Heroes, Magic and Monsters

Like usually we met in Adventurers guild, before going to pick up Nelly.

- Sally told me that Nelly already reached level nine, - informed us Luara: - Which is good, but also bad. Since it will be more difficult to increase her level from now on. The minimum she needs to level up at least twice, but probably even more. According to Sally she already has nine skills, more than even I have. But we need to decide, what will we do next. If we continue as before, raising her levels could take weeks or even months. Not to mention that monster numbers are decreasing. Our hunts and recent dungeon cleaning quests have significantly lowered monster numbers on first four floors.

- You wish to go to the next floor? - nervously asked Trevor.

- I'm not sure our levels are high enough, - added Myne.

- That's true. My level is still only eleven. But with Nelly's magic assistance we should be able to do that.

- I think that we can do that, - I agreed with Luara: - Last time we barely encountered any monsters. If we don't go lover, then Nelly won't be able to reach level ten. You all remember how hard it was for us. We had to exterminate packs that had more than hundred monsters in them, before we could do that. That's more monsters than we hunt in two dungeon visits lately.

- Then it's settled. We go to floor five, - decided our party leader: - But first I think that you need to get stronger and increase you levels.

- I'll already tried, no such luck, - I admitted. It was truth, after receiving my sword I used leveling crystal, but my level did not increase.

- I wasn't planning to do so, but very well, - nodded Myne. Trevor also decided not to risk and increase his stats.

Myne went first. When she touched the crystal, familiar numbers appeared, which meant that she managed to reach next level.

Human, LV 10 - LV 11

Name - Myne;

Job: Mage;

Status:

Health: 25 - 26;

Mana: 100 - 120;

Strength: 11;

Defense: 8;

Spell power: 10;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 5;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Earth magic (Advanced);

Knitting (Novice);

Agriculture (Novice);

Wisdom (Basic);

Possible skill acquirement:

- Knitting (Basic);

- Intelligence (Novice);

Please choose one skill!

She happily chose intelligence skill, since it helped with faster spell learning and also increased spell casting speed. That was a great skill for a mage.

Trevor like always nervously approached the leveling crystal, but his results surprised as all.

Human, LV 1

Name - Trevor;

Job: Knight;

Status:

Health: 3;

Mana: 40;

Strength: 0;

Defense: 0;

Spell power: 1;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 5;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Lumberjack (Novice);

Herb gathering (Basic);

Increased strength (Novice);

Swordsmanship (Novice)

- What, I am level one? - asked he in surprise, but then he noticed his job:

- What, I have a knight job? Do you see that? I am a knight now!

Trevor almost jumped from happiness. Well he reached level eleven that was the level when a commoner job always changed to more specialized job. No surprise that he got a knight job, after he got a swordsmanship skill.

We congratulated Trevor, who's battle potential just greatly increased. Finally he can become a front row fighter, worthy of its role.

Luara was satisfied with our party's increased fighting abilities and we went to the Mage Guild.

Luara warned Sally about our decision and for the second time we entered floor five. After previous two floors, which had light from the glowing moss, my party members needed some adjustment to the surrounding darkness. First we visited the cavern where we fought drakes, but their bodies were already gone. They were decomposed. which happened fast to the dungeon monster bodies if they remained in the dungeon.

- Some scholars theorized that the magic power returned to the mother dungeon - informed as Nelly.

There were no monsters nearby. Probably still scared of the drakes, they stayed away from the cavern where drake pack used to live. We went deeper in the dungeon and according to Luara's map crossed nearly third of the floor when we finally encountered dungeon monsters.

I did not see the monsters at first. Light reflected from something and I stopped.

- Wait, - I warned Luara, and she stopped. I took out one of my arrows and threw it. Arrow stopped in mid air and stayed there. Luara went closer and touched arrow and took a closer look. Around the arrow where almost invisible strings.

- Spider web, - she finally realized.

- And we just alerted the one who made it. Luara get back. Nelly use fire ball and burn it down. We can't do worse, - Luara jumped back and Nelly almost immediately used a Fire ball spell. Human size fireball flew towards the web and immediately ignited the spider web. Fire spread all the way through cavern and we saw at least half a dozen giant spider monsters. They were two times bigger than their brethren from the first floor.

- Myne, Nelly use Slow spell, - ordered Luara.

- They are too far away from each other to affect them all, - warned Myne.

- Them spell them one by one. Nelly take left side, Myne the right.

While our mages started casting their spells I used my bow. I managed to wound the spiders, but they were too big to kill them with arrows. Spiders were sitting closer to the ceiling, and three of them fell down when their webs burned down. They suffered severe injuries, mostly broken legs, but half of them managed to use new webs to stay in the air.

The webs burned out as quickly as they caught fire, and cavern went black again.

- Three wounded, three coming closer. They are coming down. Prepare yourselves, - I warned my comrades, while I was continuing shooting: - Nelly, Myne, you should switch to Magic arrow spell, you won't have enough time to use both. Nelly take the first one.

Luara nodded and as soon as first spider appeared in our light circle Nelly used Magic arrow and blew up most of its head. Spider fell on earth with green blood flowing out of its wounds. Myne managed to kill the second one and I finished the last spider.

- Nelly you should finish the wounded ones, - Nelly nodded, and I guided her to the wounded spiders. She killed them using her Magic arrow spell.

- Well that was easy, - wiped off the sweat Luara: - Let's collect the magic stones.

I stayed on guard, while Luara and Trevor removed the magic stones. That was easy, but only because we got lucky and noticed spider webs, before someone was caught in them. But monsters from the fifth floor, turned out to be more dangerous, than I hoped. I saw something shining and told my companions to wait. I went investigate and found a staff. It was dark and almost invisible in the darkness. The only reason I managed to saw it was because of round black jewel that sparkled in the middle. I prepared my curse removing potion. It costed me twenty gold coins, but apothecary assured me that it will remove any curse. It was the most expensive piece in his shop. Made by the sage, it was in a way even more powerful than elixirs. I was planning to ask the sage about it during my next visit.

As soon as I picked up the staff, I felt its power. It wasn't cursed. It was an artifact. From the power that I sensed, it could increase mages magic power, make mages spells more powerful. Our first artifact. Finally we found one.I returned to my party and gave staff to Myne.

- Here. If no one's objecting, then give your staff to Nelly and try using this one.Luara and Trevor nodded and Myne carefully took the staff.

- Wow, I can feel its power. It's amazing. Far better than my current staff.

Nelly took Myne's old staff and waved it around.

- Looks useful, I'll give it back when we exit the dungeon.

- You can keep it, - said Myne: - As your payment from the monsters loot.

- We were discussing what we should do if we found an artifact, and agreed that the one to whom it is useful the most can keep it, - added Luara: - We also agreed, that you deserve something, if we found an artifact that only mages can use. Since Myne has a new staff now, you can keep her old one. It will enhance your spell power and you can use it to pommel monsters if they get too close. Myne used her staffs as a club several times.

- Really? Thank you. I will cherish it.

- Consider it your first dungeon loot, - I smiled: - To be honest we felt kind of bad that you don't get anything while we keep all the magic stones and monster materials. At least this way we can show you our appreciation.

- Thank you, - bowed Nelly.

We continued our way and both Nelly and Myne were admiring and playing around with their new staffs.

Next monster we encountered resembled a big bull covered with spikes and long snake like tail.

- Bull monster, - I warned, but second moment monster noticed us, and charged towards the light. I wanted to curse, but there was not enough time. If we wait until he enters our light circle our mages will not have enough time to use Slow spell before it tramples us. Luckily I could use Slow spell myself. I imagined spell circle and filled it with mana. I felt the magic power and sent it towards the bull. This was my first time using Slow spell on a living being. Spell worked and familiar earth bubbles appeared beneath the bull monster. His charge slowed down - my spell worked.

- I already used Slow spell. Trevor, Luara distract it. Nelly use Lightning as soon as you see it. He is coming from the front.

Luara nodded and run towards the bull. With her increased speed and bull's lowered, she managed to avoid the monster. Trevor run to the monster other side, and bull slowed down choosing his victim. That gave Nelly time to use Lightning spell.Lightning hit the monster and electric charge went through his spikes. Bull swayed and fell on the ground. Blood came out of its mouth and his eyes closed.

Luara carefully approached the monster and touched him with her sword. Bull looked dead, but just in case she stabbed his neck, before removing the magic stone, while Trevor collected bulls horns.

I considered buying gloving stone bracelet. I could distract the monster instead of Luara, but Nelly would not be able to see me. Distracting monsters and illuminating them, so Nelly could attack them was necessary for our mages to attack them. I could also throw the glowing stone the same way Luara did it during our fight with drakes. Maybe I should even buy more than one such bracelet. I should think more about it when we return to Grimsburg, decided I.

- Good job, - told us Luara: - Didn't know that you could use the Slow spell?

- I learned it not so long ago. Wasn't shore in my casting abilities yet. Besides I can at most affect only one monster, and no one stronger than this bull.

- Understood. Still that's very useful. Maybe I also should learn that spell.

- You should, - I nodded: - It won't hurt to have more members who can use magic.

- Learning magic is easy, - added Nelly.

- I will think about it.

We crossed two more caverns and entered a long corridor when Luara ordered us to stop.

- I hear something, - she closed her eyes and concentrated: - Wolfs howling.

- Let me go first, - just as I switched places with Luara we all saw glowing eyes in front of us. Seven large figures entered the corridor. Giant monster wolves, at least three times bigger than their animal counterpart. Saliva was dripping from their mouths, and when it reached the ground, smoke rose from it.

- Giant monster wolves. And be careful, their saliva seems to be an acid.

- I can't use my lightning spell her, - warned Nelly, - I need to be outside or in the place with very high ceiling.

That was not good. Our main weapon was useless in here.

- Nelly use your Fire ball spell and send if forwards. Myne use Slow spell when you see the wolves, - ordered Luara: - We need to retread to the cavern, where we will have more options.

Nelly's fire ball spell was currently our best magical source of light. We asked Nelly about spells that can create light, but only light magic spells could do that. Using light magic spells without light magic skill, was very dangerous. Someone with Sage's job also could do that. Nelly's next job could be a sage, but an archmage needed to reach level forty one, before her job change.

Nelly's fire ball flew towards the monster and burned the fur of the wolf monster. Myne used her Slow spell and we run towards the cavern. To my surprise wolves took their time coming after us. Instead of running towards us, they slowly approached and several of them howled.

We reached the cavern and I guided as towards it's middle. Cavern was middle seized, more than hundred meters across, with three exits or entrances, depending the way you saw it. We were approaching caverns middle, when I stopped.

- What's wrong? - asked Luara.

- Dammit! It's a trap, - from all three entrances came monster wolves: - We're surrounded from three sides. No exit.

- How many?

- Seven behind us. Five left and six from the way we came before. There's someone behind them.

I noticed huge figure that followed the five wolves on our left side. The figure was more than two meters high, human shaped, but covered in smoke.

- Wolf shepherd, - I turned pale. Wolf shepherd was low ranking dungeon guardian that used wolves as his minions. He was unique, since ordinary floor guardians were always alone, and other monsters tried to stay away from them. Wolf shepherd pointed his finger at us and wolves run forward. They surrounded us, running in circle around us.

- Get ready. They will attack from all sides, - I warned and casted Haste spell on myself.

Usually even monster wolves would act like animals, attacking their prey without any strategy, but Wolf shepherd could order them around, and according to Adventurer guild records, he showed some resemblance of intelligence. In a way that made him more dangerous, than other floor guardians, who only followed their instincts.

- Nelly, Myne use you magic to protect and make us stronger. Then use Magic arrows. Trevor, Avone we will protect them.

I nodded and exchanged my bow for the sword. We created a triangle with our mages in the middle. Shining barrier formed around Nelly, Myne and Trevor. That was Myne's Shield barrier spell that could increase their defense from physical attacks. Myne advanced Earth magic skill allowed her to use the spell only on single species members of her party. Nelly used Haste spell on Trevor. I also used an opportunity and casted Slow spell on Wolf shepherd.

As soon as my spell affected him, Wolf shepherd roared an order and wolves attacked us. To my surprise only six wolves went for us. Three attacked us directly, and three went for the gaps between us.

I was not fast enough to use my Magic arrow and had to fight my opponent with my sword. I used technique that Gord taught me. He always said that leg work is just as important as my sword use. First step with your left leg north-west, then as soon as opponent attacking you half circle with right leg and then moving your upper body to avoid the attack and let your opponent get past you. At the same time I used my sword and with the diagonal slash to cut off monsters leg. Wolf-monster hauled and fell on the ground. Next, I turned my sword and cut off his head. Behind me wolfs head was blown up by Nelly's Magic arrow.

Luara also managed to kill her opponent by avoiding the attack and stabbing the wolf in the neck. Blood from the wound splashed at her, and catgirl slipped and fell on the ground. One of the wolfs tried to bite her, but Myne's magic arrow killed him, and wolf's body fell on the catgirl.

Trevor also managed to kill one wolf. Then he attacked last wolf, but monster caught his sword with his teeth. Monsters acid-saliva got on the sword and wolf bitted through the sword, shattering it to pieces. Trevor stepped away, completely defenseless. I jumped at the wolf and showed my sword in monster heart. My Haste spell allowed me to move just fast enough to save Trevor's life.

Wolf shepherd laughed and then he put his hand in the air. He screamed something and the light from our glowing stones started to fade. Few moments later, complete darkness surrounded my friends. Myne screamed in surprise. Without light my friends were completely defenseless. Remaining wolfs surrounded us, and their hungry eyes turned towards their prey.

Wolf shepherd lifted his head and loudly laughed. He knew that adventurers were completely defenseless without light. Fire ball spell could create some illumination, but it was short and was not fast moving. Behind me Nelly grabbed Myne's hand, shaking in fear. Wolfs slowly stepped forward. They only awaited their masters command. Wolf shepherd took his time, he enjoyed adventurers fear and hopelessness.

I was the only one who could do something. But I could not kill all wolves. I could not protect Nelly and others. Perhaps if I kill Wolf shepherd, his minions will run away? That's the only chance. Wolfs surrounded as and between me and their master were only two wolfs. With my Haste spell still working I probably could get to floor guardian before the other wolfs would catch up. I gulped. That was suicide, but also our only chance. I took a deep breath and prepared Magic arrow spell.

- Trevor, protect them! - I screamed and bolted forwards. Nelly screamed something trying to stop me, but I ignored her. I needed to concentrate on the monsters. Wolfs froze for a moment, surprised by my attack. I aimed in the gap between two wolfs. I released Magic arrow at the wolf on the left and his scull blew apart. While passing by the second wolf I slashed his neck, and blood came gushing out from the wound, but I was gone already. It happened so fast, that other wolfs did not even have time to react.

Wolf shepherd stared at me with surprise. He was still affected by my Slow spell, and that combined with sudden attack prevented him from acting fast enough. He started to lift his hand, but it was too late. My sword pierced his heart and I slummed into him, throwing monster on the ground. I also fell on him, momentarily disoriented from the fall.

Behind me light appeared and wolfs turned away from me. Luara managed to take out her magic lantern, which distracted the wolfs. It gave me time to stand up and prepare myself. I hoped that after their masters death, wolf will disappear or at least run away, but instead they acted according the monster instincts and attacked dungeon invaders.

Three wolves attacked me, and the remaining seven went after my friends. Myne and Nelly used Slow spell, and first four wolfs speed slowed down. The remaining wolves that attacked them were already affected by the Slow spell, than Myne casted in the corridor. That increased Trevor's and Luara's chances of survival.

Amongst my opponents only one wolf was under the Slow spell. That was not that good, but at least I needed to deal first only with two of the monsters. I jumped to the side, using wolf on the left side to shield me from second attacker. At the same time I attacked the wolf with horizontal slash. Wolf caught my sword with his teeth. His saliva splashed on my sword, and wolf tried to bite and break my sword. I was counting on that. Unlike Trevor's sword, my could not be destroyed that easily. I used all my strength and turned the sword, braking wolf's teeth and damaging his mouth. Then I hit him with my shoulder, throwing wounded monster on the ground. Second wolf run around him and jumped at me. I turned to face him and put my sword in front of me. Sword pierced his flesh, mortally wounding the monster. With his last move, wolf tried to rip me apart, but his claws, harmlessly slide over my chainmail. Wolf's body hit me and threw me back. I fell on the ground and rolled to the side. Wounded wolf jumped on the spot that I was just on, but missed me by a hair. I only managed to get on my knee, and used my sword to attack from below. Sword sliced his neck, and blood gashed out and got in my eye. It stung, but I had no time to clean my eye. There was one more opponent left. I was still on my knee, when I saw the wolf. He just approached me. Wolf stopped, for a moment, and growled at me. Next moment he jumped, trying to think his teeth in my neck. My Haste spell wore off, but remaining wolf was still affected by the Slow spell. His movements were too slow. I rolled over my shoulder and stood up.

Monster and me faced each other. Wolf growled again and jumped. The same attack, too predictable and too slow. Without Slow spell, he would be dangerous opponent, but now I was faster than him. Jump to the side, and slashing his neck, finished my last opponent.

I robbed my eye, cleaning out the blood and blinked several times. At least only wolf's saliva had acid like properties and not their blood. I looked at my friends. They killed their attackers. Luara had badly looking wound on her side, probably from wolfs claws, and Trevor had same acid burns. Myne's protection spell did not protect him from acid, but at least he did not have any other wounds. Myne used healing potions on Luara's wound, while Nelly was looking in the darkness. It looked like four of the wolves died from Magic arrows, while rest of them were killed by Trevor and Luara.

- Avone! Where are you? - screamed Nelly.

- I'm fine! Wolf shepherd and remaining wolves are dead. Be right there!Nelly exhaled in relief. I returned to my friends. Their glowing stones started slowly shining regaining their magic properties.

- How did you kill the floor boss? - asked Nelly, after hugging me.

- Got lucky. How is it? - I pointed at Luara's wound.

- It's healing, - answered catgirl: - I'll be fine. How about you?

- Just few bruises. Nothing to worry about. How about you?

- Nothing that healing potion won't fix, - answered Trevor and took a vial from Myne. He sighed, grimaced and them drunk the potion. I could understand him. No matter how much we used them, those potions still tasted horrible.

- Good. Then get to work and gather magic stones, while my wounds are healing. Don't forget about wolf's fangs and claws.

I smirked and nodded. Trevor also got to work, cutting out wolf's magic stones. Myne stayed with Luara, making shore her wound is healing properly, while Nelly stayed to protect them.

I started with Wolf shepherd. My sword went close to the magic stone, but I got lucky, it pierced monster's heart, but did not damage the magic stone. It was smaller, than the one I got from the lava worm, but was still big enough to be classified as magic gem. I also cut out wolves magic stones and cut off their fangs and claws. I was getting better at collecting monster materials, but far enough from being as good as Luara.

By the time we were finished, Luara was already on her legs. Catgirl bended her body, and moved around, making shore that her wound had closed, and did not affect her mobility.

- I think that it will be enough for today with floor five exploration, - said Luara and the rest of us agreed.

On our way back we encountered few monster packs, but nothing as dangerous as floor guardian. We decided to take three days' rest, after almost dying. Our mages were especially exhausted. Both Nelly and Myne had to cast their spells as fast as they could, which greatly exhausted their mental abilities. Our encounter with floor guardian, again showed us that we needed our mages to be in best shape, if we wanted to survive in the dungeon.

After escorting Nelly, we went to the Adventurers guild, to sell our loot.

- Before we sell our magic stones, I wanted to talk to you.

Luara looked at me: - Sure. About what?

- About the magic stone, that we got from the floor guardian. Will you mind if I sell it to someone directly. I might get a better price, definitely not lover one, that guild could offer us.

Luara thought for a moment: - Such big stones are valuable. If you know someone who could give us more money, I think it's a good idea. What about you?

Myne nodded and Trevor also agreed.

- I don't mind. It's not like we must sell to the guild all magic stones or monster materials that we get.

I thanked them. Well, I kind of lied, when I said that I can get more money. The sage promised me the same amount that guild would pay, but I did mention that I will get the same amount that guild would pay. Besides this way we will not have to wait for guilds appraisal, which anyway would be done by the sage. I promised to get the money by tomorrow, but Luara said that I can give them their share before our next dungeon hunt. Myne and Trevor agreed. We earned enough money, so we could not worry about every coin. After visiting Adventurers guild we said our goodbyes and agreed to meet in three days.