The Pinnacle Warrior

Class evolution quest: Open yourself up to an attack from an enemy, using that opening to deal a crippling or killing blow to the enemy. Progress: 0/20

Note: For any Class evolution quests that require the killing of an enemy, the enemy slain must be within five levels of the individual completing the quest.

Astrid nodded to herself, relatively unconcerned with the assignment she’d been given. Yes, there was more risk involved in the assignment than what she usually took in her usual fights, but not so different as to be particularly worrisome. Plus, she wasn’t going to lie to herself and say that she didn’t already do that sometimes. Probably why she got the Class in the first place… Anyways. For now, she was happy to know what she was supposed to be doing. 

The only thing slowing her down for now was just getting to a place where they could, with any regularity, be expected to find enemies that were level 15 or higher. They existed here on the first floor, but far from commonly enough for her to make any progress with the quest. Then, of course, there were the quests that her party members were sure to have. How many level 15+ monsters would the party have to kill to evolve, she wondered.

Instead of thinking about what they could be, Astrid turned to her party with a curious gaze. “My quest is to kill 20 monsters by opening myself up to an attack in the process. They have to be at least level 15.”

“Mine is similar. Kill 20, but before they recognize my presence.” Muti reported. “Become an ambusher, effectively.”

“Can they be wounded before that?” Astrid asked.

“No. It needs to be killed entirely by my own efforts.” Muti replied.

“I figured as much. How about you, Skandr?”

“I have to create a spell.“ He answered, scratching at his chin. “I’ve actually been working on one similar to what it’s asking for, so I might be able to pass the quest quickly, but I wonder if I instead delay completing the quest. I might take that time instead to be able to get some practice in with Enchantment and Storm Administration, like you said. But I don’t know how much experience with Storm Administration I can get without accidentally completing the quest, so I don’t want to push myself too hard and end up accidentally finding myself evolving early. On that note, do any of you know if you evolve the moment you pass the requirements or if you have to give permission?”

“I’m pretty sure that you need to acknowledge the prompt from the Great One before you’ll evolve.” Astrid answered, looking at her companions. The only one who did anything other than shrug helplessly was Benedict, who nodded. The look on his face was far from inspiring confidence, but at least it made for two people who thought the same thing.

“I guess maybe you should hold off on actually attempting to cast the spell anytime soon, and then once one of the rest of us ends up finishing our quest, we’ll be able to know for sure.” Astrid suggested. Skandr nodded his agreement, and the other two members of the party did the same. Then, with nobody having said anything, Astrid turned to the three men who hadn’t disclosed their evolution requirements yet. Finally, Benedict spoke.

“I actually have to kill some things. 10 things, to be exact,” he answered. “Consider me curious and surprised, but the quest doesn’t technically require me to deal the killing blow. Instead, if I deal with a crippling blow or leave it open to a killing blow, that counts for me as well, so long as Scathing Scream is the reason why the monster was killed in the end.”

“Ah, the willingly reticent Bard is finally a fighter!” Muti chuckled. “This will finally allow the rest of us to see the strength of your spine!”

Benedict looked up at her for a moment before shaking his head. “I know that we’re always making jokes. You, Felix and Astrid are brutes, me and Skandr are weak. I’m fine with that. All joking aside, I really don’t know what your obsession is with seeing me kill things. It’s not like I don’t do anything. I mean, I’ve saved your life with healing, and I’ve stunned bosses and enemies, and, discounting stupid things I say, I spend my days helping the party for as long as we’ve known each other. We’ve been together for what, a bit over a year now? Are you really that eager to see me kill something? I don’t see why that will change the way you look at me.”

Muti cocked her head to the side, her golden hair flopping as she did so. “Killing your enemies is the greatest form of respect that you can give them. That way, their defeat fuels your growth and their flesh can feed your people. We don’t need to eat these monsters, but killing an enemy is the ultimate respect, showing their worth even in death by giving experience, sustenance, and materials.”

As she repeated the sentiment, Astrid squinted. Muti would often say things like this, but, with the very brief moment of peace that the party had, Astrid thought about why Muti’s people would think this.

To Astrid’s very limited understanding, the plains where the Hordes lived were inhospitable to the extreme. Very few animals could survive the climate, while vegetables and domesticated plants couldn’t grow either. There was very little, if any, water, and everything that survived was harsh and tough to the extreme just in order to survive. The Hordes, before the appearance of the Dungeon hundreds of years ago, were rebellious enemies of Humanity’s country, and were being chased to the edges of civilization as they were eradicated. At least, that’s what Astrid had always been told. She wasn’t so sure if she could believe that, now that she’d seen Barbarians as people as well as enemies… regardless of their history, the Barbarians now were a people who lived in a land that, for lack of a better way of saying it, actively wanted to kill them. Little to no moisture, nothing to eat, no natural resources beyond strong winds and overwhelming sunlight, and yet they survived. In fact, they thrived by throwing themselves into the Dungeon and danger every day.

Victory before death and blood before affection. Something that Muti frequently said, at least early on in their association together. Now, Astrid thought about why her friend’s people would live that way. As soon as she thought about it, the answer was obvious and simple: they had no other choice. They needed to be hard, they needed to take every advantage they could get, and they could never turn down an opportunity to get more, because if they did, they would die.

Her distracted thinking was brought back on track as the conversation continued, “Well, I suppose that’s where we’ll disagree.“ Benedict said. “I’m going to do what I need to to evolve and not drag everybody down, but I don’t think of killing as particularly respectful.”

“That is not a surprise.“ Muti‘s response came quickly, and was not at all unkind. “The world in which you live is not one that I would take away from you. But I am happy to see that you will become someone who can fight for what you need, because, in the end, everyone must fight for something.”

Benedict nodded and stopped engaging, though he didn’t seem particularly upset. Instead, he just looked baffled and scratched at his head. “How are we going to make sure we all get what we need to evolve?” He asked Astrid.

“Well, before that,” Astrid said, turning to Felix, “we’ll need to talk to Felix about what his quest is.”

Benedict looked at the Bodyguard and squinted for a moment, thinking. “You’re right. You haven’t said anything yet. Why are you holding out on us?”

Felix took a threatening step towards Benedict, who put both hands up in surrender and bowed his head. “It was a joke, I know, it’s my fault. I’m sorry.”

“You know, your apologies would go a lot further if you weren’t laughing as you apologized.“ Felix grumbled, though he did stop approaching the Bard. “Also, maybe if you cut off some of that mop, I’d take you more seriously.”

“My hair is curly and I like it a little longer, I don’t know what else to tell you.” Benedict answered. His pale skin flushed with the comment, and he pointed at Felix’s close cropped blonde hair. “I don’t like looking like a toe, so I let my hair grow. You stick to your own ill-conceived ideas.”

Skandr didn’t enter the argument, but the mirth on his face was obvious as Astrid stepped forward. “Frankly, I couldn’t care less about either of your hair. Felix, answer the damn question so we can make a plan. We’re wasting time.“

As soon as she said it, the entire party stiffened. Despite everything else, this was a race, and every minute lost was a potential minute that cost them a boon.

“I need to kill 20 monsters while defending other people. Keeping people behind me while I kill them should be enough.“ The immediate report and speed with which he spoke would be comedic if it wasn’t for the reality of their situation.

“Then this is what we’ll do. For now, we’ll focus on Muti and Benedict. You two have more demanding requirements, if you ask me. For me and Felix, I just need to fight a little riskier while he just needs to focus on killing more. We’re focused on speed, so Muti, I trust you to be able to pick out the most powerful members of whatever group we come across. Hit them fast and hard, and you should be the first to be able to evolve. Benedict, once we’re in combat, focus on the strongest that’s still standing after Muti carves her path in. By the time we hit the sixth floor or so, which will either be today or early tomorrow, we’ll be coming across about 20% of monsters that are at least level 15.

At least, that’s what the brief says we should expect. At that point, we’ll work harder on getting all of us moving on our quests. Any complaints?”

Everybody shook their heads, and Astrid gestured for Muti to lead the way. She did so, and Astrid jogged next to Skandr as they continued forward.

“I don’t intend for this to be an insult, but do you want me to carry you? So you can study and work on your spell as we go?”

“What?“ Skandr blinked several times, his face so confused it forced Astrid to laugh. Finally, she repeated,

“Do you want me to carry you so that you can study without having to worry about running?”

***

Caelum

“As, I’m sure, the only party with three rare and two very rare Classes,” Caelum directed his followers, “these boons are ours to lose. And I refuse to lose. You will follow my every command without hesitation, doubt, or fear. If you do so, I will lead you to victory. When I am Iron, I’ll be able to provide better contracts to you, which will grant greater buffs. As such, to overcome your own Class quests, it is in your best interest to see that I ascend sooner rather than later. Any questions?”

When no questions were voiced, he smiled a thin smile. His only regret was that that wench wasn’t around to see him when he gained his Class. Technically, different from what he’d said, it was rare, not very rare, but with the Boon of Potentiation he gained at level 16, it might as well have been. Paired with the Boon of Ascension he gained at level 11, he could bring her under his heel when they came in contact once again. Of course, that would have to be outside of the Trials, as she and her party wouldn’t ever be close enough to him to come in contact until the month was over. Of course, assuming she wasn’t killed before that.

And what would he do with the Barbarian? He wouldn’t mind a new pet… and a Domineering Count deserved pets. 

***

Cresche

Then I am the only who managed very rare? Cresche asked their people. 

Yes, I’m afraid. It appears our roots did not manage to tunnel deep enough. We will have to rely on you to be the trunk from which our branches grow.

That was always my responsibility, came his response. As a Grove Warden, they could draw on the mass and strength of their Grove, and though they may be forced to find others to fill their Grove after the Trials, for now, this Grove would work in tandem. Cresche had already known what their assignment was, to acquire a Boon of Supplementation, and return to their home. And they would not fail.

***

Luzara

“Four very rares? Mazkha, you failed. Prove yourself in the Trials, or you’ll find yourself without friend nor tribe when the Trials draw to a close.“

“Of course. I will prove myself worthy of your leadership.” Her quiet response was firm enough that Luzara kept himself from continuing to address her.

“See that you do.“

There was no need for additional words, and once he became a Bear Knuckle Devastator, the rest of the inhabitants of the Trials would see that, even if he had no supporters, Luzara himself would shred through everything that stood in his way to beyond the 50th floor.

***

Defender

The small squad of Hiveguards stopped between the first and the second floor for a brief period. Defender, as the leader, made all the commands in battle, but that was all they needed to do. Their Mother had commanded that the squad go as deep as fast as they could. Their paths were laid out for them, and each had qualified for a rare variety of their Class. Defender knew that something would change once they evolved to Iron. The group was all drones right now, but when they evolved… it would be different.

Thinking was too hard. The five instinctually understood what they needed to do to evolve and, after taking only a few seconds to ensure that none needed help from Healer, they continued on their path.

***

Kalta

“Prove yourself.”

The words of the Hordemaster himself rang in Kalta’s head. He drew on the frustration of being put in his place, on the need to survive, on the hunger he’s been made to withstand, of the Humans with their magic pouches and prepared equipment and easy lives, and threw himself deeper into the rage. A small thread of rationality remained within him, and he fought to feed it enough to keep it alive, but not so much as to fatten it or allow it to think it was safe.

With a scream, he swung both axes through the orc in front of him. It fell in three pieces as he threw himself forward to the next enemy. Berserker Leader was a Class he never imagined would be offered to him. Now, he just needed to perfect his fury to gain it. With another scream, he stepped forward with his left foot and spun over a half turn. Halfway through the movement, his axe met the shield of an orc. The axe didn’t stop.

There was some small measure of progress, he could feel it, but the thread of his rationality slowly burned away, and an animal rage threatened to overwhelm him. With heaving breaths, he pulled himself back, allowing his party to attempt to advance in their own Class quests while he mastered himself to limited effect. Even so, it was what he needed to do. His Class quest and the Hordemaster demanded it.

***

“And you’re sure you can’t carry me too?” Benedict whined.

“As sure as I can be,” Astrid answered. “Besides, Skandr never complains about having to keep up, and his Alacrity is something like half of yours. We’re trying to give him an opportunity to catch up in Skill quality, and you have to kill some monsters. Everything’s where it should be. I think Muti is in position.”

Astrid tapped on Skandr’s leg as she said that. He took several seconds to pull himself out of his own mind, which Astrid considered a good sign, and then got onto his feet. He walked a little bowlegged after spending 20 minutes at a time piggybacking on her, but the man never complained. Instead, he showed genuine gratitude and progress as he experimented with controlling his Lightning Bolts and Lightning Reflexes as he used them. There was some limited effect so far, but Astrid could see some of that hopelessness fading away as he grew more competent and confident.

Fortunately, the Lightningmage had ensured he had gotten some sleep the night before. Of course, Astrid herself had made sure to pull him out of his studying about an hour after everybody had finished eating, but once he was back in the same world as everybody else, Skandr rested. Resting in the stairway was almost second nature at this point, the party had spent so much time in the Dungeon until now. When they woke, they made their way onto the seventh floor, and that they’d already made it that far by the morning of the second day was heartening. As such, the party had made a decision to slow themselves only slightly to give themselves a better chance of having at least two people in Iron tier before they got to the 11th floor, where their competitors would appear. Now, today, Muti was positive to get the evolution, and Benedict was getting close.

“Were these dragonborn or lizardfolk?“ Benedict asked as he pulled out his flute.

“Lizardfolk.” Astrid answered. “The frills are the big difference. Dragonborn sometimes have cheek frills, but the lizardfolk always have spine frills. Dragonborn have elemental breath, are a bit taller, and don’t live in swampy places like this, at least usually.”

“I knew all the rest, just wanted to verify which of the two they were.” Benedict grumbled. 

The party said nothing else as they made their approach. They’d learned that if they were found, that didn’t impact Muti’s ability to progress on her Class evolution quest, so they would approach to give an additional distraction, allowing their Rogue to possibly kill more. The kilometer–eating pace they needed to keep up was grueling for Benedict and Skandr, while the other three were doing just fine. Then, as the monsters hissed and shrieked, Astrid said, “It’s time. Get ready!”

Then, Muti made her appearance and shredded through two brawny lizardfolk in the back of the group. When she screamed in victory, Astrid knew what it meant. 

The party had their first Iron tier.