From the Beginning
Page 16
“That's just how the witches and wizards built the place. There used to be a map but it was supposedly lost a long time ago. Most suspect that the descendants either have it or destroyed it to make it more difficult because they believe that if someone beats the dungeon they might destroy the whole thing. On average most people never get past level thirty in this world so the first two levels are safe enough and most won’t want to try their luck past that anyways” he replied as the went further into the darkness.
“Seems reasonable enough I guess” Dante replied and took note of the quick change in their surroundings.
Transitioning from warn and tooled stone walls into rough stone seeming barely worked they went from a catacomb setting to something more akin to a cave system. Skittering could be heard along with the ever present shuffling of feet as they moved along the pathway strewn with bones and webs. Dante having played many games directed the others to keep an eye not only in front and behind but also above them as the ceilings might be a good place for large arachnids to ambush them especially since the light of the lamps could not quite illuminate every bit of it and left most of it hidden in darkness.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 36.61
Attack Power:134
Defense Power:378
Health:1782/1782
Mana:962/962
Stamina:954/954
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +5
Critical Hit +5
Movement Speed +4
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+19 Hidden Circlet of Chaos +150 HP
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP and +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+14 Leather Gloves of Chaos
Shoes
+18 Leather Shoes of Chaos +250 stamina, +87 to evasion
Set effects:
2 pieces: + 1 to casting/ attacking speed
3 Pieces: +1 to critical hit
Full set: ???
L Earring slot +20 Earring of the Enchantress +50 Mana/Energy, +20 Attack, +20 Accuracy
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Chaotic Blast
Chaotic Subterfuge
Light of Chaos
Dominion of Chaos
Core Attack: Annihilation
Chaotic Flow
Evasive Blade Stance
Lashing Chaos
Burst of Chaotic Blades
Leap of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:32.53
Attack Power:121
Defense Power:312
Health:2103/2103
Stamina:1184/1184
Attack Speed +3
Casting Speed +2
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Erchik: Crossbowman
Level:32.71
Attack Power:143
Defense Power:191
Health:1493/1493
Stamina:871/871
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +0
Critical Hit +3
Movement Speed +1
Laurina: Healer
Level:28.04
Attack Power:94
Defense Power:146
Health:1182/1182
Mana: 764/764
Stamina:491/491
Attack Speed +1
Casting Speed +2
Critical Hit +1
Movement Speed +0
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Not long after they entered, Dante’s suspicions were confirmed as a group of iridescent spiders ambushed them. As with most mobs they were dispatched fairly quickly but Laurina warned the others to be extra cautious because they looked very similar to a smaller but very venomous cousin of theirs and she believed that they would have even more potent venom. Traps not only of web but others manmade, or possibly monster made in the case of the beings living in this dungeon, were strewn throughout the level and paired with the ambush tactics of the undead and the spiders a normal group might have been caught up or killed by the time they reached the mini boss antechamber. With Dante directing them though it all they suffered no major injuries or fatal attacks on anyone in the party.
They’d found a bit of decent gear for each person to increase their stats but nothing really substantial for most of them and nothing remotely usable for Dante among the remains of the mobs or the fallen adventure seeking NPC’s who had tried to best the dungeon before them. Though he was not too surprised since he was wearing mostly boss gear tailored for a class that technically should not exist. The room they came up to had only a single normal sized door which Dante had peeked behind, led to the mini boss of that level. Also the chamber they were now standing in was fairly clean and had simple furnishing with no mobs in it. It seemed to Dante that it was used as a prep area for people getting ready for the boss or the trek back through the dungeon.
“So...” Dante began thoughtfully “We know what we are facing but not what it is capable of. It will likely not have a set pattern but should have a larger variety of attacks then a normal or special monster. I want Laurina in the back ready to heal at a moment's notice with Erchik covering her should the monster attack all the while firing arrows when safe to do so without drawing too much attention to himself. Terrance will take the front line and hold agro while I bombard the thing with as much damage as possible until it is down. I don’t want anyone to overwork or strain themselves. We still have a whole other level to the dungeon and a legendary beast to face after this.”
Seeing that Dante was finished Terrance pulled him aside and spoke softly “I’m sorry for what I said back at the abbey and how I acted. I can’t say I disagree with you, but unlearning what I’ve been taught my whole life will take time. I hope you will give me that time.” Looking Dante in the eyes with a sad and remorseful stare.
Dante nodded and placed a gentle gloved hand on the side of Terrance’s face kissing him softly. “Of course I forgive you, and I understand where you're coming from. I have a habit of treating others as weaker than me when I should know better. Until now I have held you all back and faced all the big bads presented to me but I think I am willing to let go of the reigns and allow you to do what you want which seems to be to stand by my side as I take on the world. Who knows I might just not die this time” laughing and turning towards the other two with a grin. “Now who’s ready to take down a mini boss?”
Whoops of excitement and happiness erupted from the small group as they made their way through the small door into the boss chamber beyond. In no time the level forty Special Undead Imp Warrior rose from the ground signaling his preparedness to fight, and a small group of weaker level thirty-five to thirty-six Undead Imps came out from the walls. Dante directed the others to focus the boss while he made quick work of the adds as they were referred to in games.
Over before they knew it the groans of the undead stopped as Dante and his group looted the mini boss and his minions, each party member getting their fair share. Laurina tried to argue against it but Dante simply loaded her up with more loot for each argument until she caught the hint and just smiled and nodded. After congratulating Erchik and Laurina on their new levels they used the overly ironic skellington key they looted from the mini boss and entered the next level of the dungeon.
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They descended down several flights of stairs before they came to a large cavernous area so massive they could not see any of the walls and the only details visible were large obsidian pillars that were covered in glowing red runes as far up as the eyes could see. Creaks of bones and shuffling could be heard and it sounded almost as if it were coming from every direction at once. None of the party members wanting to wait around for what sounded like an army of undead to arrive they moved forward cautiously.
“This has to be the creepiest place yet” Erchik said in a hushed tone.
Terrance nodded watching the darkness and seeing what looked like hidden shapes move around just outside the lamp light. “Agreed friend. I’m not sure what's out there but I really don’t like it here.”
“Keep the chatter down and eyes peeled. We are in unmapped territory guys and I don’t want to be caught off guard because we decided to treat it like a stroll through the meadows” Dante said a little harshly with his senses firing off warning him of danger from every direction.
Giving a silent nod the others said nothing more as they progressed further and further into the darkness unassaulted though seemingly not far away from their enemies. Every person in the group was on edge and had quietly mentioned aloud having seen something just beyond the lamps light moving about in the darkness. The creeks of bones and shuffling of undead feet did not stop but they also never got much louder, instead causing a feeling of being fully encumbered by whatever was making the noises.
“Do you happen to have a prayer or spell or whatever for dark sight or night sight Laurina?” Dante asked as a thought struck him.
“One that lasts for fifteen minutes” she responded with a look of utter fear written all over her face as her eyes darted around looking for the enemy.
Dante stopped the group and stood in front of her blocking her sight of everything but himself. “I would like you to cast it on me. I think I have an idea but won’t know until we try this out.”
Taking a deep breath she nodded then placed her hands on either side of his face chanting a prayer of sight. When he opened his eyes her was blinded by what little light the lamps offered and had to quickly turn his gaze to the darkness outside of the lamp light. Letting out a whistle of surprise as he did so.
“Figured as much” Dante said to the others not looking in their direction.
“What?!” All three party members piped up in unison.
“Don’t panic but we are surrounded by mobs from level thirty-six to thirty-nine. All undead and there has to be at least a couple hundred of them.” Each member gave a little gasp until Dante raised a hand to silence them as he continued “They don’t seem able to go into the light and the few that do tend to rush away smoking a bit. If we spread out the damage amongst the three combat members of the party and took turns we could whittle them down fairly fast. They don’t seem smart and their actions seem fairly slow. We’ve just got to use some hard hitting attacks and wipe them out fast. Would rather not have an undead army at our backs when we go to face the legendary beast.”
Setting down the lamps allowing the light to cover as much area as possible and posting Laurina in the center while the other three spread out they each took turns receiving the prayer of dark sight from her before each one stepped into the darkness. Battle ensued quickly and Dante was the easiest to see with his large bursts of purple and gray energy with each attack. Terrance who only gave off sparks when metal hit metal with the occasional red flare as he activated a special attack was not nearly as easy to spot. While Erchik who stayed close to the healer as he fired off shot after shot into the darkness only occasionally diving in to get better aim on an enemy. He was useable until there was suddenly a yellow haze of arrows the volleyed from his crossbow taking out a large number of the enemy in a single attack.
As the others attacked Laurina monitored their health bars with their small party member window that appeared to the left of her vision. Any time one of the party members seemed to dip down by more than five percent of their health she quickly launched a blanket healing ability in their direction. It took only two rounds of applying the dark sight prayer on her comrades before they all returned reporting that the enemy forces were completely destroyed.
“That was awesome!’ Dante said patting Erchik on the back. “I had no idea you had that attack. Just about took out a third of the whole group on your own with that thing.”
Erchik laughed. “Didn’t know I could do it either until I did it. Though I hope we don’t run into the legendary beast too soon because I think it’s still on cooldown.”
Terrance patted his small friend on the back in thanks and turned to Laurina. “Those heals were on point as well. So glad to have you with us because I doubt any of us would survive down here if not for you.”
She blushed and nodded saying quietly “Not bad for a girl I guess” causing both Dante and Erchik to laugh as Terrance sputtered attempting to apologize.
Her face hardened a little though had a small smile presented itself. “You are not the first and you won’t be the last to question whether a women can do what a man can. I am just glad you have learned and are partnered with someone smart enough to knock some sense into you when you need it” winking at Dante when she spoke.
Dante laughed and shook his head. “Let’s gather the loot and set out. If we come across more groups like this we will repeat the pattern until we reach the legendary beast. I’ll take the lead and want the prayer of dark sight or whatever it is applied to me constantly. Make sure it is re-applied before it fades but don’t waste mana on overly reapplying it. If you wait at least thirteen minutes between each application then you will have replenished any mana used in casting it.”
Laurina agreed and after reapplying the dark sight prayer, the others each took up a lamp and with Erchik again in the rear with Laurina, and Terrance in front of her Dante wandered into the darkness leading the group and watching every direction hoping that his party would make as quick and easy work of the next enemies they encountered.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 37.21
Attack Power:134
Defense Power:378
Health:1805/1805
Mana:983/983
Stamina:977/977
Attack Speed +5
Casting Speed +5
Critical Hit +5
Movement Speed +4
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+19 Hidden Circlet of Chaos +150 HP
Armor
+25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP and +30% Damage Reduction
Gloves
+14 Leather Gloves of Chaos
Shoes
+18 Leather Shoes of Chaos +250 stamina, +87 to evasion
Set effects:
2 pieces: + 1 to casting/ attacking speed
3 Pieces: +1 to critical hit
Full set: ???
L Earring slot +20 Earring of the Enchantress +50 Mana/Energy, +20 Attack, +20 Accuracy
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Chaotic Blast
Chaotic Subterfuge
Light of Chaos
Dominion of Chaos
Core Attack: Annihilation
Chaotic Flow
Evasive Blade Stance
Lashing Chaos
Burst of Chaotic Blades
&nb
sp; Leap of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:33.01
Attack Power:121
Defense Power:312
Health:2149/2149
Stamina:1201/1201
Attack Speed +3
Casting Speed +2
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Erchik: Crossbowman
Level:33.13
Attack Power:143
Defense Power:191
Health:1512/1512
Stamina:896/896
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +0
Critical Hit +3
Movement Speed +1
Laurina: Healer
Level:29.72
Attack Power:94
Defense Power:146
Health:1213/1213
Mana: 788/788
Stamina:491/491
Attack Speed +1
Casting Speed +2
Critical Hit +1
Movement Speed +0
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Four more groups about the same size as the first assaulted them as they progressed, before Dante could see something of a structure off in the distance. With each new group the monsters became a little stronger, though still not enough to cause Dante and his party to worry.
“Are we there yet?” Terrance piped up jokingly just after the fourth grouping of monsters.
“Ha, ha Terrance. I do have to say that I see something about a half a mile away though, so we must be getting close to our goal.” Dante replied with a friendly smack on Terrance’s shoulder.
“Boys,” Laurina spoke admonishingly. “Do we really have time for this?”
“Don’t lie you just wanna watch” Dante said immediately laughing as he saw both Laurina and Terrance turn crimson.