Chapter 155: Pride's End

Chapter 155: Pride's End

Danemy led the group around the winding stone path, until they came to what looked like a dead end. There was a large rock wall blocking the path.

However, he scratched away some dust from the wall to reveal a lever. As he pulled this, a hole formed in the floor.

"Alright, the Minor Dungeon is just in there. There's also a mine, but I think it has some level 60 ghosts in there, not sure if it's safe yet."

"Yeesh, this place is a touch claustrophobic," KurtCobainsDog said, easing slowly into the passageway below.

Cael crouched down and made his way into the dark, cold tunnel. As the group made their way through, soon they came to a branching path.

"Left is the dungeon, right is the mines," Danemy said from memory.

After going left for a few metres, a prompt flashed up asking them to confirm a team for the dungeon. The dungeon's name was 'The Templar Coven.' They quickly formed a party, then headed in.

After teleporting into the dungeon, Cael saw that he was in a large, underground cavern, with the sound of water flowing from beyond the right wall. There were traces of dark, moist greenery coiling around the top of the cavern walls, but only a hint of light came from a chink in the roof.

Cael took out a torch immediately. Once the cavern was lit, they could see a handful of skeletons skulking towards them from the dark corners.

These enemies were level 50, and known as [Mighty Skeletons]. Cael noticed that they carried a massive Strength buff of 200%, which seemed to be a native trait of this type of enemy.

Danemy ran forwards to fight one, but it surged forwards and grabbed him, throwing him a few metres back.

Cael greeted the first wave of skeletons with a [Magic Missile], and Danemy looked back in surprise as the skeletons fell to the ground with 0% HP.

Further waves of skeletons began to appear, formed from piles of bones heaped up right in the corners of the dungeon. They grew one level every two waves, gradually reaching from 50 to 55. However, Cael's spells one-shot all of these opponents, except for two of the hardier level 55 skeletons which managed to survive by a sliver.

Danemy ran forwards to finish these off, but they had been aggro'd by Cael. They barged past Danemy, heading for the Mage.

One came close, raising its fists and preparing to strike. Cael, however, quickly dodged out of the way, using his increased movement speed. The skeleton, drawn by its momentum, barrelled forwards past him, crashing into the wall.

He used [Mana Strike] and [Mana Push] to fix it to the wall, holding it there until its bones ground down and cracked. It collapsed heavily to the ground on 0% HP, and some of the ground-up bones flowed down over it like sand.

Its partner had been more circumspect, and approached Cael cautiously, but was cut off by KurtCobainsDog. He aimed a series of slashes at its centre of gravity from behind, making it difficult for it to turn around.

As soon as it finally managed to turn around and face its assailant, Danemy stepped up and smashed its head off with a firm [Mordhau].

Finally, the last wave of the dungeon was made of level 59 skeletons, led by a level 60 skeleton with frenzied, fiery red eyes dragging a massive machete across the ground. Unlike the others, it was named [Mighty Skeleton Berserker]. Danemy grinned at the name.

"Alright, this should be it!" he called out.

Cael used [Magic Missile] on the group, but followed up with a sequence of spells focused on the Berkserker, since that seemed to be the most dangerous opponent here.

He first targeted it with [Spark], which slowed its advance, then pushed it backwards into the other skeletons with [Mana Strike]. A few skeletons fell like bowling pins. As it got up, he charged a [Mana Sphere], then unleashed this, quickly defeating the Berserker skeleton.

Meanwhile, Danemy and KurtCobainsDog had swept up most of the remaining skeletons, which had been left with 25% HP at most. They made sure to aggro the skeletons, then led them in circles across the middle of the room, using their Agility to stay at a safe range while cutting down the weakest. Danemy took a harsh blow to the left flank after getting too daring, but almost ignored it, since it wasn't by a boss and hence gave little pain. Soon, Cael downed the rest with another [Magic Missile].

The group congratulated each other, then were teleported outside of the dungeon.

"Alright, I think we can do this," Danemy said, smiling. "Crucis, why didn't you tell us your Mage was this strong?"

"Because sometimes I didn't know my own strength," Cael replied. "Anyway, if you guys keep the skellies at bay, I'll try and finish them off."

"Yeah, sure. We'll tank, sorry about that one which got through."

"No problem, was actually kind of funny when it ran into the wall."

"You can say that again!"

KurtCobainsDog laughed. "Yeah, if we don't have to do the offensive work, then we can block them off and let Cael attack. Dan, keep your distance from these skeletons, they're strong in close range. Use your sword to deter them. I think we got the hang of it in the end, just run away and let Cael handle 'em."

"Got it," Danemy said. "Well, let's see if we can put in a repeat of the last run. That was the easiest dungeon I've done, but I hear it's really good EXP. Should be worth a level or so. Use your chance this time."

They tried the dungeon again, and this time Danemy and KurtCobainsDog were more proactive and confident in getting the attention of the skeletons. They led the skeletons around, allowing Cael to easily stand back and eradicate wave after wave.

This time, on the final wave, Cael targeted the Berserker as soon as it appeared. After a [Spark], it fell down heavily, since its feet had been raised to rush forwards from its spawn point.

The other skeletons closed in around it, to prevent further attacks on their leader. However, after 5 seconds they were led to the side by Danemy and KurtCobainsDog, and Cael saw that the Berserker was still lying helplessly on the ground, barely seeming able to get up.

Cael relaxed, and charged a [Mana Sphere]. After 15 seconds, the skeleton had still not stirred, and Cael easily eliminated its remaining HP by projecting the wispy white sphere.

Since [Magic Missile] had recharged, he quickly turned and took out the rest of the wave as well.

For completing this dungeon, they received a good amount of EXP, and Cael found himself at level 53.

He had also received 10 [Fragments of Nykur], which could be used to unlock a Mount named Nykur. He would need 100 Fragments for the Mount.

From what he had heard, this Mount wasn't typically useful, since it was highly disobedient. At the same time, it was the only way of accessing a special kind of area known as the [Drowning Chamber]. These chambers can be found near major bodies of water, such as large rivers or seas. If the Nykur was rode near one of these, it would run right up to the water, triggering a 'cutscene' where it plunges the player into the water and they end up in the chamber. Surviving in these underwater chambers would require a [Water Gem], which could prevent drowning for up to 5 minutes.

Picking up this Mount wasn't urgent, but he would probably try to unlock it eventually, for access to exclusive content.

Darys: they do hitnrun stuff to our guys so they can boast in bars

Darys: will gladly take off ur hands :)

Cael: ty

Cael: Should be quick.

Cael: Let's hope they don't get cold feet lol

Darys: lol

Darys: so much for kruxol's pride lol

Cael: :)

Darys: btw, danemy just said one was lvl 49? nice target

Cael: Yeah, 'Arkkid'.

Cael: Also 40 and 39 in there, high for Neuro lol

Darys: lol small-time players + small-time guild

Darys: yep good catch

Cael: btw 2 non-neuro guys from kruxol streets

Cael: seem to know the place well, told me like 10 ways i could have snuck up to prayer hallway

Cael: maybe capture them rather than killing, force them to help with invasion plan

Darys: not neuro? kk, then idc

Darys: sure, will see if those are any use

Darys: if they help with the city war, then tyvm

Cael: kk, good luck

Soon, Danemy and KurtCobainsDog met up with him, after taking a detour and entering through South-East Kruxol.

"That was quite a rag-tag group," Danemy commented.

"I mean, they looked kinda gnarly. One or two of 'em could pass for being in a grunge band, scruffy lot," KurtCobainsDog added.

Danemy turned to Cael. "Darys sent you've sent them to the South-West? Very polite of you. So will they all die?"

"The Neuro guys, definitely," Cael replied. "But the others might be useful to capture, since they're weak and won't get away easily. A bit eccentric, but since they're street-dwellers I'd bet they know all the niceties of the Kruxol terrain. I heard Darys was a bit worried that fighting the last part of the invasion could lead to unnecessary DeathGang casualties, right?

"The part inside Kruxol?" KurtCobainsDog said. "Yeah, definitely."

"After all, if defenders get entrenched in the town, hounding them out will be more difficult than open battle" Danemy said. "Even if we'd generally beat these guys easily in the open, in their town it'll be tough."

"Yep. So maybe getting info from some of the street guys could actually be useful, I'm sure they'd happiy offer it in return for a few supplies and protection," Cael said.

"Yeah, all kinds of stuff we don't notice in Kruxol, especially since we're mostly East-based," KurtCobainsDog replied. "People with experience would probably be helpful in picking out stuff like where fights will be likely to happen, uphill and downhill segments, alternative routes, and other practical stuff we'd miss. Since you guys are going Temperant, maybe try and sound out if there'd be interest in our offer?"

"True." Danemy turned to Cael. "Anyway, Cael, should we try the Temperant thing now?"

"I have a few things to do, maybe in half an hour," Cael replied. "Is the doggy coming?"

"He'll make an alt, but will see how we get on with the Temperants first. He can help us with low-level content, if it's any faster."

"Alright, got it. But making new accounts now will make people think we're alts. So maybe we should train up to around level 15-20, then wait for a while so that people won't realise we're new? After all, there's plenty of low-level characters in town who have been here for days."

"Yeah, sure thing. Anything we should do first?"

"I guess it would be useful to have some information about the Temperants, such as what their names usually look like, the specifics of what they believe, how they usually behave, and so on. That way we can get an idea of their demographic and presentation, so they should be more appreciative."

Danemy thought for a moment. "Sure, I think that Oud knows a bit about them, I'll ask him. By the way, what class are you planning on using?"

"Well, for levelling up, it's probably faster if we do a class combination that works together. Not just the same thing. So maybe one ranged, and one melee?"

"Alright, we probably want classes which don't have to leave town much during their starting quests. Plus ones which we don't know that well, to make it easier for us to look new-ish. I think that's mostly Archer and Warrior. I could try out Archer, are you interested in warrior?"

"Sure thing. Anyway, I'll send you a message when I'm ready, shouldn't be long. Just getting my early sub-class quests done."

"Gotcha, see you soon."

As Danemy left towards DeathGang territory, Cael went North to look for the Cleric trainer.