NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65 — Dungeon II
[04: 16: 58: 15]
…
Cassian squinted at the glowing system panel floating in front of him like it owed him money. The sudden shift from story-level exploration to dungeon warzone hadn't come with a loading screen, a polite warning, or even a decent tutorial. Just a very rude boot to the ribs and the unholy itch of borrowed armor.
Fog curled along the Scarred Vale like it held a vendetta. His armor was digging into places no armor should ever dig. And the banner flapping above him in the wind had all the optimism of a hangman's noose.
"Fucking heavy armor," he muttered, scratching under his breastplate.
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[DING! WELCOME TO DUNGEON STORY — WYRMWATCH KEEP] |
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[STATUS: POSTED | TIMELINE DISTORTION: ACTIVE | THREAT LEVEL: RISING] |
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[SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION FOR FIRST TIME DUNGEON DIVE: CHECK THE INFORMATION PACKET.] |
"Yeah, yeah..." Cassian muttered. "Fine. Let's see what's exactly is in a dungeon."
"System, show me the info."
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[DING! AFFIRMATIVE] |
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[LOADING KNOWLEDGE PACKETS — THREE AVAILABLE] |
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[DISPLAYING ALL] |
Three glowing icons unfolded in front of him—hovering windows of spinning parchment and shifting runes, each flickering with ominous subtext and the faint scent of burned paper.
"Neat and new effects… haa, who in hell is doing all this," Cassian muttered. "Still not worth dying for."
He tapped the first packet.
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KNOWLEDGE PACKET—STORY DUNGEON |
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Classification: Modular Trials. Reward-Tiered. Optional Yet Highly Influential.
Welcome, Timebound. You've stumbled into a Story Dungeon, or more precisely, it has swallowed you. This is no ordinary side quest. These scattered sub-realms appear across story levels, presenting themselves as diversions—when in truth, they are crucibles, compression chambers of time, power, and blood. There are three major types of dungeons: Thematic to the story level (i.e. plot-bound locations that tie in to the current world) Standalone Trials (personalized torment, I love those; sad this is not one of them) Instanced Stories
Story dungeons offer quick retreats and opportunities to grow stronger than a normal progression of the story level. And as such, there is some very important information a timebound may need to be aware of: 1) FAILURE DOES NOT END THE STORY LEVEL. Failing the dungeon quest would not count as failure for the Story Level. However, the impact would be visible on the total score of the story level at the end. Score = Survival + Objective Completion + Bonus clears + System rating + Viewer Votes (don't ask). Why is this important? A low score means missing out on unique cards, possible evolutions, and Origin card upgrades.
2) YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. Normally, Timebounds only encounter dungeons in later Story Levels. But you? You've already cleared a hidden scenario and learned a truth. Crazy if you ask me, but once in a while we do get exceptions—they either fly high or, well...
3) RESTRICTIONS Every story level has their own rules which apply to all those who are in it and as such, there will be levels where certain types of cards would be restricted and you won't be able to access them throughout the story levels. Only Instant Cards and your Origin Card are exempt from this rule. So kill, loot, clear the objective, and make it all look good. The better your performance, the higher the reward — and the more eyes that watch.
—Signed, Keeper of Archives, 4th Seat, Narrative Layer 18 This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. |
Cassian exhaled. "Hmm, that's a lot of info this time and this is good feels like quick notes"
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" nods, "Of course it is I the "Achiever of Stories, 4th Seat, Narrative Layer 18" that came to aid after my fellow colleague "The dense wanderer" inability to bend some rules and explain some stuff"]
[DING! "The Wild One" cackles: "Ohhh! Its noona! See the wanderer is bullying me again he changed my nickname as well"]
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" coos and nods: "Aww my sweet plum is here as well! I'm so sad you too didn't invite me to watch a new timebound!"]
[DING! "The Wild One" nervously pleads: "Forgive me…"]
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" giggles: "I'm here to observe. And maybe nudge. And maybe meddle. Definitely meddle."]
[DING! "The Eternal Wanderer" scowls: "Why are you here? Just go and mess with others. Cassian doesn't need to get your lunatic ideas"]
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" asks: "Sweet plum, why is a dog barking?"]
[DING! "The Eternal Wanderer" ….]
Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Aaaa I have no idea what bullshit is going on"
But I got one more viewer, I'll consider that as a plus.
"So cards restriction huh won't that seriously gonna make any build difficult?" Cassian asked, hoping any of the chatty viewers would reply.
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" replies: "Yes each and every story has its own rules, you can't tell before hand if your deck would be restricted or not but the run cards you get from the story gacha will always be what you can use in that level."
"I see and better score better rewards huh that's common" Cassian sighed and flicked his hand, pushing away the viewer's chat, looking at the second packet.
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KNOWLEDGE PACKET—INSTANCED STORY DUNGEON |
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Classification: Prequel Layer. Echo-Tethered. Affinity-Based.
Ah, now this is rare. So kid, this is where things get interesting. You've entered an Instanced Story Dungeon — a fragment of a greater story level. A kind of narrative embryo, prequel arc, or demo disc from hell. Here's what makes it different from standard dungeons: Unlike typical dungeons, bonds formed here persist. People you meet will recognize you later—if this dungeon becomes your next main Story Level. Actions taken here affect future story variables, alliances, and hostility modifiers. Do well here, and this dungeon might unlock as your next full Story Level.
You'll start with: Familiar people. Environmental Knowledge Affinity Bonuses Fail... and you might still get the level, but they'll remember you as the idiot who let the barracks burn down and pissed in the chapel.
—Signed, Keeper of Archives, 4th Seat, Narrative Layer 18 |
"Hmm, now this is interesting… so is this set up a possible next story level?"
I should be careful not to gain any infamy then.
Before Cassian tapped on the final packet the viewer chat opened along with a very annoying message by a very annoying viewer.
[DING! "The Wild One" exclaims: "Take a piss in their sacred spot... You know just to see what happens."]
Cassian shook his head. "Yeah, If you give me a legendary card"
[DING! "The Wild One" snorts: "Tch, greedy brat."]
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KNOWLEDGE PACKET—STORY DUNGEON (WYRMWATCH KEEP) |
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Classification: Legacy Bastion. Siege Zone. Corrupted Hold. This is the defensive wall of the Sahasara kingdom, now under demon attack
DUNGEON: WYRMWATCH KEEP Located on the edge of the Sahasara Kingdom, overlooking the Scarred Vale.
HISTORICAL ROLE Wyrmwatch Keep was once the shield-arm of Sahasara, a fortress built atop ancient wyrm bones, its walls soaked in dragonfire, its oath etched in runes: "Hold the Line Until the Sky Burns." The knights stationed here were The Ember Sentinels—elite order trained with the highest levels of what they "Purity" which is aura. The mythical figure "The One true king", also originated from here.
CURRENT STATUS: The keep is getting besieged. It is now an active war zone, partially overrun by the Demonic Lycanae Horde — beasts born of corrupted blood, once human, now twisted by their attunement to Pure Destruction.
DUTIES INSIDE WYRMWATCH: Survive the Horde Assaults—at least 3 waves Defeat the Horde leader Light the Skyflame Beacon—to signal extraction or call allies
Bonus Objective: Form bonds and learn from your betters. "Only a fool takes sanctuary in a tomb. But then again, you're no longer allowed to be smart, are you?" Before I end this, let me say this since The Eternal code moderation is weaker regarding info packets as long as I stay within possible bounds. Hehe. THE SYSTEM IS WATCHING MORE CLOSELY. Instanced dungeons and hidden scenarios are audition tapes for more than just survival. Expect more eyes on you soon. Don't trust others easily.
There are no second takes. Make it a bloody good show.
—Signed, Keeper of Archives, 4th Seat, Narrative Layer 18
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Cassian stared at the hovering text, reading that last line twice.
No second takes, huh?
[DING! "The Wild One": "Don't worry, minion. If you die, at least die interestingly."]
Cassian ignored the message a habit by now as he willed the panels close. For a moment Cassian just stared at the tall hills, feeling the cold wind brushing past his face.
"System, show me which cards are restricted."
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[DING! AFFIRMATIVE] |
SOULKEEP
« RUN CARDS » [5 out of 5 run cards sealed due to restriction]
∅ Smite [CREATION INCANTATION] <<SEALED>>
∅ Firewave [DESTRUCTION SORCERY] <<SEALED>>
∅ Gravity well [KNOWLEDGE SPELL] <<SEALED>>
∅ Blink [KNOWLEDGE SPELL] <<SEALED>>
∅ Holy Blessing [CREATION INCANTATION] <<SEALED>>
« DECK CARDS »
∅ THE OF ETERNAL SWORD OF FORLON [AKASHIC ECHO] passive
∅ Mana Shield [KNOWLEDGE SPELL]<<SEALED>>
∅ Piercing Light [KNOWLEDGE SPELL] <<SEALED>>
∅ Heart Swords [KNOWLEDGE SPELL] <<SEALED>>
∅ The well beyond wells [KNOWLEDGE SPELL]
∅ The Behemoth [DESTRUCTION SUMMON] <<SEALED>>
∅ «empty»
Cassian's eye twitched. "You are fucking me! System, all of my loadout is fucking sealed what am I supposed to do!"
Nothing.
"Oh CMON, at least answer back!"
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" says "Cassy, you have preset feature unlocked no? change to the cards which you can use"]
[DING! "The Wild One" Shakes their head: "No need, this is the perfect time and opportunity to just focus on your sword and Aura"]
[DING! "The Eternal Wanderer" sighs: "Both of them are right Cassian this is an opportunity to try out some new cards and practice aura"]
[DING! "Keeper of Archives" says "This is the beauty of the Soulkeep, you can be versatile and adapt to any situation"]
"Haaa… Fine but I don't this restriction," Cassian snarled. "System, give me what I can use."
[DING! "The Wild One": "SEAL ALL CARD! SEAL THEM ALL!"]
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[DING! AFFIRMATIVE] |
Available Run Card:
Expedite [Destruction Sorcery] {11/25 uses}
"Son of a bitch… Only one! What about deck cards?"
Available Deck Cards:
Unholy Blessing [Sacrifice Sorcery]
Lifesteal [Sacrifice Sorcery]
Toxic Conductor [Destruction Sorcery]
Nimble Fingers [Knowledge Spell]
The well beyond wells [KNOWLEDGE SPELL]
Cassian muttered, "Five cards. That's… mighty generous of you system."
Cassian finally let out the breath he had been unconsciously holding for so long... at least there were some cards though all of them were…meh.
"Okay time for lifesteal, unholy, toxic and Nimble fingers I guess."
Cassian slid the last card into the preset with a reluctant thunk, as if sealing his fate with a rusty nail. A horn sounded in the valley—deep, ancient, vibrating like it had been forged in a dragon's throat. The stones beneath his boots trembled like they were nervous too.
He raised his head slowly.
The sky over Wyrmwatch boiled with black clouds. Screams—distant, feral—cut through the fog like nails across rusted steel. Cassian flexed his gauntleted fingers. The plates whined in protest. Somewhere in the metal joints, his elbow itched. Of course it did.
"Okay," he muttered, voice dry. "Let's see what this dungeon has to offer."
[DING! "The Wild One": "Oh yes. Let the screaming begin. I've got popcorn made of despair!"]
Cassian rolled his neck with a crack. "Yeah? Save me a handful."
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