Chapter 39: Welcome to the Dungeon: Send Your Worst (Patreon)

Author's note:

Early release rather than a bonus chapter, sadly. I'm worried about not getting this out to you early enough since I have a tournament next weekend. It's almost the length of a double chapter, and should explain several things.

Also, I made a slight change to the previous chapter. Props to BerciTheBeast for pointing out an emotional inconsistency. This is the modified version of the last few lines from chapter 38.

“Right.” With stinging eyes, he pulled up the map, then looked down. That’s when he got another first-time experience since entering the dungeon. Everything around them was moving.

“So, I don’t know how to say this, but-”

“The Dungeon’s moving, we know,” Alan said with a sigh. “I didn’t think it was possible, but now that I know it is, we’re going to do it.  You’re our ticket to closure, Vale.”

Cass swallowed what he was about to say when Alan’s thin yet oddly heavy hand patted his back. Instead of something brave or smart, he got out,  “Uh…oh. Yeah. That makes sense.”

Please don’t feed me to the dungeon.

Side note, this is a pretty great chapter that I wrote fairly quickly. Not normal for me. I hardcore planned out the next 9 chapters after as well, and I put in for a transfer to a different school in my district. The moment I did that, it's like...I don't know. An incredible release of stress. Here's hoping it gets approved and I get sent to a better place.

Now, on to the show.

Chapter 39: Welcome to the Dungeon, Send Your Worst

It wasn’t the time for Cass to ask Alan all of the questions he wanted to. Right after saying they were going to close the Portal, the older man blurred away, then returned, panting heavily.

In a choked-up voice, he announced, “We move by Vale’s callouts. Nobody speaks unless it’s an emergency. Vale, sound off.”

The map in front of him was clear, even as walls closed them off on the left. Making a decision, he said, “To the right and forward.”

The group marched at his call, back in the positions they’d originally formed. The air stank of charred meat and weighed heavily in the lungs. Even blinking your eyes felt extra slow as they pushed into the darkness. Of the location they left behind, the walls moved again, pushing forward to enclose them on both sides this time. He forced everyone to back up before adjusting their course back to the right. 

Just as he’d seen in the tunnel, everywhere he traveled stayed on the map. “Alan, how often can the Guardian move things around.”

“In my experience, quite a bit, though the longer you’re in here, the less it does so.”

“Do all Guardians do this?” 

“Some, but not all. This particular one is just a bitch.”

A shift and he called out, “Farther Right.” A heartbeat passed, then, “Multiple enemies on the left behind the wall, prepare yourselves.”

“Korring, watch our backs,” Alan said, blood-tipped rapier up and at the ready.

The rough red rock wall on the left moved so quickly it could only be called magic. Then, the monsters came on. 

The numbers weren’t the same as the first time Team Deadweight had entered the tunnels. Instead of rushing them in a swarm, the blinking Slipfangs attached themselves to everybody in an unrythmic and particularly challenging tactical move. The moment you shrugged one off and prepared to attack it, another was there.

Luckily, Team Razorwire was nothing if not fast. The archers slung their bows and, with an arrow in each hand, began plunging the tips into Slipfangs all around them. Gary, Orla, and Pellin took their fight to the Slipfangs for a second time in a month with a much calmer register, even if the Merchant cursed each time one of them touched on her figure.

Everyone did their own bit of fighting in a small circle, shaking the monsters off before they could get a grip. Cass removed several, including slapping one off his bag. The fight lasted only for a few moments, but the air seemed to grow even thicker with the death of the monsters. They took virtually no damage as Johan bandaged up the few small cuts and scratches on the group, applying a sealing balm so the environment wouldn’t affect them.

“All clear.” Cass quietly said as the walls pushed back, leaving them in nothing but open ground. Alan and Jason picked up their dropped torches, and everyone combed through the monsters for loot. Cass found a small bag resting on top of a large Slipfang and opened it up.

Minor Dungeon Loot gained: +25XP

(Experience held in abeyance)

The bag disappeared the moment he looked inside, a small red glow fading in the darkness. What had once been weight in his hand was now nothing.

“So weird.”

Shirley snorted at him, “Newbies.”

Then they plunged forward again, with Cass calling their movements. The older Scout stayed back to talk to him, “Joran told me about that ability you have.”

“Which?”

The old man’s face quirked, “Bane.”

“Ah. I can only really use things like that twice in a day without a lot of rest. Anymore than that and you’ll have to carry me out of here.”

“That may be what happens, but I’ll try not to let things get that far. What’s the map show?”

“In front and to the sides, nothing but darkness. Behind us is clear.”

“Then we’ll depend on your sense of directionality. Out of curiosity, how big can you make Bane?”

“For as far as my map can normally see, I think. But then it would last only a second. The more I increase the size and damage, the less time we have with it.”

Alan nodded as they continued their slow walk. The whole time, Cass had his eyes glued to the map rather than looking around. He’d almost tripped once, but the old Scout had seen it coming and helped steady him.

Alan leaned towards him, “I have a basic understanding of how a QuestWright’s Calling works. Can you create an outline for Bane at a large size, but with the least amount of damage?”

“Sure,” He looked up from the map. “We’re pausing for a second, everyone.”

Alan grinned, “You’re a natural, Vale. Damien, let’s use this time to set out some clearly marked Caltrops, the reflective kind. I know you have a few hanging around.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once it was set, he looked Alan in the eyes, “Bane works as a radius with a center. That means, if I set the radius at 24 feet…it’ll have…” His face scrunched up as he tried to do the math.

“A 48-foot diameter, close to a 150-foot circumference,” Pellin nearby added.

Cass gave him a smile of thanks, “Right. But, at that size, it’ll last for 40 minutes. If we go up to 36 feet, that time drops to half as much.”

“150 feet isn’t a small amount,” Alan said, “But 36 feet is more for us to play around with, and it’s extra protection. Go ahead and set it to 36.”

“Done. I’m guessing we’re targeting Slipfangs?”

“No, the Guardian’s smart. They won’t be sending us too many more of those. Not unless it decides we’re enough of a threat to throw everything at us at once. Set it to Veilrunners. Wallace and Seb’ll help me keep an eye out for Greybeards, but Veils are this dungeon's bread and butter. Lures with the gold, moves things around to confuse you, chokes you, then throws those bastards at ‘ya when you’re already down. That’s this place’s M.O. and why we’re having a heck of a time defeating it.”

“M.O.?” Gary asked.

“Modus Oper-” He shook his head, “Never mind. It’s just how this place runs. Set it to Veilrunners, Vale. Hah. Well, would you look at that. You were built for this place.”

Cass ignored his terrible joke and made the change. Immediately after, he asked the Question that was burning in him.

“Why are we suddenly closing the Portal? I thought it was a training ground for you guys?”

“Because Fuck the Liberty Guildtower, that’s why,” Alan said nonchalantly as they continued into the darkness. The more they traveled, the more his map took on its usual appearance, and the borders shifted further and further out. No more Slipfangs popped up, just like Alan said, though a few slightly larger red dots appeared on the periphery.

When Cass continued to look at the man, he snorted, “What?”

“It just seems like a simple reason, and I thought things would be more complicated.”

“Liberty is a big cesspool. If I didn’t have people here that I cared about, I’d be roaming around killin’ monsters and targeting dungeons that are built for Callings like mine. Places like this work against me, and just my luck, it’s the one that we can actually get into. Been stuck on the damn Speed Dungeon for all the time I’ve been here. I want this son of a bitch shut down, and I want that Guardian dead. Anything less is a crime against humanity.”

“I can’t really argue against that.”

“Fair enough.”

The archers took turns making bets and shooting down any red dots Cass called out, and then they’d inform a happy Damien, who’d sprint toward the area and return right away with a smile. Each time he got back, he smelled worse and worse. After the third increase, Cass asked about it.

“Greybeards have these organs in the back of their throats. If you cut the back of their head open and pull ‘em out, you basically have an acid bomb. Like most Monster parts, they corrode over time, but I should be able to use ‘em while we’re here. I already pulled a few parts from the larger Slipfangs we killed earlier.”

“Neat. Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure!”

“I’m not trying to be mean, but can you stand further away. This place already smells bad, and you’re only adding to the aroma.”

“Oh, yeah, I normally hold the rear for that reason. No worries.”

Softly whispering, Damien fell to the back, and Cass didn’t fail to notice Adya put a little more distance between herself and the rest of the group. More walking continued until he saw something on the map that forced him to call out a stop.

“What do you have, Vale?”

Cass projected the screen on the ground, “We were about to walk into a trap up ahead. There’s three walls, each with what looks like cutouts placed in them that’s hard to see. Beyond the walls are hundreds of monsters.”

“Can’t tell what kind, right?” One of the archers asked.

“No, just enemies. I think they’re bigger than Slipfangs, but not as big as a person. That’s just guesswork since this is only my second time in a dungeon.”

“Newbies,” Jason said with a grin. Shirley punched him in the arm with a clank. “Ow! What? That’s what they are.”

“They’re doing better than you did when first coming in here. And you were covered in armor.”

“Doesn’t mean you have to punch.”

“Pipe down,” Alan said, quickly cuffing them both on the back of their heads. Rather than look angry at the old man, they glared at each other. “Here’s what we’ll do. Walk right in, spring the trap, then you pop your ability, Vale.”

“Inspired.” Orla said drly.

“Like you could do better,” A timid Pellin whispered back to her.

Cass raised a hand without intending to, “It only works on one type at a time.”

Alan shrugged, “And I’ll bet you Caligula’s End that those are Veilrunners. We’ve been in here for close to an hour. Are you feeling the effects of the place yet?”

Cass didn’t. In fact, aside from the smell and the difficulty breathing, he felt fine. But as he looked around the group, he realized how miserable everyone looked. Orla was sweating as if she were running a fever, Pellin was hunched over more than usual, and even Gary was grimacing.

Adya still looks beautiful. Just…sweaty beautiful. Mom would call that glowing.

It took him a minute to figure out why he was different. Constitution is keeping me from feeling any of the effects. 

Once again, he thanked his lucky stars that he’d gotten Survivor when he did. It had saved and helped him more times than he could count.

Adjusting his eyepatch, Cass blinked at Alan, “I’ll be ready.”

“Good. Damien, set some trip points and place any Caltrops you have remaining around us in a circle. Johan, Pellin, Orla, and Cassio, you’re going to hold our center while everyone else spreads out a little to cover all the sectors of engagement. We’re going to bring them into this position and hold it. Vale, when you see these two idiots running back to us,” he tapped on Shirley and Jason, who both nodded. “Wait until the air looks strange, then hit Bane.”

“Got it.”

“Good. After this, we’ll head back. So far, it’s been a fairly successful run, and we’ve covered good ground. No reason to push things too hard right at the start. Be smart, and we’ll get out of here in one piece.”

Damien got to work while Pellin checked over his and Orla’s weapons. Johan set out several items which Cass and Gary helped with.

“Bandages there. Treegauze. Put these pills here and put the stretcher down there, then unroll it. Yep, should about do it.”

“I’m happy you’re here, Johan,” Cass said, unrolling the two sticks connecting a thick tarp. “I’d probably be more scared for everyone if you weren’t.”

“Well, Adya came by and said she had an opportunity for a quick rush of experience. Can’t really say no to that, as in my Calling, I’m somewhat gated at the moment. That’s the nice thing about Dungeons, all the experience is shared between those who come in with you. Means even a healer like me can do a few unusual things.”

Another thing I didn’t know. 

Cass went out on a limb as Gary helped him lower the foldable legs of the stretcher. “Do you mind me asking what level you are?”

“No, because I like you. I’m stuck at the 4th gate. Pretty common tale, sadly. The leap between 4 and 5 is sizeable indeed. It’s where most people find themselves after so many years with the System. I think when I finally get past it, I’ll shoot straight up to the 5th.”

“What do you have left to do?”

“Well, that’s a tricky bit of fun. The last Quest I have is to save someone under extreme duress. I would’ve thought that my work would’ve completed it after all this time, but there’s some hidden factor I’m not seeing. Figured, after Adya offered the dungeon run, this may just be the way. Didn’t count on all the breathing troubles. Which reminds me.”

He pulled out a few small bottles no bigger than a finger, then handed one to both of them. “Take a swig, it’ll help your breathing.”

“I’ll try to get in extreme duress for you,” Gary said, his breathing immediately improving after downing the tonic.

“Hah, don’t worry about it. If I come along for a few of these, just maybe I can help someone who needs it. Who knows. Just don’t put yourself in any unnaturally threatening situations to help an old Pharmacist out. Excuse me, I’m going to hand these out. Think everyone could use one of Johan’s Curious Curatives.”

Rather than drink his, Cass put it in his bag. Constitution was keeping him upright without trouble at the moment, though the general haze in the air did seem to be thickening the longer they were within the dungeon. There was no telling when his enhancement wouldn’t hold up anymore.

Damien and the two archers came back to the center, along with Alan and Adya, who had been speaking on the side. Alan looked over their group with a critical eye, and Cass matched him. Everyone looked to be in better spirits after drinking Johan’s tonics.

The old scout nodded to Shirley and Jason, and the two began a leisurely walk toward the trap. It was only a minute before they began sprinting back, and Cass got the next nod. He waited a few seconds until the air looked like it was moving within the torchlight, then performed his role.

Holding up his hand, the Quill entered the world. In the darkness of the Dungeon, its luminescence was all the more powerful. Team Razorwire and Johan both looked shocked while Alan grinned like he was seeing a neat party trick. Writing upon the world with a quick mental conversation, Bane shot out and encircled them at a low-damage setting for over 200 feet.

That’s when every Veilrunner in the area became visually present as the drain took its toll on the QuestWright. Because he hadn’t tested the other effects of Bane yet, Cass had stuck with Burn. And burn they did.

Arrows, spears, swords, and whatever Pellin’s weapons did struck the Veilrunners before they could get a hold on what was happening. The archer's accuracy was apparent as every shot entered a monster's skull, while Pellin and Orla settled for numerous body shots as they aimed while waiting for their weapons to recharge.

“3-”

“5-”

“You don’t have five, liar.” The two archers bickered.

Cass put away the leader map he used to project Command Center and pulled out his hatchet and shield. He hadn’t needed to, as between the levels and experience of everyone in the group, the burning Veilrunners didn’t have a chance.

“Note to you, QuestWright Vale,” Alan said with a grin. “If you damage a Veilrunner, they have a hard time using their illusory abilities.”

“That’s a good note,” Gary said between breaths, swinging his mace at another reaching monster.

“Thank you.”

 Since he didn’t have anything to do, Cass put his weapons away and pulled out his map again. There were several red dots coming forward in the distance, and they weren’t on the ground. They were on the ceiling.

Stupid, Cass. You’re not a warrior. Let the fighters do the fighting, and you do the thinking.

The monsters grew closer as his self-recrimination stalled him on time. When he realized they were too close, he did what he thought was best.

Pulling out the Quill, he set the radius to hundreds of feet, put the damage on low, then worded the Hybrid Quest a bit differently than usual. The drain hit him, forcing Cass to a knee as the golden Quest struck the ceiling and pinned itself there.

“What the!” Orla yelled as a gray body fell beside her with a splat.

“It’s raining Greybeards!”

“It’s like fleshy fireworks! Look at ‘em go!”

A particularly large one fell near Adya. Unlike the others, this one got up. She set her spear across her arm, sharpened tip forward, and pushed in with it.

“Mind it’s reach!” Alan called out as everyone ran across the area, killing burning Veilrunners and finishing off weak Greybeards. “That’s an Alpha. Their necks stretch a lot further than expected, girl.”

“I know!” She shouted. Darting forward, she plunged the spear in, but this Greybeard was faster than she expected. It’s sucked in the side of its body without moving its head, then zipped forward in a blur. Adya jumped back and dropped to the ground, her body almost a blur as she rolled away, then scrambled back up.

“Quick little bastard,” Alan commented.

“Why aren’t you helping her?’ Cass demanded from the ground.

“Better if she learns this way, where I can actually help if she needs it. There’s no training wheels with monsters.”

The Greybeard and the Scout danced back and forth, and though Cass felt like his heart clenched every time the monster blurred, it did look like she was getting better at timing it. Eventually, the monster made a mistake. 

The Alpha Greybeard stretched its neck forward, impossibly wide-teeth agape, when Adya rolled beside it instead of away. Bracing the spear on her arm, she stabbed it cleanly through the neck until the tip made it through the other side, then rolled away.

The Greybeard tried to retract its neck, but the spear held its muscles in place.

“Hah! Good tactic, girl.” Alan congratulated her as the Greybeard uncomfortably moved its head while trying to track her. “But you’ve got no weapon now.”

Adya spat to the side, “I am the weapon.”

“Good girl.”

Pulling out a knife, she moved right, then dodged left before the Greybeard could maneuver. In a graceful leap, she soared onto the monster’s oversized head, pulled a knife from her lower back, and plunged it speedily into the creature. Three stabs, ending with a twist on the inside, then she leaped off.

The Greybeard groaned with air escaping its pierced throat, then collapsed as its bodily fluids spread across the ground.

“Well done, girl,” Alan said, two small claps briefly ringing through the sounds of combat. “That was better than expected. There’s some hope for you. Also, you owe me a spear.”

Adya glared at him.

The moment the Greybeard died, the rest of the monsters began to flee. Alan called them all in so Johan, who had a shallow cut on his cheek, began to care for them. 

Cass asked the old man, “Why’d they run?”

“They were losing, and more than that, the Guardian just lost a lieutenant. Don’t see that many Alphas in this Dungeon. Think the cranky bitch who runs the place doesn’t like fighting them for control. Anyways, can you walk?”

“Kind of.”

“Good enough to leave then. Come along, folks, let Johan get you up and going, then we’re done for the day. We’ll come back in a few after everyone’s all healed up. Johan, feel free to tag along.”

“Appreciated.” He said, wrapping a bandage around one of Shirley’s hands.

Before they left, Adya walked over and kicked the Greybeard’s side. Underneath the body was a large node of gold. Without a worry, she picked it up and held onto it. Cass gave her a look, and she shrugged then looked around. When the Dungeon didn’t send anything her way, she placed the large nugget in an oversized pocket.

“Did someone just find gold?” Orla asked the quiet dungeon.