"Are you alright?" Bane asked the young adventurer who sat cowering before him. He noticed the adventurer's expensive armor and flashy weapon at his side. 'Couldn't he have easily beaten them…?' Bane thought, surprised that someone with such equipment had been bested by two elementals.
The young adventurer took Bane's hand and heaved himself upright. "Yeah, thank you so much," he said, brushing dust off his clothes as it scattered into the air. After composing himself, the adventurer asked, "What's your name? You were really strong." His tone was filled with admiration.
"My name is Bane. What's yours?" Bane replied, kneeling to collect the energy crystals. He avoided using his Magnetize skill in front of the adventurer.
"I'm Eric. I owe you my life," Eric said with a small bow.
Bane finished gathering the energy crystals and skipped the formalities, diving straight into questions. "Did you get separated from your group out there?"
Eric nodded slightly. "Yeah, I'm pretty new to all this adventuring stuff," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Why are you guys down here in the first place?" Bane continued.
Eric tilted his head in confusion. "For money? Why else would we be down here? Isn't that why you're here?" he answered, as if it were obvious.
Loud clashes and shouting echoed from the direction Bane had come from. "Do you have time to answer a few more questions?" Bane asked, aware it was a selfish request but eager for answers.
"It's the least I can do. Besides, if I went back now, I'd just get in the way," Eric said, sounding disappointed in himself.
"Okay, thank you. I'm just confused because, aside from the first floor, I haven't seen anyone on the floors before this one," Bane explained, hoping for more information.
Eric squinted in confusion. "What faction are you in? In Pluto's faction, we have strict schedules for when we need to enter the dungeon. That's probably why you haven't seen anyone until this floor."
Bane nodded slowly, understanding a little more. Since he was in a small faction by himself, and Eir was a more relaxed faction leader, he didn't have quotas or time constraints like others. Still, one question remained unanswered.
"So why this floor? What makes it different from the ones before?" Bane inquired.
"Well, there are a lot more enemies that spawn on this floor. And for many people, their attacks and forms are easier to handle compared to the mimics and weeping angels on previous floors. Also, did you notice the crystal you picked up and put in your sack?" Eric asked.
Bane squinted and shook his head. "No, why?"
"This is the first floor with small energy crystals. All the ones before had extra-small energy crystals. That slight increase in value draws a lot of people to this floor," Eric explained. Bane had noticed the crystal was slightly larger but dismissed it as he stuffed it into his sack.
The sounds of battle from where Bane had come seemed to be escalating. He'd gathered enough information and decided it was time to move on. "Thank you for answering my questions. It's best if you get back to the fight," Bane said.
Eric nodded and bid farewell. "Thank you for saving me. Until we meet again." Bane watched as Eric's ornate, artistically designed armor disappeared into the tunnel.
'So, he's in Pluto's faction. I've heard of him, but I don't know much about his faction. It sounds pretty rough,' Bane thought. He made a mental note to thank Eir later for not being as strict or money-driven as other faction leaders.
'Why is someone with such expensive armor and weapons struggling on such a high floor?' Bane wished he hadn't sent Eric away so quickly. He was still brimming with questions about the odd young adventurer.
With a shrug and a sigh, Bane continued deeper into the dungeon. Eric hadn't been lying about the increased number of enemies on this floor. Thankfully, most encounters were with one or two elementals at a time. Individually, they were weak, but in groups, elementals could be formidable.
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
After several level-ups and countless elemental kills, Bane finally reached the boss room. To his surprise, a small line had formed. A party stood ahead of him, and another group was already inside fighting the boss.
Bane used the time to level up his attributes and analyze the boss.
[Bane of the Slums]: LV 34 (450/9340)
[Title]: Slimey Slayer LV 1 (72/100), Goblin Dispatcher LV 2 (56/1000), Arachnid Assassin LV 2 (155/1000), Angel Assassin LV 1 (5/100), Mimic Murderer LV 1 (12/100), Elemental Extinguisher LV 1 (54/100)
[Strength]: LV 13
[Dexterity]: LV 4
[Mind]: LV 2
[Agility]: LV 13
[Fortitude]: LV 6
[Magic]: LV 1
[Skills]: Appraisal LV 1, Threat Analysis LV 1, Danger Sense LV 2, Passive Healing LV 1, Magnetize LV 1, Night Vision, Feared Hunt, Proficient Reader LV 1
After applying his upgrades, Bane stood on his tiptoes to peer past the ragtag group of adventurers and into the boss's room. The transparent blue forcefield made it difficult to see, but Bane could make out the scene inside.
A hulking amalgamation of elements sat at the center of the arena, hurling attacks in all directions. Archers stood at the back, firing arrows in quick succession, while tanks and warriors dodged attacks and swung their weapons at close range.
Bane admired their coordination as they faced the chaotic enemy. Occasionally, lesser elementals appeared and had to be dealt with. While the boss was still in view, Bane used his Threat Analysis skill:
Combined Elemental: The boss of the sixth floor of the dungeon. This enemy is the combined force of all lesser elementals and is usually stationary at the center of the arena. It can summon lesser elementals and use all their attacks and supporting abilities.
Bane watched as the group inside defeated the towering Combined Elemental. After they regrouped and collected their loot, the party ahead of him entered the arena, and the room was sealed once more.
As the group fought the boss, a few more parties gathered behind Bane, waiting for their turn. He could feel their eyes on him, making him slightly uneasy.
'I can feel their stares,' Bane thought, shifting uncomfortably. He wanted to turn back and tell them off or to mind their business but decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Most of their mutters were aimed at his party size.
"Just one?" An older man muttered to the rest of his party. Solo adventurers existed, but were incredibly rare, especially the further you go down in the dungeon.
Many solo adventurers made a living on the top floors, but level six usually people started partying up. It was dangerous to do otherwise.
Thankfully, they eventually lost interest as they turned toward the group currently fighting the combined elemental. Watching their strategy play out, some of the adventurers critiqued and commented.
But soon enough they too beat the beast. Soon enough, it was Bane's turn to enter the stone arena. All the questions were answered for the spectators as the arena enclosed and Bane was the only one inside.
"What?"
"He's solo?!"
Bane heard a few shouts as the crowd outside riled up at this. He took a deep breath and withdrew his weapon. He stood before the monstrous elemental, 'I can't lose now, not with a crowd like this.'
Meanwhile, back with Eir:
"So, how much?" Eir asked, standing tall as she faced the contractor. Her voice was strong and commanding, as if willing him to lower the price.
"For everything you've described… I'd need a hundred thousand. We have to reroute pipes and install new counters, cabinets, and tech," the man explained, glancing around the drab interior of the faction building.
"So, one hundred thousand for a kitchen with running water and everything else?" Eir confirmed.
The contractor nodded. "That's correct. Once you have the funds, give me a call, and I'll get everything set up. The renovations might take a few days due to the piping work, but I'll reroute an existing line nearby."
Eir smiled. "Alright, perfect."
"Anything else?" the contractor asked.
"No, that's all," Eir replied.
The man handed her a slip of paper with the cost handwritten on it and left, leaving Eir alone in the faction building.
Earlier that morning, she had asked around the slums and the better parts of Gren for contractors. She had chosen this man for his good reputation and reasonable prices.
"Is one hundred thousand a good deal for a full kitchen remodel?" Eir muttered to herself, looking around the empty room. She imagined marble counters and clean oak cabinets.
She would have to tell Bane how proud she was of him and how well he was turning things around for both of them.
Eir moved to the back room and stood where Bane usually slept. "You're doing great, my Bane," she whispered, burying her face in the empty space, taking in his lingering scent and the warmth she longed for.
After a moment, she pulled herself together and spent the rest of the day reading, waiting for Bane to return.