DAY 575

"I can't believe the 'urgent matter' this village was so concerned about was simply some overgrown hogs."

Tizzy chuckles at Hylii as the man downs a gulp from his mug, warming himself in the town's singular tavern. "Hey, to be fair, they were pretty big. Dire Boar, yeah? Could definitely kill a civilian no problem, maybe even a village guard by the looks of them. And then make that thirty to fifty of the feral monsters? Something like that could definitely wreck a village this size if they stampeded the place. They're just not armed to deal with that kind of shit."

Nalain grins as she considers both points. "That's true, but I get what Hylii's saying as well. I mean, compare this to most of the realms we've been to. No goblin hordes, no forests full of cannibal fairies, no vampire lords. They say the gods created dungeons because the native monsters were going extinct, and I'd have to agree. It's just so...peaceful here. I suppose it's nice, at least after everything we've been through."

Reed groans as he pushes his mug aside. "You just had to say a thing like that, didn't you? Couldn't you at least wait until Tizzy's husband comes back with our room keys? I'd like to get a good night's sleep before the world goes up in flames."

"My husband is already on his way back, so shush. Besides, what could go wrong in a sleepy little town like...hells, I don't even remember the name of this place."

Shaking her head, Nalain gives Tizzy a questioning look. "And yet, this is what you picked for your honeymoon. Always full of surprises, you imps."

"Hey, we're gonna do one! Just in the summer, when it doesn't suck to go outside! Also you three aren't invited. So be glad we're helping you get established with the Association in the meanwhile, now that we've come clean about our forged paperwork."

Before the orc warrior can answer, Thaddeus comes back and hands the woman a key. "You three are in room E, Tizzy, you and I will be in room F. Did I miss anything exciting? I'll admit, this mission was perhaps not as difficult as I was hoping it would be."

"Arggh!" Reed slams a hand on the table. "Not you too, now! Any minute now that door is probably going to slam open, and - "

The fencer's ranting is interrupted as the front door slams open and a villager stumbles in, bringing a swirl of snow flurries with him. "Monsters! Monsters been sighted!"

As Reed groans, Nalain and Hylii do their best to keep their cheers silent. Thaddeus meanwhile attempts to maintain a professional exterior, and as the man is already standing he takes it on himself to greet the newcomer. "Good sir! Would you care to explain the nature and location of these monsters? My companions and I happen to be in town on monster-slaying business."

"Ah, praise the gods!" The man rushes over while wildly pointing off in a vaguely northern direction. "Flying beasts were sighted on their way to Ol' Shithole!"

The answer causes Thaddeus to forget to respond for a moment, and while his brain attempts to comprehend that Tizzy answers for her newlywed husband. "I see - anything more you can say about them?"

"Tis dark out, so we only saw em by the light of the moon - but it's dragon mischief, if I'd place a bet on it! Ain't been a Dire Bat attack around here since my grandpappy's days!"

"Hrmm, interesting. We'll be sure to check on it soon enough, in the meanwhile, why don't you catch your breath - and let us know if anything else comes to mind?"

As the man wanders off, Thaddeus takes a seat next to his wife. "Are you familiar with this...shithole?"

"Uh, by reputation, yeah. It's the local dungeon."

Hylii tilts his head in confusion. "Wait, this nowhere village has a local dungeon? Why didn't you say anything? We could have been making plans to check it out while we were here!"

Tizzy shrugs. "Yeah, well, there's a reason for its name. No, it's not literally full of shit, Nalain. It's just...you know how Worthy Dungeon is apparently a bit unique in how fast it's grown? That in terms of, say...complexity, she's probably on par with an average seventy-five year old dungeon? And newborn dungeons aren't usually much smarter than animals?"

The orc shrugs back. "I mean, I'll take your word for it. So, what, this dungeon is brand new?"

"It's not, and that's the thing. It's apparently like...a hundred and forty years old? But it's kind of, uh...how should I say this. 'Unambitious'? The thing rarely has more than two or three floors, and they are below-Initiate tier in difficulty. Like, empty square rooms with a single slime in the middle of them sort of shit. I didn't bother bringing it up because the Association doesn't hand out any credit for clearing it unless you're under level five."

Reed snorts. "Which is saying something given even basic Association training will usually get you to two or three at least, from what I've heard. So...is there any concern about a monster attacking such a place?"

Thaddeus considers the question. "I don't see any reason why a simple monster would wish to destroy a dungeon, but it sounds as if it could be capable of it. And as Association members, we are at least somewhat obligated to protect dungeons from being destroyed without just cause." He pauses as he takes in some of the glances from the others. "...Yes, I know it's somewhat ironic. But we are legitimate Challengers now, so I suppose it is our responsibility. Besides, I believe some of you were hoping for more excitement?"

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The party's fencer sighs as he stands up and checks his blade. "Well, I hope we all still feel that way when we find out what's waiting for us out there..."

The trek through the local area's no fun for anyone, as despite the village having a path laid out to the dungeon, most of it's covered in five inches of snow. It's nothing they haven't dealt with before, and between their clothing and a few enchanted items the cold weather doesn't even touch the group. The full moon also provides a decent bit of illumination, and so they make fairly good time towards the nearby Shithole.

Just in time, it seems, to notice as a number of figures exit the dungeon. The entrance is a literal hole in the ground, apparently with a sturdy ladder bolted to one side, and as the group arrives they notice a heavily-armored individual climb their way out. The light isn't quite good enough to make out any details, but they're certainly able to notice when second figure flies out of the hole, landing on the ground a few feet away. Thaddeus quickly pulls everyone off to the side of the path, and Tizzy's soon casting a spell to help hide their presence.

The man peers at the strangers. "These don't seem like monsters. I guess if they're just Challengers, then there's nothing for us to be worried about? Although coming out here in the middle of the night unannounced is...unusual."

Nalain sneers. "Well I didn't come all the way out here just to turn around and walk away! We should at least - " Tizzy shushes the warrior, as the two strangers begin talking. With another short spell, the sound of their voices is amplified in their ears.

"This cannot be worth our time. We didn't even get any of the dungeon loot! A bunch of rocks from a place like this can't be worth anything, right? I'm trying to come up with ideas for why we came to this one, but my head's empty."

The armored figure's partner sighs, her voice indicating a feminine presence. "Gods, that may be the most accurate thing you've ever said. It doesn't matter why, what matters is that we're here under orders. Now hurry up and take your empty head off."

"Agggh, it took me fifteen minutes just to get the armor set up again, and we were barely even in there for fifteen minutes! How about we walk back at least a little, huh? Let me stretch my legs."

"You don't have legs. I know that enchanted armor is hollow."

"C'mon. I'm offering a moonlit walk with a charming fellow like myself, in a snow-enchanted forest. Look at that moon! It's pure romance, I'm telling you."

The entire party can sense the hesitation in the winged figure's response. "Is...are you flirting with me?"

"...Do you want me to be flirting with you?"

"...Let's call it unprofessional and leave it at that. But fine, we can walk a little. This weather is terrible for my wings, anyhow."

With that said the pair begin to approach the path on foot, but Tizzy isn't particularly concerned about their group being noticed. She's no amateur, and even the disturbed snow has been hidden by her illusions. That only shocks her all the more when the winged woman suddenly comes to a halt. "Hold - there's people here! Strong ones!"

The armored man doesn't hesitate to draw his sword, and seeing that the gig is up, Thaddeus gestures for Tizzy to drop her spell. As she does, he steps back into the path and addresses the pair. "Good evening, strangers! Might I ask what you two are doing out here so late? You've put the local villagers into a bit of a stir."

"That's none of your business!" The warrior waves his sword in Thaddeus's direction. "And if I was you, I'd keep my lips shut about what you saw here tonight! Also I would have lips, which would be pretty weird."

"...What? Tizzy, would you mind providing a bit of light for us?"

The scout is quick to answer her husband's request, and a light-generating spell soon forms between the two groups. What Thaddeus notices first is that the winged figure is some sort of demon, but that doesn't particularly surprise the man. Thaddeus's knowledge of the local history is still a little shaky, but he is at least aware that demons make up a notable ethnic group on the continent, and that unlike in many other realms they aren't particularly evil. When he notices the other figure's expression, however - or rather, their complete lack of one - he doesn't hesitate to draw his own blade.

"Undead! Skeletons! They're monsters after all - necromancers!"

"Gods dammit." The demon curses as she pulls something from her bag and tosses it at the group of Challengers. While most of them instinctively leap away from it, in his current position Thaddeus decides that it would be best if he instead charges towards the suspicious duo. That decision feels a little more questionable when the device activates, and triggers a barrier spell separating him from the rest of his party.

"Not bad, Lyota! I'll just knock this one out and then we'll - whoa!" The undead soldier's surprise is apparent as Thaddeus immediately goes on the attack, swinging his blade at the warrior, but his own reaction time is nothing to scoff at and the prince's second swing is soon deflected. "Wow, this ain't no local newbie! Guy's got some moves!"

"That barrier might just barely last long enough for me to store your armor - finish the fight quickly!" The demon - Lyota - keeps an eye on the swordsmen even as she does her best to channel mana into the magical shield which is even now being assaulted by the rest of the Challengers.

"I'm - well, I'm not making any promises!" The skeleton and the prince continue to duel, but both are increasingly surprised by the skill level of their opponent. Every thrust is avoided, every swing parried, and neither even lands a hit on the other's armor let alone comes close to causing actual damage. "Where'd you learn to fight, kid? You've got the bones of a good Death Knight in there, I'd wager."

Thaddeus growls. "I am no child! I have spent my lifetime being trained in the undefeated sword arts of my family line! But stop this fight, and I promise I shall put you to rest!"

"Rest? Nah, I'm fine, took a nap on the flight over here. Bit turbulent, hard to get some good shuteye, but hey, the view's to die for." The undead keeps up his mocking tone, but it's increasingly carrying an undercurrent of concern, and an awareness that his time is running short. Beating one Challenger is starting to look uncertain, but a two-on-five fight would definitely be untenable.

"Gah! Just fall, you zombie!"

"Hey, learn your undead! Just for that, I'm going to show you my secret technique...pocket slime!" With a gesture so fast it's nearly a blur, the skeleton's reached into his own bag and launched something at Thaddeus's face. His prosthetic arm moves to intercept it, but that just causes the launched slime to splatter upon impact, coating much of his upper body. The prince does his best to wipe his eyes clear, knowing that he's more vulnerable than ever to a follow-up strike...but to his surprise his opponent is instead fleeing.

"That's as much time as we're getting, Lyota! Let's get out of here!"

"Fine - but there's no time for the armor! We're traveling light!" The warrior has no chance to object as Lyota grabs hold of his skull, and to everyone's shock, simply rips it out of the armor. As she begins to take into the air with it however the skull mostly just seems annoyed.

"Hey, that was good armor!"

"We'll get you another one!"

With the pair already moving out of range, Thaddeus finds himself with nothing to hurl at them except questions. "Who in the blazes are you, anyways!?"

An echoing voice shouts back. "I'm sure you won't forget my face, but if you ever see me again, just call me Dave! Dave Worthy!"

DAY 632

Xenia blinks at her descendant. "...He said his name was what?"

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