Chapter 9- Man of Many Faces

Morgues dumped all thirty bodies and checked his notifications from the farm. He had five points so he decided that dexterity was the way to go. The battle axe still felt slightly stiff in his hands.

…

You have levelled up Battle-Axe Arts Level (15)

You have levelled up Arcane Step Level (14)

You have levelled up Arcane Strike Level (14)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (39) (1 stat point available)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (40) (2 stat point available)

...

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (43) (5 stat points available)

General and Class Skills:

Arcane Step Level (14)

Arcane Strike Level (14)

Spartan’s Essence Level (14)

Battle-Axe Arts Level (15)

Arcane Rebirth Level (17)

Resistances:

Pain Resistance Level (15)

Fear Resistance Level (4)

Status

Health:800/4200

Stamina:3600/5460

Mana:1600/1600

Stats

Strength: 58

Vitality: 64

Constitution: 39

Endurance: 51

Agility: 49

Dexterity: 45

Wisdom: 30

Intelligence: 36

Charisma: 23

Luck: 14

“So boy, did you go in with a team or something?” Brevair asked.

“No, you told me not to.” Morpgues responded.

“Yes but these are a couple days worth of team fighting. And against orcs aswell.” The bear man said.

Lance added “and you’re only level 43.”

“I just killed them, Brevair’s skills helped me the most.” Morpheus said.

Lanced slightly sighed. “Well Brevair my old friend, you’ve found yourself a prodigy.”

“Reyna’s not far off, it’s just Morpheus can easily learn skills faster. He has good fluent motion and can learn the arts easier.”

“Where is Reyna?” Morgues asked.

“She’s earning money for your item, she has her own team.” “It looks like she won’t need to.” Brevair said.

“All the bodies including the weapons will sell for one gold. So we’ve gotten there already.” Lance said jokingly.

“What Level do you reckon the boss is?” Morpheus asked.

“Ha, about seventy. You must really be mad.” Brevair joked

“I am, I want to get stronger. I know I have enough for the item, but I want to kill stronger things.”

“Well young Morpheus, sleep tonight and tomorrow go back to the dungeon. I’ll head to the illusion lady to get your item.”

“Thank you Brevair.” Morpheus said shaking his hand.

Lance asked. “When you reach a hundred fancy doing some work for the city.”

“What sort of work is that?” Morpheus asked.

“Killing bandits, and stop criminal organisations. You have stealth skills correct. Mix those in with a deadly battle axe and you’d be the perfect criminal killer.”

“Maybe, for the moment I’d like to find my footing and explore Arios first. And I don’t have any stealth skills. It’s just my cloak.”

“Oh, Ellana told me you had a stealth affinity.”

“No I arr...woke up with it on.” Morpheus said.

“Well Morpheus it was good to meet you, I’m expecting great things. Ellana knows about you so just say your name quietly when you have your illusion ring on in the guild.”

“Thank you Lance.” Morgues said, shaking his hand.

Lance walked off, and left Brevair, Sophia and Morpheus to wait for Reyna to get back.

She arrived ten minutes later being thrilled with earning ten silvers today.

“Oh we already have the money..ha..we sold his marks to the Ravens.”

Reyna looked disappointed but perked up nonetheless.

“And Morpheus is the same level as your friends, so maybe after he’s killed the dungeon boss he can come out hunting with you.” Brevair said.

“I actually asked Michael but he said he didn’t want no one else in our team. He got the challenger two title after killing a adult shadow wolf.” “He thinks he’s a Demi-god.”

Morpheus laughed. “He needs to be over level fifteen hundred before he calls himself that.”

“Ha, you’re right. Still can’t believe you’ve met the god of mischief.” She joked.

And so the night went on and they laughed about many things. Morpheus felt happy at what he had achieved already, and for the future to come.

—————————————————————

Lance walked back to his office, took out a glass and an expensive bottle of spirits. Ellana barged in the door, not bothering to knock.

“By Odin Ellana please knock.”

“Did you see the marks, tell me I have to know.”

“We’ll sit down and compose yourself women.”

“Fine, and stop calling me that.” The apparently ordally woman said.

The two sat down in leather chairs and Lance poured a drink for Ellana.

“He has the mark of Hercules and Isis.”

Ellana coughed, barely managing to keep the drinking in her throat.

“Isis? I thought he only got one.” She barely managed to say.

“No Ellana, he sacrificed his life for no gain.”

“This is a one in a lifetime thing to occur, since Brevair got his mark I couldn’t believe I’d seen another get marked in my life.” “Now a nobody chimera has gotten two!”

“He isn’t just a nobody, he smells of someone important. I could smell the shadow affinity but it was not natural. It was like one of Loki’s apostles had been attempting something.”

“But he has immense arcane affinity, why would an apostle of Loki create something that doesn’t use their magic.”

“Same question I’ve been replaying in my head. We’ll have to wait and see.”

—————————————————————

The next day Brevair took off early to sell Morpheus’ spoils and buy the ring. He sat down with Reyna and talked about the day to come.

“Reyna, I’m thinking about going for the boss today. Brevair said you're experienced in the dungeon and I was hoping to get some info on it.” Morpheus asked.

“We never challenged the boss, he’s not surrounded by guards since orcs are too proud to have any guards. I can share my map knowledge with you if you want.”

Reyna willed the map of the dungeon to Morpheus. He could see over a hundred different tunnels and then a big round room in the centre, the boss room.

“Will the dungeon change if I kill the boss.” Morpheus asked.

“Not usually, another orc will take his place and the treasure will be renewed.”

“What’s the treasure?” Said Morpheus.

“It depends on the dungeon, boss and the boss’ weapons.” Reyna replied.

“Ok, so I saw a lot of high level warriors with swords so it might be a warrior boss?”

“Yeah could be, could not be. It really depends.”

“Brilliant I’ll be off then.” Morpheus said. He got up and gave Renya a hug.

“Don’t be so confident, they’re bosses for a reason!” He heard her shout as he was walking away.

He entered via the secret entrance and went on to encounter multiple groups of orcs. Ranging from thirty five to fifty. He used the square rooms to surprise the groups of three and easily took care of duos.

By the time he finished he couldn’t fit them all in his bag, so he took the parts he thought would be valuable.

Morpheus finally felt confident, confident enough to challenge the boss. He dumped the rest of his points into agility. ‘If it’s a warrior boss he’s going to be nimble with a sword.’ The young chimera thought to himself. He had finally reached the boss room and was just before the doorway. Morpheus lit a cigarette and tucked into a meal before he challenged the orc.

He walked in with his buffs flaring. The room was a throne room. A giant arch made out of stone, and in the back at the centre was a chair made out of bones.

“Stu...pid..human.” A giant figure growled., sitting in the chair. “You..must...DIE!”. The orc let out a mighty roar, standing up and removing a giant club from his waist.

‘A club?’ Morpheus thought while examining him.

(Orc Boss, Brute, Level 91)

“Fuck me mr orc, you seen a little too powerful for my liking.” The young chimera jokes. “But I like challenges.”

Morpheus smiled, as the orc came stomping towards him. The boss swung his giant club at a tremendous speed towards the young chimera’s head. He barely managed to dodge it, his hair bounced off the club, he then swung his battle axe at the side of the orc. The axe barely made it in an inch. Morpheus was shocked, his power and strength weren’t anything compared to this brute orc. He blinked back two metres to work out a plan against the boss.

The boss left him no time and lunged at him again, he again barely managed to dodge the club but he didn’t miss the kick which followed. Morpheus was sent flying, straight into a stone wall, cracks shooting out from the centre.

His arcane rebirth kicked in, healing a few broken ribs and his shoulder. He got to his feet, again the orc charged but he dodged cleanly this time. Using his moment he spun and slammed his axe into the back of the orc, making a larger dent that last time.

Many more encounters happened like this, he began to memorise the boss’s attack pattern. He was caught off a few times by different movements, but he was slowly draining the orcs health. Blue blood covered the orc and himself, for a moment Morpheus had to stop and move the disgusting blood from his eyes so he could see.

When the orc looked like it was about to take to its knees, it let out a louder blood curdling roar. A black aura engulfed the orc.

(You have been inflicted with a Death Magic Curse by Orc Boss, Brute, Level 91)

(This Curse temporarily boosts the enemy’s stats and buffs. In return they must kill you, if they do not do so before the boost runs out they die.)

“Oh fuck” he muttered under his breath.

The orc moved in a blur to Morpheus, and smashed his club into the young chimeras' side.

Blood flew out of his mouth as he was flung into another wall. The orc moved again, hitting him this time in the shoulder. Another blow came and Morpheus managed to block it, holding his axe with two hands, attempting to comfort the club. The club was deflected next to the young chimera head, his axe flew out of his hand and the orc raised his club again.

The orc paused, holding his club with two hands above his head. It stood there for a moment, staring right through Morphues. Then it fell, like a toppling tree right on to him.

Amazing! You have slain (Orc Boss, Brute, Level 91) For killing an enemy 40 levels above your own additional experience has been added.

That was all Morpheus could see, literally as he was underneath the fallen boss. He managed to squirm his way out and quickly check his status.

Status

Health:213/4200

Stamina:3640/5460

Mana:1300/1600

“That was too close.” He said letting out a long breath.

He wanted to check his notifications but preferred to get out of the boss room, before a scout party came back or even another group of adventures.

Morpheus saw a chest next to the bone chair, he kind of wanted to take that too. He dumped a couple corpses out and grabbed the boss’s corpse and weapons.

‘Swift Club’ This club has been engraved with a lightness enchantment. Quality-Good. Cost Estimation~30 Silver. State-Used

‘Not bad’ Morpheus thought to himself. He headed over to the chest, carefully opening it. Inside was a bone dagger, no handle just a curved bone. There was some twenty silver scattered around it.

‘Bone Dagger of Ankorath’ Quality-Rare. Cost Estimation~20 Silver. State-Pristine.

Morphues was surprised to see no description but pocketed it nonetheless with the silver.

He was wiping off his face with his cloak when he heard multiple footsteps coming from the entrance. Drawing his axe from his bag he prepared for the worst.

“Where the fucks the boss?” He heard a lady say walking into the room. She glanced around and saw Morphues with an axe bearing his teeth.

“A chimeric boss, what the fuck!” Another voice shouted behind her.

“No I’m not a boss, I killed the orc.” Morhpeus meekly replied.

“By Loki, what is this trickery, keep your eyes open it might be an illusion.” The lady said.

Morpheus glanced at her.

(Mage, Level 63)

“What can I do to make you believe me.” He calmly said.

“Don’t respond to his words, might be a strange curse.” Another spoke behind her.

“For fuck sake! Look at me.” He shouted pulling out the orc from bag.

“Now how would a chimera alone kill a boss.” She asked. “Regardless if you’re an illusion or not, the loot from that boss should be ours.”

Morpheus showed his teeth and hissed. The hiss didn’t mean to come out but it was instinctive.

“We’ll give you one chance to give us the loot, if not we’ll kill you.”

Morpheus still stood there unmoving.

The lady lifted her hand and shot a spike of ice from her hand. It hit Morphues in the chest, but he didn’t flinch, instead he pulled the spike out and healed his wound.

“If I can solo a level ninety death brute, I can be sure by Odin that you won’t be a challenge.” He spoke with a neutral tone. Morpheus had never killed a person before. He was nervous but kept his cool.

A few in the back looked worried.

“So if this lady fires another shot, I’ll cut her head clean off. Any others who attack me will meet the same fate.”

“You dare to speak to a noble like that?” The lady sternly stated.

“Noble or not, I don’t care. You threaten my life, I'll threaten yours.”

“Fucking impure piece of shit.” The lady screamed. Firing off another ice spike.

Morpheus took the ice spike to his chest. He ripped it out and healed the wound. He then dashed towards the lady, she pulled up a wall of ice but Morpheus blinked past it and behind her. With a fluid motion he cut her leg cleanly off.

The lady fell, clutching her leg and screaming.

“Anyone else wants the same fate.” He said with a neutral tone again.

“Wh..why didn’t you kill her?” A meek man with a bow said.

“Human life is precious, she’s a spoilt brat that just needs a lesson.”

Morpheus walked over to the lady and knocked her out with the butt-end of his axe. He knelt down and put his hand on her thigh. Bones and veins began sprouting from the limb at an astounding rate. After five seconds the leg had been completely ‘rebirthed’.

“I know you will talk about this, but make sure she knows that I could have taken her life easily, and dumped it at her father's door.”

The rest moved out his way, terrified of having their leg taken.

He ran through the caves chopping through groups of orcs. He reached the exit and took a breather, lighting a cigarette. After he ran back to the house.

He arrived and he finally realised what he had done. Morpheus felt awful for what he did, but he had a valid reason. He gave her a chance and she didn’t take it.

He walked in to find Sophia and Brevair at the table with a small box in front of them.

“My boy you look like you’ve seen a ghoul.” Brevair chuckled. “What happened to the boss.”

“He’s very dead, but I chopped off a nobles leg.”

“You did what?” Sophia asked.

Morpheus explained the situation after the boss fight.

“Don’t worry, nobles always put a spy in their children’s party. He’ll go talk to her father and he’ll speak with Lance.” “You really cause a lot of trouble. Ha!”

Sophia brightened the mood by saying “Your item is here.” She gave him the box and he opened it with incredible care.

‘Ring of Many Faces.” This is a unique disguise item created by a child of Loki. You can change into any face you’ve seen. Quality-Very Rare . Cost Estimation~5 Gold 70 Silver. State-New

Morpheus quickly slipped the ring on. He then willed Brevair’s face.

“Wow she really did a good job. You even look more handsome.” Sophia jokes.

“By Momos, no he doesn’t. He ain’t got my charm.” Brevair said rubbing his chin.

Morpheus felt no change in his body but when he looked in the mirror he had the same face as Brevair.

“So it just changes my face?” Morpheus asked.

“Yep, any face you’ve seen, it is a very rare item. You can also display any class but your level can’t change.” Sophia said.

Morpheus changed his face to Brad Pitt then changed his class to scout.

“What does it say now?” Morpheus asked.

He could see Sophia willing her message to him.

(Scout, Level 54)

“Whoever this man's face you are wearing , I'd like to meet him.” Sophia said, followed by a grunt from Brevair. “ And how the hell did you get to fifty four, what level was the boss?” Sophia asked.

“Ninety, he used a death curse and I barely managed to survive it. It was definitely fun and a challenge.”

“Ninety? He must have been in there for a while, and you said he used a death curse on you?” Sophia said.

“Speaking of level I need to choose my primary class!” Morpheus exclaimed.