Dungeon Noble - Squire

Jake grew increasingly confused by Ivaldi’s prices as he looked over the other stores in the small settlement. There wasn’t a huge selection available, but there was a blacksmith who dealt in weapons alongside general work, an armourer, a bowyer, an alchemist and a Trading Post.

All the different stores were markedly more expensive than Ivaldi, some to a ridiculous degree. The blacksmith was selling swords for four Wyrdgeld each, with larger weapons costing more.

The armourer’s wares were even more expensive, with a leather chest piece costing a full seventy-five Wyrdgeld, as opposed to the twenty-five Ivaldi quoted.

Even the potions were more expensive, with the minor healing ones that they got as part of their pack costing a Wyrdgeld per vial, whereas Ivaldid did two vials for a single Wyrdgeld.

Beyond the prices, the real difference was that the merchants had a small selection of Woven weapons and armour. Anything that a Wyrdweaver had worked on was well outside Jake’s budget. The one sword he looked at cost just over a hundred Wyrdgeld, enough to give Jake heart palpitations.

Jake didn’t know much about Woven gear. He knew Wyrdweavers made them, but that was about it. All the tales of heroic Classers hunting down creatures or delving deep into Dungeons portrayed them with Woven weapons and armour that were a large part of their personal strength.

A hundred Wyrdgeld was a distressing amount for a single blade that he could lose the next time he failed a delve, but it wasn’t completely out of reach for him. At their current payout from each delve, it was seven delves of Wyrdgeld, and Ari had mentioned the chests they could get as well.

The Trading Post was something else entirely. It had its name hung outside on a large sign and, from Jake’s brief investigation, didn’t have anything obvious for sale. He mentally added it to the list to discuss with Ari before moving on.

The possibilities felt like they were just out of reach at the moment, but they were there nonetheless, and Jake left the shops behind to head down to the training field with renewed determination.

-**-

A few of the local Classers were already running some training drills when Jake arrived, and to his surprise, they included him without question.

The group were all tier two Classers belonging to the Guild, which was reflected in how easily they could outpace him through the obstacle course.

Still, sparring with someone other than Karl was a useful experience, and when Jake returned to his room, he was in high spirits.

Feeling sore and more than a bit tired, Jake got some food and turned in early, eager to increase his rank.

Thankfully, the System seemed to be almost entirely based on intent, and the moment that Jake was settled and decided he wanted to do it, he felt something stir in the back of his mind.

Sufficient Wyrdgeld is present, presenting ascension options for Tier I Rank II.

You currently have two Trait slots available and two Skill slots available.

At this time, you have unlocked one additional Skill that may be purchased.

Minor Infused Strike - 100 Wyrdgeld

At this time, you have unlocked no additional Traits that may be purchased.

At this time, you have insufficient Wyrdgeld to upgrade the rank of any Skills.

At this time, you have insufficient Wyrdgeld to upgrade the rank of any Traits.

At this time, you have insufficient Wyrdgeld to purchase any available Skills.

Would you like to continue with your ascension?

“Yes,” Jake said, his head thrumming with a building headache as energy poured through him.

There was a brief pause as something shifted within him, and Jake felt his breath hitch as his chest tightened.

Congratulations, you have ascended to Tier I, Rank II. The expended Wyrdgeld shall be used to refine your physicality.

Would you like to discard any Skills or Traits at this time?

“No,” Jake said hoarsely, rubbing his chest at the constricting sensation that continued to worsen.

The System said nothing further, but Jake felt the tightness in his chest build until it felt like his lungs were being turned to stone.

Gasping for breath, Jake started to panic that something had gone wrong, that the System was killing him.

All at once, the tightness in his chest eased as a pulse of searing heat spread out through his body, leaving trails of stinging fire everywhere it touched. For one brief, horrific second, Jake was aware of every inch of his muscles, bones and skin, and all of it was aflame with pain.

The experience ended as swiftly as it started, leaving Jake on his back, staring up at the ceiling of his room and feeling as though he lacked the strength to do anything. It was almost similar to the revival sickness, but he felt exhausted instead of feeling drained and empty, as though he’d just spent a week working with Felix non-stop.

Exhausted and slipping into sleep already, Jake had just enough presence of mind to trigger his System status.

Name - Jake Khesh

Patron Deity - The Great Dungeon

Class - Dungeon Noble - Squire

Tier - I

Rank - II

Dungeon Network - 0

Plexus Points - 0/0

Advancement Points - 0

Deed requirement to increase Tier

1 - 5 Tier I or higher Dungeons bound

2 - Rank X

Requirements to increase to Rank III

1 - 80 Wyrdgeld

-**-

Jake awoke the next day exactly where he’d fallen, one leg hanging off the edge of the bed and the rest of him at an odd angle.

Siting up gingerly, Jake eyed the faint light coming through the window and judged that he was still in time for Felix’s run, which was a relief.

Jake was careful getting to his feet and moving around. The abuse his body had been through the night before was still clear in his mind, but if anything, he felt better than normal.

It wasn’t much of an increase, but if he paid attention, Jake could feel that he was slightly stronger and faster than the day before. It was a small enough difference that part of him felt he was clutching at straws, but the easiest way to test it was by going on a run.

Heading outside, Jake met up with Karl as usual and made their way over to where Felix was waiting. The older man gave Jake a searching look before nodding and waving for him to start stretching.

Ari didn’t join them in the end, which just left Jake and Karl under Felix’s tender care.

Any thoughts Jake had that his increase in rank would make the run easier were immediately banished as Felix pushed them harder than ever.

Despite that, Jake was certain that the minor improvement he’d been able to sense was real, and he enjoyed the feeling of improvement as he bounded up the hills alongside Karl.

-**-

Ari had joined them at the Dungeon entrance with no explanation of his absence, instead congratulating Jake on making it to the second rank and having a Skill available.

“Weak Infused Strike is the most common Skill to be unlocked by melee fighters, as the requirements are fairly easy to reach. I wouldn’t advise getting it for most people, but with your high costs, it might be worth it,” Ari explained when Jake asked about the Skill.

“But I’ve used infused strikes, so why didn’t I unlock it?” Karl asked, looking a little disappointed that he hadn’t been offered a Skill.

“You’re using a Skill, whereas Jake did it manually,” Ari pointed out, making Karl flush a little at the obvious answer. “Now, come on, let’s get to it.”

Their run through the Dungeon went as usual, if not slightly easier, now that Jake had joined the rest at the second rank. They weren’t at the point of breezing through without issue, but they were familiar with the enemy and had a working strategy. The only problem now was the Enhanced murk hounds at the end.

Jake could feel the tension build in the group as they came to the end of the fourth floor. They were all considering their chances with what lay ahead.

“Wait, is that the Challenge door again? I thought you said they were rare?” Rhew asked as they came into view of the end.

“They are,” Ari said, shrugging the question off. “Take from that what you will.”

“Well, it’s the third time it’s been here, and I don’t think we have the tactics or power to deal with the murk hounds yet, so should we go in?” Rhew asked the rest of the group, cocking an eyebrow their way.

"I suppose we don’t really lose anything, so why not?” Alan pointed out. “We’ll still get the Wyrdgeld from the fifth floor with what Ari gives us, after all.”

“About that,” Ari said, breaking into the conversation with an apologetic smile. “I don’t mind giving you the Wyrdgeld from a floor you’ve already started; it helps you along and makes this easier. Completing the fifth floor without you and then giving you the Wyrdgeld for creatures you haven’t even attempted to fight, however, goes against the spirit of the delve.”

“Does that all really matter?” Rhew asked, folding her arms and glaring at Ari. “Do you really think the Dungeon cares?”

“Perhaps,” Ari said with a slight shrug, unfazed by her stern expression. “Dungeons are more than stories give them credit for. The longer you delve, the more you realise that.”

“Fine,” Rhew said, scowling at Ari before turning back to the rest of them. “I think we should try it this once and then judge from there. If we don’t make it, we’ve only lost the Wyrdgeld from the fifth floor, and if we do, we hopefully have a lot more.”

“I really want that Wyrdgeld, but I think it’s worth a try as well,” Jake said, somewhat begrudgingly. It did make sense to try, but potentially missing out on all that Wyrdgeld hurt him.

“Alright, I’m in,” Karl said, echoed a moment later by Alan.

“Well, I’ll wait here for you. Don’t forget to leave me your Wyrdgeld,” Ari said, holding a hand out for their coin pouches.

They reluctantly passed over their loot from the delve so far before moving to the Challenge door and checking over their gear. They still had all their potions, Alan still had most of his arrows, and they had only used two of their eight torches. It was as good as it was going to get.

Rhew grew impatient once they’d checked over their gear and stepped forward to open the door, revealing a familiar shadowed interior that she walked straight into, not hesitating in the slightest.