Deeper Down
Kobold’s Quest Book Two
MJ Kaltenbrunner
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
1
The crash was the first thing that woke Kek up.
He noticed that Faye and Rita were still together, spooning one another. He panicked, knowing that whatever was out there could get all of them at any time.
"You two, we have to wake up. Come on,” he gently whispered.
As he looked in the direction of the noise, though, he noticed a couple of trees were down. In the corner was something brown, and judging from the giant horn on his head, he knew what this was ...
A horned troll!
The stats on it were as follows, and as Kek looked at it, he felt the lingering fear of the moment grow:
Race: Troll
Level: 3
HP: 15
Attributes: STR: 15, DEX: 13, CON: 18, INT: 9, WIS: 7, CHA: 7, LCK: 5
Coin: 20
Kek knew this monster would be strong. It wasn’t like the other mere monsters in this area. It looked around, hitting various obstacles with a tree, unaware of Kek and the party.
He needed to get these two up fast. He walked over to them, seeing Rita still hugging Faye like she was a doll. He lightly poked at her, causing a small growl to emit from her.
He knew she was a member of the cat race, but come on. Now wasn’t the time to be sleeping.
"Come on, wake up,” he said.
He then moved toward Faye, and soon, he poked her tummy. It was soft, with a little bit of fat there, but apparently she was ticklish. There was a giggle, one that sounded almost sweet in a sense, but then, she opened her eyes.
"What are you doing? Can’t you see I’m sleeping?” Faye muttered.
"Can’t you see that we’re in danger?” Kek retorted, pointing to the looming troll.
It looked in the direction of the trio, and for a moment, Kek felt frozen in time. Would he die here? He didn’t want this, especially after just healing himself up once more.
The troll immediately moved toward them, a heavy, massive tree trunk in its hands about to be thrown at the party. They were going to be squashed them if they weren’t careful!
"Hold on, I’ve got this. I have … stopping … magic,” Faye said.
"What do you mean?”
"I don’t know, but apparently I leveled up and didn’t notice. I have this magic now. I should try it.”
"Well try quickly, because he’s about to get us!” Kek cried out.
Rita then started to rouse, shaking her head and letting out a small meowing sound.
"What is going on?” she said.
"Can’t you see we’re in danger?” cried Faye.
"Oh!” Rita said, realizing what had happened. She immediately looked at the bottom right of her vision, surprised.
"What the devil is this?” she asked.
"That’s your HUD. It gives you the stats that you have, and any abilities. Got anything to stop this guy?” Kek asked.
She looked through it, and that’s when she saw it. "Fearsome Blow. Gives you the chance to land a critical hit if you attack from the side,” she said.
"Do you think that’ll work?” Kek said.
"You never know unless you try, right?” Rita said.
She got herself ready, looking at Faye. "Cast that ‘stopping’ magic, and then I’ll move in and attack,” she cried out.
Rita got herself ready, and immediately Faye braced herself. Kek wondered, would this work? He didn’t know, but he had a strange feeling of trust in Rita. Unlike Selena, who was a siren and constantly used her body to get attention and to lure men, Rita had a bit more of a raw power, despite having a body that made Kek’s eyes wander. Rita was a fighter that didn’t just rely on mere sex appeal, but rather something more.
Faye braced herself, and soon, she let out an incantation that she was surprised to have known so easily. The troll then immediately stopped, just as it was about to bash their heads in. Faye said, “I don’t know how long this will be, or if we can do this in time, but…” Then she turned to Rita.
"Now!”
Rita then got her body ready, about to slam straight into the troll. She was bigger, but she did have more WIS, clocking in at about 15. She was strong all around, despite having weak levels of charisma. She lunged toward the troll, hitting it in the side with a very harsh punch, and when she made impact, it knocked the troll down.
Kek knew it was his turn. He grasped the sword, something that still felt foreign, but then, he moved toward the creature. He probably had enough DEX to get away from this creature if it did manage to go sour, but he wondered if it was really possible. However, he needed to put his faith in himself, and that’s when he moved to the back, holding the sword up, and then stabbed the troll right through the back, hitting the beast in the heart.
He then lay there, dead to the world, and all three of them looked upon one another, realizing what they’d done. The words "Level up!” flashed in front of them, and immediately, Faye jumped back.
"What is this?” she cried out.
"It’s the HUD telling us that we’ve leveled up. We can choose one ability,” Kek said.
Faye looked at it, seeing the options that she had.
"I think I’m going to choose ‘Enraged Flame.’ It’s a medium-level fire attack that will hit multiple enemies. Apparently because my magic stat is so high, I can attack multiple enemies and practice higher levels of elemental magic. Sounds pretty cool!” she said.
Kek turned to Rita, who was scanning the different abilities she had.
"There is one here called ‘Spirit Up’, which apparently raises your attack and defense,” she said.
"That’s a buff. I do suggest using it. It does cost MP, though,” Faye said.
Rita studied the numbers. Currently, her MP was low. She didn’t have magic, really, at only a mere 10 MP. But she could use this twice before replenishing.
"I’ll take that one.”
And then there was Kek, who was studying all of the abilities that he got. There was that dodge one, the one he’d thought about taking before. He thought that dodging enemy attacks would be helpful, so he decided on that.
"I’ll choose Dodge,” he said.
The abilities were locked in, and they all ended up with full HP and MP due to the level up.
"So, where do we go now? This place isn’t safe? I thought that the kobolds were nearby?” Rita said. ”We need to find them, and then defeat the one that took them, right?”
“Yes, and they’re obviously doing something big,” Kek said.
"Yeah, but how do we get out of here?” Rita asked.
He looked around. Kek noticed at this point that there wasn’t any pathway back.
"Let’s just … follow the path the troll left and see where it goes,” he said.
Kek didn�
�t have the charisma for amazing leadership skills, but he figured that it would probably be the best thing.
"I hope I can trust this,” Faye said, rolling her eyes.
"I believe in Kek,” Rita said.
"’Course you do, you want to smash him!”
"And you don’t?” Rita said with a wry glance.
Immediately, Faye blushed. "Didn’t you hear … I had a boyfriend?”
"Right. I see. Anyways, I’ll listen to him. I think things have changed now due to our new powers,” Rita said.
The three of them walked in the direction of the carnage the troll left, knowing that the kobolds were around here somewhere. He wanted to help his people, but he feared the best way to do so would be to find out what was really going on here.
2
The three of them walked into the dense thicket of trees, seeing that the light was soon starting to dim. Kek looked at Faye, who was already conjuring a small light bulb.
"This is the best I can do,” she said.
They walked through the place, noticing in the distance a cauldron, one that had beautiful, almost mystifying colors. The three of them stopped. In the distance to the left was the carnage the troll had created. If they went that way, they could possibly climb up to the next floor, and then go to where the kobolds were being held.
But on the right was the mysterious light, and it made Kek feel a strange and welcoming sensation.
"What’s the matter?” Rita said.
"I have … I have a feeling for some reason. I feel like this is the way I was supposed to go,” he said.
"Don’t be silly, Kek! That’s the way the troll didn’t go. You’re going to end up getting lost if you go that way,” Faye said.
"I don’t think I will get lost,” he said with confidence..
"And what makes you so sure? Do you know what’s over there?” she asked.
Kek shook his head. "No. But there is something almost … welcoming about it. Maybe the person who has the cauldron out there knows something,” he replied.
Faye knew this wasn’t going to change. She knew Kek wouldn’t budge on this.
"Fine. Whatever,” she said.
"I think maybe if we do go this way, at least we’ll get a couple answers,” Rita said.
"There you go, kissing his ass again,” Faye said.
"It’s not kissing ass to agree with someone, you know,” Rita responded defensively.
Faye didn’t seem all that happy with the decision, but she didn’t say anything. The three went into the direction of the home, and when they got there, they saw a strange woman near the cauldron.
She didn’t give off the feeling of a dark witch or anything, but she seemed to have a strange, woody nature to her. She looked at the three of them, immediately stopping what she was doing and holding her hands up.
"What are you doing here? How did you find this place?” she asked.
"We were just walking. We’re trying to free the kobolds,” Kek said.
"And what makes you think you could do that? I for one know that they are under his control,” she said.
"His control? What do you mean?” Kek asked, moving closer. She immediately stepped back, holding her hands up.
"How can I know that I can trust you? But wait—you’ve got a cat girl here with you, and you’ve also got a fairy. What a strange group,” she pointed out.
"Yes, I know we’re strange, lady. No need to point it out,” Faye muttered.
"Such a mouth for a fairy,” the lady said.
Kek couldn’t help but stare at her beautiful, curvy body. She had full breasts that were like Selena’s had been, but these were smaller and fit her frame a bit more. What immediately entranced him was under her small brown skirt: a pair of thick, fleshy thighs. His eyes gazed upon them, and the woman looked at Kek.
"You could be a little bit more discreet, you know? Men should know better than to full-on ogle a lady,” she said.
Kek pulled back, blushing, and then Rita giggled.
"You really expected more from him? sheesh,” Faye said. “He is a dog-man after all,” she added teasingly.
“My name is Alina. I’m a wood elf. So, you’re looking to save them?”
"We want to try,” Kek said.
"Then come in. It looks like you’ve been through a battle, and I’m presuming the path to here wasn’t all that easy either,” she said.
That was true. They did end up fighting a little bit, with a couple of hit points taken away from each of them. They weren’t in too bad a shape, but any charity from another would be helpful.
"Thank you,” Kek said.
"You’re welcome. But don’t think I’m going to trust you completely yet. I don’t take kindly to strangers, and it’s obvious that you have your own secrets,” she said.
Kek couldn’t blame her. He still didn’t fully trust everyone yet, except maybe Faye. He knew what these women were capable of, and although they were all attractive, it didn’t mean that he could really put his stock in them yet and let his guard down.
Kek followed Alina inside, and soon, she brought them to a table where some food was. Kek looked at it, but then Faye shook her head.
"Don’t eat it, it’s poison,” she muttered.
"Come on, I’m just a witch in the woods, someone who’s worked very hard to get away from him,” she said.
Kek looked at her, confusion present on his face. "Him?”
"Yes. You don’t know what you’re up against, do you? I can tell,” she muttered.
Kek looked at this witch, seeing that her eyes were focused on something. There was a hint of orange in them, and as Kek stared into them, he momentarily feared that he was being put under a spell. The thought faded as quickly as it had formed.
"We don’t,” he admitted.
"You came all this way and you don’t understand what you’re doing here? Foolish beings,” she said.
"Hey, it would be kind of cool if you explained it to us, you know?” Rita said.
Alina looked at Rita, seeing the glare the cat creature gave to her, and then she sighed.
"I’m sorry. I just don’t know how to approach people who jump into this sort of thing so quickly, and yet so foolishly,” she admitted.
"Well, we mostly went along with Kek here. I mean, I got my shard and owe him as much, but I don’t know what exactly we plan to do when we do find the kobolds,” Faye said.
Alina looked at Kek, surprise plastered on her face. "You’re looking to save the kobolds?” she asked.
"That’s my plan,” he said.
"Well, I can first tell you that it’s a foolish mission. They’re not able to be saved. I know this. I’ve been watching them myself. The trainer that holds them, a woman named Sephy, is quite dangerous. She’s a fearsome animal trainer, and the reason why the kobolds act the way they do is because of the whip she possesses,” the wood elf said.
Kek nodded. "I came here to fulfill a dying man’s wish. I know it’s not orthodox, but I'm trying the best that I can,” he said.
She nodded. "I can tell. You’re strong. Despite the fact that you’ve been ogling my chest for the last few minutes, I can see it. You’re doing this to help someone you care about. I can appreciate that,” she said.
Kek blushed at her words. She said them so nonchalantly that it seemed almost surreal. Rita had a look of jealousy on her face, but it was easy to see she agreed with their strange host.
"I am strong. And I do appreciate what you’ve done so far for me. I didn’t know that a witch would be so caring and helpful,” he said.
"I only did this because I'm curious about all of you. I want to get to know you better and, maybe ... you can help me,” she said.
Kek inspected her face carefully, seeing the sadness there. It was then that she spoke.
"The truth is, I lost a familiar to Sephy. His name is Guiven, and he’s a Wyvern that I've kept as a pet. However, she managed to reel him away from me. Sephy is a trainer, but she’s also a powerful so
rceress. She’s really one of the top generals here in this dungeon, and I know that you want to save your fellow kobolds to fulfil this quest you have—but even I know this is a foolish move.”
"Yes, I agree it’s foolish, Alina. But I have to do it. For my master,” he said.
"Master? Who?”
"Hendrick. He is a druid and was my teacher and mentor. He’s the one who gave me the only thing that makes me unique: my power. And I'm thankful for him,” he told her.
"I see. Hendrick is quite strong, isn’t he?”
"Yes. And I want to fulfill his dying wish. He might not be able to carry out any more quests himself. So, I need to go in his stead,” Kek admitted.
The wood elf’s brow tightened in a look of confusion, like she was trying to figure something out. "Yes, you’ve said this already, but something puzzles me. I mean no disrespect in asking, but must know something. Why should an old druid care about a population of kobolds enslaved in a remote dungeon such as this?
“Well … truthfully?” Kek responded sheepishly. “He wants this for me, a quest, a purpose; something other than being a slave and having no people of my own. But it was still his dying wish, it doesn’t matter why.”
“That is fair enough, indeed. My, you really are noble,” Alina said as she walked over to the cauldron inside, putting a couple of spices into the brew.
Rita watched, sniffing the air and lightly salivating. "That smells surprisingly good,” she said.
"Thank you. It’s a soup with a strength tonic added to it. I figured it would help you all with your HP,” she said.
"Thank you,” Rita said.
Faye was quiet, and Kek noticed this. "You okay, Faye?” he asked.
"Yeah. Just trying to understand something myself. Why? Why are you helping us, Alina? Are you really just hell-bent on revenge?” she asked.
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