Sharon and Lauren exchanged glances that turned into a mutual nod, though Sin continued to glare.

Mitch flashed a mercenary smile. "And if this is anything at all like the game, then clearing this anomaly will net us a shit-ton of experience. And once we tear free the jewel and close the rift, we'll have prime materials for forging a wicked artifact of our own, one day, or selling it to what passes for a mages guild in Greyspeak for a shit-ton of gold."

Sharon's eyes widened at this. "I could make us a killer artifact, and gain a crap-ton of experience while doing it!"

Sin smirked. "You sure as hell aren't carving up our prize as a second level Enhancer, Sharon. But Mitch said the magic words. If it nets us a crap ton of gold and experience, then maybe this madness is worth the risk." He nodded at the group. "Alright, you have your scout. Now we just need a plan for the next batch of magma assholes that will be chasing after us."

Jack took a deep breath, ignoring the sudden pounding of his heart when he made himself speak up. “I’m certainly willing to take point, just ahead of our tanks. Any trouble like what we faced? I’ll spray to hinder or slay. Just be ready to run back the way we come in, since kiting works well with these bastards. And if we can actually pull them to the point they come out in this drizzle, our win is all but assured.”

Mitch nodded. “I’ll cover your left flank, Jacob our right. If things get hot and heavy, Jacob will cover for the girls as they retreat. I’ll Shield Smash and Mighty Blow our targets if they get past you one at a time, Jack. If things get heavy, Jacob gives the signal, and we charge back the way we came exactly five seconds after the others jet. Sound good?”

Jack smiled. “Just like old times,” he said, his mind put to ease by the strangely familiar tactics, certain he had both played and lived group delves very much like the ones they were about to undergo.

Mitch grinned. “Isn’t it?” He looked Sin’s way. “Anything else?”

Sin smiled, radiating deadly competence. “We all know our roles.” He turned to Jack. “You did us a good turn, so you’re in. But don’t expect anything more than a standard share, same as the rest of us.”

"Sounds fair to me," said Jack.

“Good. Then we have no problems.” Without another word, Sin turned on his heel and entered the dungeon.

Perception check: Failed!

Fading to shadows between one heartbeat and the next, and Jack saw no trace, no matter how carefully he looked.

Jacob grinned. “Something else, isn’t he? Come on, let’s see what goodies await!”

And within seconds Jack found himself delving even further into Regio, the very air seeming to squeeze against his flesh before he popped through.

You have successfully entered a pocket realm. Plane Walker is now Novice Rank 3.

The odd disconnect, that pressure against his soul immediately eased as he found himself in what looked to be an old squared off mining tunnel, very much like what he would have seen in tourist trips through old mining towns, a lifetime ago. Of course the wooden support shafts he expected were of uniform stone construction, covered in sigils glowing a deep shade of amber.

Moving almost as if in trance, Jack found his finger tracing one of the runes.

“Secrets lost to Regio and Time, shine bright once more, your knowledge mine.”

“Jack, what are you doing?” asked Mitch when he hissed and pulled back, his finger throbbing almost as much as his head.

Congratulations! You have learned the Rune Resilience! A favorite of Dwarven Smiths and Engineers the world over, this rune brings out and magnifies the natural beneficial properties of any metal or stone! This is your first Elemental Rune. To scribe this rune is to expend a bit of your life force, much like with a bloodrune, and the duration is permanent, until the destruction of said artifact.

Brilliant green eyes peered into Jack’s own. “Are you okay?” Asked a concerned Lauren. “I really hope you are, because we’re kind of fucked without you.”

Jack grinned, taking a grateful sip of the flask she handed him. “Yeah. Just imprinting a rune.”

This immediately got Sharon’s attention. “You’re a Rune Forger?” She flashed a brilliant smile. “An Enhancer’s best friend.” She frowned at the support post. “It’s complementary magic to what we do, and would require me to split my focus to master. How expensive was the perk to pick up for you?”

Jack shrugged. “Didn’t cost me any perk points. I don’t have a class yet. I found a chalk obfuscation rune on a goblin my father and I took out a few weeks back. The skill just sort of came to me after that.”

Sharon whistled. “You picked it up that fast? Without investing perk points or training up your basic skills over weeks or months? Lucky you. Looks like you got the makings of a mage and a rune forger both. I’m almost jealous.”

“Or he could go for a cleric or healer type class,” said Lauren. “God knows we could use more of them, even if Jacob can get his Healing Hands perk next level. Like the saying goes...”

“You can never have too many healers,” Jack finished. “I know. I always made sure we had two in my old delving group as well.”

Lauren nodded. “As long as you get your skills up to… what rank did you need again? Whatever, you’ll know it when you get it, and you can pick an advanced class!”

Jack grinned. “Journeyman Rank one is the minimum mastery needed in a skill or spell if you want to select an advanced class off it, outside your starter zone. That shoots up to Adept Rank 1 if you want to pick a second class, or be able to pick cross-class perks.” Not for the first time, he was glad he had opened up as many classes as he had while in Hidden Grove, and he could only hope that his status as a former immortal who was now walking the Path of Peril just might open up class possibilities different from the norm.

Mitch turned back, his powerful frame twisting about with surprising grace, intense gaze nothing like the easy demeanor he had shown after they had survived their battle outside. “You okay, Jack?”

Jack wordlessly nodded, pushing back his wandering thoughts, snapping back into the moment.

“Good. Try to stay focused, alright, kid? We’re now in enemy territory, and a mistake could kill us.”

Jack flushed, immediately taking his position by his companion’s side, Ice Shield and Elemental Armor cuirass and helm recast and in place once more, a Waterspout spell on the tip of his tongue to cast when and if needed.

He resolved not to let himself get distracted any more, knowing all too well that this was no game. Their lives were on the line. He did smile as he gazed through his translucent shield, noting it was both thicker than ever and easier to cast, as was his armor, leaving more of his base mana free than ever. Which was a good thing, he thought, considering they were now in the home of those deadly golems of stone and flame.

“Guys, check this out!” Said an excited looking Jacob, peering at a brilliantly glowing ruby-like orb that seemed not so much buried in the stone wall as budding free of it. Jacob frowned, unable to pull it free, despite his considerable strength.

Mitch smirked. “Your strength is decent enough, buddy, but obviously no match for that ruby-blossom.”

Jacob rolled his eyes. “Well then you do it, mister Olympic.”

Mitch chuckled. “Not quite there yet. Ask me in a couple more levels, though," he said as approached, his powerful muscles bulging as he tried to pop the blossom free of its mother stone.

Sharon rolled her eyes. “You guys are being idiots. There’s bound to be a pick here on some half-forgotten skeleton that will allow us to work it free, assuming we don’t accidentally break it. Which would be bad.” She shuddered. “Very bad. Unless one of you guys has an affinity to flame I don’t know about?”

Jack blinked. “An affinity to flame?”

Sharon nodded. “We already know you’re something of a water mage, or at least have the aptitude to become one, and I remember hearing that water magic often correlates with healing, but that might have been a Wuxia novel I once read. I don’t know how true that is here. But only an Elementalist would be able to...” she blinked, rendered momentarily speechless when Jack almost effortlessly plucked the strange looking ruby blossom free.

It really did resemble a jeweled flower, Jack thought, seeming to pulse in his hand, as if resonating with the fire magics his mentor had catalyzed within him.

In less than a single hours time.

Jack shook away his momentary reverie, pulling his entranced eyes away from the ruby blossom in his hand to catch his companion’s wondering gazes.

“How did you do that?” Jacob asked.

“What, pluck it free? It was simple. I just fed it some of my warmth.”

The paladin frowned. “That makes no sense.”

Jack was about to answer before realizing Jacob was right. “Well, the bottom line is, we have it,” said Jack. "Shall we continue on?”

“Shit. What’s that crap about not having a class? With affinity for opposing magics, he’s clearly an Elementalist,” Sharon murmured.

“Not important,” said Mitch, clapping Jack’s shoulder. “As long as he can help us fight off the baddies, he’s all good in my book. And if he can help us collect? All the better.” He flashed Jack a friendly smile, holding out his hand. “If you wouldn’t mind… I’m sort of the designated loot man, seeing as I managed to hit 18 strength with my level 2 bonuses.”

Jack’s eyes widened, duly impressed. “Wow. That puts you at what, the top half of one percent of people?”

Mitch nodded in approval when Jack handed over his prize without complaint. “Thanks for the trust. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you get your fair cut,” he said, carefully putting the gem away in the sturdy backpack with reinforced straps that he wore. “And yeah, like I said, the massive stat bonuses I got for playing the class I kicked ass in for years as a gamer came with definite perks. Next level I’ll be at Silver Medal Olympic level if I can actually boost it to 19. Alright, enough of that. Sin’s giving us the signal. It’s clear for us to move up the tunnel.”

With those words they began proceeding forward at a cautious pace, Jack carefully eyeing his surroundings, on the lookout for treasure and trouble both. And though his heart raced with excitement whenever they came across another support shafts covered in Dwarven Sigils, all the runes were mirrors of the one he had already claimed. But when he caught sight of a second ruby blossom flashing with a brilliant inner flame, it was indeed another treasure he could claim, and no one begrudged him the moments he spent plucking it free, sensing the elemental power trapped within.

Soon the straight mining tunnel opened into a giant natural cavern, with stalactites and stalagmites both, the air hot and damp and smelling of limestone.

Jack carefully eyed the massive chamber, somewhat thrown off by the odd red-tinted light that the moss covering the entire ceiling gave off, obviating the need for torches, though it was a bit disorienting.

Jack flinched as he felt a powerful hand grip his shoulder. “There. Southwest corner. Do you see them?” Whispered Sin into his ears.

Jack shivered, but forced a nod. “Three of them, standing still as statues before an arched entrance 30 or so paces away.”

“That’s right. So here’s the plan. The girls, Jacob and I will stay here. You slink on over there with Mitch. He can Charge or Shield bash any fucker that gets to close while you guys run back. Sharon will cast her orb of Dissolution at whichever one’s in the lead, chasing you guys back.”

Sharon frowned. “It’s not your call, Sin.”

Sin’s eyes flashed. “What’s wrong with my plan, Sharon? Pissed your boyfriend didn’t think of it first?”

“Look, just fuck off and do your job, Sin. You scout, we fight, Jacob plans. Just like we agreed.”

Sin’s scowl deepened, then Jacob raised a placating hand.

“That is what we agreed, babe, but you know I’m open to suggestions from everyone. Sin’s plan sounds solid. I’m okay running with it, unless anyone has a better idea?”

Sharon scowled but eventually shook her head.

“Good. It’s settled. I’ll keep an eye out for trouble on our flanks. The rest is up to you guys.”

Mitch turned to Jack. “Are you ready?”

Jack grinned, glad the momentary tension had passed, already feeling the thrill of hunting prey far beyond his nonexistant level. “As I’ll ever be. Let’s go.”

Stealth Check successful! You are now within 15 paces of your target.

Stealth Check failed! 2 Igneous Homunculi have spotted you from 7 paces!

But Jack had already raised his hand as the hideous monsters of fire and stone opened their strange craggly mouths and shrieked their tea-kettle screech. But before they could make it more than 3 paces, Jack was already spraying them down with a flood of water, pleased to see Geyser only costing him 2 mana per second instead of 3.

He squeezed Mitch’s arm who instantly understood, backing away with him, hand on Jack’s shoulder, subtly leading him back so Jack could focus all his attention on spraying the lead golemns in their face.

Geyser has critically hit Igneous Homunculus! Target has perished. Experience earned!

Geyser has critically hit Igneous Homunculus! Target has perished. Experience earned!

Two stone heads abruptly exploded in steam, the craggly bodies shattering on impact as they stumbled over. The third target had actually raised its arms, losing one, and Jack almost stumbled over before Mitch suddenly flashed before him, his powerful frame smashing the golem off its feet, Jack centering his balance and immediately spraying it til it shattered just as the others had.

Geyser has critically hit Igneous Homunculus! Target has perished. Experience earned for assisted kill!

Finesse check failed! You have slipped on Slime Puddle!

Jack grinned at a now drenched Mitch. “Awesome teamwork.”

His companion grinned back, eyes suddenly widening. “Jack, your leg!”

And that’s when Jack felt slimy tendrils snake against his flesh, the puddle of slime he had slipped on being anything but a simple puddle as a swarm of puce-colored tendrils greedily wrapped around his legs.

“Ignis Fons!” Jack screamed, having seen too many movies about alien slimes and blobs to dare take any chances, even if he ended up frying himself.

Much to his relief, the second those slimy tendrils felt the lick of flame, they snapped back into the puddle at Jack’s now burning feet.

“Shit!” Jack hissed before soaking down his thankfully only slightly scorched leather boots.

He scurried back in a fright, before glaring down at the pool of green slime.

“I don’t think so,” he hissed. “Ignis Fons!” He roared, grinning fiercely as hot flame blazed down upon the now madly bubbling pool of nastiness, half a dozen tendrils suddenly whipping out, smashing him back, though immediately pulling away as John snarled and continued to blaze.

Less than 10 mana remaining.

Before abruptly cutting off his jet and stumbling back to his companions.

“What the hell, man?” Mitch said. “That was nasty!”

“And now it’s dead,” snapped Sharon, glaring at the seared and smoking puddle of slime, now oozing away from them as fast as it could along the tunnel floor.

“Nameless depths which seethe and yearn, grant my foe the gift of dissolution from which he may never return!”

Immediately a half dozen glowing green balls flashed through the air before exploding against the slime, the creature giving off one supersonic screech Jack only sensed as an acute pain in his inner ear before it shriveled and died.

Congratulations! You have aided in the destruction of 1 Trapper Slime. Experience Earned!

Firestream is now Apprentice Rank 2!

Geyser is now Apprentice Rank 3!

“Nice kill,” Jack said, delighting in Sharon’s throaty chuckle.

“I couldn’t let you hoard all the experience,” she teased.

Jack blinked. “Experience isn’t split evenly between us, since we’re fighting as a party?”

Sharon shrugged. “I’m not even sure to what extend our individual actions count. I only know I wanted in on that kill.”

“Good enough,” said Jack, “though its strange that a creature vulnerable to flame was here in the same room as those other creatures.”

“Maybe not,” said Mitch. “I’ve seen more than a few rat-like creatures scurrying around in here that would serve as perfect sustenance for a slime, and this room is pretty damp. Steamy, even. I’m surprised the Flamers were as tolerant to the humidity as they were, considering what cold elemental water does to them.”

But Jack was hardly paying attention, eyes carefully searching for any further jewel blossoms, feeling a jolt of excitement when he caught sight of a familiar sparkle.

Fire blossom successfully harvested.

Mitch nodded approvingly when Jack handed over his prize. “We’re getting a nice hall today, Jack, thanks in no small part to you. I think you’ll be happy with how much silver were going to make off all this when we get back to Greyspeak, Jack.”

“Silver? More like gold,” Sin said, appearing as always from nowhere. “You boys and girls done hunting and harvesting? Because the corridor winds for quite a bit, and we have one more major room to pass before things get really interesting.”

Jack looked Sin’s way. Something about the man’s gaze. “Boss monster?”

Sin chuckled softly. “You’ll see.”

And see they did, after making their way down numerous winding corridors of limestone, dolomite, and gypsum rock, Jack always on the lookout for fresh jewels, beasts, or slime, but nothing out of the ordinary could be seen other than mundane looking stone tunnels and the curious blue glowing moss lighting their way from the rooftop stalactites.

Jack frowned at Sin, wondering just how far ahead their objective was

The Nighstalker abruptly stopped, in the middle of the corridor, raising his hand. “Look above you,” he said.

Jack hissed when he peered at the giant slime latched to several stalactites.

Jack felt a cold child race down his spine.

The perfect ambush predator for these caverns.

Sin peered intently at Jack. “I can cloak myself from any threat. Can you say the same?”

Jack shook his head.

Sin smirked. “I’d be surprised if you could. As soon as it senses your heat, it will drop, and odds on it will take out half the party.”

He turned to glare at Lauren. “There. I just saved your life. Had I not left that little Golem deathtrap, you’d all be gasping for air that’d never come, that slime burning off your face before crawling down your throat and eating you all from the inside out.”

Lauren paled, lowering her gaze.

“Chill, Sin, she gets it. I told you we were cool,” Jacob said.

Jack glared at the vile trap that thought it could take their lives so easily. “Get back,” he said, glaring at the creature just above and ahead of them, carefully keeping out of range even as he jerked up his hand, imagining his hot bitter flames burning brighter than ever as it exploded from his hand.

Fire Stream Lightly Singes target! This spell cannot be boosted until Journeyman Ranks reached.

Jack glared up at the now quivering puddle of slime, tendrils lashing where Jack had just barely scorched it. The group carefully backed away as the slime slowly tried to ooze toward them from the ceiling.

Jack scowled, hating the thought of backtracking as much as he both loathed and dreaded the horror trying to creep above their heads.

“Mitch!” Lauren squeeled as she stumbled back, her man effortlessly bracing her.

“Let’s play it safe!," Jack said. "Everyone except Mitch, please dash back a good ways, with eyes above. Mitch? I have an idea.”

His companion’s furrowed brows soon transformed to expressions ranging from amused to impressed as Jack explained his idea.

“You sure about this, Jack?” said Mitch, powerful hands on Jack’s ankles.

Finesse check made!

“You best,” said Jack. “If you’re finesse is all the way up to 15, you’re more dexterous than 95% of us. Hopefully you’ll keep me steady and keep your footing as well. You know the plan?”

Without wasting any words, Mitch raised Jack up another six or so feet, Jack keeping his balance even as glared at the caustic bubbling pile of slime whipping tendrils back and forth among the stalactites, Jack glad his elemental helm would protect his own skull if he cracked his head against them while Mitch was gripping him.

“Let’s try this again, slime,” Jack said, grinning fiercely as the massive pocket of slime let out an audible screech before bursting into caustic flame, Jack pouring every ounce of juice he had at it, delighting in seeing it shrivel and fold.

Skillcheck made!

Barely blocking with his shield in time as a whole nest of tendrils smashed into him, trying to wrench him close, as if eager to consume him even as it burned away.

Jack immediately discorporated the Ice Shield, hunching his body low. “Move, move, move!” Jack screamed, Mitch immediately sprinting back, catching Jack by his pants before he could topple over.

A couple moments later, the pair of them were gazing at the pool of shrieking slime, whipping blazing tentacles back and forth that had fallen to the ground.

“Shit,” Mitch said, eyes widening as it began oozing toward them.

“Steady walk back,” Jack said. “I’ll need a bit to recharge my mana.”

Mitch nodded, and the pair returned to the anxious looking crew, eyes widening as they saw the massive burning slime make its way around the bend.

“Move,” Mitch curtly demanded, everyone immediately heading back the way they came at a loose jog, feeling a huge sense of relief when they emerged back in the cavernous room they had so recently left, Jack now habitually keeping an eye out above as well as below, just in case.

Caution suits you! Perception permanently raised 1 point!

“What the hell,” Jacob said. His pale face had turned chalky white. He was visibly trembling, though tried to hide it, a concerned looking Sharon holding his hand, squeezing him close for all tha he was covered in armor.

Sin smirked. “What’s wrong, fearless leader? Afraid of a little slime?”

Jacob glared. “Not funny, Sin. Not funny at all.”

Sin laughed. “I personally I think its hilarious.”

“That’s because you can Shadow Step out of any hold, even slime's, even the belly of a fucking dragon, supposing it swallowed you before chewing, once you hit high enough level. You’re every grappler’s worst nightmare,” Mitch said.

“You could be right,” declared their grinning rogue, before turning to Jack. “You recharged yet?”

Jack nodded, surprised Sin had gotten it without a word being said to the group, but they had all played this game before, even if a lifetime before.

Before it all turned real.