The War Ranger and Battle Healer sat panting heavily with blood dripping down what was left of their tattered clothes and gear. They had just killed the boss of the third floor and it was an annoyingly hard fought battle. The boss for this floor was actually two creatures. A pair of 20 foot long and over a foot thick worms with razor sharp teeth that burrowed and attacked from underground making their attacks really hard to predict and evade.

“Damn it. This is trashed now too.” The ranger said while tossing his destroyed shield to the ground. It was his fourth piece of gear already that didn’t survive this place, and his other equipment was down at least one rank of quality at this point.

The only thing that survived somewhat unscathed for Aiden was his bow. Thankfully his accessories were made out of better material and were harder do damage so they were fine. He was now barefoot since his boots melted clean off his feet from an acid trap he stepped in on the last floor. His chest armor had holes and tears in it everywhere, along with everything else he wore.

Victoria grunted in acknowledgment as she wiped off a particularly large splotch of blood from her cheek with disgust. The first of the boss monsters in this fight had exploded after it was down to less then 10% health and had showered them both with gore and blood that tuned out to be slightly acidic and ate into their gear and health pool. Victoria had it a little better since she was further away but she still got hit with some of it.

Her gear situation was also a little better compared to her partners. She still lost a few things along the way like her gloves and leather jerkin. Her chest was now only covered by her corset and cloak. At least she still had her boots she thought while looking at Aidens bare feet.

The miserable pair looted the boss and teleported to the last floor. Aiden looked around and then slumped to the ground, with his girlfriend joining him a second later resting her head on his lap. The last five days were starting to get to them. The second floor was especially annoying, full of nothing but acid slimes and traps, making Aiden practically useless against the enemies there. The flame cyclone spell Victoria got from the first boss was a god send against the slimes, having been used so much now that it was almost level 2.

Speaking of leveling skills and spells, Battle Aura and Healing Wind both reached level 2 by now. Battle Aura now increased all stats by 2 instead of 1 for an added cost of 25 stamina. Victoria’s Healing Wind increased health restored from 50 to 75 and increased the spell’s range from 15 to 16 feet at the cost of an additional 5 Mana per cast.

The third floor which they just cleared, was basically a maze with monsters tunneling through walls and attacking them as they navigated. It took them nearly twenty hours to find the boss room and by then they were mentally exhausted, making the fight that much more difficult. Safe to say they chose not to farm on that floor.

They both managed to gain six levels since last time but that was counterbalanced somewhat by their loss of gear. Aidens sword was down a grade as well, now doing less damage then before. The weapons +5 Str boost was down to +3 now also. They were really short on arrow’s at this point with only 34 left between them, and most were only good for one more shot.

Aiden looked down to see what his partner was signing to him. ‘I want a bath’. ‘Yep,’ He thought cracking a small smile. ‘A bath would be nice right about now, and a comfortable bed’ He took out a bottle of water and used it to wash his hands and face, then handed it to Victoria to do the same. They ate a quick meal and removed their dirty clothes and gear, climbing into their sleeping bags to sleep off their exhaustion.

The next day after they had eaten breakfast, they were on their way again. The faster they cleared this place the sooner they could have that shower and comfy bed. This floor turned out to be easier for them as it’s focus was on stronger solitary enemies called ‘Abyss Hunters’. They ranged from lvl 29 to 34 and were usually alone, only rarely in groups of two or three. They made up for it with their speed and skill but they were still behind the both of them on that front.

They had to keep their wits about them while fighting them however, as it was the first time they encountered an enemy that actually fought with some measure of skill. They fought almost like experienced swordsmen except they used claws instead of swords. The closest thing they fought that came close were the Goblin warriors, but these things were much more skilled.

It was slow going but they did eventually reach the last boss room, with Vicky earning another level on the way. On their 6th day of this dungeon crawl they were finally at an end. Not wasting any time they both entered and were caught off guard as the boss attacked them almost before the door had a chance to close.

Aiden raised his sword to block the claw strike of the ‘Abyss Guardian’ before it could cleave him in two. He slid a few feet back from the strike and had to block again before he even completely stopped. This time it was an overhand claw strike and he was nearly forced to his knees from the impact. Suddenly a tail whipped from behind the creature and slammed into his side sending him tumbling across the floor.

Aiden flipped back on to his feet from his back wincing from his bruised ribs. This was already shaping up to be a tough fight. He quickly got back into the fight as the Boss had switched its focus to Victoria while he was down and she was barely holding it back. Or was until her spear snapped and the boss’s claws raked her across her chest sending her flying as Aiden had seconds before.

“Vicky! Shit!” he screamed and used Battle and Rush Aura raising his stats slightly and doubling his speed for 10 seconds. He charged up behind the Guardian and sliced a large gash in its back, followed by another. He had to duck to dodge the things tail and took a slice at its legs while it was turning to face him. He had enough time for one more strike before the boss was attacking him again.

‘This thing Is relentless. I didn’t even have enough time to check its stats before it was on me, just its name.’ Vicky was back up at this point and shooting arrows at it which was helping slightly since the thing winced every time it was hit helping him get a strike in. He ducked another swipe of its tail but the thing turned too fast and its follow up claw attack managed to send his sword flying from his hands.

Aiden rolled back and pulled the hunting knife from his boot just in time to intercept another attack. He cast Wave of Frost on it and plunged the knife into its eye socked while it was slowed. He jumped back as the thing let out a pained cry.

A second later a cyclone of flame erupted over top of it, intensifying the monsters wailing. He took the time to check its stats and quickly drank one of his last two health potions. ‘We will need to buy better potions soon, these lack the punch needed to keep up with our health pools at this point.’ 50 health points restored in 10 seconds wasn’t much, but it was better then nothing.

Dungeon Boss - Abyss Guardian: Rank (f)

lvl 40

Health 1675/2500

stamina 420/500

Mana 73/100

Vitality - 250

Endurance - 50

Strength - 65(70)

Agility - 72(77)

Dexterity - 42

Skill - 40(45)

Intelligence - 18

Wisdom - 10

Victoria quickly cast another Flame Cyclone at the thing and Aiden looked over its information while getting some distance and shooting arrows at it. He noticed it’s Mana was slowly ticking down and that some of its stat’s had bonuses. He figured it must have a boosting skill of some sort, increasing its str, agi, and skill, by 5 at the cost of a constant drain of its Mana. His thoughts were broken when the thing had apparently had enough of being cooked alive and charged out of the flames. It outran the next spell Victoria cast and was now once again approaching Aiden.

He quickly tossed his bow and brought his knife back out to intercept a flaming claw. He blocked the strike but the flames of the now Burning Guardian licked at his hands causing small burns. The thing in front of him was literately cooking but was still as ferocious as it was before, if not more so. It looked like something that crawled out of hell and was on a rampage.

Aiden could barely take it’s strikes, each one pushing him back. He still managed to get a hit in every now and then but was on the loosing end of this fight and knew it. He was already down to less then 120 health and the thing still had over 700 even with the added burn damage. Just when he wondered why Vicky wasn’t throwing a heal his way, the thing recoiled and let out an ungodly shriek.

He looked closer and noticed that Victoria was standing behind it with his discarded sword stuck halfway into its tail. Not wasting the opportunity he ran up to the thing and thrust his knife upwards into its throat and up into its skull.

He heard a ding signaling a critical hit but the thing was still alive and spun around knocking them both a few feet away. Victoria cast another Flame Cyclone from the ground, followed by another. Aiden got back up and retrieved his bow shooting his last few arrows into it adding to the damage. The Abyss Guardians shrieks finally quieted down until they got the message that it was dead.

“Congratulations! Your Party has slain lvl 40 Dungeon Boss - Abyss Guardian: Rank (f) 30,000 essence gained”

“Total essence Gained 30,000/2 = 15,000”

“You have leveled up!”

“Dungeon: ‘The descent’ cleared! 50,000 essence gained / 250 Medium grade Mana stones gained”

“Total essence Gained 50,000/2 = 25,000”

“System Shop unlocked”

“You have leveled up!”

“Your Party Member Victoria Leblanc has leveled up!”

“Your Party Member Victoria Leblanc has leveled up!”

They both breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the exit portal. The looted boss dropped 160 medium grade Mana stones which they split between them. A Rare necklace that Aiden took for himself and an upgraded version of the short bow’s they were using which Victoria claimed.

Warrior’s Necklace of Protection - (Rare) / Quality (Very Good) / Vit +5 / Str + 5 / End +5

Active Spell: Mana shield - Coalesces Mana around the user to act as a shield. Effect: Erects a protective shield around the user that can absorb up to 500 damage. Shield Duration 5 minutes. Uses (1 per day) 1/1

Hunter’s Bow - (Uncommon) / Quality (Superior) / Damage Physical: 62-67 / + 6 Skill

They left the new gear in their inventory for now and instead stripped naked and jumped into the small pool of water that was in the room. This was the first body of water they had run into since they left the first floor, and they weren’t about to waste the opportunity to get clean. They thoroughly washed themselves for a good half an hour before doing the same to their remaining gear. The clothes they took off were summarily burned.

Since the System shop was unlocked again they went on a little shopping spree. Replacing their lost gear and most of what they still had with new upgraded versions. With the 340,000+ credits they each had accumilated they went for the middle of the road variants of uncommon gear with Aiden splurging a bit and buying himself one of the lower tiered (Rare) sword’s. They also replenished their stock’s of arrow’s and other consumables. Better medium grade potions were also purchased that restored 500 hp in 10 seconds.

The pair put on fresh clothes and donned their new armor. With one last look around the cave they were in, they stepped through the portal ready for another fight, which surely waited for them on the other side.

Aiden

Weapons:

Warriors Sword of Maiming - (Rare) / Quality (Very Good) / Damage Physical: 115-120 /

+5 Str / +5 Agi / +5 skill / Cost - 95,000

Hunter’s Bow - (Uncommon) / Quality (Superior) / Damage Physical: 62-67 / + 6 Skill / Cost - 23,500

Hunter’s Arrow x100 - (Uncommon) / Quality (Good) / +6 damage / Cost - 8,000

Warriors Hunting Knife - (Uncommon) / Quality (Very Good) / Damage Physical: 40-45 9,500

Armor:

Warriors Dark leather Armor - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +18 def / + 7 Vit / Cost - 27,800

Dark Leather Greaves - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +15 def / Cost - 15,400

Dark Leather Vambraces - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +15 def / Cost - 15,400

Dark Leather gloves - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +7 defense / Cost - 9,000

Studded Dark Leather Breeches / (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +9 def / Cost - 11,000

Dark Leather Helm - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +12 def / Cost - 13,500

Dark Leather Boots - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +9 def / Cost - 10,000

Hunters Belt of Skill - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / Def +7 / + 7 Skill / Cost - 19,500

Accessories:

Ring of Agility - (Uncommon) / Quality (Very Good) / +5 Agility

Active Skill: Rush Aura - Doubles the wearers movement speed for 10 seconds at the cost of 50 Mana, 10 minute cool down. (Channel Mana into the ring to activate effect).

Ring of Frost - (Uncommon) / Quality (Good) / + 4 Int

Active spell: Frost Wave - Unleashes a wave of Frost in a 60 degree cone in the direction you point your hand. Range 10 feet. Cost 50 Mana. Cool down 10 minutes

Effect: Deal 45-50 Ice damage and slows targets for 3 seconds within the cone of effect. Channel Mana into the ring to activate effect.

Warrior’s Necklace of Protection - (Rare) / Quality (Very Good) / Vit +5 / Str + 5 / End +5

Active Spell: Mana shield - Coalesces Mana around the user to act as a shield. Effect: Erects a protective shield around the user that can absorb up to 500 damage. Shield Duration 5 minutes. Uses (1 per day) 1/1

Shrieker Fang Earring - (Uncommon) / Quality (Average) +3 Agility

Victoria

Weapons:

Hunters Spear - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / Damage Physical: 65-70 / Cost - 15,000

Hunter’s Bow - (Uncommon) / Quality (Superior) / Damage Physical: 62-67 / + 6 Skill

Hunter’s Arrow x100 - (Uncommon) / Quality (Good) / +6 damage / Cost - 8,000

Armor:

Warriors Dark leather Armor - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +18 def / + 7 Vit / Cost - 27,800

Padded Dark Leather Corset - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / + 7 def / Cost 8,000

Studded Dark Leather Leggings - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / + 9 def / Cost - 11,000

Dark Leather Helm - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +12 def / Cost - 13,500

Dark Leather Boots - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +9 def / Cost - 10,000

Dark Leather Greaves - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +15 def / Cost - 15,400

Dark Leather Vambraces - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +15 def / Cost - 15,400

Dark Leather gloves - (Uncommon) / Quality (Excellent) / +7 defense / Cost - 9,000

Cloak of the explorer - (Uncommon) / Quality (Very Good) / def +5 Agi +5

Active skill: Dark Vision (Enhanced vision in the dark allowing you to see as if it was day. Effective distance 35ft). Cost 25 Mana. Maximum Duration 1 hour. (Channel Mana into the cloak to activate/deactivate the effect.)

Uses: (3 per day) 3/3

Accessories:

Elven Ring of Healing - (Rare) / Quality (Very Good) / +5 Vit +5 Int +5 Wis

Active Skill: Healing touch (Restores 100 Health and cleanses poison and disease upon contact, at the cost of 50 Mana. 25 minute cool down. Channel Mana into the ring to activate effect)

Uses: (5 per day) 5/5

Status:

Aiden Winters: Age 22

Race Human: Rank(f)

War Ranger: lvl 24 - Mana essence: 15457/25000

Class 2: None (Unlock at Class 1 lvl 25)

Carpenter: lvl 17

Health: 860/860

Stamina: 580/580

Mana: 340/340

Defense: 58(150)

Mana Defense: 34

Vitality - 79(86)

Endurance - 58

Strength - 64(67)

Agility - 73(86)

Dexterity - 42

Skill - 50(61)

Intelligence - 39(43)

Wisdom - 34

(+3 free / +2 Vit / +1 End / +1 Str / +1 Agi per lvl)

(+1 skill from Woodworking Per level)

System credits - 72,400

Skills:

Battle Aura Lvl 2 - (20%)

Effect: Boosts all stats by 2 for 1 minute.

Cost 35 Mana and 25 stamina.

Victoria Leblanc: Age 21

Race Human: Rank(f)

Battle Healer: lvl 24 - Mana essence: 810/25000

Class 2: None (Unlock at Class 1 lvl 25)

Herbologist: lvl 14

Health: 540/540

Stamina: 390/390

Mana: 470/470

Defense: 39(136)

Mana Defense: 47

Vitality - 42(54)

Endurance - 39

Strength - 47

Agility - 62(67)

Dexterity - 32

Skill - 33(39)

Intelligence - 57(62)

Wisdom - 42(47)

(+3 free / +1 Agi +1 Str +1 Int +1 Wis per lvl)

(+1 Int from Herbology Per level)

System credits - 192,400

Spells:

Healing Wind - lvl 2 (25%)

Summons a wind infused with healing Mana over a single target.

Range 16 feet. Cast time 2 seconds.

Effect: Restore 75 hp to a single target at the cost of 30 Mana.

Flame Cyclone - lvl 1 (95%)

Unleashes a cyclone of flames in a designated location.

Spell duration: 5 seconds. Range: 25 feet. Affected area: 10 foot radius from point of origin. Cost: 100 Mana.

Effect: Deal 40-45 base Fire damage per second. High chance to set targets aflame.