Standing at the entrance of the dungeon, Iden was frustrated.

They had been standing in the entrance of the cave for six hours at this point. And while they had managed to get every other skill to the basic level at this point. Wisdom was still stuck at level 10. And even getting it this far had taken it coming up with the strategies it had used in its previous fights as well as a method to increase Intelligence. And while trying to focus on as many things as it could at once outside of the cave had worked. It had taken loads of time and effort to complete. Though nothing they tried to seem to make any meaningful full progress into Wisdom.

So with little else to try, they had restored to trying to think up better solutions to past issues in hopes of getting the final path. And though it had gotten them this far, it was getting slower and slower with each rank.

To make matters worse, they could once more fell exhaustion starting to affect them. And while completing every path they had access to help. It only did so much. And with their chest still hurting and one of their hands no longer working properly. It was hard to tell how long they would be able to last.

As it stood there, hoping for the last rank. And with it, a way to save themselves. They noticed people walking across a dirt path. Totaling 10 and see straight at the dungeon.

"Nights going to fall soon, if we don't find them soon we are going to have to wait for tomorrow." One of them yells.

"But if they are already dead, then blindly running after them will only lead to us meeting the same fate. It's best for us to return to the village and higher some adventurers to take care of this." A second one shouts back.

"Our village can't afford the price of adventurers. And even if we could, the dungeon will have a breakout in the time it takes them to get here. At least this way we have a chance to save our village." Another one says

"Hey is that a kid over there?" says a fourth one.

Upon hearing this, Iden realized they were seen and stepped into the center of the cave to make themselves more apparent.

"There is a kid!" The first one yells, before rushing over to the dungeon.

"Are you OK? What happened to you?" She asks upon arrival.

"I was attacked by some strange people. When they first saw me they thought I was from a nearby village. When I tried to tell them that I wasn't, they started to chase after me. I tried to escape them by running into the cave. But they were faster and caught up. They started kicking and steeping on me. I didn't think I was going to be able to escape. But we were attacked by something. I never even got to see what it was as I ran the second they stopped hitting me." They repeat the story they had been preparing. Doing their best to sound as panicked and scared as they can.

"There have been reports of bandits in the area. It must have been them." Says the woman to the rest of the group. Before looking down to Iden "You must have gone through something terrible. But you don't need to worry about that anymore. You can come back with us to our village and will notify someone from yours to come to get you." She says, trying to sound as comforting as possible.

"But what about the rest of the people still in there. They could be getting attacked right now. They tried to help me. I can't just leave them in there." Iden says, sounding concerned as they can.

"What other people?"

"Right before I was attacked, I saw other people in there. They tried to get to me when I was being attacked by the bandits. But we were attacked by something else first. They are probably still in there right now."

"How many of them were there!?" Asks a man as he pushes past the other people gathered.

"I'm sorry, I never got to see them clearly," Iden says.

"See, they might still be alive in there." The man says, turning to look at the woman in the front. "If we go in now we might be able to save them."

"It's still far too dangerous, we can't risk more people than we already have. I want to save them as much as you do. But if we lose any more people, we will end up putting the village itself at risk." The woman insists.

"Hey kid, do you remember where you saw these people?" They turn to ask Iden. Who nods their head at the question.

"I'm going to look for them. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I were to just let them die like this." He says, still looking to Iden. "So can you show us the way?"

"Wait. You don't plan on bringing this kid back into the dungeon, do you? That place is already dangerous for adults. But you plan to bring a child in there." Fumes the woman.

"It's fine. Those people tried to help me. I need to do my best to help them in return." Says Iden.

"See, the kid is willing to help." He says, turning to the rest "which of you are willing to help?" He asks.

The remainder of the people. Who up till this point start to look to one other. Each one conflicted as they think about their options.

Though after some time passes they each seem to have made up their minds. Some steeping forwards to stand next to Iden and the man. Others apologizing before stepping away from the cave. Leaving 3 of them in the dungeon and 7 outside.

"I'm Ivan." Says Ivan.

"Iden." Replies Iden. As Ivan looks back to the crowd.

"I'll make sure to get the others back. As well as all of us. Then we can higher some adventurer to take care of this dungeon." He says those remaining outside the dungeon.

"Just make sure you're OK. I don't want to lose you as well." Says the woman to him.

"Don't worry mom. I'll make sure of it." Replies Ivan as he starts to walk into the dungeon. The others following after him.

"So where did you get your weapons?" One of the two followers asks Iden. Breaking the silence.

"I found them at the entrance of the dungeon. I figured they were drooped once the bandits started chasing after me." Replies Iden.

"If you want, I could use the sword. I'm actually pretty good with one." continues the follower.

"Don't listen to her, shes never touched a sword before. Shes just trying to look cool." Cuts in Ivan.

"It's fine, she can use it if she wants. I'm not very good with it anyway." Says Iden as they hold the blade out to them.

"Thanks, Iden. I'm Liz by the way." She says garbing the sword as Iden holds it out to them. Before continuing "And that guy over there is Nick. He's quite nervous. But don't let that fool you. He is the only one in our village to ever be able to use magic."

"Magic?" Questions Iden.

"It's nothing that impressive. The only spells I can cast are Mana bolt and Mana shield. I barely meet the minimum to unlock the Wizard class." They say.

Hearing this peaks Iden's interest. Originally the plan had been to simply kill them. But they were making it clear they were worth far more alive than dead. At least for the moment.

Having decided so, Iden takes a good look at them for the first time. Ivan was the tallest of the group, though still only a head taller than them. He had the same mostly brown clothes as the rest of the villagers. But on his back was two pieces of wood. One was in the shape of a circle and was larger than his chest. While the other was a long check of wood, about three times the width of a finder and sharpened on one end.

Nick was the smallest of the group, only a bit taller then Iden. On his back was also a piece of wood, though this one did not come to a point. Instead, it was much thicker, around the area of their hand. With a small slightly transparent black sphere on the end. With Liz being the opposite. Being the tallest of the group, standing at nearly the same high as those bandits that had attacked Iden. With a sword now on their waste, having had no weapon before.

"How do you get classes?" Asks Iden. Hoping to start gathering information, while taking the first turn to the right.

"What do you mean how do you get classes?" Asked Liz, clearly confused.

"I think they mean a combat class." Replies Nick.

"Yes, I don't have one and was wondering how I would unlock one." Said Iden in an attempt to keep any suspicion at bay.

"I don't know about any other but Fighter requires you to have at least two weapon skills and at least twenty five in two of the physical stats. Wizard needs you to have cast two different spells from spell molds and have an Intelligence and Memory stat of at least thirty." Answers Nick.

"Oh so do you all have classes then?" Asks Iden.

"No, Nick has the Wizard class and I have the fighter. But Liz doesn't have any. Next to, of course, commoner and farmer." Replies Ivan.

"Humph, I just haven't found one that suits me yet. I could get Fighter any time I wanted to." Says Liz in a huff.

At this moment their talking was cut off by growling coming from deeper in the cave. Causing everyone to stare down the tunnel to search for the cause.

Quickly seeing the cause of it, the group saw a goblin at the end of the narrow tunnel. Staring back at the group while growling.

Seeing this, Iden stops in place as the others continue forward. Seemingly preparing for battle.

"Wait, don't go any more forward." They quickly call out. Realizing what is happening.

"You don't need to worry about that creature. It's just a goblin. Even without our classes, it wouldn't be too much of a struggle for us to kill it." They say back.

"Not that. The goblin is most likely a trap." Shoots Iden. Causing the others to stop in their tracks and look back.

"What, that doesn't even make sense. How could a goblin be a trap?" Asks Liz.

Iden does not give a reply as they are busy with other things. Namely looking around the tunnels for anything out of place.

"Look down there," they say upon finding what they were searching for. Small holes, barely the size of needles, lining the bottom of the tunnel about halfway to the goblin. "If you go too far something will probably come out of those holes."

"To think we were being so careless inside of a dungeon. It's a good thing you are with us or we might all have perished here." Says Nick. The goblin still in the same position, growling at them.

As they talk Ivan walks forwards. Using his shaft of wood to press against the ground. When suddenly small metal spikes shoot out from both sides of the cave. Meeting in the middle and locking in place as the goblin starts to walk forwards.

Seeing that the trap seems to have been dealt with. Ivan steps onto the spikes and towards the goblin.

"That could have been really dangerous." He says, stabbing his stick into the goblin. "We are going to need to be more careful if we are going to try and get through this place."

Seeing the goblin dead. The others start to head forwards. Careful as to not step off the spikes and onto the floor.

As they run to catch up. Iden starts to realize something new.

While they might not be able to kill this dungeon due to its control. That doesn't mean it won't be able to help others to kill it. Like these people. Though they aren't extremely perceptive, they had Iden to guide them. But even more importantly, with some warnings, they would most certainly be able to destroy the crystal.

The only problem was that the goblin trap had not been here before. And there was no way of telling how many other traps there might have been added since they last returned to the core room.

As they continued down the tunnel, with further instructions from Iden as which way to go, their conversations continued.

"How did you learn magic?" Says Iden to Nick.

"Well, one day a mage ended up staying in our village for a few days. On the hunt for an evil mage that had fled into the hills in this area. One night when he was talking about what it took for one to become a mage. And it turns out that next to having cast spells I already met all the requirements. Since I was only 12 at the time, he was impressed. And ended up leaving me with some instructions on how to start casting spells as well as a goblin core to make my own wand with." Said Nick with a large inhales to cap off his story. Waving the piece of wood with the sphere on the end.

"Put so much time into that magic of his that he never even properly worked the fields." Chimes in Liz.

"Hey, I always did my share!" Protests Nick.

"Now is not the time to be having this argument guys. The two of you can continue your arguments once we are back and safe." Chides Ivan.

"Sorry." Both of them say in unison. Before all four of them stop and drop to the floor immediately. Just as arrows fly above their heads off into the distance behind them.

Looking further ahead they see more goblins. Each one holding a bow and aiming down the tunnel. Reaching behind their back to grab more ammunition.

Seeing their one chance, the group of four starts to charge forwards. Making sure to reach the group of goblins before they are able to reload. While also watching for any irregularity's in the cave walls.

Though, not seeing anything wrong, they quickly reached the goblins. With Liz taking the lead to cut them down. Leaving the others with little to do thanks to the cramped tuneless making it next to impossible for each of them to contribute.

This ended up being far worse then they had originally foreseen. Giving the leading goblins time to drop their bows and draw daggers.

Seeing the swiftly changing situation, Liz tried to step back but ended up bumping into Ivan.

Seeing them in trouble with four goblins still left, Ivan quickly reacted. Attempting to tose their dagger into one of the goblins in the back loading their bow. Instead of hitting the second goblin in their shoulder. Forcing it to drop its dagger as its arm fell limp.

During this time, Ivan uses his superior range to stab the goblin in the front. While putting his other arm around Liz to use the wood strapped to his arm to block an arrow that would have hit them in their shoulder.

"We need to keep moving forward or they are going to keep taking shots at us," Iden yells from the back.

Seeming to agree with them, Liz grabs the shield from Ivan's hand and starts to charge forwards with Ivan on their heal. With Liz quickly finishing off the wounded goblin and Ivan landing a swift bow to the first goblin still holding a bow. And, after quickly blocking another arrow, Liz lands the final blow. Killing the final goblin with a swift slash into its neck.

"Looks like these tuneless are more of a threat then we had thought." Says Ivan panting "Were going to need to be careful in the future or we might really end up stuck."

As he says this, a loud twang sounds rapidly from the end of the tunnel.

Understanding what this is. Nick quickly raises his staff and begins to focus.

As he does, a thick cluster of ten arrows flies at the party. Leaving no space to dodge or attempt to run away.

Though, thanks to Nicks spell going off, a shimmering blue barrier appears between them and the arrows. Glowing a faint blue and being mostly transparent. It is quickly beaten down by arrows.

Each one causing more and more cracks to appear. Slowly spreading across the barrier, threatening to shatter it.

A threat that is realized as the ninth arrow shatters the magical construct. Letting it move a few more feet before meting with a wooden shield.

Seeing only one arrow left, Liz raises her shield to meet it as well. Though this turns out to be a mistake as the arrow is not stopped by the wooden shield. Instead, pricing straight past the wood and into Liz's side. Causing her to double over forwards.

"Are you OK?" Nick calls out.

"Ya I'm fine." Groans Liz. "Though I don't think I am going to be able to continue on like this.

"Ya. This place was far more dangerous then we imagined. If we keep going like this were just going to lose our lives as well." Says Ivan. Clearly trying to force himself to remain calm.

"What do you mean by as well?" Asks Nick. His voice beginning to shake.

"That fact that all these monsters are here. Despite us not encountering anyone else means that the dungeon has reset. Something that can only happen when it's empty." Ivan says, tears starting to appear in his eyes.

"No, we must have just taken the wrong tunnel or something. They must be in here somewhere. Once I get a moment to rest I'll be good to go and we can head deeper into the dungeon." Liz insisted.

"Even if that was true, that would mean we have no way of finding them. Bringing us in here was the wrong call. It's far to dangerous. Our best bet is to take a moment to rest before getting out of here. It's like my mother said. We need to leave this to the professionals."

As their conversation continued. Iden sat away from the party. Terrified that the dungeon had improved itself. Both for the increased difficulty of dealing with it and the increased chance of becoming obsolete and simply being destroyed. They had to find a way of dealing with it fast.

So as the others rest and disused what to do next. It sat and started to plan how to destroy this blasted dungeon.

Wisdom Growth ranked up to Novice 1

By reaching Wisdome Growth Novice 1 in under a day, you have unlocked

Path of Wisdom 1 0/5