“I am your helpful companion, Mord! For completing the dungeon and slaying the brass dragon, you shall receive a custom reward from Mord.” He sounded more confident this time. I was eagerly anticipating the next part.

  “In addition to any Obols you have recovered, I shall reward you for your feats in the dungeon.”

  “You slayed three thousand one hundred and seven monsters, I award you fifteen Obols.” I watched as the now familiar fishhooks appeared and dropped into the bowl.

  “You completed three optional rooms. I award you fifteen Obols.”

  “You completed one puzzle on your first try. I award you five Obols.”

  “You lost no party members during your run. I award you six Obols.”

  “You collected eighteen idols, I award you one Obol.”

  “You did not prevent the village massacre; I award you no Obols.”

  “You completed the dungeon in two weeks and three days. I award you zero Obols.”

  “In total, an additional twenty-seven Obols. Please take them from the bowl.” he motioned to the bowl on a pedestal to his right. I was curious what was about to happen as I didn’t get this treatment the first time.

  “Go on, Shy, you’re our leader, get the loot.” Petior spoke and gave her a slight nudge. They all seemed transfixed by the projection of Mord. Another nudge sent her edging forward. She avoided Mord like he was on fire, though.

  “I'm pretty sure he is just a projection. Why is she so scared?” I dropped my voice and asked Petior. His reply was shocking.

  “You really didn’t do the dungeon, did you? He tried to kill her. Twice. He looked younger, though.” His revelation put the most comical image in my head. Shy vs Mord was coming up in the training room. I would pay good money to see that.

  “I have them, but they are still there.” I was broken from my daydream of a fox getting beaten by a stick by her words. She had both hands full of Obols. Was she saying that the rewards were individual?

  Everyone looked towards Mord, who remained stoic as he always did after his monologue. Shy tried getting his attention.

  “Dungeon..ahem…Mord. Are these rewards individual or party-based?” he remained stoic. I could swear I saw his eyes focus on me and then on the bowl. Was I part of the party?

  “Someone else try and grab them..maybe?” I offered.

  The Cat-girl was closest and came away with a bunch of Obols. She opted to scoop them into her shirt, revealing a very toned and furless belly button. She caught me staring with a smirk.

  One by one, they filed past the bowl and scooped up their well-earned, probably, coins. I wondered what they were going to buy. I expected Mord to continue on and the symbols to appear on the doors again, but he remained silent. The adventurers all pocketed their Obols in actual pockets, spare bags, or bags of holding. After that, silence reigned. It took only a minute before the impatient-itour bellowed in.

  “What next?”

  “Normally, he introduces the three reward choices?”

  “I thought you said you didn’t get anything? The cat added.

  “Probably hear many times in months.” The rhino added to my defense. He was still by the bowl. Looking down at it, he looked confused, so he continued.

  “Who didn’t grab all the coins?” Everyone responded that they grabbed all that was available for them.

  “What about the human?” Petior spoke. I wandered up and, oddly enough, found Obols in the bowl. I used the cat’s method and scooped them into my non-summoned shirt.

  “Uhh…..I guess it counted me as part of the party. You guys said two weeks, right? I’ve been here for much longer than that. So I was in the dungeon, technically?” I winced with every word. I had just reduced their individual awards by a fifth. The expected response came from the expected place.

  The bull bull-rushed me, knocking my Obols to the ground. I took the hit like a champion, like a ragdoll, as was expected. What was not expected was the response from the dungeon. As soon as he touched one of the scattered Obols, a gigantic lightning bolt hit the cow in the center of his chest, knocking him back against the wall, leaving a well-cooked steak scent in the air.

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  “THEIVERY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.” Mord sounded pissed. I swear, when I looked up at him, the smug fucker winked at me. He cheesed his own rules to get one last potshot in on the Minotaur. Straight fucking epic.

  Graygorn was less impressed. I didn’t know if barbarian rage was a thing, but if it was, he had it. There was no subtlety to his movement; he was going to punch Mord in the face. I decided to gain some social credit rather than watch the hilarity play out.

  “I wouldn’t if I were you. I did once. Broke my hand. It’s an illusion over a pillar of stone. Really hard stone.” My words did seem to deflate the rage a little bit; either that or he didn’t want to hurt himself anymore.

  “Stupid dungeon,” He snorted and stomped back to his place next to Shy. After which Mord continued on.

  “The three rooms behind me contain your custom award. You will choose in Obol order. To the left is the ‘Reliquary of knowledge’, as he spoke, a familiar engraving of a book appeared on the door.

  “In the center is the ‘Armory of Eternity’….and to the right the ‘Vault of Avarice’”, a sword and a stack of coins appeared on the doors respectively, as always.

  “Whence all of your party have chosen and entered your rooms, you will be allowed to exit into ‘Mord’s Shop’ to spend your hard-earned Obols on wondrous items.”

  “You…….” Mord pointed at Leyla, the cat-girl.

  “With…..Obols, you have the most. Please choose a room.”

  “Shy, which do I choose?” she turned to the fox with a desperate pleading look in her eyes.

  “I have heard of dungeons like these. Gods of fortune and chance bless the choices you make here. Whatever it is should be tailored to your skills and needs.” Petior added. He seemed to be the most knowledgeable of the five. Still, Leyla looked at Shy for an answer.

  “It should be clear to any true adventurer. This is the chance for truly unique items or a powerful skill. The treasure room would be a waste for a non-ascended such as you. Given the fact that you broke your bow, your choice is clear. “ Shy’s words, while probably correct, were also wrong in my opinion after receiving all three gifts. She was right about the treasure, but I would value the Way of the Void over... yeah, nah, my blades were better than the fighting style, but it was a photo finish there. Without Mord’s training? Blades for sure. The important part of that conversation was what Shy let slip. Cat-girl was only awakened. Shy was definitely Ascended, and a little high and mighty about it. That gave me priceless insight into the team’s dynamics and the world. I would bet the rest were E-tier as well.

  “Yes, mistress,” Leyla muttered, slightly defeated as she walked for the equipment room. Disappearing as she touched the handle.

  Petior the werewolf was up next and took the knowledge door. This was no surprise; I pegged him as a shaman or other nature-caster sort.

  Graygorn, the giant cow, took the equipment door. I pinned this one as well, only because I figured smarts was not his forte.

  Mord pointed to Shy next, when the first unexpected thing happened.

  “Rogan, hold your hand.” She instructed the uparmored rhino. She started dropping Obols one by one into his hand until, after six or so, Mord’s finger shifted. He looked at her, confused.

  “It is my duty to help train you all and raise you up. It would be hardly fitting if I went before you. I have plenty of trinkets, but do spend them well.” He missed it, but I caught the false modesty in her voice. Regardless, he took the Obols and grabbed for the equipment door. That left me and the Arctic Fox alone. For the first time, I realize Fox was the wrong word. Foxes only had one tail, and she had seven. She did me a kindness and splayed them out behind her as she approached. I’ve never been into bestiality, but I will admit that in the moment she was very attractive. One hundred percent Kitsune, thank you. Odd, but short-lived, anime obsession. This was about to be bad.

  “My dear human. I won't insult your intelligence by pretending you didn't notice my false charity.” Yep fucked. How bad?

  “He didn’t notice. Is that common?”

  “Pachys… that’s his kind, are not known for their cunning.” She had an odd purr to her voice, not like the kittens’ purr but an off-sound. I could feel my mind wasn't wanting to agree but also laughing at the attempt. I played along.

  “Cunning is the forte of the fox.”

  “Indeed, it is. And well-kept humans. Would you like to be kept?”

  “I assume there is a price.”

  “Always.” She ran her tongue along the side of her muzzle, in what I equated to licking her lips, as she looked to my groin. Or my handful of Obols. Probably. Hopefully that.

  “My Obols?”

  “Gifts are not theft, now are they?” She set the score relatively quickly. I didn’t hesitate, but she sweetened the pot anyway. Bringing a clawed finger gently up my neck and to my chin.

  “Don’t worry, I take good care of my pets.”

  This was going to end badly for me, no matter what. It's not like a mortal could refuse, though. That’s the role I chose to play, and this was a gut check.

  “That’s true, mistress. I’ve never been a fan of cats or cocks.” I accentuated each word by dropping Obols into her waiting hand.

  “Good boy. Now keep me waiting.” With that, she pocketed my last Obol and chose the knowledge door.

  I was left alone with Mord. I wasn't sure if there was any time compression in the training room, and I didn't know if their sessions would be long or short, so I decided to keep my conversation brief. I walked up to Mord. He gave no acknowledgment of my being there, similar to the few rare times I sat through the static of his glitched monologue. It didn’t matter what I said; I didn’t need a response.

  “Mord, you will always be my first teacher in this world. You have already proven yourself to be my friend. Your voice is the warning of betrayal I feel from all of these. Even the Fox’s veiled sex offer is more than suspect thanks to you. I can never repay you for all I have learned here nor all I have gained. I know you said never share my abilities, but I will share the one that matters. My race gives me an enhanced sense of direction. I will put you on the map, and I will return with worthy friends in tow. That I promise.” He gave no reaction, but I know he heard it. I gave him the most honorable bow I could and started for the door. I got two steps and stopped, rushing back to give my master a hug. I disturbed the illusion and hugged the pillar, but I hoped it meant the same.