At the Inn, Gordon and his party are discussing their growth and their most recent expedition into the dungeon.

"Gordon. You really have to stop annoying Miss Sophie." The Fire Mage is sitting on a chair and points out the single consistency from each one of the delves. She doesn't want to single out her friend and party member, but sometimes these conversations need to be had.

"I'm not doing it on purpose, Felicity. I just... I don't think she likes me." Gordon lets out a sigh. He knows full well that he gets under their guide/mentor's skin, even if he doesn't mean to.

"Don't be silly. You're very charming," The Rogue chuckles "You just need to spend a little more time studying and educating yourself. That's all."

"That's easy for you to say, Rian. I just... I find it hard to remember certain details. That's the problem." Opening up to his friends, Gordon explains what they both already know.

"Well we're not going anywhere. Once a party, always a party. We've got your back, Gordon."

"Yeah. We can make up for each other's shortcomings and if not we can take it slower. We could always do what Miss Sophie said as well."

Rian and Felicity both voice their opinions on the subject and it warms the Warrior's heart knowing his friends care.

"Thanks guys. Anyway, how are your levels looking after training?" Having earned a level outside the city in one of the scouting parties and increasing a few of his skills at the Coliseum, Gordon is curious to know how his fellow party members have done.

"My level hasn't changed," Felicity answers bitterly before perking up with "but my spells have gotten a lot stronger thanks to learning how to not waste mana during my cast. Also, my flames are so much more deadly. Those Necromancers at the guild really know their stuff!"

"I'm almost ready to take my class advancement. I won't go through it yet though. Not until we're all ready to tier up together," Rian says with a large grin from the corner of the room, earning himself a scowl from Felicity.

"What? How have you levelled up so fast? We haven't been in the dungeon for a few days? Did you go in with someone else?" Gordon asks, worried that his friend's words and actions mean two different things. He was also a little deflated that he seems to have the weakest out of the three.

"Don't be ridiculous. Like I'd go in with anyone other than you two goons. The guild has... other methods to help their initiates level up. The Guard takes you out into the forest to clear out monsters, right?" Gordon nods. The last expedition into the woods had proven to be quite beneficial once they found their target. However, it wasn't quite as fruitful as Rian's had been apparently. "We do... something similar."

"I should have chosen to be a Rogue," Gordon pouts, before quickly adding "Only for the levels, mind you." His friends laugh and he joins them. He couldn't ask for better companions and wouldn't change them for the world.

"What do we think of a new party member then? I'm not exactly opposed to the idea, but I'd like to know what your thoughts are." Gordon asks the question on everyone's mind. None of them has stopped thinking about it since Sophie offered the suggestion.

"As long as they're brighter than you, I don't mind," Rian jokes while continuing to laugh.

"We should get a strategist or a healer. Or maybe someone with a good memory," Felicity adds, digging Gordon verbally and nodding in agreement to herself.

"I don't think that's a class, but we can ask. Other than that, is there anything else we need to go over before we go back into the dungeon tomorrow?" Shaking it off, Gordon takes it like a man and continues the meeting.

"Oh, yes! You really do have to stop annoying Miss Sophie." Felicity reiterates her earlier comment and Rian bursts out in a fresh bout of laughter.

"I know, I know. I'll study more, damn it!" The red-faced Warrior yells.

Gordon, Felicity and Rian.

Adventurer Party A

Dungeon Stories Volume 3

Another day passed and ended at dinner with Anya and Me, making way for another morning that once more blessed Varona with its tranquil rays of golden juice.

Ah life. How sweet the nectar of yesterday's efforts can taste.

Future Abi, a.k.a the present me, is wondering what happened to all the problems that past Abi conveniently decided to leave for herself. Seeing as how they still haven't sprung their heads though, I'm going to take today as another win and move on. I'm definitely not going to go out of my way to remember them, that's for sure.

Sometimes I wonder how long I will be able to keep control of my sanity when life is a constant mixture of ups and downs.

Frankly, we've had quite a lot of highs recently and I'm happy with how everything is progressing. Due to that fact, I can't help but dwell on the miserable state I was back in the beginning of my second life. The Dungeon Core that just wanted to be human again. That was the only thing on my mind. A constant longing for something more physical.

If I wouldn't have had Me around to talk to and to help me out, I don't know how I would have managed to cope. Not that cope is the right word for what I went through. It was more akin to stumbling around in the dark while stress panicking if I'm being honest.

The story of my life. Learning only after making a mistake... or three and needing every bit of help I can get. Thankfully, I was and still am surrounded by the support network I so desperately needed.

Hugging my assortment of cute and cuddly stuffed animals as though Marie is still on the prowl, I watch as smoke begins to rise from chimneys around the city as my citizens also rise from their slumber. The people that I depend on to supply me with the means to continue creating features. The ones that they in turn will use and benefit from, bringing more joy and enjoyment in life. Thus bringing in more DP and again funding more purchases to keep the wheel turning.

We're all just cogs in the machine that keeps the dungeon city running.

Not that they know that piece of crucial information. As long as they're happy, healthy and able to walk around with a smile on their face, however, then there isn't really a problem. An untold truth isn't technically a lie.

Anyway, The Adventurers Guild is today's first job as I had already spent-up yesterday. Meaning my overdue and latest feature had to wait an extra day for its spectacular debut.

There is still space around the fountain in the center of town for one last building of importance and the guild fits the criteria soundly. Without a doubt it will create a lot more foot traffic and with the location being just off the main high street, will probably create more commerce too.

Not that that was my aim, even if it does benefit us profusely. All that type of business is left in the capable hands of Kana, Sacha and the rest of the council.

In my ever-lengthening list of available features, not that any of the options I have are currently unavailable, guilds available for purchase that don't start with ridiculous names have instead only grown in size.

Not that I would have minded. I've grown attached to the system-chosen naming program that's derived from my own thoughts as some of them are far better than anything I can come up with on the spot. Granted some are on the opposite end of the spectrum, but after a few upgrades they generally turn into something decent.

Anyway, the Adventurers Guild.

With the center of Varona visible from my tower at the Academy of Dark Arts, I can see the fountain and the spot where my new feature will be placed from here. A quick teleport puts me next to the water feature in the empty square and in less than a minute I'm finished.

The new building takes up the space between the City Council and the Mages Guild and as per the normal looks exquisite. Maybe a little too exquisite for an Adventurers Guild.

Stone steps lead up to the front of the building. A large stone archway, its weight supported by stone columns underneath, leads to the entrance. Dark-red double doors, on it, the Adventurers guild's insignia -a sword, shield and bow in a bold gold- open the way to the spacious area inside.

Tables and chairs are on the left for parties to sit down and discuss quests. There's also a bar inside, but it's nothing compared to Talia's. Multiple notice boards for quests to be pinned on line the wall to the right with a reception area directly ahead. To the side of the reception desk is a stairwell that leads upstairs. Offices, soon to be filled with paperwork and busy staff in the near future. Meeting rooms, more lavish than I would have expected, fill the entire floor but one. The guild master's room is easily identifiable as soon as you reach the landing because it has a completely different door and frame than all the rest.

The guild itself is leaps and bounds above the one in Orad and any of the others I've seen for that matter. Maybe I should have stopped upgrading it after the second time?

Never mind.

Looking like the long-lost cousin to the Royal Halls of Regeneration, but at only a fraction of the size. The Adventurers Guild is a nice addition to the center of town and one I'm extremely happy with.

Simon might not be too thrilled about it. Depending on how my citizens feel about entering a dungeon after they get classed up will be the deciding factor. To be honest though, I think poor Simon is going to have his work cut out for him. Seeing as how my dungeon is unregulated, untaxed and you get to keep whatever you find inside, the rest of the unclassed youth will probably dive at the chance. Probably even some of the older generation.

With the guild complete I move on to my second task, spending points until I hit my allocated reserves. Which still doesn't take very long. It took a lot longer than it was half a year ago, lasting me the better part of an hour, but draining the purse is easy no matter the currency.

Especially when my purchases cost 1000DP a pop.

After emptying the pool, which was fun but dull, the rest of day was spent in the company of Anya while also occasionally boasting of my spending spree to Me.

Less DP makes for a happy Me.

As another serene day in Varona comes to a close, I teleport to my tower and smile madly into my futon. I can't help but be happy. Life's just the best right now. I roll around with my silent compatriots until the noise below garners my attention.

Looking down at the crowd leaving the Academy, the evening classes finishing for the day, everyone is as happy and lively as I feel. Smiles are given and pleasantries exchanged as they leave the building, on to whatever else the evening holds for them.

Quite a few will probably end up at Talia's I suspect, but a stiff drink to wash down the day is a good choice to make. Especially if I'm benefiting from it. Some will find themselves at Ali's for the late-evening rush, others may head to their guilds to seek further training or even categorization.

After watching the excitable clusters of apprentice Mage and Magus bustle their way to their destinations, for some reason I find that Orad is still at the center of my thoughts. Even though I've been a Dungeon Core for almost a year now, I can't help but feel awkwardly homesick. Though the village has completely changed and the one person that made it feel like a home now lives in Varona with me, it's still a strange feeling nonetheless.

That's not to say I would change who I've become, or what I am now. If I was somehow able to go back to how it was before, I wouldn't. Since becoming able to walk, talk and engage with the residents of Varona, my life has improved significantly.

Not to mention the power in my hands is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I haven't dared to test myself properly yet, but I'm sure it will be high on the something-else scale. In truth, I'm a little scared.

Going from human to Dungeon Core and then back into human, but in the top-tier body I created for myself, was so fucking weird. It was amazing because I'm literally me again, but I'm so fucking strong it's scary.

I can feel the strength and power that courses through my body. It's like blood pumping hard after a good workout only constant. This new power, however, is only needed for one reason. For the protection of Varona and the people and family that live here.

Until that day comes though, the best thing to do is to ignore it for now.

Just forget the fact that I could be able to destroy an army single handedly with only a flick of my wrist.

Ignorance is bliss.

Or so they say.