by John Nest
Another window popped up, as it displayed the summary of the various sections.
> Verleitung Sections
Tunnel [1] => GRN [45%] RED [55%]
Tunnel [2] => GRN [48%] RED [52%]
Tunnel [3] => GRN [40%] RED [60%]
Tunnel [4] => GRN [43%] RED [57%]
Tunnel [5] => GRN [50%] RED [50%]
Tunnel [6] => GRN [51%] RED [49%]
Tunnel [7] => GRN [39%] RED [61%]
Tunnel [8] => GRN [46%] RED [54%]
Tunnel [9] => GRN [49%] RED [51%]
Relic Chamber => GRN [100%] RED [0%]
Time Left: 59M:50S
"Now, I know what you might be thinking," said Leshak. "Right now we're about even in the tunnels, and you have the lead in the relic chamber."
Leshak paused and sniggered. "But that's all about to change... Underlings, flood the entire cavern!"
At once, the number of red colored dots on Sierra's map doubled. Half of them remained to fight the green dots in their respective tunnels, while the rest of them rushed towards the relic chamber.
Sierra then spoke into the open conference window.
"Everyone, listen to me," began Sierra. "We've got to move fast."
"What happened? What's going on? Where are you?" asked a worried Mamelon. "You vanished when you touched the blue sphere."
"I'm stuck in some sort of bubble with Leshak, but don't worry, I'm safe. It can't attack me," replied Sierra. "But you guys are about to be mobbed. Block all the tunnel exits. A lot of monsters are heading your way."
Listening intently to their reply, Sierra heard them scramble to follow her command.
"Next, you need to tell the people in my tunnel, Mamelon's, Virer's, and Phen's to run towards the relic chamber. Forget about fighting the monsters. As for the rest of the tunnels, tell them to keep on fighting."
"Alright, we'll report back when we've accomplished that," replied Mamelon.
Seconds later, she saw a few green dots scatter from the relic chamber towards the designated passageways she mentioned.
Meanwhile, the remaining green dots stationed themselves on the exit of the tunnels. She could see several red dots vanish as they clashed against the green dots in the relic chamber.
Ten minutes passed, and still there was no chatter in the open conference window. Sierra found herself biting the tips of her nails, as she watched the green dots slow progress towards their destination.
"Anyone there? Have you secured the relic chamber?" asked Sierra. "This is torture," she accidentally said to the conference window, while she anxiously waited for an answer.
"Only the men from your tunnel have yet to make it pass the seven-hundred-fifty marker," answered Mamelon. "I'm sending in more Druids for fire cover now."
> Verleitung Sections
Tunnel [1] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Tunnel [2] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Tunnel [3] => GRN [40%] RED [60%]
Tunnel [4] => GRN [43%] RED [57%]
Tunnel [5] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Tunnel [6] => GRN [51%] RED [49%]
Tunnel [7] => GRN [39%] RED [61%]
Tunnel [8] => GRN [46%] RED [54%]
Tunnel [9] => GRN [10%] RED [90%]
Relic Chamber => GRN [87%] RED [13%]
Time Left: 39M:40S
Watching the map, Sierra saw several green dots flock towards her tunnel. She checked on the other tunnels that she asked to keep on fighting. They were slowly being outnumbered.
The only section left that showed them in the lead was the relic chamber.
Sierra let out a deep breath, as she feared that her plan might have backfired. Then, she heard a pleasant update.
"We've secured the relic chamber, but I don't know how long we can hold them," said Mamelon. "Also, the tunnels that are still fighting are about to be overrun."
Sierra grinned, as there were still thirty-minutes left on the timer. "Guys, our counterattack starts here!"
"Mamelon, please have your men help out Ardu's tunnel," said Sierra quickly.
She paused and examined the map again, as she double checked the percentages. "Virer, you're up next. Have your men assist Vrai's passageway."
"Next, Phen, you go and help Hazzard's members," ordered Sierra. "And make sure that our Druids use Conversion on those black slimes."
"Rear, you and your men can hold those water elementals by yourselves," encouraged Sierra. "But you need to find a way to Convert those greater water elementals to our fold."
"Now, I need someone to make sure that those skeleton summoners in Courant's section are converted," said Sierra.
"I'll do it," offered Vrai. "I'll lead a group of Druids and take care of that. I'm sure Virer can handle my tunnel by himself."
"Alright! Everyone, move!" commanded Sierra, and she watched the green dots mobilize on her map. All she could do was clench her fist and wish them well.
True to her word, Vrai was the first one to infiltrate deep into her assigned tunnel. Sierra saw a few red dots turn into green, confirming that Vrai had indeed converted the skeleton summoners.
A few seconds later, the greater slimes inside Rear's section were converted as well. Slowly, more green dots appeared on Sierra's targeted tunnels.
Several Minutes past, and Sierra's grin grew wider.
> Verleitung Sections
Tunnel [1] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Tunnel [2] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Tunnel [3] => GRN [90%] RED [10%]
Tunnel [4] => GRN [93%] RED [7%]
Tunnel [5] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Tunnel [6] => GRN [91%] RED [9%]
Tunnel [7] => GRN [92%] RED [8%]
Tunnel [8] => GRN [96%] RED [4%]
Tunnel [9] => GRN [0%] RED [100%]
Relic Chamber => GRN [100%] RED [0%]
Time Left: 1M:10S
"What's going on?!" screamed Leshak from across the bubble. "What did you do?"
"You said this was a battle of our Leadership ability," began Sierra. "But you only gave out one command, thinking that you had already won."
Five tunnels plus the relic chamber were lit up with green dots. Sierra stared at the timer and smiled as the last seconds ticked by.
A notification window then popped up soon after.
> Verleitung Dungeon Conquest
+ You and your allies have occupied 6/10 sections of Verleitung Dungeon
+ You have won the right to possess the relic blade: Reglable
After reading the notification window, Sierra noticed the blue bubble closing in on both her and Leshak.
"Hey! What's going on?" asked Sierra out loud.
The rate of the shrinking bubble rapidly increased.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Sierra, as she fell out of the bubble and dropped beside the blue sphere which held the relic blade.
"Where's Leshak?" immediately asked Sierra. "Did he appear after me?"
As soon as Sierra finished her question, the blue sphere blocking the relic lifted up in the air. It hovered in the center of the chamber.
Slowly, Leshak's silhouette became visible through the blue sphere.
SHATTER
The loud sounds of broken shards from the falling sphere made them all run to the sides of the chamber. Innumerable fragments scattered all over the dungeon floor.
Then, a notification window popped up.
+ You have defeated the Dungeon Guardian Leshak!
+ You have slain the Dungeon Guardian Leshak!
+ You and your men gained 1,500,000 experience points each!
After the final shard of the blue sphere fell, Sierra went over to the relic blade - Reglable. She instantly stopped moving when she saw it. It was nothing more than an ornate handle of a sword, lined with sapphires.
'Is this the first half of the relic?' she wondered.
With one swift motion, she picked up the sapphire blade. Her shoulders tensed, as she kept glancing around the chamber, waiting for some sort of trap to activate. Thankfully, nothin
g happened.
Only Sierra's fellow leaders walked up to her, as everybody else were still busy fighting against the remaining mob inside the plugged up tunnels.
Reglable
A sacred relic forged by Chalchiue. It is one of the five aquatic relics made by the great goddess of the waters. The length of its blade is said equal all the waters of Zectas.
Damage: [3-4] x [User's Level]
+50 Vitality
+30% Water Affinity
Restrictions:
- Can only be used by Warrior variations
- Level 130
- Strength: 500
Equipment Ability:
*Tidal Blade (Active)
> Extends the blade depending on the user's desired length
> Consumes 5,000 MP on activation
> Consumes 500 MP per meter of length
> Consumes 50 MP per second of duration
*Tidal Transport (Active)
> Transports user to any point of the Tidal Blade
> Consumes 10,000 MP
> Once ability is used, you cannot use it again for another ten minutes
- Requires Level 500
A great smile came over Sierra's face. This relic had several possibilities, it almost felt boundless.
'I guess Darius was right as usual. This really is a worthy prize,' thought Sierra.
"Mamelon, can you come here for a minute," she said and called the busty Aqua Knight over with her hand.
"What is it?" asked Mamelon.
"Remember what Smoke said before?" said Sierra.
"That... we make sure to stay alive?" guessed Mamelon. "Oh! Especially our assigned Zectians."
"No, not that," replied Sierra as she lightly laughed. "He told you that you deserve a prize for all your hard work, and I also share this opinion."
"What are you talkin—" began Mamelon, but she fell silent when Sierra suddenly handed her the relic blade, Reglable.
"This entire Quest was for you," began Sierra. "I hope you continue to lead our fellow Sonstwelters well, and help us grow our Zectians."
"I don't know what to say," uttered an astonished Mamelon. Her eyes were fixated on the sapphire hilt, as she continued to read the information on her new sacred relic.
'She may not be able to use this now, but I'll make sure she'll be able to use it before our war with Burmistrz,' thought Sierra with conviction.
Then, Sierra caught Rear waving to her, trying hard to grab her attention.
"Yes?" she said.
"Um, Sierra, you should see this," replied Rear and gave her Leshak's heavy brown-fur cape.
She grimaced when she saw the bones stuck onto the cape. "Let me see that," she said. Her hands moved with blitzing speed as she removed the lodged bones.
Then, Sierra inspected the fur cape.
Leshak's Mantle
Made from the back of the Dungeon Guardian Leshak. They say this is the source of all its deceitfulness.
+ 900 Defense
+ 100 Vitality
+ 100 Intelligence
Restrictions:
- Can only be used by Acolytes or Mage variations
- Level 150
Equipment Ability:
*Mimec (Active)
> Mimics beings below god level for the next hour, while cursing them to be Mimes in Silence
> Consumes 90,000 MP on activation
> Consumes 90 MP per second of duration
"Looks like I'll have to work on my prize as well," said Sierra out loud, thinking of all its practical uses.
With a smirk, she tightened her hold on Leshak's Mantle.
Sierra then turned to her gathered friends. "Alright, we got what we came for. Let's use the five tunnels we've secured as our exit, and make sure to take the summoning monsters with you."
Posthaste, the Vigilantez and their converted monsters bolted for the passageways.
As they were running to escape Verleitung Dungeon, Sierra suddenly received a call from Smoke.
"Sorry, can't really talk right now," she answered, as she sprinted for the exit.
"Oh, bad time, huh?" said Smoke. "I was just reading up on Ouragan's notes, double checking something for the tournament."
"What? You haven't won yet?" joked Sierra.
"I know, right?" replied Smoke. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to what you were doing."
Sierra paused, before she answered. "Alright, I'm sure you'll do great in the tournament. Break your opponent's' legs."
"Will do," said Smoke, and ended his abrupt call.
Sierra's eyebrows crossed. She wanted to tell him about their recent development in Wysteria, but this was not the right time to tell him that the bastard Sagen had joined Macher and Duke Burmistrz.
Chapter Eight:
The Journeyman of Florissant Seminary
A masked Smoke sat on the bench for the Magi Gagnant Tournament participants, busy scanning through the scroll he bought about Ouragan. He tried to find focus amidst the full-capacity stadium, but the cheers of the crowd kept distracting him.
He had hope that calling Sierra earlier would give him the inspiration he needed to study through the notes. Yet, now he found himself even more distracted. He was curious as to what Sierra could be doing.
'It sounded like she was worried about something,' he thought. This triggered his paranoia to set in.
He immediately opened his Contacts Window, and swiped through it. His hands trembled as he read through their names, worried whether any of his close Zectian friends died.
---- Contacts ---- Status
...
* Weise Rind [Living]
+ Sharur Attrayant [Deceased]
+ Laernea Lowe [Deceased]
His hand momentarily let go of the popped up window, and stopped his search. Seeing Sharur's and Laernea's names next to the Deceased status still drove a deep pang into his chest.
Letting out a deep sigh, a relieved Smoke closed the window, as the number of his dead friends had not increased.
Picking up the notes on Ouragan, Smoke tried to dive into what he was reading. Suddenly, he leapt up from the bench. "She got one of the relics!" he yelled out loud, excited at his own conclusion.
Some of the audience near him, heard him scream and ogled at him with judgemental eyes.
Lowering his head and slightly shrinking back his shoulders, Smoke sat back down, embarrassed at his sudden outburst.
'But why did she sound apprehensive?' he wondered further. Then, his eyes widened. 'She's afraid of hurting my feelings.'
Smoke remembered when Sierra told him how her level was now 116, and he thought that it could be even plus 118 after she got the relic. With a smug smile, he shook his head as he thought about how thoughtful Sierra was.
Patting his metallic orb on his chest, Smoke leaned in and whispered to Igniz. "We better win this Tournament, Bud, or else we might get left behind."
Igniz let out a small purple flame in response, which he understood as his symbiote telling him to fight on.
Suddenly, Smoke's face became contorted when he heard someone calling his name.
"Master Smoke! Master Smoke!" yelled out Perdant, the old stout Merchant ran to the side of the audience entrance and called out to him.
Equipped with the Paradox Pyro Mask, Smoke remained seated and paid him no mind.
After a few seconds, Smoke casually tilted his head at the old Merchant and gave the old man a deadly stare.
Instantly, Perdant stopped yelling and covered his hand over his mouth. It took him a while to recover, but he persisted to call out to Smoke.
"I mean, Master Faux, your smoked ribs are ready, Sir!" yelled out Perdant.
Taking in a deep breath, Smoke stood up and walked over to the Merchant.
'He's got great business sense, but keeping my identity a secret may not be one of his skillsets,' he thought while shaking his head at disapproval.
"What are you doing here?" asked Smoke. "I thought I told you to keep a low profile? We shouldn'
t be seen together in public."
Perdant lowered his head, but he lifted it back up again as he explained himself. "I know that, but there's this sudden deal offered to me that could be very important. But I can't decide whether to take it without consulting you first."
"What deal?" asked Smoke, intrigued.
If it was a simple haggling of prices, Smoke knew that Perdant would not be running to him now.