Chapter 12

“I’ll take the ear,” Hert said and scooped it up from the loot, suddenly invigorated and back to his normal, calm self.

Leon raised an eyebrow at Ava. She shook her head. “Take it. We have our deal.”

After a second’s hesitation, Leon picked up the golden piece, giving him 15 coins. He nodded to Ava. Finders keepers apparently went as far as looting monsters. But after all the teamwork things the party option told them about, Leon found it weird that only two items appeared in the loot. Maybe there would be more drops later, but if he’d make it fair to Ava, they had to figure out a way where it was equal for all parties. Leon had been the one attacked and the one who killed, but Ava had made it easier, while Hert contributed little more than light.

The group started walking toward the previous room.

But that was also the thing with parties. You did stuff together. But with individual benefits? If they didn’t find a good system, their little ragtag group would crumble before they did anything worthwhile, especially if Ava decided she wanted more than an item. Then again, the torch’s light was worth much, and Leon wouldn’t be here at all without Hert. Yes, here in this dungeon, he’d be fine if Hert took more than he contributed. Same with Ava. And the experience would split between them, so if he decided to split the group after this dungeon, at least he would have helped someone stay alive, or to live better. That would be good enough. As long as he grew stronger at the same time.

“I didn’t know the damage would flash up over its head like that when we hit it,” Leon said as they walked through the short corridor.

Hert scratched his chin. “Well, I think it’s because of the party system. I didn’t know about it either, but if this game focuses on parties, it’s good there’s a system to see how many hit points have landed so the others can make a plan for how they want to act, whether it is to attack, defend or heal.”

Ava nodded. “That will be helpful for me. I mean, if I know how much damage you can take, Leon, I’ll know when to heal you.”

“You saw my HP too?”

Ava shook her head. “Only the damage the imp made. Losing 4 HP seems like a lot for just scratching your shoulders, though. It doesn’t even seem to bleed.”

Leon frowned. “System, info on… uh… numbers showing during battle?” Nothing. “When in a team?” Still nothing.

“Info on damage display when in combat with a team,” said Hert. He grunted. “Worked.”

Leon raised an eyebrow. Okay then. He repeated what Hert said.

‘Information: Damage Display (Party Only-function)

When Party is in combat, damage taken and damage dealt will be displayed over the affected creature’s head, in white, yellow, or red, indicating how much damage has been dealt compared to your own level.

Display of effects and ailments will be unlocked when the Party level reaches level 10.’

“But…” Ava said, “That can’t be right!”

Leon closed his screen and looked at her.

Her lips trembled. “The zero was yellow for me.”

Hert snorted and tried to hide it behind a cough. “Well, a cleric isn’t meant to battle, anyway. Come on, let’s go.”

Leon patted Ava on the shoulder. “As Hert said before, clerics should have a place in this game, but I don’t think it’s for fighting. Besides, the Imp was level 4 while you’re level 2. You can leave the fighting to me and Hert.” He didn’t mention he only had faith in one of those people when it came to beating a monster.

Ava nodded and clutched the branch tight to her chest.

They continued into the globe-like room and decided to continue through the middle one of the three passages, leaving the right one unexplored for now.

The corridor veered upwards in a sharp spiral, and soon, they were all out of breath.

“I’m sure this isn’t the way to the stone,” Hert said after a while. “It doesn’t seem to go down anywhere, and as far as we’ve walked, I wouldn’t doubt we’re going to reach ground level soon. Let’s turn back.”

“No, let’s go just a bit further. It has to lead somewhere, and it might be worth exploring. Who knows what we might find?” Leon took the lead.

After a minute, there was a change in the walls. They transformed from beige earth to wood, and the year rings of the tree lined the sides and path. A couple of minutes more took them further up the tree, where they met an open doorway, allowing for some sparse reflecting light that managed to fight the shadow to make their feet visible. One of the bottom branches of the tree reached out beyond the opening and Leon took a step outside.

“I don’t like heights, either,” Ava said. “Maybe… maybe we should just turn back?”

Leon stopped to look back at the two. “Alright, you two stay here. I’m going to figure out where this leads.”

“Outside the tree, obviously,” Hert muttered. “Quick way to your death, if that’s to your liking. I’ll stay put here.”

Ava swallowed and looked at her feet. “I’m sorry, Leon.”

Leon nodded. Although they hadn’t reached that far up the tree, a gust of air or a potential attack could bring a swift death. Yet, there was something about this place that left him with a feeling of wanting to explore, that there was something there. He took another step, and the ominous feeling he’d felt before they entered the tree came to him, full force. He gasped and stepped back.

If this had to do with what Hert said about his “sense,” it probably meant that something immensely strong resided up here, or that there was something players shouldn’t find. His stat in sense wasn’t good, so if it made him feel this much evil, it was bound to be something he wasn’t ready to face. The branch was further up from the ground than he thought it would be too, so if he lost his footing, he’d die for sure. It was like standing on the roof of a three-story building, and if he walked out further, it would be like walking on a broad plank between two such buildings and he’d just have to hope the wind held still because of the curve of the branch.

Half reluctantly, he stepped back through the opening and looked at the continuing spiral leading up the tree. He’d come back here someday. “Fine. Let’s head down again.”

Ava and Hert sighed with relief and were more than quick to turn on their heels. Better face a known danger than an unknown one.

A box popped up.

‘Do you wish to add this as a personal quest?

Warning: Personal quests do not give rewards.

[Yes] [No]’

Leon raised his eyebrows and thought the answer. Then, he opened up his quest panel. There were two tabs now, instead of one. ‘Active’, and ’Personal.’ In the personal tab, he found the new quest, along with an option to put a quest marker, which he did. Then, he jogged to the other two, while he could still see the light.

“Let’s search through the third corridor,” Hert said when they arrived in the globe-like room.

Ava shook her head. “I need to be back at the inn soon. It’s been a while since we came in here.”

“Not that long.” Hert stopped and tapped at something in the air. “It’s only one o’clock. Plenty of time for us to get back before you need to start your work.”

“But Hert, I’m not sure it’s good to continue right now,” she said. “It feels like we’ve done a lot today already.”

Leon opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Hert continued, “Well, if it’s too much for you, leave. Leon and I will continue to explore until we find what I’m looking for, aren’t we? We found his backpack, and now it’s time to repay the favor.”

Leon frowned. “It’s—”

“It’s not your life at stake! I can’t go back by myself!”

“It’s your choice. Leon and I are going to continue. Besides, you have your stick.”

“That deals 0 damage if negative damage isn’t a thing,” Ava said. Her lips trembled, and she tugged at Leon’s arm. “Can we go back?”

“You owe me to search for the stone.” Hert stared at Leon.

Leon took a deep breath. First breach of the team, after only a few hours. “We could follow her to the ent—”

“We can’t. Do you remember how much time it took for us to get down here?”

“You need to follow me to the city, Leon. What if wolves or something else attack me?”

Leon pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay, what about this? We take an hour, not more, not less, to search the right-hand corridor. Regardless of what we find or don’t find, we’ll return to Pura after that time has passed. That should give us enough time to explore further and get back in time for Ava’s quest.”

Hert crossed his arms, an incredible feat with both shield and torch, and not completely successful since the latter singed his beard, causing the smell of burned hair to mix with the other odors.

Ava turned up her nose and faced the other way.

“That’s a decent compromise, then?”

Hert and Ava gave a curt nod.

“Alright, then that’s what we’ll do.” Leon gave them a relieved smile.

A box popped up.

‘Skill Unlock: Insight (Rank F, Leader Skill Tree)

You’ve proven an ability to see things differently and think up compromises and solutions at the drop of a hat, a crucial skill for any leader. Unlocked after the quota for the skill has been reached.

Effect: Insight increases your sense by 5% for five minutes. Can be used once every three days.

Command to Activate: Activate Insight.’

“Glad you got so much out of this trip,” Hert muttered. “And a skill that doesn’t require MP.”

“You can see my box?”

“Another Party Only-function, I suppose. Congrats, leader.”

“Well, it’s not like he doesn’t deserve it,” Ava said, nose still in the air. “He helped me get a job, helped you find this place, found a way for me to be useful—”

“Useful?” Hert scoffed. “You—”

“Hey, what’s this skill tree business?” Leon broke in. “Is that how you got your Blacksmith profession? How come I haven’t seen the skill tree window?”

Hert clenched his jaw, took a breath, and turned to Leon. “Yes, it’s how I got my profession. You haven’t seen a skill tree window because it technically doesn’t exist. It doesn’t exist because we can’t put points in it, and each skill has either a cooldown or MP cost. You just do whatever you do and if something pops, it pops.” Hert nodded toward the corridor. “Let’s go. Your compromise won’t do much if we stay here and talk for the whole hour.”

“Thanks,” Leon said. He turned to Ava. “Ready?”

Her shoulders and nose sank. “Yeah.” She sniffed. “It smells worse here, though. From above.”

Leon looked up at the small crevasse above the opening. Ava was right, but if an imp hid up there, it would have come out when they attacked and killed the other one.

Hert let Leon go first into the corridor. It looked exactly the same as the left one, with beige dirt walls and small crevasses, but it was longer, more cramped, and led further down, where the unpleasant stench increased in strength. Leon thought he’d gotten used to it, but this amount prickled his nose. Leon sighed. Focus on something else. Skill trees. That was interesting, but it was a shame that he couldn’t see them himself. If he could, it would be easier to know what to do and develop something that would benefit his goal.

Actually, he could just try to do things repeatedly and see where it got him. He couldn’t really identify himself as a leader, though. Since he got the news that he had the sickness, he’d been keeping to himself. Always managing his own, and found it worked best that way. No one would go back on their word or feel so sorry for him that it was uncomfortable being around them. Ai, the guide, had said some floors required people to work together, but that didn’t necessarily mean they had to be in a party, right?

Grouping up with a cleric would benefit his growth, and it was all the better that he could help her while she helped him. Staying with a party had benefits, but how long would it be worth it if he wanted to clear the tower as quickly as possible? Leon had given his life to complete a goal, and if he lost or forgot that aim because of others, he’d never forgive himself. His sister definitely wouldn’t either. He shook his head. For now, it was good to be in a party, as long as it went smoothly. With the skill tree, it might even go quicker, so as soon as he got back to the inn, he needed to think of the best plan to pursue.

“What are you shaking your head for? You think this is pointless?” Hert said.

“No, just thinking about the skill trees and what I need to do. Is it possible to open up other skill trees beside the one started?”

“No clue. Haven’t really bothered to find out.”

“I wonder what skill tree I’ll unlock?” Ava said in a fleeting voice. “I hope it will be something useful, but with my luck, it won’t.”

“Don’t get too down on yourself. Your aim is to get out of the Slums, right? You’re working your way out of there right now. Whatever you do, and whatever you get, it’s going to give benefits. Then it’s up to you how you choose to use them. It would be another thing if you wanted to climb the tower.”

Ava’s face flushed red in the torch's light. “You’re right. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself.”

Leon opened his mouth to protest, but ended up sighing. “Well, at least we’re all progressing.”

“Wait, what’s that noise?” Hert said. He stopped and squinted into the darkness.

Leon listened. There was some kind of muffled banging, not unlike the deep beating on a huge drum, echoing toward them. They exchanged glances.

“This was a great idea, Hert,” Ava spat. “We’re going to die.”

“Eh, more than likely, it’s only a couple of imps. Leon’s dagger will take care of ’em.” Hert pointed the torch toward Leon. “Come on, let’s go. My hour isn’t up yet.”

Leon straightened his back and breathed out. This could be nothing, or it could be everything. But if he didn’t keep his word… it just wasn’t in him. He’d promised an hour.

“Ava, we’ve been through all the corridors leading here. Why don’t you start heading back? We’ll catch up.”

Ava bit her lip and looked from Leon to the corridor behind her. “It’s pitch dark back there. Why don’t we all go back? I don’t want to die.” Tears welled in her eyes, glinting in the firelight. “I’ve already died once, and I don’t want to die again.”

“The corridor is so cramped we can only walk one at a time. They won’t get past us to you,” Hert said. “You’ll be fine.”

Hert had a point. Leon started forward, and the two followed. It didn’t take long for the drumming to get louder, and they could barely hear their own steps.

They turned a corner and Leon stopped, holding up a hand. He turned and mouthed to Hert to put away the torch. A sweeping movement later, they stood in semi-darkness. Around the bend shone a soft blue light, and a soft humming sounded in with the beat.

Leon inched forward and peered through the end of the tunnel while pinching his nose.

A round room the size of a football field spanned out before him, with flat dirt space surrounding a smaller circle like balconies reaching out from where Leon stood, and long dirt stairs lead down to the smaller circle. In the circle stood hundreds of imps, looking up on at a throne made of mana crystals standing on a dais, which emitted the light.

Levels and titles of the imps ranged from bleak yellow to stark orange, but there was no way of differentiating one from the next. They all hummed to the sound of the two drummers standing at each side of the throne, on which a giant imp, by imp standards, sat. The mold green creature wore a crown of brown leaves, had a long, hawklike nose, and wielded a staff of twined branches where a diamond-shaped crystal sat embedded in a type of pointy birdcage on top.

‘King Impaldus, level [??]’ shone in dark red above his head.

“There it is!” Hert pointed behind the king. The wall was made of a matte black slab of stone.

“Yeah, we’re not getting that,” Leon whispered. He sat down on his haunches. “Don’t you see his level? His color?”

“Well…”

Impaldus held up a claw-like hand and suddenly Leon could hear the beat of his own heart. The creature opened its mouth and shrieked a series of sounds. The crowd answered with one long, shrill shriek back. The king said something more, and the imps answered, piercing the air with screams and clenching their hands in the air.

Ava took a deep breath, and Hert backed and lit the torch. Behind her came an imp meandering through the corridor and shielding its mouth with a clawed hand as it yawned. It blinked at the sudden light and stood still, staring at them. Ava pressed her back to the wall, and Leon pressed himself past Hert, already pulling the dagger from the inventory. He snagged on Hert’s shield and fell flat onto the ground. He scrambled to his feet and raised his arm to swing just as the creature, suddenly fully awake, let out a shriek of its own.

The dagger clattered on the ground as Leon raised his hands to his ears. He kicked the level 3 creature’s stomach, and it folded over. Leon snapped the blade from the ground and pushed it forward.

“They’re coming!” Hert screamed. He dove over Leon’s hunched body as the imp shattered into pixels. He landed on his elbows just behind the pile, with the metal chest plate grinding against the floor and the torch shooting off sparks as it hit the dirt. Hert crawled up on his feet and stumbled up through the corridor, taking their only light source with him.

A chorus of shrieks rushed toward them.