Interlude: Dungeon Crawler Aubrey.

Note: I've been listening to Dungeon Crawler Carl at work, and I've decided to write an interlude where Aubrey is there. Through a dungeon. The world of Dungeon Crawler Carl is pretty easy to understand, and it'll help me develop my combat writing and handling more extreme characters from various nationalities. Hence why I picked this and not something like A Court of Thorns and Roses to write in the universe of. 

This is a patreon exclusive thing for me to write, because it sounds like fun! And I have more motivation to write this than anything else, since it's kinda like D&D. 

Sorry I'm not updating a ton though. I'm burned out mostly and need something not in any way stressful to do for a few weeks. Which I have not been getting. 

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Dungeon.

I was doing a swim in the Hogwarts Lake when I saw it: a small cave, just under the water, a tree growing on top of it and obscuring the entrance. I usually swam lengthwise across the lake, but today I had taken the swim around the whole diameter of the lake.

And found this tree. Covering the small cave.

I decided to look into it - because I was curious, and a short dive wouldn't interrupt my workout for the morning. I still had an hour.

Swimming under the roots, squeezing in between a couple hidden roots behind the first layer into the cave proper, I found it slowly widened - and which was very odd. I swam along until is slightly curved up and has an obvious air pocket and landing zone. I walked out and dried myself off with a simple spell, looking around.

There was a blood red dungeon here. Like a blood red slash in the air.

I read the description.

Dungeon Crawler World Dungeon.

This dungeon is a Challenge Dungeon, which is designed to test your abilities and kill you. Death inside is not permanent and will result in your returning to this world. However, the better you do in the dungeon, the greater the rewards upon your return.

This Dungeon will lock you out of all magical gear and abilities. You can bring any nonmagical equipment with you. Your stats will be divided by 10. If They are higher than the human maximum, then they will be reduced to that as an initial value. The stats are scored out of 20, with 20 being the initial maximum (with the exception of int and Charisma. Charisma will be based on Luck and Wisdom. These have an initial maximum of 35.) and 3 to 5 being average. Usually only professionals have above a 5 in a stat.

Your skills will remain intact, but be divided in level by 50 as 20 is the maximum for the system employed in this dungeon.

While you are in this dungeon, time will be frozen locally. Upon discovery of this dungeon you have 24 hours to enter.

Good luck, and remember to Kill, Kill, Kill!

So. A nonmagical to begin dungeon. I'll be back, once I get the proper gear sorted. A bow, arrow, simple plate armor, sword and shield.

It won't take long to make that up with magic and my level of smithing. We'll see. The armor might have to be a breastplate and gabeson, but I have hope to rig up something… decent.

Thank the various gods its Saturday.

~~~o0O0o~~~

I went to bed and woke up an hour earlier than normal so I could sneak out to the cave. Thankfully, animation charms on various hammers had taken care of the majority of the work on the smithing. The only parts I had to do was the final touches, which meant I did not have exactly what I wanted - it was mostly just chainmail with metal plating over my torso and thighs, with gauntlets and boots, but it was much better than nothing. The sword, bow and arrows had been easier, and I even squeaked out a handful of daggers. With all of this equipped, I stepped through the portal, and then watched as I came out on a London street just in time to see everything around me flatten into the ground. All the buildings, cars and other covered things were gone. A lady under a parasol has gone too. All that was left were snow covered streets and a few dozen people on the street. And the streets on the other side of the block. Then the announcement came. A few exclamations of surprise rose up as it began.

"Surviving humans, take note." The words were scrolling down in front of me as well as being audible to me. It was clear by the people I could see they heard and saw this too. I payed attention. Not wanting to miss this, since it was probably important. "Per Syndicate rules, subsection 5.4.3 of the precious elemental reserves code having failed to file an appeal to the rights of the materials within 50 solar of first contact, your plannet has been successfully seized and is currently being mined of all requested minerals by the assigned overseer. Your structures have been crushed and all minerals, organic and otherwise, are being collected. Per the mined material reclamation act and subsection 35 of the indigenous species protection act, all species, including humans, will be allowed the opportunity to reclaim the lost matter." I blinked at that. Interesting. This universe was getting mined by aliens for minerals? I guess they must need them for something but what would probably be something I could figure out later.

I didn't have access to anything I wasn't wearing, aside from my stats which were all at peak human numbers. I nodded. No point in letting me use inventory when I have all kinds of magical stuff in there.

The borent corporation, having been assigned regency over this solar system, is allowed to chose the manner of this reclamation. They have chosen option three - also known as the eighteen floor world dungeon. The borent corporation retains all rights to broadcast, exploit or otherwise use all elements of the world dungeon and will remain in control as long as they adhere to Syndicate procedures regarding matter reclamation. Upon successful completion of the world dungeon, regency of this planet will revert to the successor. A syndicate neutral AI, myself, has been created to supervise the creation of this worlds dungeon to ensure all rules are followed. Please pay careful attention to the following information as it will not be repeated."

"As per the indigenous species act, all remaining materials, estimated to be 99.9999% of the system mater is being reformatted to the floors of the world dungeon. This reformation will be completed appropriately eighteen seconds after this message is concluded. The first level entrances will be open for one hour and one hour only. Once the entrances are closed you will no longer be able to enter. If you enter you may not leave unless you complete the eighteenth floor or you meet certain other requirements. If you. Hoose not to enter the dungeon you will have to sustain yourself upon the surface of the planet and this may be the last communication you receive in your lifetime. All previous processed resources and matter are forfeit. However you may mine and or process other materials on your planet for your own benefit. The borent corporation wishes you luck. For those of you who wish to exercise your resource reclaimation rights, please take note. There will be 150,000 entrances added to the world. These will be marked and easy to spot. If you enter you will have five rotations of your planet to find the next level down. There will be 75000 entrances to level 2." It went on explaining the numbers and how there would be less as the floors got smaller, ending in 2 entrances to floor eighteen and one exit.

"Crawlers who enter the world dungeon must find a staircase and ascend to the next level down before the time has passed. After that time the level will be reclaimed and all remaining matter in the level, organic or otherwise will be forfeit. All other matter, such as unclaimed loot, may be placed in the Syndicate market. Each floor thereafter will have a longer time period. These rules may change for any crawlers who descend to the 10th floor. These rules will be explained when and if any crawlers reach this level. If you enter the dungeon it is recommended that you find and utilize a tutorial guild. Multiple tutorial guilds will be seeded through floors 1 through 3. If you have any questions or complaints they must be sent directly to the nearest Syndicate office. Thank you for being part of the Syndicate. Have a nice day."

I looked around. No one else had recovered yet. Some people were clearly having trouble processing it. I knew, coming here, it'd be bad. The world would try to kill me. I'm clearly intended to go to this dungeon. So I'll go.

The eighteen seconds passed quickly, and a stairwell appeared not even 10 meters from where I stood. I jogged over, and down into the tunnel without looking back.

I can't save those people. Not without winning. So I'm going to try and win as quickly as possible. Do as much as I can as quickly as I can.

I halted at the bottom of the steps, before a pictogram of a fish-thing. I nodded, reading a box which appeared before me, saying this was a kua-teen. The owners of the corporation running the dungeon, and, panting slightly from jogging down stairs in armor, which had worn me out more than expected, I pushed my way into the dungeon, and began walking as notifications in the language poured in.

"Welcome, crawler. You have been assigned Crawler number 39. Crawler name: Aubrey." After this a pile of notifications followed.

New achievement! Early adopter.

You literally ran into the dungeon. Hopefully you don't die in the first minute like most of the idiots who ran in like you did. Reward? Legendary Adventurers box.

New achievement! Knight in shining armor!

You entered the dungeon in full on medieval armor. Holy shit, where did you find this stuff? Reward? Gold adventurers box.

New achievement! Lady Knight.

As the first woman to enter the dungeon in full armor, you're clearly understanding of your priorities. Hope you know how to use that stuff. Reward? Platinum Adventurers Box.

New Achievement! Full Metal.

You are the first person to enter wearing full metal armor. Reward? Legendary Adornment box.

New achievement! Weapons ready!

You entered the dungeon armed. Good job! Reward? Bronze adventurer box.

New Achievement! By this Sword…

You are the first person to enter the dungeon with a sword. Hope you actually know how to use it. Hint: the pointy end goes in them. Reward? Gold Upgrade box.

New Achievement! And my Bow!

You entered the dungeon with a bow and arrows. Fuck lady, did you rob a midevial war gallery? Reward? Gold Ammunition box.

New Achievement! Loaded.

You are the first crawler to come into the dungeon with full gear for raiding the dungeon. What the fuck did you think was going to happen when you stepped out in a war kit today? Whatever it was, it probably wasn't this. Reward? Legendary upgrades box.

New Achivement! Loner

You entered the dungeon without any human companions. Didn't anyone teach you there is safety in numbers?

Reward: None! Haha. You are so dead.

Okay. Okay, I can work with this. Now, where do I go..? There's a minimap. I focused on it, and it got bigger. There was a box in the distance and everything else was blacked out. Except what I could see.

Fog of war? Alright. Boxes like that are probably a POI - Point of Interest. I should check it out.

I took in the hallway I was in more clearly. There was a series of intersections I could see. Left and right, along the East/West divide, and then I could go North. Behind me was a wall - no stairs or door.

Very well.

The first intersection was to the east, and it looked like an alley, not a real route. Nothing stuck out about it, aside from the fact it was rather thin, unlike the main passage and the route going west.

The route going west was half as wide as the main passage. It was, perhaps, half as tall as well. Still, it was wide enough for a couple of cars to go down if they squeezed. Like a country road. The stones there looked a bit more clawed up than the ones in the main area. The alley had no such markings at all.

Limited zone enemies, perhaps? Further information would be needed. This is a dungeon, and its made by aliens to kill me. And anyone else who comes in. Anything could be in here from our mythos, their mythos, actual space-monsters I’ve never heard about…

Anything.

So I decided to check out the POI first. Not like I’ll figure it out any better standing here than walking.

As I walked, I referenced my map after having peered down the side-corridors, and saw they filled in as far down them as I had been able to see - which was quite far, given my night vision is excellent, even without magical aid.

Being a part devil does that. Still,it had a limit, and I only had around fifty meters of corridor mapped out, and those fifty meters on each side had some similarities - more crossings, a door or two, and strange smells. One smelled like a dog, the other like acidic cleaners. I frowned at my armor.

I’ll stay away from acid stuff for now.

The POI was just ahead - and I stopped in front of it, reading the wooden sign.

“Training Guild.” it said. I nodded, and tried to open the door.

It was locked, so I knocked. And waited. Then I heard a sigh, and footsteps. “Who’s there?” A gruff voice asked. Sounded masculine, maybe middle aged at a guess. Not english but the weird robot-language which I inherently understood. Somehow.

“I am, apparently, Crawler number 39, Crawler name, Aubrey.” I responded, flipping my hair back over my shoulder.

I’d have to braid it again. Maybe cut it short. Yea, cutting it short sounded like a good idea.

“God-damn it, already? Alright.” I heard a latch, then a chain, and then the actual lock on the door come undone, and the door opened on silent hinges.

Before me stood a 2-meter tall gorilla-ish man. Covered in silver-black fur like a gorilla, he stood upright like a man, but was wider, with bigger muscles and bones. He gestured me inside. I went.

“My name is Orion, and I am now your official tutorial guide. Welcome to the crawl.” He rumbled, voice more distinguishably gruff when not through a door. “Come on in.” He said, waving me in. I followed the instructions.

“What can you tell me about this place?” I asked. He snorted.

“First floor is easy. Find stairs, most won’t be guarded, and get down the stairs. Go on the last possible day, get as strong as you can on the first three floors. The system will throw skills at you. It’ll try to make you as strong as it can, so long as you survive, so you can put on a better show. You’ll get better at those skills faster for a bit, because no one likes watching an incompetent swordswoman or a guy who can’t notch an arrow. You’ll see.” He paused, then gestured at my gear. “Do you know how to use that stuff? I can give you access to the skill menu, which will tell you out of 20 points how good you are with them. I’ll do that in a minute, but I wanted your self-assessment first.” He rumbled, and I nodded.

“I can beat pretty much anyone I’ve ever fought with a sword, no matter the weapon they use. I can also shoot really well. I was working on shooting while moving and doing tricks before this happened. I’d say I’m good. I am most proficient with thrown daggers, though, or knife fighting. I just figured it’d be best not to only have short blades. I suppose it was good luck I was testing the feel of my new set of armor for the upcoming renaissance fair. I needed to know if adjustments were needed beforehand - its still a few months away, but modifying armor and weapons takes time.” I rambled on a bit, and he nodded.

“So you know about making armor too? Good! You’ll probably make it to the third floor then. Lets see how accurate your self assessment was.” As he finished rumbling this, I felt a buzz in my head, like I had static on my scalp, then a new window popped up.

Skills

Walking: 10

Breathing: 15

Digestion: 8

…

“How do I pair this down to actually useful skills which I’ll use in combat?” I asked, and he explained, in clipped sentences how to filter the window.

Skills

Short Blades: 12

Archery: 11

Long Blades: 10

Heavy Armor: 8

Martial Arts: 9

Grappling: 7

Athletics: 10

Acrobatics: 13

Aiming: 12

Stealth: 14

…

The list went on and on. Orion was shocked. His expression made me smile slightly.

“Were you a professional fencer and archer training for the Olympics?” He asked, then shook his head, muttering “Professional assassin more like with these skills. Professional assassin who likes to go to nerd-fests in heavy armor..” then he shrugged, saying louder, “Well, you can go about the dungeon in three ways - fighting monsters, fighting people and fighting nothing. I recommend the first, and a bit of the second when you run across people who are actively hurting others in the crawl. I recommend this because if you get rid of the people hunting other people, more people survive and get deeper which increases the chance you survive and get deeper. Make sense?” He asked, and I nodded.

“Yea, I guess. Can you tell me about the achievements I can expect to get? I know I get some kind of box - which I have no idea how to access by the way - and they give me boxes.” He nodded, smiling at me.

“That’s the next part - inventory. This year you have pocket dimensional storage - which is good. You can pretty much put anything you can lift for a few seconds into it, no matter size. Here, let me give you access.” With a nod, and a buzz in my head, I saw my inventory appear. It was quite empty.

“Your inventory has three tabs to start. Where your stuff goes, where your boxes go, and where anything which is not those two things goes. Equipped items, your hotbar, all of it is there. I recommend putting potions and healing scrolls along with the healing spell I’ll give you in a minute there, by the way.” He nodded again, and I shrugged.

“So I open boxes by going to the tab and opening them?” I asked, and he gave me an appreciative smile.

“Yea, you should do those first. The first 50, 500, 5000 and 50,000 get special boxes in descending rarity. Legendary for the first, then Platinum then Gold then Silver. No bronze. Legendary boxes should be opened as soon as possible.” He explained, and it was my turn to nod, flipping to the page and selecting the ‘open boxes’ button.

3 bluish white boxes, then one platinum, four gold and one bronze box popped out in front for me, forming a neat row. The bronze box was maybe half a meter in all dimensions and the gold box was almost a meter in all dimensions. The Platinum box was just over a meter and the legendary boxes were all a meter and a half.

Orion gaped. “Three?” Then looked me over, rolling his eyes. “Yea, it’d be three. They always love the weirdos…” as he trailed off the bronze box opened and dumped 20 torches into my inventory. Trash.

The gold boxes were next, and were similarly useless. Arrows and two scrolls. Orion seemed happy about them, though. I’d ask later.

The platinum box had something of interest to me, though. It was a simple, silvery blade. A saber, and it was obviously magical. Orion seemed very concerned about that, but also tentatively happy.

The Legendary boxes were all very good, I thought. The Adventurer box gave me a Shield - which I had not finished due to the lack of mundane iron and steel, and lack of time to go get more. I threw most of it away when I figured out how to make a better metal. So I hadn't packed any shield. Now I have one. A magical one.

The Adornments box had a simple tabard and cloak, black and gold like some royal knights garment. I liked it, it fit my theme.

The last box, the Upgrade Box, had 5 scrolls in it, which I recognized as fancier versions of the Gold Boxes scrolls. I turned to Orion.

“So, what is this stuff and what does it do, the scrolls, I mean.” He smiled.

“Use them. They make what you have on better in some way.” He explained, and I nodded, pulling out the first scroll.

Scroll of Upgrade.

Warning: This item has a short shelf life.

Maybe it’s not as good as getting something new, but sometimes it’s better to just take something you’re already comfortable with and improve upon it. Kind of like buying your girl new tits.

Once you read this scroll, one, random, currently-equipped item will receive an upgrade. That upgrade could be small. It could be huge. But since this item has a short shelf life, you gotta do it now or forever hold your peace.

I used it.

Nothing visible happened.

Item Upgraded!
Comfortable Cotton Bra has been upgraded to Enchanted Elven Bra of the Butterfly.

Enchanted Elven Bra of the Butterfly

This bra is not only extremely comfortable and breathable, it also gives you the ability to engage any Elven NPCs in conversation! It also gives you Immunity to charm and sleep effects.

I blinked, then smiled happily at the now magically breathable and vastly more comfortable bra. I didn’t expect that but as long as I didn’t need to strip down, I’d be happy with it.

I pulled out the fancier scrolls.

Improved Scroll of Upgrade.

Warning: This item has a short shelf life.

This could be better than getting something new! You can choose to improve a single specific item and get a moderate to large buff to the item, or let the item upgraded be random for a large to massive buff to the item.

If you choose to empower an item, you can only use one of these scrolls on it. Ever. It will never again be affected by a scroll of Upgrade or an Improved Scroll of Upgrade.

You’ve been warned.

My luck stat is ludicrous. I’ll let it be random for more powerful buffs.

Item Upgraded!

Your “Masterworked Half-Plate Mail” has become “Angelic Plate of Vengeance”!

Angelic Plate of Vengeance

This plate mail is filled with the wrath of the angels of the dungeon who have been sent out, time and again, to clean up all the messes the gods cause when they stomp on tiny crawlers like you. This vengeance fills the item, empowering the wearer. The revenge upon those lazy, stupid gods will be legendary… if you live long enough to see them.

This item allows you to ignore the gods immunity to damage before the 12th floor as long as you are within 50 levels of the god.

This item gives +1 to all martial combat skills.

This item gives limited access to Club Vanquisher.

This is a Unique item.

I used the next few in rapid succession and didn’t get as good of results.

Item upgraded!

Under-armor leather tights have been upgraded to Enchanted Trollskin Leather Tights of Striding.

Enchanted Trollskin Leather Tights of Striding

The wearer of this shirt gains +7 to the Regeneration skill. In addition, all melee-based movement debuffs such as Stun, Knockback, Rooted and Out-of-Breath are negated. The shirt is also quite stylish. Maybe a little too stylish. Unlike most monster-skin apparel items, this shirt will not grant a negative reaction amongst trolls. In fact, male trolls might just want to haul you away for some one-on-one time if they see you in this.

Item Upgraded!

Masterworked right Gauntlet has been upgraded to Gauntlet of ol’ Yeller!

This Gauntlet is designed for one thing and one thing only taking him out back behind the barn.

You deal 50% more damage to all mobs who have the Canine trait, or are predominantly dog-people. This item grants instant enmity with all Canine-type enemies.

Item Upgraded!

Comfortable Cotton Panties have been upgraded to Fleet Panties of Cleanliness!

Your panties now aren’t just comfortable - they keep you, your gear and especially your privates clean as can possibly be! So, if you accidentally pee yourself, these will take care of it.
+5 to Charisma.

This is a fleeting item, so if you take it off, it goes away. Thankfully, going to the bathroom won’t count. More, however, will.

Item Upgraded!

Mastercrafted Greaves have been upgraded to Boots of Smushing

Boots of Smushing

Every time you kill a mob by stepping on it with your wonderful, beautiful feet, with or without these boots equipped, you will be given 100% more experience!

+3 to Smush Skill

“..Smush?” I asked. I got a blank nod from Orion.

“You should be good on the fifth floor with gear like that. Probably further. Depends on what they throw at you. You’ll want to get something to help with poison and disease, but the regeneration will be useful and the rest is just gravy. I expect since you did a lot of dungeon firsts, so it’s rewarding you for that. It’ll try to kill you unless you’re impressive, though. So be careful.” Orion told me, then waved, bringing up my stats.

Crawler: Aubrey

STR INT CON DEX CHR

20 35 20 20 40

He sighed. “Usually I’d ask who the fuck you are, but I don’t care. You’re just not a normal person.” I nodded happily at that. He continued, not noting it. “So I’ll tell you your stats are literally the highest in the Dungeon right now of any crawler - probably. Don’t let that go to your head, though. If someone shoots you in the ass with a shotgun then you’re just as fucked as if you had a 1 in every stat. You’re not superman. It’s still the same as out there. Still, these stats are floor three or four, at least.” He paused. “Kill every boss you can. Bring out the stuff you got on the other boxes.” He asked, and I complied.

The arrows, Shield, Cape and tabard came out.

“Arrows of Accuracy.” I read, looking at the arrows.

“Imagine D&D. They’re +1 or +2 arrows. They do better than other arrows but not by much. Auto-adjust to hit, or hit better.” He explained. I nodded. I knew the concept.

“Shield of the Guardian.” I read the next one, and he nodded.

“That’s a really good shield. It basically blocks lower level spells, up to level… eight it says on the shield, and reduces damage from other spells. It also makes it so people can’t take it from you with magic. The only way you’ll drop it is if you actually have your arm chopped off, and with your armor…” He trailed off, and I nodded.

“Last but not least… Saber of the Queen.” I read, and he winced.

“That’s a really great weapon. Excellent for cutting, immune to damage to the blade - basically it won’t break. It’s enchanted, very powerful. The issue is the Elves on the 3rd floor will fucking hate you if they see you have that sword. So, I’d recommend finding another one for the 3rd floor, or just sell it or trade it before you mess with the Elves. You can talk to them, but with that Sword I do not recommend it.” He noted.

Balance. This was balanced. I get the ability to do stuff with things people usually can’t, and it’s a trap.

“How often do traps like this happen?” I asked and he shrugged.

“Moderately often. If the game is trying to push you into something, it’s either a trap or its to make drama. Try to keep the AI happy. The more dramatic and fantastical you are, the better.” He explained, and I nodded, accepting the advice as I looked to the door.

“Anything else?” I asked, and he paused, then nodded.

“You didn’t ask about how beatable this place is, and I’m supposed to tell you the records.” He explained. I shrugged.

“No one has beaten it. This place is designed to kill us all.” I said, voice going ice-cold. I like this gorilla-man, but I don’t care to have them try to intimidate me. The people running this show. He blinked in surprise.

“Then why come down here?”

“Die here, die up there, either way I die. I might as well make sure this universe remembers who I am.” I replied, still letting my voice be cold as the arctic.

“Then you need to get down into the 13th floor, and clear it out. They’ll never forget the first person to pass the 13th. No one has ever survived past the 12th. That’s where I - and a lot of the other teachers - quit. The 11th or 12th. We’re the best you’ll find. Ask all the questions you can of me - I can’t tell you about bosses, specifics of lower floors unless you know, or mobs. But I can tell you general information. Ask me general questions and I’ll be happy to answer you.” He said, a almost sad look in his eyes.

“Is there a class which can subsist on its own? I see in my profile I have no class and my race is human.” I replied, voice warming a smidge.

“Yes, there are a few I think. You’ll be good for all of them. Let me give you magic while I explain that.” And with another haptic buzz, I saw one more tab appear, and then he explained about classes, how they worked and the balance.

Basically there were five class types. Explorers, Strikers, Tanks, Healers, and Generalists. Generalists were worse than the ones who were explicitly designed for the job, but they could do pretty much everything. Bards were generalists. He recommended if I was going to be a generalist, to pick up something along the lines of Explorer and Tank. Explorers were high skill based classes designed to find everything on a map as quickly as possible, and survive while doing it. Movement abilities, fast, low damage attacks designed to skirmish. Lower stamina though. Tanks were basically the things which had staying power.

So I explained why I asked.

I wanted to be something of a Paladin in this dungeon. Eventually I’d get allies, and eventually I’d need to support them. I used the D&D example, and he paused, looking over my armor, then nodded.

“Don’t fuck with the gods in this place. There is a class like the D&D paladin like you want, which does not rely on the gods, and a better version which does. You’ll want to pick the one which is the better version. If you do, you’ll want to pick a god who has a high likelihood of being sponsored. There are a few who are likely to be sponsored, but I can’t tell you about that. Just, when you see the list of gods on class selection, pay attention to which are sponsored and which are not. A lot of them will be and they’ll be in the game already, so you’ll know who or what is sponsoring them. I can’t say more on that but remember it, if you have to pick a god, pick one of those.” He explained rapidly, then looked up, then back at me. “For race, even if you didn’t ask, yes you can change it. I can’t overtly recommend anything but something which ignores skill limitations is probably what you want, or something which gives access to skills you otherwise won’t have. Either is good.”

“Skills I won’t have? I’ll figure it out I guess. What do you recommend I work on?”

Your skills are high level. Work on the ones you plan to use most. Footwork, dodging, blocking, blades and archery. Usually you’d pick one, but… well, you have the kit. Use it. Stomp on some creatures to get smush and your unarmed combat up at the same time. Think of other combo-moves you can use. Things like that.” He tilted his head. “Treat this like D&D. The AI is your DM. Make him happy and you’ll be happy. Probably.” He concluded. I nodded.

I looked at my bar, then added the healing spell to it, along with the potion I’d gotten from him as we talked. Then I headed out to kill some monsters.

He’d said my stats were obscene for this floor, so I’ll just clean the monsters up as quickly as I can. The clawed-up area first.