Denizens of the Labyrinth

They returned to the inn and immediately sat down, in silence and crowded in a cubicle they discussed things. “Why did you buy that seed?” Katie asked Jazmel over a mouthful of rice. The inn keeper had been kind enough to prepare a meal and once he set the table, he left the view for them to be able to talk amongst themselves.

“I got a plot when we were in the Xuanhuan realm.” He confessed.

“I had to return a branch to Mirete, but I do not know where or what it is. But when I saw the seed at the auction, I figured it must be a sign of some sort.” He admitted and they all fell quiet, waiting to see if Baek had an understanding.

“Mirete is a locked gate. Few have been there, even fewer have returned. It’s not like a lost gate, Mirete only allows those deemed worthy to enter it.” Baek explained and the party fell silent.

“Well, if anyone is worthy, it’s definitely Jazmel. Your heart is good!” Patton told them all and they raised their cups to praise him.

“Thank you, thank you.” He said, raising his own.

“Why did you buy the Zheng corpse?” Baek asked.

“I am preparing for my next tribulation. You said the Zheng were hardy and strong. That is my body sorted.” He said and the table laughed.

“What else do you need?” Baek asked, he seemed to be focusing on the storage ring he wore.

“I need something for my spirit and for my mind.” Jazmel said, a little giddy knowing that Baek must have a wealth of items.

“I believe for the mind, thunder or lightning items tend to be the best. It allows the mind to keep up with the body as it stabilises the abilities created with stats.” He said this and from his storage ring, he pulled a large feather. It crackled with energy, iodising them all at the table. A few hairs of Sadé’s rose up.

“A Thunderbird feather…” Katie whispered and Baek nodded.

“I got this when I was on the thirtieth floor. the gate I entered had a roost of thunderbirds. Though it was not the task I was set, I knew how valuable a full-grown Thunderbird would be. I gained a mating pair, a clutch of eggs and this.” He passed the feather over to Jazmel.

“Whew, I wish I was as lucky to be the son of a King in the labyrinth.” Katie said and everyone at the table laughed.

“Didn’t I already give you a dwarven coin?” Baek mused and everyone laughed again.

“I have something else for your spirit, but I am not sure if you should use it.” Baek explained and this made everyone intrigued.

He pulled a small vial from his ring this time and it looked like it held wine, he looked again with his Mana eyes and squinted from the pure Mana that blinded him from within the bottle.

“What is that?!” Jazmel exclaimed.

“Dragon’s blood.” Baek told him.

Everyone grew deathly silent, and Jazmel looked around, he locked eyes with Sadé, and she nodded understanding.

“Dragons are the strongest creatures in the labyrinth. They are almost impossible to defeat solo.” Jazmel listened intently.

“Dragons are beings outside of understanding in the labyrinth, they are beyond limits. That Wyvern you fought before? A dragon could kill it with a claw.” Baek explained.

“Many have tried to incorporate dragons into their tier tribulations and more than once. people have died, dragons winning out even in their death.” Baek made it a point to focus on the vial but to say it while looking Jazmel in the eyes.

“So why would I want to take this?” Jazmel eyed the vial.

“You are the son of the dragon.” Baek said.

“I thought that was figurative.” Jazmel mused and Baek nodded.

“Some would say that some think it is due to the feats he has accomplished. But it is not so.” Baek said and settled down, to continue his story.

“Inumi, the black dragon. Is called that because he ate a black dragon.” Everyone around the table stopped what they were doing.

“Like a tier tribulation?” Bannerman asked, intrigued.

“Well yes that too, but the rest of the corpse he ate it.” Baek said, sipping his own mug and thinking better of it, he pulled tea from his storage ring and poured himself some.

“I don’t even know what to say.” Katie said.

“Seekers will not really speak on it because you are still quite new to the labyrinth. But the consuming of the meat of high tier creatures, will improve your body but also improve your stats too.” Baek explained.

“The higher you get in the labyrinth, the stronger the floors and gates will require of you. During that time, you will need to be able to adapt to things. We need to do these things to better prepare yourselves.” Baek countered all their wayward stares.

“So, if everyone does it, why is the black dragon spoken of so highly.” Patton asked.

“Well, he consumed a dragon when he was a Seeker.” Baek clarified and again everyone stopped what they were doing, even Bannerman had stopped. Who had been actively shovelling food into his mouth.

“As a seeker?” Jazmel said and Baek nodded, but not even beginning to tell the story at all. He pushed the vial across the table to Jazmel and he took it.

“His son would be able to do that also.” Baek drilled confidence into Jazmel with his eyes.