Chapter 85: Operation Exorcism
'Ok so we know that this enemy dungeon is located under the capital of this country which is exactly four days travel from here. They specialize in undead creatures and have no issues corrupting the native living into pawns. We have a little under fifteen viable units to challenge this dungeon with and remember if you fall in the dungeon you don't get revived, so I'm leery on sending our weaker people.' I mumble as I continue practicing walking by forcing my golem body to pace back and forth as my boss mobs are arrayed before me.
'I want Slax and Banshee, Tyr, Spooky, Shanks, Tobias, Lafey, and Despot to become our invading group. Remember that each of you are only to support and if it comes to death or retreat you always choose to retreat. Their bosses will respawn while you won't so killing a boss temporarily will yield no help.' I say again seriously as the seven bosses step forward and nod to each other in varying amounts of seriousness.
"Also remember that we have several groups of adventurers willing to join us in attacking this dungeon. From what reports are available it has no less than ten 'floors' each pertaining to the kingdom itself. only 4 have been explored though. The fields in front of the city are the first floor and the boss is a type of scarecrow undead hybrid. Second floor is the drawbridge and gates which is a trap and puzzle floor, the moat filled with undead sea serpents and the guard captain this puzzles boss." Tilly explains as everyone nods and watches a rough sketch begin to appear on the wall.
"Third floor had two bosses, takes place in the market place just within the floor and one of those bosses was Beggar the troll. He was the boss of a traveling carnival and it was made that he escaped his cage and slaughtered his tamers. Nobody ever beat him because he was never there. The other boss is a wandering merchant called the Merchant of Souls. He wanders the marketplace proper and upon finding him you must enter a price war with him. guess the prices wrong three times and he steals your soul. If anyone in your party wins he dies and all souls are returned but if you lose your bodies turn undead and join the market." Explains a one armed man off to the side, his voice gruff and scratchy as he runs his fingers through a patchy, unkempt beard.
Looking at the lout I still can't believe that he was one of the veteran bandits that turned to banditry after adventuring failed him. Rude, smelly, and a little bit of an asshole the guy kind of reminds me of those veterans that just get back from war but cant forget the stuff they've already seen. But this man was one of the few who actually survived diving this insane dungeon and was the only one willing to tell us what we were to expect.
"Finally the fourth floor is inside the guard quarters attached to the market. trying to explore the city proper won't work because there's an invisible barrier that blocks attempts to just walk to the castle itself and all the doors to the homes are locked. The only ones that did open led to actual shops run by monsters. They could talk and had wares but we weren't there to shop so proceeded. Inside of the guard quarters is a small lock up and about ten undead guards. Their bulky but awkward in close quarters. The boss is in the lock up and is an undead criminal called Silent Jack. Speed type boss and its deadly in close quarters, uses poisoned blades, and laughs like an insane creature. The cackles and laughs cause psychic damage and can hit you with a minor insanity debuff. After killing him we found a side door and opening it led to a new street but we were to weakened by this point and retreated. We found books on the dungeons beginning scattered in the market though and one mentioned the core resting ten floors deep so the amount is a guess." The man explains with a shake of his head before standing and striding from the core room with a look of sadness and anger on his face.
"Forgive Garm Sir Dungeon, he was once happier but that dungeon took his entire team including a pregnant wife. He hasn't been the same since." Says Iron as several other adventurers in the room nod in sadness before a cough brings everyone back to the mission.
'Ok so the mission is simple, attack the dungeon, disable the bosses floor by floor, and exorcise the cancer that is this core. we focus on efficiency and we go at it slow and steady so nobody is left behind. You all come back and when you do there will be a home waiting understood? Then lets move out!' I shout as cheers resound around the room before Grabba waves my attention to him.
"Kyle ye daft boy. If yer gonna wear this here shell ye'll be needin' weapons and armor. The nice demon lady twer kind enough to donate some energy and I made ye a few bits and bobs but until ye be putting in ore veins its all I got." Grabba says as he pulls out a pair of black and red bracers and a small ring set with a swirling flaming vortex inside the gemstone.
'I know, I was planning on putting the veins in before but then we had that group of men in womens clothes attack. After that it wasn't long before the pact was broken then all this crap. They've already been seeded in different floors and you should be seeing copper, iron, black steel, rubies, and garnets popping up soon as well as the occasional enchanted stone or magical plant for potions. It just takes time now sadly and we haven't had alot of that. While this group is away though I want you, gratin, and Narghal to focus on building up the village as well as choosing who my last two crafting bosses should be.' I say as Grabba strokes his chin in deep thought before smiling.
"One of those hammer shroom fella's should be promoted. They may be good with those there hammers in a scrap but I be think they're better in construction. Just the opinion of a dwarf is all." he says good naturedly as I smile and agree with the decision after thinking about it. Now all thats left is to attack and conquer.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone