My mana refinement was finished in no time, so I worked on small little experiments between elements instead of power leveling. This way I wouldn’t wake her. It wasn’t as efficient as I would’ve been on my own, but I didn’t regret it for a moment. My Light Magic neared the 80% mastery marker that Bishop Mather had mentioned. Beyond that, it would become increasingly difficult to reach the Grandmaster Rank.
***
Jasmine’s delicate hand settled into mine. The wariness she’d felt around me when we’d first met had disappeared entirely. The nervous energy I felt coming from her was because of something else. She was about to make her first public appearance as a Trueblood.
We walked toward the same Vampire Gate I’d killed my way through weeks ago. As two Truebloods with an escort whose level couldn’t be discerned, we strolled toward the wide tunnel that bore straight down into the earth and would take us to the Dungeon Level.
The dark elf vampire at my side had had her power and ability explode in the last week since I met her, but her level was still low, so we decided that instead of just being my relative, she’d play the part of my young wife. Even though she was technically older than me, I was more than three times her level and was accustomed to the customs of vampire nobility. Keeping her close would help her deal with her nerves. The vampires at the Vampire Gate wouldn’t look at her as closely either if they knew she was taken. Even though the Tammaro family was low on the vampire nobles’ social ladder, they were still Truebloods. If anyone tried anything, I’d just kill them all.
The two guards in their dark-platemail and cloaks on either side of the entrance weren’t hiding their presence and instead bowed as we passed.
Jasmine’s grip tightened.
Watching her through the corner of my eye, I saw her standing as straight as a tent pole. Her facial features didn’t waver, but it would be impossible for someone not to notice her unease.
“Don’t worry,” I said as we descended the stairs. “The Dungeon Level might be untamed, but its creatures are far less dangerous than the Cavern Level on average. You should be able to make short work of 99% of them on your own. As for the rest, they will give me an opportunity to impress you.” It was all part of the backstory Shamash and I had made up. It would hopefully provide a decent excuse for Jasmine’s jitters.
“Yes, my lord husband,” she replied woodenly. Glancing over to me, her eyes widened in self-depreciation.
Using mind-speak, I responded, “You’re doing fine. Don’t focus on not being nervous and what you’re doing wrong. It will just make you more nervous. Instead, think about how jealous these guys are because their wives aren’t nearly as pretty as mine.”
We were out of sight as we descended the stairs, so no one else could see her blush. If she was awkward before, she became even more so.
“I’m teasing you,” I added. “But what I said isn’t untrue. This region of the vampire realm is quite racist, but the guards here are all young. Also, the Tammaro family has guarded this Vampire Gate for a long time, so they’re used to seeing all kinds of people. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d fight each other over the chance to marry you. Of course, you’re far too good for them.”
She didn’t answer as she processed what I’d said.
The chamber where I’d fought the Tammaro guards eventually came into view. At first glance, I could see the scarring my Light Magic had left. The dark-stone had originally possessed its own shadow aura that made it easier for the guards to remain hidden until the last moment. But now, the floor looked like nothing but dull black tile. As we drew nearer and the room came into view, I looked past the guard to see the scarring reached from the floor to the pillars lining either side of the room and all the way up to the ceiling.
The two guards to either side of the entrance were already facing us as we finished our descent and bowing their heads.
It was then that Jasmine squeezed up against my arm and rested her head on my shoulder.
I whispered through mind-speak, “Good.”
The Tammaro guards were already lined up to either side as an honor guard when we arrived. There were more than before, and some stayed back from the line by the pillars while others floated overhead.
A guard captain that was level 50,000 stood off to the side but greeted us with a lesser bow of his head. “My lord. My lady. I am Captain Giv of the Tammaro family. Might I enquire of your name and your purpose for visiting the Dungeon Level?”
I pulled Jasmine to a stop. I wasn’t surprised that we’d be questioned after their guards had been wiped out in the last couple of months. It was still abnormal for nobles to be questioned at checkpoints. “Well met, Captain Giv. Is it necessary to give our family name? I may or may not have a younger brother who is too fond of my newlywed wife and hasn’t given us any peace. He’s still too young to find himself a wife, but that doesn’t mean he won’t chase us here if he finds any clues to where we’ve gone. So we’re here to escape for a few months while building my bride’s confidence with random encounters against these lower level monsters and having a bit of an adventure.”
“Forgive me, but I must insist. I can make a note to not tell anyone of your passing, but because we were attacked recently and lost fifty men, we are taking extra precautions.”
“My condolences to the Tammaro family. I’d heard in passing that there had been an attack, but I didn’t realize it had been to such a point.” I felt Jasmine’s grip tighten on my arm but made a conscious decision not to look at her to keep as much of the attention on myself as I could. “Very well, we are of the Vidarna family.”
Immediately, Captain Giv bowed his head lower than before and thanked me. He knew of the Vidarna family that was famous in the north. It would probably be better to say that they were infamous. They were known for massacring more than one family that had crossed them. They also were known to be open to vampires of all races, so they fit what we were looking for.
As we passed by the captain, Jasmine lifted her head from my shoulder but kept ahold of my arm. She seemed relieved.
I made a show of scanning the honor guard that had lined up to salute us as we passed. Their heads were down, but there were a number of eyes watching—mostly Jasmine.
“I caught seven out of the first ten admiring you,” I said through mind-speak.
Her head slammed into my shoulder as if she were trying to burrow in and hide herself.
I broke normal etiquette and laughed aloud. Releasing her hand, I swung my arm over her shoulder and pulled her close.
Once past the guards and nearing the tunnel of the actual Dungeon Level, I stopped and called out to the guard captain without turning around. “Captain. I know it’s beneath the dignity of your noble family to receive charity.”
I summoned a magic bag from my inventory that I’d prepared for this moment. Holding it out to the side, I dropped it to the ground. “But it seems that while I was here I dropped something and was already gone before you could return it. It would be a shame if the Tammaro family didn’t make use of such funds especially after losing so many young men. Be well.”
I took another step before adding, “And Captain, I’d appreciate it if you kept your word and didn’t tell anyone of our passing through.”
With that, I left for good.
Many minutes later, Jasmine had yet to let go of my arm but braved a question. “What did you leave them?”
“Fifty Master Dark Orbs,” I replied.
“Why? Weren’t you the one that killed their men?”
“I am. I know that it might seem like I’m degrading their worth by giving so little, but no amount of money can ever make up for the lives of fifty people.”
“That’s not what I mean. Aren’t they your enemies? Why give them anything?”
“No, not really. I saw them that way once. If they knew I was human they would probably attack me. However, when I attacked them, they were but a lock that I had to break because I didn’t have the right key. I treated t
hem as if their lives were as worthless as a stone that stood in my path and kicked them out of my way. There’s nothing I can do to bring them back but doing nothing is also wrong. So…”
“You’re the best person I’ve ever known.”
I laughed grimly at her response. “I killed everyone you’ve ever known, and you think I’m a good person?”
A sharp pain suddenly shot through my arm. I looked over at Jasmine in utter astonishment. She was glaring up at me with tiny lines of blood running down the sides of her mouth.
“Would I bite you if I wasn’t absolutely sure you’d never hurt anyone unless you had to?” she rebuked.
“Okay, fine,” I replied. “You win. You’re definitely a dark elf.”
“Yes, I am. And since you’re not my master, I don’t sit back and listen to you talk badly about the person I most respect in the world. Do it again, and I’ll bite you.” As soon as she was finished, she rested her head against my shoulder once more. The bite marks had already healed.
I didn’t know how to respond. It seemed like this outburst was something she’d been working up to over the last couple of days.
There was one question I had to ask though. “How do I taste?”
“Good,” she said without a second’s hesitation.
“How good?”
She looked up at me then licked the blood from both sides of her mouth. “Very good.”
I snorted. “I’m not going to wake up in the middle of the night with you biting me, am I?”
She rolled her eyes. That was another first. “You don’t really sleep, if you’d forgotten, and Aeris will be at your side.”
For some reason, her response made me feel immediate regret. Not because I’d asked such a silly question, but because I’d miss it being just the two of us. If I had no place to return to, and I hadn’t met Jale, I could already feel how easy it would be to develop more intimate feelings for her. Part of that was probably because of the disaster we’d survived together. I wanted nothing more than to pave a path for her to find happiness. Taking the leap from doing it as her friend to something more wasn’t a large one to make.
But she was right. I had Aeris. I immediately felt guilty and acknowledged that I’d been treating Jasmine the same way I would her. The way I teased her, and even flirted, wasn’t something I’d intended, but I’d been doing it nonetheless. In reality, I had more experience killing stuff than with girls. I’d have to make a conscious effort to contain myself and keep both of us from developing emotions that were inappropriate. That was another way I could protect Jasmine.
“Well let’s hurry,” I said. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a strip of bacon the size of my arm. I’m sure we can figure out a way to mix bacon grease with blood so that you can experience such bliss.”
“I changed my mind,” Jasmine replied. “You’re the grossest person that I’ve ever met.”
I filled the tunnel with laughter. Finally, I’d returned to the Dungeon Level and was on my way home.
Chapter 42 – Rushing Home
We continued our travels just like we’d done before, except this time we had many more random monster encounters because these tunnels were much less traveled. I guessed it was also because the monsters here possessed a whole different level of stupidity.
The closer we got, the more excited I became and I hoped to be within range to speak with Richard soon. We still had miles to go, but—wait a minute. If Richard had been leveling up, then his range should also have increased. I wasn’t sure if he’d be listening now, or even in this direction, but it was worth trying.
“Hey, man,” I said, aiming mind-speak in his direction while willing it to reach him. “Can you hear me?”
Not even a second went by before I heard a sharp whisper in response. “Elorion! You’re back?”
“Yes sir. Why are you whispering?”
“Elorion?” Russ’s voice also came in hushed tones. “Ahh man, we’re saved. Look, Travis came back—”
“He seriously didn’t go with Kylie?” I said, almost shouting. Letting my wings disappear, I fell to the ground to walk at Jasmine’s side where she was riding Brat. I wasn’t sure it was appropriate to be so quick to celebrate him letting her go back to the surface without him, but I couldn’t help it. Our heavy metal werewolf had returned. “That’s great.”
There was a moment of silence before Russ continued. “Elorion, he’s dead.”
The world started to spin as the grin fell from my face. “What did you say?”
“Mistress Nava’s humans came to Sanctuary and the first thing they did was try to take over. We fought them and Travis had already returned, but… Elorion, even he couldn’t do anything. They’re all level 10,000 and their leader is a Fire Mage they call Napalm and has some freakishly powerful fire that sticks like acid. While we were fighting them, Travis rushed in and injured him, but was covered in the stuff. It ate right through his metal armor like it was melting him, and he’s gone. We’re all locked up. Mel was fighting him too and he fell in the Pits. He—he might be dead as well.”
All the emotional strength Jasmine had helped me recover was immediately sapped from my body. The only reason I didn’t fall over and curl up like a wounded animal was because my physical stats were far too high.
I turned to Jasmine and even though Russ was still talking I didn’t hear a word he said.
She jumped off the Embar immediately and rushed over. “What is it?”
“My friends are dead,” I mumbled. “Two of them. Travis and Mel. I have to go.”
Spinning to face Shamash who’d been floating along behind us in his lich form, I gave him the most severe look I’d ever given a living creature. “Bring Jasmine to Sanctuary and even use your promise to save my life on her if you have to. Shamash. If she doesn’t make it there safely, I will never sign another contract with you. Never.”
“She will arrive safely,” he replied with all certainty. “I guarantee it.”
Jasmine said in a panic, “Where are you—”
“I must save the rest of my friends. Shamash will bring you along safely and when you join me, I’ll have… I’ll see you soon.”
Her eyes were darting around, and she was blinking frantically.
I grabbed her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “It will be okay. Really.”
She nodded.
I’d already taken a few steps which quickly turned into a sprint. 6x Primordial Cat Form with 14x Muscle Buff rapidly replaced my Vampire Form. With 80,000 in my physical stats that could be sustained indefinitely, I decimated the path beneath me like an enraged ancient dragon as I charged forward.
Reaching my top speed, it became almost impossible to see clearly because my vision had become a blur. I threw my perceptions ahead of me and tried to run at the same time.
I plowed into the walls a dozen times before getting a feel for how to navigate with my senses extended beyond my physical body. The damage to my body didn’t matter.
“Richard,” I rumbled. “Can you help guide me.”
“Yes,” he replied. “I got a lock and I’m following you now. Be exceptionally careful. Remember they’re all over level 10,000.” He stuttered a few times. “Elorion, you’re moving incredibly fast. What level are you now?”
“Just make sure I don’t take a wrong turn and tell the guys it will be over very soon.”
***
There’s a state of rage where you lose all semblance of control to the point of even blacking out. This same state exists even for someone with extremely high mental stats, but it undergoes a radical change.
The world turned red and each of my senses were pulled tight like guitar strings that were about to snap. My purpose became the singularity of my conscious state. All other information except what I cared about was cut off. I ate away at the miles at a speed that only the fastest aircraft could travel while leaving ruin in my wake.
My worry for Jasmine’s ability to follow after me was the only thing that sl
ipped through, but then I remembered how Shamash had literally turned the walls in the Head Mistress’s dungeon into a phantom image that Lord Darius’s whole army could walk through. It wouldn’t be a problem, so I didn’t think of her again.
It was the memory of Travis that filled the recesses of my mind. He’d been a part of the first group I’d joined when entering the Underworld and he’d been with me ever since. He was the one to join me in the Belly to fight off the great hordes of monsters that ceaselessly attacked. It was there that he was bitten with werewolf venom. Then I remembered him turning into his werewolf form as he left Sanctuary for what I believed to be the last time.
I don’t know exactly how long it took me. Only that it felt like a couple of minutes and forever all rolled up into one. It was as if I had been plunged into a sea of sorrow with only my anger to drive me to the surface. Travis and I had spent more time together than I’d spent with anyone else besides Aeris. I’d helped him gain control of his werewolf form while learning that we could feel each other’s emotions as we fought. The girls had just been taken from us at that time and we were both trying to figure out how to deal with not being able to see them. If it wasn’t for him, I very likely would have gone insane.
I recognized the unique mix of mana in the air as I neared. What should have taken me a week took less than a day. I started to slow and, by the time I’d reached the barrier the Head Mistress had left with a unique signature that would only affect me, I’d come to a crawl.
Shamash and I had only talked about this barrier briefly on our trek home. He basically said the same thing to me as he’d said when I’d been forced to leave. The only difference was that he’d said that now I wouldn’t need him to help me figure it out.
The ethereal barrier stood before me with a subtle golden glow. I’d tried to tear my way through it in Primordial Cat Form when I’d first been banished. I’d only been level 802 at the time, and I’d returned at level 29,641. Seeing the barrier now, I knew it could no longer hold me back and even if I wanted to smash my way through it would fall easily to my will. The person that had left here weeks or some odd months ago no longer existed. My hands were no longer clean but stained with enough blood to drown dozens of people many times over.
Underworld - Scorching Sun: A LitRPG Series Page 42