[Salvos] 766. The Bottom Of Astros Mountain

[Salvos] 766. The Bottom Of Astros Mountain

766. The Bottom Of Astros Mountain

***

Now entering [Dungeon: The Fallen City of the Stars]

Daniel Song heard the notification resound in his head as he stepped out of the ancient metal gate, panting and drenched in both grime and blood. A vast indoor courtyard opened up before him. It was a dull, aged room, made from a dark brickstone. And sitting at the very center of the room were two familiar figures.

The first was Yves Virgil. He was the highest-leveled Human in all of Secely— known as the Watcher, formerly called the Elfslayer. 

He was also the alter ego of Ivonne Vigil, a high-leveled and mysterious [Trader]. But that was not relevant at the moment.

And sitting across from him was Kacey. A [Crusader] that had been assigned to keep watch over Daniel— to keep him in check, so that he wouldn’t go against the Council of Cremont.

The two of them had been the only ones to keep Daniel company up here on top of Astros Mountain for the last few months. There was nobody else who frequented up here, considering this was the highest point in all of Secely, whilst also being right in between the Dwarven Lands and the Human Lands. So the trek up here to the Dungeon would be extremely dangerous for most folks who were below Level 150.

And while Daniel didn’t have anyone else to interact with except for them, it was not like he even spent much time conversing with them. After all, most of his time had been spent training— mastering the power of the Sword of Alexander, all the while fending off the [Fallen Worshipers Of Hark-Oth The Old God Of Undeath] that were clamoring up the tunnel.

So it was the first time he had even seen Kacey in about a month, and the first time he was even going to have a proper conversation with Yves Virgil in over a week. Both of them were sat across from each other on a small blanket, with small bites of snacks and cups of tea laid out like it was some kind of picnic.

Daniel approached them as he dragged the Sword of Alexander behind him. Yves Virgil tilted his head back fractionally as Kacey blinked.

“Oh, you’re back. I take it you’re giving up?”

The Watcher asked with a small smirk on his face. Meanwhile, Kacey got to her feet and approached Daniel.

“Daniel Song, you’re…”

She hesitated when she saw all the dried blood splattered over his body. He looked down at himself, before shaking his head.

“I’m fine. This isn’t mine.”

He spoke as he sat himself down right at the edge of the small picnic blanket. Kacey hesitated as she drew back.

“R-right.”

Daniel ignored her as she returned to where she was sitting. The two of them never had a close relationship— especially since she was not even truly his ally in the first place.

However, after arriving here atop of Astros Mountain, the way she treated him had changed. Perhaps it was because she was alone now. Or maybe it was because she had seen what he was capable of as a [Hero]. But regardless, Daniel didn’t care about what she thought of him, nor did she care much about getting close with her.

He was only focused on getting stronger. To complete his training under the watchful eye of the Watcher.

“I’m not giving up. I just need to recover and re-strategize.”

Daniel spoke as he faced Yves. In response, the other man just wrinkled his nose.

“You know this sheet is made of silk, right? You could’ve washed up before you joined us.”

“I don’t care.”

Daniel snorted. The Watcher just shrugged.

“It was woven by the finest Minotaur [Seamstresses]... it was expensive…”

“As I said, I don’t care. What I care about is getting down to the bottom of the labyrinth. Right now, as it stands, bruteforcing my way there is impossible.”

Daniel shook his head as he glanced back down the gateway he came. It was like the entrance to a dungeon of sorts. There was a gate made of metal bars there, and a giant symbol etched onto its surface— almost like a rune.

“I’ve been here for months, Yves. I am Level 181 now— I am getting close to your level. I’m higher-leveled than any other Human in all of Secely. Even Clayton Skyshredder.”

Daniel spoke as he shook. The Watcher raised a brow.

“Oh, that old man is still around? And he’s not even Level 181? Hah, that’s pretty funny, actually.”

“There’s nothing funny about that.”

Daniel sighed as he met Yves’s gaze.

“You know why I want to become stronger— you know that Humankind is on the brink of destruction. Everywhere we turn, we face a new enemy. Whether it’s the Elves, or the Demons, or the end of the world…”

“Right, from that corruption your friend mentioned.”

Yves nodded, almost in a dismissive manner. Daniel sighed as he continued.

“The point is: I don’t want to be a [Hero], Yves. But I have to be one, which is why I agreed when you asked me to be your apprentice. Isn’t that why you took me in?”

“Yes, yes, I did say something like that. Although… I’m kinda getting bored of it now.”

The Watcher yawned, before sipping on some tea. Daniel’s eyes twitched. But he still kept his cool.

“When you took me in, you told me you’d help me realize the full power of a [Hero]. But all you’ve done so far is throw me down a maze of tunnels full of these undead that can never die.”

Daniel said as he gritted his teeth.

“And by that, I mean they can never die. Their god or whatever you call it will just bring them back to life every single time I cut them down. It is an utterly pointless battle.”

In response, Yves just offered some tea to Kacey. She apprehensively accepted it, casting nervous glances towards Daniel. As if she was expecting him to lash out at any moment.

But Daniel remained calm as the Watcher waved a hand off.

“I’m well-aware of everything you’re saying, Daniel Song. I’ve been down there myself. How do you think I know what lies at the bottom?”

Daniel clicked his tongue, starting to get really annoyed with his mentor.

“But I can’t get to the bottom, Yves. And no matter how many times I cut down these undead, they keep coming back. So I just don’t know what’s the point of doing all this.”

“What do you mean by ‘what is the point’? I got you to Level 181, didn’t I? I’m doing as I said I would.”

The Watcher shrugged. Daniel clenched his fists, speaking exasperatedly.

“But you haven’t told me anything since we got here, Yves. Yes, you’re right, I have gotten stronger. But I may as well have just gone diving into a few Diamond Ranked Dungeons… maybe throw myself back into the front lines against the Elves. That would have achieved the same results.”

“That’s not true, and you know that.”

The Watcher countered. The [Hero] hesitated. Perhaps that was true. It was not easy to find such a large collection of high-leveled enemies. But even still, Daniel was frustrated. And that was because of the lack of an explanation.

“Look, I just want to know: why?”

Daniel shook his head as he gestured back towards the metal gates.

“Why do I have to meet this… Old God, Hark-Oth, or whatever its name is? If you just want me to reach Level 200, I’d understand. But then why aren’t you doing that?”

Daniel pressed Yves even further. For a moment, the Watcher just remained silent, sipping from his cup of tea. Then, slowly, he lowered the teacup as the smirk vanished from his face. With a deep breath, he rose to his feet as the young man from Earth blinked.

“Do you really wish to know the truth about Hark-Oth The Old God Of Undeath?”

Yves asked, meeting Daniel’s gaze. In response, Daniel nodded, speaking resolutely.

“Yes.”

“Very well, then. But to tell you about Hark-Oth, I will have to tell you about the secret of the Nexeus.”

The Watcher said, and Daniel’s eyes went wdie when he heard that.

Author's Notes:

What thonk?

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