Chris snorted awake, sitting up groggily as he looked around the camp, spotting the several soldiers lying on mats near him, their injuries obvious. His brain immediately snapped to attention as he jumped to his feet, looking around for the attackers, before a familiar voice called out to him.
“You’re finally awake, huh?” the captain chuckled from where he was lying, a bandage over his eye, “Good to know you can sleep through anything.”
“What happened?” Chris asked as he knelt beside the man, “How long was I asleep?”
“About twelve hours now,” the man groaned as he sat up, “The Kobolds launched an attack around three hours ago, right as the guard was changing, but we managed to fend them off. Took some injuries though.”
“Are you alright? What happened to your eye?”
“Just a light wound,” the man chuckled, lifting the edge of the bandage to show off a burn, “Got caught by the edge of a fireball. Nothing permanently damaged, but it hurts like hell.”
“Shit, I’m so sorry,” Chris said as he looked down, “If I’d been awake, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“No, it would have,” the captain shook his head, surprising Chris, “The fight probably would have been easier with you around, but we can’t rely on you for everything, can we? Plus, you needed your beauty sleep.”
“Right,” Chris chuckled weakly, “But still, I’m sorry.”
“Hey, those weapons and upgrades you made for us really helped,” the man laughed, patting Chris on the shoulder, “We were cutting through those monster bastards like butter with a hot knife! And the improvements you and your father made to our armor meant that we didn’t lose anyone. I’d say you’ve done plenty already.”
“Oh, thanks,” Chris blushed as he rubbed the back of his head.
“Finally awake, huh?” Elizabeth laughed as she appeared behind him, “So, you feeling better?”
“Much, thank you,” Chris nodded.
“I just didn’t want you to mess up my knives because you were half asleep,” the girl chuckled, patting him on the shoulder, “Come on, get them done, we’re going to start exploring the cave soon, and I want to be able to fight properly.”
“Are you turning into a battle maniac or something?” Chris asked, his expression turning unimpressed.
“No, I just want to level up some more,” Elizabeth blushed, “And fighting is the easiest way to do that.”
“Right,” Chris drew out the word as he spoke, looking around again, “Where’s Ayla?”
“Oh, worried about your future girlfriend?” Elizabeth chuckled, poking him in the cheek, “How cute.”
“She’s not my…whatever,” he grunted, “Where is she?”
“Rogers is helping tend to the wounded,” the captain said, pointing to the side, “She should be just over there.”
“Thanks,” Chris nodded, “I’ll need her help to finish Beth’s weapons, so I was curious.”
“Sure,” the girl laughed, “Just curious?”
“Shut up,” Chris sighed, walking in the direction the captain had pointed, spotting Ayla having a drink of water as she rested, “Bad time?”
“Huh? Oh, no!” she gasped as she looked up at him, “Good to see you’re awake.”
“Thanks,” Chris blushed slightly as he spoke, “Uhm…think you could help me with one last thing? I just need to make my sister her knives, then we’ll be done.”
“Sure,” the medic nodded, getting to her feet, “I have enough Mana to take the edge off the headache at least.”
“Great,” Chris smiled at her, the woman smiling back.
“Hmmm hmm hm hmmm,” Elizabeth hummed the familiar song as she walked past, making the two glare at her.
“Sorry,” Chris sighed, “She’s being more hands on than usual with this stuff.”
“It’s fine, but a wedding is a little too soon,” Ayla chuckled, “How about coffee when we get out of here?”
“Coffee? Uhm…sure?” Chris blushed at the thought.
“Great,” Ayla said happily, her own cheeks slightly red, “Now, how about we get those knives done for your sister?”
------
The sounds of battle filled the narrow passages as the group made their way through the cave network. It had only been several hours since they’d left the entrance cavern, and they were already exhausted. The waves of Kobolds seemed never ending, two more popping up for each one they killed. That, coupled with the numerous traps they had had to contend with, had left the soldiers ragged and injured, several almost unable to fight thanks to their wounds.
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“This is crazy!” Jessica shouted as she gasped, her head pounding, “How are there so many?”
“Individually they’re weak,” Ayla muttered behind her as she cast her magic on the girl, “So they make up for it with numbers. Just keep your Enhancement Magic up as long as you can.”
“This would be so much easier if Chris was here,” the girl muttered, concentrating on keeping the enhancement going on the front liners, “Endurance Up!”
Suddenly, the tunnel in front of them was filled with fire, the group wondering if they’d triggered yet another trap before they heard the death screams of the Kobolds. The fire stopped just shy of reaching them, buffeting the tired group with hot air, before it went out. A figure dressed in gold and crimson walked out of the destruction, waving away some of the smoke as he approached, a mace in his other hand.
“Path forward is clear,” Chris shouted, “I’ve found another cavern to make a camp in.”
The soldiers all cheered, though the weariness in their voices was obvious, hurrying after the man as they gathered the various chests scattered across the floor. It took them another hour to reach the cavern, looking around at the scene. While there were no bodies, it was obvious that there had been a large battle, signs of explosions and stone walls everywhere.
“Hey,” Jessica said as she hurried over to Chris, “Have you leveled up recently? I’m just asking because I just got to level seven.”
“Huh?” Chris muttered, opening his Status screen, “Oh, I have. Thanks for reminding me.”
“Any time,” the Tamer grinned, before walking away, sitting heavily on the floor as the soldiers set up camp.
Chris turned back to his Status screen, reading over what he saw.
Name: Christopher Trevor Sanders
Level: 11
Class: War Magister
Job: Master Alchemist
Experience: 645/102400
Health: 350/350
Mana: 150/150
Stats:
Strength: 15
Vitality: 25
Dexterity: 20
Intellect: 30
Wisdom: 20
Charisma: 5
Free Points: 6
Titles:
Leader, Explorer, Truly Ambitious, Mage, Giant Slayer, Survivor, Demon
Skills:
[Self-Regeneration lv 6]
[Studious Sage lv 2]
[Elemental Mastery lv 11]
[Weapon Mastery lv 9]
[Armor Mastery lv 8]
[Alchemical Magic lv 12]
[Potioncraft lv 1]
“Hmm,” Chris hummed as he tried to decide what to put his Free Points into, a bit annoyed that he now had six, which would break his nicely proportioned Stats.
“Charisma,” Elizabeth said from his shoulder, making him start as he looked at her in surprise, “Put at least a few points into Charisma. Please.”
“What?” Chris blinked, “How did you know that I haven’t put anything into that Stat for a while? You can’t see my Status screen, can you?”
“No,” the girl admitted, “But I know you. You probably figured that it was a useless Stat for you because you’ve always been socially awkward.”
“Well, not exactly,” Chris muttered, “I have put a couple of points into it before, but it just wouldn’t have helped me survive the Trial of Turmoil, so I never bothered since.”
“Exactly,” his sister nodded, “Now, put a few more points into it. Maybe it’ll make things easier on your date.”
“Date?” Chris blinked, looking at the girl in confusion as she sighed frustratedly.
“With Ayla?” she said, “After we clear this Dungeon? Did you already forget?”
“Oh, that,” Chris blushed as he remembered the Medic’s offer of coffee, “I didn’t forget, I just hadn’t thought about it much.”
“No, you forgot,” Elizabeth sighed, “Whatever, just put the points into Charisma!”
“Okay, fine!” Chris muttered as he put five points into the Stat, dropping the last one into Intellect, “I don’t feel any different.”
“You don’t look any different,” Elizabeth replied, “I mean, it’s not like you’re going to suddenly become super-hot just by increasing a Stat a bit, is it? And anyway, Charisma is usually more about presence than appearance, isn’t it?”
“It is?” Chris asked.
“Geez, for someone so strong and with a Skill that teaches him shit, you can be really dumb,” his sister laughed, “Anyway, the captain was asking if you could help set up some defenses around the camp and clear away a few of the walls you made in your fight here.”
“Oh, okay,” Chris nodded, turning away as the girl watched him head towards the captain.
“Dork,” she chuckled, touching the handles of the knives he’d made for her fondly.
------
“Yo,” Alan said as he walked up to Jessica, the girl once again stirring a pot of stew, “What’s on the menu tonight?”
“Wolf stew,” she said as she smiled back at him, “Sorry it’s been the same thing the last few days, but it’s all we have at the moment.”
“Hey, I’m not complaining, your cooking is great!” the man laughed, making the girl blush slightly, “Though the others are getting a little annoyed that you always give me extra portions.”
“Well, you are a Defender, right?” she hummed, “So you need your strength to help protect all of us.”
“I guess, though they keep saying you have a thing for me or something. Ridiculous, right?”
“Not really, no,” Jessica shrugged, the man staring at her for a moment as he seemed to be trying to process what she’d just said, “You’re my type, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested.”
“Wait, seriously?” the man blushed, “Sorry, it’s just…well, you’re a kid! You’re still in school!”
“Actually, I graduated last year,” Jessica chuckled, “I got moved up a year when I was twelve, and I met Beth in our AP classes. Oh, and my birthday is in a couple of months, so I’ll be eighteen then.”
“Still,” Alan muttered, “Sorry, it’s a little weird that you’re talking like this is a thing already.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Jessica sighed, turning to look at him, “I guess I was rushing things in my head. Sorry.”
“No, it’s cool, I was just surprised,” Alan laughed, rubbing the back of his head nervously, “So, you’re eighteen in a couple of months?”
“Yep,” Jessica chuckled, “We can just start out as friends for now. After that, well, let’s see where life takes us, right?”
“Sure, sounds like a plan,” Alan nodded.
“Hmmmm hmmm hm hmmm,” Elizabeth hummed as she appeared between the two of them, a wide grin on her face.
“Beth!” Jessica gasped as she swung the ladle at her friend, “Stop doing that! You’re going to give me a heart attack!”
“Sorry, couldn’t help but overhear your conversation,” the other girl laughed as she dodged back, “I’m glad you’re finding love, bestie.”
“I will cook you into a stew,” Jessica huffed as she turned away, her cheeks bright red.
“Uhm…I’ll get going then,” Alan chuckled awkwardly as he backed away, “Later.”
“Bye!” Jessica called back, before glaring at Elizabeth, who was grinning at her again, “Oh shut up.”
“I didn’t say anything, bestie,” she grinned, “But I know I’ll be the maid of honor.”
“Go away!” Jessica shouted as she swung the ladle at her friend again, Elizabeth cackling as she ran off, “Dumbass. Of course you will.”
