Ch. 56 – Zephelam X (Patreon)

The VBV opened and the duo went inside. “Shop first,” Felix stated as he went over to the Purchase terminal. Lucifer split off, gave him a pat on the back, and flew towards the Mage Academy.

[Items purchased]

+ <Rank 5> Health Elixir (x8)

-4,000 VC

+ <Rank 5> Anima Elixir (x6)

-3,000 VC

+ <Rank 5> Vigor Elixir (x10)

-5,000 VC

[Monies Paid]

-12,000 VC

[Current Balance]

= 3,000 VC

“Let’s do the Loot Forge before level up,” Felix said. “We may unlock new Classes to choose.” He led the way over to the Crafting Station, into the underground hallway, and took the first left into the familiar chamber. He took off his armor and placed it alongside the Mimic Coating, bringing the hammer down as, with a flash, the two combined.

[You have placed a <Loot Forge Essence - Acid> on the Loot Forge. Select one of the following options.]

·         Acid Affinity

·         Eviscerator Skill Upgrade (Caustic Demise)

Felix brought the hammer down and shattered the essence.

[You have placed a <Loot Forge Essence - Undeath> on the Loot Forge. Select one of the following options.]

·         Necromancy Affinity

·         Rebel Against All Odds Skill Upgrade (Rebel Against The Grave)

“Raising the dead could be quite useful,” Tinuriel commented. “Having fodder to throw against foes would be a useful tool.”

It’s logical, Felix thought. I mean they’re just corpses being re-used. The only reason I’d not choose the Affinity is if the Skill upgrade was ridiculous…but I don’t know what it does until it’s crafted.

It’s not fair, Lucifer thought back. The System Admin punishing you by restricting information isn’t fair. I wish we could appeal that.

We should just keep our heads low and do our job. Maybe once we solve a bunch of Crises, they’ll relent. Felix thought back as he swung down the hammer and the Necromancy Affinity filled an empty slot on his character sheet. Next item…

[You have placed a <Loot Forge Essence - Death> on the Loot Forge. Select one of the following options.]

·         Death Affinity

·         Vital Strike Skill Upgrade (Death Strike)

Felix swung the hammer once more, knowing exactly what he wanted without a moment’s hesitation.

[You have placed a <Death Dungeon Core> on the Loot Forge. Select one of the following options.]

·         Dread Invoker

·         Revenant

·         Ghostblade

Advanced Classes again. Felix cursed to himself. And they all require Death Affinity. He chided himself for not looking at the Dungeon Core first. Leaping to a rash decision when he got excited about something is what got him in trouble financially back in his original Universe. Not the sister part, but rash decisions. He shook his head.

You could try selling it. I’m sure it’s worth something. Or just save it and get the Death Affinity another way.

I wonder… Felix walked back into the hallway, “I want a room that lets me use Dungeon Cores for other purposes.” He waited several seconds as a new door slid next to the Loot Forge, and a title appeared above it. DUNGEON CORE TRANSMORPHER. He opened the door and inside were two pedestals, a small pylon adjacent with a big, red, button. As he entered the room, instructions appeared in the air above the ensemble.

[This is the Dungeon Core Transmorpher. Place a Dungeon Core on each of the pedestals.]

[Then, press the button.]

[The Dungeon Cores will be combined to produce a new, amalgamated Dungeon Core.]

“Well, that is handy,” Felix commented as he placed the Death Dungeon Core onto one of the pedestals. A series of small claws popped out of the object and gripped the Core.

Tinuriel walked in behind him and leaned against the wall, “Only Dungeon Cores though. Not Loot Forge Essence. Two Dungeons for a single amalgamated Core seems like a lot of work for a little payoff.”

Felix shrugged, “We’ll probably come across Cores that we don’t want to use at the Loot Forge. At least this is an option. I wonder what opposites – such as Death and Life combined - would make…” He turned back to her, “Ready to go and level up?”

She nodded and they quickly went to the Recreation Room, stripping down before hopping into the pool. It might only be two levels, but the time Felix nearly cooked and had to dive into a swamp was not an experience he wanted to relive anytime soon.

[Selection Made: Ascended Animancer]

The same message appeared a second time.

Finalize.

The water bubbled and broiled around Felix once more – more intense as before. He reasoned that the heat would just increase more and more the higher level he obtained. Lucifer had assured him it was not lethal, but the roiling water around him still raised some concern.

[Selection Made: Rime Knight]

This message repeated itself as Tinuriel chose the Class a second time.

[You now have access to several Class Skills]

They got out of the pool and reequipped their gear before heading outside. The mountain views were gorgeous as ever and Felix sighed with contentment. “What’s on your mind?” Tinuriel asked as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind.

“This whole journey has been a wild ride. I never would have imagined that I’d be traveling across the Multiverse, or running a whole realm and making decisions that affect so many. I can do all these incredible, amazing things.” He shook his head, “I don’t know if I’m blessed or cursed.”

She squeezed him a little before loosening her grip. “I would argue you have been blessed by the gods – or whatever it is you believed in where you’re from.”

“I’ve almost died…several times,” Felix muttered as he breathed deeply before letting out a sigh. He unconsciously reached up to his eye where not too long ago a crossbow bolt had been impaled before pulling his hand away. “Overall? I think I’m blessed. But…is this all I will be doing? For eternity? Just jumping between ‘Verses and fixing problems for some nebulous System?”

Tinuriel tapped his head with her fingers rhythmically, “Is that so bad though?”

No, it’s not, is what Felix wanted to say. But he never aspired to be some type of heroic figure or world-changing individual. He just wanted a comfortable life – for him and his loved ones. He had that, now. Once he rescued Penny from whatever the government in his home Universe was doing to her, and stopped that Basilisk AI…then what point was there to keep traveling and solving problems? Why not just retire to this VBV?

Tinuriel seemed to be reading his thoughts as she shook her head, turned him around, and pulled his chin up to look at her deep, icy-blue eyes. They were a deeper blue now, flecked with swirling snowflakes – Felix assumed it was due to the new Class. “You don’t have to save everyone. This…Multiverse is infinite. You could just go at your own pace. Solve Crises here and there, and just enjoy life.” She blushed a little, and he knew. He felt she wanted to say something more, but instead, she patted him on the head. “Come on, let’s eat. Then, we go clear that Dungeon and fix a flooded ‘Verse.”

They were joined at the table by Lucifer who fluttered down before sagging onto the bench. “I’ve been putting together that Animancer Tournament you wanted-”

“Weren’t we going to wait until we went to a Magic-heavy ‘Verse?” Felix asked.

“I’m setting up the infrastructure. Imagine it – contests from across all the ‘Verses that you’ve connected to the VBV to find the best contestant.”

Tinuriel nodded, “A wise move. How does Gina feel about this?”

Lucifer smiled, “She’s all for it. She is filling in the role of Magic Advisor quite well; like a duck to water. I don’t think she’s adventuring material, but you should spend some time talking to her and getting to know her.” He leaned forward, “It would also be worthwhile checking in with Melanie and Roy.”

“Sound advice. After we finish the Dungeon,” Felix replied as he finished off his meal. Looking over at Tinuriel he nodded slightly, “Ready?”

She scarfed down the rest of her food and stood up, “Let’s get it done.”

Lucifer walked over and put his hand on Felix, merging with him once more. They returned through the portal and stared down at the purple film covering the floor where the lava once was. Tinuriel jumped, spreading her wings as she did so to glide in slow circles, descending at a gradual rate. Felix joined her, and the two flew through the purple film.

They were gliding above an endless ocean. Above them, only blackness and the purple film designating where they came from. Their dark vision allowed the two to see the lapping waves below…and the enormous, sinuous form that lurked under it. Felix’s heart raced with fear. It looked like a sea serpent from the edges of medieval maps that he saw back in his history class. But this thing was…massive couldn’t even describe it. Colossal was the only word he could think of.

“That’s the Boss.”

[(P) Against Overwhelming Odds Notification: Foe is rated 10 or higher than your current Core Level.]

“No shit,” Felix replied shakily. Tinuriel flapped her wings to stay up near the film, and Felix joined her as the two looked down at the creature going back and forth. “How do we even fight something like that?” Felix asked.

Tinuriel frowned, “This is larger than the burrowing creatures in Bur-Hur back on Heficyre. And I never heard tale of those being defeated. Only avoided.”

“The System isn’t telling me anything either. But…that’s the Boss.”

“Can we maybe try reasoning with it?” Felix asked. “Is there any rule that we have to beat a Boss with violence?”

“…No.”

Felix glanced at Tinuriel, “I’m going to try something. But, in case it backfires…be ready.”

She nodded and held her sword as best she could while flapping her wings, “If we must fight, I’m descending to the water to fight it. I need to be able to swing.”

“Understood.” Felix flapped his wings a few times to test how his response time would be if he had to retreat through the purple film dividing the Dungeon levels. “Hello there! I’m Felix, a Versewalker! Do you mind talking?”

The sinuous form vanished beneath the waves for a moment before an enormous head flew up towards him – maw open as razor-sharp teeth the size of two-story houses rocketed towards him.

Crap! He trusted instinct and drew on the protective Affinity of Netherlight.

The silver-white mist surrounded him and Tinuriel in a sphere as the enormous maw chomped on them.

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