Chapter 02: The First Dungeon (Edited)
I grit my teeth as we arrive in the dungeon. The iron doors have vanished and the grassy plains around us have become a sandy desert consisting of blazing heat, dry air, and rough sand.
The heated sand beneath my feet makes them feel like they're burning and the particles in the hot, dry wind makes even a simple breeze feel like sandpaper. At least Rosabel doesn't seem bothered by it. Oh, well, maybe it's just me.
"Let's go," I say and Rosabel hops to attention. Assuming a serious expression that almost looks cute, she strides forward while I follow.
Sand and dunes as far as the eye can see, it is not long before we encounter the first enemy - another goblin. However, this goblin looks different than Rosabel. Its features are more twisted and its skin was a yellow-green color. While it wore a similar tunic, it lacked a club and instead had noticeably clawed fingers and more pronounced fangs.
Without hesitation, Rosabel charges forward with a battle cry. This gets the goblin's attention who then charges toward her with a snarl and claws at the ready.
When the two collide, Rosabel swings her club. Striking the goblin in the head and leaving it stunned, she takes advantage of this and proceeds to viciously bludgeon the goblin to death. Her club dripping in blood and viscera, she hurries back to me - looking up with expectant eyes.
Though I'm slightly unnerved by how quickly she switched from vicious to sweet, I still give her a congratulatory pat on the head. "Good job, Rosabel."
As Rosabel beams under my praise, I step forward to the downed goblin. Though uncomfortable touching its pulpy remains, I have to and focus on remembering the process of what I'm about to do. Taking a deep breath, I place my hand upon the corpse and focus my energy into it. The goblin's remains then light up before quickly vanishing. In its place are two items: [Goblin's Ear] and [Fine Sand].
After our Soulmek defeats an enemy, we Soulemer can infuse some of our energy into the remains. Our energy combines with that of our foe and materializes as items we can use. Anything left over is absorbed by the dungeon.
In this instance, the items we received was [Goblin's Ear] which can make Rosabel stronger and one unit of [Fine Sand]. I would have liked something that could provide some sustenance but [Fine Sand] is still something we'll need later anyway.
"Rosabel, come here," I call.
Rosabel quickly makes her way over to my side and I present her with the [Goblin's Ear]. Tilting her head curiously, she takes it in her hand. I then focus on our bond. Once I've grasped it, I can also feel the [Goblin's Ear]'s presence and will it to be absorbed into Rosabel's soul. The item then glows before dispersing into light that absorbs into her body.
Items like this can have various uses, but the only one I can really use right now is their power to strengthen a Soulmek. Once the [Goblin's Ear] absorbs into Rosabel's body, it will act to strengthen a particular area of her body. Since we're just starting and there's no telling how difficult the trials ahead are, I decide to increase her physical strength. Although, there is no visible change due to how slight the increase is.
Once I finish with that, I focus on the [Fine Sand] on the ground. I put a hand to it and do the opposite of what I did before. I start be sensing the energy within it, and then I try to 'pull' that energy into myself. As I do, the item vanishes but I can still feel it within me - stored within my soul.
Letting out a slow breath, I adjust to this new sensation of having something inside me. It isn't painful, just odd. And I now feel this 'weight' upon me. It isn't much, but it does suggest I should be careful about how much I can store.
Getting back to my feet, me and Rosabel press forward.
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Since this is only a 'beginner dungeon', it is not all that complicated. Furthermore, a beast-type dungeon like this is more physically inclined. For these reasons, our progress largely consists of one after another head-to-head brawls while moving in a straight line.
After the initial goblin, we faced three more in a row. Rosabel made equally quick work of them. Each one provided a [Goblin's Ear] I alternately used to increase Rosabel's strength and endurance. Otherwise, they provided [Bag of Blood] and two units of [Fine Sand] that I stored in my soul.
It was then that we encountered a different enemy. Called a 'Sickly Beast', it was some sort of quadruped mammal as big as Rosabel with sandy yellow fur. However, it was clearly malnourished to where its ribs were visible and it was missing patches of fur all over its body.
Hearing our approach, it immediately perked up and looked at us with bloodshot eyes. Snarling, it came rushing at us. Like the goblins before it, Rosabel managed to strike it with her club. However, this beast proved more resilient and was not stunned.
What ensued was a vicious back and forth of the beast trying to lunge at us and Rosabel batting it away. I stepped back so as to not be in the way. It was hard fought for my Soulmek to face an opponent so much more agile than her, but eventually she succeeded and killed it.
Sighing in relief, I walked up to her. Placing a hand on her head, I focused my energy into her body to heal her cuts and scratches from the beast's assault. Once she was healed, she gave me a big hug in thanks. I patted her on the back for a job well done before walking over to the beast to collect its items. What I got from it was [Broken Fang] and [Slab of Meat].
I immediately call Rosabel over and use the [Broken Fang]. This is an item much like [Goblin's Ear] in that it can be used directly to strengthen a Soulmek or used in conjunction with other items for various purposes. However, I do not yet have the power necessary for any of its other uses and stick with the first.
It absorbs into Rosabel but there is no change. Unlike [Goblin's Ear], the effect of this item is not evident until she undergoes evolution.
As for the [Slab of Meat], I stored it away until later. Between it and the [Bag of Blood], I'm starting to feel more hopeful of our survival.
We press on and face another goblin, a sickly beast, a goblin, and a sickly beast. Each battle more or less went easily enough. For every goblin Rosabel has beaten, we've gotten a [Goblin's Ear] that serves to make her stronger and in turn each battle a little easier. We gained a total of two [Goblin's Ear], one [Broken Fang], one poor quality [Beast Pelt], one [Bag of Blood], one [Fine Sand], and two [Slab of Meat].
I used the [Goblin's Ear] and [Broken Fang] immediately and stored away everything else.
At this point, I'm starting to notice a change in Rosabel's physique. She's looking fitter and her upper arms more muscular.
Meanwhile, I think I'm doing worse. The weight I feel from storing items is getting heavier. I can still handle it, but it isn't something I can ignore anymore.
After a brief rest, we keep walking and encounter another sickly beast. Due to this being a 'beginner' dungeon, there should only be ten enemies and a 'boss' to complete the dungeon. As such, this should be the final enemy we face before the boss.
Emboldened by our string of victories, Rosabel did not wait for the beast to notice us before charging in with her club. The beast noticed her a moment later and ran toward her. This is where things took a turn.
We had made steady progress and did not suffer much. So, I had kept pressing forward. Rosabel seemed fine so I didn't think too deeply on it. That was my mistake. Battle after battle, in the blazing sun and dry air of the desert. Even with some time to catch her breath between each bout and me improving her endurance, fatigue was bound to accumulate even more for her than for me. Simply put, Rosabel was tired.
Because of this, Rosabel was slow to react to the beast's fast approach and was tackled to the ground. Bracing with her club, she managed to keep the beast's slobbering maw from trying to tear into her.
Seeing my Soulmek pinned, I think to try and help. But then I question what I could even do. This led to my being paralyzed by the fear that even if I charge in I'll just die. This in turn led to regret. Didn't I promise I would do my best to protect her?
While I begin tumbling into a pit of self-deprecation, the sickly beast's strength starts to give out first. Rosabel manages to press her body against the ground and use her club as leverage on the beast to roll them over. Now that she was on top, she quickly tore her club from the beast's maw and proceeded to bludgeon it to death.
The beast dead, Rosabel relaxes and rolls off her kill - breathing heavily.
The sudden noise of Rosabel bludgeoning the beast had snapped me out of my thoughts. Seeing her fall over, I quickly rushed to her side to heal her. There were a few deep cuts from the beast's claws into her shoulders.
As Rosabel recovered, I apologized, "I'm sorry, Rosabel. I should have let you rest more. Or I could have tried to help. I don't-"
Her injuries healed, Rosabel suddenly hugged me. I could tell her intention was to say 'it's alright, I'm fine'. It honestly helped. However, it still gnawed at me how she was doing the work and almost died while I'm the one needing comfort.
To distract myself, I focus on the downed beast beside us and collect the items. Storing [Beast Pelt] and [Bag of Blood], my body feels just a little heavier.
The two of us remain there to try and regain our - really Rosabel's - strength.
I try sensing the various energies contained within me and draw out two [Bags of Blood]. I hand one to Rosabel while I take the other. She does not hesitate to bite into the mouth of the bag and begin drinking. I am not as bold but eventually get through my hesitance and do the same.
This is in no way palatable. As the name implies, what we are drinking is a bag of blood. It is thick, heavy, and tastes of iron. Unfortunately, I do not have the power to convert it into something better and it is the only form of refreshment we are able to get in this dungeon.
After we are finished, I collect the [Used bags]. Unable to convert them into energy and store them within me as I have every other item so far, I opt to instead tuck the rubbery sacks into the waistband of my pants. Hopefully the next dungeon will have something preferable or maybe we will be able to find a river to fill these sacks with water.
Wiping my mouth on my arm, it becomes smeared in blood. I look to Rosabel who seems refreshed with her mouth dripping in blood and we set off.
Soon our path is blocked by a tall dune. We manage to walk up it with some difficulty and find a space below us surrounded by similar dunes forming a wall of sand around the clearing. This is clearly where the boss battle is to take place.
Turning to Rosabel, I ask, "Are you ready?"
Rosabel responds by looking at me confidently and readying her club.
Inspired by her confidence, we slide down the slope into the clearing.
A loud howling was then heard. From opposite us, a creature appeared standing atop the dune before descending into the clearing itself.
What stood before us was a sickly kobold. A kobold is one of the possible species evolutions of a goblin assuming they can obtain the necessary item. As such, they naturally resemble goblins. Where they differ is that their bodies are a size bigger - coming up to my stomach - and they are more beastly in appearance. Their bodies are hairier, have claws and fangs, and their flat faces have begun developing into more of a muzzle.
However, this was a sickly kobold. Like the sickly beasts before, it was unhealthily thin. Its open tunic revealed its ribs pressing against its pale-yellow skin, its sandy yellow fur seemed to be suffering from mange, and its arms and legs were very thin. Despite this, we could not be careless. A kobold was an evolved species and even as a baseline would be twice as strong as a goblin. This one being sickly simply meant it was only fifty-percent stronger.
Wasting no time, I instructed Rosabel to attack. She charged forward but so too did the kobold. Needless to say, the more evolved creature proved stronger and faster than my Soulmek. She was caught off guard by its sudden advance and wound up missing when she swung her club at it in panic.
The kobold proceeded to grab Rosabel's club and tear it away from her. Throwing it away, it then tackled her to the ground. I watched helplessly as it began viciously beating her.
My hands shaking, I again thought about running in to help, but again, fear for my own life left my legs too weak to move. The part of my mind gripped by fear reasoned that a Soulmek could be revived by their Soulemer sacrificing half their life force while the same was not true for the Soulemer themself.
That was true. If Rosabel…died. I'd be granted the option to immediately leave the dungeon. I could then revive her and we could try again. We'd have to start over, but that means we could get more [Goblin's Ear]. Six more and we could almost equal or maybe even be a little stronger than the boss in some areas. But…
I just stood there as I watched the kobold's knuckles start to change color as Rosabel's blood came to cover them. Part of me raged at this. It could have finished Rosabel off with its fangs or claws, but instead dragged it out by beating her.
Still, I did not move. I'm a coward. I could feel her fear and pain through our bond, but I still did not move. I hate myself. Can't I do anything!?
It was then that I felt her quiet plea for help as her life was dimming. Something inside me seemed to snap and I was suddenly running - yelling at the top of my lungs.
My yelling seemed to snap the kobold out of its sadistic stupor and it looked at me in shocked surprise - seemingly not even realizing I was here. Taking advantage of this, I tackled them. I may have been a lot weaker than the kobold, but I had a running start and was larger than it who only came up to my stomach.
While I managed to knock them off of Rosabel, I didn't achieve much else as I then found myself under the kobold. Clearly angered by my action, it raised its clawed hand high with the clear intent of killing me. In an action born of desperation and adrenaline, I focus on the energies within me and draw out a unit of [Fine Sand]. Throwing it into the kobold's face, it's momentarily blinded.
The kobold scrambles to try and take care of the sand in its eyes. I use this to escape from under it. I glance over to Rosabel who is not moving but alive. I did it. I was helpful. But I can't celebrate yet. That trick won't work again and the kobold will be furious once it regains its sight.
I turn my gaze across the area and spot Rosabel's club. I rush over to it and try lifting it. Its a challenge, but I manage to turn and throw it by where Rosabel's lying. As I do, I see the kobold has recovered and is running toward me in a rage. Whatever bravado I had before seems to have vanished as I am too scared to move.
Tackled to the ground, the kobold again chooses the more sadistic path of beating me rather than finish me. Even more vicious than before I could feel my bones breaking and hear the sickening squelch as they did.
For a moment it stopped and I thought it was over. Instead, I felt the kobold roughly grabbed my throat and start strangling me. I try grabbing the kobold's arms to stop it, but lack the strength. One eye swollen shut, I look up with the other and see the kobold glaring hatefully down at me with its bloodshot eyes. All I could do was stare into its mad gaze and see the sneer on its face as it saw me losing the will to fight. My vision fading, I again wonder if this is the end.
There is another sickening squelch noise but this one did not come from me. In my hazy vision, I could see the kobold's expression turn to one of surprise and its eyes bulge out. Its grip loosens and there is another smack. This time the kobold's eyes roll into the back of its head before collapsing on top of me.
Too weak to move, I see a wobbly Rosabel step up and pull the kobold off of me. Weakly raising her club, she used what little strength she still had to finish the job - smashing her club into the kobold's head until it was reduced to a pulpy mess. She then fell back and collapsed on the ground.
A moment later I could feel power filling my body. Now that the boss was dead, the dungeon was cleared and its energy flowed into me and Rosabel to mend our injuries, restore our strength, and empower us.
Relief overcame both me and Rosabel as our injuries healed. The other changes in Rosabel were not noticeable but I could feel my physical condition improving. I was still inferior to a goblin, but it was still a large improvement for myself.
Once the relief begins to wear off, I am able to process the battle we had just been through. I sit up taking slow shallow breaths. My hands are shaking. I nearly died. If not for Rosabel getting her second wind and smashing her club into the back of the kobold's head when she did…
My breathing grows more rapid and I desperately begin looking around the area for something else to think about. Locking on to the kobold's corpse, I try getting to my feet despite my wobbly knees and walk over to it to collect the items.
Ordinarily, I would obtain items similar to a sickly beast but with a small chance of obtaining the necessary item to have Rosabel undergo a species evolution into a kobold when she was ready. However, because this is the first time we've cleared this dungeon, something else happens. When I place my hand on the body and focused my energy into it, its body shined gold before being replaced with a treasure chest.
This chest is a special reward for the first time someone clears a particular dungeon. What lies inside is meant to serve as a crystallization of the dungeon's power and symbolize one's achievement in conquering it. However, given this is a 'beginner dungeon', what I gain from opening it is more to help support me and Rosabel's survival.
Lifting the lid, I find two units of [Fine Sand], two [Slab of Meat], and two [Bag of Blood]. Reminded of the unpleasantness of the taste of blood, I quickly reach in and store the items. Once I do, the chest vanishes.
A slight rumbling is heard and I turn my head. From beneath the sand, a pair of blank iron doors rise up. Seeing these as our exit, I look to Rosabel. "You ready to go?"
Rosabel still seemed tired as she gave a noise of agreement and got to her feet. However, through our bond, I could feel her exasperation and excitement. To me, the noise she made sounded akin to 'get me the hell out of here'.
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Beast Dungeon - Desert Wasteland Lv 1 (END)
Mobs & Items
-Goblin: [Goblin's Ear]
-Sickly Beast: [Broken Fang], [Beast Pelt] (Poor)
--[Slab of Meat], [Bag of Blood], [Fine Sand]
Boss: Sickly Kobold
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Layfon
STR 4
END 4+3
DEX 4
INT 11
WIS 11
CHA 8
SPT 8
Demonstrated Skills: Summoner's Bond, Status, Summon Status, Locate Dungeon, Loot Collection, Use Item, Inventory, Heal Summon
Inventory: [Bag of Blood] x3 (1 = 1 unit of water), [Slab of Meat] x5 (1 = 1 unit of food), [Beast Pelt] (Poor) x2
Resources: 5 Units of [Fine Sand]
Held Items: [Used bags] x2
Rosabel (2/10)
STR 10+3
END 10 +3
DEX 10
INT 5
WIS 5
CHA 5
SPT 5
(+2 Broken Fang)