Denizens of the Labyrinth

It had been three weeks since they had formed the black wing faction. Three weeks of continuous working and nothing but hard effort, Jazmel sat in the foyer of his master living quarters and ate a hearty breakfast. The hunting of the monsters around the local area of the outpost had expanded and with the extended help of the dwarves, they had filled their stores with as much meat as they could manage for almost half a year.

The first week had been nothing but repairs and stocking the living needs of the faction members. Something that Jazmel had sort of overseen, but in truth he had just given tasks and quests out and this had been done through the faction seat, which had upgraded on their fifth day. Allowing the mine’s Mana source to directly connect to the central node and though he could only see it when he was seated or connected to a node in his outpost. He was aware that the mine was now connected, and they no longer had to physically bring Mana crystals up from the mine.

After ten days, the dwarves left. Having hunted the hills bare and cleared out the tier II monsters that might try and attack the outpost. Jazmel was grateful and in fairness the dwarves had completely renovated the whole outpost. The walls had been repaired and erected with solid stone, the repairs had been refixed and augmented with Mana essence. But the heavy lifting and labour had been done solely by the dwarves. They also had refurbished the mine and made it much more stable for those to traverse. The goblins had been terrible in building fortifications, but the dwarves turned it into a true mine, strengthening the walls and corridors and even creating a map for Jazmel. Something he could use to dig deeper if he ever needed more Mana but for now the crystals that the goblins had already excavated was more than enough. Even after all the repairs, he had averaged out to around fifty thousand left and there were still crystals left. Frae left after spending ten days with them, having waited till the families of the dwarves who had joined the faction had come and joined. The wives of Gorin, Bolin and Palin accepted residence in the eatery and took charge of the store too. Jazmel was thankful, they knew how to keep track of the stock and share out what was needed to feed everyone.

The people who currently made up the faction members were; Jazmel, Baek, Patton, Katie, Bannerman, Sadé and Gilmore; the original members of the faction. Since then, the three dwarves and their families had joined also. Which brough their number up to twenty, which was comfortable as of right now.

Two days since then Tango and Mary appeared, in the company of Colin and three caravans filled with items, resources and other things for the faction. He welcomed Tango and Mary, immediately offering them as an advanced payment for the chance to be the source of resources for the faction. Before Jazmel could say anything, Palin’s wife who had turned out to be Melle from the locked gate. She had cornered colin before he could even begin to bridge out an idea and they haggled and bartered before they agreed on this deal.

The system alerted him that an agreement had been formed; Colin and the Hermenthen merchants were the sole providers for the faction of the black wing. Already Colin and Melle had haggled about the prices of the monster cores that had been collected so far. Colin had written a list down of the things that Melle would need to keep the faction running. Grain, bread, pasta, and the other things that they couldn’t find outside of walls of the outpost.

Without even asking, Tango had requested to be made a faction member. He would only accept a retainer position and when Colin was heading back, Tango had offered to go back with him. Explaining to Jazmel he was aiming for tier III Ranker and needed to continue going through the labyrinth but promised to return often. Mary left alongside them and as she was already in the Munin guild, she didn’t ask to join him, and he didn’t ask her either. But he did tell offer her entry to the faction as an ally and so like the dwarves and colin. She could come and go as she wanted if she wanted. She thanked him, in an awkward way and then left quickly.

He wondered why she reacted like that, but nobody explained. The faction gained their first quests on the fifteen day, it popped up for everyone at breakfast and Jazmel watched his screen but peered up to see if everyone else gained the same message.

BLACK WING FACTION!

CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR REPUTATION IS GROWING.

RUMOURS ARE SPREADING IN THE LABYRINTH!

…

NOW YOU MUST RAISE YOUR FLAG!!

RAISE THE REPUTATION OF THE BLACK WING FACTION!

REWARD

MANA WAR CHEST

FACTION INFLUENCE

HIGHER REPUTATION

Jazmel read it quickly, then read it again and immediately the dining hall grew loud with conversation.

“The quest is telling us to let the labyrinth know we have created a faction!” Patton explained.

“The system wants us to do guild missions, we need to delve into the labyrinth again.” Katie said and everyone nodded, they had been in this outpost for nearly a month and though it was great to have a base, it was the first time.

“We just need to go out and do some other quests but in the name of the faction right?” Gilmore said and the others nodded. “Then that’s simple, we split up into groups and then we go out and earn a name for ourselves.” He expressed and the others all agreed too.

“The pack is strong, but the pack needs more members.” Bannerman offered in his usual way and Katie threw a bread roll which he caught. But turned to face Jazmel. “The pup is right; we need to recruit new members too.” Katie nodded and the others all murmured.

“We will all leave then. Katie and Bannerman, Gil, and Patton.” He didn’t say Sadé, but Katie grinned at him, and it annoyed him how they all saw through him. “You can offer the chance to join the faction, but do not offer it to too many people. If anything, one or two people each; we need to see grow balanced and gradually. Only the best or the most useful members can join us.” Jazmel told them all and they all agreed.

“Will you be travelling my lord?” Melle said and Jazmel ducked his head, he hated being called that, but it was better than Faction leader. So, Jazmel had relented and accepted the title; begrudgingly.

“We all will Melle.” He explained and she nodded and turning to the other wives she told them to prepare travel packs for the three groups.

The others dined and finished, going to prepare their travel and Jazmel already had everything he needed. He had given all his loot to the stores of the faction. Except what he had taken from the hobgoblin. He had even planted the willow knight seed and it was growing quite well too. He was worried about not having anyone else to defend the outpost, but Baek told him that nobody could enter through the gates and Gorin and the other dwarves were all unharmed. “It is better to do as the system provides quests, they will always benefit you in the long run.” He explained, in his mentoring and doting way. Jazmel conceded and checked his satchel and storage ring to be sure he had all his required items. He had gathered higher tier potions for also, after feeling that the tier I potions were no longer offering the cover he felt he needed. He realised with his growth; he would need to prepare stronger variations of all things. He looked at his swords and wondered if it was time to consider seeking out a higher tier.

Checking everyone was good and ready to leave they left the tower, then through the courtyard and then the door that was made with a complicated defence but a simple use Mana array. Jazmel simply had to place his hand on the wall, and it would look down. Others could leave, but it would require them to announce their entry. Part of one of the defensive arrays that AI had, had him form through the central node.

The walked down the steps that have been excavated and renovated, now they were not covered in silt and gravel. But well prepared and preserved for use in everyday travel. The gate had stayed where they had entered it from and while Jazmel did have access to move it, Baek explained to him that it was best to leave it where it was, for defensive reasons. Even though it was still but a short walk from the outpost. It was still defendable, and it made sense to Jazmel in that regard.

The first to enter the gate was Bannerman and Katie, they agreed to do some recruiting and would send a swan as soon as they were able to. They walked through the gate and though the swirling maelstrom still turned his stomach, Jazmel did not feel so ill as to vomit.

The next through were Patton and Gilmore, they would reach out when they could and promised to share anything they learned. Patton was smart and Gilmore was reserved but also very witty. They had begun to form a staunch friendship above the others and Jazmel was happy to see that Gil didn’t feel alone.

Finally, it was Jazmel, Sadé and Baek’s turn. He stepped through first and Sadé and Baek followed him, they walked out into an open expanse it was an old city, ruinous and broken by war and time. The gate appeared from a simple arch and once they all had stepped through it was no longer present; the arch simply showed into a room without a roof.

Jazmel looked around, it was easily too quiet for his liking and before he could take another step; his eyes caught Mana moving sharply in their direction. Just as he was turning, he jumped back; picking up Sadé and darting into the roofless room. Baek had leapt back also, moving so fast Jazmel had only seen him land beside him. “An ambush and there is quite a lot of them.” Baek sighed, he drew his sword it was a beauty, it was about the length of hip to knee and the steel was so bright it was almost white under his eye. The Mana rippled along the blade and Jazmel knew right away that it was high tier III, far greater than his own swords.

“There are ten tier III Rankers here and then a larger group of Seekers. I will deal with the rankers; you must hold on till I can help you deal with the Seekers.” Baek said, he stepped forward, his white robes barely ruffled with his movement.

White Crane

This was the first time Baek had used a skill, he was gone. In a mist of white lit Mana, he disappeared. Jazmel only could tell where he was due to the uniqueness of his Mana and how used to Baek he was. He disappeared and then he was right at the other end of this set of buildings.

“Well, isn’t this lovely.” Someone said and looking up, Jazmel saw a man with a long-hafted axe perched on the fortifications of where a roof once lay. “A young man clutching his pretty girlfriend.” Jazmel had still been holding Sadé and now he let her down, gently. She was hiding her face, but she was focused on the man. He jumped down and when he landed, the thud reverberated around them. he was strong, Jazmel could tell from the way his Mana coalesced in his centre. It was building but Jazmel could see it.

Flight of the blue kite!

He acted first, his blue bird of Mana buffeted the man, hitting his face. He wailed and whirling his axe above his head, he crashed it into the ground.

Maddened smash!

The ground around them shook with the skill and though Sadé didn’t lose her footing, she stumbled. The man took this moment to dart forward at her. But Jazmel was quicker still, he had jumped into the attack catching the man with a shoulder barge; he knocked him off his trajectory.

Whirlwind

Slash!

Slash

With a flurry of skills, he bludgeoned the man down and he could see his body and clothes being cut up, but the man’s eyes were keen and focused. He darted back from his closeness as he rose.

Thunder crown

He turned to catch a glimpse of Sadé creating her halo of thunder and throwing thunder at a group of other ambushers as they hurried in. he couldn’t help her, but he trusted her with his back. He turned back; just in time to see the man raising up and raising his axe again, the darkened metal of the axe head glinted and then turned blood red.

Wail of the Berserker

Jazmel felt something clutch at his chest, and he watched as the man’s Mana puffed up and flushed his body in a show of amplification.

WARNING

STATUS AFFLICTED!

…

ERROR

…

STATUS UNAFFLICTED

…

HEART OF THE SWORD ACTIVE (PASSIVE)

His passive trait was unwavering but if he was safe, he imagined this was probably affecting Sadé. He rushed at the man, who seemed to be surprised that he was unaffected. But he wasn’t too shocked to not know how to react.

Maddened smash!

Maddened smash!

He aimed his skills at Jazmel repeatedly but when Jazmel spun he whirled. His dexterity was high enough that his movement was fluid and full of grace. He carved this man up; he almost took his arm, but the berserker buff seemed to speed up his regeneration too. Jazmel hadn’t accounted for that, his perception pooled around him and just as he was about to dive in for another dance with his sword, an arrow flew through the place where his head had just been. Great, archers too. He quickly looked and saw it was just one. But the bow was great, he was literally shooting bolts of pure Mana. Jazmel swivelled on his feet and bounded forward towards the archer. He hadn’t expected him and before he could strum his bow again, Jazmel was on him. Cutting through him, the system chimed. But before he could look, it cost him the axe haft hit him in the back. Knocking him through the wall and crashing into another building. He heard Sadé cry his name, but he was already gone.

WARNING!

STATUS CONDITION; LOWER BACK CRACKED (minor)

…

STATUS CONDITION; FOUR RIBS CRACKED

…

STATUS CONDITION; INTERNAL BLEEDING (minor)

WARNING

HEALTH BELOW 40%

He laughed and it hurt, blood seeped from between his lips. But he was no fool, he was hurt and even if the system told him the conditions were minor. He had been caught off guard; he fumbled for a potion and drinking deeply he felt his body knit itself back together.

STATUS CONDITION; LOWER BACK HEALED

…

STATUS CONDITION; RIBS UNCRACKED

…

STATUS CONDITION; ORGANS UNRUPTURED

He drank half of another and rose shakily to his feet. The man with the axe appeared in the crushed wall and smiled when he saw Jazmel. He was also bloody, but it seemed that the berserker skill was something that was propping him up and defending him from the worst of his attacks. “you are strong little boy. I can tell, that’s why I can’t wait to kill you, I can tier up after this.” He told Jazmel through a snarling smile, but Jazmel simply waited for him. The man leapt into the building and crash his axe head into the ground.

Maddened smash!

Jazmel had seen enough of that skill; he leapt as the axe smashed into the ground and he landed in the radius of the axe; bewildered. The man lunged with a stray hand, but Jazmel was incensed; with a backward cut he carved through bone and wailing the man cried out in shock and pain.

Slash!

Slash!!

ERROR

CLEAVE

Cleave? Jazmel didn’t even have time to look at his skills, he simply used what was in his skill set. The man was haggard, desolate beneath Jazmel and his bladed battering. The berserker buff seemed to wane and leak from him, and Jazmel stepped over him as the man huffed a break, his body was fighting to try and regenerate but the damage was a lot. Jazmel cut off his head, not wanting to prolong his suffering. He dragged the axe into his storage and felt the weight of the weapon.

He ran back into the previous building and saw Sadé suffering but holding her own. But there was no longer a need for that. He was there and he darted in, lethal. Hajime was an extension of him, a deadly extension and he cleaved a fatal streak from those that would have ambushed them. “How are you three so strong?” the last man crumpled before him, he simply stepped away from him and felt him die, the Mana leaving the man in an exhale. Sadé herself had survived through grit and thunder. “I got a lot of stat points from that group.” She said with a pain staked grin. He nodded, he imagined he probably got some things too. “Oh, wait I got a new title!” she said checking her notifications. He took the moment to check his too.

CONGRATULATIONS!

SLASH TIER III HAS EVOLVED

CLEAVE TIER I

…

EXP EARNED!

LEVEL UP!!

…

+3 STR

+3 VIT

+3 END

+3 DEX

He smiled at that, those tier III Seekers had helped him a lot and he could only imagine how much Sadé had improved; she had defended herself against a hole group. He moved over to the archer and picking up the bow he waited for the system to do its work.

TIER III BOW OF THE RANGER, +2 Mana added to arrows, random critical hit sometimes.

That was interesting, the bow made him wonder about Saif and how she was doing. “Have you heard from Saif?” he asked and Sadé nodded with a smile. “She is well on her way to tier II.” Sadé said and she was still looking at her stats. “I got a title for getting loot!” she said again, and he came over to her. “What is it called?” he asked, and she smiled wryly.

“Marauding fox. Basically, I can pick up some of the loot of any monster of person I defeat. But it needs to tier up, at present; it is just at random at the moment.” He nodded at her explanation, the system reward those who overcame unfavourable odds.

They left the building, looking for Baek; to see what he had made of the rankers and Jazmel saw Baek heading towards them, immaculate and at peace. Undisturbed, he always looked like that. Like he was part of nature, as if he seamlessly fit into the world. For Jazmel who considered strength to be personal and all ego. Baek made him wonder if what he thought was something separate. Time slowed down, Baek seemed to stop moving all together and Jazmel felt Sadé pause too.

He looked around and everything had been stopped; he was outside of time, and he looked at his hands. His body slowed down way beyond what he knew his stats were. But Jazmel felt at peace in this slowness, his hand moved through the air that seemed to surround him, it wafted through the thickness and Jazmel nodded. Shocked his eyes focused on the mist; he saw small particles and even smaller beads of keen energy. He realised that he was seeing Mana; the form of it as it was around them at all times. But just as it started; it was gone, and it was just him beside Sadé and Baek.

DING!

YOU HAVE PERCEIVED MANA AS IT IS

…

+5 INT

+5 PER

…

He smiled greatly; he had gained enlightenment towards Mana.