Chapter 166: Getting Acquainted
Everyone made it to the clearing just as the sun started to sink. Geth and Zolis were the last to arrive.
"So, what took the two of you so long?" Harris walked over and started waggling his eyebrows.
Zolis giggled at the man while Geth just rolled his eyes. Geth also noticed that Sindri looked at them with flushed cheeks and quickly averted her eyes.
His wife started giggling again, "It looks like someone has a little crush. She's cute."
"I've already got one youngin' to deal with," Geth chuckled and patted her head playfully.
"Don't you start with me!" She swung her axe at him, to which he responded by activating Time Delay to stall her movements.
Geth walked around behind her and canceled the Skill. He groped her ass and gave her a light kiss on the neck.
Her body trembled while her face turned red. Harris and Farris both laughed at her sudden state of distress.
"Ahhh, to be young again!" Farris teased.
"Hey Geth, what's the plan?" A voice called out.
He looked over and found his friend Swole coming out of the woods.
"I'm glad you could make it. I was a bit worried about only having eight party members."
"I managed to find him, too. He's already scouting the Direwolf Dungeon and will meet up with us once we arrive."
"What's he going by now?" Geth asked.
Swole laughed, "You remember seeing FatPussy69 as a name a while back?"
Geth smacked his forehead, "You can't be serious."
"As serious as can be. He's some strange Class. Joker or something like that, I can't remember what he called it."
"So, is he useless..?" Geth ventured.
Swole shook his head and shrugged, "The man has managed to reach Level 38 solo. Seems like he has something going on."
Geth nodded and summoned his Skeletons. The pressure they released instantly quieted everyone in the area.
He ordered them to scout the perimeter until he had the chance to place some Detect Runes. The four dashed off into the brush.
"Everyone move in close. I'd rather not be unnecessarily loud."
Geth sat on the ground. The rest of the crowd soon gathered around him.
"This location is directly between the two Dungeons that we'll be facing. Remember, these Dungeons won't be completed quickly. Take your time and conserve your stamina.
Swole has the exact coordinates for the Tier 3 Orc Dungeon and will be sending it to you all now. I'll allow him to explain what he's found out about the creatures."
Geth stepped back and let Swole have the floor.
"Orcs are stupid. They have no Shamans or other magic casters like the Goblins do.
I can only speak for the foot soldiers, not the Bosses. All Orcs seem to have the ability to control the earth element to some extent.
They have low Intelligence and Wisdom. That said, they can't use magic often, but they can cast as a group. Be wary of the spell's power when they do this.
The creatures are physically powerful and have decent Defense. Whoever's tanking, I recommend dodging as many blows as possible."
Swole stepped back into his place.
'Not bad, Swole. Straight to the point,' Geth considered his words and stepped back in front of the crowd.
"Are there any questions from those of you facing the Tier 3 Dungeon?"
No one stepped forward.
"Very well. Hulk, take your men and spend the evening talking about your movement patterns and team composition."
The group became smaller as the ten men left. Seven men and two women remained standing around Geth.
"I would like the rest of you to get to know one another. There really isn't much strategizing that we can do for the Direwolves.
Be aware that they won't be like the other monsters we've faced. Direwolves are highly intelligent and are good at communicating."
Geth looked around to make sure that the others understood. He found that each of his party members took the warning seriously.
He made sure that everyone had introduced themselves before slipping away. He met with his Arcane Archer around twenty yards from the campsite.
"Have there been any signs of the wolves' tracks?"
"Nnoooo," The Skeleton spoke. Its words could be understood, but they were a bit drawn out, and it had a limited vocabulary.
"Have you decided on a name yet?"
The Skeleton shook its head.
"All right. Well, I'm not going to name you. I think that you should have the right to choose for yourself."
"Thaaank y-yoou, Maaasteerr."
Geth nodded and began to set up his detection Runes. He was worried about resting this close to the Direwolf Dungeon.
'If they manage to sniff us out in our sleep, we're screwed,' He thought.
He added some concealment Runes to be safe. They wouldn't do too much, but they should help dull down the group's scent.
Geth walked back to the campsite after spending a couple of hours making sure the Runes were set up. He found that a few large branches had been torn down for seating.
Swole and Jack were having a little duel in the center. The old trainer was coaching them both on the poor stances that they were in.
He found Zolis sitting on one of the branches next to Sindri. He noticed that Zolis' weapon had turned into a fluorescent white warhammer.
The younger woman noticed him walking out and waved in his direction. Zolis turned her head and winked at him, then the two resumed their conversation.
'Well, I certainly won't interfere. At least I've had the chance to get to know this one,' Geth nodded back and turned his attention toward the fight.
Swole had just transformed into his Hulk-like form, scaring the shit out of Jack. The young man may have been strong, but he still hadn't experienced half of what Geth's party had.
'If this group can gain some experience, they'll make powerful allies. Their mettle will be tested in the morning.'
"Everyone find a place to rest and get some shut-eye.. We have a long few days ahead of us."