Scavengers guild's first dungeon raid was nothing special. The group encountered numerous large ant-like creatures that attacked in large swarms. The ants were large insects roughly the same size as a donkey. They had high mobility, but low offense. Their biggest advantage was their numbers.
The guild easily handled the large number of ants using the same tactic as the bear cave, with Wain creating firewalls to control and direct the ant swarms. In small batches, the ants were easy to defeat.
The Queen Ant was twice as large as an elephant but far slower. It attacked with enormous force, but its attacks were predictable and easy to dodge…which made her an easy dungeon boss to handle.
"She is like a giant punching bag…let me try out my new job change skill!" Kristan shouted to the group.
[PROVOCATION skill used by Kristan]
[Provocation skill taunts enemies into targeting player while also reducing their speed by 25% for 1 minute]
"Not exactly the flashiest skill, but it does its job!" Kristan shouted with joy seeing the effects of the skill. The Queen Ant targeted her exclusively while visibly slowing down under the effect of the speed debuff.
Wain shouted, "let me try my new skill too!"
[LIGHTNING BOLT skill used by Wain]
[Lightning Bolt increases attack and resistance penetration by 200% for one attack]
A blinding white bolt ripped the air like a white-hot spear carving space itself. It impacted the Queen Ant with monstrous force blowing off one of her legs.
ERRRRR!!!
The ant let out a painful screech as it struggled to maintain its balance without a leg.
"Let me finish her off," Hector said confidently as he piled on numerous buffs on himself. His size drastically increased and his body radiated with a bright yellow-red aura. He leapt into the air, easily exceeding 40 feet, and came crashing down like a meteorite on top of the Queen Ant.
KABOOM!
CRACK!
Hector drove both elbows square onto the Queen Ant's skull, shattering it to pieces. The queen staggered for a second then dropped to the ground.
!ALERT!
[QUEEN ANT DEFEATED]
[YOU LEVELED UP!]
[Dungeon cleared – bonus rewards include:
1 Oath Longsword (A-rank longsword) ticket. These blades increase damage by 80%,
1 Power Belt (B-rank) ticket. Belt increases Strength by 40%,
1 pair of Survival Gloves (B-rank) ticket. Gloves decrease damage by 50%,
2 pairs of Attacker Gloves (B-rank) ticket. Gloves increase damage by 40%
$450,000 Nanocoins]
"Hey guys…look over there…there are human remains piled up." Kristan said amazed as she interrupted the victory celebration.
The group approached the corner of the Queen's layer and noticed a pile of human bones. They appeared old, perhaps many years old. Most appeared broken and gnawed with visible incision lines…as if the meat had been scrapped off while the victims were still alive.
"That's a nice touch…but the whole intimidation thing would have worked better had the pile been placed somewhere more visible. Here in the corner, we almost missed it." Arthos said as he examined the pile of human bones.
"Wait…there's a ring here." Kristan observed.
"Let me see…that's a wedding ring. Not just any wedding ring, it's a Barkev's ring…that's a high-end designer ring. You can tell by the unique design, raised edge pattern, and polished center." Wain said as he examined the ring like a professional jewelry appraiser.
Kristan teased, "since when are you a ring expert?"
"That's…umm…that's from another life. I used to fence items including jewelry to survive…I picked up a few tricks along the way." Wain admitted with mild embarrassment.
"Maybe a jeweler or crafter from Avalor made it?" Hector suggested.
"Unlikely…even on earth the design complexity and intricacy are hard to match. This is the real deal. Do you mind if I take it with me? I want to check something out." Wain said softly.
"No problems here. Let's decide on the loot drops…also I propose we pay back Percy with today's coin earnings. We earned 450,000 less the 20,000 raid ticket fee." Arthos suggested as he led the discussion on the raid rewards and how to equitably divide them among the five party members.
[AMALOT EMPIRE, CASTLE AMALOT]
"My Liege, our spies have confirmed that King Isandor has dispatched messengers to Avalor."
Hushed voices were heard in the large throne room as the top advisers and councilors discussed the news.
"Do we know the nature of their visit?" The emperor asked with a voice unconcerned by this unexpected development.
"We believe they seek to form an alliance. It's no surprise considering that the Kingdom of Camarax has drastically increased their military size and strength over the last four years." The chief advisor said gravely.
"So, it's an act of war then." The emperor concluded.
"Your Grace, perhaps there is another reason. My scouts have reported that there have been minor conflicts along the border between Avalor and Camarax. Perhaps the envoys seek to negotiate a peaceful resolution before the conflict escalates." Valyrio said with confidence as he proposed a more likely explanation.
"If General Valyrio is correct," the advisor put a heavy emphasis on the word if, "then the matter is even more pressing. We must take advantage of this opportunity and not allow two neighboring Kingdoms to reach a peaceful outcome."
"Chief Advisor Dorne, what do you propose?" The emperor asked in a neutral voice.
"We send a small elite force, dressed as warriors from Avalor and we massacre the messengers…all but one." The chief advisor recommended.
Hushed voices continued in the throne room as the other advisors discussed this bold option. It was a good plan. It would ensure no peace would be reached between two rival Kingdoms while removing suspicion of Amalot's involvement.
General Valyrio's disgust with the plan grew visible.
He said, "if Camarax and Avalor go to war, who will handle the proliferation of magic beasts? You may recall the carnage and fear that existed five years ago before the arrival of the hunters from Avalor. Our forces were spread too thin as hoards of magic beasts devoured small villages throughout our Empire. I propose we create a mutually beneficial alliance with Avalor."
Dorne's twisted his face in anger and revulsion. The idea of making peace was revolting...specially coming from Amelot's top general.
He stammered, "that's…that's…that's not a bad plan. However, to initiate talks of an alliance would be seen as weakness. Camarax would not be our only problem…we would face threats from the Kingdom of Baleon as well."
"Enough. Send an elite squad of our best men. Kill the messengers except for one. Make it look as if Avalor is to blame." The emperor ordered ending the discussion.