Chapter 31: Dungeon Crawler
Contrary to people's belief, actually, dungeon grinding wasn't that really tiresome. At least, perhaps, for a battle-junkie but maybe it just me.
Seeing their blood splutter, their tender muscle turned into paste, and the accompanied shrieks really satisfied me, so much, I even tried on all sorts of places just to get the reaction out of them.
This place truly started to change me. How many days I have been deep inside this hell I'm willing to place myself in? Three or was it four? I forgot to add days count to the watch, ah, my mistake. Better to upgrade it next time!
I'm currently sitting on the 16th floor. While it only takes a few hours to get to the surface, or down to the safe space that is 18th floor, I make sure to thoroughly explore each floor clean. Taking a few notes, maps, and some landmark. That's why it took so long just to get here, and not to mention my cursed dungeon skills that attract stronger monsters and their numbers.
If should there's equivalent… it looks like that bat pokemon you found in the caves. They're just everywhere. Three steps and multiple monsters will immediately spawn near me. At least the dungeon is a good host for having a diverse selection of palettes so I wouldn't get bored.
Maybe I should make a repel potion, having bags of Falna to kill is nice and all, but I won't be getting nowhere at this pace.
At least 17th floor and fight the monster Rex there since I've been curious about it. Ereshkigal would give me an ear for leaving this long, ah, the joy. I erased that part of my mind and focused on what's in front of me. Let come what may come.
Various monsters lay drop dead as they disintegrated into black ashes.
Channeling the Magicka as I will the entire drop item nearby and put them to the [Planar Gate]. Yep, it's been confirmed I can soul charge the weapon just fine using the monster crystals. It was no different really since the fundamental process was to use the energy inside the souls to charge the enchantments.
Oh, I exclaimed.
Three Minotaur horns, two salamander leather skin, one fang-liger pelt, and five killer-rabbit paws. Luckily, the drop looks great this time around. I don't plan to sell the drop item, and some portion of the monster cores, they're great materials for me to work around with.
Valis isn't really a problem as we needed it just to fill every day's need. And I could simply make my own equipment if it was broken or in need of maintenance. As much as I wanted Ereshkigal to splurge the Valis from time to time, she simply refused. What a low maintenance goddess, I should feel blessed.
My original plan was to mine Adamantite and Mythril on the deep floors but looks like it was a lofty dream for now.
I have to contend with lower grade minerals and metal I found in some random veins while exploring the dungeon floors. It should be sufficient to make mid-tier armor and weapon.
I grunted, lifting the shields to my left hand as I wield a war hammer in another. God gave you two-hand and what do you use it for? As they said, twice the size, twice the fun. I don't switch to a lighter round shield that commonly found during my journey in Skyrim. No, it was a literal piece of wall that compromised of tempered steel, more in the shape of those shield phalanx would use in ancient Rome.
It wouldn't fair to not give these critter whelps a handicap, and I thought it was a good way to get myself some Falna bonus modifier and training. After all, Falna could also depend on the bravery of the adventurers exhibited. Like for example when they need to break through to level two, the requirement is to face a greater adversary. Or so what I read from the book.
In front of me were the stairs that lead to 17th floors…. And blocked by a bunch of minotaurs, perhaps enough to make a tribe out of them. Each wields a blunt instrument, ranging from primitive ax to hefty Warhammer made of trunks and stones.
I make my presence known, intentionally putting more pressure on my steps. As soon as they notice me, a palpable blood lust emanated from their battle-cry, as they charged at me. I could only grin beneath the helmet, readying my hammer.
Of my entire spells repertoire, the telekinesis branch was amongst my favorites. They pull, they push, and importantly they make things move. I let the shield hover on my sides, maintaining my concentration on it while having to contend with dozens of blood-seeking monsters.
A crackle of lightning flowed between the finely crafted engravings on the ebony. The minotaurs were getting closers. I took my timing, and then swing the hammer to the ground. Blue crackle traveled on the ground, tilling it upward as it spreads forward.
A portion of minotaurs was charred black and fell to the ground, some canonically lied with their eyes white and mouth frolicking. Some, who were lucky, seeing their fallen comrade at such states, redoubled their vigor's.
Hefting the hammer, grabbing it with both hands, I swing it to the 1st Minotaur that reached me, catapulting it to the wall and created a matching crater as its body shape. Then come 6 of them at once, cleverly surrounded me from all sides.
I will the shield to protect me from the rears. Mind you even if I can simultaneously cast multiple spells at once, maintaining them indefinitely was another matter. It requires precise control and full battle awareness as to fully use the floating shields. Something that I tried to get a hang on as of now.
I swing the hammer to the side, countering the 2nd Minotaur attack with sheer speed as it tried to cleave me in half, before turning back and hold a crude War-axe handle, and bashed the 3rd minotaur, head to head as it caused a severe concussions to the whimpering creature.
The shield did a good job holding two minotaurs at bay. I brought the hammer low; swinging it as it ascends to the 4th Minotaur chest, destroying the bone inside with a satisfying crack. The 3rd Minotaur foolishly released a cry, alerting me as it came out of its concussion. Knowing I won't have the time to turn the hammer around, I use the butt handle and stab the 3rd Minotaur in the stomach.
Unfortunately, I put too much strength into it as the handle went through straight to the other side. Fuck. I quickly released the hammer, timely evaded the 5th Minotaur hammer that cracked the ground where I was once stood. Unfortunately, this moves also released the 6th Minotaur from the chokehold I created using the shield as it dropped down to the ground with a great thud, having cut from its spell.
I was backed to a wall behind, being unarmed I am, the Minotaurs released a cry intent to finish this once and for all then they charged at me. The thrill almost reached my head, heating it as my mouth twisted into a vicious grin.
Countering the bull charge, I side-stepped, jumped to behind then grabbing its horns as I evaded another attack from the 6th Minotaur who clubbed the ground in futility. Piggy-backing the 5th Minotaur, Both of my hand quickly formed a choke to its thick neck.
Putting my strength, I groaned, twisting the bull neck to the sides until I heard something snapped. It lies dead, with neck twisting behind. Using the dead 5th Minotaur back as a foothold, I kicked it to the direction of the 6th Minotaur which makes it fell to its back.
Utilizing the moment, I approached it, knuckling my gauntlet, then in a precise and swift motion brought my fist to its raging face. Once wasn't enough, it released a cry of defiance. Oh no, you don't.
I pulverize it in the face again, trying to turn it into a paste of mincemeat. Then in the final strike, I finish it with a fist infused by fire magic as the smell of roasted meat wafting through the dark corridor.
I wonder how monster meats taste like. Unfortunately, all of them crumbled into ashes, breaking me from my muses. Maybe, I should buy some fresh meat on my way home as a celebration or something; hopefully, it will be enough to appease the goddess wrath.
Pulling the War hammer, and levitate the shield back, I proceed to walk to the deeper floor.
What I realize as I explore more and more dungeon floors was the fact that it progressively getting wider the lower the floor is. There's only a handful of high-level adventurers, and so much yet still not covered. It's no wonder starting floor 10th below, you will seldom meet another adventurer party or better yet to never meet them all as conflict could arise or worse a party parade.
Luckily I would hide my presence whenever I sense an adventurer party passing-by or fighting. Friendly they maybe, you would never know their intention once they spotted you. I had rather not to take chances.
It was only 10 hours later that I finally could explore the whole 17th-floor bar the boss room. Mind you that included the time I have to fight a horde of monsters just to get where I was currently at.
What they called it again? Wall of despair? Wall of solitude? I stared at the longest and widest corridor I have ever seen since I stepped to this place. It could fit four football fields inside, maybe.
It's pretty eerie in particular if you imagine a whole swarm of monsters could be spawned on one side of the wall, or one giant monster… I don't know which one will be more fun. No monster spawned so far, indicating that I was getting closer to the boss room.
It was at the end of it, turning to the right as I stared at the magnificent chamber as some cluster of blue crystals dotted the place enough to dimly illuminate the place. It could fit a small city inside, I thought with how expanse the place is. No wonder the 10th floor below was placed on the pedestal as a mythical realm since only so many could enter the place. Can't wait until I get to the lower floor.
A rookie adventurer needs years to just get to level 2, and they have to form party afterward just to be able to survive on the lower floor. Not to mention the cut-throat society of adventurers, they have to watch their back carefully. Even with the never-ending potential applicant, dungeon, and Orario is a literal meat grinder for young opportunists.
Now what? To the far side is the stair that will lead me to the 18th floor but that's not my purpose here. Eh, could it be that? Boss cool down period? No way. C'mon, I'm supposed to be the dungeon cursed child with VVIP treatment here.
I stared into the great wall that was said will churn out the boss for no particular reason. Anytime now, anytime now.
Fuck! I pick a sizeable rock that fits my palm and throws it as hard as I can to the wall.
Thud!
Nothing happen… I sighed, welp, there goes the most anti-climactic moment I ever had. I know life is not always going the way you want, but c'mon, isn't this is the fantasy world where I had to solve every shit that been farted out by whatever malicious entity out there.
Alright, forget my words that never happened at any time. Sorry. I don't want to tempt fate.
As I headed my way to the 18th floor, trying to salvage the journey at least so I can see the underground resort, but then the dungeon shook.
Finally! A worthy to- challenge!
The wall split into two, running a long fissure that emits an unholy glow from top to the bottom. Then emerge a hand from it as trying force to open a door.
I must admit that was a great exhibition of arrivals. The titan shook, crackling its mouth before raising a mighty roar as announcing its coming. The chamber reverberates when it took its first step; I stood at the far side.
A titan stood, good enough about a dozen meters with its ashen skin and ripped muscle. If not for its height, I might mistake it for a human being. Then again, I thought the chamber wouldn't be enough to contain his size, vast it maybe the being perhaps could scale it with only a few of his steps.
Then it notices, between the falling long hairs, it saw a puny little adventurer. Eyes that shook with madness and rage –despite its sheer size, the titan is surprisingly nimble. Already it tried to reach him.
I was unfazed by the display. I always do want to try this�� hehe.
[Stumble]
Without further announcement, the titan caught flat-footed, between its toes, as it tried its hardest to balance his weight. Though it failed miserably as the dungeon shook once more from the sheer tremor it created when the titan fell, creating a shockwave as some of the rock from the ceiling falling.
The titan fell, its head only a few meters away from me.
Hahahahaha, this is too funny. I couldn't contain my amusement, as it tried to stand up in front of me. I yet cast another [Stumble] preventing it to regain its balance.
Hefting the war hammer, I walked to its ugly face.
"Mother Mara! This Khajiit wonder what kind of woman whom so willing to birth a hideous specimen like you!"
It growled in annoyance, clearly couldn't take the insult. "Don't you worry; oh woes of the mirror, son of abyss whore, and misery to all father. Mara accepts all. She always will."
I lifted the hammer, infusing it with numerous enchantments in my spell repertoire, doping my strength with buff spells. "Unfortunately, she isn't here. And it had been Khajiit duty to send you to her." Then with a swift motion, the mallet of the hammer lay low, towards the titan hideous face.
"Mara's blessing upon you."
It could only watch helplessly as the hammer without mercy pulverizes its front, sending a chunk of meat and red matter to all places. The shockwave created was more than enough to obliterate the titan from inside as the energy transferred tears the entire organ to pieces and mess.
Then as the final nail to the coffin, I cast [Carbonize] spreading hell-fire to the titan remains as to make sure it won't regenerate. Once the fire died, there's only a hefty chunk of the monster core remains.
Monster Rex Subjugation Strategy 101.
I had my suspicion once the thing came out of the wall - skin as dark as charcoal with contrasting hair, and height towering its normal variant according to guild reports. Looks like it was the same thing as the monster Rex that terrorized the 18th floor below.
Guess the skill [Dungeon Cursed Child] was not only made mob monsters spawned with a level above their usual parameter. There goes another one to my notes.
Collecting all the loot, I put the war-hammer back to [Planar Gate] replacing them with lighter ebony mace, and make my way to the surface. Having been satisfied, I could put the rare metal issue for another time as I have wasted my time enough here.
It will take weeks if I should continue to the lower floors. Not like I will run out of time, either, but I miss the surface world already. It's depressing to stay alone here.
Oh, should I fight dozen and dozen waves of monsters just trying to get out of this cursed place? Time like this that I hope the dungeon would be so kind enough to place some kind of teleporter or checkpoints.
I'd better make that damn monster repellent soon.
Wait…
Didn't I have that [Teleport] spell?
Fck, it needs a marker to works, and this by the time I have reached the outer gate of the Babel tower before realizing it.
Suffering from success –Signed, Dragonborn.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone