Leveling up the World

Chapter 133: Hidden Threat

Chapter 133: Hidden Threat

It took a while for Vend and Dallion to reach the gate area to the next level. The entire time Vend didnt say a word, keeping an eye both on Dallion and the equine. It was obvious he didnt approve of the draw; it was more uncertainty than anger, although Dallion had still detected a modicum of fear.

While walking, Dallion noticed several other equinesof three different colorsobserving them at a distance. There were a few points at which the situation was tense, but thankfully, none of them attacked.

Thats one level less to worry about, Dallion thought. If Vend was right, they would be in the clear up to the eleventh level. There, things would become clear unless the plot didnt suddenly thicken. There was one inconsistency that kept bothering Dallion. So far, he had been told that the group had vanished on the eleventh or twelfth level. It was said that the people in question were scouts, but also it was implied that they were the ones guarding the gate from closing. While complicated, both of these could potentially be true at the same time. The biggest point of concern was the message Dallion had seen upon entering the sphere item: twelve floors out of twenty had been cleared. That meant that the gate to the thirteenth floor was also open.

Dont rely on draws too much, Vend whispered as the rest of the party came into view. And dont rely on creatures.

Can they break their word? Dallion asked out of curiosity.

People can. Why wouldnt others?

An interesting and rather dark question. The reaction of the rest of the group, though, made Dallion quickly forget it. The majority were impressed that they had managed to catch an equine so fast, and of course everyone gave the credit to Vend.

Dal! Falkner was the first to rush to him. What happened? How did you catch it?

Oh, Vend did most of the work, Dallion lied, not in the mood to go into details. Anything interesting happen here?

Nothing.

We were almost swarmed at one point, Bel said with casual annoyance. A few tried to have a go, but Spike scared them off.

As I said, nothing, Falkner repeated. Do you think that well see more action down on the lower levels? The boy turned back to Dallion, deliberately ignoring Bel. They say that the creatures after level ten are something else.

Dallion hadnt heard anything of the sort. Then again, he was just a packrat as far as the guild was concerned. If it wasnt for the emergency, he never would have participated in something as large in scale as a twenty-level item.

Cut the chatter, Spike grumbled. Dal, pick up your load and join the rats. We only get a few minutes for this, so dont waste time.

Everyone rushed into position. Much to his regret, Dallion had to get a few dozen weapons and shields once more. Despite this small adventure, once a packrat always a packrat.

When everyone was ready, Vend started the gate opening ritual. Dallion was very much looking forward to seeing how a gate opening in such an item worked, so he deliberately kept his expectations low. To his surprise, the event not only matched, but surpassed them.

Vends part was simple: taking a few crystal chunks from the ground, he arranged them in a circle, then took a step back. One by one the chunks glower green, then yellow, and finally white. A second circle of light formed on the surrounding ground, then a third. Rays sprouted from the edges of the circle like trees splitting into branches the further up they went. A dozen feet into the air, the branches of light intertwined, creating a circle of glowing leaves in the air, as the stems of light disappeared beneath. At that point, the equine stepped in. Unforced, it made its way to the center of the crystal chunks and waited.

For a split second, Dallion thought that the creature looked at him and muttered thanks. Barely was the word registered when the equine burst into a firework of bright lights that punctured the ground beneath it like a drill. Moments later, the circles of leaves descended from the air, forming steps of light in the hole as it went down.

Get going! Spike shouted. Fighters first, rats behind.

As the groups were formed, it was hardly a surprise that Dallion was grouped with Bel, just as it was even less of a surprise that Falkner joined them as well on his own accord. This was the point at which the first big division occurred. All the groups went to the twelfth floor, while the weaker members remained on the eleventh. Shortly after, Dallions group headed east, towards the end of the level.

I doubt theyve gone that way, Bel said with an annoying smirk.

I doubt theyre on this floor, Dallion said. Still, we have to start searching from somewhere and a wall is as good a place as any. Not to mention that it was furthest away from the source of Noxs anxiety.

You think theyre on the twelfth floor? Falkner asked.

No. I think theyre on the thirteenth. Dallion expected to hear some snarky remarks, but for some reason no one said anything, waiting for him to continue. Well, if you think about it, theres no reason for so many strong people to go down there while leaving the rest of us here. It would have been more efficient if the groups were divided in such a way as to cover both floors. The only reason I can think of for them leaving us here is that theyre going to try and clear the thirteenth floor.

But in that case, why take us along at all? It would have been simpler if only the veterans had gone.

Good point. And one to which Dallion had no adequate answer. I suspect there might be a chance that some of them are on this floor, after all. Since theres no point in wasting capable fighters here, we got the short straw.

I dont know. Bel scratched her ear. Sounds iffy to me.

Just as iffy as them leaving us here on our own.

Well, maybe

COMBAT INITIATED

Immediately, everyone drew their weapons. Even Dallion reached out to take his dartbow in anticipation of the worst.

Looking around, there was no reason for alarmthere wasnt a creature as far as the eye could see. Everything remained perfectly calm, and yet the red rectangle had appeared. If there was anything certain in this world, it was that the awakening markers and rectangles were absolute.

Anyone see anything? Dallion asked, looking in the distance in search of anything that could turn out to be a threat.

Nope, Bel replied, a pair of throwing knives in hand.

Nothing special, Falkner said. Maybe it was meant for another group?

Technically, it was possible, though Dallion doubted it. Something was out there to get them, he could feel it.

Nox, come out here, Dallion whispered. One part reluctant, two parts relieved to be near Dallion, the crackling emerged on his shoulder, claws carefully detracted so as not to shred Dallions thread armor. Sorry about this, buddy, but Ill need your help to find whats hunting us. You okay to give a hand?

Instead of an answer, the cub leapt off Dallions shoulder and dashed forward. Now the group had a direction to follow.