Ashley took her usual stance behind Leo. She felt the pressure emanate from him as he prepared to fight. Felt it every time he did.

  It was like the air grew a little heavier, carrying something on it. She knew instinctively that whatever it was wouldn't hurt her, almost like being in the arms of a budding storm. Protecting her, while keeping out those who would do her harm. The analogy in her head didn’t make a lot of sense but it was how she felt.

  Leo had just shown up in her life out of nowhere. Saving her from a grim fate from that disgusting man who wouldn’t have stopped at just her ankle.

  Her boyfriend, whom she wouldn't admit she missed, had offered her up on a plate to those two animals. Tossed her aside like a piece of meat to save his own skin.

  Derek was supposed to be her soulmate, it had only been a year together but it felt she had known him forever. She loved him dearly and would have done anything for him.

  Yet he wouldn’t even put up a fight to try and save them both.

  A coward.

  A scared, selfish boy. Not like Leo. He didn’t hesitate to save her life for no more reason than it was the ‘right thing to do’.

  He’d almost died in doing so and hadn’t complained once. Not once did he think about running or giving her up.

  It was during the fight with the rogue where she first experienced it, the feeling she got during fights with Leo, only much, much more. It was like the air froze, time halted, and she dared not breathe in case that wrath descended upon her.

  What she felt now was more muted but somehow stronger, the fear she felt was also lessened. Not only had she grown used to the pressure, she came to actually enjoy it.

  Her heart felt full whenever she interacted with him—finding herself smiling without realising. It was a crush—she identified that much. Ashley told herself that it was because he had continuously saved her and protected her. Like a damsel from the movies where the action hero got the girl after being saved. it wasn't real.

  She had only known him a couple days, yet he had risked his life not once but twice in order to save her. He stepped through that dungeon portal into this rotten place without complaint or question. It was unthinkable to her for someone to be this good. Which made that feeling he gave off all the more interesting. And also worrying.

  How could so much bloodlust come from someone so nice.

  ~

  The young pugilist was eyeing up the wolves in front of him, hoping that they would both take a frontal approach towards him.

  He didn’t want one of them to flank him or get on top of Ashley. One of the first rules in gaming and forming a party was always; protect thy healer.

  He decided to take the initiative and move on them before they could surround him.

  A small fire lit up in his legs as he moved, heat rising. He pushed Fuel into his legs this time to see if it would increase his speed. From what he could tell from the short dash, there was not a noticeable increase. More strength didn’t mean more speed apparently.

  The wolves did not sit idly by as he approached, moving for a pincer attack as they split from one another. He fired an Ice Spike towards the wolf on his left, forcing it to dodge or take a hit straight on.

  It dodged, which gave him an opening of a one on one with the other. It lunged out with its many toothed maw, ready to clamp around his neck. It was a bit slower compared to the wolf from before, the levels he'd gained making things a lot easier.

  A precise sidestep made the wolf miss. Leo’s fist connected with its muscled hide. Another hit, then another. Three hits within quick succession on its side while it was still moving. Each hit felt like they hit harder than the last. His Iron Repetition already doing work.

  The strikes didn’t cost him extra stamina or mana. They just hit harder as long as he was hitting without being hit. He finished the four hit combo with a knee to its abdomen, pushing more strength into it and feeling the ribs crack as it was sent back a metre or so, rolling over in the dirt.

  Leo was unfortunately a bit too focused on this wolf that he got tunnel vision as the other wolf pounced.

  Leo reacted as quick as his reflexes would allow, but it still was going to at least slice him a bit with one of its many-clawed paws.

  Ashley had his back as usual, helping him cover his blind spots. A golden shimmer appeared around his torso. The attack caused the shield to crack but it held up, completely absorbing the damage.

  Internally thanking his godly healer, he then met the second wolf. It had only been a few seconds since he engaged the other wolf so his Iron Repetition still felt like it was in effect.

  He launched a low kick towards its hind leg as it had passed by him but as his strike connected, the familiar stacked weight behind it was gone.

  So it drops off when I hit something else, Leo realised.

  It made the skill a little weaker in multi-fight engagements but didn't lose out against a singular opponent. That was fine for now as most of Leo’s fights had been against a single opponent.

  Leo looked at the first wolf and noticed it was slowly getting up, giving him enough time to beat into this wolf in the meantime.

  He began to form an Ice Spike aimed directly towards its face as it turned towards him. He expected it to dodge or at least turn its head. The wolf angled its head away from him, creating a blindspot as it dodged the projectile.

  Leo took this chance to move into its blindspot and push a large amount of stamina into his fist as he fired his first Powerful Haymaker of the fight. The strike connected with the side of its head, as he felt bone snap, flesh split and the wolf go limp.

  He had basically decapitated it while its head was still attached. Its neck now broken, the beast paralysed, he finished it off with a stomp.

  You have slain: Corrupted Dire Wolf - Level 9

  Experience Gained

  +24 Store Credits

  The fight was basically over now. The other wolf approached, it's movement sluggish. It wouldn’t be able to put up much of a fight with its damaged ribs. Not that he'd let his guard down—he’d made that mistake once already.

  It was highly infuriated, whether that was because it had been hit or that Leo had killed its companion he couldn't be sure. It growled so hard and deep that he could feel it in his chest, almost akin to an attack.

  It was trying to intimidate him but Leo felt no such thing. It would take a lot more than this dying wolf to intimidate him.

  Leo met its ferocious gaze and glared right back, feeling his own lust for battle rise within him. It actually reacted and stopped growling for a moment as if it had lost a fight of intimidation.

  Leo took this opportunity and attacked.

  Two hits, one on each side of its face in two hooked punches, knocking it back and forth before hitting it one more time in the lower jaw with an uppercut that raised its head high. He then raised his leg and kicked out twice, all of these hits hitting harder than the last. With the last kick he pushed more fuel into it, glowing white with power.

  It was enough to finish it off, the body of the wolf crumpling under the force of his blows.

  You have slain: Corrupted Dire Wolf - Level 10

  Experience Gained

  +30 Store Credits

  The wolves’ flesh dissolved into puddles soon after combat. Leo checked for any Essence Crystals and… score! There was an Essence crystal in the level 10 wolf’s fleshy stink puddle.

  He held it up for Ashley to see. “Is that another Essence Crystal?” she asked excitedly.

  “It sure is, here.” He tossed it towards the healer.

  Catching it, she looked surprised. “Are you sure? Don't you have like fifty more things to unlock with all your Essences?”

  “Not quite,” he chuckled. “I got the first one so it’s only fair that you get this one.”

  “Alright, if you’re sure. Thank you.” She smiled, holding the crystal dearly.

  “Lemme know what you get, I love hearing about new skills.”

  She nodded and activated the crystal, the dim glow came from it before vanishing into her body. Her eyes glowed a sudden white, a light emanating from her body as if she was becoming a deity.

  Panic overtook Leo as he considered if there was something wrong with the crystal. He hadn’t identified it, simply assuming it was the right kind.

  “Ashley!” He shouted as she glowed brighter and brighter. He had to shield his eyes from it with how strong it had become.

  A moment later the light completely vanished and Ashley flopped down onto her hands and knees.

  Leo slid next to her, putting a hand on her back. “Are you okay?! Do you need a potion?”

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  She rose up onto her knees. “Woah! That was intense!”

  “What happened?” Leo asked, confused.

  “Apparently getting both Essence skills makes you more in tune with your Essence.”

  Ashley demonstrated by creating a fairly large light in her hand and morphing it into a small solid construct before she started to strain and dismissed it.

  “I thought you were dying!” Leo said, laughing. He hugged her quickly. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  Startled by the hug, Ashley made a small squeak before quickly hugging him back.

  “Well, what did you get?”

  She stood motionless for a while as she was probably reading the description. Her face was a little flushed.

  “It’s pretty good!” she shouted in elation, offering no more info.

  “Don't hold out on me. What does it say?”

  “It’s called Lightborn Instincts. The skill says that it raises my awareness of threats and danger while I'm healing or channeling light based spells. Also grants me a small damage resistance while active.”

  Leo whistled in amazement. “That’s a pretty great skill. Especially since your reaction times and timing are already incredible. You’ll be impossible to surprise.”

  “You really think I’m incredible?” She was a bit taken aback, her words holding none of her usual jest.

  “Of course. The shield timings from you have been insanely good. If you had played games before all this I bet you’d have been amazing. You have a real talent for this.”

  She beamed a radiant smile at him, seemingly glowing from the praise.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  He smiled back at her.

  “How about we check out this big metal thing?” Leo said.

  Ashley nodded. “Sure.”

  They walked to the door that was situated in front of them. Leo and Ashley stayed alert in case of any more wolves showing up from either side.

  As they got to the door, there wasn’t an obvious way to open it. No panels, no handles, just an archway of silver that looked like a door. He gently reached out and touched the metal, it was cool and smooth as he ran his hand along it looking for a switch or something.

  Suddenly, there was a shift as his hand went straight through the metal, it had turned intangible yet not transparent.

  The sensation was weird, like swirling a hand in liquid metal.

  “Looks like we have to walk through it,” Leo said skeptically.

  “Do you think this is the source of the corruption?” Ashley asked hopefully.

  “Could be. We have travelled pretty far into this forest at this point. It’s at least worth a look.”

  “Alright then, I’ll follow you.”

  Leo took a deep breath and pushed himself through the intangible metal door. As he passed through, his vision went black as the feeling of the cold metal spread over his body. It was not unpleasant—actually quite nice if he had to admit. Like being bathed in a cold jelly. It wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, but Leo wouldn’t complain.

  His vision cleared a second later and what lay before him was definitely different from the forest.

  It was a large open lab-like area, with workbenches and glass tanks full of specimens of nature or corpses of beasts. A purplish hue and the overwhelming feeling of rot infected the air.

  The only living creature he could see was a humanoid figure standing next to a workbench in front of a massive purple glass container. It had something inside but Leo couldn’t make out what it was due to the intensity of the colouration.

  Ashley had followed through straight afterwards, shuddering as she entered.

  “Eww, that felt gross.” She shuddered again, before looking about in the same intrigue and amazement as Leo.

  “Oh ho? Do I have visitors? Or perhaps intruders?” The man in the middle said without turning around. His voice was raspy and a bit unsettling, the pitch rising the more he questioned.

  Leo and Ashley said nothing but continued to stare at the man hunched over. The man then quickly turned around, like a puppet being spun.

  His features were gaunt and sickly, bags under his eyes as dark as the shadows of the room. His hair was missing in places with slight fleshy growths on his skin and scalp. He smiled a wide toothy grin, some of his teeth either black or missing.

  “What’s wrong friends? Are you unable to speak?” He asked while tilting his head.

  “What is this place?” Leo asked, voice neutral.

  “He speaks! Oh joy. I haven’t had a conversation with someone in… oh how long was it again…” He started counting his fingers before throwing his hands up. “No idea! Have you come to partake in my experiments? Perhaps to volunteer?” He spoke creepily and excitedly.

  Leo at this point identified him.

  Human - Level 8

  Even with such a low level, Leo didn’t believe for a second that meant harmless.

  “What kind of experiments? Are you the one who has corrupted this place?” Leo tried asking.

  “He's interested, he’s interested!” he cheered. “You’ve seen my work! Yes, yes. I wouldn't call it corruption however. That’s a little rude!” he suddenly shouted in anger, the glass and tools around him shaking slightly from the energy he expelled.

  Leo instantly got ready to fight after feeling the outburst, but the man’s anger seemingly vanished as quickly as it appeared.

  “No matter, no matter, he is simply uninformed.” The man waved his hand before pointing his bony finger at them.

  “You will join me in my experiments. I need fresh human subjects, I’ve never tried working on a female before, especially not one so pretty.”

  His eyes were predatory and Leo didn’t like it. He stood in front of her, glaring at the man.

  “We aren’t going to be experiments in your weird science you creep!” Ashley shouted from behind Leo.

  The man’s face turned from wild and joyed to still and eerie. His eyes turned up towards them as he tilted his face downwards.

  “It wasn’t a choice,” the man said coldly and Ashley gasped and started breathing heavily.

  She started muttering, “no, no, no, no,” over and over again. Leo grasped her shoulders and tried to get her back to her senses.

  “Ashley! Look at me!” he shouted.

  Ashley looked up towards him, tears in her fearful, unfocused eyes. Her teeth chattered so hard he was scared they’d break.

  “Whatever it is that’s scaring you, you’re stronger than it. Don't let fear rule you. I won’t let this guy do anything to you.”

  “Oh how sweet,” the man said in a singsong voice.

  He sighed. “I was in love once.” His look became wistful as he gazed up into the ceiling.

  “Now my love is dedicated to my work, and speaking of… Time to get back to it! If you wouldn’t mind hopping onto those tables there and strapping yourselves in, that would be… wonderful." He pointed towards bloodied tables with straps where the limbs would go.

  Leo turned towards the psychotic lab man, Ashley had thankfully calmed down a little from whatever had spooked her.

  “Not going to happen dude, time for you to stop all this,” Leo spoke resolutely, anger clear in his voice.

  “Stop? Why would I stop when it’s going so well?” He paused while tapping his chin before clicking his fingers in realisation. “Ahh. You think I am the threat. That I will be the one to detain you and force you to be my experiments.”

  He chuckled darkly, whispering, “Thing is… I don’t need you alive to experiment.” His demeanour changed once again.

  His voice became almost demonic. “I simply need flesh.”

  He smiled brightly. “And to bring me my flesh I shall let you meet my beautiful creation,” he said with a flourish. “Be honoured that you may witness my talent!”

  He pulled a switch on the console next to him.

  The tank behind him began shimmering and glowing, the liquid inside bubbling as whatever the machine was doing activated. The man was cackling like some mad scientist in a horror movie.

  “Come my Alpha! Kill those two and bring me their flesh!”

  The glass shattered and what was revealed was the size of a massive grizzly bear with the head of a grizzly and the body of a wolf/bear hybrid. It was thick and muscled on its hind legs like a bear but thin and agile on its front. What made it wholly different were the root-like appendages coming from its body and fur. The beast was demonic looking, its eyes mad and unfocused.

  Leo used Identify.

  Mawroot Alpha - Level 15

  “Oh fuck, that thing is level 15,” Leo whispered as it emerged.

  “15?! We have to run. We can hide in the forest until the timer expires and we can leave,” Ashley said in haste.

  “Yeah, you might be right,” Leo painfully admitted, he liked the idea of the challenge but not at the risk of Ashley’s life. He now understood why the System recommended five people, although even with three more people it wouldn’t be easy.

  Ashley tried to walk through the metal that they previously passed through, her body was stopped still. The metal had become solid once again. The door was closed.

  “It isn’t open!” she yelled, voice filled with panic.

  Leo tried to push through too, it was no use. They were seemingly locked in.

  The man laughed maniacally. “You are trying to leave?! Why would you leave when the fun is just beginning?” He continued laughing.

  “My precious Alpha! Go forth and do my bidding!” he shouted towards the creature, arms splayed out.

  The creature looked at him, sizing him up for a moment before its maw opened wide and clamped down, biting the upper half of the man’s torso and ripping him in half.

  Blood spurted everywhere as the man screamed. Leo and Ashley looked upon it in horrific surprise, they certainly hadn’t expected that. A notification appeared in front of Leo, but not from a kill.

  Quest updated!

  The Man who claims to have been spreading the corruption has been killed by that which he created. What lies before you now is the pinnacle of his work. Stop it and find the real source of corruption.

  Mawroot Alpha slain: 0/1

  Source of Corruption discovered: 0/1

  Reward - Varies upon completion

  Time before exit - 4 hours 12 minutes.

  Well, shit.

  There was no way out and they were stuck here until either death or four hours had passed. Even then, what if the exit was all the way back at the beginning? Fighting was their only option. Leo glanced at his resources.

  HP: 310/310

  MP: 154/220

  SP: 160/250

  He hadn’t sat and recovered enough after defeating those wolves.

  He had rushed into this place without considering they would be trapped. Not to mention the fatigue both himself and Ashley had accumulated. He’d forgone sleep and worked with just a brief nap. Outside the dungeon it was likely the middle of the night.

  Leo pulled out a stamina potion as the Alpha slowly munched on the corpse of the maniac. He chugged it down and felt the rejuvenating sensations as the fatigue from his muscles lessened, feeling invigorated.

  It refilled his stamina up to 210/250, a much better number, but he would have to be careful here not to overexert himself and leave himself open.

  The Alpha’s gaze swiveled towards them, noticing Leo drink the potion, the movement setting it off for whatever reason. It was probably on a hair trigger at all times. Reacting to the slightest noise or movement and killing it.

  It roared, rearing up on its thick hind legs before dropping onto its front again and charging forward.

  Right towards them.