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Chapter 322 Traps and Treasure
🕑 Added 2019-10-08 08:56:51 +0000 UTCAuthor's note October 8th: Hey all, new chapters up and more hopefully coming on Thursday :).
I rewrote chunks of 317/318 due to some of the very warranted criticism. My goals were to:
1. Make the elves a little less annoying
2. Ilea's focus to be both the Praetorians and the elves and not Just the elves
3. Change the feel a little to hopefully make it more exciting instead of the letdown many of you experienced
Let me know what you think of those changes. Again, thanks for all the feedback. Due to the volume it sometimes takes me a while to get through it all.
Thanks also to all the new patrons! I swear I didn't intend to cliffhanger force you to subscribe! Now that you're here, I hope you enjoy the chapters :).
Cheers
Chapter 322 Traps and Treasure
The three watchers joined the elves again, Ilea watching in fascination as Neiphatos wood wrapped around a bleeding cut on Seviirs shoulder. Mana flowed into it, quickly taking care of the injury. He looked at her and seemed a little embarrassed, I learned it after we destroyed the Praetorians it wasnt available before ,
She nodded, somewhat enjoying the fear in his eyes before she smiled, Im fucking with you. Good to see you have a healer now.
The elf looked confused, glancing at Heranuur, I thought you were fucking with him.
Youre fucking elves? Bold move. Maro said, chuckling.
Ilea rolled her eyes, Its a figure of speech Neiphato. Why bold Maro?
The king didnt back off, Just the proclaimed enemy of all humans you know. Been like that even in my times. You know they eat human flesh?
Neiphato and Niivalyr looked away as Seviir hissed, They dont look that bad to me. Plus I can regenerate myself. Unlimited food supply Maro. Saves a lot of money for the household in the long run. Ilea explained slowly, making sure the king would understand such complicated economic decisions.
I thought the number one enemy of humans is other humans. Terok said from behind.
What? Maro asked, No back in Rhyvor we lived in perfect harmony. We were actually overwhelmed by monsters in the end because nobody had any combat classes anymore. Very sad to see that perfect utopia gone. He nodded seriously.
Ilea could tell making fun of Rhyvor and its people was reserved for him alone, not adding anything as she clasped Neiphatos shoulder, Make sure to level that skill. Its going to be the game changer in this group.
He nodded, looking into her eyes again as he smiled, Thank you. I believe we all learned that from you.
Ilea leaned over to Maro, keeping her hand on Neiphatos shoulder, See? Look how fucking cute this guy is. Enemies of humanity? I think not. The elf turned a little red, Ilea letting go of him to advocate her stance against torture.
They do look very pretty. Maro confirmed, How do their women look you think?
This time not only Seviir hissed but Niivalyr too, Neiphato even putting a hand on his chest as his expression turned serious again in an instant, wood forming on his back as he apparently prepared to fight. Our females are what you know as Oracles. He pushed Niivalyr a little, staring into his eyes, It is a great insult to suggest what you just did. To someone under their influence at least. Niivalyr glanced at Maro and then at Neiphato, calming down again before stepping away, turning his back on the group.
Now I want it even more. Maro said before a barrier slammed him away, the necromancer sliding for a couple meters without any visible damage dealt to him. Ilea couldnt help but laugh, joined by Maro and Heranuur quickly thereafter. Seviir hissed again but Ilea could tell he wasnt too serious either. Niivalyr just shook his head as his claws retracted again. A sigh left him as Neiphato walked up to him and patted his back.
Ilea clapped and moved on, looking back at the others. Neiphato smiled at her, Us two will stay back for a moment if that is alright. She nodded in understanding before stepping into the elevator. The group followed.
Any traps? She asked, Terok simply activating the thing as he shook his head. The drive was rather long, Ilea whistling something akin to elevator music before Maro joined in, Terok even adding his voice after laughing. It all ended swiftly when the elevator stopped, a guardian staring at them from the hallway beyond. A bullet was fired, Ilea catching it in her palm, her skin resisting the impact before she dropped it to the floor, a black beam eroding the creatures head before it sagged down. No appreciation for impromptu musical interludes. She moved the body to the side with an ashen limb, walking through the hallway before they came into a room that made her eyes go wide.
Gears, spears, runes, pipes, scythes, barrels, pits and pressure plates all over. Fifty meters long and twenty wide, so many traps even the Taleen apparently had difficulties hiding all of them in the floor and halls. Maro lifted his hand before she stopped him. No no no. Dont you dare destroy this masterpiece. Ilea said, Terok already laughing as the two elves looked at each other with confusion.
Understanding dawned on the kings face before he too laughed. When he calmed down again he in turn stopped her as she started towards the path leading through the massive art piece of death. In that case, let me do the honors. With your defenses it would be boring, wouldnt it?
She grasped his arms and moved her face close to his, I think Im in love Maro. She said with an over the top voice, the man literally taking her and throwing her away.
Dont play with my heart you hussy! I am the king! He laughed, walking towards the same path she had started on before. Ilea blinked and appeared right next to Terok, the dwarf just shaking his head.
What do you think the makers of all this would think if they saw you two? He asked in a silent tone.
Ilea thought about it and replied seriously, I think theyd be happy that someone actually chooses to walk through it all. Additionally I think its the only way to get to the treasure at all. If it doesnt trigger some kind of destructive explosion, poison or fire as well.
The dwarf nodded, Yea theres too much here to even get a grasp. You really think they would think so highly of their traps to simply allow the person getting through uninjured to get to the treasure?
Terok, what kind of person do you have to be to even build something like this? She wasnt sure of course, the Taleen might have just thought differently but it seemed so ridiculously over the top it would be kind of fitting. Of course once were in theres going to be another trap to seal or kill us there.
Niivalyr and Neiphato came out of the elevator ten minutes later, staring at the group consisting of two elves, a dwarf and a human, all cheering as gusts of fire lit up the hall, spears and spikes flying around as well as poisoned darts, fumes and bullets fired from moving contraptions. Maro was dancing through it all, not quite as dexterous and quick as any of the warriors or Ilea would manage but what he lacked in speed he countered with shields. Ilea noted he never used his teleportation, either as a challenge or because there were runes in place. She assumed the latter.
A couple minutes later, the king emerged on the other side, his armor singed and pierced in various places before his helmet vanished, a grin on his face as blood dripped from his mouth, the man bowing with grace. Thank you! I would appreciate a healer in the next two minutes! He shouted and brushed a hand through his near gray hair, the glint of sweat on his brow showing in the green light.
That means Im next. Ilea said and started walking, her armor of ash forming around her as she casually and slowly made her way through the sea of traps, the spears smashing into her defenses, the fire washing over her and the bullets bouncing off without dealing any damage. She lifted her arms to the side when she reached Maro, You call that a challenge? She checked him and healed against the poison, already a third of his health gone.
How can they make Praetorians and the traps here cant even pierce my armor? She shook her head, watching Terok move through, mostly relying on his shields to block the various attacks.
Traps dont have levels and stats to make them stronger. Maro replied as he too watched the dwarf slowly move forward. Teleportation really was inhibited within the area.
Why not? Shouldnt a high level trapper be able to injure me?
Maro nodded and glanced at her, Of course. But do you think the dwarf who made all this is still alive?
Ileas eyes went wide, So youre saying all this would have been even more dangerous if the makers were still around?
Likely. He nodded.
Good thing they werent. She thought, So the dungeon took over the machines but not the traps?
Maro welcomed Terok whose armor reformed in parts, Ilea adding an ashen limb for him to take care of his health. The traps are part of it too but again, no maker around anymore so theyre less powerful probably. The Guardians are autonomous with their own level and all. Makes traps incredibly dangerous though because a lot of people underestimate them and walk into one laid by a high level hunter.
Nasty shit. Terok added to Maros explanation, You can tell if you know how to look. The enchantments here are fueled by the dungeon itself. The difference is very slight.
The elves followed, Niivalyr and Neiphato the least damaged, the former actually completely fine. Heranuur and Seviir made it a challenge to follow Ileas example, walking slowly as their bodies were mangled more and more, Neiphato actually extending a root towards both to heal them as they approached. The severity of the damage was obvious as neither denied the help. You are a bad influence Ilea. Neiphato said, actually hurting her a little.
She didnt react. While he was right, both of the elves were older than her, adults in their own right. They should know better. At least they leveled some resistances. She helped him heal the two before they entered the room beyond, Ilea stopping everyone as she entered. This looks the same as the dungeon Ive already seen. From here on only Terok and Niivalyr. She looked at them and was surprised to find nobody protesting. It was fun but the damage to the others and even Maro showed how dangerous the traps were, even in their ancient state and laid bare. Dont stay in this room. Last time I nearly died because of it. She didnt mention her level on purpose to not give them a sense of security, false or not.
Ready? Niivalyr hissed his affirmation and Terok nodded, the three jumping down the shaft before they came out in an open hall, a shining white light came from Niivalyrs arm to reveal the sea of acid below. Ilea pointed at the opening in the wall, As soon as we take whatever is left in there, the acid will rise. At least it did last time. She looked at Terok, not sure if it was wise to bring him but if he could reveal something about the trigger it would be worth it. Then again, his metal armor had held up incredibly well against the traps.
They floated towards the opening when Terok stopped them. There is something here. Wait. He studied the wall, Ilea trying to focus on it with her sphere but finding nothing amiss with the magic. She had figured out Eves incredibly hiding skills so she would find a way for this too. It recognizes shifts in the air I think. Its already triggered but nothing is happening.
It only started once I was inside. Ilea said.
Hmm well then lets move on. Ill keep a lookout. You two just loot what you can. The dwarf said.
Moving closer, Ileas eyes opened wide as she saw the room. When they actually entered, the others stopped, What happened here? Terok asked. There were obvious signs of a fight, chunks of the wall missing in spherical shapes as well as the armored remains of a dwarf, again parts of him simply missing, as if cut out.
Void magic. Ilea and Niivalyr said at the same time, the two looking at each other. The dwarf had nothing valuable on him. Again there were twelve pedestals in the room. The chests sitting near the walls were open and empty, dust sitting inside of them. The air in the room was bad but either it had simply been shut off for hundreds of years or there was a ventilation system somewhere.
No key this time. Ilea looked over the pedestals, Niivalyr watching her closely. She couldnt tell if there was a difference between them or the dust that had settled on them. Terok kicked an empty chest, making her look at him sharply.
Were too late. Niivalyr said.
Terok shook his head and continued to look around, A couple thousand years, yes. Something activated too. Ilea looked around but he gestured her to calm down, Nothing will happen until we actually step out of here.
How did whoever came before avoid the trap? Ilea asked, seeing no damage to the walls outside or in here. If the trap was the acid rising again then it should at least show on the stone, the skeleton or the chests.
Niivalyr brushed his hand over one of the pedestals, They had a way to vanish out of here. He tapped the pedestal and looked at Ilea. Do you know who did this?
She touched her chin and shook her head, No. For all we know this could have happened before the north collapsed into what it is today. Maybe Maro has an idea but other than them using void magic, we know nothing. Well they have a longer range teleport skill too but honestly, even those assumptions are just that. Assumptions. She sighed, The place could have been empty all along.
Doubt it. Terok said, Why activate the enchantments and traps then?
Misdirection? Ilea asked but the dwarf shook his head.
He lifted the chests to check below, No. Im not a Taleen but if I know anything about dwarves, they dont build all this for nothing. Do you have any idea what it costs to set up those traps above, the enchantments here? An acid creator probably had to stand there and fill the whole room up for weeks.
Niivalyr nodded, I believe there was something here too. The Praetorians remained and we found a gate key. If it is simply misdirection then I doubt we would have found something as valuable at all.
Youre probably right. Well we know fucking nothing then, other than that someone or something came and shattered the place. Ilea said, Well theres more to be found, either here or in the production facility. Come on, lets rush back up. There should be a trap activating as soon as we come back into the room above the shaft. Make sure to teleport directly to the others.
Following her advice, the three rushed back up, the acid beginning to rise as soon as they crossed halfway out of the treasure room. This time getting out was simple, the green flames avoided by simply teleporting a little farther. Ilea moved an ashen limb into the flames, finding the heat enough to partially burn it but it didnt get through. Terok informed her that the trap was one time use only, meaning further testing or training wasnt possible.
The rest of the dungeon is likely not super interesting. If the layout is the same as the great hall Ive seen before. Ilea said and stepped back into the room leading down towards the treasure hall.
Youre not coming then? Terok asked.
Ilea shook her head, looking over the group. Im sure you can handle it. Plus I missed the opportunity to level my corrosion resistance the last time. Seviir and Heranuur started trashing the traps, Maro smiling at her proposal.
Niivalyr nodded and looked to be lost in thought, I believe this could be beneficial. Would it be agreeable for us to join you?
The other elves looked at him, Seviir hissing and Neiphato shaking his head, Pain Tolerance, Corrosion resistance, healing for Neiphato and self regeneration skills as well as Health drain for the others, if we could use it on you of course.
Ilea shrugged, Sure, theres enough acid down there. Though Im not sure how effective itll be without an actual enemy to fight.
Not everybody has their resistances in the second tier already Ilea. Terok said and laughed. Though Ill sit this one out, thank you very much. He walked to Maro and asked him for some more metal to work on his suit.
Ilea broke through the now closed off shaft entrance with her ashen limbs, looking at the group with an awkward smile, the human jackhammer. Seviir gulped at the display, Niivalyr looking disinterested while Heranuur and Maro seemed to approve. They could of course all teleport in but having only an exit through blinking wasnt the safest option.
Jumping down as soon as the work was done, she willed her ashen armor currently only a small dot on her neck into what was essentially a two piece swimsuit, storing her clothes in the process. Unnecessarily destroying them would be a waste, especially because she couldnt exactly get more quickly. There was probably a tailor in Hallowfort but it would still take an afternoon to go there and find one.
The acid had flowed down again, not as far as it had been before but the small tunnel was empty, signs of corrosion visible on the walls at least. Dipping in a toe, she watched as the skin was slowly eaten through, very slowly. Im not sure how effective this is going to be.
Lowering herself into the green bubbling liquid, she activated her healing and tried bearing the pain without deactivating her perception. She wasnt sure if third tier general skills were even a thing but somehow she felt like actually experiencing some of the feedback her body gave her would ground her a little in regards to the abuse she constantly put it under. A little like the sphere not allowing her to decrease her senses anymore. She grit her teeth, the burning sensation covering her to her neck.
Comments
Garend
I can't believe I missed it on my first readthrough. The Oracles elfie is so scared off... are women? The Elves are just a matriarchy, maybe with some mind control powers/perception alteration skills that fails in dungeons?
G. Harthane
Not sure where that came up.
Garend
So... what happened to level 300 level gains being worth 15 points per level instead of just the normal 5?
Jonathan
I'm putting this here instead of in the Error collection dump to avoid possible spoilers for the RR-only people. In the first Taleen Dungeon, the acid-flood trap was triggered by Ilea speaking, not by her trying to leave.
Rip Woodham
Check out 317 and 318 again if you get bored waiting for the next release, let the author know whether you like his changes or not. :-) Several scenes were altered, removed or added to make the elves less annoying; dialogue as well. Clarifications and explanations were added in places. 318 got a new ending that I personally felt was a significant improvement to the whole thing. I'm not sure the slight alteration to Ilea rushing to their aid is an improvement, and sure could benefit from more touch (a few particular places could still use work IMO), but overall I think they're much better chapters for the author going back and reworking them some. Really appreciate his response to criticism, that whether right or wrong he takes it in stride, draws out something useful from it and is driven to keep improving.
tibbish
'Breathing' acid would certainly let her see real quick if there is a 3rd tier to Pain Resistance!!
tibbish
Elves have been a lil' one note (suicidal battle 'tards) is all. He just has to expand on them some, or least let them open up about their pasts, and I think you'll like them more. I would like to see Ilea go on another killin' spree though for some lvling and/or resistance grinding. I think its clear she knows she has to develop some more if she wants to attain her long term goal of being able to do most anything she wants with little to no interference. She could probably power through a bunch of the Miststalkers or SoulRippers at this point in a day or 2 so its not like its a huge time sink for her either.
Lomie0
a Matriarchal Theocracy and they clearly use some sort of skill to add mental barriers to prevent disobedience. Can't wait for the far future where Ilea literally slaps the authority outta them.
Doom Furby
Man, I am a little over the elves at this point. Can't wait for Ilea to move on.
Lomie0
I think now that she has the skill, she doesn't have to actually be drowning to use the skill. She could hold her breath for 1/2 an hour before the skill and she has avoided water since so we really have no idea how good of a skill it is, but considering how hard it was to get I'd bet it's really good.
Atlas Dwarf
Niivalyr - 'Elfie' the barrier and curse mage. Heranuur - Fire magic with daggers and one Ilea screws. Neiphato - Wood creator and fights with swords Seviir - 'Goldie' the bone mage.
Emma Carlin
Has anyone else forgotten which elf is which? If anyone could explain which elf has what abilities/classes, and which one Ilea is screwing, I would appreciate it.
G. Harthane
Definitely planned, I'll have to find some artists to work with.
Atlas Dwarf
Thanks for the chapter. Well she could always dip her head in for Harmony of the Drowned, then again it sounded like she hated training that even more than Pain Tolerance. There's also the molten spa in the factory to go back to. That and Goliath to find out more about her Trials armour. Although she'll probably end up needing Sentinel Sphere and Eyes of Ash in the 3rd tier to see outside the armour.
L Pedersen
ssshhhhh! We don't talk about that. Amazon is evil and would steal our fun.
Michael C
Hey. Why have you not released on amazon yet? I would buy it. KU would give you money trickling in as well
Worldknower
Hey. Someone has probably asked before, but have you ever thought to commission some official character artwork? Perhaps make a poll over what patreons want to see? Im am not sure how much extra work or money this would involve, just mentioning that it would be pretty cool to see some of the main characters. (though your descriptions are really good, so its not like its super needed).
Jonathan Walker
It should be called traps and no treasure lol
L Pedersen
There have been a few hints. Some indications are that some big bad showed up sometime in the past and fucked over a lot of powerful factions. I'm thinking the taleen basically implimented skynet because they were on the brink and then skynet killed them off and started waging war on the elves for some reason? The treasury being raided doesn't have to be connected to the event that ended the taleen. Maybe they were looking for keys :P
Insert “You Get Nothing You Lose Good Day Sir” GIFs. I kind of like that this treasury is empty, but it does bring up the question of if the Taleen are repopulating and repairing these dungeons.
ShadeByTheSea
Funny thing is, her underwater abilities only state "liquid" so the would potentially work in a sea of acid.
Corwin Amber
thanks for the chapters
Jacob
I hope we get to see her get the bones turned into her new epic light armour soon
L Pedersen
I honestly thought you were 100% serious about this. I was thinking "You sure are reaching with this..." :P
carebear90
So the elves seem to be a matriarchy? With the males (or maybe even every child) beeing under some kind of magical coercion since birth that is only painfully broken once they enter dungeons or similar areas? That's at least what I would assume after this chapter.
Blaublue
I figured out the secret of Oracles and why Elves aren't allowed into Dungeons. Oracle is a rare class, granted to Elves who have deeply attuned themselves to magic, abandoning their mortal forms. This class is not available to any Elf who has ever entered a Dungeon and survived the "initiation", since as we saw from Elfie, going into a Dungeon for the first time damages you until your body adapts to it, which forever prevents you from getting the Oracle class. Now, why do the Oracles not want any Elf to enter a Dungeon then? Surely, it would be fine if just a few of them became Oracles. As mentioned this chapter, all the females in the Elf Society are Oracles. It's not that all females grow up to become Oracles, it's that all Oracles, who were previously male Elves, become made out of mana, and is able to assume a female form. This is why Oracles are so vital to the Elven race, as they are the only ones capable of giving birth to new Elves. The Oracle class is very rare, even if you aim for the class your entire life, so they need all Elves to aim for that vital class, which is why no one is allowed inside Dungeons. The reason as to why the pretty elf Neiphato knows so much about Oracles is because he was especially groomed to be one, coming from a family that has provided relatively many Oracles (females) to society; but he chose to run away instead and become a Cerithril Hunter. This theory perfectly explains why all women are Oracles and why it's not allowed for an Elf to enter Dungeons. *Note that this theory is meant as a joke, but I'd be happy to discuss it
I have a strange suspicion that the author is aiming for that as well
mallix
Thanks for the chapter. I am thinking that Ilea might need to run out of Keyla's meals soon thereby justifying an immediate visit back to Ravenhall.
Arkeus
and yeaaah, acid is going to be doing minimal damage with her new stupidly high resistances that are enhanced by armour of ash (swimsuit), sentinel core and avatar of ash. Also regen. still mean she can take a loooong bath until her regen becomes higher than damage taken.
Cperkenling
after bathing in all forms of liquids dangerous or otherwise you gain ability to treat spacetime as if it's a bathing tub
Tsaimath
Ilea's next class: Azarinth Bathmaster - after bathing in everything this world has to offer, you unlocked the ability to bath in magic itself
