Dungeons of the Crooked Mountains

by Alexey Osadchuk

  Forgetting the pain, I batted my eyes in confusion then read the strange message again and again... If I had any doubts that there was a mythical temple of the Ancients down here, they all just went up in smoke.

  Seemingly I had finally found some kind of route... I weighed all the plusses and minuses and came to the conclusion that it was better to go this way than to slam my head against a wall and try to navigate blind.

  As soon as I gave permission, the unknown system quickly emptied my mana supply by almost half. As soon as that happened, a small glowing arrow appeared before my eyes. It was pointing into one of the burrows in the far wall of the cave. Honestly, when I looked closer, it became clear that it was not a burrow. It was a tunnel carved by the gnomes.

  The arrow was insisting that I follow that path. Well, alright... Then let’s go...

  Inside the tunnel, it was quite bright. The omnipresent green moss was perfectly able to cope with the darkness. Miri told me the gnomes had introduced it to the cave system with this very purpose in mind. She also mentioned that the gnomes had gardens on the lower levels where trees were carved of stone but, due to the glowing moss that covered them, they seemed to be alive.

  As I walked, I tried to behave the way the scouts taught me. For the record, I was of two opposing minds about Miri: first I felt spite due to the betrayal, but I also felt gratitude for teaching me how to survive down here. Logically, when she was hammering the laws of the caverns into my head, she was essentially helping herself. After all, the sooner a newbie adapts to the rules of the game, the safer everyone will be. But regardless, her advice was a real boon...

  * * *

  I don’t know how long I’ve been walking already. Maybe a day, maybe three. It’s just cave after cafe, tunnel after tunnel. I lost count a while back...

  I was tired both physically and mentally. Constant fear is exhausting. It’s one thing to walk in the footsteps of an experienced scout and another thing entirely to wander a dangerous cave system all on your own.

  A few times, my journey just about came to an end... First there was a lone megabat. The beast was cunningly hidden between stalactites. But it was too eager. Must have been starving. As soon as I came out of the tunnel, it flew right at me.

  That was the first time I used my new Ram skill. It felt strange... I had never experienced anything like it before... Even when I created the Lair...

  I saw a sparking cloud of lilac send the bloodthirsty monster flying a few yards back like a ragdoll as it tried to attack. Then stunned, it smacked into the wall and fell silent for a few seconds... It was amazing! It was a pity, but I didn’t have enough damage to finish the creature off. I had to retreat...

  After that, I just about landed in the web of a hexapod. But I dodged just in the nick of time. From a distance, I saw some giant rants but they were already eating something else. I got lucky...

  As I followed the arrow, I was also looking for cozy caves to rest in. I was looking for somewhere with multiple entrances where I could activate Lair. It was easier to keep away from danger that way. Thanks to that useful ability, I was still able to stay on my feet. I ate the last of the crackers and the onion the day before yesterday. There was only enough water left to just barely coat the bottom of the container. Just a swallow...

  * * *

  By the end of day five the arrow, which I’d grown to sincerely despise, led me to an underground lake. By then, I was looking more like a ghost than any sort of sentient creature. My magic supply is working full bore. I often stop for breaks. As soon as I have enough mana, I activate Lair and just shut down. In those five hours, my supplies somehow fill back up then I continue stubbornly crawling forward...

  “Water...” I rasped through quavering lips. I ruthlessly suppressed the urge to run toward the life-giving liquid with the last of my strength. It wasn’t easy, but I did it...

  First a look around... Miri taught me how to act around an underground water source. First look around the shore from a safe vantage point with plenty of cover. The first sign of danger is lots bones around the water. That means a predator lives nearby. But even if there are no skeletons, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. A creature could just be dragging its victim down underwater to eat them there.

  The color of the water is also important. Cloudy, green, or oozy? Don’t drink it. What was more, there was sure to be something nasty living in dirty water. A muckwalker, for example.

  See a little lake with light azure water? Be prepared to counter an aggressive bleaking. And that water is also not recommended for drinking, by the way...

  The only water sources worth consideration run clear. And that was exactly the kind I was seeing now. For the record, there were no bones on the shore either.

  Although... Over to the left, there was something strange among the stones. First I thought it was just another rock... Hm... Familiar shape... A giant rat? No... Giant rats had different fur and a longer tail. This was like a fish covered in large scales. But it wasn’t shiny. It was matte gray. Not surprising I first confused it with a rock.

  Lying on its right side. Back facing me. Not moving. And not breathing. Head extended. Powerful neck and broad ribcage. Narrow hips and quite a long tail.

  And then it finally hit me! Scales, cat-like body... This was a harn! But it looked dead... A big dangerous creature. We saw one on the second day of our journey. The scouts also called it a cave cat. But that one was much larger. This must be a very young individual. Well, young or not, the size is about like an adult giant rat. Definitely tall enough to come up to my belt at least.

  I spent a bit longer lying there observing the scaly monster, then came to the conclusion that it was dead. By that point, I had to go get some water, otherwise I’d lose my mind.

  Slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible, I walked to the shore with a shambling gait. Miri told me sounds carry a long way over water. Especially in silence like this. She also taught me that if you’re desperate to walk closer to a body of water, make sure to watch the surface of the water closely. Any strange wave or pattern and it’s time to run...

  To my delight, I saw nothing of the sort. As I carefully filled my flask, I was looking around and often ran back to the safety of the rocks. And let me note that it took some effort not to stick my whole head into the transparent alluring cool water. The urge was so strong I’m honestly surprised I didn’t... The harn by the way had yet to move... That means he’s definitely dead... At least I could be happy about that.

  As soon as I got amongst the rocks, I greedily sucked at the flask. Oh gods! How wonderful!

  I sated my thirst then closed my eyes for a moment. This is happiness! I wish I had something to eat as well... When I was filling the flask I saw silvery flickers deeper down. I’d take some little fishies right now... Heh... But it was not to be...

  When I thought about food, my thoughts started pivoting around the dead body of the harn. Why not? Was there any reason that couldn’t be food? What if it died just a few hours ago? Maybe it got wounded, lost a lot of blood and crawled over to the water for a drink?

  But that theory didn’t add up. There was no trail of blood. By the way, the fact that a pile of meat like that is lying at the water’s edge and nothing came to try and eat it says a lot. Basically, I could call the lake relatively safe for now.

  I got tired of thinking and finally got up the gumption to inspect the body.

  I cautiously marched over to the monster. I was ready to fire off a Ram at any moment.

  Yes, I was right... It was a harn. Still young. Level five. I wonder where he was crawling to? Based on the tracks, he’d come from the same place as me.

  If I followed his trajectory... I took a careful look around... I see... This creature was on its last legs and trying to hide among the stones. It just didn’t have enough energy to get there...

  Huh... What a big powerful beast! Large paws, a broad ribcage. A blue scratchy tongue was protruding from its slightly open mouth, whic
h was full of teeth... Hold up... Looks like he’s been fighting a hexapod. After all, they have blue blood. And are very poisonous. Yeah, that’s right! I could see blue spots on his claws and sides.

  Heh... Mealtime is canceled. This harn’s meat is toxic. Although, to be fair, I should note that there was no way I could cut through its scaly hide with my little knife, or even make a deep scratch. It felt like it was made of stone...

  Oh, I wanted so badly to eat! The water only gave me temporary relief... Suddenly my head started spinning... My whole body felt weak... My back was covered in cold sweat... My ears started ringing... Familiar symptoms. I was about to pass out from hunger.

  Before losing consciousness, I managed to activate Lair. The last thought I had was that the harn’s body was apparently also inside the ability’s range.

  * * *

  When I came back to my senses, I didn’t realize where I was at first. Getting up on an elbow, I looked around half blind...

  Stones... The large scaly body of a harn... Green moss.. A lake... Ah, I remember! I walked over to the water...

  I checked how much longer I had before the lair would be destroyed. Another whole hour. Great! Silence all around — I could keep lying here.

  As soon as I laid down and closed my eyes, I heard splashes in the water. I crack open my left eye. A fish! Three pinkish transparent fins on the surface. Smoothly they all entered one little inlet. Right near the shore. In fact, I am just about fifteen feet to their right.

  What if? Mmm... Hey, that just might work! As if hearing my thoughts, my stomach called back with a demanding groan. If I don’t try, I’ll never know...

  My hand slowly extends in the direction of the shimmering transparent pink spines. After my mental order, a Ram flies toward the bay looking like a cloud of lilac.

  A moment later, the place where the three fish had just been swimming peaceably exploded into a million little splashes mixed with pebbles and sand. When the water settled back down, I saw two oblong bodies sitting still on the shore. I saw the scaly side of the third fish in the water six feet from the land.

  - You have attacked Cave Lungfish (3)!

  - You have dealt 39 damage!

  - You have attacked Cave Lungfish (3)!

  - You have dealt 42 damage!

  - You have attacked Cave Lungfish (3)!

  - You have dealt 22 damage!

  Bug take me! Why did I sit down! I only have a few seconds!

  With effort, I got up, stumbled and staggered off toward my prey. As I walk, I take out Dragonfly. Just get there... Out of the corner of my eye, I see that the big fish in the water has started moving. A moment later, it was deep underwater seeming to mock me with a flick of its tail.

  The ones on dry land had also come to their senses. They were really writhing and twitching...

  Hey now! Where do you think you’re going?! Pale and pink, the one-and-a-half-foot-long perch-like fish were making a desperate bid to reach the water...

  Not today! I’m not gonna go hungry! Twenty seconds later, the cooldown was over. Another Ram at just about point-blank plastered their squirming bodies to the stone bank.

  - You have attacked Cave Lungfish (3)!

  - Critical hit. You have dealt 106 damage!

  - You have attacked Cave Lungfish (3)!

  - Critical hit. You have dealt 103 damage!

  - You have killed Cave Lungfish (3).

  - Congratulations! You receive:

  - Experience essence (600).

  - Stone tablet of Agility.

  - Stone tablet of Strength.

  - Stone tablet of Endurance.

  - Stone tablet of Wisdom.

  - Stone tablet of Mind.

  - Stone tablet of Accuracy.

  - Stone tablet of Speed.

  - Stone tablet of Intuition.

  - Stone tablet “Fisher.”

  - Stone tablet “Hunter.”

  - You have killed Cave Lungfish (3).

  - Congratulations! You receive:

  - Experience essence (600).

  - Stone tablet of Agility.

  - Stone tablet of Strength.

  - Stone tablet of Endurance.

  - Stone tablet of Wisdom.

  - Stone tablet of Mind.

  - Stone tablet of Accuracy.

  - Stone tablet of Speed.

  - Stone tablet of Intuition.

  - Stone tablet “Fisher.”

  - Stone tablet “Hunter.”

  Woah! Would you look at that drop!

  So the closer I was to the target, the higher my chance of landing a critical hit... And this lungfish wasn’t all that hard to kill. So then, one hundred forty-five health points. Look at how the spell shredded them...

  - Mangled Fish Corpse.

  - Level: 0.

  - Weight: 3 lbs., 5 oz.

  - Value: Low.

  - Quality: Fresh (will change in 4 hours).

  Four hours? Haha! In five minutes, there won’t even be a trace of them! I pop back the head and slip my fingers inside to remove the guts. With a happy smile, I pull the first fish into my Lair. Then I go back for the second.

  All that time I was looking around. I wouldn’t say I made all that much noise. But at the end of the day a splash, even a loud one, was a fairly normal occurrence near water. But Bug could play all kinds of tricks...

  As I butchered the fish, I was reminded of my mom. I tried to remember how she did it and copy that. But alas, it didn’t work at all. The Great System or Higher Powers were probably horrified at what I turned their poor lungfish into...

  But I didn’t give a crap... After haphazardly fileting both of them, I set all the meat on a flat stone. Then I salted it a bit and rubbed it in. Thankfully, Dag hadn’t taken the little leather salt pouch Crum bought for me. So today I would feast!

  Oh gods! How tasty! The tender meat was only a bit slimy. Almost boneless. I gulped it all down in a matter of minutes and barely even noticed. I have to admit, this was my first time eating raw meat, but I was not in any position to be squeamish. What’s more, I liked the flavor.

  I watch with satisfaction as my supplies react positively to the food and water. I walk the shore again... But the other fish were long gone... But oh, this won’t be our last face-off!

  The successful hunting or rather fishing lit a fire in me. First because of the loot, and second because my stomach wouldn’t mind a little top-up.

  As I buried the fish guts and bones, I was watching the surface of the lake out of the corner of my eye. Pale pink spines sometimes would stick up from the water, but they weren’t coming near shore anymore.

  I’d have to wait. Let them calm down. And let me save up some mana.

  Half an hour later, I renewed the contours of my Lair. I decided not to move to a different place. Here was plenty comfortable. The harn’s body didn’t smell yet. Beyond that, I always had it for a distraction. Any uninvited guests would first check to see if its dead or not from a distance. And in the meantime, I could quietly sneak away.

  Somewhere around two hours later, there was some action at the water’s edge. I rubbed my hands in satisfaction. I had enough mana saved up for two punches. I just had to walk a bit closer.

  This time, there were six big fish all together in the little inlet. Slowly, practically without breathing, I crawled almost to the very edge. I extended my hand. I wait for the whole school to crowd up together in one place. I’m practically two paces from them. Now...

  Take that!

  Great! Two crits at once! Three big fish on shore. The rest in the water. I wipe the sand and small stones from my face. That splash really did the trick.

  The next twenty seconds felt like twenty hours. The big fish in the water had already come to and made a deep dive. Seemingly one of the fish split its side on a rock. The water turned a shocking shade of red.

  But lungfish I flung on shore were not able to escape. I slammed all of them with a Ram almost point blank.

  Food! Loot!

&nbs
p; As I pulled my take into the Lair, my gaze caught on something dimly familiar. Sometimes that happens. You look around and everything seems like before, but some insignificant detail shakes your reality to its foundation. And here I noticed something like that, but quickly lost sight of it...

  I slowly turn my head, trying to look over my surroundings as closely as possible.

  I see stone walls... the cave entrance... the lake... the shore...

  Hold up!

  Ah, of course! The shore! The water! Waves! Something big is swimming over from the other end of the lake! So, my fishing did attract some unwanted attention in the end.