Marcus stands up, and in his haste, knocks over the stool he was sitting on. Balto and Pit follow suit, also bringing a hand to the hilt of their respective weapons. Harris is the last to get to his feet; the boy almost trips over his own feet in his rush. The rest of the soldiers in the tavern remain silent and expectant, though their sullen glares make it clear they don't like one of their own being threatened. However, they also have no desire to intervene when a man is determined to defend his honor.
"Marcus, are you certain you wish to start this?" Balto leans in and whispers discreetly, his eyes never leaving the group of adventurers. "They look like they know what they're doing, veterans. We need to guard our flanks."
"Whether it starts isn't up to me, but him, if he strikes first," Marcus replies, with a shiny sheen of sweat on his forehead betraying his nervousness. If it's said that a bronze adventurer has the strength of 10 men, a silver one would have the power of 100 people. Sure, that calculation is more guild propaganda than exact math, but it doesn't change the fact that underestimating the adventurer would be a mistake, especially when the X on his badge marks him as a monster extermination specialist.
Marcus takes a couple of steps forward and the group of soldiers accompanies him without complaint.
The adventurer keeps his arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture, bearing a broad grin. The aura of confidence surrounding him is palpable, and although the members of his harem might be weaker and wear bronze badges instead (except for the slave, who wears no badge at all), they are likely a well-coordinated team when it comes to covering his weaknesses.
Marcus's feet hesitate whether to continue, and to gather strength, he takes a deep breath and thinks of the handkerchief with the embroidered crystal. With his will fortified, Marcus plants himself in front of the adventurer and holds his gaze. The adventurer narrows his eyes and slowly drops his smile, shifting to a serious grimace.
"You look even younger up close, I wager you just left your mother's skirts yesterday. Are you sure the tales about you are true? Come on, I'll let you have the first strike, boy." The adventurer pats the side of his own face, an obvious provocation.
Marcus grips the hilt of his sword tightly but remains cautious and still. He has a good advantage, they are very close; if he activates [Max Power] he could deliver a devastating blow in a matter of seconds, strong enough to knock out even a cyclops.
However, what happened in the forest is still a bitter memory. The dark elf dodged what Marcus assumed would be a sure hit, and he hasn't trusted himself since. Instead, he remains silent and defiant, waiting for the adventurer to make the first move.
Seconds tick by, and the heavy silence of the tavern thickens the tension. Getting no response, the adventurer clicks his tongue and takes a step back, looking annoyed.
"I suppose neither of us wishes to reveal the cards up our sleeves... Very well, boy. Perhaps one day we shall meet again and I can find out if the soldiers of Stoicus are worth their salt, or if they rely on miracles to claim victory."
The man turns around and barks an order at his girls. The women leave with him. As soon as the door closes again, the soldiers at the tables erupt in cheers and approach to congratulate Marcus. The reason? Putting one of those pompous silver adventurers in his place, the kind who think they rule the world just because they have a shiny badge.
Soon, Marcus and his friends' table is filled with mugs of mead bought by the rest of their comrades. When the atmosphere calms down and the congratulations cease, Pit leans his massive frame over Marcus and asks him a question in a low voice:
"Hey, Marcus, could you have truly defeated that fellow?"
Balto and Harris wait attentively for the answer. Marcus sighs and runs a hand over the back of his neck.
"Not even with a 100-day head start," he confesses.
"I figured as much," Pit nods with a smile.
Balto was another one who assumed the whole thing was bravado; he knows his friend well enough to know he isn't at the level of a silver adventurer. Besides, Marcus was very clear when he told them that Captain Axiel did most of the work.
However, they weren't going to turn down a free round of beers, nor the flirtatious glances of some pretty lasses.
...
The link between Jimbo and Hilda is formalized, although the system warns that it is incomplete, since Hilda's power exceeds that of the Dungeon Core.
The system also takes the opportunity to clarify the stat categories: Non-existent, Minimal, Mediocre, Athletic, Formidable, Heroic, and finally the Divine category, a practically unreachable limit for 99% of living beings.
Speaking of limits, the system explains that the maximum level is 100, although this cannot be used as a comparative figure, as it represents the limit of each individual being. A human's level 100, meaning their maximum potential, is reached much sooner than a dragon could reach theirs.
«And is it possible to break that limit? To go beyond level 100?»
Note: The potential and limits of a species are something that changes and adapts in a process lasting thousands of years, depending on their experiences, environments, genetics, and growth.
«I get it, you're talking about evolution, Darwin, and all that. But I mean if you can reach level 101, or 102.»
The system's silence persists. Jimbo clicks his tongue upon realizing it's information his subconscious doesn't know.
«Being a Dungeon Core doesn't give you all the answers, I figured.»
Anyway, the level cap is something very far off for him right now. He decides to focus on what's in front of him.
Hilda, the Fourth Captain LV 31
-Health: Full. -Ki: 40/40
-Ether: 40/40
-Strength: Athletic.
-Agility: Athletic.
-Endurance: Athletic.
-Status: Suspicious. Nervous. Expectant of what might happen.
Jimbo is surprised, since unlike Dowmy, Hilda has two types of energy instead of just ether.
Note: Ether is an energy produced and expelled by different types of entities, and therefore it lingers in the environment and can be absorbed and utilized. Ki, on the other hand, is an exclusively internal energy of the user; channeling it requires practice and its incorrect use can lead to physical imbalances and illnesses.
Note 2: Dungeon Cores do not possess Ki, as they are beings composed entirely of materialized and hardened ether.
Hilda shakes her head and pulls her hand away. As she steps back, she frowns, sensing a change. Just like Dowmy, she now feels a vague connection to the crystal, like a feeble draft of air pushing her toward the core.
«Can you hear me?»
Hilda's shoulders shudder. She narrows her eyes.
"Is that your voice?"
«Yeah. Any problem?»
"None, just... I expected it to be different," the woman clarifies and closes her single eye. "A more monstrous voice... Or majestic... Or imposing. But instead, you just sound like some ordinary guy."
Jimbo was about to use a fierce sarcasm and apologize for not being Morgan Freeman, but he decides to keep to himself the witty remarks that nobody in this kingdom will understand.
"I like his voice, master," Dowmy hastens to say, raising a hand to be noticed.
Jimbo smiles.
«At least I can count on you, Dowmy.»
Jimbo was about to talk to Hilda about his plans for the dungeon, but he suddenly falls silent and trembles when he notices the figure under the threshold of the secret shortcut, that tunnel connecting to the first floor's entrance.
Arrax steps forward, leaning on a knobby staff with one hand, his other arm assisted by Marnie. The pale face and dark gaze of the sorcerer lock onto the crystal like two harpoons, the same goes for his sharp smile. Arrax shakes off his arm to pull away from Marnie and reaches out a hand toward the core as if yearning to touch it.
"[Obedient Doctrine]!"