Chapter 84: Entry

Chapter 84: Entry

In the early dawn light, Rain’s eyes flickered open, seeing only blackness. Aura Focus was still active, of course. He was once more sleeping in the Watch stronghold. He flicked on his HUD, noting the time as 5:48 AM, almost fifteen minutes before his alarm was set to go off.

Close enough.

He triggered the alarm, forcing his training overview to appear instantly.

Training Overview

General Experience Earned

Mana Use: 22000

Skill Experience Earned

Mana Manipulation: 1440 [Rank Up]

Aura Compression: 2035 [Rank Up]

There was nothing unexpected there. Lots of item charging and a little bit of cooling translated to a rank-up in both Mana Manipulation and Aura Compression. Both skills were slow to level, but he was making steady progress. Likewise, he would be done with the tier-2 unlocks soon. It had been easier to unlock the full 22 trees this time, the feeling of discomfort only setting in for the last few. The only thing that had stopped him from trying to go further was the fear of injuring himself. He couldn’t afford that, right before going into a lair. He needed to be ready.

He dropped Winter temporarily, throwing off his blanket to bare his armor to the rising sun before lying down and reactivating the skill. He had another two hours, and he wanted his armor to be as charged as possible. Uncovering himself would allow the charge to build, rather than be consumed by the regeneration rune.

He checked his HUD next, seeing that his mana was empty. Mana Manipulation was still going, feeding power into the armor. His health and his stamina were both at full.

Good.

Yesterday afternoon, he’d configured his ring with the settings that he intended to use in the lair. He needed to be at his best, and that meant he needed his health and stamina caps as high as possible. Likewise, he needed to leave them there so he could regenerate. His base Regen hadn’t been enough, but he’d found a solution in the form of a potion from the alchemistry shop. Alchemistry was a catch-all word that referred to both alchemy and chemistry; there really wasn’t an English equivalent, so he’d made his own.

He pulled open his panels to confirm his settings, as well as check for any changes to his tolerances overnight.

Attributes

Richmond Rain Stroudwater

Level 18

Experience: 22749/22750

Dynamo

Health

900

Stamina

560

Mana

7492

Strength

45[10]

Recovery

36[10]

Endurance

28[10]

Vigor

25[10]

Focus

39[10]

Clarity

229[200]

Free Points

0

Statistics

Total

Base

Modifier

Health

900

900

0

100%

H.Regen

360/day

360/day

0/day

100%

Stamina

560

560

0

100%

S.Regen

250/day

250/day

0/day

100%

Mana

7492

7492

0

100%

M.Regen

2.62/s

0.245/s

-0.15/s

1130.0%

Movement Speed

10

Perception

20

Resistances

Heat

Cold

Light

Dark

3

0%

3

0%

3

0%

53

0%

Force

Arcane

Mental

Chemical

3

0%

3

0%

3

0%

3

0%

Adaptation

Effective

Total

Base

Sync

Buff

Tolerance

Strength

6

45

10

24%

35

15

Recovery

6.56

36

10

41%

26

6

Endurance

3.6

28

10

30%

18

2

Vigor

9.75

25

10

39%

15

15

Focus

39

39

10

100%

29

49

Clarity

She turned her head as the last of the lottery winners arrived, a woman wearing chainmail and wielding a mace and a shield. All of the equipment was flecked with rust. Velika smiled again. Thank the heavens that it wasn’t all noble brats. I’d have lost my mind. I hate spoiled children. It’s a damn shame that only she and the kid made it.

“Oh, am I the last?” The new woman spoke. “Are we meeting the Citizen inside, or...”

Velika dropped from the ceiling, pushing off and redirecting herself in mid-air with Airwalk. She landed lightly behind the woman, a grin on her face. Collective gasps of alarm filled the room as people reacted to her sudden arrival. The woman she’d landed behind whirled, grabbing her mace in one smooth motion and whipping it at Velika’s face. She stepped back, dodging effortlessly, then pushed the overbalanced woman, sending her toppling to the ground. The reactions were marvelous to behold; even the two guards at the barrier looked startled, despite knowing that she’d been there. There was one exception, however. The seated adventurer didn’t seem fazed at all. He looked up calmly after a moment, closing his book.

Velika chuckled. “Not bad,” she said. “I’d give it a six out of ten. Good instincts.” She nodded to the woman, then looked around the room again. “Still, nobody wet themselves. I think I’m losing my touch.”

“My Lady Citizen!” Arlo said, dropping to one knee. “It is an honor to be startled by you. Your beauty is as shocking as your—”

“Shut the fuck up,” she thundered, cutting him off. She turned her glare back on the woman sprawled on the ground in front of her. “Why were you so late?”

The woman scrambled to her feet, bowing awkwardly. “Apologies, Citizen. I was delayed by the guards at the door.” The woman struggled to catch her breath. “They insisted that I prove I had won the lottery, then refused to accept my token when I showed it to them.”

Velika frowned. “Their names?”

“Sarmin Stonbrook and Larlo Wormorchard, Lady Citizen.”

“And yours?”

“Breggeh, Lady Citizen.”

“And how did you get past them, Breggeh?” Velika asked mildly.

“Begging the Citizen’s pardon. I know that they are in your employ as well, but I sort of...knocked them out.”

Velika laughed. “Good. They deserved it. I won’t have anyone looking down on someone who’s earned their place.” Her eyes flicked to Kettel, then she turned and glared at Arlo, hoping that the message would make it through his thick skull. If not, I will educate him. I’d kick his ass out right now, but I need his father, unfortunately.

She stifled a sigh and turned her attention to the adventurer, who had gotten to his feet while she’d been talking. He inclined his head to her but said nothing. Does he never take the armor off? Who reads while wearing a helmet? She smiled. “You didn’t react when I made my entrance,” she said. “You knew I was there?”

He nodded.

“And yet you said nothing. Why?”

He hesitated for a second, then shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d want me to spoil your fun.”

Velika smiled and clapped her hand on the adventurer’s armored shoulder. “Good thinking. I’d have had to hurt you if you ruined it.”

Oh Shit! Oh Fuck! Oh Shit! Oh Fuck!

It was all Rain could do not to flinch away from Velika’s hand. Her pat on the shoulder had felt like getting swatted by a bear. He’d only managed to remain standing thanks to the fact that he’d already been holding himself rigid. Her movement had been unnaturally fast, and by the time he realized it was happening, her hand was already there, uncomfortably close to his neck.

“Well,” Velika said, releasing him and turning to look at the rest of the group. “Now that we’re all acquainted, let’s get on with it, shall we?”

Rain resisted the urge to slump down in relief. He’d been doing his best to project an air of confidence, even going as far as pretending to read. It was the plan he’d come up with to ensure that the others—Arlo, in particular—listened to him. He needed them to see him as a competent and experienced adventurer so they would follow his commands. If they saw how terrified he was feeling, they’d never respect him, and that could get them killed.

“I am ready, Citizen Sadanis!” Arlo said. “It will be my great honor to be first through the barrier.”

Rain shook his head, trying to relax. Oh my god, he’s such a tool.

Velika laughed. “No way. He’s first. In fact, he’s in charge.”

Rain paled. She was pointing directly at him.

“Uh...” he began, then quickly remembered that he was pretending to be unflappable. He cleared his throat and started again. “Citizen Sadanis, I assumed that you would lead us.”

Velika shook her head. “No. I am coming with you to make sure none of you idiots die, that’s it. The members of my guard need to learn how to do things for themselves; otherwise, there’s no point. You’re in command. Teach them, but don’t coddle them. I don’t want you just killing everything yourself. Oh, and if you kill a blue without making sure that they get the credit, I’ll feed you your armor. Don’t fuck up.”

Fuck! He nodded slowly. “As you command, Citizen Sadanis.”

Arlo stepped forward. “Citizen Sadanis, as the future leader of your guard, wouldn’t you prefer that I—”

Velika slapped him with the back of her hand, hard. Actually, it was more like the entire backside of her forearm. He crumpled as if his legs had been cut from under him. “I told you to shut the fuck up,” she said, rolling him over with her boot.

Shit, is he dead?

Arlo’s eyelids flickered, then he groaned. Rain let out the breath he’d been holding. Fucking idiot. How am I supposed to keep you alive if you keep pissing her off?

“Haha! Take that, noble shithead!” said Kettel.

Rain closed his eyes. Oh my god, Kettel. It isn’t just Arlo. They’re all dead.

“Someone get him up,” said Velika. “If he can’t stand after that, he’s got no place in my guard.”

Kettel offered Arlo a hand, still grinning, but Arlo slapped it away, hauling himself to his feet on his own. He looked unsteady, a trickle of blood running from his mouth.

Rain frowned. Well, it looks like he’s okay. She must have held back. Still... He shook his head, looking away from the Citizen. She had started to tap her foot. Well, I guess I’m head moron then. I’d better get started before she gets annoyed with me too.

A few people were watching him, waiting. Confidence is key. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of the rest. “Attention, please. If I am going to be in charge of this disaster, I’d like to make some things clear. If I tell you to do something, you do it. Asking why is fine, but do the thing first. Once we’re in there, we’re in real danger. Lairs are not to be underestimated, ever.” He gestured to himself, then Velika. “Do not rely on us to save you. I have some experience, but this will be dangerous, even for me.”

He paused, gauging their reactions. They were paying attention, other than Arlo, who was busy struggling with the stopper of a healing potion. That was good. It looked like his act was working. If only I could get my hands to stop trembling.

He took a deep breath, trying to decide what was the most important. He thought back, then smiled. “It is safe to assume that none of you other than the Citizen have been in a lair before; there are some things you should know. This,” he indicated the sickly green wall of magic, “is the barrier. Once we go past here, we’ll be in the lair. The first thing you’ll notice is the party display. You’ll be able to see the health, stamina, and mana of your party members.”

It looked like the man in the red armor wanted to ask a question. Rain’s smile widened into a grin. Déjà vu. He raised a hand to forestall him. “Not the actual number, just how much they have relative to their cap. You’ll still be able to see it, even if you get split up. If someone’s name disappears, it means they left the lair. If someone’s health drops to zero, it does not mean they are dead. Do not make that mistake. It may still be possible to save them. If they are down, but still alive, don’t try to move them. Use a scroll or a potion.”

“I won’t get hurt,” said Arlo, tucking the empty potion bottle away. “This will be easy.”

Rain’s grin widened. And the part of Val will be played by... He cleared his throat. “As I already said, do not underestimate a lair.” He walked over to the barrier, motioning the guard to stand aside, then placing his hand against it. He focused as he did so, holding the Common numerals in his mind. As he’d expected, the eleven that appeared on the barrier was written using the correct symbols for the others to understand. He turned to face them again, keeping his hand on the magical boundary.

“This is the lair’s rank. Use it as a guide. Never enter a lair with a higher rank than the average level of your party, and never enter a lair alone.” He paused, doing some quick math. Velika is fifty or more, so... We’re probably a bit under. Shit. He shook his head, then continued reciting. “Don’t assume that the lair’s rank is that of the highest monster you can find inside. It is not. Watch your positioning and be careful about friendly fire. Use the—”

“Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?” Arlo interrupted. Rather than feeling offended, Rain grinned. Holy shit! This is uncanny. It’s like he knows the script. A little early with the interruption there, but still.

“I am not being dramatic,” he said. As amusing as his little game had been, it was time to get serious. “I don’t care how hard you’ve trained or how good your equipment is. There’s things in there that will kill you without even giving you a chance to fight back. If you do not use caution, you will die. You can’t know what will be on the other side, not for sure. Every time you enter a lair, you are taking your life into your own hands.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Velika said. “You are being dramatic. Get in there, windbag. Make sure it’s safe, then deal with the stench and signal us to follow.”

Rain winced. Damn it. He stood, debating whether it was worth arguing the point. At last, he nodded. “Very well.”

He turned to face the barrier. Oddly, all of this pretending not to be afraid was actually helping. He hadn’t been sure that he’d be able to walk through the portal at all, but as he strode toward it, his mind took on a crystal clarity. He focused, activating Force Ward to give himself total resistance to physical damage. I am afraid, but I am the master of my fear.

He stepped through, tensing as the green light slithered over him.

The Fells

Rank 11

98%

Party

-

The light faded, revealing that he was inside a stone building, lit with an eerie green glow. This was ‘the Temple’—the Watch had names for all of the lair’s various areas. He’d been expecting the stench of the swamp, but the first thing to strike him was the heat. It was like a sauna, the air uncomfortably hot and wet as it crawled in through the seams of his armor. Had he not already been sweating from nerves, he would have started immediately. Fel Sadanis was still hot, even with both him and Mahria working on the problem, but the Fells was on a completely different level.

Aaaand there’s the smell. Not as bad as I expected, honestly.

He pushed the thought aside, continuing to scan the room for danger. He didn’t see anything, so he switched to Detection. His first pulse returned nothing, so he repeated it, this time as a nova. Still nothing. He felt himself start to relax, then cursed. I can’t trust it. I don’t know if anything in here is capable of blocking Detection. It’s not likely, but still.

He looked up to make sure nothing was lurking on the ceiling, then scanned for traps with Detection, again finding nothing. Again, that doesn’t mean shit. He stepped forward, ready to jump back in an instant should he trigger something that Detection had failed to find. Nothing happened, so he slowly worked his way into the center of the room.

The portal was set into the wall behind him, and he could see an arch at the other end of the room exiting to the swamp. A greenish light was filtering in, as if from the sun, even though they were deep underground. Damn magical bullshit.

He took one last look around, then stopped his pulses of Detection, activating Purify instead. The faint white light slowly spread out to fill the room.

Huh. Now that’s odd.

The smell wasn’t fading. Typically, even 1% of Purify was more than enough to deal with any sort of gaseous contaminant. He cranked up the power to 2%, then frowned. It wasn’t working.

“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, bringing it up to 5%. As he did so, he felt a sensation of resistance in his mind. It wasn’t unlike how he felt when he was trying to convince the system to add a new panel, though not quite the same. It’s like... It’s like the lair is fighting me, somehow. Damn it, that makes sense. The Darkness lair killed light after all. Val’s spell wasn’t affected, though, probably because it is light-aspect. It could fight back. He grinned. Well, then. I’m fighting back too. Purify is the best spell ever, and it is purpose-built for this kind of thing. Nova!

The white light blasted out from him in a shell. He smiled as his senses returned, the stench having been erased as if it had never been. The entire room was immaculate, the lichen that had been speckling the stone scoured free and banished to the void. He followed it up with a pulse of Refrigerate, bringing the temperature down to something a little bit more reasonable. Unfortunately, the resulting wind just brought more heat and stench with it from the door leading outside. He sighed. “Damn.”

He activated Purify again, playing with the intensity until he found an equilibrium. At around 15% power, the spell started winning out over the lair’s chemical aspect. He pulled open his interface to verify the mana usage. If he was going to maintain this indefinitely, he needed to make sure that it wouldn’t drain him dry. Citizen Sadanis would just have to deal with the smell if that was the case. It honestly wasn’t that bad. He wasn’t about to go walking through a lair without mana just because it smelled a bit earthy.

Purify (10/10)

Purify poison, corruption, and contamination

Range: 18 meters

Cost: 15 mp/min

Statistics

Total

Base

Modifier

Health

900

900

0

100%

H.Regen

360/day

360/day

0/day

100%

Stamina

560

560

0

100%

S.Regen

250/day

250/day

0/day

100%

Mana

7492

7492

0

100%

M.Regen

-0.005/s

0.245/s

-0.25/s

100.0%

Movement Speed

10

Perception

20

Resistances

Heat

Cold

Light

Dark

3

0%

3

0%

3

0%

53

0%

Force

Arcane

Mental

Chemical

3

0%

3

0%

3

0%

3

0%

Damn. Just a bit too much. I’m not going to be able to keep this going. I’ll have to try to convince Velika to... Hey, wait a damn minute here! The mana siphon is gone! The lair must be blocking it. Cool. The Majistraal have some limits, after all.

“I got tired of waiting, but it looks like you’re done anyway. Nice work,” a voice said behind him. He jumped, whirling to see the Velika staring at him. She laughed. “Weren’t you just telling all of us not to get distracted in a lair?”

He sighed, then shook his head. Damn it, she’s right. He closed out his menus, returning to watching the door. “I am not going to be able to maintain this indefinitely.” He said, without looking back. “The siphon cannot cross the boundary to the lair, but even so, my magic isn’t strong enough to hold back the lair’s influence without spending more mana than I regenerate.”

“Pathetic,” Velika said with a sigh. “Fine. You can stop. A little stench won’t hurt us, and I’ve been through much worse. Save it for cleaning off the monster guts. That’s the real reason you’re here anyway. Chemical lairs are the worst.”

Rain nodded, deactivating the spell. He could hear the others following them through the portal as the smell of the swamp slowly filtered back in from the open door. He kept watching the door, seeing the names of his companions appear one by one as they entered the lair. After the seventh name appeared, there was a long pause.

“Hurry the hells up!” Velika said.

“I can’t!” came an answering shout from Breggeh. “I’m trying, but...”

Velika whirled, marching past Rain toward the entrance. He turned his head to follow her, continuing to check for monsters with Detection.

“What do you mean, ‘you can’t’?” Velika shouted. “Get in here right now, coward.”

“No,” Breggeh said, her voice sounding muffled as it came through the barrier. “It’s not that. I physically can’t. It feels like...jelly. The harder I push, the harder it pushes back.”

“FUCK!” Velika swore explosively, slamming her fist into the wall beside the barrier. The entire room shook from the force of the blow as it cracked the stone. Dust would have fallen from the ceiling, had there been any left. She turned to stare at the door leading out into the swamp. “Someone else is in here.”