"How would the systems work?" Helena asked.
Koray looked past Gavin's shoulder. "You will feel a slight electrical surge of energy. Then, each of you will be given a slimmed down version of the AI system Veronica. It is only effective while you are in the dungeon, so do not, and I can't stress this enough-do not get used to relying on it for information."
"If it's only use is for in the dungeon, then what good will it be?" Gavin crossed his arms over his chest.
Koray sighed and shook his head. "Damn wolf. Here I was trying to make nice and bring a gift, and you want to turn around and throw it back. Let me explain something for your feeble mind to comprehend." Koray paused.
"It takes an enormous amount of energy to create a system mind like Veronica and bind it to a soul. Even for us gods, it is a tiring and taxing effort. Systems like Veronica alter the very reality around them and their partners. The universe does not take kindly to changes in reality."
Gavin cocked his head to the side, his brows were knitted together. "I thought the gods were the most powerful beings out there."
Koray threw his head back and roared in laughter. The sound was deep and rich as his shoulders rocked. "Oh, how innocent you mortals are. While yes, we are extremely powerful and in comparison to you, powerful beyond your comprehension-we are just the tip of the iceberg."
Koray pointed one long, slender finger at Gavin. "You can't possibly imagine what else exists in the cosmos. So, you better appreciate the effort I went through to give you Veronica, and the help she provides. Now, since you don't want the other systems, the dungeon is yours to use. Good luck, wolf."
With those words spoken, a brilliant flash of light engulfed the room. Gavin couldn't see, the light was so blinding it stung his eyes and he cried out and turned around shielding his face. When the light faded to normal and Gavin could see again, he looked around the room.
"Bipolar asshole," Gavin cursed.
Erza sighed. "So, I now fully understand your irritation about him."
Gavin nodded. "We will deal with him later, let's get to work on the dungeon."
"Here here!" Jackson cried out in agreement as they fell in step behind Gavin.
Gavin walked to the giant door and put his hand on the smooth, darkened wood. "Prepare yourselves. This isn't going to be easy." Gavin's eyes were still red as the chains turned to ash around the door and the runic symbols ignited in bright colors.
Words then appeared across the doors. Inside two paths are revealed. At the end of each path is a totem. Bring the totem to the altar that sits before the entrance to the next floor. Beware, once you have chosen a path, you will be unable to pick another.
"Well, that's different." Gavin muttered.
"Is this new for you?" Erza asked. She stepped closer to examine the flowing script on the doors.
Gavin nodded his head. "Yes. Last time, when I placed my hand on each entrance door, the chains vanished and door swung open. Maybe this is the original plan that Koray had for the dungeon." He rubbed his chin then shrugged.
"Oh well, might as well press on. Helena, you and Jackson take the right side, we will take the left. Watch each other's backs down there. Who knows what kind of monsters or creatures have spawned inside this dungeon now." Gavin pressed his hand against the wood and pressed forward. The wood creaked and groaned as it swung inward and revealed the cobblestone path beyond.
"Er, yeah alright. Any idea what these totems look like?" Jackson asked as he stood beside Gavin to peer into the tunnel.
Gavin shook his head. "No freaking clue. I imagine it'll be obvious when we find them. I bet the place is also lined with traps, so watch your footing."
The walls and ceiling were made of a dark red cobblestone and ahead of them the path branched into two directions. Torches filled the sconces placed along the walls and provided minimal light for walking.
Cobwebs littered the corners and the smell of dust, stale air, and mildew filled Gavin's nose. "Damn, this is creepy as hell." Gavin crept forward with Erza right beside him.
Helena and Jackson stayed quiet as they followed. Every one took their time walking up the path to the split. "Kind of surprised there wasn't some type of trap or monster right at the jump." Helena mused as focused on the walls and ceiling. She walked over to one of the stone pillars that lined the walls and knelt down to examine it.
"Honestly? Me too. Compared to the first time I came through the dungeon, this is nothing." Gavin responded as he sniffed the air. "I don't smell anything remotely close."
They all stopped at the split. Their faces where set and determined as they looked down each path. "See you on the other side." Gavin bumped fists with Jackson and Erza gave a thumbs up at Helena.
"Race you down." Jackson cracked a small smile.
Erza reached out and cuffed the back of Jackson's head. "Don't start acting reckless like my idiot." There was no force behind her smack, nor venom in her words. A sly smile spread across her face as she looked at Jackson's shocked expression.
Helena couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You really are like the big sis of the group." She wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek. "Alright, let's get going. See you guys on the other side."
With those final words spoken the group separated and made their way down each path. Erza took the lead after they rounded the first corner. Still in her were-cat form her senses were on high alert. Her ears were open and listening for the faintest sound, her nose scrunched as she sniffed the air.
It didn't take them long to confirm the first floor of the dungeon indeed had traps.
Erza produced a small fireball in her palm. She held the ball of swirling flame above her head, using the extra light to push through the shadows and examine as much as she can while they traversed the path.
"This place really could use a decorator," Erza joked as they turned another corner and stepped onto a tile of cobblestone that was spider cracked. The tile sank into the ground with a grinding sound.
"Shit, Erza don't move!" Gavin cried out as he whirled around, his eyes searching the walls and ceiling for any obvious signs. "Damn it." He cursed as he tackled Erza to the ground.
Dozens of needles came flying out of the wall to their right. They flew exactly where Erza had been standing only moments before and impacted to the left of the stone tile. A grinding behind the walls could be heard and a section of wall ahead of them on the left slid to the ground.
"Looks like we got company!" Gavin stood between the opening and Erza. A low growl was coming from the shadows and a figure lumbered through the opening.
Erza climbed to her feet and stood to Gavin's right. She threw the fireball in her palm at the figure hidden by darkness. It impacted, and the flame momentarily illuminated the figure.
"Oh, that's just nasty," Gavin whispered as the creature stepped into the light provided by the torches.
A swirling mass of what Gavin could only call swamp water mixed with vines stood in front of them. The creature had a rough humanoid shape. Hues of green mixed with blue covered the creatures skin, but his face was illuminated by a pair of bright yellow eyes. It extended his right arm and a torrent of dark green liquid was sent flying at Erza and Gavin.
They jumped back as the liquid landed on the tiles in front of them. Steam rose and the ground hissed as the tiles began to melt where the liquid made contact.
"Acid!" Gavin called out a warning as his mana surged around them. He ran forward, both of his arms engulfed in fire as he sent a stream of heated flame washing over the creature.
Erza ran to the other side, her steps light as a feather as she kept pace with Gavin. She threw her left hand out and matched Gavin's flame attack, engulfing the creature's back. "Just go down already!" She shouted as their flames washed over the creatures skin.
The acid monster groaned, and held his arms up, trying to block his face from the flames. He ran forward and sprayed acid back at his attackers.
"Damn, he's faster then he looks!" Gavin called out and slammed his hands down. A giant stone wall sprouted from the ground between themselves and the creature. "Never fought something like that before."
Erza nodded. "I've never even heard of something like this. How are we going to win? Fire didn't seem to do much damage."
The acid monster warbled out several waves of acid pouring over the wall. Smoke rose from the melting stone and a loud hissing could be heard by Gavin and Erza.
"We don't have long until that creature melts his way through. So, I'm open to suggestions and ideas."
"What if I distract the monster, and you attack from behind. Use your big brain and come up with something that will put this beast down."
Gavin frowned. What can I do? If fire doesn't do much, and its' acid is strong enough to burn through and melt the stone.
You could try purifying the acid beast. Using concentrated light magic might dispel enough of the acid for Erza's fire to have an effect, Veronica suggested.
Sound's like our usual plan, beat the enemy with brute strength. Gavin's mouth lifted into a feral smile. "Erza! Wait for your chance to strike, I will dilute the acid and provide you an opening!" Gavin called out and his mana swirled around them in the hallway.
"Got it!" Erza dodged another spray of acid, her tail swishing back and forth. She landed in a crouch, her right hand engulfed in flames.