I couldn’t help but silently stare as Harlow exchanged greetings with Noland’s party. She knew each one of them, but the one called Jamie, the creepy guy.

They were four, one of them looked like a scaled-down version of Noland, and soon I understood why.

 

Rey Smith, Shade Blade Runner Level 50 (Max/500.000), Speedster Level 50 (Max/500.000)

Health: 200%

Stamina: 176%

Shade Capacity: 100%

 

Agility: 40

Constitution: 24

Strength: 20

Focus: 23

Perception: 13

Willpower: 20

 

Strengths: Agility, Night Slash, Plastic Shade Body, Melt into the Night

Weaknesses: None

 

Class Skills: Night Slash III (Agility), Plastic Shade Body III (Constitution), Death Stab (Strength), Shadow Edge III (Focus)

Sub-Class Skills: Dash IV (Agility), True Stamina IV (Constitution), Melt into the Night (Focus), Loved by Luck (Fortune)

 

Race: Human

Sex: Male

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 75 kg

Age: 18

Origins: Sundoor

Family: Lara Smith, Noland Smith

 

He was surely Noland’s little brother. Although, judging by his Skills and their ties to Flow and Shade. It was likely that the young man was a monster. He should have had a minimum of three Shade Stars and four Flow Stars.

This boy as well had darker than usual hair, actually much darker than possible for a Flow-blessed. It was likely that he had colored them. He was shorter than his brother. Still, his eyes had the amber color typical of Flow-blessed.

He looked distant as if lost in thought, yet his eyes kept wandering from Roana to Faruq; I wondered what he was thinking about.

There was another of those blessed by the Flow among them, a woman. Although her skin was gold-yellowish, different, her complexion leaned on olive; however, she showed their same Flow related traits, like amber eyes and hair blessed by Flow; hers were dark blonde and had big curls.

Her amber eyes studied Aisha, almost as if trying to understand if she would come out on top in a contest of beauty.

Yeah, she would win, no story about that. Aisha was the cutest in our group; well, I couldn’t really judge Nova and Ro…or I tried not to ever judge Roana as the woman she was, especially after she forced me to discover that she indeed was one and thus, more than a sister.

Of course, I wasn’t immune to female charm, but any living woman in my eyes could not beat Harlow.

Still, I traced her as well.

 

Giada Dixit-Rossi, Barrier-Caller Level 50 (Max/500.000), Healer Level 50 (Max/500.000)

Health: 100%

Stamina: 89%

Flow Capacity: 100%

Shade Capacity: 100%

 

Agility: 10

Constitution: 35

Strength: 10

Focus: 40

Perception: 20

Willpower: 23

 

Strengths: Constitution, Focus, Barrier, Health Siphon, Shade Shield

Weaknesses: Agility, Strength

 

Class Skills: Twilight Body II (Constitution), Barrier III (Focus), Divulge II (Perception), Twilight Control II (Willpower)

Sub-Class Skills: Breathing Pattern II (Constitution), Health Siphon III (Focus), Shade Shield III (Willpower), Luck of the Draw (Fortune)

 

Race: Human

Sex: Male

Height: 176 cm

Weight: 63 kg

Age: 27

Origins: Sundoor

Family: Anika Dixit-Rossi

 

Her build was astonishing. She could house both Shade and Flow in her body; what an amazing thing. I did not really think it was possible.

Finally, my Tracing went to the man I wanted to ignore, but really couldn’t…there was something in how Harlow had spoken about him that just…it just didn’t fit.

Jamie.

He was a regular, with dark hair down to his ears, dark eyes. He had a loner look that I could understand might be…fascinating given Harlow’s tastes. If she had chosen me, that meant that she was into the handsome-ish gloomy sort of guys.

The guy looked a little bit like me, but I believed I could beat him from all points of view.

 

Jamie Lynn, Sniper Level 61 (4.589.588/6.100.000), Farseer Level 50 (Max/500.000)

Health: 100%

Stamina: 200%

Shade Capacity: 100%

 

Agility: 24

Constitution: 17

Strength: 30

Focus: 20

Perception: 51

Willpower: 20

 

Strengths: Aim, Perception, Area of Control, Piercing Shot, Death Shot

Weaknesses: Constitution

 

Class Skills: Piercing Shot IV (Agility), Death Shot II (Strength), Hunting Tactics IV (Focus), Trace IV (Perception), Luck of the Draw (Fortune)

Sub-Class Skills: Energy Stock III (Constitution), Strength Borrowing III (Strength), Area of Control III (Perception), Steel Will IV(Willpower)

 

Race: Human

Sex: Male

Height: 179 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Age: 26

Origins: Sundoor

Family: None

 

Yeah…maybe not really all of them…

To put it bluntly, he was practically a better version of me, Skillswise. If I had only one skill that could beat his own, that was certainly Trick Shot.

Technomantic Body was good, for now, but it had yet to shine, like a level three Death Shot would.

I knew Death Shot to be a terrifying Skill. The most common Major Perk could literally kill everything it hit. Although it usually evolved from a Strength Skill, as Power Shot or Kill Shot, Death Shot’s power scaled with Perception, while the Passive Bonus –usually– enhanced every arrow shot to its maximum power could absorb the ambient Shade.

Master Venk did not have Death Shot, but his master did, so he recounted to me the tales of his master's abilities, a certain Vrael, he had long since left the region. Funnily, my master’s master’s name coincided with the name of our world.

"Are you done?" Jamie said, looking directly into my eyes.

I was slightly taken aback, just barely.

His Trace level was higher than mine, which meant that he might have even had some Perk that defied my Untraceable Tracking; but even if that wasn’t so, he could have likely guessed what I was doing because he was also Tracing us.

"I could ask you the same.”

"Oh, jitters! The two Hunters are taunting each other!" It was Giada speaking.

However, Jamie didn't seem to care about her, "I believe you should have a little respect for your betters, kid," he continued, not removing his eyes from my face.

He looked serious, but…was he for real?

"Really, Jamie? Respect for your elders? You Trace every damn person that passes in front of you, young or old. Let the boy Trace as much as he wants; the world is a dangerous place for people as defenseless as them…besides, he's Harlow's friend, right, Noly?" Still Giada.

"Uh? Oh, yeah, yeah."

Noland didn't seem to be really listening; he was actually doing something a little bit outrageous…

He was trying to buy Alistar's armor…It couldn't even fit him properly. It was only for Kobolds.

"What about letting me try just how it fits? I could keep it for only a minute, you know? I'm certainly not going to steal it; I could definitely buy it, though. Logan never lets me buy anything; ever since I knew him, he's always ignored my wishes to buy his armors. It's a little sad if you think about it," he fakely dried his tears away.

"Dude…this armor wouldn't even fit you…I mean, this has been made with me in mind; I'm like an entire big cock taller than you…" Alistar answered.

“Star, you met your match. Congratulations,” Aisha said; she had indeed gotten to know Alistar’s ways.

"What finesse, Star…" said Faruq, "don't you see there are ladies here?"

Of course, that was when Nova started whispering questions to Roana about it; thankfully, that argument was something in which Ro wasn't really open to talking about.

So, receiving no answers, Nova turned to ask Harlow, which I knew was entirely more transparent about it.

I sighed, "Yeah, thank you for ruining my sister's naivety, Alistar. Thank you."

"Oh, I didn't ruin anything! Talk about your Friend, Faruq, here, see what he's teaching her!" Alistar asked.

I grew livid, my hair stood up, and my eyes automatically transfixed as I looked at Faruq in search of answers.

"Faruq! Is there something we need to discuss?" I drew closer.

A wide-eyed Faruq backed away, raising his hands in front of himself as if to put distance among us, "Captain! Absolutely not! He's just joking around; you know I would never! Please, believe me!"

Of course, I knew he would never, but I felt like playing the part.

It was probably because of our show that behind us, on the opposing team, Rey Smith started laughing…really laughing.

In a short while, his eyes got wet, and he doubled over with mirth.

"See!? You've made him ill," Alistar said, "event thinking about Faruq mating somebody would make a person barf!"

"I don't understand what's happening anymore," Nova stated, lost.

Roana started laughing as well then, and soon even Harlow was chortling.

"I'll let you know that I don't always mate, but when I do, I do spectacularly," Faruq answered.

I turned toward him, launching him a dark look.

"Of course, when I do it, I do it, far away from any people I know! I do it mostly with strangers... people coming from other villages—no, I mean regions…like, far way regions…or even Gnolls, yeah, Gnolls are fine…"

I started laughing as well, then. It was the first time I joked like that with Faruq. He had always been a serious person but had an innate ability to take exactly the form that was required of him, exactly when it was required of him.

This time though, he really outdid himself.

"I didn't see Rey laugh like that in a while," the woman called Giada said, then her comment made him dry his eyes, stand straight and clear his throat.

He didn't say one thing after that. He simply stood there, as straight as an arrow looking at Faruq.

For a time longer than normal manners required, he stood there, looking at him.

It took him a while longer, but Faruq finally asked, "So, are you alright? Why are you staring at me like a dead fish?"

"I know you," he said.

Faruq arched his brow, "Well, I don't know you."

Rey snorted, "As you say."

After that, he turned his back on the party and started heading in the Median Ring’s direction.

Noland, who had witnessed the whole exchange, sighed. "My brother is like that, don't worry about him, so," he continued, putting an arm around Alistar's back, "Alistar, my new friend, what do you say about five thousand crowns?"

"Damn, you're hard on the uptake…I'm saying I won't sell this…" Alistar turned toward me, "These guys are nuttier than the previous group…" he whispered.

"Yeah, I saw that."

Their negotiations kept on for a while. Instead, Giada had started talking with Harlow, while I had the feeling that Jamie was starting to hit on Roana.

Faruq, Nova, and I were excluded from the conversations, "This is definitely…unexpected, Captain," he said.

"Yeah," Nova added, surprising us by the naivety of her next words, "anyway, since no one got to answer me about the big co—penis thing, how big should this big penis be to be called that?"

I looked at Faruq; we both paled at the thought of answering that question.

I passed a hand on my eyes, almost despairing. There was no way I was going to teach my sister something like that, like no way at all… "Gosh, I wish this moment never arrived…"

Faruq, who was usually capable of answering all kinds of situations, didn't really know what to say; he slammed his mouth shut.

"Nova, come here," said Harlow, as Giada smiled, amused, "it's not something to ask a man; these kinds of questions are for women to answer."

"You see that guy over there," Harlow said with malice in her voice, "that type of person over there," she said, pointing at Jamie, "well that could be classified as a big dick, but with a tiny, little cock."

Jamie visibly shook as he heard that, but he did not dare say anything back.

Roana, to whom he was speaking, chuckled embarrassed, it was clear that it wasn’t her preferred topic.

Yeah, everything was fun and all, but I had just realized that the Jamie guy… had been my Harlow's ex-boyfriend.

"Moon fucking tits…"

"Yeah, don't listen to them, captain. Let's just go forward; we've got to find out what the Median Circle is all about."

I nodded to him, then we all started heading toward the internal edge of the metal platform.

I hadn't got that many Stones left, but I wanted to see at least what we would have to deal with.

 

***

 

"Woah…" Nova said as we reached the edge.

"Yes," answered Noland, he had decided that his party would act as our escorts for a while, "what's in front of you is not only know as the Median Ring," he paused, likely, building up emphasis, "but it is also known as the Metal Trenches."

I had no idea what trenches really were, but I knew that what I was looking at was making my whole system of implants buzz uncontrollably—a vast labyrinth of giant ditches framed in metal walls paved before us.

The maze had been dug under in the earth, and we could descend into it from sets of stairs, each set parallel to the outer ring path.

"I don't understand," Roana said. It wasn't something she would often say, "how is this possible? Where did the creature we've battled until now come from?"

"Where did they come from?" Noland asked, with his ever-present smug smile, "They came from there, from the Metal Trenches," he pointed. "See those frames diving the metal walls like sectors?"

"Yeah," we said in a chorus.

"Well, those literally close, as if they were massive metal safes; when they open back up, they release hordes of creatures which start running in the direction of the outer ring."

"Wait," Alistar said, "but what if there was already a party inside of that labyrinth and another party started approaching the outer ring by taking the same path?"

"That simply doesn't happen. You might not have seen it given the low number of parties that delve here, but the outer ring's paths submerge themselves in the water when there is already another party that has reached the Median Ring."

"But…what if two parties were challenging themselves at who gets to the Median Ring the faster, while on the same path," Nova asked.

"Nah, that can't be; the Dungeon treats them as one only party," Noland said, shaking his head.

"This is the best place to level up; you want to know why?"

That took me by surprise; why would it be the best place?

Noland smiled, "As you might have understood, this place itself is one continuous challenge, from the Outer Ring to the Inner Ring, beyond those, awaits the Citadel, which is unquestioningly impossible to delve into, and finally, the Castle… wanna know something?" he said as if to tell a dangerous proposal.

"Yeah," Alistar answered, mimicking his ways.

Noland drew closer, whispering, "I've been delving here for years, and I've only managed to reach as far as the Citadel!"

"Bullshit!" I found myself saying.

"Bullshit? Why?"

"Logan has been to the castle, and all by his lonesome.”

"Yeah, that is why he's untouchable and respected by all. The man is kind of a monster, with his armors and all…I'm just a melee; I can't fly around in my armor doing what he does."

Fly around in his armor? What?

We shared a look around us, then turned to Harlow.

"Yeah, don't look at me. They're his armors; it's not like I can build them at that level…not yet at least…"

"Woah…" Nova was gawking.

"Alright, stop pumping them up," the woman, Giada, said with a smirk.

"Listen here, younguns," she said as if she was some sort of veteran. "Our party alone might not be able to reach the Dungeon, but that's just because our Noland, here, doesn't like to join up with other parties; he thinks he has to prove something to himself…"

"Hey…" Noland tried to interrupt, but Giada continued.

"But people constantly reach the Dungeon by joining up once they leave the Inner Ring. They go through the Citadel and challenge the Dungeon, so don’t let him crush your hopes. What you need to do now is get to know the other parties around, understand who to trust and who not to trust, like those damn hyenas Noland scared away. However, before that…" she turned to take a look at Jamie.

He shook his head, taking the word, "You are much too underleveled for that. You need to get your levels up and your Skills with a little luck."

"That is why!" Noland said, stealing the scene back, "The Metal Trenches are the best farming spot!"

"Farming?" Nova asked, half scared by the word.

The fear of becoming a Farmer Sub-Class had tormented her when first she gained her Mender Class.

"Exactly!" answered Noland. "Yeah, abuse its mechanics to hunt the creatures that are released into the Metal Trenches, over and over again!"

"Woah…" Alistar exclaimed.

Faruq seemed unbelieving. "I don't follow. Getting down there," he said, pointing at the labyrinth, "and leaving seems already hard to do; how would we be able to farm it?"

Rey, Noland's brother, snorted at Faruq's question.

"What problem does your brother have?" Nova asked, likely in Faruq's interest. "Is he envious of Faruq's charms?"

"Envious!?" Rey asked, snorting again then chuckling.

"He's just that weird…" Noland said, looking at him, "Right, Rey? Didn’t Logan ask us to introduce them to the Dungeon nicely? Come on…"

“Logan did?” I didn't expect that. I turned to look at Harlow; she intercepted my gaze and shrugged.

"As you want," Rey said, leaving once more, this time heading in the direction of a small Flow-cart. Near the borders with one of the outer ring's paths.

"As I was saying…" Noland continued, "If getting here is a question of speed," he pointed at their Flow-cart. "Then, farming is a question of smarts. This is how you do it, look."

Noland exploded in a burst of speed, likely courtesy of his Dash, surprising us all, and jumped into the Metal Trenches.

A chuckling Giada and a Jamie, rolling his eyes around and sighing, followed Noland, but they stood at the Trenches edges with the stairs.

We all rushed close to them to see what was going on.

Noland started shouting, "this is how you farm them." Then he instantly drew his massive greatsword and beat it on the walls of the Trenches, making them shake.

The buzzing started making my body vibrate, then part of the labyrinth path on which Noland stood started closing in on itself.

Metal walls sprouted from the front and the back of the exposed passage, while from the top, metal panels started closing, forming a ceiling.

The cuboid stood there, unmoving, while the buzzing increased substantially. Then the metal walls immediately receded, and the girls, Giada, summoned a barrier in front of a laughing Noland. The next moment, a series of energy beams slammed themselves into the barrier, sometimes doing nothing to it, other times perforating it.

The weird metal cuboid had released gigantic metal creatures, the likes of which I had never seen.

Technoraptor, Level 87 (6.896.558/8.700.000)

Durability: 100%

 

Agility: 135

Constitution: 165

Strength: 175

Focus: 115

Perception: 122

Willpower: 0

 

Strengths: Intelligence, Speed, Tail, Talons

Weaknesses: None

 

Abilities: Dash, Dividing Tail Swipe

 

Technoraptors are extremely fast creatures; they can tear apart everything with their combo of high-powered and fast attacks.

While in groups, they are comparable to a small army, and if pitched against other bigger creatures, they always come out on top.

Weak against flying creatures.

 

Technoslime, Level 65 (Max/6.500.000)

Durability: 100%

 

Agility: 35

Constitution: 255

Strength: 85

Focus: 200

Perception: 7

Willpower: 0

 

Strengths: Acid, Constitution

Weaknesses: Membrane, Perception

 

Abilities: Corrosive Acid

 

Technoslimes are hard creatures to take down; they have a high defense against any physical attacks. However, their membrane is highly susceptible to fire.

Melting their membrane is the best way in which they can be taken down. Without it, their tech loses its integrity, and the slimes start losing Durability very fast.

Technotriceratop, Level 115 (65.258.872/11.500.000)

Durability: 100%

 

Agility: 83

Constitution: 365

Strength: 265

Focus: 215

Perception: 98

Willpower: 0

 

Strengths: Constitution, Horns, Frills, Lasers

Weaknesses: None

 

Abilities: Body Slam, Homing Horns, Eye-laser, Frill-Shield

 

Technotriceratops are hardy creatures. They are very good at fighting from range.

Their horns can be used as powerful missiles capable of destroying everything they reach; while their eyes are their weakest but continuous attack source, they are hardly ignorable given their concentrated penetration power.

Their front frills can detach and turn into a thick metal shield capable of defense against many types of attacks.

When they have used their three Homing horns to attack, they become more ferocious and start attacking by launching their heavy mass on their enemies.

 

There were two of the Technotriceratops, seven raptors, and at least ten slimes.

 

I had no idea how he would escape from that situation, but I intended to find out.