LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 36: [Sub Arc: Wraithshade Dungeon]
Cedric obtained a class skill and a powerful Familiar creature. After a period of rest, he rose and untied the vines holding his clothes in place. The bite from the Vine Man had stopped bleeding already because of his vitality.
"Being in a fantasy world sure has its perks," laughed Cedric as he began stretching. His body was already covered in scars from his battle against the Dire Wolf. He began to wonder if the mana enhanced his immunity since none of the wounds got infected.
[Story Points (SPs): 89.]
As his body recovered, Cedric admired his handiwork. The story points had accumulated nicely, but he knew their true power had yet to shine. Another function of his Extra Menu was the Story Rewards, but it was still locked.
Although Cedric had no idea how to unlock this function, he wasn't worried. It would reveal itself as he progressed through the story or the arc he currently had. Its criteria could be story points or progression percentage.
"Oh, I wonder if that would work out?" muttered Cedric as he opened his Character Menu. He wanted to see if he could reveal more information about Sabasius using SPs. However, he was surprised to see that it was already unlocked.
[Sabasius]
[Race: Ancient God.]
[Age: —]
[Level: —]
[Titles: Lord of Oblivion, Keeper of Memories, Shadow of Shadows, Sphinx of Destruction, Eraser of Memories, Lightning Shadow, …]
[Relationship: Familiar]
[Loyalty: 0%]
[Status Menu]
[Background Story: Locked (Loyalty Dependent)]
The list of titles was enough to give him a headache, and some of them sounded too cool. In comparison, Cedric felt like he was a degenerate. At the very least, Sabasius wouldn't be able to see them.
"I just remembered that I have a new sub-arc," muttered Cedric as he swiped through his windows to arrive at the new entry in his system.
[Sub-Arc: Wraithshade Dungeon.]
[Description: A summoner has created a summoning circle to trap you inside his dungeon. Your goal is to defeat the summoner and return to the real world.]
[Sub-Arc Goals:]
- [Reach Level 30.]
- [Find your comrades.]
- [Defeat the Dungeon Master.]
[Sub-Arc Rewards: Mystery Box (Bronze)]
The quest was rather straightforward. Unlike the previous sub-arc regarding his trial, where Cedric needed to think three steps ahead, this one was simple: grow stronger and beat up a summoner. The reward made him excited, since the last one gave him a skill, a ring, and an elixir that was too bugged to even think about.
There was also the goal of reuniting with Ember. It made him a little worried about her, not that anyone could even match up to her. Cedric was worried because the summoner might focus on eliminating her first since she was the biggest threat.
A newfound urgency seized his heart as Cedric decided to push forward. His mana and health points were slowly recovering, and he could always summon Sabasius without mana.
[Status Menu]
[Name: Djinn Cat (Adjustable)]
[Level: 20]
[Health: 200/200]
[Mana: 200/200]
[Affinity: Lightning, Shadows]
[Stats]
- [Vitality: 20]
- [Strength: 20]
- [Agility: 20]
- [Endurance: 20]
- [Dexterity: 20]
- [Intelligence: 200]
- [Charisma: 20]
[Skills:]
- [Lightning Shot (E)]
- [Lethal Waves (E)]
- [Passive Mana Amplification(E)]
Cedric noticed that the stats were capped because of its level, except for intelligence. It should be the monster's specialization, which explains why it was different than the others. Furthermore, its name changed from Sabasius to Djinn Cat again because the cat might be just an incarnation and not the actual god. It made Cedric realize that he had yet to see what the god looked like.
In any case, the stats seemed to be capped at 20, the same level as his summoned creature. He would have to let it raise its level and see what happens then. Since he had seen everything for now, it was time to summon it again.
"Summon Familiar," muttered Cedric, and a magic circle appeared. In just a few seconds, the Djinn Cat appeared before him, materializing from the magic circle on the ground. The feline eye on his hand also seemed to glow.
After it appeared again, the Djinn Cat seemed annoyed as it realized that Cedric was still in the same spot. It turned toward him with its big red eyes and seemed to demand something from him.
[Djinn Cat (Level 20) wants a name.]
"A name?" muttered Cedric with surprise as he looked at the cat before him. "I guess a familiar does need a name. What should I give you?"
Cedric could think of a bunch of names that he had already used in his previous manuscripts. As he stared at the black and white cat, he wanted a name that befitted it perfectly.
"How does Shade sound?" asked Cedric, and the cat pondered the name for a second before nodding with a smile. It was odd to see a summoned creature make these kinds of human expressions.
[A new name has been assigned.]
[Shade (Level 20)]
The cat seemed rather fond of the name as it circled around his foot. Cedric didn't think it was capable of affection or anything remotely similar. However, he was glad that it liked it.
"Time to keep going, Shade!" called Cedric, and the cat flew before him. As he followed after it, he made sure to use his Observe Skill. The corridor was long and dark this time, with many traps that Cedric had to navigate around.
As they kept going forward, light seemed to disappear from around them. Cedric had no problem seeing in the dark because of the Mark of Umbra, but he could tell the next challenge was near.
A mechanical sound echoed behind them. Cedric turned around with confusion as he saw the distant door they came from close. As he was still piecing together what was happening, the walls around him began to move, threatening to crush them.
"We need to run!" shouted Cedric as he bolted with Shade right above him. The two of them ran toward the other end of the corridor as the walls inched toward one another. It became harder to run, and Cedric had to move sideways to make some room.
The walls had only two feet left before they closed on one another, and they began pushing against Cedric and his summoned monster. At that time, Cedric saw the end of the moving walls, and he pushed forward. His Observe Skill, however, told him something different.
"Carry me across, Shade!" shouted Cedric as they reached the end of the corridor, and he jumped to the other side. Beneath him was empty space, and below that were a group of spikes, each as tall as him and ready to shred them to pieces.
Shade flew across, and Cedric jumped and held on to it. It struggled to carry them both with its small wings, but they managed to glide a few meters before it fell together with Cedric.
Cedric unsummoned his falling Familiar while reaching toward the edge. He slammed into the wall as his hands held on to the other edge, while his feet dangled inches away from the spikes. Then, he began to pull himself upward.
It took him every ounce of strength in his tired body to pull himself up. Cedric collapsed, panting, once he was on the other side. He could see that no monsters or crushing walls were about to kill him, so he allowed himself a short moment of rest.
Then, he summoned Shade again.
"Thank you, little one. You saved my sorry ass," Cedric said between each raspy breath. "We can rest a little—"
Growl!
A growling voice interrupted Cedric, who raised his head to look at the source. Beyond a door frame before him was a pair of red eyes staring at them. Although his Observe Skill could not reach that far, he knew that his luck was rotten.