The problem was now not the near endless swarm of bike sized bugs, it was the small itty bitty detail of the sun setting. If they couldn’t get out of the dungeon at that time, it wouldn’t be good since every monster changed as the moon came up.

Sure they had spent the day wandering around until they’d found the dungeon. As for the reasoning behind their current predicament was because of a small rumor of an old unclaimed shrine in a somewhat nearby mine. It was of course abandoned after bugs began swarming the place.

They had got a quest from Lithophyte to clear out said cave in exchange he would give them a discount. He'd be able to start creating better tools for the town, which meant their reputation would increase, which then in turn meant less grumpy town folk.

Marlow pierced the hind of the lunging grasshopper it kicked and wiggle trying to get away from the man with the pointy stick. Its efforts were cut short as an arrow slid through it’s rather soft neck, headshotting another nearby grasshopper. Not by some random change they were just so many of them. Swinging his spear around the carapace flue off, hopefully killing another monster on landing.

This had been going on for half an hour; jab, duck, slam, swing, advance. Though this tactic was working in their favor, they only were in the first section of the mine. They had even made it to the first tunnel.

After another slow and intensive hour of steady progression, they finally made it to a small crossestion. Oddly enough there were no insects coming from either side. The even stranger thing was that there was buzzing. Finally having a small respite they swept aside the dead and twitching corpses. Double checking that they were in the clear. One by one they each checked their notifications.

Level up! You are now level 4, look at you playing with the big boys. You now have 2 whole character points to spend, oh!

Skill increased: Spear Mastery (Beginner II): Jab, Jab, stab, look at you go! You gain 1n% when using a spear. where n = to skill level.

Skill increased: PoleArm Mastery (Beginner I): Using these two skills in harmony is really working out for you. You gain 1n% when using a staff, spear, or halberd. where n = to skill level.

Skill increased: Caretaker (Beginner II): Yes petting dogs will slightly increase this skill. You gain 5n%, where n = skill level, when taking care of animals.

Skill increased: Environmental Awareness (Beginner II): Tripping, no thanks. Bye bye, Mr clumsy. So long Miss low hanging branch. Oh how I’ll not miss you brother poison bush. You gain 1n%, where n = skill level, when using your surroundings to their fullest.

Skill increased: Tracking (Beginner V): Staring longingly into the footprints, overturned rocks, you now see a glowing path of where your target went. you gain 1n%, where n = skill level. Cool down 4 minutes and 35 seconds between uses.

Skill increased: Tame (Beginner I): Wow, just wow. Your classesmain skill is currently your lowest skill. Have you considered becoming a multiclass? You gain 1n% of taming them, where n = skill level. Maybe try actually following your class instead of becoming a spear bearer? Unless…

Would you like to set your class to Spearmen? Benefits include additional bonus included when using a spear, all spear related skills cost 5% less stamina.

Title upgraded: Risky II. Having the loud mouth, the informal leader of your party does negotiations with a village of hiding secret suspicious hermits that have been deemed an upgrade. Effect: Having this title show will increase your rewards by 10% but also increase your chance of failure by 10%.

After the golden light had settled from two of the three team members he read over his stat sheet, holding off on dumping his two characteristic points.

“Hey guys, I have a question.”

“What’s up?” Jazz asked offhandedly, while rummaging through her small satchel. Glass bottles tinked against each other causing soft echoes down the passageways.

“I’m, I’m not sure how I want to build my character or is it myself, since we're digital entities?”

“Well, what do you really want to do?”

“I want to… I guess… I actually don’t really know. I mean I want to find my family, but where would I even start.”

“If you want to find people then maybe you should make a contract with the rangers or thieves guild to start looking for them.” Le0n started attempting to pierce the veil of darkness beyond the torchlight he held.

“Wait really!?”

“Oh yea, it’s not a big deal or anything. After all, they are specialized in hunting down their prey.”

“I, I really never thought about it that way before.”

“Anyways, you're having trouble figuring out how you want to build your character?”

“Oh, ya. My highest skills are Spear Mastery, and PoleArm Mastery at beginner nine each, and my actual class skills are sitting between beginner five and two.” This statement got an odd look from both of his teammates.

“Marlow, how many skills do you actually have?” Jazz asked curiously.

“Seven?” This comment halted Le0n and Jazz.

“What level are you exactly?” Le0n politely asked, turning his head back towards the darkness.

“Four” Silence fell over the trio for a moment that seemed to last an eternity.

“Your level four, Marlow, I’m level nine. I’m having a hard time here. This area is meant for people level six and seven. How have you been obliterated yet!” Jazz nearly shouted, but was hushed by Le0n a few times.

“I think it's because I have two skills working in harmony with each other? My Spear Master helps me aim my spear toward weak points and PoleArm Mastery helps me handle staffs, spears, and halberds easier, maybe because they're both in the higher beginner ranks they maybe combine up to low expert rank?” Having given something for the two senior members of the group to think about they lapsed back into silence. This quietness altered them to the miniscule click of a million tiny feet.

Ants of course this bug filled dungeon had ants. They swarmed over the ground walls and ceiling, like water being poured out of a cup onto the concrete. They were fast little buggers. Scrambling to their feet, they were determined to stand their ground. How hard could it be that there were little ants?

Le0n was the first to flee, yelling over his shoulder.

“TheIR LEVEL SEVEN FIRE ANTS”

A quick glance at each other led them crawling, hopping, and leapt from giant grasshopper to grasshopper. The exit was now insight just a few more feet then it was just a straight run. The ant’s had something else in mind, as the three humans ran in terror, they carried their fallen brethren deeper into the cave.

After fleeing the gross incetiside cave decided to reconvene when they were a good forty feet away from the nightmare inducing generator.

“Did, huff, did you guys see that.” Jazmine panted hands on knees.

“There were just… so many of them,” Le0n interjected, laying against a tree facing the entrance of the cave.

“I for one am not going back in there! Or at least not with a flamethrower!” He said, eyeing the entrance.

“Oh there better be! Be a shrine in there or else someone is going to die tonight” Jazz huffed as the sun dipped behind the mountains. Leaving the party to stumble home in the dark.

Resting there, allowed their stamina to refill. Packing up fully knowing that they’d probably be sleeping in the town's ‘holding cell’ they began their slow march through the somewhat familiar forest. Even the dark blanket that had laid over the land seemed less terrifying than the millions of black ants that chased after them. Knocking on Redwood’s door they were escorted to their ‘comfortable camber room’. Laying there thinking was one of the more difficult things each one dealing with their demons.

‘Want do I want to do it?’ Marlow thought sitting down on the dirt shaped bed.

‘What use am I, if I can’t even help during a real fight?’ Jazz mulled over pulling her inchy blank over her head.

‘What could be the best method for making this town work for him?’ Le0n pondered as he brushed his teeth. Spitting into a nearby bucket, he blew out the candle. Covering the room in darkness.

The next day they talked it over and decided to grind up Marlow so that they’d all be on equal footing when they claimed the mine. This posed some difficulty since Warwood was in a ‘hidden’ village they couldn’t stray too far , else they never find their way back. Which meant if they got lost they were lost, until the assentrick Aspen found them. Which meant accepting quests from the villagers.

Heading out the door of the Sheriff's house they got a big whiff of the clear crisp air of an autumn morning, trees slowly turning yellow and orange. Ample leg room as they went down to the smiths. Hearing the river flow and the birds chirping. Informing the smith that it would be a bit longer then he hoped they continued on their merry way?

Walking around it became quite clear that they were not welcomed. Every time they approached someone they walked away in the opposite direction, hurriedly. Prices were raised whenever they came near, mother’s called their children home, and they generally got the stink eye wherever they went.

Rounding the corner to head back ‘home’ they were instead greeted by a fairly greasy, lanky, man, who seemed to always be in a constant hunch. Marlow could quite place until he spoke.

“Why, hello there travelers. What a pleasant surprise to see you here today. I thought you’d be out elsewhere.”

“Hi, Mr Black, I do agree with you. It is a pleasure to meet you here.” Jazz responded in a similar condescending tone.

“Look I know that we may have gotten off on the wrong foot the day before yesterday. But I intend to run for Warwood and you travelers to have much smoother relations in the future.” Black said bluntly, dropping his ‘welcoming’ tone.

“In that regard I referred to our ancient tomes. And have found a similar siquent of people that have your same abilities. People that could come back from the dead and what not. In exchange for not hurting us regularly, we could give them quests. They would get a small portion of our experience or money and we would be largely left alone. Along with my research I have also found my dear friend Ebony has some issues with his rebuilding our great wall. He should be at the entrance, so run along now.”

Quest offered, (Chain Quest) A friend in need In: Mr Black’s friend is in need of assistance. After the sudden attack from The Hunter’s Moon event. His friend plans to get the wall repaired before the week is through. Reward: variable. Failure unknown. Go find Ebony to receive further information. Accept Quest? [Yes / No]

Accepting the quest Marlow rejoined the conversation. Hashing out a few more small details about where the gate is, before heading off. Taking a few miss turns, they eventually made it there. After being pleated by a few small pebbles and dirt balls thrown by some kids in the middle of a rock war. They made it brusd and a bit bloody.

Standing there not sure what to do or who they should be looking for they nursed their minor battle wounds. Trying to save on healing potions, after all it was quite hard to grow regeneration redcap mushrooms on the go. Massaging the brushed ankle he noticed a plump man fidgeting by the gates. Pointing him out to the others they casually walked over.

“Hello they, you would happen to be Ebony now would you?” Marlow asked politely, while maintaining a big enough gap to not make the worried man feel uncomfortable.

“Ah, yes I am Ebony, and who might you be?” Ebony said, seeming to relax as help had just arrived.

“We are the travelers everyone has been so excited about! We were sent by Mr Black to aid you in fixing the wall.” Marlow cheerfully explained.

“Oh… well umm… ah yes the wall. Are you certain you adventurers want to help with this silly wall? I know you have really known us long, but well. I’d as-” After receiving blank expressions he quickly changed the subject.

“Alright then if you really want to help us out, then we're going to need some lumber. We aren’t allowed to cut down the tree near us since it’s our main way we have stayed hidden so well. If you head northword for about two or three miles you’ll come across a glade where we’ve already started chopping down trees. Axes are by the gate, if any other villagers want to help I’ll send them your way.” Ebony reluctantly stated. Getting a quest update the trio head out with axes in hand. It took them an hour to get there. Having said nothing during the entire journey only now feeling comfortable to speak once they were, for sure, out of ear shot.

“Alright I'll be the first to admit something seems fishy.” Marlow said, breaking the vow of silence that had fallen over them.

“Oh really! What gave it away; The fact that everyone in town has a name related to a plant or tree or how they are so determined to remain hidden?” Jazz sarcastically responded, swinging her axe into the tree missing her previous hit by a full foot.

“I do find it odd that there's a shrine in a mine, which is infested with bugs.” Le0n remarked, eyeing beyond the clearing instead of the nearest tree.

“Hey, did you guys bring your weapons?”

“I sure did” Jazz panted, pointing her axe at her nearby bag.

“Same here.” Marlow gestured at his spear resting comfortably on a close enough stumb.

“It is kind of strange now that you mention it. Like are you born and your parents are like ‘This looks like a mahogany to me, what do you think acaci.’ ‘I think it's a lovely name dear.” Marlow mocked prompting a small giggle out of Jazz.

“Well woodn’t cha know, I guess we're barking up the wrong tree. I guess we better leave it alone.”

“Oh me, oh my I look like we got a PUNisher in our mists.”

“Oh, wow, that was really sappy of you. We better get to the root of this problem. If we want to get a treet out of this.”

“Hey Jazz, you want to know my favorite month?”

“What?”

“Sep-Timber” Following this remark Marlow’s mostly chopped tree fell. Crashing against the ground kicking up a cloud of dust. Sending all the quiet critters of the forest to flee in terror, a long sleeping guardian awakened.

“I’m yelling tim-” The sound of branches snapping and wood landing on dirt filled the forest cut off what Jazz had been saying. The tired bear was not furious that these inunipudend pests had built up the nerve to chop down living trees. Minor earth caused the ground to quake as the Forest Guardian trampled on by. Making sure the know in him was squashed.

“Do you guys hear that?” Le0n spoke softly, backing up towards the center of the clearing. Sadly Marlow and Jazz didn’t hear this on the account that they were still making tree puns, while still fulfilling their quest given by ebony.

The Forest Guardian leapt over a family of deer unable to flee from the upcoming battle. Landing with a massive ‘thump’ leaving four two foot imprints of a giant bear paw. Another loving kind innocent tree fell; he now knew for sure there the invaders were. How dare they come into his home and not expect a fight.

Something was off. The hair on the back of Marlow’s arm were standing still. The unwavering sting Le0n had tired to a passing tree finally wiggled. Jazz’s glass bottle neatly packed together began to klink and clatter.

It was like a horror movie, the tension that had been built finally snapped as the Forest Guardian leapt and landed in the clearing. Sending everyone there flying. Recovering first, due to his high dexterity and low constitution, Le0n got to see what they were up against.

Theodore, The chosen Forest Guardian

Hp: 2,140/2,800

Level: 29

Highest stat: Strength

Ongoing Effects: Enraged 3, Enlarge 3, Mana infused body, Well rested.

On instinct he drew an arrow and fired, hitting the fur ball in the arm. The bear leapt forward, arms outstretched to crush the weak, tiny, frail human for destroying it’s forest.

The Paranoid Range attempted to dodge out of the way of the bear, but was welcomed with a massive, callus, paw. Being slapped felt like being hit by a freight train, the tree that caught him was much sturdier than his back.

Theodore, lighty glances you for 158 points of damage.

Oak tree has stopped you for 25 points of damage.

Spinal cord broken, please seek medical or magical help as soon as possible.

Light bleeding 1, you lose .5 hit points for every minute this effect is active time remaining: 25, 24, 23…

Internal bleeding 5 you lose 15 points of damage as long as this effect is active time remaining: 6:00, 5:59, 5:58…

“Welp, we're screwed.” Le0n choked out through a mouth full of blood.

Party Leader Le0n of the Thunderdome Guild has died.

“Le0n!” A simultaneous blood curdling scream came from both Jazz and Marlow. This did not go unnoticed by their pursuer. Slowly the bear releases an intimidating aura freezing its victims in place.

This fear aura reminded of the time when he was just a kid and had broken the family vase. He did his best to hide it so he would get in trouble, but when they adventurally did find it he felt fear like no other as he was called down stairs in the middle of the night and forced to stand in the corner.

Jazz was the first to break free from the palpable tension in the air, charging forward and hurling a small glass vile at Theodore. The beast unfazed by the small tube batted it away, shattering the fragile bottle. The glass tinkled as the purple slug began to steam and hiss. Theodore, unused to feeling true pain, shook his paw to get rid of the burning sensation.

“What is that!”

“It's a hair burning potion, terrible on bugs, great for fur balls like him!” Jazz hastily spoke, already fishing through her bag for another one.

Small flecks of purple goop flue everywhere and Theodore vigorously batted his paw to get rid of the scorching sneation. Inturn allowing the goop to reach new places altogether. It was just mad now it was downright furious that these merging humans could hurt him.

“Got it!” Jazz cheered, holding up an enormass flask of bubbling black brew.

“What is that?”

“Oh this little thang, it's my first vivle potion!”

“Wait I thought there were on just one type of potions”

“Ordinarily I’d happily inform you of the differences, but where in the middle of a battle.” Jazz said frantically popping off the lid and pouring a bag of white powder into the yeasting beaker causing it to turn from black to a dull yellow. Swishing it around she gave Marlow a serious look.

“Marlow, I have an extremely risky plan, so If we both want to survive I want you to do exactly as I say.” Nodding his head, Jazz elaborated and a worried expression fell over his placid face.

‘How dare they!’ Theodore thought to himself scraping the consent searing slug off of his body, using a nearby stump to do so. After all this was probably the worst thing they did was this potion of burning. He made them pay slowly, their bowmen had gotten it off far too easily; he must rain in his overbearing strength.

Dashing through the leaves, he hoped this would work. Over the stumps he cleaved, screaming all the way.

Theodore snapped his attention onto the loud and cowardly human, seeing a fearful target. He charged, oblivious to where the much smaller of the pair had hampered off to, no matter they both be a tasty snack soon enough.

Chancing a dangerous glance Marlow saw that the bear was following. It’s might paw thump the ground. Sending autumn leaves back into the air and trees to shake relentlessly causing even more leaves to descend. Soon the bear would be upon him, heart racing he pushed on. His legs struck the soft soil launching him a few feet forward. If only spent a few more points in constitution he’d. Be. Able. To. Make. It. Further. The beast of the Forest leapt, extending its jaw and swallowed the frightful human whole.

Jazz watched as her plan suddenly went off the rails.

“Well, Crap” Standing up fully, knowing full well that her stealth no longer mattered. She sprinted to finish the trap that was ‘originally’ the plan.

“Stuipied potions, stuipied bear.” Jazz muttered under her breath. Dumping the remaining drops onto the stump of freshly chopped tree. Beginning the count down in her head she whistled, grabbing the twenty foot tall brown bear’s attention.

Padding towards the meek tiny human, Theodore thought. ‘Well at least one human can bear this punishment.’ Pursuing the scared human, pasting the recently fallen tree. He figured this would be a fitting end. ‘Chop my trees, I’ll chop you down.’

“4… 3… 2… 1…” Jazz meticulously counted leading the overpowered beast over the stumps. Reaching zero the gray pebbles she previously dumped out fizzled and crackled, as time slowed to a stand still.

Whenever Jazz was told stories as a child the heroes in said stories were usually knights, wizards, or rogues. And usually fought a dragon or their counterpart to save the damsel. Every time, without fail, the dopamine rush was just so satisfying.

So when she got into karate to be a kick but warrior princess, she realized she didn’t really like the taste of gym mat. The next week she tried to be a sneaky thief in the night, by grabbing an extra cookie. She just didn’t count on her parents still being up that late. After giving up on her dreams of being an amazing hero in armor, she discovered chemistry, the wizardry of the world.

These would have been the final thoughts as Jazz passed into the respawn room, if it weren’t for the small fact that Theodore was covering the homemade sodium bomb. Scalding hot water and sparkling leaves explodied, scorching the overwise bulletproof bear.

“Crap.” Jazz said as she straight up and up and up at the now standing Theodore. Popping off the cap of the yellow potion bottle she put it down.

Potion of minor haste consumed time remaining 1:59 1:58

With everything slowed down, leafs drifted down like snowflakes, the soft wind was now nonexistent. Dashing at the behemoth the punch is getting a red minus one to pop up. Backing up she rethought her brilliant plan.

‘Umm, if this was a forest then there’s probably a river nearby’ Patting her bag did confirm that she did have some more sodium. With a new goal in mind she took off. Legs pounding against the crackling leafs, kicking them up only take an eternity to fall back down. Breaking the still air as she dashed through the autumn breeze, reminded her of a speedster hero who left light where he ran. She could only hope that the gigantic bear would follow her to her known trap.

Being swallowed whole was definitely a new experience, for Marlow, everything was all slimy, mucusy, and he had the consent vertigo of falling. Thankfully he couldn’t see otherwise he might have lost his stomach a few times. He struggles to move in such a tight place. At this point he couldn’t tell if his eyes were even open or closed. It was just so dark. Feeling his body he thought he had a knife somewhere on his body.

Theodore roared as the little human took off. Standing there he felt the restless human inside of him move about, it did not matter the only thing that did was ending that miserable witch’s life. She made fire from nothing only mages could take; she hadn’t even opened her fire affinity yet. It was time to show her what real power was. Closing his eyes Theodore found his core and channeled his mana through it. Turning it from a faint green stream into a raging waterfall of mana. Changing his eyes from black to a bright lime green, causing the inactive symbols to glow a dark green all over his body, and some of his soft fur to sprout into quills.

There was a reason why he was chosen to be the guardian of the forest for good reason. Landing back on all fours he charged after the wicked alchemist. He would no longer be made a fool of by this little annoying human.

Running past a rather large root, Jazz caught out of her eye the beast. ‘NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!’ she thought as she fled for her life. Passing a few more trees she heard it, the slow turning of water. Checking time she only has twenty five seconds remaining. With no time to waste she bolted it to the lagging river. Frowning, she found it to be about a foot deep. ‘If I were to cross the river, it would force that monster to follow’ With no time to waste she trudged through the clear water. When she was just half way through the haste potion ended, just as Theodore came into view.

Kicking the now rabidly rolling river Jazz sprinted in a vain attempt to cross the stream. She could feel the minor tremors as Theodore barreled after her. Each paw is now the size of a car wheel, leaving indentation of the giant beast. Spoosh! Freezing cold water covered her back, twisting around to reveal that Theodore had entered the river. In a few short steps He had arrived, standing up on his hind legs reaching up his arms towards heaven and brought them down.

Inside the agitated bear a unique circumstance was happening. Marlow once darkness now saw a faint green glow reaching out to it; he was mean by the same slime acidic stomach. However this time he had his trust boot knife in hand.

Jazz rolled to the side and letting the water carry her away from danger. Reaching in her trust bag she found that her bottle of sodium was replaced with nothing searching through again she found it missing. Frantically looking around, she of course found it under the bear between two rocks fully intact.

Rising its wheel -sized paw Theodore roar causing the tree to shake and birds from miles away to begin migrating. Bounding forwards the small human dove in between his tree trunk sized legs. Looking down and under himself he saw a little human pick up a clear egg, cracking it in her hand, then throwing it at his face and landing with a small plop under his tummy.

You have killed Theodore, The chosen Forest Guardian, level 25. Heroic feat completed +2 to every stat except for karmic luck. Experience gained 7,200 for defeating a monster twenty times your level each member of your party gains the title ‘Legend’ and a mystery gift. (Choose how you want your experience to be divided amongst your creatures and you)

New title gained: Legend. For defeating a monster twenty times your name will whisper through your history will they be full of admiration or loathing. Effect double reputation gains and half’s reputation losses, +25% damage when fighting an opponent who is higher level then you, and -25% damage when fighting an opponent who is lower level then you.

Zone alert: A party with ties to the guild ‘Thunderdome’ has slayen Theodore ‘The chosen Forest Guardian’. All creatures with the secret basin now give 2.5 experience when slayen members or relation to the guild ‘Thunderdome’. For the next month and two days.

Item gain Mysterious Ring (???): Wearing this ring for a full 24 hour will completely bond to that person, and can’t be removed without destroying said item. We’re sure more details will become available. Begin process now? [Yes / No]

Reading over the messages Jazz accepted the bonding process. Looking away she saw that Marlow thankfully was killed but was rather drifting to the ground in a golden light, in the middle of the bloody rain. Seeing this was properly that this was probably a safe space Jazz checked her character sheet.

Name: Jazmine, First come, first served.

Class: Alchemist (Actual: Witch)

Character Level: 9

Experience: 7,345

Experience points until next level: 37,655

Profestion: Chemist, Level: 10

Experience: 334

Experience points until next level: 54,666

Hit Points: 70

Mana: 675

Mana reg: 12.5 per second

Stamina: 330

Strength: 22

Dexterity: 54

Constitution: 12

Intelligence: 54

Wisdom: 50

Charisma: 39

Perception: 58

Luck: 17

Karmic luck: 16

Nodding she strolled over and watched as Marlow carved through the exploded remains of a gigantic bear.

“If you're planning on skinninging it, you may want to find a better subject, since this one is resting in pieces.” Jazz tessed.

“I saw something.” He grunted, cleaving through an extra tough muscle.

“Something in there was glowing and I’d like to know what it was.”

“OH really!”

Hours later chopping, searching, and setting aside large chunks of meat they finally found a special beast core. Talking it over they decided to keep and have it appraised by a professional, if anyone was willing to talk to them, planning on Le0n when he adventurealy respawned of what had happened.

With the sun reaching its peak they continued chopping trees. As the sun began to set they headed back into town. Only to be meant by the village's elders at the gate.

“Why, hello there. I do believe we have much to talk about.” Elder Redwood said with a forced grin on his face.