“Isn’t she the best? Honestly the lot of you don’t bring all that much to this group… But I have to work with what I’ve got,” Elyra said dismissively. She looked at all of them, but her eyes specifically lingered on Gretchen.

  “Can I ask why you are so insistent on antagonizing all the rookies of the major powers,” Peter asked.

  “Really, I thought you of all people would understand that, having started things with the undead faction,” Elyra said, rolling her eyes.

  “Correct, with just the undead faction. I could both deny them a strong alternate dimension dungeon type and get access to the type cards myself. My other shot at alternate dimension cards has been a bit difficult to work with,” Peter shot back.

  Elyra smiled. “Right, and I took the butterfly type card away from the insect faction last year, and that traitor Torment from the demons this year. Then I had Gabriel take on Pit, unfortunately it seems he’s still around. I mean am I the only one who sprung for some double taps.”

  Peter definitely would not admit that he just turned down getting a double tap in favor of something that would be useful personally. He understood what she meant. The insect faction was big on a high number of units that were actually pretty hard to kill since bugs could do weird things like survive and even keep fighting without their head. Denying them the healing capabilities that the butterfly type card was most known for was not a bad move in that regard.

  Likewise, Torment and Pit were demon type augmenters. Pit demons were supposedly some of the most fearsome types, usually only eclipsed by anything with Hell in the title or Infernal or one of the other restricted types. However it was unlikely they were actually traitors to the concept faction. Likely their guide had strongly suggested or pushed them into it.

  Clockwork was a terrible guide for sure, but at least he had not tried to coerce Peter into something. Then again, there were cores who just wanted to tie themselves to a strong faction to get a good shot at a life in the hundreds of years. Usually it was not until higher up in the centurion division when the stronger faction centurions fell out with one another. At that point the weaker or unaffiliated dungeons were usually gone.

  “Anyways,” Elyra continued. “The idea is to take out or weaken them as much as possible. When we hit the intermediate division we at least won’t have to worry about them. Plus they were already trading their valuable cards to the older dungeons.”

  “Won’t that just make the factions attack us first thing on year 11?” Gretchen asked with a worried expression. She clearly did not want to be at it alone, but she also might be having a bit of buyer's remorse having joined up with a group of crazies.

  “They do that anyways,” Elyra said, eyes narrowing. “Do you know how many cores make it to the centurion division?” No one answered. “Normally less than ten, and that is, in a good year group. Sometimes none of them make it, and if some do, by the end of the first decade in the centurion division it is lucky if more than a few are still around. How often do you think those few include types from weaker factions…” Elyra stared them all down.

  “I know you all had crappy guides, but common, you should be able to understand that much just by paying attention. I’m sure at the very least you have categorized all the surviving dungeons.”

  “What a drama queen,” Delilah noted.

  “She just doesn’t realize how set adrift the rest of us felt this whole time. It's hard for the haves to understand the have nots and their shorter field of view, when nothing but survival is on their mind.”

  Their attention all soon shifted to a pair of cores approaching their table, Agatha the long leg spider core and bone fiend, the millennial protégé. An odd pair for sure since they normally segregated in their various factions. Agatha was a female, but Peter could not even begin to try and find her attractive since her eyes were pitch black orbs and there were four of them. An additional smaller pair had appeared up on her temple to the side of her forehead. She had not been a human previously, nor had she been eye catching like Elyra so he had not really noticed what she looked like before. Now her skin was a bluish gray.

  Bonefiend on the other hand had definitely been human. Like the long leg spider core he was also apparently pushing his transformation forward. It was like his bones were pushing themselves to the surface of his skin, or he was beginning to grow an enamel-like covering. The white rounded edges of bone outlined his eyes and upper cheeks. It made Peter think of a witch doctor or a more realistic version of the skeleton man Halloween costume. His shaved head made Peter think of a lifer convict in prison. Not someone, he would want to run into in a dark alley.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Peter caught that Elyra put on her usual smirk as they approached out of the corner of his eye. Looks like she was quite pleased with herself having gotten two elites to track her and her group down.

  The long spider leg woman spoke first. “First you take out the butterfly core, then before we get the chance at challenging you, you go and do the same to the demon faction, and your friend does the same to the undead faction. Your group certainly is daring.”

  “Foolish, is the term I would use,” Bonefiend picked up. “Perhaps they feel invincible because they gained access to a bunch of holy type cards and figure those will carry them through,”

  Bonefiend was talking to Agatha like they weren’t even there. Basically saying they were beneath their notice, but he then made a show of looking at the screens. “Ohhhh, but it appears their supply is about to run out.”

  There were five different intermediate battles currently ongoing. The holy core was once again fighting for his life. Peter had bought him an extra year with his trade, but he was clearly losing ground this year as well. If he got double tap’d either last year or this year, then this would likely be the end for the core.

  Agatha picked it back up, “Or perhaps it is because two of them already got S tiers. One of them even has two.” Agatha said in an unconcerned tone.

  Elyra's expression became agitated. She clearly did not appreciate that someone in her group had outdone her in any manner. That or she felt the two elites before them should be directing their attention mainly at her.

  “Well, the insect faction usually lags behind in regard to S tiers, might have emboldened them. But then our master was not much different in that regard, yet not one of the millennials dared to challenge him. They are all at least 2,000 years older than him, yet the thought of taking him on made them shiver.”

  That comment earned Agatha an irritated glance from bonefiend. He did not appreciate anything that might be considered a blow against the demon millennial, but the long leg spider core was not paying him attention. She placed both hands on their table and lowered her gaze to Elyra's level.

  “But master is a funnel web spider. He likes to allow enemies to slowly descend into a place from which they can’t escape. Long leg spiders on the other hand go in search of our prey.” Agatha flashed her teeth. Her canines were longer than they normally should be, narrow, and sharp, like a spider’s fangs.

  Elyra just laughed. “I see you guys did not invite the undead faction. Why not because we haven’t defeated you like we have them yet. Crushing a spider would hardly be a noteworthy event where I come from.”

  Elyra then shot a derisive expression at Bonefiend, “And bonefiends are the worst type of demons. I should know, you know since I actually am a demoness and all. You can go on and keep playing demon with all your little wanna be demon friends.”

  They both glared daggers at Elyra. Then Agatha smiled smugly, her canines still sticking out, but this time they were directed at her own companion. “Yes, it is rather embarrassing that the undead and demons have such a glaring weakness. Perhaps that means that you will want me to deal with him.” Agatha turned her gaze toward Peter, who felt himself shiver despite himself. Bonefiend’s expression turned cold, but did not argue the point. The two had approached them together, but they were by no means friends.

  Bonefined likely did believe he could deal with Peter himself, and probably felt like doing so. But he was at least smart enough to put his feelings aside and consider how many more resources he would lose fighting a dungeon with a lot of holy type units.

  “I guess I can do that for you,” Agatha said turning toward Peter. “Now no holy cards to make up the difference. What will your answer be for dealing with me.. dear Peter.” she practically cooooo’d the last part. She could not harm him, but he was definitely creeped out.

  It was more of a ‘why someone would choose to become such a monstrosity’ feeling than that of being scared. Then again he also felt a surge of anger.

  “I don’t know… maybe a bug zapper,” Peter said smiling himself, refusing to look away despite feeling revulsion at the sight of her.

  “Or a big boot,” Gabriel off handily offered.

  Agatha’s smile widened showing that all of her teeth were pointed and not just her overly long canines. “Dear Peter, go ahead and bring your bug zapper, or a boot,” she said, turning toward Gabriel. “If you can find one big enough, that is… It wouldn’t make a difference. Now don’t try to run off.” With that the spider woman slowly walked away flashing them one final evil grin.

  “And sweet Elyra,’ Bonefiend said sarcastically, mimicking Agatha. “Next year we can see which of us is the better demon. Don’t worry after I put you back in your place, I will welcome you into my harem. Then I can show you just how great of a demon I can be.”

  “Ewwww,” Delilah said in conjunction with Elyra’s grossed out look. Bonefiend just laughed. “I’m so glad I wasn’t summoned into a creep like that’s dungeon.” she added.

  Then Bonefiend turned toward the rest of the group. “Don’t worry, we’ll arrange fights for the rest of you as well, so none of you go challenging someone else. I doubt the undead will try to step in. I’m sure they would need a chance to lick their wounds. Till next year.” With that the convict looking core departed toward the stairwell.

  “Well I guess everyone knows who they will be facing next year,” Gabriel said, clapping his hands. They all looked at him. Technically only Peter and Elyra’s opponents had been decided. “Common, it should be obvious. The demons will definitely want Gretchen and me. Gretchen for corrupted humanoid combinations and me for my fallen type. Bonefiend will have me take on his number two, Bael rock. Which means Gretchen will be with the Pit fiend. Hopefully she can finish the job. Predator, the bugs will definitely want you. They are a bit protective of Hive, so my guess would be the fire ant core.”

  It was obvious now that they thought about it. While the major factions wanted to deal with them, they would also be going after things they wanted. The demon faction had already targeted Gabriel twice due to his card type, and Gretchen and Predator’s card types would really only be beneficial to one of the factions.