Ok, I got distracted.
Now, about the experience gaining methods. I read about it in the "Glossary", and found out more from Foxy and Owl. The process was different for adults and children.
In the "child" stage, 20% of the player's experience, both from battles and quests, was given to the pet. The speed of experience gain and maturation also depended on the food. The pet should always be fed, which meant that constantly holding it in the bag would have negative consequences, so it should often be released to feed. Well, I couldn't stuff my "kitty" in a bag even if I wanted to, as she was too big. So, I had to look after her timely meals. She reluctantly ate dried meat, but the carcass of a wild boar, which we killed along the way, was shared among all three predatory pets. Gramps stood by, continuously grumbling that we were wasting time, and was getting on everyone's nerves, so we had to move on. I was yet to figure out how to care for the fairy.
Once a pet becomes an adult the experience gain drops to 15%. From that moment on, the pet can gain experience on its own; fighting species, like the "Direcat", evolved through fighting, and protective ones, like Tinnie, through working with spells, and performing utility tasks. In general, my two pets would constantly gain 35% of my experience. Of course, there was a catch. Despite me being level seven, Foxy, losing only 20% to her pets, would soon catch up. Not to mention Pops, who didn't lose any experience at all. But honestly, I didn't care. These two creatures warmed my soul and our relationship grew stronger with each passing hour. For the third time I had to visit the half submerged tree trunk against my will. And again, I felt that unpleasant feeling when I looked at the leftover fragments of arrows that were sticking out of the trunk…
Then I saw Grant and Cavalier ahead of us.
Their fursters, tied to a gnarled pine, were grazing peacefully at the foot of a rock formation. The players, smoking their pipes, were sitting on the ledge overhanging the water and watched us approach.
Having tied the horses, we, too, climbed up the slope overgrown with thick green moss. Well rested, Fury cheerfully ran in front of everyone, climbed up, and went to explore the rocks and mark the territory. Climbing after her, I found out that Grant and Cavalier were sitting on Glutton.
"Finally," Cavalier took the pipe out of his mouth and lifted a hand in a welcoming gesture. Grant nodded silently, hiding his barely noticeable smile in the beard. I hadn't managed to talk to him without witnesses, but it seemed that he was reverting to his old self. I nodded in response and cautiously approached the edge. Ten feet below us, water boiled, roaring and twisting into a seven feet wide vortex which obscured rows of sharp, dagger like rocks. A dangerous neighborhood. One wrong step…
"Isn't it noisy here?" I had to raise my voice. "Maybe we could choose another place to stay? Or, better yet, just move to the dungeon."
"We're already here," Cavalier stared at me more serious than ever before.
"How's that?" Pappy frowned, not getting it, and put his warhammer onto the stone surface with a loud clang.
"The entrance to the dungeon is here," Cavalier sucked the pipe again, not hurrying with explanations. His eyes gleamed merrily. He was stalling on purpose, knowing how nervous we were. Grant also portrayed the imperturbable follower. Those assholes surely had agreed about this behind our backs.
"So? I don't see anything," Foxy sat next to Cavalier, and smiled ever so gently, making the "Fortune Hunters'" vice-cm choke on smoke and cough.
Looking at the girl, Gramps frowned even more. Owl, having been a little late, grinned. This little game of hers had not gone unnoticed. I whispered to her to leave the jokes for later. She knew how Gramps felt towards her, and there had already enough teasing and tension. We didn't need any of that, especially right before the dungeon.
"Okay, let me explain," clearing his throat, the cleric relented. "The dungeon has several entrances. Until now, three of them were known: two chosen by the clans, and one common. But now, as the number of clans has increased, Esco has unlocked the fourth entry for the 'Hunters'."
"Why the sudden charity?" cautiously muttered Pops.
"Esco was very inspired by the formation of the third clan in 'Wondergarden'," explained Cavalier. "He even let it slip that this is one of the conditions to end his sentence in the 'sandbox', and even forgave Grant for the daily in advance, as there's no time to complete it."
"Sentence?" I was immediately curious. "What does that mean? Is he some kind of criminal?"
"He didn't delve into it any further," Cavalier shrugged. "I'd like to know, too, but I did not dare spoil his mood. What's important is that neither the 'Children of the Steppes' nor the 'Reed Cats' know about this entrance. Of course, the truth always comes out, but, for now, you are completely safe, and can go on your most important adventure in this location without interference."
"Where's the entrance?!" Foxy got up, no longer hiding her impatience. "Cavalier, I respect you, but we're agitated enough as is, so don't aggravate us further."
"A moment," the cleric asked calmly. Then he got up, opened his bag and handed out to everyone a large jar with a "Monastic Potion of Health". "I barely had enough 'socs', but it's worth it. It heals much more than the usual 'Tincture'. The healer's powers are to be saved for serious fights, and minor scratches can be healed with this, there is no need to trouble Grant."
"Very sensible," I nodded, "but you still haven't said where the entrance is. Stall it more, and Red will hit you, and none of us will stop her."
"Okay, okay. Look down," Cavalier pointed his finger over the edge of the cliff.
"Are you joking?" Red, turning pale, voiced everyone's opinion. "Are we suicidal?!"
A strange sound made us turn around. It was the first time I saw Cavalier laugh. The cleric's broad shoulders shook and his face turned purple. Our irritated gazes silenced his donkey neigh and the cleric's face took on its usual expression.
"I couldn't resist, but it was worth it. You should've seen your faces. All right, jokes aside," he moved away from the edge of the ledge to the center of the rock mass, squatted and put his hand onto the stone surface. After everything I had seen so far, I was not surprised when lines flowed from underneath the cleric's hand, forming a five-foot circle with clear boundaries. As soon as the lines closed, the surface of the outlined area lit up, instantly burning all the dust and litter nearby. Before my eyes appeared a pristine surface, flat as a table.
"This portal leads into the dungeon," explained Cavalier, though everyone had gotten it already. "So, let's not waste time, hand over your pets. I solemnly swear to look after them as my own until you return. There's little use of them in the dungeon, only extra worries. Only the 'Turtangle' is suitable for the fight with 'The Destroyer', and your aim is to do everything possible, and impossible, to defeat him. Otherwise, some of you will not get out of the 'Replicator', and that'd be sad."
"Yes, we know. We heard that already," snorted Owl, handing Flea over to Cavalier, "We'll watch over the 'Turtangle' together, don't worry."
Foxy followed the mage's example without the slightest objection and handed over voth the "Batwing" and her backpack to Cavelier, adding:
"I prefer not to drag anything unnecessary with me."
"Your decision," Cavalier took the backpack, and looked at me with anticipation. I stared at him and all of my companions and couldn't get rid of the unpleasant feeling that I was missing something.
"What do you mean, Cavalier? Why would 'one of us not get out of the 'Replicator''?" What are you guys talking about?"
Cavalier looked at the healer in surprise.
"Grant, didn't you tell him?"
The man looked puzzled, even confused. I was starting to boil.
"Ok, explain before I do something really bad!"
"I told you the legend about 'The Destroyer's' dagger and about his ritual, don't you remember?" reminded Grant.
"Related to the matter at hand," I muttered through clenched teeth.
"Well…" Grant rubbed his forehead. "'The D
estroyer's' last blow, I told you about that, too. He performs that attack with his dagger, 'The Soulcatcher'. It is impossible to avoid, and if it hits the player, all of his saves are reset, which is followed by the final death without revival. That's why a pet is usually set up. It's a common practice in this location."
They all knew. It was only me whom Grant had forgotten to warn. He kept his fucking secrets and forgot the most important thing. I didn't not have the time, nor will, to restrain myself. One step was enough to close the distance between us, and my fist collided with the healer's face.
Even before Grant fell, Glutton instantly wedged between us, shielding its master with its armored body. Rage burned in the pet's eyes, and it was ready to attack. With lightning speed, Fury jumped in front of it, hissing in response, eyes sparkling, whiskers on end, and claws ready. She didn't care that she was ten times smaller than her enemy. Her instincts made her jump to my defense. Tinnie was there, too. She had just started sleeping under my jacket, and was now buzzing around my face, silver wings working quickly, and looking angrily at Glutton. Her eyes darkened to a deep ultramarine from the overflowing emotions.
"What are you doing, Wise?!" Foxy threw herself to Glutton and grabbed it by the edge of the front carapace with both hands, as if trying to restrain the thousand plus pounds of live weight.
"Back!! Glutton, back now!" shouted Grant, propping onto his elbow.
"Chill, man," Gramps, although intervening, remained on the side, and watched the scene unfold. Owl gripped his staff so hard that his knuckles turned white. I wondered whose side he'd pick if anything happened.
Still furious, I turned away, and mentally recalled my pets. Fury ran up to me and rubbed against my boot. Tinnie landed on my right shoulder, beeping something anxiously, and soothed me by caressing my neck with her warm, tiny palm. The empathic connection to the pets was stronger than I thought. I was enraged by the planned sacrifice of, not mine, but someone else's pet! Rage forced me to act without hesitation. I needed to carefully monitor my emotions as they were starting to get out of hand. I had only one excuse, albeit a weak one – my teammates, unlike myself, had enough time to come to terms with this. Though, I could have guessed the role of a "tank" pet in this damn dungeon
"Sorry, Wise. I really thought that I told you," hollowly said Grant. "But now you know everything I know. Sorry, again."
Cavalier went around and stood in front of me. He was extremely calm and serious.
"No time for fighting, Wise. You understand that, right? Grant didn't specifically forget to tell you. It just happened, one can't consider everything."
"We're done with it," I forced myself to speak. "I'm wrong. I could not resist, although such impulsive displays are not typical for me. I'm sorry too, Grant."
"I understand, everyone is nervous now, but it's time to move on," the cleric put a hand on my shoulder, inviting the fairy to cross onto his. "Come here, sweetie. I won't hurt you."
She angrily shook her head, her hair rising like a fountain. I was thinking hard, biting my lips. I remembered Owl's words, when he had been talking about his pet near the pier: "Even if the pet runs out of saves, the owner can donate his to revive it."
That's it. That's why the pet goes to the slaughter. If the owner survives, the pet does not die. Realizing this, I immediately calmed down. Anger and irritation disappeared without a trace, as if they never happened. I calmed down so much that I was now trying to figure out how to use Tinnie.
"I do not recommend that, Wise," Cavalier shook his head, shrewdly interpreting my hesitation. "I know what you're thinking. There is no guarantee that Tinnie's abilities will be unlocked in the next levels. I advise you to do her leveling after the dungeon. There's nothing to be said about the 'Direcat', too. Her chances of survival are scarce, and they will both get experience remotely."
"Grant, what pet did Stinger have?" It was strange that I had never asked before.
"An armadillo," the healer smiled. "A little weaker than the 'Turtangle', but also a good one. And yes, an adult, just like Glutton. It would have made for a good sacrifice."
"Tinnie has two saves," I said with resolve, casting all of my doubts aside. "She's not risking any more. Let's increase our chances altogether, take Fury."
There was nothing more to discuss, and I was the first one to enter the gleaming portal.
A quick flash of light enveloped my body, and the next moment I found myself in the underworld.
Chapter 19
"Light in the dark"
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The dark elven stonemasons did their best outfitting their underground kingdom, which had since become the abode of "The Destroyer". Our group silently moved through the wide stone corridor carved into the thick mountain. Our footsteps echoed through the hallway, multiplying and fading. We kept silent, expecting an attack at any moment, although we were warned by Cavalier that the path would be free until the first guard post.
Despite the weak crepuscular light, which helped us manage so far without torches and magical illumination, the darkness was blinding. Every time we passed by the paired columns, made of some translucent material, which exuded light, the faces of my companions resembled those of ghosts. With each passed step the unpleasant feeling in my gut grew stronger and stronger, and I was starting to fear that the damn corridor would stretch endlessly and that our group would remain there forever, doomed to wander the dungeon until we crumbled to dust from old age.
It was not surprising that all of us experienced great relief when, finally, half an hour later, the path led us to the first reference point for the battles.
Tinnie was the one who warned us of danger when she returned from scouting, squeaking something excitedly, and waving her hands in front of my face. Cautiously moving on, a moment and one hundred and fifty feet later, the passage forked, going to the sides at right angles. The wall it abutted with was dotted with round gaps. Embrasures, perhaps?
On my sign, all of us took refuge behind the columns. Except Glutton, who, obviously, couldn’t fit. As it was sticking out from behind the pillar we had to send it back so that it does not catch the attention of the first guard that appears. Because of its size and mass, it was damn hard for the "Turtangle" to tread carefully, but it managed not to stomp too loudly. As soon as the pet disappeared into the nearest deep shadow, we paid our attention to the hallway ahead of us.
I beckoned the fairy with my finger and, in a barely audible whisper, said:
"Tinnie, how many are there?"
The fact that the fairy couldn't talk to me properly was a little upsetting. The system translated the Gybberkin language, but I only heard incoherent squeaks coming from the fairy. I hoped that when the "Spiritual Link" awakened, I would begin to understand her. That is, If I understood the talent correctly. There remained the universal language of gestures, and in response to my question, the fairy opened both her hands. Pausing to think, she hesitantly retracted two fingers. Clever girl. Eight, then. So far it all coincided with what Cavalier had told us. There were usually no more than two dozen guards, but their composition was always different. An elite could, for example, appear among the enemies. In any case, we couldn’t find that out without prior scouting.
We had no time to waste. Stick in one place for too long, and you could run into a patrol consisting of the warriors missing from the guard post.
"I wonder how we will take them by surprise?" asked Grant, whispering. "Especially since we can't even see them."
"We need to lure them out into the open," muttered Gramps, peering from behind columns and clenching his hammer with both hands. "I’ll greet them…"
Despite the bravado, his forehead glistened with sweat. Like everyone else, the cleric was worried and anxious.
"Can I blast them with a ball of lightning?" Owl asked. "It's gonna be fun."
"Blasting is all you think about," Grant grunted. "You want your head ripped off, being the initiator? Already forgot about the damn "aggro"?"
She was right, the whispers traveled quite far.
Leaning against the wall, the girl kept her bow and arrows ready, but the string was left free. She looked in my direction, waiting for a decision. Although Grant was formally the leader of the group, I, as a warrior and a "tank", was the one going first. So, as we already had one punching bag, we decided to keep the "Turtangle" for the last assault. Because of all of that, I had the right to make decisions.
While we were still on the island, we had discussed everyone’s abilities so that each of us knew the capabilities of the entire group. However, I got something new after reaching level seven.
"Flamespear"
Rank 1 (0/100)
Combat ability
A magic attack that deals 300 points of lingering fire damage (15 seconds). Grants one attack point.
Action type: instant
Condition to use: long-range combat
Cooldown: 30 seconds.
As they say, better late than never.
I had finally gotten a ranged combat spell, and a very good one at that. My stats also grew, as well as the "Uniq's" damage. The sword now shone with brand new steel and wore the name "Flame", because, apparently, it glowed in the dark at its owner’s will. At the entrance to the dungeon, all players got the opportunity to insert "socs" into their weapons for additional improvements. Consumable materials’ timely replacement should now be looked after. I left ten stat points unallocated because I first had to see how good I was, before deciding where to put them.
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