Rockwell Stebbins, a 21-year-old Buffer, was added to her party to replace Aretha. The former hotel clerk quietly observed the group as they walked back through the cleared square.
Patrick was still sending people through but hadn’t entered the Dungeon himself, which meant Abel had taken over organizing the people who were on the floor. While Penelope didn’t like that the power-hungry man was taking the lead, there wasn’t much they could do about it other than leave behind one of their level tens, and that wasn’t much of an option.
The open space in 1C was visible from the entrance on the north side of the octagon room that they’d cleared last. Frederica took her group around the other side, which left Penelope’s group waiting until the other group went through.
“How much longer are they going to be?” Kent grumbled. He shook his arms as he paced in front of the barrier. “It should have been the same amount of time for them to reach their spot as it took us!”
“Why do you care?” Circe chirped. “It’s not like you’re going to do any fighting.”
“I’ve got skills!” Kent fired back.
“Melee units stay near the Healer until they’re closer level to what we’re fighting.” Penelope kept her voice firm. “That goes for everyone here except Bradley. Stay close to Marlow. We can’t lose someone every time we do a square just because you want to fight.”
“I just don’t like the idea of being carried.” Kent tried to twirl his daggers in his hands, but one slipped out, clanging on the floor.
“You mean like last time when we had to carry you around because you got knocked out?” Robert smirked. “Just stay in the back and enjoy the free ride. They’re going to make us fight on our own soon enough.”
Kent yawned as he picked up his dropped weapon. “It’s late; do we have to do this? Can’t we come back in the morning?”
“We need to get as many of the easier squares done as fast as we can.” Penelope pointed to her right. “That’s them! Let’s go! Bradley and I first, then the rest of you follow Marlow!”
Bradley charged through the barrier, bowling into the pair of Choms waiting for them on the other side. Penelope was on his heels, her spell already on her lips as she crossed the threshold.
“Light Torrent! Light Torrent!”
She sent a pair of the balls towards Frederica’s group. She couldn’t get them to the group, but she could get them halfway. Penelope spread out two of the balls to give them light and dropped the other two on each of the prone Choms.
Ding!
Experience +3
Experience +3
You are now Level Eleven
Stats increased: Speed +1, Magic +1
You have learned: Light
“The system gives you what you want sometimes.” Jeru grinned as he waved his arms around in front of them. “Say it. You know you want to!”
“LIGHT!” Penelope pointed her wand at the ceiling.
The entire space lit up. The hallways remained dark, but it allowed them to see as though it was daytime in that space.
“Really? You couldn’t have led with a ‘Let there be.’?”
Penelope ignored him as she scanned the visible space.
The area was almost a 500-foot square, with a hallway directly in front of them and then a door to a room in the right corner. Another hall was a few feet closer to them on the right wall than the hall that Frederica’s party had entered through.
A group of Flou and Wigon hopped around while Oakley tried to hold their attention. Frederica had a pair of Buffer, a Debuffer, and a Healer on her team, which meant she was the only damage dealer. And while she could kill the bugs, it was going to take her a while to get a good hit in.
“Shadow Arrow!” Circe bumped into Penelope as she fired at the Wulf padding towards them. “Penny? What are you doing?”
A bare-chested Shadow Warrior roared and twirled a black spear over its head as it charged Bradley. Penelope didn’t have time to worry about the bugs harassing Frederica’s team or the swordsman that had just walked out of the other hallway.
“I’ve got the big one! Finish off the little ones, then help Freddy!”
Ding!
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Experience +2.5
“On it!” Circe took two steps to the right and fired another arrow into the large, hairy flea Braley had just knocked back with his shield.
Ding!
Experience +2.5
The last little monster on their side was a Wulf and while the pudgy canine was heavy, it was also slow. Penelope felt safe leaving it to Circe as she moved left to line up a shot at the Demon.
“RAWR!”
CLANG!
The spear hit Bradley’s shield, but the force of the impact knocked him on his rear. Its red eyes turned from the prone Tank to the woman behind him.
Penelope didn’t bother recalling her other two
Four more
Ding!
Experience +6
Bradley kneeled down, dropping his shield and taking off his helmet to catch his breath.
“We’re not out of combat yet!” Penelope hissed as she smacked him on the back of the head. “Put your helmet back on!”
“But I can’t breathe!” Bradley rubbed his blond hair as he took deep breaths.
“You also don’t breathe when you’re dead.” Marlow shook his head, his voice gentle, despite the rebuke. “Put your helmet back on, and you can take a break once we finish up.”
Ding!
Experience +2.5
“I got it!” Circe cheered, turning around to look at Penelope for validation.
“You also just turned your back on the enemy.” Penelope pointed at the group Frederica was fighting. “What happens if one of them comes this way while you’re celebrating?”
“Sorry.” Circe looked down at her feet.
“The monsters aren’t down there! Come on!” Penelope hurried past the younger woman, her wand already pointed at the lesser Demons.
Oakley had peeled away from the bugs to keep the Shadow Swordsman busy. If Frederica had been able to stay out of combat, she would have been able to assassinate the leader of this group, but she was busy hacking small pieces off of the group of bugs that were dancing around her. None of her hits were ever doing enough damage before the Flou or Wigon would move out of her reach.
It was like they were playing with her, slowly wearing her down while teasing her. If it continued, they’d win because as soon as they’d leveled, the green light healing the small cuts had dulled, and the wounds were growing faster than the light was healing. Even with the buffs, once Caleb’s mana ran out, it would come down to potions, and Frederica only had one Tier One potion.
“Focus on the ones recovering!” Penelope pointed her wand at the ones closest to her friend and released her spell. The Wigons took three
Ding!
Experience +2.5
Experience +2.5
“Stop jumping!” Circe yelled at the monsters as she missed again.
Ding!
Experience +2.5
“I got this!” Frederica wiped the green bug blood off her face after she decapitated the Wigon that Circe had been shooting at. “Pea! Help Oakie!”
Oakley’s shield had gouges torn in it, but the Tank was still on his feet and holding his own against the Demon in black leather. Eventually, the shield would break, but it wouldn’t be this monster that did it.
“Light Torrent!” Three of the projectiles hit the Demon, with one of them colliding with the sword.
“RAWR!”
Oakley ignored the threat and rammed into the Shadow Swordsman, knocking it off balance.
Ding!
Experience +2.5
“BACKSTAB!” Frederica blinked behind the monster, plunging both of her blades into its neck.
The Demon reversed its grip on the sword and stabbed the leader through the stomach.
“NO!” Oakley dropped his sword and shield as he ran to the pair. He grabbed the dying monster’s arm, pulling the sword a few inches out of his lover.
Penelope recast her spell, guiding all four projectiles into the monster’s neck. With it locked in place, it was easy to hit the stationary target, reducing it to a pile of armor.
Ding!
Experience +6
“MARLOW!” Oakley screamed as he pulled the longsword out of the woman. “HELP!”
“Is she okay?” Circe slung her bow over her shoulder and ran towards the pair.
“We’re not done yet!” Penelope pointed her wand towards the group of non-combatants. “LIGHT TORRENT!”
“HELP!” Caleb tripped as all four of them tried to run from the Wigon.
Ding!
Experience +2.5
The body of the bug collapsed on top of the prone man as Penelope hit it with all four of her spells. She shook her head as her eyes turned towards the other three.
“Help him get up, then move over to that corner.” She pointed at the corner where she’d entered this square. “Tell Bradley not to take off his armor and scream real loud if you see a monster.” She didn’t wait for them to answer, instead turning her voice inward. Jeru, keep an eye out, will you?
“Of course.” His voice held concern that was rarely present. “It’s going to take her a while to heal from that.”
Penelope watched Marlow cast healing magic on the wound while Circe kept pressure on it. Oakley cradled the unconscious woman in his arms, caressing her cheek, while red liquid from the potion they poured in her mouth dribbled down her chin.
A long time as in overnight, or a long time as in a few days? Penelope began weighing whether or not to restart the run.
“She’ll be able to move in the morning, but she’ll be in pain for a couple days.” Jeru eyed her. “Reset?”
Not yet. She glanced at the lower levels, who hadn’t moved very far from them. But I have a feeling that we’re about to have some very upset party members.
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