-Armageddon

Leroy, Jenkins, and Wilson had been talking about the dungeon experience. They mainly had been catching Leroy up on what happened in the dungeon, as the Dominator had remained outside as the rearguard in case more roaming mobs were coming in from behind. They were sitting on a log. The tall trees overhead caused the sun to be partially blocked out, resulting in narrow beams of sunlight lighting up dust particles. Pine needles covered the ground, and the distinct scent of clean forest air filled their lungs.

"Yeah, man," Wilson said, "That Strange hit like a ton of bricks. Totally overloaded my manna for a moment. Lucky I had a high-grade life-saving treasure to backup my manna shield." The Dominator started drawing a circle in the air. "Mind if I use a spell so I can view the experience through your eyes?" Wilson narrowed his eyes. "I suppose. But that better be the only thing you view."

Leroy closed his eyes and tightened his focus. A yellow rope-like connection snaked over Wilson's head a moment later. A moment later, Leroy opened his eyes again. "Holy shit, man. That's super scary. That Strange is way overpowered! Normally, physical attacks or even a good fireball can hurt a Strange, but with that armor, there is no way."

There was silence for a moment before Jenkins spoke up. "That may be true, but it looks like the Ancient Dungeon is in control of the Strange. Fortunately for us, the dungeon appears amenable to being used up to the 10th level without the presence of the Strange. It will be perfect for farming high-grade materials, training recruits on trap evasion, and gaining levels from the increased manna levels." Wilson replied, "Yeah, I agree. And we also may want to see if the guild will pay for enhanced life-saving treasures. They will want to see what the rewards are up to the 14th level for sure. It's going to be very expensive to survive against the Strange though."

Jenkins stood up and stretched, "Yeah, that Strange game of tag is something else. Defiantly shows the dungeon is intelligent. As long as we follow its apparent rules, we are probably going to be able to coexist without too many problems. I can feel my pocketbook getting bigger already."

Wilson stood up. "Well, I have already informed the guild about the dance room, and they are hiring an instructor to help prepare adventures to pass that. What we need to do now is open a portal for the expedition to come through. They will want to clear trees and build an outpost here."

The Dominator suddenly looked to the sky. "We may have a problem. My beast sense skill just triggered. We got incoming. Probably attracted to the increased manna flow in the area."

The party had formed into a circle, each member facing outwards, when a loud cry split the skies. "Shit, it's a dragon," exclaimed Leroy. "Tighten the circle. Wilson shield us while I start my control spell."

Moments later, a massive red-black dragon with thick wings and an enormous maw landed in the clearing. It hadn't apparently noticed them as its eyes were glued to the dungeon's entrance. The beast was far too big actually to enter the gleaming metal tunnel, though. After a moment of looking into the tunnel depts, it turned its head to look at the group.

Rawr Dragon

Description:

This ancient beast type can be found nesting near high concentrations of manna.

HP:

1,000,000

MP:

500,000

Special attack:

Fire wave breath

Weakness:

It would be strange to find a weakness in such a beast

-Brian-

I was super excited about my new job. However, I didn't have any experience teaching dance before. I figured it couldn't be much different than teaching Kung Fu, but I thought I should ask the girls at the semi-nightly dance class about it and see if any of them wanted to come out and help make it less awkward for the many surly to be macho adventurers.

I checked the documentation the lady had handed me regarding the job, and it looked like I was supposed to be on-site as soon as the forward scout team had a portal up for transport. I decided to make my way over to the guildhall as soon as I bought supplies for camping. I would need a tent and full campsite gear until the construction teams could magic up some housing.

I decided to keep my apartment in the city paid up for the next six months. If the guild set up a permanent portal to the dungeon camp, there would be no reason why I could not come back and forth and still go to manna ball at practice.

I had dent seen any red dots on my HUD since the incident where I caught the idiots setting up a surveillance rune on my door, but I was still observant as I walked down to cobbled streets.

-Kolan Empire: Planet Kaolin-

The head scientist of the special team bowed before the Emperor. "We have successfully located many possible universes that Brian may have warped to. We will have to send scouts to pinpoint the exact location, though. We need your authorization!"

The Emperor smiled viscously. "Oh, do you? Consider yourself authorized! Find the traitor!"

The scientist relayed the command, and thousands of scouts engaged their multiverse jump drives.

-Armageddon-

The Dragon opened its maw. "Roarrrr!" Wilson felt a warmth trickle down his leg. This thing ways way scary!

The group scrunched closer together, and Jenkins raised a massive shield just as white-hot flames poured towards the group.

Wilson fumbled in a panic, barely raising his area of effect manna barrier in time. The white-hot flames impacted Jenkin's shield and splashed outwards, encasing the group as the flames flowed around Wilson's manna bubble.

The heat was intense even behind the magical protection, and the temperature rapidly rose inside the spell shield. Jenkin's scrunched his face in determination as he attempted to connect his dominator class mind-control spell on the beast.

The Dragon's fire breath didn't stop. The dirt around the group turned to glass, the surrounding trees burnt to cinders, and the rolling wave of fire continued on to set ablaze a forest that was moments ago pristine.

After what seemed an eternity later, the breath stopped. Wilson waved his hands in the ritual to open a portal to the guildhall, and Jenkins charged, yelling "Leerrrryoy" Right then, Leroy's eyes glowed as his possession spell completed.

The Dragon froze in place for a moment as the possession spell took hold. Jenkins blade came down in a massive overhand attack "Thwack!" The attack rebounded off the Dragon's nose, and Jenkins flew back like a missile had hit him.

As Jenkins arched over the glassed and smoking ground, Leroy yelled, "I can't hold the spell much longer! And I can't breathe from the smoke!"

Wilson's fingers moved faster, and a crackling sound echoed in the soot-filled air. Reality seemed to split as the portal took shape; A shimmering blue circle filled with black emptiness popped forth. The smoke from the flash fire billowed around the shimmering portal and clouded the air.

"Go!" coughed Wilson. Jenkins sprinted towards the portal from where he had fallen. As he entered, Leroy and Wilson both stepped together. The portal snapped out of existence, and the Dragon was released. The Dragon, unaffected by the smoke, let its mighty roar rip once again-echoing across the now wasted land.

-Brian-

I got to the guildhall where the expedition was preparing to leave. However, after standing in line for some time, I was informed that the expedition would be postponed due to a raid boss showing up at the dungeon. A crackling portal popped forth a few moments later, and three adventures stumbled into the courtyard.

Smoke poured out of the portal behind them, and I thought I heard the echo of a roar before it snapped shut.

I decided to introduce myself, as this scouting party was probably responsible for issuing the order to hire me.

I walked over. "Hi! My name is Brian! I am the new dance instructor. Super excited to be here!"

Wilson brushed some ash off his robe. "Well, hello there! Brian eah? I am pleased the guild acted so fast to get you on board. What did you do before?"

I shook the man's hand. Jenkins and Leroy walked off and started talking to other people. "Well, sir, I was in charge of training recruits in physical combat over at the guard."

"Well, you don't say!" Wilson replied, "The guard, huh?" He looked at me with warm eyes. "I just want you to know we have different rules here. Welcome aboard!"

I smiled back at the man. "So, what can you tell me about this dungeon?" Wilson brushed some more ash off his robe. "Well, the dungeon itself doesn't seem too hostile as long as we don't infringe past a certain level and obey its dance rule. That's what you're here to help with! We just got a bit of a raid boss problem to clear up, and then we plan on building an outpost town there."

I conversed with Wilson a bit longer before heading back to my apartment. The expedition wouldn't be heading out until the guild could remove the Dragon from the area.