Behold, Hope

Chapter 2: The Bellum

With Kronos' help, I learned magic easily and the more I practiced, the better I got. Since Lycia was Mura, she was especially gifted with magic, among other things, including swordsmanship. I originally started with just making a weird cave thing as a shelter to keep me safe, while blending into the landscape around me. Then, I moved onto more complex shapes and structures to keep it better camouflaged. I outfitted my shelter by casting light orbs and could access water easily by casting. I even molded clay into bowls and utensils. The main problem was food. I was able to identify some of the edible plants due to Kronos, but I needed protein. And, the only meat is straight off monsters. I decided I would enter combat only after my physical body began to gain more strength. On a better note, I discovered Kran's gift. In my inventory, he included two more medicine servings, a sword (I thought it was old and useless, but according to Kronos it's actually really good) and thankfully, the bodies and items of those who fell during the fight before Lycia was able to transport the rest of the group out. Thank you Kran. I know Lycia would be so grateful to know I have these and can return them and have them buried when I get out of here.

I know I need to start to move. I have gotten fairly good at disguising my cave shelter into the terrain, I have regained Lycia's skills in magic, and started to follow Kronos' instruction for sword fighting as back up. It turns out the sword is made of a mineral called urno, pretty rare like Kronos said, and resistant to all types of magic which goes well with me since I am in fact, unaffected by all magic directed at me. Basically, using its full ability, I can take a high level magic combat spell head-on with no damage or just by cutting through the spell itself with the blade. I also discovered it glows in the dark like a lightsaber when you cover it in mai. Thankfully, it looks like a normal sword because it would probably bring too much attention when I inevitably leave the Bellum.

Due to the initial fight with Kran, my clothing was left tattered and definitely not appropriate. I was very disappointed as it was a very pretty style, like the men's fashion in the 1800's on Earth. Long dark pants and leather boots with a white lace blouse, a bow around the collar with silver studs in both ears. Lycia and I look eerily similar, tall with light tan skin, brown eyes and dark brown hair. The main difference being I had much shorter hair. However, I cut hers to a little over shoulder length just so it would be easier to handle and tie back. I ended up taking the lace bow off the blouse to somehow pull back the front part of my hair from getting in my face. It was quite an accomplishment when I finally was able to tie it: one end in my hand and the other end held by my teeth. I ripped part of my left sleeve off to use as a bandage for my right eye, in case the wound ever opens up. Because of my limited sight, I asked Kronos to sense things around me when in combat, just in case. My physical condition is doing pretty well because I haven't moved locations and entered combat, likely due to me being next to Kran's door and no one would willingly go nearby. I have begun to collect medicinal herbs by gathering them in the cave and then regrowing them. However, today, I decided to grow a tree. Another pretty great accomplishment for me. My left leg is still strained; I can walk and run, but with combat, it likely will be further reinjured. Therefore, I created a peg leg crutch with the wood so I can still somewhat walk. By creating notches in the wood planks and using Kronos' knowledge, I was able to create a few crutches for the future.

According to Kronos, and just like any fantasy novel, the further the level of a dungeon, the stronger the monsters. I am on the 101st level.... Out of 101. I probably need more time to prepare myself, but I feel like I don't have much time. Probably a combination of going insane due to loneliness and wanting to see another human, or just wanting to not be in pain and finish my task. Either way, I decided to scout past the corridor I had currently been residing in. Peering outside the cavern entrance, I truly realized my situation and that I was all alone. The floor is gigantic, the expanse spreading beyond what I could see.