I looked around the open space, waiting for the rest of the Expedition to come down the slide.
The space around us was littered with roots and lichens, but I couldn't see anything that looked useful, but hey, I was here to stab things, not collect Herbs and Ores.
I took in a deep breath, the musky earthy scent cloying the air.
"Alright everyone. Let's move!"
Anakitty appeared at my side, gesturing forwards.
Smiling at her, I made my way towards where she pointed, keeping an eye out as I asked "So, where's Raul?"
She chuckled, nodding her head towards the rear.
"He was always better with the bow than his sword, so I have him in the back while I lead up front. Of course, he did seem quite... eager to get away from me, which is quite aggravating..."
Seeing her expression darken as she spoke, I chuckled before saying "You might want to ease into it, Anakitty. Not many people are instantly attracted to a strong, possessive personality..."
Anakitty pursed her lips, looking at me from the side of her eyes.
"Then how come you managed to get Sigrid so easily?"
I laughed at that, looking over my shoulder and finding the little lemon quietly talking with the other supporters.
"I've been doing this for a long time. I know who is more likely to prefer a woman's touch, and who won't despise me due to my... history."
Anakitty nodded, saying "Well, you have quite the reputation, that's for sure. Even us in the Loki Familia have been told to avoid you inside the Dungeon, and to definitely try not to piss you off."
I looked at her in surprise, asking "Really? The Loki Familia says that? Huh. I thought you all just didn't care."
She gave a wry smile, replying with a low voice. "It's because of how you fight. You go for the kill, with full willingness to lay down your life. That makes you incredibly dangerous."
I nodded at that, looking around the large roots surrounding us. She wasn't wrong. I had learned from an early age that I needed to give each fight my all, especially after I watched what had happened to a female adventurer when she got cornered by a small party...
As we walked, I heard someone from the supporters shout "Over there!"
Turning, I followed their finger and saw a large cluster of glittering crystals.
"What am I looking at?"
Anakitty smiled, her tail swishing rapidly behind her.
"That, Nikoletta, is a cluster of Cyclonic Crystals. Some of the best focusing mediums for both light and wind magics. It's in high demand... and worth a large amount of Valis..."
I grinned as well, looking around the crystals.
As expected, such a treasure was guarded by quite a few monsters.
Over a dozen Lizardmen lounged around the crystal, and I widened my eyes when I saw the pink scales of a wyvern hidden under a large root.
Raising my hand, I said "Wyvern, under that root."
Following my gaze, Anakitty pursed her lips before saying "Could you fight it on your own while Loki Familia cleans up the Lizardmen?"
I nodded, smiling as I heard Anakitty ready her Familia.
Returning to my side, she gave me a nod before leading the Loki Familia in a charge towards the crystals.
The Geb Familia stayed back, the supporters clustered behind their large shields.
Keeping pace with the Loki Familia, I dove past the Lizardmen's spears and stood in front of the small cave, watching as a large, 15 foot long wyvern crawled out, it's red eyes flaring in anger.
With a roar that shook the earth, it stomped towards me, fire spilling from it's wide open, tooth filled maw.
Rolling away from the flames, I lanced my spear, grunting as I hit the side of it's head instead of it's eye.
It felt like I was hitting a brick wall with my bare hand, and I pulled the spear away quickly.
My heart clenched as I saw a chip in the spearhead. Those pink scales were quite hard...
I pivoted, avoiding the slamming claws of the wyvern as it left a small crater in the earth.
I quickly spoke the chant for 'Warrior's Ichor', grinning as I felt the large rush of strength pouring into my limbs.
Stabbing the spear towards the wyverns underbelly, I felt the spear pierce the wyverns tough scales, digging deep into it's large body.
Crying out, the wyvern spewed more flames towards me, forcing me to release the spear as it became lodged in its side.
Rolling away, I clenched my teeth when I saw the shaft of my spear burning, before the wyvern snapped its jaws on the shaft, breaking the shaft.
Drawing my xiphos, I lowered my stance as I dashed forwards, ducking under the wyverns swing and stabbing the blade into its underside again.
Twisting the blade, I yanked it free in a spew of blood, before swaying away from the wyverns claws yet again.
It roared in pain, it's eyes glowing a ruby red as fire overflowed its maw.
A large amount of flames bathed the area, and I grabbed my cloak and wrapped it in front of me as I jumped back.
The heat was incredible, and I felt the hair on my arms singe.
Growling in annoyance, I waited for the flames to die down before charging forwards again, stabbing the xiphos towards the wide open maw.
The wyvern widened its eyes in surprise, before snapping its jaws shut.
Grinning, I brought my blade up, scoring a deep cut across its snout.
Before it. could react, I leaned forwards and stabbed two fingers into its eye, digging deep into the jelly like flesh.
Jumping back again, I laughed as it roared in pain, before rolling to the side as it charged at me.
I stabbed it yet again, ripping out another chunk of flesh before swaying to avoid another bout of flames.
I slowly whittled it down, scoring more and more cuts on it's pink scales, watching as it was slowly dyed red.
Eventually, I stabbed my xiphos into its remaining eye, watching as the wyvern scattered into dust, a large core dropping to the ground.
I panted, my xiphos dripping with blood. Scooping up the core, I looked towards the remains of my spear, sighing.
Grabbing it, I was about to return to the group when I saw something else.
A large claw was laying beside the spear. It was pure white, and when I lifted it up I marveled at it's weight.
I moved towards a root, lightly pressing the claw into the wood.
I whistled in appreciation when the claw dug deep into the wood.
Grinning widely, I chuckled as I looked at the claw in my hand.
This would make the perfect spearhead...
I made my way back to the group, watching as Anakitty stabbed the last lizardman before signaling for the Geb Familia to move closer.
Looking at me, she asked "Get anything?"
I raised the claw, making her shake her head with a wry smile.
"You're really lucky, you know that? Wyvern parts are really difficult to get, around 1 in 1000 drop anything, and their quite a rare spawn to begin with..."
I laughed at that, saying "Well, the damn thing broke my spear, so it paid appropriately."
We watched as the supporters took out small chisels and hammers, setting about gathering the Cyclonic Crystals.
Setting up a perimeter, I sat on one of the roots, looking over the wide space we were currently occupying.
The crystal was quite large, and would likely take two or three peoples packs. So, that left around a dozen other packs to fill...
Sighing, I prayed that we would find these resources soon.
I felt naked without my spear. Don't get me wrong, I can use my xiphos quite well, and enjoy the rush of close combat, but I much prefer the flexibility a spear offers.
Tying the claw to my belt, I pulled out a cloth and started cleaning off my xiphos.