Chapter 38: The Dungerums

Chapter 38: The Dungerums

Reivyn took a deep breath of the fresh air as soon as they stepped out of the caverns into the bright sunlight. Due to how the Dungeons worked, it was perpetually sunlight in the open air area of the Dungeon, and the marked difference of the sunlight and cool breeze helped to wash away the gloom that was practically sticking to Reivyn and his Party.

Larissa ran ahead and spun around with her arms out as she basked in the open air. She twirled around a couple of times before dropping down to lie on her back. Kimberly and Teilon smiled at the whimsical attitude displayed by the girl. Melissa and Erik simply ignored her, apparently used to her behavior after living with her for years.

"Ahhh, it feels good to be out," Reivyn said. "I'm dog tired, so let's go our separate ways and regroup to talk about the Dungeon and our plans for tomorrow."

"While I would normally say it's better to talk things over when it's fresh in our minds," Melissa began, "there really isn't anything we need to specifically consider about the Dungeon. We have our methods figured out, and the first floor and first part of the second floor pose no real threat to us as long as we stick to those tactics. So, I agree. Let's go get some rest and we can meet up at the same private room in the tavern as before."

"What's there to plan?" Teilon said. He had resumed walking with his arms resting on his spear draped across his back. "We've already distributed the loot, and we know what we're doing in the Dungeon for the foreseeable future."

"There's always something to plan," Kimberly poked him in the side.

"I'm with Teilon," Larissa spoke up. "Come. Join me on the ground as we gaze up into the big blue above us and let all of our troubles melt away."

"What troubles do you have?" Reivyn asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It was a figure of speech," Larissa retorted.

"Sure, sure. Anyway," Reivyn turned his attention to Teilon, "to answer your question, we need to plan a training schedule around our Dungeon Delves."

"You and training!" Teilon rolled his eyes. "I thought it was hard working enough when I got my Vitality to above 20 only a couple of months after unlocking my Class, but you were sitting on over 20 before you even turned 10! And you want to do more training!"

"I like training," Reivyn replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "What else are we going to do? The town isn't really even built, yet. Do you want to go build the town so you have something else to do?"

"That's not a bad idea," Teilon mused. "Maybe I'll get a part-time gig at construction. Can't let this Woodworking Skill go to waste, now can I? You're the one that's always saying to work on all of our Skills."

"So your idea of shirking is to get a job?" Reivyn tilted his head as he looked at his friend.

"Well, when you put it that way..." Teilon trailed off as he looked away.

Melissa held her hand over her mouth as she giggled at their banter. Kimberly folded her arms as she waited for the two to finish their back and forth, knowing the likely outcome already.

"We're not going to be doing nothing but training," Reivyn said. He nudged his friend with his elbow as he explained, "But we need to coordinate when we're going to be busy, and I'm sure there's a lot we could learn from Mel and Lisa... And Erik." Reivyn added that last one as an aside.

"Lisa, huh? Since when did we get so close?" Larissa said.

"Since just now," Reivyn easily shot back.

"Everyone calls Melissa Lisa, but she insists on Mel. This is going to be confusing." Larissa placed her hand over her eyes.

"Anyway, I plan on learning a few things about the Academy, if they're willing." Reivyn shot a look at Melissa. She nodded her head in approval. "I got that letter of recommendation from Knight-Captain Reifold, so I'm pretty sure I can get into the Academy when we're done here. Don't you want to go to the Capital?"

"Hmmm..." Teilon moved his spear down to his side so he could lean on it as he considered. "That doesn't sound half bad, actually."

"Good. With the Dungeon here just giving away Experience, we should be able to fly through Tier 2," Reivyn continued. "But if you want a decent Tier 3 Class, you can't let your Skills lag behind. On another note, once you guys get to Tier 2, you'll have to join us down on the second floor, too. You won't have to do anything dangerous, but you will need to come down and participate in order to get some good Life Experience."

"Sounds like you've thought about my future more than I have," Teilon snickered.

"Can you blame me?" Reivyn said with a serious expression. "We both know I've gotten lucky enough to have some strange things happen to give me a big leg up, and if we don't think about the future, I'll leave you behind." Reivyn put his hand on Teilon's shoulder. "You're my best friend, and unlike Will and Simmon, you have the opportunity to keep up with me."

"Yeah, I know," Teilon conceded. "But what will Kimberly and I be doing at the Capital while you're attending the Academy?"

"Ahem," Melissa cleared her throat to get their attention. Once the two boys looked over at her, she opened her mouth, "There's also a Knight Academy. Don't let the name fool you. It's designed for non-mana Classes, not just Knights, and it's semi-attached to the Magic Academy. If you guys are able to reach Tier 3 at an early age, with a good Class, and you have the money, you should be fine to get in."

"There you go," Reivyn said as he put his hand back down. "So in order for all of that to happen, we have to plan now, and those plans include training."

"And here we go, all the way back to the original point," Teilon said with a smile. "Alright, alright. You've convinced me."

"I think I'll just go back to my home in Haluville," Kimberly said with a thoughtful look. "That's more my speed." Teilon just stared at her slack jawed. After a moment of letting that statement fill the air, Kimberly burst out laughing. "Obviously I was joking. The Capital sounds fine to me."

"Don't scare me like that," Teilon placed his hand over his heart.

"Oh, oh, oh! I can show you the best places to shop once we get there!" Larissa came skipping up to them. She dragged Kimberly away from the two boys, and she, Melissa, and Kimberly all walked along with their heads together.

"Oooh, what kind of dresses can I find..." Reivyn heard snippets of their conversation. Kimberly was a front-line combatant, but she was still a girl and apparently wanted to do girly things from time to time.

"You're drooling," Reivyn said with a straight face as he looked at Teilon. "Thinking of Kimberly in a dress?"

"Am not," Teilon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Drooling, that is." He inspected his hand as he brought it away. It came back dry. "See?!"

"Haha, c'mon. Let's go," Reivyn said.

The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon as the six teenagers exited the actual Dungeon. Reivyn and his group had already experienced the phenomenon, but Melissa and her group were surprised at the change.

"Not really, no," Melissa said as she set her cup down. "We've basically been hanging out in the tavern for the most part, inspecting Parties that show up looking to team up like you guys did. Now that we're no longer looking for more members, we don't have any reason to stay cooped up."

"Hmmm, that's true," Reivyn said. "Well, want to go look around?"

"Just the two of us?" Melissa asked with a tilt of her head.

"Doesn't have to be," Reivyn shrugged. "I'm sure Erik wouldn't want you going out alone." A grunt from across the table greeted Reivyn's words. "It's up to you."

"Alright," Melissa said. "You, me, and Erik. Let's go for a walk." She accompanied her words with action as she immediately got up from her seat and headed for the door.

"What, right now?" Reivyn said as he scrambled to follow. Erik calmly placed his utensil down and also got up from the table. "Teilon, you're - I can't believe I'm saying this - in charge of looking out for the girls while we're gone," Reivyn called over his shoulder.

"I'll be sure to keep him safe," Kimberly called out.

"Hey," Teilon's indignant remark reached Reivyn's ears as they stepped out into the hallway. The trio quickly made their way down the stairs. The babble of voices and sounds of laughter briefly followed Reivyn as they exited the tavern out into the open street. Melissa came to a halt after taking a couple of steps to get out of the way and turned to face him.

"I guess we can just walk around and see what there is," Melissa said. She brushed her hair behind her ear as she waited for Reivyn's response.

"Yeah, that sounds good," Reivyn said. He interlocked his fingers behind his head as the two started walking down the road. Erik followed them silently from behind.

"Soooo... what's life in the Capital like?" Reivyn said to break the silence.

"It's fine," Melissa replied. "Coming from a well-established family affords certain freedoms and opportunities, while at the same time restricting others." She turned her head to glance at Erik briefly. "For instance I can't go anywhere by myself. I don't really mind that stipulation, as I know it keeps me safe. There are also places in the Capital I can't go, but I don't really have an interest in going to those places anyway."

"Oh? Like what?" Reivyn asked.

"The Arena is one," Melissa replied. "Generally, fights aren't to the death at the Arena, but accidents happen. Also, despite being a combat Class and going on Dungeon dives, I'm sure my parents wouldn't want me being a spectator of any gruesome scenes that might arise. Fighting and killing monsters is one thing, but fighting and potentially killing other humans is another, entirely.

"But people seem to be drawn to it, and it isn't always like that. Sometimes there are monster fights as well. Adventurers can accept missions to capture monsters alive to supply to the Arena, and the school even allows the students to participate in such endeavors from time to time."

"Ok, that doesn't sound so bad, actually," Reivyn said.

"It's really not, but my parents are quite protective and don't want me to go witness such a bloody spectacle. It sounds hypocritical, I know, but it has more to do with my age than anything."

"I can understand it, actually. What other sorts of places can't you go?"

"Gambling dens, brothels, places like that. Unsavory places for children, mostly," Melissa glanced at Reivyn out of the corner of her eye. "Do you really want me to expound on the places I can't go?"

"You're the one who brought it up," Reivyn replied with a chuckle.

"Haha, yeah, you're right," Melissa said. "Anyway, there are a lot of grand places, too. The Magic Academy is probably the most spectacular. It's not just a place for teaching young students, like me and my sister. It's also a place of true academics and magical marvels. There's also the theater and museum, and other places of high society.

"Many of the established families and nobles will also host events for each other. There's a web of relationships between the families in the Capital, but I have a lot of friends I can introduce you in the future, if you do end up going to the Capital."

"Yeah, more friends are always good," Reivyn said.

"Just by being my friend and running in my circles will automatically give some others a negative opinion of you, though. I'll be sure to warn you when the time comes."

"Speaking of," Reivyn said as a thought entered his head, "do you know of a family that has a son named Ren and a daughter named Lin? I don't know their surname or anything about them, really, but I know they're cozying up to the Duke of this Duchy."

"Oh, yeah, I know who you're talking about. Our family doesn't really have any positive or negative relations of anyone from this region. There aren't any benefits or resources for us to compete for as we don't have a base or any industries out here. Why? Are you interested in that Lin girl?" Melissa leaned forward as she asked in a teasing voice.

"Hardly," Reivyn scoffed. "I had a run-in with Ren. I didn't bow to his will, and he took it personally. Tried to have me killed and everything."

"Really? You've led an exciting life," Melissa said with a chuckle. "I'll let my family know to steer clear of theirs."

"Well, the verdict is still out on that," Reivyn replied. "Lin found me and explained that his actions had nothing to do with them, and she expressed that they wanted to let bygones be bygones."

"If they raised one wolf, they raised another," Melissa said with a serious tone. "I'd stay away from them in the future if you can help it, regardless of what she told you."

"Yeah, I didn't have any plans entangling myself with them. I just wanted to know if you knew anything about them so I could get a better gauge of the sincerity in her words."

"Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"It's fine," Reivyn waved her off.

Reivyn and Melissa had been caught up in their conversation, and before they realized it, they had reached the edge of the small base. Reivyn looked around and noticed there wasn't anything out there, so he turned back around, and the two headed back towards the center of the growing town.

Now that he was paying attention, Reivyn could see the constant activity surrounding them. People continued to build more houses, storefronts, and workshops. He could tell that a lot of time and effort was being invested into the town, and with the knowledge of what the Dungeon contained, he could foresee this becoming a center of power one day.

As long as the Church of Light is willing to set up a local ministry, Reivyn thought. The consequences of accruing the negative aura from the Dungeon could be disastrous, and people aren't likely to stay away in the face of the opportunity.

Reivyn and Melissa continued walking around through the streets, thoughts and conversation focused on the future.