Lewd Dungeon, Chapter 409

Chapter 409 – Towards the Darkness

The fight against the Pharaoh had been ‘solved’ by this point. The tricks and patterns for the curse tiles on the floor were known, as well as ways to avoid them entirely. The general abilities of the Pharaoh and his minions were known, and there was a clear strategy to win against him. However, that did not mean the fight was easy, or that it was without risk. That was never true in any fight, least of all a boss fight in a dungeon.

Sure, there was less difficulty when dealing with a boss people had already beaten, and reported back on, compared to a completely unknown boss. Knowledge was power, after all. However, thinking you knew everything was a trap. Only mindless bosses attacked in set patterns. Even golems and some slime bosses could change their attacks and adapt to react to new situations. After all, Captain Hentai on the first floor had not always known how to climb trees.

There were some bosses in different dungeons that were, for lack of a better word, mechanical. Where a boss moved in predetermined patterns, while the environment shifted around them. Those fights were more like puzzle rooms than actual fights, however. The point was usually not to kill the boss, though that was one way of finishing the fight, but to get to the objective with your team still alive.

That sounded like it would be easier, but there were some groups who found it far more difficult, especially if the floor up to that point had been more straightforward fights. It was easy for a team, even experienced ones, to get caught up in the flow of things, and forget to think. And some teams were just generally better suited to straightforward martial contests than solving puzzles while under attack.

Rhys had managed to disarm the Pharaoh with his whip early on in the fight. His [Boots of Air Walking] consumed a set amount of MP every second during the fight, which was just slightly more than his normal regeneration. So long as he used any of his abilities which cost MP sparingly, he would be fine, which meant that he could stay off the ground, outside of the magic barrier that prevented spells from passing through in either direction, and harass the undead with his whip.

And it was harassment, really. He wasn’t trying to do a lot of damage. That wasn’t his role in the party, after all. He was the one standing back and directing the others, as needed. The Dominator class line was primarily focused on collecting and empowering thralls, but he did have some general skills to allow him to attack or defend somewhat. He wasn’t wholly reliant on his pets.

Still, his whip disarming the Pharaoh at the start of the fight had removed one of the most dangerous weapons the boss had from play, especially when a flick of the whip sent the scepter flying into a far corner of the room. When he disarmed the archer, the undead pulled a knife, but the others could handle that. A [Disrupting Strike] to the face interrupted the Dark Priest’s attempt at spellcasting. A quick flick of the whip caught one of the fighter’s sword arm long enough that Teffany could intercept with her shield.

Teffany held the attention of the two warriors, ensuring that they could not help the pharaoh, while Elia, in bear form, pushed both archer and priest back, to the other end of the platform. Emblema, Danyll, and Merewen focused on the Pharaoh, pouring on the damage. All while he hung back, using his whip to distract, harass, and prevent the enemies from coordinating. The plan was simple, without any overcomplicated stratagems or contrived maneuvers. It was simple and brutally effective, which is why it was working.

The Pharaoh was the first to fall. He was a boss, but he was primarily a spellcaster, and Emblema and Danyll gave him no chance to cast. Merewen’s area healing spells not only kept the party’s HP full, but damaged the undead. Soon enough, the Pharaoh crumbled to the ground. Danyll and Merewen moved to support Teffany in taking down the fighters, while Emblema came to help Elia against the priest and archer.

And then, it was done. Not all at once, and not instantly, but with the Pharaoh down, and the attackers able to shift their focus to deal with the others, it was simply a matter of time. The archer fell first, followed by the priest. The two fighters and their increased defense lasted a bit longer, but that was the best they could manage.

As the black and white tiles on the floor glowed brightly all at once, and then faded, Rhys allowed the magic in his boots to fade, and he stepped onto the platform, next to the chest that had appeared where the Pharaoh had once stood. That fight had pushed all of them to Level 29. More importantly, there was loot.

Loot:

3000 gp

Scroll of Resurrection

Darkstalker Belt of Destruction

Spelldancer’s Bracelets of Charismatic Power

Shadowstalker’s Collar of Striking

Gold was always welcome. The universal System currency was, well, universal, so it could be used anywhere that the System was active. Which meant it was definitely used anywhere Rhys or his pets would be going. And a [Scroll of Resurrection] was always a good thing to have, just in case. However, it was the three pieces of gear that really caught his eye.

Darkstalker Belt of Destruction

Type

Belt

Rank

Rare

Price

225216 gp

Weight

1 lb

Made from the hide of a darkstalker, a shadow-based evolution of a large hunting cat, this belt gives any wearer catlike reflexes and a large boost to all natural weapons, including those gained from shapeshifting.

Restricted: Must have [Shapeshifting], [Wild Shape], or similar ability.

+100 DEX

Darkstalker – 50% harder to see while in shadowy areas. Invisible to Darkvision. Movement is completely silent while in shadow.

Sneak Attack – When striking from stealth, behind, or when the target cannot see you or properly defend themselves, all attacks deal 100% more damage (applied before enemy defenses).

Destructive Nature – All the wearer’s natural weapons deal extra damage equal to the wearer’s (WIS+CHA). This includes natural weapons gained through shapeshifting, but does not include abilities like [Constrict] or similar.

Shadowdrinker – Shadows and darkness (including natural darkness) increase HP and MP regeneration by 25% for shadowy or partial darkness, and by 50% for complete darkness.

While Rhys knew that Danyll would like anything that gave her more DEX and better abilities in the darkness, it was obvious that this piece belonged to Elia, especially since Danyll didn’t have shapeshifting abilities. At any rate, while the druid did not always use her [Wild Shape] abilities to sneak around, she was certainly capable of it. And even if she wasn’t sneaking, the damage increase to all her attacks while in animal forms was reason enough for her to have it. And the bonus regeneration from being in shadows, regardless of what form she was in, was a potent boon, to be sure.

Spelldancer’s Bracelets of Charismatic Power

Type

Arms

Rank

Rare

Price

228310 gp

Weight

0 lb

These silver and gold bracelets are designed to be worn by a Spelldancer, but can be used by anyone who either uses unarmed attacks or spells. The silver bracer looks like an Eastern dragon coiled around the wearers wrist, while the golden dragon is designed to resemble a phoenix.

+200 CHA, +2 CHA per level

Spelldancer’s Might – Add the wearer’s CHA to all melee damage and spell damage. If they already add CHA to their melee or spell damage, double the total damage done in melee and with spells.

Spelldancer’s Power – The wearer’s Defense increases by their CHA. Attackers in the same Tier or below cannot attack the wearer directly if the wearer’s CHA is higher than the attacker’s highest attribute.

These bracelets were obviously going to Emblema. The powers were incredibly strong despite, or perhaps because of, their simplicity. A flat +200 to her CHA, with an extra +2 per level, boosted her CHA by 358 at Level 29 in Tier 2. Even back in Tier 1, her Spelldancer class had let her add her CHA to melee and spell damage, which meant that [Spelldancer’s Might] ability just doubled her damage output. And with how high her CHA was, there was a decent chance that there would be monsters in the dungeon who simply could not attack her, even while she beat them bloody. Well, the ability did nothing about Area of Effect attacks, or indirect attacks, like shooting a hanging chandelier to fall on her head, or opening a pit trap under her. But still, that was a HUGE deal!

Shadowstriker’s Collar of Striking

Type

Throat

Rank

Rare

Price

192347 gp

Weight

0 lb

This band of black leather is designed to be worn around the throat. Infused with shadow magics, it is perfect for those who strike from shadow.

+300 DEX

Improved Sneak Attack – If the wearer has the Sneak Attack ability, or a similar ability by another name, the damage caused by those attacks is tripled when the wearer is in shadow, or striking from shadows.

Improved Stealth – The wearer can use the [Stealth] skill to hide from all senses, even magical ones. This is ineffective on creatures above the wearer’s Tier.

And then there was this gem. Not as flashy as the others, but a flat +300 to DEX was nice. Tripling the wearer’s Sneak Attack damage was insanely good, and the Stealth bonus was very nice, especially when dealing with creatures who used more than just sight to see. This one item made Danyll a very, very deadly foe for anyone to deal with. Naturally, the rogue was more than happy to receive it.

In fact, Danyll was so happy that she was already kneeling in front of Rhys, trying to undo his pants, right there in the middle of the dungeon. Or maybe that was just the effects of her Addict title. It had been a while since she’d gotten a taste, after all. Had to keep her properly filled, or the rogue started getting antsy.

While Danyll occupied her mouth with Rhys’s pleasure, Teffany’s gaze was focused on the section of the stone floor that had shifted, creating stairs down into darkness. Just as they had been told. A bit of theater on his Lord’s part, according to the Guild. The normal portals were stationed down there. Blue to go forward, orange to go back. Apparently, that was a reference to some entertainment property here on Earth, but Rhys didn’t have the proper cultural knowledge to place it. Either way, the stairs were just for show. The portal would take them to the next floor, when they were ready.

“So, next we have to go into the caves, which change their layout every time,” Teffany said softly. “Where one of the gravest dangers, besides the undead alligator boss, is a psychic tree that makes you want to touch it, and then it digests you alive with its sap. Honestly, I’d much rather deal with two of the undead boss than that thing.”

Merewen nodded, slowly. “I can understand your hesitation, Teffany. Creatures who attack the mind are some of the most dangerous foes. The Church of Selphie considers Mind Sorcerers and Illusionists to be a much graver threat than classes like Necromancer or Plague Mage, though less of one than the dreaded Puppet Master.”

Rhys grunted as he filled Danyll’s mouth. “About the only thing I ever agreed with the Vinsastrans on, back when their theocracy was a thing. They made Puppet Master a forbidden class. If a child was born with it, they could accept a class change to something not so dangerous, they could sign a binding magical contract with the country that all but enslaved them to the Crown, effectively turning them into state executioners, or they could go accept the headsman’s axe. That class is far, far too nasty for my liking. And I don’t want to know what could happen if someone managed to make it to Tier 2 with the class.”

Danyll frowned as she looked up at him, swallowing. “Master, could you talk about anything else? I really would like to be able to sleep tonight.”