Chapter 16: 16. Dungeon Dive
Being back in the dungeon was a mixture of feelings for Marlet. Excited because every few floors was a different world of its own. Weariness because you never know what other adventurers may have planned within its walls and a tinge of fear because the threat of death was very real. Once inside the dungeon and away from prying eyes Marlet focused on what she wanted to do, confusing her 2 companions until out of nowhere her armour and weapons were equipped. Tiona had stars in her eyes and Riveria only sighed think about what a game changer that could be in any fight. "Tiona is going to act as your protection, I want you to focus on the medium range and long range attacks. You should kill as many monsters as possible before they reach you" Riveria wanted Marlet to get used to adventuring with a party, she turned to Tiona "don't leave to far from her and only attack the monsters that get really close, she still needs to understand that accidents can happen and that monsters shouldn't get too close to her." Both Marlet and Tiona nodded understanding that Riveria wanted this to be more practice with a group.
Descending to further through the floors and killing the goblins that were making wild screeching noises as they ran straight at the duo as a simple matter for Marlet. She had adapted to the sound of the goblin footsteps and was hyper aware of her surroundings. Unlike her long range support Tiona was casually walking with her Urga by her side. As the group made it to the third floor the number of Kobolds had increased and forming small groups with the goblins, this made Marlet fire a single arrow at a Kobold's throat and instantly switch to her magic Flames bathing the area in a torrent of heat.
It had been half a day when the group reached the end of the 4th floor, Marlet wanted to take a small break because she could feel her mind (mana) be considerably low after working her way through the beginners road. In her wake she had collected a considerable amount of magic stones and monster drops, all which were safely stored within her inventory. Handing some food to her other 2 companions they all sat at the stairwell and enjoyed the moment, for her 2 chaperones they enjoyed the little stroll even if they had to whittle down the groups larger than 6 monsters but that was also because Marlet's flames burnt at a certain pace. They learned that she could kill the remaining 5 with her magic before the sixth monster got close to her and she would be forced to have used her axe had Tiona not been there. Her archery skills were exemplary and it helped if the monsters were spotted from some distance away but with the beginners road not being long corridors or open spaces this was a rare occurrence. Taking a look inside of her inventory at all the drops and magic stones Marlet asked if it was enough and if she should start preparing to head back towards the surface.
Riveria was very satisfied with how Marlet carried herself in the beginning and for someone who had never really fought with weapons before the dungeon she did outstanding. This prompted the three of them to start heading back to the surface and Marlet to turn in all the stones she had collected earning a healthy 23 000 Valis. Marlet would then give half the money to Loki as a way to pay back for the recent renovations done next to her tree.
A front open forge with proper ventilation was installed and sunk 3 meters underground with stairs leading down to the workbenches and forge itself. What was really interesting was that the roof of this forge was made of an extremely sturdy metal that conducted heat extremely well and spread it out evenly. Atop the forge there was a large water reserve with a layer of gravel to help lower the scorching heat that could come from the metal plate and then finally above the gravel was another wooden floor with many holes and slits to allow for any disturbed sand to sink beneath the wooden surface again. All this was covered by a large water reservoir above the forge that was being fed by an artificially created stream leading from on of the furthest points within the Loki property where a borehole extracted water and fed the artificial stream. The water from the stream was being lifted by a specially crafted water-wheel that fed a short piece of aquaduct.
When Loki first saw the plans to build a forge so near the tree she was sceptical and didn't really want it so close to the Manor for various reasons, but after seeing the final plan where they essentially had a swimming pool for their own private use and a hot tub when Marlet was forging. The goddess couldn't resist the temptations of seeing everyone in bikinis… her familia relaxing after a hard day's work. Because of this new addition it was decided that on Mondays and Tuesdays it would be scheduled for the men to use up until 3 hours after the kitchen closed in the mess hall, then Wednesdays would be for everyone in the familia it would become a mixed swimming day for anyone who wanted to relax with friends to do so. Then Thursdays and Fridays would be for the female familia members who didn't want the men to see them, which ended up being majority of the elves who enjoyed swimming and relaxing so close to the tree. Finally the weekends were a mixed day again for everyone to enjoy. The reason for the curfew set was due to the pool technically being part of Marlet's 'claimed grounds' and that no one wanted to disturb her in the evening if she wanted to sleep and that extended curfews would have to be brought to Finn or Riveria and a notice to be given to everyone.
Marlet kept heading into the dungeon for the span of a week, each time with someone to look over her and any other adventurer that might get any funny ideas. Slowly but surely she was paying back the money to Loki for her new forge. She hadn't used it yet though, saying that she wanted to try and get it started with one of her shouts in dragon tongue and see if the flames created by dragon-fire had any effect on the end product. When it was finally Gareth's turn to accompany her into the dungeon he had asked her to only use her axe and healing magic so that she could build a sense for what happens at close range. Easily accepting this Marlet went up until the 3rd floor as a 'normal' adventurer getting more physically tired than mentally but quickly understanding why they had her do this. She still had not gone past the 4th floor though, saying that she would first like a falna update to beter numbers before tackling the new monsters that appear from there onwards.
Standing at the entrance to the 5th floor was Marlet and Gareth. She had her axe in hand and a restoration magic ready to be used, she knew that in the next floor were the war shadows and killer ants. Giving a nod to Gareth she moves downwards, the golden glow of her left hand a dead giveaway of her location in the partial darkness.
Continuing on further Marlet is able to hack through the increased spawn rate of the goblins and kobolds with relative ease. Gareth was giving her pointers wherever she would make a mistake and she would correct it as best she could in the situation she was in.
A group of 4 kobolds came running towards her seemingly enraged at her previous actions. There was one carrying a stone sword, generated by the dungeon, and the rest had wooden clubs each. The closest one to her with a club had little strategy as it lunged forward with its club in the air. There was a kobold flanking her on her left and the 2nd to last one decided to rush at her right. This was a very common occurrence for monsters if they were in a large group and some had weapons, it was called the trident charge and was also often a newbie killer.
Tione had explained this to Marlet when they had sparred and had her practice what she was to do in situations like this. Upon seeing the kobold right in front of her not slowing down Marlet also sped up towards in its direction. Her axe held in a low position next to her knee she dodged the club of the kobold and got into its personal space making it scream in rage. This did not perturb Marlet however as she brought the flat of her axe onto its snout, making it discombobulated and stagger a step back. This was enough for the girl though as she canceled the magic in her left hand and used it to shove the now off-balance kobold into its companion coming from her left. This left her with the kobold that was charging her right with its club coming at high speed towards her head. Marlet used her wing's talon to pierce the club and shatter it before doing a full 360 turn using her wing's momentum and decapitated the kobold holding the stump of what was their club.
Seeing the other 2 kobolds she had distracted with one another coming towards her again, she decided to try something she hadn't done before. Inhaling a deep breath and planting her feet to steady herself, Marlet shouted loud enough for a few adventurers that were in close proximity to hear as well.
"FUS"
The two kobolds were flung back against the dungeon wall and turned to dust immediately. With a satisfied smile Marlet was about to turn around when in the corner of her eye she saw a sword tip on route for her head. By reflex she quickly brought up her axe and parried, heaving a loud sigh in relief. The kobold with the sword seemed to be unusually experienced and had planned to get behind Marlet. Riveria had once said that monsters that lived past a certain amount of time and experience would start to strategise more but that in the upper floors it was practically unheard of.
Giving a soft growl at her own misfortune Marlet switched her left hand's magic to the frostbite spell in the hopes that this will slow the kobold down enough for her to kill it with less effort. The kobold didn't seem to care as it brought an overhead slash down on her that she chose to evade instead of parry. In doing so Marlet came with a diagonal slash at the kobold's chest aiming for where the magic stone was. The kobold dropped its sword and took a step back waiting for the axe to pass by. Once that happened it launched itself towards Marlet and bit into her forearm, only to feel a protector there so it decided to scratch at her chest and ribs with its claws.
Marlet wanted to cry out in pain like the little girl she was and curse like a dwarf that just got served water instead of alcohol but she just grit her teeth and inhaled again. Knowing full well that her shouts don't seem to effect her body for some reason. As she was about to shout again an axe came from beside her and chopped off the kobold's head. With its locked jaws, the head remained clamped onto her forarm and staring into her eyes.
"That was a very reckless thing you were about to do there" came the voice of the dwarf behind her, "see when a kobold bites, it's like a rabid animal and their jaws lock regardless if it's blade, armour or flesh. If you had done what you wanted your arm would have been torn off."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Super_Surprised231
Super_Surprised231 How was the first proper fight scene? Let me know where to improve and what to write better.
I struggled with this chapter a little because I visualise myself in the situation but I also want the battles to flow. In the dungeon my understanding is that if the monsters can rush you with numbers they will, there is no one on one all the time.
I also want Marlet to make small mistakes to grow as a character. Next chapter will be an expedition :)
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone