Nero found a cot in the gadgeteering building and retired for the rest of the afternoon. He spent a good deal of time replaying what happened and the conversations they had, trying to find the missing piece of the puzzle. Especially Bezzias' advice. It felt like the professor had some hunch but didn't want to share it for fear of influencing their decision. It was good to know he had their backs, though.

One thing that didn't fit in was why Holmes got so angry. He threw that punch out of nowhere. Not out of nowhere. It all happened when he mentioned Serena. While he could be acting out of concern for the princess, beating up the guy you think met the person you are allegedly protecting didn't make sense. If the situation was reversed, he would have asked first. And holmes didn't seem overly worried about Serena's wellbeing. Just like Chrysopae wasn't too shocked when they told her Serena suffered alone in the monster-infested Dungeon for six months.

He was too tired. Maybe after a nap, he could put everything together. "Sail into ruin," Nero mumbled before falling asleep.

Bezzias led Nero to the nap room and Altia to the lab. Then he keyed in the basement and the elevator descended. This was going to be expensive but Holmes' department was footing the bill. The man's intentions were clear as daylight but they had to keep playing his game until it was time to spring the trap. He was disgusted by the wicked acts they wrought upon the Lyceum. Holmes was a dishonor to the institution's name.

Anyway, it was something for another time. Now was the time to burn more than four million Essence to make sure Nero and Altia had some decent novice gear. He flipped through the pages and selected the codes of the gear he wanted for Nero and Altia.

Bezzias' counterfeit card list:

[Combat Boots] - blue Footwear - Requires +10 Strength, +10 Endurance

+2 Strength

+2 Vigor

+2 Endurance

"Steel-tipped, all-terrain, and stylish."

Special: +2 to balance.

[Magician's Slippers] - blue Footwear - Requires level 3, +10 Reason, +10 Willpower

+1 Dexterity

+2 Reason

+2 Willpower

+1 Charisma

"You'll feel like walking on silk with these silken slippers."

Special: Can fit inside another Footwear item. Only the strongest item apply.

[Legion Leather Armor] - blue Armor.

+1 Strength

+1 Vigor

+1 Agility

+1 Dexterity

"Standard issue Legion infantry leather armor. Wear-proof."

Special: +1 Endurance for every 5 friendly units in a 20 yard range.

[Warrior's Cloak] - blue Cloak- Requires +8 Strength, +8 Endurance, +8 Agility

+1 Vigor

+1 Endurance

+1 Agility

"Water-proof and with all-purpose pockets along the inseam."

Special: Increases armor rating by 3.

[Traveler's Cloak] - blue Cloak. Requires level 2.

+1 Vigor

+1 Endurance

+1 Agility

+1 Perception

"Fast is the best way to travel."

Special: Increase movement speed by 3.

[Ring of Health] - blue Ring. Requires +10 Vigor, +10 Willpower

+2 Vigor

+2 Willpower

"Despite the name, it does not prevent disesases."

Special: Spend 1 stamina to recover wounds based on (Vigor + Willpower). This effect can only be used once per hour. The effect triggers automatically if the wearer is rendered unconscious by an attack and there's a charge available.

[Ring of the Hare] - blue Ring.

+1 Agility

+1 Dexterity

+1 Reason

+1 Charisma

"No hares were harmed during the crafting of this ring."

Special: Increase jumping distance by 10%.

[Necklace of the Mana Wyrm+2] - blue Necklace - Requires Level 4. +15 Reason +15 Willpower. At least two spells.

+1 Endurance

+1 Dexterity

+2 Reason

+2 Willpower

+1 Charisma

"By retaining the ephemeral properties of the mana wyrm, it makes this necklace impossible to steal."

Special: Improves your mana pool by 5.

Special: You can spend 4 points of stamina to recover 1 points of mana.

[Staff-Sling] - green Weapon.

+1 Dexterity

+1 Reason

+1 Willpower

"Please do not use the sling as an armrest."

Effect: Allows ranged attacks as a sling with Dexterity x3 yards of range. Requires Ammunition. It can also perform melee attacks as a quarterstaff. Damage based on Dexterity and Strength.

And enough [Permanency] and [Enchant +2] for all the cards plus a dozen to spare. He hoped most of them would integrate with the modifiers. Bezzias input the codes and activated the press. One hour later, he was on the elevator with a new stack of cards on his bandolier.

Back at the lab, Tinkwezilsky, Glom, and Altia were finishing the improved Infusion Chamber. He called the young woman aside. Altia seemed happy and interested in their work. Too bad she couldn't be made into an [Gadgeteer] as easily as her husband.

"What do you need, professor?"

The way her voice wavered on the high harmonics betrayed her worries. It was one thing the bat-kin could do that most races were unaware of, hear the high-frequency harmonics of a person's voice. It betrayed their emotions more often than not. It wasn't a fail-proof lie detector but was good enough with the youngsters.

"Here, you should take these to the next Dungeon with you. Use it wisely."

He handed her the new cards. She just spread them a bit, widening her eyes at the colors of the borders.

"I hope you and Nero achieve your goals. I'll support you, no matter what happens. What you are doing here is groundbreaking. There are very few if any records of black cards being obtained on purpose. People are not very forthcoming when they have one and I want to reassure you that we will take all steps possible to protect you."

She relaxed and sighed. The way she hummed underneath that sigh betrayed how pleased she was that he reassured her.

"Thanks, professor. We knew we were getting involved in serious business when we befriended Serena. We will get her safely out of that Dungeon and somewhere she can live her life without fear."

"Good. Now, let's finish this contraption. I need the readings on Nero's absorption values with the new Infusion Chamber."

Bezzias sent Nero and Altia back to the mansion under Lamuril's watchful eye before dusk. They slept and prepared to delve. Some supply cards were delivered to them, along with several pink modifier cards. Thirty minutes before midnight, they were at the driveway saying their goodbyes to the researchers.

"You take care, Nero," Glom was the first to speak. "You can always try the challenge again later, but only if you survive."

"Aye, the squiig is right," Tinkwezilsky nudged the diminutive [Gadgeteer]. "We invited you as a test subject, but you're now a fellow researcher. Come back in one piece, you and your lovely lady."

"And it is better if you don't bring any crystals out," Bezzias warned. "The kingdom won't be expecting many Essence from low-tier delves, mostly the cards anyway. Tell them that you used the Essence to power your clockwork equipment, and do use all the Essence you pick up to do so, to avoid a problem with the truth-teller."

Nero nodded. They had to go and these goodbyes were usually avoided. No Dungeon was safe and a couple mistakes could spell doom if you got cocky or sentimental. They would go in, raid, kill the boss, get out. Simple like that.

"Okay, we will," Altia replied.

"Maybe you would leave your extraneous cards here," Tinkwezilsky suggested. "They might ask to inspect your pouches and confiscate any cards they fancy on the way out."

"But take the ones you'll use as your new gear," Bezzias added.

What the gnome said has merit. He had the most experience dealing with the kingdom soldiers and knights. Nero and Altia removed all the cards they had save for a few water and food white cards and left them in the care of the gnome. He also worked with the prisoner mines on several occasions... Nero remembered one thing.

"Professor Tinkwezilsky, the Knights took two of my fellow villagers with them when you visited, can you find their whereabouts?"

They were bullies but also fellow tribesmen. Getting an update on their status wouldn't hurt.

"I can see what I can do. But my contacts are strained now that there's bad blood between the Lyceum and the kingdom," The gnome said.

It was time to go. They climbed the stairs to the horseless carriage and after a hushed conversation between the bat-kin and the elf, Lamuril drove out with the couple, to the first Dungeon.

Entering "Pudding Cube's Swamp" - rank-II.

Carrying a battered tower shield, Nero felt the mud squelch under his boots and the stench of decaying plant matter assaulted their senses. The place was open like Rafflesias's but the sky was overcast, covering the whole swamp with twilight. They were on a mudbank, the entrance chamber for this Dungeon. Everywhere they looked they found only treacherous waters with a thin film of stagnant sludge and oil floating over the water. Gnarled trees rose from the swamp here and there. The sounds of distant splashing and the occasional disturbance on the water were everything that suggested it wasn't like a painting from a deranged mind. A faint fog blocked visibility after a few dozen yards.

He checked his [Dungeon Clock]. "We entered a half-hour past midnight. We have seventeen hours to clear this Dungeon, and then we need to rush the other three."

Altia wasn't too happy either. "I would rather finish here quickly. Let's use the cards Bezzias and Holmes got for us, and we can try to get out of here."

"Right. Let's start summoning then. We need to try to avoid getting the shield covered in mud."

He placed the shield down on the ground. It would be vital to avoid getting mud inside their boots. The cards were previously split between them and both started to summon their new equipment with the modifier cards they had.

Holmes found an upgrade to his shield, a yellow card. Nero started with this one, adding the [Permanency], an [Enchant +2], and [Increase Resilience]. He eschewed [Self-Repair] as he could do that with a spell now. He was on his [Warrior] build and his other Class cards were with Lamuril, outside.

[Sturdy Clockwork Shield +2] - Off-Hand

+4 Strength

+4 Vigor

+4 Dexterity

+3 Reason

Special: This item's durability is improved 12 times.

Effect: Reshape the shield into any form you want by spending 10 Essence. Changes take 2 seconds.

He lost the spikes but the Attribute bonuses were permanent. The new shield didn't appear attached to his Arbitrium as before but Nero found out he could swap the shields by detaching the sheaf of metal plates from underneath his Arbitrium.

They both went through their cards, summoning all the equipment. Some of the modifier cards failed but that was expected.

Nero's new gear:

[Combat Boots] - Footwear

+2 Strength

+2 Vigor

+2 Endurance

[Legion Leather Armor +2] - Armor

+3 Strength

+3 Vigor

+3 Agility

+3 Dexterity

Special: +3 Endurance for every 3 friendly units in a 22 yard range.

[Self-cleaning Soldier Fatigues +2] - Clothes

+3 Strength

+3 Endurance

+3 Agility

+3 Dexterity

Special: This item cleans the wearer's equipment and body over time.

Special: Increases stamina pool by 12.

[Warrior's Cloak] - Cloak

+1 Vigor

+1 Endurance

+1 Agility

Special: Increases armor rating by 3.

[Ring of Health +2] - Ring

+4 Vigor

+4 Willpower

Special: Spend 3 stamina to recover wounds based on (Vigor + Willpower). This effect can only be used three times per hour. The effect triggers automatically if the wearer is unconscious.

[Ring of the Hare +2] - Ring

+3 Agility

+3 Dexterity

+3 Reason

+3 Charisma

Special: Increase jumping distance by 12%.

Altia's new gear:

[Magician's Slippers +2] - Footwear

+3 Dexterity

+4 Reason

+4 Willpower

+3 Charisma

[Self-cleaning Legion Leather Armor +2] - Armor.

+3 Strength

+3 Vigor

+3 Agility

+3 Dexterity

Special: This item cleans the wearer's equipment and body over time.

Special: +3 Endurance for every 3 friendly units in a 22 yard range.

[Traveler's Cloak +2] - Cloak

+3 Vigor

+3 Endurance

+3 Agility

+3 Perception

Special: Increase movement speed by 5.

[Ring of Health] - blue Ring. Requires +10 Vigor, +10 Willpower

+2 Vigor

+2 Willpower

Special: Spend 1 stamina to recover wounds based on (Vigor + Willpower). This effect can only be used once per hour. The effect triggers automatically if the wearer is unconscious.

[Ring of the Hare +2] - Ring

+3 Agility

+3 Dexterity

+3 Reason

+3 Charisma

Special: Increase jumping distance by 12%.

[Necklace of the Mana Wyrm+2] - Necklace

+3 Endurance

+3 Dexterity

+4 Reason

+4 Willpower

+3 Charisma

Special: Improves your mana pool by 7.

Special: You can spend 6 points of stamina to recover 3 points of mana.

[Staff-Sling+2] - Weapon.

+3 Dexterity

+3 Reason

+3 Willpower

Effect: Allows ranged attacks as a sling with Dexterity x5 yards of range. Requires Ammunition: Iron shot or pebble. Damage is halved if using pebble. It can also perform melee attacks as a quarterstaff. Damage based on Dexterity and Strength.

They changed into their new gear using the tower shield to protect them from the mud. Once they were done, Nero stowed the old gear in his backpack. They checked their greatly improved Attributes and set out on their hunt.

The vast swamp seemed endless in all directions but they knew how it worked from Rafflesia's Meadow. Go in a straight line and you'll change zones until you found the boss. They stopped at the edge of the mud bank. Using Altia's old staff, Nero poked down into the murky waters.

"It is deeper than our knees," He stated with a sigh. "The water will flood down our boots."

Altia was behind him, a whimsical side of her urging to push Nero into the water. "I guess I can just consider it a different kind of rat guts. I wonder how the waters taste."

"Not good, I assure you," Nero replied without paying much attention to her.

"Could you test? Please?"

"Uh?" She pushed him. Nero fell face-first into the water. He rose and spat water on her. "What the hell, Altia!"

Then she dove into the water. "Now we don't have to get queasy about the filth. Let's get the boss."

The water slowed their progress but it was exactly for that reason they chose this particular Dungeon. They could take their time but if they spent more than seventeen hours to kill the boss they would have to exit after dusk and that would eat the time they had to clear the other three Dungeons.

"The monster of the first zone is the acid leech," Nero recalled. "It lurks underneath the water and jumps to spit acid at the Adventurers."

"A nastier version of the stone serpents. What levels?"

"Four through eight. Since it is ranged and stealthed, it doesn't have much durability. Save your mana."

They went for another sixty feet of the swamp before the first leeches jumped, the swamp water enough to hide the Essence emanations from Nero's goggles. Their flat slug bodies were purple with dark green striations. A round mouth filled with rows of tiny teeth was the only feature in their bodies. No eyes or other organs. They squirmed in the air, the acid spraying around as the monsters shifted their aim to hit their targets.

"[Dash n' Slash] - [Mobile Strike]"

Nero crossed the twelve feet of distance in a flash and a wave of water in front and behind him and executed two hits with his deactivated sword. The leeches flew in opposite directions. Nero received a few burns and triggered his healing ring. They kept moving forward, ignoring the drops. The pattern repeated a few times but Nero's stamina wasn't infinite.

It was a Dungeon that favored ranged attacks. Nero had none. Altia picked rocks from the swamp bottom and put her staff-sling to use. She had no previous training with the weapon and it soon proved useless. Without choice, she started to kill the leeches with [Magic Arrow], converting stamina into mana whenever necessary.

Two hours later they found the end of the swamp zone. The solid ground rose from the waters, dotted by twisted and stunted trees that blocked sight, wilting grass, and even less light. The couple crashed on the grass, trying to get some rest.

Altia fetched her watch from the belt and checked. "Two hours and twelve minutes," She declared.

"Five zones, two hours per zone, ten hours," Nero replied.

Before Altia could rebuke his incoming request for a nap, they heard a squelching sound.

"Slime bubble."

They stood up, scanning around. The sound came in intervals. Soon an ovoid blob of sickly green sludge held together by a membrane appeared. Pieces of mushrooms, tree bark, and loam floated inside the sludge. It bounced and changed directions to attack them.

"[Magic Arrow]!" Altia's spell duplicated and two arrows flew to strike the slime. Four puncture wounds opened in the membrane and more than half the fluid escaped before the holes could seal. The ground where the sludge spilled started to hiss and smoke.

Nero ran and beat it with the flat side of his sword, scraping the ground and lifting the flaccid bag of acidic sludge. It raised up in the air and impacted on a nearby tree, getting pierced again by a desiccated branch. Nero wiped his sword on the dry grass. More sludge rained from the hole while the slime bubble tried to wriggle free. It fell and the membrane broke, spreading a pool of acid. Everywhere the acid fell motes of light broke and rose, disappearing after a few moments. A card and an Essence crystal remained where the slime bubble died.

Nero took the crystal and recharged his devices. The card was a weapon.

[Heavy Mechanical Crossbow] - green Weapon. Requires level 8. Requires +15 Strength, +15 Dexterity.

+2 Strength

+2 Endurance

"This weapon weighs more than your mother."

Effect: Summon a heavy crossbow. The range is Perception x8. Deals damage based on 2(Strength + Dexterity). Takes 20 seconds to reload.

They paused to rest and analyze their fight with the slime bubble.

"I wish I had my gun," Nero sighed.

"I wish I could hit something with this sling," Altia sighed.

"I should've brought my [Mana Bolt Mage] build."

"Too late now. We need to move forward."

After twenty minutes of rest, which allowed them to recover one-eighth of their stamina, which in Nero's case recovered based on Endurance plus Strength, they continued.

Nero decided to use the spiked shield against the next slime. He formed into the rectangular pavise shield and approached the slime bubble carefully, measuring its jumps. When it jumped at him, he used [Shield Bash] on the monster. The spikes punctured the slime and a deluge of sludge fell on his feet. Nero jumped backward but the damage was done. The slime died but the acid that covered almost the whole shield did an enormous amount of damage.

Altia went around Nero and picked the white [Swamp Casserole] card that dropped and the level eight crystal. "No good?"

"Yeah. No good. Another monster and the old shield is gone."

"The slimes move too slowly. Maybe we can just evade them," She suggested.

"We risk creating a mob train."

"Yes, but isn't the next zone a series of rocky cliffs? I doubt they can climb."

Nero paused to think With their improved Attributes, evading the slimes wasn't hard. And these bouncy critters wouldn't climb the cliffs.

"Yeah, let's do this. Let's run."

They ran across the dry savanna, evading the slimes and trying to find the cliffs. One hour later, they were winded and trailing more than two dozen slimes behind them from afar. For some reason, the slimes could follow them even though they couldn't see the slimes because of the ominous fog. The symphony of bounces and warbling was all they needed to know they were being chased.

The warbling increased. A loud 'pop' rang in the Dungeon and then a big silence.

"Did they press against each other until they died?" Altia mused.

"We would be too lucky I thin---"

**BOUND**

"... I think we won't be so lucky."

"What is that soun--"

**BOUND**

They stood still, listening. Another bound and the sound of crashing wood. Two more and another tree broke. This time, it was at the limit of their sight. It fell forward, the dry limbs splintering from the impact. Nero saw a giant mass of red haze coming forward from the mist.

One more bound and they could see. The slimes that were following them condensed into a single giant monster.

"I believe, Altia, that's how the pudding cubes are born."

Altia sighed and punched Nero's shoulder. "Now you'll make me feel bad for having to kill a baby."