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[You've Defeated The Clockworker Sinter]
[Successfully Used Bombs To Destroy a Dungeon]
[Calculating Rewards]
[Received: Sinter's Theory of Robotics]
Summary: Sinter's final piece of work. Read it to receive a [Unique Skill]
[Received: Terrorism Skill]
Summary: Bombs and causing damage with them is your specialty. This skill allows you to analyze a structure and find the most efficient way to collapse it.
[Received: 2000 bonus gold]
[Received: Sinter's Worker Gloves (Unique)]
Summary: The gloves that Sinter used to create his numerous clockworks. While wearing it, you receive 50% efficiency when working with machines.
[Congratulations! You are now Lv. 10]
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What a haul! Except for that dubious skill, I'm pretty happy with how things turned out. After I blew up the dungeon, we received a clear notice and our surroundings returned to normal. Turns out, we were playing in an underground factory. Eventually, the caretakers came to take Jessica and Infinity out of the facility.
"Thanks Devon," Jessica says to me while a few maids escort her. "I know it didn't go as planned but I hope you and Veronica had fun."
She can't see right now, but if she could, she would see the huge smile on my face.
"You kidding me?! That was the best first dungeon ever!"
She chuckles in response and follow the maids out. Infinity on the other hand is unconscious so the butlers put him on a stretcher. I hope he learned his lesson.
"Should we go home Veronica?" I ask as I carry her on my shoulders again.
[Hours Later]
Now laying comfortably on the couch at Eleanor's place, I sort out all of the rewards. I glance to the other couch. Good, Veronica's busy with her hologram watching some sort of kids' show. I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I let myself sink to the darkness.
"Welcome back," Sher's voice welcomes me as I arrive in her place.
"Wasn't that long really," I reply. "Everything's processed?"
She nods and flicks a hologram towards my direction.
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[Digestion Successful]
[Received: Pristine Clockwork Parts]
[Received: Clockwork's Love Lv. 1 (Common)]
Summary: Increases efficiency by 5% when working with machines.
[Received: +2 Magic and +2 Defense]
[Virus Digestion Lv. 2 --> Lv. 3]
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"You know, those could've been better if you let me eat the final boss," she teases.
"Oh come on, you saw what happened to Infinity when he entered his space."
"Nonsense. With the way you handled Scout, you would have had no problem beating him to near death. Which reminds me, what was that skill? Alarms blared in this space when you got it."
I freeze.
"Uhhh ... I don't know either," I reply.
She looks at me suspiciously. "Fine, you don't have to tell me. You deserve your privacy after all."
I sigh in relief. As much as I trust her, I just can't bring myself to talk about it. But ... is this the right thing to do? I bite my lip.
"No, no, Sher, I'll tell you," I blurt out.
"Are you sure? You really don't have to since I also have my fair share of secrets."
I shake my head in resolution.
"Sher, you're my partner. You gave me a chance to live after everything fell apart for me so this is the least I could do."
She smiles. "If you're sure, then my ears are open."
I calm myself with a breath.
"I'm from the 'Outside'," I start.
Her eyes widen in surprise. "I had an inkling you're not around these parts but to think you came from that lawless place."
"That's right. It's a place with no leader, no rule, and no god. As you know, ever since the Great Disaster of 22, we've divided the land into two parts: The Outside and The Inside. Well, I'm unfortunate enough to be born in the former."
"Well, I'm glad you're willing to share this information with someone like me. After all, those who came from the 'Outside' receive so much scrutiny from us who've lived on the 'Inside' all our lives," she responds. "But I still can't connect that and your new skill."
I chuckle. "It has everything to do with my skill."
She raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"To say that living on the 'Outside' is rough would be an understatement. It's best to describe it as hell. Everywhere you turn, there's someone who's willing to kill you for a can of beans. And you can't sleep well at night because you don't know if you'll wake up with a knife in your gut."
She remains silent so I continue.
"Because of this environment, children were the most vulnerable. So, the great politicians in Central developed the 'foster' system," I say sarcastically. "Fucking useless. Yes, children didn't die a dog's death on the ditch but the adults who took care of us used us to do their dirty work for them. Scamming, pick-pocketing, gladiator fights, robbery, you name it and we did it. Because I lead this life, I learned how to fight so I can defend myself from the enemies that I naturally made."
"You developed your 'battle instinct'..." she trails.
I nod.
"So how did you get in?" she asks curiously.
I smile. "It's a funny story actually. When I was sick of living my life of crime and was about to kill myself, I found this ancient console that hooked up to a television. It had one game where I played as an elven hero who smashes the villagers' pots. Oh, but he saved them from the big bad guy so it was fine."
"A fair deal," she chuckles.
"It had the worst graphics, but... that game literally saved my life. It showed me that I had a choice: to be a hero or to be a villain. So, I escaped with my friend, Shariff, and headed here. I got lucky and got in first after I went through the process but unfortunately, he couldn't get in. We promised to find each other when he gets in but so far no dice. I wonder where he is now."
"That's why you love games so much," she says.
"Yep! That's why I'm really thankful that you gave me this opportunity even though it would put you in danger."
"Aww Devon Miller, no need to thank me," she responds pridefully.
I scoff, "Look at this woman."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you act like a teenager. Hot, cold, hot, cold," she says as she wags her finger at me.
"Stop moooom," I mock. "Anyway, got any new goodies for me?"
She clicks her tongue and waves her hand. "I might as well be your mom Devon with how demanding you're getting."
From the void, multiple creatures appear. They're all creatures that Sher consumed in the dungeon.
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[Fight Protocols Activated]
[Battle Instinct Lv. 1 Activated]
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I crack my knuckles. "Let's train!"