“Hey Le0n, Jazz. You may want to come look at this.” Marlow spoke softly, after waking his companions in the covered wagon. By slapping their shoes.

“What time is it?” Jazz grumbled, grabbing her blanket and pulling it closer.

“I’d say time to get a watch, but I don’t think that anyone here has any for sale.” Le0n retorted, getting a weak slap from Jazz’s hand.

“Guys I really think you should see this.”

“Please give me five more minutes.”

“OH come on Jazz we would want our resident Alchemist to miss out on… uh… That’s new… Jazz you better get up here.”

“What is going... On?”

Just ahead of them on the sloopy made dirt road stoop the gates to Warwood, closed. Town’s folk stood on top of the wooden barricaded bows and slings at the ready. In the center of which stood a ginger giant, with a sword and shield to match. Beside him hunched the most geesy man to walk this forest, glass bottles in each hand.

“Stop right there!” The ginger giant yelled down to them, sword directly pointed at Marlow.

Pulling out his flute Marlow blew a tune and stopped the two carts in its tracks. As soon as the dust settled Le0n hopped out of the back and began walking towards the gate. But was stopped by an arrow.

“Hello Elder Redwood, what a lovely morning it is. Why it’s so nice today? In fact, what are you doing out here standing on that amazing gate you built while we were away!”

“WE ARE OUT HERE BECAUSE OF YOU! Making sure that none of those monsters that you’ve swore to protect us from don’t come crawling back in the middle of the night! You failed one of our mandated quests, so now we have to ration ourselves on what little food we have, with the little space we have to grow it with!”

“Ah well you see we never intended to fail one of those, which one was it by chance?”

“Ah, Traveler, yes Le0n, I’d be happy to fill that in for you.” Wheezed the geesy man.

“The quests ‘A Bugging Problem’ and ‘A Friend in Need’. For failing the first one you three travelers have been banned for Warwood, as long as you live. No matter how many times you respawn.” Le0n frowned and looked back at Marlow and Jazz shrugging.

“As for the second one-”

“I actually finished the second one!”

“What?”

“I finished ‘A Friend in Need’ quest but couldn’t find you to get the reward.” As soon as those words left Marlow’s mouth the forest grew cold.

“OH, well I.” The man stuttered, as the wind stopped blowing and the bugs stopped chirping.

“Elder Black, what is this! You said that they failed both quests you gave them! Do you really want the system slapping us with an instant dungeon effect! Quickly give them a suitable reward!” Redwood yelled as clouds rolled over the sun. Bathing them in a light shadow.

“But we have nothing of real value- I mean we can’t just hand them a war-tree-seed.” Mr Black muttered, patting his pockets, before flinging him towards the edge of the wall.

“Would you be interested in some knowledge instead of something physical! What about a map, you traveler said that you were looking for a place to set up shop no?! Or OR even some, um, um, some spell scrolls! Yes I can whip up a few spell scrolls for each of you! Or some of my old tomes! You can read, right?” Black shouted as thunder rolled under the clouds.

“What is an instant dungeon?” Marlow pondered aloud, scratching Opal on her fluffy chicken head.

“An instant dungeon is a way to punish the NPC’s of eternium for not paying out quests in a timely manner.” Jazz responded, also petting the three foot sized chicken. But pulled her hand back as soon as her fingers got too numb.

“How about all three!” Le0n shouted back, ignoring the conversation behind him. Before turning back to Marlow.

“You're alright with that right?” Getting a nod, turning back and noticed he clouds dissolving and the forest returning to is usually gusto. Facing the duo up on the wall he realized what was off.

“So what happened to dear old Aspin, did she finally kick the bucket? Also when should we come back for our reward?”

“I can get your ‘rewards’ by noon. As for Aspin she is out scaving for some food. Also since your ‘tamer’ is back tell him to take his rat horde with him. We are tired of slogging through our homes tripping over these rodents. Not to mention they may have been eating our spare grain.” Mr Black said condescendingly, while dabbing his brow.

“Great then I suppose you won’t mind us waiting here then!” Getting a sputter from Black and Redwood he turned back to the cart and joined in on the conversation Marlow and Jazz were having.

“So instant dungeons, turn everyone into some sort of monster, and the quest giver into the boss of said dungeon?”

“Yep, also the dungeon is only open to the person, guild, or organization that accepted the quest in the first place. And it only stays open for a day or two.” Jazz spoke enlightening Marlow. Ever since the battle against the ‘Hardcores’ Marlow has had trouble processing new information. Probably hit his head one too many times.

“Hey Marlow, buddy, do you think you could do me a small favor and call all your remaining rats from Warwood to us. I think we're no longer welcomed here plus they might be helpful, as we try to find a place to sleep tonight.” Le0n said, playfully punching the tamer’s leg. Getting a smile Marlow pulled out a flute, one that he stole on his way out of town. When he heard that Marlow’s old one, had the bad case of getting thrown against a wall.

A soft mellow tune flowed from the woodwind instrument. As the sound played, rats in all shapes and sizes began to pour out from the gates, over the walls, and even form the nearby shrubbery. The sight to behold was terrifying, thankfully scratch that hopefully, the rats wouldn’t betray them

Le0n shuttered remembering the ‘Hardcore’ theives that were brutally killed during the attack. Smiling, he turned to the alchemist and asked a question.

“Do you have any idea on how to work a spell scroll? Cause I sure don’t.” Getting an eye roll in return she answered.

“Spell scrolls can be used in one of two ways. Either as learning material or an instant cast. The first way the spell scroll is destroyed, but you can now cast that spell whenever. The second version is you cast the spell as is for its current maximum potential.”

“So have you ever used a spell scroll?”

“No… my teacher directed me to more useful things at that time.”

“Alright then we can take a look at them and decide whether or not to give them over to our guild for a profit.”

“Do you know where the Thunderdome guild is? I mean it’s nice being on our own, but it would be nice to put our feet up and relax. Plus I’m pretty sure there is something good in the safe Marlow stole.”

“That’s true and we are short a few members for our party and with the extra cash we have in our second cart I’m pretty sure we can kick back and have fun for a week, at least. As for finding it I have no clue.” Le0n dreamily spoke with a greedy glint in his eye. Getting back into their cart they patiently waited, by playing cards until noon.

“Travel- no I mean Beast tamer move your rats so that we can give you your reward and get out of here!” Redwoods shout at them over the ocean of rodents. Just as swiftly as they came they parted like the red sea. Keeping calm Elder Redwood and Mr Black walked over with two backpacks and dropped them in front of the cart before turning tail and running back in, slamming the gate behind them.

Spell scroll, Accelerated Plant Growth (Artificially Rare, Novie I): Casting this spell greatly increases a plant's growth, conversely this also gives the plant a shorter life span. Chance of learning this spell 1.3%.

Spell scroll, Becon (Artificially Uncommon, Novie I): Casting this spell creates a beam of light on the user or target. That reaches skyward for everyone to see. Chance of learning this spell 11.5%.

Spell scroll, Flare (Artificially Uncommon, Novie I): Casting this spell summons a small controllable ball of fire. Chance of learning this spell 88.99%.

“That’s interesting, well come on let's get going. I don’t want to see what the forest has to offer after dark.” Le0n said tucking the scrolls back into the packs. Then with a flick of a wrist they were off. The cart bouncing along the unkempt road.

“Jazz, care to explain where we're going? Or are you just gonna continue flipping that paper over and over?”

“I’m trying to understand it, but this ‘map’ has no landmarks, just hills, valleys, rivers, and a house with a skull over it.” Fed up, she collapsed the piece of paper and handed it over to Le0n. Who got an equal expression of confusion. Handing it off to the third person of the party it turned to dust as it touched his hand.

“Le0n… that’s a nice party trick now please tell me that you have the map tucked up your sleeve.”

“I-I-I don’t. Marlow, what did you do.”

“I don’t know what I did, but I can now see the map on my mini map.”

“You have a mini map now?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think you can take us to that location?”

“Yeah?”

“Okay, let us know when we get there….” Nodding he turned back to Jazz already peeking at the book she had popped open ‘Becoming one with the wild, Book one’ Yesh. What other cheesy book did they throw in and think they could get away with. ‘Finding Yourself, Book two’ and ‘Aligning the stars, Book three’. What kind of books were these? Probably some kind of book series a nerd in a basement would write.

Meanwhile Marlow was having the time of his life. Sure Opal had been a bit too clingy lately but then again. She was kept in a cage and had some feathers plucked. By those nasty people. Gwaner was already regaling their tale of their trip to the other rats, probably, maybe, he didn’t know he didn’t speak ‘squeek squeek’.

No, the thing he was happy about was the fact that he had just figured out how to choose a champion! It was after all how he was supposed to progress with his Beast Master class now.

Champions are the one true signature trait of the Beast Master. They are also the only way they progress. There are currently 12 of 12 Champions slots available. When choosing a Champion be sure to pick the best of the best for once a slot is taken, it can only be regained when one of your Champions falls. Recommendations are: Opal, The first Companion. Gwaner, Squeak Squad. And Buttercup, Ain’t Nothing Gonna Stop Me. Cost one beast core of minimum common quality for each Champion conversion. (Cores available: 1 Rare, 3 Uncommon 8 Common)

Shrugging he chose all three and made them champions. For a second nothing changed, then another passed. Then it began.

Buttercup halted as new muscles clenched in shock as its reins snapped off as its girth grew and became too tight to bear. The tug buckle flew off to the side. Stomping her hooves the gunk and overgrown toenails and weeks of gunk vanished, replaced with clean polished pristine hooves.

Gwaner screeched as information was poured into his beastly mind. New words that he didn’t have terms came and went through his head leaving their mark on the rat pack leader.

Opal feather’s one tipped with a light pink were now pure white. The once numbing, now felt like a drain which was now felt by all. Her thin stacher body was now thickening with muscle and fluff.

Processing… Success!… Success!… Success!… Three New Champions; Opal, Gwaner, and Buttercup are now tamed cored beasts. Note any beast can develop a core and even change its quality over time, but Champion beasts are not only cored but gain additional effects for working under a Beast Master. (Cores Remaining: 1 Uncommon 8 Common)

Opal’s Spell ‘Mana Absorption’ has changed to ‘Mana Drain’. Gwaner’s Skill ‘Persuasion’ has changed to ‘Commanded’. Buttercup’s size has increased by 35% and stamina related skills now cost 5% less.

“Holy- AAA!” The cart was suddenly upended as Buttercup, startled by her sudden growth spurt and snapping of wood. Kicked Marlow squarely in the chest, sending him flying through the cart. Into the rat mob behind them.

Opal sat calmly then blurred to action, finding more energy to go and do something. Jazz suddenly slumped over, no longer having up access to her mana.

Le0n watched in shock as the rats reacted as if this was the plan all along. Moving out of the way of the kicked human, before it even landed. Swiftly moving to surround the large pony, preventing it’s escape. Rat’s that attempted to surround the active chicken fell ill, losing consciousness as their mana winked out.

“Is everyone alright?” Getting a pair of moaning ‘no’s’ Le0n first checked on Jazz. Finding color already returning to her face. Jumping off the cart he gave Marlow a hand up.

“You mind explaining what happened there?”

“Yes. Just give me a second. I got the wind. Knock out of me. I got to my first class specialization. Which allows me to make a few of my select pets. Powerful. I was bored and goofed off with my new settings and fiddled around then, well this happened.”

“Next time you do it could you, maybe do it away from anyone.”

“Agh! I’m, so, so, sorry Jazz I didn’t know it would end up like this.” Marlow rushed to Jazz’s side.

“It’s alright, but you got to tell your chicken to turn off that stuiped effect. Not a lot of people have access to their mana, or just don’t know how to use it. So having it be pulled out of their body's quite uncomfortable. Definitely useful when fighting magic users tho.”

“Ok, I’ll try. Le0n could you help me if this gets out of hand?” Getting a nod from the man, Marlow closed his eyes. Pulling his new flute from his pocket he played the note which meant calm. Which sent his pets into a soft stillness.

Stepping forward he pictured Opal calming down. Then blowing into the flute he tried to convey his intended with the music. But Opal in her high energy state refused, continuing to run around pecking the grass indiscriminately.

Breathing in and out he tried again coming closer. Opal was intelligent, why was she so frantic then? Adjusting his grib he played the note again. Rolling a sleeping rat with his foot he came closer. As he did, a feeling of vertigo tore from his heart.

Pressing forward he played the note intermittently whenever he could get feeling back into his lips. Tripping over his feet was the only thing that caught the hyperactive bird’s attention. Causing a new feeling in the little bird brain, concern.

How did this to Master? Wasn't the Master strong? Why are Big Rat’s friends laying down? Why wasn’t everyone moving? Why isn't the Master getting up? Oh I hope I haven’t disappointed the Master, that means I get no scratches!

These thoughts ratted Opal’s small mind sending waves of anxiety through the small being. But was quickly calmed as the voice of the world spoke to her.

Spell: Mana Drain (Active) (Beginner I): Pulling in the ambient lose energy around yourself and into the actions you perform for 6n per second, current radius 2n, where n = skill level. Would you like to turn off the spell? Yes / No

Instantly the strain Marlow and the rats were under vanished. Feeling returned to their bodies and they rose lazely. Breathing heavily Marlow shouted back that the effect was off. Heading back to the broken Marlow the three of them began making plans on how to salvage it.

“AIEEE YAAAAHH!” A new voice thundered from off the beaten path.

“Fear not travelers, for I am the great Flint- OH MY UAGH!” Came the booming voice as it was promptly swallowed by a swarm of rats. Drawing his flute Marlow played a note that sent the rats into hiding. Leaving a bleeding and bitten knight laying there off in the underbrush on the side of the road.

“OH my goodness dude are you alright!” A swordsman said dashing over to his fallen comrade.

“Oh he’ll be fine, I’m more worried about that pied piper over there. Sorry we didn’t mean to scare you! We just saw the rats and thought that you were endangered!” A Nun yelled walking smoothly between the large bushes.

“I think that's far enough!” Le0n responded, bow and arrow in hand.

“OH wow dude that is like so not cool.”

“I think that’s a fair reaction. I am Luz, Champion of goddess lux. That is Flint, Defender of the weak. Then there’s Chad. We are of the guild Thunderdome. Who might you three be?”

“I am Le0n, son of L0le. This is Jazz, crafter of potions. That is Marlow, Fueler of nightmares. We are also of the guild Thunderdome.”

“Oh… well what have you found on your journey friend. Our guild has found a castle large enough to fit everyone in it. Let us show you the way, brother in arms.” Luz gave a salute, before motioning them this way. Off of the path.

“But our carts!”

“Flint, Chad go help Marlow with the carts, I believe I need to inform our mighty guild leader’s son about what happened while he was gone.”