Denizens of the Labyrinth

Jazmel was alone again, but this time he was no longer taking a leisurely pace. After leaving the lake pavilion, he had found a descending path that wound down to the foot of the mountain and then there were two paths to him. One that led inside the mountain or a winding path that wrapped around it.

He chose the winding path and as he made his way up, large predatory birds accosted him. He made short work of them, but after realising they could not overwhelm him. Though he and they both held their wounds from this, they merely followed him. Hoping to pick at him if they got another chance.

The path was long and arduous, but he did not quit, there was nothing to be done about ascending the mountain on the exterior and as he climbed, he pierced the clouds and still the winding staircase led him upwards. The clouds were misty, and they small raindrops pelted him as he passed through the clouds that guarded the heavens. He was high up; he had been climbing the stairs for hours and the burning in his legs were his only discernment for time. But he did not stop, there were no places for him to rest and so he continued.

DING!

FATIGUE BEYOND THE NORM

1+STR

He took the time to look at his stats as he ascended the stairs.

Name: Jazmel

Level: 23

Species: Human

Rank: Seeker tier I

Health: 600/680

Stamina: 325/600

Mana: 650/650

STR:29 PER:22

VIT:26 END:29

INT:26 WIL:34

AGL:27 DEX:28

Skills:

Sword sense (tier I)

Slash (tier II)

Flight of the Blue kite (tier I)

Whirlwind (tier I)

Title(s):

FIEND SLAYER

SERPENT SLAYER

Unused Stat points: 5

16X WHITE GOLD COINS

867X GOLD COINS

ITEMS;

100X GIANT SERPENT KILLED

34X GREAT SERPENT SKINS COLLECTED

25X GREAT SERPENT CORPSES COLLECTED

42X GREAT SERPENT FANGS COLLECTED

17X GREAT SERPENT GLANDS COLLECTED

RUSTED HELM COLLECTED

X3 RUSTED GREAVES COLLECTED

NEMEAN LION BONE

4X COLD IRON ORE

1/3 PIECES OF THE PLAQUE

TWILIGHT CROWN

BRANCH OF A TREE

SHADOW WRAITH

LEVEL 8

PARTY:

5/5

He put all the unused stats into his perception, his current lowest stat and his keen vision grew keener, but not just that. His other senses grew with it, he took a moment to focus on his new stats and fell deep into the world around him. Currently he was progressing quite well, he had good items. He had accumulated a great deal of wealth and now he was gaining experience in all facets. Jazmel realised how little he knew as soon as he entered the labyrinth and he had to learn quickly if he had any hopes of surviving. This made him think of Circe. The card she had given him, he tore it and her name flicked up on his system screen.

SEND MESSAGE?

He opened and quickly thought of what to say.

“How are you? Where are you?” not knowing what else to say he simply clicked that, and the system did the rest of the work.

MESSAGE SENT!

…

ERROR

…

DUNGEON INTERFERENCE

MESSAGE WILL SEND ONCE DUNGEON CLOSED

He nodded but thought nothing of it. Once out of the dungeon, it would send the message. He continued his climb. Not even bothering to wonder how high up he was but also how far he had climbed. He simply continued before, but to his surprise his mind was still calm, and he wondered if that had anything to do with his choice of tribulation items. He knew the pain was part of the process and while he did not welcome it, he could not help but feel somewhat driven to complete this personal task.

He made it up the stairs after spending almost half a day, walking and so he crawled past the last step. Falling onto his knees and then laying down to catch his breath. He choked down a stamina potion, he was down to his last few. He would have to replenish soon.

DING!

YOU COMPLETED THE WINDING STAIRWAY

+5 END

CONGRATULATIONS SEEKER

The system sung to him in his mind, and he nodded, realising that it probably was a test. He made it to his feet and shakily felt the new stats as well as the stamina potion he just swallowed as his body began to revitalise him. His muscles that had burned with aches before, were now only a little sore and he could feel even that lessening.

The stairs had brought him to a peak that had been furnished into a wide courtyard, stone had been carved beautifully to reimagine the clouds around and the railing was all stone, Jazmel marvelled at the intricacies of the design. He walked through the courtyard and when he was about halfway through. He noticed another three people. Three men were speaking hushed to themselves but when one noticed Jazmel they stopped and whirled on him. All weapons at the ready.

“Where did you come from?” the one in the middle asked. Jazmel said nothing but merely positioned his sword in his belt, so he could draw it quickly.

“From the stairs?” another one asked and Jazmel stayed still but kept quiet.

“Those stairs are impossible. You are lying.” The other one said, and Jazmel merely cocked his head to look at them.

“May I pass?” he asked, looking them each in their eyes evenly.

The one in the middle, who had been first to speak was about to step out of his way. But the other blocked his move with a hand on his arm.

“What is in your bag?” he asked, and Jazmel saw the greed in this one’s eyes immediately.

“What is mine, is mine.” Jazmel said and stepped back, sword in hand now. Still sheathed but foreboding.

They leapt at him, only two of them. one conjured a spear from his storage ring and tried to pin Jazmel. He struck with his sheathed sword and knocked the wind from the man’s lungs. The other took that moment to strike Jazmel in the back, slashing across his back with a sabre. Jazmel hissed and darted out of reach.

WARNING

STATUS; WOUNDED

The spear jabbed at him again and he ducked out of the way but spun out of the way from a sabre strike again. But this time he struck back. Slapping the wrist of the sabre but he was not to be disarmed. He struck with a palm strike in his other hand and knocked Jazmel back, he almost fell but he deftly righted himself before going over.

He was hurt and his back was screaming at him from the slight sabre wound. He drew his sword now; these men were trying to kill him. He darted forward, the man with the sabre was closest. He flicked his blade at his hand and when he missed, which was what he was aiming for. He slapped the man across the head.

He was infuriated and before he could attack Jazmel, they all heard. The system spoke aloud, a voice that boomed all around them and also in his head and it was uncomfortable for the most part.

DING!

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER

SEEKER ARNTH HAS REACHED THE SUMMIT

HE HAS GAINED THE INHERITANCE!

THE XUANHUAN DUNGEON WILL CLOSE NOW

…

ALL SEEKERS WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT FLOOR WITH THEIR PARTIES OR ALONE

…

The fire in his eyes told Jazmel he wanted to fight but as he bounded towards him, he winked out like a candle. The others following suit. Jazmel, the last one left waited for his own turn and quietly exhaled.