The party once again traveled to the surface. This time, Alto had leather padded armor. It looked similar to Glaive's though there was a clear difference in durability. Glaive's was some sort of enchanted armor.
Just having something made Alto feel much better. A baby worm once again jumped at him. This time though, he pointed the tip of his sword at it. Causing the creature to impale itself.
{You have slain Baby Parasitic Worm}
{58 XP gained!}
{Level up}
{Gained New Ability}
'New ability!'
It seemed as though the others couldn't see the system. They apparently leveled up as well. Though, they could only check by talking with an oracle.
{Level 7: 22/400}
{Stats}
{Strength: 14}
{Speed: 15}
{Intelligence: 24}
{Durability: 6}
{Stamina: 8}
{Charisma: 0}
{Abilities: Thrust}
{Attributes: None}
'Thrust?'
It seemed like a pretty simple move. You just thrust the sword. Alto quickly realized that it wasn't that simple. He could still thrust his sword but that wasn't the same as using the ability. He focused on the ability itself then tried to perform a thrust.
The sword was fast, really fast. Much faster than normal. The end of the blade also turned to a shade of orange. It was strange, but it felt powerful.
Glaive looked in astonishment.
"When did you learn that?"
"Just something… I picked up. Does it look cool?"
"Hell yeah!"
Glaive also had an ability. He had it for much longer. It was something like fortitude, he could make himself as strong as a brick wall for a second or two.
Gyan also learned one. He could turn invisible for up to five seconds. This allowed him to sneak up and stab worms.
Today they gathered around thirty baby worm crystals, they also found a dead large worm and grabbed two dense ones from it.
The world shifted before they could make it back. Forcing them to seek shelter in a nearby cave. Luckily nothing was inside.
"So where did you come from?" Traced asked.
"Earth."
Gyan answered in her stead.
"I've never heard of such a place."
"Yeah, people on Earth, typically stay on Earth."
Glaive answered.
"So it's the same as us?"
"I guess? How do you leave this place anyway?"
Glaive hesitated for a few moments.
"Nobody leaves…"
A gloomy look fell on both Trace and Glaive.
"... it's forbidden, for the people here to leave."
Alto didn't know what to say. It felt like a delicate situation. So he didn't want to pry.
'Maybe, one day, when I'm strong enough. I will venture to the end of this realm. I'll make it back… I have to.'
Gyan spoke up.
"So how'd you get here anyway? The last outsider we had happened years ago?"
"Outsider?"
"Yes, someone who came from outside the caverns."
"Who were they?"
"It was some seer from… I think Solitude?"
'Oh..'
"Did they leave?"
"I don't know. He kind of just disappeared one day. I think some monster got to him."
"I see.."
"So how'd you get here anyway?"
"I don't know. I was going home, then suddenly. I'm here."
Glaive tagged in.
"So… some sort of teleportation?"
"Something like that."
'Teleportation huh? Maybe I can use that.'
"Do you know anything about teleportation?"
This time Trace answered.
"Sorry, it is a very rare type of magic."
The atmosphere shifted from gloomy to happy once more. Trace began to rant about her favorite types of magic. Got into an argument with Gyan, something about him needing to put his hair up. Glaive and Alto discussed some battle tactics that they could use. Eventually, Glaive tried to get involved with his sister's little scuffle. Saying his hair is fine the way it is. She said that his face is too pretty to hide. Causing Alto to spit out his water. He eventually got curious and the three of them somehow managed to get Gyan to lift up his hair in exchange for a bigger share of today's crystals. He had a really handsome face indeed.
He strangely started to blush when looking at Trace and then put it down a second later.
Overall the rest of the day went smoothly. Alto even began to enjoy spending time with his party.
—---
It may have been from the party overestimating themselves. Or it may have been from the party underestimating their opponents. They wanted more. The baby crystals did not sell for too much. Only going for a silver coin or two at most.
Alto, only recently realized that him asking for the single beast crystal was actually asking for a lot. He didn't really know why they agreed. Either way, the party wanted to take on something bigger. A large worm.
Sure, it was a formidable opponent. Though, they have been killing countless baby worms. The issue is that the xp for the baby worms has been going down for Alto. It was taking longer and longer to level up.
The other party members just wanted more money.
After the world shifted once again, the party began their preparations.
—---
They ended up coming across one of the mother worms. Or that is how Alto referred to it. It was large. Maybe, around seven meters long. It was wide too. Its circumference was about the size of Alto's chest.
Not before long, a stream of water was shot at the colossal beast. The water wasn't too special on its own. The thing was however, that it was salt water. After buying some more books from the old cruel librarian. Alto found a book about various creatures living on the surface. It also contained many of the creature's weaknesses.
Turns out, that the worms have a weakness to both fire, and specifically salt water. The beast quickly turned its head to face the party. Then quickly began to slither to them.
The party containing Trace, Glaive, and Alto. All ran away, deeper into the woods.
Turning around to see the massive creature lunging at them. Alto quickly tapped Glaive on the shoulder and the three of them quickly turned to the left.
A loud sound could be heard crashing right behind them. The worms seemed to have a single move. That was lunge.
After making another turn and hearing another large crash right behind them. The group continued running from the enemy. Before long, they stumbled on a massive rune like circle, encompassing a five meter space. The formation quickly changed. Glaive stood on the edge of the circle while Trace backed up, while Alto stood somewhat close to Glaive.
The thing was, that Trace didn't have enough mana to activate the runic circle. Or at least enough to make the fire hot. So they had to improvise.
Suddenly the large worm could be heard approaching. It lunged at them from behind a tall bush. A jet stream of water immediately hit the approaching worm. Slowing it down, somewhat. Then Glaive activated his ability. The worm crashed into him with a multitude of force. With the combination of Alto pushing on Glaive's back, and the jet stream of water. It was barely enough to slow down the creature.
Then a plethora of magic stones randomly appeared. As if they were made out of thin air. It had to have been at least twenty small magic stones. Falling directly on the runic circle.
The moment the first one hit the ground, a small dim red light could be seen on the glowing circle, as the next fell. It grew brighter. Then brighter. Eventually a flame formed. Then that flame grew bigger. Then the air grew hot, as a large flame erupted from the ground. Swallowing the creature whole.
A few seconds later the flame dissipated. Then a large charred body of a worm could be seen on the ground.