off pieces of the wall in the prosses. "Trash thinks that works as well!" [Trash] The path unhindered they continued. But the goblin couldn''t shake this feeling; why where there a closed gate? Was it to keep intruders out? Or something inside? *clak!* A sound of a stone rolling behind him made the goblin jump. The dust had hindered his smell while his ears had been focusing on the weird breathing and had not noticed anything following them. As he looked behind him, he saw: A small creature was hiding in the debris of stone from where the gate previously had stood. It''s size more modest than even a goblin. Long flowing untidy hair covering most of its face.Pouting out in the front of its fur was a fat pink snout, and on topof his head was two small horns. The goblin stared at the small creature. *Muuuh* [Creature] The creature bellowed in a meek way making the goblin jump again. "What-zzz you doing-zzz!?" [One-Fang] The queen turned around annoyed to see the small creature, her six eyes shifting between the beast and the goblin. "What''s-zzz that-zzz?" [One-Fang] The goblin shrugs. "A baby?" [Trash] "Then where-zzz is it''s-zzz mother-zzz?" [One-Fang] "Em..." [Trash] Eco of hooves was clopping on stone as metal scraped along the ground. *Clop* *scrape* *Clop* *scrape* *Clop* "Heading straight for us!" [Trash] At the end of the tunnel where they came from was a creature with a size larger than an average human male, with a giant two-sided ax scraping on the floor behind it. The giant humanoid bellowed with its mighty warcry "MOOOOOO!", lowering its head for a charge. It''s head and lower body that of a cow while it''s upper body that of a man... Woman! The goblin could not help himself from staring at the hypnotizing mountains swinging back and forth as the minotaur ruched at him. "TRASH-zzz!" [One-Fang] *Clash!* A chitin leg blocked the ax that was swinging for the goblins nape. The arachnid queen had successfully parried the swing with her chitin leg. Smoke was coming out of the female minotaur''s nose as she raised her ax again ¡ª the pure force of her muscle is forcing the shaft to move. What entailed was an exchange of blows. The queen''s elongated limbs are keeping the minotaur at bay in the narrow corridor as the goblin was curled up on the floor covering his head ¡ª Wile the clash of steel and chitin ringed above him. *Ting!!!* *Swooch!* *Smack.* *Swat!* *Clash!* The queen getting pushed back slightly by every blow until there was an unnatural crack. The queen''s chitin legs had gone through a lot of stress, traps and all. Along one of the legs, a crack had appeared, showing the soft inside. The queen retracted the damaged limb and kept up the barrage of elongated legs when: *Krack!* Now with only two offensive legs left the queen was getting pushed back by the raw strength of the minotaur. The queen made a clicking noise as she quickly came to the conclusion of the retreat, and grabbed the goblin from the ground as she turned around and sprayed the minotaur with her [Sticky webbing] worried that it would not hold for long and made her escape further into the maze.
Keepers POV: ''Arrg! Lair!?'' [Keeper] Suddenly a rush of urgency filled my soul. As I felt my Lair call me. Something is happening, something which he needs me to see. ... I arrived at Lairs side as I see a creature which I had not witnessed before in my dungeon. The creature was covered in a shiny mucus and stood with it''s back turned towards me inspecting Lair. Itsspine was visible from the back almost looking like it wanted to protrude out of the skin creating several semi-spike like shapes. The same semi-spikes grew out of the shoulders, kneecaps, and elbows. It stood on it''s two back legs like a human its posture not that different except for a hunched back; its skin was gray as if all life had left it, no hair to note. Though I have never seen this creature, it seemed familiar to me... somehow... The creature turned around and looking at me with a singular eye covering half its face. "This is your fault!" [Creature] A raspy voice with scorn in it, ''had I done something to this creature?'' That voice... Who does it remind me? "It''s all your FAULT!" [Creature] The previous study now mostly empty as Lair''s heart was the only thing occupying it... Maybe it''s more of a heart room then hmm? During my thought process, the creature dug into the ground with its bare hands and broke a piece of it throwing it at me, unfaced and unscathed by his tantrum as I had no human form. Then I hear him speaking in a tong I only heard one other man speak as the creature conjured a spell. Yet, no mana approached at his beckon. "Nooo! NO, NO, NO, NOOO!" [Creature] Icalmly observed anopen cocoon hanging in one of Lairs tendrils, as my cogwheels turned. ''Maleck!?" [Keeper] One a closer examinationone this creature, I noticed that he had no traces of mana, and his ki was: Purple, passively connected with the Lairs nerve system. My previous statement of his skin being gray because of loss of life force might be a little bit off; instead, he''s drained of all his magick! The creature is holding its head as it murmurs incoherently. Oh, Lair! You have outdone yourself! I stated with glee.
Bobfrays journal: Nothics
Nothics are the result of a curse befalling wizardswho delved too deep into arcane knowledge. Losing connection to the mana. Once transformed, the Nothic holds no discernible memory of its former self, except for a faint notion that there might be a way to reverse its condition. Dangers and derange should be exterminated with cation!
Underworld - Old Ruin''s - Narrators Pov: The spider queen and goblin reached a double door as the queen burst through. They had entered a stone room filled with alchemist equipment''s not much different from Maleck''s previous study except for the excess of corpses, limbs, and organs stored in dusty jars. The room seemed to previously be a place of worship as several damage statues embedded the stone room walls. "Watch out!" [Trash] *uuurrrr* [???] The queen swiped her legs towards the imminent threat. As she sliced the creature in half making it fall to the ground. The creature still lived as it heaved its torso forward with its armsas the stench of rot oozed offthe zombie. *uurrrr* [Zombie] Grabbing a loose rock, Trash used it to bash in the skull of the zombie. *Crush!* *Cquash* "Nasty creature!" [Trash] *Clop, Clop, Clop*The sound of hooves on stone. "No time-zzz, where go-zzz?" [One-Fang] The room was a dead end, no more routes more than the way they came. On the ground thirty feet away a cirkel was drawn on the ground, glowing faintly with mana. "There!" [Trash] Running towards the glow, the sound of hooves echoed throughout the room. "MOOO!" Hot on their tale, twenty feet, ten, five. A bright light engulfed the circlet as the queen and goblin steeped into it.
In the next instant, they were in a cramped room... Well uncomfortable for a large creature light only by the dim light of the same circlet as the one they stepped on. "Off! Crowded, where is [door]? [Open] the...." [Trash] *rumbel, rumbel, rumbel* A crack opened as an outside light source came through to the small space.
Keepers Pov: Interesting. ''get out!'' [Maleck] No, I rather not. ''GET OUT OF MY BODY!'' [Maleck] Hmm, interesting.
Weird Insight
Notic specific;magically see the life thread of a creature and learns one fact or secret about the target.
Horrific Gaze
Notic specific. When driven to violence, its horrific gaze will rot the flesh from its enemies¡¯ bones.
I flex my claws. Everything about this body was pointy. While I have possessed insects and a goblinoid, this was the first monstrous creature with terrible talons and a single enormous eye. It was unusual. *rumbel, rumbel, rumbel* My attention directed towards the sound behind Lair as the wall moved. And two creature falls out. *Ouf!* [Trash] Laying on the ground was two familiar creatures. "Where have you two been?" [Keeper] "Uuuur long story, Trash to exhausted" [Trash] One-fang took to her feet silently. Her body was filled with wounds as she limped forward and laid down in a corner licking her wounds. "What''s with her?" [Keeper] "Trash don''t know, ask self!" [Trash] Naa, instead I took a peek at the room behind Lair''s heart. a room approximately between five-ten feet, seems like a secret room, nothing in it though except for a drawn cirkel in the ground. *Flash* "Arhg!" [Keeper] Then I was surprised as my eyes... Eye. Got burned by a bright light. I feel something colliding withmypossessedform as I get flung back into the air. "Not you!" [Trash] "Zzzzzhhaaa!" [One-Fang] *Slice!* "Nooo!" [Trash] As my sight returned, I saw tree blurs moving around, no two! As shapes started to return, I see one-fang on the ground not moving. Above stands a creature half-man half-beast swinging its ax wildly as an enraged Trash clings by its horn ripping and gnawing at its head. But Trash couldn''t hold on for long as the creature trashed and turned until the goblin got flung off and into a wall falling limp to the floor.
Minotaur
A mythical creature locked away deep within a labyrinth. Half-humanoid half-cow. Welding the strength of a thousand men. Female
"GET OUT!" [Keeper/Maleck] The minotaur reacted to my voice looking at me, then grabbing its head as if something was hurting it. "Mo-OOOO!" [Minutaur] It shook its head, then she charged. Author update! Hello, to the army of the dark and all the generals! I''m sad to say that I need to put the book on Haitsu for the foreseeable future; minimum until the end of summer I hope! Reasons for this The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.1: Inbetween work, so I need to put in 100% to find a new one. Pay my bills and stuff. 2: My mental health has been low, and it''s hard to motivate myself to writhe. To you the army I would like to release the current chapter at least I''m working on, but it will be delayed because of reason 2. Also, I figure out how to insert images to give you a general idea of how the dungeon layout is. super happy about that (the trick was to add .jpg at the end of the source) Unholy Kingdom - Ch6 Heart room - Keepers Pov: The minotaur shook her head; then she charged, right towards the exit. The thick wooden door still opened since no one seems to close it! I need to make a note of that. "What! Hey!" [Keeper] Running after her, I stumbled as I was still unaccustomed to the Notic''s slender frame, but I was a quick learner as I made my strides longer to make up for the difference. As I came out of the door, I see the Minotauress running straight towards the pit in the center, but just seconds before falling into it, she instead jumped over it with a mighty leap. "What!?" [Keeper] My possessed body''s single eye surveyed the room; it was too dark for an ordinary being to see in this dark room. But I was no normal being as I activated my [Energy Eye] for a second to see my Lairs mana in the walls and floor. My eye Illuminating the path which I could walk. Truly a well-versed skill. Then I took chase! She had gotten a headstart and was outside my sight of view, but the clatter of her hooves echoed throughout the cave tunnel ensured me that I was not far behind, that was until the noise suddenly ended! I see the light at the end of the tunnel emanating from the arena ahead. As the bright white consumes my possessed body, I entered into the ring where I see the minotaur in the center, her head jerking around confused! But as she sees me intrude, she decides to take one of the three remaining paths, running down the south tunnel towards the den and hatchery. Unlucky for her that is a dead-end! I follow suit, but as I reach the tunnel entrance, I hear distant buzzing noises, and as I look down the tunnel, I see our intruder with an entourage of angryand glowing Dier-Flies behind her. She was now trapped with nowhere to go as I stood my ground, flexing the Notic''s long slender claws ready for a fight! She took notice of me impeding her path! "Wait! Why are you picking up the pace!?" [Keeper] The Minotauress accelerated and charged with her head low, right into me! WIth a horn goring my possessed body''s gut as she threwit and me straight up into the air as I collide with the teen feet hight roof. My possessed body, falling hard into the sand of the arena. She continued, without concerning herself if I was dead or alive.The second obviously as I arise! ''Ah ha ha ha: die!'' [Maleck] What are you even-!? I fall to one knee as the power inside the body leaves me. Looking down, I see the Notic''s gut poking out of the fresh wound covered in sand. Okay, I might not be as okay as I first thought! I should find a better body for pursuit as I uttered the words of magick. "[Cranium internum]" [Keeper] ''Noooo!'' [Maleck] ... Nothing? Em... Let''s try that again. Hey! What in tarnation is going on!? "Your fault! Aha ha ha ha ha." [Maleck] ... Just shut up already! ''Tsk!'' [Maleck] Did he just-... In front of our view, everything started to spin. I could not leave the body, and I could feel vertigo as the body slowly wad, losing its life-force. Is this it? Am I going to die within this body? Can''t be it! I need something, anything! Static started to form in front of my blurred vision as it established itself into several orthodox blue squares. All I could get out of it was: Unlocked. Dungeon. [Vithe]. Longevity. "Vithe!" [Keeper] ''No, no, no! Fault, fault! Your fault!'' [Maleck] I feel the gut wound cramping down and stopping the bleeding, yet not heal. I guess I''m safe for now. Though... Why do I sense a wave of disappointment from Lair? I opened my dungeon [Spells].
Dungeon spells Dungeon Mana cost
//////// /////////
2 Impus Legionis* 700
1 Cranium internum 500
1 Vithe 1000
Locked (Rank ??) ??
Locked (Rank ??) ??
A whopping thousand dungeon mana??? AND IS NOT EVERYTHING EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE!? Fuck!
Dungeon mana pool 1178
Worst case I at least have one more, though Lair might get furious at me if I use it again. No, It''s not worth it. There should be a better way! As my awarenessreturned to the outside of my mind, I find myself alone in the arena. No insects in sight and It seems like the minotaur had escaped me! Using my [Dungeon eye], I detached a part of my astral-form from the Notic to surveyed the dungeon, but that did not work either. I barely got a few meters away before I was forced back by an unnatural force. After several more attempts with no better result, it seems likely to me that the Notic''s body is incompatible with any skill not originating from its entity, only giving me seconds of use. Maybe a fallout of the body''s incompatibility with mana? Why did any power activate at all, to begin with then? And why did my mana eye work without a hitch?
Notic specific: Mana eye
To crave what it''s lost is the greatest curse. To always see what ones were lost.
Hmm, I see, so that was an innate skill, to begin with. Though way I couldn''t leavethe body is another problem in itself! But there where more pressing matters at hand; The minotauress! I feel Lair impatience growing, the more prolonged the minotaur roamed in our domain, halting Lair from expanding his... Nay, our territory. Hmm, let''s go with another approach I believe that this calls for war! But first, I inspected my Notic arm with [Mana eye] Looking at the ki within the body connecting itwith my Lair, and it was composed of borrowed mana from my Lair ¡ª Purple Ki who was meant to enhance this body''s original strength. But something was off about it. I couldn''t quite get my finger on it. No, wait, isn''t it flowing backward!? As if it is being sucked in. As I inspected further, I see that all the ki in the limbs went in the same direction, up! Towards the head!
Unique trait: Strategic creature
Entityfocused on intelligence rather than physical prowess.
Why do I have a bad feeling about this? ''You''re fucked, so fucked! Hihihi'' [Maleck] "*sigh* give up already. Just shut up!" [Keeper] I took the east exit from the arena and walked back to the now newly named heart room. My Lair! After a while, I had reached the heart room again and stood before one of my Lairs several tendrils, and I was hesitant. But then again, my Lair has always been there for me! He never ones betrayed my trust in him? I laid one of the Notices clawed hands onto the tendril as I feel my soul getting sucked out, effectively letting me enter the [war room]. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Entity Keeper has entered the [war room]!
Entity ??? has been denied entry to the [war room]!
I stood there in the plain marble white; smooth octagon room donned in my plate mail... Well, my armor of dreams I guess, but something was different here! The room was empty this time around, and I was standing there alone Malek had supposedly been denied entry... Could I still even call it Malek though?... Bah! Why bother with these thoughts now? "War room!" [Keeper] As I suspected from my command, the simple marble table and the custom chairs arose from the marble floor. Though this time a third chair appeared as well together with Trash wooden chair and my black and red mahogany throne. This third one, a pile of bones connected with dirt and something sticky to hold it all together wich together formed into a pseudo throne. Who does this belong to? It was not as big and grand as my throne, and by the looks, it seems to me that it''s shaped for a humanoid? I pondered a moment ''do I know anyone this chair belongs to?'', that''s when two figures materialized in each of the chairs ¡ª the first one I recognized emidiatly. "Hu?" [Trash] On each chair, they both materialized, I instantly recognized Trash in his mage garbs. But in the new addition was a humanoid I have never seen before in my life! But something was familiar with the female... It was a slender woman with long flowing black hair, her hair so thin and smooth that you would believe it to be silk. Her eyes, her six eyes! Going from the center of here face outwards: two large, two medium and two small, deep black with a hint of red and deep inside the eyes were an alluring charm enticing one''s primal instincts. Her pale humanoid skin covered up by what I believe to be eight appendages not typical for a human body, equally distributed between her two female organs to cover them up but nothing else. Only her silk hair covered the rest of her body, but not nearly enough! She sat there, looking around with astonishment and wonder.
Entity Trash has entered the [War room]!
Entity One-Fang has entered the [War room]!
"One-Fang!?" [Keeper] The humanoid looked at me and tilted her head. "Yez? Flamebarer?" [One-Fang] Is this her "dream" form? How One-fang sees her self? She looked over at Trash and turned back to me; she seemed confused! "Why iz there two of you-zzz?" [One-Fang] I had no time to answer as a message arouse!
A dire-fly has fallen!
Underworld''s Cave systems - NarratorsPOV: *Pant, Sniff, Pant, Snort* Heavy breaths, the minotaur slowly makes her way forward. Her upper body and beautiful fur blackened and bruised. But every step gets her closer to her goal. As her innate Skill to never forget a traversed path, keeps her from getting lost. A mental mapone might say! *buzz* A dier-fly emerges from around a bend in the path, and with a mighty swing, the minotaur slams her ax into the bug impaling (22dmg) it into the cave wall. *Splat!* She dislodges the ax from the wall. *Snort!* [Minoutauress] She closed her eyes, scrunched up her brows, and let the steam flow out fromher nostrils! *Fushhh!* She seemed quite satisfied with herself, but she was still not in the clear! All these bugs were in here way! She had previously escaped them, but for some reason, they kept finding her. The minotauress kept walking further into the depth of the underworld maze. When she entered a new area, a cavernous room of medium size, but as she did; the smell of the now-familiar sulfur reached her nostrils, and she turned around to squash (13dmg) a fly on the wall with her ax. Looking up over the entrance, she sees a dozen dier-flies hanging by the wall. An ambush!? The flies all swarmed her as she wildly swung to keep them at bay her Axe missing six of them and with two lucky swings hurting (8dmg) the first one and cleanly decapitating (22dmg) the second one. Even though she swung wildly trying to keep the pests away half of the dier-flies get a stinger in as three (5) (5) (5) new burn marks apers on her body. She decides to disengage from the swarm running away for now, but the flies were hot on her tail, and she could not outrun them as she gets surrounded again. Two more stingers hit her on in her shoulder (3) and one in her back (8). She focuses on the single bug she had hurt, quickly smacking it to the ground with moderate strength (16dmg). She focused on a second one and sliced at it (12dmg) as it coughs up mucus and falls lifeless on the ground. Four left they all charge here from the front! Three hits while the fourth was a second to slow and easy for her to avoid. Taking one in the gut (8) one in the leg (7) and one in her biceps (4). She didn''t flinch as she [Reklessly] reached out towards the slow bug, grabbing its large head and squashing it (42crit). Green blood exploded everywhere! Then she started swinging the grabbed bugg around as a flyswatter (7) (6) (6) not doing nearly enough damage to them but enough to push them away and stunning them as one gets smacked into the wall and the other two into the ground. Dazed the bugs are unable to do anything as the minotauress pounces on them [Reklessly] again just barely in time to not let anyone of them flee her ax. (16) (17) (14) With all the Dier-flies dead and gore everywhere, she slumps down to the ground, licking her wounds. But not long may she rest as the buzzing noise of wings reaches her ears!
War Room - Keppers PoV: "They''re weak their so! SO! Weak! And the minotauress is too strong! I have been throwing flies at her for hours, and they barely reach her before she disposes of them ARRR!" [Keeper] Not even the ambush we set up worked. If we just had time to collect more at that time, now we barely have any left!
10 Dier-flies are remaining.
"Mazter relying on bugz to do anarachnidzjob iz foolizh, breed me, and you-zzz zhall have all the minionz you ever need-zzz" [One-Fang] "Trash thinks spider lady''s head weird, find spider mate!" [Trash] "Love!? How could you zay that-zzz? No arachnid mate can compare to you two-zzz" [One-Fang] And this crazed love spider is not helping at all. For some reason, she began calling me "master" after she noticed that Trash had great respect for me. Though she still calls trash "love" as he beat her in combat... well actually I did in his body! But she does not need to know that! Arrgh what a headache, I need to think! And unfortunately, I only know of one place I can do it... Arg why me!? Why couldn''t I have useful minions instead of this bickering!? I can''t even throw them into the fight as their external bodies are damaged. "I want babyz like; fat cow! Pleaz give me babiez-zzz!" [One-Fang] "... no, close to Trash!, Kee-" [Trash]
Entity Keeper has left the [War room]!
I exited the war room leaving the two incompetents inside as I re-entered the Notic''s body as I started to walk off my mental fatigue. ''Your back! Can''t stay away! Hi hi hi hi!'' [Malek] *sigh* [Keeper] At least better than whatever is happening in the [War room] right now! But not much. I lazily walked around the summoning pit. My mind gradually getting sharper than usually because of the Notic''s unique traits; so why should I take chase? Why should I throw resources at her that gives me no result? When I can getthe minotauress to me! But how? I reached the sands of the arena, my notic feets digging down into the sands of the stadium, quite stress-relieving! Wait, I already know her weakness! Like any other female, her child! As I weighed my several options in this matter, I remembered the change in my imp spell; it had a two beside it. I know well not to misuse the word as I might accidentally activate it. But I can always access some information locked inside of Lair.
ImpusLegionis (lv2)
*Unlocking new Imp family, Imps at arms. Brown: - Cave Imps (Impus.) ???: - Green: - Legion Imps (...Legionis) ????: -
Hmmm... so another kind of Imps, the cave Imps have been useful if only in one field! The more cards we have on the playing field, the better! Even though it''s only useless imps... Though I think these Imps might specialize in a field, I need! "Impus Legionis!" [Keeper] I called out fully aware that the dungeon-spells is a loophole to this body''s drawbacks. My Lair is sending me feelings of hopelessness but seems fine with my current spending of mana. The sand starts to quiver, the wall cracks, and the loud crack of stone breaking. Then it resides, silence for a while before I hear pebbles moving atop the ledge of the arena. Inside the shadows atop the ridge, several big round green almost alien eyesbecome visible surrounding me atop the ring! Their eyes only, reflecting the light of the stadium. My single eye glances overthe gleaming green eyes skeptically, noticing that I can not for the love of me see these creatures'' bodies however hard I try. My observation, making their eyes flinch away from my gaze for a second, apparent that they are under my rule. Their good at hiding, then I hope they''re good at retrieving aswell. "Get me the cub!" [Keeper] The Imps silently retracted back into the shadows, uncharacteristic to the previously noisy browns and disappeared. That''s unusually creepy! I wonder, when did the spell make them multiply into such a significant number with a single magic spell?... Legion, then manny? "*Hmpf!* Let''s prepare for now. CAVE IMPS! TO ME!" [Keeper *eek, iiiik* [Cave imps]
Narrators PoV - The Imp legion: Where ever there was light, it seemed to fade for a moment as a group of creatures skulked closer, to return a moment later as they passed by. These creatures were Imps but not of the brown digging kind!
Bobfrays journal #99: Imp family
First, we have the Brown''s; these Imps are the drudge of demons, thought as merely everyday slaves to do mundane tasks or even just used as a way for demons and devils to vent their anger or frustration. Born from the earth and imbued with its vitality and endurance. Unfortunately, they seem to be born without any higher intelligence or wisdom. Then we have the Red''s spouting wings and a devilish tail usually depicted by humans as the general view of what an imp''s appearance is. They are arguably the most demonic-looking, but not all Imps are from the red family. The Red''s are also commonly used as mere workers. But are viewed higher in the hierarchy for their fiery ancestry. Warlocks appreciate procuring these creatures as personal servants. Then we have the Green''s, the skulkers of hell. Not much is known about the greens more than rumors ¡ª assassins prowling the darkness. Only their smell will warn you, but by then it might be too late. If they exist or not are up to debate. But small scales where found wich could turn invisible in dark areas and turned green when exposed to a direkt light sorce. Then we have the Blue''s, pesky imps which has a high affinity for magic. Too bad, they arenot using their intelligence for more than trickery and pranks. Though they have some unique magic such as seemingly being able to revivng their own kin, though no other demon or devil race has been recorded to been revived by them. And lastly unlike their cousins, they are quite the swimmers!
These dozen or so imps were of the Green tribe. Skulker of the underworld their hide rather than actual green color, the Green''s skin filled with a reflective scale of multi-colors which bends light and effectivelyhides these creatures from any unexpected eyes. The Green''s reached the door into the heart room and stopped at the border of light seeping through the open door. The elder and leader of the green''s looked behind himself at his companions, above hisleftbrow or where it should have been on a human wasthree scars; as such his name was just plain; Scar. A demon''s alias as he was not yet named, only an insignificant no-name demi-demon. But his younglings or apprentices did not see it that way, as they obediently looked down into the ground making sure not to make eye contact. The green family had a sacredtradition of theeldest and strongest leading the week young, but not only that. Unaccustomed to the demon family, they cared for their apprentices, not necessarily in a loving relationship but as teacher and student. After Scar''s observation that no one was left behind, they went out of the safety of darkness and entered the room. They emerged from the darkness, first Scar, a large specimen of hisfamily bulkier but still skinny. Then the rest of the green imps appeared with insecure strides. They were ahead shorter, fewer wrinkles, but their bodies were well toned. As they all entered into the light, theirscales turned to their natural green color theiraverage size not much larger than their brown cousins but with a slimmer frame and longer ears like that of gremlins. The group looked around nervously, knowing all too well what inhabited this room. There was no other living creature in this room and relatively empty except for the heart and two cocoons one large and one small. Slowly they made their way towards the heart sniffing at it. Scarlooked up towards the heart wide-eyed. Such power, such intensity: Scar though! The group of greens fell to the ground as in prayer to this mighty one. A slit started to form on the organic heart as razor-sharp teethreflect the light,Scar knowing all too well what he had to do rises to his feet and grasp one of the apprentices by the skin of his neck and raises him. He was rasing the apprentice head so that he looked him into his eyes. Placing his forehead on the young greens, he purred softly and got a soft purr back in response. Then Scare released him from his grasp and took the rest of the greens further into the room. Scar and his group made their way towards the hidden room, leaving the chosen apprentice behind and disappeared through the rune circle. The young green wich had to stay behind, spread his arms in a welcoming gesture and with a crazed smile spreadonhis face; *Crunch!* And then the apprentice was no more ¡ª engulfed whole by Lair.
Scar and his gang of greens arrived in the old underground ruin temple which had been reworked into a diabolical lab by someone or something. The greens didn''t even bother to look around as they exited the Large room and into the labyrinth. A short while later they encounter their target a small creature lying atop a stack of hay. The greens crept forward slowly until they were just a few feet away. Scar with a flick of his finger ordered three of them tobouncethe creature. *Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuh!* The cub awoken startled and started bucking and kicking around like a mad bull trying to throw off the three riders from its back. Two of the greens couldn''t hold on and instantly where throw into the wall stunned. But the last one still clung on with a single hand ridingit''s back raising one arm in the air boosting of the Green''s superior balance towards his siblings. "Wee hee!" [Green Imp] Scar just sighed into his open palm, shaking his head. After a few minutes, the cub''s movement slowed as it panted tiredly.Overconfident! One of the Greens moved in closer from behind. Unfortunately, the cub still had some energy left as it started to buck again, giving the closest Green in the vicinity a blue eye with its hind hoof. Scar -inpatient- ordered everyone to surround the cub ready to pounce. Now every one of the Greens jumped the cub as the dust was disturbed by the melee, the cub continuously bucking and kicking making greens fly everywhere until finally, the cub collapsed out of exhaustion with several bruises and slightly bloodied. Scar standing triumphant above the cub. The remaining Greens was equally bruised but may be worse for wear as they hauled the cub with them down the corridor, back to the teleportation cirkel.
Underworld''s Cave systems - NarratorsPov: *Pant, Sniff, Pant, Snort* Heavy steps fall on the uneven stone floor as the minotaur slowly makes her way forward. Her body and beautiful fur blackened and bruised. But every step gets her closer to her goal, as her [Labyrint recall] to never forget a traversed path, keeping her from getting lost. Her goal the only thing that mattered in her world, her child! She needs to find her way back totheirLabyrinth; it is so sad that sometimes the most prominent and easy solution gets overlooked as her best way to return would have been through the portal she came from! *buzz* A dier-fly had caught up to her, she immediately turned around, and with a mighty swing, the minotauress slams the bugg into the floor, squashing it to death. *Splat!" *Snort!* [Minoutauress] She had gone through what felt like a hundred bugs, and she primed for more. But that didn''t matter to her; she always had a clear goal in mind; her baby needed his mamma. Just thinking about it made her heart ake! Her ears suddenly perked up, in the distance, a far cry of sadness. As she acknowledges the sound for what it was. Her eyes filled with blood as she turned around and headed back the direction she came. [Enraged!] *MUUUUH!!!* [Minoutauress]