Chapter 70 – Treasures of the First Layer (Patreon)

Luke opened his eyes, surprised that he was still alive. The obelisk’s orb of light had gone dull and listless. The obelisk cracked open along its middle. The entire room stretched to either side as the two halves of the obelisk moved apart from one another.

A thin membrane of light sprang up between them, forming a gateway in the center of the room.

Challenge Quest Completed: Containment Breach

The Gordian before you is badly damaged and if not tended to properly will destroy this place of rest and respite, as well as the hidden treasures it holds. Within its First Fold is a Precursor relic, granting access to the lost Runegraver Profession. The artifact is all that is holding the Gordian in check, once removed this location will be locked down. The only way to leave will be to repair the Gordian.

This is an optional Quest. Should you decline, you will be free to leave the Dungeon. However, if you accept, you will be confined to the Dungeon until such time as you repair the Gordian or the resulting meltdown destroys you and the Dungeon.

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Through your tireless efforts and no small amount of help by the late Master Frendlebren’s student, and his companion, you have successfully repaired the First Layer of the Gordian. Following the rites of ownership that Master Frendlebren instilled within the Gordian, you are now its rightful owner. What you do with it is up to you.

You will automatically exit the Gordian and the refuge in 24h:00m:00s.

A chest of brightly polished teak appeared, banded in gold, right at Luke’s feet.

“What’s that?” Alfair asked, stepping aside and staring at it, then at the gateway. It was now the only source of light in the room.

He peered at it, doing something with his fingers that sent a wave of magic toward it. “I…” He tried to open his mouth a few times more, but couldn’t seem to get the words out.

“I think we’re done,” Luke said tonelessly. He didn’t know how to feel. He had spent so long here and now… it was all over. Most of the assessment for Luke had taken place inside the Gordian and the refuge… and now it was time for him to move on.

“You did it!” Alfair said excitedly. “You really did it. For a moment, I figured there would be another test, and another after that… always one after the other. That was Master Frendlebren’s way. He enjoyed pushing people to their limits. It brought out the best in them, he always said.”

With infinite care, Alfair knelt down and pulled his master’s body away from the gate. He fished out a large purple crystal on a gold necklace and clutched it in one hand while he put his other on the once-fine robes.

There was a flash of light, and then the body vanished. Luke watched as a rune pulsed brightly on the crystalline pendant.

Shutting her eyes, Yind pressed her head against the large purple crystal as a way of saying goodbye to her former master.

“I think he would have wanted you to have this,” Alfair said, holding out the obsidian [Obele Stele].

At the same time, Luke pulled out his [Stele] and handed it over. “Then I should make good on my word as well,” Luke said with a wry grin. “I believe you wanted this?”

Alfair’s eyes widened as they exchanged steles.

Luke was sure that the one he was getting was far more valuable, but it wasn’t as sentimental. He hoped Alfair would appreciate it.

Looking at his new [Obele Stele (Legendary)], Luke was floored by not only its rarity, but the enchantment it had.

[Obele Stele (Legendary)]

An intricately crafted Stele made of obele, the remains of a dead world’s core, this Stele has been used by a Master Runegraver long enough to impart a portion of his Marks to the item. While making runes, you can subtly feel the hand of Master Frendlebren guiding yours.

Enchantments: Increases the rarity of runes graven. Reduces the flux cost of runes.

“And this,” Alfair said before Luke could turn his attention to the chest. The elf looked at Yindferl with sadness and tenderness. “I will miss you, but you were never mine to give or to have. Your heart is your own, dear Yindferl. And I can see it now belongs with Luke. Go and have your fill of adventure and mayhem. You know where I am. All I ask is that you bring Luke when he is ready. I will be waiting. Return to whence you came, Yindferl.”

As he spoke, the drake rose and rubbed herself against the elf’s legs like a giant panther on steroids. With the last words of command leaving Alfair’s lips, the drake vanished in a swirl of smoke as she paced a circle around the elf.

Alfair bent down and then held out the small onyx figurine of the shadow drake to Luke. His purple eyes shone with unshed tears. “She will be happier with you. When she judges you to be ready, ask her to bring you to Sorcerii. She will know the way. Until then, my friend, I will sorely miss you.”

Before Luke could get a word out past the lump in his throat, the elf squeezed him in a tight embrace and pressed the cold statuette into his palm.

“And for saving my life,” Alfair said, taking something out of his robes. A small bandolier with three bottles. “It is not much. I did not have all of my tools or ingredients, but I think I did adequately for what materials were on hand. I hope it serves you well. And thank you, again, for all that you have done.”

Luke took the bandolier numbly. He could hardly believe Alfair was leaving. “Are you sure–?”

Alfair stepped up to the gate and turned to look at him over his shoulder. “This parting is only temporary, my friend. We shall see each other again. Count on it. I look forward to your admittance to Sorcerii!” And with those final words, he walked through the shimmering membrane and disappeared.

He wished he could go with him, or at least to have Alfair on his side for the end of the assessment. But life never works the way you want.

Luke stared in disbelief at the bandolier in one hand and the figurine in the other. I’m not alone anymore, he thought.

Even though Alfair was gone, Yind was with him. And he could feel the bond passed to him. She was not on loan anymore. She was Luke’s spectral companion now.

And he learned something else as he shut his eyes and focused on the statuette. Loaning it out to Luke had cost Alfair and Yind both. He didn’t know why, but it cut the time that Yind could be out by a couple of hours.

Which meant, as the sole owner of the statuette, Luke could call Yindferl out for longer than before. Only a couple of hours, but a welcome increase all the same.

[Yindferl Figurine (Unique)]

An item unlike any other of its kind. Created during the 5th Epoch, this finely crafted onyx figurine houses a spectral familiar. Call forth the familiar’s name to summon it to your side. When dismissed, the familiar returns to their plane of existence, leaving behind this figurine.

Luke shook his head in continued disbelief, then turned his attention to the bandolier. It looked like something a desperado would wear only instead of bullets there were three large potion bottles, each of a different style that Luke was beginning to identify as health, mana, and stamina potions.

[Major Tricolor Potion Bandolier (Epic)]

(Consumable)

A bandolier crafted by the Alchemist Alfair as a gesture of friendship and thanks for your efforts in fixing the Gordian’s First Layer. Contains (1) Health Potion, (1) Mana Potion and (1) Stamina Potion set into the bandolier. Of major quality, these potions recover a larger amount of vital resources than usual.

Enchantments: Once consumed, the potion slowly draws in ambient mana, replenishing its contents over time.

Enchantments: Unbreakable glass.

“Wow,” he said to the empty room. “That is good.” And Alfair had said it was all he could whip together, as if he just managed to make a Michelin 3-star dinner out of canned cheese, crackers, and bologna.

“Just how long was he making this for me?” Luke wondered. He knew more about the Gordian than Luke did. Perhaps Alfair understood that they were nearing the end of their time together, despite what he had said.

Sighing, Luke knelt in front of the chest and lifted the latch, opening it up. His face was temporarily bathed in golden light. He was certain the golden light was from his [Treasure Hunter] skill. As his eyes adjusted, he saw the gifts held within.

Item: [Antique Sapphire Ring (Rare)]

(Accessory)

A square cut sapphire set into an alloyed band with a great affinity for the vital resource of mana. Harvested from a flooded mine, this jewel absorbed dense quantities of water aspected mana to accrue resistance towards water elemental magic.

Enchantments: Increases the wearer’s maximum MP by 25%. Raises water elemental magic resistance. Instill with mana to soulbind.

Requirements: Lvl 10 Profession.

Luke wondered just how much water resistance he could gain before he was totally immune. And he was hoping that whatever horrible monster he faced next would use exclusively water elemental magic.

He immediately slipped the ring on. Once he touched a thin thread of mana to instill the item and bind it to his signature, he felt the overwhelming flood of his mana expanding.

Luke expected it to increase his base Wisdom by 25% but it was true to its word. It increased his mana by 25%, which effectively made it much more potent than it would have been.

His Wisdom already had a modifier of 10%, now that was increased by a further 25%. It was like a very light version of compound interest, except for his mana.

Luke couldn’t have been happier until he saw the next items. Each item seemed to be better than the last.

“Is this what opening a dungeon’s chest is like?” He couldn’t help but wonder what he was missing out on. If this was his reward for completing a challenge dungeon… they were definitely worth the effort.

Item: [Heavy Spirit Plate Pouch (Unusual)]

(Crafting Material)

A pouch containing several spirit plates used for augmenting gear and weapons. Rarely found in dungeons.

Item: [Runic Box (Unique)]

(Accessory)

A small metallic box worked with esoteric designs that was created by the Master Runegraver, Augustus Frendlebren, to house an immense quantity of crafting supplies within a personalized sub-dimensional space. Instill with mana to soulbind.

Goodbye overstuffed cloak pockets! Luke thought appreciatively. Now he had a box that could house all his materials. And considering the trunk back at the refuge was stuffed full of flux pouches, he needed it.

Luke performed the same instilling method with the [Runic Box] as he did with the sapphire ring. As soon as he was finished, the box simply disappeared.

He felt a nagging sensation in the back of his mind and gave it a mental nudge. The box reappeared in front of him. Another thought made it vanish.

Not quite magical inventory, like in a video game, but impressively close.

Item: [Hadal’s Mirror (Unusual)]

(Weapon)

A weapon and sheath from the famed Lord Hadal, otherwise known as the Copy Knight. Known in ages past as the man of a thousand spells, Lord Hadal was unusual for dual wielding where most knights of the time opted for more defense in the form of a shield. Lord Hadal’s Marks have stained this weapon, allowing it to take on some of the properties associated with the famed Copy Knight.

Enchantments: When used on its own, this weapon manifests as a simple longsword of unusual-rarity. When dual wielded, this weapon manifests the same rarity and enchantments as the other dual wielded weapon.

Luke couldn’t even begin to fathom how rare something like [Hadal’s Mirror] was. He gingerly set it aside, careful with such a priceless treasure.

His mind spun with the possibilities of a copy weapon.

Item: [Reinforcement Rune Schematic]

(Crafting Schematic)

A schematic containing the written instructions and recipe for crafting reinforcement runes used to increase the quality of equipment, weapons and other items.

Requirements: Runegraver Profession variant (Level 30), 4,000 MP.

Luke put the schematic into his [Runic Box] for safekeeping. He wasn’t remotely close to its required level, but with the sapphire ring, he was making good headway on the mana requirement.

Item: [Serrated Throwing Dagger Belt (Unusual)]

(Equipment)

A set of 24 throwing daggers with serrated teeth that trigger one stack of [Bleed] when they hit, and another when removed. [Bleed] effect stacks with skills that apply the same effect. Affliction enhanced when using Sneak Attack.

These items are incredible rewards, Luke thought in awe. That dagger belt alone would raise his damage output considerably.

Not willing to waste more time, Luke buckled on the newest belt. It felt ridiculous wearing 3 different belts, but Luke would deal with the other two in time. On the upside, he had a massive supply of throwing weaponry.

But even those paled in comparison to what was to come.