Chapter 30 - The orc-delvers’ adventure

- Written from the perspective of the Orc party’s leader -

We just so were able to get into the dungeon before the flying creatures overran our troops. Having seen the birds' surprising power we were sure of the fact that the secondary objective was lost. The original plan had been to overrun the city and swarm the dungeon with hundreds of troops, ensuring a clean victory.

This would allow us to clear both objectives and get the full reward from our benefactors. I had even planned the secret assassination of one of the other leaders, getting me closer to the possible position of Orc king. But alas, not only was my plan disrupted at the last second, I now even found myself deep within the dungeon with my rivals.

My train of thought ended here when we came to the entrance of the first zone. We were able to paint a rough picture of the dungeon through our benefactors' reports and thusly developed a fitting plan.

Our team consisted of 5 generals, specially picked out from all the orc tribes. Everything revolved around the Tier 7 peak Orc elemental, who used the surrounding mana and his incorporeal body to tank any enemy. From the backline, the corrupted orc priest used mysterious energy our benefactors taught him to heal us, though this process temporarily shortens his lifespan.

Protecting the healer and making sure that no one would flank us were the orcish goblin summoner and the Telecenetic Orc. The summoner called fort his goblinoids from various organic materials and allowed us great adaptability to any situation. Together with the Telecenetic Orc, we were able to travel any environment and topple any obstacle imaginable with the combo of both of them.

Dashing around the party and creating a unified group, my evolution was perfectly fitted for what I had to do. Coordinating all party members, just like a choreographer in his group of dancers, I created the last piece in the puzzle of the perfect dungeon diving party.

Before entering the first zone we prepared ourselves in front of the entrance. Last-minute preparations were made, equipment was double-checked and we went over the plan one last time. Under normal circumstances, no one of us would go to such lengths only to prepare for a battle. Though, through our long-lasting and vigorous training under our benefactors, in which we were specifically chosen for this job, we learned to follow orders to the T.

With everything ready, we entered the first zone. The first thing that surprised us quite a bit was the natural environment, it felt as if the ecosystem developed organically without any third-party influence. Small insects flew around in the dark cave system and critters skittered around in the mossy floor. Interrupting us from our sightseeing was the swarm of mice clustering the secret tunnels into our passage.

Dozens of them stacked on top of each other, they ran at us as their life depended on it. For any low Tier delver, this view would probably become a nightmarish memory to tell to his kids, if he is even able to survive the wave of critters. For us though, it was nothing more than swatting a fly to the ground. There was no way any Tier 0 creatures could inconvenience us in any way, other than just getting on our nerves.

So, without another look, our orc goblin summoner, Varbuk, brought the mice to a quick end with some goblin mushroom spores. They festered inside the critters' lungs and ate away at their body, slowly they died and their bodies liquidated into a goo. This substance was then normally used by the mushrooms themselves to create a goblinoid that would protect them. Though in this case Varbuk simply used the substance himself, for summoning some goblinoids.

While he was taking care of the goo the rest of us continued on. During the small track, Duma, the orc elemental, beheld what the mana from the dead creatures did to the environment. This was something normal inside any dungeon, changes in the surroundings immediately changed the whole ecosystem, this allowed for rapid evolution and variations.

After exploring the whole cave system consisting of 5 caverns connected by tunnels of various sizes we all returned to the central room. There a river coming from one of the side tunnels split the area into two. On one side the mice king waited for us and on the other the mice queen, both with their forces ready for the battle.

The little “fight” was over in just a second, just like before, Varbuk infested the creatures with the spores. Though this time Duma, the tank, held back any Tier 2 creatures that appeared when a more powerful party delved into the dungeon. With this tactic, we made our way through the first three zones.

After the “Mouse kingdom” we made our way into the “snaking tunnels”. There we explored a large part of the labyrinth of splicing and conjoining passages and caves. Our benefactors wanted any and all information about the dungeon that we could get our hands on and would accept no slugging around.

Following the defeat of the extremely weird, entanglomination and the snakes supporting the guardian, we found our way into the “Triangle challenges”. There we split up into three groups. Duma and Varbuk made their way into the anguiliian ocean, being able to summon their own troops that were able to fight in the water.

I split up from Mergigoth, the corrupted orc priest, praying to a mysterious deity our benefactors introduced to her. I knew nearly nothing of the topic and he would tell us nothing about the subject himself. Supporting the priest was the telekinetic orc, Zilge, using his magic to protect the priest, even though this was not needed yet.

At last, I made my way into the slimy rivers and made quick work of the creatures. This was the first time I ever saw these weird creatures and I was quite surprised by their extreme adaptability, considering their low tier.

After all of us defeated the guardians and explored the rooms we returned to the center and continued on into the fourth zone. While Zilge was wiping off some batshit he stepped into we arrived at the “canyons of the ancient cycle”. It was a weird name but fitted the breathtaking scenery.

Such a view was a one in a hundred experience, even for us who journeyed and adventured a large part of the “Four Nations” area. A humongous cavern, larger than even the biggest underground caves we explored in our travels through the depths. The cliffs and deep ravines created a dangerous though the beautiful area that contrasted perfectly with the cold and hot environment.

Our sightseeing was cut short though when we were greeted by the monsters inhabiting the area. This time Varbuk, the summoner, wasn’t able to use the goblinoid spores due to the enemies' more magical origin. Instead, Zilge and I simply ran through the masses of defenders, throwing them off left and right, back to where they came from. The zone was quickly defeated and we all looked back, still slightly in awe of what this dungeon was able to create.

Once we reached the breakout zone we went over the coming boss fight once again and discussed what we learned from the dungeon till now. Again back to 100 percent, though we didn’t really have to use any power, we continued on into the 5th zone.

The “Blazing Forest” with its hellscape-oasis-hybrid was an interesting thing to see, especially considering the layout changed every hour. We already knew that the solar bear could be found within the hottest area and quickly made our way over there. Once we spotted the bear we lay in preparation, not risking anything considering the creature could actually hurt us.

Once the beast passed us Varbuk and Mergigoth hit it with two debuffs and got the bear into a confused state. The assault was quickly followed up with a charge from our tank, duma, which stunned the solar bear for a second. Enough time for Zilge and me to quickly take care of the furred monster. In just 5 seconds we smoothly dealt with the alpha guardian, quite a feat even for us, though most of it could be talked down to my evolution.

With the first milestone overcome we continued on into the depths of the dungeon. The exit hidden in the lake was quite a unique feature of the dungeon and brought us directly into the 6th zone.

Once there we really got serious, though the overall danger didn’t increase all too much our intelligence was limited. Most delvers weren’t able to get over the first milestone and those that did rarely sold the experiences they made further in.

Tapping into relatively new territory we were alert to any sound or hint of danger. Before us, the tunnel opened up into a large cylindrical cavern, rounded at the top. Lavafalls of various sizes flowed out of the walls, to merge with the large lake in the center. Flying around in the dangerous airspace were various creatures using the hot air to stay afloat.

On the ground, various lava canines wandered the hot stone and hunted the more passive monsters. Here and there we spotted the entrance tunnels into the tunnelers burrow and made sure to stay far away from them. Being cautious of any traps, I ordered Varbuk to send some of his weak summons to serve as body shields.

Step by step we stealthily made our way up the ramp, defeating any creature out of the dark, so that no one would notice us. Staying in stealth got progressively more difficult the farther we traveled up the path, together with the temperature rising the number of enemies too increased.

This forced us to ditch the more secretive tactic and go full ham. Somehow we were still stealthy and no creature knew we were coming. Though this probably was because we were killing them too fast to even react and shout an alarm to alert the other defenders.

After a while of this, we reached the top of the cavern, there we came face to face with the defenders of the zone. The volcanic tunneler and lava hound were waiting for us and immediately jumped into action.

As the fiery beast jumped at us, its mouth wide open, the worm got closer to us from behind the righthand wall. Any normal party would have been totally destroyed by the quite unfair tactic of a two-sided battle. Though not us, we quickly restrained the canine, which destroyed their tank and DPS plan. Once the volcanic tunneler fell, its body sliced up like some nice hot sausage, the hound quickly fell, creating the perfect “hot dog”. Sorry.

Both of the guardians were dead and we continued on, letting the loot remain. We were not allowed to loot the creatures in any way so that we would not be distracted by greed or weakened in some other way.

Having left the 6th Zone we entered the seventh not expecting what we saw. It does not matter how many adjectives someone would use to describe this zone, it would never come close to what it really was. The size of the area was simply unthinkable, considering we were underground.

Moreover, the various drastically different environments created a fairyland of exciting adventures and places to explore and discover. Just standing on the slope down into the “100 lake” was stupefying, mesmerizing, and mindblowing. It was something not describable in words.

After all of us thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and our adventurous hearts were pleased we began the delve of the 7th zone.

Climbing down the slick rocks behind the waterfall we made our way to the first island. From there, we continued on from island to island fighting various monsters.

Chokers and Stranglers tried to pull us into the dangerous waters filled to the brim with snakes and alligators. On the island's shores, Crocgers waited patiently below the sand, their fur’s color perfect to make them fit in with the surroundings.

In the beginning, we were able to travel around with ease, but after the 75th island not getting touched by anything was getting difficult, even for us. The first one to lose our little game of not getting touched by any monster was Duma. Money changed hands and we all had our little laugh over her misfortune.

Afterward, we continued on. Following the “100 lakes” were the marshlands, filled with more powerful variants of the monsters we fought before. Though the most annoying part was the slowly moving roots that forced us to go faster than we wanted. The ever-moving mace of mangroves was making our journey forth difficult and confusing.

Though, with an adventurous spirit in heart, we made our way through the jungle of roots while getting molested by the tiger-crocodile hybrids. Luckily we were able to say goodbye once we reached the “muddy plains”.

The swarms of ants of various sizes made the travel an interesting one. Quite often we were disrupted from the mayhem of ant massacre by a Tier 4 Ankheg. These huge beasts changed the landscape around them and consumed a whole ant swarm daily.

Out of interest and so, we could perfectly fulfill the benefactors' mission we even explored the ants' underground tunnels. The only thing we found in them was loot and even more ants, that were quite angry once we came into contact with their fat queen.

Making our way out of the tunnels we came upon the “Luminescent Jungle”. The area that was able to illuminate most of the cavern was even more impressive than from afar.

Once we were inside we were somehow attacked by hundreds of creatures with none looking like the other. The bio-diversity of the area was simply unnatural and most likely the wet dream of any biologist or explorer.

Normally a large number of different creatures would have been quite difficult to deal with, but the environment was perfect for the goblinoid spores. The slight humidity and pleasant warm allowed them to spread like crazy. In just a minute the surrounding area was transformed into scenery straight out of a nightmare. The goo was sticking to every surface and slowly dripped down towards the summoning space.

Having completed this area we split up into two teams. Duma and Varbuk went on into the “brittle earth” area, together with their army of goblinoids. I went in the other direction, accompanied by Zilge and Mergigoth.

From the information we received Mergigoth's holy magic would be perfect for dealing with the darkness and slightly demonic attuned spiders. First, though we had to go through the crystal paradise.

The hundreds of mirror images made fighting quite complicated, but this was no challenge for me. As a coryphée, I was able to perfectly coordinate my two teammates and we made quick work of the crystalline opponents.

In the final zone, the “Stalactite forest” we entrusted everything to Mergigoth. With her holy magic, she absolutely demolished the horrific spiders. Once we got all the keys from this side we made our way back into the central altar, positioned in the “luminescent jungle”.

There we met up with Duma and Varbuk who reported to us of their little excursion. The hundreds of worms, lured in by the goblinoid prey were not able to escape the charging orc elemental. Even once the more powerful drilling worms made their appearance they were quickly defeated by the goblinoid army. This was the advantage of cultivation the army up to his point, though now most of the troops were defeated.

After resting for a long while before the altar we felt ourselves to be ready. The great battle was now only minutes away and we were going through the plan one last time.

Putting in all keys we collected the stone gate began to slide open and we made our way into the last zone!!!!

Orc elemental - Tier 7 peak - Duma

Orc Goblin summoner - Tier 8 - Varbuk

Corrupted orc priest - Tier 8 weak - Mergigoth

Telecenetic Orc - Tier 7 peak - Zilge

Blade coryphée - Tier 8 peak - Yam - Me