Rune Seeker

After Nivian’s group entered the portal – and it closed – Hiral walked over to the interface and put his hand above the crystal. “Everybody ready?”

“One thing,” Seeyela held up a hand. “Once we get in, which way is the wolf forest?”

“As soon as the ready-room vanishes,” Romin said. “You’ll see the farm and Crescent Mountain straight ahead of you.” He extended his arm straight ahead of him. “Off to your left,” he moved his arm about forty-five degrees to the left, “will be the forest. TheAlpha will be in a small clearing with its guards, unless we choose to kill each of the waves of beasts first.”

“Not waiting,” Seeyela said.

“I thought as much,” Romin said with a nod. “After TheAlpha dies, the scarecrows are on the opposite side of the farm.” He moved his arm until it was pointing another forty-five degrees to the right of his original starting point. “Once that Mid-Boss dies, the bandits will show up where we discussed before.”

“Got it,” Seeyela said. “Ready.”

“You sure you don’t want us to help?” Seena asked.

Seeyela shook her eight-eyed head. “This is a good chance to see how well my new Bamf works.”

“Okay,” Seena said. “Then I guess…”

“Dibs on the D-Rank dungeon,” Yanily interrupted. “If she gets to do this one – and Hiral did the Rocs – I want the next one.”

“Knucklehead,” Gran said with a quiet cackle.

Seena rubbed the bridge of her nose. “We’ll talk about it when we finish this one.”

“Great, what are we waiting for, anyway?” Yanily asked, and Seena’s gauntleted hand clenched into a fist.

To save the poor spearman from himself, Hiral quickly swiped the crystal and said, “Enter Dungeon.” A blue portal spiraled out in front of him immediately, and Seeyela stepped right up to it.

“Well, come on,” she said, stepping through.

Throwing up her hands, Seena followed her sister through with mostly unintelligible grumbling, and Hiral ushered for the others to go ahead. Romin, Wallop, Gran, and Yanily quickly entered, then Hiral was the last one through. As soon as he stepped into the familiar white room, a notification sprung up in front of him.

A Quaint Farm – Dungeon

E-Rank

Top Clear Times

Burs : 12:41

Finotol : 14:01

Zevidiah : 14:17

Attempt Dungeon?

Yes / No

Hiral’s brain barely registered the words – Huh, Finotol was the other party’s leader? – before the notification and the white room vanished. A bamf the next second signalled Seeyela was already gone even as the farm resolved around the party. Like the name implied, it had an aura of peacefulness to it, with a mountain in the distant background, and the sound of waves somewhere just out of sight.

His eyes went to the building directly ahead of them – again of a different make than the buildings on Fallen Reach, but also very different than the tower – before a flash of purple above caught his attention. Looking up, Hiral found Seeyela hundreds of feet in the air, streamers of purple flame trailing her limbs as she fell. Not even a heartbeat later, she vanished within another plume of infernal flame.

“Do you really think she can…?” Romin started.

“Alphais dead,” Seeyela interrupted, and Romin nearly choked on his words.

Hiral could only smile, a quick series of purple flashes carrying Seeyela across the sky above the farmstead. She wasn’t quite as fast as Hiral, but chaining Bamf like that moved her quick. One final flash and he spotted her at the edge of the field. How is she going to deal with this? She specializes in single-target damage, but twenty scarecrows will take even her more than a few seconds.

He got his answer with the next blink of his eyes, a dozen portals opening around the field. An unnatural disaster followed, with billowing flames, acidic venom, blistering cold with razor-sharp ice, and arcing lightning spewing out of the gateways. Scarecrows – and any hope of a farmer’s harvest – vanished within the cataclysm that consumed the field.

“Oh, Sis,” Seena muttered.

“YOU SHOULD’VE RUN!” a powerful voice echoed through the dungeon as the gateways began to wind themselves closed. “NOW THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS… AAAAARGH!”

“The only thing you can do is… aaaaaargh?” Yanily asked.

“That was the Boss,” Romin said, only for a notification window to pop up in answer to both their statements.

A Quaint Farm: Complete

New Record

Time: 0:00:17

You’ve saved a peaceful farmer’s – and a peaceful time’s – way of life from those who’d take it for themselves.

Time until Dungeon – A Quaint Farm instance closure: 59:57

Hiral couldn’t stop himself from barking out a laugh. He hadn’t even had the chance to activate Foundational Split with how quickly Seeyela had cleared the dungeon. The entire dungeon. In less than twenty seconds.

“I…”Romin started, but even without interruptions, he couldn’t finish his thought. The look on his face said it all – he was flabbergasted. At his side, the miniature Wallop let out a snort and pawed at the ground like he felt the same way.

“That’s how you do it,” Seeyela said as she Bamf’d back to the party.

“Nice!” Yanily said, coming over and fist-bumping the woman.

“That was amazing, Sis,” Seena said.

“It was,” Hiral agreed. “With all… well, that, how is your solar energy?”

Seeyela’s shoulders rose and fell like she was chuckling quietly. “Used more than half of my solar energy,” she said. “Your Allied Killing Spree helped a bit. Each of the scarecrows counted as a kill, though I think I got a reduced return because they were so far below my level. Less than ten percent regained from them.”

“Still pretty good,” Hiral said.

“Yeah, chaining the upgraded Bamf isn’t as costly as I thought it would be. I’m happy with it,” Seeyela said.

“Not sure whoever owned this farm would be able to say the same thing,” Hiral said, pointing at the devastated field. Little more than a charred, steaming, and bubbling mess remained. It definitely wasn’t something an E-Rank anything could survive – and that was just the fallout from her skill.

“Wanted to be decisive,” she said in defense of herself.

“You succeeded,” Seena said. “Now, uh, where’s that interface? We’ve been talking longer than it took you to clear this place. We already talked about what items we’d upgrade if got more of those vials, so let’s get this over quick and get on to the next dungeon. Less time here means more time farming the C- or B-Rank dungeons.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“It will be by the farm’s front door,” Romin said, and all heads turned in that direction to find it exactly in that place.

“Let me help with your solar energy,” Hiral said, activating Foundational Split. As soon as Left formed, he shaped the Banner of Courage.

You have been buffed by Banner of Courage.

Critical Strike Rate increased by 18% for 180 seconds.

Critical Strike Damage increased by 60% for 180 seconds.

Attack Speed increased by 8% for 180 seconds.

Moderate Healing Over Time for 180 seconds.

Moderate Shielding granted for 180 seconds.

All Attributes increased by 5% for 180 seconds.

Immune to Fear and Fear-like effects for 180 seconds.

Solar Absorption Rate increased by 1 Rank for 180 seconds.

Keeping the Banner in hand, the timer didn’t start ticking down, and the golden dome stretched just fifteen feet in each direction. Plenty to help Seeyela regain the energy she’d used. Along with the two Apples of Potential – Toxic and Weighted – she’d consumed back in the Lost Refuge of the Lost to increase all her solar abilities by two full ranks, she’d recover quickly.

At the thought, Hiral nearly slapped himself in the forehead. They’d forgotten about the sixth one they had – the Apple of Glacial Potential – and hadn’t offered it to Wule. Then again, they really needed to confirm he had an ice-type solar energy before he took it, otherwise the side-effects would be crippling.

“Left, remember the apple for Wule,” Hiral said quietly to the double beside him. Somebody had to remember for next time, after all.

“I… am embarrassed I forgot about that,” the double said.

“A lot happened,” Hiral said, though even he wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince with the excuse.

“Everybody ready?” Seena asked from where she stood next to the interface. “Oh, Gran? Romin, did you get the Speed Run achievement?”

“And whiplash from how fast Seeyela did that,” Gran said. “Do you all even need a healer or tank?”

“Definitely,” Seena said. “This was E-Rank. You’ll earn your keep in C- and B-.”

“Promises, promises,” Gran said.

“I got the achievement,” Romin said.

“Great,” Seena said, then swiped her hand over the interface crystal. As soon as she did, the sky went from a bright, crystal-clear blue, to oranges and reds as the sun set behind the mountain looming above the farmhouse’s roof. A cone of light shone through the crescent-peak, expanding as the sun sank, like the crevice through the stone was narrower on the opposite side of the mountain than the near.

Hiral’s eyes watched the sunlight directly above him, until the sun completely vanished, and the dungeon plunged into darkness. A moment later, lights flickered within the home, as if somebody had begun lighting candles, the window shedding light on five small chests now on the ground. They were the same size and shape as the ones they got from the two D-Rank dungeons, so that was a good sign. On the other hand, there were only five.

No chest for Romin since he’s cleared this one before, and no group chest…? Huh, now that I think about it, we didn’t get one from the Fields of Prey either. Maybe because it’s so much lower than us?

“Another Solar Refinement Solution,” Yanily said, holding up the glowing potion in one hand, the uncorked stopper already in his other.

“I halfway didn’t believe they were real,” Romin said, looking at the five identical vials in the others’ hands.

“Sorry you didn’t get one,” Seena said.

“It’s fine,” Romin said. “I’ve already gotten a reward from this dungeon. Would you mind if I used View on one?”

In response, Hiral held his up for Rominto View, while he did the same thing to make sure nothing had changed.

Solar Refinement Solution – Unranked

A solution that, when applied by a skilled craftsman to an item (or pair of matching items) of C-Rank or below, can increase the item’s rank by one stage (up to a maximum of B-Rank).

When applied to a B- or A-rank item (or pair of matching items), refines the crystal to unlock hidden potential, resulting in the addition of a minor effect.

Note: Only one Solar Refinement Solution can be used on a single item. Further applications will result in no additional effect.

Note (2): Minor effect added to B- or A-Rank items is based off the type of item.

Perfect. Even from an E-Ranked dungeon, the effect was the same as before, and he already had planned exactly what he’d use it on.

“Seena, you’re going to lose your Emperor’s Decree buff for a moment,” he said, pulling Fate Spinner out of the Arsenal of Amin Thett. The large, two-handed axe emerged from the ring at his back to float in front of him, like it knew he had something planned for it. Within the crystal, an entire universe spun and sparkled, stars shooting across the blades, while planets near and far spun through space. With the vial in one hand, Hiral reached out with the other, and used View on the axe.

(Lost) Fate Spinner – A-Rank

Effects: Grants user access to Ability (Passive) – Inevitable and Ability (Passive) – Eternal

Ability (Passive) – Inevitable: Increases user’s critical hit chance by an amount based on Dex.

Note: Current bonus = 50%.

Ability (Passive) – Eternal: Abilities channeled through Fate Spinner are partially powered by the stars within, reducing solar energy cost by an amount based on user’s Atn.

Note: Current reduction = 47%.

Even Hiral whistled at that. The bonuses had gone up significantly since the last time he’d used View on it. And it was time to see what kind of new bonus it was about to get. Heavy as the weapon was, he dropped down to a seated position, with the axe atop his crossed legs, then gently poured the sparkling potion across the blades.

Like before, the vial seemed to know exactly how much was needed, and where it wanted to go. Across both blades, then down the haft, the last drop left the bottle just as he reached the very end. Not a single bit of it spilled – the crystal absorbing every ounce of it like a parched desert getting rain. Perfect.

A glow emerged from within the weapon as soon as he lifted the bottle away, his sense of concepts telling him something had changed within the contained universe. Unfortunately, whatever it was, it ended within barely a second. Maybe if we do a couple of these I’ll get a better idea of what’s going on in there. He’d figure that out later, and instead moved on to using View again.

(Lost) Fate Spinner – A-Rank

Effects: Grants user access to Ability (Passive) – Inevitable, Ability (Passive) – Eternal, and Ability (Passive) Shooting Star.

Ability (Passive) – Inevitable: Increases user’s critical hit chance by an amount based on Dex.

Note: Current bonus = 50%.

Ability (Passive) – Eternal: Abilities channeled through Fate Spinner are partially powered by the stars within, reducing solar energy cost by an amount based on user’s Atn.

Note: Current reduction = 47%

Ability (Passive) – Shooting Star: Attacks made with Fate Spinner have a chance to launch a shooting star at the same target as a bonus attack. Chance for Shooting Star to activate is 10% plus an amount based on Dex, while damage is based on Atn.

Note: Current Chance = 35%.

Hrm, that wasn’t exactly what he’d expected. Yes, it was another passive – which he’d figured it’d be based on the other two abilities – but a chance for an extra attack? Thirty-five percent was huge, though now that he thought about it, he hadn’t checked to see if Seena got bonuses based off his stats, or hers. Considering how much higher his Dex and Atn were, he sure hoped it was the former.

“What’s it do?” Seena asked, coming over when she noticed he was just staring at the axe.

“Take a look yourself,” Hiral said, and from the look that passed over Seena’s face, she did just that.

“Oh? I like that,” Seena said. “That plus my Burning Artillery means all my attacks are hitting multiple times. We’ll have to see if it works with my totems too – though that’s probably too much to ask.”

“That’d be ridiculous,” Hiral said, just imagining her small army of totems spitting shooting stars with every third attack. With how fast they spit out firebolts…

“Yeah,” she said with a small sigh of resignment. “Still, with Growing Cinder+ and my other attacks, it’ll be great. You did that for me?”

“Of course. If I can make each of the weapons in my Arsenal just a little bit stronger, Emperor’s Decree has that much more value.”

“You could’ve used the vial on something for yourself, though.”

“I could’ve,” Hiral said. “But, with my new advanced class, I think I’m going to be focusing a bit more on my runes than I was before. I already upgraded the RHCs, and the Greatsword of Amin Thett is S-Rank.”

“True,” she said. “Thanks!”

“No problem, you ready to get the buffs back?”

“Absolutely,” Seena said, then glanced over to where Yanily paced back and forth in front of the interface. “If we don’t move to that D-Rank dungeon soon, I think he’s going to wear a hole right through the ground of this one.”

Hiral nodded and pulled the axe back into the Arsenal of Amin Thett, then quickly activated Emperor’s Decree. “There you go. By the way, can you see the percentages on the buff? Is it using my dexterity and attunement, or yours?”

“Yours,” Seena said, giving him a double-thumbs-up, then stepped in and wrapped her arms around his neck. A tight hug pulled him close – one he didn’t resist in the least – and she planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Thanks again. Now, let’s go. Everybody ready?” she asked louder as she pulled away from Hiral, the feel of her lips on his lingering.

“Oh yeah,” Yanily said.

“I know you are,” Seena chuckled. “Everybody else good?”

Five heads – including Left and Right – nodded.

“My solar energy is good now,” Seeyela said. “Thanks, Left.”

“Anytime,” the double replied.

“Romin, once we get up to the next interface,” Seena said. “Give us a quick rundown on what we’re going to be up against. I don’t think we need a break between dungeons, unless somebody has an objection?”

When nobody did, Hiral reabsorbed his doubles, and Yanily swiped his hand over the dungeon interface.

“Exit dungeon,” the spearman said, and the familiar blue portal opened in front of them.

Hopefully the Bonders outside hadn’t gotten too comfortable – it was time for dungeon number two.