DAY 599

Ruckus nervously stares at the two Sinceres sitting across the table from him, each giving him an equally stony stare. The imp is aware that one of the two is Emmett - the massive mirror on one wall of the conference room easily gives that away - but honestly he can't guess at which of them is which. "So, you wanna hear exactly what I've got in mind?"

One of the Sinceres scratches a horn. "Actually, let me confirm that we heard you correctly. You...want to help design Floor Ten."

"Yeah! Well, maybe not the whole thing, but I've got a great idea in mind for the main attraction. And the theme! I'm thinking...'Circus'."

The second Sincere leans back and looks towards the door. "I'm sorry, we were under the impression that you had some important Association-related news for us when you requested a meeting. We'll take your suggestion under advisement, thank you for you time, please enjoy a round in the Lounge on your way out."

"Wait wait wait!" Ruckus waves his hands. "At least hear me out on the basics here, cause I've already got an act lined up for you."

The latter Sincere leans forward once again. "You've been recruiting acts. For the dungeon. Well, I suppose I'm curious enough to hear about who else you have roped into this, then."

"Great! So, first off, Floor Five is great. It's the biggest tourist destination for at least, like, fifty miles around, and probably double or triple that for the Challenger set. But obviously you're gonna need to up your game for Floor Ten."

The first Sincere interrupts him there. "You may be under a mistaken impression. The dungeon doesn't unlock a 'safe floor' every five floors. We only have one available to us at the moment."

"That's just fine, cause ain't nothing about this is gonna be safe! Cause here's the thing - Floor Ten is gonna inherently attract a very different crowd from Floor Five. Given that only Masters and higher are likely to get that far."

Sincere waggles a hand. "We could technically bypass that as we do with the inn, but obviously we wouldn't be inclined to do so for the last floor guarding the core. So that is generally correct. A few Experts have cleared Floor Nine, but only with the help of a party of Masters."

"Right, so what you need is something higher stakes than booze and bunny booties. I'm talking entertainment, and more importantly, gambling."

The second Sincere gives a wide grin at that, and Ruckus decides to mentally label that one as probably being Emmett. "Oh ho ho. Gambling on what, exactly?"

"Risks and rewards...possibly a little death. Now, that game thing you had me help running last summer? That was tricky, and a little mean, but with a little change here and there I think the general concept has potential. Basically, you let people choose how much risk they want, and the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward."

Emmett nods. "Like a more manually-run Challenge Mode thing? Normally Xenia wouldn't like the idea of things she has to do herself rather than push off onto the dungeon system, but a Floor Ten's probably gonna be low-traffic. Also with the right setup, a smart floor guardian might be able to manage it themselves. Where does the entertainment part come in, though?"

Ruckus rubs his hands together. "Cause here's the good part - not everyone will be running it at once. People who aren't running it can watch the show and bet - maybe they bet dungeon loot they've already earned, maybe they bet on whether or not they have to face a challenge of their own before they move on. And if they win, more dungeon loot for them. Now here's where the audience becomes important, see? People at Master level and higher, we're talking about people with some serious egos. People who are going to want to show off. People who will want trophies. 'I cleared ten floors of a dungeon'? Yawn. 'I kicked ass in the Worthy Circus in front of all of my peers and got a special prize'? Now that'll get some attention."

Sincere slowly nods at that. "I was never very close to others in the Challenging community, I merely used it as a means to other ends, but you are generally correct about that. Once one reaches the Supreme tier in the Association it usually eventually becomes clear whether or not one will ever actually become a chosen Paragon of the gods. If the answer to that is a 'no', then the Challenger in question needs to find another reason to continue Challenging, or they retire. Money alone is usually not enough as many Supremes are often quite wealthy by time they hit the top. Ego is indeed a heavy motivator for those who continue going. I'm still confused by this 'act' you claim to have recruited, however."

"Well, you already know em. I'm talking about the Miserables!"

That declaration makes Emmett burst out laughing. "What!? Ruckus, those kids are nowhere near a Floor Ten level. What would they even be doing there?"

"Like you said, you can let people go to whatever floor you want, right? And I'm talking about a situation where they work for you. I mean, it'd hardly be the first time, right? Not only did I work for you for a bit, but I know you've still got those water elementals guarding shit on Floor Four. And they need something new, cause the Association isn't giving them any more class credit for clearing the first half of the dungeon. But I've worked out a way where they can do stuff that qualifies as challenging them, and works to your benefit."

"Which would be?"

"That they're one of the floor challenges! Now, I admit, I've never seen em in action myself. But I've heard that curse of theirs lets them do some really crazy shit in here, right?"

Sincere frowns. "I have had the opportunity to observe once or twice, yes. They have become somewhat more actually skilled over the months, which when combined with their ridiculous luck in here has resulted in...improbable outcomes more than a few times."

"Right, and aren't your guardians tired of getting their asses kicked by them? Why not let them do the ass-kicking for you?"

"...I suspect the Association would frown on having groups of Challengers attacking each other. You are an employee of theirs, are you not?"

Ruckus shrugs. "Well it doesn't have to be to the death. And maybe only one Supreme at a time, or something. Or they could fight monsters as part of the entertainment that people bet on."

Emmett taps his fingers upon the table. "It could potentially be a good show. But we do have to keep in mind that this would be the last floor before the Core Chamber, and parties looking to actually complete the dungeon wouldn't be looking for entertainment. They'd just tear the circus down and go on their way."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Then they'd be fighting their way through the acts instead of just watchin' em. As long as the observation section wasn't anywhere near the exit, they'd have to go through it like any other floor."

The two Sinceres pause as they tilt their heads towards an empty seat, and a moment later one of them refocuses on Ruckus. "...The master of the dungeon is willing to consider the idea. Provisionally. But we'll need to meet with these Challengers first. While they are known to us, we've never had much in the way of a direct conversation."

The imp gives them a thumbs up. "Won't be a problem!"

DAY 601

The four Challengers look around nervously as they step into the large, but empty chamber. They'd entered into the room from Floor Five's inn but had never seen its like in the dungeon before, apparently set up as some sort of training arena. The walls are padded, with the light being provided by crystals to ensure that no one's going to get burned by being tossed around. Even the floor is covered in thick fabric that compresses slightly under their feet. Aside from that, however, the room has nothing. No traps, no weapons, no monsters.

Knowing that the dungeon is always listening, Bank gathers his courage and shouts out to the air. "We are the Miserables, and we've come as you've requested! We wish to...offer our services in exchange for your recognition and favor."

His answer comes in the form of a monochrome woman who materializes in the center of the arena, a sword in one hand which rests on her shoulder. "'Recognition', huh? That was one thing I wanted to ask you bunch - are you really just in this for Association credit? Or are you looking for a paycheck?"

Slinz steps forward on her eight legs, bowing her head slightly. "Great Dungeon! We're honored by your presence! Perhaps a few dungeon rewards if we do well might be nice? Like...if we beat off some other Challengers, then we're basically protecting you, right?"

"Great Dungeon was the old place, call me Xenia. And I suppose I could afford an occasional sword or trinket or whatever." She shakes her head. "But you four really think you're up to handling even one Supreme in a fight? I remember you the first time you came in here, you know. I remember how having just a couple charms to cancel out your good luck got your asses kicked bad. And it wasn't even that long ago!"

Bank nods his head, almost turning it into a bow of his own. "We've learned a lot since then. Skills, tactics...our equipment's quite a bit better as well, thanks almost entirely to you. I'll admit, in the Association training yards we wouldn't have a chance. But here? With our...special attributes? I'm confident we could give them a run for their money."

"Well, I'm glad you think so, because your job interview starts here." Xenia gives them a wide grin. "I can take one, maybe two hits before this body goes poof. You think you can manage that?"

The quartet quickly grow more alert, although they don't quite move into their combat stances just yet. Nalaff shouts out as his staff begins to crackle with lightning. "We're fighting a dungeon avatar!? Mind telling us what sorts of abilities we're facing here?"

Xenia shrugs. "I could fill the place with traps and monster spawns, but...nah. Just me, and this Blade of Force I made. No worries, if I hit you it'll just bounce you around like a pinball rather than take your head off. I'll even get Deylia to fix up any concussions."

Bank eyes his party, and they give him...slightly nervous nods in response. "...We accept."

"Good. Whenever you're ready!"

Despite her words Xenia's avatar doesn't move an inch, not even taking up a defensive position. Sensing there's bound to be bad things ahead if they rush into a melee, the Vanguard leader instead calls out to his ranged combatants.

"Blast her!"

Nalaff and Slinz waste little time, each of them pointing their staffs in Xenia's direction. A bolt of lightning and a beam of light shoot out towards the dungeon master...only for the room to be engulfed in a brilliant flash as Xenia bats them away with her enchanted sword. It's enough to temporarily blind most of the team, with the exception of Slinz, protected by her own magics as a Solar Arcanist. That only allows her to blink in surprise however as she watches Xenia shoot away from her starting point like a sprinter, heading directly in Slinz's own direction. "Eep!"

"Not quite at the speed of light, are you, little spider - eh!?"

Xenia's sword swings towards Slinz's midriff, only to be blocked at the last moment by a crystal falling from the ceiling. Glancing upwards, the reincarnator notices that several of the lighting crystals placed around the center of the room were apparently recipients of redirected lightning, and are now flickering and falling apart. Including one right in front of her, it seems. "Gah, bull!"

She lines up another swing at Slinz, this time going for the drider's left-side legs, but the pause was enough time for Nalaney to put her skills as a Backstabber Rogue to work. Although she isn't able to actually get behind the avatar - actual teleportation being a much higher-tier ability - the half-elf is able to get to a close enough angle for at least one of her spells to take effect. Specifically, an attack skill causing her thrown daggers to automatically home in on Xenia's backside. Three of the sharp pieces of metal curve through the air, and although Xenia is able to deflect all three, she has to hit them several more times before they finally lose their magic and fall to the ground.

That's enough to give Bank time to fulfill his own role as team tank, and to charge in on his opponent. Like most Vanguards the man is armed with a sword and a shield, but unfortunately that's an archetype Xenia has generations of experience fighting. She easily dodges the man's charge with a trip that sends the man flying - only to look on in disbelief as the Vanguard flips through the air and lands on his feet. "In full armor!? You're joking!"

Bank tries to play it off as if he's not just as surprised as Xenia is. "Simply - simply pure skill at work! Have at you!" The man again approaches Xenia with his sword swinging, but now that the team's had time to adapt they begin working in one of their practiced group strategies when dealing with a stronger opponent. That strategy being 'mass distraction'. Nalaff calls upon his skills as a Thunder Priest to conceal their movements with fog, while Slinz generates strobing orbs designed to blind anyone looking in the direction of one of her teammates. Bank himself does his best to keep Xenia's attention on himself, and all the while Nalaney is lining up a perfect strike on Xenia's back.

It's still not enough.

When the half-elf strikes, Xenia quickly whips around and grabs hold of the smaller woman's arm, and continues spinning in order to keep up her momentum. After a full rotation she finally releases the Rogue, sliding and bouncing her across the floor like a bowling ball thrown by an overeager child. And like a child, Xenia cheers as she scores a strike - that is to say, when Nalaney sweeps out most of Slinz's legs from beneath her, and the drider collapses on top of the poor woman.

"Whoo! Seven-ten split! Can I pick up a spare?" Xenia turns back towards Bank only to be distracted again as a massive clap of thunder goes off right next to her head, making her shudder. "Gah! You're lucky I can't get tinnitus in this body!" She attempts to recover - only to share in everyone's shock as they realize that Bank actually scored a hit on her while her eyes were closed, a cut tracing its way across the thin shirt covering her stomach. Although there's no sign of blood the injury is obvious...although clearly not enough to actually de-materialize her avatar.

With Bank too distracted by his own success, Xenia takes advantage of the moment to clock him in the back of the head with her sword, sending the man tumbling. Seeing that he's the last one on his feet Nalaff begins to back up rather nervously, another bolt of lightning charging its way up his staff, but unfortunately that plan is literally short-circuited as Xenia scoops up a fallen dagger and sinks it into the wooden staff at ten paces. She wastes little time before charging at the man, sword held high, but rather than try and switch to a backup wand the man simply drops his weapon. "I surrender!"

"Gah!" Slinz curses as she finally gets back to her feet, wobbling slightly at the discovery that she may have sprained one or two limbs. "We could've had her! One more hit!"

"No need for more. I've seen enough." Xenia sheathes her sword before returning to the center of the chamber, a calm expression on her face giving away none of her thoughts. Seeing that they'll have to ask for them, Bank does so.

"Did...did we fail? Perhaps if you let us train some more, then try again!?"

"No need for that." Xenia finally lets her lips curl into a smile. "Now, I haven't even broken ground yet, so don't expect this to start any time soon. But when Worthy Circus is ready to start putting on acts? You're welcome to join the show."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.