[Time Remaining Until Test 2: 17 Hours]
We walk over to sit across from Bruce and Nessa at a long wooden table. I scan the area to see more and more unfamiliar faces. Some smile while others glare. A few seem to be in the private closed-off areas resting as well. Maria keeps her left arm under the table.
Nessa speaks up first.
"So what happened? You took so long we thought- "
I smile and interrupt.
"We came to an agreement with that stubborn orange-haired brute. It just took a while, long story."
I turn to Maria and sigh. She nods and blinks a few times, then we both turn our heads forward again. Nessa just smiles.
"Well, that's a relief. Maybe I can manage to get some sleep after all."
She turns to one of the open curtains of a private resting area, then looks back at me.
"Say, uh, Jay. Could I take a peek at your Fire Magic before the start of the next test?"
I nod while scoping out the resting areas for myself. We have plenty of time before our next test, a nice long sleep would be nice.
"Sure, just remind me."
She smiles as Bruce interjects.
"Yeah, I'll be getting some rest too. I need a shield for the next phase of this exam though, hopefully, I'll be able to make a trade. I'm sure some of the less skilled hunters will be arriving as time ticks down. They'll surely need a leftover potion or two for a sword right?."
He scans the crowds looking for anyone willing to give up their shield. I can see a bit of fear in his eyes.
Most of the items being traded are just potions and dropped loot from the floors below. Not many people are giving up their weapons. I do feel kind of bad.... I completely forgot about his shield. With the adrenaline from battle, and the mission to get Maria back, retrieving their lost gear totally slipped my mind. I speak up and look Bruce in the eyes.
"Well, I'm sure you'll find the right person willing to trade eventually.
He nods slowly.
"Thanks."
I survey the crowd one last time and decide there's not much else I want to do right now but sleep. It would be the most productive thing right now.... Unless.... I turn to Maria.
"Hey, I'm going to get some rest. Could you come with me real quick?"
Her eyes perk up as I point to an open curtain of a resting room nearby. She quickly agrees and we both stand up. Nessa speaks.
"Well, that was fast. See you in a bit I guess, rest up."
We leave moments later with a wave.
Upon entering the small curtained-off room, I look around. There are 3 small cushioned beds on all of the walls not counting the entrance. The room is about 3m long and 3m wide. As I shut the white curtain, the room stays softly lit with a white glow. I turn to Maria.
"Do you need anything? I'll be out for a while?"
She stares at me with a confused look.
"You'll be... out for a while?"
I grin and turn to the back wall of the room.
"Dungeon Walker."
A large black swirling portal appears in front of us and Maria's eyes open wide.
"Oh-Oh. You can... leave?"
I nod with a slight grin.
"The only rules were no fighting, and no entering floor 12. He never said we can't leave the exam site and come back later."
YOU ARE READING
Dungeon Diver: Stealing a Monster's Power
FantasyA story following a young hunter named Jay. He has grown up in a world where dungeons, monsters, and humans with leveling systems are a cultural norm. At the age of 20, he awakens a skill that allows him to steal the abilities of monsters. While oth...