The Path Unknown

17. Reminiscence (Part II)

  Several months and levels later, Kage started to use his scavenging  skill to level it up. Though he defeated three low-floor bosses, his  sword wasn't one to brag about for ascetics. It was one that had higher  stats then normal swords, fitting both his play style's needs and his  solo player attributes. Still, it was bland in its color and design. He  was on his search for a better sword.

  By now, he had leveled up to level 34, but his health bar nor his  recovery stat grew. He'd have to learn not to get hit. If he'd solo a  boss later on like he did in the beta, there was two options to become  ready. One, find someway to boost his recovery and health so that he  wouldn't be outclassed by other swordsmen or two, learn not to be  touched by a mob and outclass the other swordsmen himself. One was  apparently less risky than the other, but that would make him average.  He wouldn't want to be average; but the best in this world.

  He opened his quest guide, turning to the page with quests that were  available for floor 24. He looked for the weapons section, finding it  closer to the back then normal. Well, what could be here? He  skimmed the page for any good weaponry. A rapier, a great sword, another  rapier, a short sword, a generic katana, and a special sword. Its name  was "The Legion of Shadows" holding remarkably well stats for a blade on  such a floor. Its completion wasn't achieved yet, so he would have a  chance. The quest master could be found on floor 21, with targets on  floors 22, 23, and 24. This was a multi-part quest with a high reward.  He would have to build a better skill set as well, but it wasn't a  problem because of his scavenging ability. The only problem would that a  player or boss would have to die in order for him to acquire it. It  would be a sacrifice of themselves.

  Teleporting to floor 21, he started his way towards the outskirts of  the city. The quest giver was supposed to be dressed in black robes and  dealing with wizardry. He knew where that would have been, the Erebus  Ditch. It was on the side of the city wall where shadows were abundant.  It was a dark place that normally would be home to player killers, but,  with the opening of floor 24, they recently moved to a spot like it with  forest-like surroundings. If there were any PKers left here, they'd be  under-leveled and probably looking for another place to go. Still, it  was like any other city slum he'd experienced.

  Reaching the outer walls, he started his path towards the ditch. It  wasn't far from where he was, but it would have been nice to travel with  someone there. It was lonesome being a solo player, but normally better  off for his own mental stability. He didn't want to see anyone he  treasured die in a stupid or risky situation. Anyone that would die for  him like that was one truly keeping, yet he wouldn't want to stick with  them if there was a time like that. It was almost as if his thoughts  about having a partner here were like a paradox. It was something he so  deeply hated, but wanted. It seemed that he was very unsure at that  point.

He could see  the ditch now; deep, dark, and eerie. There was no light in the rugged,  broken-down building which only added to the level of suspiciousness.  There had to be some sort of trap laid out in order to catch the  unknowing. He lit his sword on fire and went into the entrance. There  were only the sounds of small creatures and water dripping into puddles.  The metronome of the droplets complimented his footpace within the  complex. The structure was diverse, yet battered and broken from  emulated years of wear and tear. A green light emanated from an  office-like room, where a voice spoke out from.

"So... You actually came here?" The tone was raspy and clicked like an insect, "We don't get visitors often..."

  Moving his sword towards the entrance, he called back, "You have  something for me, don't ya? I was told that you have an errand for me."

  "Good response... I do, in fact, have a task." He drew a breath as  long as his talk, which seemed to last an eternity, "There is a subject  of mine that escaped from this place after trying to kill me. I sent  messengers out for people like you, are you the only one?"