Epilogue – Part One

Leaving the Dungeon was almost exactly the same as entering it. We entered the exit portal, and were temporarily blinded by light, revealing the fact that we’d been surrounded by soldiers yet again. And just like before, we were given a rousing speech as soon as we regained our bearings.

“Congratulations, congratulations! I must say, I’m very impressed with you all! To think that this little venture would actually succeed! I cannot express my gratitude to you all in words befitting it! Thank you! Thank you!”

What the heck? Uh, this is weird.

“Now, since some of you have possibly forgotten who I am, I shall reintroduce myself. I am Kazeth Aleic Forzerenth, otherwise known as the Director in charge of the African branch of the Committee. I know I already gave this spiel once before, but please bear with me for a moment.”

“Some of you may have noticed my friends from the Ethiopian National Defense Force standing nearby, but rest assured. They are here not to hurt you, but to help process you faster so you may all be on your merry way. We’re going to set up several stations where we can verify that you cleared the Dungeon, and present your compensation for a job well done. Also, we are willing to buy any unwanted items you may have on your persons.”

“Please take care to keep things neat and orderly, because I’ve arranged for transportation for those who want it. This is technically still an active military site, so we’d like to get you all off the premises as soon as possible.”

With two quick claps, Director Forzerenth began a rather hectic process as the soldiers began to do exactly as he said. The process was quick and easy too. Since they’d apparently chosen to believe that we’d actually cleared the Dungeon instead of retreating. The longest part of the process was when someone turned over a bag of equipment they didn’t want. The going rate was rather generous, even for F-Rank items.

They’re paying a hundred dollars for F-Rank armors? And five hundred for the D-Rank sets? Why? From watching them, I’ve guessed that this Forzerenth character is the one actually buying the items, all the while making it seem like it’s the Committee or Ethiopia. Is he just trying to take advantage of this opportunity, or is there more to it then what I’m seeing?

Despite my worries about the whole thing, the transfer actually went very well. Between the reward we given for clearing the Dungeon, as well as the items we sole, each of us easily made over a hundred thousand U.S Dollars, which was more money than I’d ever had before. Even the payouts from our other jobs hadn’t been to quite this level.

Yeah, something’s going on here, and I want nothing to do with it. Whenever this much money is just being thrown around like this, then you know something big is going down behind the scenes. Also, the fact that they’re paying us in U.S Dollars is somewhat worrying. I’m pretty sure the dollar isn’t the strongest currency, nor the most widely spread. I think that might be Euro, but I’m probably wrong about that. Either way, there is definitely something happening here. Of that much I’m certain.

***

Ohohohohoh! What a wonderful day! I’ve procured so much merchandise, and on the cheap no less! Ahhh, these mercenaries are still unaware of the value of these goods, but my business partner is not. Sure, I may have spent a small fortune buying all of this, but I’ll triple it later on! Ohohohohoh!

Money, and the art of commerce, were essential parts of his personality. He spent the majority of every day trying to figure out how to make more money, even if he needed to bend the law a little to do so. That’s not to say he was a complete criminal, he did donate to multiple charities every year. But at the end of the day, he lived for money, or at least the pursuit of it.

Now, let’s see. I’ve already located two of my candidates, but neither of them are what I’m looking for. That young man with the black coat, he’s much too distrustful. He’d be likely to cut me down at the first sign of trouble, if he bothered to agree to my deal at all. And that healer girl! Ugh, she’s the worst kind of person. Too compassionate with not enough brains. I’m surprised she’s gotten this far. Haah, guess I’ll have to check my third and fourth candidates.

***

Things wrapped up surprisingly well once everyone was processed. A little to well, but that was just my paranoia speaking. Soon, we were given the option of boarding transport trucks that would take us to to a nearby town for a night’s worth of accommodations, or striking off on our own. The former was chosen almost unanimously. Everyone was tired after a week in the Dungeon, and creature comforts would go a long way towards alieving that fatigue.

“Hwwaaaaaaan. A bed, a real bed. Oh, and a shower! Oh, and food that isn’t wrapped in plastic packaging. And a shower!”

Alicia had gone into a sort of frenzy as she couldn’t decide what she was more looking forward to, and just kept going back and forth while throwing in the occasional yawn just to spice things up. Hearing her babble was starting to get on my nerves, but it was better than uncomfortable silence. We didn’t know anyone in the transport we’d gotten on, and everyone else was either exhausted, or acting like they were afraid of us. Or me, more likely.

“Aaah, but then there’s TV! I need to find out what’s happened while we were busy! Er, but there’s also a need to relax while watching something mindless. But then there’s also also a shower!”

“Alicia! Did we, or did we not, spend almost three months without any of the things you’ve mentioned? You were fine after that, so why are you reacting like this now?”

“It’s because that wasn’t as stressful! Come on Michael, we almost died multiple times in there! Are you telling me you don’t need to blow off a little steam?”

“No, I’ll relax when we get there, but I won’t bounce in my seat like you’re doing. Also, is this really the time to let your guard down? There was clearly something going on back there. We might not be in the clear just yet.”

“…Killjoy.”

“Haaah, that’s not undeserved, but it is uncalled for. Just tone it down a notch or two. Like I said, we need to be alert for a little while longer.”

We fell silent after that, and I felt a gaze on me from the side, though I resisted the urge to turn and look. Cameron was looking at us, and I just felt that I knew what was coming. He’d most likely wait until we were settled in for the night, but it was coming.

***

In a separate transport from the one Michael was in, the mood was rather dour. However, unlike Michael’s, the mood here was not caused by fear of a person, but rather stemmed from the fact that everyone was too deep into their own thoughts. Of the forty-something people in the vehicle, everyone was from a group that had lost multiple members inside the Dungeon. They were all contemplating their next moves, and whether or not to continue mercenary activities. There were more than a few people who’d had their spirits broken.

And of those forty-something individuals, three were particularly stuck in the quagmire of their thoughts. Grant, Kalia, and Braddock were all going over what they’d done, seen, and learned while in the Dungeon, and trying to figure out what mistakes they’d made and how they could fix them.

Braddock was primarily worried about Kalia, as she’d been silent ever since they left the Dungeon. While he wanted to try to talk to her about it, he was afraid to since he was barely holding himself together. He knew she’d see right through him if they talked for any length of time, so he held his tongue and hoped she’d choose the right thing.

For his part, Grant wanted to just get through this without any large incidents occurring. Braddock’s current condition was basically a ticking time bomb, and he’d love to far away once it finally went off. Getting caught up in a massive incident between the other two would only serve to waste his and everyone else's time.

And as for Kalia, well she was still unsure of what she should do next. Despite all her deliberations. She’d been unable to come to a decision last night. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. She had come up with an idea last night, but she wasn’t sure if it was the right choice. It would depend on how things turned out with Braddock and Grant.

The Dungeon may have been cleared, but the problems it caused were still hanging around. How things would shake out was still to be seen.

***

1.9%. I know I should be happy about that since none of the other guys got over one percent, but I’m just a little disappointed in the item I got.

Challenger's Spear

Rank: C

Effect: Increases all Abilities when facing an opponent of a higher Rank. The increase is proportional to the Rank of said opponent.

Description: A spear crafted from Mana Steel, and Enchanted with Strengthening Magic. When faced with great adversity, the spear shall bestow power to its wielder to help them overcome it.

The spear wasn’t a bad item, and was in fact sharper than the one he had, but it would only show its true potential when up against enemies of a higher Rank, something Brad wished to avoid. He’d wanted something that would work in any situation, like what Tavin had gotten.

Roughshod Traveler's Boots

Rank: C

Effect: Slight increase to Speed and Agility, Provides resistance to Terrain Effects

Description: A pair of boots that appear worn out at first glance, but are in fact brand new. Anyone who wears them will be given resistance to the effects of certain terrains, such a poison marshes or heated rock. In addition, the boots have had anti-slip treads added to them.

For whatever reason, Tavin had decided that these boots didn’t clash with his “no armor” philosophy, and thus wore them proudly. They were decent for a C-Rank item, but it was the second effect that Brad coveted. Something like that would be valuable in nearly any situation, and was much better than a spear that only strengthened him against more powerful foes.

“Hm, you seem down my friend. How can I cheer you up? Oh, I know! Once we’ve recovered enough, I shall take you on a training journey, one where we shall wander the globe fighting formidable enemies as we go.”

Gah! Only you would enjoy something like that!

Brad had to get away from this weirdo, or he’d be stuck being the guy's protégé forever.

***

“D-Director? Are you really just going to let them go off on their own? I don’t think the capital will like this.”

“Ohohoh, don’t worry about it. They’re just doing me a little favor. I’ll make sure to smooth things over once I’ve headed back. Is that alright captain?”

“Yes sir!”

Sampson let the overheard conversation pass him by. He was too focused on what he was doing to really care.

“We’re all set Boss! Just give us the word, and we’ll head on out!”

“Got it. And how’d the fresh meat take it?”

“Some grumbling and whining, but no one quit. I guess the Dungeon weeded out all the cowards for us, eh?”

“Hahaha, yeah, that it did. Now, just give me a minute to check in with our client.”

Sampson didn’t believe in taking breaks. Unlike the other fools, who would all return to civilization and risk losing their edge, he was fully intent on continuing to fight for the foreseeable future. Especially after what that creepy Director had told him. The man was the kind of sleazebag Sampson didn’t want to work with, but some quick negotiations had gotten him some critical information. He’d even managed to wrangle a new job out of it too.

“Ah, Mister Sampson. I take it your preparations are all taken care of?”

“Yeah, they are. And cut the mister crap. I don’t need no formalities clouding this up. We aren’t business partners. You’re using me, and I’m using you. That’s all this is.”

“Hmm, very well. If that’s how you feel. Now, do take care not to lose the trucks on your journey, as I’d be forced to ask for re-compensation in that case. Now here’s your list of targets. Do take care not to damage them too much. My buyer wants them in as pristine a condition as possible.”

“Hmph, will do.”

Sampson took the list Forzerenth offered, and set off to return to his men. Looking over it, he saw that they were expected to find roughly thirty different specimens, with at least three cadavers of each. Nearly a hundred bodies would need to be brought back. A significant investment of time and energy.

He walked to the first of the trucks they’d been “given", and jumped into the driver's seat. They’d been given three transport trucks and two refrigerator trucks for the cadavers, though he’d need to return the latter. The contract he’d signed stated that these trucks would be theirs after they’d completed the job.

“So, that went well.”

Jansen was sitting in the passenger's seat, idly playing with his bow. The man had disappeared soon after they’d left the Dungeon, only to reappear just as Sampson had given up on him. And in response to his query about where’d he’d been, all he’d been told was “sending a package.” So it wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to say he wasn’t very pleased with the man.

“That’s one way to say it. So, what’s your take on the Director?”

“Hmm, I don’t like him. He’s the kind of person to smile on the surface, all the while plotting to stab you in the back. We should be vigilant around him, but we can use him for now.”

“Ha, just what I was thinking. Still, there’s no reason to stick around once we’ve done what he’s asked. There’s two countries nearby that have no where near the level of security these guys do. I think we’ll head there after we restock on supplies. Carrying enough food for fifty people should be easy with these trucks.”

With that, Sampson started the vehicle, and began the first of the many voyages that would bring his name onto the global stage.

***

“Nehehehehehe, finally.”

Far, far to the north of the transport trucks, a figure stood on the roof of a building. Covered head-to-toe in a long, billowing robe, there was no possible way to know who or what this person was. Not a single inch of their body could be seen.

“Nehehehehehe, yes, yes! Ahahahaha, you’re so close my little morsel. Nehehehehehe.”

The figure was clearly not in their right mind if their maniacal cackling was anything to go by. Also, they seemed to be speaking to someone who wasn’t present.

“Nehehehe, oh, I wonder if the little seed I planted bloomed for you. Did it, did it? Did it bloom into a wonderfully fiendish flower for you? It was quite the fertile ground, so I’d be most pleased if it managed to entertain you. Nehehehehehe.”

More twisted laughter escaped the figure, who was beginning to lose control of them-self. In fact, their laughter was becoming enough to alarm the handful of people who still lived nearby, and one person would make a grave mistake because of it.

“Hey! Cut it out! The hell are you even doing over here? Stop laughing you fucking ret-! Kwaaaagh!”

“So rude! Do I come by to spoil your fun? Do I berate you? No! Well, at least I can end your wretched existence here, before you try to offend me more.”

Something long and flesh-colored had shot out of the figure’s sleeve, and impaled itself into the man's chest. The mysterious appendage wouldn’t remain mysterious for long, as a second one shot out of the figure's other sleeve and completely destroyed the man's head, killing him instantly.

“Haaah, what a way to have your buzz killed. Haaah, at least I’ve gotten lunch from this. I don’t particularly enjoy human, but I suppose I should at least try to stoke my appetite a little before the main course. Nehehe.”

***

*Bang, Bang, Bang!*

Cortis sighed as the three monsters collapsed, their heads now sporting nifty little airholes. It had taken him a day to get out here, but he felt like he was finally far enough away from the humans that he could remove his helmet.

Ah, humans don’t know how lucky they are to have their ears on the sides of their heads. Finding good headgear that doesn’t scream Felnixian while having ample ear room is really hard! Hm, now where’d I put that dimensional stone? I know it’s here somewhere….aha!

Traveling between dimensions was rather easy, so long as you had the support of the World System. You only needed two things, the coordinates of the dimension you were traveling to, which the System could automatically provide, and a dimensional stone, of which their were dozens of ways to get. There were other ways to travel between worlds, but this was by far the easiest. All Cortis would have to do is think of home and crush the stone, and he’d soon find himself back.

Ah, I can’t wait. Earth is nice and all, but there’s no place like home. I just hope Auntie won’t be mad at me for leaving for so long. Ah, who am I kidding? She’s going to be livid. Haaah, better get it over with.

*Crunch*

*Beep-beep-bop-boop-beep-boop-boop-bop*

Two seconds later, there was nothing there but a pile of crushed rock.