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When morning came, we crossed the body of water without travel. At Kyrian's protest, we cobbled together enough driftwood to build a raft of sorts. Spiky and unstable, but for the short distance required of us, it did its job.

"There's a lot more of these islets than I thought."

I looked to see where Kyrian was staring. Small patches of land, some sandy, some rocky; but all of them small enough to hold at least a house or a few people like the one we'd been on surrounded the immediate vicinity of Claw's Nest.

If we weren't in such a rush, I'd have searched every nook and cranny of this place. Who knows what items or monsters lay within.

"Keep an eye out for ambush." I muttered and paddled us towards the mainland.

It took us the better part of an hour. Much faster than swimming had been.

What looked like a mountain from the distance looked more like a spire. Curved arches that pointed straight upwards, surrounded by smaller spires that reached towards the middle like a outstretched claws. All of it was made of black obsidian. The blackness covered the cavernous holes that pockmarked the spires, revealing the dungeon system that lay underneath.

No trees on the island that I could see. Just rocky hills, jutting out in jagged formations. Plenty of cover, but no real places to hide. The sky was a clear blue. Not a cloud in sight. The sun was bright and ready, signaling the start.

We landed on the sandy beach of Claw's Nest.

｢You have entered a Special Field: Training of the Autarch ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch is now active ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Randomly Assigned Roles: Warrior, Assassin, Mage, Healer ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Warriors receive a random [Skill] from the [Warrior's Skill Kit] ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Assassins receive a random [Skill] from the [Assassin's Skill Kit] ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Mages receive a random [Spell] from the [Mage's Spell Kit] ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Healers receive a random [Skill] from the [Healer's Skill Kit] ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Orcs receive a random [Skill] from the [Autarch's Skill Kit] ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Disciples of the Six Heroes receive a random [Skill] from the [Six Hero's Skill Kit] ｣

｢ Field Effect - Training of the Autarch: Claim the [Autarch's Key] to make it permanent｣

Kyrian looked up sharply. "Did you feel that?"

"I did."

"Foreign mana just entered my body." He stared at his staff. "A new spell."

It was the same for me. But I hadn't recognized it for what it was. I could imagine it though. The relics related to the Six Heroes always had some [Special Field] protecting them. If this was the [Autarch's Key], it could only be one of three [Special Fields]. Since [Presence of the Autarch] was present only during the boss fight, that left two. One was [Grave of the Autarch], protecting his equipment. The other…

[Training of the Autarch].

I remembered seeing the system logs in the videogame version. The best character to come here was as an orc, so I always brought one or two orc party members. Then there was that useless line, where you could receive a skill from the [Six Hero's Skill Kit]. In the game, there was no way to become one of the Six Heroes, so naturally there was no [Disciple of the Six Hero] title.

But now…

Knowledge had flooded into my brain, akin to the metaphorical lightbulb going off.

Two new skills.

The Warrior Skill: [Spiral Stab].

Most [Skills] are like that. They're not anything special. Just enhanced moves of something a character can already do, like [Leap] for the Tiger-totem berserkers. As a rule, [Skills] are generally less supernatural than [Abilities] which reside in Cores. That could be because [Skills] are embedded in the character itself, unlike [Abilities] which could be erased along with the Core.

The second skill though, broke that rule.

[Weapon Break].

A stable skill for the martial-type [Six Heroes]: [Sword Saint], [Autarch], [Mushin].

All major boss-fights have one.

A direct AOE used by the boss to create space. The [Sword Saint] would stab his sword in the ground and summon countless mana-swords stabbed outwards like a spiked shell. The Autarch summoned the same one, except his was made of dozens of different types of spears, halbers, axes and pikes. The [Mushin] created fists. A move that couldn't be dodged even with a dodge-roll.

Not their most powerful skill, but definitely one of their most used ones.

Create space, defence and offense, feints…

'...I should try and touch the [Autarch's Key], even if it's just once.'

If I was lucky, I could walk away from this with a new skill. So far, the only one I had in my repertoire had been [Cut].

"Kyrian, you said you got a new spell?"

"Yes. [Paralyzing Ray]."

That was a good spell. Rare too. Some spells can't be learned through regular means in Mage Towers and this was one of them. Definitely not a textbook spell.

It explained why Kyrian looked uncomfortable. For a Mage of Turina and Babel Towers, he was probably only used to spells that were studied, outlined and shared to the mass public. Not esoteric ones. With this, he had grown as an adventurer yet again.

"Come on then, let's not stay too much out in the open." I said and waved him on.

Slinking out bodies low to the ground, we began to stalk through the rocky outcroppings. We stuck to the shadows, trying our best to keep hidden.

"This reminds me of the underground prison in Samak City." Kyrian whispered as we turned a corner.

"When you basically threatened Skaris and I into adopting you?"

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"Must you bring that up?"

"Yes."

Kyrian let out a frustrated sigh. I smirked. The story bothered him. I think looking back, he regretted how he handled it. It was all the signs of an awkward Turinan-mage trying to deal with types of people he'd never dealt with: a beastman and a non-Turinan human slave. But I remembered the story fondly.

"Lock, what's our plan?" He said after a few more minutes. "What are we looking for?"

We happened upon a few entry ways. Tunnels, barely large enough for us to squeeze through, led to the main dungeon. But I shook my head negatively at each one, passing them up and continuing our painstakingly slow scouting of the island.

"Preferably, I'd like to gather our allies." I muttered. "Our party, first and foremost. Zenom and Arrosh would be a close second."

I was worried about my party members. Aurora, Stole, and Skaris.

"I'm worried about them too." Kyrian echoed my thoughts. "But that doesn't explain why we skipped the entryways."

"I'm looking for footprints. Sounds. Anything that alerts me to another presence." I replied, "Whether it's our party or not, it's good for us. We can get some information. Maybe even pick off a wounded enemy."

"Understood."

We scouted around the island for a few more hours. The passage of time was marked by the passage of the sun, which had started out in the East. But now, the radiant orb lay straight over our heads. Both of us were sweating from the heat and found shelter underneath a tall slanted slab of stone. With the help of the shade, we were starting to cool down.

"No one. Not even a single footstep." I muttered, worried. "Not a single voice, not another presence on the island."

Kyrian didn't respond.

"Maybe they're already in the tunnels." He said at last.

"Could be."

I had to stay hopeful. Despair would not help.

Yet…

A sickening feeling was settling in the bottom of my chest. Nervousness. Fear. Panic. Worry. It made me want to run, cough, breath in till my chest was about to burst, do something.

My comrades were strong. But accidents always happened. Death…

Death was no stranger to the life of an adventurer. Even on a regular expedition, accidents happened.

Maybe it was because I got out ok. But thinking back to the encounter with the Imugis and the [Player's Guild], atop the ships…

That's not something you experience everyday. Even as an adventurer.

'Stay calm.' I told myself.

"Perhaps we should scale the spire?"

"...We'll be out in the open." But even while replying, I turned my own attention to the spire. The huge jutting structure in the center of the island.

"Well, we've been walking around here for hours. Nothing."

I nodded. "Anohter hour. Let's comb the shores for another hour. If nothing… then let's head to the spire."

"Then let's move. Daylight is fading."

"It's only the afternoon."

"No point in wasting time." Kyrian shoved himself to his feet.

I eyed the fragile mage. Mages weren't built for long treks like this. Normally in a party, Mages and Healer-classes were the first to get [Mounts]. Horses, Items, Summons, whatever you could get your hands on.

Kyrian robes were soaked with sweat. Not to mention, he had been limping slightly over the last hour. He himself didn't notice, but my instincts picked up on the weakness right away. But like me, he seemed impatient to find the others.

"...Ok, but let me take a look at that ankle first."

He rolled his eyes but obliged.

No swelling. A bit of tenderness but that was normal.

"Satisfied?"

I nodded sharply and we resumed our hike.

This time, Kyrian took point while I brought up the rear. That way, he could set the pace. With this slower rate, I could more thoroughly search for clues. My [Hearing], [Smell] and [Sight] stat worked overtime.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Half an hour.

Kyrian turned a corner, briefly disappearing from my view. His footsteps halted. Unnaturally, like he'd found something.

"Lock." He hissed.

I immediately ran to catch up.

Three people.

A thin elf with unusually gaunt cheeks had notched an arrow to his bow, pointed straight at Kyrian. "Stop right there."

Behind him stood his traveling party. A well-armored elf with a shield facing our direction. Behind her, a dwarf.

I recognized all three of them from Delas' party.

[Players].

"Fuck," the dwarf spat whatever he was chewing on the ground, "It's Slaveborn."

Both the elves' eyes widened in recognition.

"Shit." The archer repeated.

While they were still stupid, I drew my sword.

"Wait, we don't have to fight." The archer spoke hurriedly and he lowered his bow.

"Kyrian, don't lower your staff." I snapped when Kyrian was about to follow suit. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his staff being raised again.

"Godammit all, can't catch a fucking break!" The archer raised his bow and pointed it towards us again.

"Don't bother." the elf woman muttered and she lowered her shield. "You saw him at the ship."

"And what? Just fucking lie over to die? I ain't like you Americans!" The Dwarf sputtered.

"Slaveborn," The woman ignored him, walking past them and taking two steps; so that she was exposed. Considering that she was holding a shield, it didn't matter if she was exposed or not. "Do you know who I am?"

"Players. Delas' party." I kept my words clipped, my brain still figuring out how to best deal with this situation.

"I'm Freir." The elf woman introduced herself. "This is Jourgan." She introduced the gaunt-elf, "And this is Mamar."

I narrowed my eyes. What was she trying to do here?

"On the ship, we didn't help Delas. We disagreed with him about how to handle this situation. We are not part of Nathan's branch, either." Freier continued. "If you let us go, we're willing to part with some information."

"You know where Delas is?"

I studied them.

Did I need information?

Yes.

Jourgan and Mamar traded a look.

"Not yet." The grubby little dwarf licked his lips. "Well, truth be told, we're not looking for him, you see. We're trying to leave this island. So we haven't been looking for him."

"Leave? How?"

Freir calmly dropped her shield and traced sigils on the air.

Religious Sigils.

Kyrian's mana surged in response, trying to cut her off.

"Wait."

A droplet of mana fell from her hands, falling to the ground. It swirled, spinning, and expanding. The edges stretched out wide, creating a summoning portal.

"Come." Freier whispered.

[Pegasus].

…A mount.

"You're not a shielder." I said, "You're a Priestess of the Nine."

"How?" Kyrian's voice held a note of surprise, "Clover Weinport should be the only non-human clergy…"

"Of course. Delas brought his own healer, because he's been planning to betray Zenom from the start." I explained for Kyrian's benefit.

I should've seen this. I should've known this. I did the same with that Orc Priestess after all.

Freier nodded. "Yes. I'm a cleric, a Priestess of the Nine. I can also summon an aquatic mount. But we weren't sure about taking our chances out on the open sea. So we've been searching for resources, or other clues, before making a final decision."

"Are ye crazy?" The Dwarf, Mamar, stomped up and grabbed the edge of Freier's armor. "He's still an enemy! Why are you just showing your skills?"

I began to slink up. "She's a priestess… with [Mount] unlocked. Useful."

"And you?" I asked Mamar. "What are you?"

"Wha-?" He stared at me. "I'm–"

"Delas wouldn't have more than one healer. Maybe a Mage… but he planned to bring Coum. A shielder… he had Tanya. Which leaves Pioneer… Astelion had [Accessories] and [Charms] that a Pioneer uses, so that'd be him…" I turned to Jourgan. "You're the same as Delas… stealthy… but he wouldn't bring another [Assassin] class unless you had something that set you apart…"

"Hey, back up, back up!" The dwarf brought out a hammer and shield, revealing his class.

"That's not even a shielder's shield." I continued, stepping towards him, "What are you?"

"Back up!"

"Oh shit." I heard Jourgan say behind me.

"You were just there to fill space." I said, reaching my conclusion.

My sword slashed out and cut Mamar's arm off at the shoulder.

｢Lock Slaveborn casts [Ascension] on [Hateful Wound] ｣

｢[Hateful Wound] ascends to [Insidious Lasceration] ｣

The wound exploded into blood as usual, drowning out the dwarf's screams.

The blood spraying through the air coagulated immediately, whipping through the air like whipcords that had been suddenly cut. Turning into blades with enough water-pressure to cut diamonds, they turned back on Mamar, lacerating him from shoulder to hip. Simultaneously, the blood around his shoulder cut into him, cleaving into his body from the wound itself like cracks appearing in his skin.

Hundreds of tiny cuts dug into him from the inside out.

It procced [Artisan of Battle]. Inky tendrils wrapped around his body, turning to branches and skewering him from skin to organ.

[Attack] buffs began to flow into me.

｢Lock Slaveborn casts [Ascension] on [Artisan of Battle] ｣

｢[Artisan of Battle] ascends to [Virtuoso of Murder] ｣

｢ Mamar Gronos has less than 10% HP ｣

｢ Calculating difference between Mamar Gronos [Defense] and Lock Slaveborn's [Attack]...｣

｢ Calculating difference between Mamar Gronos and Lock Slaveborn's Level… ｣

｢ [Virtuoso of Murder] requirements met! ｣

…

…

…

｢ [Instant Death] ｣

The ink transformed, wrapping around themselves. It turned almost serpentine, coiling around Mamar's body, again and again and again. Thick scales the size of my hand, a snake-like body thicker than my waist, condensing and turning into a ball, tightening and tightening…

Pop!

Nothing remained.

Just stains of blood on the ground.

｢Lock Slaveborn is out of Mana! ｣

｢[Imugi Cultivation] increases [Mana Regeneration] at the expense of [Health] ｣

｢[If only I had a Body…] increases [Imugi Cultivation] effectiveness by 50%! ｣

Two casts of [Ascension]. One cast of [Hateful Wound].

"Oh god."

I turned.

"You?"

"G,G,Ghost Chameleon. Grade-7. I, uh, I got the [Ghostly Shroud] ability." He was sweating, "I can, I can get us around. How we got around without getting caught until now."

"You lead the way."

Without a word, Freier fell into step behind us.

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