Heroes, Magic and Monsters

Next day I woke up without felling rested. I dragged myself out of bed and forced myself to go downstairs and have some breakfast. After the breakfast I went back to my room and trained with Cure spell. Imagining magic circle and pouring mana inside it was still very hard. Without releasing the magic power I was able to cast spell eight times, before I collapsed on the bed. I was able to cast a spell successfully four out of eight times. Guess I was getting better at it after all.

I counted my money. After setting aside the coins, that I needed to pay for the room and food in the tavern, I counted my remaining funds. If I skip lunch I will have three silver coins left. At least I wasn't completely broke.

After resting a while, I went outside and find a shop that made close for the adventurers. My shirt, pants and boots were torn in places by rats fangs and claws and needed fixing. Inside the shop was an old woman, who was sowing a shirt.

- Hello adventurer. How can I help you?

- My close were damaged during a fight, can you fix them, and how much will it cost? I took off my cloak an she examined my close. Old woman walked around me and nodded.

- I can fix them. Will you need a Close potion as well.

- Close potion? What's that? Does it make close more durable or something?

- Never heard about that, but it will make your close resistible to blood stains. Makes it easy to wash the blood out of them. A common problem for people in your line if work.

So that's why I could clean my close so easily.

- The boots too?

- Can't help you with that, but there is a shoemaker, one shop down. He should be able to help you. Fixing your pants and shirt will cost you six copper coins, three coins for each. It will be done by tomorrow.

- Can you lend me something to wear until then.

- Hmm, I guess I can, but nothing fancy. Nothing that will survive an adventure.

- That's fine. I'm resting for a while, so I only need something to wear in town.

Shopkeeper nodded and gave me simple pants and shirt from one of the close piles.

- This should fit, you can change in the back.

I thanked her and changed my close. At least my vest didn't need fixing.

Next I visited shoemaker, he costed me five more copper coins and lent me some sandals.

A silver and copper coin spent. Oh, well. Next place to visit - Adventurers Guild. I used its training grounds, well huge room in the basement, that reminded me the Mages guild training room. Light came inside it from small windows, that were located at the ceiling. There were several targets near the walls and also a stand with wooden and dull metal weapons. I started with running circles until I dropped from exhaustion. Then for an hour I practised my archery.

To my surprise people in this world new time. They had several sun clocks builded in the town, and also used sandglasses. One such hour glass was left in the adventurers guild's training room. For more efficient training purposes, I suppose.

After training with my bow, I thought about practising with a sword. But I only had rudimentary knowledge about sword play. And doubted that swinging around the sword will be useful. Maybe I should visit a martial arts school and get few lessons? I could visit Evan. Former adventurer party's leader mentioned opening a school. I could even get a discount from him. But I had no idea where he lived. I should have asked Trevor about it. Still getting some knowledge about sword use before my next dungeon visit sounded like a good idea. Maybe I should try my luck with adventurers guild.

I went upstairs and approached one of the receptionists.

- Excuse me. Is it possible to hire a Swordsmanship instructor in the guild.

- Yes. One of our staff members is a former adventurer and works here as a martial arts, and weapon use instructor. He is available during the day.

- And how much does his instructions cost?

- A silver coin for two hours. But you should now that his instructions won't help you acquire skills.

- I understand, - I considered my options. Silver coin was a lot for me, but surviving was more important: - I would like to hire him, for two hours.

- Very well it will cost you a silver coin. He should be free and available right now.

After I handed over the money she went after the guild's instructor. The instructor was a tall man, covered with huge muscles. The only thing that told me his age was long, gray beard. I heard that increasing one's level would also grant longevity. So if this man had high enough level he could be more than a century old. Longevity wasn't concern for me. Elves have naturally long lives, and if I will manage to evolve into high elf, that will grant me eternal youth. Or eternal life I suppose, if I evolve as an old woman.

- I'm Gord. So you're the one who wishes to receive an instruction?

He had a deep voice, but it sounded kind of friendly to me.- Yes, sir. I would like to receive a swordsmanship instructions.

- Very well, follow me.

We went downstairs and entered guilds training grounds.

- You're an E rank adventurer as I see, - he nodded at my adventurers tag.

- Yes I have basic archery skill.

- Any battle experience? And have you leveled up already.

- Yes, both.

- I see. Usually a newbie adventurer starts with running and exercises to increase his strength and stamina, but we will skip that since you already increased your level. Still you should now that stats won't increase your stamina, so you will need to work on that yourself. I suggest running in the mornings, at least in the beginning. Have you ever used a sword, or had instructions how to do it.

- Not really, that's why I need instructions. After my last adventure I realized that I am lacking in my skills of weapon using.

- What kind of missions are you planning to go on.

- Well we were concentrating on dungeon diving for now. Is there a difference?

- Yes, you need to learn a different way to use your sword, depending on your opponent. Fighting humans or demi-humans requires different sword style, than fighting monsters. But dungeon, ha. Not many adventurers go there. I am former C rank adventurer and my party managed to go only as far as sixth floor, and even then we barely managed to survive and get out. Strongest adventurers in Grimsburg only go as far as fourth floor. And only because it's the first floor, were you could get lucky and found an artifact. You look surprised. Don't you now that our town have only few C rank adventurers. Rest are mostly F ranks. They survive by taking simple jobs in the town or gathering herbs. And they are the smart ones, if you ask me. Take it slow, with as low risk as possible, if you want to survive. But enough about that. Show me your sword first.

Gord examined my sword and nodded.

- Not bad. Is this the sword that you are planning to use.

- Yes. This one or similar.

- Good. We can begin then.

Gord handed me back the sword, and turned the hour glass. It measured time by one hour, so we had two turns for my lesson.

Next two hours Gord spend by teaching me how to hold a sword. How to stand, and attack using my whole body mass, for more efficient slash. He showed me basic attack movements and ways to block an attack. Second hour we spend sparing, using training blades. I remembered seeing movies were people were sparring with real blades, that they used also in battles. In real life that was unwise, since such practice would dull and damage the blade. By the end of the lesson he shoved me exercises that I was suppose to practice every day, to improve my swordsmanship.

I thanked Gord and he invited me to hire him for more lessons. My body hurt all over, but at least I gained some confidence in my sword skills. Time was approaching noon, so I had a half day left. I decided to visit guilds reference room and learn more about skills.

I spent the second part of the day reading books, with skill related knowledge. To my surprise I learned that there were more ways to learn skills. Anyone could get lucky and get a swordsmanship skill by practicing, even by themselves, from a childhood. The same was with archery skill. Poison resistance skill could be acquired by drinking small amount of poison every day. For a while I considered getting poison resistance skill. It would be very useful, considering the amount of venomous monsters in the dungeon. I probably could buy some weak poison in the apothecary. But high level water magic skill would let me use Cure spell, to heal poison attacks, and also greatly enhance other water magic spells. Finally I decided against it. There were hundreds of useful skills, much more than I knew from the game. But the problem was that, at most I could get ten of them. I found a skill that could double skill slots. It was amazing. Even if it had only a single level it would double the number of skills that someone would normally have. The problem was that, according to the book, nobody knew how to get it. Book mentioned, that someone with Hero of Demon lord job had a high probability to get it during level up. Some high ranking adventurers also possessed this skill, but book didn't mention how they were able to get it.

Also not all skills had levels of novice, basic, advanced and master. They still were divided by four, but poison resistance skill was weak, good, strong and finally poison nullification. Fast mana recovery skill was weak, basic, normal and fast.I kept studying the skills, until guild worker informed me that it was getting dark. I went back to the tavern and after dinner and another spell casting exercise fell asleep.

Next day I practiced Cure spell only seven times. That way I was able to finish my practice without exhausting my mana. My use of spell rate improved buy five successes and two failed attempts.

Again I spend the morning running, practicing my archery and training with the sword, using the moves that Gord shoved me. After collecting my close and boots I decided to visit church. Guilds receptionist told me that the leveling crystal will be available in a weak, but until then I needed to go to the church in order to level up. I didn't want to increase my level because of the risk of getting useless skills, but I needed to get stronger in order to survive in the dungeon.

After showing familiar priest my adventurers tag, he took me to the leveling crystal. Familiar numbers appeared in front of me.

Elf, LV 2 - LV 4

Name - Avone;

Job: Ranger;

Status:

Health: 5 - 9;

Mana: 20 - 40;

Strength 1 - 3;

Defense 1 - 2;

Spell power: 0 - 1;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 6;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Archery (Advanced)

Possible skill acquirement:

- Scouting (Novice);

- Night vision (Novice);

Please choose one skill!

Good, I jumped two levels. But no magic or battle skills. Adventurers guild books said that Scouting would enhance my far sight, help me to read tracks, and also improve my five senses. Night vision was obvious. I probably should choose scouting, but then I remembered the dungeon. As an elf I could see better in the dark than humans, but it was useless in dungeons total darkness. My decision may be dictated by fear, but I chose the Night vision skill.

After exiting the church I still had some time before nightfall. I could go read some more, but before that, I decided to visit apothecary.- Oh, it's you, - recognized me the owner: - How is your friend feeling?

- Should be fine. I wanted to by some potions, but before that my I ask you some questions?

- Certainly. What would you like to know.

- We started to hunt in the dungeon, and I wanted to know what potions would you recommend to take with us?

- Rookie adventurers? I see. Well basic potions for you would be healing ones. Since you have grimoire you will also need mana restoration potion. Then there are also stamina restoration, anti-venom, and potions that are used to reverse petrifaction. In case of petrifaction you will be dead if your heart or head will be turned to stone, but in case if your leg or arm are petrified, it will be lifesaver. Then there are potions to counter curses, harmful spells or help with magic resistance. But they are mostly useless in dungeon and used to deal with enemy mages or liches. There are plenty more potions, but these are basic for the adventurers.

- Could you tell me more about potions to counter monster venom.

- Worried about last time I see. There are many such potions. They are more effective to counter specific monster venom. Some anti-venom potions will completely nullify for example snake venom, but will be useless against other monsters venom. Of course there are elixirs that can counter any poison or venom, but they cost starting with five gold coins, depending on the quality. So not many adventurers can afford them. I heard that the most powerful elixir also called Gods mead could cost at least fifty gold coins. It supposedly is powerful enough to restore even lost limbs, but I never saw such miracle for myself. Neither I have a skill to make one myself.

- What can I get for a single silver coin? - I glanced at my wallet. If a spend a silver coin I'll have to go without dinner or breakfast in the tavern.

- A silver coin, hmm. You can buy cheapest anti-venom potion. It will work against weakest venom, if you are poisoned by a small quantity, but will be useless against stronger ones. At most you won't die immediately and if you get lucky, then your friends will bring you to town, just like the member of yours adventurers party.

Well that was better than nothing. I bought one healing potion and spend the rest of the day reading books, related to the Grimsburg Dungeon. My evening spell training got me to seven successes and single failure.

Next morning my spell training was finally success - seven out of seven. I skipped breakfast, and went to meet my adventurers party. On my way to adventurers guild I stopped by street merchant and spent my remaining money on three loaves of bread. Even then I needed to bargain. I ate one and left the rest for later.

Luara was the only one waiting, so at least this time I wasn't the last one to arrive. Luara was drinking diluted ale, but I didn't order anything. Not with my wallet. Myne and Trevor arrived soon after that and we discussed our plans for today. This time Trevor was armed with two swords. One on his waist and one behind his back. Myne also had a short sword on her waist. Not a typical mage weapon, but I approved.

- Are we planning to go to the dungeons second floor today? - asked Trevor. He was nervous, clearly not sure that he can handle that. He wasn't alone in that regard.

- Not today, - shook her head Luara: - Myne and me were able to sold our loot and bought some more things that we will need in the dungeon. We bought spare lantern, some potions and better map. I also wanted to buy a warning crystal, but we didn't have enough money.

- What's a warning crystal? - asked I, after hearing name of unfamiliar artifact.

- It's a magic stone that creates a barrier, that will warn us if anyone will approach as. Some adventurers use it when they make camp, during the night. It's the only way to use, because the crystal only works when it's stationary.

That was a shame. Just as I started to imagine, that we could use that crystal during our walk through the dungeon.

- I think, that we should explore dungeons first floor, to get use to it. Increase our levels a little more and save up enough money for warning crystal. We might need to spend a night in the dungeon, if we go deeper, and we will be much safer with warning crystal.

We agreed with that. Maybe because no one wanted to go deeper in dungeon, because of unconscious fear of the dungeon.

But Luara did well. She again thought of several things that I completely missed.

Dungeon entrance scared me even more than first time. Now that I knew what awaited me there, I didn't really wanted to go there. But I had to man up. So I bravely entered the beasts belly.

The difference this time was obvious as soon as we got deep enough to lose the sunlight. It was my Night vision skill. Not like I could seen as good as during the day, but I at least I was able to see surrounding shapes. I could see the same way the human eye sees during a night, using a moon light.

We went deeper in the dungeon and encountered first monster. It was in the cavern, with ceiling so high, that I couldn't even see it. Judging from the shape, it was our familiar spider-monster. It hung between ceiling and the floor waiting for the prey. Above it I saw a thread. So it didn't jump from the ceiling, the way I imagined, and used web, like a proper spider. I released my arrow and monster screeched in pain. It fell on the ground and probably broke some of his legs. My second arrow finished it. My party members looked at me in surprise. Spider was still outside the lanterns light bubble, and they didn't see anything. They heard monsters scream and the sound of his fall. So at least I didn't look like a crazy person, who shot in the dark.

- I got a Night vision skill, - explained I: - It's safe to collect the stone now.

- Sounds useful, - nodded Luara and went ahead. She find the spiders body and everyone glanced at me in surprise.

- Let's hope that things will be easier this time, - smiled Luara. She collected magic stone and gathered some of the spiders venom. She used an empty potion bottle to fill it with monsters venom. Guess we are becoming seasoned adventurers, one step at a time.

Our next encounter was with the rats. Except this time I noticed them much faster, and killed four of them with my arrows. Myne also had enough time to cast a Slow spell. And we easily finished the rats using our swords. Thanks to my night vision skill and advance warning, our second dungeon dive went much better. We continued exploring the dungeon, an collected more stones. We didn't encounter any undead, but at least no one was injured. We encountered more rats, two spiders, snakes, and dog sized lizards with huge teeth. I dealt with spiders using my arrows, and Myne successfully casted her Slow spell when we encountered monsters who hunted in packs. We decided to return, when Myne started to get low on mana. She could use mana restoration potion, but we decided to keep that option for emergencies. Next day we returned to the dungeon and our dungeon dive was just as successful. We encountered usual monster and also some flying insects, that looked like a giant mosquitoes. Luckily for us Myne's Slow spell worked just as good on flying monsters. After returning to Grimsburg, we decided to rest for a day and then visit second floor. Our two days earned us enough money for warning crystal, and some spending money for ourselves. We had one day to prepare, and then dungeon's second floor awaited us.