Inside the cave all the orcs had respawned, just as Rolf had predicted.
"Let's see what you are capable off Magnus!" Rolf said with a big smile. "And don't worry, I'm right here, my arcane barrier can protect you if you need it."
Rolf had been playing countless online games. Survivals, dungeons, level ups, magic, crafting and so much more. And ever had Magnus been with him, playing with him. If Rolf was the brain, then Magnus certainly was the brawn.
So even if he was somewhat slow, he knew exactly how to utilize his skill in the best way.
A group of 4 orcs, 3 scavengers and a warrior was ready to greet us when we left the buffer zone.
Chioma squatted down and began sneaking around them. I could see her see-trough silhouette obscure the surroundings behind her, but the orcs didn't notice her at all.
Magnus started to make taunting gestures and all the orcs became furious and attacked him in disorder.
I was surprised at how good he was. A tall blueish man-turtle, blocking orc axes with his shield, stabbing with his spear. Turning just in time to block a spear with his turtle shield at his back.
I was deeply impressed. He had just transformed and already fighting so fiercely. The orcs didn't even look at the rest of us, being so taunted by Magnus.
"He's good!"
Rolf laughed again, "I trained him well! HAHA!"
He continued laughing while 3 arcane spheres grew before his outstretched hand.
"Now Magnus!" Rolf yelled!
Magnus reacted by instinct, drilled into him by countless hours of being yelled at over the headset.
He jumped to the side as the 3 arcane missiles hit the orcs and exploded on impact. They didn't die immediately, but was blown down by the blast of arcane energy.
Chioma was fast to emerge and finish them all.
In the end, I just stood there, watching with my five spear-units.
"Just tell me if you need me, will you..."
Chioma smiled at me, while looting the orcs. "Well that was some nice teamwork you two! And Frey, you have some competition for loot now! Don't think we will stay helpless forever."
Rolf turned to me as Magnus went to try the looting thing for his first time.
"She's right you know. We all intent to follow you around the world. So we have to get stronger too. We can't always rely solely on your units."
"You're right Rolf. I know that." I gave him a small punch on the shoulder, "I'm happy you are all getting stronger. I have a feeling we will need all the power we can get."
Magnus was done looting as he spoke, "I got a minor healing potion! And some copper."
Chioma clapped his turtle shield, "That's nice Magnus. Hold on to it. We don't have any healing skills."
"That's right Magnus. No healing. And remember, this isn't a game where you get to start over if you die." I took the lead and we went further inside the long tunnel.
As we ventured through the tunnels, it became clear that Magnus was an exceptional front-liner. But I sensed something was wrong. He barely ever used his spear, except for blocking and the occasional stab. Rolf however, was truly becoming a beast of destruction. Arcane missiles and fireballs left no orc standing. Chioma was no different. Appearing out of the dark to hit the orcs vitals, while they focused on Magnus. Once in a while an orc would even roar and writher in pain as poison was spreading in its body.
I had an idea about Magnus. My perception was high, so I though I knew what the problem was.
"Wait up guys. The tunnels and respawns of orcs have been exactly the same as last time. So the boss cave should be down the next tunnel."
I had almost forgotten the Chief's Battleaxe I had looted previously. I had saved it to sell it later, but seeing how much effort Magnus had put in, and how he was struggling to use the spear, I thought it was better used this way.
I threw it to him, "give me the spear and use this instead."
He gave me back the spear, and I put it into my inventory, as he picked up the axe.
It was made of iron with a red shine to it's edge, a green-wood hilt and some sort of red-thread decoration attached to the end of it.
He swung it a few times, "thank you Frey! This is much better. That spear was hard to handle."
Rolf and Chioma just gave a look saying, good thinking.
"Ohh that reminds me! I have something else for you Chioma."
I withdrew the Recipe: Horned-rabbit steak. And passed it to her.
"I got that from another portal just like this. I mean there wasn't a profession stone. But a ton of horned rabbits with a boss and chest in the end. I closed the portal but, it didn't break as I left it. Maybe it will respawn as well."
"Ohh!" Rolf butted in. "That sounds intriguing. I have a hunch that portals, or dungeons, like these will be important as humanity adjust to the new world."
"Yeah yeah, Rolf! You can talk about that stuff later tonight, when I make some rabbit steaks for us instead of the usual rabbit sticks! Now I have two recipes, besides the vegetable preparation ability!"
She smiled happily as she kissed me on the cheek, and we moved on to the boss cave.
The boss cave was exactly the same.
Four orc mages was channeling the black-polished profession stone. While the orc boss with tattoos was standing behind.
"Avv, I can't see any chest this time." Chioma appeared behind Magnus as she had been sneaking further inside the cave to have a look.
"We can't be lucky every time." Rolf looked and me, giving me a firm look. "Remember what I told you about the dice."
"What? It's not like I'm greedy or anything?!" I gave him a cocky look.
Rolf just brushed it off. "We will do it like last time. It worked well. But as we don't have Calf this time, to use those stun-bolts of his. I think you should practice your dagger throw, Chioma. Add that poison before you throw it. I'm curious to see the effect."
"That's easy for you to say Rolf. But I only have two daggers..."
"There are cheap throwing knife's in the shop." I added.
Chioma bought 5 throwing knifes from the shop. You could get a stack of 5 for 40 copper.
Magnus took the center stage, with Rolf at his side. Chioma would sneak to a clear area once the boss started to move.
I would deal with the mages.
"Spearmen! Show these overconfident individuals, why they should work even harder to replace my legions units!"
Magnus, Rolf and Chioma just laughed at my friendly attempt to belittle them.
But my battle speech had an unexpected influence on my units, as they all started roaring!
"For the Commander!"
"For the Legion!"
They started to charge at the orc mages, shields held high, spears ready!
Their morale was soaring as they evaded the few frostbolts, and killed the mages within seconds.
"Wauw! I've never seen them go like that before. Do you have some kind of inspire skill Frey?" Rolf asked in surprise.
"No. I'm sure I don't have anything of the sort. I'm just as baffled as all of you."
We didn't have time to talk any further, as the boss had started to swing it's axe at my units, hammering their shields.
"Retreat! Back to formation!" The units withdrew while Rolf bought them time with the entanglement skill from his staff.
Magnus started to make taunting gestures again. Three arcane missiles blasted the boss, making it pause. Poison-tipped daggers flew at the orc, all hitting its mark somewhere on the body.
The boss started to shake, the poison had worked.
"Attack it while it's weakened Magnus! Keep it's attention!" Rolf yelled, while a fireball flew from his hand.
Magnus exchanged blows with the enraged boss. He was extremely good at keeping it's attention. Letting Chioma and I stab and slash at it without concern.
"I'm level 3 now!" Magnus burst with pride, looking ridiculous in the turtle form, with his hands on his hips, all proud-like.
"Yeah, that was a good battle! Chioma and I are level 8 now." Rolf smiled at his friend. "Can't wait to see what class you get at level 5! But first let us check the loot, and then get you a profession!"
Chioma went to the boss, but she didn't touch it. "I think Frey should loot it. We can split it afterwards. He has that skill right. Wouldn't we get more if he did it?"
Rolf had to quickly explain my skills to Magnus before I touched the boss.
*Looted 4S 73C*
*Looted item: Chief's Headband.*
*Looted recipe: Minor healing potion.*
Chief's headband - a black headband with +8 strength, went to Magnus. It fit nicely around his bald, blue, half turtle, half human head.
Rolf had made his poppy eyes, revealing he had the alchemy profession, so I had handed him the scroll while Chioma laughed hysterically, not able to withstand his poppy face.
Chioma and I split the silver between us.
A loud rumbling sound began, just as Magnus was about to touch the stone.
A part of the cave wall in the far end started to move. Revealing a stone stairway leading upwards.
"What do you think that is? That didn't happen last time." I asked, turning to Rolf.
"I don't know. It could be a hidden part. Another boss. Or something new entirely." He scratched his beard.
"Whatever it is, we should explore!" He smiled, being curious about anything new.
Magnus gained the blacksmithing profession, before we ventured up the stairs.