Ash did just as the old man had said and checked his status page. There under title was a new section, blessings. All it said was Blessing of the Reaper so Ash focused on it like and he saw the information.
[Blessing of the Reaper: one of the many blessings of the goddess Altina. You have been tasked with culling the land of those that bring ruin to those around them so that the people of the land will flourish. When you receive this blessing you will also receive the abilities Reaper’s Sight, Reaper’s Blessing, and Reaper’s Soul to help you upon your god given task.]
Ash skipped down and found the new abilities and found that two of them were passive while the last was an active ability.
[Reaper’s sight: people who have received the ire of the goddess will now appear with a small sickle above their head.]
[Reaper’s soul: after killing a person who has been marked by the goddess you will absorb a portion of their soul and receive any abilities they possess.]
[Reaper’s blessing: cost 50MP- bless a weapon or item with the goddess’s power. Lasts for twenty-four hours.]
Seeing the descriptions Ash was more than a little shocked. “Reaper…I…”
“Don’t think on it too much lad,” the old priest said. “The goddess won’t give a person a task they are unsuited for. In time you will find the reason she has called you for such a task.”
Ash remained seated while he thought about the blessing. It was true that thanks to it he could now bless his own or other weapons and he also had another way to gain skills, but he didn’t like the idea of what came with it. In the end, Ash decided to set aside the thought for now and instead move on to his original purpose. Pulling out his sword, Ash invoked Reaper’s blessing and a white light spread from his fingers and enveloped the blade of the sword making it glow with a dim light.
Ash bowed to the old priest and left the room and found that the old priestess was waiting on him.
“I see that I was right about you,” She said, though she didn’t wear a smile. “Though it was not the blessing I thought you would receive, but I am not one to second guess the goddess’s wisdom.”
The old lady escorted Ash outside and saw him off with a smile while telling him that he was welcome back at any time.
With his task accomplished, Ash made his way to the labyrinth, wishing to drown out his thoughts by killing a few monsters.
5-8
After another harsh battle against the boss clematis flower, Ash once again found himself in the warrior’s graveyard. Even though he knew what to expect when he arrived, the cold chill the place gave off still made Ash want to clear the floor as quickly as possible. He was even thinking that no matter the skill, it wasn’t worth fighting more than was necessary on this floor.
This time, Ash approached a sword that was stuck in the ground and just as expected a ghostly image of a sword wielding specter appeared. Unlike last time though, his sword didn’t simply pass through the specter. His sword felt much the same it did when he fought the shadow creatures. After his second strike, the specter slipped down only leaving a milky white substance laying on the ground. Ash tried to absorb the creature but he received an odd message.
[This creature cannot be absorbed.]
Seeing this Ash wasn’t mad or disappointed. In truth he was a little happy since it meant that there was no reason for him to spend any more time on the floor.
Ash quickly pushed forward and after fighting another eight specter’s, he reached the boss room though he was a bit surprised. The specters were a pain to deal with without a blessed weapon, but with on they were as simple to kill as the weakest monsters of the labyrinth.
After slapping the small plaque, Ash walked through the doors of the boss’s room without a second thought, eager to leave the floor behind. As the darkness cleared, Ash found a large floating creature wearing a black cloak. The feeling it gave off was much stronger than the specters before. Before Ash even had a chance to take a step forward, the black clad specter raised a boney hand and stream of black fire shot toward Ash.
Moving to the side, Ash escaped the blaze but the corner of his cloak was not so lucky and he was forced to strip it from his body before the fire spread.
Seeing the specter use magic, Ash was slightly surprised which had slowed down his reaction speed. As he moved carefully, Ash berated himself for letting his guard down. Just to check, Ash launched his own fireball at the specter, but just as before it passed through its body as if it were made of smoke. Seeing this, Ash let out a deep sigh and pushed off the ground and sped toward the creature.
As soon as he closed in on the specter, Ash slashed his sword toward the creature’s midsection. Unlike the other specters, there was more resistance to his sword and the specter let off a deafening howl and disappeared before his sword had passed completely through. Unable to see where the creature went, Ash quickly looked around only to see another stream of black flame rushing toward him. This time he wasn’t so lucky and the flam hit his left shoulder, making him cry out in pain as his HP was dropped by forty points.
The smell of burnt flesh reached Ash’s nose and he looked down to see that the flame had passed right through his armor straight to his skin charring it a nice crisp black color.
Before Ash had a chance to worry about his wound, another bout of flame reached toward him. This time he rolled to the side avoiding it. Seeing the danger of the flames, Ash once again rushed toward the specter but the second he struck it the creature, it once again disappeared. This time Ash used his spider sense ability to locate the specter and rushed off again.
After four strikes, the specter changed up its pattern and now attacked one then disappeared in less than ten seconds later leaving little time for Ash to attack. Once again, Ash had to rely on his abilities and skills as he dodged the black flames only to have his target disappear before he could kill it.
Seeing the speed at which the specter moved, Ash started running around the room with all his might. When the specter appeared Ash would rush straight toward it doing his best to dodge the black flames, but still he would be a second too late.
Without any other choice, as soon as the specter appeared again Ash rushed straight toward the ghostly figure. When the black flames appeared Ash moved slightly to the side but kept running at full speed. The black flames licked his ankle, but Ash ignored the burning sensation and used pounce, impaling the specter completely with his sword.
The specter let out a final wail before it disappeared, leaving behind only a spot of ash and a small black orb.
[Lesser lich orb: permanently increases spirit +5, intelligence +2.]
Before Ash had told himself that he would sell the next orb that didn’t increase his Luck, but now that he had more gold than he could easily spend, that seemed unneeded. Then an idea hit him and he quickly put the orb in his inventory and pushed through the doors to the next floor.
As soon as he exited through the door Ash checked his wounds. His ankle and about six inches of his leg had been burned and the skin was black and spilt showing pink meat underneath.
Once again Ash found himself in a large forest through the trees were a lot larger than the previous ones. Even the blades of grass seemed abnormally large. Limping, Ash made his way, following the wall, as all he wanted to do was reach the exit without having to return to the specter filled floor.
As he followed the wall, a tall six foot insect creature came out of the woods. It had a long thin body and walked on four thin legs. It had a thin wide head with large black beady eyes. It was the scythe-like appendages that it had for hands that Ash locked onto.
When the scythe monster saw him, it turned its odd head and then rushed at Ash swinging both its sharp appendages down at him. Ash brought his sword up to block while stepping to the side.
Not only was the insect fast, it was also strong. Ash invoked fireball and threw it at the monster while running to the side. The fireball didn’t do much damage to the creature, but it did blind it long eno
ugh for Ash to slip to its side while striking at its exposed chest.
The body of the insect wasn’t very thick, given its height and Ash’s sword easily passed through it and a large black -999 appeared above it head as its body separated into two parts. When the monster, died it left behind one of its claws.
[Mantis Claw (good quality): razor sharp claw of a giant mantis.]
After putting the mantis claw in his inventory, Ash continued on though. With his foot damaged, it was slow moving. Each step sent waves of pain through his entire body. Ash used his spider sense to avoid any more fights and was able to reach the boss room without trouble and quickly warped outside.
As soon as he was outside, the tension in his body started to dissipate and the pain in his leg and shoulder seemed to increase. Letting out a groan, Ash tried to take a step forward but instead dropped to his knees on the ground.
Letting out a groan, Ash tried to stand again but the pain was unbearable. Sitting back on his rear Ash stretched out his leg so that there was no pressure on it but it still hurt. Because he had been forcing himself to walk on it, the blackened skin had spilt in some places and even more of the pink meat could now be seen.
“Boy, you alright?” A husky voice said from behind Ash. Turning his head, he saw a tall man wearing thick armor accompanied by a young white haired woman and a short stout man with squinted eyes.
“Just got my foot burned a bit,” Ash replied trying to keep the pain out of his voice.
“Lillanis, why don’t you look at it for him?” the man said walking up behind Ash.
The tall white haired beauty walked around and kneeled beside Ash. “You were hit by cursed fire,” the woman said as she looked at the wound. Then a warm light emitted from her hand and the pain in Ash’s leg dissipated and the wound slowly turned back to normal. “Looks like your shoulder was hit to,” She said as she began to heal his other would.
Once she was finished, all the pain had disappeared and there was only slightly reddened skin to show that a wound had even existed. After getting to his feet and rotating his shoulder Ash bowed to the small group of adventurers. “Thank you very much.”
“Don’t worry about it boy. Adventurers should help each other when they can,” the man said, slapping Ash on the back.
“Is there a way I can repay the favor?” Ash asked smiling.
“Well it’s not needed but a good meal always hits the spot,” the shorter man said with a thin smile.
“Then why don’t you accompany me to my home,” Ash replied. “I am sure that you will find a meal that more than sates your hunger.”
“What do you think Lillanis?” the larger man asked.
“I think a good meal would be welcomed,” she replied, flashing a radiant smile.
“Then it would be great to have you. I am Ash, it is a pleasure to make you acquaintance.”
“Ah…By the way, I am Halon and the shorty here is Jacob,” the large man said holding out his hand.
“At least I don’t have to take off my boots to count higher than ten,” Jacob said in a mocking tone.
Lillanis walked next to Ash while the two men followed behind them, continuing their friendly banter laced with insults. “Don’t mind them, they don’t know how to talk without being rude, but they’re good people.”
“It doesn’t bother me,” Ash said as he tried to keep his eyes off Lillanis’s chest that bounced lightly with each step.
“We’re here,” Ash said, stopping in front of his house.
Halon let out a low whistle. “We ended up helping a young lord…Lucky.”
“Master, welcome home,” Allice said running gout of the house to great him.
“Master,” Yuki yelled jumping and clinging onto Ash’s waist.
“Allice we have guests, please let the others know and prepare a space on the table for three more, but leave the rest the same,” Ash said to let her know that while they had guests the slaves could still eat with them.
“As you wish master,” Allice said nodding her head before disappearing into the house.
Ash and Yuki led the three adventurers inside. Since it would take a little time for the slaves to get everything ready, Ash led them to the meeting room. Shortly after they were seated, Gilda appeared with a small decanter of spiced wine. “We should help out little lords more often,” Jacob said, taking a large drink of the spiced wine.
“This is very good,” Lillanis said taking small sips of the wine.
“If there is something you prefer please ask,” Gilda said.
“I prefer elven iced wine myself, but this is fine,” Lillanis said taking another sip.
“This is ok, but some strong ale would hit the spot,” Halon replied taking another drink.
“You two just don’t know a good drink,” Jarod said shaking his head.
Without another word Gilda disappeared but shortly returned carrying a small glass bottle and a larger wooden keg about the size of a watermelon. She placed the keg in front of Halon while placing the glass bottle in front of Lillanis.
Halon quickly filled his glass with the ale and drank it in big gulps. “Now this is good,” he said wide eyed. It is three times as good as the swill the inns around here serve.
“Sir that is aged malor ale form the southern Foria continent,” Gilda said proudly.
“I don’t know that that is, but it is tasty,” Halon said taking another drink.
“This is,” Lillanis said wide eyed as she took a small sip of the wine. “I never thought I would get to drink another glass of Elvirean Red again. Ash, you don’t need to go so far to greet us. A single bottle of this wine cost at least twenty gold.”
“How could I not,” Ash said, silently thanking Gilda for her thoughtfulness. “If not for you, I would still be laying on the ground wounded.”
“My apologies master,” Gilda said, her face turning slightly white. “If I had known they were master’s savior, I would have brought up better stock.”
“Better!” Halon said, his eyes widening.
“Hush Halon,” Lillanis said her face slightly reddening. “Sorry, they tend to forget their manners when…Well I don’t think they ever found them.”
“It is fine,” Ash said laughing. “I don’t have guests often and what use is anything in life if it is not shared with others. Gilda please make sure that the very best is brought up to drink with the meal. Allow everyone at least one glass as well. We should all enjoy ourselves.”
“Y-yes master,” Gilda said moving quickly from the room.
While waiting on the meal, Allice waited patiently at the door watching Ash and the others and called them once it was time to eat.
Lillanis, Halon, and Jacob were seat close to Ash while everyone else was seated at the other end of the table. Zelan was absent as he was often lately as he enjoyed the more adult entertainments provided in the city. Ash didn’t like having everyone seated so far away, but there was little he could say about it. Gilda had already expressed her view that they shouldn’t eat together with the guests, but seeing that none of the three seemed to mind, Ash was happy.
“Do you guys have a place to stay?” Ash asked as the meal winded down.
“Yes, we are currently staying at the Horsehead Inn near the labyrinth,” Lillanis quickly replied.
“So you don’t live in the city?” Ash asked.
“No we travel around a lot,” Halon said between bites. “We are visit labyrinths going as far as we can in each one then when we hit a wall we move on to the next city. We only arrive two days ago. So far we have only made it to the ninth floor.”
“Sounds like a fun life,” Ash replied with his honest feelings.
“It is either that or hard labor,” Jacob said with a bitter smile.
“What do you mean?”
“Uhhh…I thought you knew…We are half breeds,” Jacob replied.
“Jacob,” Halon said slightly panicked.
“What’s the point in hiding it? If he wants to judge us b
ased on that, then I wouldn’t even want to eat his food no matter how tasty,” Jacob replied with a sneer.
“Don’t worry, I don’t judge other based on their birth,” Ash said. In truth he wanted to tell them that he himself was a half breed, but if the news got out, it would cause problems for Emelia.
“Then let me introduce us again,” Lillanis said with a weak smile. “I am Lillanis a half elf, half human. Halon is half human with the blood of the tiger clan. It is weak, but it still shows up on his identification. Last is Jacob who is most dwarven, with a bit of demon blood.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ash said, getting to his feet and bowing slightly. “I don’t know if you would like, but as long as you stay in the city, you are more than welcome to my house. I still have two rooms that are empty so two of you would have to share.”
“Are you sure?” Lillanis asked with a nervous smile.
“Why not?” Ash asked. “I am sure that the inn cannot compare and having a healer around could be useful if I run into more trouble.”
“Then would you like to accompany us into the labyrinth. I don’t want to sound rude but entering alone is suicide even if you are strong. At the minimum you need someone who can use healing arts.”
“If that wouldn’t bother you, then I would love to join you,” Ash said with a smile.
“Then we would love to take you up on your offer,” Lillian said her strained smile lightening a little.
5-9
The next morning, his new friends waited on him while he went through his Katas. While they waited, Halon did his own training while Jacob talked with one of the younger maids. Ash couldn’t remember her name offhand, but it didn’t look like she was being forced so he didn’t say anything. Lillanis held Milly in her lap while Shina looked on enviously.
Once he was finished, the group of four started to head toward the labyrinth but before he entered Lillanis stopped him. “First we should make our group official so we can all gain equally,” Lillanis said as she pulled put a blue orb about the size of a small ball.
When Ash saw the other three put their right hand on top of the orb Ash followed their lead and the orb flashed and suddenly ash could see the other three stats. Noticing this Ash suddenly realized that if he could see their status pages they could see his. It didn’t just show the main page either it allowed him to see everything including their skills and abilities.
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