Ch. 331..340

Chapter 331

Looking back at the stern determined gaze of the new security advisor, Jack sighed. "Fine, then come with me."

The two men walked out of earshot, still keeping the attention of the other party members.

"So, tell me about it."

Kims nodded and swallowed some saliva. "I’ll be honest. It’s not too embarrassing, but I would rather that my peers not pity me in any way."

"Does that mean I’m not your peer?" Jack asked.

"Aren’t you my employer and boss?" replied Kims. "Even if you are my peer, who other than you can I tell? Also, I need to tell you before you perform the blood commitment on me."

"Alright, then go ahead. I’m all ears."

"I was born in Trodar but was raised in Prachten. I was born out of wedlock between a noble family of Trodar and a woman of Prachten," Kims explained. "By definition, I wasn’t born a citizen of Trodar and was never recorded as my father’s son. He refused to admit that he had lied to both his wife and my mother, forcing us out and nearly killing my mother in the process.

"I can’t count the days that went by without food and I can’t remember the number of times I was beaten in order to protect my mother. All I knew was a determination to live a better life, a life that my ignorant father was gifted at birth, which he denied his only son due to his own pride."

As Kims paused for a moment, Jack asked, "How much of this is known to the council?"

"Nothing, apart from my birth in Trodar and my upbringing in Prachten. Most of the council sees me as the pity vote of the common people," Kims mentioned. "They say I only won because I’m one of them, a commoner with no true wealth to my name.

"Why do you hide this? I’m sure you can confide in at least one member of the council."

"I almost opened up to Bikkem recently. That’s why he invited me here, to entice me with wealth and EXP, the two things separating me from the other council members."

Nodding, Jack clicked his tongue. "That makes sense... But why him and Quallace? What about the other eight councilmen?"

"I can’t do that so easily, Jack, not if I want my revenge."

"Revenge?"

"To get revenge on my father, I have no choice but to hide my origin," stated Kims. "Otherwise, my father may catch wind of me."

"Your father..." Putting two and two together, Jack realized what Kims was implying. "Oh... That does complicate things. Which one is he?"

A depressed smile crept onto Kims’s face. "He’s the current spokesman of the council, Lord Thyron Tindrell."

"That really complicates things... What do you plan to do?"

"I want to surpass him in level and influence, at a minimum. I’ve thought about killing him but I haven’t yet committed to the deed, not fully," answered Kims.

"Then you wanting to make a blood commitment is your way of doing anything to get what you want? If you’re that desperate, I can see why you turned to those two cripples for help." Jack sighed with dull eyes. "Tell me what you know about a blood commitment."

"A blood commitment is something that would sometimes happen in ancient times but is typically looked down upon nowadays. However, it was the most effective way for adventurers to keep their followers and party members loyal to them."

"That was a somewhat uncommon way of using a blood commitment," stated Jack. "The most common use was to force beasts and people to sacrifice themselves for what many called ’a Greater Good’, something I see as nonsense.

"But, I’m also one of those adventurers who performed a blood commitment on a follower," Jack continued. "After going through so much, I decided to use that dark tactic to ensure that a certain mission would be a success. And surprisingly, that mission failed. But I did gain a true companion from that incident after enough time had passed and we bonded."

"Jack, can I ask why you’re so knowledgable about this stuff even though you sere summoned at such a low level?" Kims looked longingly at Jack.

With a smile on his face, Jack shook his head. "Let me finish first. I performed that blood commitment once and never had to attempt it again, nor did I ever have to enforce it. Before I perform such a ceremony for a second time, I want to be sure I won’t need to enforce it."

"Then please do so to me." Kims dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "Jack, I understand that as soon as I accept a blood commitment, my life is in your hands. I’m fine with that since I don’t deem you as a corrupt person."

Breaking out in laughter, Jack looked back to Kims. "Me, not corrupt? Tell that to Argyle and see how he’ll react."

"Jack, I can tell that your conscience is clean, regardless of the unusual things you do. Your ways of dealing with the situation are entirely different than what I know, yet you still come out on top after every exchange. You’re the type of man that will stop at nothing to accomplish his goals, yet won’t do it at the sacrifice of his own men. Am I wrong in my opinion, Jack?"

Silent, Jack scratched his head but didn’t say a word.

"Please, perform a blood commitment on me and take my life in your hands. I’ll become whatever you want me to be and do whatever you wish regardless of how righteous or wrong it may be. If you can guarantee that I’ll gain strength like no other and be able to exact revenge on my failure of a father, that’s all that matters."

Clenching his fists, Jack struggled to get his words out. "Kims... You understand that I’ll be able to end your life without hesitation should I choose to? Do you comprehend how unjust a blood commitment is to the one it’s performed on? Even if you do as I say, so long as I’m not satisfied I can still end you."

"Then allow me to do as you say. It will force me to prove myself, like you wanted. And if I fail to meet your standards, then end me and remove the risk of me taking advantage of our pact," Kims replied confidently, not blinking nor hesitating.

"Kims..."

Jack struggled to believe what was happening. Never would he have imagined performing that dark ritual again.

He didn’t mention it to Kims, but the blood commitment was something that Skaryn and his followers had created to ensure the loyalty of Skaryn’s followers, according to what Jack learned in "A Hero’s Tale". It was the insurance policy to keep people from betraying the chaotic gods. Ancient heroes only adapted what Skaryn had long been using to keep his people silent and loyal for life. The original version of the blood pact is the reason why Jack had been able to mark members of the Chaos Syndicate, forcing their dark commitment to be revealed to all.

"Jack, please," Kims begged again. "I’m not entirely sure of the effect the pact will have on me, but if it was one of the reasons why your party so easily cleared those first two floors, then please let me inherit your pact."

"That was--"

"I’m not sure what you did, but I still remember walking across that first floor we were sent to. There, we found little to no signs of life. And in the center was an unnaturally flat, altered region. It appeared to be cleanly cut and shaped, possibly by the rumored spells that Tralon possesses," deduced Kims. "But he shouldn’t have enough mana at his level to perform such spells, even if he had them. Yet he also managed to level up, despite his curse."

"You’re sharper than you let on, Kims."

"I told you, I won’t let anyone get in the way of my revenge. Why should I reveal my cards to people that may become threats in the future?" reasoned Kims. "Please, Jack. If you can offer me a way to become stronger like the heroes of Ancient Kartonia, then perform a blood commitment on me and form the pact."

Swallowing some saliva, Jack looked to the distant Tralon, who nodded. Then Jack looked at the bowing Kims with a frown. "Alright. I’ll perform the blood commitment."

Chapter 332

"Alright. I’ll perform the blood commitment."

"Thank you, Jack." Moisture started to build in one of Kims’s eyes but he quickly whisked the tear away before it took form. "What should I do?"

"This won’t take long, but I’ll need your blood for this, at least a small bowlful."

A large mug appeared in Kims’s hand. "Is this big enough?"

"Sure."

Not flinching, Kims placed the mug on the ground before him and he then looked to Jack with his arm extended. "Can you give me a hand?"

Without a word, Jack retrieved a knife and slashed Kims’s wrist emotionlessly.

Blood trickled and flowed down Kims’s lone hand, pooling in the wide mug below. Neither Kims nor Jack paid attention to each other or showed any emotion. Jack knew that Kims was more serious than ever and Kims felt no need to grovel or show pain for something he had begged to receive.

"That’s enough."

Once the mug was filled, a cloth appeared in Jack’s hands, which he used to stop the blood flow in Kims’s arm and then bandage the wound. But as Jack covered the cut, holy white energy gathered around Kims’s wrist and sealed the wound like it never happened.

Jack nodded to Tralon in the distance.

Tralon, along with the others, was witnessing something that he had only seen once before. He understood better than anyone else present how it felt to be on the receiving end of a blood commitment. It was the first memory of Jack that Tralon could vividly remember; when Jack had done it to him.

No longer bothering with the bandage, Jack picked up the mug and dipped his finger in the fresh, warm blood.

"Stay still, no matter what. Otherwise, this will hurt even more."

When Kims nodded, Jack began to draw a small circle around the one-armed swordsman. Then, he drew a second circle inside of the first, filling the area between the two with some glyphs and ancient characters. There were only four characters drawn, one for each direction. But the blood began to glow in place of drying up.

Jack didn’t stop. Next, Jack drew a fifth and final character on Kims’s forehead. But that was drawn in Jack’s blood, making him the master and owner of the commitment.

As Jack finished, he flicked the remaining blood from his finger and took a few deep breaths as the blood grew brighter and brighter.

From the distance, Argyle and Vixus were shaking. They feared that ancient ritual but never thought they would personally witness one. And the ominous aura emitted by the glowing blood sent shivers down their spines. Even Phoro, who had no understanding of the ritual, felt only hesitation and uneasiness while witnessing it.

Jack then opened his mouth, reciting the activation chant. "From blood, you began and by blood, you may end. On my will, you shall act or die by my hand."

"Ah... Aaaahhh..."

Grimacing and wincing in pain, Kims tensed up and took the brunt of the ceremony without wavering.

Everyone paid close attention to the circles of blood. Those circles began to rotate and shrink around Kims. Slowly... Slowly they crawled up Kims. Eventually, Kims felt a searing pain as the blood was forcing its way back into the pores all over Kims’s body.

But the pain didn’t stop there.

As the circle continued to shrink, it left Kims’s clothes stained and his body shaking. The circles finally became one and surrounded the ancient character written in Jack’s blood.

Rather than mold with Jack’s blood, Kims’s blood seemed to surround Jack’s, protecting it and worshipping it.

Then, the most painful part began. Kims felt his eyes trying to squeeze their way out of their sockets from the pain. The remaining blood, both Kims’s and Jack’s, gradually seeped into Kims’s forehead. It was going slower and was now far too painful for Kims to hold back his tears of pain.

Kims endured the final stage of the ceremony as the party and all beasts in the surrounding kilometer shriveled up from the ominous aura alone.

Jack was the only one who remained unmoved. But a tear was falling down each of his cheeks.

Witnessing that ritual first hand without a screen was far worse than with one. Thinking about how he caused Kims such torture was agonizing to him, but Jack had no choice. The young hero stood tall and respected Kims’s will and determination.

After nearly five minutes of crying and shouting, Kims fell onto his hand and knees.

The one-armed swordsman was covered in sweat and blood. Tears still ran from his eyes and Kims’s jaw quivered. The blood commitment was far beyond his imagination. He was certain that he would never wish such pain on his worst enemies. If he fully understood how painful it was going to be, Kims would’ve hesitated and thought twice about submitting himself to a pain he dubbed as worse than death.

"From now on, you’re life is in my hands. I hope we can get along in the future and work to better Trodar." Jack gave Kims a full bow, not daring to look down on Kims’s pride.

"T-thank you... M-Master Jack."

"Jack is fine." Stopping the exhausted Kims from forcing himself to stand, Jack continued, "Now, I’ll write the pact on your forehead in my blood. I’ll only need a single drop of yours to seal the pact. And it will only sting a little, but you may not even feel it after what you just endured."

Kims nodded and stayed down. Even if he wanted to stand, he lacked the strength to do so properly.

Jack got to writing the pact, drawing with the slit of his finger. In moments, Jack knelt down to support Kims. Then, Jack pricked Kims’s finger and helped the weakened man press it against his forehead.

The inheritor’s pact glistened momentarily before seeping into Kims’s head, which the man didn’t even notice as he continued to breathe heavily.

’Kims, you’re something else.’

’Thank you... Jack. You don’t understand... how much... this means to me,’ Kim’s replied telepathically, struggling to remain conscious.

’After seeing you go through that, I may be starting to understand. But for now, just rest. We’ll talk later.’

Without another word, Kims closed his eyes with a grin of victory. After enduring hellish pain, he rested soundly knowing that he managed to get what he wanted and proving that nothing could stop him from achieving his goals.

"Ssildro, can you please carry him while he rests? He’ll be out cold for a while."

Like it was a reflex, Ssildro appeared beneath Kims’s chest and lifted him into the air in an instant. The speedy serpent looked at Kims with even more respect, glad that the human he called partner was so resourceful and reliable.

"Well, he’ll be out for a few days," Jack stated. "We should get moving. Keep your eye out for the next few floors. Also, be careful on the magma floor. That’s probably the most chaotic one."

No one replied with words. The party nodded and followed Jack to the circle. As everyone touched it, Tralon activated the teleportation sequence and bid the sky floor farewell.

After an instant passed, the party found themselves in a blizzard with nothing but snow as far as the eye could see.

"Jack, is this the ice floor?" Vixus shouted against the wind for all to hear as the party’s visibility was low.

"Yup!" replied Jack. "Stay close and pay attention. The circle should be to the west. Do your best to listen to your surroundings."

Following Jack’s warnings, the party moved out.

Originally, Jack was going to have the party ride the cranes but that was nigh impossible in the weather of the ice floor. All they could do was trudge through the snow and hope they don’t get caught off guard by a surprise attack within the storm.

 

Chapter 333

The party trekked at a walking pace, struggling to push themselves too hard against the blizzard and the snow they sunk into with every step. When they weren’t careful, they sunk to their waist and were forced to slowly climb back up with each step.

’Jack, what about my beast?’ Argyle asked Jack telepathically. ’How am I supposed to find it?’

’That’s your problem, not mine. With Kims unconscious, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find some jumpier creatures on this floor, so you can capture whatever attacks us,’ joked Jack.

Nodding, Argyle sighed. The weather wasn’t entirely unbearable for the high-leveled men, but having an unconscious member and two cripples complicated things. With that in mind, Argyle kept his eyes peeled for what would eventually attack them.

Only minutes after their mental conversation, the snow beneath the party’s feet began to shift.

Everyone paused. On high alert, the party waited for the ambush to come.

"There!" Argyle shouted as he jumped into the air, watching the snow below burst viciously. A long, icy-blue figure shot out, chasing after Argyle. "This one’s mine!"

Vixus and Tralon remained on standby to aid the swordsman while Phoro, Ssildro, and the cranes kept their distance from the frozen wyrm.

"Someone got lucky!" Jack shouted with a smile.

’Careful, three more are coming!’

As Bowzer’s warning rang in Jack’s mind, the hero got serious and yelled at the top of his lungs. "Watch out! There are three more!"

No longer distracted by Argyle confronting the towering wyrm, the other party members readied themselves to act on a moment’s notice. The aviary beasts all took to the sky. They couldn’t move quickly in the buffeting winds but they could maintain flight at a safe altitude long enough to avoid the wyrms.

"Don’t kill them! Catch them all!" Jack shouted again. "They’ll be perfect to cross the tundra!"

Tralon and Vixus both nodded as they stepped back to avoid the attacks of two more wyrms.

’Cerdot, you and the other cranes carry these two cripples. Then me and Bowzer will take the last wyrm,’ Jack called out to Cerdot as he and Bowzer jumped back to face the final wyrm.

Following orders, Cerdot swooped down to pick up the two broken councilmen as Jack distracted the wyrm with his flame body. Though he wasn’t strong enough to do much damage, at least he made a great diversion with his growing stature and surprising ability.

’My turn.’

Next, the cautious wyrm trembled slightly. It then looked back to the fox only to see an even larger, more intense flame body charging it.

Releasing some glacial breath, the wyrm defended itself and extended more of its massive body out of the ice floor beneath the snow. Now looking down on Bowzer, the Glacier Wyrm showed no fear or hesitation. It created a frosty aura around its body, making it appear to be made of ice. Then, the wyrm charged Bowzer for a head-on clash.

The wyrm’s frost body collided with the fox’s flame body, causing small explosions of steam to rush over the nearby battlefields.

While the others weren’t at a disadvantage against the wyrms, they were still getting a feel for how to fight them. Even during their own battles, they were forced to notice the battle of the titanic figures.

The other three wyrms also hesitated as they felt the tail-end of the resulting shockwaves from each collision of the frost body and the flame body.

Argyle readied himself to attack during the wyrm’s hesitation, but a low unfamiliar voice roared out for the entire party to hear. ’What is it you want? And why are you in our hunting grounds?’

When that wyrm spoke, the other wyrms ceased their attacks. The wyrm facing Bowzer glared at the fox as it backed away and removed the body of frost coating its scales.

"Are you their leader?" Jack maintained his flame body while calmly walking toward the wyrm who spoke.

’Yes, and are you theirs?’

"You guessed it. The name’s Jack. What’s your’s?"

’You may call me Dradich. What brings such unfamiliar creatures to our hunting grounds?’

Squinting and sizing up Dradich, Jack took a moment to reply. "Dradich, do you know what kind of space you’re living in?"

’This space is limited and has barriers at the end of the mountain,’ the giant wyrm answered. ’No matter what we try, there is no escape from it. We’ve been trapped here for centuries. My father’s father was one of the first to be born in this space, never knowing the outside world.

’I’ve met many different creatures here but none like you or your comrades. Are you the humans of legend?’

Jack chuckled, "I’m not sure about your legends but we are humans. And this space is something we call a dungeon. The beasts flying above us are from another space in this dungeon, but we’re going to take them with us to the outside world."

’Then you must take myself and us wyrms with you!’ Dradich snarled.

’Whoa, calm down," Jack lifted his hands nonchalantly. "That’s something that will have to be discussed, not something you can just order, Dradich."

’You will comply or we’ll slay you,’ retorted the wyrm, unafraid. ’Even if you can kill us, I’ll warn my fellow wyrms and they’ll overwhelm you and drag you to the frosty pits of hell.’

"Just stay calm, Dradich. I’m not saying we can’t take you out. What I’m saying is that we need to talk it over first," Jack stated, somewhat calming the wyrms icy gaze. "First off, how many wyrms are there? Given your lifespans and your low fertility rates, I’d guess maybe a dozen?"

Dradich’s glare grew colder. ’Yes... There are fifteen of us wyrms. Now, you will lead us out.’

"Second, what terms will you agree to in order to join us?"

’Terms? Either you lead us out or we drag you to hell. Take your pick, Jack!’

"I’m not unreasonable unless I have to be, Dradich. I think we can benefit each other," Jack chuckled, thinking of what his best bargain could be. "Do you still remember who your greatest ancestor is?"

’The mighty Nine-headed Glacial Hydra who can devour the heavens!’ Dradich roared, letting the other wyrms do the same.

"Good, then would you like to meet one?"

’Impossible! How could such a puny creature like a human be acquainted with the mightiest of beasts?!’ argued Dradich, baring his fangs.

"Simple, I was adopted by one," Jack laughed, piquing Dradich’s attention. "We can take you out of here and can even reunite you with Lunara, the world’s strongest hydra. Does that seem beneficial to you?"

’If what you say is true, human, then that would be exactly what we wish.’ Half-convinced, Dradich leaned in closer to Jack’s flaming body.

"Great, but before that happens, allow me to present my conditions." Dropping his flame body, Jack reverted to his true form and reached out to feel Dradich’s scaly body. "May I?"

The great wyrm eyed Jack carefully but extended his body into Jack’s hand.

Jack felt the ice-cold scales lining the beast’s massive frame. The frosty scales felt impervious and indestructible. Then, Jack looked at the wyrm who had fought against Bowzer’s flames. Stunningly, there were no signs of battle. Though Bowzer was lower-leveled by a ways, his raging flames were enough to scare the giant mimic on the earlier floor. That wyrm was the first beast that managed to counter Bowzer’s evolved flames without any major consequence.

"Dradich, we’ll take you out of here and reunite you with your greatest ancestor. But you’ll have to become allies with us. When we need your support, you’ll have to help us. However, the same goes for you. Should anything happen to you and the wyrms, we’ll be there to help," explained Jack.

"There are two last conditions. One, you will have to stay with Argyle, the human you’ve been fighting, as a mutual companion, fighting each others battles."

’So long as I meet the great ancestor and you prove your words to be true, I’m willing to become an equal to a warrior such as him.’ Dradich bowed to Argyle, acknowledging the man’s superior level and uncommon strength, which Jack’s pact had boosted.

"Second, I’ll be sending your fellow wyrms to the Icicle Mountains outside of Frostburn City. You’ll become guardians of the city as the royals there are great friends of mine. Also, your great ancestor resides in the Icicle Mountains. You’ll be able to serve her and receive her protection there."

’That’s wonderful, but you must first prove such a thing possible, Jack. If you’re unable, then I’ll eat you where you stand for such devious lies," barked Dradich, bringing his head ever so close to Jack.

"That’s fine, I’ll even sit in your mouth so long as you give me some time to contact some people and arrange it all."

Sensing Jack’s confidence, Dradich opened his mouth wide without a word.

Jack laughed and stepped inside. "Guys, don’t worry about me. This guy won’t dare swallow me, so just wait."

As Jack finished speaking, Draditch shut his mouth and laid his head patiently on the ground. There was no malice nor excitement in his gaze as he waited for the outcome of his dealings with Jack.

 

Chapter 334

"King Wilheim, can you hear? Hello..." Inside the beast’s massive maw, Jack was sitting on the creature’s firm tongue with his contact crystal in hand.

"Jack? Is that you? Sorry for the wait, I was in a meeting."

"That’s fine, I just wanted to inform you of something before you freak out in surprise."

"Then give me a moment to find somewhere more private." As King Wilheim hurried through the palace halls toward his office, he squinted. A few minutes later the king continued, "Alright, I’m ready to talk. What’s going to happen now?"

"First, have you visited Lunara yet?"

"Ummm..."

"Don’t tell me that the mighty King Wilheim hasn’t yet gone to visit the Water Goddess, the same goddess that your family has worshiped and admired for so long?" Jack sighed. "Why not?"

"Well... I’ve been so busy, and with the yearly auction not long ago we had to travel and prepare other things."

"No more excuses, I need you to go up there immediately. Actually... It might be easier for me to send her to you."

"What?!"

Jack looked up to the top of the wyrm’s mouth. "Hey! Dradich, can you let that old mage inside here? I need to speak with him!"

Upon Jack’s questioning, Dradich opened his mouth yet again to allow Tralon entry. As the old man walked in, Jack pulled out a couple of kari crystals to give them some light as Dradich closed his mouth again.

"Wait a moment, King Wilheim. Let me call Lunara real quick" Jack then looked to Tralon and ignored the king’s babbling as he ended their conversation. ’Tralon, I’m going to need your services soon, so just wait a bit.’

Tralon sighed and nodded, defeated. During this trip, he had been more of a travel service than anything else. It was partially due to his decrease in level but mainly because of Jack’s unorthodox tactics, which he supported.

"Lunara? Are you doing alright?"

Only a few seconds later, a familiar feminine voice replied, "I’m doing fine, but I’m lonely without my husband. How’re you and Lina doing?"

"Lina’s doing great! She’s helped in ways that I didn’t expect. Did you know she already has the devour skill?"

"Really?! So soon?!" Lunara shouted with joy. "I’m so proud of her!"

"As for me, I’m briefly away from the rest of the party at the moment. I needed to enter the Leisure Guild’s storehouse to reclaim some things," Jack added. "It’s been so long since I made this place, that it’s turned into a bunch of thriving ecosystems filled with beasts that Kartonia hasn’t seen for some time."

"Really? What are you after in there?" Lunara asked.

"An item that didn’t do much for me in the past but might help me better contact Daruun now. Also, I’ve been recruiting people and beasts to our cause. You’ll never guess what beasts I found on the ice floor deep in my dungeon."

"You have a floor filled with ice?" Lunara questioned, a tone of excitement in her voice.

"You didn’t know... Hmm, I thought you would know about this place since you’re always with Sterfen. Let’s talk about the dungeon later, what you need to know is that I found a group of Glacier Wyrms down here."

"Glacier Wyrms?! Jack, you must bring them to me!"

"I’m doing that now. I’m currently convincing them to join you in Aazoon. We’ll open a spatial rift and send them right to you. I just need to know whether you’re able to leave the mountain and visit the king in Frostburn City. Is that too much to ask?"

"No, that’s one of the few things I’m allowed to do," replied Lunara. "So long as I’m within the Icicle Mountains and don’t make a scene in the city, then I’ll be fine."

"Good, I’ll make sure the king prepares someone to welcome you privately and takes you to him. How soon will you be there?"

"In about a minute or so." A low hum sounded from Lunara’s crystal, the same hum that came from a teleportation circle. "Tell him to hurry."

"Okay, I’ll tell him now! Thanks, Mom!"

"No, thank you! I’m glad to have such a capable son." Lunara chuckled as the conversation was cut short.

Reconnecting to the king’s contact crystal, Jack spoke up, "King Wilheim! Hurry and prepare someone to receive Lunara! She’ll be at your front door any minute."

"WHAT?! How can I--"

"Also, don’t tell anyone of her identity. She’s not wanting to be worshipped. We just need to inform you of a few things privately. Okay?"

"Okay... Then I’ll send someone immediately!"

Jack patiently waited as Lunara then arrived at the icy palace and was directed to a spare guest room. Wilheim was waiting silently inside, unbeknownst to the servant, shaking with nerves as the door opened to reveal the beautiful Lunara in her frosty blue dress.

Once the door shut, Wilheim cast silence and bowed. "Y-your Holiness!"

"I appreciate the bows, but how about we begin the discussion. Let’s touch crystal’s so Jack can fill us in on the rest."

"Right..."

When both crystals made contact, Jack began to explain everything. "So, before you two get acquainted, let me tell you what I’m about to do. I’m going to have Tralon open a spatial rift and send fourteen Glacier Wyrms into the Icicle Mountains."

"WHAT?!" Not ready for such a statement, King Wilheim interjected. "Jack! You can’t just--"

"He’s doing this for my sake, King Wilheim," stated Lunara, getting the king to shut up instantly. "Jack, continue."

"They want to be reunited with their greatest ancestor, Lunara, and Lunara could use the power of such strong underlings. I’m not sure about the other eleven, but the three I’m currently with are all over lv. 60 and can create frost bodies that almost rival Bowzer’s flame body," explained Jack.

"And King Wilheim, don’t worry about them since they’ll be serving Lunara. I’m sure they won’t rampage through your city or Aazoon without an order."

The king swallowed some saliva as Lunara giggled at the statement.

"This won’t be long term though, at least I don’t think so," added Jack, surprising both King Wilheim and Lunara.

"What do you mean, Jack?" asked the goddess.

Jack answered, "I’m sure Sterfen will fill you in more once he returns, but I’ll give you the gist of our current plans. Soon, we’ll be bringing gods back into public view, at least in Trodar. That’s all part of the plan to get you, Lunara, protected inside of Trodar, away from the influence you despise."

Lost and utterly confused, King Wilheim failed to understand the situation.

"That... Of course, he would try something like that," Lunara chuckled, thinking of her husband. "I hope you’ve got a place suitable for me prepared. That glacial floor of your dungeon doesn’t sound bad at all."

"You know... that’s not a bad idea..." Inspiration struck Jack as he started to take that thought and run with it. "I’ll have to add something to this place, but you might be right, Lunara."

"I’m so proud of my son, gathering the gods for the sake of his tired mother." Lunara showed a warm smile.

"WHAT?!" no longer able to keep up with the conversation at all, Wilheim shouted. "What’s going on--"

"King Wilheim, I’m just letting you know that strong beasts, the likes of which even you can’t control, will be entering the Icicle Mountains. But they’ll be controlled by Lunara, so don’t be afraid. Just make sure no one goes out there and angers them, okay?"

"I... I can make sure that won’t happen," replied Wilheim, a bit calmer after remembering he had shouted at a goddess.

"Then I’ll have Tralon open the rift in five minutes at Glacier Peak. He should remember that place."

"We’ll be waiting." Lunara smiled and disconnected the conversation. "Come on, Wilheim. We’d better take the teleportation circle if you want to get there soon enough."

"What?"

Nervously following the goddess out of the room and through the halls, King Wilheim baffled the servant and nobles throughout the palace. His action of following such a gorgeous, unknown woman was unusual and striking. Even Willim caught a glance at the two of them before they exited the palace and hurried to the base of Glacier Peak.

Jack, on the other hand, looked to Tralon with a proud smile.

"I’m assuming I’ll be opening a rift to Glacier Peak if I heard correctly," stated Tralon.

"Yup. Go on out and wait for the other wyrms to arrive."Jack’s smile grew wider as he thought about Dradich becoming companions with Argyle. "Hey, Dradich! You may want to let us out so you can properly call your fellow wyrms. If they don’t arrive in five minutes, then they’ll get left behind!"

’Where’s your proof?’

"In five minutes, you’ll have your proof when we open a rift in space. You’ll be able to peak through it and see for yourself!"

’... Very well. But you’ll remain in my mouth as I see things for myself. I don’t want there to be any tricks involved.’

"Fine, I can do that," laughed Jack, amazed by how astute the ancient wyrm was.

Both Jack and Tralon exited the wyrm’s mouth, allowing the colossal beast to roar and shake the snow around them.

 

Chapter 335

In a matter of minutes, eleven more gigantic Glacier Wyrms popped up through the snow. Such an intimidating sight made even Argyle nervous as Jack walked back into Dradich’s mouth.

’Tralon, go ahead. We’ll make it as quick as possible.’

On Jack’s order, Tralon took a deep breath and gathered spatial energy around him to force open a rift between two spaces, one in front of the mage and the other at the top of Glacier Peak.

"Come on, Dradich! Let’s see what’s on the other side."

Though he didn’t show it, Dradich was also nervous. He and the other wyrms only knew stories about the outside world and their Great Ancestor. For there to be a chance that he’ll see both of those things made the massive beast nervous.

"Hurry up! We can’t hold that rift open all day!" shouted Jack. "Don’t tell me your scared, are you?"

Without any more hesitation, Dradich grunted, blowing Jack over within his mouth. Then, the giant wyrm stuck his head through the rift large enough for a single wyrm to enter.

Pain never came as Dradich lunged his large head through the rift, almost startling him as badly as what he found on the other side.

There was a great view of the clouds and the frozen world below. Dradich understood that he was truly in a separate location.

"Ah! There’s the rift!"

Dradich then looked up to see a woman, followed by a man, jump down from the tip-top of the mountain the wyrm was now on. But before Dradich could say another word, the woman’s form shifted and expanded at an outrageous rate. In seconds, the woman gained nine serpentine heads and a body larger than Dradich’s.

’G-Great Ancestor!’ Dradich immediately bowed, forgetting that he was giving Jack a rough time in his mouth.

"Lift your head," ordered Lunara. "What is your name?"

’Dradich, your Holiness."

"Why don’t you speak with your mouth, Dradich?"

’Oh...’ Dradich quickly opened his lips, letting Jack tumble out.

"Jack! So that’s where you were," Lunara laughed. "I’m glad to see my son doing so well for himself. What level are you now?"

"I’m... lv. 49. I’ll be in the fifties real soon." Jack shook the snow off him and climbed up to his feet with a smile. "Dradich is the leader of the other fourteen wyrms, but he’ll be helping me personally and won’t be staying here."

"Fine by me. I hope that Dradich will perform according to my son’s expectations. What do you say, Dradich?"

’Yes! Of course, your Holiness!’ Bowing yet again, Dradich removed all doubt from his mind about what Jack had said before.

"Did you never learn human speech? Allow me." One of Lunara’s many heads extended and touched foreheads with Dradich. Then, a bright light grew between the heads and gradually faded away. "That should make things easier."

Dradich then opened his mouth, revealing his naturally low, booming voice. "Thank you, your Holiness. I’ll make sure to do all that Jack says."

"Then let’s get the other wyrms across before Jack’s companion tires. It was a pleasure to meet you, Dradich. I’m excited to hear of your accomplishments from Jack."

The giant wyrm nodded and rescinded his head back through the portal.

"And Jack, be careful," Lunara added as the hero neared the rift. "Your father and I are depending on you."

"Of course." Jack nodded and prepared to step through the rift. But he did a double-take. "Do you prefer being called Mom or Mother?"

"...Mom"

"Okay, then I’ll see you later, Mom."

Jack stepped through the portal with his goodbye, putting a tender smile in Lunara’s heart, which was hard to see fully with her current nine-headed form that shook King Wilheim to his core.

The wyrms began to hurry through the rift with great speed. Though they could only enter one at a time, they were much faster than the shadow goblins. Tralon only needed three high elixirs this time, allowing the mage to rest while conscious so long as he did nothing for a day or two.

Dradich was the only wyrm left behind. He proudly turned to Jack and bowed his head with an open mouth. "Jack, I’m sorry for doubting you. Please forgive me."

"Forget about it! Just make sure to work well with Tralon. He’s my father-in-law, so don’t give him any trouble."

"For your family, I’ll make sure to be respectful, Jack." Dradich then looked to Argyle, showing a giant grin. "I’m very arrogant, but please allow me to join you on your adventures."

"Of course!" Staring at the lv. 70 Glacier Wyrm, Argyle was filled to the brim with excitement. "Jack, hurry up and form that seal!"

"Fine. Dradich, lower your head for a moment."

The wyrm followed Jack’s request and allowed Jack to perform the mutual seal between Dradich and Argyle.

With a gargantuan lv. 70 beast companion with a seventh level bloodline, Argyle was over the moon. "Hey, Jack. What do you think would happen if I just traveled on his back instead of flying like everyone else?"

"Well, in terms of speed, he’s probably just as fast as those condors. Just be careful to not run over a village or destroy a forest wherever you go," laughed Jack.

"I guess you have a point... I’ll figure something out! Is there enough room for him at the Leisure Guild, Tralon?"

"We’ll have to combine a few courtyards... but it’s definitely doable," replied the mage, who was lying down to rest and ignoring the cold temperature of the snow.

"Dradich, take us to the magic circle west of here."

"Climb on," the wyrm replied, beaming with pride to be serving his Great Ancestor and to have her protecting his fellow wyrms.

The party hurried onto the giant wyrm’s back, including the aviary beasts. Once everyone was accounted for, Dradich rocketed over the snowy landscape. In less than five minutes, the wyrm stopped and swiped his tail to reveal the magic circle that had been buried by years and years of snowfall. He then laid over the top of the circle, waiting for what he assumed would happen next. "This leaves the space, correct?"

"Right, but are you sure you don’t want to be stored away before we enter the next floor?" asked Jack.

"No."

"What if we enter a space filled with fire and magma?"

"Then I’ll make due. So long as we make haste, I’ll be fine. If it’s too hot, then I’ll simply activate my frost body and bear it," answered Dradich, confident in his constitution as a wyrm.

"Alright... Vixus, activate the circle."

This time it wasn’t a bath of purple energy, more like a lake of purple energy that covered the giant wyrm and transported the entire party.

They then found themselves in a lush green valley, with mountain walls surrounding them.

"Dradich, this space is filled with greenery and should be a bit more peaceful. Just head northeast. You’ll find the circle there in front of a giant tree."

"Right!"

Barreling through the trees and greenery with ease, the Glacier Wyrm made his way toward the next circle. Argyle would’ve complained that he would miss a beast, but he was too overjoyed with what he got to complain about the party acting so rushed.

No beasts dared approach the giant wyrm as its power clearly rivaled the strongest beasts across the valley floor and didn’t seem to be looking for a fight.

It left plenty of green carnage wherever it went, leaving trees toppled and crushed without hesitation. However, thanks to the giant tree, the party didn’t have to spend much time on the valley floor and it was easy to find the teleportation circle.

Dradich was careful not to destroy the ancient tree and instead coiled around it as he laid over the teleportation circle.

A few roars of beasts sounded out, showing that a few of the stronger beasts on the valley floor would soon be making an appearance. However, Vixus had already ignited the teleportation circle and the party was gone before those beasts could show themselves or discover where that massive wyrm had come from.

 

Chapter 336

When the party appeared on the magma floor, they were instantly hit with a wave of dry, face-melting heat. Sweat was leaking from their brows before they had realized what floor they were on.

"Welcome to the magma floor, everybody," Jack joked with a sigh. "Dradich, are you going to be okay here?"

In response to Jack’s question, frost started to fill the air around the wyrm. It cooled the party and allowed them all relief from the overbearing heat but it never managed to form the icy armor they had seen before.

"If you hop off my back for a moment, then I can create my frost body to better protect you and myself," Dradich stated, getting everyone to comply.

A few moments later, everyone was back on top of the wyrm, glad to be cool and comfortable in the face of the heat.

"Let’s be fast though. I can’t sustain this forever in such a place," added Dradich.

"Then let’s hurry southbound. The circle is at the southernmost point of the dungeon," explained Jack. "But everyone needs to watch out for enemies. This floor was usually the most difficult to clear in terms of combat because everything here wants a fight."

"Careful! Here they come!" Dradich roared and began his charge into the flaming dungeon.

Everyone looked out to see beasts that they weren’t familiar with.

"I guess the fiends won the power struggle on this floor," mentioned Jack. "I wonder if any salamanders survived."

"Fiends? Do you mind if I take a fiend, Jack?" asked Vixus. "I’ve never met one before and heard that they have ties with dark magic as well."

"You’re right, that’s probably how they overwhelmed the salamanders and other beasts down here," replied Jack. "Capturing a fiend is one thing, but getting it to comply with a seal is another."

"Just help me catch one that’s at least lv. 60. Then, if I fail to bond with it, let me fail."

"It will still count as your third beast, so don’t blame me when we can’t subdue it," chuckled Jack, readying himself for the horde of fiends following Dradich.

Squeals and screeches echoed off the cavern walls, getting louder and louder as the fiends got closer and closer. With bony limbs and wings, the blackish-red, devilish creatures hounded the Glacier Wyrm.

"Dradich, if me or Bowzer use our flame bodies, will we hurt you?"

"Just don’t hit me by accident. I can take the heat of you standing on my back," replied the wyrm, confident in his abilities.

Jack then surrounded himself in flames and used them to cast his spells. "Bowzer, not full-size but full strength, okay?"

With a nod, Bowzer activated his flame body to match Jack’s size while maintaining his coat of white-hot fire. Both Jack and Bowzer began to hurl or spit fireballs at any fiends getting too close. Though it didn’t deal much damage, it was enough to buffet the fiends and keep them distanced. And being on the magma floor made it easier to use fire magic and not waste extra mana.

The other able party members joined in. The cranes who weren’t carrying the cripples launched blades of wind at the fiends while Phoro launched small whirlwinds at the devils. Vixus and Argyle both activated a few of their long-range attacks to help keep the fiends at bay.

"Jack, something else is lying in wait up ahead."

Dradich’s warning caught Jack’s ears, convincing the hero to turn his attention elsewhere.

At the same time, Vixus shouted, "There’s one! Let that lv. 63 fiend through, I want him!"

While the party was focused on keeping the fiends back and Vixus wrestled a fiend with the help of his Flame Tiger, Jack and Dradich were waiting for the other beast to make an appearance.

Suddenly, a giant roar filled the cavern, coming from the southwest.

Out of a lava pool emerged a giant lizard, glaring back at the party and the fiends with fury. Dark red flames showed themselves as the lizard opened its mouth.

"Nevermind, the salamanders are still alive!" Jack shouted, a bit nervous to take on another powerful foe along with the fiends.

"Hold on!"

Just as the Molten Salamander spewed a plume of lava toward the giant wyrm, Dradich spitted a plume of ice and frost. An explosion of steam shook the dungeon floor, creating large waves in the lava pools along the sides of the path.

Once the attacks collided, Dradich then sped up. With all of his might, he charged the winding path and put all of his energy into his frost body.

Another giant salamander emerged, then another.

Even if Dradich could avoid the attacks of a single salamander, the giant wyrm was unable to do so against five salamanders while carrying the party on his back.

Dradich evaded as many attacks as possible and countered any attacks he was able, but he still received a few attacks against his frost body. However, Dradich never slowed down and continued to barrel through the dungeon floor with great haste.

Luckily, the salamanders also attacked the fiends who dared enter their territory. And Vixus was lucky enough to capture a fiend, albeit still wild and unwilling to remain pinned by the Flame Tiger.

"Is that it?"

"Yes, keep going, Dradich!" Jack shouted. "Bowzer, help handle the salamanders!"

The fox was already spewing white fireballs to counter the lava plumes of the salamanders. The other beasts and Argyle were doing the same thing, doing everything in their power to keep the salamanders from touching the wyrm that dared to charge through the magma floor.

Another explosion then took place, but not from steam.

To the side of the circle, another salamander appeared, the largest of the salamanders and highest in level at lv. 69.

"Jack, get ready to activate the circle without any hesitation. I’ll attack that beast with everything I’ve got left, so don’t miss the chance to flee this space."

"Vixus, you heard Dradich, right?" Jack shouted. "You’d better be ready to activate that circle. The moment Dradich touches it, we need to get out of here."

"Right! I’ll be ready to go, just help me with the fiend once we enter the next floor," replied Vixus, nodding in agreement.

With a roar, the largest salamander readied his attack.

"Bowzer, let loose everything against that attack! We need Dradich to hit the salamander, not its attack."

’You got it!’

The Hell-flame Fox grew slightly as he jumped onto the top of Dradich’s head and stared back at the salamander. Bowzer knew the salamander could sense his bloodline, but it also shrugged off the bloodline’s typical effects like the Glacier Wyrms, proving that it too had an ancient bloodline at the seventh level.

Showing no mercy, the salamander’s flame-filled maw opened wide and launched a massive river of lava out of the Molten Salamander’s gullet.

Bowzer growled and snarled as his flames gained a hint of blackness. Then, the fox roared. A relentless stream of white flames, with tinges of red and black, streaked toward the salamander.

Both attacks collided, canceling each other out and making wave after wave in the nearby lava pools.

As Bowzer’s flame body rescinded, the frosty energy in Dradich’s mouth exploded full-force. Like a laser, the current of sub-zero ice barraged against the salamander, causing it to cry in pain as a part of the magma coating encompassing the salamander’s body became crust and dried up.

"Now, Jack!" yelled the wyrm.

"Vixus, get ready!"

The wyrm continued his charge toward the circle as the salamander recovered from the attack.

Cracking and flowing anew, the lava coating around the salamander would be reactive in a couple of seconds, not offering the party much time. It prepared a second attack for the wyrm, not daring to surrender or showing any fear.

Yet as the next river of lava was aimed at the wyrm, the gargantuan beast suddenly disappeared. Only a giant pulse of purple energy was left where the wyrm once was.

 

Chapter 337

Purple energy cascaded over Dradich and the party atop his back. They felt the overbearing heat disappear, letting them all release a subconscious breath of fresh air. But once the purple energy dispersed, they saw nothing else.

There was no artificial lighting and there were no kari crystals lining the ceiling. The party members struggled to see their hands in front of their faces and the wyrm they were sitting on.

"Everyone, no matter what, we stay together on this floor. No one should leave Dradich’s back!" Jack shouted, making sure everyone heard his warning. "Phoro, Ssildro, Cerdot, you and the other cranes should enter Vixus’s bestial storage for now. If you get lost or separated, then there’s no telling what may happen."

"Sound great to me." Phoro rushed to Vixus’s side. "Please, store me away as Jack ordered."

Struggling to keep the bony fiend from breaking free, Vixus and the Flame Tiger were both preoccupied. Vixus sighed, "Can I get a little help, Jack?"

"Once you store the cranes, Phoro, and Ssildro, then we’ll help," stated Jack.

"Fine..." Vixus lifted a single hand bearing the ring. "I can store Ssildro but what about Kims?"

"Well..." Jack started to think and gave Vixus a wry smile. "Has anyone ever stored a human in a bestial storage before?"

"That--"

"The issue with storing humans is that they’ll fight being stored, like a wild beast. But if they’re unconscious, in theory, they can be stored," Tralon spoke up, still lying down to recharge. "Maybe I should get stored too, thinking back on it."

"That... You can’t be serious? Then we’d be just like--"

"I’d recommend you not finish that sentence." Argyle’s cold tone startled the beast tamer. "These beasts are our equals. They’re either our companions or their members of your guild, Vixus. Don’t forget that."

"R-right!" Vixus coughed to regain some of his lost composure. "Then I’ll just store the other two away as well."

Phoro was the first to be placed inside the bestial storage, followed by Tralon who was beside Vixus. Ssildro was next with Kims and the cranes were last with the broken councilmen.

"Now, can you help us out, please?" Vixus asked, still fighting the uncompliant fiend.

Jack sighed as he carefully walked over. "We don’t have time for this. Why not just take a beast from this floor? They all use dark magic."

"What?! Then why did you let me bring this in here?!" Fuming, Vixus almost released the fiend by accident.

"Because we need bait to test something." Once he was beside Vixus, Jack started pulling the fiend to the edge of the giant wyrm. "If you want to catch a big fish, then you need a smaller fish as bait."

Grasping the situation, Vixus nodded.

In a swift motion, Jack retrieved a sword and slashed one of the fiend’s wings. The beast snarled and spat in a rage as it was then thrown into the blackness with no means of flight.

Vixus, Argyle, Jack, and Bowzer heard the fiend’s screeches as it vanished before their eyes.

Only a second after the fiend disappeared, a bloodcurdling wail rang out, drowning out the fiend’s screeches. Then, the snapping and grinding of bones echoed off the cavern walls, causing Vixus to flinch in terror and curiosity of what could’ve caused that.

"Now!"

With an arrow already nocked, Jack shot into the darkness. Attached to that arrow was a powerful cord, the same used to handle and restrain high-level beasts. He received a few as a complimentary gift when he had purchased Appa. Now, he could put them to better use.

When the cord stopped moving forward, Jack clenched it in his fist, yelling, "Pull!"

Being directly beside Jack, Vixus grabbed hold first, followed by Argyle.

"Bowzer, give us some light!"

’O-okay!’ There was some hesitation and exhaustion in the fox’s voice. But Bowzer still ignited his flame body and started to burn away the surrounding darkness. Though his white flames were waning more toward red, Bowzer forced himself to stay ablaze.

It was clear to the others that Bowzer was more exhausted then he let on, but they didn’t have time at the moment to help him. They were busy dragging a four-meter black, tentacled beast from the thick, murky darkness.

"What is--"

"That’s going to be your next beast, Vixus. Your welcome!" Jack laughed loudly as he stared into the beast’s one large eye. "You, what’s your name?"

’Me...’ The singular jaded, yellow eye of the beast leered back at Jack as he spoke back at the party using telepathy. ’I’m Mooldrat... What... are you?"

"I’m Jack, a human who’s only passing through this limited space toward the next one."

’You... seek death?’

Noticing the beast’s change in tone and it’s unusual speech pattern, Jack squinted back. "What do you mean by that, Mooldrat?"

’Many... travel though that circle... None... come back.’ Both the party and the beast stopped fighting the rope jutting from the beholder’s side, simply maintaining a few meters between each other. ’Why... do you seek death... beyond that circle?’

"But you shouldn’t be able to access that circle," replied Jack. "Tell me more about this circle. Does every circle transport you away, or only one?"

’Just... one...’ answered the beast. ’If... you’re here for that... then... why do you try to take me?’

"We may seem ill-willed now, but we’re nicer than you think. Wouldn’t you like to escape this place? There will be no more limited space to contain you."

’No... I don’t want it.’ The beast’s spherical body moved from side to side. ’Only... death comes from that circle.’

Rethinking his pitch, Jack took one hand off the rope. "Mooldrat, how about you take us to that circle. Then we won’t bother you or any other Dark Beholders along the way."

’There... aren’t many left. Little... food is found here. Most... died through the circle. Many... have gone crazy with time.’

"Dark... Beholders..." While Jack and the beholder were conversing, Vixus was mumbling to himself and letting his mind run wild at the thought of being the master of a legendary beholder.

"Do you or the other beholders know about the world outside this space?" Jack asked.

’World... outside? What... is it like? I... forgot.’

"Moodrat... how old are you?" Baffled, Jack had to ask to satiate his curiosity.

’Me... I don’t remember.’ Mooldrat shook his head, which was his entire body minus his ten black tentacles.

"Were you born in here?"

’... No... I... was born outside... I think...’

"Mooldrat, can you tell us how you’ve survived so long?"

The beholder’s blood-red iris shifted and looked back to Jack. ’I... eat my family... We... eat each other...’

Jack swallowed some saliva, wanting to ask another question but fearing the answer. No one in the party could see Mooldrat’s level since that was one of the beholders’ most well-known traits.

"Mooldrat... what level are you?"

’My... level? I... forgot I had one...’ The beholder’s gnarly yellow fangs curled into a smile as it chuckled and the blood of the freshly eaten fiend dripped from its lips. ’I’m... lv. 78.’

The party members all froze, stiffening their grip on the rope. Vixus’s dreams were shattered. Argyle glared heavily at the beholder, keeping himself aware and alert. Dradich also readied himself, preparing to flee the moment he was given the signal.

"That’s pretty good!" Jack started to laugh loudly, startling his serious-faced companions.

’Really? Then... that’s good!’ Mooldrat’s laughter grew louder, matching Jack’s to echo throughout the pitch-black cavern.

"Tell you what, I’ll protect you against what’s on the other side of the circle. If I can do that, then how about you join me and my friends outside. I’m sure you’d like to talk to others and we can feed you all kinds of food, however much you want."

’Food... all kinds and whenever I want?’ Salivating, Mooldrat didn’t hide his lust for sustenance. ’If... you give me so much food... and... protect me... then...’

 

Chapter 338

’If... you give me so much food... and... protect me... then...’

"If you want, we can even become friends."

The Dark Beholder hesitated and floated nearer to Jack. ’What... are friends?’

Jack smiled warmly and hid a sigh among laughter. "Two or more people become friends when they work together and feed each other. And when there’s a chance, they can have fun together, like how we were both laughing together."

Hoping to take advantage of the beholder’s frazzled psyche, Jack chose his words carefully.

’Friends... We’re friends now?’ Mooldrat asked, tilting his head and body to the side in thought.

"Sure, why not? Don’t you want a friend that can have fun with you and feed you? Then you’ll never have to each your own kind again."

’That... sounds nice... I... won’t run out of food anymore...’

"So, will you let your friend protect you from the beast on the other side of the circle? Then, I’ll give you all the food we can."

While bargaining, Jack threw out a large sack. Mooldrat’s nose may have only consisted of two slits between his mouth and eye, but he instantly caught a whiff of a scent the beholder had long forgotten. The beholder snarled and instinctively chomped down on the sack, tearing it and it’s contents to shreds with his mangled teeth.

’This... What is this?’

"That’s beef, a type of meat from the outside world. Do you like it?" Jack asked with a smile. "Since you like it so much, once we’re out of here I’ll give you all the beef you want."

’Yes! Give me more beef!’ Drool cascaded out of the insane beholder’s mouth, unable to resist such a temptation.

"We’ve only got one more sack left. We can--"

’I want it!’ Mooldrat rushed Jack, stopping less than a meter in front of the hero with a crazed look in its one eye.

"Only if you promise to come with us," reasoned Jack. "I’ll protect you after we travel through the circle and then feed you all you want on the outside. Do we have a deal?"

’Yes! Give me more beef!’ The beast’s rotten purple tongue licked the remaining blood from its lips. ’I want it now!’

"Argyle," Jack turned to his father-in-law, "Can you share the last of our meat with Mooldrat?"

"Sure." Feeling more comfortable and able to put on an act, Argyle lobbed another sack of their dry rations to the hungry beholder, who tore it to shreds in seconds with a look of bliss on its face.

Mooldrat moaned in ecstasy, ’Beef... good!’

"Great! Then show us to the circle. After we travel there, we’ll be able to find you more meat, Mooldrat," reasoned Jack. "Argyle, put Dradich in your storage so we don’t attract any other beholders and are forced to share food with them too."

’Yes... it’s all for me!’ cackled Mooldrat, as if he was about to start living his greatest fantasy.

Dradich complied and allowed Argyle to store him away.

"Vixus, don’t forget your Flame Tiger." As Jack passed the beast tamer, he whispered, "Do you think you can control him, or should I take care of our new friend?"

"I... You can take care of him, Jack," Vixus nervously replied as he stored the Flame Tiger.

With that decided and only Jack, Bowzer, Argyle, and Vixus remaining, the party followed the eager and jittery beholder that towered over them.

"How much farther is it, Mooldrat?"

’Far... it’s near the center of all the other circles.’

Puzzled, Vixus noticed a few different circles as they wandered through the tenth floor. "Why are there so many teleportation circles on this floor?"

’Those... are all broken... Only... one circle teleports...’ answered Mooldrat, still licking his lips in anticipation.

Jack whispered a quick explanation, "Most are fake. Some take to random spots of the tenth floor, others will take you to the entrance of the dungeon."

"That... That’s too cruel, Jack. Why would the Legend make such a floor?"

Chuckling, Jack shrugged. "Maybe he was bored and wanted to mess with everyone who dared to steal his stuff."

Argyle and Bowzer both smiled, overhearing the conversation. Both were feeling a bit fatigued, especially Bowzer, but they were at least able to calmly walk on this floor. And the danger was supposedly over, so long as Mooldrat didn’t have a change of heart.

’Fresh... meat...’

A new voice started to echo within everyone’s minds. It was jarring, distracting the party and forcing them to find the source.

’None for you! My friends!’ Suddenly, Mooldrat bolted through the air. He then collided with a second beholder that was barreling into the view of the party.

’But--’

’I don’t share!’ Mooldrat was visibly larger than the second beholder, grappling the second’s tentacles and taking a bite out of its face. ’They’re all mine!’

Everyone stayed close to Bowzer, their only light source.

’Jack, how did Mooldrat know where that other beholder was coming from?’ Argyle asked the walking, ancient encyclopedia that was his son-in-law.

’Don’t you know about the legendary beholders? They have a legendary ability called True Sight,’ replied Jack. ’They can see clear as day down here and can even see through invisibility.’

’Seriously?!’ Argyle was baffled mentally by the confirmation of the ancient legends and by the cannibalistic sight he was watching. ’Were they always... so barbaric?’

’No, they’ve always been regarded as some of the most intelligent creatures in existence. But...’ Jack guiltily smiled. ’But what else would happen when you trap a bunch of them in a pitch-black dungeon and not include much else to eat? Once people stopped coming through here, I think they started to go insane from hunger.

’Also, there shouldn’t be away for beasts to activate the teleportation circles, yet Mooldrat is insistent that the circle to the boss on the eleventh floor works. That might have had a huge negative impact on their psyche as well,’ reasoned Jack.

While Jack finished his explanation, Mooldrat was finishing a meal. The Dark Beholder was licking the skull clean, not even leaving a drop of blood or a scrap of skin on the corpse of the invading beholder. Mooldrat’s depravity and lust for hunger became all the more apparent to the witnesses of the scene.

"Hurry up, Mooldrat, or we won’t be able to find you more beef later," stated Jack.

’No! I need beef... I’ll bring my meal with me...’ Mooldrats ten dark tentacled wrapped themselves around the remains of the corpse, lifting it for Mooldrat to enjoy while he led the party.

’Jack, are we really taking that thing outside with us?’

’Don’t worry, Argyle. I’ve got an idea.’

’And what would that be?’

’Just wait and see. Also, once we’re on the eleventh floor, don’t let Vixus activate the teleportation circle,’ mentioned Jack.

Eyeing Jack, Argyle continued questioning the hero, ’Jack, what do you mean by that?’

’I’ll confront the boss alone. Bowzer can come along since he’s my companion, but I don’t want you and especially Vixus ruining my discussion by doing something stupid.’

’You’re going to have a discussion with the boss?! Are you mad?’

Jack chuckled softly. ’No, Mooldrat’s mad. I’ve just got a hunch. We’ll be sent to a teleportation circle on the eleventh floor which both can both receive and transport people. That’s how you enter and leave the eleventh floor. But don’t dare to activate it, so you’ll have to keep Vixus from doing that. Just drag him to the side opposite the vault.’

’And what about you?’

’I’ll be preoccupied talking with the boss, remember? That way we can enter the vault without worry.’ Jack sighed. ’I’m still not lv. 50, but I’m really close. I’m sure I can level up outside. Then...’

’Jack?’

’Either way, don’t wet yourself in fear and keep Vixus from doing something stupid. Got it?’ stated Jack, seriously eyeing his father-in-law.

Argyle nervously smiled and nodded. ’Got it.’

 

Chapter 339

’Jack... Are you sure you don’t have any more of that beef?’ asked Mooldrat, licking his lips.

Jack shook his head and shrugged. "Sorry, Mooldrat. I’m all out. But I can tell you where I’ll find more."

’Tell me!’

"First, let me tell you about where we are. This limited space is one of many spaces inside of a place we call a dungeon," stated Jack.

’Oh... So I was put in a dungeon...’ As if a fragment of Mooldrat’s memory recovered, he eagerly listened to Jack.

"Mooldrat, do you know what a dungeon is?"

’It’s... a place where... heroes went... right?’

"Right! See, you’re just as smart as legends say," complimented Jack, keeping himself on Mooldrat’s good side and continuing the conversation. "The circle we’re going to will take us to the last space of the dungeon, where the strongest creature lives. Most likely, that creature is what has been killing the other beholders when they went mad and used the circle."

’Oh... But you’ll protect me... right, Jack?’

"Precisely! Argyle and Vixus are going to step back while me and Bowzer deal with the boss. You’ll back away with them, okay?"

Mooldrat nodded. ’But where is there more beef?’

"Behind that strong strong creature is a giant vault. There, I’ll find you more beef before we use the final circle to go to the outside world," stated Jack. "How does that sound?"

Already salivating, Mooldrat nodded again. ’Yes! I want more beef! Give me more beef and I’ll go with you!’

"Great! See, we’re already great friends, right?" Jack insisted.

’Yes... great friends feed me... We’re great friends...’

"Do you eat friends, Mooldrat?" Jack asked.

Struggling to answer, Mooldrat took a moment to ponder. ’No... because friends give food and beef!’

"You’re right again, Mooldrat!" Jack beamed. "Do you listen to friends and do what they say, since they give you food?"

’Yes... For food, I listen to friends." Mooldrat nodded, still leaving behind a trail of drool.

"How close are we, Mooldrat?"

’Oh... We’re almost to the circle.’ Speeding up, the beholder rushed into the darkness.

"Mooldrat! Come back!" As the beholder came back into sight, confused, Jack stated, "We can’t see in the dark like you, so you’ll have to stay near Bowzer where we can see you. We don’t want to lose our new friend, right?"

’Right! I can’t lose my friends!’ Mooldrat returned to his previous position in their formation. ’The circle... is up ahead...’

"Mooldrat, do most beholders live to be over one thousand years old, like you?" Jack asked, curious.

’I’m... one thousand years old?’ Only realizing that after Jack’s statement, the beholder tilted his head in surprise. ’Maybe... But I’m the oldest here... There’s the circle!’

Changing the subject, Mooldrat rushed into the dim light and watched the others near the circle he was hovering over. It was almost identical to the other circles, only showing a few small differences in the ancient writing that created it.

’Don’t touch... If you touch... you leave.’

"Really?" Jack was baffled, knowing full well that the circle was never intended to act in such a way. "Okay... then let’s all touch it together. That way I can protect you, Mooldrat."

’But...’

"Do you want more beef, or--"

’Yes!’

"Then we’ll all touch it in three..."

The others gathered to the edge of the circle while Mooldrat slowly extended a tentacle toward the circle.

"Two..."

Everyone took a deep breath, reading themselves mentally for what was about to happen.

"One!"

All at once everyone touched a part of the circle and felt a rush of purple, spatial energy wash over them.

Reappearing elsewhere, the party opened their eyes to find themselves in another dark space, but it was very different. It wasn’t a tunnel or cavern. They found themselves in a vast, open space with on corridors or passageways connecting to it and there was no ceiling in sight it was so tall. There was dim artificial lighting along faraway walls, as the teleportation circle they now stood on was in the center of the spacious room.

There was one thing, however, that contrasted the dimly lit walls and the dark, open space that was supposed to be a ceiling.

The only part of the vast room that wasn’t circular were two gigantic, ancient doors, matching the ones from the dungeon’s entrance. Kari crystals surrounded the trim of the doors, showing off the natural splendor and beauty of the roxite and the detailed carving etched into it.

"Everyone, back against the wall opposite the door. Bowzer, you’re staying with me."

"But Jack--"

"Do it now! Or you may die!"

"Interesting... Humans have returned to the dungeon..."

An unnaturally deep, gravelly voice shook the room and the stone walls. Vixus swallowed his words as Argyle was already dragging him to the back wall. And Mooldrat was right behind them, visible trembling at the sound of that voice.

As Argyle and Vixus reached the back wall, they turned around just in time to see a figure emerge from the darkness above the magic circle.

Mooldrat’s True Sight had already betrayed him, stealing him of any hope to stand before the creature that only he had seen through the darkness.

It wasn’t so much a figure that emerged, it was more of a gargantuan silhouette. The creature’s head was the first thing to enter their sight, but that alone almost filled a quarter of what was visible to the party.

The beast’s massive, piercing eyes were the first parts of it to be recognized. And it was clear that they were draconic. Next, they noticed the beast’s mouth opening and closing, showing off rows and rows of jagged teeth that would put razors to shame, each as large as a human leg yet they fit easily in the beast oversized jaw.

What was peculiar was the skin of the beast, if you could call it skin. It was very similar to the exoskeleton of insects, yet there were still spikes protruding through what they assumed was the beast’s spine.

"Tell me, how did you enter this dungeon, and why have you come here?" That booming voice shook Jack as the creature got closer and closer.

"I’m with the Leisure Guild. Do you still remember what that means?" Jack then held up the emblem that Tralon had given him long ago.

"That emblem... I haven’t seen one in over one thousand years..." The beast began to chuckle. "Tell me, how come the dungeon was sealed away and why no one has visited me in over one thousand years? If I don’t like your answer, then I’ll ignore that emblem in your hands."

Jack sighed, happy to see that the beast was still sane, unlike the beholders on the tenth floor.

"That’s complicated, but I can explain if you don’t mind a long story."

"I’ve waited more than a millennium, so amuse me," laughed the beast, lowering his head to rest on the ground, blocking Jack and Bowzer from the vault door.

"First off, you should know that the ancient heroes are no longer roaming Kartonia. That period is now known as Ancient Kartonia and we’re currently in a period called Modern Kartonia," explained Jack.

"There are no more heroes?" questioned the beast. "Then what became of my master, the guild leader?"

Smiling, Jack replied, "Before a war of the gods broke out and the world would need him most, he vanished."

"He vanished? He was killed or slain by one of the many gods he had offended?"

"No, he simply vanished from the timeline. Soon after he disappeared, more and more heroes started to disappear too. Then the Godly War happened and now the gods are hiding from the world. Because of all that happened previously, the dungeon was sealed away and hasn’t been reopened till now, Dragovich."

 

Chapter 340

The beast’s eyes stiffened, glaring down heavily on the human before it. "You know my name, human? How so?"

"Was it ever a secret?" chuckled Jack.

"No... it wasn’t. But you still know of me and bear the emblem of the guild. Who are you to know so much?"

With a smile on his face, Jack waved his hand to cast silence, not wanting Vixus to overhear them or for Mooldrat to learn so suddenly that his new best friend was the man who captured him in the first place.

"Would you believe that I’m your master, Jack J.?"

Dragovich squinted and came within a meter of Jack’s face. "You? Do you have any proof?"

"I know that you were gifted to me for being the first person to complete Grixor’s quest, making you the one and only Draconic Centipede that’s not under his influence," stated Jack, surprising the gargantuan beast. "Also, you were raised as my first ever beast companion till you were lv. 68 and then placed inside this dungeon as the keeper and guardian of the vault, even if the other guild members didn’t know it."

"You... reveal your level and class to me at once," Dragovich order, truly wanting to know the truth.

"I’m not the same as I was before. I’ll let you see, but also allow me to explain." Jack then removed his cloak and revealed himself.

"Lv. 49... If you are my master, then why are you so weak? Explain or die, for none shall falsify my master’s identity."

"I’m glad to see that you’re loyal as ever, Dragov."

"That..."

Dragovich was caught off guard by the sudden mention of his nickname. When Dragovich was born, Grixor, the God of Earth, gave the Draconic Centipede his name. It was only after Jack had taken ownership of him that the gamer officially renamed him Dragov because it was easier to say.

Though it tarnished the powerful, draconic name that he was born with, Dragov eventually grew accustomed to it. But he only allowed Jack to call him that.

"So, Dragov, what level are you know? And, have you gotten even bigger?"

The Draconic Centipede shook his head and body before softening his glare. "I’m lv. 81 now."

"And are you the one who altered this magic circle?" Jack knelt down and closely examined the writings with his fingers. "You changed this circle so it would teleport anything that touched its sister circle on the tenth floor, didn’t you?"

"How else would I find nourishment?" replied Dragov. "I was left here without any prey of my own. I feared that I would soon run out of beholder to feast upon as they stopped coming through the circle not long ago."

Jack laughed, "Your meddling with the circle had a hand in the beholders on the tenth floor insane. Did you know that?"

"I realized it quickly, but I have no regrets as it kept me alive and growing. My hope was to rejoin my master on the battlefield. Though I can gain EXP in this dungeon setting, it never compared to facing godly beings with my master. The thought of defying even the gods... That the epitome of strength."

"How about you join me and we fight the gods again?" Jack added, catching Dragov’s attention.

"Explain? Also, I’m still not fully convinced you’re my master."

"Dragov, I want to ask you to allow us entry to the vault. If I’m right, there will be an item in there that will help me prove my identity."

"You won’t take anything else? Aren’t you down here to raid the vault?" argued the Draconic Centipede.

"If I’m really who I claim to be, would that count as raiding or reclaiming my treasures?"

Dragov eyed Jack cautiously. "Then explain what you meant by fighting the gods. I’m curious."

"Simply put, I’m going to be fighting the Holy Gods and the Chaotic Gods as the champion of chosen champion of the Neutral Gods," Jack stated. "That’s why I vanished. Daruun, the God of Fate, plucked me from that time and put me here with a new body and new abilities. Sure, I have to start from scratch, but my potential is far greater with my new abilities."

"So you’ll be fighting the gods directly?" asked Dragov.

"In a way, yes. But I’m going to prepare and ready my side for battle before that happens," explained Jack. "For example, I’ll be bringing the neutral gods back into the public light. That alone will bring more traffic into Trodar and will tempt the other gods to do something lest they lose the little influence they have left."

"Hmm... Calculating, thought out, against the norm... You scheme just like my master in the past, I’ll admit that. But I still want evidence. If there is no evidence in that vault, what happens then?"

"Then... I’m not sure," Jack chuckled nervously. "I’m being honest here, Dragov. Who else would know so much about our relationship?"

"Then we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I’ll allow you to open the vault without my interference." Dragov began to retract his head into the darkness above. "I hope you truly are my master. Then I can finally leave this place and fight bigger, more challenging foes..."

When Jack dispersed the silent orb around them, Argyle heaved a sigh of relief.

Vixus on the other hand was still shaking at the knees. "Argyle... What was that? It’s even bigger than your wyrm."

"I’m not sure, but Jack’s already struck a deal with it. Now, we’ll finally enter the vault," stated Argyle, stepping toward Jack.

’Friend!’ Mooldrat was the first to reach Jack with a big, gnarly grin of his yellow fangs. ’You protected me and now we can find beef!’

"You’re right, Mooldrat! Let’s let Argyle open the vault and search for your beef. After you, Argyle." Jack showed a slight bow, leading Argyle forward with his hand. "Just place your hand with the ring on the door and give it a little push."

With a nod, Argyle took the long walk toward the door. The echoes of his footsteps came to a stop once he placed his hand on the door. And with the tiniest push, Argyle felt the door unlatch from the inside and start to open on its own, like the dungeon’s entrance.

"Mooldrat, you can come inside, but don’t touch anything, okay?"

’Okay! I just want beef!’

"I’ve already found some!" The beholder instantly turned his head to find a couple of dozen sacks of rations just outside the door. Another bag and another bag were being thrown onto the pile from Argyle who was already inside. "Have at it, Mooldrat!"

Not saying another word, the drooling beholder began to rip the sacks open one by one. He was in a world of bliss he had forgotten in the past millennia.

"Hurry up and pick your treasure, Vixus. Go ahead." Jack pushed the slow walking Vixus forward, reminding the best tamer of the reason he had entered the dungeon.

"Right!"

Vixus darted in at full speed, carefully but hastily rummaging through the many treasures of the vault. And like Jack had stated earlier, most everything carried the insignia of the guild, marking them as guild items for guild members.

While Vixus was hurrying through the vault and Argyle was searching for where the magic crystals were stored, Jack walked into the vault with his gaze locked. The hero didn’t touch anything as he walked to the back corner. There, he finally opened a single chest and pulled out a single item.

It was a sphere crafted from a polished crystal that comfortably fit in the palm of Jack’s hand. Inside the crystal was the symbol of Daruun, an all-seeing eye among the clouds. The item was also very peculiar because no matter what angle you viewed it from or how many people looked back at it, the eye was always looking back at the viewer. It was mysterious and creepily portraying Drauun’s ability to always be watching over everything.

Taking a deep breath, Jack nervously smiled. "Okay, let’s try it out."