Chapter 35: Lizardman
Elysium, having fulfilled his role in guiding Ren and Von through the tunnel, led them toward what seemed to be the exit. Even for a short period of time, the ethereal being's presence had proven invaluable in navigating the tunnel.
The sudden brightness of the Tower's exterior was blinding at first, as their eyes adjusted to the ambient glow. They discovered fellow awakeners engaged in their struggles against formidable creatures.
Awakeners, clad in various armor and wielding various weapons, were engaged in battles against monsters that roamed the Tower. The platform served as a battleground, and the echoes of clashes and magical incantations filled the air.
"Man, I think I'm developing a fear of spiders," Ren said jokingly.
"It's a good thing we survived that blast. I didn't expect she would self-destruct," Von said.
"Well, we were able to finish our quest anyway, and we leveled up quite a lot thanks to those itsy-bitsy spiders," Ren said as they checked their quest log.
Quest:
Kill Venomspine Spider
Request:
Venom Sac 20/20
Silk Threads 15/15
Venomspine Fangs 15/15
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards:
Gold coin +3500
"We just need to bring back the materials so that our quest will be completed," Von said.
As Ren and Von were planning to return to the first floor where the Adventurers Guild was located, a group of fellow adventurers approached them.
One of the adventurers, a tall and experienced warrior with a grizzled beard, stepped forward. "Hey there! We need two more people for our quest. Would you like to join us?"
"What's the quest?" Von inquired, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
The warrior grinned, revealing a few missing teeth. "We're planning to exterminate the lizardman warriors, as their numbers are many. This quest requires 4-5 people."
Ren and Von exchanged glances, considering the offer.
"What do you think, Von?" Ren asked, silently communicating their decision.
"Well, lizardmen are good for harvesting experience points, but these guys? I don't trust them," Von whispered to Ren.
Ren arched an eyebrow, prompting Von to elaborate on his concerns without speaking.
The group consisted of skilled and capable adventurers, alongside newcomers who were clearly novices and lacked experience. Each member brought their unique strengths and quirks. Trust, particularly within the Tower, played a vital role in ensuring survival.
"They have more experience than us, yet they came to us despite knowing we're new in this tower. They should have been able to figure that out from the beginning since there's someone among them with the skill to assess someone's level," Von remarked, his voice carrying a touch of suspicion.
Ren nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of Von's concerns. In a place where dangers lurked at every corner, the intentions of fellow adventurers were as critical as facing the Tower's challenges.
Ren looked back at the warrior and his group. Despite the camaraderie often found among adventurers, a tinge of caution lingered in Ren's mind. "You're right, Von. We need to be careful about who we team up with. Let's ask them more about the quest and gauge their intentions."
Approaching the warrior, Von inquired, "What's the reward for this lizardman extermination quest? And have you scouted the area? It's important to know what we're up against."
The warrior nodded, understanding the prudence of Ren's questions. "We've done some scouting, and the reward is a hefty sum of gold coins. The lizardmen have been causing trouble for other adventurers. Since the portal for the next floor is near the swamp they keep lurking in that area, knowing adventurers will pass through on their way to the portal. Are you two in?"
Von and Ren exchanged glances, silently communicating their thoughts. The warrior seemed straightforward, but Von couldn't shake the feeling that there might be more to the story.
Von spoke up, "We're interested, but we'd like to know more about the lizardmen's abilities and the specific challenges we might face. We must be well-prepared."
The warrior appreciated their caution and proceeded to share details about the lizardmen's strengths and weaknesses. As the conversation unfolded, Ren and Von weighed the risks and benefits of joining forces with this group.
"We're in, but we need a fair share of the reward, and we should have a clear plan of action. We're here to cooperate, but transparency is key," Ren asserted.
"Great! Since we're going as a team, we should introduce ourselves. My name is Grador, I'm going to be your tank. This one is Xyr, our archer, and Lincoln our mage. He can cast a basic heal."
"I'm Von, and this is Ren. We're both swordsmages," Von said, intentionally providing false information about their roles and skills.
Ren understood the necessity of Von's deception. They needed to be cautious about revealing too much information about themselves.
"You guys have a good combination of roles, but you're missing someone who can fight at close range for your team," Ren said.
"Oh yeah, he's kinda busy, that's why we need more people," replied the archer, Xyr.
"Lead the way, let's get this quest started," Von said
Grador grinned, "Stick close, and we'll make quick work of those lizardmen."
The swamp was a dark and misty place, filled with twisted trees and an eerie atmosphere. The archer led the group with ease, showing his experience in navigating the tricky terrain. As they moved forward, the sounds of unseen creatures and rustling leaves kept everyone on high alert. Ren and Von stayed sharp, ready for whatever might come their way.
The warrior shared more insights about the lizardmen's behavior. "They usually gather near the heart of the swamp. That's where we'll find the majority of them. Watch out for their ambush tactics and the shaman among them who can cast curses."
As they walked, Grador provided more details, "The lizardmen in this area are formidable opponents. They have a variety of classes among them – warriors, archers, and even shamans. The swamp is their territory, and they use the environment to their advantage. Expect them to employ hit-and-run tactics and try to lure us into traps."
Grador continued, "Our main goal is to clear the lizardmen from the area. The reward is substantial, and there might be additional loot from the lizardmen. Just stay alert and follow my lead."
As they approached the edge of the platform, the surroundings transitioned into a swampy terrain. The air became thick with humidity, and the ground beneath them felt soft and uneven.
Xyr, the archer, prepared his bow while Lincoln, the mage, murmured incantations under his breath. Grador tightened his grip on his massive sword, exuding an air of confidence.
The group descended a stairwell leading to the lower level of the swamp. The water level rose, and croaking sounds echoed as they ventured deeper. Murky water obscured their view, making it challenging to discern what lurked beneath.
Suddenly, a group of lizardmen emerged from the swamp's depths. Ren and Von braced themselves for the confrontation. Grador charged forward, drawing the attention of the lizardman warriors, while Xyr provided cover fire from a distance.
Lincoln focused on support, keeping an eye on the group's health, and casting protective spells. Ren and Von engaged the lizardmen in close combat, coordinating their attacks with Grador's onslaught.
The battle was intense, with the lizardmen utilizing their swampy environment to their advantage. Some disappeared beneath the murky water, launching surprise attacks, while others climbed onto elevated platforms to rain arrows down on the group.
During the chaos, Ren and Von discovered that the teamwork among Grador, Xyr, and Lincoln was commendable. Grador's tanking skills drew the attention of the lizardmen, allowing Xyr and Lincoln to execute their roles efficiently.
As the battle progressed, the group faced a particularly powerful lizardman shaman. The shaman unleashed mystical attacks, creating illusions and confusion among the adventurers. It was a test of their ability to adapt and strategize on the fly.
As the lizardman shaman unleashed its mystical attacks, creating illusions and confusion among the adventurers, Ren discreetly cast a skill from Bell. The ethereal shield that enveloped Ren and Von also extended its protective influence to shield them from the effects of the shaman's illusions.
Von, noticing the sudden clarity in their surroundings, exchanged a glance with Ren. Understanding that Bell had played a crucial role in their resistance to the illusions, they continued to navigate the chaotic battlefield with a strategic advantage.
The warrior, Grador, and his party were momentarily disoriented by the shaman's illusions. Lizardmen's illusions danced around them, creating a deceptive spectacle that challenged their focus.
However, Ren and Von, unaffected by the illusions, seized the opportunity to guide the party through the confusion. Ren signaled to Grador, pointing out the real location of the shaman amidst the illusions.
"Focus on the shaman! It's the key to dispelling the illusions!" Ren shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Grador trusted Ren's advice, and they refocused their attacks on the real shaman. With determination, they used Xyr's arrows, enhanced by Lincoln's magic, to hit the shaman and break the illusions.
As the shaman sustained heavy damage, the illusions began to waver. The deceptive images that had clouded the adventurers' vision started to fade, revealing the true landscape of the swamp.
With a final coordinated effort, Grador delivered a powerful blow to the lizardman shaman. The magical illusions shattered, and the remaining lizardmen, disheartened by the loss of their mystical support, faltered in their attacks.