"System, what is my current level, and do I have any current goals?"
Current level 15 of ???. No current goals. Experience 9000/25,000
'These levels sure are getting together and tougher to climb. One dungeon got me from level 1-15, but that was only because there was a banshee on the final floor. Hopefully this one goes more smoothly, and we don't run into any trouble,' Sora thought.
The party walked, all dressed in new party attire: white kabuki masks, which now covered and hid their hair as well, with a white cloak covering their SS rank armor with the black Yin and Yang Symbol illuminating from the back of it.
"We look awesome!" Brie screamed.
"Shhhh chatterbox. We're approaching the dungeon. Who knows what creeps are out and about around here."
As they approached the dungeon, they all noticed someone kneeling, as if in prayer. Sora signaled to stop, and Brie whispered to Sasha, "his inspect is way better."
"System, please inspect this traveler."
Name: Levi Steele
Race: Human
Age: 25
Rank: A
Class: Tank [250/250 HP]
Skills: Strong with sword and shield, also can produce A rank fire magic.
Unique note: Very religious. Prays to gods regularly. Swears to protect those around him, no matter the cost, if he views them worthy
"Well Sora?" Sasha asked impatiently.
"Let's go talk to him, he's only A rank but my inspect skill said he's strong with sword and shield and has strong fire magic. Also, it gave me a weird note that he's very religious and swears to protect those around him, no matter the cost, if he views them worthy," Sora said quietly.
We approached the man and he turned, sword and shield at the ready.
"This is my dungeon! I have sworn to the gods to protect those who wish to enter the frightful Hell's Gate!" he shouted… rather over seriously.
"Uh, sir, your name please?" Sora asked.
"Ah, not until I have met these strange travelers wearing these strange masks of an ancient human symbol meaning balance and harmony among those who are not similar!" his overzealous voice shouted.
"Well, at least he kind of has it right," Sora told the group.
"Yeah, I was wondering about this symbol, what does it mean?" Brie whispered.
"It's from a textbook I read in my library, it's from the days of Earth, and represents the dual nature of reality, where opposites coexist, interact and balance each other in harmony," Sora lied, but whispered back.
"Yes kind sir, you are correct. From the days of Earth, the idea that the nature of reality is opposites coexist, interact and balance each other in harmony!" Sora exclaimed, trying to match the man's zealous tone.
"A wise and educated soul you are. Who are you and your companions?!" he asked.
"That, I cannot tell you, I am sorry. But if you are willing to work with us through this dungeon, and help us clear it, maybe after learning more about you, I would be willing to share who we are," Sora suggested.
"Are you sure, this guy's really weird," Sasha whispered.
"Yeah, he speaks like he's the most chivalrous guy in the world," Brie whispered back.
"You know I can hear you… right?" the man said.
"Sorry about that! We're just… a little taken aback by your chivalry is all," Brie said, scrambling for an explanation.
"Tis fine! I am Levi Steele! I have prayed, and the gods have deemed you worthy of entering this dungeon."
"System, is this guy crazy?"
No, he is perfectly sane. He just takes his role as a protector very seriously and usually tries to meet pretty ladies at this dungeon, as he will typically try to pick them up and protect them, only to get shot down.
"Well sir Levi, are you willing to create a temporary party seal with us?" Sora asked, while holding his hand out for a handshake.
"A sealing magic user?! Interesting. Yes. Please list your conditions."
As Sora shook his hand, he could see the lightbulb going off in Levi's head.
"Woah, so the conditions are protect each other at all costs, all treasure will be decided at the end of the dungeon, as we cannot leave it without defeating it, and I will be handsomely rewarded for my efforts, just as long as I never speak of seeing a group with this Yin and Yang symbol on it?" his voice finally sounded like a normal person… finally. "You have a deal."
The yin and yang flashed on his hand and the party' s hands and quickly faded away.
****
"System, analyze Hell's Gate."
Hell's Gate.
Rank: S
Floors: 20
Boss floors: 10, 20
Retreatability: Disabled
Class: Magic Based
Rewards: High
Danger: High
Chance for success based on current party: Very High
"Alright, I feel good about this group, are we ready?" Sora said while reequipping his party with SS ranked magically resistant armor.
"A dimensional void user? What have I walked into tonight?" Levi thought.
"You have a very unique skillset sir. What was your name again?" Levi asked.
"Just call me C for now. That's B and that's S," Sora said while pointing to Brie and Sasha.
"Ok, I trust you. C, I shall follow you B and S into battle!" Levi shouted.
Sora could sense Brie and Sasha's amusement with the temporary party member. He was definitely over-zealous and if what Sora's system said about him trying to pick up women was true, Levi was in for a rough go if he actually tried to pick up Brie or Sasha.
****
The first room had a bunch of bat-like creatures shooting fire magic at the party. They were much larger than bats and had a hard, outer layer, which you could hear crack each time someone landed a hit. It took the group maybe two minutes to clear out the 50 bats. Having the system count down the enemies for Sora was quite an advantage.
The next floor illuminated as merfolk and mermaid type enemies appeared, shooting water spells with tridents.
"My time to shine!" Sasha said, as she transformed her arm to about 50 feet long, her nails about 5 feet long, and ripped through the interior of the merfolk and mermaids, retracting her arm and nails just in time to avoid any major blows.
Two merfolk are still detected. Use caution. S ranked.
"There's still two of them left, any idea where they could…"
Levi jumped in front of Brie, using a fire wall to take the brunt of the initial trident's water projectile attack, and his armor to brush away the rest.
"Thanks for that Levi! Let's teach these bastards a lesson!" Brie shouted, as she shot an ice pillar right through the heart of one.
Sora wished his eye abilities had unlocked by now, but he used his senses and lured out the last one. As it went to strike, he intentionally lowered his guard, allowing the trident to pierce his foot, which drew some blood, but stuck his sword right through the merman's head.
Congratulations. You are now level 16. Your passive regeneration is now level 3. You will heal 1 HP per 30 seconds of not taking any damage. The next floor is open.
"Nice job everyone, great teamwork!" Sora exclaimed, while tossing everyone a potion and Sasha a blood bag.
"Is that a blood bag? We have a vampire with us?!" Levi excitedly exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm a vampire. Have been for what feels like ages," Sasha admitted.
"That's so cool! I heard rumors that on the King's council that Sora the Great and King Dorian Ashwood are very close friends! I heard he's even on a first name basis with Queen Camilla!" Levi exclaimed.
"What else do you know about Sora, and why do you refer to him as the Great?" Sora asked, obviously intrigued.
"Haven't you heard the prophecies of the gods?" Levi questioned.
"No," the three said in unison.
"The prophecy foretold a thousand years ago, that someone would be born of the gods and the humans, and that person would come to save all of humankind– or destroy it. Although, if you read the ancient texts of the actual gods, as my family has studied over the generations, we believe that he will save humankind, not destroy it!" Levi bragged.
"System, is he telling the truth?"
Yes. In very rare circumstances, there are people who follow the prophecies of the gods through ancient and divine text. He would need an Uthra to read the actual text, so I think there is more to learn about this Levi fellow than meets the eye.
Wait, wouldn't you have to be an Uthra or know an Uthra to read the ancient and divine texts of the gods?" Brie asked.
"Ha! So, my deception skills do not disappoint me. I am sure one of your party members has the ability to inspect. I am Uthra. I am not human." Levi said and banged his chest.
"Try now, my dear temporary party members."
"Inspect," Sora thought.
Levi is telling the truth. He is Uthra and S ranked, not A ranked adventurer. Everything else is true, but he also has the skill of deception and 1500 HP, not 250 HP. I can't believe his SS ranked deception out ranked your SSS ranked inspection. I didn't know this to be possible, apologies Sora, I failed you.
"Relax, you didn't fail me. There's a lot to this world we do not know. I thought you didn't feel emotion anyway."
I don't. But I still will correct and adjust to any deception users. This will not happen in the future.
"He's telling the truth…" Brie muttered "Amazing, Sir Levi… it's so nice to meet an Uthra!"