Kara laughed boisterously at his words. "That's the spirit wolf. I will be your healer for the rest of this trip. But know that neither Astrid nor myself will intervene during the fighting. If you get yourself killed and sent back to the mortal plane, then that's it until you get another chance at the dungeon." She danced around the clearing while they talked.
Gavin nodded. "I figured as much. Wouldn't be much of a training dungeon if I had help." He looked around, half expecting a door to appear somewhere. "So, how do we reach the second floor?"
"Follow along now wolf." Astrid said as she turned and started walking. "It's not far from this spot actually."
Veronica, are you sure about trusting them? I have a weird feeling about this. Their power, I've never felt anything like it aside from Koray.
Yes, I believe it is safe to trust them for now. Use their experience and help to get through the dungeon. Plus, if they do turn and kill you, at least death for you isn't permanent in the dungeon. The humor in her voice caused Gavin to smirk.
Thanks Veronica, that is such a comforting thought.
They walked on in silence for a short while before the forest gave way to a large door set into the side of a rocky wall. The surface of the door had magic runes carved up and down. A thick, black chain criss-crossed across the door sealing it shut.
"I'm assuming that's the entrance." Gavin wondered. He looked around to see the green field they stood in and back to the edge of the forest behind them.
Astrid nodded. "It is. Each floor will have a door similar at one end. It does not appear until the floor's dungeon boss is defeated." Her words were short as she lifted her hand and pushed against the polished surface. The runes lit up and the chain fell away as the door swung inward.
A message from the system popped up in Gavin's vision.
Congratulations on completing the dungeons first floor. Do you wish to continue or return to the mortal realm?
Two options appeared next to the message screen.
One box simply said, Continue.
The second box said, Return.
Gavin mentally confirmed with the first box that had Continue. By the time the door swung fully opened and banged against the inside walls. The sound echoed ominously throughout the field.
Torches filled sconces in the wall beyond the door as the staircase led them deeper into the dungeon. It was only a few short minutes of walking before they reached the door at the end of the staircase.
"Before we proceed, you need to know a few things about the next floor boss." Astrid said as Kara hummed a mindless tune nearby.
"Okay, what would that be?" Gavin turned his attention to the blonde Valkyrie.
"Beyond this door lies the second floor. It is a massive cathedral home to the Vampire Demi. They are a race of quasi-immortal beings created by Lord Thanarion." Astrid turned to face him.
Oh great, immortal Vampires? How in the seven hells am I supposed to kill them? Gavin's mood turned sour as he considered possible meanings to the quasi-immortal wording.
"Vampires? I thought that was just a myth, like the boogey-man. You know, stuff to frighten young children and make horror movies out of." Gavin rambled on, his eyes wide and he glanced at the door in front of them.
Kara snorted and shook her head. "Trust me wolf, they are real, and they are powerful."
"They are skilled magic users; you don't have a chance in an upfront battle using magic. You must learn to see through their deception and illusion spells. There is also a curse on this floor. If you stand still too long in one spot, your health and mana will slowly be drained." Astrid's cold tone could cool a man in the desert.
"Well, that is deceptively helpful," Gavin complained as he took a deep breath. He felt his mana stirring throughout his mana circuits and his vision sharpened. Without looking into a mirror, Gavin knew his eyes were glowing crimson red.
He strode forward and placed his hand on the door. The same runic symbols that were on the first door glowed faintly as the door swung inward and Gavin took his first steps onto the second floor.
Not sure what to expect, Gavin was surprised by the dark stone walls that surrounded him. The walls were lined with torches that lit up at his approach. Looking around, Gavin noticed the torches did not illuminate the dark corners of the hallways.
The smell of mildew, mold, and dampness filled his senses as he walked forward, ears alert. I wonder how many enemies I'll have to fight this time to pass.
Quest alert received.
Defeat the immortal arch enemy known as the Vampire.
Ten enemies remain.
Reward. Instant level up.
Bonus quest. Complete the second floor without becoming enthralled to the enemy.
Reward. Instant skill level up of user's choice.
Well, that answers that question, doesn't it? The fact it gave two very useful rewards from the system tells me it's going to be a long fight.
Gavin considered his options.
These Vampires are supposed to be resistant to magic and have a larger mana pool than I do. So, brute force is my plan then. Gavin grinned as he carefully walked forward.
I believe that is a good summation of the situation, master Gavin. Veronica chimed in.
Gavin felt his mana surge through his body as that familiar burn in his veins started. The bones in his limbs cracked and grew in length as razor sharp claws extended from his nails. His tail grew from his back and his mouth elongated into a wolfs snout as black fur manifested over his body.
A low deep growl rumbled through the hallway.
Low, menacing. A subtle warning.
Alert. Due to the curse on this floor, I am unable to provide tracking data like the first floor. Veronica warned him.
Outstanding.
"Time to ring the dinner bell," Gavin muttered as he threw his head back and activated one of his skills.
Hunter's Howl activated.
Gavin roared at the ceiling. The power from his mana infused skill made the walls tremble, dust floated down from the ceiling as his voice echoed around them. Astrid and Kara took a hesitant half step back as the effects of the Hunter's Howl washed over them, but they did not run. Kara glanced at Astrid with a grin on her face and covered her ears.
Movement caught Gavin's attention as a pale figure lunged down from the ceiling above him. Gavin, reacting on the movement, jumped back and avoided the creatures' clawed nails. Gavin's red eyes narrowed on the Demi Vampire in front of him.
Thin with pale skin, it had long black hair pulled back from his face. Beady black eyes narrowed on Gavin. The Vampire's long pointed nose sniffed several times in astonishment. "A wolf? I heard your kind went extinct centuries ago. I wonder how it came to be that you are here, defiling the wonderful air of our mausoleum."
"You can talk?" Gavin's eyes went wide as he regarded the enemy in front of him. Gavin hesitated at the voice. The wolves never spoke beyond snarls or growls. Is this still the dungeon or something else?
"We aren't all mindless beasts compared to the first floor." The Vampire responded as he threw his hands out and an eerie black mist filled the hallway and obstructed Gavin's vision. A twisted grin appeared on his pale face. "Come in deeper, if you dare." His mocking laugh echoed against the stone.
"Damn it! Quit playing games and just fight already!" Gavin roared as he focused his mana on summoning a ball of light magic in his hand. The ball illuminated the hallway, eating through the black mist to reveal an empty hallway. Cold, cruel laughter echoed through the halls.
"Use whatever magic you want. It makes no difference to us. We will feast on your blood and your body will become part of the masters' throne."
"Free blood. Part of the throne." Multiple voices echoed that sentiment as Gavin looked around for the sources.
"In your dreams blood bag!" Gavin roared. His fury ignited and he threw the ball of light magic down the hall. It revealed every nook and cranny of the cold, moss covered stone. There was no place for another Vampire to be hidden.
Gavin crept forward as he remembered what Astrid said about a curse that would drain his mana and health if he stood still for too long. There was a unique scent that filled his nose when the Vampire dropped down.
It was of rusted metal and death.
Not rust, but dried blood, Veronica corrected his thoughts patiently.
Right, that makes sense I guess, still gross.
Gavin slowly made his way through the bottom of the catacombs. The original hallway he entered continued straight for twenty or thirty meters until it suddenly opened into an intersection with three other directions to choose from.
"Great, now which way do we go?" Gavin wondered as he lifted his head and tried to sniff the air. The problem was there was too much mold and mildew in the air. He couldn't trace which direction that Vampire went down.
Gavin cried out as a blast of fire magic hit him in the back from the path to the right. He could smell the singed fur along his back as another blast of fire struck.
A cackle ran through the hallway as a blast of air came from the left and hit him in the face.
"Okay, now this is getting old quick." He complained as he ducked low to the ground and slapped his palms against the floor. Earthen spikes erupted from the stone floor of the catacomb, spreading quickly down both paths.
Gavin heard nothing more as he cut off his mana and ended the spell. The stone spikes remained in position along the pathways. He sniffed the air and this time he picked up the faintest odor of rusted metal, or blood as Veronica informed him. It came from straight ahead and he ran forward at full speed, Astrid and Kara left behind at his sudden outburst.
"I gotcha now." He grinned like a madman as he closed the distance with one of the Vampires. The Vampire had a shocked expression on his pale face.
"That shouldn't be possible." The Vampire muttered then choked on a cry of pain.
Gavin grabbed the Vampire's collar and spun to the side, slammed him against the wall. The Vampire cried out from the impact as the wall spider-cracked behind him. He clawed at Gavin's chest; panic filled the Vampire's eyes.
Gavin gritted his teeth as the Vampire's claws slashed against him. The Vampire struggled against Gavin's grip. It's hardened nails barely breaking through Gavin's fur and skin.
So, they are magically skilled, but physically weaker. They can't pierce my skin. Gavin grinned and licked his canines. "Those aren't claws on your hands. These are true claws." Gavin snarled in his face. His nails punctured the Vampire's throat then tore as he ripped his hand away from the Vampire's throat. Blood erupted from the Vampire's neck as its life essence flowed freely.
The thick, black blood covered Gavin's body as the Vampire gurgled against the wall, its hands held up in a futile attempt to staunch the flow. The light went out of the Vampire's eyes as he crumpled to the ground at Gavin's feet.
One of ten Vampires was defeated. Nine remain.
The counter in the bottom right of Gavin's field of vision increased by one.
Gavin grinned at the message that appeared at the bottom of his vision. These guys aren't so tough.
"Damn it, I can't smell anything other than this asshole's blood now." He complained as he looked at his body. The faintest sound of a striking boot caught his attention. Gavin turned and started to walk towards the source.
As he made his way through the lower catacombs of the castle, he entered what appeared to be a dining hall. Tables lay busted and chairs snapped in half. Broken mugs and plates were smashed on what tables remained standing. Dark red stains covered the white linens.
Bones from discarded bodies littered the floor. With every step, Gavin heard the crunch of old bones. Rats scurried from his path as he moved through the carnage.
His ears stood straight up as he carefully looked around. He checked the corners of the room when suddenly two Vampires lunged from the shadows like assassins. One had his arm raised and a blade of shadow magic formed a sword in his hand. The other had a whip made of fire. They both struck out with their magical weapons at Gavin.
He rolled, quickly dodging both their strikes as he regarded them warily. Both of the newcomers grinned and moved in a slow circle around Gavin, keeping him pinned between them. A wave of fire came flying at him, the heat burning the air in his lungs.
Gavin stomped his foot, and poured his mana into the stone. The giant rock wall erupted from the ground blocking the wave of fire. Gavin coughed several times and cleared the heated air from his lungs. He took several steps then cried out in pain-spikes had burst forth from his shadow and pierced his side.
He gritted his teeth as he struck down with his hand and smashed the base of the spike before he pulled it out. Yup. That's the magical skills I was expecting from Astrid's warning.
Gavin let loose a feral snarl as he narrowed his gaze on both the targets. One of them was already moving, his hand stretched out, and a large fireball went flying towards his head as the other Vampire threw up a wall made from shadows that blocked his escape.
Gavin looked around for an exit, but it was too late. Gavin covered his face by crossing his arms in front of him and braced for the impact. The heat of the flame was the first thing that Gavin felt as the fireball struck the backs of his arms. Then the burning fur filled his nose as his anger rose.
He was faster than them.
Stronger than them.
How in the heck did he let himself get taken by surprise like this?
Alert. Health is at one hundred points out of one forty. Veronica's warning filled his mind as he threw his arms to the side and let loose another howl.
Hunter's Howl activated.
Gavin didn't expect much from that skill against Vampires. He was pleasantly surprised when the effects worked. Both Vampires froze as Gavin roared his fury. I guess it was a good choice to increase the intimidate skill after all.
Gavin kept his eyes on both frozen Vampires. Gavin didn't have much time while they remained immobile. He ran forward and grabbed the shoulder of the Vampire and thrust his clawed hand through the chest, its undead heart in his palm as his hand exited through the back. Blood spurted out from the wound onto Gavin's chest once again as he squeezed his hand and the heart dissolved into fine dust.
A second Vampire was defeated. Two of ten.
Gavin grinned as he withdrew his arm soaked in the blood of the Vampire and looked at the second one. He had a theory to test as he walked over and gripped the skull of the Vampire and lifted him up in the air. "You guys are extremely fragile physically, aren't you?" Gavin asked the Vampire, but no response came as it was still under the effects of his skill. The arm of the Vampire twitched slightly, and the Vampire suddenly grunted.
He pulled his legs up and kicked off against Gavin's chest. Gavin let go in surprise as he jumped back clear of the Vampire. There was some strength in those Vampire legs.
Which begged the questions. So why am I able to overpower the vampires so easily? Is it a shifter trait I don't know about? Or a wolf thing?
"You shouldn't be this strong. Your strength, it's like the stories of ancient legends." The Vampire uttered while fear took root in his heart.
"It doesn't matter! If I kill you all the glory will be mine!" The Vampire roared in fury as both his arms ignited with flames. The fire grew in brightness that illuminated the entire mess hall. "Die you mangy mutt!" the Vampire screamed as he threw his palms towards Gavin, and a massive wall of fire came screaming towards him.
Gavin heard the crackling of the flames and could feel the heat even from this distance as he quickly debated what to do. Then an idea came to him as he decided to take a page out of Tessa's book. He concentrated on his mana and dived into his own shadow. The wall of flame went harmlessly over his head.
The Vampire started to celebrate when he didn't see Gavin. "Haha! You must have been devoured by the flames of hell." The Vampire laughed boisterously in celebration as he looked around and didn't see his large black were-wolf opponent.
"I need to inform the Master that somehow, there Were-Wolves are back." The Vampire's chest was heaving from the exertion of the battle.