Vinny

Location: Floor One Dungeon

Date: July 23rd, 304 PS (Post System)

Time: 2:46 PM

Beka charged into the dungeon with the rest of us following after her. In front of us stood a bull with a golden headpiece, and a ruby attached to its chest. Our Barrier held up her shield as Taurite shot a red laser beam from the jewel on its chest.

“Deflect!” Beka called out. The laser rebounded off of Beka’s shield, and back at the boss. “Let’s go, Mandrak!” The Barrier chucked a green crystal at the ground in front of her. A monster with a body made of wood, and leaves emerging from its head. We proceeded to summon a monster as well. A Pandark appeared beside Jason, and I threw Impogon’s gem. My monster appeared above me and held its trident ready to fight. I looked over my shoulder to Astrid to see what beast she summons. A massive mech stood behind us, but I can’t find our leader.

“I’m in here,” Came a voice from the robot. The black glass dome at the head of the creature opened up, and Astrid smiled from inside the suit. “This is a Heavimeka. My Bonded Monster allows me to control her like she’s an armored suit. I can cast my spells from inside this mech along with using her weapons system. She has a few tricks up her sleeve.” Astrid patted the side of the robot.

“Let’s do this!” I cheered.

I cast a Vine Snare spell - vines grew from the ground and entangled the huge bull. Taurite fell to its knees as Jason’s Pandark jumped on top of it. Pandark let out a roar and scratched the beast with claws and shot lasers from its eyes. Pandark’s owner slashed at the bull, using Bleeding Cut consecutively whenever the skill finished its cooldown. Beka attached her shield to her back and dealt critical hits to Taurite’s face. Mandark sent Leaf Blades at its enemy, aiming for its eyes.

“I call on Uriol and desire blessings upon my party!” Astrid chanted

You acquired Uriol’s Healing Touch for thirty minutes!

Gain 1 HP every three seconds!

Gain 1 SP every five seconds!

“Thank you, Astrid!” We all called out in separate timing.

Taurite roared, and snapped the vines I used to trap it. The raging beast threw Pandark off of its back and charged at Beka with its massive horns. The bull, whom I caught off guard, hit Beka with a critical hit.

“Beka is dazed!” Astrid cried out while running to our Barrier. “My condition healing takes thirty seconds. I need you guys to cover us!” I nodded.

“Impogon, keep that bull busy!” I commanded. My flying imp charged the right side of the monster and stabbed through its chest. Taurite huffed in fury as it fell to its right, and then body slammed my Bonded Monster, pinning it to the dirt ground. I froze as I heard the dungeon door open, and a familiar cackle reverberated throughout the cave.

I looked behind me, and my heart dropped. Billy, the man who kidnapped my mother, stood at the entrance but did not walk into the room.

“Never deny me what’s mine, kid,” The maniac said in a whisper. He held a purple orb the size of my head and threw it at Taurite. When the sphere struck the bovine, the ball shattered, and the creature pulsed purple.

“How did you even know I was here?” I shouted to the madman.

“You didn’t think I’d have my people watching for you?” He asked. “Good luck.” Billy winked at me and disappeared into a black mist.

I glanced back at Taurite. Its body and horns began growing. The bull then grew golden wings from its back, then returned to its feet, stomping a foot onto my Impogon. Taurite then did the same to Jason’s Pandark.

Floor Boss Taurite has ascended to level ten!

Your Impogon has lost consciousness!

Impogon returned to its crystal form!

“Level ten!” I exclaimed as a green gem flew toward my hand. I caught it and pocketed it. I then proceeded to pull out the ring that held Rexaroach’s Bonded Monster Crystal, but the Deep Brown gem burnt in my hand, causing me to drop it.

Rexaroach does not wish to be summoned!

“What?” I asked aloud.

“I got this!” Jason screamed, “For Pandark!” The Duelist charged the giant beast with two swords in his hands. Beka’s Mandark used its root-like body to wrap around Taurite’s neck to suffocate it, but when Jason swung his sword, the bovine tilted its neck so Mandark took the hit. Jason stopped his attack, allowing Taurite to headbutt him with its horns. Jason’s health hit zero within seconds, and he dropped to his knees before face planting. Mandark fell off of its opponent’s neck, and crawled to Beka.

“No!” I screamed, hurting my vocal cords. I triggered my Telekinesis in my mind, and my vision turned red.

You received an Adrenaline Rush!

Your Telekinesis strength has increased!

You are in Rage Mode!

I don’t remember any of what happened next, but Astrid told me all about it. Here’s what happened - according to Astrid.

Taurite charged at me from the air, and I created an invisible barrier over me. When the enraged bovine slammed into my shield, I used my telekinesis to grab its horns and broke them off clean.

You acquired two Taurite horns!

Taurite fell to the floor, and I drew my etching rod. With my wand, I drew a complex symbol into the air - that etching turned into a dark whirlpool.

“Dark Abyss!” I called out. The whirlpool began pulling everything into it. Taurite tried escaping the pull of the abyss, but could not. When the bull touched my creation, it turned into millions of little white boxes.

Congratulations!

Your party defeated Floor One Boss Taurite!

Your party gains 200 XP!

You acquired two Taurite Monster Shards!

Your party unlocked: Gate to Floor Two!

“You never cease to amaze me, dude,” Astrid told me. He now stood without Heavimeka, and Beka looks like she doesn’t have the Dazed status ailment any longer.

You are no longer in Rage Mode!

Adrenaline Rush has ended!

My vision returned to normal. I dropped to my knees, trying to catch my breath. When I thought I caught my breath, I received a notification.

You used more Skill Points than you currently have!

You are inflicted with Mind Numb!

You will lose consciousness in 3… 2… 1…

My vision went black as I fell on my face.

Vinny

Location: Healing Tent, Renva Village, Floor Two

Date: July 30th, 304 PS (Post System)

Time: 6:25 AM

I opened my eyes. My vision blurred, but my eyes slowly regained focus.

You are inflicted with Tenseness!

I leaned up to glance around the tent. The two other beds around me lay empty, and an older woman with dark skin sat at a desk in the middle of the room. She looked up from the paperwork she was doing and smiled at me.

“Oh, finally, you’re awake!” She cheered. “My name is Jane; I’m the healer of this village. Your friends will be delighted when I message them. They told me to tell you they are at Stronghold Academy when you’re ready. Do you think you can stand?” The older woman left her desk and walked to my side. I turned my body, so my feet hung off the bed and pushed myself up. When I got to my feet, my legs gave out, and I fell onto Jane, who placed her arms under my armpits to keep me up and sat me back onto the bed. “Drink this.” Jane handed me an orange bottle, and I downed it in one gulp. The liquid tasted of mint.

You are healed of Tenseness!

“Try it now,” She told me. I stood up, but instead of falling over, I stayed on my feet.

“Thank you,” I said to her. I looked at my clothes. I wore a simple tunic and trousers. “Where is my gear?” Jane pointed at the trunk at the edge of my bed. I opened it, and saw my twin mithril daggers and my bag, but nothing else.

“Your friends said your armor incinerated during your fight with Taurite,” Jane told me.

I opened my bag to see what was in there. To my relief, my Bonded Monster Crystals shined from the bottom, and the emerald necklace my father gifted me sat at the top of the pile of items. I haven’t worn it yet, and I don’t know if I want to risk losing it.

“Oh, great,” I sighed. “Where is Stronghold Academy?” I asked Jane. She poked around in the air a few times, and a window appeared before me.

Jane Leht sent you directions to Stronghold Academy!

Would you like to set Stronghold Academy as your destination?

Yes | No

I hit the “Yes” option, and a golden mist rose from the ground.

“Follow the trail to get there,” Jane said. “Don’t worry; it should only be a five-minute walk from here. I hope your journey finds you well.” The healer bowed deep and returned to her desk. Something seemed dry about the way she spoke, but I didn’t worry too much about it.

I followed the path out of the tent. Bright light greeted me as I shielded my face. A handful of tents littered the forest. Some tents had people sitting around a fire, making breakfast, and drinking a morning brew. I lifted a hand to every group I passed. Some of them waved back, while some merely scowled.

It didn’t take me long to pass through the tent village, and in no time, I gazed upon a magnificent castle with a wall surrounding it, and towers which rose to Floor Two’s ceiling. The mist guided me to a gate in the wall where a man with a bronze cap and bronze chainmail stood guard. When the guard spotted me, he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“Halt!” The man told me. “State your business.” I stopped before the guard.

“I am Vinny Hallow. I am here to meet with my friends, Beka Gaston and Astrid Lord.” I told him.

“Did you say Hallow?” He asked. “You may enter. Tell Chris I send my regards.” I looked back at him. Chris, as in my uncle? I thought to myself. My uncle went missing years ago - there’s no way he is here only one floor above us.

I made my way through the gate and into a sprawling city. I didn’t waste my time gazing at the shops - I knew I’d spend too much time gawking at the wares. I followed the path only I saw, which led me to the castle. Surprisingly, the door swung open quickly. A yelp greeted me, and blonde hair flooded my vision.

“You’re awake!” Astrid called out, wrapping her arms around my neck. “That monster-.” Astrid choked on her words. “It killed Jason in one hit. We sent Jason’s body to his family, but who was that man who threw that orb into the dungeon?” I rolled my eyes as she let go of me. We stood in a room filled with portraits of people I’d never seen before. An entrance to a spiral staircase stood at the far left side of the room, and a closed set of doors could be seen on the right wall.

“That was Billy. He and I had an encounter a few weeks back in Kenton,” I told the girl. “He burnt down a pub, made my best friend lose his arm, and beheaded my father. He escaped the Scarlet Guild, and kidnapped my mother.” Tears began welling up in my eyes. That madman now killed another person around me.

“Oh, I have a surprise for you!” Astrid told me, leading me up the spiral staircase. We climbed three floors, and the Radiance led me to a wide hallway with doors every twenty feet. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the area. “He told me someone would be joining us this morning, and I’m so glad it’s you.” We passed two doors, both were closed, and entered the third door to the right.

The room was a dorm room with eight bunk beds in it. A bald man with a grey beard sat on one of the beds - his facial features resembled the features of my father.

“Vinny,” He said, smiling and greeting me with a hug. “I’m ecstatic to meet you finally. I’m your uncle, Chris.”

“You’re alive?” I asked as he embraced me.