Gloria Maltine, Rank: D+
-- Race: Human (*), Age: 26
-- Magic Orientation: Metal Elemental Magic
-- Magical energy: 1,100
-- Magical Aura: 1,100 – Possesses the magic ability to remotely access and control electromagnetic waves and their associated devices within range of her.
Vayda Margo, Rank: D
-- Race: Human (*), Age: 22
-- Magic Orientation: Metal Elemental Magic
-- Magical energy: 1,750
-- Magical Aura: 300 – Possesses the magic ability to increase the lethality of weapons and tools wielded by her.
Cole Clay, Rank: D
-- Race: Human (*), Age: 22
-- Magic Orientation: Earth Elemental Magic
-- Magical energy: 2,200
-- Magical Aura: --
Looking at the screen that hovered over each of them on the TV, several questions pop into my head. These questions are immediately followed by a number of translucent panels that end up blocking my vision.
Surprised, I end up waving my arms around to dismiss them. I then cover my face while trying to sort through all this. "Can I get a summary," I ask. "But more importantly, why is Analyze with the DC better than when I do it?"
"It is because it is a function of the Dungeon," Alice stated plainly. "The Analyze ability bestowed to the Host is a dynamic ability tied to your status as an Invader. The Dungeon's is a static ability offered by the system."
Dragging my hand down, I simplify, "So, if I get stronger, so will my ability until it's eventually better than the Dungeon's version. But until then, I get dog shit."
"Yes."
"Question two, what's with the plus sign next to Gloria's Rank?"
"The Rank-system utilized by the system is unique compared to the Level-system utilized by the world in that it allows for more variation. Next to an individual's Rank, there may be a plus or minus sign to indicate a level of ability above or below their determined Rank."
"Hmm, guess that's why they have a separate system. So, even if they have the power of a certain Rank, their actual skill and ability might be less than. That makes sense." I eye Gloria's Rank. "She's definitely more dangerous than she lets on. Her official unique magic is the ability to highjack the signals machines use. This makes her great at information gathering and processing. She can hack a computer just by thinking about it and pull whatever information off it she wants. She doesn't even need to see it, just be relatively close to it. Same building or so I think is her range."
"But she specifically 'controls electromagnetic waves'. She's fucking dangerous. Her limited magical energy and Magical Aura is the only reason she's not worse. Vee and Cole at least make sense. In terms of raw magical energy, he's got her beat, but her Magical Aura beats him easy."
"What about those asterisk next to their race? I'm guessing that has to do with the side effect of working with Sasha? To indicate that – while they are human –, they're just not quite."
"Correct."
"Can I have a summary?"
Alice nodded. "The Dungeon has recognized, replicated, and stored Metal and Earth Elemental Magic attributes, it has done the same for the abilities of Gloria Maltine and Vayda Margo."
At this, I slowly raise my head and look to Alice. "Wait. So, you mean I can just copy the powers of anyone who steps into the Dungeon?"
Alice tilted her head and blinked at me like I was asking something stupid. "I had mentioned this before. That Analyze is meant to collect new options for the Dungeon."
I recall something vaguely to that effect…Damn. That's a good trick.
"You have also earned DP for your first successful acquisition of resources through Analyze – earning an additional two-hundred-seventy-two DP."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
[Within the Dungeon, Third Person]
The trio made their way into the next room of the Dungeon. What they found was another batch of First-Stage Unit and about half as many Second-Stage Units.
Kackling Phantom (larva I), Rank: H
-- First-Stage
-- Magic Orientation: Dark Elemental Magic
-- Magical energy: 100
-- These small, fleshy creatures feed by absorbing electromagnetic waves in the air and storing the excess electricity within their body that can be released as an electric charge.
-- Do not allow near computers or all unprotected data will be drained and consumed.
Kackling Phantom (larva II), Rank: G
-- Second-Stage
-- Magic Orientation: Dark Elemental Magic
-- Magical energy: 600
-- These small creatures may seem harmless but they have a powerful bite that can pierce metal. Though now able to eat, they are still able to absorb electromagnetic waves to feed – storing the electrical energy within their body. They now possess antenna that enable them to focus this energy – emitting their own electromagnetic waves or concentrating the electricity stored in their bodies.
-- Their bite allows them to chew through any firewall or security. Now, no data is safe from them as they will chew through anything that gest in their way.
Once again, the First-Stage Units leaped toward the group with their bodies cracking with electricity.
Cole energetically readied himself and released a wave of magic into the ground to form his rock armor.
By this point, Gloria and Vee had grown board. While staying on guard against another ambush, they could only roll their eyes at the repeated tactic – Vee readying her claws.
However, their attention on the First-Stage Units left them unprepared for the move of the Second-Stage Units staying back. Unnoticed was the small crackle of electricity that trailed up, between their antenna. Watching the intruders focus on and ready to strike down their weaker kin, they communicated with one another and readied to take action.
This was not completely unnoticed though.
Staying to the back in a seemingly unguarded position, Gloria's brows pinched. "What's that buzzing?" She tilted her head to focus on it and her natural ability to control electromagnetic waves warned her. It was weak, practically a whisper in the back of her mind, but she could hear it.
"Now!"
Gloria's eyes shot open. "Watch out," she barked.
Small rocks were in the process of flying toward Cole and Vee was mid step as she moved forward to cut down a few on her side.
It was this moment that the Second-Stage Units took action. Electricity crackled along their skin and concentrated on their eyes. In a moment, they were glowing before a bolt of electrical energy was released toward the trio.
Gloria stood behind Cole and there was not a line of sight. The same could not be said for the other two. Three bolts of electrical energy shot toward the both of them.
Though Cole was partially protected by the forming layer of small rocks over his skin, it had not fully formed yet. And, while some rocks managed to block the attack, there was not enough to completely defend against the blasts. The three bolts managed to converge and strike at his chest. The resulting discharge and electrocution clashed with the magical energy that was forming his protective layer. This caused an explosion that blew Cole back – Gloria having to jump out of the way.
Vee managed to hear Gloria's warning and see the incoming bolts of electricity. She tried to jump out of the way. Unfortunately, her metallic nature and blade-like fingers worked against her. She could hear the slight crackle of electricity between her fingers. Mid-jump, she was unable to react as the bolts curved to follow her.
Struck by the three bolts of electricity, Vee screamed as pain wracked through her body.
The First-Stage Units missed their targets and landed on the ground. They quickly turned and tried to pursue Cole and Vee.
Gloria was not having it. Inside her coat, there was a pair of holsters on either side that each carried her revolvers. Crossing her arms, she grabbed the revolvers in each holster. Pulling them out, she instantly fired eleven shots. All ten First-Stage Units instantly had a hole punched through them as well as one of the Second-Stage Units.
The remaining Second-Stage Units were caught off-guard at the sudden death of their cohort. However, in the split second in that they noticed this death, they too were suddenly punched through.
Five of the eleven bullets fired by Gloria glowed with energy. Under the influence of her Magic Aura, she controlled the bullets' trajectory and kept a few of them moving in the air to strike down the remaining Units.
As the remains of the Units faded into nothing, Gloria turned to check on the others. "Hey! You two alive?"
Cole coughed loudly. Clutching his chest, he whined, "Oooooowwwwwww! That hurt."
"Shake it off, loser." Gloria then turned to Vee. She called out, "Vee?"
Static crackled around Vee's body as she struggled to get up. "Am I alive?"
"You're fine." Gloria looked over the two.
Cole got to his feet. Groaning, hissing, and whining in pain. The front of his shirt had been blown away and his skin seemed slightly scorched. Otherwise, he was perfectly fine.
Gloria walked over to Vee who was far worse for wear as she struggled to move. "They really did a number on you, huh?"
"Screw you," Vee bit back.
"Vee are you okay," Cole asked worriedly as he approached.
"I'm fine idiot," Vee snapped painfully.
Gloria sighed. "Well, this is a problem…
"I said I'm fine," Vee growled.
"Not you," Gloria chastised. "I'm talking about these things."
"What about them," Cole asked.
Gloria scratched her head with the back of her hand – still holding her revolver. "Wood kindles Fire, the ash fertilizes Earth, minerals form into Metal, this carries Water that feeds the Wood. Wood splits the Earth which absorbs the Water which douses the Fire which melts the Metal which chops the Wood." She then focused on the two of them. "Fire is plasma and it's not unheard of for those with Fire Elemental Magic to learn more electricity-based magic. So, I'm betting these thing's electrical abilities fall into the category of Fire Magic. How little it hurt Cole – who uses Earth Elemental Magic –, and how much it hurt Vee – who uses Metal Elemental Magic – supports this."
"Fuck," Vee groaned as she managed to get to her feet – hands on her knees to support herself. "These things don't look like any Fire-attribute creature I've ever seen. I'd peg them as Dark-attribute."
"Looks can be deceiving. There are some malevolent creatures who should be Dark-attribute that are Light-attribute."
"True," Vee admitted.
"Yeah," Gloria said slowly. "This puts me and Vee at a distinct disadvantage. Especially if we can't trust this idiot to be a meat shield like he's supposed to."
Cole ducked his head at being chastised.
"But these things are weak as shit," Vee countered – not liking the insinuation that she is weaker than them.
Gloria sighed, "Yeah, but there's a lot of them and they're cleverer than they seem. The first time you encountered them, they managed to bite you. This time, they managed to injure us. They may be weak, but they have nasty tricks that can threaten us. An elephant can be killed by a snake's venom. I mean, one of the weakest known creatures in Alber has a powerful suicide ability that can be a real pain."
Vee nodded in acceptance.
"So," Cole chimed in hesitantly, "what are we gonna do?"
Gloria looked at him for a moment before turning back to Vee. "Do you think you can keep going? I mean seriously."
Groaning, Vee straitened up and stretched her back and shoulders. "Yeah, I'm good. Need to avoid any more of those lightning bolts though."
Gloria nodded before turning a stern glare toward Cole who ducked his head in expectant chastising. "Do you hear that, Idiot? We need you to follow your assigned task and protect us. All you have to do is stand there. Leave the offense to Vee. Understadn?"
"Yes, ma'am," Cole confirmed while scratching her head.
Gloria did not seem convinced. Leaving Vee to stretch her body while Cole pretended not to be watching, she proceeded to put away one of her revolvers before reaching into a concealed, interior pocket of her jacket. As she dug into her pocket, she dislodged the chamber of her revolver to remove the shells. She removed her hand from her pocket holding six bullets between her fingers that she then put into the chamber of her gun. Once loaded, she put the chamber back into place and spun it.
Gloria then put away the gun to retrieve the other and repeat the process with another hidden pocket on the other side of her jacket.
Glancing over at the other two, Gloria declared, "Let's get going."
"Sure," Vee said in an annoyed tone.
"Right," Cole responded – more energetically. He then hurried to the front. Suddenly, small rocks from around the room flew toward him. "I won't let them get the jump on me this time!" As his second layer of skin formed, something happened.
The rocks coating Cole's body began to shift and warp as if they were liquid instead of solid. In a moment, he was outfitted with thin but solid armor over his hands, upper and lower arms and legs, chest, and head.
Cole's spell – Rock Skin – was effective but short lasting. This more advanced variant – Rock Armor – was superior in defense and mobility, but came at the cost that it required a continuous drain on his magical energy to maintain.
An armored Cole leading the way, Gloria and Vee followed not far behind.
It was not long before the trio made it to the next room. There they were instantly met with an eerie but grating cackling. Their attention naturally flew toward its source. There, they were met with the Third-Stage Unit.