For a battle that well fought you think we'd all be jumping for joy. I mean, considering everything that just happened and how we still managed to come out on top, it was well earned. But looking at the faces you wouldn't think that, they just sat back wearing expressions of shock at what they had just encountered.
"That was certainly a battle to remember" Galdor's vigour appeared somewhat tame despite the wide smile he had about him as he made that comment. While Thane took his time tending to Lyria who couldn't insist any further, that was fine.
"Well stranger, I think I can speak for everyone here when I say thank you, for your help" She stepped up to thank me, after shaking hands she went over to Ari. I was then approached by Galdor and Thane, who seemed to speak in hushed tones.
While relieved that they managed to get through the battle, one thing was certain, they were not in the least prepared for what this dungeon had to offer. Galdor was quick to stop his friend from bearing all the blame wishing that he was strong enough so that they didn't have to rely on a stranger, for that he tried to apologise, thankfully he was willing to listen when I explained that there was no need.
"Well there is still the matter of paying off a debt. You helped us even when you didn't have to. With your skills you should've been able to handle that beast no problem"
"I'm thankful that you would think so, but the truth is I wouldn't have lasted half as long as I did if I went at it alone. Though if you want my honest advice, I'd suggest regrouping and stocking up on the necessary supplies before you try to venture any deeper. Things will only get harder from here"
"Yeah, way ahead of you. We're going to sell our monster drops and get some supplies while we're at it. So expect to be seeing us down there, you hear?" We shook hands, sealing the promise that we may once again cross paths.
Who would have thought I'd be fighting in another party so soon. Before I lost myself in the storm of 'maybes' and 'probablys', they vanished in a show of digitised light, teleporting out of the dungeon. I couldn't help but smile at the marvel of the outcome we managed to secure, against all the odds.
Inviting a curious thought around the rewards we had earned, I began looking through them, hoping to find something worthwhile or at the very least useful for my journey deeper into the Dungeon.
From what I discovered, even though there were two boss monsters, I seemed to only receive rewards from one of them, I wondered if it was a game of chance, or that I could only receive something either one of them as a way of keeping game balance…who knows, I wouldn't have been surprised if the all the stuff I got was because I landed the finishing blow on Sliðr. Which would have meant they might have got something from Fimbulþul.
I couldn't believe how worn out I was feeling. Taking a moment to catch my breath all the while Ari was standing nearby.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm just waiting for everyone. I told Lyria that I would push on ahead" Continuing to sort through her inventory blades, after my confused stare hovered for a few moments too long, she pulled over her cloak to cover her face.
Not wanting to annoy her any further, I shifted my attention to something else. Really, this should have been my first focus the moment the battle ended, but my thoughts were admittedly scattered. Pulling up my status window, I began allocating my points accordingly.
The general expectation would be to wait until I was completely certain of the skills and abilities I wished to invest in, however with how dangerous the Niflheim Dungeon has turned out, I had to be more proactive.
• Race: ?? Class: Sword-Wielder Level: 15. Derived Class: Swordsman Level: 10
• HP: 360
• MP: 170
• Blessing:?
• Vitality: 40
• Strength: 45
• Agility: 60
• Endurance: 40
• Intelligence: 25
• Dexterity: 50
• Wisdom: 33
• Luck: 0
The twitching of her fluffy ears gave away her curious nature. Though I doubt she was aware that I 'feel' her focus on me as I allocated my stats. Must have been
The flush of relief highlighting her cheeks after finding ourselves alone beside each other. Everyone else had planned on returning to the Overworld to resupply before heading deeper, while Ari volunteered to stay behind.
At least that's what she told me though I don't think I remember that conversation happening. So…maybe she has another reason for staying.
In truth, she had been curious about something and wished to hear the truth. Now alone with me and as we were resting. She spoke up. Wanting to know what I was:
"I don't get it? What are you asking me?"
"I mean I saw the way you fought, and I've never seen a Swordsman like that. That's what you are right, just a Swordsman, at least that's what it said when we partied up during that fight"
"I wish I knew what to say. I just fought the way I knew how, no tricks"
"You say that, but through things you were doing, I don't think anyone Swordsman regular or otherwise has those"
What she was asking was a little confusing but it had some truth to it. In fact the same thought had been bothering me since I fought the Pale Serpent.
Ordinarily, with each new level, I'd have access to a newer selection of skills based on my chosen class but for some reason I received one skill like that.
In fact the only skills I have to speak of come from the items I purchased or from Chromatic Beasts I slayed.
Thinking that, I remembered the title I received after my first battle:
• Title: The Sword of Winter
"After slaying a Frost Chromatic Beast that is significantly stronger, you have developed a taste for battle. You will now gain additional EXP when fighting stronger foes. A bonus will be offered when facing serpentine and draconic foes. With the chance of acquiring a unique skill after slaying a Chromatic Beast of the Frost Affinity"
But a chance isn't the same as a guaranteed skill gained.
Things were making less and less sense and with the tone Ari was asking me, I could tell she had no patience for any lies. Her hand was never far from the handle of her blade
"I don't have anything someone else couldn't have found before me or already has. I just…"
She would squint after hearing my hesitation before saying what was on her mind.
"That part I understand. Tell me what was the first Level 1 skill of a Sword-Wielder? You are one after all so you shouldn't have much trouble with that"
"That would be the Parry"
"All right.. can you show me?"
"I could but why? Do you think I'm hiding something?"
"I know you are. But you won't tell me so I'll just have to drag it out of you. So you can take the chance to defend yourself or I can drop you right now. We both know you aren't in any condition to start another fight if you refuse" as she spoke she stood up and pulled out one of her daggers before getting into position, as if she was preparing to pounce on me.
"Why are you so driven to find out? We don't know each other?"
"Do I need another reason beyond wanting to know? I simply hate tricks and low cunning. And the scent you give off reeks of cunning"
"Will you leave me alone after this?"
"Well see…" she leapt at me, kicking up a plume of dust behind her, almost disappearing before my eyes at that moment.
I equipped my longsword, and raised it above. With eyes closed and a firm grip, I swung it down with all my strength instantly clashing against something hard that rang with a vibrant ring. Letting out a breath before sheathing my sword.
"Are we done?" I asked after turning back to her, expecting an outburst of sorts, only to see her silently picking up her dagger before it disappeared from her hands. She approached me with a strange step about her.
"I knew it, you were lying. That wasn't a Parry" Despite her petite stature, she had enough strength behind her to push me to the ground after she had gotten close. Standing above with the same suspicious look in her eye.
"..."
"You're still going to deny it?" I tried to turn away from her. Being cornered like this, hell, just being confronted like this wasn't something that I could deal with. It always made me feel like I wanted to retreat into my own skin.
Somehow this is what made my palms sweat, not a giant ice snake, just being confronted by a confident girl. What I wanted to say, only came out in murmurs. Why the hell do I feel like this in this game of all places, where I could be anything I'm still afraid…
"No…"
"So you must have realised how strange all of this is, right? Or was this something that you intended…maybe it was the result of your Spirit Origin. Damn, do you understand what this means?"
I shook my head expecting her to continue pressing by she simply tapped my shoulder calling up to my feet wherein she summoned her twin daggers and pulled off her cloak before she readied herself. With the very instant I pulled out my blade,she sprang into action. Being the cover of a thickening cloud of darkness, moved in to attack.
Our blades clashed in a frenzy that birthed sparks resembling the arcs of lightning that rippled through rain clouds. Each step I took forward had her pushing me a few back in a dance where the line between restraint and the few times we were mere inches from one another's throat before the other made the move to put distance between us.
Through the violent exchange, Ari used skill after skill, in her hopes of teasing the 'truth out of me' but even she began to see that the battle would not end in a victor if the both of us kept on holding back.
So before we continued anything further, her knife was pressed against my side when I called to her to stop, surrendering the fight to her, and showing no more desire to proceed with her exercise I spoke up only to be spoken over in her demeaning tone.
"And now? Why would you surrender, do you think I'm unworthy of your best?"
"I don't think I do. Honestly I think I want to go now" I stood up and dusted myself off before heading into the opening that the leonine beast emerged from. Going up the sharp and craggy edges that looked like jagged stairs carved out of the hill.
"Hang on, I'm not done talking to you" she quickly rushed after me.
"I still need to wait for everyone else"
"Then you can stay" I kept walking on.