ch14 Hidden dungeon Pt2
Khal and Merlin continued into the dungeon, trekking through the entrance halls. Rows of torches lined the walls, their flames casting long shadows that danced over the cracked stone. The air was thick with the scent of dust, mildew, and age—a musty, century-old smell that clung to every breath.
Khal looked over at Merlin, tugging her staff, her expression serious.
“So, you mind telling me why you're so hell-bent on excavating this dungeon?”
Merlin glanced at Khal, frustration flickering in her eyes, before turning her attention back ahead.
“I’m not hell-bent on doing anything; i just want to quickly level up and gain points and this is the easiest way.”
Khal, not believing a word coming out of her mouth, raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
“You say that yet since we entered the dungeon, your whole demeanor has changed.”
Merlin kept her eyes forward, tightening her grip on her staff.
“You ever thought maybe i’m just a little agitated from entering a dungeon that’s difficulty is much higher than my level?”
She sped up, walking ahead of Khal, her angry footsteps echoing in the halls.
Khal stared at her from behind, lost in thought.
I'm starting to get the feeling that whatever it is that she is hiding will eventually affect me in some way.
They made it to the end of the hall, standing before them a gigantic door standing over 40 feet tall, it’s bright red frame and sleek golden handles looming over them.
Merlin stood before it, her mouth moving but the words could not be heard.
Khal brushed past her, pulling one of his hands out his pocket and placing it on the door.
“Wait! We don’t know if anything is booby-trapped,” Merlin said quickly. “Let’s inspect it before barging in.”
Khal didn’t respond.
Danger Sense hasn't activated. It should be fine.
Without hesitation, he pressed his palm harder against the surface.
CRRREEK!
The door groaned and screeched as it slowly opened, revealing a pitch-black chamber beyond—devoid of any visible light source.
Khal turned to Merlin with a smug grin. “You coming or what?”
Merlin exhaled sharply, annoyed, and walked up beside him. She raised her hand.
PURPLE LIGHTNING![☈]
Sparks of crackling violet lightning lit up her palm, casting sharp, flickering shadows across the walls.
Together, they stepped into the darkness—Merlin leading the way.
Moments after they crossed the threshold—
BOOM!
The doors slammed shut behind them, the echo resounding through the chamber.
Then, one by one, torches lining the walls burst to life, flames igniting with eerie synchronicity until the entire room was bathed in a dim, flickering glow.
Khal and Merlin stood their ground, preparing for any threat to come.
The entirety of the chamber had now become visible, revealing a stunning throne room with its golden walls , white ceiling and floors, and a single visibly expensive chandelier overhead, increasing the room's beauty.
But what stood out the most was the tens, if not hundreds, of empty suits of armor that stood infront of the throne.
“This feels more like a boss room than the first section of a dungeon,” Khal muttered, walking toward the rows of armored statues.
“Yeah, and there doesn’t seem to be a path leading anywhere else either,” Merlin replied, scanning the room.
Khal approached one of the suits of armor, closing the distance with narrowed eyes. A chill ran down his spine, the hair on his arms rising.
He stopped abruptly, stepping back instinctively—nothing happened.
That’s odd… I’m sure Danger Sense just triggered.
He stepped forward again. Once more, that eerie sensation crept over him. And again, when he backed away, it faded.
Ah… I see what’s happening.
Turning to Merlin, Khal spotted her nearing another suit of armor.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he warned.
Merlin paused, glancing at him. “What is it? Did you figure something out?”
“Yeah. These aren’t ordinary suits of armor. They’ll attack the moment we get too close,” Khal said, his voice calm but firm. “And since there’s no path forward without passing them... we’re going to wake them up eventually.”
“So what do you suppose we do?” Merlin asked.
Khal walked back over to the suit of armor, staying a safe distance away from it.
“Well, instead of waiting until we accidentally wake one up and it catches us off guard, we should just let it happen right now.”
Merlin's eyes widen in surprise, backing away from the suits of armor, taking a defensive stance.
“You don’t mean…”
Khal flung his right arm back, folding his hand into a fist, and bringing it forward with pure force.
"Yup.”
BAM!
His punch blasted the helmet off one suit of armor—it spun through the air, crashing into others.
THUNK… CLANG… CLANG…
The suits began to stir. Metal scraped. Blades hissed from sheaths. They were waking.
“Try to keep up, Merl.”
FWOOSH!
Khal launched himself skyward, summoning his spear mid-air, mana flooding into it.
BOOM!
He slammed down in the center of them, shattering armor on impact. Gripping his spear with both hands, he swung wide.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
CHING!
Steel screamed. The front line split in half.
I'm not seeing their level and what exactly they are, which means these things aren’t living beings.
PURPLE LIGHTNING[☈]
PZZZT!
Merlin floated above the enemies, swiftly striking down their numbers with her lightning.
Khal ran through their numbers, cutting down everyone in sight. Suddenly the armored suits began backing away from him, making a circle around him.
Huh, what’s this?
Clang Clang Clang.
They simultaneously beat their chests and slamming their swords on the ground. The row of armored suits before Khal began making way for another to pass.
This one was headless and much larger than the rest, standing at least 7 ft tall. It’s shiny silver armor, tall silver sword and a shield with the front shaped like a lion’s head.
Tomb’s Guardian lvl 15
If im not wrong, this one should be a living armor, a soul that lives inside an armor, seems to be the leader of this fleet.
In an apparent attempt to mock Khal, it started thudding its sword against its shield.
Khal stood tall, holding his spear before him.
“Don’t be hasty; I’m coming.”
FWOOSH!
Khal charged, thrusting his spear forward, mana seeping from the blade.
CHING!
His attack is blocked by the living armor's shield. But Khal didn’t stop his charge, relentlessly thrusting his spear against it’s shield in an attempt to put it off balance.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Though the living armor was on the defensive, it stood it’s ground, unfazed by Khal's relentless attacks.
Damn, this shield is hard. i’m starting to lose steam and my attacks are becoming slower.
Vitality Increased +1
Vitality Increased +1
Vitality Increased +1
BANG!
The living armor thrust its shield forward, meeting Khal’s spear, throwing him off balance. It lifted it’s sword high above him, bringing it down with brutal force.
Shit…
SPLECK!
Khal used his right arm to block the sword, allowing the blade to slice through his arm more than five inches deep.
Cellular Regeneration +1
Cellular Regeneration +1
Bone Density +1
Bone Density +1
Khal clenched his jaw, rage in his eyes; with the sword lodged in his arm, with his left he seeped mana into his spear, thrusting it forward. at such a close range, the living armor was unable to block.
CHING!
His spear pierced it’s chest, sensing danger, the living armor let go of it’s sword, quickly backing away.
Khal held on to the hilt of the sword, letting out a loud groan as he pulled it free.
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Khal’s wound slowly began to heal, the bleeding quickly coming to a stop.
The living armor, though without eyes, Khal could tell it was glaring at him solely from it’s posture, the hand that once held a blade folding into an angry fist.
A pleased grin crept onto Khal’s lips.
“What you want this back?” He asked, waving the sword in front of it.
“I don’t fancy swords but i don’t mind holding onto it for you; it’s quite good.”
Tomb Guardian's Blade
[Bronze+]
Level Req: 15+
Made using pure silver ingot, this blade’s sharpness is unparalleled in it’s rank.
[STR 9][MP 7][AGI 4]
GRAAHHH!”
The living armor screamed, the sound coming from inside it’s stomach.
FWOSSH!
With its shield in front of it, it charged like a deranged bull at Khal.
Khal charged forward as well, holding both the sword and spear in hand, his eyes glowing with intent. He looked over at where Merlin was; she was occupied fighting her own battle against the suits of armor.
Remote adaptation, consume 20 points; adaptation type: practical.
Blessing: Instantaneous step (suppressed to F) acquired (temporarily.)
Teleport instantly to any location within 4 feet of you; this ability can only be used once.
The moment I try to attack with the sword, it’ll vanish into my inventory—the level restriction won’t let me use it… But I don’t need to attack with it. I just need it to think I can.
Khal tightened his grip on the sword in his right hand. The living armor, expecting an incoming strike, focused on his right side, ready to intercept.
In that instant, Khal swung his spear in a wide arc with his left.
The living armor, caught off guard, still tried to react and block the unexpected attack.
Step.
Khal vanished, reappearing behind the armor, his spear's momentum still carrying through its deadly arc.
CHING!
The strike sliced the living armor in half, sending it collapsing to the ground with a THUD, the rest of the armored suits following suit, collapsing to the ground with the death of their leader.
Merlin flew down onto the ground, landing behind Khal, who was staring intently at the living armor.
That’s weird… i didn’t receive a defeated notification.
Khal crouched beside the upper half of the armor, peering inside. Nestled within, just above the point where he struck, was a strange, white creature—starfish-like in shape, its body face-down and still.
What the hell is this?
He reached in, pulling the thing out. As he turned it over, its appearance became clearer: a single, closed eye at its center, with rows of suction cups lining its limbs.
Merlin stepped carefully over the scattered suits of armor and stood beside him, her expression twisting with unease.
“What is that thing?” she asked, visibly disturbed.
“I’m not sure. But I think it was controlling the armor,” Khal replied, his gaze narrowing as he felt the creature twitch. Its eye trembled, as if trying to stay shut.
Khal poked it once. Then again. Nothing.
With a frown, he squeezed it tightly.
POP.
The eye snapped open, and the creature let out a high-pitched screech of pain.
Khal’s gaze turned ice cold.
“Seems it’s alive.”
The creature panted, its eye glaring at him with fury.
“You disgusting humans… how dare you enter my master’s tomb!”
Both Khal and Merlin recoiled slightly, surprised—not just by the fact that it could speak but also by the fact that the creature had no visible mouth.
“You will regret this! Put me down this instant, and I might consider sparing your lives!”
Khal ignored the threat and squeezed again. The creature shrieked.
“I have a few questions,” Khal said flatly. “And first off—you’re going to answer them honestly once I let you go, right?”
The creature hesitated, trembling. “…Fine! I’ll talk! Just stop squeezing!”
Khal released his grip. He and Merlin stared down at it with intense scrutiny.
“You may have bested me this time, human…” the creature growled. “But next time, I’ll destroy y—”
Poke.
“Shut up,” Khal said, jabbing its eye again. “Tell me where the next section of the dungeon is.”
The creature whimpered, rubbing its eye with a suctioned limb.
“Dungeon? What the hell are you talking about!?”
Khal’s voice grew firmer.
“What do you think I’m talking about? I want to know where the next section is. I don’t have time to waste.”
The creature looked around, confused and frustrated.
“Listen well, you foul creature,” it said. “This so-called dungeon you speak of—I know nothing of it. This place is no dungeon… It’s a tomb. The resting place of my master.”
ch14 Hidden dungeon Pt2
Khal and Merlin continued into the dungeon, trekking through the entrance halls. Rows of torches lined the walls, their flames casting long shadows that danced over the cracked stone. The air was thick with the scent of dust, mildew, and age—a musty, century-old smell that clung to every breath.
Khal looked over at Merlin, tugging her staff, her expression serious.
“So, you mind telling me why you're so hell-bent on excavating this dungeon?”
Merlin glanced at Khal, frustration flickering in her eyes, before turning her attention back ahead.
“I’m not hell-bent on doing anything; i just want to quickly level up and gain points and this is the easiest way.”
Khal, not believing a word coming out of her mouth, raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
“You say that yet since we entered the dungeon, your whole demeanor has changed.”
Merlin kept her eyes forward, tightening her grip on her staff.
“You ever thought maybe i’m just a little agitated from entering a dungeon that’s difficulty is much higher than my level?”
She sped up, walking ahead of Khal, her angry footsteps echoing in the halls.
Khal stared at her from behind, lost in thought.
I'm starting to get the feeling that whatever it is that she is hiding will eventually affect me in some way.
They made it to the end of the hall, standing before them a gigantic door standing over 40 feet tall, it’s bright red frame and sleek golden handles looming over them.
Merlin stood before it, her mouth moving but the words could not be heard.
Khal brushed past her, pulling one of his hands out his pocket and placing it on the door.
“Wait! We don’t know if anything is booby-trapped,” Merlin said quickly. “Let’s inspect it before barging in.”
Khal didn’t respond.
Danger Sense hasn't activated. It should be fine.
Without hesitation, he pressed his palm harder against the surface.
CRRREEK!
The door groaned and screeched as it slowly opened, revealing a pitch-black chamber beyond—devoid of any visible light source.
Khal turned to Merlin with a smug grin. “You coming or what?”
Merlin exhaled sharply, annoyed, and walked up beside him. She raised her hand.
PURPLE LIGHTNING![☈]
Sparks of crackling violet lightning lit up her palm, casting sharp, flickering shadows across the walls.
Together, they stepped into the darkness—Merlin leading the way.
Moments after they crossed the threshold—
BOOM!
The doors slammed shut behind them, the echo resounding through the chamber.
Then, one by one, torches lining the walls burst to life, flames igniting with eerie synchronicity until the entire room was bathed in a dim, flickering glow.
Khal and Merlin stood their ground, preparing for any threat to come.
The entirety of the chamber had now become visible, revealing a stunning throne room with its golden walls , white ceiling and floors, and a single visibly expensive chandelier overhead, increasing the room's beauty.
But what stood out the most was the tens, if not hundreds, of empty suits of armor that stood infront of the throne.
“This feels more like a boss room than the first section of a dungeon,” Khal muttered, walking toward the rows of armored statues.
“Yeah, and there doesn’t seem to be a path leading anywhere else either,” Merlin replied, scanning the room.
Khal approached one of the suits of armor, closing the distance with narrowed eyes. A chill ran down his spine, the hair on his arms rising.
He stopped abruptly, stepping back instinctively—nothing happened.
That’s odd… I’m sure Danger Sense just triggered.
He stepped forward again. Once more, that eerie sensation crept over him. And again, when he backed away, it faded.
Ah… I see what’s happening.
Turning to Merlin, Khal spotted her nearing another suit of armor.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he warned.
Merlin paused, glancing at him. “What is it? Did you figure something out?”
“Yeah. These aren’t ordinary suits of armor. They’ll attack the moment we get too close,” Khal said, his voice calm but firm. “And since there’s no path forward without passing them... we’re going to wake them up eventually.”
“So what do you suppose we do?” Merlin asked.
Khal walked back over to the suit of armor, staying a safe distance away from it.
“Well, instead of waiting until we accidentally wake one up and it catches us off guard, we should just let it happen right now.”
Merlin's eyes widen in surprise, backing away from the suits of armor, taking a defensive stance.
“You don’t mean…”
Khal flung his right arm back, folding his hand into a fist, and bringing it forward with pure force.
"Yup.”
BAM!
His punch blasted the helmet off one suit of armor—it spun through the air, crashing into others.
THUNK… CLANG… CLANG…
The suits began to stir. Metal scraped. Blades hissed from sheaths. They were waking.
“Try to keep up, Merl.”
FWOOSH!
Khal launched himself skyward, summoning his spear mid-air, mana flooding into it.
BOOM!
He slammed down in the center of them, shattering armor on impact. Gripping his spear with both hands, he swung wide.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
CHING!
Steel screamed. The front line split in half.
I'm not seeing their level and what exactly they are, which means these things aren’t living beings.
PURPLE LIGHTNING[☈]
PZZZT!
Merlin floated above the enemies, swiftly striking down their numbers with her lightning.
Khal ran through their numbers, cutting down everyone in sight. Suddenly the armored suits began backing away from him, making a circle around him.
Huh, what’s this?
Clang Clang Clang.
They simultaneously beat their chests and slamming their swords on the ground. The row of armored suits before Khal began making way for another to pass.
This one was headless and much larger than the rest, standing at least 7 ft tall. It’s shiny silver armor, tall silver sword and a shield with the front shaped like a lion’s head.
Tomb’s Guardian lvl 15
If im not wrong, this one should be a living armor, a soul that lives inside an armor, seems to be the leader of this fleet.
In an apparent attempt to mock Khal, it started thudding its sword against its shield.
Khal stood tall, holding his spear before him.
“Don’t be hasty; I’m coming.”
FWOOSH!
Khal charged, thrusting his spear forward, mana seeping from the blade.
CHING!
His attack is blocked by the living armor's shield. But Khal didn’t stop his charge, relentlessly thrusting his spear against it’s shield in an attempt to put it off balance.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Though the living armor was on the defensive, it stood it’s ground, unfazed by Khal's relentless attacks.
Damn, this shield is hard. i’m starting to lose steam and my attacks are becoming slower.
Vitality Increased +1
Vitality Increased +1
Vitality Increased +1
BANG!
The living armor thrust its shield forward, meeting Khal’s spear, throwing him off balance. It lifted it’s sword high above him, bringing it down with brutal force.
Shit…
SPLECK!
Khal used his right arm to block the sword, allowing the blade to slice through his arm more than five inches deep.
Cellular Regeneration +1
Cellular Regeneration +1
Bone Density +1
Bone Density +1
Khal clenched his jaw, rage in his eyes; with the sword lodged in his arm, with his left he seeped mana into his spear, thrusting it forward. at such a close range, the living armor was unable to block.
CHING!
His spear pierced it’s chest, sensing danger, the living armor let go of it’s sword, quickly backing away.
Khal held on to the hilt of the sword, letting out a loud groan as he pulled it free.
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
Khal’s wound slowly began to heal, the bleeding quickly coming to a stop.
The living armor, though without eyes, Khal could tell it was glaring at him solely from it’s posture, the hand that once held a blade folding into an angry fist.
A pleased grin crept onto Khal’s lips.
“What you want this back?” He asked, waving the sword in front of it.
“I don’t fancy swords but i don’t mind holding onto it for you; it’s quite good.”
Tomb Guardian's Blade
[Bronze+]
Level Req: 15+
Made using pure silver ingot, this blade’s sharpness is unparalleled in it’s rank.
[STR 9][MP 7][AGI 4]
GRAAHHH!”
The living armor screamed, the sound coming from inside it’s stomach.
FWOSSH!
With its shield in front of it, it charged like a deranged bull at Khal.
Khal charged forward as well, holding both the sword and spear in hand, his eyes glowing with intent. He looked over at where Merlin was; she was occupied fighting her own battle against the suits of armor.
Remote adaptation, consume 20 points; adaptation type: practical.
Blessing: Instantaneous step (suppressed to F) acquired (temporarily.)
Teleport instantly to any location within 4 feet of you; this ability can only be used once.
The moment I try to attack with the sword, it’ll vanish into my inventory—the level restriction won’t let me use it… But I don’t need to attack with it. I just need it to think I can.
Khal tightened his grip on the sword in his right hand. The living armor, expecting an incoming strike, focused on his right side, ready to intercept.
In that instant, Khal swung his spear in a wide arc with his left.
The living armor, caught off guard, still tried to react and block the unexpected attack.
Step.
Khal vanished, reappearing behind the armor, his spear's momentum still carrying through its deadly arc.
CHING!
The strike sliced the living armor in half, sending it collapsing to the ground with a THUD, the rest of the armored suits following suit, collapsing to the ground with the death of their leader.
Merlin flew down onto the ground, landing behind Khal, who was staring intently at the living armor.
That’s weird… i didn’t receive a defeated notification.
Khal crouched beside the upper half of the armor, peering inside. Nestled within, just above the point where he struck, was a strange, white creature—starfish-like in shape, its body face-down and still.
What the hell is this?
He reached in, pulling the thing out. As he turned it over, its appearance became clearer: a single, closed eye at its center, with rows of suction cups lining its limbs.
Merlin stepped carefully over the scattered suits of armor and stood beside him, her expression twisting with unease.
“What is that thing?” she asked, visibly disturbed.
“I’m not sure. But I think it was controlling the armor,” Khal replied, his gaze narrowing as he felt the creature twitch. Its eye trembled, as if trying to stay shut.
Khal poked it once. Then again. Nothing.
With a frown, he squeezed it tightly.
POP.
The eye snapped open, and the creature let out a high-pitched screech of pain.
Khal’s gaze turned ice cold.
“Seems it’s alive.”
The creature panted, its eye glaring at him with fury.
“You disgusting humans… how dare you enter my master’s tomb!”
Both Khal and Merlin recoiled slightly, surprised—not just by the fact that it could speak but also by the fact that the creature had no visible mouth.
“You will regret this! Put me down this instant, and I might consider sparing your lives!”
Khal ignored the threat and squeezed again. The creature shrieked.
“I have a few questions,” Khal said flatly. “And first off—you’re going to answer them honestly once I let you go, right?”
The creature hesitated, trembling. “…Fine! I’ll talk! Just stop squeezing!”
Khal released his grip. He and Merlin stared down at it with intense scrutiny.
“You may have bested me this time, human…” the creature growled. “But next time, I’ll destroy y—”
Poke.
“Shut up,” Khal said, jabbing its eye again. “Tell me where the next section of the dungeon is.”
The creature whimpered, rubbing its eye with a suctioned limb.
“Dungeon? What the hell are you talking about!?”
Khal’s voice grew firmer.
“What do you think I’m talking about? I want to know where the next section is. I don’t have time to waste.”
The creature looked around, confused and frustrated.
“Listen well, you foul creature,” it said. “This so-called dungeon you speak of—I know nothing of it. This place is no dungeon… It’s a tomb. The resting place of my master.”