Mage Tank
Author: Cornman8700
Chapter 163: Phase Two
“This is a lot,” said Xim, scanning the notifications.
I was forcing myself to crawl through the text slowly, trying to work through everything that had just become available to us.
“If this truly went out to all the Delvers of the world,” said Nuralie, “then everyone now knows it was because of us.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Assuming that’s what World Region 001 means,” I said.
[
] Grotto thought to us.
“Mystery solved,” I said. “And it looks like Zenithar Manar took up your request, Nuralie. I didn’t think she’d go after Sakongr’s Crevice while the Littans were in Eschendur.”
“There is no telling how long we have been in here,” said Varrin. “Months at the very least. The state of Litta’s invasion is unknown.”
“Is it a problem that Shog’s listed here?” asked Xim.
“
”
“Shog, if I’m a demon then you’re a bird!” said Xim, eyes narrowed. She moved on before anyone had the opportunity to ask for some clarification. “What I mean is the whole world just saw that a c’thon is on our team.”
“
”
“At least he was included,” I said. “Grotto got left out.” I turned to the Delve Core and reached over to give him a pat. “Sorry, bro. You deserved better.” He deftly floated to the side and avoided my affection.
[
]
“Infamy? Why am I infamous?”
[
]
“But, is Shog your summon?” asked Etja. “Or is he a Delver?”
“The skill is still drawing mana,” I said, checking my status. “He’s still
as a summon.”
“Is he both?” asked Nuralie. She turned to Grotto.
[
]
The sound of throat clearing caught our attention. We looked up from our notifications to see Avarice eyeing us.
“Our business is done for the moment,” said the avatar. “I let Number Two know that our transaction had come to an end, though I did not expect her to act so suddenly.”
“Her?” I asked. “Does the System Core prefer that pronoun?”
“Most of her personalities are female,” said Avarice. She held up a hand to silence our follow-up questions. “I will seek you out when I have another question for the Dread Star. Until then, take care not to perish.”
Avarice gave us a slight nod, then her body melded into her shadow, which faded away into nothing.
“The number of people who tell us not to die is too high,” said Xim.
As Avarice disappeared, I tried to remember the Dread Star’s ‘true’ name, but all I got was a jumble of impressions. I quickly scanned the evolution’s text, but all instances of the celestial word were gone.
“I am afraid we will regret that trade,” said Nuralie.
“We could have gotten more out of her,” said Etja with a single jaunty nod.
“More skill slots,” said Varrin. It took me a moment to realize he was talking about the notification and not something we could have squeezed out of Avarice. “We will need to seek out these Expansion Delves as soon as possible.”
“Are any of us using all of our slots?” asked Xim.
“We are getting close,” Varrin replied. “Their rewards also include unique skills.”
“Labyrinth sounds like a recipe for a blood bath,” I said. “Eight parties–
Delvers–all fighting over the same 8 obelisks? That’ll be a nightmare.”
“Not for us,” said Varrin.
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“The Labyrinths almost certainly have level ranges,” said Varrin. He glanced up at me. “Who in our level range could stand up to us?”
“Pride goeth before a fall,” I said with a judicious stroke of my beard. “We’ve
got 11 levels of free stats over a normal level 12 party. Let’s not get too comfortable.”
“Why be twice as strong when you can be thrice as strong instead?” said Etja. She floated up off the ground and began doing a slow, aerial cartwheel. She furrowed her brow, still reading the notification while she spun. “I’d be more worried about a Raid.”
“Yeah,” I said. “We’re pretty good at beating things up with the power of friendship, but that might get tough if we had to do it with 75
friends.”
“It is a breeding ground for conflict,” said Varrin. “Gathering that many competent Delvers in a given level range will be an enormous undertaking as well, likely calling for international cooperation.”
Etja held out her hands and put on her serious face.
“I could just mesmerize everybody! Then no one can betray us!”
“If Etja’s thinking it, then other people are thinking it,” said Xim.
“We can keep it in mind,” said Varrin. “For now, it is beyond us. We are not level 20.”
“Eh, give it a month,” I said. “All we’d need to do is smash up 1 Labyrinth and crush the dreams of everyone else inside.”
“We should train first,” said Varrin.
“We could hunt dungeons instead,” said Nuralie. “It says they give an intrinsic skill bonus.” Pause. “And they have treasure.”
“I
like a good treasure hunt,” I added. I began fantasizing about uncovering overpowered artifacts like an indestructible colossus to trample over my enemies or a lotus bloom that could be sacrificed for 3 mana of any color on turn one.
I was interrupted by a heavy sigh from Varrin.
“These extra Creation Delves will not endear us to Hiward,” he said. “Without the Delver monopoly, it significantly reduces the kingdom’s global impact. We are not a large nation.”
“Being upset about other people having nice things isn’t a good look,” I said. “Besides, increasing the Delver population is half of the reason we carved a bloody path to this Delve. We’ll need everyone we can get to deal with the avatars. And Brae’ach as well.”
“We did the right thing,” said Varrin. “Do not expect it to be popular with upper echelons of the Hiwardian government.”
“I think a lot of Delvers will be ecstatic,” said Xim. “More skill slots, more riches, what’s not to love?”
“More competition,” said Nuralie.
“Many Delvers will gain no benefit from this,” said Varrin. “Coppers and silvers will be left behind. It may engender animosity if they feel excluded.”
“Sounds like a whole lot of not my problem,” I said.
“Harsh,” Xim replied. I shrugged.
“We’re not here to make everyone happy. We’re here to save the fuckin’ world.”
“Ambitious,” she added.
“What was it you were saying about pride?” asked Etja.
“It ain’t boasting if it’s true.”
“Cocky.”
I raised an eyebrow at Xim and she gave me a toothy grin.
“Also,” I continued, “not to be greedy but… is that it?” I looked around the chamber. “This was a special Delve, so where’s the special Delve reward?”
“The phase transition was not enough?” asked Varrin.
“That’s a prize for
, not a prize for
.” I crossed my arms. “We haven’t even gotten those achievements we were promised.”
We all glanced around, waiting for a well-timed System notification.
“Maybe we have to find the portal first,” said Xim.
“Oh,” I said. “Sure, no problem. I
eager to get the hell out of here though. I need a shower and a visit to my barber.”
“Don’t piss off the god-like entity that grants us vast wealth and power,” Xim chided me.
“It’s part of how we communicate,” I said. “The System takes jabs at my deep-rooted insecurities, while I grouse and grumble about it. I’ve got rapport.”
“Hmm,” I hummed. “Fair enough. I guess I’ve got rapport with your… sister?”
“Dearest friend?”
“Co-worker?”
“Did you also have a personality error, Core 2?” I asked.
“Ah… What does STYSBFYL stand for?”
“I see. What style manual do you use? I don’t think all of those words should be capitali–”
“Oh damn,” I said, eyes wide. “That’s a hell of a jumpstart. Now we just need some–”
I was forcing myself to crawl through the text slowly, trying to work through everything that had just become available to us.
“If this truly went out to all the Delvers of the world,” said Nuralie, “then everyone now knows it was because of us.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Assuming that’s what World Region 001 means,” I said.
[
] Grotto thought to us.
“Mystery solved,” I said. “And it looks like Zenithar Manar took up your request, Nuralie. I didn’t think she’d go after Sakongr’s Crevice while the Littans were in Eschendur.”
“There is no telling how long we have been in here,” said Varrin. “Months at the very least. The state of Litta’s invasion is unknown.”
“Is it a problem that Shog’s listed here?” asked Xim.
“
”
“Shog, if I’m a demon then you’re a bird!” said Xim, eyes narrowed. She moved on before anyone had the opportunity to ask for some clarification. “What I mean is the whole world just saw that a c’thon is on our team.”
“
”
“At least he was included,” I said. “Grotto got left out.” I turned to the Delve Core and reached over to give him a pat. “Sorry, bro. You deserved better.” He deftly floated to the side and avoided my affection.
[
]
“Infamy? Why am I infamous?”
[
]
“But, is Shog your summon?” asked Etja. “Or is he a Delver?”
“The skill is still drawing mana,” I said, checking my status. “He’s still
as a summon.”
“Is he both?” asked Nuralie. She turned to Grotto.
[
]
The sound of throat clearing caught our attention. We looked up from our notifications to see Avarice eyeing us.
“Our business is done for the moment,” said the avatar. “I let Number Two know that our transaction had come to an end, though I did not expect her to act so suddenly.”
“Her?” I asked. “Does the System Core prefer that pronoun?”
“Most of her personalities are female,” said Avarice. She held up a hand to silence our follow-up questions. “I will seek you out when I have another question for the Dread Star. Until then, take care not to perish.”
Avarice gave us a slight nod, then her body melded into her shadow, which faded away into nothing.
“The number of people who tell us not to die is too high,” said Xim.
As Avarice disappeared, I tried to remember the Dread Star’s ‘true’ name, but all I got was a jumble of impressions. I quickly scanned the evolution’s text, but all instances of the celestial word were gone.
“I am afraid we will regret that trade,” said Nuralie.
“We could have gotten more out of her,” said Etja with a single jaunty nod.
“More skill slots,” said Varrin. It took me a moment to realize he was talking about the notification and not something we could have squeezed out of Avarice. “We will need to seek out these Expansion Delves as soon as possible.”
“Are any of us using all of our slots?” asked Xim.
“We are getting close,” Varrin replied. “Their rewards also include unique skills.”
“Labyrinth sounds like a recipe for a blood bath,” I said. “Eight parties–
Delvers–all fighting over the same 8 obelisks? That’ll be a nightmare.”
“Not for us,” said Varrin.
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“The Labyrinths almost certainly have level ranges,” said Varrin. He glanced up at me. “Who in our level range could stand up to us?”
“Pride goeth before a fall,” I said with a judicious stroke of my beard. “We’ve
got 11 levels of free stats over a normal level 12 party. Let’s not get too comfortable.”
“Why be twice as strong when you can be thrice as strong instead?” said Etja. She floated up off the ground and began doing a slow, aerial cartwheel. She furrowed her brow, still reading the notification while she spun. “I’d be more worried about a Raid.”
“Yeah,” I said. “We’re pretty good at beating things up with the power of friendship, but that might get tough if we had to do it with 75
friends.”
“It is a breeding ground for conflict,” said Varrin. “Gathering that many competent Delvers in a given level range will be an enormous undertaking as well, likely calling for international cooperation.”
Etja held out her hands and put on her serious face.
“I could just mesmerize everybody! Then no one can betray us!”
“If Etja’s thinking it, then other people are thinking it,” said Xim.
“We can keep it in mind,” said Varrin. “For now, it is beyond us. We are not level 20.”
“Eh, give it a month,” I said. “All we’d need to do is smash up 1 Labyrinth and crush the dreams of everyone else inside.”
“We should train first,” said Varrin.
“We could hunt dungeons instead,” said Nuralie. “It says they give an intrinsic skill bonus.” Pause. “And they have treasure.”
“I
like a good treasure hunt,” I added. I began fantasizing about uncovering overpowered artifacts like an indestructible colossus to trample over my enemies or a lotus bloom that could be sacrificed for 3 mana of any color on turn one.
I was interrupted by a heavy sigh from Varrin.
“These extra Creation Delves will not endear us to Hiward,” he said. “Without the Delver monopoly, it significantly reduces the kingdom’s global impact. We are not a large nation.”
“Being upset about other people having nice things isn’t a good look,” I said. “Besides, increasing the Delver population is half of the reason we carved a bloody path to this Delve. We’ll need everyone we can get to deal with the avatars. And Brae’ach as well.”
“We did the right thing,” said Varrin. “Do not expect it to be popular with upper echelons of the Hiwardian government.”
“I think a lot of Delvers will be ecstatic,” said Xim. “More skill slots, more riches, what’s not to love?”
“More competition,” said Nuralie.
“Many Delvers will gain no benefit from this,” said Varrin. “Coppers and silvers will be left behind. It may engender animosity if they feel excluded.”
“Sounds like a whole lot of not my problem,” I said.
“Harsh,” Xim replied. I shrugged.
“We’re not here to make everyone happy. We’re here to save the fuckin’ world.”
“Ambitious,” she added.
“What was it you were saying about pride?” asked Etja.
“It ain’t boasting if it’s true.”
“Cocky.”
I raised an eyebrow at Xim and she gave me a toothy grin.
“Also,” I continued, “not to be greedy but… is that it?” I looked around the chamber. “This was a special Delve, so where’s the special Delve reward?”
“The phase transition was not enough?” asked Varrin.
“That’s a prize for
, not a prize for
.” I crossed my arms. “We haven’t even gotten those achievements we were promised.”
We all glanced around, waiting for a well-timed System notification.
“Maybe we have to find the portal first,” said Xim.
“Oh,” I said. “Sure, no problem. I
eager to get the hell out of here though. I need a shower and a visit to my barber.”
“Don’t piss off the god-like entity that grants us vast wealth and power,” Xim chided me.
“It’s part of how we communicate,” I said. “The System takes jabs at my deep-rooted insecurities, while I grouse and grumble about it. I’ve got rapport.”
“Hmm,” I hummed. “Fair enough. I guess I’ve got rapport with your… sister?”
“Dearest friend?”
“Co-worker?”
“Did you also have a personality error, Core 2?” I asked.
“Ah… What does STYSBFYL stand for?”
“I see. What style manual do you use? I don’t think all of those words should be capitali–”
“Oh damn,” I said, eyes wide. “That’s a hell of a jumpstart. Now we just need some–”