"Root, you seem fond of this child, why not be his guide to the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, the second floor boss is the Flame Horned Minotaur. It's only a five floor labyrinth dungeon but, we don't expect anything more than asked. However if you can defeat the entire dungeon, you will be seen as a high ranked warrior of the clan" said the crone who laughed just seconds ago. "Fir, you shouldn't expect too much of a single child, especially one as arrogant as him" the first crone said. "Ha, Beech, you stubborn old bat that's confidence not arrogance, not that I'd expect you to know the difference" Fir said. "Now ladies, no need to fight there is nothing to gain" the third crone spoke up. "Shut up Meg!" all the other crones said in unison causing Chronic to laugh so hard it became contagious. Seconds passed and everyone around was joining in the laughter, "My name is Nutmeg thank you very much!, I'd appreciate it if you didn't shorten it!" shouted Nutmeg with a red face in anger. After about 5 minutes all laughter stopped and Nutmeg, no longer in a kind mood shouted "Root, take the little shit and go!, Fir, Beech, Flora, Fawn, we will have a discussion about manners. Everyone else, go on about your business". Hearing her anger everyone did as she said, Root grabbed Chronic right off the ground and sprinted away.
One mile away Root finally slowed down and dropped Chronic, "Sorry about that Chronic but, when Nutmeg is that mad everyone does what she says. They say her demons woke up, never seen her do anything myself. Though not even the other elders defy her when she's like that, it must mean something because they don't usually show any fear at all. And you saw for yourself the others quickly fell in line, it's gotta be her blessing from the God of War Titan Mars" Root explained. "I see, so who are the Gods? I only know of two Anu Bis God of life and death, and Titan Mars God of War" Chronic asked. "The other two are Abnoba the Goddess of Nature, Mountains, and Hunting. The last is Ira goddess of Wrath and Love but, mostly wrath according to those who received her blessings. Root answered. "Oh, Okay so how far to the Labyrinth dungeon? I'm going to clear it completely after all. You heard those old crones I should if I can, and in my opinion I can or should at least try don't you think?" Chronic asked. "About a day away from here if we run the whole way, and if you think you can beat the whole dungeon that shouldn't be too hard right?" Root asked back. "Well no time to waste then" Chronic stated boldly. an entire day went by before Chronic and Root arrived at the entrance of the Labyrinth dungeon, "Rest tonight and enter in the morning, after all you only get one month in the dungeon before you get forced out. If that happens you have to wait one whole year before you can enter again, unless of course you actually manage to beat. Assuming you can the dungeon will be closed to all for two years and reopen with two to five now floors, depending on how fast you beat it" Root said. Chronic decided to wait until morning before entering, after all with the name labyrinth it must be a huge maze right?
Waking up early the next day Chronic entered the dungeon after eating some dried meat and fruit and drinking from a nearby river. One he found the night before so he could wash the sweat off from running all day, he woke up Root before leaving and asked him "If I don't make it back can tell my parents I love them and that I was happy to be there son?" not waiting for an answer he entered inside. Now on his own Chronic decided he was going to try and cheat, gathering his magic wings of light appear and he takes to the sky. He flew above the maze and saw the first floor boss, he landed in front of a ten foot tall Minotaur wielding an axe 5 feet long from handle to axe head. Pulling out his sword he calmed his breathing and started running at it, the Minotaur accepting the challenge charged right back while roaring. Having greater reach the Minotaur took the first move with a diagonal swing of its axe, seeing it coming Chronic dodged it at the last second. Taking his chance he thrust his sword at the chest of the Minotaur, digging in deep the sword pierced its lungand he quickly pulled his sword out and jumped away. The Minotaur roared and coughed up blood, anger in its heart it swung its axe wildly trying to take Chronic with it to the grave. Seeing that he cast ice on the floor causing the Minotaur to fall with a loud bang, again taking advantage he jumped on it and stabbed it through the eye killing it. "Well that was easy enough" he thought to himself as he gathered its horns, nose ring, and heart placing them in his bag. There isn't much value in killing a Minotaur just the horns and nose ring are sellable, the heart is the only edible part having thick muscle it's like chewing on leather. However if boiled with butter and honey it makes a nice stew, honey has a tenderizing effect on meat. when the Minotaur died the next level became excessible and Chronic entered after taking his prizes, "Less than ten minutes, if this is all it takes I'll be done in under an hour" Chronic thought as he went to the Labyrinths next floor. Taking the same approach he flew to the floor boss, sword already in hand he landed in front of his actual target. The Minotaur in front of him was 15 feet tall and wielded two bastard swords that looked like long daggers in its giant hands. Its horns were red with a fiery glow, and where hair should be it was covered in fire. "Step forth and prepare to die" Chronic said looking up at the Flame Horned Minotaur, The Minotaur smirked and said "How long it's been since I was last challenged I do not know, however I'm actually surprised to find my opponent is a child this time. Don't know if I should be worried for you or myself, either way you did make it here so try and entertain me for awhile, hahaha" the Flame Horned Minotaur stated with a loud laugh.
"You can talk?! How is that even possible? Does that mean you have a name? Do other monsters talk?" Chronic asked completely confused. "What? You're telling me that you can understand me? then you must be a tamer. Well this is even better for me would you care to talk a bit before we fight?" asked the Minotaur shocked yet happy. Chronic placed his sword back in its sheath and sat down, seeing this the Minotaur sat down as well. "I guess I'll begin seeing as you are technically my guest, firstly monsters gain more intelligence as we grow and evolve. I do have a name but, I'll only tell you what it is before we fight. Monsters can only be understood by tamers which are extremely rare, and only high ranked tamers can understand lower level monsters because they lack intelligence and act on instinct. I'm assuming you haven't reached champion rank yet, that would explain why you couldn't understand the first floor boss" the Minotaur stated with its hand on its chin. "So how do I become champion? also if I'm a tamer how do I tame monsters? I can't imagine just fighting until I tire them out, don't you all have enough stamina to fight for weeks straight if needed?" "Yeah, I like you kid, so I'll tell you only intelligent monsters can be tamed. But it doesn't work by simply getting a monster to like you, that'd be ridiculous because then anyone could become a tamer. No first you must defeat the monster in battle and get its soul gem from inside the skull without breaking it, never break the soul gem of a monster you wish to tame. If the monster likes you it will either tell you its name before you fight or as it's dying, holding the gem in your hand call the name out like you would if you trying to gain their attention. Doing so will make it possible for us to come back to life, seeing monsters don't die like you. When a monster dies we are brought back from death by the world itself, that is how a balance is maintained. Usually we have to start from a monster that is lacking in intellect but, if a monster gains enough intelligence we come back as we were before death. Also you should know the more monsters you tame the more people will fear you, after all the last being that was a tamer nearly destroyed the world" the Minotaur said.