– Day 11 –

Catacombs – Part 1

I sit with Risks book in hand, pondering how I’m going to cure Risks curse. AE mentioned a number of ways to lift it, including [Alchemy] which seems like the easiest considering the skills I already have acquired. The problem is going to be tracking down a recipe strong enough to remove a ‘gods’ curse. Well, I have six years to solve this problem, so it’s not like I need to rush it. The curse doesn’t cause any long-term negative effects except death so Risk should remain fighting fit…right to the end.. Nerti.., I guess you're now on my to-do list. I hope you’re enjoying yourself green-boxy.

“Good morning Master, you’re up very early. I was planning Rodac Stew with bacon for breakfast if that’s okay?”

Name: Millie

Class: Cook

Sub-Class: Slave of ???

Race: Human

Level: 2 HP: 100% MP: 100% ST: 100%

“Oh, good morning Millie. That sounds wonderful; I’m looking forward to it. Is there anything I can help with?–”

“There’s is not..Master.”

Name: Kate

Class: Maid

Sub-Class: Slave of ???

Race: Human

Level: 3 HP: 100% MP: 100% ST: 100%

I lean back and smile awkwardly knowing I’ve been caught.

“What? But I was using this as an excuse to spend time with the both of you…Fine, I know when I’m not wanted–”

“N-no…T-That’s rather underhanded Master.”

“hehe, so I can help?”

Kate sighs and looks to Millie. Apparently, I have won..erm, been granted ‘the right’ to peel the vegetables while Kate does the cleaning and Millie preps the meat and readies the stove.

We make idle chatter, gossiping I guess would be a better description. After the veg and meat are prep’d, Millie and I, mid-conversation, head down to the basement to get some butter for the bread we will be having with the stew. We’re out, so we had to make some more. Millie initially was making the butter, but I immediately took over as it was arduous, to say the least. Yes, that’s right. This poor girl did this every time we’ve had bread! I hadn’t noticed her hands until today, but they’ve got callouses everywhere and deep embedded splinters! I told her from now on she was to get Bella, Risk or myself to churn it. Work to your strengths and all that! I got a bit of resistance, but I must have pleaded my case well as she eventually agreed. Eventually, Bella appears and drags me out of the kitchen for training, which is fine as we’ve already put the stew on and made the butter.

Name: Casandra (Bella) Drapel

Class: Fighter

Sub-Class: Mercenary

Race: Human

Level: 25 HP: 100% MP: 100% ST: 100%

Bella and I head outside; Risk must have already gone to bed as he’s nowhere to seen. That’s fine as I now have my own equipment to use; best he gets some sleep before we head off to the Catacombs this afternoon.

*blink*

Oh, that reminds me.

[Detailed Scan]

Name: Casandra (Bella) Drapel Class: Fighter Sub-Class: Mercenary Race: Human Sub-species: 4GY3V2 Ancestor Code: G5A3BB Level: 25 EXP: 1247/1610 (3205) HP: 1183/1183 MP: 300/300 ST: 1266/1266 Hunger: 56% Thirst: 64% STR: 072/999 Strength. Your physical strength is governed by this. AGI: 064/999 Agility. Your speed and reflexes are governed by this. STA: 052/999 Stamina. Your overall perseverance and tolerances are governed by this. VIT: 030/999 Vitality. Your overall health and resistances are governed by this. PER: 033/999 Perception. Your overall ability to spot and understand is governed by this INT: 012/999 Intelligence. Your spell power and understanding is governed by this. WIS: 008/999 Wisdom. Your mana and brilliance are governed by this. STAT points: 52 Affinity: Dark Known Skills:

- Sinki Language Lv 4 / 10 [>]

- Arithmetic Lv 2 / 10 [>]

- One-handed Style Lv 5 / 10 [>]

- Dagger Proficiency Lv 6 / 10 [>]

- Two-handed Style Lv 8 / 10 [>]

- Sword Proficiency Lv 6 / 10 [>]

- Greatsword Proficiency Lv 7 / 10 [>] Skill Points: 14 Magic:

- Quick Slash Lv 80 / 100 Exp: 8014/8100

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Heavy Slash Lv 60 / 100 Exp: 1588/6100

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Pointed Slash Lv 52 / 100 Exp: 523/5300

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Engage Lv 8 / 100 Exp: 158/900

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Charge Lv 82 / 100 Exp: 1894/8300

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Hidden Slash Lv 48 / 100 Exp: 0/4900

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Reverse Slash Lv 46 / 100 Exp: 1699/4700

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR Static Effects:

- [Alcohol Dependency [Minor]], Long-term effect caused by alcohol abuse. Will-25%

- [Alcoholic [Minor]], Prone to mood swings

- [Liver Damage [Minor]], Tonic effectiveness -15%, Tonic Toxicity +30%

- [Depression [Major]], Feelings of Loss, believed at fault, Will-50%, [Alcoholism] Status:

– Advancement (Racial)

– Class system (Racial)

No surprises here. Poor girl, depression is one of those things that never truly leaves you… I guess this is sort of evasion of privacy huh…

*CRACK*

OOOWWWww.. .. .. …

…

*SPLOOSH* “Wake UP!”

“WHA!”

“See. He’s fine.”

What, what the hell? Oh…Did..Did I get knocked out!?

[** Corr..ect **]

Two people seem to be arg..arguing over something. Kate and Emily are kneeling over me..?

“No! He isn’t Bella. He’s damn well concussed. Look at him!”

“Ugh, he shouldn’t have been staring off into space! And stop shouting you tool, I’m right beside you!”

That explains the pain and ringing in my ears. Ups a daisy~

“Whoa, whoa, careful Aburi, you should stay down for a moment. Take it easy.”

“Risk? Thought you w..were sleeping? What happened?”

“Bella hit you while you weren’t watching. Knocked you clean out–”

“Ah…That makes sense. Sorry, Bella, I didn’t realise we had started…”

“You hadn’t. Bella got impatient–”

“He was staring off into space. I saw an opening and thought I’d teach him a lesson…It’s his own fault for not keeping his guard up.”

*blink*

I take a rejuvenation tonic from inventory and down it quickly with a gulp… Much better. My head still hurts but my vision is clear, and the bleeding has stopped.

“How long was I out?”

Dizziness is gone too. It’s a miracle drug I tell you!

“About 20 minutes. Bella then decided she should come to wake me after failing to wake you herself.”

“Ah, sorry Risk. I’m all good now, and Bella is right, she’s not at fault. I came out here for training, and I wasn’t on guard, it was my mistake.”

Risk sighs and shrugs before shooting a dirty look to Bella.

“…tch. Fine. I should have held back.”

*blink*

I chuckle and take the training spear from the inventory

“I’m prepared now Bella, please resume the lesson.”

Risk shakes his head while muttering something to incomprehensible and goes back inside with Kate and Emily; I assume to go back to bed. Hannah was standing in the doorway it seems with a concerned face. I think I’m starting to grow on her.

Bella decides to aim for my stomach this time in another surprise attack while my focus was on Hannah. I won’t be taken by the same mistake twice!

*PANG*

I block successfully.

“The doe is capable of learning.”

She says with a smirk. Oh, I can’t wait until I ‘grow’ enough to trounce that superior look. I can’t help but think you're taking a bad mood out on me!

*TANG PANG PANG*

After a light sparring session with just my spear, Bella seems to have calmed down, and we resume the usual formation, combination and stance training. Nothing new again today, just more of the same designed to increase my grip, form and adaptability in a fight. I’m starting to grasp something that will allow me to make my moves more fluid but I’m not ready to use it just yet. I get the feeling I’m on the cusp of getting another skill point in [Spear Proficiency].

By the time Hannah comes to inform us that breakfast is ready and everyone is at the table, we’ve been going at it for over 2 hours. I guess it’s my fault they haven’t just eaten without us as I did insist we all eat together when we first met.

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670 ST: 340/560

Hunger: 68% Thirst: 71%

Blood State: Low

Caked in sweat, I sit at the table opposite Sybil and beside Emily, who holds her nose to indict I stink. I think a hug is in order.

“NNNNNNNOOOOOOooo….Master you jerk!”

After breakfast, I head for the bath which Kate has preprepared for me; this is fast becoming the norm as I thank her and head in to wash up. She follows in behind me? Oh, I never get tired of seeing those…

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670 / 670 ST: 510/560

Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0%

Blood State: Normal

She smiles and leaves me to bathe in privacy… I think something’s changed between us… Ah, the waters nice…. ..

Is that Katharine I hear? If so, I should hurry and get ready. We’re meant to be going to the catacombs today after all for the trial run.

“Kate…? Did you steal my clothes?”

She opens the door and enters with a robe.

“Hannah and Emily are doing the washing, so I took them to be cleaned.”

‘Nin nin’ huh? I put the robe on and head upstairs, waving to Katharine on my way through. She’s fully kitted in armour today just like when I first met her. Which reminds me, I still have her old armour. I should return that today..

I quickly get into some fresh clothes–

*THUD*

Yes, I fell over, what of it?

–and rush back downstairs. Now then!

[Detailed Scan]

Name: Katharine Amelia de Armstrong Class: Fighter Sub-Class: Knight of Sinki Race: Human Sub-species: 6F8A2T Ancestor Code: C48A2A Level: 11 EXP: 488/733 (2200) HP: 293/293 MP: 168/168 ST: 506/506 Hunger: 4% Thirst: 6% STR: 026/999 Strength. Your physical strength is governed by this. AGI: 028/999 Agility. Your speed and reflexes are governed by this. STA: 038/999 Stamina. Your overall perseverance and tolerances are governed by this. VIT: 014/999 Vitality. Your overall health and resistances are governed by this. PER: 012/999 Perception. Your overall ability to spot and understand is governed by this INT: 016/999 Intelligence. Your spell power and understanding is governed by this. WIS: 010/999 Wisdom. Your mana and brilliance are governed by this. STAT points: 24 Affinity: Light Known Skills:

- Sinki Language Lv 7 / 10 [>]

- Arithmetic Lv 5 / 10 [>]

- One-handed Style Lv 4 / 10 [>]

- Sword Proficiency Lv 4 / 10 [>]

- Knighthood Lv 2 / 10 [>] Skill Points: 7 Magic:

- Quick Slash Lv 14 / 100 Exp: 120/1500

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Sacrifice Lv 4 / 20 Exp: 190/500 [Skill Based]

- Rally Lv 10 / 20 Exp: 450/1100 [Skill Based] Static Effects:

- [In love], Prone to making rash choices when thinking about the target of affection

- [Beloved], The target of her affection loves her too. [Bonded] Status:

– Advancement (Racial)

– Class system (Racial)

She’s a lower level than I thought…Huh? [In love], [Beloved]?? Oh…

“…”

“Aburi?”

“Don’t worry about him Katharine; he’s been doing that all day. I sort of knocked him out early during training.”

“S-sorry. I–”

Ugh, that pit in the bottom of your stomach feeling, like your balls have been kicked into your mouth *sigh* I feel like a teenager again.

“–might still be a little concussed from Bella’s surprise attack. Anyway, glad you're here. We should probably head out now to the catacombs before midday… Take it easier on Emily please Bella!”

*blink*

I look to Bella and hand her the Redwood short bow and some basic arrows.

“No promises.”

“Just don’t knock her out…or kill her..obviously–”

I notice Risk coming down the stairs while yawning. He looks visibly tired…perhaps I should leave him here today?

“Risk, maybe you should–”

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Shall we be off?”

“Where’s….Oh, there she is. You ready Sybil?”

“…”

She nods…Hmm.

[Detailed Scan]

Name: Ariel (Sybil) Venos Class: Fighter Sub-Class: Scout Race: Demi-Human Sub-species: D4F4S4 Ancestor Code: D4G8G8 Level: 15 EXP: 2204/3000 HP: 1005/1005 MP: 157/157 ST: 1968/1968 Hunger: 0% Thirst: 0% STR: 067/999 Strength. Your physical strength is governed by this. AGI: 066/999 Agility. Your speed and reflexes are governed by this. STA: 050/999 Stamina. Your overall perseverance and tolerances are governed by this. VIT: 042/999 Vitality. Your overall health and resistances are governed by this. PER: 052/999 Perception. Your overall ability to spot and understand is governed by this INT: 013/999 Intelligence. Your spell power and understanding is governed by this. WIS: 004/999 Wisdom. Your mana and brilliance are governed by this. STAT points: 55 Affinity: Dark Known Skills:

- Sinki Language Lv 5 / 10 [>]

- Arithmetic Lv 3 / 10 [>]

- One-handed Style Lv 3 / 10 [>]

- Dual-handed Style Lv 4 / 10 [>]

- Sword Proficiency Lv 2 / 10 [>]

- Dagger Proficiency Lv 4 / 10 [>]

- Scout Proficiency Lv 5 / 10 [>] Skill Points: 17 Magic:

- Quick Slash Lv 44 / 100 Exp: 480/4500

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Hidden Slash Lv 51 / 100 Exp: 4488/5200

-- [Skill Based] Heavy Stamina Usage. Damage based on STR

- Trap Detection Lv 23 / 50 Exp: 1110/2400 [Skill Based]

- Hostile Environment Lv 18 / 50 Exp: 880/1900 [Skill Based]

- Stealth Lv 32 / 50 Exp: 3280/3300 [Skill Based]

- Throw Lv 13 / 50 Exp: 150/1400 [Skill Based] Static Effects:

- [Amnesia], The subject has lost access to their memories [Sealed][Permanent][Divinty Presence] Status:

– Advancement (Racial)

– Class system (Racial)

– Longevity (Racial)

– Genetically Superior (Racial)

Demi-human!? [Amnesia]…well, that explains the behaviour..maybe. I have a lot of questions for AE, but I’m getting looks again from the others. This can wait.

“Shall we be off– Oh wait.”

I take the device I got from registering at the adventurers guild from my pocket and press that, then this…oh and–

“Each of you press here for me.”

“There, we’re in a party now.”

“Is that important?”

Katharine asks while looking puzzled.

“It will allow us to gather essence equally from kills. It’s handy.”

“Oh, thanks Risk, I didn’t know that”

Well, Katharine, you left to talk to Cable while Suzy was explaining it, so I’m not really surprised…

“Let’s be off then.”

We head over and arrange a carriage to the far, far north of the capital. The journey takes about an hour showing again just how large the Capital really is. Most of the city is confined to the centre of the walls where the river splits it into two halves. The south half is grown out towards the southern gate and the north half towards the eastern and western gateways in an oval sort of shape. The north, as I predicted, doesn’t have a gatehouse and mainly consists of large noble estates. Passing these however and we seem to come to the nobilities various catacombs for burying their dead.

The Rayford Catacombs begin to come into view. We knew straight away it was the Rayford Catacombs, there’s a giant see-through dome with four pillars dotted around it. Hard to miss a barrier of that size really.

We disembark the carriage and Risk sends the driver on his way with a small tip as I walk up to the barrier. I place my hand on it to find it’s solid like a wall. A ripple can be visibly seen emanating from where I put my hand.

Magic is so cool! *Ahem*

I mean the energy required to maintain such a barrier would be immense…

“Well?”

“I think maybe [Transient Warp]…”

AE?

[** Correct **]

*ZZip*

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 645/ 670 ST: 560/560

I get it…Move a short distance, phasing right?

[** Correct. Matter dimensional shift **]

And now I can warp in and out as I please…for 72 hours anyway. Let’s get the others in here.

*Zip*

“Okay, I can warp us all inside when you’re all ready.”

Everyone nods in confirmation that they are ready…everyone accept Risk, who knows exactly what to expect.

“I hate this–”

*ZZup*

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 345/ 670 ST: 560/560

“–bit…”

Holy cow, that’s an expensive skill–

*Grrrack* *Ooo* “Th…I don’t think…ugh”

–I think I need to start putting points into WIS and INT as soon as possible. Hm? Yes, I know Sybil, a bunch of pansies right.

*blink* *gulp*

HP: 330 / 330 MP: 670/ 670 ST: 560/560

Katharine and Risk both look to have lost their breakfasts, but Sybil looks to be fine. Is this because she’s a Demi-Human or that she’s warped before?

*blink*

I hand Risk the waterskin first as he’s closest to me.

“Risk up front, Katharine on rear guard. I’ll take centre support for now. Sybil use that stealth of yours to scout ahead. I doubt there are any traps but disarm any you can if you come across them; Oh and take these–”

*blink*

“–drink the green one now. Remember to report back once you have a basic map in your head.”

*blink*

“Katharine, Risk, drink the green one now, keep the others for when you need them. Red is the rejuvenation, blue is mana, not that you don’t know that”

They nod in affirmation and get into formation. I take the Ornate Dragon-silver Spear and Demonic Tower of Ice shield from my inventory and give Sybil the nod to go on ahead.