"That's it," Astrid shouted, spitting shards of shimmerbug armor plating from her mouth. "I wanted to push a little further, but I'm level 80, and I'm done."
"You didn't tell us you'd levelled yet!" Benedict shouted back at her with a laugh. "I should've known! You've always been a trickster."
"I was just gonna do one more fight," Astrid protested, dismissing her helmet and spitting several more times. The taste of gore from the monster remained. Then, she pulled her waterskin out and swished the liquid around in her mouth before spitting it to the side. "I never expected a damn red to suicide charge at me just to spray me with its blood. It's in everything."
"What's the difference between how covered with gore you always are after a full day of delving?" Benedict insisted as the party finished clearing out the last few shimmerbugs. "You're always up to your elbows in guts and whatever by the end of the day."
"The difference is that the damn thing's head was gone, but it hadn't died yet. It threw itself at me, with no head to hold its guts in," Astrid said, wiping her eyes and pouring the water over her head. "It basically exploded all over my head and came through the visor."
"You cannot allow this to deter you from continuing the fight in the fiercest battles," Muti cautioned.
"I didn't let having my eyes burn inside of my skull keep me from continuing on in the past. I'll be fine. It's gross, that's all."
Muti grunted in acceptance at that, and the party quickly gathered up the most valuable parts of the monsters they killed. As before, they'd taken time to make specific plans to deal with the newest swarms, and as Skandr grew even more comfortable with creating the spell that created dense walls of wind that blew away the support for the red once it committed to battle, the fights grew simpler. Now, the fights were almost casual, the reds enough to give the party a fight, but not a challenge with the rest of their swarm held at bay.
"Take the entire body," Astrid said, preemptively stuffing the latest red corpse into the largest spatial pouch. "We have more than enough space to accommodate it. No need to get into another fight to preserve space if we don't have to."
The rest of the party did as she said, and in only a few short minutes, they were fully packed up, moving quickly, and out of the furthest reaches they had ever seen a red in. A few short minutes later, they exited the Dungeon proper and were back on the surface. Their things were all already carefully stockpiled, and they'd already made their plans, so towards Neverwood they went.
The kilometers passed quickly, and as the hours went by, they scaled mountains and jumped over ravines until the late afternoon light became evening and then night fell. Unlike their last journey towards Neverwood, they arrived only an hour or so after sunset, their higher attributes as well as their continually growing familiarity with the surroundings allowing them to take what was originally a six-hour journey in about four.
Approaching the town, Astrid was struck by the similarity of this life to what she had always planned delving to be, but also the faint emptiness that she felt. She was fighting hard, and she did that just about every day. She was getting levels at an unheard-of pace, since her overwhelming Class quality, and that of her party, of course, allowed her to overcome level, watershed, and even tier barriers.
A part of her laughed, thinking of how accomplished she felt when she was fighting wargs that were a couple levels higher than her at level 1 and 2. Now, against orange shimmerbugs that were higher level than her and gaining a significant amount of attributes every level, she treated them as simple additions to the fight against the red. It was so far beyond what she once had been, and she knew that she and the rest of her party were actively planning to start fighting Mithril tier monsters sometime soon.
She found herself lost in thought as they walked between buildings until Skandr came up and kicked one of her feet behind the other as she was walking, making her kick the back of her own heel. When she whirled down to look at him, he laughed, holding both hands up in surrender.
"As you get so much tougher and stronger, it's more difficult for me to get your attention," he explained. "I've poked you a couple times and it doesn't get through your armor. Though, I am surprised that you're so lost in thought that you couldn't hear me."
Astrid blushed, dismissing her helmet as she looked down at Skandr. "My bad. What was it you were trying to say?"
"I was trying to ask what you were so caught up in thought about. Obviously, it's something, though it wouldn't be the first time that you're just thinking about your next meal. So, spill."
With a sigh, Astrid inclined her head, acknowledging his point.
"I've just been thinking about how limited my view was as a kid and as a brand-new delver. I mean, for me to go from level 1 to when we were level 20 and waiting outside of the Trials, that was something like two years and three months. Then, the entirety of Iron tier, from level 21 to 50, took us about eight months. Now, finally, going from level 51 to now level 80, that's taken us a bit under three months.
"The entirety of the time that I have spent delving has been under three and a half years. That's a long time. I went from an 18-year-old to someone who's over 21, a real adult, so long as my grasp on time hasn't slipped," she shrugged. "When I was a kid, I just wanted to be a hero. You know, not necessarily something super specific, but I wanted to be more than just some person."
As she spoke, Astrid noted Skandr watching her speak, as well as Muti and Felix. Benedict seemed more focused on a certain Greenthumb's shop that they walked past, though she didn't doubt he was half-listening. Regardless, this was a common enough subject that she didn't feel any embarrassment in talking about that old childhood dream that people so frequently seemed to mock her for.
"Honestly, I still want and plan to be somebody who can help and save people. Now, we're high Steel tier, and we can absolutely do that. I mean, just think about what happened in Kznietch. The Silver Wind, when they saved us, were something like level 55. Maybe a little bit higher. But we could already do what they did now, and instead of helping people, we're just off in another country getting stronger as fast as we possibly can."
"You know, it's not like the other option was being enslaved by vengeful nobles because we killed their scion or anything," Benedict snarked, confirming to Astrid that he was listening. "Oh wait, that was the other option."
"I absolutely understand why we are where we are," Astrid waved him off. "And I don't disagree with it. I just feel like, once we are able to protect ourselves, I want to be able to make an actual difference for people instead of just quietly getting richer and stronger."
"I also wish to do more than just continue to plunge deeper into the Dungeon," Muti said. "Do not think that I will allow you to leave me behind, however. Do not forget, I will remain a blood-sworn companion to you."
Astrid laughed a little at that, at how every day she would spill blood alongside Muti, even before they went into the Dungeon. Muti's blood was currently clotted at the end of Astrid's braid, and the Human woman would never forget that.
"So, that's what I was thinking," Astrid continued, looking at Skandr. "I was feeling a little hollow at how I was living what I'd always dreamed of, but not doing what I thought I would be capable of. You know, the first Guild representative that I spoke with knew who my mother was. He thought of her as a hero, and we're higher level than she was when she made that impression on him. Sure, she was just kind of a local hero at that point, but we haven't even been to any of our home countries since we were all Bronze."
"Again, mind-controlling slaver nobles?" Benedict repeated. "I guess I can thank them for getting me to where I am, because I wouldn't be pushing so hard so fast without them, but also, they can kindly go die in a hole."
Astrid waved him off, scoffing. He was just acting the way he always did, and beyond that, he was right. The Silver Wind could listen to the Guild and come to support some new delvers because they had the freedom of being able to wander around without too much worry from the nobility. The Wanderers, however, were both too remarkable and too hostile to the nobles to expect to be able to just go wherever they wanted and not be confronted, if not captured.
"Basically, I'm just saying that, once we can, I'd like to be able to go around and help people," Astrid finished. "Maybe not focus entirely on getting stronger and instead find out where people need help and then go help. Maybe I do that while Skandr's making a tower and Felix and Muti are having kids. Focus less on levels those days and just… do what I've always wanted to."
"With your Skills," Skandr smiled, "you can be a one-woman army, so long as something isn't too much higher level than you. You would be slowed down without Benedict, though."
"Unless I get some Skill at 81 that lets me travel super fast and far," Astrid joked. "Though, looking at what Skills have been offered to me until now, I don't think that I'll get some random teleportation Skill."
Quiet settled over the party for a dozen steps. Then, the silence was broken.
"Speaking of new Skills," Benedict said as the party walked past Olafson's workshop. The doors were still closed and no light came through the windows, so he evidently still hadn't returned. "What kind of Skills do you want to practice for getting next level? I'm wanting to get one of the stat-boosting Skills like most of you have. Astrid, you've got two, while Muti's got Assassin's Bearing and Shadow Touched to a lesser extent, and Felix, you have Raging Guardian. Just me and Skandr have been left behind by you all in this."
"I don't know why you're including me in that," Skandr shook his head. "Mental Bastion gives me a 40% bonus to Fortitude and Self-Mastery while I'm channeling a spell. Plus, Warlock's Constitution gives me an additional six attribute points per level, and while Boon of Fortification doesn't give me any attributes, it strengthens all my spells and Skills that I channel if I'm not moving."
Benedict glared at the Wizard, who chuckled and shrugged.
"That said," Skandr continued, "I'm pretty interested in seeing if I can get a Skill that has a secondary effect of giving me attribute points. Since I'm already so focused on certain attributes, I think it isn't a bad idea if I continue to just lean into that."
"You're not going to be going for a weapon Skill, are you?" Astrid turned the attention back to Benedict. "Your build is so focused on doubling and tripling down on what you were good at that it seems like a waste to go for a weapon Skill or an equipment Skill when Overwhelming Speech, Restful Reverberations, and Overwhelming Presence all work together to just make Song of Victory and Voice of Liberation as strong as possible."
"No, I'm not gonna go for that," he replied, letting out a long, slow breath. "If I don't get offered a Skill that boosts attributes that I'm looking for, I might take the Purging Wave Skill if it's offered again."
"That was different from Song and Voice, right?" Astrid verified. "Instead of a constant effect, it's a single burst that cleanses negative effects, right?"
"Yup."
The party made noises of agreement with the thought and made their way into the inn. Somehow, Michel had known they were coming, and meals were already set out on the table in the middle of the communal space. Confronted with a quick, convenient, delicious meal, the party all fell into the chairs and devoured the food, still hot and delicious.
It was some sort of grilled bird on top of delicately styled noodles, and, as always, the meat carried a comfortable amount of mana that quickly warmed Astrid's belly. In a few short minutes, their plates were all scraped clean, the meal having passed in near silence as they all fell on the food.
"As delicious as ever," Astrid said to the golem butler that had waited beside the table. "I think we'd all like to take a bath, and then, for me at least, I'd like some of your stronger wine to celebrate. We'll be here for a while, so I don't mind taking an opportunity to just indulge in some of your finer drinks."
Contrary to her expectations, Michel himself came out from the kitchen and stared at her.
"You really will finally partake in the finer things in life?"
Astrid laughed at the bald and well-tended man. His mustache, waxed as always, seemed to quiver with excitement at the news she had given. She nodded as she met his gaze.
"I prefer not something that will knock me out immediately, but whatever you are wanting to share with us? I'm happy to pay the appropriate price for it."
With a broad grin, he clapped twice and turned on his heel.
"I shall endeavor to prove to you the true joy found in occasional indulgence."
He was gone at that, and the party glanced back and forth at each other before shrugging and making their way towards the room where the baths were. They all had been doused by Skandr's waves of clean water, so they were clean, but hadn't had the opportunity to scrub themselves yet.
Dirty traveling clothes and equipment were quickly removed until all five were stripped down and happily climbing into the perfectly heated baths. Astrid allowed herself to sink up to her neck, the warmth washing out some of the knots in her neck and back, as well as loosening the tight skin on her side, where she had taken her most recent serious injury. She idly thumbed the scar there, mostly smooth, but an angry red against the deep brown of her skin.
"Us two have said what we want," Benedict grunted, getting comfortable in the bath, "so it's up to you three now. What are you hoping for?"
"I already said that it isn't worth it for me to take Impenetrable Fortress's upgrade," Felix spoke first. "I have Raging Guardian and Defender's Mandate that both get monsters' attention on me. Amplification weakens something that we're focusing on, and Defender's Avatar is a wonderful burst Skill. For my role, I'd say that either a better damaging Skill or a recovery Skill would be best. I am already feeling the pinch of mana cost, so something that would either make me capable of holding more in reserve or recovering more quickly would be the most valuable."
"I can attest," Astrid joked, "having a recovery Skill is pretty nice."
"You're lucky I don't have my spatial pouch on me," Benedict called from two tubs over, "because I would throw something at you if I had anything besides soap."
"I suppose I'll be grateful for that."
Muti spoke up as the brief interruption ended.
"Perhaps something similar to my Boon of the Mana-Touched could be of value to you. It has greatly increased my affinity with mana, so that I can recover more quickly, and I can store small amounts of mana in the tattoos before I use them."
"That's true, but he's not going to get a boon, he's going to get a Skill," Skandr jumped in. "Plus, a lot of that recovery comes from your boots, which help you to recover while you're in shadow. Something similar to Mental Bastion might be good, though with a different primary effect. Something that lets you ground yourself and reduce mana consumption or something. Or maybe a passive Skill."
"With how much we are recovering and so on," Astrid suggested, "I don't think that a recovery Skill is out of the question though. Honestly, I doubt that it would be as impactful to the party as a whole as Physique has been, but just one or two charges to help you recover would go a very long way."
The rest of the party made sounds of agreement to that. They'd been around her since she was in Bronze, and Quick Recovery allowed her to gain back what was now a paltry 10% of her health, stamina, and mana per hour. Now, with eight charges that could extend to others and also recovered, with the addition of Boon of Indomitability's increase to her recovery, Physique could recover her by about 50% eight times an hour. However, even when it was "only" as good as Immortal Warrior's Body, recovering a quarter of her resources four times per hour, that was a life-saving Skill.
As the conversation on that topic died off, Muti said, "I will be taking a burst Skill. Everybody else has one now, and I will become even greater than I already am if I can use my boosted strikes from Ambushing to their fullest potential. Even making something unable to perceive me allows every one of my attacks to be strengthened."
"I'd go so far as to call that obvious," Astrid nodded. "I'm still surprised you didn't take True Shadow when it was offered to you."
Muti glared at Astrid, and she laughed, shrugging as she ran her fingers through her hair. The knots untangled as she explained, "I know, it was a more magically focused burst Skill than you wanted, but it would have been a great fit for you."
"It would be too dependent upon mana," Muti spat. "I have embraced the Class that I have been given and the changes it has wrought in me, but make no mistake—I remain a Barbarian, and I will use the strength of my body to destroy my enemies."
Astrid didn't even try to disagree with that, taking note of how far her friend had come and also recognizing that, in the end, there were differences in values that simply wouldn't change.
"So we're just waiting on you," Skandr said as the conversation died out. "What are you hoping to get?"
Astrid started to sigh, letting her mouth fall under the water and blowing bubbles. Now, at her tier and especially with her Fortitude, she could expel all the breath in her lungs and still be fine for a couple minutes, but instead of dwelling on that, she came up once the air was out of her chest.
"It's a good question, and I wish I knew what my answer would be," she answered. "Because, in many ways, my build feels kind of complete. I've got good equipment. Unconquerable Aura, as I'm remembering to use it more, is great for keeping the party going. Physique is, of course, my best Skill. The Body Surge and Spectral Graviton can't be discounted either, for bursting and flexibility. Mental Fortress isn't seeing as much use right now, but, considering what some people are capable of, I don't regret taking it."
"Before, you were talking about getting a movement Skill of some sort," Skandr said, starting to stand from the tub. As he pulled a towel around himself, he continued, "Do you still want that?"
"Maybe," Astrid grumbled. "I just don't know. I think that would be good, but another aura would work well with Boon of the Hero. Or a Skill that'll probably get rolled into my equipment Skill could be good. But do I want that or a Skill that probably wont, in the hopes that I get a Class evolution that doesn't combine as many of my Skills so that I might get another boon?"
"Good questions," he answered, starting to walk out. "You should probably answer them."
With a groan, Astrid resumed washing herself while the rest of the party finished their own baths. Then, no closer to knowing where she wanted to end up than before, she left the baths, ready to taste whatever drinks Michel prepared. Who knew, maybe getting drunk would help her make the decision?