The next morning, at breakfast, I gave the "Protect the ones you love" bracelets, from chest on the first level, to my mother father and sister. I told them that I didn't know how they worked but that they were somehow meant to protect them.

That left me with 1 bracelet and I hesitated on giving the last bracelet to Cara or Seb. Seb now had a top-notch weapon, and had most of the same abilities as I had but with less actual experience.

Cara could transform into a leopard, but her magic was limited and a leopard wouldn't be much of a match against a mage or a higher-level boss, so I decided to give the last bracelet to Cara. I explained my reasoning to Seb, and he agreed it was the right choice I didn't mention that Cara could transform into a leopard as no one in the family knew that yet. .

I had promised to teach Ellie and Cara magic, so I spent much of the morning creating a core for Ellie along with forming all the channels and meridians. It took less time than it took when I did it for Seb because my technique and assurance was improving with practice.

I gave her a spider-core to absorb and shortly thereafter Ellie was cycling her mana all on her own.

We spent the next hour going over the exercises and attribute tests and just like Seb and myself, she mastered all of the attributes without much difficulty.

I let her use all the same memory stones as well, even though I knew that she wouldn't be able to fully use all of the knowledge contained in them yet.

Ellie seemed to take to magic like a fish to water. Even though I was a big magic fan, I had used very little magic, largely relying on pure mana manipulation and runes. I think that I was secretly afraid of magic because there was less control and if you made a mistake, things could go very wrong. I was very curious to see how Ellie would evolve over the coming days and weeks, but I made sure that she was aware of the dangers.

I was relatively sure at this point, that their multi-attribute abilities were due to their getting copies of my core. I hoped that this would be permanent but I wondered if their cores might revert to some native state over time. That wouldn't be a problem per-se, but it would certainly be disappointing for them if that happened.

With Cara it was a little different as she already had a core. I was tempted to reform her core to match mine, but I wasn't sure of the effect it could have on her. I discussed it with her and we decided it would be best to ask Will once we were back in the Dungeon.

I let Cara use the memory stones, and even though I didn't replace her core, I increased her core's capacity, opened her meridians and improved her channels.

She was overjoyed when she found that her mana and earth attributes were greatly improved.

When we finished with the modifications, we joined the others for lunch.

I let Cara know that I was ready to return to her village to install the protection against the black mist creatures and I made sure she knew, she could return back here with me afterward.

I was actually getting used to having her around and although I was trying to not get emotionally involved, I realized that I was becoming more and more attached to her.

The idea that she might return to her village and decide to stay left me with an uncomfortable feeling.

Before leaving for the tower, I got a call from Joey asking if I could stop by. Apparently, he had already sold everything I had given him and wanted me to buy some more off of me, so Cara and I made a quick stop at Joey's on our way to the tower.

We got off a couple of blocks early and put on our disguises before walking the shop.

"Hi Joey, it looks like business has been good for you."

"You don't know the half of it. Those things from the tower are in really high demand.

"I could take at least 20 gold coins, 20 beast-cores and a few more of those gems. I was given a line of credit by one of my buyers so I can buy much more now."

I gave Joey the items he requested but as I was getting better at healing, I was also willing to part with one or two of my healing potions, which I knew he wanted. I asked him how much he could get me for a high or medium grade potion.

His eyes lit up and he immediately and made a call. When the call ended, he told me that if I could wait 30 minutes, he could get me 2 million dollars cash for a high grade or one million for a middle grade potion. 3.2 million if I was willing to sell both.

As I was going back to the tower and was planning on doing another level, I expected I would have more potions soon. I agreed to sell both of them, and 30 minutes later, a limousine arrived in front of the building, and 2 men in black suits gave Joey a large duffel bag. Joey discretely removed some of the contents from behind the counter, and handed the duffel bag to me and I handed the 2 potions to the men in the black suits.

When they left the shop, Joey paid me for the other items he ordered and then Cara and I left the shop.

When we arrived in the parking, we saw that the limousine was still there and a man in his mid-forties stepped out followed by his wife, his son and his daughter.

He walked up to us and gave me a hug and said "I just wanted to thank you personally. Without you, my son and my daughter had no hope, and without them, my wife and I had no hope, and I think you know that hope is priceless, just like family is priceless."

He was well spoken, but he still had a pronounced New York Italian accent. I recognized the truth and the sincerity of his words. He took Carla's hand by her fingers and kissed it without actually touching his lips to her fingers. By all appearances he was a real gentleman.

His wife came to me and gave me a big hug and I felt her tears on my cheek when her face touched mine. She then hugged Cara but she didn't say a word. I suspected she was too choked up to speak.

"We saw what you did in the hospital." the man said, "and I found it hard to believe that anyone would do what you did for free, so I assumed it was some trick or publicity stunt.

"Then Joey told me that it was for real but that you didn't want to sell because you needed them for yourself.

"I know we paid you for the vials, but as I said, hope is priceless, if you ever need anything, and if I can help, just give me a call, anytime."

He handed me his business card, all that was written on it was Gianni Pagnetti, and a telephone number.

I noticed when he handed me his card that his thumb and index fingers were missing on his left hand. I took his card and added it in my storage but I held onto his hand.

"Please Mr. Pagnetti" I said " give me your other hand.

He put his right hand in my left hand and I let my healing mana flow through both of his hands as I made a mirrored copy of his right-hand thumb and index finger to his left hand, adding all the tendons and ligaments, nerves, bones and cartilage. I then regenerated the muscles that had long since atrophied and when I was satisfied that I hadn't missed anything, I let go of his hands.

He held is hands side by side and put his new thumb and index through a full range of movements.

When I looked at his face there were tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.

"You know," he said, sounding nostalgic as he stared at his hands. "I used to play the piano, and I was actually pretty good. I was never going to make a career of it mind you, but I loved playing the piano. We all have a thing you know, something we love doing, and the piano was my thing.

"When I lost my fingers, I felt like I had lost more than a couple of fingers, it was as though I had lost part of my soul. I never touched the piano again. since then."

He paused, flexing his fingers once again. "I think that I will be getting a piano again soon, and I would love for you two to come over some time and I will play something special just for you."

"I am in your debt," he said as he looked me in my eyes "whatever you need, just let me know."

"Thank you" I said, "it was a pleasure meeting you and your family and I am glad that I could help."

"There is only one thing that I am looking for at the moment, but I expect I can find it on my own, so don't feel obligated.

"I am looking to buy a large plot of land close to the tower. If you have any connections or information on large plots available in the area I am interested."

"I suspect that you don't know who I am Mr. Xander"

"Just Xander is fine, it's a pseudonym. I need my anonymity.

"I understand entirely, when you are rich or famous, anonymity is priceless."

"Xander. you know me as Gianni Pagnetti, but I am better known as the King of Queens, and much of the area around the tower belongs to me. I would be more than happy to sell or rent you whatever land that you need."

"I don't have a business card, but Joey has my number. if you need to reach me feel free to call. Also, it would be our pleasure to visit you and I hope to be doing business with you soon."

With that Cara and I hailed a cab to the tower and went to the location where Will had created a portal to the level of the tower where Cara's village was located. We arrived at the portal in the jungle not far from the village.

Before entering the village, I wanted to clear up a number of questions that I had for Will and I didn't mind if Cara listened in.

"Good afternoon Will, I was wondering if you could take a few minutes to answer some questions for me?"

"Hello Matt, and no, I don't mind, I will answer what I can."

"Will, when we talk is there anyone else listening in?"

"No only anyone in the immediate area."

"Does Antonius know your true name?"

"Interesting question, and unexpected, it seems that you have been busy. But yes, he knows my name."

"Is he using you to get to me? Is he the reason we got this floor's boss on the first level?"

"Very clever deduction, but I suppose Cara helped you figure that out. Yes, he was responsible for that and you will likely be happy to learn that he was really not happy to learn that you disposed of that monster in record time and that no one was injured."

"I guess that is a small consolation." I said.

"Does he have pure mana like mine? Is his mana compatible with all other types of mana?"

"No, he masters most elements, but his Mana is not pure like yours."

"I used my healing knowledge and mana to create cores for my brother and sister and they are compatible with all elements like I am. Will this be permanent or will their cores revert over time."

"I must say Matt, you have exceeded my expectations on just about all fronts. To think that you have already managed to create functioning cores is very impressive.

"I believe that if they can manipulate all elements, there's a good chance that it will remain that way, but they should continue using all elements. Also, just because they can manipulate all elements, does not mean their mana is pure. They should be careful before attempting any healing."

"Cara already has a core, so I just improved what was there, but I was wondering if it would be safe for me to replace her core with a copy of mine so she could use all the elements as well."

"I don't think anyone has tried that before, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. If you want I could do it for you now, it would only take me a moment."

I looked at Cara and she nodded, and a moment later Will let us know he had finished.

I used my mana sense and saw that Cara's core had changed and it now looked identical to mine.

"Will, would you mind if I dealt with Antonius, permanently? I suspect as long as he's around, my life and others will be in danger."

"He isn't to be trifled with, but if you can remove him, I will be in your debt, and having a dungeon in your debt is no small thing."

"One last question, those bracelets you left for me "Protect the ones you love", what do they actually do?"

"Oh, I think you will really like those. If someone wearing them is in trouble, you will be able to take over for that person while retaining all your abilities and have access to your dimensional storage.

" Of course, it would be best if you weren't in the middle of a life and death battle when that happens, but the risk of that is negligible. "

"I think that covers all my questions, but just so you know, if you have any more mitrium, high level healing potions and gems, they could really help me to achieve our common goals. But I am not complaining, everything you have given me has been very useful, almost as though you knew what I needed before I needed it."

"I do my best. But when it comes to Antonius, my hands are tied to a large degree. I think he is afraid of you which makes him dangerous."

"I will try to be careful, but if he is in contact with you, I would appreciate some sign so I can leave the Dungeon before he gets me killed."

"I will create an escape portal for you on each floor. If Antonius arrives, I will I will send a crow to you, follow it to the portal. That is the best I can do."

Cara and I returned to the village and everyone was overjoyed to see us even though it had only been a few days since we left the village.

For me it felt like ages, as so much had happened since we left but we had barely been away for a week.

Everyone in the village wanted to hear about everything that happened. I was surprised to find that Cara had taken all the clothing with that she had bought with my sister. She tried on all the combinations for her mother and all the girls from the village. It looked like a miniature fashion show. Apparently, her clothing made her the envy of every girl in the village and quite a few men seemed more than casually interested.

She also had taken loads of photos and videos on her smartphone and was showing all her friends every photo and video, she had taken.

While she was busy with her friends, I spoke with Kitikat and a few other people who would be responsible for protecting the village.

I showed them the boxes that I had created for them, and showed they could use them to banish the black mist demons. They were very happy with the solution and the ease of use.

Their main concern, was that they weren't sure if they would be able to capture the mist creatures with their mana barriers.

I asked them to gather their strongest mana users and I asked them if they would allow me to strengthen their mana channels, to which they all agreed without hesitation.

One by one, I improved their channels, cores and meridians. It didn't take more than 30 minutes, but the difference was remarkable. Afterward everyone could easily create a mana trap and hold it for a long time.

We spent the rest of the day in the village and we were treated like celebrities, which made me a little uncomfortable.

I spent much of my time with Carla's younger siblings as it was nice to have a break from the serious issues I had been dealing with lately.

Over dinner we got to re-tell everyone the stories and answered hundreds of questions when everyone finally went to bed, I was happy to find peace and quiet and have the chance think about what I needed to do next.

I decided I wanted to visit Evola before returning, partly because I wanted to learn more about Antonius, but also it would also be an opportunity to travel to another planet and maybe even do another dungeon while I was there.

Before going to sleep, I thought it best to inform Will in case he needed to create a new portal, but it turned out that we could use the existing portal to go to Evola as well.