Ogre Tyrant

Ogre Tyrant: Chapter 68 - Master of Dungeons - Part Two

As I had expected, Gric had two volunteers, a young man and one young woman, fully vetted by morning and awaiting my final approval.

Inspecting the candidates' information revealed that they each possessed a different Class. Already familiar with the Swordsman and Spearman Classes, I found myself considerably more interested in the Alchemist and Daemonic Cultivator Classes belonging to the two candidates.

What I had failed to notice when inspecting the status of the imprisoned Spearmen and Swordsmen was that their Class Abilities Ranks were based on the same progression as their Techniques. Requiring hands-on experience and understanding to meet the requirements to increase in Rank.

Immensely similar in its core nature to the Apprentice Alchemist, Alchemist and Master Alchemist, the Alchemist possessed Abilities that provided intuitive identification of alchemical ingredients, their properties, and means of preparation.

The Daemonic Cultivator Class Abilities took me somewhat by surprise when I first encountered them and gave me serious cause for concern. The first Ability, Daemonic Essence, Daemonified the body and allowed the active expenditure of Chi to provide Physical Damage Reduction and increased Momentum.

The second Class Ability, Gluttonous Soul, was what worried me. According to its description, ambient energies, and unprotected Internal Energies, could be actively drawn to restore the Chi and bolster the Internal Energy of the Class holder. When combined with the Breathing Techniques, which actively drew ambient energies, it presented the possibility of a significant threat. Especially since there was no explanation for what qualified as an unprotected target.

The young woman, and Daemonic Cultivator, Zhu Min, possessed the same Cultivator Inheritance as Zhu Wen, and briefly reviewing the family records with my authority confirmed she was very likely Zhu Wen’s grandniece. She had dark hair, and light hazel eyes, and wore simple pants and a shirt paired with what looked like straw sandals.

The young man, Wei Jin, possessed no Inheritance at all and wore a strikingly similar outfit. However, Jin’s shirt was sleeveless and Min wore a tightly bound sash about her waist. His eyes were a darker shade of brown and wore his long black hair tied back into a simple ponytail. Very nearly as short as Min, who looked to be about five feet tall, Jin had a hollowness in his cheeks that when combined with his slight frame gave me the impression that he was somewhat malnourished.

After studying them both for the better part of five minutes, I decided to allow Jin entry to Sanctuary.

“I am honoured to be of service to the Patriarch!” Jin declared emphatically, pressing his palm and fist together and bowing low at the waist.

Dismissing him with a wave of my hand, I directed my attention toward Zhu Min, who had grown nervous after the protracted deliberation. “Zhu Min, I am sorry, but I cannot permit you to enter The Grove at this time.”

Zhu Min’s face fell, but she made no attempts to argue or otherwise change my mind.

“The ways of cultivation are new to me and one of your Class Abilities has given me serious cause for concern...” I carefully studied her face for signs of anger or resentment but found none. “The potential for widespread and irreparable harm is simply too great to ignore at this time. I’m sorry, I’m sure you must be disappointed.”

Visibly disappointed, Zhu Min fiercely shook her head. “No, I cannot be ungrateful after the Patriarch has given myself and my people such gifts and kindness!” She mimicked Jin’s bow. “Thank you for your consideration, honourable Patriarch!” Min began slowly backing away in preparation to leave.

“Wait,” I motioned for Min to stop and waited until I had her full attention and she had overcome her surprise. “Until we better understand your Class and its Abilities, I would like to relocate you to another place where the risks to others will be mitigated or otherwise eliminated.”

Zhu Wen had procrastinated in choosing a Class due to his desire to fulfil Sebet’s request in transcribing and making copies of the Technique manuals found in the Divine Patriarch’s ring. Which made Zhu Min the first of my subjects to take on the Daemonic Cultivator Class.

In some respects, it was better that Zhu Wen had not taken the Class right away. Although I was sure Zhu Min would not necessarily share that view.

“I...I yield to the Patriarch’s wisdom...” The hesitation in her voice was obvious, but Min managed to maintain a stoic expression regardless.

Aware that words would do little to resolve her doubts and fears, I used my authority to relocate us both to the isolated Foothold where Zhu Wen had opened the Divine Patriarch’s ring.

The ambient energy was more or less the same as before I left. However, I could already sense the ambient energies beginning to gather around Zhu Min.

With every breath she took, the energies around her were depleted and replaced by those further afield.

“Zhu Min, at least for the time being, this will be your home,” I motioned to the empty buildings around us but kept Min as the focus of my attention. “Your oath of fealty prevents you from intentionally breaking my laws without consequence, but it is the potential unintentional harm that has given me cause for concern.”

Zhu Min nodded meekly in agreement, surely having read through her Abilities several times already.

“How we will proceed from here is somewhat up to you. Long-term observation may yield the information we require. However, such a study would likely take years...” I hesitated as I considered the alternatives. “There are more direct measures that would identify the dangers and limits of the Gluttonous Soul Ability. However, these methods carry a high risk of emotional and psychological harm...Which is why I will leave the final decision up to you.”

“With the Patriarch’s blessing...I will face the dangers of the alternative methods...” Despite her obvious fear and apprehension, Zhu Min put on a brave front and set her jaw determinedly. “If my path of Cultivation is a danger to others, I want to know if I can control it!”

I nodded approvingly, glad that she had willingly chosen the expedited path. “We will start with something simple, but important.” I motioned toward the empty stone cages in the middle of the street and used my authority to relocate a Vrabbit and a tri-horned rabbit into separate cages.

The Vrabbit began attacking its cage almost immediately, but its cousin appeared content to simply wait things out.

“If you would begin your breathing Technique, I would like to see what effects it has on the two Beasts,” I instructed and motioned to the pair of monstrous rabbits.

Surprised by the sudden appearance of the rabbits, Zhu Min took a few moments to overcome her shock and obediently settle into the pose required to activate her breathing Technique.

Using what I had observed of Zhu Wen’s breathing Technique in Sanctuary as a comparison, I found myself unprepared for the sheer difference created by the Gluttonous Soul Ability.

If Zhu Wen’s Technique had the effect of a small stream, the effect of Zhu Min’s Technique was akin to a deep treacherous river.

Both rabbits collapsed within a fraction of a second of one another, their limbs spasming feebly as their fur hung ever more loosely against their bones.

In less than a second, Zhu Min had drained them of all but the smallest fragments of life.

Vindicated in my concerns, I remained somewhat perplexed that I had remained entirely unaffected. The raw ambient mana had become considerably thinner, but it had not been devoured, only moved.

Curiously, the concentration of mana gathering around Min had increased noticeably at around the same pace as the Vrabbit’s deterioration and had lessened shortly afterwards. Assuming it was not simply a coincidence, it meant the Gluttonous Soul Ability was capable of stripping the mana out of regular Beasts and Monsters that did not use Internal Energy or Chi, but otherwise remained incapable of processing the mana.

Sending the half-dead rabbits away, I relocated a cloned Carnifex into one of the larger cages.

After several long minutes, the Carnifex had remained unchanged.

Then, without warning, it collapsed into seizures just as the rabbits had done. Sending the Carnifex away to Tartarus, I turned my attention to Zhu Min’s status information in search of answers.

It didn’t take long.

While her Class Abilities remained at their initial Rank, Zhu Min’s Eternal Tao Racial Ability had increased in rank several times. If my understanding was correct, the progression of the Eternal Tao Ability served as a sort of requirement for stealing the energy out of other beings with the Gluttonous Soul Ability. Perhaps following some form of internal calculations to determine if the target was comparably weak enough to qualify as ‘unprotected’.

The possibility of inherent passive defence against the Ability was somewhat reassuring and explained why I had remained unaffected thus far. However, it raised serious concerns regarding whether Zhu Min would be allowed back into the general population.

If the simple act of breathing was capable of stripping the mana out of people, there was no telling what harm she might cause as her Eternal Tao increased.

Of course, it was also painfully easy to see how powerful an asset she could be when fighting the forces of other Monarchs. Assuming we could find a way to prevent accidental friendly fire.

Observing Min closely, I became certain she would not stop channelling her breathing technique unless otherwise compelled.

As troubling as her continued progression would become if left unchecked, I decided to seek out a second opinion before continuing any further based solely on my observations.

Summoning a projection of Sebet, I explained what I had witnessed thus far and provided another live example so she could witness the issue first-hand.

“I understand how this would prove...distressing,” Sebet observed dryly while prodding the barely living Carnifex. “But there are certain countermeasures that may prove effective...Although some are more intrusive and inconvenient than others...”

“Such as?” I motioned for her to continue and fought back the faint urge to flinch as she executed the Carnifex by driving a clawed finger through its ear and into its brain.

“The Cultivators manuals contain instructions on creating special enchantments that can suppress or redirect energies. Mostly, these special enchantments, or, Arrays, as they call them, serve as a means for defending against offensive Techniques or gathering energies to make breathing Techniques more effective.” Sebet shrugged noncommittally. “I have my doubts whether an Array would do much good.” She made a show of considering the matter further. “Some of the manuals that teach advanced forms of the breathing Techniques reference drawing upon the energy of specific elements to imbue it into their Chi. This suggests that our volunteer may be capable of choosing her targets. Or may be capable of learning to do so.”

“Do you have any suggestions on how best to do that?” I asked, pushing down a momentary flare of jealousy. Reading had been a profound source of enjoyment in my former life, but my fluency in local languages was barely passable at best. Which made me incredibly envious of Gric and Sebet’s ability to simply pull the knowledge and fluency of other languages from people's minds.

“Well...at its most basic level, the Techniques reference visualising the Chi as a means of providing the necessary focus...” Sebet paused and tapped distractedly at her cheek for a few moments. “Presumably, our volunteer would be most familiar with her own Chi. So perhaps it is worth considering pairing her against her own projection.”

I decided to give Sebet’s suggestion a chance and Summoned a projection of Zhu Min.

“Patriarch?” Zhu Min’s projection blinked in confusion and cautiously began taking in her surroundings. However, she staggered backward several steps and released a muted cry of alarm upon spotting her original self meditating on the ground. “I...I don’t understand...”

“It is magic, my dear,” Sebet replied with an easy if somewhat condescending, smile. “A common enough Spell that has mirrored the form and consciousness of your true self so that we may better explore options to train your Abilities.”

Zhu Min’s projection gasped in surprise and her eyes widened with wonder. “The Patriarch has such powers?!”

“And many more besides,” Sebet confirmed with particular pride. “Including the extension of such miracles to his most trusted lieutenants!” She flashed her teeth and made a show of extending her leathery wings in a fearsome display of predatory might before settling down once more.

“Zhu Min, while you have been meditating, I have conducted tests to determine the potential dangers of your Abilities...” I motioned to the distant cages and the dead Carnifex. “It is our understanding that you may be capable of choosing targets to suffer the effects of the Gluttonous Soul Ability while passing over others. However, it will most likely require significant training to do so.”

Zhu Min’s projection in understanding but otherwise said nothing.

“It was suggested-” I motioned briefly to Sebet to provide credit for her efforts, “-That you would be most familiar with your internal energy and Chi, making you a prime subject to practise against.”

“The Patriarch wants me to attack myself to gain control over my Abilities?” Zhu Min’s projection asked with obvious hesitation.

“Only if you are willing,” I qualified, reminding her that this was a strictly voluntary process. “You are allowed to bow out at any time, and if you feel your life is in danger, I would strongly encourage you to do so.”

Zhu Min’s projection wavered. “I...I will try...”

I nodded approvingly. “I will remember this. Regardless of the outcome, I will see you rewarded for your bravery and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.”

“I!...Erm!...Gratitude, Patriarch!...” Zhu Min’s projection gushed in surprise, bowing low five times rapidly.

“Sebet, I want you to watch over Zhu Min in my absence and see that she has what she needs,” I ordered and motioned to the nearby buildings. “Training materials, food, drink, bedding, and anything else she may need.”

“As you command, Great One!” Sebet agreed enthusiastically, wasting no time in conjuring a wooden training dummy that looked like it was drawn straight from an eighties martial arts montage. “There are numerous diagrams in the more rudimentary manuals,” Sebet explained with a slight shrug. “I have commissioned something more...engaging, from the Dwergi, but it will be at least a few days before it is completed.”

Given the static nature of the thick trunk festooned with wooden pegs, I strongly suspected that Sebet’s commission would more strongly resemble the rotating and segmented design that had often been used for comedic effect in comedies and cartoons. Not that I was opposed to the idea in general principle, but there was another potential avenue for training that I was somewhat annoyed at myself for not considering sooner.

I had initially rejected the idea out of hand because it failed to provide meaningful benefits to myself. However, there was a long history on Earth of fighters and athletes reviewing footage of themselves to correct mistakes and improve their performance.

So why not provide my champions and other promising subjects with the same opportunity? Provided they had the mental fortitude to endure the potential death of their projection, such training could prove invaluable to their development.

After briefly returning to Sanctuary to assume my Human disguise, I relocated myself to the first floor of my Labyrinth so I could inspect Zod’s progress.

Upon arriving in the first-floor staging area, my attention was immediately drawn toward a large set of iron tracks and wooden sleepers set into the road. The tracks led into a large stone building a short distance away and were kept under careful watch by a dozen Dwergi.

While I was remotely observing the stone building, a small procession of iron banded wagons appeared through the staging ground portal and were then guided onto the tracks by another team of Dwergi. Fitted with fixed axles, hollowed treads and braking levers, the wagons bore a striking resemblance to overly large mining carts.

Following the procession of wagons, I was intercepted by one of the Dwergi guarding the entrance to the building.

“Apologies, Human, but entry is not permitted without express permission from the oversight committee or the Tyrant...” His dark eyes hastily scanned my armour and suddenly widened in surprise. “Apologies!” He bowed his head fervently in respect and backed out of the way, “Please, proceed!” The Dergi turned to his fellows and waved them aside, “Make way for the Tyrant’s champion!”

After only a moment's hesitation, the Dwergi guards hastily moved aside.

I dipped my head in respect and then continued following the wagon train along the tracks and into the building.

Once inside, the wagons passed through a switching station and began a gentle descent down a nearby tunnel and alongside a second set of tracks.

Travelling down the tunnel took the better part of an hour before I suddenly found myself standing within a huge domed stone chamber.

The chamber floor was covered in a complicated web of iron tracks and more of the train-wheeled wagons.

What looked like hundreds of Dwergi moved about the right side of the chamber in small teams, unloading more of the wooden sleepers and iron rails, and laying tracks across the floor. Meanwhile, smaller teams of Dwergi masons were building segmented walls and ceilings atop large wooden pallets on the left side of the chamber.

Circling along the edge of the chamber, I approached the masons' worksite to take a closer look.

As I drew closer, a small team of Dwergi began assembling a robust crane in the bed of one of the larger wagons. Using the crane, the Dwergi transferred one of the completed building segments off of its palette and onto a steel rail-mounted frame.

Once mounted on the steel frame, the stone blocks were bolted to the frame from beneath and then trundled away and toward the centre of the chamber. While the rest of the team pushed the steel frame, another member used a long-handled wrench to manually change the switching stations and guide the group’s progress.

As the hours passed by, several more of the completed segments joined the first and began to take on a more recognisable shape.

The design of the Dungeon was different and considerably smaller compared to what Zod had initially proposed. However, I was incredibly impressed by the interchangeable nature of the segmented structure and the possibilities it afforded.

A smaller Dungeon would limit the number of potential simultaneous participants, but I hadn’t been convinced several different groups could run the same larger Dungeon without causing problems anyway.

Thoroughly immersed in watching the Dwergi construct the Dungeon and rail network, I didn’t notice Zod’s presence until the rat-faced Daemon went out of his way to announce himself.

“Sorry, Zod, I was just distracted by all of-” I motioned to the chamber at large, “-this.”

“Mrhm-Oh! No offence has been taken!” Zod replied emphatically, “Mrhm-I have an immense appreciation for the Dwergi industry and work ethic myself!”

“Do you have a general timeframe for the Dungeon becoming active?” I asked somewhat awkwardly, adjusting my original words at the last moment to fit with Zod’s understanding.

Zod stared at the Dwergi for a couple of minutes while forming his reply. “Perhaps...Perhaps another day?” The Daemon hedged somewhat uncertainly. “The structure itself will be finished by the late evening, but there are tests that must be performed to ensure everything is up to specifications!”

According to Zod’s original plans, wands of Summoning would be provided to a dedicated staff of Dungeon minders to populate the Dungeon with cloned generic monsters. The minders would need at least some training in directing Summoned monsters in combat, especially given the important role they would play in setting the general difficulty of the Dungeon.

I nodded to show I understood and motioned toward the incomplete Dungeon. “How will ‘Delvers’ enter the Dungeon?” I strongly suspected that the tunnel I had used would not be the intended entrance and was curious whether Zod intended to use magic instead.

Zod pointed towards the far end of the chamber, “A special tunnel is being prepared to connect the surface with a permanent entrance to the Dungeon. Assuming the prototype is deemed satisfactory, this chamber will serve as an assembly, storage and distribution hub for the other Dungeons of the first floor...” Zod looked up at me with a nervous yet profoundly hopeful expression on his furry face.

“Which you will then, presumably, use as a model for the other floors,” I continued, more than happy to be supportive and raise Zod’s spirits after witnessing the progress made thus far.

Many of the Humans were content with remaining on the lower floors and farming low-level monsters to earn a living and provide for their families. However, despite their ambition and a desire to fight higher-level monsters, the remaining humans actively fighting in the Labyrinth dropped off considerably after the fifth floor.

The primary reason for the dropoff in numbers was just as Zod had said. The predictable nature of the wild monsters made them cocky and ill-prepared for threats of a higher calibre. The issue wasn’t limited to the Humans, but they were by far the most numerous of my subjects and the most vulnerable to increased danger due to their stagnated Evolution.

With so few people fighting higher-level wild monsters, my passive Exp income had come close to drying up entirely and stagnated my Class progression.

Basic, Advanced and Master tier Classes, received full Exp while killing monsters five tiers lower than their Class level, and half Exp for killing monsters nine tiers lower than their Class level.

My Unique Class was different, requiring monsters ten tiers higher than each Class level to gain Exp. The same standard was applied to any Exp that I would otherwise leech from my subjects, rendering the overwhelming majority of incoming Exp worthless as it defaulted to a value of zero.

Making matters worse, personally striking out and killing wild monsters would make little difference. I needed millions of Exp for my next level and would require millions more for the next. With the base Exp values decreased by ninety per cent, I NEEDED thousands of people generating Exp on my behalf to make any meaningful headway.

Leading forces into the higher floors of the Labyrinth would be one of the few scenarios where the rewards would justify the effort. However, I required an elite core of exceptionally high-level subordinates before I could justify taking such a risk.

The added pressure of the mandatory Monarch Challenges made the success of Zod’s project all the more important.

Progressing my Evolution was far simpler and hadn’t hidden a serious bottleneck. But the benefits were less profound than those I could gain through progressing my Class due to its low level.

“I-” The words on the tip of my tongue were forgotten as a cascade of error notifications dominated my vision. Amidst the chaos, a single notification bearing a different message was barely visible.

[ Authority is insufficient! ]

[ ̶̢͙̖̖̏̀͝A̴̧͈͑́d̴͓͙͂m̵͇͓̻̳̾͐̀͂ǐ̶̪̗̝͚̽̀ń̴̟̺̬̍̍̅i̷̡͎̬̼͠s̵̖͔͑̅̓͐ẗ̵̹̝͇́̽̃ȓ̴̫̟̂̓a̵̪̯͋t̵̳̳̅̃̈́̉ỏ̴̜̖̚ȓ̵̟͖̩̞̓̊ intervention required! ]

Reading the notification, I felt a chill run down my spine.

What had Gric and Sebet attempted to do?

Wasting no time, I Summoned them both.

“What did you do?” I demanded, trying, and failing, to keep my voice level.

Sebet looked accusingly at Gric while he returned the gesture in kind. After a handful of seconds, their outward animosity collapsed and shifted into expressions of profound concern.

“To the best of our knowledge, we have done nothing to warrant these notifications,” Gric declared solemnly.

I had no reason to suspect Gric of lying to me, but it didn’t make sense. The two of them were the only people I had granted any degree of my authority.

Sebet and Gric glanced at one another in unison. Alarm and absolute certainty settled onto their faces.

“You must return to Sanctuary!” Sebet hissed urgently as both she and Gric combined their authority and attempted to drag me from the stone chamber and relocate me somewhere else.

Confused, I exercised my authority to return to Sanctuary.

Throwing off my helmet I cast my eyes about for signs of danger.

The pull of Sebet’s borrowed authority intensified but was otherwise still utterly incapable of forcing me to do anything.

Gric abruptly appeared before me and snatched my left arm, “Something is wrong with the hatchling!” Through sheer strength alone, he tore me off my feet. Diving into the lake and dragging me after him.

Initially too stunned to react, and then forcing the water from my lungs to avoid drowning, Gric had managed to drag me to the centre of the lake bottom before I had the chance to strip off my bracer and activate the tattoo to return to my true form.

Disoriented, it took me a few moments to realise that we were not alone.

Still tugging at my arm, Gric pointed to Sebet, Lash and Suzie, and toward the unnaturally still form of Pete on the lake floor.

My blood ran cold.

With a single powerful stroke of my arms, I closed the distance between us.

Pete’s outermost eyelids were open, but the second set was firmly closed, revealing the whites of his eyes but nothing else. Laying on the lake floor like a broken doll, it was impossible not to notice that he wasn’t breathing.

Forcing down my mounting terror and panic, I gently pressed a finger against Pete’s throat and searched for a pulse.

Gric pleaded, trying and failing to convey memories into my mind.

Reminded of the notification, I realised that Pete and Suzy might possess a fragment of my authority. There was also the possibility that attempting to use that authority may have backfired in some way when Pete attempted to make use of it without my express permission.

Uncaring of what Pete had been attempting to do, I resolved to deal with it AFTER I was certain he was safe and whole. Concentrating my will, I formed the words in my mind and approved Pete’s request.

A fresh cascade of errors blocked out my vision and my heart hammered uncontrollably in my chest.

[ ̶̢͙̖̖̏̀͝A̴̧͈͑́d̴͓͙͂m̵͇͓̻̳̾͐̀͂ǐ̶̪̗̝͚̽̀ń̴̟̺̬̍̍̅i̷̡͎̬̼͠s̵̖͔͑̅̓͐ẗ̵̹̝͇́̽̃ȓ̴̫̟̂̓a̵̪̯͋t̵̳̳̅̃̈́̉ỏ̴̜̖̚ȓ̵̟͖̩̞̓̊ Identification {Not Recognised} ]

[ ̷̷͉̦̰͎̆͒͛͜Ä̸̠́̃̓̚ū̵̗̪̄̅͠t̸͍͓̫̐ó̴̺̥͑m̸̧͊ȁ̸̲̱̘̓͗͌t̷̲͑͊̌e̸̠͉̐̈́̕d̸̡̫̓̚͠ ̸̻͔̥͒̔͝ͅÑ̵̟͙͑̒̉ơ̴͔̺͉͌̈́̔t̸͈̖̊̅͌̃ḯ̵͙̽̃͜f̸͚̹̾ḯ̶̌ͅć̸̥̭̋̆͜â̸̜̱̈͜t̴͉͓͚̑î̷̠̜̘͎ọ̸̻͚̓̌̇n̸̢͈͕̠̓̀͠͝ ̵̮͕̻͓͛o̷̧͈̟͒f̸̘̏ ̸̢̔̆{̷̞̥̑͠͝C̵̛̙̩̣͇͌̈́̐ó̶͕r̴̟̎e̵̤̪̗̔̍͗̎ ̴̘͉͂S̸̱̈̈͌ŷ̶̖̞̙̝̽s̶͙̺̩̽͑̽͐t̶͈͍̓̈́̿ę̶̰̰̬̀m̴̭̈͛͗͝}̵̯̤͓̱̒̆̃ ̸͙̖̩͚̀͌̐t̵̠̒̉͒ȧ̷̧̢̛͋́ͅm̸͚̼̯̼̓̿̒̇p̴̧̹̆̋͛̍e̶̺͊r̶̨̂í̴͎̼͓̭̑̔̚n̸̏ͅg̴̝̜͕̔̈́ ̸̨͈̝͠h̸̟͖͗͊̔̒ͅả̴̞͔͙̯̾ŝ̵͎͖̍͛͠ͅ ̵̫̒͌̊f̶̨̤̆̈a̷̳̱̜̲̽i̴͉͔̭̻̔͛l̴̙͆̈́̃̕ͅe̸̺͓̬͌d̷̟͉͊̔.̶̡͉͚͛͗.̷̡̤͇̅͑.̶͇͚͚͕͂ ̷̢̱͚̮̅͘̕ ]

[ Limited integration approved... ]

[ Limited integration of ̴̩̰̫̳̃̕{̷̟̽͐͒İ̶̲̰̻͝t̶̢͕͎̎̏̊ȩ̷͎̣̠͒͆̑̄r̵̼̭̐̾͠ͅá̶̖̼t̵͖͂͂́̈́i̸͕̳̗̬̓̅͝o̵̢͍͑̎͝͝ń̶̢̛̊͂ ̷̘͍̾#̶̝͓̖̒̀̓0̸̛̼̙̯̆́̑3̴̥͙̯̋}̴͚̫̀ {Commencing}... ]

[ Limited integration of ̴̩̰̫̳̃̕{̷̟̽͐͒İ̶̲̰̻͝t̶̢͕͎̎̏̊ȩ̷͎̣̠͒͆̑̄r̵̼̭̐̾͠ͅá̶̖̼t̵͖͂͂́̈́i̸͕̳̗̬̓̅͝o̵̢͍͑̎͝͝ń̶̢̛̊͂ ̷̘͍̾#̶̝͓̖̒̀̓0̸̛̼̙̯̆́̑3̴̥͙̯̋}̴͚̫̀ {Complete}... ]

[ S̸̛̮͖̀̿̀y̵̯̐s̸̰̺̾̃̈́t̸̠͚͊̓̓̀e̷̼͆̿́͝m̸̼̣͂͂ ̸̫̄̿̾h̶̪̺̤͗̈́͛a̸̤͛s̶̥̤̿̆ ̷̺̙̂͗̆̚͜v̴͕͍̜̅̿͝i̵̹͇͒̒͆͆o̵̒̽ͅļ̶̤̤̎͊a̴̳̘̐̀t̸͇͖̱̩̒̂e̴̮̫̅d̴̬́͜ ̵̲̫̔̈́̑͑ͅp̴̢͚̀̇̀͗r̸̨̳̦͚̊̈́̏i̵̹̟̐̏ḿ̵̖̜̱̫̐́ã̶̻̩̼͎̈́r̴̗̫̝͓͆ÿ̷̥ ̶̱̺̙̾͆́d̶̦̹̹̗̉̅̕i̵̢͓̟̻̿r̷͇̐̐̌̈́e̷̬͈͚̻͛̐ĉ̵̗ͅt̵̥͔͆̓i̵̧̹͍͌̈́͑v̷̮̟̈̈́̀e̵̦̤͕̓̈́s̸̠̘̗̊͜.̴̝̦̮̰̐͊͛͋.̸̩͘.̶̠̭̺̮̉ ]

[ ̷̷͉̦̰͎̆͒͛͜Ä̸̠́̃̓̚ū̵̗̪̄̅͠t̸͍͓̫̐ó̴̺̥͑m̸̧͊ȁ̸̲̱̘̓͗͌t̷̲͑͊̌e̸̠͉̐̈́̕d̸̡̫̓̚͠ ̸̻͔̥͒̔͝ͅÑ̵̟͙͑̒̉ơ̴͔̺͉͌̈́̔t̸͈̖̊̅͌̃ḯ̵͙̽̃͜f̸͚̹̾ḯ̶̌ͅć̸̥̭̋̆͜â̸̜̱̈͜t̴͉͓͚̑î̷̠̜̘͎ọ̸̻͚̓̌̇n̸̢͈͕̠̓̀͠͝ ̵̮͕̻͓͛o̷̧͈̟͒f̸̘̏ ̸̢̔̆{̷̞̥̑͠͝C̵̛̙̩̣͇͌̈́̐ó̶͕r̴̟̎e̵̤̪̗̔̍͗̎ ̴̘͉͂S̸̱̈̈͌ŷ̶̖̞̙̝̽s̶͙̺̩̽͑̽͐t̶͈͍̓̈́̿ę̶̰̰̬̀m̴̭̈͛͗͝}̵̯̤͓̱̒̆̃ ̸͙̖̩͚̀͌̐t̵̠̒̉͒ȧ̷̧̢̛͋́ͅm̸͚̼̯̼̓̿̒̇p̴̧̹̆̋͛̍e̶̺͊r̶̨̂í̴͎̼͓̭̑̔̚n̸̏ͅg̴̝̜͕̔̈́ ̸̨͈̝͠h̸̟͖͗͊̔̒ͅả̴̞͔͙̯̾ŝ̵͎͖̍͛͠ͅ ̵̫̒͌̊f̶̨̤̆̈a̷̳̱̜̲̽i̴͉͔̭̻̔͛l̴̙͆̈́̃̕ͅe̸̺͓̬͌d̷̟͉͊̔.̶̡͉͚͛͗.̷̡̤͇̅͑.̶͇͚͚͕͂ ̷̢̱͚̮̅͘̕ ]

[ ̶͓̠͖͎̾Ć̵̛͉ȩ̵̤̲̎͐̀͒n̴̳͎̯̾s̵͍͉̄̊͘ū̸͓͌͜r̶̮͕̙͝e̶̜̱͠ ̴̘̥̽͜P̷̫̳̦̯̈́̏r̴̯̜͒ō̵͔̒͛̄ţ̶͕̇̾́ö̷̗c̵̯͖͒͊̊̀ō̷̥̆͠ĺ̴̬͈͈̑̔̇ ̸̼͛̽̆͠h̴̯̹̱̲̎̓̊̚à̸̖̠͆̈͌s̶͕͚̫̲̈́̓ ̸̨̖̥͋̀̆̑f̴͚̬̫̕a̸͓͊i̵̬̘͂͋̌̋ļ̷͖̲̐̓͜è̴͍̰̌d̶̠̭̂́̈́ ̵͉̝̪͕̒d̸̩̗͗u̸̱̎̔ẻ̵͈́̍ ̴͕̘͓́́̈t̵̯͍͆͝ȍ̵͍̖̑̎̄ ̶̳̤̇̇̌͘͜i̴̤͉̎ṇ̶̛̩̌̋s̵̙̗̜̎̈́ṳ̸̡͓̲̓̇̽̒f̷͈͇́̓̓̈́ͅf̸̛̠̰͔̬͒͋́ḭ̵̪̰̩̑̽̐͆ĉ̵̪͙̩͋̔́ͅi̶̢̢͆̄̒e̶͕͖̹̓̈́̏͂͜n̶̦̆̏́̾t̵̲̙̦͂ ̷̢͉̄̋a̷̞͌͋̿u̴͇̇t̵̨͚̮̾͊̔h̴̲̑̚ő̸͎̞͛͌̔ŕ̶̲̝͌͜ï̷̤̥t̸̲̥̲͓̔̄y̶̥̰͙̋͋̌̾.̴͎̚.̶͍̍.̸̢̛͛̈̆ ̵̞̹̭̖͊̈̎̓]

[ ̸̲̳͎͇̔̊S̸̟͒̉́͘ỵ̶̧̯̝̏̑̆̕s̸̛͔̘̼̭̀̅̚t̶͖͍̂̌ë̸̖͉́m̴̲̓̈́̋̚͜-̷̼͊͊W̴̡̺̋͋ì̶̢̬̦̐̿̓p̷̝̼̙͋̔͝ę̵͉͂̌͐̍ ̸͎̼̹̌ȟ̵͖a̵̦̐̂̀̄s̷͔̲̣̄͌͘͝ ̴̛̝̹̪̺̑f̶͕͎̈͠ǎ̴̝͖͎̬̀͆͘ĩ̷͚̗̦̭͗̋l̶̳̇̍́̾ë̸͈̞́d̶͔͆ ̶̈́̒ͅd̸͖̂̃̈́̀u̴͇̚ȩ̴̛̖̤͊̕ ̷̧̂̂͑͝ͅt̴̫͔̼̫͐̈́o̷̞͉͎͂͊̚ ̷̱͙̃͑̃́i̴̡̥̤̘͘n̷̩͒̊͝s̶̱̪̗͂̍̕ụ̴́̓̃͘f̶͎̺̖̫͊̂f̵̖̟̒̋͛̋į̵̺̭̚c̷̢̥͂̊̐í̶͇ě̷͓͖̆͗͝ń̶̹t̶̢̧̥̒̍̕ ̶̢͚͉͉͋̈́ą̸̠̯͛͜ȕ̸̱̹̀ṯ̴̼̭̝̍͝h̷̤̚o̴͕̗̟͍̾͂r̸̛̻̞͖̳̈́͊̋i̷̞̩̐̈́t̸̯̬̍͐ÿ̶̢̥͎́.̷͓̣͙̩͊.̷̧̖̠̥̌́͘.̶̛͙̈́ ]

Ignoring the garbled text of the notifications, I felt a profound wave of relief pass through my body as Pete’s chest began pumping fresh oxygenated water through his gills.

Gently sweeping Pete up in one arm, I used my free hand to motion to the shallows near our home to let Lash know where I was headed.

Just as relieved as I was, Lash nodded vigorously to show she understood and took a firm hold of Suzy before following along at my side.

“What happened?!” Lash demanded, her body thrumming with adrenaline and her eyes searching the lake and shoreline for threats. “Pete was just sitting! Then he stopped breathing!” She released Suzy and reached for Pete with a trembling hand.

“I...I’m not sure...” I admitted, feeling incredibly useless. “But I think Pete and Suzy have both inherited part of my authority, and that Pete did something he shouldn’t have...” It made me feel ill to accuse my son without proof and to blame him for his current sorry state. Carefully raising Pete upward, I transferred him into Lash’s waiting arms and guided them both toward shallower waters where Pete could remain submerged without Lash needing to continuously tread water.

The one major advantage gills possessed over lungs, was that manually passing water through the gills in an emergency was far easier and immensely less invasive than cycling air through the lungs, provided there was oxygenated water at hand.

The whole situation made me feel guilty and personally responsible. As if I had left a loaded gun out on a table and Pete had decided to play with it.

“Pete is okay now?” Lash asked anxiously.

“I think so...” I tried to inject more confidence into my voice, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie. Even if it would have made her feel better. Trying to feel useful, I scanned Pete’s status information for negative Conditions but found none.

I was about to dismiss his status entirely but paused. There was something not quite right about it but I couldn’t identify it.

Just the same as Suzy, Pete lacked a Class but had several Basic Classes registered as ‘Unlocked’ by meeting stat and basic knowledge requirements.

Unable to shake the feeling that there was something not quite right about his status, I decided to perform a side-by-side comparison of Pete and Suzy’s status.

After only a handful of seconds comparing one against the other, my attention was drawn toward a faint afterimage effect around the right side of Pete’s status information. Concentrating on the sliver of the afterimage caused the status to briefly flicker and shifted the ghosting effect to the left side.

Momentarily confused by what I could only assume was some form of glitch, my heart skipped a beat as I began to notice entries that did not belong on his status sheet.

[Pete - Lake Ogre {Demi Monarch} ] [Chi: 0*/0* {Water} ]

[Class: None.]

[Party: Tim’s Party]

[Bloodline: {Tyrant 3} +1 Willpower.]

[Cultivation Inheritance: {Tyrants Blood} ]

[Strength: 12 ]

[Agility: 8 ]

[Toughness: 15 ]

[Intelligence: 13 ]

[Willpower: 13* (14*) ]

[Presence: 8 ]

[ (Racial Ability: Eternal Tao {Rank 0}): Through meditation the Taoist becomes a receptacle for universal energy. Through shedding imperfections and gaining insight into the true nature of being, the Taoist gains mastery over existence. ]

[ (Racial Ability: Affinity of Water {Rank 3}): The soul of the Taoist is one with the waters of life and may draw upon its essence through meditation and a deeper understanding of the Tao. ]

[Group Synergies: {Hide/Expand}]

[Unlocked Classes: None ]

The longer I read through the entries on Pete’s status, the more incredulous I became. I had no idea how Pete had done it, or if it had even been deliberate, but he had somehow created a second status sheet...

After carefully reading through Pete’s second status page, and temporarily removing him from my Party, I was stunned to learn that while the second status page did not acknowledge his original Racial Abilities under the Racial Ability category. However, they were still represented in their original values under Group Synergies. Which was strange, but no more so than everything else.

As best as I could understand, both status sheets were active and held no immediate conflicts with one another. I suspected this was because both sheets shared only a small amount of the same information.

“Lash...You said Pete was sitting just before it happened?” I asked, somewhat hesitantly. Now suspecting that I was more responsible for what had happened than I had previously assumed.

Lash nodded, “Just sitting, not playing or doing dangerous things...” Her eyes narrowed slightly, having caught on that I knew something I had yet to share.

“Before everything...Was Pete watching Jin? The visitor I brought for Hana,” I clarified somewhat awkwardly.

“We spoke with him earlier...” Lash replied, somewhat confused by the change in subject.

“Did Jin meditate at any point? Sit with his eyes closed and his legs crossed?” I pressed, just about ready to admit my unintended complicity.

“I...I don’t know...” Lash admitted quietly, “I was watching Suzy...”

Gric crested the surface of the lake and was joined by Sebet a few moments later.

“With your permission, I will uncover the answers you seek, my Tyrant, Tyrantess,” Gric bowed his head to each of us in turn before waiting for an answer.

“We checked Jin already...” Sebet commented somewhat apprehensively, “But the evidence is not particularly conclusive...He was meditating earlier, but it’s difficult to tell what is going on in memories packed with so much raw information...”

Gric scowled disapprovingly, “The information isn’t the problem. It’s the filter! They bombard themselves with all that sensory stimulus but have almost no means of interpreting any of it!”

Lash looked to me to make the call.

“Do it,” I ordered. They were both bound by oaths and wouldn’t knowingly cause any lasting harm.

“It is as you feared, my Tyrant...” Gric reported after a momentary delay.

“Not only did he learn of the breathing Technique from speaking with Jin, but he actively attempted to copy it...” Sebet reported hesitantly.

“And the authority?” I bowed my head and closed my eyes, accepting that I was ultimately responsible for everything that had happened.

“There were no signs...but he lost consciousness very abruptly...” Sebet hedged.

“It’s my fault...I should have anticipated something like this might happen...” In hindsight, it was inexcusably reckless to have brought the Cultivators into Sanctuary as I had done. It had been obvious from the beginning that their system and our own had compatibility issues. Furthermore, I should have known that Pete and Suzy, as my heirs, would possess at least some degree of my authority...

Our son had nearly died as a result of my stupidity...

“No!” Gric barked determinedly, his voice heavy with bitterness, “It is my fault! The Tyrant placed Sanctuary and its people in my care! And I have failed you!...”

“The Daemon is right,” Sebet agreed with wounded pride, “You should not bear the burden of this mistake alone...As your advisors, we are tasked with providing counsel to guide your decisions...We have failed in this duty...”

“It is done,” Lash stated firmly. “Pete lives, nothing else matters!”

Recognising the tone of her voice, I opened my eyes and confirmed that Lash had made up her mind and wouldn’t hear anything more on the subject.

“You’re right...” I agreed, pressing down the feelings of guilt and forcing my mind to focus on what needed doing. “I doubt this will be the last time Pete attempts this meditation...” I grimaced as I recalled the pain Zhu Wen had gone through when meditating and absorbing the glowing crystals. “Gric, Sebet, I need translated copies of all those manuals.” I needed to better understand what I was dealing with, and identify what steps could be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of my children.

“As the Tyrant/Great One, wills!” Gric and Sebet answered in unison.

No doubt a direct result of recent events, Suzy was unusually subdued.

“Suzy will need to learn as well...” I decided, earning a surprised and worried stare from Lash. “We can’t risk her doing it on her own and having...this...happen again...”

Lash slowly nodded in understanding, but she seemed to dislike the idea about as much as I did.

Pete began to stir and thankfully appeared none the worse for his near-death experience.

Taking that as her cue, Suzy began playing in the weeds.

Watching Suzy play, I felt a small measure of the accumulated weight slip off of my shoulders. Only for it to return tenfold as a new notification dominated the centre of my vision.

[ {Exalted Admiral ~ 10241} has issued a {Supremacy Challenge}. The Monarch is free to accept or refuse. The {Supremacy Challenge} will be automatically refused after ( 23h 59m 42s ). ]

Even though I was free to refuse the challenge out of hand, it served as an unpleasant reminder that such conflicts were now a permanent fixture in my life and could not be ignored. Eventually, I would be forced to accept a challenge, and I couldn’t afford to just wait until accepting a challenge became mandatory.

Sooner or later, I would need to become actively engaged in choosing my enemies and taking the fight to them.

***** Pavlo ~ Tim’s Labyrinth *****

Ducking behind a nearby pillar, Pavlo felt a surge of immense relief as the Goblins’ sling stones clattered harmlessly to either side.

“HYA!” Ivan’s roar was accompanied by a meaty crunch. “Take that! You sons of bastards!”

Readying an arrow and drawing back his bow, Pavlo peaked out from behind the cover of the pillar and snapped off a shot at one of the four remaining Goblins.

“Decided to rejoin the fight, eh?!” Jakob called out with a hearty laugh as he smashed the boss of his shield into a Goblin’s unprotected skull, killing it instantly.

“I never left!” Pavlo called back, loosing three more arrows, downing one Goblin and wounding the other.

“GRA!” Ivan cleaved his axe through the head of a wounded Goblin and viciously kicked the final Goblin in the chest, sending it crashing against the wall. “Is all too easy!” He roared.

Pavlo was inclined to agree.

The Tyrant’s newly opened Dungeon was advertised as a proving ground and future requirement for advancing through his Labyrinth, but it had not proven in any way difficult thus far.

Of course, Pavlo had to concede that the Dungeon was intended for fresh-faced amateurs of the first floor, and not seasoned mercenaries such as themselves. All the same, Pavlo couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Ivan finished off the remaining Goblin and the monsters collectively disintegrated into nothing. “Shame, is no treasure,” he grunted disappointedly, kicking his boot at the now empty stone paver where the goblin had lain only moments prior.

“Eh? What are you talking about?” Jakob demanded with a toothy grin. “We are being paid handsomely for testing this Dungeon as it is. Whatever you might have gotten for those tiny manastones is nothing compared to what we will receive after finding the exit.”

“That’s right,” Pavlo agreed, “The last group couldn’t talk about what they did down here, but sure wasn’t shy about how much they earned doing it!”

“Gah, fine!” Ivan grunted irritably, “Let us be going on with it then!” He hefted his bearded axe and stalked determinedly toward the large stone door that stood opposite the passageway then had entered by.

“Wait a minute!” Pavlo warned earnestly as Ivan reached for the large door handle, “We should at least take a few moments to check for traps!”

Ivan hesitated for a moment and looked back over his burly shoulder at Pavlo with a patronising glare. “Is weak Dungeon,” he stated matter of factly, “Traps would also be weak.” Ivan sniffed contemptuously and reached for the door handle once more, adjusting his footing to better account for the door’s weight.

A quiet crisp click rang out through the chamber and Ivan stared down at his left boot.

“Bloody bitch!...” Ivan cursed and hurriedly stepped backwards.

The sound of grinding stone drew all eyes to the empty passage behind them. Only now, a thick stone slab blocked the passageway entirely.

“And now there is no way out but forwards...” Jakob sighed disappointedly. “There were two other passageways we could have taken from that last room, Ivan. You might have just lost us the bonus offered for finding the hidden treasure...”

Ivan grimaced and hung his shaggy bearded head in shame. “Ivan is sorry...”

“No use crying over it now...” Pavlo sighed dispiritedly, “Just try to remember what we are being paid to do!”

“Yes, Ivan will remember!” Ivan swore grimly and turned toward the large stone doors. Proceeding with infinitely more caution than before, he slowly drew open the rightmost door just wide enough for Pavlo to poke his head through the gap and investigate what lay beyond.

It was just as well he had.

Five more Goblins lay in wait, spears at the ready and slings twirling in preparation to loose the moment the Pavlo and his team revealed themselves. However, it wasn’t the Goblins that gave him cause for concern. It was the pair of Orcs standing behind them.

It didn’t matter how many levels Pavlo had, Orcs would always represent a serious threat.

It was a simple matter of anatomy. Orcs were natural killers, packed with muscle and with bones dense enough to block hardened steel. Then there was the Racial Abilities that amplified their natural advantages tenfold.

“That bad, eh?” Jakob grunted quietly.

Pavlo grimly nodded. “Five more Goblins with spears and slings...and two Orcs with shields and clubs...”

“Shit...” Jakob cursed. “You think you could kill one if we surprise them?”

“They know we are coming...” Pavlo replied grimly. “The first person through that door will get bludgeoned by those slingers... Stabbed too, probably...”

“They were hearing us coming...” Ivan grunted softly, balling his left fist in frustration.

“I guess we can add that to the mistakes we have made so far...” Jakob hissed irritably. “Oh well, what’s done is done. We need to deal with it. I’ll go first and give you time to try and take out one of the Orcs-” He nodded at Pavlo, “You have your throwing axes still?” He looked to Ivan and waited for the brute to nod in confirmation. “Then, you will throw your axes at the Goblins and thin their ranks on the left while I close from the right!”

“Ivan understands!” Ivan agreed emphatically, setting his large axe against the unopened door and drawing his pair of throwing axes.

“I guess we are doing this...” Pavlo sighed nervously, knocking three arrows and gathering his mana. It had been a long time since he last fought an Orc, but he knew better than to risk it all on a single arrow.

“Ready?” Jakoc hissed, raising and bracing his shield.

Ivan nodded.

“As I can be...” Pavlo replied.

“Now!” Jakob barked, signalling for Ivan to open the door.

Rushing just past the opening, Jakob raised his shield and ducked his head.

Following behind Jakob, Pavlo waited just long enough to head the impacts against the iron banded shield before ducking out of cover and loosing his three readied arrows toward the rightmost Orc.

As Pavlo had feared, the Orcs had been expecting an exchange of ranged attacks, and their shields were already raised.

Two of Pavlo’s arrows smacked against the Orc’s shield, biting into the boot but otherwise doing no harm whatsoever. However, the third arrow flew wide and struck the Orc’s right inner elbow, effectively crippling, or at the very least, impairing his fighting potential with his right hand.

Burning more mana, Pavlo snapped off five more arrows as Jakob rushed toward the Goblins.

The first three arrows clattered off of the Orc’s shield. The fourth grazed the Orc’s right shoulder, and the fifth grazed the Orc’s brow.

Ivan entered the chamber and threw his first axe without even taking time to aim. Even so, the blade of the axe caught one of the Goblin’s in the face, burying itself haft deep and killing it instantly.

As Ivan prepared to throw his second axe, Pavlo loosed two more arrows, now targeting the Goblins that were shielding the right Orc’s otherwise unprotected legs. Lacking armour or shields, the Goblins attempted to dodge out of the way, causing one arrow to miss and graze the Orc’s calf while the other found its mark in the belly of its intended target.

Ivan’s second axe flew wide, missing Jakob’s back by less than a foot but somehow managed to strike the rightmost Orc in the chest.

The Orc staggered and its shield dipped just long enough for Pavlo to send a seeker arrow through its right eye.

Now within arm’s reach of the Goblins, Jakob suddenly took on a blurring burst of speed. Crashing through their broken ranks and sending the leftmost Orc tumbling to the ground.

Pavlo burnt through half of his remaining mana to send five arrows into the exposed midsection and abdomen of the orc, accidentally catching one of the Goblins in the crossfire.

“Ragh!” Ivan had retrieved his axe and was now charging toward the enemy, and unfortunately momentarily blocking Pavlo’s line of sight in the process.

Readying another arrow, Pavlo carefully prepared to take his next shot. However, as Ivan cleared his line of sight, Pavlo’s eyes detected signs of movement from the far left side of the room.

Pulling his aim hard to the left, Pavlo loosed his arrow with nothing more than instinct to guide it.

Barely three feet from his face, the arrow shattered mid-air, sending splinters flying in all directions, and two arrowheads tumbling toward the stone floor.

“Archer!” Pavlo roared in warning, ducking backwards just in time to avoid an arrow to the chest. Realising his mistake, he leapt forward into the room again and blindly fired another arrow in the direction of the enemy archer.

Expecting a Goblin, Pavlo very nearly lost his footing as his eyes settled on the towering form of an Orc. An Orc that had been lining up a shot on Jakob, but was now focused entirely upon Pavlo himself.

Fighting back the urge to panic, Pavlo could only assume that the Orc archer’s sudden shift in target was somewhat motivated by the feathered wooden shaft now protruding from its abdomen...