Marcus gets up and in the rush, knocks over the stool on which was sitting. Baldo and Pit imitate him, also bringing a hand to the handle of their respective weapons. Harris is the last to stand up, the boy almost tripping over his own feet in the hurry. The other soldiers in the bar remain silent and expectant, their surly looks hinting that they don't like that one of them is being threatened. However, they also do not want to intervene when a man is determined to defend his honor.
"Marcus, are you sure you want to start this?" Balto leans in and whispers discreetly, his eyes never leaving the adventurer's group. "They seem to know what they're doing... Veterans... We need to watch our flanks"
"If this starts, is not my decision, Balto. It's his decision, he strikes first" Marcus answers, with a shiny coat of sweat on his forehead that hints at nervousness.
A bronze adventurer is said to have the strength of 10 men, a silver adventurer would have the power of 100 people.
Of course that calculation is more guild propaganda than exact math, but it doesn't change that it would be a mistake to underestimate the adventurer, especially when the X on his badge marks him as a monster extermination specialist.
Marcus approaches a couple of steps and the soldiers group accompanies him without grumbling.
The adventurer keeps his arms extended to the sides as if welcoming them, and a wide smile. The confident aura that surrounds him is palpable, and although the harem members are more weak and wear bronze plates instead (except for the slave girl, who does not wear any plate), they are probably a well-coordinated team when it comes to covering their weaknesses.
Marcus' feet hesitate to continue, and to give himself strength he takes a deep breath and thinks about the handkerchief with the embroidered crystal. With his determination strengthened, Marcus stands facing the adventurer and holds his gaze. The adventurer narrows his eyes and slowly stops smiling, turning to a serious grimace.
"You're younger up close, I bet you only parted from your mother's skirts yesterday. Are you sure the stories are true about you? Come on, I'll let you have the first punch, kid," The adventurer pats the face on one side, an obvious provocation.
Marcus tightens the grip of his sword, but remains cautious and still. He has a good advantage, they're very close, if he activates [Max Power] could deliver a devastating blow in a few seconds, strong enough to knock out even a cyclops.
However, what happened in the forest is still a bitter memory. The dark elf dodged what Marcus assumed would be a sure slash, and since then he doesn't trust it. Instead, he remains silent and defiant, waiting for the adventurer to take the first action.
Seconds pass, and the heavy silence of the tavern increases the tension. Getting no response, the adventurer clicks his tongue and takes a step back, looking annoyed.
"I guess neither of us wants to reveal the cards up our sleeves... All right, kid. Maybe one day we'll meet again and I can find out if Stoicus' soldiers are worth the trouble, or if they rely on miracles for victory"
The man turns and barks an order to the girls. The women retreat with him. As soon as the door closes again, the soldiers at the tables erupt in jubilation and come forward to congratulate Marcus. The reason: put in place one of those pompous silver adventurers who think that just because they have a shiny plaque means they are the world's rulers.
Soon the Marcus table is filled with hydromel mugs invited by the rest of his comrades. When the atmosphere calms down and the congratulations stop, Pit leans his huge body over Marcus and asks a question in a low voice:
"Hey, Marcus, would you really have been able to defeat that guy?"
Balto and Harris are attentive to the answer. Marcus sighs and puts a hand behind his head.
"Not even with a 100-day head start" he confesses.
"I thought so" Pit nods with a smile.
Balto was another one who assumed it was all bluster, he knows his friend well enough to understand he's not on the silver adventurer's level. Besides, Marcus was very clear in telling them that Captain Axiel did most of the work.
However, they weren't going to turn down a free round of beers or the flirtatious looks of some nice ladies.
...
The link between Jimbo and Hilda is formalized, although the system warns that it is incomplete, since Hilda's power exceeds the Dungeon Core.
The system also takes the opportunity to clarify the statistics categories: non-existent, minimal, mediocre, athletic, formidable, heroic, and finally the divine category, a limit that is practically unreachable for 99% of living beings.
Speaking of limits, the system states that the maximum level is 100, although this cannot be used as a comparative value, since it represents the limit of each individual being. A human's level 100, i.e. his maximum potential, is reached much sooner than a dragon could.
«And is it possible to break that limit - to go beyond level 100?»
Note: The potential and limits of a species, is something that changes and adapts in a process thousands of years long, according to their experiences, environments, genetics, and growth.
«I understand, you talk about evolution, Darwin and everything. But I'm talking about whether can reach the 101 level, or the 102 level»
The silence of the system is maintained. Jimbo clicks his tongue as he grasps that this is information his subconscious is unaware of.
«Being a Dungeon Core doesn't give you all the answers, I figured»
Anyway the level cap is something that at the moment is a long way off for him. He decides to concentrate on what's in front.
Hilda the fourth captain LV 31
-Health: Full.
-Ki: 40/40
-Ether: 40/40
-Strength: Athletic.
-Agility: Athletic.
-Endurance: Athletic.
-State: Wary. Nervous. Expectant about what might happen.
Jimbo is surprised, since unlike Dowmy, Hilda has two types of energy instead just ether.
Note: Ether is energy produced and expelled by different types of beings, and therefore remains in the environment and can be absorbed and used. Ki, on the other hand, is an exclusively internal energy of the user, its channeling needs practice and its incorrect use can lead to physical imbalances and illnesses.
Note 2: Dungeon Core do not possess Ki as they are beings composed entirely of materialized and hardened ether.
Hilda shakes her head and pulls the hand away. Stepping back she frowns as perceived a change. Much like Dowmy, she now feels a vague connection to the crystal, like a flimsy draft pulling her into the core.
«Can you hear me?»
Hilda's shoulders shudder. She squints.
"Is that your voice?"
«Yes. Any problem?»
"Nothing, just... I expected it to be different," the woman clarifies and closes her one eye. "A more monstrous voice... Or majestic... Or imposing. But instead you just sound like a regular guy"
Jimbo was about to use fierce sarcasm and apologize for not being Morgan Freeman, but decides to keep the witticisms to himself that no one in the kingdom will understand.
"I like your voice, master" Dowmy hastens to say, raising a hand to be noticed.
Jimbo smiles.
«At least I can count on you, Dowmy»
Jimbo was about to talk with Hilda about their plans for the dungeon, but shuts up short and shivers when notices the figure under the threshold of the secret shortcut, that tunnel that connects to the entrance of the 1st floor.
Arrax moves forward, one hand supported by a gnarled staff, his other arm assisted by Marnie. The sorcerer's pale face and dark gaze snaps into the crystal like two harpoons, the same with his sharp smile. Arrax jerks his arm away from Marnie and reaches out to the core as if longing to touch it.
"[Obedient Doctrine]!"