Dungeon Oasis

Lily POV

It's amazing the twists and turns a life can take. I originally became an adventurer so I could travel and see the world. Sure, crossing the border isn't a guarantee even for adventurers. The fact that adventurers are specifically forbidden to aid the military or engage in military actions does grant them a little leeway with the guards though. So, while it still isn't a guarantee it's pretty well accepted that adventurers can go wherever they want within reason.

I have no doubt that Clyde thinks I became an adventurer because of him, and while that is not entirely true, I'd be lying if I said that didn't factor into my decision at all. Then we had to go and find this dungeon. This dungeon turned out to be a huge boon to a kingdom that is over 60% desert. A kingdom so poor even the kings personal guard wears obsidian rank gear. True the crown can't profit from the dungeon directly but already it's attracting merchants and the like all of which have to pay taxes. On top of that Clyde went and claimed a huge swath of land around the dungeon which he must now pay taxes on. On top of that the dungeon's location effectively links one of the most remote cities with the rest of the kingdom. Honestly, I think the only reason the kingdom hasn't lost that city is that the nearby kingdom doesn't want it.

Not that I'm complaining. Most Adventurers get one, two, maybe three if they're lucky levels a year meanwhile I've almost reached stone rank in less than two and a half years. Normally it would take at least another year to reach this point, but most likely 2, 3, or more years. So, while this isn't the path I originally chose I wouldn't change it. As an Ulgain citizen the fact that this dungeon will help to raise Ulgai from a tier 10 to a tier 9 possibly even tier 8 kingdom hasn't escaped my notice either. I will admit to a certain level of national pride despite our kingdom being the laughingstock of the rest of the world.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a pained cry from Clyde. His insistence on combining protection and maneuverability means that there are gaps in his armor. One such gap apparently having been found by one of the skeletons. This is the part of being a healer I hate the most. Having to fight against my instincts screaming at me to run up and begin healing right away. They're still surrounded by three skeletons with swords and light armor though, so going up now would only make things worse.

Meanwhile Chandra is gods know where. It's only after I see an ice spear go flying towards one of the skeletons that I realize the archers aren't firing at us anymore. A moment later I see Chandra stabbing one of the skeletons where an eye should be. Nothing I can do to help except wait for the last of the skeletons to fall so I can begin healing. It pains me to see the blood gushing out of the obvious whole in Clyde's side.

Fortunately, Cole, Chandra, And Darrel working together are able to make quick work of the last remaining skeletons. Watching the last skeleton fall my feet seem to have developed a mind of their own because I'm almost to Clyde before I even realize that I've started moving. I see him pop a minor health potion just as I start treating him. With the potions help I'm able to stop the bleeding and heal the wound enough for us to continue. Admittedly the potion did most of the work. Even advanced health potions can't do everything though much less minor health potions.

The question is which way Looking around we can spot two doors leading further into the dungeon. We all remember the insane number of dead ends on the first floor. Granted every dead-end lead to a treasure chest but still. None of us want to deal with another maze of rooms right now. We aren't going to get deeper staying here though so we eventually decide on a path forward.

In this room there are four wolves. Clyde and Cole naturally charge straight at the first two wolves. Darrel uses his water vines to ensnare one of the wolves. Meanwhile Chandra throws a knife at the other wolf and stars to turn her attention to the wolf ensnared by Darrel. At the last second though she realizes this wolf actually dodged the knife. I can see her start to panic a little as the wolf dodges yet another throwing knife.

The wolf is almost upon us now. If it causes Darel to break his concentration, we are all dead. Well, maybe not dead but it won't be pleasant regardless. At the last-minute Chandra throws another knife. The wolf predictably dodges this one but being in midair can't dodge the one she throws next. This slows it down, but it takes a few more hits to kill it. Meanwhile Clyde and Cole managed to take down the two wolves they were facing. This leaves only the wolf being held down by Darrel which doesn't survive much longer.

As we wait for Chandra to collect her throwing knives, I check everyone's health and heal what I can. One thing about adding Chandra to the team is it forces us to stop and rest after every room. While the others secretly complain about it, I'm of the mind that we will actually get further faster with me having time to apply a few healing spells between rooms. Plus, nobody would deny she is invaluable when dealing with archers and traps.

As we sit here though it hasn't escaped anyone's notice that this room also has to ways to go from here. Once again, we eventually end up just picking a direction at random. This time we are meet with four wolves once again. These wolves seem more organized than the wolves we've faced until now. There certainly howling a lot more. Aside from that instead of just blindly fighting us head on they actually baited Clyde and Cole into chasing them. Meanwhile Darrel and Chandra took care of the other two which tried to sneak up behind us while the other two were drawing our attention. Fortunately, by this point we have long since learned to look for mobs in the corners of the room.

Darrel then turns his attention to throwing ice spears. Which they dodge but it does slow them down enough for the others to catch up. Chandra then runs up and I think she is going to join them in taking down the wolves, but she instead runs past them. Towards a fifth wolf that I hadn't even noticed. She does her best to keep its attention while the other two wolves are dealt with. Soon enough though they are all taken care of. Soon enough we are gathering a few bits of leather that fell.

After that I once again take a moment to check over everyone. Aside from a few bruises where the wolves tried to bite through the armor, everyone seems to be fine. It doesn't take us long to decide to keep going. Knowing Clyde, he probably wants to reach level 9 before calling it a day. Especially since Cole just reached level 9 making him the only member of our original group still at level 8.