The party slumped immediately against the cold stone, their heavy gear clanking. Even after only a brief skirmish, it left them breathless. This is the reality for the Level 1s.
Virgil, however, remained standing. He leaned on his spear pole, checking the weapon if there's things that needed to be fixed.
"Hey Pallum, water." Joris grunted, his voice heavy with disdain that's directed to Lili
Riya, sitting nearby, added with a cruel smile, "Yes, Lili. At least try to be quick on getting what we want. 'Cause you can't help at fighting."
Lili, the Pallum carrier, stood up. She carefully opened the canteen and handed it to Joris. Her small hands were steady, and her face was utterly indifferent.
Virgil watched the exchange. He noted the bullying, but more importantly, he noted Lili's lack of reaction. She was clearly used to the ridicule. The Pallums were known to be the weakest race. Her retaliating would just result in a beatdown.
"That's enough," Chandra's voice cut through the air.
Chandra sat still, his tone was commanding. "Keep the petty fights for when we're safe. We're still down here. Lili, stop give anymore rations as we still aren't close to finishing the expedition."
Joris scoffed but took a shorter drink, intimidated by the dwarf. Riya glared at Chandra, then back at Lili, who was already meticulously resealing the water.
Then footsteps echoed through the Dungeon floor. It was the sound of another adventurer party. Just by the sound of it they had many people.
Chandra stiffened, immediately pushing himself to his feet, his mace back in his hand. Virgil moved silently to the edge of the alcove, peering out.
Eleven figures strode past their hiding place, moving in a tight, professional formation. They were mostly Level 1 adventurers, with one or two solid Level 2s, a mix of humans, elves, and amazons. They wore diverse armor, but their tunics and gear were all adorned with the same intricate, festive markings of a specific circus animal motif.
"Ganesha Familia," Chandra murmured, relaxing slightly but remaining alert. "One of the strongest familia here in Orario." he leaned in, his voice dropping so that the party that's passing by won't hear it. "Notice that Elf, the small one with purple hair."
Virgil immediately scanned the group and spotted the Elf. She was young looking and had good equipment.
Chandra continued quietly, "That's Elara. She's only Level 1, but she's already making waves on the surface. Ganesha, who can't keep his mouth shut, claims she has insane potential for magic. She's the reason this whole group is here. They're babysitting her development."
They moved past, not even sparing a glance to where the Soma Familia rested. They were too focused on their own mission.
Virgil watched them go with a cold look. Analyzing them one-by-one. Eight potential skills, plus an Elf with a possible rare magic.
He saw the raw potential hidden behind her low-level status. Then he asked Chandra. "You know what her magic is?"
"Not a goddamn clue." The dwarf responded.
It's still a magic worth taking. Virgil contemplates as he thought his own skill.
To activate it, he needed the target alive and immobile for a long and high concentrated chant. Stealing a Skill from a single, isolated person has a low risk. But the fact that almost all adventurers doesn't have skills, except for those who are high level or those with innate talent.
Stealing from one of these eleven? Impossible. They were too strong, too organized.
But the seed was planted. He studied Elara, the talented Level 1 Elf. Virgil didn't care about her current strength. He only cared if he could take it from her.
They have something I need. Virgil thought as he watched the group vanish. He turned back to Chandra, with eyes that are more focused than ever. "We should proceed. I think we have rested enough."
Chandra looked at him, then at the empty corridor, then nodded. "Right. Everybody! Pack your things. We are descending again."