Daily Short: Eve 02

ACT 963161069-26889.20.10-Eve-Smith-Silver Prime

Eve retreated swiftly from the Kobold Warren. She moved with unerring accuracy following the map in her head. Crystal Core monitored the ones following her and the numbers were terrifying. It was clear from their movements that they were much higher in Levels. She didn’t know if Basic Abilities were additive or multiplicative but the math leaned towards the former.

Not only did the Loki Familia individuals have higher Levels, they had superior gear. Given time she could easily reach their Level and craft her own gear. However, as of now they had an absolute advantage. Eve watched the elf, dwarf, and short human chat quietly as they ran. Even the Supporters were strong enough to keep pace. I can’t beat them, but I might be able to outrun them. It would just require me to take reckless risks. The Deeper Floors are no joke according to everything I know.

Eve continued clearing the way with her Jian as she ran letting Crystal Core work its magic. Her blood flowed effortlessly within her body in high-speed combat thanks to Blood Magic I and Blood Manipulation I working in tandem. Her heart was pumping with the rhythm of a blacksmith’s forge. Waste toxins were dumped out through her pores heightening her already disgusting scent. If the smell of Kobold blood hadn’t covered the issue up, she was certain the others would be gagging. Shrugging, Eve put the future problem out of her mind. Her blade moved effortlessly following a functional form that wasted no momentum. At least being tired is no longer an issue.

After a solid chunk of time the party exited the Kobold Warren with Eve in the lead. She had led everyone into a cavern with a chokepoint at the far end. As she ran forward Eve shouted, “The tunnel at the far side of this cavern is a chokepoint. One person can hold against the tide while the others rest!”

Finn turned and charged back at the Kobold tide moving at their backs his spear at the ready. Eve grew confused for a moment as she continued running for the chokepoint. Before she could say anything, the dwarf behind her gave a grin and said, “Always a show-off.” Those words were a trigger for the short human as he turned into a whirlwind of death. I can barely make out his movements! This is the difference in Level shown in the most brutal form.

Eve peeled off to the side to watch the slaughter as the Supporters ran past her. She grew wary as the dwarf and elf moved along side her pausing at the tunnel’s entrance.

“I’m Gareth Landrock. That bundle of speed is Finn Deimne.” Gareth said before pointing at the elf next to him, “This iceblock is Riveria Ljos Alf.”

Eve bowed slightly before saying, “Appologies. While I am aware of the Loki Familia being strong, I do not know specific members. Are you in the upper or lower strata of power?”

Gareth nodded at her question, “A newbie then?”

“Indeed, I am currently Level One.” Eve said. “I had run out of supplies recently due to poor planning. The last week of mapping the Kobold Warren was my attempt to reach the surface.”

“If you’re out of supplies, how have you been surviving?” Riveria asked with a slight frown.

Eve pointed at the Kobolds dying to Finn’s spear and said, “Meat.” She then pointed at herself and said, “Genius cook!”

“Hah!” Gareth chuckled. “Would you mind sharing a dish?”

Eve’s eyes glinted as she said, “Certainly.”

Gareth cupped his hands and shouted, “Leave a few bodies, Finn!”

In short order the Supporters had a fire prepared from wood and the bones of the fallen Kobolds. Those that hadn’t disintegrated straight into ashes were assembled for Eve to operate on. Looking at the Loki Familia, she decided to go all out. There was no doubt they suspected her of being the new monster. That said, the Loki Familia were by far the best option to meet. As long as I can impress them, they are the family most likely to be willing to sweep a person’s past under the rug.

Freya and Apollo Familia were distinct in that one was the most powerful in Oro Oro and the other wanted to be. Killing her would be an example for each of them. Loki on the other hand was just screwing with the other two. It is either that, or these three are deriving diabolical entertainment from me.

It really didn’t matter which, because Eve was confident in her cooking skills. Kobold meat had a sour taste that required proper treatment to remove. Previously, she had been forced to use exotic methods but now her Blood and Dust could cheat. Blood Manipulation I and Blood Magic I drained the meat perfectly into an orb that floated by her left shoulder.

Gareth, Finn, and Riveria all cocked an eyebrow at her to which Eve replied, “What? Are we going to pretend I’m not the target of the recent hunt, bah!” As she continued to fillet the meat and keep it floating on a platter of silver dust Finn said, “Are you admitting to being the new monster from the Dungeon?”

“Hogwash. I’m no more a monster than any other creature on this planet. I can swear with absolute assurance that I have no connection with the Dungeon.” Eve said staring directly at the elf, Riveria.

“Truth.” Riveria said with a slight hint of confusion on her face.

“Oh? You think this is some twisted plot of Freya or Apollo then?” Gareth said glancing at Finn.

“Possibly, but I’m willing to hear her out first.” Finn said as he watched the food being prepared. “I’m certain everyone else has noticed….”

“She’s not using a Spell, at least nothing I’ve ever encountered.” Riveria said with a nod.

Eve floated the seven steaks she had created over the fire before asking, “Spices? Salt?”

One of the Supporters pulled two small bottles from his pack before handing them over after getting approval from Finn. Eve took care to minimize her use of the chili powder and salt after tasting them. More eyebrows were raised as she blatantly ignored the fire’s heat to flip the meat with her bare hands.

“You know that one of the recent disappearances attributed to me was a Summoner, correct?” Eve said as she watched the steaks sizzle.

“Thomas something or other.” Riveria said calmly.

“Correct. Thomas the Summoner took his party down to the Ninth or Tenth floor. That alone wouldn’t have been an issue.” Eve said her eyes glinting. “Except someone with high-level skill or Skill in Alchemy poisoned a member of the party.”

“No one noticed?” Gareth said frowning.

“It wasn’t a lethal poison.” Eve said flipping the steaks and seasoning them on the opposite side. “It was some type of Monster Lure. The scent poured out of the victim like smoke in an enclosed space.”

Finn grimaced and said, “Blood Parade. It isn’t the first that’s happened in recent years. A rather exotic method of murder, but basically traceless.”

Eve nodded, “Like any Summoner under pressure Thomas decided the rules didn’t apply to him. He drew a circle in his own blood, and then fueled by desperation he Summoned.”

Riveria’s eyes closed as she said, “Emotion can lead to great strength when using magic.”

Eve paused her cooking to look coldly at all three members of the Loki Familia, “It was indeed a strong summons. Had I been alone, it wouldn’t have been enough to pull me here. I wasn’t alone though.”

Riveria blanched ever so slightly as she understood what Eve was implying.

“I see you understand what I mean, elf.” Eve said turning back to the meat. “I wasn’t alone. Imagine that you are walking home. The street begins to crumble beneath your feet. You have the option to save the people near you, to who you owe a great debt or save yourself. Which do you choose?”

“Myself.” Finn said.

“My friends.” Gareth said.

“Do you say yourself because you are worried that you might be killed, Mr. Finn?” Eve asked curious.

“Yes.” Finn said shortly.

“Then let me make it easier. You have incredible Skill, you know that if you save your friends you still won’t come to harm.” Eve said. Barely a second passed before Finn said, “Then I would save my friends, of course.”

Eve nodded, “Exactly. That is precisely what I did. There were far more things at play, but that was the essence of it.”

Riveria said, “How far, how deep outside our world did Thomas reach?” Eve looked at the elf, at how nervous and taunt she was and sighed, “Really fucking far. Worlds are protected by a meta-magic known as the Crystal Wall. I don’t know who made it, and I don’t know who maintains them. I do know that getting through them requires Sealing the vast majority of my power. If I don’t, it is the same as slamming into a window as a bug at high-speed.”

“Splat.” Finn said.

“Splat.” Eve nodded.

“The blood drinking?” Gareth asked. “Is that normal or?”

“If you are too strong, then something like a trade occurs. I get some of my normal powers, albeit weaker.” Eve said gesturing at the almost-done steaks.

“The Crystal Wall puts restrictions on in exchange.” Riveria said her eyes sparkling.

“Bingo!” Eve said as she moved the steaks off the fire and to each individual. Her floating silver dust-plates were rather popular.

“I got Cursed coming through. Specifically, Thirst and Hunger.” Eve said. “That’s why I ran out of supplies trying to reach the surface.”

“Monster blood?” Finn asked around a mouthful of steak.

“Doesn’t work, I’ve tried some from everything I’ve fought so far. Only people work, because they are not tainted.” Eve said looking at Riveria.

“The Dungeon’s Mana, it’s stopping you from feeding properly.” Riveria gasped.

Eve nodded, “Correct. Also, I did kill Thomas and his party, but I will plead temporary insanity there. I was disoriented, having just been ripped from my spatial transit tunnel and thrown into combat. Once I finished the ants, I was ravenous.”

All three of them glanced among each other before Finn said, “Riveria can tell if you are speaking the truth.”

“Which is why I didn’t bother lying, I figured one of you could.” Eve said with a shrug as she wolfed down her meat.

“Are you willing to answer some questions?” Finn said his eyes sparkling.

Eve nodded.

“Were you a monster before you came here?” Finn asked.

“My race is humanoid, and we are not considered monsters.” Eve said before tilting her head and adding, “Except by our enemies.”

“Fair enough.” Gareth said with a smirk.

“Do you have plans to kill in order to feed yourself?” Finn asked.

“No, with the crystals I can acquire I have no need. I’m sure money will buy me all the blood I require to feed.” Eve said with a negative shake of her head.

Riveria nodded.

“Last question. Would you be interested in joining the Loki Familia?” Finn said with a broad grin.