DING!
X500 TIER III SHIELD CLAW CRABS INCOMING!
Things were different now though; the survivors had gotten to a place where they were nearly hearty. They were only ever going to get better if they garnered real life experience to raise their levels so they might make it deeper into the seeker tier.
The old man, the spokesman for the survivors was only seeker tier I and nowhere near tier II. So the night before, while they were planning their plan of attack for the final night. The survivors had come out and asked to be allowed to defend their home too. At first Jazmel refuted this, telling them they were too weak as to which they really were. But they were adamant about pulling their own weight, explaining that they should all be fated to do as they will, they were denizens after all. And so it was decided that they would also play a part in the final battle left to them by the system.
Baek and Myn would stay with the survivors, making sure that they survived the battle. Myn was going to lead as the vanguard and Baek would provide support and defence while the survivors of the settlement, clean up the fringes of the battle.
Hundreds of crabs rushed into the settlement, crashing across the ground, potholes, and mounds all around from the previous day’s battles.
“Katie and Baek! Don’t get too caught up in the crabs, kill as many as you can but wait for the gunner shrimps. I want you to focus on those when they appear!” he yelled over the raucous sound of hundreds of man-sized crabs rushing across land towards them.
Paldane had stayed out of his collar, preferring to fly before the battle. He came down now, descending like an angel of death. He scorched the ground, killing many of the crabs, while also damaging and injury many.
DING!
X4 TIER IV GUNNER SHRIMPS INCOMING!
The next creatures to appear were the gunner shrimps. Four appeared and Jazmel immediately focused on what he would have to do.
Paldane I am going to need you to take one on, on your own. he shared between their shared mind.
I will handle it. Paldane rumbled into his head.
Katie was slinging her chains around her gunner shrimp. Trying to stop it from shooting at her while trying to make sure the stray shots didn’t go behind her and hit those who were behind her.
Bannerman had gotten in close; the shrimp couldn’t lower its claws towards the ground and so instead it was trying to squash him with its body weight. As to which, he was deftly avoiding. Using his claws to gain purchase beneath its chitin armour.
Paldane was literally grappling with his on the ground. Paldane matching the gunner shrimp in size and apparently strength. He had landed and they were trying to exert strength over one another. But Jazmel didn’t feel compelled to support Paldane. He didn’t need to, and he felt comfortable that Paldane could handle his own.
The gunner shrimp that had been left to him, shot at him and swiftly with a downward slash he sliced through the water as it flew towards him. the clefted parts split around him, flying off into either directions or he advanced. Moving closer towards it, it shot at him again. this time it shot its water at the ground, splashing him with the salty water and blasting him with its scathing canon blast.
Sundering Raven!
He responded in kind and let his attack sail across the distance and hit it across the chitin made canon claws. It had blocked his strike and was gearing up to hit him again. But he wouldn’t let it, not when he was already so close.
He skipped across the distance, almost floating across the ground. Sprinting the last steps and driving his sword between the sternum and legs. It chittered and tried to bite at him, but he wrenched his blade and using his second hand to prop his grip. He forced the blade up, cutting through the chest of the gunner shrimp.
DING!
TIER IV GUNNER SHRIMP KILLED!
EXP ACCRUED!
…
BEWARE!
BE WARNED!!
THE NAGA KING COMES!!
The others were already fighting their own battles and so he simply cleaned his blade off and waited for the next enemy to appear.
The trees creaked as something heavy, something large moved through. Jazmel wasn’t sure what a naga was but knowing that it was a ‘king’ told him that this enemy was also greater in normal strength too.
Trees creaked and broke; Jazmel watched as trees deeper in the forest fell away in the path on the way to where they were fighting their battle. He slowed his breathing down and calmed his heart. It would be him facing this beast, alone and he was going to give it his all.
You got this, well. You better have it. he thought to himself and waited for his next opponent.
The naga king appeared, ten feet tall, it was half man half snake; serpent from the waist down. It had frilled gills that flared out into a neck sail and it its mouth was filled with needle sharp teeth. It carried twin tridents when it spotted Jazmel waiting; standing beside the corpse of a shrimp. It hissed at him and pointed one of the tridents.
DING!
TIER V NAGA KING CHALLENGES YOU TO A DUEL TO THE DEATH!
COMBAT WITH A QUEST BOSS WILL RESULT IN ONLY TWO OPTIONS
- VICTORY (GREATLY ENHANCED REWARD)
- DEATH
DO YOU ACCEPT?
Y/N?
Of course I do. He thought to the system and the energy from his response slipped away. The naga king squinted at him, its beady black eyes and slunk towards, him its heavy body dragging along. To Jazmel’s surprise it was actually quite mobile, and he had to back pedal a little to not be swept up by the size of the creature.
It stabbed down at him, once, twice and a third time. He simply kept backpedalling not to be caught up in its strikes. The trident was longer than Jazmel was tall, they were made up of some strange sea ore, he could feel the cold of the sea welled into their creation. they thrummed with an energy that made him think of the Mer King Triton.
Shadowing Wraith!
Sundering Raven
Sundering Raven!
He disappeared, into the much larger shadows of the naga king. It swung around as he appeared, Jazmel noticed it seemed like Mana attuned. But he was faster, he swung his blade; the blazing skill of the raven glimmering at the tip of his sword. he smashed it into the side of the naga king. Knocking the wind from its gut, but also barely gaining any purchase. He stabbed into the wrist, trying to disarm the naga king but it held on tight.
His other skill skirted up the length of the trident and when it almost hit a hand, of the naga king. The naga let go of the trident, stabbing fiercely with its other hand, before deftly catching the trident it had almost dropped in one hand.
This is a fierce opponent. Jazmel thought to himself. But the feelings he felt were of excitement and exhilaration.
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He drew Yoru No Tsubasa and changing hands; he clutched it in his left. While he carried Furyu in his right.
Flaming Evisceration!
He struck with Tsubasa and the sword’s blue flame scathing strike hit the naga with surprise. It had tried to block his attack, but the flames had shocked it and caused it to fumble.
“Got you.” Jazmel whispered.
Flaming Evisceration!
Sundering Raven!
Jazmel swung both swords; one after the other. Sending off his skills at different opportunities. The blue flames from his grave and cold iron attuned sword struck first and engulfing the flesh of the naga king. Then the bloody black Mana of his sundered raven skill struck, full on in the face and with no obstruction it turned the naga king’s short snout into a bloody pulp. Jazmel watched as it mewled as it tried to pat out the fires, it dropped both tridents, but that was what he had been hoping for.
Shadowing Wraith!
He disappeared and appearing to the side of the naga king, he leapt up and with both swords, he stabbed into the side of its head. right into the brain, twisting both blades he heard the squelch of blood and gore as he scrambled the brain of this beast.
DING!
TIER V NAGA KING HAS BEEN KILLED!
EXP GREATLY ACCRUED!
LEVEL UP!
+5 STR
+5 INT
+5 WIL
TIER V NAGA KING BEAST CORE GAINED!
…
YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE THREE DAYS ON THE BARREN ISLAND!
Jazmel roared, something bestial and unlike him ripped from his chest. It was the anguish of being in a fight that very much could have killed him.
“Are you alright over there?” he heard and looking over he saw Katie with genuine worry on her face. He laughed and nodded his head, up and down.
“Yes, I am fine. Master tier is no joke, that’s all.” He said and sheathing both swords, he walked over towards Katie where she stood. Bannerman was killing the last few crabs, while Myn and Baek stood guard over the survivors who were willing to fight in this battle.
“The survivors will have a lot of items to use and keep this time around.” Katie noticed and Jazmel agreed.
“Hopefully it will allow them to get strong, a chance at being self-reliant should always be taken.” He said, realising just how much that meant for him too.
“You are right, we need to get stronger.” Katie said and Jazmel peered at her.
“We are at master tier already though.” He said looking over at her and she just stared right back.
“So?”
“We owe it to those we lost, to see just how far we can go. We shouldn’t settle and I would like to see if I can make it to the hundredth floor.” He listened to her as she confessed one of her goals, secretly it had been one of his own too. But now she had said it aloud, he had to admit. He had no interest in settling at just a master tier.
“I agree, I really agree.” He told her and they smiled at one another for a moment. She seemed a little happy, back to normal. It wasn’t lost on him that she could not speak Patton’s name, but for him; the name was still too sore for him too.
“Young master.” Baek said and Jazmel looked over at him.
“I will round up the troops, we will loot the corpses and bring the fresh meat back into the settlement.” Katie said, moving off and leading Myn away from Baek and Jazmel.
“Yes Baek.” He answered.
“You are growing quite strong. Extraordinarily strong and very quickly.” He said and the tone of his voice made Jazmel wonder if it was a good thing.
“And so?”
“Your party are not keeping up. They cannot keep up with the pace you are keeping.” Baek said and Jazmel listened to him intently.
“You have reached master tier after being inside the labyrinth for less than a year. You have fought creatures inside the labyrinth I have not even heard of before. Now I just watched you take apart a tier V creature. The labyrinth seems to be setting you on a path of true ascension. But not all of the others will be able to follow you.” He confided in Jazmel, and he listened, suddenly worried.
“I will protect them, its only until they reach master tier. Then we are all the same.” Jazmel responded and Baek shook his head with a grim smile.
“You are miles ahead of your party, retainers, and peers. Your system might only show you as a beginner of the master tier, but your skills, your stats; they give off the strength of a mid-tier master tier II.” Baek said, Jazmel just stared at him with disbelief.
“I know the system has provided a way, but it hasn’t made anything easy for me at all.” He countered.
“Therein lies the answer, it has not been easy for you at all. And yet, here you stand on the corpses and ashes of all those that would try to stop your advancement.” Baek said, before continuing.
“You have just crossed the threshold of fifty gates, a tremendous feat. Most people do this in a party, but you have attended to many gates with literally one or two followers, your companion and me for support. You have effectively been soloing the labyrinth for some time now.” Baek explained and Jazmel had begun to realise he was telling the truth; he had been feeling something like this himself. But he was not able to put it into words.
“But if me and you are here, we should be able to provide a place for everyone to grow. To continue to grow.” He said, not wanting to leave his friends out of his discovery into the labyrinth.
“And who will protect you or me when we face a tier V named monster, or a domain boss, quest boss. Or what will we do when Master tiers decide that they want from you, what you took the time to earn?” Baek said.
“There are too many variables, and it causes nothing but stress if we get any of it wrong.” He expressed and Jazmel could see the wrought concern in the old man’s face.
“What should I do?” Jazmel finally asked, after it was quiet for some time.
“You need to speak with them and then decide on your next steps.” He said and Jazmel did, calling over his friends.
At first they all listened and then it was silent, nobody spoke first for a moment and when Jazmel felt bad, that they might all find him arrogant. Myn spoke up.
“I agree with Mr. Baek, I met you quite a while ago back when we faced the Oceanic temple together. When you left us, it was discussed just how strong you had gotten. Tera was the only one who knew you before then. But you were like a storm against the Mer King. If you hadn't been there, I doubt we would have survived.” She confessed and Jazmel just simply listened to her.
“But when you and your party saved us from that ghost, that primordial thing. We knew we just were not growing fast enough. It made sense for us to join you guys, so we can grow faster and grow stronger too.” She explained and to them all, it sounded like a sensible ideal.
“You have always been a bit of an anomaly to be honest.” Katie started, smiling, and shrugging when Jazmel just gaped at her.
“Now we know you were smuggled out of the labyrinth, but you were just too strong to begin with. It might be that both your parents are or were just exceptionally gifted and so you inherited both genes. But you’ve grown faster than any of us and I know you have worked hard for it, but we have been in the same places and still you are leaps and bounds ahead of us all.” She said, it was straight up and honest, but he could tell she was urging him to keep going.
“The leader of the pack is always the strongest, but the leader cannot fight all the battles for the pack.” Bannerman began before continuing.
“I need to have the strength to continue to follow you? Then I will get it.” he said and inclined his head towards Jazmel with respect.
He looked around at his honest friends and his heart welled with emotion.
“Well what will you do?” Jazmel asked and Katie shrugged.
“We will stay here for a while; we will help the survivors settle down and strengthen themselves. Before we move on.” She explained and he nodded, it was a good idea.
“Send us word if you need us, we will come running. Ready or not, but if not. We will just see you back home?” Katie offered and he agreed, they shook on it.
“Will you move on now?” Myn asked and he looked about them, before deciding he would.
“Yes, I think so.” He said and she simply smiled sweetly at him.
“Excuse me.” They heard and turning about, the elder of the survivor settlement had come over and waited while he listened to them discuss their next steps.
“I have a gift for you.” He offered Jazmel a clam, or so he had thought it was, it was a piece of white jade that had been fashioned into a clam and in the centre of it, was a pearl. A pill that held dense Mana concentrated in its centre was handed to him as a gift.
“We want you to have it.” the elder said.
“What is it?” Jazmel asked, looking into it at its centre.
“A soul pearl pill. An item only for master tier, it raises the points of the soul.” He explained and Jazmel peered at the pearl curiously.
TIER III SOUL PEARL PILL GAINED! An item that over time concentrates Mana into a form that enhances the connection to the soul. Only those at master tier may unlock its contents and receive its favour.
the system fed him information, but in truth he didn’t really know what that meant.
“Well I want one now, my soul points are really low.” Katie whined and Jazmel laughed at her.
“If you truly mean to stay, I can make one for you. It will take a few weeks to cultivate them, but we have the means to make soul pearls.” He explained and Katie led him away to begin discussing what to do.
Myn and Bannerman followed her back towards the settlement; where the others were doing their best to drag the crab corpses closer to where they were carving them up and trying to store it away so they wouldn’t have to waste it.
“Take the pill before we move on.” Baek said and waited for Jazmel.
He opened the white jade fashioned clam and taking the pill out, he popped it in his mouth and swallowed it straight.
DING!
TIER III SOUL PEARL PILL CONSUMED!
…
…
+15 INT
+15 WIL
…
Jazmel was shocked, that was such a big jump, his soul points leapt up.
“Baek, I know you have to unlock your soul to enter master tier. But what does my soul have to do with anything? It isn’t like Mana or stamina; I am not even sure that I use it.” he said and Baek inclined his head, knowingly.
“You think you do not, but I can assure you. You will use it; you are still settling into the foundation of your master tier. When you use your soul, you will feel it. your soul is linked to your intelligence and your willpower. So consider those, what do you use them for, your intelligence is directly linked to your Mana and your willpower is the ability or the courage to exert your Mana on your skills. So in layman’s terms, your soul strengthens all your skills, refining them to their optimum abilities.”
“Well that is good to know, I have a spare slot, and I need to fill it soon, I just don’t know what to fill it with.” Jazmel confessed.
“Well, you do love an auction. Maybe we will find one where we can browse the skill tokens first.” Baek offered.
“Maybe.” Jazmel responded.
“Let us find the gate.”
Already found it. Paldane said in their shared mind and to Jazmel’s surprise he shared an image of where the gate was. Jazmel just had to orientate himself and he could go and find it.
“Paldane already found the gate.” He said and Baek motioned for him to lead the way, he looked back once more to see his friends who had decided to stay behind. He wanted them to catch up, he needed them to.