"Are you of sound body and mind?" Lexington asked, his gauntlets still gripping my shoulders tight.

  "Back off," I shoved him away and stood on shaky footing, still recuperating from the abrupt snap back into my body, unpacking the nightmare awaiting us on the next floor.

  Ignoring the colossal army of the undead, Jag'thar and his subordinates posed a big enough threat on their own. I sighed, glancing over at Ulrich's stiff corpse.

  Maybe I should've saved the cannon fodder for later.

  "What were you thinking?" Lexington said.

  "Those assholes poisoned you, and you want to bitch on their behalf?" I asked, way too annoyed with him interrupting Void Seer to bite my tongue.

  My eavesdropping had been reaping crucial information regarding my strange aura and Chaos's movements. I hoped for a chance to speak with the void advisor one on one, but highly doubted I'd be that fortunate.

  "I was trying to restore the peace for all of our sake."

  "They were looking for a fight."

  "And you gave it to them." Lexington threw his hands up.

  "Better now than later." I turned toward Nate. "Go on, tell Mr. Kumbaya here about Salvation's Blade."

  Pearl Banner's young flag carrier stood at attention. "S-s-sir, he speaks the truth. Master Westcott hired them to have Mr. Cyprus eliminated..."

  "Gods damn it," Lexington muttered. "After last night's failure I thought Pearl Banner would hold off on further action. Westcott must be desperate. His actions are reckless and indefensible."

  He lifted his visor, meeting my gaze with mounting concern. "You knew this and you still entered? What kind of twisted game is the Gilded Boar up to, and where did they find you–a supposed novice?”

  I brushed past him, leaving him speechless as I turned to Nate. "Kid, take their rations, potions, anything of use from their raid supplies. We'll be on the move shortly."

  "Y-yes, sir." The 16 year old scurried by Ulrich, snatched up his bundle of gear and hurried into the woods, following the blood trail to Heath.

  "You intend to carry on? I don't know who you are, but I've cleared nine dungeons with very few casualties. Our best chance of survival is biding our time until another party finds us. We don't have the numbers to delve further."

  "Nobody's coming for us. Your friend was right, this is a split. "

  ***

  I led what remained of our party north through the grove. Lexington begrudgingly trailed behind us, clearly regretting his selfless decision to break away from his party. Now saddled with a party of misfits: a boy with a peach fuzz mustache, a silent level two healer dressed like a warrior, and an unpredictable, maniac.

  However, trudging through the grove in silence, without having to hear Heath's infuriating voice was well worth the price of pissing off Lexington. As we neared the edge of the forest, he finally spoke.

  "How come the statue dust didn't affect you? It's a powerful paralytic," Lexington asked.

  "I've built up a tolerance to poison."

  "Really? I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to poison you," he said as he peered over the hill, taking in the sight of the ancient ceremonial structures. "Damn, why is this place so empty?"

  Because there's a literal army upstairs, and we also haven't activated this chamber's trap.

  I pointed at the pillar erected next to the imposing statue in the distance. "That's our way out."

  "How can you be sure?" Lexington asked, leaning against his shield. "I admit it's identical to the first floor's lift."

  "I sense remnants of mana that lead up through the ceiling," I lied.

  Nate joined us, dropping two hefty leather supply bags on the ground, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Excuse me, sirs, this is my first dungeon and all... But where are the monsters?"

  "Waiting to be activated," I said, pointing out the four square structures sealed off around the platform. "As soon as we step onto the stone, that statue will activate, those doors will open, and we'll be attacked by skeletons."

  My words left the entire party speechless, especially Viessa, who likely hadn't understood a word we had said, but pretended to by crossing her arms and nodding.

  "The undead? You sound certain," Lexington said.

  "Well, the statue coming to life is a given, right? I mean, the fucker's not standing there for aesthetics. Notice the giant spear it's holding? It's not made of stone like the rest of its body, that's a legitimate combat spear crafted for a giant."

  Also, I saw Westcott's group trigger the exact same setup.

  "And the undead?"

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "This just seems like the type of place that'd have a surplus of skeletons," I lied again.

  I was 99% sure we were in a mirrored chamber directly across from Westcott's group. The layout of our chamber was seemingly identical to theirs, judging from the few seconds I had seen of their party in Jag'thar's boss room.

  "I pray to Galdir your deduction is wrong. Maybe there's an exit beyond the settlement? I say it's worth exploring."

  I already checked and nope, sorry. This is the only way out.

  "Good idea."

  It wasn't. But listening to his suggestion to rebuild a modicum of goodwill was worth wasting a bit of time.

  He took to the front, and guided us down the hill with the three of us in tow. Viessa and Nate were both armed with short swords, although the elf's was purely for looks. At least, I had never seen her swing a blade. As mere level twos, I realized how fast a stray projectile from a level six could end them.

  I had hoped to use the raid party's numbers as a shield. Truthfully, this entire dungeon was more than I had bargained for.

  Come in, slay a couple goblins. Chop up Westcott and Salvation's Blade. Get some XP. Have a good time...

  Lexington slowed our pace as we approached the base of the ruins. He crouched, getting eye level with the aged stone stiles sitting on the raised ruin's floor, examining them closely.

  "See anything?" I asked.

  "No," Lexington replied. "But my gut's telling me you're dead-on. From the very beginning this dungeon has strayed from the ordinary."

  We continued on with Lexington leading us along the west side of the ruins, a few yards clearly out of bounds through a thin brush. Behind the ruins lay a small hill with thin scattered trees. But just beyond the hill's crest a massive boulder marked a dead end that walled off the rest of this chamber.

  Though, the dead-end didn't stop Lexington from tracing its perimeter, looking for a hidden exit. After burning a solid hour, I yawned and Lexington admitted defeat.

  "Cyprus, what are you and your slave's abilities?"

  I waved my hands through the air. "Hold up, let's get one thing straight. This is my apprentice, not a slave. They took a vow of silence until their training is complete. I abhor slavery."

  "Sorry, I had the wrong impression," Lexington said. "What are their strengths?"

  "They won't be participating," I said, as I scaled a tree and scanned the dungeon, searching for a target.

  Filter off.

  Target: Lesser Abyssal Sentinel

  Level: 2

  Karma: -650

  Additional Data: N/A

  The status appeared high in the fog overhead, gliding on a fixed path. I flung a throwing knife upward, connecting with the creature. A bat with rotting flesh and hollow eye sockets fell through the fog, crashed through the canopy, and thudded on the ground.

  I dropped out of the tree, much to Lexington's amazement.

  +5 XP

  "Another demon..." he said, shaking his head. "What was it doing up there?"

  "Observing us."

  "Shit... Cyprus, I think we need all of our efforts, including your apprentice. How else do you suggest we proceed? With just the two of us and a flag carrier?"

  "Excuse me, sirs, I have been through rigorous training. Nate went for his sword, only for it to hitch on his sheath before he managed to free it, and draw it back into an awkward combat pose.

  Lexington sighed as the kid's amateur display dealt an evident blow to the warrior's hopes. The prior sense of optimism behind his gaze faded.

  "You specialize in defense?" I asked, trying to keep him from spiraling.

  "Yes. Naila and Wedgemund usually focus on the offense, and I keep them from getting killed."

  "Great." I stretched my arms over my head. "Keep these two and yourself alive. I bet if the three of you stay in this corner they won't even bother you."

  "What can you possibly accomplish by yourself?"

  "Everything."

  "You're delusional."

  "You asked about my abilities. They work best when I'm unbound by concerns of my ally's wellness. If I was a mage asking you to stand clear of an explosive fireball spell, would you say the same?"

  "Are you going to cast an explosive fireball spell?"

  "No. However, if I'm forced to unleash my secret martial technique... All of you could be eviscerated," I said, adding another lie to my ever growing pile. "Save your strength. It will be needed for what I sense above us. In the rare circumstance I'm overwhelmed, I'll lead them up the hill. Then we can strike from the high ground."

  Lexington forced a smile and flicked his visor shut.

  "May Galdir bless you," he said. "Remember, it's not only our lives at risk. We can't let everyone down. And don't get any demon blood in your mouth."

  "Of course. If you don't mind, I'd like a word with my apprentice."

  Lexington and Nate gave us some space as I guided Viessa over to the side.

  "Are you still mad?" I whispered.

  "You want to talk now? In the middle of a dungeon? And what are we doing at this dead end? It's obvious we need to access the pillar to reach the next level," Viessa hissed. "You ignored me again last night!"

  "Our room was surrounded by enemies. Anyone could've been listening through those thin walls."

  "And on the rooftop when you came back from killing that assassin? I wanted to speak then."

  "I was tired."

  Viessa shrugged and crossed her arms. "I wish nothing more than to assist with your divine mission... In Onadell my advice was a commodity. I have several notes I suggest we go over."

  Fuck.

  I was regretting my decision of letting her in on everything. Ever since she discovered my divine connection, she had become not only chattier, but more intense. A shifting dynamic I could hardly navigate. It didn't help nearly every conversation we had put me on my toes, concerned about her cover being blown.

  "We'll talk soon, over a proper meal." I gazed past her, watching as Lexington showed the kid how to hold his sword. "Stay behind him, remain alert, and if it all falls apart, just run."

  "Wait, what's your plan? I see numerous approaches."

  But I sped off, leaving everyone in the remote corner of the chamber behind several layers of foliage. Electricity surged through my veins and an unhinged excitement blurred the bigger picture.

  Before I knew it, I was standing on the edge of the ruins, facing the four structures, two on each side, and the towering statue standing on a platform at the end of the center lane, staring down angrily at me.

  Heart thumping in my chest, I leaped past the steps and landed on the center lane of limestone tiles which lead on a straight incline toward the statue. When no trap was engaged, I backtracked down the steps, leaning my weight into each tile.

  Target: Marimitheus

  Level: 12

  Karma: -19,590

  Additional Data: Boundless Void Advisor.

  The status appeared overhead, deep in the fog near the ceiling. Glowing text hovered over an otherwise invisible entity in the distance.

  The entire chamber shook. Pebbles rained from the sky and the stone doors belonging to each of the four structures rose in precise synchronization. A coarse, grinding rumble sounded from the top side of the ruins, where the statue guarded the pillar. The statue craned its neck, hollow eye sockets lighting up with an intense red as its status finally appeared.

  Target: Abyssal Colossus

  Level: 10

  Karma: -5000

  Additional Data: Rental unit. Damage or destruction will result in additional fees.