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7.44 - Catching Up

Watching the Coliseum's fight to the conclusion provided a single enchanted token--which was an abysmal rate, at least based on how much she and Vanetta had benefited from their arena runs. Then again, the average delver couldn't fight through so many rounds, and thus earned less. So the passive generation from the Coliseum was comparatively more attractive to a 'normal' person.

For her part, she doubted she'd be idling around much. Better to hunt for a supply of basic tokens, then perhaps visit the Bordello. That was likely the second-best way to empower tokens behind official assignments.

Afterward, their team of five descended into the lobby area and stood in a corner for privacy. Natalie and Vanetta filled the other three in on what they'd learned. Elida, Clementine, and Faye did the same for what they'd heard and been told.

The only major piece of information--though it was more theory or suspicion than concrete intel--that was brought up besides the Emporium was a suspected method to gain a key. Everyone knew that drawing the City's attention could luck a person into getting a copy, but there weren't

guaranteed

methods. Natalie had heard that story about the girl who'd gotten overly enthusiastic about the pillory, but copycats had had much less luck. Probably, some genuine passion would be required; it couldn't be gamed.

They had a lead, though. The Ruins of Elysium, which the City of Eros was surrounded by in all directions.

"Those towers we saw," Natalie said. "And the other buildings. That--that makes sense actually. But it's not confirmed? The person who told you didn't actually clear one himself?"

"He knew a guy who knew a girl who completed one and got a key, apparently," Elida said, shrugging. "Even if it doesn't have one, we'll obviously be making a trip regardless. Why hunt the easy open areas? We have one of the best level-three teams in the world, maybe. Of course we'll take the challenge zones."

Natalie raised her eyebrows at that, because it sounded egotistical to state it outright. But damn. Maybe Elida was right. A team of elites, two of them god-sponsored. Their only major weakness was a lack of synergy and familiarity. By raw stats and talent for their level, they were up there.

So yeah. Of course they would tackle one of those points of interest now that the team had reunited.

"And we're gonna go do that now?" Natalie asked. "It's a while before the next reset." The other three had gotten unlucky with the timing of their arrival. "Vanetta and I are low on non-enchanted tokens anyway. It wasn't hard to enchant what we had."

"Indeed. For that matter, we're wasting time standing around and talking. I won't squander this opportunity." Elida pursed her lips. "But before we go, Natalie, can I speak with you privately?"

Natalie eyed the girl. "Sure?" she said hesitantly.

Being cordial to Elida hadn't been difficult in this team context--and since she wasn't acting like a major bitch, beyond the smirks and general aura she carried around.

A private conversation might make her ten times more difficult to deal with though. And more importantly, what topic needed secrecy? Only ones related to their class and to waking deities, Natalie assumed, which was why she was leery.

Regardless, she stepped aside with Elida.

"I expected your patron to influence the floor," Elida said with no ceremony, "but this is absurd, Natalie."

Natalie reflexively looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "It's hardly my fault. Nor even my

class's

fault. City's been around for--I don't know how long, but a few weeks at a minimum. It's luck who gets pulled in."

"Maybe for the average person. I refuse to believe

we

were dragged in by chance."

That might be fair. "Still wasn't my class. The City existed before we walked in, and has been pulling in all sorts of strangers." She narrowed her eyes. "Is there anything we need to worry about from

your

class, since we're on the topic?"

"Probably not. And if we do, we'll deal with it when we get there." She smiled politely at Natalie, and Natalie knew no amount of digging would get further details. A Parda-Halt played their cards close to their chest.

"Isn't it interesting how no one's heard of this place, though?" Elida continued, before Natalie could try prying. "If it's been around for weeks, as you say, surely

some

rumors would be floating through Tenet. There's hundreds of people here. More would've passed through. We certainly aren't the first Tenet students. I bet we could find some

now

, if we looked. Probably not any first-years. Laggard second-years, perhaps. Nevertheless. At least some."

Indeed, their team was likely one of only a handful of first-years who could be on the third floor, being ahead of their class. It was a shame Natalie knew the rest of her own party would be playing it safe and staying on the second floor. Maybe divine fate would've thrust them into the City of Eros alongside Natalie, if not for that.

"Maybe Tenet's keeping reports on lockdown," Natalie said, shrugging. "Maybe there just haven't been that many Tenet students to pass through. There's plenty of explanations.

"Perhaps."

"You think it's something else?"

"There could be stranger reasons. Clearly the typical rules of the dungeon have gone out the window. Look around."

"Meaning?"

Elida shrugged. "I'm not insinuating any one thing. But mind-erasing spells, when leaving? To keep it a secret? Not impossible. Or perhaps once we leave there will be some insurmountable trial no one has made it through. Perhaps we're dead and we don't know it. Simply food for thought. But, ah, that's not why I pulled you aside." She cocked her head. "Truly, this is new to you? Or have such events happened before?"

"You're being stingy with your class, so why shouldn't I be?"

Elida laughed. "Quite. Very well. I simply wanted to hear what you had to say. Whether this was... your

normal."

She peered at Natalie curiously, but Natalie kept her face straight. "It isn't," Elida deduced. "I see. Thank you for humoring me. Let's return, shall we? We have tokens to collect."

Walking back to the other three, Elida continued speaking--asking questions and making plans, at full volume as they strode over to include their teammates.

"How many did you earn, anyway? And is there a market for conversion? Trading unenchanted for enchanted? Perhaps it could be worthwhile amassing an enormous supply through efficient hunting practices, then trading them off. I presume there must be at least

some

market, because enchanting tokens comes with no risk of death--even those averse to casual sex will recognize that and value unenchanted tokens highly. Sex is more enjoyable than nearly dying to even those with reserved personalities, I would figure," she said, laughing. "Food for thought, food for thought. In any case, we need a key to that Emporium, and our best lead is one of those towers. So we'll be exploring one regardless. Shall we?"

7.45 - Tower I

They picked a tower in the distance as their target. It was neither the nearest nor farthest of the visible landmarks--of the buildings more intact than the rest of the Ruins.

The team was unsure whether the nearest points of interest had already been raided and cleared of valuables and powerful enemies, hence they picked one in the middle distance. They could see it going either way: perhaps the zones regenerated, and perhaps they did not.

Natalie suspected the former: that valuables would restock over time. It only made sense. Otherwise, with the number of teams stationed at the City of Eros, everything would be stripped clean.

Nonetheless, they hedged their bets, since even if valuables did regenerate, the nearest zones were the ones most likely to have been recently cleared--and thus be depleted. They also picked their target based on how visually intimidating the building looked. The tower they decided on was the tallest and most menacing of the constructions they could spot, in the near

or

far distance.

She wondered whether jumping straight into what might be the hardest zone was smart, when they didn't have a standard of reference for what these 'points of interest' would be like. Clementine was the one to verbally point this out, but Elida brushed past the worry with little willingness to compromise. Vanetta, likewise, was set on not wasting time. Natalie also agreed, secretly, but it might have been smarter to test the waters.

Regardless, if there was a team who could handle the worst the Ruins had to throw at them, it would be their squad. Unless a mid-rank team had been exploring the third floor and been thrown into the City, which wasn't impossible, but was unlikely.

With their destination decided, they set off. The City of Eros had a bubble of safety around it, but the moment they trekked outside--and it was a stark difference, the polished and clean streets morphing into decayed ruins--Natalie was reminded they were in the dungeon proper. Less than a minute's travel in and one of those ghostly monsters that were common to the Ruins was assaulting them.

Finally, Natalie had the opportunity to focus on what had been the original goal of this mission, before Lust's intervention had derailed them. Not that Natalie was complaining about the absurdly beneficial opportunity presented to her... even if she'd much rather have been thrown here with her real team.

Observing Elida. Natalie had agreed to this mission to get her to leave her alone, as Elida had promised she would, but also to gather information. She knew that would be a two-way street, with Elida studying her back, but Natalie and her team had decided it worth it. Some information was better than none.

So. Elida.

She was...

Strong. Every bit Vanetta's equal, and Natalie had already been astounded by how skilled the dark-haired rogue was. Even during the trip to the tower, in which they encountered no harrowing fights, Natalie could tell that the first and second place titles of 'strongest fighters' of Tenet--much less within their team--went to Elida and Vanetta. They were monsters, both of them. And Natalie hadn't even seen the full extent of their abilities yet.

It made Natalie concerned for the inevitable Coliseum fight. Begrudgingly, she admitted to herself she would almost certainly lose a one-versus-one against the red-haired rogue.

And the reason why was obvious. No small amount of Natalie's strength was tied to her teammates. [Aura of Blessed Advancement], [Divine Invigoration], [Stylish]--some of her strongest abilities were support skills, or if not support, then team-based. And all of them weren't even

power-based

support skills. [Aura of Blessed Advancement] was undoubtedly one of the most incredible level-three skills Natalie had ever heard of, but gaining extra experience provided no utility in a fight whatsoever.

For Elida, Natalie suspected her god-imbued class benefited her more directly. She didn't give absurdly strong buffs to her teammates nor accelerate their leveling speed. Well, probably. Natalie wouldn't know.

Perhaps Elida didn't even have an [Advance] skill like Natalie, granting a secondary progression path, and thus would be stronger earlier in her career, but would be outpaced over time.

Regardless, her class's kit was clearly more selfish.

And didn't that make sense? It did in Natalie's head. Lust implied a person to lust over; and thus her skills were targeted that way, not purely on herself. Like [Divine Invigoration]. Moreover, she was a

Paladin

of Lust, and paladins were traditionally fighters, tanks, healers, and supports all in one--though the exact ratios varied.

But a Rogue of Rage, or whatever class Elida had, would trend toward personal combat abilities, not team-wide buffs.

In any case, Natalie had to acknowledge reality: Elida was her superior when it came to individual combat.

For now. And only in one-on-one fights. Natalie wondered whether her

team

would beat Elida's, at this point. She felt they would. [Divine Invigoration] was obscenely potent, especially when used with [Empower]. Natalie had given it to Malice before leaving, seeing how she needed to act as the team's tank, and she honestly suspected the boost was so enormous that the wolfgirl would be able to stand toe-to-toe with Elida.

If only she could apply it to herself. Honestly, she

might

be able to, though she doubted it. She had no intentions of trying, because while the boost in strength would be lovely, Natalie's priority was for her teammates. They needed an empowered Malice as their front line. Even if she'd felt compelled to accept this delve with Elida, at least Natalie could be helping her team from afar.

For now, Natalie appreciated that Elida was on her side. Having such a skilled teammate was... nice. Not that she would admit as much out loud.

Unfortunately, beyond recognizing how skilled the girl was, Natalie failed to make useful observations on how her class functioned. Vanetta's conversation had been many times more revealing: the suggestion that anger drove the woman was more insight than Natalie discovered first-hand during the trip to the tower.

Perhaps the lack of insight came from the lack of difficulty. These fights weren't challenging enough to get her to show her hand. If that was the case, an opportunity was coming up. Because after a several-hour expedition--which was useful for gathering unenchanted tokens, if nothing else--they had arrived at the base of the tower. The construction stretched hundreds of feet into the air and was as thick as several houses around. It would take a while to ascend even if there weren't guardians inside. And of course there would be.

There might be an Emporium Key at the top, too, and if not that, there would surely be interesting fights and

some

sort of loot.

So, with building anticipation, Natalie shouldered the door open, the wooden slab creaking loudly as the first room revealed itself.

7.46 - Tower II

It turned out that the tower's imposing appearance did indeed hint at the danger inside.

Natalie and Vanetta alone had been able to fight through the Ruins without overmuch difficulty, which meant for their full squad of five, travel had been close to trivial. Thus, they'd made good time. Inside the tower, however, they met a new caliber of opponent. After walking cautiously into the first room, spectral beasts flooded from overturned tables and behind crumbling pillars. Half a dozen at least. They were faster, stronger, and more durable than any of monsters they'd run into thus far--a prelude and a warning to what lay higher in the tower.

A frantic fight ensued in which Natalie was, for the first time in a few hours, pressed hard. When the last monster had been dispatched, she looked around and made sure everyone had come out alright. They had, of course, though Clementine had to cast a minor heal on Natalie.

Thus, the real adventure began.

They set a careful pace. There was no timer pushing them along, like with the Arena. And unlike her duo assignment, they had a healer. Clementine tended to any of their wounds, both during the fight and after, making the expedition less a war of attrition and more a standard dungeoneering trip.

Token drop rates were nearly doubled, they discovered. And finding fights--difficult ones, with large payouts--was as simple as ascending to the next floor. So the trip was quickly proving itself to be lucrative. Worth their time even without other rewards, since the alternative would have been mundane Ruins hunting.

With each floor completed, Natalie's curiosity grew on what they would find at the top. The best case scenario would be an Emporium Key. Well, the

best

case would be a Mythical item or something equally absurd, but the best

reasonable

expectation was an Emporium Key. Nobody they'd spoken to at the City had been inside the Emporium, so Natalie, and everyone else, was intensely curious what sorts of wares would be available. If the public shops sold Epics, would there be Mythicals there?

While it would be lovely, she didn't have great hopes for finding a key. They had a few leads on how to earn one, such as high-profile Coliseum fights, deep expeditions into the Palace Basement, and odder methods like indulging in the Pillory a little too thoroughly, but there were no guaranteed methods. Likely, the City itself had to take interest in a person's efforts and reward them personally. So no matter what, it wouldn't be a simple process to find an Emporium key.

Natalie wasn't sure whether being Lust's champion would make it easier or harder. From one perspective, the City was interested in her by default--and thus more likely to reward her. From another perspective, Lust's champion might have greater expectations placed on her. She may have to work

harder

to impress the City.

During the intense expedition up the tower, Natalie was given a better look at the full extent of Elida's combat abilities. There were two observations of note. First that she was truly incredible at dodging--she had yet to take a single injury, even minor, despite lacking a stealthy style like Vanetta--and also that with the fights requiring more effort from all of them, Vanetta's description from earlier showed itself: Elida fought angry.

It wasn't a fuming, boiling sort of rage. It was cold, repressed, and--yes, even a little sadistic. Earlier, Vanetta had made a claim that sent a shiver down Natalie's spine: that Elida liked hurting things. Enjoyed the violence more than most delvers. That she became overenthusiastic, at times, during their fights. And indeed, Natalie started to catch hints of that. She was precise and vicious with those daggers of hers, and the further they went up the tower--the harder the fights got, the lower her stamina dropped--the more clear it became. As if, perhaps, Elida was relying on certain skills to carry her forward, ones that were affecting her mind. Rage based ones?

She was no regular berserker, she didn't think. Her judgment didn't seem to cloud; there didn't

seem

to be a 'rage resource,' not in a traditional manner. She was fighting angrier, but--purposefully so. Or maybe, as if, with the rising difficulty, the mask was slipping?

It was difficult to make any concrete deductions, especially because Natalie was busy with her own fights. She hardly had time to stand around and watch Elida. Her observations were stolen in snatches, between changing targets or coming to help a teammate.

Whatever the case, she grew more certain that the information Vanetta had given was accurate. She tentatively confirmed Elida's patron deity. Though, specific manifestations of her class eluded her. To be fair, Elida didn't know the details behind Natalie's skills either. She had guesses at best, and probably not many.

After a grueling ascension, they reached the top floor, which predictably held the boss encounter.

[Knight-General of the 2nd Battalion - Lv. 4]

It was a level four, Natalie noted grimly. Such a fight ought to be reserved for the fourth floor, not the third. But they

had

chosen to trek to the most menacing of the nearby buildings.

The ghostly Knight-General sat atop a horse armored as heavily as himself. The beast pawed the ground, snorted loudly, and lowered its head. Without ceremony, the horse charged, the Knight-General lowering a lance toward the nearest target--Natalie. She also rushed in, eager to take the boss's attention, noting the battlefield as she went. The tower was large by diameter, and this top room encompassed an entire floor. Still, it wasn't an open field; cavalry would be limited indoors.