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Chapter Fifty-Two | Noted (Part Two)

  Jeez. It was like the Deities were all trying to play snowflake. Each of them wanted their Dungeon to be unique, to stand out among the masses. And I guess that made sense. Nabu hadn’t told us that clearly, but obviously Deities earned belief from those watching, both the Dungeon owner and the sponsors of players. Making your Dungeon special to draw the eyes of other Deities, regardless of the talent of players entering, would garner some sort of belief.

  Of the three Dungeons we’d entered so far, this one reminded me most of Earth. Well, it was closer to places I’d seen with my own two eyes.

  Around us, the moist but cool air clinging to our skin, was a dense tropical forest. In the distance, I could hear the buzz of bugs, and a gentle zephyr brushed against my neck as I took in the environment. Trees so thick that I couldn’t wrap my arms around them, rimed in lush moss, surrounded us in every direction; their roots, strong and long lived, altered the earth beneath our feet, giving the forest floor differing levels of elevation. We’d have to watch where we were walking, or one of us was definitely going to eat shit.

  As the dewy and green smell of the biome finally hit me, I couldn’t help but admit that it was almost nice here. It reminded me of the Daintree Rainforest but much, much more ancient; the scale immense. A fog drifted underneath the canopy of the trees, swallowing the higher branches, making the sky a distant memory. Only slivers of sunlight made it to us, dappling the mulch of the forest floor.

  “It’s so pretty!” Wren exclaimed.

  Jye nodded in excited agreement, head swinging up and down. “I’d have killed to camp out here.”

  “You probably will,” Axel noted, brushing a leaf from his shoulder.

  Gigi raised a hand to xir chin, near invisible brows knitted together. “I am not familiar with this environment.” Xe added mentally, It must be a Dungeon I never entered. I apologise for my lack of knowledge.

  Waving xir concerns away, I muttered, “I can’t really see why this is recommended to LVL 6 parties.” Still, as a precaution, I activated [Thick Hide’s] next tier [Plated Bark] since it’d dropped upon entering the Dungeon, confirming the first half of my theory. This new upgrade allocated double the amount of mana of its base form, but, honestly, it was worth it. Still feeling like a second skin, [Plated Bark] was more tangible. I could sense a resistance against the air.

  “Obviously, it’s to make cowards piss themselves while running away.”

  It was a very Tam contribution to the conversation, but she could be right. By scaring off players who were risk averse, they’d only get the truly insane or those that were desperate. Unfortunately, it was beginning to feel like we sat in the overlapping centre of their Venn diagram.

  How many players had entered before us? Surely, the recommended level prerequisite would’ve scared most off. I desperately did not want to fight more humans if we could help it. Rather, I didn’t want to kill them, even though I knew I could. At the very least, with the Gate frozen, no one else would be following us in. It was one of the only things that worked in our favour. Though it did concern me why they’d closed it.

  Several hisses fizzled in my ear as Wren began buffing the team, applying [Haste] to all of us, followed by [Keen Steel] to everyone except Gigi. Xe was the only one out of us who didn’t really deal any kind of damage, which was fine. A tank was supposed to absorb damage, not deal it. Xe did xir job.

  Next to me, Gigi summoned two [Sentinel Shields], one for Wren and one for xemself. The blue shields, now keyed to their players, hovered toward them, staying about a meter away. So long as their target didn’t move, they would remain where they were. In my practice, I’d noticed they lingered in place if you made a sudden movement, making them the perfect cover when you needed it most. The ten-year-old cast the alien an appreciative smile. Another hiss indicated Gigi had activated xir [Echolocate] to get an idea of our surroundings in more depth.

  Truly, the freedom to use our abilities as we pleased was genuinely enjoyable. If the Event had started like this, I could imagine it would’ve become intoxicating; we’d feel like gods. I found myself almost appreciative that they’d nerfed us so hard to begin with. Drunk on the abilities, I was certain there would’ve been a lot more death in the human race.

  It made me wonder which of the Deities had chosen to make it work like this. Someone in the Divinities had to have made the call. Or maybe it was a change they’d implemented over the iterations of this Event. They’d likely seen enough species implode when you let them have free reign to start off with. And without their option of little players on stage, it would hardly be entertaining.

  Gigi shook xir head. “Echolocate shows nothing lies about us but more forest and small animals.”

  “Recon time, then.”

  We’d only practiced this once, but without any imminent threat, we could take a little time.

  Wren walked backward in a circle, lining her path with [Ensnares], her shield floating behind her, and then she stepped into the center of the bear traps where Gigi stood, closing the last gap with one more. It was like some sort of messed up fairy ring. Then gathering an armful of leaves, she sprinkled them over the top, camouflaging them into the forest floor. Makris’s addition, no doubt. Her gaze flicked up, and she nodded.

  I took a deep breath to prepare myself for the sickness that was about to follow.

  As the memory of the two careening visions filled me with roiling nausea, I used my only other ability, [Mirror Aid]. Another me summoned into existence, and everything doubled, my senses completely overwhelmed. It was very obvious that the ability wasn’t supposed to be used in concert with yourself acting. Likely, it was meant to be tugged about the same as any other puppet, with its puppeteer entirely focused on controlling it.

  But it was far too useful to be limited like that.

  Since this copy was based on my own observations, and out of everyone in the world, I’d observed myself my entire life, it meant it was as close to me as it could possibly be. Luckily, that included all my abilities. The description did say, though, that it was a weaker version, so it probably couldn’t handle the same amount of mana or stamina as I could. I wasn’t sure how to check its stats either.

  Well, what I had in mind wouldn’t need that much.

  Stepping closer using my mirror, I borrowed Gigi’s [Shield Walls], summoning an overlapping hut of them to surround Gigi and Wren. Then, activating [Legerdemain], I made the exterior invisible, just like Adrien had with himself and his skills. Though the sliminess of the ability still disturbed me, it was surprisingly easy and familiar. No wonder the man continued to use it again and again. It was like getting back on a bike, somehow.

  Gigi, Wren, and their [Sentinel Shields] disappeared from sight.

  You all right in there? I asked.

  Yep, nice and safe! Wren replied.

  Since the shields were made from translucent blue, just like the system windows, if anyone approached, the two of them would be able to see it.

  Unfortunately, whilst [Legerdemain] was incredibly versatile, Axel and I had discovered it was greatly limited by your own imagination and understanding of the conflicting nature of your environment. I’d tried to illusion silence back at base, but it hadn’t worked right, the resulting lack of audio so uncanny it would’ve drawn more attention than not.

  Creating a sound was much easier than figuring out how to cut it out. I think I remembered hearing Emory back in uni lament the same problem on one of her assessment pieces. It was odd how much I’d been thinking about Emory lately. All thoughts of the two friends I’d made in uni had disappeared when the Event began. Maybe losing my parents had me thinking about the people I had left. The group was dwindling smaller and smaller.

  Focusing on the present, I had to admit that I would have to practice a lot more to get a handle on [Legerdemain]. So, for now, just like [Cloak], if Wren or Gigi made noise, others might be able to find them. The vanguard and synergist were aware of this audio limitation and would try to remain inconspicuous as they could.

  Gigi had suggested this whole strategy as a result of Wren’s health being the lowest in the party, since she’d argued to push for more mana to “become more useful.” Unfortunately, Makris had supported this, and Wren wouldn’t see sense in adding more points into survivable attributes. So she would remain here, protected by others. Admittedly, even if she had put more points into health, I probably would’ve still assigned a similar role to her anyway. She was just a kid, after all.

  Maybe I was as bad as Jye and Makris.

  It was also a good strategy to ensure we wouldn’t lose each other in the Dungeons. While many of us could act alone, the party was definitely stronger together. Having this spot to return to was important for both morale and logistics.

  Stomach clenching from my vision beginning to spin, not confident in my own ability to walk a straight line, I asked Gigi to dot some [Shield Walls] so I could scale up one of the trees.

  A scaffolding of blue platforms burst into existence with hisses following my request. Brain woozy, I stepped backward as Mirror to get a running head start, and then ascended, careful to take my time hopping between each level.

  Watching myself doing this while I was doing it was a very unique experience. Once I reached the outspread branches, I scrambled over to board one, pushing to its next tapering split, and then settled into a preparatory squat. Nearly done. Slapping on Jye’s [Cloak], I closed my second set of eyes.

  My mind buzzed painfully, glad for the lessening strain of the extra input.

  Since it didn’t look like I had burned through whatever mana and stamina it had, Mirror, as I’d started thinking of it, would remain there, and occasionally, I’d proc its [Locate], ensuring that no one was sneaking up on Gigi, Wren and Jye while the rest of us scouted the area. It was like having a radar system installed.

  After a second, Jye followed Mirror’s steps, ascending the same ladder of [Shield Walls], before using the interlocked branches to reach a different vantage point in the canopy on another tree parallel to Mirror. They made sure to stay in range of Wren’s assistive ability [Volley].

  Pulling their bow from the inventory, and notching an arrow, Jye then disappeared with a hiss. The giant had been fletching their own supply, and I’d recently asked Axel to start [Smithing] some for them or better yet [Furnace] some. The blond had given me a disgusted look. In my Axel-translation guide, that expression didn’t mean no.

  “Everyone else ready?” I asked.

  Axel had applied invisibility with his [Legerdemain], and Tam had gone cat, the smoke of her ability clearing with the breeze skirting between us. Since the cost was lesser, I channelled Jye’s [Cloak].

  Before we all broke away, I applied a [Track] marker to Tam (which she debated about back at base) and then one more to Wren, so we could make our way back here eventually. I wanted one slot of [Track] free, just in case we came across any combatants we needed to hunt down. The cutthroat did the same too. Or presumably she did. She’d been going along with the team a lot better since we’d cleared Bia’s Dungeon.

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  We’d only practiced until here back in Gigi’s training shed, but the rest of the party would split up after this prep. Tam sprinted off, and my gaze lingered on the spot Axel had vanished from, my heart sinking.

  I was more than aware that it was an insane thing to worry about, considering how strong he was, but despite everything, the image of his near death still haunted me. Eternally burnt into the back of my eyelids was Chrissie in the mortuary and my parents’ and godparents’ frozen corpses, and now I truly understood what Axel meant to me, I feared his dead body would join them there too the next time I closed my eyes.

  It was a ridiculous concern. But that didn’t stop it from resurfacing to the forefront of my thoughts every moment he wasn’t by my side.

  The past five days having him no more than a shout away had been as much for his comfort as mine. I definitely did not have the same worry about Tam adventuring on her lonesome. But it was the first time Axel and I had been properly away from each other since Adrien had split us up, and without him near, I might as well have been down one lung.

  I had prepared myself for it. I’d spent all morning watching him suffer through his coffee, steeling my mind. But reality was different.

  Yes, we’d all keep each other informed using [Mindlink], but that was like being in a voice chat versus talking to someone in person. The silence it left without the reassurance of their presence meant concern could fester in my mind.

  We’d all agreed to meet back in an hour at the invisible hut, all of us having synced our watches back at base. The time limit was just in case something or someone interfered with our telepathic communications. It was never good to rely on just one contingency plan, despite how often it came down to that in the end with our goddamn luck.

  All things said and done, ignoring my unjustified fear, it was the smoothest the team had operated the entire time we’d known each other. Hell, we’d barely spoken at all. There was a confident energy under our actions, a frantic buzz. An itch.

  If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought we were all glad to be back in a Dungeon.

  But after everything the Dungeons had made us do, had taken from us, that couldn't be it.

  Could it?

  The crunch of crisp leaves crushed under a boot sounded behind me, snapping me from my thoughts. I whipped around to check, but there was no one standing there. Holding my breath, heart in my throat, I activated [Locate], ready to summon my new glaive.

  An attack already?

  As I prepared myself mentally for combat, running through my options, the rippling blue ping revealed a silhouette I knew intimately.

  This better be a coincidence and not you following me, Axel.

  Guilty as charged.

  Irritation and fondness mixed together as my tension eased, and I continued walking forward with a half-hearted roll of my eyes. Running still wasn’t for me, and I promised myself I’d return to Jye’s exercise regime when we got back to base, but I had definitely been setting a decent pace with Wren’s [Haste].

  As my [Locate] faded, I glared back at where Axel had been standing. We’re meant to be dividing and conquering.

  What, can’t a man want to spend quality time with his boyfriend?

  My cheeks lit on fire, and I was grateful for the invisibility of [Cloak]. Axel’s words bounded about in my head. Fuck me. It didn’t help that it was disgustingly obvious to me that I was relieved that he was here too. A tightness in the back of my mind had loosened.

  Still, we’d be covering much less ground if we stayed together. It would be stupid.

  And yet…

  You’re not going to chase me off? He sounded confused. I could imagine his head tilting, fringe angling over his brow.

  I would’ve before Bia’s Dungeon. I would’ve before Adrien. I would’ve before “pertinent information.”

  Like you’d even listen to me.

  It wasn’t a dismissal. Whilst putting us at a disadvantage reconnaissance-wise, having him near was just as useful to me as us effectively scouting the forest. Actually, it might’ve been better overall. I wouldn't be as distracted.

  Can ya’ll stop flirting up a storm in the main chat?

  Yeah, like, come on, dudes. Think of my virg— pure ears.

  I find it rather heartening. It reminds me of my past partners.

  I think it’s sweet too!

  Feeling called out, I didn’t speak any further and was instead forced to confront what Axel’s presence meant in silence.

  I knew precisely why he’d followed me. It was the same reason I had been so sorely tempted to tag him with [Track], even though the last slot had to be saved as a tactical choice.

  I did want him here. Desperately.

  It almost made me regret that moment of insight granted by my porcelain throne.

  Plainly put, I had never wanted so clearly before. It was practically primitive, all encompassing, like I was sawing part of myself off trying to ignore it. And juggling this selfish desire with rational thought was proving to be incredibly difficult. Hell, every time my thoughts wandered, they were with Axel.

  I had literally never had this problem before in my entire life.

  What were you meant to do when it wasn’t logical but you wanted something so badly?

  Axel’s hand glanced past my shoulder, and, taken off guard by his touch and proximity, my [Cloak] dropped with the shock, revealing what had to be a very transparent expression on my face.

  Shit.

  I reactivated the ability in the next instant, but it was too late. He’d definitely seen. With how easily he could read my thoughts sometimes, it was impossible for him to not realise what I’d been thinking. How I’d been feeling.

  Having been given a glimpse of my figure, he next found my hand and took it in his. What was he thinking? I realised, after a moment of silence, that he was waiting for me to do something.

  Oh. He wanted privacy. Probably to stop the heckling of the party.

  Activating a channel of [Mindlink] between our held hands, the ability staticked into my brain.

  Axel said, I’m trying to listen to you. He paused. Keep my word to you.

  Relief coursed through me, tinged with a soft appreciation about what he’d said. Thankfully, it appeared he’d completely misunderstood what he’d seen on my face. He thought my expression to be concern and, perhaps, annoyance that he wasn’t keeping his promise. Oddly now, I realised this in turn had made me frustrated. I was irritated by how he’d misread me. It was just like the coffee this morning.

  Well, going off plan doesn’t fill me with much reassurance, I replied, more pissily than I’d intended.

  Yeesh. Fine. If that’ll get your panties unbunched, I’ll strike off on my own, Mr. By-The-Book.

  He made a move to release my hand, but my grip did not loosen.

  Lee…?

  You might as well stick around since you’re already here.

  I was acting like a goddamn schoolkid. Well, I guess my emotional maturity had never had a chance to age up past that.

  Axel didn’t respond for a moment. He didn’t need to be visible for me to see the shit-eating grin I knew was spreading over his face.

  Now this, this was the problem with realising I’d liked him in this way. It was humiliating knowing why I acted like this. Before I probably would've dismissed this as a feeling of affection as a result of the length of our bond. It made me feel a little mentally unstable knowing a part of me wanted to see the narcissistic expression on his face that I’d elicited.

  Smouldering over my ridiculous emotions, I said, Shut up.

  I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even think anything!

  Tugging him along, I started walking again, studying our surroundings, letting the tumult of my feelings fade away behind us.

  It really was just more rainforest as far as the eye could see. Vines hung from branches that we had to duck under, and I carefully watched my feet for the changes in ground level that accompanied the centuries-old root systems.

  It was slow but steady progress, even with [Haste]; I wanted to be thorough over quick. After a moment’s consideration, I also applied a lightening Load to myself, adding one to Axel too. The ease of lesser weight made travelling faster. He squeezed my hand in acknowledgement.

  Reaching out to the others, since we’d been on recon for about twenty minutes now with nothing to note on our end, I said, Checking in. Anything to report?

  No noise back at HQ, boss, Jye replied immediately.

  I’m writing a poem about the forest, Wren said.

  As the other two have noted, we are safe here for now.

  Dandelion, I do believe I’m getting a whiff of something or other. Twiddle your thumbs for a spell.

  I turned around to seek Tam’s red [Track] dot. Scanning through the treeline, I saw Wren’s sphere, a stark purple, in the distance to our left, the size of a bowls ball. Tam’s, however, was far right and significantly smaller. She’d covered a lot more ground in her cat form. To be fair, the brunet had also not been distracted by her partner. Well. At least in the flesh. I had no doubt her wife was on her mind every waking moment. Especially since for me— I let the thought drop, far too mortified with the comparison my brain had conjured.

  What do your cat eyes see? Jye asked.

  When Tam didn’t reply, I followed with, Is that a Lord of the Rings reference?

  Eh, not intentionally, man. I’ve only seen the last Hobbit film, they said.

  A cacophony of disagreement and critical judgement burst through the [Mindlink], and it made me regret bringing it up at all. I heard several scathing opinions from Axel, and surprisingly Wren, and Tam joined in as well. Wait, was that Makris’s whiny voice too? I chose not to engage, despite a silent reserve over why the giant would even watch the final one without the others.

  Shut your traps. I’m closing in.

  The mental sounds went dead.

  What is it, Tam? inquired Wren.

  I was grateful the girl was asking. She was probably the only person in the party that Tam might actually answer without attitude. Or at all. A long pregnant moment passed as we waited for the cat’s answer.

  It’s a village of… creatures? Tam replied, as unsure as I’d ever heard her.

  Elves!? Wren asked excitedly.

  Orcs? I followed up, my mind still hooked onto the Tolkien universe.

  Gelflings?

  What the fuck are golflings? Axel hissed at Jye.

  As the giant began to respond, Tam shushed them.

  Whatever the hell they aren’t, I am getting a real strong sense they ain’t the welcoming kind.

  Why’s that? I replied, my brow furrowed.

  They got some unique decorations out front.

  Party decorations? Wren proffered, though it was obvious her positivity was greatly deflating.

  Uh-uh, poppit. I’m counting at least six, no, eight heads on pikes.

  A chill ran up my spine. Maybe this Dungeon was going to be much more difficult than we’d anticipated. A village of creatures that had put up corpses as warning. That likely meant they could strategise. The only other thinking opponent we'd come across had been Adrien, and he'd nearly done us all in, Axel and me especially.

  Something I’d noted upon entering this Dungeon but forgotten until now hit me.

  We’d not entered through a two-way Gate.

  We would either leave this Dungeon after it got cleared or not at all.

  I repressed a sigh and pinched at the bridge of my nose, wondering if I should regret the party’s choice to pursue a Dungeon above our level average. Maybe we’d become too cocky. Maybe we were fuelled by more than just a desire to bring humanity back. I knew underneath the grief, I was angry. Perhaps the rest of the party were feeling the same way.

  Had we let our emotions cloud our judgement?

  I’m sending in Mirror.

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