Daily Short: Eve 03

Eve felt that the Loki Familia was a well oiled machine. Camping in the Dungeon with them was the epitome of comfort. The packs of each Supporter had a spatial enchantment that allowed them to carry more while weighing less.

It wasn’t much compared to what she could do in time, but it was impressive nonetheless. The reason for traveling in a group of six was made apparent as well. Night watch was split into three sections ensuring everyone got adequate sleep. Once they had a quick breakfast of trail rations, Finn immediately started leading them out.

“Are the paths in the Dungeon unchanging?” Eve questioned as they started moving through the tunnels toward the surface.

“It appears so to the best of our knowledge.” Riveria replied.

Eve pondered before asking a question that had been bugging her, “Where does all the excrement go?” If she didn’t have Witch’s Dust the Dungeon would have been a nightmare.

Riveria flashed a small pendant that Eve hadn’t noticed and said, “These are enchanted with something that makes even waste possible to be used by the body. That tiny amount that cannot is expelled as liquid waste. They also have a minor notice-me-not engraved upon their face.”

“Ooooh!” Eve replied engrossed in the complex mana woven within the small trinket. “Impressive!”

“Before these were invented Delving was a test of sanity and Skills,” Gareth said. The dwarf had snuck up from Eve’s opposite side while she chatted with Riveria.

Eve thought for a moment before making a face and said, “Ick!”

“Indeed.” Riveria nodded. “Magic could alleviate some issues, but these pendants are far superior in my opinion.”

“Enchantments like this are common?” Eve asked as she followed Finn’s lead. The smallest sound of cracking stone made Jian appear ready for combat. From the walls, a host of Shadow Warriors arrived. Their movements were fluid and with minimal flaws.

It didn’t matter.

Gareth, Finn, and Riveria melted the Shadow Warriors like snow on a hot griddle. Magic stones fell, but they were few and far between.

Finn said, “They aren’t common, but only the best for Loki Familia members.” Eve watched him flip his hair and clapped.

“Don’t push his ego higher, he’ll start to float,” Gareth said with a sigh.

“Would you like me to take the next group?” Eve said in a bored tone.

“If you would like,” Finn said with a nod.

“Excellent!” Eve countered. The next group of enemies was a mix of Shadow Warriors and Ants. She made short work of the two enemy groups her Jian a blur of unending bloodshed.

Riveria, Gareth, and Finn gave sharp nods of appreciation. It was clear she was well above the minimum combat level due to her abilities. After she cleaned herself up, Eve moved to stand beside Finn.

“You definitely qualify on the physical side of combat. Would you mind taking a small mental test?” Finn asked politely.

“Sure!” Eve said. Raul moved to hand her a small colored cube and her eyes widened in surprise before she said, “Rubik?”

“No, that’s a Demon’s Puzzle,” Finn said gesturing at the device that looked like an exotic version of the Earth classic.

“Why is it called that?” Eve asked looking at each side as she walked. Crystal Core was already calculating the solution based on the same method of beating Rubik's Cubes.

“It is a very adept method of gauging the potential for a spellcaster.” Riveria supplied. “The easier it is to solve the greater the potential of the magic user.”

Eve nodded and then shuffled the cube's sides before handing it back to Finn. It was fun watching the Pallum’s eyes bulge. Riveria managed to control her expression better, but Gareth just burst out laughing.

“Do you have any harder ones?” Eve asked. Finn glanced at her and narrowed his eyes before tossing the first cube back to Raul and saying, “Give me the others! We’ll pause for a moment here.”

Eve found herself surrounded by a small group as she was presented with different sizes to solve. With each cube, she solved the group grew quieter and quieter. After the fifth and final cube the size of a small human head the silence was deafening.

“Eve, how are you solving them so fast?” Riveria finally asked.

“I just make copies of them in my head and twist them all different ways until they are solved?” Eve said with a tilt of her head.

Gareth nudged Finn and said, “How’s it feels to meet a real genius, you faker?”

“I love picking up a pebble by the river and finding it is the missing Holy Gem of the Argonaut’s Crown. How was your choice doing again last we met? Oh, that’s right still acting like a feral puppy!” Finn said with a shit-eating grin that practically swallowed his face.

“Do you have ranged magic?” Riveria asked Eve while the two shorties bickered.

“Not yet. I just use my magic to buff physical power.” Eve said pretending ignorance. A person with no weaknesses is impressive, but the tallest tree is always the first to burn in a storm. Riveria relaxed unconsciously at her response which proved the point aptly.

“Break out the spare shield!” Finn said finally turning away from Gareth. He pointed at the dwarf with a thumb and said, “Let’s test a full power blow. Hold nothing back, if you can move Gareth even a little it is our win.”

Eve looked at the dwarf who had a serious expression. Gareth nodded and took a shield Raul pulled out of his pack. The Demon Puzzles were put away. Taking a stance the dwarf said, “Give it your best shot, lass.”

Nodding she charged forward; this wasn’t a competition of speed or Gareth would have easily won. Instead, it was a clear test of physical power. Different from her combat ability, they wanted to know her limit in pure strength. From what she had seen, in gamer terminology which Eve had been forced to learn or go insane, Gareth was a tank. A solid mass dedicated to holding the line against any number of enemies. The dwarf could deal damage but in comparison to Finn or Riveria, it was completely lackluster. No, Gareth is the one that holds back the tide while the other two cut or burn it to ashes.

Striking the shield head-on wasn’t an option. If the dwarf didn’t have Skills that made that a bad idea, she’d eat nails for breakfast. With the logic that striking head-on was a fatal error, Eve struck low. Her supple waist twisted making her right leg lash out like a sonic whip striking down and in.

Gareth shifted in place barely bringing his shield around in time.

Everyone watched as the dust slowly settled to see the victor.