Heroes, Magic and Monsters

Next day I visited the Sage, and shoved him the magic stone.

- Like we agreed I brought you the magic gem. Well it should be classified as magic gem I hope.Tanot took the stone and happily smiled.

- Oh, you managed get another one, and so fast. Let's see, - he turned stone in his hands and looked at it from all sides: - Barely can be called as one, but yes, this is a magic gem. The smallest magic gem possible, from the weakest floor guardian. But you kept your part of the promise. Stone like that will bring you eighty gold coins. Not as good as the last one, but excellent for the rookie adventurer.

I sighed. I expected more, but he was right. Wolf shepherd was kind of weak in comparison to lava worm. His wolf-monsters and intelligence made him such a danger, not his own strength.

- Fine. Won't get more from a guild anyway.

- Probably less. They keep ten percent from the magic stone price as commission. How much you got for the first one?

- Nine orichalcum coins.

- I appraised it as costing ten. See you are having a profit. Don't hesitate selling me more magic gems if you get any more.

I nodded: - I'll keep that in mind.

Tanot left to another room and came back with the wallet.

- Would you like to stay for the lunch?

- Thank you, but I have a lot of things to do, before our next dungeon hunt. Maybe next time.

- Next time it is, - smiled Tanot.

On my way back to Grimsburg, I thought about my plans to hunt in a dungeon by myself. Encounter with floor guardian nearly wiped out our party. Without my Night vision skill and desperate attack, we probably would not survive. I needed some kind of ace up my sleeve, if I wanted go dungeon diving myself. I could hunt in upper levels, but it would bring me only small amount of coins, not the life force, that I was aiming for. If only I had my artifacts from the game. Dragon armor, Titan's sword, Endless bag of gold, speed and strength increasing artifacts, Magic hat that allowed me to learn all elemental spells, regarding of their levels. Any of these artifacts would make me strong enough to have a chance of defeating a floor guardian by myself. But no such luck.

Maybe blacksmith could give me an advice? I decided to visit Ashurga, and ask for his advice.

Dwarf was working in the smithy, but came outside, when heard about my visit. He smiled at me, and, after usual greetings and teasing, listened to my question.

- Hmm, - he stroked his beard: - In some bigger town, I would advise you to buy an artifact, but not many opportunities for that in Grimsburg. A most you can get a low level artifact or magic sword. But nothing that would give you big enough increase in power. How far have you gotten in the dungeon?

- We managed to defeat floor five guardian. But barely, mostly if was luck no skill that allowed us to survive.

- Floor five, ha. Not deep enough, but if you're up to visiting floor six, I might have some idea.

- What do you have in mind?

- Dozen or so years ago, adventurers party got lucky and discovered adamantium on floor six. Magic ore you can find in blocks lying around, but adamantium is more tricky. It is hidden in dungeon walls and you need to mine it. I have a Mining skill. After adventurers found adamantium they discovered adamantium deposits. Because I'm a dwarf and have Mining skill I was invited as a part of expedition, who tried mining it. But we were attacked by floor guardian. We barely managed to escape and suffered heavy losses. Our mining expedition was cancelled. But I still have a map with adamantium location. After all these years dungeon could have changed, but the map would get us close enough. Centuries ago dwarves developed a spell called View earth. It can be used to find valuable resources inside the earth. Even inside the dungeon. Dwarves shared this spell with human mages. Well, traded it for some artifacts, as I heard. If one of your party members knows that spell or if you can learn it, we could mine adamantium.

- We, old man?

- I'm at level eight myself. And you will need tools and someone who actually knows something about mining adamantium. If we can get enough of it, in exchange for the half of it, I can forge armor and weapons for your party members. I am the only blacksmith in Grimsburg, who knows how to work with it, and you already know how good are my skills in the forge.

- Not hesitate to brag, are you, - I teased.

- Best weaponsmith in Grimsburg, - laughed dwarf, holding his belly.

I thought for a while. That will not be good enough to hunt in the dungeon by myself, but our party strength would greatly increase with superior armor and weapons. And if we can convince Mage guild to allow Nelly accompany us in our mining attempt, we could just get a chance to actually get some adamantium.

- I will need to talk to my party members.

- Sure, you know where to find me. Not actually eager to go to the dungeon myself, but it will be worth the risk for me, if we actually get some adamantium. Not to mention that ore was big enough for couple of full knight armor sets.

- I will let you know if we decide to go or not. By the way, do you know where I can buy a glowing stone and magic lantern?

- Sure thing, there's a shop in Grimsburg, that sells all kind of magic thingies. Go west two streets down and then turn left. Won't miss it.

I thanked the dwarf and followed his direction. The shop had huge glass windows, which was a sign of high status in Grimsburg. Glass was known to this world, but it was expensive and people had to order it to be delivered from the other towns.

Above the door was inscription that said Magic tools and artifacts. Shop was filled with shells filled with all kind of stuff. All kind of stones bracelets rings, even daggers and other weapons. Shop owner was a middle age human. He smiled at me and waved his hand inviting me in.- Welcome adventurer, please come in. What can I help you with? We have best assortment of artifacts in Grimsburg.

- I need a bracelet with glowing stone, or at least the glowing stones themselves.

- Sure thing. Not long ago adventurers bought a lot of them. Went to the dungeon to stop monster stampede. So I have only two left. They cost one gold coin and five silvers. No glowing stones separately I'm afraid.

- Good. I'll take both. I will also need magic lantern and a warning crystal.

- Oh, you're a seasoned adventurer I see. It is always better to be prepared for everything. My I offer you a tent and fire crystals as well.

- I won't need a tent. But what are fire crystals?

- They are special crystal made by alchemists. They burn hotter and longer than wood, perfect for someone who wants' to go to the dungeon.

- How much they cost?

- Two silvers a piece. I know, a bit expensive, but I can assure you, they are worth it.

Sounded like coal to me, but I decided to buy some anyway.

- I'll take ten on these fire crystals. By the way you have warning crystal, but do you have crystals that can create a barrier that can and actually protect the adventurers?

- I have heard about such an artifacts. But they are expensive and custom made, by the sages who specialize in artifact making, from the best quality magic stones. I'm afraid I don't have any.

- I see. What about artifacts that can increase strength or speed?

- I had boots, that could increase wearers speed, but sold them a while age. Don't have anything that can increase your strength right now. How about a cuirass that will increase your defense stat by one?I looked at the cuirass, but it looked heavy, and such a small increase in defense was not worth it. I shook my head.

- What's that? - I pointed at piece of jewelry that looked like ferronnière like forehead-protector. It was made of a silver-like metal and had a black gem that gave off light sparks in its depths. It was the only artifact hidden inside glass box with a lock.

- Oh. That's the jewel of our shop. Also the jewel of our town. Years ago B rank adventurers party tried to conquer Grimsburg dungeon. They had more than a dozen adventurers in it. No one knows how deep they got, but only a single adventurer returned. He was half mad, and sold all his equipment and treasures that he brought back from the dungeon to my father. Then that adventurer drunk himself half to death and hanged himself. It's a sad story, but also the beginning of this shop. Back them my father was just an simple merchant, but the artifacts and equipment that this adventurer sold him, allowed my father to create the most successful shop in Grimsburg. This headband was appraised by Sage Tanot as a powerful artifact. Back them he told my father, that his Appraisal skill wasn't high enough to tell him the artifacts uses, but he said that it is worth more than an orichalcum coin. My father back then didn't have enough money to take it to capitol for more detailed appraisal. So we keep it as an advertisement for our shop.

I liked how it looked. Cool, silver-like with black gem.

- Can I try it on?

Shopkeeper looked at me suspiciously, and I took of my hood and smiled at him. Shopkeeper smiled back, cute female face did its job, and he nodded.

- Why not, - he laughed: - It will look great on you.

He took out the key and opened the box. He passed me the artifact and I took a closer look at it. Headband felt cool, and the metal felt light but sturdy. It reminded me of orichalcum. I put it on, and shopkeeper brought me a mirror. I looked at myself. The forehead band-ferronnière looked good on me. The gem in the middle matched my dark eyes. It also could act as armor and prevented hair from falling into my eyes. I turned my head. It fitted me perfectly, maybe it just was my size or it was an artifact that adjusted its size to the wearer.

- How much it costs?

- I'm sorry, but it is not for sale. Like I said it just acts as advertisement for our shop. Beside we don't even know what properties this artifact has. All I can tell you that it isn't cursed.

- I like it, I will pay you two orichalcum coins for all the things that I mentioned and this diadem-artifact.

Shopkeeper gulped. I wandered if he ever saw an orichalcum coin in his life. This might be the most prominent artifact shop on Grimsburg, which wasn't much, judging from his merchandise. I took out two orichalcum coins and turned them in my hand. Shopkeeper followed them with his eyes.

- That is all the money that I have, but consider it as my whim. I am willing to give you all my money for this cute headband. You won't refuse a girl? Will you? - I smiled at him and finally the greed and Avone's charm did its job. Shopkeeper nodded, and then laughed.

- Can't say no to you miss. We have a deal, - he took the coins and pressed them to his chest: - Please come again if you want something.

I packed my things and went outside. Maybe I just spend a lot of money on something useless to me, but for now I could afford it.

I thought about the mining possibility. I decided that I should talk to Mage guild master first, and ask his opinion and permission to take Nelly with us. So first I must visit the Mage guild.

Sally greeted me, and I asked her if I could talk to the guild master.

- You want to talk to our guild master? May I ask what it's about?

- I want to ask his opinion about possible job that I want to take on. And ask his permission for Nelly to accompany us. Unless you can decide that?

- N-no, you're right. You need to talk about that to guild master. Please wait, I will found out if he has a time for you.

Sally soon returned and invited me to follow her.

- Guild master will see you, but make sure you are brief. He doesn't have much time.I thanked her and Sally took me to Mesmer's room. Guild master told me to take a seat, while Sally remained to stand behind me.

- Sally mentioned, that you want to talk to me. You're not worried about Nelly still not reaching level ten are you?

I had to fight with myself again not to bow to the high elf. Mesmer seemed amused by this, but said nothing.

- Yes, thank you for seeing me. No that's not what I wanted to talk to you about After our later encounter with floor guardian in the dungeon I wanted to increase my party's fighting abilities. So we could better protect Nelly, and make her leveling more efficient. The blacksmith, that I know, told me about abandoned adamantium mine on floor six. In exchange for our help in mining it, he promised us adamantium armor and weapons. But we can't do that without Nelly. It's not what we agreed upon, but if you allow Nelly to accompany us, we will let her keep part of our earnings.

- Adamantium, hmm. I seem to remember the expedition to mine it. If my memory serves me right, blacksmith Ashurga was involved in it. He lacks skills to forge magic weapons, but probably is the only blacksmith in Grimsburg, who knows how to work with adamantium. This metal requires special treatment, even to melt it. Hmmm. It would be nice for Nelly to have an adamantium dagger or short sword. And you did manage to defeat floor guardian. But why are you alone here?

- I wanted to know your opinion, before I talk to my party. If you decide that it is impossible, or too dangerous for Nelly, then I will abandon this idea. At least for a long time.

- I see. You're right to be careful, even entertaining this idea. But it could be worth the risk. Mostly for your party. I will allow it, but Mage guild will also take some of the adamantium, as payment for Nelly's participation. But we will count it as your job of helping Nelly to increase her levels in exchange.

- I think we can agree to that, as long as we get enough of it.

- Yes, too small amount will be useless to us anyway. Talk to your party members. If they agree, then you have my permission to take Nelly to your little mining expedition.

- Thank you, - I stood up and bowed to him: - I will let Sally know about our decision.

I still had three days, before I could talk to others. First I asked Sally if Nelly could use View earth spell. That was only level one spell and receptionist confirmed that Nelly already mastered it. Since I did not need to learn it, I asked Sally about another spell casting lesson. I spend two days learning Bless spell. It was water magic spell that at level one slightly increased strength. After increasing my speed, next was strength. No use of getting faster, if my attack was not strong enough to damage an opponent.

My last rest day I spend for six hours practicing my sword play with Gord. I still had a lot to learn, and my instructor was still far better than me. In a real sword fight I would not stand a chance against him. After my sword lessons I used the leveling crystal. I managed to defeat the floor guardian and his minions, and hoped to jump two or three levels. Sadly I only increased one level, but to my surprise I had a new skill.

Elf, LV 13 - LV 14

Name - Avone;

Job: Ranger;

Status:

Health: 16;

Mana: 120 - 130;

Strength: 10;

Defense: 6;

Spell power: 7 - 8;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 6;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Archery (Advanced);

Night vision (Advanced);

Mana rapid recovery (Novice)

New Possible skill acquirement:

- Scouting (Novice);

- Magic resistance (Novice);

Please choose one skill!

I had Mana rapid recovery. Possible because of my magic training, regularly using up my mana, again and again during my practice and fight with lava worm, I received this skill. It was not battle skill, but was useful, especially after I will increase it. Cannot say that I would have chosen it, but no chance to refuse it now.

Among my usual choices were Scouting and Magic resistance. I decided to take Magic resistance, Scouting was not something that I needed at this point, and Magic resistance would increase my survival chances while fighting other spellcasters.

The remaining part of the day I spend actually resting. Tomorrow I will have to convince my friends to go to the sixth floor, and risk their lives for possible benefits of adamantium weapons.

* * *

Next day like usual we met in Adventurers guild. Everyone seemed rested and ready to hunt.

- I have good news, - I put three gold pouches on the table: - Each of us earned twenty gold coins for the Magic gem that we got from the floor guardian.

- That's great. We never earned so much money before, - Luara took the wallet and looked inside. She could not believe that we actually earned so much. After all just a month ago she earned silver coins, and was happy to receive them.

- I also have something else to discuss to you. I received a job offer that I think you will be interested in. That also won't interfere with our current job for Mage guild.

- Really? What is it an from whom?

- It's an escort job to the dungeon. Local blacksmith wants' to mine adamantium in floor six. We won't get paid, but instead half of adamantium will be used to forge us equipment, for free. Usually adamantium armor and weapons would cost us orichalcum coin or even several. We will have to share with Nelly and Mage guild, but it will still count as our Nelly's leveling job, while we mine adamantium.

- Adamantium weapons? Really! - exclaimed Trevor: - My master told me that they are just as good as magic weapons.

- That sounds good, but floor six? - thoughtfully said catgirl.

- I doubt that there will be anything more dangerous than Wolf shepherd. And we need to get stronger to continue exploring the dungeon. Getting adamantium equipment will allow us to explore dungeons levels five and six even without Nelly.

- They are nearly indestructible. Even if they don't increase our stats, there is no better armor than the one made from pure adamantium, - agreed Myne: - And we can't buy it in Grimsburg, not that we even would be able to afford it, even if it would be on sale.

- You can sell it, after you don't need it anymore, and earn enough for the rest of your days, - added Trevor.

- It's really so expensive? And you sure, that Mage guild won't mind?

- Yes. Guild master promised that we will have his blessing, if we decide to take the job.

- Fine. When should we do that?

- We can go for a test run now, if you all agree. I can go ask blacksmith if he can come with us, or at least get a map. And meet you at the gate, while you pick up Nelly.

- Fine. If everyone is in agreement, - Luara looked at us, and we all nodded: - Then let's give it a try.We all agreed and I went to Ashurga. Blacksmith was sitting in the shop, cleaning the mining gear.

- Someone's optimistic, - I smiled at him.

- Couldn't sleep or work. Dreamt about adamantium. So, what news do you bring?

- Pack your thing old man. We're going to the dungeon.

Dwarf jumped up, and started shoving pickaxe and shovel inside the magic backpack.

- Tom! - he screamed: - I'm leaving. Make sure you take care of the shop.

Young apprentice came out from the back and stared at the dwarf.

- You are really going to the dungeon and leaving me in charge. I thought you were joking.

- No joke boy. Now help me to put on the chainmail, - Tom sighed and helped the dwarf to put on his chainmail. It was knees long with sleeves reaching down to Ashurga's palms. He also put on the helmet and took a huge axe.

- Hope, you didn't forget food and water. You will need them just as much as weapons.

- Packed all I will need, - dwarf clapped his backpack: - Memorized the map too. But taking it with me, just in case.

- Fine. Ever fought a monster?

- How do you think I reached level eight. No dwarf in the world, who can't use an axe. Don't worry about me laddy. Can take care of myself. Well maybe not against monsters past level two, but that's way you're coming.

- Good, good. We are meting my party at the gate. You'll owe us a lot of adamantium gear after that.

- Can count on me. You be best armed adventurers party in Grimsburg. Don't burn down the shop kid, - he looked at Tom, and after his apprentice nodded, we left the shop. Nelly and the rest of my party were already waiting. I introduced the rest of my party and the dwarf.

- Thank you for agreeing to accompany me. If we find and get to mine adamantium, I promise you won't regret your decision, - bowed Ashurga.

- Do you know the location of the adamantium mine? I have maps, but only as far as floor five, - asked Luara.

- I have a partial map of the floor, - nodded Ashurga. He searched his magic backpack and handed Luara his map: - The location that we seek is marked by a circle.Luara nodded and studied the map: - Can I keep it until we are done?

- Sure. I don't mind if you guide us. Last time I visited the dungeon many years ago, and my memories of its pathways are unreliable at best.

Luara put the map inside her magic bag and we departed for the dungeon. Nelly curiously eyed the dwarf. Not many dwarfs visited Mage guild, and Ashurga might be the first dwarf that she ever saw.

- Which one of you will cast View earth spell? - asked Ashurga.

- Nelly will do it. You do know the spell, right?

- Yes, - she answered: - I will need to refresh my memory, but I know the spell.

- Have you ever used it to search adamantium? - asked the dwarf.

- No. Only gold and silver.

- Then we should practice a little first, - Ashurga took out small piece of metal and showed it to Nelly: - This is adamantium. Saved small piece of it, just in case. I will bury it in the ground and you use your spell. This way you will know how it feels inside the ground.

Nelly nodded and Ashurga dig up a small hole. He buried the adamantium piece, while Nelly studied her grimoire.

- All ready, - said the dwarf. Nelly nodded and closed her book. We all curiously watched her. Nelly got on one knee and closed her eyes. She put one hand on the ground and concentrated.

- I can feel it. There, - she pointed at the adamantium: - It feels different than gold. But now that I know how it feels, I will be able to find it.

- How far does your spell reach? - asked Luara. Ashurga dig out his adamantium and put it back inside his pocket. Nelly thought for a moment.

- Around twenty meters, all around me.

- That's not much. Wouldn't be useful without Ashurga's map. But since we know an approximate location it will do. How many times can you cast this spell?

- Many times. It requires less mana than Magic arrow, and my mana reserves have greatly increased lately.

- Good, then, - nodded Luara: - That will make things easier.

First four dungeon floors we crossed easily. We took the same route every time and barely encountered any monsters. We spend a night in dungeons fourth floor and after breakfast went down to floor five.

We barely entered first cavern on floor five, when we were attacked by six cow sized lizards. They run at fast with all their speed, but thanks to my Night vision skill we had enough time to prepare. I casted my Slow spell on the last lizard, to make sure that all of them are affected. Nelly and Myne used their spells as soon as monsters entered their field of vision. I had time to prepare Magic arrow and used it to kill first lizard when it got close enough. Trevor and Luara faced next lizards and Ashurga also took first line and joined our front row fighters. Agile Luara got past her opponent and stabbed the lizard deep inside his eye. Trevor only managed to wound his opponent, but a blow from Ashurga's axe split open lizards skull. Fourth lizard died from Nelly's magic arrow, and Myne killed next one. I told my party members to retreat, and left last lizard to Nelly. I through one of my bracelets with glowing stone, and last lizard affected by my Slow spell entered it light circle. Nelly used her Lightning spell and lizard fell on the ground, with smoke coming of its skin.

- Impressive, - nodded Ashurga: - With you skills we just might succeed in mining adamantium.

- We need to thank Nelly for her help, - I stroked her hair: - Without our archmage we wouldn't be here.

- She's an impressive spellcaster, - agreed Ashurga: - But your mage isn't far behind her.

- I have more experience, but lack her skills and spell casting speed. Not to mention ,that I can use far less spells than Nelly, and even those that I can use aren't as powerful as Nelly's.

- You saved our lives plenty of times, - disagreed Luara: - Give it time and you will became just as powerful as Nelly.

- I hope so.

We gathered magic stones and continued our path. We encountered monsters seven more times before we reached floor six. Ashurga turned out to be an asset to our party. Among us he had a lowest level and was even slower than Nelly, but physically was stronger than the rest of us. He killed several monsters using his axe. Ordinarily he would have hard time dealing with them, but Slow spell gave him just the advantage that he needed.

Floor six looked the same as floor five. Dark corridors and caverns, with no sign of light anywhere.

- Floor six is the deepest one that according to our records Grimsburd adventurers ever reached. It's not well known, but as far as I heard monster here hunt mostly alone, and as such are stronger than the ones on the upper floors, - warned as Luara.

- Well if Nelly's lightning spell will be able to kill them, it could be better for us. Let's try using our new strategy, - I offered: - If I saw one I will use my slow spell on it and then through my glowing stone near it. Then Nelly will kill it with her spell.

- I'll try, - said Nelly, but her voice cracked a little.

- Don't worry, even if don't get them, we will use our sword to deal with them, - I squeezed Nelly's hand, and she nodded.

- I will do my best.

- Fine by me, - agreed Luara: - The less danger we are in the better. Remember this time our mission is mining adamantium, not hunting. Keep that in mind.

Luara took out Ashurga's map, and after studying it, led us towards left corridor.

Our new strategy worked as planned. We encountered four monsters, two bulls covered in thorns, fire breathing bear and huge snake, with two heads, but they all died, killed by Nelly's lightning. On the snake Nelly needed to use her Lightning spell twice, but it also died from the second attack. We collected their magic stones and valuable monster materials. Even if we do not get adamantium we will earn a lot of money during this quest.

Finally we reached the last cavern before our destination, and Luara decided to rest for a while. The rest of us were fine, but Nelly felt a little exhausted after using her spells so many times, and our leader noticed that. We all ate some lunch, and when Luara decided that Nelly rested enough, we continued our path. We passed the corridor and Luara looked around:

- Does this place look familiar? - she asked the dwarf.- All caverns look the same to me, - shrugged the dwarf.- Fair enough. Nelly it's up to you next.

- Got it, - Nelly kneeled down and after placing her hand on the ground concentrated on her spell: - Nothing, - she sighed.

- Don't worry. It's a big cavern. Luckily it is empty, so take your time, - I informed her, and Nelly nodded. We circled the cavern and after her eight attempt Nelly finally found something.

- I sense it over there she pointed at the wall. Several meters deeper inside the wall.

- Well, it's time for me to get to work. Monsters don't attack from the walls, so watch my back.

Dwarf took off his back pack and took out his instruments.

- Sorry, but we won't be able to help you, - warned Luara: - We will need our strength in case of monsters attack.

- I wasn't counting on it. That's why you need someone with mining skill, to get the job done, alone and fast.

Dwarf took out four magic lanterns and place them on the cavern's floor. One near his work place, and three in semicircle around it. His lanterns gave more light than the one that Luara had. They were twice as big and illuminated almost half of cavern.

- Loud noise will attract all nearby monsters, this will help you.

- That's a good idea, - said impressed Luara.

- Old dungeon mining trick.

We positioned ourselves closer to lanterns. Trevor and Luara on the side, me in the middle and our mages between us.

- If you see a monster, don't wait for my order. Kill them as fast as you can, - warned Luara: - You probably won't hear my voice anyway so watch the entrances. Myne, Avone use your Slow spell first, Nelly start with Lightning spell. If either of you use up half of your mana immediately drink the mana potion. Nelly how many mana potions do you have?

- I have six with me.

- Good. We have five. We will leave as soon as we have only four of them left. Could need them on our way back. No need to risk. Myne, give Avone two of the potions.

Myne nodded and handed me over two of the mana potions, that Luara bought for our party's use. Probably Myne, just like me had her own mana potions, but these were our party's common possessions, that Luara bought using our party's earnings.

I put the potions inside my magic bag and looked around. There were three entrance in the cavern, and only one of them was illuminated by Ashurga's lantern.

- Luara do you still have your lantern? - I asked.

- Yes.

- I have one as well. Let's put them close to the corridors that way you will also see if anyone comes inside.

- Good idea, - agreed catgirl, and we placed two lanterns on the sides of the corridors. That way we will see the intruders, but they won't destroy our sources of light, by stepping on them, while entering the cavern.

Dwarf swung his pickaxe and got to work. He used pick axe to break away pieces of rock and them used his shovel to clean his workplace and gather the broken rock farther away near the wall.

Soon after he started working, first monster came out of the left entrance. It looked like a sabre-toothed tiger, but with six legs. My Slow spell and Myne's affected him almost at the same time. Next was Nelly's lightning. Monster howled and fell on the ground. His fur caught on fire in places and blood came out of his mouth. Monster was still alive and tried to crawl towards us, but second Lightning spell finished the monster. After that several more tiger like monster appeared, but they all died the same way.

After an hour Ashurga took a break. He made more that a meter deep humans sized hole in the wall. After four monsters were killed, no one else appeared, and Luara decided that we should be safe at least for a while.

- Trevor you will help the blacksmith. You and me will work in shifts, helping with mining. Myne, Nelly you also take a break. Avone you will be on the lookout, then Myne will replace you. Nelly your job is to kill monsters, rest in the meantime. Ashurga, how much time will you need to mine the adamantium?

- Two or three days to determine how big adamantium deposits are here. Next time we will need somewhere between five to eight days to mine it. And archmage will have to help out locating it.

- What about the dungeon. Won't it repair the hole, that you made?

- Once we leave the mine will disappear in three days or a week. Difficult to say. Depending on how long we will be gone, or how long the dungeon will restore itself, we may need to star from the beginning.

- I see. So two days to come here, two more days to leave, and eight here. We will need supplies for at least twelve days. What about adamantium? Will we be able to take all of it with us?

- I may need to use your magic bags, depending on the amount. But the longer we stay, the more food we eat, and the emptier our magic bags will get. That won't be a problem. But we will need to replace magic stones in our lanterns. My should be good for four days or so, but for our next trip I will need to bring some more magic stones. Probably you will need too. Yours are not so bright, so magic stones in them last for weeks at a time, but better to be safe.

- I see. I didn't think about it. We will do that. But we only have supplies for four days. Six if we ration them. So we will leave in two days. We will need to work fast.

- Do, as you say. Well with your help work will be going faster.

Ashurga stood up and resumed his work. He used pickaxe to break the stones, while Trevor cleaned the rubble. After an hour, Luara replaced Trevor. Dwarf worked for three hours before taking a rest. He continued his work for the rest of the day and found three fist sized adamantium pieces. Unlike iron adamantium did not needed extraction from the ore. Adamantium solidified in blocks inside dungeon walls, and mining consisted of removing such blocks from dungeon walls. Adamantium mines were places where such blocks were in abundance and were rear, and very valuable.

During our first day we were attacked only by one monster pack of fire breathing wolves. But we managed to kill them, mostly using Magic arrows. Trevor got burned by one of the wolves, but Nelly and me healed him using Cure spell. During the night we used warning crystal, but one of us, except Nelly and Ashurga, also stayed on guard. We were attacked once by horned bear, but killed it, just like the other monsters.

Next day, once the hole inside a wall was big enough, Nelly used her View earth spell, and found more adamantium hidden inside the dungeon wall. Before that she could not locate it, because of all the rock in front of it.

- Look likes we got lucky, - smiled Ashurga: - We should continue our work, but next time we return, we should count on at least eight days, that we will need to extract all of it.

Dungeon walls were made mostly of hard rock, and thanks to that Ashurga did not need to build support for the walls, which made mining in the dungeon more convenient.

The previous night went by without any monster attacks. Probably we already killed all monsters in the area. I helped with excavation, while Myne stayed on guard duty. Nelly's job was casting her spell and guiding as towards closest adamantium chunks. Dwarf gave Trevor his spare pickaxe, and Luara and me gathered pieces of broken rock and carried it farther away. It turned out to be hard word, and soon my all body hurt, after unfamiliar work.

Buy the end of the second day, even if we divided adamantium by two, we had enough for some armor and couple of swords. Our mining operation was success.

Our food supplies were running thin, and on the third day, Luara ordered us to pack up. Ashurga looked at the dungeon wall and sighed. He wanted to continue, but common sense prevailed and he followed orders.

We exited floor six without encountering any monsters and only had to fight our way out after reaching fifth floor. We used our usual strategies, and two days later finally exited the dungeon.

- How can something that big exist under the ground, - sighed Trevor, after finally seeing sunlight and the sky. This was our longest dungeon dive, and we all felt more tired than usually.

- Some scholars from the old days, theorized that there are two types of dungeons. Small ones that occur in the ruins and places where people buried their dead. Those dungeons don't have floors, and almost all monsters in there are undead, and big ones like the Grimsburg dungeon, - explained Nelly: - They theorized that big, or underground dungeons actually exist inside pocket dimensions that we enter after going past caves, that we call dungeon entrances. That theory was proven by one of the nobles, who ordered to dig above the place were first floor should have been located. Even after weeks of digging, they never find the dungeons first floor, even if the common sense told them that they are in the right place. That's why all underground dungeons also have only one entrance.

That explained a lot. I also wandered how such huge places like dungeons could exist, but if they were inside different dimension, it explained many things.

- What's a pocket-dimension? - asked Luara.

- Mmm, they are similar to your magic bag. Places that inside are much, much bigger than they look from outside. My masters told me that it is the best explanation that people can understand.

- I see. That's interesting. Never thought about that myself.

- Neither did I, - agreed Myne.

Trevor and Ashurga also seem to be interested.

- Are magic bags small dungeons then? - asked Trevor.

- No. Dungeons have dungeon cores in the middle of them or on the deepest floor. But magic bags are created either as an artifacts, by dungeon magic, or by Sages who enchant them to be bigger on the inside. Magic bags don't have magic cores and don't create monsters inside them.

- I see. That's good, - answered relieved Trevor: - Don't want a monster jumping out of the magic bag, when I finally buy one.

We all laughed and in a better mood returned to Grimsburg. We decided to take three days' rest, to let our mages rest and better prepare for our next dungeon mission.