Symbiotic: Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Sara trudged up the winding path to the mines, boots crunching against gravel and dust. The air grew cooler as she approached the cavern entrance, where the Dungeon Control Crystal pulsed faintly with its eerie light.

She placed her hand on the crystal, focusing her intent. A shimmer of System text appeared: Dungeon Drop Adjustments Available. Sara began tweaking the loot tables, adjusting the balance of ore fragments and monster cores.

The Valley’s ambient energy had grown richer since the Volcano Territory was linked. Sara could feel it thrumming through her veins, urging her to refine the dungeon’s balance. She smiled faintly, and adjusted the Dungeon to help provide her the crafting supplies she needed. Sure, it felt like cheating. But to good cheating where someone else does your homework for you.

She began with the second floor. The shadowy Wraithlings would now yield Small Soul Crystals, their spectral essence crystallized into tangible fragments. The unsettling Mindspinners, with their psychic webs, would drop Small Mind Crystals, perfect for training her Alchemy.

Satisfied, she turned her focus deeper. On the third floor, the dungeon’s heart pulsed with greater intensity. The Crystal Devourer Boss, already a formidable foe, would continue to drop a Large Mind Crystal, a rare prize for those brave enough to defeat it. Around the boss chamber, she adjusted the lesser monsters. Shade Beetles would scatter Small Soul Crystals, with a rare chance of Medium Soul Crystals. Gem Mantises, glittering and sharp, would yield Small Mind Crystals. Hollow Ants, relentless and hive minded, would drop Medium Mind Crystals.

The crystal pulsed in acknowledgment, sealing her changes. Sara stepped back, brushing dust from her gloves, and exhaled. The dungeon now thrummed with new purpose, its monsters transformed into gift boxes of Mind, Body, and Soul.

Just as she finished, Tas’s hologram flickered into existence beside her, his calm voice cutting through the cavern’s silence.

Tas: “You know, Sara, you don’t actually need to walk all the way up here. Any linked Territory can be adjusted directly from the main Territory Control Crystal in town. Or, if you prefer, you can simply ask me to make the changes for you.”

Sara froze, her hand still resting on the crystal. Slowly, she turned to glare at Tas’s projection, her expression caught between disbelief and exasperation.

Sara: “Ok, now I Know you’re doing this on purpose!”

Tas tilted her head, a fuzzy green miniature of Sara’s own, the faintest glimmer of amusement in her otherwise neutral holographic features.

Tas: “I assure you, Viscount, my purpose is only to assist. Though… I do find your dedication to exercise commendable.”

Sara groaned, throwing her hands up.

Sara: “Exercise?! Tas, you could have saved me an hour of climbing up and back down!”

Tas’s hologram flickered, as if suppressing a chuckle.

Tas: “Consider it… character building.”

Sara muttered under her breath as she stomped back toward the valley, refusing Tas’s offer to teleport her just in spite, and already plotting revenge against her smug holographic advisor.

Over her shoulder she called to Tas. “Well then, Captain Helpful. How about you add some Fire Crystal harvesting nodes in the Volcano chambers. So once we can get people in there safely, they can begin providing us not only the Firesteel and any other materials that are hiding down there, but some nice Crystal harvests as well.”

Tas: “See… Look at that. Growth!"

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Sara’s boots clicked against the cobblestones as she crossed Haven Valley’s square, the faint hum of the Volcano’s energy still lingering in her chest. She made her way to the VDF Barracks, where the newly designed banners of the Valley Defense Force, a gated wall in front of a lush valley with a volcano looming behind it all, hung proudly over the heavy oak doors. Inside, the air smelled of steel, leather, and discipline.

Cadri and Brogan were waiting in the command room, maps and patrol reports spread across the long table. Both captains straightened as Sara entered, their expressions sharpening with respect.

Sara set a small satchel on the table and carefully laid out its contents: five Body Pills, five Mind Pills, five Soul Pills, and six Purification Draughts. The crystalline shimmer of the pills caught the lantern light, while the draughts glowed faintly in their glass vials.

“These are for the Valley Defense Force,” Sara said, her tone steady. “I’ll leave it to you both to decide how best to distribute them. They’re powerful resources, but not limitless. I promise this won’t be the last delivery, though it may be some time before I can produce them regularly.”

Cadri leaned forward, studying the pills with a strategist’s eye. Brogan crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful but cautious. Sara walked them through the benefits. How the Pills provide a permanent bonus to Body, Mind, or Soul. She warned them of the risks of overuse, and the need to temper the use with time and with Purification, explaining that the System’s gifts always carried hidden costs if abused.

When she finished, Sara folded her hands and looked between the two captains. “Tell me. Do you have any pressing needs for the VDF? And are the contracted mercenaries fitting in? Are they following orders, or causing trouble?”

Cadri exchanged a glance with Brogan before answering. His voice was calm, deliberate. “The mercenaries are… adaptable. Scar Jaw’s Spears are rough, but they respect strength. The Windcutters keep to themselves, though they’ve followed orders without complaint. The Ironwall Cohort is disciplined, though their methods are rigid. They’re fitting in, but it takes effort to keep them aligned with our people.”

Brogan grunted, his tone more direct. “They fight well enough. But they’re not Valley folk. Some of the Wallguard don’t trust them yet. We’ll need time, and victories, before they’re truly part of Haven’s defense.”

Sara nodded, absorbing their words. Time would help, but unity was harder to forge than steel. She glanced at the satchel once more, then back at her captains.

“Then let’s make sure these resources go where they’ll do the most good,” she said softly. “Time and victories… We may run out of one to gain the other. I’ve a feeling that danger will come knocking at our gates soon enough. Those Redfangs won’t be the last to try to take instead of give."

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of responsibility pressing on them all. Outside, the muffled sounds of training echoed through the barracks yard, a reminder that Haven Valley’s defenders were already preparing for whatever came next.

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Cadri leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled as he considered Sara’s proposal. His eyes flicked to the satchel of pills and draughts still resting on the table, then back to her.

“That… is an intriguing idea,” he said slowly. “Dungeon runs would give the troops practical combat experience in a controlled environment. The first floor is manageable, but still dangerous enough to sharpen their instincts. Victories, as you say, would build confidence. And the System rewards could accelerate their growth.”

Brogan grunted, arms folded across his chest. “Controlled, yes. But dungeons aren’t sparring yards. Even the first floor can kill a man who isn’t ready. I won’t throw my Wallguard into the dark without preparation.” He paused, then added, “But… if we mix them with Scouts and mercenaries, as you suggest, the risk lessens. The mercs have experience, and the Scouts know how to move in tight spaces. Could work.”

Cadri nodded, warming to the idea. “It would also help integrate the mercenaries. Fighting side by side with the Valley’s defenders would build trust faster than drills alone. Shared danger has a way of forging bonds.”

Brogan’s stern expression softened just a fraction. “And if they come out stronger, with a few more levels under their belts, we’ll be better prepared when challengers arrive at our gates.”

Sara tapped her lip again, a spark of satisfaction in her eyes. “So… we make it part of weekly training. First floor only, mixed parties. Enough to build strength and camaraderie without overextending.”

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Sara laughed as an idea that should have been obvious slapped her in the face.

“How about you two set a run first yourselves?”

“You are welcome to pull potions and Salves from Barracks supplies, just in case. But I think it would be good if you all had firsthand knowledge to help you determine what the best makeup of mixed groups would be. Healer for safety, at least one scout for those Kobolds and their traps. And muscle. Bring lots of muscle!"

Cadri’s brows rose at Sara’s suggestion, and for a moment he looked almost amused. Brogan, however, leaned forward, his heavy arms resting on the table, eyes narrowing with interest.

“You want us to run the dungeon?” Brogan asked, his tone half incredulous, half eager.

Sara nodded firmly. “Yes. You, Cadri, Whistle, and the three mercenary leaders. Six of you together. First floor for certain, maybe even the second if you’re feeling bold. But be ready. It gets hairy fast down there.”

Cadri tapped the edge of the map with one finger, thoughtful. “It would give us firsthand knowledge. We’d see the monsters, the traps, the flow of battle. That would help us decide the best composition for mixed squads. And it would show the mercenaries that we’re willing to fight alongside them, not just command from above.”

Brogan grunted, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I like it. Nothing builds respect faster than bleeding together. And if Whistle’s with us, we’ll have a scout to sniff out those kobold traps. And as for muscle. I know just the place to look!”, he said, glancing down the hall to the Wall Guard training yard.

Sara smirked, tapping her lip in thought. “Exactly. That’s why I want you to pull potions and salves from the Barracks supplies before you go. But I think this will be good for all of you. It’ll give you the insight you need to shape the training runs for the rest of the Valley Defense Force.”

Cadri inclined his head, already calculating. “Scar Jaw, Vithril, and Gurk. The three mercenary leaders. They’ll bring their own strengths, the Spears, Windcutters, and Ironwall. If they fight beside us, we’ll see exactly how they mesh with Haven’s defenders.”

Brogan chuckled, the sound low and rough. “And if they don’t mesh, we’ll find out the hard way. Either way, we’ll know before we’re sharing a wall and trading blows with the unknown.”

Sara’s eyes gleamed with determination. “Good. Then set the run. I want you all to come back with firsthand knowledge. Not just of the monsters, but of each other. That’s how we’ll build the Valley’s strength.”

The two captains exchanged a look, and for once, both seemed in agreement.

Cadri inclined his head. “I’ll draft the schedule. We’ll rotate squads so every soldier gets their turn.”

Brogan gave a short nod. “And I’ll make sure the Wallguard are ready. If this is to be done, it will be done properly.”

Sara smiled, feeling that wonderful feeling of missing puzzle pieces slotting into place.

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The warmth of the Tavern washed over Sara as she pushed open the heavy door. The scent of roasted meat and fresh Lifewheat bread mingled with the tang of ale, and the low hum of conversation filled the room. Tavernkeeper Ned greeted her with her usual grin, sliding a plate of stew and a frothy mug of ale across the counter before she could even ask.

“On the house, Viscount,” Ned said with a wink. “You look like you’ve had a long day.”

Sara chuckled, taking the meal and drink, and made her way toward the corner table where the Foreshadows were gathered. Braska, Sylvi, Dalen, and Kaelith sat hunched over parchment and notes, their voices low but animated. The table was littered with scraps of dungeon maps, tally marks of loot sold, and the faint glow of System notifications still lingering in the air.

Braska looked up first, her weathered Bearfolk face breaking into a grin. “Sara! Just in time to celebrate with us! We did it. We’ve finished our second floor run.”

Sylvi’s ferretfolk eyes gleamed with quiet pride. “We’ve each gained at least two, some of us three levels. Added a few more touys to our bag of tricks. That Dungeon of yours’s been harsh, but generous.”

Dalen tapped a small pouch at his belt, the clink of coins and crystals audible. “Sold off most of the loot. Got a good bit of SC for it. Enough to keep us supplied for the next push, and a safety net aside.”

Kaelith leaned back, his scholar’s gaze sharp. “We’re preparing for the third floor now. The boss fight looms, and we’ll need every edge we can muster.”

Sara set her plate down and listened, sipping her ale as they spoke. She could see the change in them… stronger, sharper, more confident. The dungeon had tested them, but it had also built them. Rewarded them.

“You’ve done well,” she said, her voice carrying both pride and caution. “The third floor is no small challenge. The Crystal Devourer is dangerous, and with its minions, it is even more so. And there are quite a few extra little surprises in store. But you’ve proven yourselves already. With preparation, you’ll succeed.”

Braska nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “We’ll be ready, Viscount. We’ve fought together long enough to trust each other’s blades and spells.”

Sylvi added softly, patting her Fungal Bow, “And with the Valley’s strength behind us, we won’t falter.”

Sara smiled, feeling the weight of their determination. The Foreshadows were more than just challengers. They were the first of the new Haven path. Its proof that courage and unity could carve a path through even the darkest depths.

As the tavern’s fire crackled and Ned refilled mugs nearby, Sara leaned in, her voice lowering. “Then let’s talk strategy. Tell me how you plan to face the third floor.”

The Foreshadows exchanged glances, and one by one, they began to lay out their plan.

Sara sat back, offering advice when asked, but mostly enjoying the look on her friends, and fellow defenders of Haven Valley, faces as they charted a course to push themselves to success.

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