“I’ve never actually [Dimension Rift] with another person before.” I told my party members. “But the ability allows it.”

  We’d arrived at the portal platform for the next level but it was deactivated. That meant monsters were already respawning on this level and the level was repairing itself.

  And that meant I could finally show off my dungeon breaking and entering skills.

  “We are ready.” Julian told me, even though they weren’t ready at all.

  “I’ll need everyone holding hands.” I said. “And could you hold onto me while I activate the ability?”

  There was a shuffle as everyone took off their winter gloves. John took Pram’s hand, who took Tully’s hand, who took Visha’s hand, or took Jeffry’s hand who took Julian’s hand who in turn took mine. I didn’t know why it was so important that I see exactly who was holding whom, but watching Visha stare daggers at Tully’s hand was priceless.

  Good job, me. My shipping powers were still in full force.

  “In Between the light Unseen,

  Void and Space all mixed in place,

  By Portal’s gift, [Dimension Rift].”

  [You have activated Dimension Rift. Bridge point detected: Forgotten Frost Dungeon Level Six Portal Access Gate bridge to Forgotten Frost Dungeon Level Seven Portal Arrival Gate]

  [You are attempting to open a bridge in a Dimension Barrier: Forgotten Frost Dungeon Level Seven Portal Arrival Gate. You have succeeded.]

  [Transport to Level 7 [Yes/No]]

  [Transport Party to Level 7 [Yes/No]]

  [Transport [Julian von Slyke] to Level 7 [Yes/No]]

  And on it listed options. I selected the second, teleporting all of us to the next area platform.

  Dimension Rift was a perk I’d gotten from my +Troll Magic, the + meaning I’d evolved the Skill by getting it to level ten. Once that happened, the perks offered were more powerful. My previous abilities were on the level of [Bridge Repair] or [Bridge Search] and now I was ripping holes through dimensions to make my own bridges.

  As one did.

  “Well that’s unexpected.” Tully let go of Pram and lifted his free hand to shade his eyes. The seventh floor looked like regular farmland. It was hot and sunny, with a gentle breeze playing in the leaves. Apple blossoms fell delicately across a field of flowers from an orchard that stretched out behind us to the left.

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  Tully continued to hold Visha’s and the elf noticed. She wrenched her hand away as fast as she could and then took a step to put distance between them.

  “Permission to re-equip, Your Grace?” Jeffry asked, and I realized that sweat was pooling in-between my shoulder blades and at my temples. The winter gear wasn’t heavy, but it was becoming torturous against the weather.

  “There aren't any signs of life for thirty feet,” John informed us.

  Julian nodded, “Alright.”

  After stripping down to a simple tunic and tights and boots, I eyed Julian. The duke himself didn’t change clothing. He was still wearing the Valarian Royal Set, with the mantle folded and pinned with a hood and hadn’t added much except a scarf and gloves, which he put back into his storage ring.

  With a smile, he lifted his free hand and revealed a bracelet on his wrist.

  “Ice Elemental Resistance. Takes the edge off so I can still wear the armor set as is,” He confided. “More advanced than a normal [Cold Resistance] charm. Mother made it for me when I started spending more time in the north.”

  “And you didn’t secure one for any of your eternally loyal party members.” Jeffry drawled, having overheard.

  “You have three [Cold Resistance] charms.” Julian shot back, unfazed. “You’ll be fine.”

  “So,” Sir Tully leaned back and scratched his head, looking out across the clear fields that stretched in all directions.

  Something caught my eye, and I focused my attention as hard as I could directly ahead of us. There were a few trees along the horizon, but otherwise it was rolling hills into the distance.

  There was movement in one of the trees at the edge of my sight.

  “Something is coming.” I told everyone, and the group immediately settled into formation. A [Shield] popped up, covering everyone on the platform.

  “Jeffry, scout from the sky.” Julian ordered. The half-elf didn’t need to be told twice and leapt into flight. “John, keep an eye behind us.”

  The rogue disappeared.

  Far off, one of the trees started to shimmer. And then another. Jeffry flew until he was a third the distance between us and the trees.

  “It looks like… magic?” I thought aloud.

  By then it was more than just the trees, the entire horizon moved with a long line of silver. Above us, Jeffry spun in mid-air and sent us a panicked, all capital message over the chat log.

  [RUN!]

  No one questioned it, immediately activating their various fast-travel abilities.

  A haste potion was good enough for me. I quaffed one and booked it after the rest of them.

  [What is it?] Julian asked.

  [The dungeon level is a terrain challenge.] Jeffry sent back. [We have to outrun the Flash Frost. If it touches you then you’re as good as dead.]

  [Terrain floors reset as soon as there are no more living challengers, so we can pop back and pick up anyone who isn’t fast enough. Right Tully?] Visha sent.

  The paladin didn’t reply; he wasn’t checking his chat log.

  Luckily John piped in with the location of the portal before anybody got too tired. It was a madcap sprint to the finish, but everyone made it through.

  Even Tully.

  I've had coffee. I'm a boss.

  If you have anxiety about Alice popping in