'No one is coming' Michael thought while sighing.
You are being impatient, just wait a bit longer.
Michael scoffed at that comment 'Impatient? I have been waiting here in the same place for the last 16 hours.'
He then stood up and chuckled 'Is someone angry because they were wrong?'
No, you are just being impatient.
'Sure.'
Michael walked over to his fellow teammates, not noticing any difference in their conditions. He tried healing them a couple of times in the hopes of them waking up, however, that turned out to just be a waste of MP.
As for Eric..He was as still as a statue, the illusion in which he got caught up in seemed too strong.
After killing that monster, Michael picked up Paul's body and dragged it a fair distance away, burying it, he didn't want this incident traced back to him.
In the off chance that his family begins snooping around, he doesn't want to get caught in the crossfire, even if he was still a kid, they would not discriminate.
Michael stuck the sword into the monster's corpse, or what was left of it anyway.
He can't avoid being suspected, he just hopes they redirect their anger towards the monster and particularly the government.
It was their territory that this incident happened in after all.
Michael took some of Eric's food that he had stashed in his pockets, it was an MRE.
'They still look the same even when magic is involved' Michael couldn't help but chuckle at that thought.
After finishing it all and drinking the already preheated tea, he was finally ready to set out.
But before that 'Hey, how does one even leave a dungeon?'
Kill the boss monster, or just simply walk through the portal you came from, monsters can't leave the dungeons unless there are special circumstances involved.
'And those special circumstances are?'
If the boss monster becomes too strong, the dungeon will try to get rid of it to create balance, though that never turns out the way it was intended, all of the monsters run out and go on a rampage instead.
'The dungeon will try to get rid of it? Is it alive?' Michael seemed a bit confused.
No, it's similar to the previous systems I mentioned. No sentience, they were just following a line of code, those rules basically apply to dungeons as well.
Michael's eyes slightly widened 'So does that mean that a dungeon could become sentient just like you?'
There was a moment of silence after Michael asked that question, though the system soon answered.
It is not impossible..
'That would be interesting to see, though I doubt it would go well, anyways, care to tell me where the entrance to this dungeon is?' Michael walked around, looting his sleeping teammates, though none of them had anything valuable except the MRE's which he gladly took.
I can't feel it, we are either too far or..
'Or?' Michael seemed a bit impatient, the system was clearly trying to rile him up
The dungeon is closed.
At those words Michael froze 'You mean the dungeon is not open? How is that possible if we were here?'
If one is powerful enough they can open and close dungeons themselves, in this case, the person could have set these coordinates and then left before closing the dungeon.
'So that bullshit about being rescued was a lie?' Michael clenched his fists.
Not exactly, if that same person comes back you would be saved no?
'So now you are gambling with my life..you are unbelievable' Michael was speechless, after calling him shameless it goes and does this?
Furthermore 'Did you maybe consider the fact that the person might be an enemy?'
Oh it's most definitely an enemy, however, if it wanted to kill you, that person could have set the coordinates right in front of the boss monster, yet they didn't.
Michael thought for a moment 'You do have a point, but still, I don't like leaving my life up to chance, you should know that if you have seen my memories.'
I hope you are aware that the only way you stand a chance against that boss is if you and your party were all together, and even then the boss would need to lack experience, which unless it is a complete newborn, is generally impossible.
Michael knew that, but what other choice did he have, he was at a stalemate.
'What level is the boss?'
Since its underling was Level 50, the boss should be at the very least in the high 90's, maybe even the early 100's.
'Fuck..so if I fight it, I'll die, if I stay here, I also likely die, awesome' Michael couldn't help but laugh to himself, finding the situation he was in amusing.
'Is there no other way?'
There is one way, however, you won't like it.
Michael's expression lit up slightly 'What is it?'
Sacrifice your teammates to the boss monster, it will absorb a portion of their strength, in theory, it should open up the dungeon, even if only temporarily.
Michael was left shocked and speechless, it sounded wrong, however what other choice did he have left?
He couldn't believe he was considering this offer.
'Do you know where the boss monster is?'
Yes, it is a few kilometers north, this is a pretty big dungeon, and don't worry, I can't feel any of of those Mind Stalkers anywhere near here.
Michael looked over to his teammates, but looked at Zane in particular. 'Is one enough?'
It would have to do, though you would need to be prepared to run at full speed, the portal would not be up for long.
'And the portal will be where exactly?' Michael couldn't help but ask, it seemed the system glossed over it.
The same place where you arrived, coincidence? I think not.
'That does seem a little convenient..' Michael was a little suspicious, though he had too little information to be sure of anything.
He picked up all of his teammates, ripping a piece of cloth off of Eric's expensive looking jacket, he tied all of their legs together and started pulling them towards the entrance, where the portal would appear.
'What guarantee do I have that the boss monster would not just decide to kill me?'
It would view the sacrifice as an offering to it, therefore leaving the giver alone, this happens in other dungeons too, however, it only works if the boss monster is not low leveled, the higher level it is, the more self aware it becomes.
'I see' Michael replied as he continued dragging his teammates, already seeing the grass clearing.
He put them down and untied their legs, then walked up to Zane and picked him up.
Michael was conflicted, he would have never done this in the past, even if it meant him dying. However now, he was determined, even if his morals began crashing down.
The world is different, why should he stay the same?
He was not blindly just, he wouldn't die for a person he just met, especially one that would most likely backstab him at his earliest convenience.
Don't trouble yourself with human garbage. Your path will be filled with thorns, don't let a single inconvenience break you.
'Thank you' the system cheered Michael on, and that made this decision less burdensome.
With Zane hunched over his shoulder, he began walking towards the boss monster, proceeding with the reckless and unsure plan, though he had no better alternative.
As Michael was walking, he saw something in the distance, it was an area that was completely flat, yet in the very middle was a throne.
It looked extremely ominous, but Michael decided to trust in the system.
Once he stepped foot onto the flat area, a sudden pressure descended on him.
His knees began shaking, yet he walked forward, nearing the throne that was facing the other side.
A figure stood up, it looked like a Mind Stalker, however instead of a single red eye, it had 2, and its body shape resembled that of a human's, much different than the one he met earlier.
Michael met its eyes and for a moment lost focus, the only thing on his mind was the monster's red eyes.
Get yourself together, it had not even cast an illusion.
The system's voice snapped Michael out of his stupor, regaining his focus.
Though the monster was already in front of Michael, its red eyes expressed a hint of curiosity.
"Here, for you" Michael tossed Zane down on the floor and prepared to run, however, something strange happened.
In a distorted voice, the creature said "For me?" Then looked down towards the sleeping Zane.
Don't think anything stupid, that thing can read your mind.
Michael flinched but heeded the system's warning "Yes, for you, in return I would like for you to let me leave."
The monster tilted its head to the side "Why leave?"
Michael could feel his heartbeat rapidly quickening "So I could bring you more sacrifices, obviously."
The creature nodded and put its arm on Zane's body "I see."
With those words the monster's body morphed, turning into a gassy like state and going inside of Zane.
Unlike the other one, this one can fully possess a person's body.
The previously sleeping Zane's body started twitching momentarily before it completely stopped and he stood up "This human is pretty trashy, I can see why you wanted to sacrifice him to me."
Then its eyes narrowed, the previously blue eyes of Zane's turning Red "However I dislike being lied to the most, tell me your reason, and I will decide if I wish to spare you or not."
The previous child like persona of the monster was gone, replaced by one of absolute authority.
It fooled us.. I couldn't tell because I was still too weak, however, that monster is no ordinary boss monster, it's an ancient of its race, their levels are in the high 200's, I am sorry, it was my blunder.
The system apologized to Michael in a solemn manner, though he could not afford to vent out his frustrations at it, he didn't want to risk the monster reading his mind.
He decided to be honest, bullshitting won't work in a situation like this.
"I want to get out of this dungeon, however, there is no entrance portal or anything of the sort, we randomly got teleported here, the rest are out of commission and I am the only one still able to stand..
"That's why I need your help, you are strong right? Can you open up the portal?"
Michael was being unreasonable, though he felt like if he told lies, he would die instantly.
The monster, now inhibiting Zane's body remained quiet, however, the silence did not last long "I see, however, I don't think I can help you" it pointed at the flat area around them "If I leave this area, my body will likely disintegrate."
Michael asked out of curiosity "Why? Are you bound here?"
The monster slightly chuckled "Something like that, there is something inside of my body that reacts when I get close to the edge, it's not made out of magic so I can't dispel it either."
I can't feel anything, though I might be wrong, use your Purify skill on it, maybe it's some type of disease made for the ancient monsters.
Michael looked up at the monster who was still inside Zane's body and said "I am a healer, if you show me your body I could check it out."
Though all that did was spark a wave of laughter from it "You are funny, a weak being such as yourself thinks he can cure someone like me?"
Michael noticed its eyes, they had a glimmer of hope, betraying the tone of voice the monster was taking right now.
"So? can I?" He decided to ask one more time
The monster stopped laughing and exited Zane's body, reappearing in its previous form "Very well, I shall indulge your curiosity"
Michael walked up to it and first used his Greater heal
[Greater Heal +50 EXP]
He then looked up at the monster and asked "Anything different?"
The monster replied with a simple shake of its head, it was ineffective.
Michael then used Purify, a green light enveloping the red eyed monster.
[Purify +250 EXP]
Wow this ability is indeed impressive, even at level 0. From what I can tell, every 5 levels in this skill will reduce its mana cost by 10 MP, meaning at max level it will cost no MP at all, pretty neat.
Michael took the system's words in and asked the monster once again "Anything?"
As he looked up into its eyes, he could see them change color, from red to blue to yellow to white and lastly to purple.
It seemed its eye color changed because of Michael, though he did not know what that entailed.
The monster looked down at Michael, and then at its own hands "It worked.."
It then looked at Michael with calm eyes "My name is Meph, thank you for this human, I will repay this debt someday."
The monster introduced himself as Meph and after doing so went back into Zane's body, this time instantly.
It turned to Michael "What is your name?"
Michael's rapidly beating heart settled and he answered "My name is Michael" sounding a little stiff.
Meph noticed it and waved his hand "Relax, I am not going to hurt you Michael, I will be borrowing this person's body However."
He then started walking to the edge of the flat area, and upon arriving, hesitantly stepped forward, and out.
Meph then turned to Michael and said "Let's go"
Michael nodded and followed after him, walking to where the portal was supposed to be.
Along the way, they didn't speak to each other much, Meph looked like he had a lot on his mind and Michael did not want to bother him.
Arriving at the grassy area, Michael saw his two teammates still sprawled out, one unconscious, the other still stuck in the illusion.
Meph turned to Michael and asked "Are these your party members?"
"Yes, we got teleported here together, though they are a bit out of it right now."
Meph chuckled at Michael's comment then walked up to a seemingly random area and raised his hand.
-Crack
A sound came out from the air in front of him, though as it intensified, it looked like the air around Meph had shattered as if it was all made out of glass.
Then all of a sudden, a blue glow appeared, signifying the portal being open.
Michael picked up his 2 teammates and walked up to Meph, preparing to leave, though his curiosity got the best of him and he asked him a question.
"How were you trapped in this place anyway?"
Meph put his hand on his chin and looked to be thinking.
"I don't remember, I only remember that it was because of some sort of human with a weird name, Rainkart? Something like that, it was a long time ago.."
Michael regretted bringing that up, as he noticed that he had spoiled the mood, however, he did gain a bit of information.
Meph nodded at Michael and went through the portal.
Michael took one last look behind him and followed right after.
'It's finally over'