STATS
LEVEL – 110, Adventurer
STRENGTH – 537
DEXTERITY – 404
INTELLECT – 423
WISDOM – 133
LUCK – 65
ARMOR – 82 (Physical damage reduction: 58%)
DAMAGE ABSORPTION – 10% (This damage is also reflected back to the attacker)
RACIAL PASSIVES:
- INNATE ARMOR BONUS – 10% of maximum armor added
- INNATE FIRE BONUS TO MELEE ATTACKS – 10% increased fire damage on melee attacks
I glanced at the time, eight minutes before we’d be removed from the dungeon. My eyes wandered over the keep’s ruined interior, taking in the sheer weight of its decay. Crumbling stone walls, once carved with intricate patterns of valor and devotion, were now reduced to jagged remains, marred by time and neglect. Thick layers of dust and grime clung to everything, undisturbed for what must have been centuries.
The banners that once adorned the hall still hung in tatters, their faded insignias barely recognizable beneath the mold and rot. The wooden beams above, warped and splintered, creaked softly as if struggling to bear the weight of a forgotten past. Piles of rubble and discarded armor lay scattered across the cracked marble floor, a clear indication that neither the Forsworn nor the undead had bothered to care for this place.
Despite the eerie stillness, the air around us crackled with a different kind of energy, excitement. The others stood in a loose circle near the remains of a collapsed pillar, their voices lively as they talked over their newly gained levels.
Trish caught my eye from across the hall and smirked, tilting her head in a wordless invitation. I let out a breath, shaking off the weight of our surroundings, and made my way toward them.
“So, James,” Leo said as I joined them, his grin sharp. “What level are you now?”
I smirked, crossing my arms. “Just hit one-ten.”
“Nice! We’re all within a few levels of each other,” Max said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
That made me pause. “Wait… who’s the highest and who’s the lowest?”
Mel let out a quiet chuckle, exchanging a look with Trish. Suspicious.
I turned to Trish. “What’s so funny?”
Leo grinned, clearly enjoying this. “Trish is the highest, 113.” Then, he pointed at me. “And you, my friend, are the lowest.”
Trish lifted her chin with exaggerated pride, her golden-brown eyes gleaming as she gave me a smug look before breaking into laughter.
I groaned, rubbing a hand down my face. “That does not help me feel better.”
Trish leaned against me playfully, a teasing lilt in her voice. “Babe, we did do some training while you were sleeping on the job.”
I scoffed. “That just makes it worse.”
Mel chuckled, rolling her shoulders. “If it helps, the levels came fast. That was a lot of experience.”
I sighed, shaking my head, though I couldn’t stop a small smirk from creeping onto my face.
“Fine,” I muttered. “But next time, I’m leaving you all behind so I can catch up.”
The others laughed in response, the tension of battle fully melting away. But before we could linger in our victory any longer, the timer hit zero.
A sudden shift in the air.
A familiar pull in my gut.
And just like that, we were teleported outside, standing once again before the dungeon’s entrance.
Only now, something was different.
A faint glow shimmered above the swirling portal, and beneath it, glowing runes displayed a one-week timer.
“Interesting,” I muttered, narrowing my eyes. “No one said anything about a cooldown.”
“Must be a way to force you to rest. Or maybe just to encourage you to try a different dungeon?” Max offered; arms crossed as he studied the glowing countdown.
“Let’s ask Brakor and Esmara when we get back. They’ll know,” Mel said with a shrug.
With that, we turned away, making our way back toward town. The journey felt shorter this time, whether from adrenaline still buzzing in our veins or the anticipation of sharing what we had just gone through, I wasn’t sure.
The moment we arrived; I didn’t even wait for Brakor to speak.
“Why does our dungeon have a one-week timer?” I blurted.
Brakor’s expression shifted instantly, his usually calm demeanor replaced with wide-eyed surprise. He shot a sharp glance at Esmara, whose lips curled into a knowing grin, revealing the sharp glint of her fangs.
"You little scoundrels really entered a rare dungeon on your first run?" he finally said, shaking his head. "I don't know whether to call you lucky... or bloody unfortunate."
“I’d say lucky!” Mel chimed in, holding up her hand to flash her new ring, a huge smile on her face.
“Not to mention all the levels we got from it,” Leo added with a smirk.
Brakor, however, didn’t return the enthusiasm. Instead, he exhaled heavily, rubbing his chin before lowering himself onto a nearby bench with a huff. He gestured for us to sit as well.
“You lot don’t seem to understand the implications of this,” he muttered, shaking his head.
A flicker of unease crawled up my spine. “What do you mean?”
Brakor leaned forward, his voice carrying a rare weight of seriousness.
"I’ve only ever heard stories about this kind of thing, but there might be some truth to them." His eyes scanned each of us, as if gauging whether we truly grasped what we had stumbled into. “They say when your first dungeon is a rare, it’s a sign that every dungeon afterward will be of rare quality or higher… or at least most of them.”
Silence settled between us, thick and unspoken.
“That... doesn’t make sense…” I started, but Brakor cut me off with a sharp wave of his hand.
“These dungeons aren’t just difficult. They’re deadly.” His gaze darkened. “The last time I heard of this happening was long before my time, and let me tell you, those groups? They don’t survive long. The higher-quality dungeons become too much to handle before you reach Boundless levels.”
Mel’s grin faded. Max’s cocky smirk wavered.
Brakor shook his head. "I know you all got a good jump in levels, but that only happened because it was your first. Your next dungeons won’t be so generous.” He paused, eyes sweeping over each of us. “In light of this new information, you’ll need to stay sharp and be twice as vigilant as before."
“So… all the groups that faced this line of dungeons didn’t make it?” I asked, my gaze fixed on Brakor, searching his expression for the answer before he spoke.
“One,” he said after a beat, glancing at Esmara as if she might offer a different take. She didn’t. Her silence said enough.
“I don’t know much about that group. Just bits and pieces, scattered stories.” Brakor looked toward the sky in thought before adding, “The one thing I’ve heard again and again? They kept to themselves. No ties. No connections. Whatever secrets they had, died with them.”
“Well,” I said, glancing toward my friends, “I guess we’ll just have to figure this one out for ourselves.” I let that settle for a breath, then turned back to him with a grin. “But I think we’ll be the second party you’ve heard of making it through these. And this time…” I pointed at him. “Take notes. Just in case it happens again.”
Brakor’s expression twitched, then he burst into laughter. “I already have been, my friend,” he said with a final chuckle.
“Speaking of notes,” Leo interjected, seizing the moment, “I’ve got a batch of potions brewing that might finally be useful for our group.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and jogged off toward the village.
“Oh! Where’s Nyxala and the others?” Trish asked, her voice bright with excitement.
“They’re still out training with a friend of mine,” Esmara replied with a warm smile. “They should be back in a few hours. In the meantime, eat something. Rest. Regain your strength.”
“Do we go find our next dungeon tomorrow?” Mel asked, though the excitement in her tone faltered by the end, unable to hold beneath the exhaustion in her voice.
I smiled. Max let out a dry, choked laugh. Trish just shook her head.
Brakor and Esmara, on the other hand, stared at Mel like she’d lost her damn mind.
“After all that… that’s what you got out of it?!” Brakor asked, incredulous.
Mel smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
I stepped in, grinning, “I think we’re all a little eager to get stronger. Mel’s just extra excited now that her new item puts her armor close to mine.”
Brakor raised a brow, cracking his knuckles as he stood. “Ah, so she wants to see if it hurts less now.” He turned and walked into his hut, emerging moments later with his massive club in hand. Without hesitation, he started toward an open patch of dirt nearby.
Mel’s eyes followed him, disbelief spreading across her face.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Come on then, girl!” Brakor called, slapping the club against his shoulder. “Let’s see if you can take a proper hit.”
Trish, Max, and I burst into laughter as Mel turned to us for help, silently begging for someone to intervene, or at least explain what was happening.
She shook her head, muttering something under her breath, and walked over to face the towering bear of a man. Her glowing hammer appeared in hand as she dropped into a guarded stance.
Brakor frowned and waved dismissively. “Oh, none of that now. If you want to test your armor, don’t hide behind that bloody thing. Just take the hit.”
Mel’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking, right?”
Our laughter only grew.
Brakor grinned. “Come on. I won’t hit your face.”
“That’s not exactly comforting…” she muttered but slowly lowered her weapon.
Without another word, Brakor stepped in and delivered a wide, heavy swing to her side. Mel raised her arm just in time to brace for the blow, and that’s when the ring activated.
Spectral bones erupted across her arm like a blooming shield, catching the full force of Brakor’s club with a resonant clang. The ethereal armor held firm for a heartbeat before vanishing as if it had never been there. Mel hadn’t flinched. She didn’t budge an inch.
Brakor lifted his brows. “Well then.”
He pulled back for another strike.
“Wait… wait! It’s on a cooldown!” Mel shouted, backing away with both hands raised.
That got us laughing again.
She looked down at the ring, eyes scanning its faint glow. “Okay… maybe not exactly what I thought it was. But it is still definitely useful.”
The next couple of hours drifted by in a blur of casual conversation, recounting the chaos of the dungeon, speculating on what the next one might throw at us. Eventually, the Lepidomare returned, this time guided by another bear-like woman.
Nyxala ignored the woman’s attempts at control the instant she spotted Trish. With a trill of excitement, she barreled forward, nearly knocking the woman aside in her rush. She looked just a bit larger than before, and above her head now hovered a glowing indicator, level forty, the others bore similar level markers, all within one level of each other. Their scales gleamed more vibrantly, and a subtle glow had crept into their eyes.
Trish hugged Nyxala, giving her scaled side a few affectionate pats as they approached. The bear-like woman leading the others shook her head with a sigh. “That one’s feisty,” she muttered, waving dismissively at Nyxala.
Trish chuckled, still running her hand along Nyxala’s shimmering side. “She’s stubborn, but that’s what makes her the best.”
Nyxala straightened with unmistakable pride at the praise. The woman rolled her eyes, though a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. “She’s a tough Lepidomare, that’s for sure. I’m almost scared to see what she’ll be like when she evolves.”
That word… evolves, snapped all of our attention toward her. Even Leo, who had been hovering nearby with a handful of potions, quietly stashed them in his inventory and turned to listen.
“Evolves?” Max echoed; his brow furrowed.
Esmara gave an exasperated sigh. “They really didn’t teach you anything about these creatures?”
“We haven’t exactly had a lot of time to study,” Trish replied, still eyeing Nyxala with curiosity.
The woman nodded and moved toward the fire we’d just started. “Then sit. Listen well. These creatures are far more than just pretty mounts, if you raise them right.”
She settled cross-legged near the flames, her voice growing more focused. “Name’s Eesa. I’m something of a caretaker around here for the local fauna.” She motioned toward the cluster of Lepidomare gathered near the hut. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any on this planet. Usually, they stay on Achui, used as farmhands or basic travel mounts for the lucky few.
“But these creatures are loyal, intelligent, and fierce. If you care for them, if you help them grow stronger, they’ll ascend, evolving into what’s known as a Wyvarine.”
That word hung in the air, heavy with myth.
“They’re like small dragons,” Eesa continued, “without the fire-breathing, mind you, but don’t let that fool you. They can stand toe to toe with a young dragon and come out on top.” She glanced at Nyxala, a playful glint in her eye. “Though that one? She might struggle to find a dragon that could match her prowess.”
A quiet chuckle followed, and Trish beamed with pride.
“What does that form look like?” Leo asked, his gaze drifting to Sunveil, clearly trying to picture the change.
Eesa’s smile turned cryptic. “That… is something you’ll have to see for yourselves. When the time comes.” She paused, then added, “There’s even talk of a second evolution beyond the Wyvarine. But I’ve never seen it, and I’ve never met anyone who has.”
“Is it safe to assume they evolve around the same level we ascend?” I asked curiously.
“No,” Eesa replied, shaking her head. “They need to reach level one-fifty before they can evolve. Creatures of this realm follow a different set of rules than we humanoids.”
I nodded, then asked, “And will it be safe for them to travel with us now? To wait outside dungeons while we’re inside?”
Another soft chuckle escaped her. “Honestly, I think they would’ve been fine even before I took them out to level. Especially with that one in charge.” She nodded toward Nyxala again. “But don’t discount the others. Those four work together like nothing I’ve ever seen. When they all evolve…” She gave a low whistle. “I’d be scared for any fully grown dragon foolish enough to challenge them.”
“You keep mentioning dragons,” Max said. “Do they not get along with Wyvarines?”
“Oh, they get along quite well,” Eesa replied with a smile. “They’re sister races, in a sense. I only bring up dragons because it’s the best comparison. Power, presence, instincts... but where dragons tend to dominate, Wyvarines are fiercely loyal. If you earn their trust, they’ll fight for you to their last breath.”
I sat in silence for a moment, then another question surfaced. “Let me ask this in the least insulting way possible... What’s the point of having them if we can all learn to fly?”
Eessa didn’t seem offended. In fact, she smiled. “That’s not insulting at all. It’s actually a great question.”
She leaned back slightly, hands resting on her thighs. “Even if you can fly, you’ll never be able to outfly a dragon, or a Wyvarine. Maybe in short bursts, sure. But over long distances? These creatures can fly for days without tiring. You,” she said, pointing directly at me, “probably get winded after a few minutes.”
She wasn’t wrong. My flying attempts so far have been clumsy at best, exhausting at worst. I already preferred keeping both feet on the ground. Maybe... maybe I should consider finding a Lepidomare of my own.
Leo chimed in, “I don’t exactly fly. I hover. But even that drains me fast.”
Trish nodded, brushing a hand through Nyxala’s mane. “Even with my wings, I doubt I could fly for more than an hour straight. Maybe that’ll improve as we get stronger, but even then, wouldn't their stamina scale with us?”
Eessa nodded. “Exactly.”
Then she stood, brushing off her legs. “Now... it’s time I head off again. I may never see you all again, so take care of those creatures. They are magnificent. Rarer than you know.”
“Wait,” I said quickly. “Where could I find one for myself?”
She turned back, squinting at me. “Back on Achui, as I already said. Get the dirt outta your ears, boy.”
I winced. “That... won’t be possible for me.”
Eessa paused. Something softened in her expression. “Then maybe try your luck with a dragon.”
I blinked. “Wait, what? You mean... actually bond with one?”
“It’s not unheard of,” she said with a shrug. “But it won’t be easy.”
“How would I even start?” I asked, curiosity and disbelief twisting together in my chest.
Eessa’s gaze drifted skyward, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “That’s an answer I’ve been chasing for years. I’ve befriended many dragons... but not one of them has ever bonded with me.”
“Where do I look to find one?” I asked.
“Let me see your map,” Eessa said, holding out a hand.
I quickly pulled it from my inventory and handed it over. She studied it for a moment, then tilted it slightly so I could see where her finger rested.
“If you head to this dungeon next,” she said, tapping the area just north of the marked entrance, “there’s a brood that resides nearby. You may try your luck there.”
She handed the map back, then gestured toward the gathered Lepidomare. “Take them with you, so the dragons can see the bonds you share. Otherwise, they’ll likely roast your skin and have you for dinner just for approaching.”
I stared at her, expecting a wave of nerves, but instead, excitement surged through me. A dragon. How cool would that be?!
Virellia chimed in, her voice laced with dry sarcasm. “Oh, so now we’re going to have four voices in our heads?”
I chuckled inwardly, but then a new voice echoed through us, cutting the humor short.
A familiar one.
“You already have four,” it said gently. “So this would make five.”
Recognition hit me just as Max’s voice rang through our minds. “Myrida?!”
We both froze. Around us, our friends exchanged confused glances.
“I’m not fully healed yet,” Myrida continued, her voice soft but steady. “But I can speak with you three now. In time, I’ll be able to communicate with the others, though not through minds. More like how my sister does.”
Max and I remained frozen, locked in stunned silence. A tear welled in the corner of his eye.
“Sister... it’s so good to hear your voice again,” Virellia whispered, emotion flooding through me.
“And I, yours,” Myrida replied. “Though I believe we’ll need a private conversation soon. I have questions, about our parents, and what really happened.”
“Any time you wish, sister,” Virellia said with gentle certainty.
With that, their voices faded, leaving only a shared silence between Max and me. He slowly began to smile. I nodded, returning it with one of my own.
Turning to the group, I cleared my throat. “Right then. Off to bed, we’ve got a dungeon to reach tomorrow!”
“What just happened?” Trish asked, waving off my sudden burst of excitement about going to bed. “You don’t get to just act like you and Max didn’t have a whole mental conversation about something clearly intense and then try to change the subject.” She crossed her arms, scowling.
“Myrida spoke to us,” I said, glancing at Max.
He nodded. “Yeah… she’s awake now. Still has some healing to do, but she wanted to say hello… and that she hopes to speak with all of you soon.”
Trish, Leo, and Mel all let out a collective breath, the tension melting from their shoulders. Smiles returned to their faces like a sunrise after a long night.
“Tell her we can’t wait to hear from her again,” Mel said softly.
With that, we all headed off to bed. Trish curled up beside me, tugging my arm over her as she pulled the blanket around us.
A few moments passed in silence before her voice broke the quiet, barely more than a whisper. “I’m scared, James.”
I pulled her closer, saying nothing. Words wouldn’t help here. She shifted, nuzzling into my chest, and before long, her breathing softened into sleep. I soon followed.
The next morning, I woke to find Trish still sleeping peacefully beside me. I gently slid out from under her arm and stepped outside the hut.
No one else was awake yet. The early light of dawn was just starting to stretch across the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the village.
I took a deep breath, stretched, then equipped my armor. Virellia gleamed faintly at my side as I strapped her into the belt Brakor had crafted for me.
Not long after, Leo emerged from the hut next door, rubbing his eyes.
“Morning, bud,” I said.
He gave a nod and wordlessly sparked the fire to life with a flick of his fingers.
“Hey,” he said, reaching into his inventory. “I meant to tell you, those potions I was working on. They're finished. Healing potions. I made two for each of us.”
He handed me two small vials filled with a glowing red liquid. “The vials are edible, that’s why they take so long to make. The glass has healing properties too. Each one restores ten percent of your total health. Not much, but great in a pinch.”
I turned the vials over in my hands. “So, I just… toss one in my mouth and crunch down?”
Leo nodded. “Exactly. But use them sparingly, the ingredients are rare. Definitely ‘emergency only’ territory.”
I nodded again and glanced at the item window that appeared.
[Healing Tincture]
Restores 10% of your total health. Cooldown: 1hr.
I cringed. “An hour cooldown? That’s brutal.”
“Yeah, it's not ideal,” Leo agreed. “But with Trish’s ridiculous healing and your minor off-heals, they’re perfect for covering emergencies. Just enough to stay alive if things go sideways.”
I smiled. “Fair enough. Thanks, man. These will definitely come in handy.”
“Anytime. Hopefully I’ll find more of the ingredients in the next dungeon,” Leo said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “My teacher always told me the rarer stuff tends to show up in dungeons... not that he would know. Claims he’s not insane enough to go into them.”
He chuckled at the memory, and I couldn’t help but join in.
“You certainly can’t be sane and walk into those places willingly.” I said, still chuckling.
Everyone else began to stir, equipping their gear as they emerged from the huts. After a round of goodbyes to Esmara and Brakor, we gathered our things, and the others mounted their Lepidomare.
Since the trip would take a few days, we made a quick stop at the village store to stock up on supplies, dried meats, fruits, and a few loaves of bread. We’d likely hunt along the way, but it was always good to be prepared in case nothing worth eating crossed our path.
Once we’d split up the supplies and stored them in our inventories, we headed northwest, toward the frozen peaks.
About an hour into the trip, Trish called out, “So, are we going to the dragons or the dungeon first?”
“Dungeon first,” I replied, walking alongside the group. “Get a bit stronger before we meet a brood of dragons.”
“I hope you bond with one,” she said, giving Nyxala an affectionate pat. “I still feel bad that you’re always walking while we ride.”
I gave her a look. “No, you don’t. I think you enjoy it.”
She tried to hide her smirk, but a giggle slipped out anyway.
A little while later, Leo slid down from his mount and stretched. “Alright, let’s work on your flying skills…” He paused, then added with a grin, “Not that you have any yet.”
“Oh, you’re gonna pay for that one!” I said, lunging to punch his arm.
The others burst out laughing as Leo hovered just out of reach, smug and chuckling.
Once the teasing passed, Leo floated down beside me. “Alright, seriously this time. Let’s get you started.”
He had me practice hovering next to him, focusing on controlling my movement through intent alone. It wasn’t easy.
“Yours might work a bit differently,” Leo said, watching my posture. “Since you can actually fly, unlike me. But the fundamentals should be the same, learn to think your movements before you make them. Precise control comes from awareness.”
I concentrated, trying to steady myself in the air.
“As for aerial combat or anything advanced.” Leo continued, nodding toward Trish. “You’ll have to ask your wife about that one.”
I looked at Trish, and she gave me an excited grin. “I can’t wait to start teaching you! It’s going to be fun!”
I smiled back. “I can’t wait either, love. Because soon I’ll be out flying y…”
My sentence was cut off as I lost focus mid-air and dropped sideways like a stone, the loud thud of my armored body slamming into the rocky ground echoing around us.
“You’ve gotta stay focused on your movements, even while talking,” Leo said, reaching out a hand. “If you don’t, it won’t end well.”
I grumbled and grabbed his hand, letting him pull me to my feet, doing my best to ignore the sound of my wife laughing as she rode off on Nyxala, clearly enjoying the moment far too much.