As I walk out of the Elke estate, I begin to ponder my next move. I've been doing that a lot more since the incident. It's exciting, in a way. Finally, a problem I haven't already solved in at least 5 different ways.
Not to say I don't fear that dungeon. I do fear it, maybe even a lot. But it doesn't matter if I fear it or not, I know Hanna enough to know that she's going to have me lead whatever she does next. If not lead, then an advisor.
"Well, let's get to work," I mutter under my breath as I begin heading back to the dungeon.
I reach it in under 20 minutes. Finding this dungeon is especially difficult; it possesses so little mana, actually none, that you can't detect it.
"First things first, make it detectable."
It's actually a lot easier than I thought it would be when I did it for the first time all those rotations back. Simply etch a way-finder rune into a tree or stone nearby, and you know the rune's location at all times. There are ways to trick it, but unless someone is dumb enough to attempt to sabotage the duchess, I needn't worry.
"I should have a few other adventurers make way-finder runes too, can't be too safe with this dungeon." I make a mental note to do that.
I stop to think for a moment. How should I design these next barriers?
"I don't have enough information." I decided after pondering for a few moments.
I feel a small smile begin to form on my face. Finally, a new challenge to solve.
I have five options to pick from.
1. Lots of weak barriers
2. A decent amount of average barriers
3. A few strong barriers
4. Improve the barrier I've already made.
5. Create more specialized barriers.
My choice is instant.
Option six: All of the above.
Firstly, I begin enhancing the specialized barrier I've already made. I can't improve it much, just putting more mana into it, and fixing a few flaws in the way it regenerates.
Next, I spend about 15 minutes designing a barrier that's good against strong attacks. Sure, I didn't detect any stronger attacks, but I also only 'fought' one type.
After that, I etched a few runes into a few of the surrounding trees. These runes collect natural mana passively and store it. I learned these runes from the elves. I wait a few minutes for them to collect some mana before absorbing said mana, cause I was running low after this whole fiasco.
Once my mana is back to reasonable levels, I create a few more runes that work to repair the sturdier barrier. Due to its durability, I couldn't incorporate that directly into the barrier itself.
Finally, I create the previously mentioned weak, average, and strong barriers to defend the runes. Just in case.
.
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Explanation on how the stronger barrier and regenerative runes work for those who care.
The sturdier barrier itself is not a solid layer. It is made of dozens of octagonal pieces that are connected by a thin, fragile connective membrane. Once the weaker barrier is pierced by a strong attack, it will impact the stronger one. The design of the barrier ensures that all damage is localized to one piece of the barrier. The now damaged or destroyed piece will then be dissolved back into mana. The regenerative runes will detect the released mana and proceed to retrieve some mana from the runes collecting mana. They will then proceed to create a replacement piece for the barrier that is sent over once completed.
.
.
Looking up into the sky, I see that roughly 15 minutes have passed since I've begun actually making the barriers. Seeing this fact, I force myself to stop. I can't let myself get carried away. I still have work to do.
And so, with only a small hesitation, I begin to head back to the city.
The walk is shorter than the one to get here, after all, I can follow the damage I caused in my haste to get to the city earlier. As for why I didn't follow this to get to the dungeon, that's simple. They're in different directions, and it would be too much of a detour to go find it.
But that isn't as important as a pressing issue I simply must solve. Food.
It could have been all the magic I've used, or running across about 4 horizons, give or take, or it might be my new minor form of trauma, but I am famished.
There's only one place that I know without a doubt that will be able to fulfill my requirements. (Definitely not me, just preferring their food) The adventurers' guild.
Being neither a guild nor having much to do with adventurers, they are bound to not meet the expectations their name makes you form. But literally everyone has to admit that the workers are damn fine cooks. Like, literally, I have never once heard someone complain about the food at one of their establishments.
I reach the city shortly. And this time I actually go through the gate like you're supposed to.
By the time I reach the adventurers' guild, there are only about a dozen or so customers inside.
Speaking of the inside, it's loud, the scent of ale is prominent but not overwhelming, and a low-ranking adventurer is drunkenly showing his friends a flashy way to use magic. It's a familiar scene, but it also reminds me of the dungeon. Just a softer and less overwhelming version of it.
Now that I think about it, I wonder what's happening inside the dungeon.
Well, no matter, I have some food to order.
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POV Shift: David
I've been on edge ever since whatever that was came out of the portal about an hour ago.
I... genuinely don't know what to do in this scenario.
The scientists have apparently deemed it safe enough to continue whatever they were doing, command has been silent, and I'm out here feeling all but naked without my suit.
Opening a channel with Jayden, I begin speaking. "Jayden, I have one question for you."
"Yeah?" his response is instant.
"Why is it that command called you instead of Nathan?"
"Because of interference from the portal."
"Jayden, please just be honest. We both know that's bullshit. I didn't question it because of shock and having no idea what was going on, but did Command ever assign us to this? Does Command even know we're here?"
Before Jayden can respond, our call is abruptly ended, and we join a group call with the rest of the squad.
Nathan speaks first. "So, Command has noticed us guarding the portal and has officially designated that as our task. They'll be rerouting some other squads from evacuation efforts to help us, while they manage the rest of the situation. Basically, we're getting reinforcements, and we're getting paid for continuing what we were already doing."
"Jayden, I'm going to reduce you to sub-atomic particles."
"I'm not dealing with that." Izaiah leaves the call.
"Uh, David? That seems rather extreme, even for you. And you're trembling." Oscar's hesitant voice comes through the call.
I look down at my hands. They're trembling, just as Oscar said.
"Um, Nathan? Can I get a little help?" I hear Jayden almost squeak.
"Nope, whatever you did, I already know you deserve it. I haven't seen David this mad in years."
"Oh dear... lord god, I know we don't talk much, but could you help me out? Just this once?"
"David, keep him recognizable."