The Guild Core: The Complete Saga Boxset: A LitRPG Dungeon Adventure

by TJ Reynolds

  That’s when the torch fell, and their only light guttered out.

  12

  Tipping the Scales

  Kai

  Blood dripped into Kai’s eyes, adding to his already-surging panic. The pitch dark enveloped him like a smothering blanket.

  “Ban! Are you okay?” he called out.

  Of course I am. I can still see a little. Are you okay?

  Kai wanted to answer his friend, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted. More stones struck Kai, most bouncing off of his armor harmlessly. Still, he knew they were in a bad position.

  The houndzard beside him growled and Kai felt rather than saw the beast surge toward their unseen enemies.

  Kai blinked, trying to make out anything in the inky black.

  It was no use.

  He listened to Ban’s borrowed form as it struggled to subdue a swarm of daldrim. But the room was large and they were heavily outnumbered.

  Kai clutched his glaive and held it before him, moving it side to side in an attempt to block any attacks.

  The daldrim seemed to be able to see easily, however, and soon a few closed in on Kai.

  Their strikes came as a surprise.

  Kai grunted when he felt something smash him in the back.

  He spun, sending his glaive out in a quick reaction. The weapon grazed a daldrim and Kai moved to follow up with a more substantial attack.

  Then more attacks landed on his chest and legs.

  Kai staggered, trying to keep his balance in the smothering dark. Finally, one of the monsters struck him a blow to the back of his skull. The room tilted, and Kai slammed into the ground.

  He fought to stay conscious and only just succeeded.

  His glaive was gone, lost on the floor somewhere near him perhaps, but a mile away for his purposes.

  Whatever weapons the daldrim held began to fall down on his prone body. He yelped in pain when one struck the joint of his elbow.

  Fear and pain cleared his mind, and not knowing what direction he should or shouldn’t aim, he fired a Flame Spear from his hand.

  The ether-charged projectile rocketed across the room and splashed against the wall.

  He got a brief glimpse of the room around him. Ban struggled with a dozen creatures twenty feet away. And all around Kai, daldrim gathered.

  I need to see! he wanted to shout. I’m no good if I can’t shivving see!

  Kai gasped as suddenly his eyes burned. He clutched his face and curled into a ball. The daldrim continued to damage his armor and body, but the pain in Kai’s face was so great he couldn’t do a thing.

  It must have been acid, he assumed, terrified that now even should they survive this skirmish, he would never see again.

  Then, a particularly heavy blow sunk into Kai’s ribs. The chain mail he wore protected him somewhat, but the hit rolled him over onto his back.

  When he looked up, the face of the big daldrim hovered above him.

  He could see.

  Not thinking beyond the moment, Kai shot out another Flame Spear. This time, the attack lanced through the daldrim’s chest, killing it instantly.

  Kai! Speak to me. Are you still alive? Ban asked amidst the chaos.

  To Kai’s surprise, his response was genuine. I am, Ban. Don’t worry. Let’s kill these little bastards already!

  When three daldrim swung at Kai’s legs, he rolled to the side and felt the cold length of his glaive.

  Then he was on his feet, spinning his pole arm to good effect.

  With a shriek, the daldrim retreated a pace.

  Kai could see their faces, their shabby clothes, and their weapons. His vision was different somehow. Though he could make out distinct details with ease, the room remained dark and shadowed.

  Everything had an amber cast to it.

  The enemies around him bore simple staves, and though they were stronger than the previous daldrim had been, Kai outmatched them all.

  Wounded, terrified, and pissed off, Kai unleashed his full potential.

  Instinctively, he cast Shadow Shroud. The cloud of black ether emerged from his body, making the space around him murky and indistinct.

  When he attacked again, the daldrim didn’t even try to dodge or block. To them, Kai was but a shadow.

  He slashed out the belly of one and the throat of another. Kai struck a third in the forehead with the butt of his glaive, and fired a Flame Spear through two of the beasts who had lined up perfectly.

  For a brief moment, he had a reprieve.

  When he saw Ban a good distance away, he realized the only reason he’d survived so far was because his companion had pulled the lion’s share.

  The stone houndzard ripped the daldrim apart, moving from one to the next. Twenty of the creatures surrounded him.

  Kai needed to act now or his friend might not survive the fight.

  He ran to the crowd of daldrim and fired off three Flame Spear spells in a row. The first two killed their targets quickly while the third scorched a path through five more. Only one of the beasts died from the lucky shot, but the others reeled from their burns.

  A few of the daldrim noticed his approach but soon fell to his glaive. Shadow Shroud kept his movements difficult to follow.

  While Ban struggled to defend himself, Kai butchered the beasts in the room.

  Long moments later, Kai stood panting, his glaive clutched in his fervent grip.

  Kai, you… Ban said at last, sounding confused. Kai, how can you see? I thought you had fallen.

  I can see though not well. Maybe there’s an Earth Core here after all. Did it not seem to grow brighter to you?

  Ban limped away from the ragged pile of bodies. He’d been hurt pretty bad from the skirmish, but he didn’t seem in danger. Rather, a series of gashes and shallow cuts looked to be making movement painful for him.

  The Earth Core’s champion moved closer to Kai, his reptilian eyes flickering up and down Kai’s frame. No. The room is as dark as it ever was. Kai, can you light another torch?

  Good idea, Kai responded before searching the ground till he found the blackened torch at the base of the stairs behind him.

  Finally, Kai managed to light the torch again and held it aloft to examine the carnage.

  His eyes adjusted to the flickering light quicker than he thought possible. Ban had no such luck.

  The houndzard growled, wincing at the sudden influx of light. Then the hulking beast blinked a few times and turned back to Kai.

  The powerful champion roared in Kai’s face and reared back. Kai shouted in surprise and stumbled a few paces in the opposite direction.

  What was that for? Kai demanded, his heart hammering.

  My gods! Ban cried out in Kai’s mind. The huge beast’s chest heaved as it caught its breath. Then it took a step closer to Kai and stared at him in disbelief. Your eyes, Kai! What have you done?

  I don’t know? Is it bad? They threw acid in my face, I think. I can see fine, though, so—

  With great urgency, Ban cut him short. Kai, you don’t understand. Your eyes are… well, the rest of you appears the same as it always has been, but your eyes are those of a dragon!

  It took the better part of an hour for things to settle down once more.

  Discovering that part of his body had shifted disturbed Kai to no end. Then again, he found he didn’t need the torch at all.

  He snuffed it out and tucked it away in his baggage for now.

  The two searched the large chamber and found nothing but close to thirty daldrim warriors, the most powerful of the creatures they’d faced thus far.

  Each stood nearly as tall as Kai, and their chests and legs were strewn with corded muscle.

  No wonder they packed such a punch, Kai mused as he searched the last of the beasts.

  No useful loot could be found.

  Only an assortment of sticks and stone rubble. The daldrim were garbed in cloth breeches and various pieces of leather armor.

  It didn’t take an elevated Intelligence Attribut
e to guess that the next group of daldrim would be stronger still.

  I say we continue, Kai suggested at last. He’d cast a healing spell on himself and on Ban’s champion, enough to make their wounds less difficult to withstand.

  Kai heard Ban sigh, the massive lizard’s lungs noisy in the confines of the keep. Yes, I suppose you’re right. Still, are you sure you don’t want to turn around? And do you feel healthy?

  I feel amazing, actually.

  Interesting, Ban muttered. If only I could remember more. I had no idea you could partially shift. And even with my memory restored, I doubt I’d ever met a half dragon before. For all we know, Kai, your abilities may be completely unique.

  Seems all we need is a stack of books that don’t exist, Kai complained. But let’s focus on finishing this first, okay? Then we can decide what our next move is and what I can do about my eyes.

  Letting the topic die, Ban and Kai moved to the yawning staircase they’d found in the corner of the room. It shot down into another black room, but at least Kai could see.

  Taking no more risks, Kai charged and cast Shadow Shroud once more.

  It meant spending more of his precious AE, but at Golden 1, Kai had over 300 AE. Between Shadow Shroud, Restoring Tide, Confounded Core, and Flame Spear, his reserves had taken a big hit on his way down.

  A bit of caution can go a long way, he reminded himself, and felt justified in his investment.

  Wrapped even more fully in the concealment of darkness, Kai ventured down to the fifth floor.

  With the roiling cloud of dark ether around them, the two descended more quietly than before. No sounds came up from the depths, and Kai could only see a short distance beyond the base of the stairs.

  Then he saw the door standing closed at the end of a short hallway.

  Ban, the passage is blocked. I’m gonna try the door. If it doesn’t work, might need to use a little force.

  Kai found an intricate handle made of brass and gave it a turn. The device turned easily despite its years.

  When the door opened, a gust of wind forced its way through the gap and Kai’s nose twisted. The Sunken Keep hadn’t been a particularly smelly adventure. When compared to the Mirin Swamps, it was downright rosy.

  But Kai knew they’d discovered the heart of the daldrim society. He could smell the stench of countless bodies living in close quarters.

  It was anything but pleasant.

  Kai shouldered the door open and walked out into a large room. It appeared empty at first, but then he spotted forms rising from what looked like make-shift beds.

  The daldrim who spotted him recoiled, hissing and holding up their long arms defensively.

  But they didn’t attack.

  Ban, these ones… I don’t think these daldrim mean us any harm. Let’s just pass through if we can.

  The great houndzard growled softly, the vibrations tangible in the thick air. I am okay with trying that, Kai. If they attack, though, I’ll happily grind them under foot.

  As Kai suspected, the humble creatures kept their distance. The room they were in ran forty feet in length and was ten wide. Kai and Ban passed by ten of the creatures.

  Kai used his Etheric Interface to examine the nearest daldrim and was taken aback by their title.

  Daldrim Thrall

  Goblinoid

  Amber 1

  Anger rose in Kai’s gullet and he strode through the miserable creatures with greater purpose. Their emaciated forms and wretched condition only fueled him to action.

  He’d find the shivving daldrim in charge, and he’d end its life.

  The next room was much the same. Twelve more thralls, none who made a single move to attack.

  The third room opened up from the side of the second. This was immensely different from anything they’d encountered so far. Not only was there a line of proper beds but a rack of weapons stood at either end of the long hall.

  Kai examined one of the weapons nearby, a spear by the look of it. Its tip was rusted and the handle cut down for use in close quarters. Despite its crude finish, the spear was nonetheless deadly.

  Then the slam of a door ahead followed by a screech alerted Kai that another battle was at hand.

  Rather than charge headlong into the fray, Kai told Ban to hold back a while. Then, while the daldrim lumbered through the opposite door, Kai charged Confounded Core.

  The seconds passed slowly as more of the creatures flooded through the door. A dozen of the warriors, all snatching up spears as they came, snarled toward Kai.

  Two of the figures looked different though.

  Lacking the time to examine them, Kai took a gamble and aimed his fully powered spell at one of them.

  The vorpal ball of ether raced through the crowd of daldrim and struck one of the two larger creatures at the back of the room.

  No splash effect boosted the spell this time, most likely because no daldrim stood near the affected creature.

  Kai didn’t think it would be necessary, however, as he saw the brute heft a spear and punch it sideways through the throat of the second greater daldrim.

  Then chaos broke out.

  The daldrim warriors charged, their sense of direction improved after having seen the magical attack emerge from Kai’s Shadow Shroud.

  Kai reserved the rest of his AE and made quick work of the first rank with his glaive. The beasts weren’t weak, but lacking armor, training, and a clear sense of where Kai and Ban stood, they fell like garden pests.

  Ban growled, then called to Kai’s mind. I’m flanking you, my friend. Do not worry, I’ll be fine, but won’t sit this fight out.

  Then the bulky houndzard ran around Kai’s left and trampled over the row of beds. The remaining warriors turned to face this new threat, but once Ban was clear, he charged up his Tail Whip.

  The attack slammed into four of the creatures who in turn knocked over those behind them.

  Kai strode forward, slicing his glaive through unwitting throats and bellies.

  Soon, it became a detestable slaughter.

  Their confused ally hacked away at his fellows, his superior size making his attacks effective. Ban slashed down anything that came close, and Kai moved like a wraith in their midst.

  Thankfully, the few warriors remaining found some degree of intelligence in their tiny skulls. Then they retreated, letting their spears fall to the floor.

  When Kai approached his enchanted ally, chills ran down his arms.

  It was a Daldrim Overseer, and was a Golden 1 ascended creature just like Kai.

  The beast’s arms were thicker than Kai’s own, and though it was a little shorter, it had a barrel chest and ribbons of corded muscle along its frame.

  “I want you to show me your leader. Can you do that?” Kai asked.

  The overseer nodded and turned to follow Kai’s instructions. Gesturing for Ban to hurry up, Kai followed his mindless ally.

  No more resistance was met though they passed through a daldrim kitchen where a thrall labored over a huge cauldron, a thick broth of mushrooms stewing.

  The food, if it could be called such, sent up a noxious cloud of odor. It somehow blended perfectly with the smell of the daldrim themselves and Kai was reminded of the poor bunyips from Imogen’s dungeon.

  Kai’s rage continued to simmer until they came to another staircase. The overseer stopped before descending. He pointed downward until Kai nodded. “Your leader is down there?”

  The overseer grunted, nodding emphatically.

  “Okay, then let’s get going. You take the lead, and attack anything that gets in your way.”

  The overseer’s face pulled into a fierce scowl. Then he ran down the steps two at a time, clutching his spear.

  Kai ran after, expecting the worst and prepared for anything.

  13

  Boon and a Burden

  Kai

  Throwing the heavy door open, Kai’s enchanted overseer stumbled out into a wide chamber.

  Kai squinted as he caught sight of a fi
re burning in the middle of the room, oily flames slowly lapping at whatever fuel had been used.

  When his eyes adjusted, he beheld an odd scene. A huge daldrim sat atop a pile of rubble. Recovered scraps of stone and metal had been formed into the likeness of a throne.

  Beside the creature, on a slightly smaller throne of trash, sat another daldrim, this one a little smaller and slimmer of build.

  Kai watched as the overseer sprinted across the room, making a straight line toward the leader. Leaping over discarded scraps and rubble, the overseer ran up to the throne and threw his spear at the creature that sat there.

  With a clang, the leader knocked the spear aside. It was unclear what happened next, but the huge daldrim stood and performed a quick, jerking motion.

  The overseer fell dead.

  Kai strode out calmly, his eyes fully adjusted to the fire now. When he got a closer look at the leader’s companion, he thought it might be a female. That would explain a lot about how many daldrim had been seen in the floors above.

  The great leader held up one arm and pointed it at Kai. He held a sword, though what kind, Kai couldn’t make out in the dim light. “No Hintari here,” the creature hissed. “Hintari gone. I king now.”

  “Not anymore,” Kai shot back, then sent a Flame Spear hurtling up at the would-be king.

  The spell blazed out in the gloom, and the female daldrim screamed. The king, however, blocked the attack with his sword. The mana of Kai’s spell absorbed into the dark blade until it was no more.

  Laughing, the king daldrim pointed the sword and released the Flame Spear spell directly at Kai.

  Kai dodged, but he was too slow. The fiery blast tore past his ribs as he dove to the ground. Even through his armor, Kai’s flesh burned, the plate armor doing little to deflect the roiling heat.

  He ground his teeth and fought to keep his wits about him.

  No sooner had the spell evaporated than the king ran down from his throne and attacked.