CH.219 Identifying the new Dungeon

CH.219 Identifying the new Dungeon

(Lua. Lua, can you hear me? Are you free to talk for a second?) I decided to contact Lua first and ask her for her opinion about this discovery.

(B-Brian? Yes. Please give a second.... No! I lost it...) Lua answered, seeming a bit flustered.

(We can talk a bit later, if you are busy.)

(No. Let’s do it now.)

(Let’s go to the factory. It will be easier there.) I said. “You guys, I’m going to the factory. Take care of my body, please.” I said to my monsters.

I still had all five of them out.

Granmarg the Rock Monarch and Legendary Flame Lord were working on making the firebricks for my forge. Gemini Elf had gone back to digging to make the hole larger. Wingweaver and Celtic Guardian were free, so the two of them were to be in charge of taking care of my body.

Spoiler [collapse]

“As you wish, Master. Come back soon.” Wingweaver said, as she sat down. “Please, rest on my lap. It will be more comfortable than the ground.”

... thanks, but no. I don’t know how Lua would react if I did that.

“Nah. I’ll just use my travel pelts.” I said, as I got them out of storage and set them on the ground.

Wingweaver seemed a little let down that I didn’t use her lap, but still. Safety is a priority, so I'd rather do this. I want her to be able to fight if a monster shows up or something. I laid down on my pelts and entered the factory.

“Brian. What did you want to talk about?” Lua asked, after she realized her avatar in the factory.

“I fou... located a dungeon.” I was going to say found, but with Dungeon Founder being a literal title and meaning something else, I decided to change my wording. “I also got a system mission regarding it.” I added, as I sat down and pulled up the footage of the hole we dug, and the rock parts that we couldn’t influence with magic.

“A dungeon? Really? Do you have a natural talent for that or something? Also, what in the world is that hole? Did you find that as well?” Lua asked.

“... I kind of dug it with my monsters.” I admitted. “That is how I came across this rock that couldn’t be influenced by magic. Then Laura sent some sort of system inquiry about it, and in response, I got a system mission to find the entrance of that dungeon and see if the dungeon is rogue or not.”

“You dug it? Why?”

“I needed some earth materials to make a blacksmithing forge. The Earl, possibly as a joke, recommended I go to the middle of the great forest and dig there. So I did. And that is how that happened.”

“So... you just randomly picked a spot in the forest that just happened to have a dungeon under it... You really must have some level of a sixth sense for dungeons.”

“... maybe. But what should we do?”

“No idea. Well, if the system wants you to find the entrance and find out if the dungeon is rogue or not, we should do that at least. Isn’t that what you told me? Do the system missions, as long as they aren’t too difficult?”

“Yeah. I did say that. And I was planning on doing the mission. But I was wondering, if you come here and Mia does the same that Laura did with me, will you also get the system mission?” I just need to know things like this. I want to know how much we can exploit the system for multiple missions with basically the same objective. We already have our missions regarding dhampirs, which overlap a bit, but that is honestly not that much. It is more like Lua’s is a continuation of mine. I have to do mine first, so she can do hers. Or, she can just cure the dhampirs herself, and then teach them true blood magic.

“It wouldn’t work.” Laura said, after she realized her avatar.

“Oh. Well, that’s too bad. Can you explain why?”

“The system sees the matter regarding that dungeon dealt with. So unless you abandon your mission, it will likely not give out a second one. In some situations, like with difficult missions, like taking down powerful monsters or protecting areas from monster attacks, it might give multiple missions, but with this type of mission, it would not.” Laura explained.

“... yeah. You still need to explain how that works.”

“I just did.”

“I meant on a deeper level. Well, whatever. Don’t question the god system. It just works.” I concluded. “So I guess that means you have no reason to come over Lua. I’m kind of glad about that, actually. I don’t need to hold back at all.”

“... what are you planning?”

“I’ll just start a small forest fire, so I can hopefully find the entrance to the dungeon.”

“... why do I have the feeling it will be anything but small?”

“No clue. I guess you don’t trust me. Don’t worry. I’ll set it out afterwards.” I reassured her. “And then regrow parts of the forest, so I won’t cause too much damage.”

“... of course you would. But can you actually regrow a forest?”

“Yeah. I think so. Well, I’ve never really tried, but I don’t see why not.”

“... Understanding you is more difficult than learning a second attribute...”

“Maybe. How are you doing on that front, by the way?”

“Well, I’m glad to tell you that I just casted my first successful light attribute spell.” Lua announced. “... but then I lost concentration when you contacted me...”

“Eh? Really? Congratulations.” I said. “And also sorry. But if you did it once already, I’m sure you can do it again. How about I drop by on my way back and you show me then?”

“Yes. I’ll show you. And I won our race, right?”

“... I guess you did. Outdone by my girlfriend. What else is new?”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to...”

“Don’t say sorry for that.” I countered. “It is my own fault. I was decently sure you were going to beat me anyway.”

“I ... alright. If you say so.”

After a bit more chit chat, we left the factory and went back to what we were doing.

Spoiler[collapse]Dungeon Founder[TinaWood Dungeon] You are currently in an unknown dungeonWould you like to analyze public dungeon information[Yes] [No]Dungeon 27_001Core Status: RogueMiasma Status: UnknownMonster Status: UnknownMission: Identify the DungeonMission Complete.Reward: Tournament Packs , , , and have been unlocked as promo trades.Mission: Conquer the DungeonGoal: Eliminate Rogue Dungeon 27_001. This can either be done by yourself, or someone you take to the core.Reward: Pack Opener (unique) will level up.Note: If an uninvolved third party eliminates the dungeon, no reward will be given out.

But I’ll leave for now. If there are multiple rooms of this size, even with my summons, it might take a while to clear this place.

And considering where this dungeon is, I don’t think anyone else will come and conquer it.

“I’m done for now. Let’s head out.” I said to Wingweaver and we retreated.

While most of the monsters lost interest in us after we left, some tried to follow us, but Wingweaver dealt with them. But to be honest, they seemed quite strong, as Wingweaver’s spell didn’t one shot all of them, requiring another shot. Maybe some of the monsters were B-rank. If that entire dungeon is filled with B-rank monsters, it is even better to retreat for now.

As I accomplished everything I wanted to do today, and I decided to leave the dungeon and regrowing the forest for later, I unsummoned Wingweaver and summoned Gradius instead. I flew over to the dhampir village and stopped there. I want to spend some time with Lua, and speak to her about the dungeon. No factory required.

“Hey Lua. I’m here to see you.”

“Brian, you really didn’t need to.” She responded. “... but I’m glad you did.” She quietly added, but I still heard it. “What happened with the dungeon?”

“I located the entrance and confirmed that it is a rogue dungeon, completing the mission I told you about.” I informed her. “Then I got a new one to eliminate it. Either myself, or escort someone there, so they can eliminate it. I wanted to discuss that with you.”

“... let me guess. You want me to eliminate the dungeon and be the founder of it.”

“You catch on quick. Yes.”

“... I don’t think that is a good idea.” Lua said.

“Why? I don’t see the problem.”

“The problem is that dungeon founders are treated as nobles. And it isn’t the easiest thing to hide. Sure your sleeve covers it up at the moment, but what about when it doesn’t?”

“... Are you sure? I really don’t think it is that bad?”

“Yes. You really should just do it yourself. The dungeon is already ... nowhere close to anything. So at most, it will be your own personal playground, because no one else can really get to it, so you should keep it.” Lua said.

“... Alright. I understand. But you will still help me clear it, won’t you? And you will be there when I reactivate it?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Light, luminate around me, Shine ball.” Lua casted a light magic spell in front of me. A small sphere of light appeared. It wasn’t overly bright, but it could definitely light up a dark room, and it was much brighter than a candle at least.

“Nice. You did it.”

“... thanks. ... but I can’t keep it stable yet.” As Lua said that, the light wavered a bit. It looked like a wrongly wired lamp, which quickly flickers on and off.

“I’m sure you’ll make it stable soon. Did the skill appear on your status yet?”

“No, not ... wait? It’s there? It wasn't the last time I looked.” As Lua said that, the ball of light vanished, likely because she lost concentration.

“See. You can do this. I believe in you. And now you can level it up, so that might make learning even easier. Just don’t level it up too fast, so it won’t get out of hand.”

“Yes. Let’s both do our best. I’m sure you can figure out space magic as well.”

“Yeah. I hope so... Swordsmanship as well. Speaking of that, are you planning on practicing with your mace?

“Yes. I ...”

After a bit more chit-chat, I jumped back into Gradius and returned to Sawyer city. I was tempted to stay with Lua, for a few reasons, but I said I’d be back today, so I’d better get back.

The main reason I wanted to stay was my level. I’m level 78 at this moment. So after I use a level up, I’ll be level 80. And that could, technically, result in an evolution. And having Lua by my side when I evolve would reassure me a lot.

During dinner, I did tell everyone that I got the materials for my forge, but I kept the existence of the dungeon a secret for now. The forest doesn’t actually belong to the country and is in “no man’s land” so I don’t have to. It was also Lua’s suggestion to keep the dungeon a secret, just so no more heat lands on me.

Of course I got some questions on how I could make firebricks that quickly, but I just said my monsters are masters at their craft, so they can do it. And that isn’t even a lie. I’m sure a master earth and fire mages working together could make some firebricks in an afternoon.

I did also warn everyone at the table about my potential evolution. I think most already knew about Level Up! either directly or having heard it from Angelina, so it didn’t really matter. That led to Alice pointing out that she will also hit level 50 today, so she might evolve as well.

Now I’m wondering, what level is Paulina? Alice has been using level ups on her as well, right? So that would mean Paulina should be about 30 levels up from where she was when we first met. So even if I assume she was only around 30, she should have gone above 50 at least. She is probably between 60 and 70, like Ria. Well, Ria is 70 even, at the moment.

“Brian, you as well Alice. I hope you can stop using that ... level up before my birthday.” The Earl said. “I don’t want either of you sick on that day, or the days leading up to it. That is fine with you, isn’t it?”

Yeah. I guess that is fair. But the BD is still 10 days away, so we are safe for now. Well, some of the early guests coming in will start to arrive in the coming days, but other than that, we should be fine. So I guess we will stop five days before. ... I won’t reach level 99 before the party. That’s too bad.

After dinner, it was our customary evening rituals. Baths, writing Ria’s ‘journal’, writing a letter to Christina, magic practice and a bath.

And, of course, level ups. I went with Telekinesis today, just to match it with Unity. Also, both my magic and defense are 995. Tomorrow they will break 1000.

Lua got a level to Vampiric Body Modification, as recommended by Vampire Grimson.

SpoilerName: Brian WoodRace: Human !Level: 80HP: 2690Mana: 3630Strength: 795Defense: 995Magic: 995 Skills: Pack Opener LV.4 (unique)Different Dimension Factory LV.2 (unique)Storage LV.10 (unique)

Telekinesis LV.5 (extra)Summoner’s Unity LV.5 (extra)Dungeon Founder (extra)Summon Water Spirit (extra)Health Conscious (extra) Mana Control LV.7 Water Spirit’s Blessing (Greater)Language Comprehension (humanoid)Slave MasterSlaves: Rhianna[collapse]SpoilerName: RhiannaRace: DhampirLevel: 72HP: 1950Mana: 2120Strength: 1145Defense: 860Magic: 1020 Skills:True Blood Magic LV.5 (Racial)Vampiric Body Modification LV.3 (Racial)

Card Summoner LV.2 (extra)

Fire Magic LV.4Mana Control LV.4Fast Mana Recovery LV.4Internal Magic Technique LV.6Unarmed Combat Technique LV.5Flickering Step LV.3Power Boost LV.5Defense Boost LV.4 Blood Sucker (Racial)Slave. Master: Brian Wood[collapse]Spoiler

Just in case someone wants to see Alice's stats.

Name: Alice WatchmanRace: HumanLevel: 50HP: 630Mana: 1980Strength: 265Defense: 355Magic: 1595 Skills:Card Summoner LV.2 (extra)Magician’s Power LV.5 (extra) Multicasting LV.3 (extra) Dark Magic LV.7 Mana Control LV.8Magic Boost LV.5

Quick Cast LV.5

Fast Mana Recovery LV.5[collapse]Spoiler

Because she got light magic. Yes, she immediately leveled it up to level 2 on the same day.

Name: LuciaRace: Dhampir Monarch ?Level: 80HP: 2190Mana: 3955Strength: 753Defense: 992Magic: 2728 Skills:Dhampir Princess LV.1 (Unique) True Blood Magic LV.8 (Racial) Card Summoner LV.2 (extra)Summon Water Spirit (extra) Water Magic LV.8Light Magic LV.2Mana Control LV.10Magic Boost LV.5Quick Cast LV.5Fast Mana Recovery LV.7Knife Technique LV.2Staff Technique LV.5 Water Spirits Blessing (Greater)

Blood Sucker (Racial)Lifesaver[collapse]

Well, I located a dungeon today. That’s something. Tomorrow... Well, I’m not sure. If I don’t evolve, I guess I’ll complete the forge. I think I can do it here. Probably.

Oh. Actually, tomorrow is another blood delivery day, so we will be doing that. Again, assuming that I’m not sick. And since Agatha now has Luster Dragon, maybe she should ride it to the village. Just making sure she learns how to fly safely. And then I can make the forge in the village. Mayne even build one in the village, if I have leftover materials. I know Granmarg and Flame made a lot of them, but I’m not sure how many we need.

Well, I’ll look into it. Good night for now.