26: Difficulties, threats or paranoia?

His eyes shone with recognition before leaving Waynev.

“Mason, Deliriouse, treat the injured. The rest of you test the other stairs for other mimics.” Echoing off the walls the guards went to work with practiced discipline.

Waynev and Kresley were the first to receive the two medics, while Waynev had only scratches and teeth marks along her arms Kresley didn’t escape unscathed.

“Stay still.” Mason spoke quietly as he stretched his arms out and two square objects came out of his sleeve.

Expertly catching them, they were revealed to be dual jade coloured claws.

She quickly scanned the weapons.

Dual Jade Claws / Catalysts

DUR (Durability)

1 = About to break.

10 = Better than new.

9.4/10

ATT (Attack)

1 = Worse than bare fists.

10 = A mediocre weapon.

100 = ???

12.50

PRO (Protection)

1 = Nearly threadbare.

10 = Mediocre armor.

100 = ???

0.00

UPG (Upgradable)

Unique equipment =Possibly upgradable?

(Locked)

“If he stabs y-” Shadow stopped as Mason pressed the claws against the bite marks.

Waynev flinched, her body stiffening at the slight pain.

Then green mana, looking like dust emitted from the claws like dust, sticking to the bloodied injuries before melding with her skin.

The pain numbed as the incisions disappeared, then the small scratches.

“Quality. Precision. Perfection. This power is the strongest yet.”

Finally all that was left was the dried blood, trailing from wounds that would otherwise heal in weeks.

“Oh. Thanks.” Waynev looked down at herself, prodding her arms with disbelief before remembering her friend was still on the ground.

Waynev dashed across the steps to Kresley, Deiliriouse was holding a wand to her head with a puzzled expression on his face.

Green light was emitting from his wand but none of it was sticking to Kresley.

Relaxing his posture the wand stopped glowing and he turned to Waynev.

“Your friend, she’s alive but the injury is internal, likely the brain. Mages theorise that the brain is what controls the body, every race can survive without certain organs but the brain is the exception-” Deliriouse continued to explain as if Waynev didn’t have any medical knowledge.

After he finished, he explained that she should wake in the next few hours and to bring her to the local alchemist for a rejuvenating brew.

“External injuries only? Perhaps someone with the power of the mind will be needed instead…” Shadow inquired with Waynev.

‘Can’t you do it? It’ll be complicated but you're… pretty smart.” Waynev said the last two words with a hint of conceit.

“No. I’m too low-ranked as it stands. Besides I’m pretty sure she’s suffering a concussion.”

Looking over at the three people in front of her she was happy that her first trip didn’t end in all three of her teammates suffering major injuries.

Vaud and Pill on the other hand only had minor injuries, scrapes and small scratches from falling over each other and down the stairs.

“Thanks for the help,” Vaud replied, his voice like a taut line that was pulled back and lightly released.

“It's our job, good luck with your friend’s recovery.” The lead guard replied, his scarred face lightened at the sight of Vaud and Pill shouldering Kressley's unconscious body.

Then he turned away noticing Waynev’s stares.

“Captain! We’ve secured the shapeshifter and there’s no sign of any others on the first three floors!” A round guard replied, his face hidden but his underarms revealed sweat.

“Good. Back to positions, Mason and Deiliriouse help hauling the body up, it’s our bonus men!” He hollered as the guards worked faster, replacing the step and the rails as Waynev followed her teammates to the top.

One step at a time she watched their backs, their clothes were slightly damaged but overall were dirtier than they were run-down.

“Hmm. We need to transcribe the rest of the book, if we were stronger…” Waynev’s eyes still rested on their backs.

She was the leader, at least for this short dungeon dive she was.

“Did I fail you guys?” Waynev whispered, forgetting she was behind them rather than being in the vanguard like usual.

A short silence descended along with a cold sweat.

‘I didn’t mean to say that alou-’ Waynev’s inner thoughts were interrupted by two voices.

“N-f course you didn’t.” Vaud and Pill looked to eachother before Pill looked ahead and they continued walking.

“It was a good dive, and to be honest you probably could’ve done it by yourself.”

“Not only that but you protected Kresley rather than run. I-we both saw it and will remember it Wayne.” Vaud sounded more like himself now.

They continued the climb in silence, the entrance came sooner than expected and as they left one figure saw them leave.

“Three times the charm, there are no coincidences. Waynev.” He fingered his holstered dagger.

“Time for the test...”