The dungeon entrance wasn’t what Bria had expected. Back at Neth’s shrine it had stood as a non-descript entry into the greater structure. In Brookvale? It was a whole tourist attraction on par with anything on her island during peak season. Vendors sold little carvings and snacks similar to what she had seen on the streets. Though, a quick check confirmed the much higher prices on those items.
One common theme that she was seeing were the carvings of generic knights fighting large millipedes of some sort. Given how prevalent the depictions were, Bria had a feeling that those were the monsters that she would end up fighting in short order.
“This dungeon is actually considered incredibly dangerous if left unattended,” Neth-amii said as she grimaced at the listed prices. “The creatures are strong, which would pose a problem on its own, but they are also numerous. If unchecked, hundreds could be running about in a matter of weeks.”
Bria gulped at the thought of so many bugs the size of people running amok through the streets. No wonder they kept people actively clearing them out if the spawn rate was truly so high. It did beg the question of what came first, the dungeon, or the city. She had no idea how dungeons formed, or if they were created. Had Brookvale formed around the dungeon, or had someone dropped it into the city hoping for a disaster? That would be something to ask in the archives.
“That’s part of why there’s an effort to bring the Shrine under the Crown’s control,” Neth continued, bowing her head. “Ri-durak insists that it would allow more normal citizens to grow stronger and bolster their forces enough to tame more of the wilderness.”
“It makes sense, to some degree,” Bria admitted. “What doesn’t is the distance from the city to the shrine. Would people weak enough to benefit from killing little slimes actually make the journey when monsters just stumble upon you in the night?”
Neth-amii paused in thought. “Probably not, now that I think of it. Not that I’m going to turn the Shrine over to him, but I do wonder how long it will be until the requests cease to be such.”
Given the man was apparently part of the Royal Guard, she couldn’t exactly offer reassurances to that which would mean anything. “I’m guessing the reason they haven’t tried anything is down to tradition then?”
“The Shrine is protected by a Priest or Priestess. This has been ongoing since the structure was constructed. Though, we now know some things were indeed lost to time.”
“I wonder how much of that was intentional,” Bria mused.
Neth-amii paused, her eyes focused on nothing in particular, then she shook her head. “In the end, it matters not at this junction. All we can do is consult the archives and pray that we find answers.”
Nodding absently, Bria followed Neth-amii towards a counter near the dungeon proper. Several guards stood nearby, their gazes locking onto them as they approached. The man behind the counter looked up, then frowned.
“The dungeon is accessible by appointment only,” he said.
Neth smiled brightly, producing a sheet of parchment. “I believe we have this morning’s slot reserved?”
Taking the paper, the man’s skeptic eyebrow slowly fell as he read the document over. “This does appear to be in order…Neth-amii, of the Wayland Shrine?”
“That is I,” she confirmed.
He nodded, checking something on a scroll, then he frowned.
“Ah,” the man muttered, scrunching his nose. “It would seem we double booked the slot. I’m not actually sure what to do about that.”
“Happened yesterday too,” another said, leaning over. “Not sure what that’s about. Still want to head in? You won’t find as much if someone’s already clearing out the daily respawns.”
Neth turned, raising an eyebrow in silent question. Would it be worth it to head in and face whatever monsters were within? What about the other person currently wandering the dungeon? Would they resent the mistake and take it out on them? From what Bria understood, it took weeks to months to book a slot, and they only got this one because someone made a clerical error or something.
“Why not?” Bria said with a shrug. “If we run into them, we can talk to them and see what they wish to do next.”
Besides, they were only checking it out to pass some time and get a bit more experience. She was still new to a martial life, and fighting different monsters would help her learn to adapt and thrive in this new world.
“Very well,” the man said, nodding towards the guards at the gate. They stepped aside, allowing them entry. “I wish you good fortune within. Seeing as you paid extra to claim any cores found, you are exempt from the deposit and search requirements.”
Blinking, Bria was a bit surprised to hear that. She tried to remember where that might have come up before, but she’d been zoned out while Neth-amii was arranging things, so she must have missed it. The pair gave thanks to the man, then ventured through the entrance.
A long hall led into the mountains, then down into their depths. The sight reminded Bria of tales of riddles in the dark and mines hiding fearsome monsters. At the bottom of the stairwell, a smoldering form sat at the base of the stairs. Bria hadn’t ever smelled burnt insect, and she never wished to repeat the experience if given the choice.
“I suppose that confirms that this mystery person is within,” Neth-amii said, lighting up the end of her staff as she swept the light through the cavern. “They appear to have taken the right most route. Perhaps we should select another?”
Sure enough, another broken form was near a path to the right of the stairwell, and two more paths seemed to branch off from the room. It was all rough stone, much like the second floor of Neth-amii’s Shrine. It brought back memories of a place in America called the Meramec Caverns. She’d only ever seen them on a TV special, but the natural beauty was similar enough with how the stalactites and mites came together to create an almost haunting scene with their shadows being cast thanks to Neth-amii’s light.
“Left path it is,” Bria said, hoping she wasn’t leading them into something truly dangerous. Something told her this dungeon was meant for people far stronger than most who might venture within. The warning about numbers was what convinced her, and the only reason it truly worked was how often people went within to cull the numbers.
It didn’t take long for the narrow passage to open back up, or for a low hiss to pierce the darkness. Neth-amii adjusted her light, brightening the space as she did, and a coiling form recoiled from the brightness.
[Direpede Lv. 6]
That was rather strong, but something told Bria that she could handle it. Thankfully, there was only one to begin with, and she was quick to apply [Enhance] to ensure that she could keep up with the fierce monster. She knew that Neth-amii was close at hand in the event things got to be too much for her, but Bria was confident.
The monster dove forward, and she brought her shield up, letting the weight of the beast crash against it as she braced. Only once the momentum of the impact waned did she push back, knocking the monster back. Her sword followed, scoring a deep gash along its carapace. A piercing hiss rang out, but Bria stood firm. For all that the monster was a giant insect, she found that she didn’t fear it.
A spider would have been a different story entirely.
The next strike came faster, and completely wild as the bug thrashed. Bria didn’t let that daunt her, and instead pressed the assault. The Direpede hit her, taking several HP with it, but she scored another cut for her pain. [Heal] took care of the injury, allowing her to keep her footing and avoid giving into the pain like the insect.
The Direpede curled in on itself, protecting the injured parts of its form as it writhed on the ground. She almost felt bad for it, but then remembered that all dungeon inhabitants were effectively man-eaters and wouldn’t hesitate to make a meal of her. Bria brought her sword down, piercing its head. The thrashing went completely erratic, knocking her away, but the ding within her mind told her that the fight was done.
Panting, Bria got back to her feet and turned back to where Neth was supposed to be waiting, only to freeze. She was talking with someone in a dark cloak and wearing a plain, featureless, mask of pure white. Yet, despite how ominous they appeared, Neth-amii appeared to be completely unbothered by their appearance.
[Human Lv. 4]
Ah, that would be why. They were even weaker than Bria was, which wouldn’t have been saying much if she hadn’t observed the average levels of those in the city. People at level three were uncommon enough, and level five was practically unseen from her limited observations. Most people lacked a level in the first place, strange as that was.
“Ah, Bria!” Neth said cheerfully, “this is the unfortunate man who ended up double booking the slot. He was just explaining how the accident occurred.”
“Quite right,” the man said, his voice distorting uncannily under the mask. “I had arranged the booking through an acquaintance, you see, and apparently the filing was mishandled. Terrible luck, if you ask me.”
“I’m surprised you’re in here alone,” Bria said carefully. Something about them wasn’t sitting right, not that she could entirely place it. “The monsters are all level six or higher. It seems dangerous for you to face them alone.
A reverberating chuckle rumbled forth as he held up his hand. Lightning danced across his fingertips before he lowered them once more. “I have found my lightning to be quite effective at destroying my foes so far.”
“I saw,” Bria said, thinking back to the smoking corpses. “I’m assuming you had the slot booked and someone canceled it by accident? We sorta booked last minute due to the opening.”
“A likely assessment, young Bria,” the man said. “I myself am doing this in secret. Cannot have anyone figuring out that I’m gaining personal power until it is too late.”
While that made sense, something about it didn’t sit right with Bria. Couldn’t they just examine his status and see his level? There was something more to it than he was letting on, not that she was about to pry.
“Well, in that case, would you like to join us?” Neth asked. “I have powerful healing in the event you get hurt.”
“No, no,” the man hastily said. “I do believe you’ll have better luck than I, and I have more appointments lined up in the near future. I’ll be off, and I wish you good fortune.”
As the man walked off, Bria couldn’t shake the feeling that letting him go was going to come back to bite them in the rear before long.
***
“No wonder the man left early,” Bria whined. “He’d killed half the dungeon!”
“At least he wasn’t harvesting the cores?” Neth-amii commiserated. “Granted, a dozen bronze cores isn’t so much, given how easily slimes can be slain.”
“Is it worth it?” Bria asked.
Neth-amii grinned, holding up a clinking pouch that was rather full. “Oh yes, even if they are all bronze cores.”
It didn’t appear to be expanded, and there was something dark dripping from the rough cloth that suggested the cores still needed to be washed off. That was easily the worst part of harvesting from monsters. Cleaning their guts off the cores. Neth-amii must have been waiting for them to reach the abbey before casting [Cleanse] on the entire package.
While it might be economical on her mana, it was still a bit gross in practice.
The contrast of ease of core gathering was likely another reason Neth’s dungeon was desirable; easy access to cores for minimal effort. Each Direpede was a battle for Bria, and her Mana was currently sitting near empty from all the healing that was needed to keep her in the fight. Yet, she’d gained a fair amount of experience for the hours spent in the dungeon, just not enough to actually level.
Hopefully she would find another opportunity soon to gain the next level and whatever ability came with it. The men at the counter that had admitted them recorded their departure with some hushed conversation following, not that Bria heard any of it. She was too distracted by the smell of roasting meats and an empty stomach.
Neth sighed, handing over a bronze core. “Just one, we’ll get more once we’re somewhere that won’t drain our wallet for convenience.”
Blushing, Bria nodded before hurrying over to the stall where the delectable aroma was originating and she acquired one for herself and a second for Neth-amii using the core. As she returned, Neth-amii rolled her eyes, but accepted the treat. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t as good as the one she’d gotten when they first arrived in the city, but it did wonders for her aching stomach.
Finishing the last bite, she dropped the stick into one of the many bins for collecting refuse and stepped off to the side with Neth-amii. The pair took a moment to make sure nobody was close enough to listen in before leaning close, which was more than a little embarrassing.
“Now what? We sort of ran out of plans until they contact us about the translator.”
“We can always venture outside the city and attempt to find monsters to slay,” Neth-amii said. “Unfortunately, not many creatures risk coming so close to the walls.”
Which meant they weren’t going to have much luck in that regard. Well, even if the days were lacking in clear goals, Bria couldn’t see them being boring, not with a whole new city to explore.
“Well, you both are as lovely as I recalled.”
A shiver went down Bria’s spine as she turned to regard the unfortunately familiar voice. Standing there, in gleaming armor, was the man that they had been worried was watching them since their arrival. Well, if nothing else, at least they could say for certain that they were being watched.
“Ri-durak, what a pleasure,” Neth-amii said dryly. “I had thought you to be ignoring us given you never responded to my messages.”
A frown crossed his brow for a moment. “You sent a missive?”
Neth grinned. “And yet you are only now responding. Truly curious. Regardless, my companion and I are quite busy. I should have time for you once our business is concluded.”
“Ah yes, your business,” Ri-durak mused. “I do believe I heard something about that. Perhaps a new discovery within your little ruin?” His eyes then flicked over towards Bria. “Or is it something to do with this new friend of yours?”
The way he had said it, Bria knew right then that the man was aware of her origin, or at least, that she was a foreigner to their realm. How he had figured that out didn’t matter, all that was important was that he was standing there here and now.
“Now, I could certainly help with those matters,” Ri-durak continued. “I do have some sway within his Highness’s court, and could convince him to allow Gil-hana to see to your interests for a few hours.”
Immediately, the hair on Bria’s neck tingled as they all stood. There was something unspoken that she didn’t understand, but her instincts certainly caught it. Worse was the smile that he was giving them. It appeared all too pleasant, but there was something deeper to the twinkle in his eyes, almost as if he were looking at them like a prized cut of meat.
“And what cost might this generosity incur?” Neth-amii asked.
The man laughed. “Nothing. For my fiance.”
His words settled amidst the din of the distant crowds, cloying the air with intent. Neth’s false cheer faded to a stony facade as the man simply grinned at Neth, the implication clear. Clenching her fists, Bria found herself taking a step forward before her mind quite realized it. His eyes flicked towards her, and she paused, unwilling to get close to a man who had more than ten levels on her, but unable to keep silent.
“You know what?” Bria said, unable to contain herself, “you can shove that offer up your rump. We didn’t ask for your generosity, and we certainly don’t want any of your help!”
Rather than get angry, Ri-durak shrugged with that insufferable smirk on his lips. “And does my fiance agree with that assessment?”
“As a matter of fact, she does,” Neth-amii said without hesitation. “I have never been your fiance, no matter what those who abandoned me might say. The sooner you realize that I am not your possession, the better.”
“If that is your decision, far be it from me to gainsay you,” Ri-durak said, turning to leave. He paused, then looked back over his shoulder, his expression now without mirth. “Unfortunately, Gil-hana may be occupied for months as things stand, so I suggest you find lodging. After all, you never know when they might have an opening and you miss it due to being at your precious shrine.”
The man departed without further fanfare, leaving the pair with the weight of his declaration. They had their ultimatum. Either Neth-amii gave into the man and accepted the marriage that her parents had supposedly arranged, or they would be left with that avenue forever closed.
No, she wasn’t about to let that happen. Bria wasn’t completely sure what she might be able to accomplish, but she knew one thing for certain. Slowly, a thought began to take shape. One that was more than a little crazy and might just land them in jail. Then again, the alternative was simply a different form of imprisonment. Sure, it wouldn’t affect Bria personally, but there was no way she was going to leave her closest friend to suffer such a fate.
“Neth,” Bria said softly, startling the woman out of her thoughts. “I think I have a really bad idea.”
Standing there in the glow of the setting sun, Neth-amii leaned in close. “Go on.”
“Well, if they’re going to keep us from seeing this Gil-hana,” Bria said, trying to not let the butterflies in her stomach show on her face. “Maybe we should figure out a way to see them ourselves.”
Neth-amii blinked, then grinned. “Why Bria, are you suggesting what I believe you are?”
She nodded, even as a thrill shot through her. “We’re gonna break into the archive.”