My mind repeatedly went over what Rose had told me, and I'd make sure to take a mental note of almost everything she'd said. It was a lot though, and it would change depending on how I encountered the Duelist.
Luckily I had Belle with me, someone who actually seemed to remember all of what Rose had said despite the thirty minute lecture being on a subject we knew nothing about. Well, at least I knew nothing!
I didn't even know the Dungeon had 'Bosses'! That was really amazing. Something to truly test yourself. What was more amazing is that it used 'Intent'. My Master had described it to me as overwhelming the world with your own inner darkness and overwriting it into a reality that reflected your heart and soul.
Basically, I had no idea! I thought I was already kind of doing that by being the change I wanted to see, but if it's some sort of phenomena wielded by monsters of the Dungeon it has to be something more.
I clenched a fist while sitting on one of the massive stairs leading down into the murky abyss below.
Rose had tried to talk me out of it, sneaking it into the lecture whenever she could, but this was my biggest regret.
All the people I'd left behind, all the friends I'd never get to see again, and all the adventures I'd never get to go on with them. Of course all of that stung. All of that was like a fading scar, something I knew could heal because I'd enjoyed my life with them. Maybe not to the fullest, but the time we shared was truly special.
With my master it was different. She was old, and spent almost a decade trying to teach me something I'd never succeeded in. I'd disappointed her, and left her with nothing but a sour note as I disappeared from her life.
I knew she loved me like her own grandchild, and I thought of her like a grandmother, but when someone has expectations for you . . . It can get in the way of your relationship.
I leaned against the stone, watching Welf and Belle converse about what we were going to be doing, as my mind wandered.
I hated tragedies.
I hated leaving my Master with nothing but the thought that I'd never succeeded at a dream she had that had eventually become one we shared. I hated leaving her other grandchildren behind without training harder. I hated not being able to complete her wish, and leaving that world before her.
I tucked my legs in, staring at the fate that awaited me in the Dungeon as my eyes became glassy yet filled with resolve.
I only had two routes left. Either I awakened here, or I died. Putting my life on the line for my ideals was always something I could do, but putting my life on the line for my Master's ideals?
It made my heart ache that only now I had this chance.
I cleared my mind for a moment, and thought about what she would say in this situation, but I could only see her patting my head and giving me a soft smile. For all of her harshness, intensity, and commitment to making me work hard, she despised seeing a fire in someone's heart burn out more than anything.
Back in the day she used to be called 'The Mercy' because she would spare her opponents during the more violent era she came from. She was someone who helped set the foundation for the martial arts world in our modern times, and yet somehow I always felt like I never really was a part of that Martial world despite how much I competed with others and came out on top.
Now that the answer I've seeked is slapping me in the face, I'd be an idiot to just stand there and ignore it. Even if doing so would make me go past an idiot and becoming a Fool.
An arm wrapped around my shoulders, the faintly calloused hand of Belle's resting on my shoulder as I stared at the downwards.
With her beside me, it looked just a little bit brighter.
"If you call for me, I will be there." Her determined red eyes stared into mine, and I nodded my head as I turned her way.
"Thank you Belle." I pushed myself off the ground causing Belle to rise up with me in slight surprise. I quickly put her in a princess carry to avoid straining her arm and then I set her down beside me.
"Thank you too Welf. This means a lot to see both of you backing me up." I wonder how many times in my previous life I'd been in a situation like this. The only difference being my friends silently hoped I would awaken, rather than being able to actively cheer me on.
Welf, despite my comments, only had his lip twitch as he responded.
"You know this is no different from jumping off the Tower of Babel, right?" He palmed his face and massaged his forehead slightly as he leaned back. The movement couldn't hide the smile on his face. "Somehow, someway, I can't help but expect you to grow a pair of wings and fly anyways."
I couldn't help but blush a little in embarrassment at his comment. I've been trying to get these wings my whole life!
"Well, let's get this started then. No use in waiting." My hand clenched tightly on my best friend's sword. It would be a complete lie to say I wasn't nervous. Though I was also fairly excited!
This was exactly the thing that's been weighing me down all this time. Honestly it felt strange. It never felt like I was going to live my life with a regret like this one, but that's because I didn't expect to get hit by a truck!
We moved down the big stairs, and the heavy dread that loomed in the air of the Dungeon was a feeling I was used to. Every person we walked past looked like they'd just won it big in the casino, or lost their entire life savings.
I had a few mixed feelings as we continued downwards, the resistance the Dungeon was sending our way was weak. I was grateful to the Dungeon, as I didn't want to spend too much time on warming up before the big fight. At the same time, I still needed a bit of a warm up!
Knocking gently on the wall of the third floor of the Dungeon, I stared downwards at the floor and asked a polite question.
"This is too easy, can you please spawn the Boss so we can fight it?" My tone took a hopeful edge, but I wasn't sure if the Dungeon would acquiesce my request!
Welf's jaw dropped, and Belle raised an eyebrow at me.
"You shouldn't go around poking giant death caves." The red head crossed his arms and nodded to himself as though he was dispensing the wisdom only a teacher could. "It's bad for your health."
"It worked last time though?" I still remember when that two headed kobold spawned. That was pretty fun. Now though, it's just boring. I felt the caverns hum faintly beneath my feet as I began to turn. I couldn't properly describe the emotions behind the feeling, they sort of just went over my head.
Yet, I could feel the Dungeon wanting me to go downwards!
"Thank you!" The Dungeon truly was just misunderstood. They were helping me defy my regrets! Ah wait, I forgot they killed a lot of people. That's bad!
The Dungeon is weird, and I don't know why they are helping me, but when someone helps you, it's important to show thanks. Even if you don't have the best relationship!
Of course I'm still going to clear the Dungeon, but a thank you is deserved for their help!
I continued moving, with Belle trailing close behind. Welf broke out of his stupor and jogged up to the two of us and let out a light grumble.
"This is going to be a weird day."
Weird days are better than boring days at least! I sent my dear friend a thumbs up, his perturbed look was my only response.
"Weird doesn't mean bad!" I prepared to cast Agi, but a throwing knife broke into the skull of the freshly spawned Dungeon Lizard above us. "It just means it's going to be different!" The body fell to the floor below, and Belle quickly retrieved her blade. Stuffing it back into her sleeve before quickly returning to my side.
During the exchange I felt a tickle of instinct behind me, causing me to raise an eyebrow. Only a tickle? Doesn't a fully landed attack from behind usually mean certain death?
Holding out my rough hand, I caught the spear being aimed at the back of my heart by the kobold. Gently pressing the tip into my finger, my eyes widened as not even a drop of blood was drawn.
This world . . . I seriously need to stop going by the rules of combat I used to use. Holding up the spear, the scrambling Kobolb attempted to drop to the floor but a massive blade turned it into paste with a large overhead swing.
"Andrew!?" Welf looked at me with concern as I sat there slightly taken aback. "Are you alright?"
"Oh! Yeah, thank you Welf! I was just surprised my instincts only tickled the back of my heart rather than blaring at me like normal." I took a thoughtful expression, as I wondered about the brief exchange.
"You . . . You can just sense when something is about to attack you, all the time?" I tilted my head in confusion, which only seemed to make his confusion worse.
"Yes . . . ?" I frowned lightly. "Is it really that weird to become one with the battlefield like that?"
Welf hefted his blade over his shoulder while silently looking at me, then he turned down to Belle who was smiling like Welf had just discovered something interesting.
"Damn geniuses. Out here making the allegedly talented people like me look bad."
"Belle, you can feel your essence become scattered upon the blood and chaos of the battlefield, right?" She held her hands behind her back, her gaze turning lower to my chest as her face narrowed into a smirk.
"Of course. It would be wrong for me to be left behind." My eyes shot open, before I quickly turned to Welf to have both of the pair in my view.
"Just because you can't sense the whole battlefield I'm not going to ever leave you behind!" I clenched a fist, I'd help Welf catch up! "-er, why are you laughing?"
"I knew from the moment you killed a Hunter that you were and I were on different levels." He put a hand on my shoulder as he continued. "Even if we're on different levels, someone has to serve as the foundation, right?"
My face turned dark, and I put a hand on Welf's shoulder as I slowly moved my serious expression up to his face.
"You truly are my brother in Shounen!" To think Welf wouldn't be the Shounen rival of Belle, but instead the supporter of us! I pulled the guy into a hug, the air quickly leaving his lungs as I did so. "That was such a cool thing to say!"
Belle lightly laughed, holding her limp wrist above her mouth to act as a pseudo veil in a weak attempt to hide her amusement. Welf on the other hand struggled slightly for a moment as I let him go.
"Alright, Alright." Belle snaked over to the man catching his breath as I beheaded three Kobolds at once.
In his ear I heard a faint whisper, one I could barely make out as my blade cleaved through bone.
"You've lost, so you need to support me too from now on. Alright?"
He gently pushed her back, muttering as well as I sent a thrust through another kobold in my way.
"I was never competing, and honestly I out of everyone I know I hope you win."
"Then we have reached an agreement."
Walking back over with a smile I brought them both into a hug.
"We're a team, we don't need agreements about supporting each other! The fine print of friendship means we stick together!"
Belle nodded with a smile of amusement, while Welf just stood there confused for a moment before shutting his mouth and deciding to not speak.
"Let's keep moving, we're getting fairly close!"
. . .
This wasn't about the journey, but the destination. Normally I didn't like such stories, but in this case I could only feel that being covered in blood from the waist down was the signifier of the paltry resistance we'd faced. If it was a lot, I'd probably be caked from head to toe!
"How's everyone holding up?" Welf looked a little bit drained, as did Belle. Much to my surprise, she leaned on the wall and pulled a few things out of her bag. Firstly was the most eye catching thing, little bars of food that looked like they were made of some kind of oats and glued together with honey.
She tossed one to Welf, and I couldn't help but stare silently at the otherone in her hand. It wasn't a granola bar, but it was very close! The signature food of campers everywhere! My heart nearly stopped in betrayal as she bit off a piece, but then something truly amazing happened.
She handed me the last ¾ of it, which I scarfed down immediately. She faintly blushed, and I paused as I realized what sin I'd committed!
"Sorry for eating the rest of it Belle, it was pure instinct!"
She seemed to ponder it for a moment, before shaking her head in disagreement.
"You need the food, you don't need to apologize." Then, she pulled out one more. Truly she was so amazing to be prepared like this! Of course she scarfed it down like a feral rabbit before I could even get a word out, but this way everyone had gotten some good calories in before our big fight!
The floor behind us, the fifth floor almost felt like it had a gravitational pull! Like standing on the edge of the tall building, it felt like sucking me into it! Welf pulled out a few of those cans filled with water, and we made sure to stay hydrated before the big fight.
"I'm really grateful to have reliable companions like you two." Belle handed me a pair of healing potions she'd gotten from Blue Pharmacy. I don't know why she wanted to go alone, but she'd somehow gotten a pretty good deal from Naaza.
I'd have to reimburse Naaza for helping us out! She must have understood the danger and wanted to provide as much assistance as she could! Sliding them carefully into my belt, I took in a deep breath.
Then I let it out. My nerves were starting to build again, and honestly, I didn't know if I could do this. It wasn't something I'd ever done before, and I wasn't really sure where to start.
Defeating a rapier wielding duelist was something I'd done before, but Intent? Where would I even begin? I could win the fight, but if I didn't awaken Intent it wouldn't feel like a victory.
"You know, we should think of a name for our party before doing this. It feels right for our first big achievement to have a cool name behind it!" Was I stalling? Maybe. At the same time, this felt important.
A name had power, and I don't just mean the power of friendship type . . . ok, well, I did! Having a team name was also super cool. Welf's sweat dropped slightly as he started at me confused.
"That's a lot of confidence, are you sure we should do this before or after the fight?" I let out a small hum, and while Belle didn't say a word and just stared at me I could also feel her slight resistance to the idea under the current circumstances.
"You're probably right. This still should be our first achievement of the Insert Name Party, so let's think of a name before we get out of here!"
". . . Insert wha- Oh. Works for me. I love naming equipment, so I get the idea." Belle looked down at her collection of weapons, and I could feel her gaze lingering on the ones hidden throughout her clothes. At the same time I looked down at Heir, and gave a soft smile.
"Insert Name Party . . . It's time for our first quest!" Welf gave a small chuckle, and Belle seriously nodded her head. Moving slowly down the stairs, we came across a sight I hadn't expected right off the bat.
It was the Duelist, and instead of the blurry sketch I'd seen earlier. The figure was clear as day. Shadowy flesh, and an otherwise pure white rapier stained with blood, with what looked like a charcoal burned tip. His hat was bent like a duelist from long ago, and his left hand, the one slowly removing a sword from a dead body, had a gray glove firmly around his hand.
His clothes made of what could only be described as inky blackness, looked well kept despite the countless blood stains upon him. Seeing the body he killed fall to the ground and be quickly devoured by the floor was a strange sight that distracted me for only a moment as I approached him with an excited smile with a faint tinge of joyful bloodlust behind it.
https://i.postimg.cc/qqdRq7PW/IMG-8675.jpg
"Hi! Is it alright if I request a Duel?"
My mind flashed back to the conversation with Rose, who had given me three key rules of fighting the Duelist.
Rule One: Fight the Duelist one on one at the start. The Duelist summons much weaker copies of itself under the circumstances of facing multiple opponents. Despite being weaker, they are still a threat. Expect for the first one to step forward to fall, and allow only one more to take their place.
Of course I had no intent on losing, but if I got severely injured I could back off and let Belle take my place with Welf fighting the copy that was originally summoned to face me. It circumvented the spirit of the 'One on One' rule, but awakening here and now was super important to me!
The Duliest had given me some time to think as his head tilted up my way, his stature was a bit shorter but no less intimidating as he used a scrap of cloth from the man he'd just killed to wipe away the blood that stained his weapon.
His hand moved behind his back, his posture stable, and both feet facing me as he took on a rapier stance I could only describe as beautiful. I'd only seen a few rapier wielders on his level before, but I had no idea how 'Intent' mixed with all of this.
"Kick his ass Andrew! Fuck up the Newbie Killer!"
"You can do this."
I felt Hector quiver slightly in anticipation for the fight, his hand tightening as my own did so. I wasn't going to manifest him just yet, even with my increased mana capacity. It's time for something else.
It's time for me to complete my Master's final lesson.