It was Remy.
“Do you truly wish to die alone?!” Remy said while pointing at a fleeing Serzax.
“You don’t understand,” Guy said and spun back to Serzax. “That’s Wylume’s father, the sentinel envoy.”
Remy grabbed Guy’s shoulder again and tugged, and this time did not release his grip. Guy wasn’t strong enough to shove him off.
“And?” Remy snorted.
“He’s the asshole pulling the Autumnfall Empire’s strings,” Guy said. “The reason Averyl ran away. If he’s here, then imperial forces are close, and he’s going to fucking tell them I’m here . . .”
Guy looked at Alita, the small elven city they had arrived in. A city imperial forces would raze to the ground, and permakill its residences to harvest their soul crystals, just like Muruai.
And then it hit Guy.
“Serzax might have been here scouting for a new city to burn,” he said with a hint of terror in his voice.
“Serzax?!” Averyl cried out.
Guy and Remy looked to the side and saw Averyl land ahead of them. She slowed the buzzing of her wings as her feet touched the street’s brick surface.
Averyl ambled toward the two. “Did you say Serzax was here?!” she asked Guy.
“Yeah,” Guy said and gestured with his head. “I ran into him, and it turns out he’s—”
“Wylume’s father,” Averyl finished for him.
Guy raised his eyebrow at her. “You knew?”
She faced away, nodding. “Yes . . .”
“Would have been nice if you told me earlier . . .” Guy said and sighed.
“Well, I assumed you knew after listening to your story,” Averyl said. She never looked back at him, though.
“I never encountered Serzax, only his son,” Guy said.
“If Serzax is here . . .” Averyl’s arms trembled. “Then . . . then that proves that my father sent the fae here.” She gazed at Guy with a twinkle of hope in her eyes. “Guy, please, Serzax cannot take me back. He was the one who pushed the hardest for the marriage.”
“Well,” Guy said and examined Serzax’s last known location. He, Remy, and Averyl saw nothing but murmuring elves in the streets. Guy continued. “Good job, Remy. You held me back from catching the big bad.”
It was only then Remy had released Guy from his grip and allowed him to continue his chase through the city. But it was pointless. Guy couldn’t find any sign of Serzax. He stopped to ask the elves for Serzax’s whereabouts, but they all told the same stories—a frightening human Mage ran past with a cloud of darkness around him, sending them fleeing for cover. Nobody saw where Serzax went. Well, those who weren’t blinded from Guy’s spell.
Remy, you fucking idiot!
“We need to go to the abandoned mines,” Remy called out to Guy as he returned.
“Why?” Guy asked.
“I recognize the man you call Serzax,” Remy said. “He paid for my drink as a reward for giving him directions to the mines. If he has left the city, then it is the mines he will head to next.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Guy and Remy spent the next half hour talking to various witnesses within the elven city of Alita. The few who watched Serzax’s escape from a distance told them they saw a black-cloaked Mage flee the town, heading in the direction Remy claimed the mines were. Without wasting time, Guy formed a party with Rachael, Averyl, Henrietta, and Tempeste. He felt the need to watch out for them, Rachael and Averyl, the most. Averyl was obvious; the runaway princess Serzax came to take back. As for Rachael, the thought of Serzax killing Rachael and taking her soul crystal haunted him since their bout ended. Serzax would have to permakill Guy if he were going to get his hands on either of them.
As for inviting Tempeste? That was just to piss Remy off. That and Henrietta could learn a thing or two from Tempeste about the strengths and weaknesses of the Berserker class. They were searching for Serzax and might meet imperials on the way. Guy needed his team on their a-game.
Xanthe formed a second party with Remy, Kam, Zuran, and Ulysses, and then the two groups left Alita, traversed the vast plains that laid beyond the city, and followed Remy’s guidance to the mines he talked about. Guy stopped as he watched Averyl, Rachael, Tempeste, and Henrietta move ahead. He was in a party full of gorgeous women. It looked like Guy had built a harem, and he was glad nobody brought it up. Rachael would have punched him in the arm for that.
They traveled so far out that they couldn’t see Alita or the Sirocco while encountering the usual roaming groups of lower-level monsters and the odd asshole PKer. Remy operated as the main tank for Xanthe’s party, and Guy, the tank for his party. The two had a competition to see who was better. Remy had the advantage, of course—higher level, better gear, subclass, and the power to parry like hell because he swung two swords. Guy, however, had his Paladin skills. Blinding Flash blinded monsters, making it impossible for them to swing at him. Lay on Hands just plain pissed off their targets since Guy would heal himself in between the healing spells Averyl and Rachael cast—Averyl more so than Rachael. Since Averyl was in the party, Rachael put her Marauder’s Staff to work and used it to crack some skulls open. The sigils Averyl lent her were something else too.
Rachael had gained access to an AP skill called Gravity Swing. It was like Storm Slash, in which Rachael swung the Marauder’s Staff ahead, pushing anything away that got hit. In some way, Gravity Swing was better than Storm Slash since Medics didn’t go spinning about. For shits and giggles, Guy used Storm Slash on one monster, knocked it to Rachael, in which she used Gravity Swing, and struck them away. It looked like they were playing baseball using the monster’s corpse. He made a mental note of the strategy. As silly as it sounded, hammering an enemy around with multiple knockback skills would be an excellent way to prevent them from acting.
“Well, this looks like the place,” Remy said, pointing at the mine’s entrance.
Guy and his companions reached the mine Remy talked about earlier in the afternoon. He walked to its entrance, then bumped into an invisible web of astral energy, blocking him from entering it. Guy rested his hand on the web, and a screen appeared.
Abandoned Alita Mines: Rank C Dungeon
Requirements to enter: Party size of 4, level 14 and up, Rank C or better.
“Limit to parties of four,” Guy said.
“Some dungeons have special entry requirements,” Remy said. “That being one of them.”
“Serzax wanted to know where to find a dungeon?” Guy asked him.
Remy shrugged. “I guess he needed to level his Mage.”
“I doubt Serzax came here alone,” Rachael said as she examined the darkness that lurked beyond the mine’s entrance. “He probably regrouped with imperials and they went inside.” Rachael eyed Averyl, Tempeste, and Henrietta. “One of you will have to drop the party.”
“No,” Remy interjected. “We reform the party. Me, Tempeste, Averyl, and one other. The rest of you patrol the entrance and exit in case Serzax and his party are there.”
Rachael put her hands on her hips to confront Remy, as her wings twitched with frustration. “Since when do you call the shots, pal?”
“Honestly,” Xanthe spoke up. “Why not form two parties and go in at once? Ulysses and Henrietta are the only ones who do not meet the level requirements. They can stay outside and patrol.”
“No, Remy’s right,” Guy said. “If we all go in, and Serzax didn’t, then we might miss him. We’ll need one party in the dungeon, and everyone else keeping watch.”
“That still doesn’t explain Remy’s party suggestion,” Rachael said. “Why him, Tempeste and Averyl?”
“Tempeste and I, because we have subclasses and a higher level,” Remy explained.
Rachael nodded. “Okay, fine, that makes sense—”
“And Averyl because she would be a better healer than you,” Remy said.
And that set Rachael off.
She dropped her jaw and stiffened her fairy wings. “Oh, is th
at so?!”
“I think what Remy means to say,” Averyl cut in. “Is that I am level 18, and you are level 14, Rachael.”
Remy shook his head. “Well—”
“That’s exactly what I hoped you meant to say,” Guy said, his voice full of anger directed at Remy. He crossed his arms and stood with his childhood friend. “Isn’t that right, Remy?”
Remy just grunted. “And I have partied with Averyl in the past. She is a fine healer.”
“Cool,” Guy said. “Rachael’s healing is fine, too, then. It’s just that she’s four levels lower, correct?”
Remy said nothing. So Guy approached Remy intending to beat it out of him—
Tempeste pushed the two men apart. “We need a fourth still, and I believe it should be Guy.”
Remy snorted. “Why him?”
The blonde, elven swordswoman faced Remy with a wide grin. “The same reason you want Averyl. Guy is level 18 just like her, and the others are lower.”
“Then it’s settled,” Guy said and created a screen to adjust the party.
Henrietta and Rachael dropped from the party, and Guy replaced them with Remy. He winced at the Party screen’s display.
Guy | HP: 1068/1068 | MP: 223/278 | AP: 40/100
Averyl | HP: 492/492 | MP: 429/970 | AP: 0/100
Tempeste | HP: 990/990 | MP: 202/300 | AP: 20/100
Remy | HP: 977/ 977 | MP: 0/0 | AP: 70/100
There was a problem. Guy glanced at his childhood friend. A friend he couldn’t watch over in case Serzax came for her. “I want Rachael with us,” Guy said demandingly.
“It’s fine, Guy,” Rachael said, as she stared up at him. “Go with them. It’s not like you’re abandoning me like you did in Muruai.”
“Hey, now hold on!”
Rachael shut her eyes and giggled. “You did kinda leave me alone back then.”
“Yeah, but the sentinels shot up the path to get to you, and they were, like, flying in the skies ready to bomb anything that moved! It was too dangerous!”
“Oh!” Rachael put her hands behind her back and leaned forward. “So, you were too scared to come get me?!”
“What!” Guy shook his head repeatedly. “No, no, no! Okay, maybe just a little!”
“I’ll be fine out here, Guy. Besides, as we confirmed.” Her lips twisted. “I’m a capable healer, and the team that stays out here is going to need one, being me.”
Rachael was right. They had two healers, Averyl, and Rachael, and Averyl was traveling into the dungeon with them. Guy looked at the group that’d be staying behind. If things got hot, then It’d be Rachael’s job to keep them alive. And if things got hot, then Guy would be abandoning her to Serzax’s wrath.
Guy shook his head. “Rachael, listen—”
“We are wasting time!” Remy yelled. “Let us go now, before it is too late!”
Remy, Averyl, and Tempeste stood at the entrance to the Abandoned Alita Mines, tapped the screen that floated ahead, and confirmed to it they wished to enter. The screen was waiting for the final party member, Guy, to confirm. He refused to turn away from Rachael, her long braided cherry red hair blowing in the brief gust of wind that blew. Was that going to be the last time he’d see her alive?
“Don’t engage Serzax if he shows up,” Guy said, and backed to the mine’s entrance. “Just watch what he does or where he goes.”
Rachael gestured to the rest of the waiting team: Zuran, Kam, Ulysses, Xanthe, and Henrietta. It was quite the party. “I’m pretty sure we can take him out just fine if he’s still on his Mage.”
Guy joined his party at the dungeon’s entrance, waved and brought up its screen, and tapped the confirmation button. The astral web blocking the doorway faded, and the four stepped into the Abandoned Alita Mine’s gloomy darkness. The web reappeared as they passed through, denying access to anyone who did not meet the entrance requirements.
She’ll be fine, man, relax.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The four entered the Abandoned Alita Mines, now turned to a dungeon thanks to the reality corruption. Guy changed his sigil build since the Steel Chain Vest he wore offered six sigil slots. He went with a new combination, Guardian, Wrath, Voice, Blade, Light, and Heart—
New technique learned: Cut Through the Armor
Well shit, there was a new skill for me to learn and I didn’t even know.
He viewed the tooltip for it.
Cut Through the Armor
Your next 5 attacks will ignore your target’s defense.
Cost: 100 AP
That could be handy.
A screen had flashed, displaying the dungeon’s objective: survive its hostile forces and make it to the mine’s exit at the end. Guy tapped the “close” option on the screen and ventured forward with Remy, Averyl, and Tempeste.
It was a typical land-dweller mine from what Guy could see. Glowing lanterns hung on the walls to provide light, and evidently never needed to be changed. Below on the rocky surface, were tracks used to push mining carts full of mined ore. Guy approached one mining cart mid-way into their journey and searched it for loot.
Obtained: Silver Ore
It didn’t surprise him.
The four found a wooden lift in an alcove and used it to access the mine’s lower shafts. The lift rumbled and creaked all the way down the deep, dark shaft. Once it finished lowering, Guy pushed open the lift’s entrance, took one step out, and then stopped.
His footsteps alerted something wandering in the distance.
Looting Goblin | LVL: 19 | Rank: C
The Looting Goblin dropped its sack of ore, retrieved a rusty sword off its belt, and charged, lunging at Guy. Guy returned the gesture and yanked Asteria’s Sword from his back; its shimmering blue blade illuminated the darkened mineshaft.
“Here comes the welcoming committee!” Guy said to his party.
He met the Looting Goblin in a sword fight as Tempeste and Remy dashed to the monster’s left and right with their weapons seeking blood. Averyl stood behind Guy in an alerted stance, holding her Flame Priestess’s Scepter with one hand.
Remy got behind the Looting Goblin and cut into the monster’s back, using his dual wielding blades to remove its HP.
“I have this, Paladin,” Remy said. “Focus on attacking.”
Guy just snorted at Remy. “Sure you do, buddy.”
He held Asteria’s Sword out to block the Looting Goblin’s lunge, then pushed back on it hard to stagger the monster backward. Tempeste’s lightning Spellsword Saber electrocuted the Looting Goblin, stunning it long enough for Guy to follow up with a heavy left to right slash. The Looting Goblin shook off Tempeste’s paralyzing shock, and resumed swinging at Guy, perceiving him as the primary threat.
The Looting Goblin hit hard and fast, removing 50 HP from Guy with each hit. Averyl’s healing undid most of that. Starlight Recovery restored 123 HP with each two-second cast, keeping Guy smiling.
The Looting Goblin didn’t care about Remy poking it from behind.
Remy had gained 100 AP, naturally, since he was dual-wielding and not constantly stopping to block the Looting Goblin’s blade. First, Remy used a Berserker buff called Killing Frenzy, which increased his critical hit rate and damage. That was a big deal when Guy looked again. Both Remy’s swords cut more of the Looting Goblin’s HP away. Tempeste erupted with a flurry of strikes from Slashing Rage, further removing the monster’s HP. The Looting Goblin was a lot stronger than it looked. Guy, Tempeste, and Remy were literally standing there, hacking at the fucking thing and it stood there taking it.
When Remy got another 100 AP, he used Killer’s Eye, a skill he gained from his Assassin’s subclass. It gave Remy a buff that boosted his damage dealt by 20 percent. Now the Looting Goblin perceived Remy as the primary threat to its safety and lunged to stick its rusty sword into him. Remy had become the tank now, and he beamed with a conceited grin. Guy beamed back, as the Looting Goblin had put his back to him.
Guy had AP and used Provoke on the Lootin
g Goblin. In an instant, the monster snapped back to Guy, fuming and raging like he made fun of the creature’s mother or something. Guy took three back-to-back hacks and slashes from the Goblin. Averyl patched him up with Starlight Recovery.
And Remy? He just howled at Guy, “What are you doing, Paladin?!”
Guy sneered. “My job.”
Remy used Slashing Rage and impaled the Looting Goblin with so many quick stabs his twin blades looked like a blur of sharp steel. The Looting Goblin met Remy again to continue their violent confrontation. Guy laughed and cast Lay on Hands, causing them to glow with light. He touched his minor wounds and they healed to recover his HP. The Looting Goblin grimaced and spun back to the Paladin. Guy jeered with Asteria’s Sword raised high and cast Blinding Flash.
The tunnels turned white and burned the Looting Goblin’s eyes, making the critter swing and miss, over and over until its eyesight returned. And when it did, it looked right at Guy, and only Guy. Despite Remy being able to get AP faster than Guy, the Looting Goblin refused to look at anyone else. It hated Guy more than anything.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Guy said. “Did I just make myself the most threatening thing here?!”
Nothing was peeling the Looting Goblin off Guy. Not Tempeste’s wide selection of lightning spells, Averyl continually casting Starlight Recovery to keep Guy’s HP up, or the insane damage Remy could use by combining Berserker and Assassin AP skills.
And that’s how it should be. Remy and Tempeste, with their level, can do way more damage than me. They’ll get AP faster if they don’t have to block all the time like I do—
Slash.
Tempeste took the Looting Goblin’s head off at the neck with one strike. Guy had been so focused on keeping its attention, he hadn’t even noticed the monster’s HP had dropped so low.
Like all monsters, there was no need to permakill them. They just vaporized into nothing and often left gifts to loot, such as the MP hyposprays Guy desperately needed and a sword.
Mirror Princess: A LitRPG Space Fantasy (Sword of Asteria Book 2) Page 26
