Chapter 20: Dungeon

Chapter 20: Dungeon

Warden ended the last of the dire wolves with Xiv on his shoulders. A couple of the wolves managed to flee, as he was unable to give them a chance, but the rest weren't so lucky after encountering the duo.

Most of the wolves were equivalent to copper ranks, so they were a no-go for Xiv to deal with. If push came to shove, the boy might be able to handle one of them, but that was after taking severe damage.

Even though Warden had killed over a dozen wolves since the morning, his attributes didn't grow as much as they did in the beginning. That told him growing the attributes would become even harder the higher the number reached.

With a mental command, he summoned the status page to check on the improvement.

___________

[Warden]

Race: Human (Prime/Corrupted – 27%)

Title: [Redacted] [Redacted] ... [Redacted]

Fatelock: [Void Prison Realm]

Disposition: Chaotic

Rank: [Broken Calamity]

Attributes:

[Strength: 37.3]

[Mind: 13.2]

[Spirit: 74.9]

[Recovery: 99]

So far, with the help of Liam and Xiv, Warden managed to piece together a brief outline of the world. The mainland was mostly ruled by humans, with prominent powers including the Sivian Empire, Kingdom of Tul, and Republic of Imar. However, the ten Arcane Academies played a major role in politics and social welfare. If a nation sought to interfere with another, it had to contend with the academies first, or there would be no interference. This system nearly abolished direct war between nations, though it didn't prevent clandestine schemes.

Warden had little interest in these political matters for now. His immediate concern was addressing the issue in the village. After that, his sole focus would be on resolving the mysteries in his own mind.

"So, Xiv," Warden asked, "have you planned what you'll do once the problem is solved?"

Xiv shook his head, as if the thought hadn't crossed his mind. His family was no longer in the village, but leaving seemed uncertain for him.

"I suppose with my class, I could make a decent living in any town or city," he muttered. "But I don't know if I'll ever leave. Or if I can leave."

For a young boy who had lost his family, determining his place in the world was undoubtedly challenging. Xiv didn't appear to have overcome the loss yet.

"How was your family?" Warden asked, as the sun hung overhead.

"They were good people," Xiv said after a long pause. "Far from perfect, but everything a son could ask for. Mom was stern, always telling me it was because Dad was too lenient with me. Someone had to rein me in. She didn't like me playing with weapons, but Father still taught me how to shoot an arrow, how to hold a spear..."

As Warden listened to Xiv, a deep sense of loss welled up within him. It wasn't because Xiv's story resonated with him, but because Warden couldn't know the state of his own family. His appearance could suggest he was in his twenties or over fifty, considering the magical enhancement of lifespan and youth he had learned about. Warden wished it were the former, as that would leave some chance of his family being alive and well.

Warden was just about to call it a day after meandering for hours, but suddenly a peculiar tingling sensation held him in place.

His left palm, where the dark spiral marks were carved, itched in intensity. More importantly, the void energy in the Palace of Toil stirred in the presence of something familiar in the surroundings.

"Warden?"

"Hmm, maybe I'll find something worthwhile after all." Warden picked up pace. "Stay close to me and don't leave my shadow."

The more Warden moved, the sensation intensified, and within a couple of minutes, he found the source of it all.

"What is it?" Xiv asked, wheezing, breathless.

"Xiv my boy, I think I found the Dungeon."