They were riding in a carriage exiting the city when Konrad finally spoke up, “We will be heading to a dungeon on the outskirts of the city. It is mostly full of goblins so it shouldn't provide too much of a challenge. Students of the academy are required to be at least Level 10. I plan for this little excursion to get you to that.”
Xeke was surprised, it took him three years of training to get to level five then a whole five days of hunting to get to level six.
“How will just one day net me four levels of progress?” Xeke said.
“You have obviously never been in a dungeon before. They are places filled with so much mana that monsters appear much stronger and more frequently,” Xeke didn't know that was a factor in the rates monsters appeared. “When defeating these monsters you will absorb much more energy. It will be more difficult than what you have done thus far, but more rewarding. With the training I've given you it should be fine.” Konrad was putting a lot of stock in his fighting skills. Xeke couldn't help but feel a little prideful at this news.
The carriage turned off the main path onto one that led into the woods. It followed this road until they reached the mouth of a cave on the side of a small mountain. “This is it. The driver and I will wait for you out here,” Konrad said while hopping out.
“You aren't coming with me?” Xeke asked. Going into an unknown place alone sounded dangerous, especially after what Konrad just told him.
“I have a feeling if you get in over your head you will be able to run away just fine. If you can't get through this, you have not truly absorbed what I've taught you,” Konrad stated with not an ounce of empathy.
Xeke shook his head with a laugh and left the carriage grabbing a magic lantern hanging off the side, attaching it to his belt. This will surely be a challenge. Xeke turned the magic lantern on as he made his way into the mouth of the cave. Only a couple of steps in and he found a stairway leading down. Xeke made sure to step lightly as he went down. He didn't want to alert anything of his position. At the bottom of the stairs there was an opening, a dark and muggy cave with multiple different pathways. Xeke picked a random one and marched onwards. He left small slash marks in the ground with his sword along the left side of the cave wall. He didn't know if the layout of this cave would prove to be complicated.
It wasn't long till the light of his lantern drew the attention of a group of goblins. Xeke was alerted by the sound of footsteps heading straight towards him. Once they reached the light of his lantern he could see five goblins with daggers raised. They had bright green skin and wore tattered rags. Switching into combat mode he raised his sword and shield. The first one reached him and swung its dagger. Xeke parried with his shield and lunged his sword towards its body, piercing deep into its left shoulder. The goblin let out a screech seeming to send the others in a frenzy. They rushed himl at once. The pathway was only wide enough for two of them to stand side by side. Xeke Phased behind the group to strike towards another goblin in its back. Letting out a screech it pivoted to take a swipe with its weapon. Xeke barely blocked the strike in time. He attacked it again, slashing straight into the vile creature's neck. The sword lodged itself halfway through. He didn't have enough strength to cleanly cut through like he did the Greks outside Canton. The goblin beside it quickly recovered from its shock and swiftly slashed its dagger towards Xeke.
Not being able to wrench his sword out fast enough to parry, he Phased again to the side of the third goblin. Before he could attack, the fourth goblin was already swiping its dagger in his direction. He blocked the strike with his sword and bashed the third goblin in the head with his shield. While it was dazed Xeke slashed at its face making it scream and fall to the ground. He turned towards the fourth goblin smacking its dagger away with his shield before finishing it off with a stab of his sword. He felt a slash run across his back. Xeke thanked the gods for his leather tunic that protected him from its attack. He turned around to find the goblin bleeding from its shoulder. Xeke smiled and made short work of ending its existence before turning and finishing off the goblin clutching its face on the ground.
Level Up
Abilities:
Phase: Teleport a short distance instantaneously, Low mana cost (Void Affinity)
Xeke smiled in glee. That fight was amazing, and he felt like he made little mistakes. Konrad’s training really has paid off. He felt like nothing could stop him. He continued on his path decimating any goblin that dared to stand in his path. He didn't know why he was worried in the first place. These goblins don't put up much fight at all.
He finally reached the end of the path finding a wooden door with a torch on either side. Still riding the feelings of triumph from his previous battles he pushed the door open and went inside. The room was large and lit up by various torches hanging off the walls. Standing in the middle of the room was a large goblin double Xeke’s height, with a hulking frame wielding a massive battle-axe. Now this, Xeke thought, might be a challenge to a great warrior such as himself.
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The hulking goblin noticed his entry and immediately hefted its axe. Running at Xeke with a battle-cry. Xeke joined him still riding the high of defeating so many goblins prior. The goblin swung its axe swiftly towards Xeke’s head, surprising him with its speed. He went to block the strike with his shield. When the axe made contact he felt a massive shutter through his body and was sent flying. As he was approaching the wall of the cave he quickly Phased away, to stop his momentum.
Xeke could still feel jarring pain through his shield hand. Taking another hit like that might break his arm. The Monster was already running at him again. He didn't know if he could beat this foe, but he would try. He Phased twice in quick succession to appear behind the large goblin to strike at its behind. He felt his strike connect but his sword didn't even puncture its skin. Fear made its way through his mind. This goblin was just too strong for him.
Xeke turned on his heel and ran straight for the door, ignoring the scream coming from behind. He Phased past the door then slammed it shut and kept running. Hearing a banging on the door and more screaming, he Phased rapidly towards the way he came. It wasn't too long till he made it back to the initial clearing at the base of the entrance in the dungeon. Panting from his exertion. He definitely had no chance of beating that thing. How was it so much stronger than the others? He couldn't even put a scratch on it. He needed to become stronger.
Turning to a path he hasnt gone down yet he began his march. He kept running into more goblins that he finished with ease, leveling up again.
Level up
The goblins he faced went down even easier. Coming at him in packs of four or five. Until yet again he reached another wooden door. If it was the same kind of goblin as before he would just run away again. Knowing he still had no chance of defeating it. He readied himself and opened the door slowly, revealing a room much like the last. This one had a goblin holding a staff in the centre surrounded by three others wielding swords and shields. The goblin with the staff must be able to cast a magic of some kind. Hopefully he would have a better chance at breaching its defences.
He slowly trod into the room, shield raised. The goblin in the centre pointed its staff at him and screeched, sending the other three running in his direction. Xeke smiled anticipating their attack he Phased till he was behind one and attacked at its neck, cleanly cutting its head off. The other two turned around in surprise and ran at him. Before they reached him Xeke could see a glowing in his peripheral vision. He Phased away quickly to see a ball of green sludge hit one of the goblins with shields. It screeched as its skin started to melt away. The caster goblin could use some sort of acidic magic. Xeke did not want to get hit by that.
Ignoring the last goblin with a shield he rapidly Phased over to the caster. Attacking it with a swing of his sword. The creature wailed as the sword dug deep into its centre mass. Xeke could see the staff begin to glow with a sickly green aura. Not willing to wait and see what the goblin was doing he teleported away. There was a massive explosion of acid blasting away from the caster goblin, burning the ground around it. The casters' attacks were deadly. Luckily for Xeke getting hit was not a worry with his abilities. He Phased to the last shield wielding goblin. Bashing its shield away with his own then lunging with a piercing strike threw its eye. It was dead before it hit the ground.
The Caster was sending volleys of the toxic sludge at Xeke. He kept dodging with Phase trying to reach its side. Before he made it to the goblin the staff began to glow and he backed off. Another explosion of sludge blasted from it. It had learned his tricks from the last attack. It knows distance isn't an issue with him. The goblin proceeded to send more and more toxic sludge in his direction. Xeke had an idea. He kept dodging with his ability for what seemed like hours. Until finally the goblin seemed exhausted. Xeke teleported around the room until he appeared above the creature slashing down at its head. With its exhaustion it didn't have time to react before feeling the cold bite of steel.
Level up
Level up
New passive
Void’s Kiss (passive): With each use of a Void Affinitied ability receive a small buff. (Lasts 10 seconds, this passive stacks.)
Abilities:
Phase: Teleport a short distance instantaneously, Low mana cost. (Void Affinity)
Void’s Kiss (passive): With each use of a Void Affinitied ability receive a small buff. (Lasts 10 seconds, this passive stacks)
Xeke couldn't believe his eyes, a passive ability. One that helps him through the use of his other ability. This was truly a great boon. A buff ability that comes at no extra cost. Even with hitting his goal of level ten. He didn't even think of leaving the dungeon. There was a wretched goblin that still deserved some retribution. He sat down in this room for a while to rest. All these uses of Phase had left his energy reserves depleted. Luckily his WIS stat was getting higher, so it only took a little under two hours till he felt ready. He went back into the direction of the door hiding the hulking goblin.
He slowly opened the door to the room revealing that same huge mass of a goblin, holding his massive battle-axe. Xeke slowly crept into the room. He Phased over and over again till he was in front of it feeling the pulse of Void energy. He began to take on a faint purple glow. He appeared in front of the goblin slashing at its stomach rippling with muscle. The goblin roared in surprise as Xeke’s sword left a large slash along its midsection. The goblin began to take on a red hue as he swung his mighty axe in retaliation. Xeke took the swing on his shield only being pushed a short distance back. These new stats already made him feel a lot tankier. He smiled, this is more like it.
The buffs from using his ability in quick succession enhanced his stats. He could feel the power flowing through him. He advanced again using Phase slashing at the creature's back. It roared again as Xekes blade dug into the goblins hide. The red hue surrounding the goblin became much darker and stronger. It pivoted and swung it axe quicker than Xeke was ready for. Xeke brought his shield up just in time to block the blow, sending him flying across the room. HIs shield arm fell limp at his side. The pain was almost enough to distract him from the fight. Each strike Xeke landed seemed to make the goblin stronger. He realised to win this fight he might need to make one decisive blow. Knowing he would need more strength to pull this off he began to Phase around the goblin. Never once getting in striking distance. Around and around the goblin he went, confusing the creature. Xeke kept going until his energy was almost depleted. He eventually appeared mid-air right in front of the creature's face. As he swung his sword towards its neck, the creature launched a counter attack with its axe. Xeke lifted his shield as his sword started biting into the creature's neck. Cutting clean through. But he wasn't as fast as he needed to be. The goblins' axe hit him in his side, sending him flying away. He came crashing down on the ground, pain lancing threw his body. The blow definitely cracked a few ribs.
Level up
He looked up to see the goblin lying on the floor, its head just a few feet away. He did it. He beat the Giant goblin. He clutched his side as he stood up. He laughed in triumphant glee. Laughing hurt a lot right now but he didnt care. He loved the feeling of overcoming a strong foe. Coming to this dungeon and fighting these vermin was the best thing he'd done in all his life. He sat back down on the ground. Maybe a little more rest couldn't hurt.
An hour later Xeke was exiting the dungeon finding a bored looking Konrad.
“You made me wait long enough. Are you Level ten?” Konrad said in greeting.
“Level ten? No Sir,” he waited for Konrad to shake his head before continuing, "I made it to Level eleven, that was fantastic Sir. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“Level eleven? You must have defeated a lot of them.” Konrad said with a surprised look.
“Yeah and a big one too. He was double my height.”
“That must have been a hobgoblin. Good job. Get in the carriage and rest while we go back to the estate.”
Xeke didn't have to be told twice he jumped in the carriage and promptly fell asleep.
