"Wait," Thorian interjected, his tone firm yet measured, signaling a caution that halted Forlune in his tracks. "Like the dungeons we've traversed, the abyss demands a team effort. Specifically, a five-man team."
Turning to address the rest of their party, Thorian's voice carried a sense of authority and unspoken understanding. "I will lead the main team, alongside Forlune, Zogarth, Aqua, and Vigil. The rest of you will form the secondary team."
"Understood, my lord," Zogarth responded with a respectful nod, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to echo his unwavering loyalty.
Before making their move towards the abyss, Thorian approached Harald with a solemn expression. "Regrettably, the abyss does not permit companions. They are counted as full-party members. Can you make your own party with the direwolves?"
Harald's response came through a telepathic connection, clear and resonant in Thorian's mind. "That is acceptable. My duty is to my pack, as yours is to your party."
With a nod and a smile that spoke of mutual respect, Thorian gestured to his chosen team. They gathered, forming a circle and joining hands in a symbol of unity and strength. As they stepped towards the portal, a shimmering notification materialized before them: The Abyss welcomes those who dare to challenge its depths You will be teleported to the first floor of the abyss. Do you accept?
Thorian's mind echoed with firm resolve. Yes, I do. The world around him seemed to warp and twist, a kaleidoscope of colors swirling around him, the voices of his teammates fading into an indistinct hum. In a mere heartbeat, the disorienting journey ended, and he stood in a verdant field, the grass brushing against his knees, bathed in the warm glow of an overhead sun.
Forlune's voice, tinged with a hint of annoyance yet filled with curiosity, broke the serene silence. "Just where have we ended up now?"
"We've been transported elsewhere," Aqua said, his voice calm and analytical. "It's akin to the dungeons we've encountered."
As they conversed, a new notification shimmered into existence before them, its letters bold against the backdrop of the green field. Welcome to the first floor of the abyss. To clear this floor, complete the floor quest Floor Quest Description Eliminate all the attacking goblins. Rewards 500 Experience Points.
250 Arcane Coins.
"Goblins?" Forlune's eyebrow arched in mild surprise. "And such modest rewards."
Thorian exhaled softly, a hint of patience in his tone. "It's merely the first level. Let's use this as a chance to refine our skills."
With a collective nod, the team steeled themselves as three groups of five goblins each materialized before them. To a less seasoned party, this might have posed a challenge. But for Thorian and his companions, it was hardly a threat.
Aqua conjured a Greater Water Ball, effortlessly wiping out an entire pack with a single spell. Thorian, meanwhile, skillfully alternated between Water Prison and Earth Spikes. His water technique ensnared and suffocated two goblins at a time, while his earth-based spell impaled another three or four simultaneously.
In under ten seconds, the duo had vanquished their foes. Floor Quest Cleared Reward Distributed Do you wish to continue to the second floor?
Before answering, Thorian opened his status window, checking to confirm a suspicion he harbored.
Display Panel
Ding Race Elemental Lord Kobold Level 3/45 (EXP: 13932/26000) Class Elemental Magus Level 29/40 (EXP: 7234/27000)
Thorian pondered the information displayed on his status window, his thoughts articulate and precise. As I suspected, the triple experience boost is applicable here as well, he mused internally. Moreover, the experience points are allocated to both my Race and Class, without dividing the total.
Content with the validation of his theory, Thorian mentally affirmed his decision to the awaiting Notification. 'Yes, we will continue.'
With that, the party rapidly advanced through the initial levels of the abyss. Each floor escalated in challenge and reward: the second floor offering a base of 750 experience points, the third escalating to 1000, and the fourth further increasing to 1250.
Display Panel.
Ding Race Elemental Lord Kobold Level 3/45 (EXP: 22932/26000) Class Elemental Magus Level 29/40 (EXP: 16234/27000)
Thorian reflected on their progress, his thoughts analytical yet tinged with satisfaction. "Our growth is commendable, especially considering the most formidable adversary we've faced was a hobgoblin," he noted to himself. "Focusing on Water Prison and Earth Spikes has paid off. Their proficiency is improving steadily."
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Turning away from the slain goblins and hobgoblins strewn around them, Thorian directed his attention to Vigil. "How has your growth been?" he inquired, his voice carrying a tone of genuine interest.
"I've leveled up both my class and race once already, my lord," Vigil reported with a sense of pride. "Currently, my race is at level 29 and my class at 25. I anticipate leveling up both again after the next floor."
"Good," Thorian nodded approvingly, then shifted his focus to Zogarth and Aqua. "And what of your progress?"
"I am on the verge of evolving, my king," Aqua shared with a hint of excitement.
"It's the same for me, my lord," Zogarth echoed.
Thorian's smile broadened at their responses. "If we're all evolving together, we might delve deeper into the abyss than initially anticipated."
He then regarded the notification that had emerged upon their completion of the fourth floor. Do you wish to continue to the fifth floor?] Warning: The next floor contains a boss monster.
Yes, we wish to continue.
In an instant, the group was transported to the new floor. When their vision cleared, they found themselves on the outskirts of a forest, gazing upon a small tribal village. Floor Quest Description Eliminate the chief of the goblin village. Rewards 2000 Experience Points.
1000 Arcane Coins.
"Is this an assassination mission, my king?" Aqua queried.
"It is," Thorian confirmed. "But our approach will be thorough. We shall eliminate everyone in the village before targeting the chief."
"As you command, my king," Aqua nodded, his resolve mirroring Thorian's unwavering determination.
As they prepared for the assault, Thorian's mind was calculating, always a step ahead. The hidden quest for this floor isn't clear in my memory, but if we ensure no one is left standing, we should inadvertently fulfill it.
With this strategic approach, the party surged towards the goblin village, its imposing wooden walls soon coming into view. Forlune, his battle spirit igniting, cloaked himself in a radiant golden aura, the energy of solar power pulsating from him. He dashed forward, a blur of light and power, and with a thunderous warcry, he struck the village wall with his sword.
Boom!
The force of Forlune's attack tore through the wooden barrier, sending splinters and debris hurtling through the air with lethal velocity. A cloud of dust billowed, and the sound of collapsing wood and stone echoed. Goblins shrieked in terror and agony, some perishing instantly in the onslaught, others crushed beneath the rubble.
Amidst the chaos, the more formidable hobgoblins regained their wits, preparing to defend, while the lesser goblins were gripped by panic.
Thorian and Zogarth wasted no time joining Forlune at the breach. Zogarth, with his battle axe wreathed in a menacing red and black aura, charged into the left flank. His powerful strikes mowed down goblin after goblin, each swing of his axe bringing down multiple foes.
Thorian, meanwhile, turned his attention to the right side of the village. His gaze pierced through the turmoil, noting the sheer terror in the eyes of the goblins and hobgoblins as they beheld their attackers. Amidst the chaos, his attention was drawn to a structure larger and more opulent than the others, its luxury marked by ornate fabrics. This building, he surmised, was likely significant - perhaps the dwelling of the chief they were tasked to eliminate.
Thorian's keen insight quickly identified the building likely harboring the apprentice shaman. With a decisive plan taking shape, he invoked his powerful spell: Lord’s Fury: Elemental Embodiment: Wind. Green mana and swirling winds encircled him, instilling fear in the goblins and hobgoblins who could only retreat a step before their fates were sealed.
With a smooth, horizontal sweep of his Emberstrike Cane, Thorian unleashed Greater Gale Slash. A fierce gust, sharp as any blade, swept through the horde. In a mere moment, the goblins that had faced Thorian with dread were now headless, their severed heads rolling on the ground, creating a macabre scene as blood soaked the earth.
But Thorian's spell didn't stop there. It continued its relentless path, reaching the wooden building and cleaving it in two. Walking calmly through the aftermath, amid the blood and wreckage, Thorian discovered a remnant of purple fabric amidst the splinters. Pulling it free, he revealed the tattered remains of a purple robe, clinging to the bisected corpse of the apprentice shaman. That’s one hidden quest accomplished, he thought.
Surveying the village, he saw his companions were equally efficient. Aqua, with his ice barrage and Greater Waterball, was a maelstrom of destruction, freezing and drowning goblins in droves. Forlune and Zogarth moved like blurs, their lethal strikes claiming multiple goblins with each pass. In the rear, Vigil provided support, occasionally bestowing blessings on his comrades, his sighs reflecting a mix of boredom and frustration at his relative inaction.
Suddenly, a distinct, shrill cry pierced the air. From the main building emerged a hobgoblin, slightly more formidable than his kin. Adorned in full armor and brandishing both a shield and sword, he stood out amidst the chaos.
Observing the armored figure, Thorian assessed him coolly. He's likely of a hobgoblin chief's caliber, he deduced. Yet, even so, he's considerably inferior to the weakest of the goblin champions.
Thorian's response was swift and decisive. With a mere utterance of his incantation, "Fire Pillar," he unleashed his spell. The goblin chief, in the midst of his warcry, was instantaneously engulfed in a towering inferno. Flames consumed him before he could even react, silencing his screams and ending the battle as quickly as it had begun. Floor Quest Cleared
Notifications cascaded in front of Thorian, affirming their success and unexpected achievements. Congratulations, you have successfully cleared Hidden Quest #1: Kill the Shaman Apprentice. Congratulations, you have successfully cleared Hidden Quest #2: Do not leave a single soul. Reward Updated +2000 Experience Points
+1000 Arcane Coins Reward Distributed
Level up!
Level up! Do you wish to continue to the sixth floor?