Grand Game 40-49 (Patreon)

Chapter 40: Dancing with Death

Concealing myself from the remaining warrior squad was laughably easy. My skill at sneaking had advanced to the point that even the cavern’s least shadows were enough to hide me from the goblins’ poor night vision.

You are hidden once more.

The moment I faded from sight, the five-man team skidded to a halt, but not for long. At the chief’s bellowing call, they reversed direction and hurried to the stage.

Crouching in the darkness, I watched the goblin leader descend from the dais. After observing the massive figure’s stride for only a few seconds, I realized why he had not joined his followers earlier.

The chief was slow and cumbersome, at least in his steps.

Despite the goblin leader’s oversized limbs, and the undoubted power contained in his large frame, his smaller followers were more nimble. I smiled. In the cavern’s murky depths, the chief would make for easy prey.

After the goblin leader stomped to the side of the five remaining warriors, the goblin squad resumed their search for me, though this time their pace was notably slower.

“Where are you, puny HUMAN!” the chief bellowed. “Show yourself and face me!”

Ignoring the goblin’s taunts, I ducked through the shadows and circled around the squad to place myself at their rear. The chief himself strode behind the five warriors. I was not sure if that was because the larger goblin was guarding the formation’s rear, or if it was because the warriors out front were shielding him from me.

Either way, it conveniently left my most dangerous foe exposed to a sneak attack from behind. With drawn blades, I scampered forward and closed the distance to my mark.

“There is NO ESCAPE for you,” the goblin leader shouted, unaware of the approaching danger.

Almost within striking distance, I unbent from my crouch and raised my blades.

“I alone,” he continued, “hold the keys—”

A hostile entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

I was less than three feet from the chief and already darting forward with my blades, when the Game message dropped in my mind. I was startled, but pressed on with my attack anyway, thinking that it was surely too late for the leader to respond.

I was wrong.

Reacting instantly—almost as if he had expected the attack—the chief spun around. The goblin leader might have been slow at covering ground, but there was nothing wrong with his reflexes. The broad head of his greatclub swung around.

It was too late to change the angle of my attack, and my twin blades glanced harmlessly of the stout wood.

A level 41 goblin goliath has blocked your attacks.

I bit off a strangled yelp of surprise. Level forty-one? How? Why? Momentarily stunned, it took me a second to realize the chief was bringing his weapon around in an attack of his own.

The greatclub was swinging upwards from the goblin’s feet and towards me in a sweeping backhand blow. There was no time to dodge. Acting on instinct, I crossed my swords and held them before me to ward off the attack.

In hindsight, I chose poorly.

Given the chief’s prodigious strength and the weight of his weapon, my thin blades stood no chance of stopping his weapon. The greatclub collided with my swords, and with barely a hitch, kept going.

You have failed to block a goblin goliath’s attack. A goblin goliath has critically injured you! Your health is at 50%.

Stout wood met unprotected flesh, and flesh yielded. Blood vessels ruptured and bones broke. My ribs cracked and the organs beneath were punctured. Even my body was unable to fully absorb the greatclub’s momentum, and I went sailing backwards through the air.

Yet the chief miscalculated. He had struck too hard. I flew almost a dozen feet before crashing back to the ground again.

And out of his reach.

“HAHA, stupid human,” the chieftain crowed. “You cannot sneak up on ME!”

The wind had been knocked out of me, and I was half-dazed and near-senseless with pain. My vision was blurred with tears, and blood dribbled from my mouth. My agony demanded to be given voice, and a scream was forcing its way up my throat.

Somehow, I choked it back.

One thought was foremost in my thoughts: hide. I have to hide now! The imperative for self-preservation overrode even the pain riddling my body, and drove me to roll over onto my stomach.

The chieftain, seemingly certain I was no longer a threat, was still roaring with laughter. From beyond him, I heard his warriors snickering too, if somewhat less confidently. Ignoring the goblins, I blinked my eyes clear of swimming tears and searched frantically for the shadows—only to find I was already squarely within one.

My relief was so palpable, I almost broke down crying. Swallowing back the desire, I willed myself to meld into the darkness.

You have successfully evaded detection by six hostile entities! You are hidden once more.

Giving thanks to whatever god looked over fools and madmen in this world, I rested for a second on the cool stone underfoot.

A moment later, I picked my head up and eyed the surroundings. I was not safe yet. The goblins knew where I was and as soon as they neared my position, I would be revealed.

Move Michael. Planting my elbows in the ground, I dragged myself forward. I stifled a whimper. Moving was torture, but I had no choice. It was that or die here.

“Boss…” I heard one of the warriors say tentatively.

Foot by foot, I dragged myself across the ground, moving further away with every second. My body cried for me to down a healing potion, but I knew I couldn’t afford to take the time to search my pack for one yet. Get to safety first, I told myself. Then heal.

“Chief,” the same warrior said louder.

The goblin leader’s laughter subsided. “What?” he growled.

“The human,” the warrior said, sounding worried. “He’s gone.”

There was a stunned quality to the silence for a moment. Then the chief erupted once more. “What are you fools waiting for? GO! Find him!”

I gritted my teeth against the pain, and tried to scamper away faster. I thought I was far enough away that the goblins wouldn’t find me immediately. But I knew the warriors would expand their search quickly.

Ignoring the ominous tread of approaching feet, I crawled faster through the shadows.

Chapter 41: A Better Plan

The next few minutes passed in heavy silence. Even the chief had stopped his incessant bellowing and had joined the five warriors in stalking the darkness.

But after the first minute had elapsed and the goblins had not found me, I knew I was safe, and my own tension faded.

Six hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 35.

Still, I did not stop moving until I was safely concealed under a table far from their search area. Only then, did I drink a few healing potions.

You have restored 30% of your lost health with a moderate healing potion.

You have restored 10% of your lost health with a minor healing potion.

You have restored 10% of your lost health with a minor healing potion.

Your health is now at 100%.

The relief was instantaneous as bruised skin healed, and broken ribs mended. I smiled in silent gratitude as the pain was washed away. “That’s better,” I murmured.

I rose to a seated position and turned to the almost-forgotten skeletal bat on my shoulder. I was still perturbed by the chieftain’s level, and decided to risk a conversation with the familiar.

“Gnat,” I whispered, “why is that chief so damn high-levelled?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “He must be a sector boss.”

I eyed the bat skeptically. “But still, rank four? How am I supposed to defeat him alone?”

Gnat chuckled quietly. “You’re not, Michael. Bosses are challenges meant for a full party.”

I frowned. I certainly didn’t have one of those handy. Turning my head, I glanced at the goblin goliath. He was a few dozen yards away and still stomping around the area where I had vanished. Beyond him, the five warriors searched in a more lackluster fashion. It was as if the chief refused to believe that I had recovered from his blow and escaped.

The goblin leader was stubborn and arrogant, and it had made him complacent. My lips turned down. But he is not the only one guilty of complacency.

I had underestimated the chief. Grown used to success, I had not considered the possibility that the goblin leader could see through my stealth. He was slow and overconfident, but not stupid.

The chief is too powerful for me to defeat. In a straight up fight anyway.

But I wasn’t ready to walk away yet. How do I kill him? I wondered. I studied the goliath’s tall figure, looking for weaknesses.

He was dressed from head to foot in spiked hide armor that looked more heavily reinforced than an ordinary warrior’s, and I worried that my lack of Strength would prevent me from penetrating its defensive layers. Even the chief’s head was well-protected, with only his eyes and mouth showing through his helm.

I will have to strike between the joins. I winced, not fancying my chances of doing that in open combat. A glint of metal on the chief’s belt caught my attention and I studied the small clanging shapes.

Now what are those?

My gaze narrowed as I realized what the chief was carrying. I rose to my haunches. I knew what I had to do.

Creeping forward, I slipped through the darkness to do battle with the goliath again.

~~~

On my way to the chief, I paused to fill a discarded breakfast bowl with blood from one of the goblin corpses. It was an unpleasant but necessary task. I needed a distraction.

Reaching the center of the cavern where the chief roamed, I paused to studied the nearby warriors. A dozen yards separated the closest from the chief. Far enough, I thought, to enact my plan.

With bloody bowl in one hand and sword in the other, I snuck closer towards the chief’s broad back. I was tense and alert, and ready for anything.

When I closed to within three feet of my target, the expected happened.

A hostile entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

The chief pivoted, greatclub lashing out. This time the goblin’s response did not catch me flatfooted. I ducked under the whistling club, and before my opponent could recover, I flung the bowl’s contents into his face.

You have evaded a goblin goliath’s attack.

Dark, sticky blood splashed onto the goblin’s helm, flooding his eyes and filling his mouth. With a half-choked off cry, the chief staggered back.

You have blinded a goblin goliath for 2 seconds.

Good enough, I thought. I lunged forward as the goblin leader shook his head and blinked his eyes, trying to clear them of the obscuring muck. The sword in my left hand flashed out and cut clean through the chief’s leather belt. At the same time, my right hand darted forward and wrenched free the item that had been dangling upon it.

You have stolen a goblin goliath’s keyring!

Yes!

Belatedly, the chief seemed to realize my intentions. Forgetting his eyes, he struck out blindly with the greatclub. But with my prize clutched in my hands, I was already rolling away.

You have evaded a goblin goliath’s attack.

Not pausing, or bothering to hide, I sprinted towards the stage.

“GET HIM” the chief roared.

The five warriors took off after me immediately. But they had been caught flatfooted by my attack, and I was faster than them. Every second, the lead opened up further, and I reached the stage well in front.

Seeing me hurtling towards them, the two dire wolf adults rose to their feet. Both looked poised, and I fancied I could see eagerness glint in their eyes. Around their feet, the three pups yapped excitedly.

Not bothering to deviate right or left towards the stage’s stairs, I threw myself directly at the elevated dais and scampered quickly up its six-foot-tall sidewall. I dashed towards the throne, then paused.

Now comes the tricky part, I thought, looking down at the keyring in my hand.

There were eight keys on it, two of them shining with a faint blue aura that suggested they were magical in nature. I discarded them from the equation immediately. There didn’t appear to be anything magical about the locks holding the dire wolves collared.

That still left me six keys to try in five locks. Aargh. I glanced downwards. The goblin squad was closing rapidly, but thankfully the chief was still many yards distant.

I had two chances—or at best three—to match a key to a lock. I knelt down beside the dire wolf sire. He was fully recovered from his earlier ordeal. Whatever the green paste was that the goblins had used on the wolf earlier, it appeared to have done the job of healing the beast.

The pups, each no more than ankle high, rushed forward to lick and nip at my heels, but at a growl from their mother, they returned to her side, tails wagging furiously. “Don’t worry,” I murmured to them, “we’re all going to get out of this.”

I picked one of the six keys at random, and seeming to understand my intent, the dire wolf sire sat on his haunches and obligingly stuck out his neck, exposing the lock on his metal collar.

I fit key to lock. It didn’t turn. Urgh.

I tried another. It too failed to work.

I glanced over my shoulder. The goblins were almost at the steps to the dais. I had one more try. If this didn’t work, I would have to take care of the squad before freeing the wolves.

I fitted the next key.

It turned all the way, and the lock sprang open. The sire rose to all fours and shook himself.

“Go!” I ordered. “Hold them at the steps if you can while I free the others.”

The beast didn’t need to be told twice. With an agreeable growl, he bounded forward to engage the goblins.

Returning my attention to the rest of the pack, I picked out another key. The dire wolf mother stepped forward and bared her neck. It took me only two tries to free her. Pausing only to lick my face in thanks, the beast raced away to help her mate.

I studied the melee raging on the dais steps for a second. The dire wolf sire was holding his own. One of the goblin warriors was down already, and on the narrow steps the others could only have a go at him two at a time. The chief was still too far to aid his followers, but that didn’t stop him from shouting out pointless instructions. Things were going to plan so far.

I turned back to the pups. “Right, time to free you three,” I said, and the trio gamboled eagerly forward.

Chapter 42: Taking down a Goliath

Freeing the pups was easier than trying to restrain them.

The moment the first was uncollared, he tried bolting towards his parents. Luckily, I caught him before he got far. Clutching him to my chest, I set about freeing the other two. The second one was just as daring and made a dash for it too.

“Stop!” I hissed, out of patience with the unruly hounds. Surprisingly, it worked and the two lay meekly on the floor. After freeing the last pup, I rose to my feet and turned to the battle.

Three of the five warriors were dead, throats torn open, and the other two appeared reluctant to engage the wolves further. But the chief was nearly at the stage.

“Back,” I yelled to the two adult wolves. They were no match for the chief on their own, especially in a head-on confrontation.

The dire wolf sire raised a bloody muzzle in my direction and growled in protest.

“Now,” I barked. I didn’t free them, only so they could die. Besides, I had a plan for dealing with the chief already, but I would need the wolves’ help.

The sire whined, but didn’t protest the order again. Turning tail, the two beasts abandoned their posts at the steps and hurried to my side.

“GET THEM,” the chief roared. Left with no choice, the two remaining warriors bounded up the steps.

Drawing my swords, I rushed forward to meet the pair. I had to kill them fast, before the goblin leader reached us. Focusing on the warrior on the left, I parried away his axe with one blade, and rammed my other sword through his gut.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

The hammer of the second goblin was already racing towards me. But pivoting with my attack, I dragged the dying goblin—still pinned on my sword—into the path of the oncoming weapon and successfully foiled the blow.

The warrior growled in disgust and raised his weapon to strike again, but before he could do so, the dire wolf sire blurred through the air and ripped out his throat from behind.

“Thanks,” I panted absently. My gaze darted to the chief. He was ascending the steps. I swung back to the wolves. “Go!” I hissed, pointing to the other steps. “Retreat to the cavern’s center. We will face him there!”

Five wolves stared at me expressionlessly for a moment, then as one leapt in the direction I pointed. Damn, those beasts are smart, I thought as I watched them go.

I hurried to the back of the throne, and unclipped one of the chains that had kept the two adult wolves imprisoned. I judged it large enough for my purpose.

You have acquired an iron chain and collar set.

With item in hand, I began my own retreat. Keeping a wary eye on the chief, I backstepped towards the stairs on the far end of the stage.

The goblin leader’s face turned purple with rage as he saw me flee. He knew he was too slow to stop me. “Running again, human?” he growled. “Some player you are!”

I smiled at the chief’s attempt at goading. I had no intention of fleeing, but I would only fight him on my terms. “Oh, I don’t plan on running,” I said. “I’ve killed all your followers, and I intend on slaying you too.” I pointed to the center of the cavern. “Come face me there. If you dare.”

The chief’s gaze narrowed and he stomped forward menacingly, but he didn’t respond immediately. His gaze flitted between me, the wolves, and the spot I gestured to. Finally, he snorted. “Even together, you three are no match for me!”

I shrugged. “Let’s find out, shall we?” I said and hurried down the steps.

~~~

Despite his bold words, the chief did not follow immediately after. With his arms folded and chest heaving, the goliath eyed us furiously from the stage.

While we waited for the goblin leader to make up his mind, the dire wolf mother ushered her pups to a far corner of the room, where from her stern growls and barks, I assumed she was instructing them to stay put.

Sitting down cross-legged on the floor, I eyed the chief with studied nonchalance. The dire wolf sire sat beside me. I unwrapped two field rations, handing one to the sire. He wrinkled his nose, but didn’t reject my offering.

“You really think this plan of yours is going to work?” Gnat asked curiously.

I shrugged, “It does or it doesn’t.” My plan was simple, and I had already explained it to both dire wolves with furtive gestures and whispered words. Both beasts seemed to understand the part they were to play, but with our communication as limited as it was, I couldn’t be sure. Time will tell.

The dire wolf mother rejoined us, and I handed her a field ration too. After long minutes, the sight of us sitting unconcerned in the center of his hall grew too much for the chief, and he trudged down the stage, shouting, “I will rend the flesh from your bones you impudent wretches!”

I rolled my eyes. The chief liked the sound of his own voice a little too much, I thought. To signal our contempt, the two wolves and I remained seated while the goblin leader approached—although it was mostly pretense designed to enrage the goblin further.

The truth was I was uncertain about our chances at success, but the plan was the best one I had been able to come up with. It was either go with it, or retreat.

And the neither the wolves or I were willing to walk away. In fact, from the beasts’ burning gazes and murderous growls, I could tell both were keen to wreak vengeance on their tormentor. I wondered how many of their pack they had lost to the goblins. Too many, I thought sadly, thinking of all the hides I had seen in the leather workshop.

The chief was only ten yards away now. I stood up.

It was time.

~~~

The dire wolves rose their feet with me, and as planned they circled warily around the goblin leader, until we had him surrounded on all sides.

The chief eyed the circling beasts contemptuously. “This is you plan?” he laughed.

My lips thinned, but I said nothing.

The dire wolf mother darted forward suddenly. The goliath whirled in her direction and his club flashed out, but the beast’s attack had been a feint only, and she aborted her attack before falling within the range of the goblin’s club.

I reached into my backpack and pulled out the iron collar and chain. Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I readied myself. It was nearly time to act. I eyed the goliath’s eleven-foot-tall figure and planned my approach.

The wolf sire rushed forward. The chief spun his way and lashed out with his club again. It was time. I kicked off, sprinting towards the goblin.

The sire didn’t break off his attack. Slipping under the chief’s weapon—barely—he nipped at the gigantic figure’s heels. The goliath raised his weapon to strike at the wolf chewing on his armored leg.

I was less than two feet from the chief now. Launching myself into the air, I flung myself forward and crashed into the goblin’s broad back.

“WHA—?” the chief yelled in outrage.

The impact barely staggered the goliath, but the sudden addition of my weight pulled the chief off-balance and foiled his aim, and the dire wolf sire dashed away as the goblin’s weapon crashed into empty ground beside him.

“What are you doing, worm?” the chief roared, swinging his head around as he tried to catch sight of me.

I didn’t bother to reply. Using the spikes on the chief’s armor as handholds I scampered up his tall frame, leaving a bloody trail in my wake as other spikes dug into my bare flesh.

Realizing that I was up to no good, the goblin let his greatclub fall to the floor and reached up with both hands. “I will squash—” he began.

The wolf mother leapt.

Her aim was true, and her jaws clamped shut around one of the goliath’s hands, and for one fateful second, the chief was delayed in his attempt to remove me.

I pulled the metal collar free from where I had secured it on my sword belt and clamped it shut around the chief’s neck. Only a few inches from the goliath’s face, I saw his eyes widen in surprise—and bewilderment.

I smiled at his confusion, and threw the attached chain to the dire wolf sire. “Now!”

The beast leapt in the air and twisted to catch the end in his mouth. Her job done, the dire wolf mother released the chief’s hand and retreated swiftly.

The chief’s hands continued upwards and his face contorted in fury. “Impudent wretch,” he screamed.

I flung my arms around goliath’s neck. I only had to hold on for a little while longer. Assuming my plan worked of course. If it didn’t, well, I was likely dead then.

The wolf sire landed back on solid ground, and yanked on the chain. Its length snapped taut and the collar wrenched on its captive’s neck.

The goblin chief teetered. His eyes grew round and I saw the dawning comprehension on his face as he finally understood our plan. A heartbeat later, his eyes narrowed and fixed on me. “Die worm!” he spat.

The goblins hands clamped down on me and heaved. I hung on for dear life, but already I could feel myself slipping. Bloody hell, he is going to toss me!

But before that happened the wolf mother joined her mate and added her efforts to his. The goliath jerked sideways as both wolves yanked on the chain.

Gritting his teeth, the chief wrenched back on the chain, pitting his strength against the wolves, but he lacked the leverage the beasts had.

The two wolves tugged again, and this time the chief stumbled, one foot lifting off the ground entirely.

That was the beginning of the end.

The wolves heaved again, and the goliath fell forward, arms windmilling outwards as he tried fruitlessly to halt his fall. I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself for the crash.

The chief and I hit the ground with bone-jarring impact.

My bones felt bruised and my teeth rattled, but with my fall cushioned by the goblin beneath me, I suffered no lasting injuries. Alas, the chief, suffered no great harm either. But I hadn’t expected him to.

Freeing my arms, I straddled the goblin’s neck and drew my blades. The wolves abandoned the chain and joining me, added their weight to the goblin’s back.

“GET OFF ME!” the chief screamed in outrage when he recovered from his momentary daze. He tried to roll over, but with all three of us pinning him down, he was unable to regain his feet.

I raised my swords up high, then hacked down.

You have injured a goblin goliath!

You have injured a goblin goliath!

Both blades slipped between gorget and helm, and bit into the goblin’s bare skin below. But surprising neither penetrated deeply. The chief’s skin was itself toughened and resistant to damage. Damn, this is going to take some time.

I plunged my blades downwards again.

You have injured a goblin goliath!

You have injured a goblin goliath!

The chief’s screams transformed to shrieks of pain, but I didn’t relent. I kept hacking, and bit by bit the goblin leader’s life bled away.

Chapter 43: Finishing Up

It took the goblin chief a long five minutes to die.

But finally, the deed was done. Drenched in gore, I rolled off the corpse and onto the ground. Heaving in deep breaths, I spat out the blood that had spurted into my mouth and tried futilely to clean the ichor off my face. God, what I wouldn’t do for a bath now.

The five wolves padded over and licked my face. Closing my eyes, I let them while I perused the avalanche of Game messages awaiting my attention.

You have killed a level 41 goblin goliath.

You have reached level 16!

You have reached level 17!

You have reached level 18!

You have 3 attribute points available.

Your shortswords has increased to level 29. Your dodging has increased to level 23. Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 25.

You have accomplished the feat: Solo your First Boss! Requirement: slay a dungeon boss while not in a party. As only the 1037th rank 1 solo player to defeat a sector boss, you have been awarded the trait: Beast tongue. This rare trait is normally reserved for rank 3 druids and allows you to converse with any beastkin capable of speech. Note, the traits you earn from feats are based on the circumstances and manner of your achievement.

You have completed the hidden task: Free the wolves! Tasks are special missions that can be allocated to you by either by one of the Powers, or the Game itself. In certain instances—and only at the Adjudicator’s behest—the nature of a task will be hidden until completed. Be wary of which tasks you fulfill. All tasks will have consequences and a bearing on your standing with the Game’s factions.

You have accomplished the feat: Play the Game! Requirement: complete your first task or reach rank 2. You have been awarded the trait: Marked. This is a generic trait that all players eventually receive.

Congratulations, Michael! You have joined the ranks of the Marked! As a Marked, you can now see the spirit signatures of other Marked and determine their allegiance to Shadow, Light, and Dark. Beware, other Marked can similarly read your own Mark and it may affect their interactions with you.

Your actions during the execution of your first task have shown a mix of ruthlessness, good intentions, and cunning, and have influenced the Marks you’ve been allocated. Marks are not fixed, and will grow or diminish based on your future actions.

Your spirit signature has been etched with 3 new Marks! You have acquired the Mark: Lesser Light, and have begun to tread the ways of Light.

You have acquired the Mark: Lesser Shadow, and have begun to tread the ways of Shadow. Your deeds have also attracted the notice of Loken and Artem, Powers of Shadow and members of the Shadow Coalition.

You have acquired the Mark: Wolf-friend. You have proven yourself an ally to wolfkind, making them less inclined to attack you in future. Only wolves will see this Mark on you.

My head was spinning after reading all the notices. Marks? Feats? Powers? It was a lot to digest, and to try and make sense of it all, I worked slowly through the messages again. But much of it, I still didn’t understand. Suddenly, the Game seemed a lot more complicated. I needed help. Time to have another long conversation with Gnat.

But not right now. Later. After I had time to savor my victory—and the rewards.

I opened my eyes. The wolves had stepped back and were sitting on their haunches in front of me. Feeling a little less dipped in blood, I sat up, and addressed the patiently waiting wolves.

“It is done,” I said gravelly to the wolf mother and sire. I could scarce believe it. It was no mean feat we had accomplished, and I still felt energized by our success.

“Thank you.”

I blinked. Someone had just spoken to me. And in my mind. My gaze flitted between the two wolves. Lowering herself to all fours, the wolf mother opened her mouth, tongue lolling out.

She was laughing at me, I was sure.

“I am Aira. My mate is Oursk.”

It was the dire wolf talking to me I realized in stupefied awe. Only then, did I belatedly remember the trait I had earned: beast tongue. Tentatively, I tried responding through whatever mental communication channel we were using, and speak directly into Aira’s mind. “I’M MICHAEL.”

Aira whined and lowered her head. “It’s a pleasure to finally speak to you, Michael. Only… try not to shout.”

I lowered my head, abashed. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

Another voice laughed in my head. “Do not feel bad, human. Youngsters are always loud and brash,” Oursk said. He nipped at one of the pups tugging on his coat. “These three young idiots are Shadetooth, Stormdark, and Moonstalker,” he said fondly.

“Hello there,” I greeted the pups, and waited expectantly.

All three turned my way, but remained silent.

“They are still too young for speech,” Aira said.

Of course, I thought, reddening slightly at my own foolishness. “How did your pack end—”

I broke off as Gnat flapped down from the darkness. “Wow Michael! You actually killed the big bugger. I can’t believe it.”

I smiled wryly. “Me neither. You won’t believe—”

“Don’t trust him,” Aira said.

I turned to stare at the dire wolf mother. “Who? Gnat?”

“He serves the Dark,” Oursk said, fixing the skeletal bat with a predatory gaze.

“Oh, I know that,” I said. “He is the Master’s creature, but is bonded to me through—”

“Something wrong?” Gnat interrupted.

“Uhm,” I said, wondering how to explain.

“Trust him if you must,” Oursk said, rising to his feet. “But don’t tell him you can speak to us.”

At the dire wolf’s movement, Gnat flapped his wings. I glanced at the bat. He was eyeing the wolves sideways and almost seemed… nervous.

I frowned.

Had the familiar always been this wary around the wolves and I just didn’t notice before? I couldn’t remember. But he had disliked the beasts from the very beginning, I recalled, and had advised me against freeing them from their cages. He is as mistrustful of them as they are of him.

“Yes?” Gnat prodded, still waiting for my answer.

I rose to my feet myself. “Nothing,” I said, not yet certain how to handle the matter, and deciding to put it off for now. Looking for a distraction, I searched for the loot chest. Surely one must appear this time?

But there was no wooden box next to the chief’s corpse.

God damn, I cursed. What do I need to do to earn…

My internal monologue trailed to a stop, and my eyes grew round as I saw what was on the stage.

It wasn’t one chest.

It was six.

Chapter 44: Just Desserts

“Damn,” I murmured, still not quite able to believe my eyes as I studied the chests in front of me.

Gnat, the five wolves, and I were on the dais. Arranged in a neat line in front of the throne were five wooden loot chests—and one bronze one.

“Why is that chest bronze?” I asked Gnat, slightly breathless at the possibility of what it contained.

The familiar cackled. “It’s your lucky day, Michael. Bronze metal chests carry better loot than plain old wooden ones and not many earn them. The Adjudicator must have judged your performance exemplary for you to get one.”

“Bronze,” I mused. “Does that mean there are higher order chests too?”

Gnat laughed. “Heh, already dreaming of bigger things, are we? The short answer to your question is yes. But to earn anything better than bronze, you have to perform truly extraordinary feats.” The skeletal bat’s amusement faded abruptly, as something seemed to occur to him. “You mentioned rewards earlier. Did the Game award you with anything unusual?”

“No,” I replied, not looking away from the chests.

I wasn’t sure why I lied. Perhaps it was because of the seed of doubt planted by the wolves, or perhaps it was because of my own recent misgivings regarding the Master, but whatever it was, I realized there were some things I wasn’t willing to share with the familiar yet.

“Really?” Gnat pressed. “You got nothing strange at all? You sounded so excited.”

“Well…” I said, struggling not to let my expression slip, “I did gain in nearly all my skills and advance three whole levels. Which far surpassed my expectations.” I paused. “But I wouldn’t call any of that strange.”

“Oh,” Gnat said.

I wrinkled my brows and finally turned to look at him. “Why do you ask? Did you expect the Game to reward me with something… different?”

Gnat shifted uncomfortably on my shoulder. “No,” he replied. “I just thought the Adjudicator might have provided you with some explanation for the bronze chest.”

“Explanations!” I snorted. “Those would be nice.”

I glanced away, so that the skeletal bat wouldn’t see my troubled expression. I was sure now that Gnat was lying to me—or at least not being entirely forthcoming.

What, I didn’t know, was why.

I turned back to the chests again and only with considerable effort, did I stop myself from rubbing my hands in glee. I had an abundance of loot in front of me, and didn’t really want to deal with Gnat at the moment.

I had six chests to open.

I stepped closer, but still maintained a healthy distance to the chests. They had to be boobytrapped, of course. I rubbed my chin. The question was: would I be able to detect the traps’ nature?

I sighed. Only one way to find out, I thought and got to work probing the chests.

~~~

The five dire wolves watched curiously as I first threw pieces of armor at the chests, then poked them from afar with a spear, and finally banged their sides with a goblin hammer. None of these tests revealed any traps, but I was only getting started.

Gnat flew off, pleading boredom and no doubt realizing it would be some while yet before I risked raising the lid of any of the chests.

No sooner had the bat vanished into the cavern’s depths, than Aira addressed me again. “Why don’t you just open them?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

I had joined the wolves’ former chains together and looped a portion of its length around one the chests. Fearing a hidden pressure plate or some such, I was slowly dragging the chest out of position. “They might be trapped,” I replied, not looking away from what I was doing. “In one of the earlier dungeon legs, I found—”

“They’re not trapped,” Oursk interrupted.

I glanced at him with one eyebrow raised in polite disbelief. “You can’t be certain of that.”

“I am sure,” he said with complete assurance.

When I still didn’t look convinced, the dire wolf growled in frustration. “Look here human, we are wasting time. Any moment, more goblins may arrive. We have to leave the dungeon.”

I paused, letting the chain in my hand go slack. “Leave? You know the way out?”

“We know the route to the surface,” Aira confirmed. “And my mate is correct. Time is not on our side. We must get our pups to safety. Will you come with us?”

“Of course,” I replied. I turned back to the chests. “As soon as I open these. It will only take another hour or two,” I assured the wolves.

My response, however, was not to the wolves liking. Before I could stop him, Oursk dashed forward and shoved his nose under the lid of the first chest.

“Wait! Stop, it could be—”

It was too late.

With a flick of his head, the dire wolf flung back the lid and it yawned open. I froze.

But no trap was sprung.

“I told you,” Oursk said, padding casually to the next chest. “They’re not trapped. Now loot them, and let’s be on our way.”

~~~

I took Oursk at his word, and flipped opened the lids of the other five chests in quick order. Still, I couldn’t help but wince each time I did. The dire wolves’ confidence proved well-founded though.

None of the chests were trapped.

It was confusing.

If any of the chests in a dungeon were going to be boobytrapped, surely it would be the ones revealed after the boss was killed? I found the Game’s choice not to trap these chests confounding, but overcome by my eagerness to see the items I had earned, I let the matter lie.

I looted the five wooden chests first, saving the best for last.

You have acquired 6 moderate healing potions, 3 full healing potions, and 4 packs of field rations.

You have acquired a basic fire-starting kit. This item contains all the items necessary to start a campfire.

You have acquired a moonstone lamp. This item contains a gem enchanted to provide 3 hours of white light. The enchantment can be replenished with mana.

You have acquired a common fighter’s sash. This item increases all known weapon skills by: +3.

You have acquired a basic ability tome: crippling blow. You have the necessary skill: any weapon skill rank 2, to learn this ability. The ability tome is a single-use item.

You have acquired a basic Class stone. This stone contains the path of: a rogue. The rogue is a basic Class that confers a player with three skills: sneaking, daggers, and poisoning. This Class also permanently boosts your Dexterity attribute by: +2.

The items from the five wooden chests were… interesting—especially the ability tome—yet still less than I hoped for. I studied the book in my hands. Reading it would provide me with my first ability, and without hesitation, I set about it.

The pages of the tome were filled with bronze script, and I absorbed its knowledge too fast for conscious thought to follow.

You have acquired the basic ability: crippling blow. This is a touch-based ability that simulates a debilitating attack by locking a foe’s limb in a stasis field. The targeted limb is disabled for 3 seconds. This ability can only be activated by physical contact—either directly or through a weapon.

The effects of this ability may be overcome by physical resistance. This ability consumes stamina and its activation time is near-instantaneous.

Crippling blow may occupy any Dexterity or Strength ability slot, and has been installed in one of your available Dexterity slots.

I smiled as understanding of the ability filled me. In battle, it would prove enormously beneficial. I turned my attention to the other items. The path of the rogue, I didn’t even consider adopting. The Class was only a basic one, and I already had one of the class’ skills.

The sash, I draped about my waist, and immediately felt a small, but perceptible increase in my shortswords skill. I stored the remaining items in my backpack and finally turned my attention to the bronze chest.

I flexed my fingers in anticipation. Now, let’s hope this contains something better, I thought and reached inside.

You have acquired a lesser attribute gem. This item grants you one attribute point.

You have acquired an advanced Class stone. This stone contains the path of: a psionic. The psionic is an advanced Class that confers a player with four skills: telepathy, telekinesis, chi, and meditation. This Class also permanently boosts your Mind attribute by: +4.

You have acquired a basic ability tome: simple charm. You cannot learn this ability. You do not have the necessary skill: telepathy, or slots available in the required attribute: Mind. The ability tome is a single-use item.

I sat down in stunned shock as I studied the items in my hand. All three items were valuable. The lesser attribute gem alone was worth one free level. The other two items seemed to have been paired together: an advanced Class and a basic ability for one of its skills. I stared at the marble in my hand. Unlike the other Class stones I had seen, this one was solid silver.

Psi, I mused. Magic of the mind.

It was not the more traditional magic I had envisioned myself wielding, but judging from the skills listed in the class description, the psionic Class did have a magic of sorts, and possibly quite strong magic too.

Did I wait for a better Class to come along? But how long could I wait? If I died before absorbing the Class I would likely lose the opportunity to do so forever. A Game window opened in my mind.

You have two available Class slots. Do you wish to acquire the psionic Class?

It makes no sense to wait, I concluded and made my decision.

Chapter 45: A Magic of Sorts

I felt the silver marble in my palm turn warm. Just like with the previous Class stone I had absorbed, it melted into my skin. Words appeared in my mind.

You have acquired the psionic Class. The psionic is a versatile psi Class, providing you with equal opportunities for growth in any Mind skill. It comes with neither the restrictions nor benefits of more specialized psi Classes.

You have gained the base trait: metamind. This trait increases your Mind by: +4 ranks. Your level cap for mind-based skills has increased to: 40.

You have gained one basic skill: meditation, and three advanced skills: chi, telekinesis, and telepathy.

Meditation replenishes a player’s store of psi, while chi uses the power of the mind to perform extraordinary physical feats. Telepathy allows a caster to subliminally influence others, and telekinesis is used to move objects with the mind.

I closed my eyes and tasted the new knowledge filling my consciousness. The psi skills I had obtained were strangely different from the physical ones I had acquired earlier. Bowing my head, I rubbed at my temples. My mind felt different too.

Fuller. Clearer. Sharp. And full of psi.

I had gained access to a new source of energy, one eager and waiting to be used. I pulled out the charm spellbook and flipped through it.

You have acquired the basic ability: simple charm. This is a mind spell that temporarily overrides the target’s consciousness, forcing them to serve the caster for 10 seconds. This ability can only be activated through direct line of sight.

The effects of this ability may be overcome by mental resistance. Beware, taking hostile action against your bespelled minion will break the charm. This ability consumes psi, and can be upgraded. Its activation time is average.

You have 3 of 4 Mind ability slots remaining.

I smiled to myself. That was two new abilities I had now, and already I could imagine a dozen different ways to employ them. Clearing out this complex would have been a lot easier if I had them to begin with.

I opened my eyes to find Aira and Oursk staring at me. “Almost done,” I murmured. Focusing on the last item, I willed my desire to the Game.

Lesser attribute gem used. You have gained 1 attribute point.

One last thing to do, I thought and willed open my player profile.

Player Profile: Michael

Level: 18. Rank: 1. Current Health: 95%.

Stamina: 30%. Mana: 100%. Psi: 100%.

Species: Human. Lives Remaining: 3.

Marks: Wolf-friend, Lesser Shadow, Lesser Light.

Attributes

Available: 4 points.

Strength: 0. Constitution: 0. Dexterity: 9. Perception: 8. Mind: 4. Magic: 0. and Faith: 0.

Classes

Primary Class: Scout (basic).

Secondary Class: Psionic (advanced).

Tertiary Class: None.

Traits

Undead familiar: +1 to necromancy rank.

Nimble: +2 Dexterity.

Beast tongue: can speak to beastkin.

Metamind: +4 Mind.

Marked: can see spirit signatures.

Skills

Available skill slots: 4.

Dodging (current: 23. max: 90. Dexterity, basic).

Sneaking (current: 35. max: 90. Dexterity, basic).

Shortswords (current: 29. max: 90. Dexterity, basic).

Two weapon fighting (current: 25. max: 90. Dexterity, advanced).

Chi (current: 1. max: 40. Mind, advanced).

Meditation (current: 1. max: 40. Mind, basic).

Telekinesis (current: 1. max: 40. Mind, advanced).

Telepathy (current: 1. max: 40. Mind, advanced).

Abilities

Crippling blow (Dexterity, basic).

Simple charm (Mind, basic).

Equipped

1 common thief’s cloak (+3 sneaking).

2 basic steel shortswords (+10% damage each).

1 common fighter’s sash (+3 shortswords).

Backpack Contents

Money: 1 gold, 3 silvers, and 3 coppers.

31 x field rations.

2 x flask of water.

8 x empty potion flasks.

1 x summon lesser wight spellbook.

1 x minor healing potions.

1 x archer Class stone.

2 x goblin shortbows.

4 x iron daggers.

1 x bedroll.

1 x heavy shields skillbook.

6 x moderate healing potions.

1 x coin pouch.

1 x keyring.

3 x full healing potions.

1 x basic fire-starting kit.

1 x moonstone lamp.

1 x rogue Class stone.

“Excellent,” I murmured to myself. I had four attributes to spare, but given my recent growth in power, I saw no need to spend them yet. Perhaps, it is time I started banking my attributes. I had evolved rapidly in my first day in the Game—has it only been one day?—and I felt capable of taking on any foe I had encountered thus far, even the trolls. Perhaps I should return to their lair and—

I broke off the thought. Now was not the time to fall prey to overconfidence. The dire wolves had a way out of the dungeon, and the least I should do before throwing myself in danger again was to investigate what lay beyond.

I rose to my feet and turned to the waiting wolves. “Let’s go.”

~~~

We did not leave the cavern immediately, of course.

There were still fifty-odd goblin corpses in the hall that I had yet to loot them. But with Aira and Oursk impatient to get going, I limited my search of the dead to their coin pouches. Besides, I didn’t have nearly enough space in my backpack to carry much else.

You have acquired 4 gold and 240 copper coins. Total money carried: 7 gold, 7 silvers, and 3 coppers.

It was only the goblin leader’s corpse that I took the time to inspect more fully. He had carried the bulk of the money I had found: four golds, and it led me to anticipate finding other stuff of value on him. But unfortunately, other than his spiked hide armor and greatclub, the chief carried nothing else of worth. With lots of cursing and tugging, I managed to remove the goliath’s helm. Holding it in my hand, I considered its game data.

This is a rank 1 spiked hide armor helm. This item decreases the damage you sustain by: 20%. This item requires a minimum Constitution of 4 to equip.

My brows drew down. The helm’s properties were different from other items I had encountered. It had a rank of its own, and a prerequisite to equip. Thoughtfully, I turned my attention to the greatclub.

This is a rank 2 greatclub, +1. This item increases the damage you deal by: 40% and has been enchanted to increase the wielder’s two-handed club skill by +1 rank (10 skill points). This item requires a minimum Strength of 8 to wield.

My frowned deepened. Like the helm, the chief’s weapon also had a rank and prerequisite to use.

“What’s troubling you now?”

I looked up. Gnat was back. “Hmm?” I murmured absently.

“You’re scrunching up your face again,” he said. “Why?”

I gestured to the greatclub resting on the floor. The darn thing was so heavy, I could barely hold one end aloft. “This item needs eight Strength to wield.”

“Oh,” the bat said. “That’s normal. Neary all equipment will have restrictions.”

I glanced at him. “But the equipment sold by the vendors in the Master’s domain didn’t,” I pointed out.

Gnat snorted. “That’s because those were newbie items meant for rank zero players.”

“I see,” I muttered.

“Don’t worry,” Gnat said. “You’ll find items more suited to your current rank and Class in the safe zone,” he said. “There are vendors there.”

My gaze sharpened. “This is the first I’m hearing of it,” I said. “Why didn’t you mention them before?”

Gnat shrugged. “There was no need. You would’ve found out soon enough once you got there.”

“How far away is the safe zone?” I asked. “And what are my chances of reaching it alive?”

“I don’t know,” Gnat admitted.

I sighed. The safe zone and its vendors might as well be on the other end of the world for all the use they were to me now. It would have been nice, though, to be able to spend the gold in my pouch. “Where did you go?” I asked suddenly.

“Why?” The bat looked me over carefully. “Don’t tell me you were worried?” He laughed as if the whole thing was amusing.

“Of course I was,” I replied, my own response devoid of emotion. Gnat hadn’t answered my question, but I didn’t push the matter.

I turned back to the chief’s gear. Both armor and weapon were too heavy for me to carry away, and I had no choice but to leave them behind. What a waste.

I turned to Aira. “Alright,” I said aloud for Gnat’s benefit. “Lead on.” And let’s find this exit.

Chapter 46: The Locked Gate

The five dire wolves led the way out the great hall. It felt like I had been inside its cavernous depths for an eternity and being back in the lightless passages felt strange again.

“Where are we going?” Gnat asked.

“I don’t know,” I lied, not turning to look at him. There was no way I could explain me knowing our destination without explaining how the wolves and I were communicating. “The beasts seem to want us to follow them.”

Gnat grunted unhappily. “You shouldn’t trust them.”

Ignoring the bat’s comment, I followed after the dire wolves. Oursk led our small party back to the first crossroad I had come across in the goblin-complex and turned down the left fork. It was the only tunnel I had yet to explore.

Since leaving the hall, we had not encountered any goblins, but I was still wary at the thought of venturing down an unexplored tunnel.

My gaze flitted between the dire wolf mother and Gnat, wondering if I dared reach out to her with my mind while the bat was around. I had not failed to notice that the wolves had only spoken to me when the skeletal bat wasn’t about. Can Gnat sense our mindspeech? I wondered. While I might have grown suspicious of the familiar, I didn’t want him to catch me out in a lie. That would risk a confrontation, and I wasn’t ready for that yet.

“Do not fear. The dead thing cannot overhear us,” Aira said suddenly, somehow divining my thoughts.

My stride stuttered and I nearly missed a step. The wolf mother had startled me. Recovering my balanced, I let my gaze slid to Gnat. He seemed oblivious of her words. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“Your mind shouted out your thoughts to the world,” she said. “I suspect you gained the telepathy skill since opening the Game’s chest.”

“I did,” I admitted.

Aira tilted her gaze upwards to stare at me with a solemn gaze. “Telepathy is a powerful gift, but a dangerous one too. It has opened your consciousness to new possibilities, but it has also stripped your mind of its natural defenses. To protect yourself, you will have to consciously will your mind closed and learn to control your thoughts. Think too loudly, and other telepaths may overhear you.”

“I see,” I said. I instinctively knew what she meant. Marshalling my thoughts, I willed a barrier around my mind.

“Better,” the dire wolf said approvingly. “Your mental defenses are weak and flimsy, and even a week-old pup could shred through them, but as your skill grows, it will strengthen.”

“Thank you,” I said, before returning to the matter of her original words. “How can you be certain Gnat can’t hear us? I got the impression that you and Oursk were afraid of speaking around him.”

“We were,” Oursk said, joining the conversation. “During the fight with the chief, the creature left your side. When he returned, I detected a hint of psi flowing around him. Aira and I were afraid he might be a telepath himself, but since then I have probed him carefully and am sure now that he doesn’t bear the skill.”

I frowned, disturbed by the wolf’s words. I couldn’t recall seeing Gnat during the fight with the chief, but then I frequently lost track of the skeletal bat during battles. Since he couldn’t involve himself directly, I had always assumed he flew off to observe from a safe distance. “Where did he go?”

“We don’t know,” Aira said. “But he returned with a psi shield around his mind. That is what Oursk first sensed. Someone has shielded the creature from mental attacks.”

I digested that in silence. It was troubling news, and raised more questions than I had answers for. I will have to keep a closer eye on Gnat from now onwards, I decided.

My foot landed in an unexpected dip in the ground, and I nearly slipped. Looking around, I was reminded that we were in an unexplored passage. It recalled me to my original reason for wanting to speak to the wolves. “Aira, the way ahead might not be safe. You and the pups should move to the rear.”

I heard her chuckle. “Do not fear. We will smell any goblins long before we see them or they, us. Besides we have been this way before. This passage is barren, and the only goblins to be found are the ones at the guard station at its end.”

Trusting to her judgement, I didn’t say anything further and followed silently in the wolves’ wake. But I struggled to stay focused on my surroundings. My thoughts kept returning to the problem of my familiar and how to deal with him.

~~~

Aira was right.

The tunnel was empty, with neither rooms or caverns leading off from it. What was more, as we tramped down its length, I felt the ground slope gradually upwards, which boded well. And despite my tiredness, I felt reenergized at the thought of finally escaping the dungeon.

After ten minutes of uneventful walking, Oursk stopped. “What is it?” I asked Aira.

“We’ve reached the exit,” she said. “Goblins still guard it.” Raising her snout, she sniffed delicately. “There are three of them.”

Only three, I thought. It should be no great matter to deal with them, and it would also afford me an opportunity to test one of my new abilities. “Alright,” I said. “You stay back with the pups. Oursk and I will deal with them.”

I slipped into stealth and crept forward, with the big dire wolf sire following behind. After a hundred more yards, I spotted the red-orange tinge of torchlight in the distance: the guard station.

Three goblin warriors were sitting with their backs to the gate, alert and awake. Beyond the guards was a grilled-metal gate and a large bronze bell. The guard station’s configuration was nearly identical to that at the maze entrance, and banished any doubts I had that we had found another exit.

I turned to Oursk. “We take out the guards on the end first. I’ll take the warrior on the right, you the one on the left.”

“As you wish,” he replied.

We crept forward, two patches of blackness, nearly indistinguishable from the darkness in the tunnel.

Three hostile entities have failed to detect you! Your sneaking has increased to level 36.

I paused just outside the circle of light cast by the torches blazing at the goblins’ backs. I didn’t think I would remain hidden once I entered the light, but there were only three goblins. Readying myself, I dashed forward.

Three hostile entities have detected you! You are no longer hidden.

Two steps into the light, I was spotted. Pushing back their chairs, the warriors rushed to their feet. “There be two!” the goblin in the middle yelled.

I closed in on my target. He rushed forward to meet me, swinging his axe. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the other two warriors converge on Oursk. The goblins had reacted quicker than I expected, and I adjusted my own tactics accordingly.

I ducked out of the way of my foe’s flailing axe, and instead of continuing the engagement, I touched one of my swords to his arm while simultaneous channeling stamina through the blade.

A level 14 goblin warrior has failed a physical resistance check! You have crippled your target’s right arm for 3 seconds. Your shortswords has increased to level 30.

Energy gushed out of me, rushing from my center, through my palm, out the tip of my blade, and into the goblin. The warrior’s right arm went abruptly slack and the two-handed axe in his hands sagged down.

Startled, the goblin dropped his axe.

It was the perfect moment for me to strike, but a strange weakness was afflicting me. Finding myself suddenly lightheaded, I almost stumbled and fell.

I swore, realizing what had happened. How much stamina did the ability drain? Too much from the feel of it. I had been careless and distracted, and hadn’t thought to replenish my stamina before the battle, or question the energy cost of my new abilities.

Not a mistake, I’ll be making again.

I staggered past the crippled goblin, and pulling together my concentration, fought off the weakness plaguing me. My gaze snapped back into focus, and I thrust my blade into the back of one of the goblins attacking Oursk.

You have critically injured a goblin warrior.

The warrior collapsed and his companion turned to strike at me, but he foolishly left himself open to attack from the dire wolf. Oursk seized the opportunity and leaping forward, bore the goblin to the ground.

I left the pair for the dire wolf to finish and spun around to my original opponent. His arm was functional again. Leaning over, he picked up his axe.

I lunged forward and struck at the goblin while he was still off-balance. He parried away my blade, but I struck again with my other blade too quickly for him to block again.

You have injured a goblin warrior.

My blade bit through the goblin’s hide armor and drew a line down his torso. The warrior yelped and tried to retreat. I didn’t let him. Stepping inside the arc of his axe, I buried both my blades in his belly.

You have killed a goblin warrior!

I turned around to see Oursk finishing the last goblin. I sat down on one of the vacant chairs. “Call the others,” I said with a weary smile and rested my head on the table.

~~~

Five minutes later, after munching through two field rations, the sudden weariness that had afflicted me during the skirmish faded away.

I was still tired and needed proper rest, but I felt as if I could go on a while longer. Aira and the pups had rejoined us. Pushing myself to my feet and I went to inspect the grilled-metal gate, and surprisingly found it locked.

Setting a hand to the gate, I pushed, but it refused to budge.

“What’s wrong?” Oursk asked.

“The gate is locked,” I answered.

“That is strange,” he replied. “When the goblins brought us into the dungeon, it was open.”

I studied the wolf curiously. “You were captured outside the dungeon?” I asked, realizing I didn’t know how the dire wolves had come to be in the dungeon. I had assumed that, like the goblins, they had been brought in by the Master.

“Yes,” he replied. “The valley this tunnel leads to is our pack’s hunting grounds. When the goblin tribe came, they stumbled onto our lair while most of the pack was absent. Those of us that were present fought, but many were captured.” Oursk sighed. “Even more died.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, unable to think of anything more comforting to say. “Why did the goblins invade the valley?”

“To enter this dungeon.” Oursk bowed his head sadly. “Somehow the Dark managed to tunnel an entrance to the Endless Dungeon from our home, without us realizing it. They’ve been using it to funnel resources into their sectors for years.”

I nodded thoughtfully, realizing there was still much of this world that I didn’t understand, not least of which was what purpose the many dungeon sectors served.

Leaving the wolf alone with his memories, I leaned down and inspected the lock. It had a faint bluish tinge to it. Understanding dawned. I had the means to open the gate already. I retrieved the chief’s keyring from my pack and tried the first of its magical keys. It worked and the lock turned easily.

Pushing open the gate, I walked through.

Chapter 47: The Way Out

Oursk and Aira took the lead again, with the pups following behind. There was new energy to the beasts’ steps, and I imagined they were eager to return to their pack.

The ground began to slope more steeply upwards, and it was not long before I noticed the passage had begun to brighten. Squinting, I peered down the tunnel. In the far distance, I made out a bright source of light. White light. The exit, I thought. I hurried my steps, feeling a measure of excitement too. A minute later, I reached the source of light.

My face fell as I realized what it was. It was not daylight as I’d first thought, but rather a shimmering curtain of bright white that stretched across the entirety of the tunnel.

The dire wolves were standing in front of the energy field. Aira looked back at me. “The field is harmless,” she said. “We can cross.” So saying, she and the other wolves passed through, proving the truth of her words. “Come,” the dire wolf mother called from the other side. I couldn’t see her anymore, but her words carried to me clearly.

I stepped forward and tentatively held out the palm of my hand an inch from the field. It gave off no heat that I could sense, and was fully opaque, which made me slightly hesitant. Who knew what lay beyond?

Still the shimmering curtain was not unlike the portal I had used to enter the dungeon, and that was what I took it to be. It must be safe. The dire wolves have passed through, I thought and stepped into the field.

Congratulations, Michael, you have discovered an exit of the Endless Dungeon. This portal leads directly from sector 14,913 to the surface of the Forever Kingdom. This location is a key point and has been added to your Logs.

Transfer through portal commencing…

…

…

Passage denied!

This exit is controlled by the faction: Awakened Dead. Only players sworn to the faction, or Marked by the Dark are permitted to use this portal.

Your task: Escape the Dungeon has been updated. You have discovered the location of the sector’s exit portal without fulfilling the original objectives. However, you’ve found your way blocked. Revised objective: Find a means of using the sector 14,913 exit portal.

You have been allocated a new task: Find your own way out! Your attempt to use the sector 14,913 exit portal has been unexpectedly stymied, and the Adjudicator has seen fit to grant you an alternate task. Your new objective is to discover another way out of the sector. This task and the task: Escape the Dungeon, are mutually exclusive. Only one of the two can be completed.

I bounced back from the portal. My face and foot stung from the shock the energy field had dealt them, but I barely noticed.

“What the hell is this, Gnat?” I snarled.

“Hmm?” the skeletal bat asked, his attention on the portal.

“I can’t use the exit! What’s going on?”

The familiar looked at me silently for a moment. “What did the Game say?”

“That I’ve been denied passage,” I growled.

“Did it say why?”

My eyes narrowed. He seemed to be evading my question. “The Game informed me,” I said between gritted teeth, “that it’s because I’m not sworn to the Master’s faction and don’t bear a Mark of the Dark.”

Gnat ducked his head, not meeting my eyes. “That’s unfortunate,” he muttered.

“What is?” I asked sharply.

Gnat hesitated before answering. “I suspect you’ve gone about the Master’s task the wrong way. If you obtained your Classes before coming here, you probably wouldn’t have noticed, or uhm, been stopped by the portal.”

“That’s a non-answer, Gnat,” I said, staring at him hard-eyed. “How do I use it now?”

The skeletal bat blew out a breath. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “But perhaps if you explore the other dungeon sections, you might find an answer there.”

I bit off a curse. “What’s a Mark of the Dark?” I asked, trying another tack.

“Nothing you need worry about,” Gnat assured me. “When you complete your first task, you’ll find out all you need to know about it.”

I opened my mouth. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’d already completed a task, but I closed it with a snap as I came to my senses. That was not information I wanted to share with Gnat, especially not given these latest developments. Seething in silence, I glared at the skeletal bat. What the Game had told me about Marks did not lead me to believe I should take them lightly, despite Gnat’s words to the contrary.

“You know, you still haven’t told me about the boss’ loot,” Gnat said suddenly.

“What’s that?”

“Did you find a Class in the loot chests?” the bat asked. “A master Class one by any chance?”

I stared mutely at the bat for a drawn-out moment, before answering grudgingly. “No, but I found an advanced one. I’m a psionic now.”

Now that I knew I was going to be stuck in the dungeon longer, I saw no reason to hide my new Class from the familiar. It would only make him suspicious, and besides, once Gnat saw me use simple charm in battle, he was sure to figure out my Class anyway.

“Ah, only a standard Class,” Gnat replied. “That’s unfortunate.”

Oursk emerged through the curtain of white, interrupting further conversation. “What’s wrong Michael? Why do you not follow?”

At the dire wolf’s reappearance, I felt relief wash over me. I had been worried about them. “The portal isn’t allowing me to pass,” I said, which raised an interesting point.

I turned back to Gnat. “Why did the portal stop me and not the wolves? Do they belong to the Master’s faction?”

The familiar snorted. “Of course not. The portal is configured to interrogate players only. Most beasts and other creature can pass through unaffected. The wolves are—”

Gnat broke off as Aira and the pups also reappeared. A strange gleam entered the bat’s eyes as his gaze slid from the wolves to me. “I think… I think I know how you may get through the portal.”

I just stared at the familiar, waiting for him to go on.

Gnat slid across my shoulder and placed his mouth next my ear. “Killing the wolves may just do the trick, and earn you the Mark you need,” he whispered.

I jerked back my head and stared at the skeletal bat in disgust. “No,” I said.

“If you want to escape, it’s the easiest way.”

“No,” I repeated firmly again.

“But—” the bat protested.

I shoved Gnat off my shoulder, not willing to listen to anything further he had to say on the matter. “Go away,” I ordered.

Muttering angrily, the bat flapped away. Aira watched the familiar vanish down the tunnel. “What did the Dark creature say?”

“Nothing of importance,” I said. Changing the subject, I explained my predicament.

Aira fell silent, but on the fringes of my mind I sensed telepathic sendings pass between her and her mate. “Oursk and I have talked over the matter,” she said finally. “He will accompany you while you search for another exit.”

I shook my head. “Thank you for the offer,” I said gravelly to Oursk, “but I must decline. You have your pack to take care of.”

The dire wolves gazed at me searchingly. “Are you sure?”

“I am,” I said. “The dungeon is dangerous, but less so for me than you. I can be reborn, you cannot. Go. Return to your pack.”

The wolf sire bowed his head, acknowledging my decision. The pups rushed forward to lick my hands and say goodbye.

“Take care, human,” Aira said in farewell. “And if you ever escape this dungeon, seek out our pack. You will be received as a friend.”

I nodded my thanks, and after watching the dire wolves leave, turned away and headed back into the dungeon.

Chapter 48: Making New Choices

As I retraced my steps through the tunnel, I wondered if I had made the right decision in rejecting Oursk’s offer and Gnat’s ‘suggestion.’

But even after considering the matter as coldly and rationally as I could, I couldn’t stomach the thought of killing the wolves. Betraying my allies was not something I thought I would ever be comfortable with, no matter how much it benefited me personally.

I do not betray my friends.

The thought resonated with me, and it felt as if I had rediscovered a core tenet of who I had been. A small smile stole on my face at the realization.

My thoughts drifted to the dire wolves. But even after giving the issue considerable thought, I was convinced I had made the right decision in rejecting Oursk’s offer.

Everything I had told the wolf was true. He had his pack to care for, and unlike me, he couldn’t be reborn, but more than that, I feared what could happen to the wolf in a sector controlled by the Awakened Dead. If it came to it, I wasn’t sure that I could protect Oursk from the Master’s minions, other candidates, or even… Gnat.

The more I learned about the Game and myself, the less I believed that the Master’s interest and my own were aligned. I was no longer certain I trusted Gnat. And of the Master, I was even more suspicious. I feared I was being manipulated, but to what end? That I still didn’t know.

Even worse, I worried if I pushed too hard against the tide, if I questioned the direction I was being driven in too much, then the Master’s minion would turn on me. And I couldn’t in good conscience put Oursk in the center of all that. The wolves had suffered enough at the Master’s hands.

So, what do I do now?

Keep my ears open and plod onward, I decided, and hope that somewhere along the line I figure out what game the Master is playing at, and find a way of escaping his reach.

Returning my thoughts to the dungeon, I considered where to head next. There were still three avenues open for me to explore: the cavern occupied by Saben’s gang, the passage blocked by the trolls, and the metal door at the end of this tunnel complex.

So where to start? The metal door, I concluded. It was closest, and with most—if not all—the nearby goblins killed, it was the least risky of my three options.

With a destination in mind and a plan—of sorts—my steps firmed. Reaching the crossroads, I turned down the main passage and headed towards the door at its end.

~~~

Halfway down the main passage, Gnat rejoined me. “Are the wolves gone?” he asked.

I nodded. He didn’t say any more on the subject and neither did I. I had decided to let matters lie between the familiar and me. For now, anyway. I wouldn’t act until I understood his game better. Until then, I planned on learning what I could from the bat.

Nearing the end of the passage, I saw torches were still burning up ahead. Despite the chaos that had raged in the rest of the tunnel complex, it looked like the guards at metal door hadn’t abandoned their post. I faded into the surroundings and crept onwards.

A little while later, I finally spotted the guards. The six appeared tense and alert. As I drew closer, I idly wondered what the guards had made of the new silence filling the tunnels. It perhaps explained the anxiety I saw on their faces. Reaching the very edge of the torchlight, I came to a stop and crouched down fully.

I checked my reserves of stamina first. It was at a healthy seventy percent and still slowly ticking upwards from the food I had eaten earlier. Good enough, I thought. Returning my attention to the guard station, I scrutinized its layout and planned my attack.

My stealth would not serve me in this battle, the glare from the torches was too bright. But I did have a new means of tilting the odds in my favor. Loosening my swords in their scabbards, I got to work.

I reached into the pool of psi at the center of my consciousness and sent tendrils of will reaching out to my target—the largest and meanest looking of the goblins. The warrior was oblivious as I slipped into his mind. Instinctively, I knew what to do. Superimposing my will over the target’s, I forced my wishes—my needs and my desires—upon his.

A level 14 goblin warrior has passed a mental resistance check! You have failed to charm your target. Your mental intrusion has gone undetected! Your telepathy has increased to level 2.

I bit off a curse. I was unhappy at the failure, but also relieved at the goblin’s continued ignorance of my presence. The skill gain too, was not to be sniffed at. I could only assume that my telepathy had advanced because my attempted intrusion had evaded detection.

Readying myself, I tried again.

And failed once more.

Your mental intrusion has gone undetected! Your telepathy has increased to level 3.

I ground my teeth in frustration, but I wasn’t ready to give up, not yet. Again, I told myself and sent my will reaching towards the goblin once more.

A level 14 goblin warrior has failed a mental resistance check! You have charmed your target for 10 seconds. Your telepathy has increased to level 5.

I heaved a sigh of relief. Finally.

I had complete control over the goblin, but the spell I had employed lacked subtlety. With it, I had wielded my will like a hammer—not the most precise of instruments—and while my domination of the goblin was absolute, I was only able to issue him with the most basic of commands.

The other warriors hadn’t been alerted as to their companion’s subversion. Aware that clock was running down, I sent my order pulsing through my newly-forged mental link with the goblin, “Attack.”

Obedience was instant. The charmed warrior drew his axe. In the same motion, I raced out the shadows.

Five hostile entities have detected you!

Shouting warnings to each other—and still unaware of the danger in their midst—the other goblins drew their weapons and stepped towards me. Without even the least flicker of hesitation, the charmed warrior brought his axe down and caved in the skull of a smaller goblin in front of him, before swinging around to slash at another on his right.

Your minion has killed two level 13 goblin warriors.

Surprised and shocked faces whipped around. “What are you—” a third goblin managed to get out before he too felt the bite of the bewitched warrior’s axe.

Your minion has critically injured a goblin warrior.

Almost cleaved in half, the goblin crumpled to the ground. The other two warriors cursed their betrayer and spun around to attack him, leaving me forgotten behind them.

I sped forward, flying across the ground. Before I could reach the battling trio though, the two hostiles buried their spears in the charmed warrior. An instant later, my spell lapsed and the mental link tethering the axeman to my will snapped.

You have lost control over a level 14 goblin warrior.

But it was too late for the impaled goblin. His eyes grew round and his mouth dropped open as he tried to say something. Before he could get the words out, the light in his eyes flickered out.

A goblin warrior has died.

The spearmen ripped out their spears and began turning around. But I was already amongst them. In a series of lightning attacks, I chopped left, then right, before thrusting out simultaneously with both my blades and skewering the pair.

You have killed a goblin warrior.

You have killed a goblin warrior.

Your shortswords has increased to level 31.

Your two weapon fighting has increased to level 26.

It was over quicker than I expected.

Panting slightly from adrenaline and exertion, I studied the aftermath. Only one goblin remained alive—the second warrior struck by the axeman. Blood gurgled out of his mouth and he was panting frantically. I knelt beside the warrior.

“It’s over,” I said. Quietening his struggles, I slipped my blade under his armor and watched his life drain away.

You have killed a goblin warrior.

“You’ve come a long way,” Gnat said from where he sat almost forgotten on my shoulder.

I nodded wearily. I had. Killing was becoming second nature. My mind flew back to my first fumbling battle with the slime. It was hard to believe that was less than a day ago.

I was no longer that person. I was changed.

Evolved.

A killer.

I do what I must, I thought wearily as I levered myself back to my feet. Ignoring the bodies scattered on the ground, I moved to study the door.

It was locked.

Like the gate at the sector’s exit, a bluish tinge covered its lock too. I pulled out the chief’s keyring and tried the second magical key in the door. It fit perfectly.

But I didn’t turn the lock. Not yet.

I was sure I had slain the last of the goblins in this tunnel complex, and I was safe, or as safe as I could be in a dungeon.

Before I moved on, it was time to give my body what it craved most—rest.

Chapter 49: Markets and More

I didn’t go to sleep immediately. First, I searched the tunnel complex from end to end again, making certain that I had indeed eliminated every last goblin.

Then I had a bath.

Finding a storeroom full of water barrels, I couldn’t resist the desire to wash. I was covered in filth and grime, and while I had done my best to ignore my disgusting state, I stank. Dreadfully. Making extravagant use of the water, I scrubbed myself from head to foot, and cleaned my bedraggled and torn—but still somehow whole—clothes.

I still didn’t sleep after that.

Feeling somewhat human again, I decided to spend a few minutes meditating. Meditation was one of the skills I had learned with the psionic Class, and it was critical to restoring my reserves of psi.

Sinking down into a cross-legged stance, I closed my eyes, and stilled my mind. Blocking out my awareness of everything and stopping my conscious musings, I focused only on the simple process of breathing. My thoughts drifted, and the pool of psi that lay at the pit of my subconsciousness stirred.

You have replenished 1% of your psi. Your psi is now at 71%. Your meditation has increased to level 2.

Psi flowed out of me, and then in again. Over and over, in an endless loop. And ever-so-slowly, with every breath, the body of psi within me increased.

You have replenished 1% of your psi. Your meditation has increased to level 3.

Psi was… different. Energy of the mind, simply the act of relinquishing conscious thought and letting the mind rein free was enough to replenish it. In a way, the process was similar to sleeping, but mediation of the sort I undertook was more focused in its intent, and thus worked far faster to restore my psi.

You have replenished 1% of your psi. Your meditation has increased to level 4.

Meditating was a strangely passive act though, and one I struggled to perform initially, but once I fell into a rhythm of easy breathing, it became more natural, and my psi began replenishing faster.

Your meditation has increased to level 5.

…

…

Your meditation has increased to level 10.

Congratulations, Michael! Your skill in meditation has reached rank 1, increasing your psi recovery rate and decreasing the skill learning rate.

…

…

Your meditation has increased to level 15.

Your psi is now at 100%.

I opened my eyes. My reserves of psi were at full capacity again. “Excellent,” I murmured.

I found it curious that I had not yet found any stamina or mana potions, or for that matter, psi ones. I had assumed at first that was because they were rarer than health potions, but now after experience meditation, I wondered if it was because they were simply unnecessary.

I turned to the bat sitting beside me. “Gnat, why haven’t I found other type of potions?”

The familiar glanced at me. “Like what?”

“Ones to restore energy. A mana potion for instance.”

Gnat snorted. “Those are always in high demand and almost always bought out by the high-ranked players and merchants as soon as they are placed for auction on the markets. As a newbie, you won’t come by them easily.”

I rubbed my chin consideringly. “Are you saying health potions aren’t as valued?”

Gnat chuckled. “Think about where you are.”

“Huh?”

“You’re in a sector of the Endless Dungeon controlled by the Awakened Dead.”

The skeletal bat’s response was unenlightening and I stared back at him blankly.

Seeing my look, Gnat laughed, then added, “The dead don’t need health potions.”

I frowned, trying to make sense of his words. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at. What difference does it make which sector of the dungeon I am in? And for that matter, what do markets and auctions have to do with game-generated loot?”

Gnat sighed. “Sometimes I forgot how clueless you newbies are,” he muttered. Before I could protest this insult, he continued, “The items in loot chests are not created by the Game.”

I blinked. “They’re not?”

Gnat shook his head. “The Adjudicator buys the items through the global auction and determines their value based on local markets.”

My brows drew together as I tried to wrap my mind around the idea of the Game—or Adjudicator—buying items. I found the concept strange, but set aside the matter as I puzzled out the rest of Gnat’s explanation. “Are you saying that the only reason I’ve been finding healing potions is because they are unwanted on the local markets?”

“Correct.”

“So… when I leave the Awakened Dead’s territory, healing potions won’t be as easy to come by?”

Gnat snickered. “If you leave. But again, correct.”

I thought on that a bit. If what Gnat said was true, I would have to be more sparing with my healing potions than I had been so far. It did lead me to wonder about my other finds though. Had the Game only been rewarding me with trash loot all along? “The other things I’ve found in the chests… are they also considered less desirable items?”

The familiar laughed. “You’re catching on now. Wooden loot chests rarely contain much of value.”

“Really?” I asked. “You expect me to believe skillbooks are worthless? And Class stones too?”

“They’re not entirely worthless,” Gnat replied, “but their value is certainly limited. The overall demand for skillbooks, Class stones, and ability tomes are far lower than consumables. Players will only ever use a particular type of skillbook once, but the same player could use hundreds, if not thousands of potions in his lifetime.”

I nodded slowly, seeing Gnat’s point. But what the bat was saying only held true if potion ingredients—and perhaps even alchemists themselves—were rare. I didn’t dwell further on this aspect though, and instead turned to the other matter that had piqued my interest. “Tell me about the auction and the markets. Where are they?”

“The global auction is a place called the Nexus,” Gnat said. “It can be remotely accessed, but only by players with the merchant Class, and even they must pay a surcharge for the privilege. All other players must physically visit the Nexus to access the auction.”

I nodded, understanding the gist, if not all, of the bat’s explanation. “And what are the local markets?”

“They’re just that,” Gnat replied. “Marketplaces in individual sectors where merchants congregate. Usually, they’re to be found in a safe zone, and every sector, be it in a dungeon or a region on the surface, has safe zones.”

“Thank you, Gnat,” I said, grateful for his explanations. While I had grown suspicious of the familiar’s intentions, he was still my only source of information, and I was forced to depend on his Game expertise.

Rubbing my chin, I turned over what Gnat had said. It seemed that the Game had an intricate economy system. And if I was to make a home on this world, sooner or later I would have to understand it more fully.

I yawned. But not right now.

Now it is time to sleep, I thought. Closing my eyes, I laid down on my bedroll and let unconsciousness claim me.

~~~

You have slept 10 hours. Stamina, mana, and psi reserves fully restored.

My eyes opened slowly. Sitting upright, I stretched. My body felt sore and my muscles ached, but otherwise I felt fully rested and reinvigorated.

The rest has done me good, I thought. I looked around. It was pitch black in the small and out-of-the-way room I had chosen to sleep in. I had not bothered trying to light the area. Torches would only attract unnecessary attention, and besides, I had long since grown comfortable with the dark.

I rose to my feet and strapped on my backpack. There was no use delaying. It was time to see what lay behind the metal door.