Rune Seeker

“That… was a whole lot,” Seena said to Hiral as most of them stood looking at the image of Dr. Benza. “I mean, I’m not surprised, in a way. Something had to have happened for us to be on the islands instead of down here on the surface, but how does it connect to the islands moving?”

“All our abilities are solar-powered,” Nivian said. “If the islands don’t chase the sun, we’ll be without our source of power.”

“Are we without solar energy now?” Hiral asked, and Nivian looked at him briefly before shaking his head. “Seena’s right. There has to be more to it than that. Do you guys think the roots are natural?”

“Why don’t we try asking Dr. Benza?” Vix asked.

“You think he’ll tell us?” Yanily asked. “He seems pretty tight-lipped… other than when he’s feeling talkative.”

“Dr. Benza, Help,” Hiral said.

The image on the pedestal shifted slightly.

“Dr. Benza, the roots glowing with solar energy—the path leading us between dungeons—did your people create those?” Hiral asked.

“We did not,” Dr. Benza said. “The roots are a natural evolutionary step from the plants, creating a sort of symbiotic relationship with other creatures and plants that themselves need solar energy. As for the paths between dungeons, we simply directed the plants where we needed them to grow.”

“Why couldn’t we see them until we cleared the dungeon?” Hiral asked.

“Similar to the initial achievements you received for clearing the dungeon, your PIM did not have the ability to see the roots—and thus the path—until you completed your first dungeon. Other than the ones within the dungeon entrance rooms, of course.”

“But why not?” Seena asked. “Why do we need to do any of these things? Why do our PIMsget stronger?”

“Unfortunately, information on the nature of the PIM and its growth is restricted to the Introductory-four Tutorial. To learn more, please clear your second and third dungeons, and access the Asylum interface.”

“Told you. Tight-lipped,” Yanily said.

“What else should we ask?” Hiral said to Seena. “I think he only told us about the roots because it was connected to the path statement from clearing the first dungeon.”

“So, information about equipment? That’s probably all he knows,” Seena said.

“Dr. Benza, which dungeon has the most powerful weapons?” Yanily asked, then shrugged when the others looked at him.

“The most powerful equipment will be found in one of the six S-Rank dungeons,” Dr. Benza said.

“S-Rank? Going to be a while before we get there,” Yanily complained.

“However,” Dr. Benza went on, “some of the most powerful artifacts were broken before we returned them to the Vault for safekeeping. These may be acquired from any dungeon, due to their reduced potency, if the PIMP judges it appropriate.”

“Can we even use something S-Rank?” Yanily asked.

“If it’s like a Shaper’s tattoos, then yes,” Hiral said.

“What do you mean?” Seena asked.

“Left, dagger, please,” Hiral said, and Left shaped his Dagger of Sath. “All of Left’s tattoos are S-Rank, but he is only E-Rank. Because of this, when he shapes a tattoo, it is conjured at a… well, like Dr. Benza said, a reduced potency. Something around six percent, I think?”

“Approximately,” Left said. “A bit less, technically. While I am at E-Rank, my tattoos are less than six percent of their maximum effectiveness. At D-Rank, that will double, to almost twelve percent. C-Rank will take it to around eighteen percent, B-Rank will be about thirty-five percent, and A-Rank will be sixty percent. When I finally reach S-Rank, my tattoos will have their full power.”

“If you reach S-Rank,” Fitch said. “Nobody has reached S-Rank in, well, ever.”

“Nobody had access to dungeons before,” Hiral said. “But, back to the point. Even though Left’s tattoos are only operating at six percent of their maximum power, they are still more powerful than an E-Rank tattoo. Possibly even more powerful than many D-Rank tattoos. So, if we luck into getting an S-Rank artifact from a dungeon, it should still be quite impressive.”

“Hold up a minute,” Nivian interrupted, pointing at Left. “You’re telling me all of his abilities… his tattoos… are S-Rank?”

“Yeah,” Hiral said with a shrug.

“And he’s had them from the beginning?” Nivian asked.

“Well, technically, I did, but they don’t do me any good,” Hiral said.

“And you just got them, without having to train or anything?”

“I guess?”

“How’s that fair? You can just get S-Rank abilities without working for them.” Nivian shook his head.

“It’s not exactly that easy,” Hiral said. “You need to find an Artist capable of inscribing S-Rank tattoos. Not just anybody can do that. I think there are only a few on the whole island. Maybe a dozen? My parents just happen to be two of them, so I had… would’ve had… a bit of an advantage.”

“Why doesn’t everybody go to your parents for their tattoos, then? Why would you get anything less than S-Rank?” Seena asked.

“Just because a Shaper has an S-Rank tattoo on their body, it doesn’t mean they can use it,” Hiral explained. “They need to have high ranks in absorption, capacity, and output to use them. At least an A-Rank in all three to use most S-Rank tattoos, and some, like the Spear of Clouds, needs an S-Rank in all three to successfully shape.”

“A spear, you say?” Yanily asked, looking over at Hiral. “Do you have it?”

“Uh… yes…” Hiral said. “But I don’t know if Left will ever be able to use it since it runs down the center of my spine. Left, can you turn around?”

“Sure,” Left said, doing just that so the party could see half of the spear tattooed on his back.

“That… that thing is gorgeous,” Yanily said, walking over and leaning in uncomfortably close. “Don’t get me wrong… my new spear is something special.” He caressed the weapon. “But this? It’s giving me chills.”

“It’s based off stories of a legendary weapon,” Hiral said. “The spear is said to be what separated the clouds from the sky, so it should be pretty strong.”

“Should be?” Wule asked.

“Nobody has even been able to successfully shape it,” Hiral said. “My father hoped I’d be the first, which is why he gave me the tattoo. Just another disappointment for my mother, I guess.”

Seena gave him a pat on the shoulder. “I’m sure she doesn’t feel that way. And she definitely won’t when she sees you the next time.”

“Yeah, we’ll see,” Hiral said, forcing the resentment back down deep. “Anyway, most Shapers only actually get C- or B-Rank tattoos. A few can manage one or two A-Ranks, but that’s not usually worth it.”

“How come?” Seena asked, letting the comment about his mother go, but she still gave him another pat on the shoulder.

“Ah, a Shaper’s tattoos are only as strong as the weakest tattoo on their body. So, even if they can use an A-Rank, if they have any B-Rank on them, that’s the limit. But, hold on a second. Are you saying it’s not the same for Growers? How do your ability ranks work?”

“They all start at Low-E-Rank,” Wule said. “Kind of like we do, they gain experience, but only as we use them.”

“And they cap at the high end of whatever rank we are,” Seena continued. “So, Yanily there, his Reed Spear Style is High-E-Rank and is ready to evolve. As soon as he hits D-Rank, the ability will be able to start improving again.”

“The more you use it, the faster it improves?” Hiral asked.

“Correct,” Seena said with a nod.

“What about those ability evolutions you were talking about? What do they start at when you get them?”

“Right at the bottom. Low-E-Rank. But”—Seena held up a hand before Hiral could say anything else—“they seem to level up pretty fast until they catch up, so it’s not too bad.”

“Wow. I didn’t think there were so many differences, but I guess both ways have advantages and disadvantages.”

“I wouldn’t say no to a few S-Rank abilities gifted to me,” Yanily said, following Left’s back as the double turned so he could continue looking at half of the Spear of Clouds.

“Dr. Benza, why do we need a Builder and a Grower to enter the dungeons?” Seena suddenly asked.

“Dungeon entry requirements and reasoning are found within the Introductory-three Tutorial. Please complete one more dungeon and proceed to the next interface for more information.”

“Dr. Benza, can you tell us more about the four races?” she asked next.

“Class and race information is found within the Introductory-three Tutorial. Please complete one more dungeon and proceed to the next interface for more information.”

“Hrm, doesn’t seem like we’re getting much more from him here,” Seena said.

“That’s fine,” Seeyela said. “The goal was always to get to the Asylum for safety anyway. It just means we have more reasons to look forward to it.”

“But, now, you want us to set up camp and get some rest before we clear this dungeon, right?” Seena said, and Seeyela gave a knowing smile.

“You know me so well. It’s almost like we grew up together or something.” Seeyela put a finger to her chin and looked up in thought.

“Har har, you’re so funny,” Seena said. Then, more quietly, “How’s Lonil?”

“Worse than he admits,” Seeyela said, only loud enough for Seena and Hiral to hear while the others chatted and dreamed about getting S-Rank loot. “I don’t want to rush him into the dungeon before he’s back at one hundred percent.”

“Aren’t Wule and Cal healing him?” Hiral asked.

“Magical healing treats the physical wounds, mostly, but with injuries as deep as his were, it’ll take his body time to… how can I say this… reconnect?” Seeyela said. “All the flesh and muscle is back, but he needs some practice to get his reflexes back to where they were.”

“Like rehabilitation?” Hiral asked, and Seeyela nodded.

“And the PIM is out of alignment as well. It needs time to fill in the holes where it was damaged. Might take twenty or thirty hours for him to be ready to go in.”

“Twenty or thirty?” Seena asked, eyes widening. “The injuries were that bad? He’s lucky to be alive.”

“He is,” Seeyela agreed. “If we didn’t have two healers with us, I don’t think he would’ve made it.”

“And that was only one E-Rank snake,” Hiral said.

“Exactly—there’s a lot more dangerous stuff ahead of us,” Seeyela said, looking at the interface. “Directly ahead of us. We need him at full strength.”

“We’ll go in first and scout it out,” Seena said. “Take it slow and learn everything we can, then give you the information.”

“Unless there’s another summoning ritual,” Hiral deadpanned. “Or something else forcing us to rush.”

“Either way, we’ll deal with it,” Seena said. “With Left and Right joining us, we’re better suited to go in first anyway, Seeyela.”

“I know you are, and I think it’s a good plan. Information on what to expect will make it so we don’t have to push Lonil too hard, but maybe we also won’t have to wait quite as long, so the others don’t lose their edge. When will you go in?”

“We’re going to get at least one good rest, then I’ll see how everybody is feeling after that,” Seena said. “I want to make sure we have a plan to deal with those snakes, though. Something more than the five-percent damage bonus we’re getting from the Racial Growth ability. Don’t get me wrong—it’s great it only took two kills to get the first rank, but I don’t think it’s going to be enough to trivialize our next fight against them.”

“That’s something we can all work on together,” Seeyela said. “I have an idea or two. Let’s all sit down to eat in a couple of hours and talk then.”

“I know, I know. Set up camp in the meantime. Come on, Hiral,” Seena said, and led them over to where they’d set down the packs. “If you have any ideas for dealing with those snakes, I’d like to hear it while we set up tents. Hey, Vix, Yanily, Nivian. Get a couple tents set up, and maybe that pot we got from the last dungeon. Let’s actually cook something.”

Nivian looked from Seena to the herd of boars on the other side of the room. “Bacon?”

“As much as I’d love it,” Seena said, then shook her head, “we’d have to hunt them outside the dungeon, and that’d put the whole party at risk. Take it easy until we go into the dungeon. We have some other ingredients we can use, right?”

“I’ve got a few things,” Nivian said. “Was kind of wondering what buffs we’d get from them anyway, so it’s fine either way.”

“Great, get started on that. Can you make enough for everybody?”

“No problem,” Nivian said, and got to work. “Er, maybe not if Fitch is eating. That guy can put it away.”

“Do what you can. So, Hiral, snakes,” Seena said, turning back to him. “How are we going to deal with them so they don’t do the same thing to us they did to Lonil?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Hiral admitted, “but something else has been on my mind. Those boars—they have spikes on their bodies, right?”

“Yeah, so?” Seena asked.

Before Hiral answered, he looked at one of the boars until a name appeared over its head.

Spined Great Tusk – Mid-E-Rank

Just like the others, it’s right there in the name.

“So, the snakes have spikes,” Hiral said. “The lizards have spikes. From the sounds of things, the Tri-Horns have spikes too. The Quillbacks have quills. Why is everything on the surface thorny? The boars I could see, to protect them from predators like the snakes. But, why do the predators have spikes too? What do they need protection from?”

Seena’s hands stopped as she was unwinding a tent, and she looked up to meet Hiral’s eyes. “The Enemy?”

“That’s what I was thinking. Even the hunters are being hunted by whatever this Enemy is, and they’ve developed their own spikes as a kind of natural defense.”

“It could be… but how does that help us with the snakes and the dungeon?” Seena asked, and Hiral couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I don’t know if it does, really,” he said. “But, if we think about it, it could mean the Enemy is some kind of natural hunter. If it is, its prey is looking for protection from its physical hunting tactics. Do you know of any other animals in different regions that have these kinds of natural defenses?”

Seena sat back on her feet as her hands kept working. “Now that you mention it, several do. There’s one region where a bunch of monsters have poisonous skin or blood. Real pain in the ass to deal with, by the way. There’s another where the monsters have bladed hides, instead of spikes, and another where they’re all like Lonil in his Stoneform.”

“All things that protect against or dissuade a direct attack,” Hiral said.

“Which is all we really have to offer,” Seena replied. “There are Growers that have things like poison, abilities that do damage over time, instead of all at once. We aren’t them.”

“Sounds like the perfect time for a spontaneous ability evolution to me,” Hiral said.

“If only we could count on that. We’re going to need something a bit more concrete.”

“Then we use the snake’s strengths against it,” Hiral said. “We know it’s going to lunge and then try to constrict, right? Let’s see if we can’t come up with tactics that take that into account.”

“My Spearing Roots?”

“Exactly. We just have to make sure the snakes focus on Nivian, though. His shield did a great job of blocking that last one we fought. The rest of us don’t have one of those.” Hiral glanced over at Left and Right. “And I know the topic will come up of using them as bait, but I’d really rather not.”

Seena followed his look. “Are they… real? No, that’s not the right way to put it.”

“No, I get what you’re saying. And, I don’t know. I haven’t really broached the subject with them… Kind of awkward. Left is acting a bit strange, though.”

“He is,” she agreed, “but he didn’t hesitate against the snake.”

“We can still count on them. It’s just, like you said before, they aren’t disposable. They even have different personalities.”

“It’s kind of a crazy ability.”

“It is! I didn’t even know things like this were possible. Which, actually, I guess I could say about a lot of things since we came to the surface.”

“Me too. It’s been… an adventure. We’re still alive, though. And, when we get to the Asylum, we’ll have a safe place to stay. Think about it, Hiral—we’ll be the first ones to survive a full rotation down on the surface. And with everything we’re learning about the dungeons—not to mention the fact we can get into them—we’re going to have so much to tell when we get back.”

“We… are…” Hiral said, his head tilting back so he was looking at the ceiling. But it wasn’t the dirt above his head occupying his mind. No, it was something much, much higher above. “And we’ll have to do something about the Makers killing Quillbacks. And planning to kill your people.”

Seena nodded, the smile fading from her face. “Yeah. Do you think your people will handle it? Do you think they’ll care enough to do anything about it?”

“Technically not my people,” Hiral said, and he waved a hand before Seena could say anything. “No, don’t worry, I’m not trying to dodge responsibility here. They wouldn’t have listened to me before, but the fact the dungeons need two different races to get into them means we have to cooperate. We’ll leverage that. Make people understand we need to work together.

“And that’s not even taking into account this Enemy Dr. Benza keeps talking about. If this war really is still going on, we’re all going to need to decide if we want any part of it.”

“What’s the alternative?” Seena asked.

“The status quo,” Hiral answered. “We bury our heads back in the sand—or the clouds, I guess—and keeping circling the world on Fallen Reach. The Enemy obviously can’t get to us there, so we keep running.”

“Can we run forever?”

“We can try.”

“What do you want to do, Hiral?”

“I honestly don’t know. I’ve been working so hard—and for so long—to get a class and get stronger. The power we’re gaining from the dungeons is almost addictive, but what’s the point of it if we don’t use it? I don’t want to spend my days fighting exhibition matches up in the Amphitheatre of the Sun.

“If we’re going to—what did he call it?—farm the dungeons for experience, does that mean we have an obligation to be part of this war? We don’t even know who or what the Enemy is, and if Dr. Benza’s people couldn’t beat them, how could we? They created the PIMs. And they still lost.

“I just don’t understand how we can succeed where they failed,” Hiral went on. “And if we can’t win, what’s the point of fighting?”