Dante without looking back told Nathan and Herald, "Hop on my back and hold on tight." Dante said as he leaned forward.

"Well this takes carrying your teammate to another level." Herald said eliciting a laugh from Dante and Nathan.

"Get on or you miss the ride." Dante said firmly even with the smile and laughter still upon his lips. After a moment of hesitation they complied.

As soon as they were on he could hear the sounds of fighting taking place several hundred feet away.

Dante crossed his arms over his chest as he firmly grabbed one of Nathan's and one of Herald's arms.

In a moment he was off to the races.

Congratulations! Running has leveled up! Lvl. 4...

Dante drew close to the lions that now up close he could tell stood nearly as tall as himself. At their shoulder they stood about 2 meters tall, about 6 feet. They would almost certainly double his height if they stood on their hind legs. Dante weaved back an forth through the pride of lions trying to find one suitible to seperate from the rest for Nathan and Herald.

All the while he dodged and weaved through the flurry of fighting Dante was making seeds of the Blood Rose and firing them around with Telekenisis, here and there before triggering them to greatly impeded the pride's movements.

Congratulations! Seed Creation has leveled up! Lvl. 8...

Congratulations! Telekenisis has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Congratulations! Seed Creation has leveled up! Lvl. 9...

Congratulations! Vines of the Blood Rose has leveled up! Lvl. 7...

Congratulations! Running has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Congratulations! Sacrificial Pool has leveled up! Lvl. 3...

Congratulations! Telekenisis has leveled up! Lvl. 6...

Congratulations! Seed Creation has leveled up! Lvl. 10...

Congratulations! Running has leveled up! Lvl. 6...

Congratulations! Telekenisis has leveled up! Lvl. 7...

Congratulations! Vines of the Blood Rose has leveled up! Lvl. 8...

Congratulations! Sacrificial Pool has leveled up! Lvl. 4...

The levels poured in as Dante relished for but a moment in the feeling of being healed by the Vines of the Blood Rose.

Soon enough Dante had managed to restrain the lions and so he decided to offload his cargo who were all to eager to disembark their ride.

Both immediately fell to the ground and began to throw up. Dante took a step back while keeping his eyes upon the lions that had finally started to chew on the vines in an attempt to escape.

Dante held up his hand, pulling his gun from his inventory as he cast lesser restoration upon each of them to help aleviate their nausia.

A moment of inspection showed he had left bruises on their arms and so he cast cure wounds to fix that.

"Get up guys. You need to start casting magic missle and peppering all these lions for some experience..." Dante quickly summoned a spectral shield upon his forearm to act as a parrying shield as what seemed to be the largest male in the the group broke free of the vines and began to charge them. "NOW!" Dante exclaimed as he charged forth to intercep.

The Lion that was charging them seemed to be the leader of this pride. In a fast estimate he would have said the lion stood 2 1/2 meters at the shoulder. Was this the dungeon boss? No, probably not. A miniboss though? Most likely.

The lion leapt forth and swiped at him while still in the air. Dante swung his arm trying to parry the beasts paw but only managed to slow it. In a single swift motion the Lions swipe shattered the shield and raked the right side of his face leaving deep wounds and forcing tears of agony from his now empty eye socket. Half his sight went dark as with his left eye he saw his other eye being pulled away from him, still pierced by the lions claw.

Congratulations! Sacrificial Pool has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Dante raged in his heart as he fought through the burning agony of his slashed face and missing right eye. Using his pool of sacrifice to keep his wounds from pouring blood everywhere. Dante knew that if this beast got past him Nathan and Herald were dead. Dante felt it then. The tide was shifting.

Congratulations! Mundane Damage Resistance has leveled up! Lvl. 2...

Dante braced as he felt the full weight of the creature hit him. His boots digging into the earth as he tried to hold back the beast.

He had lost concentration on Enhance ability for a moment and that was all it took for the spell to drop. Dante heard the yells of pain and anger that accompanied the lost of the buff, though he could not look away from the beast before him for even a moment. To do so would only invite Death.

He held back the great and heavy lion as it thrashed against him. Occasionally he heard the beast whine as small darts of force struck it across its body.

Dante felt himself being pushed back. "OH NO YOU DON'T!" Dante exclaimed as several seeds of the blood rose dropped to the ground and in seconds sprung up to envelop the beast. He wouldn't allow this beast to take one more step.

Congratulations! Seed Creation has leveled up! Lvl. 11...

Congratulations! Vines of the Blood Rose has leveled up! Lvl. 9...

Congratulations! Vines of the Blood Rose has leveled up! Lvl. 10...

However, before he could restrain the beasts front paws it wrapped them around him before sinking its claws into his back. Dante coughed blood as the beast, though slowed by the vines, began to reach down its head to bite down upon Dante's.

"AH Shit! This is going to hurt!" Dante exclaimed as he activated Iron body.

Dante feels the lions sand paper like tounge rubbing against his face, as its teeth pierced his neck. The blood tried to pour out as the lion repositioned its bite to pierce his jugular but he refused.

Congratulations! Mundane Damage Resistance has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Congratulations! Sacrificial Pool has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Congratulations! Iron Body has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Congratulations! Mundane Damage Resistance has leveled up! Lvl. 10...

Congratulations! Sacrificial Pool has leveled up! Lvl. 6...

Congratulations! Iron Body has leveled up! Lvl. 10...

Congratulations! Mundane Damage Resistance has leveled up! Lvl. 15...

As he watched the level of Iron body and Mundane Damage Resistanc began to jump in response to the tremendous force and damage being inflicted upon him he found something he had lost in his first battle. He knew only one thing in that moment.

'I refused to lay down and die. No matter how much damage this thing does to me...What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!' Dantes heart burned as his muscles strained against the weight of the beasts massive frame.

Congratulations! Burning Heart has leveled up! Lvl. 10...

Congratulations! The Road of the Burning Heart III has opened to you!...

The fire of his burning heart began to grow as he realized something. 'This is the power to fight through adversity.' Dante thought as he felt his burning heart growing hotter as it pounded in his chest.

Congratulations! Burning Heart has leveled up! Lvl. 11...

...

Congratulations! Burning Heart has leveled up! Lvl. 15...

Dante felt his skin growing harder and more resilient as the battle dragged on.

One by one he heard the last cries of the other Lions. Thankfully he hadn't seen any children among this pride.

Dante felt the weight of the beast increase as it released it head and roared in pain.

Dante felt another person join him. He looked left with his remaining eye to see David there with him.

"Did you miss me pretty boy?" David asked with a smile as Dante turned his head eliciting a look of horror from David.

Dante closed his eye and freed his right hand before summoning the Dagger of Sacrifice.

This time however it took not the form of a dagger but a short sword. Taking the from of the sword Bilbo Baggins had carried around, Sting.

Congratulations! Dagger of Sacrifice has leveled up! Lvl. 5...

Congratulations! Your total skill levels has reached 250! The Road of the Apprentice has opened to you!...

Congratulations! Resistance to Mundane Exhaustion! Lvl. 4...

...

Congratulations! Resistance to Mundane Exhaustion! Lvl. 7...

With all the might he could muster he thrust the short sword up into the beast's ribcage and began to drag it upwards. Trying to make a wound big enough to reach his arm through.

He shoved the beast up and back with all his might even as his muscles burned and his arms shook from over exersion.

Pulling back the blade he then plunged it back into and through the wound it had created.

Dante only knowing a rough direction with which to move the sword so, he tried his best to move the sword closer to the beasts heart.

After several seconds of flailing the sword within the beast he felt a gush of life pour into him from the blade.

Critical Hit!...

Congratulations! Dagger of Sacrifice has leveled up! Lvl. 6...

He knew he had found its heart. Again.

Critical Hit!...

Congratulations! Dagger of Sacrifice has leveled up! Lvl. 7...

AGAIN!

Critical Hit!...

Congratulations! Dagger of Sacrifice has leveled up! Lvl. 8...

The great lion began to shake before it went limp atop Dante and David.

Congratulations! You have slain a dungeon Miniboss: Lion Barren!...

Your participation EXP is recorded as 63%...

You have leveled up!...

You have leveled up!...

For obtaining in excess of 100 in all regens before level 100 the Road of Regeneration I has opened to you!...

Dante felt as that old golden doorway opened once more in the back of his mind. He took a deep breath as a number of spells began to pour through the doorway. '3rd level spell's huh? At least I can cast Greater Restoration in a few minutes.' Dante thought with a strained smile. The spells assembled themselves there in his mind and once more the doorway closed, its work done for now.

As the Lions muscles began to relax there was a slick and sickening sound as its claws retracted from his flesh and began to dangle limply by his sides. He gave a shaking breathe he felt blood beginning to run down his back. His mouth was rich with the taste of Iron and he knew that the beast has pierced at least one side of his lungs probably both. Dante kept his pool of sacrifice active trying to keep himself from bleeding out.

Dante and David felt the Lion grow heavier for a moment then lighter as he heard something land behind them. Turning left to see with his remaining eye he saw Reo standing there breathing heavily with blood dripping from her fists.

Off to the right he felt something slide off of the lions back though he couldn't see who them, he knew it had to be James.

David spoke up, "Toss to the left in 3..2..1.." Dante didn't have the strength to argure nor any reason to.

The Lion Barren flopped to the ground Dante fell to his knee's.

His breath ragged as the pounding of his heart began to subside and he felt the adrenaline wearing off.

Dante reached up to feel the side of his head with a shacking right hand before he felt something grab his hand.

He turned to see James holding his arm back and there still clutched in his right hand was the Dagger of Sacrifice in the form of a shortsword. He had forgotten to dismiss it.

In a moment the sword vanished and he realized something. All he could hear was ringing.

He saw that James was yelling at him but he couldn't hear anything except the ringing.

Dante reached up with his other hand towards his chest. He looked up for a moment to see his health bar sitting at a quarter. 'How much fucking health did this thing have?' Dante questioned as he tried to press his hand to his chest only for it to look like he was patting himself due to his shaking.

"H-h-HHEal!" Dante stuttered out as he felt a rush of life fill him. The pain he was experiencing quickly began to diminish as he saw his health bar jump up to half. While his body still shook it was less now and the ringing in his ears began to subside.

Through his left ear he heard James ask, "Dante can you hear me?" His voice was tinged with fear and regret as he looked like he was fighting not to burst out into tears.

James turned to someone who had just spoke though in which direction he wasn't certain. "No I don't thing he's fucking all right. He's missing half his fucking face!"

Dante slowly put a hand up and then a shacking thumb, "J-j-Jus-t giv-e me a-a..." Dante paused as looked upon everyone else.

David and James seemed hurt but mostly ok. A few more dings and scratches than he remembered but they semed ok.

Reo was fine aside from the bloodly fists and some cuts here and there.

Herald and Nathan looked winded and about to pass out but otherwise fine.

"W-where's... J-j-jacob!?" Dante forced out the words as clearly as he could.

He felt someone put their hand beneath his chin and point his head back towards the massive lion. There he saw Jacob standing before its head, hand resting upon its face.

"Let's t-t-take an-an h-hour." He managed to stutter out as he felt exhaustion truly hit him. He struggled to remain concious as he tried to lay down only for the others to pick him up and lay him up against the corpse of the Lion Barren.

System Notice! To the slayers of the monsterified Lions. In order to extend current supplies you may sell monster corpses to the system for a slightly reduced price.

Dante and the other's rested for a few minutes.

While he waited for his mana to regenerate he pulled out one of the diamond spheres he used for Raise Dead and opened the system store to buy a large smooth granite mortar and pestle to smash the diamond into dust. The motar and pestle cost only about 5 large silver or about 50$.

When he pulled them from his inventory they landed in the ground next to him. He had to have James help him with the work as he had failed to consider his weakened state when he had bought the 50 pound mortar and 5 pound pestle.

Together with James they smashed the diamond into dust.

By the time they were done his mana had regenerated enough to cast the spell. Dante placed his hand into the mortar and touched the diamond dust. Muttering a few words, there was a flash of crimson light as he cast Greater Restoration on himself.

Greater Restoration, 3rd Level

You imbue a creature you touch with positive energy to undo a debilitating effect. You can reduce the target's exhaustion level by one in Health, Mana, or Stamina, or end one of the following effects on the target.

One effect that charmed or petrified the target.

One curse, including the target's attunement to a cursed magic item.

Any reduction to one of the target's stats.

One effect reducing the target's hit point maximum

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher you may select one additional effect and may target one additional creature for every level spent above base.

Cast time: 2 seconds, Duration: Instant, Material component: An amount of diamond dust equal to a 3 inch diamond marble, which the spell consumes, Mana Cost: 300.

He targeted his own mana regeneration so that he could remove the mana exhaustion and get to casting Regenerate all the quicker. Even though his body was still wrecked he felt his mind beginning to clear.

Nine minutes later with his mana exhaustion relieved, he cast Regenerate on himself.

Immediately he felt a wave of relief wash over his body as the spell worked its magic.

Quickly he felt his wound healing, he closed his eyes for a moment and focused upon his right eye.

He took a few deep breaths as he felt the spell working to restore his body.

A dozen seconds later he opened his eyes once more and his right eye was restored.

James chimmed in as he had been the one watching Dante. "Hey Dante you didn't tell us you wore contact lenses." He stated confusing Dante.

"What are you talking about? I don't wear contact lenses." Dante asked confused.

James cocked his head to the side and squinted before a look of realization crossed his face. "Maybe that spell made your eye that color." he said

"OK quit with the bullshit. What color is my right eye?" Dante asked getting somewhat agitated at the run around.

Nathan stepped forward and spoke to Dante, "Your eye is Crimson. Crimson flecked with gold."

"Well ok then...At least I can see properly again. And it seems like we've received quite the haul for our troubles!" Dante exclaimed and received a small cheer from the rest of the party as he had James help him to his feet.

After giving everyone else a once over and passing out one casting of Heal to each of the main combatants except Jacob who seemed to have been completely protected from the lions attacks within the confines of his Astral form skill.

Taking a look at the corpses of the lions most 6 out of 8 looked pretty badly damaged while 2 seemed to be mostly intact. However, they seemed to have been bludgeoned to death.

'I bet that was Reo. Note to self don't mess with her.' Dante thought as Nathan stepped up beside him.

"So...Do I still get to absorb the bodies into my dungeon core or do you want to sell these bodies to the system?"

Dante looked to him and then back towards the other's in the legion. "What do you guys think? Sell the bodies to the system, or power up Nathan here?"

James looked to him and then the others before turning back to Dante and asking, "Do you still think the boss is a giant Lion?"

He smiled as he said, "I'm still willing to bet."

"Power him up. We'll keep the boss for your friend Oscar the Flesh Monger to give us a better price."

Dante laughed as he patted Nathan on the back sending him on his way to begin absorbing the corpses of the lions. However, he would be taking something from the lion that had taken his eye. Before that however he checked his status.

Dante A. Stone Race: Human Class: Cleric Lvl. 35 EXP: 5,203/7,100 (Available Currency)

Stats

Resources

Total

Regen.

Strength

121

Health

(2,430+60=2,490)

(114x2=

228/min)

Constitution

135

Mana

(3,337+60=3,397)

(107.1/min)

Endurance

129

Stamina

(2,042+60=2,102)

(101x2= 202/min)

Dexterity

106

Road Points

105

Willpower

140

Stat Points

1

Intellect

124

Luck

166

Wisdom

150

Perception

110

Charisma

125

Spirit

131

"I wonder if I get anything if my health passes 2,500? Let's find out, but before that, Roads." Dante said with a smile as he and the other's began to adress their newly obtained Road points.

Road of the Psion I

1/50

Road of Water III

0/50

Road of Blood II

0/50

Road of Family

0/100

Road of the Unyielding Will

0/50

Road to Everlasting Life

0/1,000

Road of Courage VI

0/1000

Road of Dungeon Exploration I

1/50

Road of the Wizard IV

0/100

Road of Light II

0/50

Abyss

1

Road of Radiance I

0/50

Road of Earth II

0/25

Road of the Tireless I

0/50

Road of the Apprentice

0/50

Road of Regeneration I

0/100

"Don't celebrate too soon guys! Something's going on!" Nathan called out as he stashed his dungeon core back within his sleeve.