Hard Mode Awakening Challenge

The conference room in the AO was down the hall from the Guild Master's office. It was a decent-sized room with projectors, displays, and a large table with a dozen chairs arranged around it. Ian wasn't impressed by the room itself, as it was designed for function over form. What he found impressive was the view.

He had spent the last twenty minutes looking over the AO campus. With the room at the top of the AO headquarters, he could see nearly the entire thing. He took in the simple and efficient pathway design, the well-kept landscaping, and the people hustling about. It had helped him pass the time, as Claire was transcribing the guild master's meeting with Leonian.

Unsurprisingly, their portion of the meeting was going a bit long. He had been warned that it might, as there were formalities that needed to be discussed to ensure the gift of essence stones was handled correctly and only used for the tournament. Any use that would effectively lead to mana being released into the atmosphere would be punished by the dungeon curator, and neither party wanted that sort of backlash.

Ian went to check his phone, only to remember he had to leave it outside. This meeting was supposed to be completely secure. Nothing outside of the drones controlled by the curator was allowed inside. There were to be no pictures, recordings, or notes taken during his meeting with the Faeorcen adventurer.

"At least the view helps take my mind off what happened yesterday," Ian muttered to himself.

After a few more minutes, the door opened. Turning, Ian saw Claire step inside and hold the door as Mavis came in and stood off to the side to make room for the adventurer of the hour. Ian took stock of the adventurer as he entered. The man was shorter than the average human, standing at just under five and a half feet, which Ian had come to expect based on the AO's online library. What he hadn't expected was for the man to be so compact. He was a perfect mix between the stereotypical pretty boy seen in teenage heartthrobs and the sculpted deadliness of a peak martial artist.

Outside of his physique, his other features made it obvious he wasn't human. He had a very light purple hue to his skin, and his platinum blond hair was pulled back into an exquisitely complex braid that fell an inch or two below his shoulders. It helped bring attention to his six-inch pointed ears and large eyes containing silver glowing irises. As the man's gaze met Ian's, he smiled, showing an extra set of canines on the top row of his teeth.

"Greetings, adventurer Zero," the man said in a melodious voice. "I am excited to get this chance to meet with you. Your quick leveling and rapid growth have become quite the topic on my home world."

Ian was surprised the man spoke perfect English. Honestly, he had to admit the man's diction was probably better than his own half the time.

Cupping his left hand, Ian placed it in the center of his chest, palm side in, before bowing his head, "Master Adventurer Leonian, it is my pleasure to greet you on this day. The blood of your ancestors shines through you."

The man smiled even wider before returning the gesture, "I was not aware the people of this planet were aware of our greeting customs. I am now even more pleased with the decision to request this audience."

Mavis stepped forward and motioned to the table, "We have some fresh fruits and pastries to snack on during this meeting. You have asked for an informal setting, so please accept our hospitality."

"Thank you, Guild Master, I must say that this has been an incredible experience so far. Everything about your Adventuring Office is so different from our Dungeoneering Guild. I may even take some of your practices back to my faction to see if we can blend them into our organization over the next few dozen years."

"Your words are very kind," she replied.

As Mavis helped seat Leonian, Ian stepped forward to take the seat across from him. He saw Claire standing on one side of the doorway next to the panel that said the room was secure. Standing on the wall on the other side was an obviously Faeorcean woman that had the same coloring and racial features as Leonian, but could have been the little sister of Jen's elven form.

She was looking at the ground a few feet in front of her and wasn't moving. Ian was actually surprised he hadn't heard her come in. His time in the dungeon had conditioned him to always listen for the sound of footsteps, and his enhanced hearing made it difficult for most things to get past him.

Sitting down, Ian looked over as Leonian took a bite out of a cherry tart and closed his eyes in bliss. Mavis smiled and gave Ian a wink when she caught him looking.

"We already have more packed for you to take home to your wives," Mavis said, receiving another large grin from the man.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, I know they will love them," the man said before turning his attention to Ian. "As much as I am loathed to rush this, I do think we need to start our talk. We only have a small window before I have to be back at the portal gate. My wives will give me no end of grief if I fail to return when the portal opens. Without me there, it would take them years to arrange another."

Ian gave him a smile and a nod, "You have my full attention, Master Adventurer."

"Please, call me Leonian," the man said. "And I've come to see if we could share knowledge on a very important subject to my race. A subject that I expect will come to garner much attention here as the ambient mana increases. Are you familiar with the term 'awakening challenges,' Zero?"

A smile crossed Ian's lips as he looked over at Mavis.

"We will not ask you to hold back any information, Zero," she replied. "All of your information is yours to do with as you please."

Leonian looked between them with a warm smile.

"Sorry, Leonian. I just wanted to make sure I was allowed to speak freely," Ian said, giving him a small nod in apology. "To answer your question, I am very familiar with awakening challenges. I am sure you have probably guessed, but I have completed one. It's probably one of the only things that's helped push me so far, so quickly."

"Wonderful! We were not entirely sure, but we assumed with the difference between your growth and those of your peers that you had done so. Awakening challenges are not just important for adventurers, but a burning passion of mine. As such, I would love to exchange information.

"I have been given full authority to provide all information I possess on the tier you completed in exchange for your challenge information. I already had the dungeon curator transcribe our files into English, so I can leave whatever set it ends up being with you—as our time is limited. The information will be yours, and yours alone, to do with it as you please.

"Does this sound agreeable?"

Ian took in a sharp breath. This was the type of information he knew clans would love to have. The amount of money this type of information was worth was something he couldn't even wrap his mind around.

"Ah, yes," Ian said. "It is extremely agreeable."

"Wonderful!" Leonian said, his eyes literally glowing in his excitement. "What tier of awakening challenge did you complete?"

Ian leaned forward, "It was a hard mode awakening challenge, but I wasn't even aware that I had it until I completed it."

Leonian's smile lit up in triumph as Ian began to speak, but his eyes went wide as he finished. "You had an unannounced hard mode awakening challenge? Please explain."

Nodding, Ian continued, "The first time I ran a dungeon, I discovered that I wasn't gaining levels, even though my partner was. No matter how many monsters I fought, I never hit level two. It wasn't until a few months later that I decided to run completely through the easiest dungeon, mainly out of frustration. It took me all day, but I was rewarded with a single level from the dungeon completion bonus."

Ian looked up from his hands and found the man staring at him in rapt attention. Smiling, he continued, "I was able to run the dungeon one or two times a week, but I wasn't getting any stronger. No matter how many levels I gained, I still had the exact same stats as when I started at level one. I continued to push through, determined to make it to the first milestone.

"Finally, nearly two years after becoming an adventurer, I was able to hit level one hundred. It was then that I learned a few things. I was the first human to ever complete a hard mode awakening challenge. I had been earning experience at 1/10000th of the normal rate. Also, the challenge had been preventing my stats from growing, which caused a lot of pain and suffering when the mode disappeared and my body made up for lost time."

Leonian ran his fingers along his chin and nodded, "My grandfather was around when our planet was originally connected to the dungeon system. He said that our people used to have to hit level one hundred to achieve the fair complexion and sculpted bodies that come naturally now. He said the pain was intense if you leveled too quickly, as the body was adjusting after it had already developed."

"It was not enjoyable, I can promise you that," Ian said with a grimace.

"What is more important, though, is that the system didn't tell you about the challenge, and your challenge was considerably harder than the ones we have records on," Leonian said before his eyes suddenly widened. "Hold on, you said you couldn't level…we always assumed that the rare few that couldn't level were rejected by the system! What if they are on the same type of challenge you are on? We have rare cases like that happen every fifty or so years…I think a few of them are even still alive.

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"Zero," the man said, looking up and giving him a huge grin. "I think our meeting must have been fate." The man pulled a blue folder with a moon emblazoned on the front of it out of thin air. "Here are the hard mode awakening challenges that my faction has records of, as promised."

Reaching across the table, Ian accepted the thick folder. He pulled them directly into his item box, making sure to keep them secure. He did miss the way Mavis stared at the folder before he made it disappear.

"Unlike your challenge, none of the ones my race has completed have been hidden. I've actually never heard of any that were. It makes me excited to see what I can discover with this new information."

Ian could see a feral gleam in Leonian's gaze as he stared off into a vision only he could see. He had seen a similar look on his ex's face right before she tried to ruin his life to jump-start her career. It took all of Ian's self-control not to shudder. He took a little solace in the fact that this man was going to go back to his own world to wreak havoc.

"Oh, before I forget, here is a ring," the man said, returning from his musings and pulling a small plain silver band out of his item box. "Please put it on and see if it fits you."

Taking the ring, Ian turned it around with his fingers a couple of times and looked at it. It didn't feel like any magical item he had found in the dungeon. Shrugging, he slid the ring onto his finger.

"I knew that was your size," the man said with a smirk as it adjusted to perfectly fit his finger.

"What does it do?" Ian asked, still looking at the thin silver band.

"I'm glad you asked," the man said joyously. "Since you have hit level one thousand in such a short time, I've taken it upon myself to help provide you with assistance to take care of your household." The man motioned to the woman standing next to the door, still looking at the floor. "This is Selenia, and she is a subdaughter of my family. Putting on that ring completes the blood ritual to bind her to your service. As the lord of your house, she will serve your needs in any and every way you deem fit."

The moment had come, but not with the bang he had expected. He felt instant regret in how little choice he had ultimately had in the matter. His ignorance had taken any choice other than creating a large scene away from him. Part of him wondered if this was anything similar to what Irene had seen happening today, though he really doubted it with the shocked look Claire had plastered on her face.

Leonian looked back to see Claire, "Oh, is she one of your wives? She spoke about you a lot earlier. All good things, I assure you. I am sure many other households are incredibly jealous of you."

Mavis let out a small chuckle, which Ian couldn't help but join. This was not how he expected this moment to go at all.

"We are not married, Master Adventurer," Claire said, her face showing hints of embarrassment. "I'm the equivalent of his Dungeon Guide in your culture. Though I will be returning to adventuring with his sister's party starting tomorrow."

"Ah, my apologies! A good dungeon guide is worth their weight in moonstones," the man said jovially before turning to face his daughter. "Selenia, I wish you well, but it is time for me to begin making my way to the gate. Make your family proud."

Ian performed the Faeorcean bow with the other hand this time, "Thank you for the abundant generosity. The value of your gifts cannot be stated in mere words. May your bloodline thrive under both the sun and moon."

Repeating the gesture, the man stood and looked over at Mavis, "I am ready when you are, Guild Master."

Mavis smiled as she got up to follow him. Claire opened the door for them to walk out into the hall. As Mavis hit the threshold, she looked back at Ian with wide eyes and mouthed, 'oh shit' to him. He just shook his head and shrugged as Claire closed the door, hiding Mavis from view.

Ian put his head in his hands, only to feel the ring against his cheek.

"I'm so sorry, Ian," Claire said, coming over and sitting across from him.

Sighing, Ian lowered his hands and saw Selenia standing motionless next to the door. She was staring at the floor, just as she had during the entire meeting.

"Um, Selenia, would you be willing to come sit with us?" Ian asked.

"Master," came her quiet voice. "I am to do anything you wish."

Ian closed his eyes, "Selenia, we need to talk. Please come join us at the table." When he opened his eyes, Selenia was standing a few feet away from where Claire sat, still standing and staring at the floor.

"Do you want to sit down?" Claire asked, pointing at a chair. "I swear we don't bite."

"Mistress Withers," said Selenia, eyes glued to the floor, "I do not need any special considerations. It is my duty to always be available and never in the way. I am also aware that humans do not eat the flesh of other sentient beings."

Claire's mouth hung open as she looked back at Ian.

"Yeah, Claire, everyone knows we aren't cannibals," Ian said with a small smile.

"Precisely, Lord Zero," Selenia agreed.

"Damnit, Ian, this is serious," Claire hissed.

"Sorry, sorry," Ian apologized. "You know my primary coping mechanism is utilizing misplaced, and usually inappropriate, humor."

Getting a glare from Claire, he turned his attention back to Selenia.

"I'm not your lord, Selenia," Ian said, giving the woman a gentle smile. "And that's what we need to talk about. I need to know how to free you."

Selenia looked up at his face before she started stammering, "M-my my—Lord Z-zero, have I offended you so much? Am I hideous to your human eyes?"

"Woah there!" Ian said, holding up his hands. "You are extremely attractive, which, in all honesty, probably makes the potential misconceptions even worse. There has just been a huge cultural blunder. One that I'm not sure how to fix without getting a lot of people angry with me, which is why I need your help."

"I am here to help with anything you desire, Lord Zero," she quickly replied. "Please let me prove that I am useful and should be kept at your side."

Ian looked at Claire, who just shrugged.

"Okay," Ian said. "Let's start by having you sit down at the table with us so we don't feel so awkward."

Claire pulled out the chair next to her and patted it. Selenia slowly approached and spent even longer slowly lowering herself into the chair. Ian realized that she was acting like this was one giant trap.

"Selenia, I'm going to ask you a couple of questions. Please answer them as truthfully as you can," he said, getting her nod in return. "First, and I swear this isn't a trap, would you like to be freed from the blood servant pack?"

Selenia's eyes went wide in panic as she fought to keep her mouth closed.

"I'm sorry," Ian said quickly, holding his hands out to stop her. "You don't have to answer. Damn this blood pact. How do I ask you anything without forcing you to do it?"

"You can't," she immediately answered and quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

Ian looked over at Claire, who held up a finger to Ian.

"Selenia," Claire said gently. "Our culture doesn't allow people to own slaves or keep 'servants' like you are being kept. We understand that it's a major difference from your own. But, unless we can find a way to free you, Ian here is going to get in a lot of trouble.

"We aren't trying to get rid of you. Unlike your father, we aren't going to abandon you. Instead of you being a servant, we want you to be able to chase your own dreams. Whatever they may be. We just can't help you if you don't help us."

Tears began to run down Selenia's eyes before she shook her head, stood back up, and went back to her previous pose.

"I'm sorry, Lord Zero. I have failed your test and stand ready for my punishment."

"Okay, this isn't working," Ian said, rubbing his temples. "Alright, Selenia, I need to know how to release you so that I make sure to never accidentally do it."

"Yes, Lord Zero," came her immediate reply, though Ian could see tears dripping on the floor. "It requires you to take that ring, put it on one of my fingers, and tell me that you release me while pushing your mana through it."

"Oh, thank the curator for simple things," Ian muttered before turning his attention back to the task at hand. "Selenia, come over here."

She came around the table, as Claire frowned at his harsher tone of voice.

"Close your eyes and hold out your hand. Time for your punishment," Ian demanded. When her eyes closed and she held out her hands to him, he couldn't help but roll his own eyes at the situation. If this was the easiest way to get this done, he was going to just roll with it.

Pulling off his ring, he reached forward and gently grabbed her hand. Sliding the ring onto her finger, she gasped as it resized.

"I release you," he said while channeling his mana into the ring that was still held between his fingers.

He had expected to feel a large pull, but only the smallest amount of mana was absorbed. To his amazement, the silver ring began to change into gold. He turned her hand over and looked at the ring on both sides, which now had some sort of inscription running along it. When the inscription finally made it all the way around, it glowed for a second before fading, revealing it to be fully turned to gold.

Claire cleared her throat, causing Ian to realize that he was still holding the young woman's hand. Looking up, he saw her silver eyes glued to his face.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered, the faintest hint of anger at the edge of her voice.

"Because you should be free to make your own decisions?" Ian said, concerned at her intensity.

"But, but, but," the woman said, body shaking, "I have to be your servant. You have to take me to bed and give me three children. Only then will I be able to become a true daughter. Without becoming a true daughter, I'll never be able to join the Dungeoneering Guild and venture into the dungeons. I'll never be able to prove how wrong all of them were about me. I'll have to go back to being a subdaughter, if they even let me come back at all."

"What?" Claire said, standing up from her seat. "What are you talking about? Children? True daughters? Actually, screw all of that. Who said you can't go into the dungeon?"

"You don't understand," the woman said, still panicked. "Only true children are eligible to go to the dungeon without the endorsement of their family or faction. Without either one, you cannot get in. It is impossible!"

"Selenia…we aren't on your world anymore. If you want to run dungeons, you can do that here. Actually, I can process your paperwork right now."

Selenia stopped shaking and just blinked at Claire in shock and confusion.

"She sure can," Ian said, guiding the woman into the seat he had been sitting in. "Do you like fruit or pastries?"

Selenia looked up at him with a shocked expression, "I have no idea. I've never tried either before. I've only ever eaten svinta, soup of the servant."

Ian grabbed a little of everything and put it on a plate in front of her.

"Then you are in for a treat. Try some of those and see how you like them while I grab my tablet from the lockbox out here," Claire said, running towards the door.

"Oh, grab my phone!" Ian called over, receiving a thumbs-up in response.

When he looked back, Selenia was staring at an apple slice with a small piece missing, though Ian didn't see her chewing. Giving her a moment, she finally chewed a couple more times and swallowed. Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she bit into it again.

"Are you alright?" Claire asked when she came back, taking the empty seat next to Selenia.

"I've waited my entire life for this moment," she whispered, looking between Ian and Claire. "I had all of these hopes and dreams for what I would do the moment I wasn't bound by my fate, but all I can think about is taking another bite of this delicious thing.

"I don't even know what I'm going to do with myself now. I don't know where I am going to sleep tonight if I'm not going to be Ian's servant. Where do I get food, and how will I pay for it? Am I even capable of doing normal human work?

"Selenia, we would never just abandon you," Ian said. "Even if your father did hand you off like an object, I'm going to spin it as we are supposed to help take care of you—regardless of who asks, that is now the story. So, I think you should stick with us. We are gonna start running the dungeon tomorrow with my sister and a couple of other friends. You can be our sixth member if you want. It would allow you to make money and learn to be self-sufficient. Especially since Claire can work her magic and get you a room here, and the cafeteria makes even better food than the apple you are eating."

"I really wish I could, but I'm level one," Selenia said, seemingly on the verge of tears again. "I've never been inside a dungeon before, and would only manage to get myself killed in dungeons of your level. I've seen you fight."

"Trust me, you will do no such thing," Claire said, patting the other woman's arm as she brought her tablet around. "I'll take you to get tested after this so we know what to start you off with, and as for the levels…well, we will all be level one tomorrow."

"What?" Selenia said, her disbelief evident.

"Well, let me tell you about my skills," Ian started.