Honestly, things like leadership are a bit hard to imagine when it comes to Jax's position. It's part of the reason I am so happy that I am not stuck in the position itself. However I could absolutely sympathies with what he had to deal with.
We had been sent down hear with the understanding that the dungeon had been responsible for 10 deaths, some being people in the church, but 6 were from fellow adventurers, and yet the first undead we came across ran running away crying, something that can only happen if a soul is kept in a body, and to make it worse, the necromancer surrendered and was guided to the surface.
So as I reformed from the sparks in the dungeon I made my way back over to where the others were. I kept my eyes on Jax as I tried to imagine what must be going through his mind.
"Can't wait to see what happens if one of the necromancers does a fake surrender."
Will said unhelpfully as a strange crunching noise came from my thoughts almost like I was remembering a sound, but different.
Are… Are you eating popcorn?
I thought as Jax began to lead us down a hall. Jax led the way followed by Selene. Liora and Thalia were on either side of Beatrice, which is what the system has named Little fox for some reason. I held up the rear just in case someone came behind us.
"Yea, when I ranked up, I gained the ability to manifest memories as objects, but their detail is based on how much you remember them. We should really eat popcorn again soon, your memory of the taste is kind of bland."
Will said as I heard more chewing and then what sounded like gulping from drinking from a mug. Jax lead us past a room that seemed to hold a cot and small sentimental items that looked to have been where the Kobold necromancer had been as I thought.
We are walking through a dungeon with a known mortality rate of people higher level than we are, and the flavor of popcorn is your biggest concern?
"Hey, you try not being able to experience the sensation of eating for a month and see where your priorities are when you can try it again."
Will said in an annoyed voice. I wanted to give a retort, but Jax ordered a stop as I glanced around Selene. There was a short path straight that in the glow of Thalia's strings seemed to contain crates and things. To the left was another hallway that lead both left and right with another hallway leading right that was illuminated by thee glow of a fire.
"Lets make the room with the box's fallback point and check out the dining room."
Jax nodded as we all shuffled our way inside. The room itself was rather bare bones, boxes here and there, many of which were broken or destroyed. Bits of dried blood were in places and marks on the walls and wood of broken boxes showed that some kind of fight had occurred in the room. As we all fanned out I did a mental check trying to remember if anyone used any of their healing potions. Jax and the others took a moment to sit and let out a small sigh, and while not fully on guard, they were taking the moment to not hold their breaths in case of being attacked. I walked over to Jax as I asked.
"Want me to see if I can scout into the dining room area? I can take Liora to watch my back."
Jax took a moment to think before nodding as Liora groaned.
"What, I just sat down, damn it."
She followed after me with a scowl on her face as she laid her staff over her shoulders and laid her arms so her forearms and hands hung limp from it. As we walked around the corner Liora stopped for a moment. Bending down she pointed her hand at a small wire that laid across the walkway.
I silently nodded as I thought
Hey Will, can you remind me about the wire when we were coming back through the door?
"Huh, oh yea sure."
Will said as I heard crunching noises marking that he had moved onto chips. I moved into the room with Liora. The tables themselves had signs of a dinner having been eaten. The smell of cooked food lingered in the air as on the tables several plates still stood, half eaten portions resting on them. As we walked around the table we saw several side passage areas that seemed ornamental in nature, but their potential to be hiding a patient skeleton had us a bit on edge.
We continued past the fireplace and past where a pitched of what seemed to be alcohol had been spilled as Liora held up a hand and turned to me.
"Hide."
She hissed as both of us dove under the nearby table as if we were kids playing hide and seek. We waited for a few moments before a Skeleton clad in dusty, and tattered tan robes made their way into the room, grabbed two plates and began to walk out. The skeleton held a curved sword at their side like a cutlass and was dressed as if they were a desert traveler.
Liora and I shifted in our hiding spot as we watched the skeleton leave before we crawled out and looked down the hallway after the skeleton. We exchanged a look as Liora using her ability to walk in the air began to move upward before she began to crawl along the ceiling, her head shifting as she tried to both crawl forward, and avoid rubbing her head against the stonework of the roof as she began to shimmy down the hallway.
This plan may not have worked against a person with a torch, but the skeleton had a goal of gathering plates it seemed and the ceiling being 10ft up was out of sight for it unless it was looking more forward. So as the skeleton made two more return trips, Liora continued to crawl over its head undetected. I watched her progress as she made her way down the hall towards a room that had a glow coming from the right side.
Liora shifted forward and began to round the corner as she suddenly froze. The skeleton that had been half way back with the plates suddenly dropped them as it looked up at Liora and began to grab its weapon.
Crap, she got caught!
I thought as I pulled the ripcord causing my Revolution Core to hum in Idle. Feeling the surge of power from it, I Rocketed out from under the table as I swung my spear around. I rushed past the skeleton, bringing the shaft of my spear around and slamming into the back of the skeleton's legs causing the knees to shatter as the torso lurched backwards, a look of surprise impossible, and yet visible on the unchanging skull face.
I jumped as I saw in the room were the figures of a Woman wearing desert travelers robes and a zombie by her side that seemed to be wielding a large tower shield and holding a spear. The woman had been pointing to Liora who was mid way to dropping as her attention shifted to me. I grabbed the back of Liora's shirt and yanked her back, causing her to fly back where she stabilized herself before landing on her feet staff at the ready. I turned to follow, my spear already moving to smash the skull of the skeleton that had only just bounced on the ground, but as I did I paused, memories of the zombie kobold from before flashed in my head as I spun my spear and dashed to follow Liora.
The Revolution Core V2 is online
You have shifted the Revolution Core V2 into Idoling
Your Strength and Constitution are increased by 30
You have used item Spear of the Seven Hunts(D)
Skeleton "Najim Rimhesa" has taken 28 damage
Your skill Combo Star(E) has activated and granted a surge of speed
You have given up your attack, your enhancement from Combo Star(E) has ended
I glanced back towards the necromancer as I saw her zombie take point, shield raised, but not following as she began to lean over the skeleton as if beginning to tend to its wounds. Liorra began to run back through the dining room, but a feeling stopped me as I turned and said, loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough for it to echo.
"We are here on reports of aggressive necromancers who have killed 10 people, we have already escorted a Gray kobold necromancer and his undead to the dungeon entrance when he said he was not hostile, are you hostile?"
There was a moment of silence before from behind the towering shield of the zombie came a voice. Despite the necromancer appearing to be a woman, the voice was deep, and slightly raspy, almost like someone who hadn't had water for a time.
"A small courtesy, sparing me your steel. But striking my brother while bargaining for answers? That's poor business, don't you think?"
I took a moment before I made a show of placing my spear inside of my cloak subspace before holding my hands out to show I'm not otherwise armed.
"We are in here with reports of 10 fatalities from necromancers, if you are willing to work with us and leave peacefully then I am happy to apologize and do what I can to help with whatever I broke, but you must understand our situation here."
Liora seemed to come walking back from the dinning room as she asked in a sharp hiss.
"Aiden, what are you doing?"
I didn't turn back, instead continued to look ahead. After a moment, the zombie stepped aside and the woman stepped forward. She is a beautiful, with tanned skin, long flowing hair, and vivid green eyes. A gray tanned robe rested on her head, its design suited for the desert. Around her neck rests a golden pendant, glowing faintly with a slight black and green energy, not enough to cause worry, but enough to be noticeable. Her expression is calm yet determined.
"Then we understand one another. I've no interest in needless bloodshed; death is bad for business, and worse for reputation. But I did not come here to leave empty-handed. If we are to withdraw peacefully, then I require compensation. A merchant without profit is no merchant at all, and this dungeon must yield some return."
At this I looked back to Liora as she asked.
"What, like money, or? Because I don't know what money you're hoping to find by taking over a dungeon and killing people."
The woman crossed her arms, her cloak clowning as she did as she stuck her nose up at Liora a bit and said.
"Foolish girl. A merchant's word is their life. Without trust there can be no trade, and without trade no profit. Do not mistake me for some mindless butcher. I came for profit, yes, but not in coin. I seek magic; artifacts, relics, the treasures buried in places like this. Killing innocents only poisons a name, and reputation is worth far more than gold. But a dungeon without spoils is no business worth pursuing."
Liora stared blankly as she said.
"And yet 10 people are dead."
I shook my head and said.
"Ok, I'm going to tell the rest of my group what's going on, do you know your way back to the entrance, I'm assuming so, but I just want to be sure."
The woman took a moment, turning to Liora before she said.
"And ten thousand more die every day beyond these walls. The wise cannot weep for every drop of blood spilled in the world. We use the tools we have, and we profit where we can. Crying over spoiled milk has never brought the cup back full."
She then turned back to me as she said.
"The girl's tongue was foolish and sharp, but yours is measured. For that, you have my gratitude. I will find my own way back, merchants learn their paths well. And know this: you have earned a debt. A merchant always pays what is owed."
I nodded as I turned to Liora.
"Go with her, for our peace of mind, I'll tell the others."
I turned and began to make my way through the dining room as Liora stayed in the hallway, not approaching to help the woman with the skeleton, but also putting her weapon away.
Man, I knew necromancers would probably be super casual about death, but wow.
I thought as I made my way towards the entrance and turned my Revolution Core off as it stopped humming in my chest.
"Oh yea, that was kind of crazy."
I began to round the corner when I felt something against the top of my foot. I stopped and looked down to see the wire in the doorway from before shifted from my step as I heard what sounded to be the rattle of gears beginning to move. I turned around as I heard the woosh of air and saw that the benches and tables that had once been on the ground were now airborne and flying at me.
"Oh, don't forget about that wire."
Will warned me with a terrible sense of timing about it.