《When Evil Began》 Chapter 1 -- I Have a Secret I have a secret. "Donbar! Quickly! Bring him over here." A high pitched voice. An Elf perhaps? It''s hard to tell when half your face is smashed in. "They''re still coming. I can only do so much to keep those Gang Rats at bay." A lovely baritone. It had a heady, sensual flavor. Could this be yet another handsome woman? "Don''t worry lad. Donbar has ye." He sounded gruff and burly. But his age remained a mystery. A secret I have shared on more than one occasion. And yet I alone know the truth. Unless you count the dead. Steely hands grasped my feet and upper back. Donbar carried me up, as one would carry a child. He exercised the utmost care because his eyes told him that the boy he cradled was grievously injured. Indeed, my left arm hung at a ludicrous angle. And a slash, two fingers deep, gaped at the center of my right thigh... not to mention the fact that one side of my face appeared to have melted under the pressure of some unseen force. So by his estimation, it would not be long before I died. But looks can be deceiving. "It''s gonna be alright. Just hold on. Princess Mei can do miracles." He continued to encourage me with soft, tempered whispers. I felt his fear. Not for his own sake, but for the lives of his companions and... there was also a hint of pity. Could it be for little, old me? "Hurry Princess! He''s hanging on by a thread!" Between hazy eyes, I spied a silver circlet. Beneath it lay a tranquil beauty, besmirched with concern. She was certainly a human female. Surprise greeted my lips. A trembling sensation that could easily be mistaken for tremendous pain. "Fret not! You''re in the best of care!" The Dwarf held my hand. An oddly feminine gesture. Was she not Elven? I was rarely mistaken. For humans are not often seen traversing the Gilded Tower. She must be something special. The Dwarf''s thick neck twisted to the right. "Princess! Now is not the time to dawdle!" "I''m trying." She said, with her hands held out. A ball of glowing light spread outwards from her fingertips. A moment passed before her brow was creased by mounting vexation. "Dammit! It''s not working Princess!" Donbar could not hide his own exasperation. I decided to take a moment to observe these two, as they fussed over me. Donbar is a dwarf of indeterminable age. He had thin, trembling lips, a long, quivering, charcoal-textured beard. A mustache of absurd proportions. As well as a warm, angst-filled smile. "Princess! You must expend all your mana! Or he will surely die!" Did I forget to mention his unrestrained tongue? The Princess had a high nose and a gentle chin. She was undeniably human but I sense traces of a different origin. She may have Elvish blood. Or something else entirely. "I know that!" Beads of sweat gathered upon her forehead. Just then her voice had taken on a shrill nature. So it seemed doubt had finally broken through her confident facade. As I pondered the question of her ancestry, the wound in my thigh began to close up. My squished eyeball returned to it''s usual buoyancy. The blood that coated me from head to toe, drained back into my skin, revitalizing pale flesh. The garbled half of my face was restructured, and now bore its usual, lack luster symmetry. "It''s working! Thank the stars!" How silly. Healing magic is only effective when dispelling injury. And in the four hundred years of my existence, I have never felt affliction... at least, not my own. "T-thank you." I muttered. The human Princess had a sprite-like smile. Her momentary joy, a powerful emotion, flooded my chest. I moaned in pleasure, but they took it for pain. "He''s still weak Donbar, let him rest." She instructed, as the Dwarf lay my frail physique on a makeshift pallet. "Ophelia! How have you fared?" I craned my neck to view the opposing direction. "I beat them back. We should be safe now. I advise we rest for the night before we continue." She steadily approached, her eyes widened as they beheld my still form. Humans are indeed rare. The creature that stood above me, bore the face of a human female. Yet cropping out from beneath her chainmail was a short, stubby tail speckled with horns. Her hands and feet were claw-tipped, lizard-like mandibles. I marveled at her. That scaly, green skin was unlike anything I had ever seen. I wonder what sort of emotions this creature can exhibit?
The Dwarf, the Human Princess and the Lizard Woman gathered round a small fire. I pretended to sleep as I eavesdropped on their conversation. "I think he''ll pull through. He''s a tough one. He would have already succumbed to those terrible wounds if he wasn''t." Donbar mused. "How do you suppose he made it this far?" Ophelia questioned. "An adventurer party. Much like our own." Mei supplied. A moment of silence briefly took hold. "Do you think... he''s the only one left?" Ophelia''s voice was hollow. "There is no other explanation." Mei continued. "Since there''s no way a solo adventurer could make it to the ninth floor." "Aye." Donbar concurred. "I agree with the Princess. I ne''er seen someone as unlucky as that fella. He has no gear and he likely tried to run past the Minotaur guarding the gate to the tenth. That no doubt left him with that nasty gash we saw on his leg." "Hmm... what do you think his level is?" Ophelia''s tone was a weary one. "Could he have used his comrades as bait and made his escape?" "Why are you always like that?" Mei complained. "You choose to see the worst in people." "Forgive me Mei. Hope is a luxury I''ve never been able to afford." "I''m not hoping for the best! Given the right conditions any man can become a hero." "Haha!" Donbar''s bitter laugh echoed into the distance. "And in the wrong conditions any man could become a villain!" "Hmph. I think he is just as he seems. A desperate survivor that had lost his companions to this awful dungeon." Mei felt scorned.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "Will he journey with us?" Ophelia ventured. "Malachi awaits us at the entrance of the tenth floor. We can''t escort the Stranger all the way down to the exit unless permitted." "I-I think Malachi will be gracious enough to allow us to escort him back." "What!?" Donbar couldn''t believe his ears. "Malachi paid a hefty price for a four-member adventurer team to rendezvous with him on the tenth floor. If only three show up with an injured stranger, asking to go back, how would he react?" "With kindness I''m sure." Mei insisted. "More like apprehension." Ophelia argued. "We might end up losing this job... and I doubt he would settle for three helping hands when he paid for four." "We may have lost our vanguard, but we still have our healer." Donbar still held hope. "Malachi may desire an escort to exit the Tower. If our injured friend recovers we would once again be a four-man team." Ophelia was clutching at straws. "Would he form a party with members so much weaker than himself?" Mei''s words were tinged with guilt. "He made it to the tenth floor alone. And we know nothing about this Stranger. Can he even fight? We would only burden Malachi if he chose to return to Laconta... but I''m sure we are the sort of burden he would gladly accept." Donbar grunted. "And the money he spent? What makes you think he would be so generous?" "He is a hero. It is in his nature to help the meek in their time of need." Mei possessed a virtuous image of their benefactor. "We are not hapless villagers. We should return the down payment we received." A jingling sound could be heard from where Ophelia sat. "I have Walter''s share here. If we scavenge his remains on the way down, we may have enough to compensate him." "I for one want to get out of this foul dungeon." Donbar''s words had an unmistakable air of resignation. "It''s settled then. We will do our best to repay Malachi and request his aid so that we can leave this dreadful tower in peace." Mei had not so much made a decision, as she had spoke the truth they held within their hearts. Their adventure would soon come to a close. Or so, they believed.
"Wake up lad. We plan to set off soon." Donbar yanked me to my feet. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and gazed at last night''s messy encampment. Pots and pans were strewn about amidst rolls of thick cloth that served as sleeping bags or sack cloth depending on the present need. I glanced curiously at Mei, who refilled empty potions with a colorful mixture she gleaned from an assortment of mystic vials. I could not guess the time of day, for the eerie inner glow of the Gilded Tower did not spring from the light of torches or sun-lit windows. Rather the air itself seemed awash with a magical radiance that grew during the day and declined at night. I dusted off my boots and clasped on a padded coat that Mei, who had paused her alchemic activity, handed over to me with a sad smile on her face. That raiment must have belonged to their former companion. I could not place Ophelia, so it seems she had gone on ahead of us to scout the surroundings. "Your name boy. What is it?" Donbar wore a courageous smile. Perhaps he thought that bravery might be contagious. Lazarus, the Undying One. "Kobo, the Fleet Foot." I replied. He slid on a dented helmet that had a pair of silver angel wings on either side. "The Fleet Foot huh? Well, you must be pretty fast Kobo, if you made it past the Minotaur. Say you... what floor were you on before your party was... lost?" Donbar combed his scraggly beard with his fingertips. Flecks of Lint and gobs of dry blood flew off with each stroke. "We had made it to the eleventh floor. My comrades fought bravely. But we could not subdue the host of Lamia that beset us. I was... the only survivor." Donbar''s thick hand slammed my back. "There''s no shame in that. Surviving is the natural answer to human instinct. You were born to live so how could you regret doing so?" "I-I suppose you are right." Those meek words held an element of truth. I regret not killing them myself. Their wild screams were suffused with such sweet agony. Donbar stretched his back out and fiddled with a contraption on his right arm before gripping a spiked mace with a practiced swing. "What is that?" I said, pointing to the device strapped to his arm. "A crossbow." Donbar answered, as a mischievous grin slowly took form. "No one ever expects a warrior to wield a bow." The crossbow seemed to be in miniature so I doubted its effectiveness, until Donbar shot at a stone pillar. The bolt was the length of one hand span but it sunk all the way in with devastating ease. If I were hit by such a projectile, it might just tickle me. I turned to the so-called Healer of their party. "I know a variety of healing and physical enhancement spells, but I also work well with short swords." Mei said, preempting my question, as her eyes flicked towards the scabbard on her hip. "What about you Kobo? Can you handle yourself in a fight? And do you have a preferred weapon?" Tooth and Nail. "I have some experience in combat. I prefer action at close-quarters. A short saber or a dagger would suit me best." "Oh-ho! He has some confidence. It seems your magic can heal not just flesh and blood, but the heart and soul also!" Donbar was in high spirits. Ophelia returned shortly. "The path is clear. Only the Minotaur stands in our way but..." her voice trailed off. "Is something wrong Ophelia?" Mei noticed her discomfort and began to mirror her hesitation. "The Minotaur has a large wound across its chest. Although it does not appear enraged. Its current condition does not match the Guild''s report. If the situation has changed, I''m afraid it might not accept our toll." That''s no surprise. It was just yesterday when I taught that impertinent fool a lesson. "Do you think we will have to fight it?" Donbar''s auspicious mood quickly sank. "I''m afraid so. Although a single gold coin was all it required to appease the beast in the past, we should be prepared to offer more or even flee if its anger flairs up." "How much can we muster?" Mei had a hopeful look. "The equivalent of three gold coins." Donbar answered. "Add one silver if we give up our weapons." "There''s no way I''m giving up my weapon!" Ophelia held a two-pronged staff with strange affection. Is that a farmer''s pitchfork? What value could that shit shoveler possibly have? "You don''t have to pay my toll fee." I interceded. "Let me stay on this floor and await your return."- "It''s too dangerous! The Gang Rats might come back at any moment!" Mei showed genuine concern for someone she just met. "Gang Rats?" I wondered aloud. Lesser beasts and weak monsters have a tendency to flee even when I approach from a great distance. Those Gang Rats must have excellent instincts, for I have never even laid my eyes on one. "They resemble humanoid rats that walk upright." Ophelia explained. "Each is adorned with bronze armor and one may strike with either their front claws or their spiked tail. You are fortunate to have never encountered one." I feigned a look of horror. "What should we do?" "Pay the toll. Whatever the cost." Donbar''s lips flared with evident displeasure. "But just in case." Mei removed a dagger from her vestment and presented its hilt to me. I received it with a grateful nod. I can use this to pick my teeth.
We had walked in silence for some time. An hour, maybe two. It was hard to tell. A flight of stairs marked the beginning of the next floor. And as we ascended, we caught glimpses of the Minotaur pacing to and fro. It had a bull''s head, adorned with wide-angled horns. A muscled torso that was distinctly human yet unusually hirsute. And hooved feet that produced a loud ''clop'' sound with each step it made on the cobblestone surface of the tenth floor. None had failed to notice the pale, white scar that marked the beast from hip to sternum. Ophelia raised a hand to halt us. Her scaled feet were bare and made hardly a sound as she carefully tread forward. I sensed the delicious fear of my teammates. It was an invigorating sensation that sent a shiver down my spine. The Minotaur sniffed the air for a moment, took note of our approach, and made its retreat to the arched gate where it picked up a large double-headed axe. The gate to the tenth floor had no portcullis. So any that dared could attempt to dart past the gatekeeper. Ophelia unfastened a pouch from her belt and retrieved a single gold coin. She held up our offering. We were more than a stone throw away, such that the coin would appear as little more than a speck in the distance. And yet the Minotaur nodded and stepped aside. With our passage granted, Ophelia, Mei and Donbar strode forward. Each frightful step brought them closer to the gate. I waited. My new companions had nigh entered the gate when Mei turned around and gasped. Donbar and Ophelia quickly followed suit. The Minotaur dipped its head low, patiently awaiting our departure. Mei waved her hands frantically. I took several steps forward in response. Mei smiled encouragingly while Ophelia and Donbar gawked at my apparent cowardice. Again I drew closer and stopped. The Minotaur stood stock still with its eyes closed. Mei had calmed somewhat and continued to beckon me forward with a steady slew of energetic hand signals. I moved forward once more and only stopped when the Minotaur hefted its axe to one shoulder and turned to face me. Even though my present form differed greatly from our last encounter, the Minotaur had not forgotten the scar I had given him. Should I kill him? Or make a run for it? I was loath to exhibit superhuman speed or an unexpected feat of strength. If I did, my freshly acquired companions would be on guard, and may even question the veracity of the unfortunate tale I had spun for them. Although I stood far off, to me, Donbar''s fear was palpable. Cautiously, I edged onward, each step lighter than the last. My companions moved past the Minotaur to the other side of the gate. They still looked upon me with anxious anticipation, but it seemed they were ready to put their faith in ''Kobo, the Fleet Foot''. I was about twenty steps from the arched doorway when the Minotaur suddenly swung its head backwards and let out a monstrous roar. Donbar took swift aim and shot a bolt at the back of the beast''s calf. A deep growl was followed by the sound of crushed stone. The Minotaur had been brought down to one knee. I let out an inadvertent whistle. Truly, Donbar had a heart of gold. I dashed to the gate, making sure to keep my pace within the upper limits of human speed. The Minotaur was enraged. Unable to stand, the beast swung its great axe with just one outstretched arm, in an attempt to cleave me in two. In my distorted perception of time, the arcing swing appeared achingly slow. But to my companions, it was a blurred motion of such terrible force it generated a gust of wind that sent them into a panicked frenzy. I allowed the swing to cut into my shoulder, deep enough to leave a lasting mark, as I raced through the gate. The Minotaur wrapped its meaty fingers on the hilt of the blood-soaked arrow bolt and ripped it out. As a gruesome howl reached my ears, his mad agony touched my heart. And as I ran, together with my companions, tears of joy streaked down my face.
Chapter 2 -- Meet the Hero I know you''re watching me. Ever since I met up with my newfound friends I had felt the watchful gaze of an otherworldly creature. I know not what you are nor what you want. Whether you are one or many, I could not but guess. And yet in you I sense a kindred spirit. When I sleep, or pretend to, the prying eyes disappear. And when I awake and mingle with my naive peers, that intense focus returns. I wonder if you, like me, enjoy the torrent of emotions that emerge from the unceasing struggle we call life? I suppose it does not matter. This inscrutable being lies far from my reach. And its power is so great, that even my innermost thoughts are laid bare before it. Whatever your purpose is, I beg of you. Do not stop this game, for it is the most fun I''ve had in four hundred years!
We sprinted far ahead of the raging Minotaur. Ophelia had not dared to halt our rash escape until Donbar collapsed. Moments later, Mei, no longer driven by the impetus of danger, fell to her knees. "We. Need. To. Keep. Going!" Ophelia herself was winded and paused for breath between each word. "No more!" Donbar bellowed. "I can''t move a single step forward!" He lay sprawled on the ground, sucking in large gulps of air. "I-I think we''re safe... for now." Mei clutched at her chest, as if her heart might leap out of her throat. Taking note of their exhaustion, I made sure to play my part. A film of sweat covered my face, and my shirt was quickly soaked through. Mei crawled towards me and touched my good shoulder. A trickle of warm light spread across my body. I assumed this spell was a repeat of her healing magic, so I allowed the tear on my bad shoulder to slowly close itself. Even as the flesh mended, a swollen mark was left in place. "That is... the best I can do for now." Mei seemed disappointed. I touched her hand gently and said. "You''ve done much more than I could have expected. Thank you." She smiled in return, but her eyes shyly pulled away from mine. Is this face handsome? Ophelia reluctantly began to hand out flasks of water. She kept peering in the direction where the Minotaur was last seen. We each drank in turn. But I choked on the bitter beverage. Is this what water tastes like? Unsure of the properties of this horrible drink, I chose to hide my disgust, and instead savored the sweet sense of relief that emanated from the members of our small party.
We set out again when our band of weary adventurers had completely recuperated. Ophelia met my eyes with a look of admiration. "You sure move fast. I see why you are called the Fleet Foot." Our narrow escape may have forged a bond of friendship between us. I took mental note of this development. "I''ve had a lot of practice. You could say running away is my greatest talent." I said, jokingly. "Don''t be so hard on yer self Kobo. With time you will grow strong." Donbar admonished. "One day you might be able to defeat that Minotaur with the back of your hand." That day had long since passed. "How can I get stronger?" I asked. The question was directed to no one in particular. "Training would be a good start." Ophelia suggested. "You didn''t even try to use the dagger I gave you." Should I have feigned an attempt at injuring the monster? Did I unwittingly prove myself a coward? "I-I would like to know more about your past Kobo. That is, if you''re willing to share." Mei made an unexpected request. Could this be unmasked suspicion or heartfelt concern? Wary of my prolonged reply, Mei batted her eyes and smiled. I imagined it to be a pretty gesture. But I''ve always had difficulty discerning the attractiveness of other creatures. "That discussion will have to wait." Ophelia drew us closer to a distant figure. As we neared, the outline of a man hunched over the broad corpse of an ogre became clear. He turned to greet us with a stern look. His hair was pitch-black and straight. He had the trappings of a knight. Except for a helmet, he was dressed in the full plate armor that bore the color of midnight. Strangely, an unsheathed bastard sword was tied to his belt. But what stood out the most, was his ridiculously large backpack. "Who are you?" his coal-like eyes were narrowed in suspicion. "I am Ophelia, a Lacyrn and Scout. This is Donbar, a Dwarf and Warrior. Mei is half-Human, half-Djinn and a White Monk. Kobo is a survivor we found on the ninth floor. We are... what is left of the adventurer party you hired." "Hmph. You mean to say that you lost one of your members on the way here?" he did not even attempt to disguise his anger. "Yes." Ophelia bowed her head in shame. Mei had her mouth hung open. Feelings of disillusionment had already begun to set in. "It''s fine. I''m sure the Guild will reimburse a good portion of what I paid." "And we will return the rest." Donbar nudged Ophelia with his elbow. "Ah... yes." She handed Malachi a leather pouch. "Two gold coins? This is a quarter of what I paid." He pursed his lips. "We will sell off the equipment that belongs to our fallen comrade once we scavenge his remains on the lower floors. In addition to the Guild''s refundable portion we guarantee you full reimbursement." Donbar spoke with some confidence. "Very well then. I have no complaints." Malachi maintained a satisfied grin for a moment, before lapsing into his usual cold demeanor. "Do you wish to proceed to the fifteenth floor? Or would you prefer to make camp with us?" Ophelia was already planning our journey to the Tower''s exit. "You took too long. I already made it to the fifteenth floor before I made my way back down." A collective gasp emerged from the members of my party. Of course, I missed the cue. "Y-you did what?" Mei spoke to Malachi for the first time. "Every five floors a Boss appears. The tenth has the Minotaur, but he accepts a toll for safe passage. While the Fifth was merely an Onyx Dragon. My concern was the Fifteenth. The Guild reported that a Yali guarded it''s inner sanctum. It is said to have the head of a lion, the tusks of an elephant, the body of a cat, and the tail of a serpent. But that''s not what I found..." Malachi gritted his teeth in frustration. "I found four separate portions of that monster. As if something had cut it to pieces."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. My handiwork of course. I thought I could mix and match the different parts. But alas, I do not possess any healing magic and the creature''s so-called rapid regeneration was quite the disappointment. "Perhaps another party has already ascended past the fifteenth." Ophelia saw no cause for concern. "Perhaps..." Malachi stared at the remains of the Ogre. It''s neck was broken, but it remained otherwise unharmed. "What incredible strength!" Donbar had finally drawn closer. With his fingertips he felt the reams of muscle that the Ogre was composed of. "It''s hide is strong enough to make armor!" "That is true. In terms of raw strength, this Ogre could be considered at par with the Minotaur." Malachi said this as a matter of fact. Ophelia, Mei and Donbar gaped in unison. I could not help but laugh at this awkward moment. Malachi turned to face me. "Do you notice anything odd about this situation?" Is this a test? "I-I can''t say for sure. But it looks like some sort of monster did this. Occasionally, monsters from within fight amongst each other, as they compete for territory." "Territory?" Malachi tilted his head. Perhaps I''ve said too much. "Yes." I assured him. "I have been able to observe such behavior in the floors below us." While there were few individual monsters in the lower floors when compared to the less intelligent herds we call beasts, there were certainly enough to justify my claims. "You may be right." Malachi conceded. "But that''s not what''s bothering me. This monster and the Boss on the fifteen floor haven''t respawned. Respawned? "You''re right!" Donbar tugged at his beard. "All the creatures in this dungeon respawn within a day. And the closer to their lair, the quicker their return." "If the territory theory holds true..." Mei began her conjecture. "Then when a monster attacks another, it might take ownership of its territory and prevent it from respawning. That would explain the scar on the Minotaur. Since it was dealt by another monster, the injury might never heal." What!? This was a shocking revelation. Not only did the creatures of the Gilded Tower heal over time, they also respawned! Does that mean that so long as I don''t leave the Gilded Tower, I would truly be invincible? Even more surprising was the fact that Mei wasn''t as dumb as she appeared to be! "Do you think we might encounter more slain creatures ahead?" Ophelia let her eyes scan into the distance. She was obviously wary of the monster that recently claimed this territory. "That is quite likely." Malachi mused. "The Monster that killed the Ogre probably killed the fifteenth floor''s Boss. So it has considerable strength. It most likely descended from several floors higher. If we encountered it now, we would meet certain death." And yet here you are. Living and breathing. Is that not what they call a miracle? "But... it''s also possible that the Monster may have returned to the higher floors to protect it''s territory from other monsters." Overcoming his disbelief, Donbar had finally caught on to the group''s train of thought. "With such a wide area to maintain, it might always be on the move, to better cover more ground." "That... may also be the case." Malachi had a wry smile. "The situation has indeed changed. I might need to hire a few adventurers to escort me to the exit." Mei put on a bright smile. "We are at your service!"
I hate heroes. Well, that only applies if Malachi is an accurate representation of the norm. On our way back to the Minotaur''s territory, I could feel the steady waves of fear and excitement wash over my companions as they each silently prepared for a difficult confrontation. The only exception was Malachi. He is a wall of ice. Albeit one that moves. When Ophelia recounted our narrow escape to him, he did not even bat an eye. On the contrary, when he learned of the Minotaur''s unusually testy behavior at the appearance of yours truly, he began to gaze at me with wanton suspicion. Not long after the tense air had dissipated, Donbar let out an awkward, fake cough. "Umm... w-why is that the Minotaur did not accept our toll? It seemed particularly enraged at the sight of Kobo?" I was naive to think that common courtesy would prevent unnecessary prying. Though I knew Donbar''s inquiry did not stem from malice, but genuine curiosity instead. "Good question." Malachi moved to block my path. "Answer it." "I-I..." I stammered. "There is... a good reason for that..." It is said that a lie is the most difficult summon. "... the creature you speak of is not native to the Tower. It is a powerful monster once under the control of a prominent tamer that led my party. Alas, all their lives were slain when our leader met his untimely demise, allowing the tamed monster the freedom to rampage." The bastard sword appeared in an instant. Its tip hovered a hair''s breadth from my jugular. "How did your leader meet his ''untimely demise''? Care to elaborate?" Was that a [Quick Draw]? I am certain that his hand had not moved to unsheathe his sword. Though my knowledge of Adventurer Classes could best be described as underwhelming, I''m sure that [Quick Draw] does not belong to the Knight nor the Paladin class. But what of that weighty armor? Could he be an abnormal Berserker? Malachi''s face fell quickly into confusion as the strangeness of my response dawned on him. Surprisingly, further words of inquiry were halted by a now impotent tongue. He shook his head and gathered his thoughts, without staying his blade, and soon enough his curious look turned into a wicked glare. "What do you mean tower? This is a dungeon. I''ve never heard anyone call it a tower!" My mouth flew open. "W-wait." Ophelia gasped. It had never occurred to me that this monster prison could lie beneath the surface. Fuck. Did I just give myself away? "The lad merely misspoke. Fear is oft known to befuddle the mind. And surely that''s not enough reason to end his life?" Donbar earnestly pleaded on my behalf. I silently swore to kill Donbar last. After all, there is nothing sweeter than fresh betrayal. "I may not have been in this world long. But I wasn''t born yesterday!" Malachi let out a hiss as he began to grind his teeth. So, he is a summoned hero? Interesting. Could this be your work, my unseen companion? "Calm yourself." Mei held out her hand. Trails of light swirled before her, as magic wound itself around a glowing arm. "I understand that the Hero''s journey is a perilous one. But we are not your enemy." We? Donbar launched a bolt into Malachi''s shoulder. A piercing tremor preceded Malachi''s sickening howl. I felt a swirl of emotion spring forth. Trepidation. Anger. Confusion. Bitterness. "You fools!" Malachi bellowed. He yanked out the bolt with brutish force. Blood gushed forth for only a moment, before the wound quickly dissipated, leaving a patch of pale, bare skin in its wake. "Think for a moment! From a monster''s perspective this dungeon is shaped like a tower, ascending upwards with every floor!" Indeed, that was my opinion until moments ago. You could say that my faith has been shaken to the core. Perhaps I will adopt another religion. One that involves self-flagellation. "Donbar. We are outmatched. Prepare a retreat." So they don''t intend to challenge him? How disappointing. Though she had addressed Donbar by name, Ophelia suddenly clapped her hands. The unexpected deceit had served its purpose, as a blast of thunder struck Malachi head on. His ear drums burst and his eyes lost their volume, melting from their sockets. "I''ll kill you all!" Malachi began to swing his sword in a blind rage, seemingly oblivious to the loss of both his hearing and vision. "Do not be careless. He still sees." Donbar held up his shield to block a horizontal slash that would have cut Mei in half. The wild sword swings were not entirely random, guided instead by instinct borne from hundreds, if not thousands of battles. As I contemplated the need to re-evaluate my worldview, I absent-mindedly stepped forward and ripped out Malachi''s throat. Oops. "W-whaaat!?" Mei of course. Who else could squeal like a newborn pig in the thick of a heated battle? "Y-yah killed him!" Donbar was beside himself, as a tumultuous mix of emotion made it difficult to discern his thoughts. I had only meant to swat the nuisance aside. But the Hero''s mad dash had thrown off my own aim by a mere hand''s span. A commendable feat on his part and an honest mistake on mine. Come to think of it, why had Malachi''s senses not been restored a moment later? Was his [Instant Regeneration] really no more than a high tiered [Close Wound]? Were Heroes not otherworldly beings blessed with preternatural powers? I guess not. If they were, humans would probably hunt them down until they retreated into the depths of the most dangerous dungeons. And call those that fought back: monsters. "I-I can''t believe yo-" Ophelia fell forward. I caught her calmly, as acute resentment tore away the mischievous grin that had slowly crept upon my visage. There is no pleasure to be had in a sleeping victim. For the first time since I met him, Donbar was rendered speechless. His usually overexcited demeanor dissolved into a steely glare. I readied myself with thoughts of slow torture as he moved to strike me, but at the last moment he grasped Ophelia''s shoulders with as much care as one would an infant that had just left her mother''s womb. He held her in his arms and nestled her face in what was surely a stifling beard. Thinking this a good opportunity to end my brief engagement with this unusual party of adventurers, I reached for the dagger that was strapped to the tip of my left heel but failed to complete this action. Though it may seem unbelievable, I momentarily lost all reason, and unable to realize a sense of self, I thought that the Minotaur had somehow caught me unawares and struck me from behind with his great axe. But I quickly dismissed that preposterous notion and gave into this intense, inexplicable emotion that overcame every other sensation. Suddenly, it vanished. The thing that had granted meaning to my existence was replaced by the hollow void that had numbed my own emotions for centuries. As self-awareness slowly returned, I noticed Mei kneeling over Malachi''s body. She refused to avert her eyes from his death throes. With such resolve came mournful sadness, which began to seep into the depths of her soul. Before long, she became wary of her own convictions, as she attempted to arrest the emotions that swelled her heart before they pilfered reason from her thoughts. Why does this so-called Hero mean so much to her? She rose and looked about. Our eyes met. As I peered through the window of her soul I recognized myself. My lips parted and words spilled forth. But I couldn''t hear them. What is happening to me? Am I drunk on emotion? Mei smiled at me. Whatever I had said was enough to quell her embroiled thoughts. Her gaze unexpectedly turned to Donbar. I noticed that a certain hardness now emanated from her eyes. "We need to get going. Whatever killed the Yali could return at any moment." Donbar transferred the still form from his arms to his back. His voice bore a powerful resolve as he spoke: "What shall we do to get past the Minotaur?" Mei nodded in my direction and graced me with a mysterious smile. "We will run as if our lives depend on it." Chapter 3 -- Blood Stone "Are ye'' sure this is the only way Princess?" Donbar was still carrying Ophelia on his back, and as she was our only scout, his sense of caution was now at its highest. "The Minotaur is not far off. Fortunately, the path to the tenth floor entrance is rarely guarded." Naturally. Who would want pesky beasts disturbing their territory? I for one, would have shown no mercy to any errant trespassers. Mei beckoned us towards a forlorn pillar. "We can rest here." "Wait." I moved with confidence towards the stone outcropping, and with slow deliberation, felt the outlines of its shape with my fingertips, as if it were my star-crossed lover. "I think it''s fine. I don''t sense any traps." "Oh! Who would have thought you were a young Rogue?" Donbar marveled at what he believed to be a [Disarm] skill. Of course I have no such skill. I was simply prepared to lose a few fingers, even an arm if necessary, to ensure the safety of my party. I can simply regrow a lost limb, but such a skill would normally be unattainable for an adventurer of the lower ranks. My cover would be blown in an instant. Perhaps I can rely on Mei''s healing prowess? "Haha. I''m just being careful-" I had tried to make light of the situation but Mei suddenly spun me around and drew her face uncomfortably close to mine. "We risked our lives to save yours! So, don''t ever take such foolish risks. Would you want our efforts to be in vain?" "I-I suppose not." Donbar, never one to be dismayed by a tense mood, pushed his way between us. He seated Ophelia upright, with her back against the pillar''s smooth surface. I unceremoniously plopped down the massive rucksack that we looted from our dearly departed hero. Mei did no more than relax her shoulders, and began waving her hands in a meticulous fashion. Her eyes were closed and her lips trembled with fervor as she spoke in a mystic tongue. Moments later, a vivid assortment of ethereal lights began to dance from her fingertips. I could only assume she was casting buffs. Although losing one''s mind was not entirely out of the question. Insanity is an exquisite dish. It is not often that I taste it. I heard a sharp, metallic click. Donbar had refilled the miniature crossbow affixed to his left arm. I had seen him fire it twice already, with extreme efficacy, but perhaps two bolts was its storage limit? A serious drawback for an otherwise powerful weapon. He noticed my appraisal and smiled with a glint in his eyes. "Don''t worry lad. The Minotaur won''t prove a challenge. I nicked him once. I can do it again!" I shared a laugh with Donbar, allowing myself to be taken in by his charming bravado. Mei used these few moments of respite to dig through Malachi''s mysterious rucksack. She had unwound the thick strings and plunged her arm inside, up to the point of her elbow before she made a loud yelp and suddenly withdrew it. "That''s one nasty trap." Donbar''s ill-timed comment was met with a furious glare. Streaks of blood, patterned the sides of her forearm like a crimson flower in bloom. It was obviously the work of magical razors. "How about it Donbar? Would you like to try? Are you dwarf enough?" Mei seemed to hate being caught in a mistake even more then having her arm caught in a bed of razors. "Don''t mind if I do." Donbar rose to his feet, gave Ophelia''s sleeping form a brief inspection before walking over to where Mei knelt just as she cast healing magic to seal her own wounds. And without warning, Donbar plunged his hand into the bulging rucksack and began to slowly withdraw one item at a time. "Why aren''t you hurt?" Mei almost seemed disappointed. "Magical traps rarely have enough mana to fire twice." A few long minutes passed as Donbar ceremoniously emptied the magical bag of its contents. And with each passing moment Mei''s eyes shot further and further up as the items he produced far exceeded the rucksack''s physical capacity. "Is it enchanted?" "I doubt it. Most enchantments end within a predetermined time frame, or come to naught along with the life of the caster... perhaps it''s a Mythical item?" Mei''s eyes lit up as she digested this possibility. She maintained a plastered grin as she sorted through our findings. Her immediate priority was apparently sorting money and lifestyle items in one sanctified heap, with such things as a bed roll, sheets, tooth brush and tooth paste; as well as some sort of clock that precisely displayed the time in numerical form. "Can I have that?" I wanted to examine this strange device more closely. "You can add it to your cut. I''m sure Ophelia won''t mind." I found myself blinking in wonderment. Are we seriously looting the remains of a renowned hero? Are all adventurers merely licensed thieves? Donbar had taken note of my dismay. "The dead have no qualms. Besides, it''s common sense to loot what you can when you can. Challenging a dungeon is a fool''s errand. But arming ourselves with the tools of our fallen comrades makes us a little less foolish." But doesn''t that mean we are still fools? Mei held out a wooden box. "This is yours. Add it to your stash." My cut had just turned into a full blown stash. I guess I''m really an adventurer now. Or a grave robber. Whatever. Both is fine. I took the strange contraption into my hand and pressed my fingers to its sides. A tiny incisor popped out. Beckoned by curiosity, I pricked a solitary finger against it. The blood that oozed forth swirled in the air above it for a few moments before turning into a black mist. The mist quickly dissipated, along with my enthusiasm. "Mei. I think this thing is brok- woaaaah!" The graverob- I mean the adventurers laughed at my unexpected outburst. A swirl of letters and numbers had appeared before me. At first they emerged in a form of writing I was not familiar with, before transfiguring into an alphabet I knew to be that of the Common Tongue. A language that the human and demihuman races are naturally gifted at birth. KOBO (LAZARUS) Class : None (Unique Monster) Sub-Class : None (None) Title : The Fleet Foot (The Undying One, The Gilded Tower''s 80th Floor Master, The Gilded Tower''s 15th Floor Master) Level : 7 (348) HP : 21 / 21 (4640 / 4640) MP : 36 / 36 (0 / 0) Strength : 14 (712)The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Agility : 45 (1600) Stamina : 19 (1045) Fortitude : 8 (9999) Wisdom : 6 (30) Fortune : 10 (0) Alignment : Neutral (Malevolent) Skills : Lunge Lvl. 3, Dash Lvl. 2, Side Swipe Lvl. 1 (Immortal, Pain Immunity, Shape Shifter, Incubus) Status : Normal (Transformed Lvl. 10, Dungeon Bound Lvl. 10) How can such magic exist? And what does it all mean!? "Is this your first time checking your own status?" Mei continued to rifle through the trinkets and weapons that the mythical bag had produced while Donbar gently tossed a pair of swords whose origins were unknown, into the air, in order to measure their weight. "I prefer Status Stones, but I hear most humans have little or no magic to call their own. So, Blood Stones infused with [Status] magic are the norm among human adventurers. Is that not right Princess?" "That''s exactly right Donbar." Mei looked up from her work, only to giggle at my wide-mouthed perplexity before continuing her itemized analysis. How can there be no malicious inquiries from my teammates? Is my [Status] screen only visible to me? Why have they not yet engaged in interrogation? Could these adventurers have cast this magic from afar? If such item enchantments are common place among humans then it may be safe to assume that a ranged version of this spell likely exists. Alas, I see no subtle way to ask this. "Donbar. Please tell me. Did you or one of your teammates cast [Status] on me earlier?" "Huh?" Donbar halted his examination of a small, foldable shield. He compared it to his own joints which are as thick as an average human''s thighs. He appeared to seriously consider wearing it as an elbow pad. "Can [Status] be cast from a distance?" I pressed onward, unsure if I truly wanted my question answered. "Umm. Yeah. Malachi was famous fer'' doing it at a fairly high level. Although the skill is called [Appraisal]. It''s common among Hunter, Tamer and Rogue classes." Shit. I wrestled with a hundred thoughts before throwing them all away in pursuit of my singular purpose: to remain hidden at all costs. "And... what about Ophelia? Does a Scout normally possess such a handy skill?" "Normally, yes. But Ophelia is actually an Archer, her sub-class is Scout. You can get a sub-class when ye'' reach Level 50 and meet certain stringent requirements but if yer'' born with yer'' main class, then ye'' can get a sub-class at Level 10." Why the fuck is this so complicated!? "So... does Ophelia have appraisal?" I made a conspicuous movement that brought my hidden dagger to hand. But neither Mei nor Donbar reacted. They were too engrossed in their item inspections to notice my odd behavior. Even as we held a conversation, Donbar refused to pry his eyes away from an azure colored crystal that he grasped between a pair of meaty fingers. "Not yet. She has to level up some before Scout skills appear." I relaxed. And restored the dagger to the sheath that lay above my left calf. At least my secret is safe... for now. And even though I had just held a dagger out in my hand, I didn''t actually have any sort of plan. Wait. If Malachi could see my [Status] it would surely have set off alarm bells in his mind from the moment, we first met. Why did he choose to forestall his suspicions? In the end, despite Malachi''s extreme caution, he had lost his life. Not to a Monster, but to a trio of foolhardy adventurers. I will not make the same mistake. I must understand and acquire the ability to appraise others. "Let me ask you one more thing Donbar, how effective is appraisal? Can it fail?" "That depends on its wielder. Any skill can fail. The Skill Level of the caster, the Strength of the target, the degree of concentration applied and whether or not sufficient Mana is available. By contrast abilities will always succeed as they are inherit to one''s existence." Donbar now held a mysterious, sealed vial, with an ominous, green liquid bubbling within. Just when it seemed he would uncork it, he shook his head instead and tucked it into his padded jacket. Could the abilities I was born with be inherit? Being an Incubus is surely not a skill. I can''t wield my stomach. But was I really even born? I don''t recall a childhood. All I can remember is waking to the confines of this so-called dungeon. To me, the Gilded Tower is my home. And these adventurers are my food. A squeal from Mei interrupted my thoughts as she regretted biting into a lumpy, dark brown substance that bore the texture of hardened bread. "Oi, Princess. Do you have to stick every little thing in your mouth? I found myself chuckling at his imprudent remark. "D-Donbar! Don''t say things like that." "Hmm? Is there a better way to describe your strange habits?" "I have to taste whatever is edible. Our rations won''t last long. And I''m the only one with poison resistance..." I allowed the argument over Donbar''s mannerisms to continue while I mused over the revelation of my [Status]. When did these skills appear? [Lunge], [Dash], [Sideswipe] seemed to be an unusual combination of skills that may well suit a Rogue class adventurer. But a fundamental problem arose with the emergence of these skills... I have no mana. And skill usage relies partly on mana. So, how can I activate a skill without mana? I thought back to the many times I appeared before adventurers having transformed into one of their fallen comrades. In spite of taking on the exact shape and disposition of the intended target, no skills or special abilities appeared. Even innate abilities could not be manifested. A gargoyle that couldn''t fly. A wyvern that couldn''t breathe fire. A medusa that couldn''t see through the eyes of her snaked hair. I''ve been all those things and so much more. Every one a failure. I deliberated to the point of intense frustration before the obvious truth dawned on me. I''m a shape shifter! I can only take on the appearance of other creatures. I will always be precluded from obtaining their skills and racial traits. But my [Status] is also a part of my facade. It surely reflects the abilities that others believe I have. By that logic, my stats are a reflection of that perception. Still, I wondered what would happen in the event that I yielded more strength than my outer appearance suggested. To test my hypothesis, I decided to access my hidden stats. 10% should be near the limit of my current form. Any more and a physical distortion might emerge. I knew that a power up would be risky. For while Donbar was a curious fellow, no explanation, however well-reasoned, would allay Mei''s suspicions if I were to have a sudden growth spurt. In a moment, a ball of invisible fire rose within my chest. And from my chest, tendrils of heat spread throughout my body. My muscles swelled just as hypertension made my blood thicken. Profuse sweat soon lined my skin. Caught up in a rush of excitement, I carelessly pricked my thumb against the blood stone''s incisor, cutting much deeper than intended. The wound healed instantly, and with it, a trail of heat caused the air to shimmer before me. That was different from restoring my body by shape shifting. It seems that raising my stats brings forth a natural ability to quickly heal, or at least, raising my stats in my present form has such an effect. The figures displayed in my [Status] had turned into a counter. The values shot up crazily, as the roguish form I possessed struggled to contain the absurd power that spilled forth. "D-Donbar! K-Kobo! I-I t-think it''s c-coming!" Mei was practically whimpering. I momentarily loosened my focus to address her concern as I felt a numbing fear seep into the air. Mei held her short sword in one hand, while the other was clasped so tightly that blood dripped from her palm. She frantically glanced in every direction, and began to swiftly trace circles around our perimeter. Donbar was madly stuffing our loot into Malachi''s bag. What could have caused this sudden pandemonium? Having imbued my current form with just 5% of my overall stats, despite the pressure on my body I felt unbidden curiosity. I couldn''t resist the powerful urge to test the limits of my present physique. I immediately upped my stats to 10%, and let out a sigh of satisfaction. "Mei!" Donbar dashed forward and caught Mei in his arms before her unconscious figure could hit the ground. "What just happened?" I heard myself ask out loud. "What caused her to suddenly lose consciousness?" I swiftly concluded that she had sensed my latent ability. Could [Fear] be an ability that I had just unlocked with my boosted stats? Donbar looked at me with pleading eyes. "What should we do?" "Umm... I don''t know. But I have a feeling Mei will soon recover. Maybe we should just hold our position until she comes round?" Aside from deep agitation, which is to be expected given the situation, Donbar seemed to be fine. So, perhaps he is incapable of detecting any changes in my persona? I need to be wary of adventurers that can detect a dangerous presence. While Mei was unable to pinpoint the source of her terror, other, keener adventurers may immediately identify me as the source of the disturbance. And the degree of fear inducement may be proportional to their strength. In other words a particularly strong adventurer may not be swayed by an unexpected display of strength. In conclusion, powering up in the face of a strong adventurer would mean instant exposure. From now on, I''ll power up only as a last resort. Donbar noticed my resolve and bowed his head deeply. "You need not say it. I know what must be done." He then proceeded to strip Mei of her armor and clothing. When she was left with little more than her undergarments, he proceeded to do the same for Ophelia. "W-what are you doing?" I realized that I was in shock. Is this typical among males? Does the threat of death serve as some sort of aphrodisiac? "D-Donbar I-I don''t think this is the right time for that..." I struggled to find the words to describe the foolishness of such a decision. "What is it lad? Aren''t ye'' prepared to face the Minotaur?" Donbar absent-mindedly replied as he tossed their armor and excess articles of clothing into the magical rucksack. I finally understood his intent when he shrugged off his shield and squeezed it into Malachi''s bag, which appeared to swallow it whole with ease. I grinned at my own silliness and helped him tuck a longsword and felling axe into the rucksack, only to be met with surprise when he abruptly handed the magical item over to me. "You want me to carry it?" "Aye. I''m sure ye'' can manage this much. While I''ll carry them on me aft & fore." True to his word, Donbar finished his preparations by awkwardly wrapping Ophelia''s lanky frame on his back, while bracing Mei in a princess carry. "So what''s the plan?" I''ve never been much of strategist. "I thought ye'' had one." I face palmed. And then sighed. And then groaned. "Can ye'' come up with something quick?" Donbar could never take a hint. "Whatever killed the Yali might be hot on our trail. We cannot afford to tarry any longer." I turned my back to him and jogged forward. I''m sure I''ll think of something to defeat the Minotaur and still maintain my cover. Hopefully.