by John Nest
These were the skeleton monsters that guarded the tunnel connected to the mausoleum and the labyrinth's exit. When they left the labyrinth they only encountered level 70 to 80 skeleton warriors, but now there were level 80 to 90 skeleton archers, and level 90 to 110 skeleton mages.
The skeleton warriors were easy to deal with. Their sluggish movements made them easy targets to the militia members. Smoke had thought about using the labyrinth as their own special dungeon to raise the level of their militia.
However, the new skeleton archers and skeleton mages proved to be formidable monsters against their militia members. Smoke immediately ordered his commanders to hunt down the ranged skeleton monsters.
He had an ominous suspicion as soon as he saw the new skeleton monsters. He ordered Espion to join him in front. Together they swiftly headed towards the tunnel's exit.
Sierra remained behind and took command of the militia members. Their militia members varied from levels 65 to 80 which gave them a decent experience from the skeleton monsters.
Smoke stopped when he reached the tunnel's exit. Slowly, he took a peek and found four massive boulders were at the center of the chamber.
From Smoke's fight with Dasende, he had learned that those boulders were the dormant forms of the gigantic krampus guarding the exit of the labyrinth.
Those monsters would awaken if they entered within the krampus' range. His suspicion was confirmed when he saw the four dormant krampus laying there.
Andrais, the great sphinx who guarded the labyrinth's treasure room, told him that the labyrinth upgrades its difficulty whenever there is someone who leaves with its treasures.
The new skeleton monsters and the increased guardian krampus were the labyrinth's way of protecting itself. To prevent the the same level of intruders who had previously entered.
On their way back to Sierra and the militia, Smoke found it strange that the krampus guardian had been increased to four but the skeleton monsters were only added with archers and mages.
As Smoke was lost in his thoughts, he heard someone's yell.
"Smoke! Aim for the skeleton knight! It seems to be the boss of this mausoleum!" shouted Sierra over to him as soon as she spotted it.
The seven foot skeleton knight kept on bashing the shields of the militia. Sierra, Ichaival, and Laernea had damaged the monster which revealed its name and life bar. Loueric (210,187/300,000 HP).
The skeleton knight had enough of the werebear's attacks and ran away from Sierra and the commanders. As it ran, it kept on attacking the lower level militia.
Loueric had an impressive life bar, but its weakness against Fire proved to be a fatal flaw. Smoke instantly equipped his power chainsaw bow and attacked the skeleton knight with his fire arrows.
+ Attack hit skeleton knight: Loueric. +FIRE DMG. CRITICAL HIT. Damage 6,143.
A torrent of fire arrows came all at once, and lit up the skeleton knight. The militia members did their best to move out of the way. They held their shields in front of them, and blocked the incoming attacks of the skeleton knight.
Loueric was aggravated by Smoke's damage. As soon as the skeleton knight saw that it was a lone DarkElf who was the source of the fire arrows, it immediately charged towards him.
Espion ran in front of Smoke and met the skeleton knight head on. The skeleton knight pulled back its right elbow as it prepared to lunge its sword against the young Spy.
Smoke never ceased his fire arrows as Espion ran in front of him. They used the attack pattern where Espion stayed low, close to the ground on his left side, while he kept on with his head shots and right upper body attacks.
With the green dual knives out, Espion expertly parried the Loueric's sword thrust and ran the dual knives against the skeleton knight's blade.
The young Spy dodged the skeleton knight and was directly behind him. Espion immediately started to attack the skeleton knight's back.
Loueric's focus was on the Espion which made him turn around to face the young Spy.
+ Attack hit skeleton knight: Loueric. +FIRE DMG. CRITICAL HIT. BACK ATTACK. Damage 9,114.
Five more arrows struck Loueric's back and extinguished the last HP of the skeleton knight's life bar.
+ You've dealt a fatal blow to the skeleton knight: Loueric.
+ You've killed the skeleton knight: Loueric.
+ Your party gained 200,000 exp.
As the body of the skeleton knight faded, it dropped a rare loot.
+ Acquired rare helmet: Skull Helm.
Smoke hurriedly checked the skull helm.
Skull Helm (Helmet)
A rare helmet that is dropped from the boss of the mausoleum, the skeleton knights.
Restriction:
- Melee Fighters
Equipment Ability:
+10 Vitality
+200 Defense
He then ordered everyone to quickly gather the loot. There were mostly ragged clothes, but there were also the occasional weapons such as round shields, composite bows, and wind rods.
After they collected all the loot, Smoke asked everyone to camp outside of the mausoleum and have a quick meal. He wanted to check how long it would take for the skeletons to respawn.
As each platoon began to make their meals, Smoke asked Sierra to join him to somewhere more private. He had something important to tell her. Laernea watched intently as Smoke and Sierra walked into the forest.
Smoke started with what he discovered at the exit of the labyrinth.
"Listen, I know that this was my idea to make the labyrinth into our personal special dungeon, but we shouldn't move further into the tunnel. Do you remember the four meter krampus that I was talking about? Well, they've increased the guards to four. There's no way we could take on those monsters as we are now."
"But do you think it would be safe to continue hunting just inside the mausoleum?"
"I think it's a safe bet. We really do need all those equipment. If only we had mages and archers who could use the rods and bows."
Sierra smirked when she heard Smoke's concerns.
"Don't worry about the bows. I already have a plan on how to use those."
Smoke looked puzzled as he had no idea what Sierra was talking about.
"Anyway, the real reason why I wanted to talk to you was because there was one more thing I discovered inside the labyrinth."
"And? What was it?"
"I know where the Witches of Wysteria are. They're somewhere in the desolate lands to the west of here. Some place called Veneficatl valley."
Sierra became quiet. She had been searching for the witches for months, and now she finally knew their location. However, there were also the residents of Verbrannt to worry about now.
Smoke silently waited for her to speak. He knew that it was a difficult situation. He never wanted to create a guild, but they desperately needed one in order to have a chance at defeating Burmistrz.
He had promised her that they would remove her curse after he completed the Mitleid's quest. So, he was prepared to bite the bullet and stay behind to facilitate the strategies that they had planned for Verbrannt.
A few more minutes passed and Sierra finally spoke.
"Hmm. I'm sorry to have to do this to you, Smoke. But we did have a deal. There's really no other way but for you to do it."
"I know... Don't worry. I'm a man of my word, and I don't plan on breaking my promise to you."
"Good. I know that finding the witches would still take a long time. You can spend that time to build up our army. You know, while you're looking for the witches, and I expect you to slay them for me when you find them."
He couldn't believe what he heard, and Sierra went on to explain her reason why she would rather have Smoke search the witches.
"The quest only requires their deaths and for me to bathe in their blood... I can't also expect you to stay behind and execute our plans for Verbrannt. Now, don't take this the wrong way. I know you would do a great job with the Zectians, but I also know you'll have a pro
blem dealing with the other Sonstwelters. We really need to create a guild and I'm willing to stay behind to do it. So, can I count on you to complete it?"
Smoke's smile was filled with joy and excitement. He couldn't help himself but reply with.
"Of course!"
* * * * * *
Smoke chose to bring Adder, Espion, Laernea, Vijaya, and Ichaival. The others were left behind and started on their action plans against Duke Burmistrz.
He explicitly left Weise, Rasant, and Stark behind to help the residents grow accustomed to them. The Maneators were eventually going to lead their own battalion and they needed to build a good rapport with the militia members.
The Maneators' great strength was also required for the many great architectural structures that Verbrannt was undergoing.
Smoke's expedition party rode on Laernea's carriage and was heading towards Nanahuatl Village. It had been a long time since Smoke saw Darius, and he had missed the old Beggar.
Their ride home was uneventful, except for the occasional pack of burrowed sandcats that would leap out and attack them. The monsters were no challenge at all. With Igniz's enchantment, their increased levels, and improved equipments killing the burrowed sandcats was a breeze.
The DarkElf tried his Earth Manipulation ability on the burrowed sandcats, but the beasts just ate through his manipulated earth. So, Smoke left all the fighting to his men. He focused on acquiring knowledge from books instead.
Days passed and they finally saw Nanahuatl's familiar borders. An old man wearing Arch Magus clothes stood at the village's entrance.
Darius had sensed their arrival and waited for them at the gate. Smoke immediately noticed his reinvigorated appearance.
"Well look at you." said Smoke with a smile.
Darius opened his arms and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm steadily recovering some of my lost power, but it will still take a long time before I get to even half of my previous power." said Darius.
Smoke was really pleased to hear Darius' recovery. He then introduced Espion to his old friend. Darius welcomed all of them and led the way to Smoke's house.
The residents of Nanahuatl flooded the streets as soon as they heard that Smoke had arrived. He invited everyone to a barbecue party later that day.
Smoke wanted to catch up with everyone in Nanahuatl. He brought assorted meat from poultry, pork, beef, to the exotic. He knew how the Nanahuatlanos loved their grilled meat.
He asked Vijaya and Ichaival to take care of the event. As preparations for the cookout started, Smoke and Darius went inside Smoke's home to discuss his progress.
Smoke began by giving Darius' Beggar Tablet. He also told him about his adventures inside the labyrinth and the three Maneators he created.
Darius listened to Smoke with pride. The old Beggar felt he was listening to the tales of his best friend, Kumbaba. The last Beggar Imperator.
He also told Darius about Sierra's suggestion of creating a guild. He wasn't for it at first, but he knew that there was no other choice. Still, he preferred if his army was purely Zectians rather than Sonstwelters.
Smoke finished his story with his current quest of searching for the Witches of Wysteria. He knew that they were in the desolate lands of the west, but Veneficatl valley's vast land area was a major concern.
"That's why I was planning on visiting Condortl before I head to Veneficatl valley. I want to see how they're doing and maybe recruit them against the Duke."
"That's not a bad idea at all. Also, when you reach the outskirts of Veneficatl you will be able to pass through two villages that belongs to the secret society of 'Inauditas Volucris'."
"You mean the half beast race?" he asked.
Darius nodded. "Yes. First will be the home of the Centaurs, Pferde Village. The second one will be the home of the Simiavulgs, SarurasVillage."
Smoke scratched his chin and asked. "Simiavulgs? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with them."
"They are a race of half man half monkeys, they are very similar to how a Lioumerean looks like. They have the body shape of the human, except they have excessive body hair and their ears, noses, and lips are that of a monkey." answered Darius knowingly.
"How come I've never met a Simiavulg but Lioumereans are almost as common as an Elf?" asked Smoke.
Darius pointed his index to the sky and said. "Ahh... That's a long story, but the short version is that Simiavulgs are extremely supremacists. They think the best race are in all of Zectas is the Simiavulg. Of course, they do have powerful Wizards, dextrous Snipers, and skillful Warriors that haven't been defeated since the time of the Lizardites."
"Hmmm, sounds like they are a very troublesome race." stated Smoke.
The Beggar Legati waved his hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you can think of something when you meet them."
"What about the Centaurs? What are they like?" asked Smoke.
"They're a really friendly race. Some of them used to wander to the main cities, but two hundred years ago, their Chief banned them from going there. You see, many Centaurs are so enamored by the beauty of the Elves and the Humans that they want to be with them. They would even resort to the dark arts just to be with their beloved." Darius chuckled to himself as he recalled something funny between the Simiavulgs and the Centaurs.
Smoke's curiosity got the better of him and asked. "What's so funny?"
"You see, it's true that the Simiavulgs has never been conquered, but the same thing goes for the Centaurs. The Simiavulgs would go to the land of the Centaurs and they would be driven out as quickly as they came."
"So the Centaurs are also a powerful race?"
The Beggar Legati nodded and smiled.
Smoke beamed at the idea of meeting them. "Now I really want to make those Centaurs into my allies."
Darius pulled out a parchment out of thin air and gave it to Smoke.
"Those are the locations of the two villages. I didn't tell you about them before because you didn't have the ability to cross over the mountain range of Margome, but now you do. The lowest level monster over Margome is at least 150, but I think you and your party are capable enough of handling monsters like those."
"Really? Now, I kinda want to bring Sierra and my entire private army with me."
"I wish I could have told Sierra about Veneficatl valley. I never imagined that the Witches would travel to the desolate lands of the west. Witches usually stay near populated areas. They have a special craving for the souls of young children."
"Well, I'll make sure that their food fetish stops as soon as I see them."
Darius gave Smoke a pat on the back and said.
"I know you will. Now, why don't we see how the preparations are going. All this catching up has made me hungry."
"I'm sure Ichaival and Vijaya have everything prepared."
Dozens of long wooden tables were propped outside of Smoke's home. Vijaya asked Ichaival and Espion to man the grill. Adder was in charge of gathering the villagers.
A few minutes later and all of the Nanahuatlanos arrived. Everyone drank and ate as Ichaival entertained them with Smoke's adventures.
Ichaival portrayed all of the characters in his stories of Smoke's adventures, but it always ended with him and Sharanga kissing.
Everybody laughed as they knew that part never happened. The children all gathered around Smoke and asked whether it was all true. To which Smoke would reply. "What do you think?"
All of the children's eyes widened with amazement as they pictured Smoke's adventures in their heads.
After Ichaival's stories, Vijaya displayed the abilities of her six falcons with aerial aerobatics. Everyone clapped at their well coordinated maneuvers. She ended her performance with her six falcons carrying her into the air.
The barbecue party lasted all night. James Jackal and Howard Hide pulled Adder to a table and initiated a drinking contest with their fellow Condortlian.
Ichaival introduced Espion to all the young eligible bachelorettes
in Nanahuatl, while the young men ogled over Vijaya.
Peitro Fischer had Smoke personally tell him the real battles that he experienced inside the labyrinth.
Smoke was tired of retelling the same story for more than a fourth time, but told the old Fisherman nonetheless.
After Smoke freed himself from Peitro's incessant questions, he happily watched everybody having a great time. Nanahuatl really was the best place in all of Zectas. He wished that he could share this with Seth and Donny someday.