P.O.V. 3rd Person
While the group talked, the core consciousness of the dungeon had finally stopped reliving the past and paid attention to them. The group had everything to be the stereotypical main group of heroes in classic manga and novels, except for the fact that none of them had a mage or cleric.
'Ha! I bet you thought the last one was a mage because she was using a wooden stick instead of a staff, huh? But sorry, so far few mages seem to have been interested in my dungeon. Only a few showed up, and of very low level, in that campaign a while back that I'll talk about later, when I feel like it.'
Kaio thought, looking at the group and talking to no one in particular, usually to himself to remember some things since he had nowhere (or no way) to write things down. Even if the system helped, it was too passive and unless he considered it important, it wouldn't remind him of most things.
The group then reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the temple. As they walked, at least four of them couldn't help but notice a niche right at the entrance.
There was a huge mural with very detailed images of small green monsters, four-legged beasts similar to the monsters that frequently attacked farm animals. What appeared to be enormous vines with golden eyes were among other creatures they had never seen before.
But the fifth member, Connor, already knew these creatures; they lived in the strange yet familiar world below, or, as the old mages had said before, they lived in another world, and this temple served as a passage.
Not that they had much time to research and prove this theory, since they themselves didn't have as much knowledge as one would expect from mages. And because they had died practically the next day, after arguing with their master and those responsible for the exploration campaign a few weeks earlier.
They had also speculated that the temple had some kind of spell that displayed images of the creatures every time they were defeated, as a kind of reward and warning to anyone else who went to this unknown realm, a place that was both small and dangerous, and above all, fascinating.
And that was why, even after having seen and experienced a literal massacre a few weeks earlier, Connor still returned to this place.
After all, even though this place had killed many people (and had literally just killed more), it also gave as much as it took. The entire forest was full of animals that provided food and materials, as well as strange fruits that could restore energy and accelerate the recovery from injuries.
Not to mention the various herbs that had even more miraculous effects, as good as or even better than the mythical potions of the big cities. Produced by alchemy guilds and some mage orders, and bought by their weight in gold, even those with less effect.
These were the material gains, the most tangible and easiest to obtain. Besides these, it was also possible to get clothing or even weapons if you were intelligent and brave (or foolish) enough to fight and defeat the green demons.
But above these material gains, the immaterial gains were most important most of the time. Like the first times Connor and his master had come here (still keeping it a secret because they didn't know if this place was safe for the villagers). They felt their bodies fill with energy, their senses sharpen, and their weariness from hunting the furry, four-legged creatures instantly vanish.
He even managed to feel this sensation a few more times when he came to this place with his master; he even thought it was his imagination. But his master assured him that this sensation was real, both because he had felt it at the same time as Connor, and also because he had felt it before, long before coming to this temple.
His master had guaranteed that this sensation was the same as when knights managed to reach a milestone of power known as Elevation, which only happened to the most dedicated and disciplined knights or mages (and with a considerable degree of luck) in the world.
His master had assured him that this sensation was the same as when knights managed to reach a milestone of power known as Elevation, which only happened to the most dedicated and disciplined knights or mages (and with a considerable degree of luck) in the world.
His master only knew this because, when he was younger, he was a low-ranking knight but left that life behind when he realized he couldn't rise above the 2nd rank and retrained himself as a hunter. Until he arrived in their village a few years before Connor was born.
How did the monsters they faced disappear and leave things behind? Some specific things that increased their elevation abilities when only training, meditation, and specific, highly protected potions should have been capable of doing so.
How did animals that shouldn't exist, exist and live in this strange place? How could plants with miraculous effects exist in a place that simply appeared out of nowhere?!
Nobody knew; the mages who were part of the exploration campaign (as well as their master and Connor himself) were of low rank. The highest-ranking mage in the exploration was only 4th rank, and even though they compensated for their lack of power with alleged knowledge, it still wasn't enough for them to survive that day.
– Hey Connor, have you been here before? Do you have any idea what these things are? – Maxuel asked.
After being called by the slightly older boy, Connor snapped out of his unconscious, pensive state, staring at the images of the monsters.
– Huh? Oh, yes, I know. They're the monsters that appear in the jungle; they're all good at hiding in their surroundings, especially the one that looks like a huge green worm and the green demons.
– They're even more dangerous because they travel in groups and can set traps in unexpected places. Oh, you also have to pay attention to those gelatinous green things; they burn when you touch them and also—
– Whoa, calm down, man, speak slower and breathe while you talk too. You look like you're going to faint with your face so red! – Max almost shouted at his new friend.
– Oh, sorry about that, it's just that...
– Yes, we know, we have to be careful. We haven't forgotten what you and the village leaders warned about this place.
– But you also have to trust us a little. Of course, we're not knights, but we still have some fighting experience, that's why they let us come here, remember? – Said the young woman with emerald hair and pigtails, Anna.
– Yes, that's true. But also remember that several people stronger and much more experienced than us have already come here. And not all of them returned.
– Then it would be better if you also understood the care that Connor is taking. – Reminded Cali, the one carrying a wooden staff.
– We know, the point is not to do too much damage, like the impatient old men did, and everything will be fine. – Mavak, Max's "twin," said concisely and seriously.
– That's what I understood at least. I may not be the brightest, but I certainly know when one of those old men is going to mess up. – Mavak said with unwavering certainty and a hint of anger when he mentioned the "old men".
– Without meaning to disrespect your master, Connor. – the brother added quickly.
– Ah! Yes, that's right!. – he added, somewhat embarrassed by the friend they had made in just a few weeks.
– It's alright, my master tried to warn them it would be a bad idea, but they didn't listen and things ended up like this. At least he managed to get out, even though he's badly injured.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Then they saw a woman emerge from one of the temple's deeper "rooms" and sit at a table neither near nor far from the magic circle, in an alcove on the right side of the temple.
Connor recognized the woman as Kamila, one of the villagers designated as "temple staff." They were divided into reception, storage, and first-aid personnel.
Kamila was responsible for both the reception, where she had to explain what had been discovered about the temple, the otherworldly jungle, and its "inhabitants," and for helping move the wounded to the "healing ward."
Why was she given this double responsibility? Simple, because she is one of the most intelligent in the village and the only one (besides Connor's master) who had the strength of a 2nd-rank knight.
Seeing her leave the corridor that led deeper into the temple, Connor realized that someone must be badly injured or extremely exhausted. He worried if it was someone he knew, which it probably was, since everyone in the village knew each other.
In any case, he was aware that everyone lives at their own risk, including when they come to this place.
– Hello Connor, I didn't know you were back already. How is Diem after everything that happened? – asked the older woman, looking at the group.
– Hi Kamila, I just got back. I came to show my friends Maxuel, Mavak, Cali, and Anna from Elbor around here. Can we go into the Trial?.