As I'm being carried over to the dungeon, I find myself in a rut. It's called a question, specifically; What are the limits of skills? Hra mentioned these yesterday, but I can't seem to get around the wall and find an answer.
I know I haven't figured out how to get them, but I'm sure Hravati has something planned.
I mean, isn't it interesting? You know, these supernatural powers? I can only imagine how much fun or cool it would be to receive a power like creating flames with a snap of my finger—or even freezing the water by stepping on it. But these are not without their drawbacks, so that's why I want to know the limits. How far I can push these skills.
The man stopped in his tracks. I'm a bit surprised. I heard that it'd be a long journey from the guild, but to arrive so quickly. Furthermore, Hra and the men have god-like stamina and iron legs. Quick note then, we can cover a supposedly long journey in 30 minutes.
Damn.
And so, I look up ahead. Again, like what most recent events had done to me, my expectations are deemed invalid. Instead of some intimidating fortress of black stone, I see a calming flower bed filled with pinkish plants. Is this some joke? I check our surroundings to find something even more unreal. We're in a desert. Is it me, or have I been thinking too long not to notice, or these people I'm with are absolute monsters.
" We're lost, aren't we? "
" No. This is the first dungeon you'll take. Flower Bud Dungeon. "
My attempt to bring myself back to reality has failed. Hra once more shoots my hopes down instantly, just like last time.
...
Wait a minute, is this their way of saying I'm too weak for a deep dungeon? To hell with this; time to show them who's boss.
" Ars, just a quick reminder. This dungeon has claimed thousands of lives, and I sincerely hope you won't end up like the others. "
Never mind, I didn't sign up for this. I only agreed because it seemed fun. I never knew these dungeons had killed people; if I had known, I would assume at least a hundred, but thousands!? There's absolutely no way I'm entering such a dangerous place. That is what I would typically say.
Knowing that Hra's been in these and lives to tell the tale makes me feel like I can do so just as well.
" So, how do we enter this so-called life-claiming dungeon? "
" It's best to try it out yourself. "
I'm slightly confused by her question, but I feel a slight chill run down my spine. The next thing I knew, the man carrying me placed me on the flower bed.
" NO- "
The flower bed opens, and I begin to fall through an unending hole. Is this where I die? I spread my body akin to a flying squirrel to slow my fall. Of course, it doesn't work. I continue to fall with an increasing velocity. It seems I got betrayed. Everything seemed too good to be true.
Splash!
I land face-first into the water. Guess what, IT HURTS! THIS PAIN, THIS STING! WHY IS THERE WATER AT THE BOTTOM? I suppose people would instantly die if not for this, but I wish they had informed me beforehand. Let's get back to the topic on hand, shall we? IT STILL HURTS! THIS PAIN, THIS STING!
I continue to complain about this pain for quite a while. At that time, I see the men and Hravati dropdown. It's a bit embarrassing to face her after saying she betrayed me, but she doesn't know that.
Not yet, at least.
" Your face looks like raw fish. "
" Thanks, I dropped in the water. "
" The water? Oh no, did I forget to mention you had to drop on these pads? They negate your fall when you come into contact. " she says.
I wasn't wrong to call her a bit of an arse last time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but she's an actual arse this time. Like, come on. What kind of sane person would drop straight to the ground rather than the water? I had no idea that there was a function like negating the fall. Now that I think about it, maybe I'll ask for more details later.
The water was in front of the pads. I regret posing like a squirrel. I only received pain by having forward momentum.
" Place your hand on that stone tablet over there. You'll receive something pretty nice if you do. "
She says that and points her finger straight ahead.
I look at where she's pointing, and I'm discouraged. The tablet was-
Far.
There's a big gap between where we are and the tablet. So I stand to take a closer look at the hole. Nice, there are spikes; now what?
How exactly will I get across?
" Have faith and walk straight in the middle. The reason people have died is that they tried finding other ways to get across. Going back to the smaller detail of this dungeon, the flowers in the flower bed are proteas. It's a test of courage. "
" Obviously. Who's in the right mind to believe they can walk in the sky and not fall and die? And couldn't they just have climbed out? "
" No, once in a dungeon, you're stuck. The only way to get out of one is to have the Menu. "
" Menu? Gah, I'll ask about that later. I want to get out of here now. "
Though, I wouldn't say this menu thing doesn't interest me.
I'll get my answers once I get them. That is, assuming I'll receive it from the stone tablet.
I start treading and head towards the middle of the gap, trusting what Hra said. I stop for a bit since it's still scary, but I take a step and find a transparent platform where I'm walking. Ah, so this whole thing was a sham. Too bad for those dead guys, but I have a beginner's guide!
I dash towards the end of the gap and reach the other side safely. Whew, time to touch the tablet.
I walk over to it and place my hand on it.
A warm light slowly began to surround me. After that, a blue screen forms in front of my eyes.
{ ARS VON SILVERWOOD }
{ LEVEL : 5}
{ Age - 17 }
{ Gender - Male }
{ Stats }
Strength - 10
Intelligence - 5
Durability - 10
Stamina - 5
Agility - 10
Luck - 100
Karma - 100
{Luck is affected by karma points. Karma points are gained through good deeds. }
{ Trait - King Gigolo }
{ Skill - Locked }
Hey, I can assure you all that I am pretty intelligent. This Menu is a sham. I mean, this is the Menu, no? At least my Luck is high. I told you all before; I am a good citizen of Arbatos that helps the poor. It is natural I am blessed with that much.
Looking back on it, I can't help but wonder. What the hell is a King Gigolo?
I scroll through it to check if there's any information about this King Gigolo thingy. Nothing appears. But I do find the word ` Return ` on the bottom right.
I press it.
And now I find myself back on the surface.
So this is what Hravati meant: you can only exit with the Menu?
" Welcome back. What skill did you get? "
I turn around and see Hravati and the men behind me. But weren't they inside the dungeon?
" How are you guys here? Hold on, don't tell me while I was running you already left me behind? "
" Pretty much. "
Not cool. I feel like I am being trolled now, and I'm counting. I'll get my revenge one day, I swear. While I'm at it, I'll ask her about my trait.
" I have this thing called a King Gigolo. What's this supposed to be? "
" You-You're too young for that. I'll tell you what that is once you're at a proper age. "
I see. I'm too young at 17. Very well, I will pressure you to answer me once we get home then.
" What are traits? I saw that I had one. "
[ He has one? Traits only appear in one in a hundred thousand people. To think he'd have one. ] She mumbles.
Again, if you people have something to say, say it aloud. I'm not some bat with powerful ears with the power of echolocation. Bloody hell, I won't bother anymore since she'll stay quiet about it anyways.
" Ars, you're brave, you know that? "
" What do you mean? "
" I lied about the method. The real way to get across was by climbing the walls on the side. Well, arrows would fly at you if you did. "
...
" YOU MADE ME WALK ON AIR FOR NOTHING? ARE YOU DELIBERATELY TRYING TO KILL ME?! "
I shout. For the love of the lord, it's not even funny! I would have died if it weren't for that platform.
" No, I had heard a rumor that a platform had existed. That's why I made you try it. I'm sorry, but I also thank you for trusting me. "
" I- it's nothing. Let's head home already. "
Little did I know, people would misunderstand, and my locked skill was misinterpreted for King Gigolo.
That reminds me, could this dungeon have claimed that many lives when it's only this difficult?
[ Little did Ars know, previous challengers of this dungeon faced monsters and various traps. Flower Bud was a dungeon that changed according to the user's deepest fear. Perhaps his fear was his lack of trust in himself? ]