The effects of ///Undead Dominance (F)/// is near diminished at this point, the undead on Floor 5 only slightly strained by the existential weight of Kindle's Trait.
Not only that, but there's no more Living Skeletons, now plenty of Lesser Spirits, Lesser Skeleton Mages, Lesser Zombies, and Lesser Skeleton Warriors, all LV. 5 and in groups. While Kindle's higher level proves to handle them well, the struggle is still there, having a sudden shift in the variation of enemies, and having those enemies actually capable of fighting back almost properly.
[NOTICE: LESSER SPIRIT (3), LESSER ZOMBIE (7), LESSER SKELETON MAGE (2), LESSER SKELETON WARRIOR (8) SLAIN]
[+200 XP; 210/850 XP]
The Lesser Zombies and Lesser Spirits go down best with a single Fire Bolt, though each Fire Bolt spell costs 3 MP. The skeletons go down easy with a good slash of Kindle's sword too, but the quantity proves to be decently taxing on both Kindle's MP and SP, requiring a break after each group, and no more experimenting with spell circles while traveling to preserve MP.
The traversal of the dungeon grows boring once more, but with shoddy robes over poor leather stolen from the fallen undead, Kindle has a bit more of a security blanket against blunt attacks, with the robe honestly just for extra style because they liked the look.
A few hours of repetition between boredom and danger, and Kindle finally reaches LV. 10, recieving the notification.
[NOTICE: LEVEL UP; VITAL STATS RESTORED; +6 AP]
[LV. 9 -> LV. 10; 30/1500 XP]
[NOTICE: LEVEL MILESTONE MET; EVOLUTION AVAILABLE]
Kindle pauses on the decent jump in their XP requirement, but turns their focus on their Evolution soon enough, far more excited for whatever they can become.
[PLEASE SELECT AN EVOLUTION OPTION]
[SKELETON MAGE]
[LESSER SKELETON SPELLSWORD]
[LESSER ZOMBIE MAGE]
[SPIRIT]
Kindle doesn't even have to take a bit to consider each option. Becoming a Spirit or Zombie doesn't interest them, and while evolving into Skeleton Mage would greatly enhance their magic, becoming a Lesser Skeleton Spellsword would mean they can limit the amount of threats they aren't prepared for, being good at physical and magical combat equally.
Once selected, the only external change is the mana core in their skull dropping into one of their eye sockets while another appears in the other, with their mana coiling tighter around the bones that make up Kindle.
[NOTICE: EVOLUTION COMPLETE]
[LESSER SKELETON MAGE -> LESSER SKELETON SPELLSWORD]
[+TRAIT ///NATURAL SWORDSMAN (F)///]
[+TRAIT ///INSTINCTIVE CHANNELING (F)///]
[+JOB CLASS "SIMPLE SWORDSMAN (F)"]
The flood of information is instant after the notice, the basics of wielding the sword in their hand suddenly instilling itself into Kindle. The cringe of recalling their previously crude strikes is just as immediate, suddenly feeling far more embarrassing now that the beauty of swordsmanship is known to them.
When Kindle finally shrugs it off, they move onto the next floor of the dungeon, eager to test their new skills.
[NOTICE: LEVEL UP; VITAL STATS RESTORED; +6 AP]
[LV. 13 -> LV. 14; 110/2100 XP]
It's been days now, with hundreds of undead falling to Kindle's sword and magic by now. ///Undead Dominance (F)/// stopped working on Floor 6, but even on Floor 9, Kindle has found no threat. They've learnt more efficient casting methods, practiced parrying the weapons of the Lesser Skeleton Warriors, and even gained a new Job Class of "Spellsword (F)" when they started regularly infusing mana into their strikes. It's a hefty expense of MP and SP each time they fight, but with breaks from extertion between, it's nothing difficult for Kindle.
Now that they're LV. 14, Kindle gets ready to move onto Floor 10, the final floor of the Farentz Dungeon. Not exactly sure what to do after clearing the dungeon, Kindle instead just hopes for the best and moves forward anyways.
The main difference between Floor 10 and all before is not like Floor 5, where all the undead were in their evolved form, but instead the fact that Floor 10 was a small arena guarded by a single Boss Monster, a Skull Hound. The undead beast is large, about the size of an adult Human despite being a quadraped, it's bones held up by the same form of mana holding up Kindle. A Diving Party could likely easily handle this as long as they were prepared, even if they were a bit underleveled.
Kindle, however, is far less confident. They knew how the other undead worked, was given the opportunity to understand them before fighting them. The Skull Hound does not ignore Kindle's presence like the other undead did, does not act as if they are kin. It simply rushes at the nervous skeleton, who immediately panics and begins avoiding the Skull Hound's thrashing claws.
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Kindle does not move to attack, does not look for opportunities. They don't know if they'd be able to put a scratch in it, don't know if they'll be able to evade or survive a counter. The robe over Kindle's leather armor dances with each backstep they take, the Skull Hound's menacing size doing Kindle's cowardice no favors as it's fangs knash with each extension of it's neck, every dodge Kindle makes met with an advance from the monster.
It does not bark, cannot bark, and Kindle cannot speak. The only sounds in the boss chamber are the thuds and clacks of the Skull Hound's weight with every movement and the quick, padded steps of Kindle's boots followed by the flap of their robe. All Kindle does is study the figure's movements, focused more on the potential risk than the potential openings.
Kindle does not want to die. Ironic for a skeleton, and pathetic for something chosen by a god.
[My, you really can't get over your first beating, can you?]
Once again, time slows to a halt, the fangs of the Skull Hound frozen mid their snap shut, and Kindle's own body mid maneuver while their mind still runs normally.
[I get you're concerned for your safety, little one, but I need you to at least consider yourself a bit more capable than this. It's not a good look on me, having such a capable undead like you so full of potential, yet so scared of new foes. What entertainment can you bring if you're avoiding interaction with an enemy?]
A quiet nothingness fills the space as Obsidian pauses, letting Kindle respond in thought. Kindle knows they're strong, but they also know how badly a fight can go unprepared. They still intend to do things, to face greater foes, but facing a threat they can't gauge the strength of only led to them on death's door last time.
[You are not incorrect in your belief that preparation surpasses boldness, but you are certainly not correct in assuming you should hesitate whenever you are uncertain. To think is to process and respond, not to lack action. But fine, I will grant you something that will allow you to understand your future foes properly, Kindle.]
Before Kindle can express internal gratitude, Obsidian continues.
[—but, I will only grant it to you once you slay this Skull Hound. I promise you, you are not incapable of defeating it. Not in the least, really.]
The laugh of Obsidian is the first laugh Kindle ever hears, and it's a mix of harmony and a cacophany at the same time.
[Please, just indulge my belief in the potency of your strength, and fight.]
Kindle can't respond before time begins it's march once more, and the maw of the Skull Hound snaps shut with a loud thunk of bone. Dodging the next swing of it's paw and moving to flank it while drawing their sword, Kindle doesn't let themself think at this point. Obsidian is a god after all, and if a god is telling them to act, to stop avoiding what they don't yet know, they will listen, even if their mind screams not to.
Channeling mana through their body and into their blade's edge, Kindle slices once across the exposed ribs of the Skull Hound from the first to the last rib, their mind blank with nothing but the word "cut" for a moment.
Kindle backsteps the next moment, watching the Skull Hound's reaction before stopping. The monster does not react. The sliced ribs fall off, the cut having cleaved them off like a knife through warm butter, and the beast falls over as it's mana struggles to maintain it's form. The amount of damage to it's HP from that single attack was nearly enough to kill it in one blow, and left Kindle stunned.
Not giving way to hesitation yet, Kindle snaps themself out of their stunned thoughts and rushes forward again, slicing through the scrambling Skull Hound's maw with another mana infused slash. Just as clean and lacking resistance as the prior slash, the Skull Hound's body collapses into a pile before Kindle even steps back.
When the quiet sounds of the dungeon acts only as a hum in their mind, Kindle slowly sheaths their sword once more, looking at the Skull Hound they were too hesitant to even attack mere moments ago returned to death with only two strikes.
[I told you, little Kindle. You needn't fear all that you do not know. You're practically bubbling now. Here is your reward for achieving an adorable little victory, though it costs me quite a bit.]
The fading giggle of Obsidian rings through Kindle as they recieve a notification from their system.
[NOTICE: PATRON {OBSIDIAN} HAS GIFTED YOU A BOON]
[+TRAIT ///WORLD EYE///]
[///WORLD EYE///: THE PERFECTION OF SIGHT. GRANTS THE USER THE CAPACITY TO SEE THE SYSTEM WINDOW OF ANY TARGET. (PATRON BOON)]
The Trait drills into Kindle's soul quickly, the finer details within their view suddenly becoming extremely precise, even the things farthest away and in their peripheral vision becoming clear. "The perfection of sight" was not an overexxageration.
Access to such a useful Trait doesn't help with the bubbling triumph in Kindle's mind, knowing how much certainty knowing every enemy they face will give them.
[Now then, you've done what you can in the Farentz Dungeon, little kindling, and now it is time for you to begin your journey beyond. Do be forwarned on your way out, it seems the ladies you had encountered days prior have informed the official Dungeon Guild of an odd skeleton running around in here, and there are a few local Dungeon Divers who intend to handle you. Either way, I wish you the best, my dear future firestarter.]
Despite Obsidian's initial comment of not wanting to give Kindle cutesie nicknames, he does so anyways as he bids farewell once more, leaving Kindle alone again. Despite how Kindle feels about the idea of being personally hunted by Dungeon Divers, their newest victory and boon has lifted their spirits and confidence, and their curiosity for the outside world grows stronger by the second.
With nothing left to do and directionless ambition pushing them forward once more, Kindle marches out of Floor 10 and back up to Floor 9, ready to begin the real beginning of their journey
NAME: KINDLE
SPECIES: LESSER SKELETON SPELLSWORD
SEX: N/A
XP: 110/2100
AP: 0
HP: 280/280
MP: 280/280
SP: 280/280
CON: 14
AGI: 14
DEX: 14
PER: 14
INT: 14
SIMPLE ARCANIST (F)
SIMPLE SWORDSMAN (F)
SIMPLE SPELLSWORD (F)
///BIOLOGICAL IMMORTALITY///
///WORLD EYE///
///UNIFIED FORM (F)///
///HEROIC POTENTIAL (F)///
///UNDEAD DOMINANCE (F)///
///INSTINCTIVE CHANNELING (F)///
///NATURAL ARCANIST (F)///
///NATURAL SWORDMAN (F)///
