Chapter 117

AN: Unedited, but that's par for the course by now.

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The Creator, Atlantis, The Kalenic Sea

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The Isid-Haythem-Cliche raid group carefully picked their way across the glacier. beyond the fact that the ground itself was treacherous, filled with cracks and canyons hidden by layers of snow, the glacier was populated. No monsters called this slowly growing hunk of ice home, though. It was the sole Domain of the Ice Court. The manabeings were fairly powerful here, the environment itself acting as a weapon under their influence.

The manabeings themselves were incredibly varied; The Sprites gave off a ghostly blue-white light, easily visible in the shadow cast over the glacier by the mountains. There were three kinds of Golem; thin, sharp-looking and spiky golems made of Ice henceforth known as, simply, Ice Golems. Large, bulky-looking golems made of ice and snow, which I chose to name Abominable Snowgolems. The final Golems were made of Potentium, and while around the same size as the Ice Golems, were far more dangerous-looking. Maybe it was the ghostly blue-white glow in their 'eyes' or the way the air drastically lowered in temperature around them. Who's to say.

The guilders found this out before they even reached the glacier itself, spying the large Abominable Snowgolems as they crossed the snow-covered surface.

Now, while crossing the top of the glacier was possible, it was also the most dangerous route. There was very little cover, though it did exist. You were often exposed to the chilling wind, something deadly if you didn't have the correct gear. Oh, yeah, it was also crawling with manabeings. There were a few alternate routes I'd carved after noticing that little fact, though they were only less dangerous if you remained unnoticed.

Icey caves spread throughout the glacier, after all, were probably the worst place to encounter an Ice Manabeing. Given it was also inhabited by said manabeings, such an encounter was still fairly likely.

Knowing that, I was only a little surprised they chose to cross the glacier's surface. To be fair to them, they managed to dodge roving patrols of manabeings decently well. Granted, their slow progress was the result of incredibly careful movement. Isid's ability to see the manabeings through the ice was incredibly helpful in keeping track of them. I decided to let her have that advantage. I'd been purposefully managing her ability to use her manavision for the entire time they'd been delving the dungeon, after all.

They knew well by now not to rely on a crutch.

It was shortly after 'sunset' when they made a mistake. They'd neglected to light torches and give away their position, and had to rely on the pale moonlight given off by the thin 'crescent-moon' above. They'd avoided the cracks and crevices so far by having Isid lead, identifying safe spots, with the others following in her footsteps. All it took was the errant, unfortunate placement of a foot, for the Cliche's Lightning mage (What was her name again?) to lose her footing, and slip sideways. She cried out, as she fell, though Paetor reached out and grabbed her before she could fall down the newly revealed crevice. It was wide enough to swallow her whole.

Coincidentally, it was also one of the few gaps that lead from the surface down to the cave system. But never mind that. More importantly, the mage's cry echoed across the glacier, alerting practically every manabeing on it's surface.

"Fuck, they're coming!" Isid cried, mana-blades bursting into existence from her forearms, no doubt noticing the golems nearby begin moving in their direction. The rest of the group drew their weapons, but from their expressions, they weren't confident. "We need to move quickly. Forget stealth!"

Bertram summoned Light Sprites to act in place of torches, as did the lightning mage. The group began moving much more quickly, but soon found their path blocked. Two ice Golems, one Abominable Snowgolem and one Potentium Golem blocked the way. None were inhabited by Spirits. In fact, I think the only Ice Spirit was on the Eleventh at the moment.

That was the deciding factor, I think. While they were powerful, especially in their element, the guilders were very familiar with fighting manabeings by now. The Ice golems could launch all the ice shards they wanted, but their projectiles were blocked or dodged. The huge balls of ice and snow thrown by the Abominable Snowgolem were likewise dodged. When they closed to melee range, the sharp iceblades of the Ice Golems weren't strong enough to hold up against the enchanted steel and pure mana of the guilders. They were shattered in good order. The Snowgolem was too lumbering, quickly surrounded, and melted with the application of laser eyes.

The Potentium golem was the most dangerous fight. The metal was tough enough that Isid's blades did little, as always. It's aura of cold sapped their energy, though mitigated by their enchanted cold-weather armour. It was tough, fast and took advantage of the icy glacier, unlike the other manabeings. Spikes of ice burst from the glacier with every step it took.

But in the end, it was whittled down and it's core was cracked, and the sprite escaped into the glacier.

That one encounter took minutes. Ten such encounters later, of varying composition, the guilders had pushed through. Each encounter left them more exhausted, more tired, and with less supplies. In the end they reached the other side panting, and exhausted. Sunrise approached, and the winds picked up as the coming blizzard stirred. The group stumbled to a cave to escape the snow, and after a hour to gather themselves, they ultimately activated their Teleport crystals. A smart move.

This was their first real push into the Eighth, and they'd been here for what looked like three whole days and nights. A decent effort. From what the foxes and snowbolds who'd spied on them saw, the guilders explored every part of the First Peak they could, and managed to make it across the Glacier on their first try! They worked out the trick of the bridge. Haythem's stunt on the bridge was awesome to watch!

But with that done, it was time to get back to work. Maybe integrate a few monsters into the Evolution Framework. Maybe modernize the rabbits? They were still using that crystal in their burrow... Yeah. I'll go do that.

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The Guildhall, Atlantis, The Kalenic Sea

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Kata, in her Voice Persona, sat behind the previous Lord's desk. It was an imposing thing of hardwood, carved of a single piece, and far too large to have been brought in through the doorway. The room had obviously been constructed around it, and it was a testament to the builder's skills that there wasn't a mark on the expensive piece. Right now, though, Kata was getting an info dump on everything Guildmistress Layla was likely to ask about in their upcoming meeting.

"So let me get this all straight. In your own words, you've managed to create an enchantment that will be passed down to a monster's children. This enchantment you instilled gives monsters the ability to evolve into pre-set forms, allowing for individualism," Kata took a mental breath, noting The Creator's silent patience. "You've created new species of monsters where needed, and automated the evolution of monsters down set lines, meaning you no longer have to take time away from crafting new floors to elevate, say, Kobolds into Drake-kin, or these Wyvern-kin you've just told me about. Is that right?"

You're forgetting the raising Orca into an new kind of Children, the Oceanids, but yeah, that's about it. Took a few weeks to get all that done, mind you.

"A few weeks... I'm not sure you realize just how absurd you are," Kata thought, realizing something as she continued. "A dungeon your age should be a hole in the ground, with maybe a larger chamber or three, with basic monsters. Some animals that mutated into something half-useable, gained cores, and started breeding. Your first floor, basically. Speaking of, what's with the floors, and different themes? I know dungeons with Masters have been organized that way on purpose, as way to measure your achievement, but wild dungeons just don't do that. That's actually one of the reasons the Layla Losat is so frustrated. She's trying to fit you in a neat little box, but you don't fit any of the holes."

Yeah, I figured that, The Creator answered. I kind-of leaned into it, when I realized. Helped to make them slow and cautious, rather than sprint for the finish. And as for the 'floor thing,' I blame stories and fiction from my home. It instilled an idea of what dungeons are supposed to be. To be fair, though, I mostly broke out of that thinking by the Eighth and started making spectacles and landscapes rather than 'floors.' I don't plan to start on whatever the Twelfth will be until I've exhausted everything I can out of the Eleventh, by the way. Given it's a miles-wide rectangle of ocean, I still have plenty of space for more islands. Plus there's the ocean floor, and the sky above the sea to consider.

"And you've started on both options, from what you've told me. I'm sure you'll have fun, at least." Kata tried not to sound petulant, but given she was intimately connected to a deity-like consiousness that had an awareness of her feelings as she felt them, it was futile.

I really am sorry about that. Kata could feel that he was genuinely apologetic. But doesn't having that assistant help? I know Lady Kolchiss' has taken her leave, but is it that bad?

Kata sighed, "Yeah, but even after months of training, she's not as good as Lady Kolchiss. It takes years and dedicated education in running a county to get to her level of skill. There's also too much that needs my direct attention.

I'll see what I can do. I don't want to bloat our beurocracy, here, but perhaps we can appoint some capable council members who can take responsibility for portions of governing? A... Master of Coin, for example. A Master of Ships to take the reins at the docks. A Master of Works to supervise construction.

Kata found herself nodding along. It was a good idea, but something niggled. "Why do those titles sound familiar?"

Ah. I... May have stolen them from a work of fiction I remembered. It was just a suggestion, anyway. We can go with more traditional names, if you think it'll be a problem.

"No, no, I don't hate the idea. Maybe a different word than Master. Lord would be too presumptuous..." As Kata's thoughts turned ideas over in her head, The Creator gave her a mental nudge.

Later. Layla's here. Kata nodded, and turned to face the door as the Guildmistress herself and her assistant/partner were admitted by Kata's own drake-kin assistant.

"Welcome, Guildmistress Losat. Please have a seat," Kata greeted, waving a clawed hand at the plus seats across the desk. Her guests nodded and sat. Layla's assistant, Felin, raised his paper-filled 'clipboard,' ready to make notes. Said board was an invention of the Port Authority, so that their papers could be signed and shown to captains at the docks, rather than having the sailors brought to their offices.

"I have asked for this meeting to explain a recent change in the dungeon," Kata began, getting immediately to the point. She knew the Guildmistress had little time for meaningless pleasantries. "While I shall not reveal what The Creator has bid me to hide, there has been a development I think we should share. The Creator agrees."

"We appreciate whatever mysteries of the dungeon The Creator is willing to share," Losat responded, demurely. "Anything you share need not be gained with the lives of the guilders under my employ." Kata nodded, remembering her own time as a guilder. She felt a little bad at how little regard she gave the guildmistress at the time, but that wasn't her fault, really. The Gorge Twins believed their own hype, and felt they could get away with going around the woman. To their folly. Kata wondered if they and the rest of her party would be alive if they'd been more cautious...

"The reason we're sharing this, is because it's something that will likely be seen on the surface at some point, and we don't want alarmed guilders to strike innocent Children out of ignorance or confusion. The Creator has given The Children, and most monsters in the dungeon, the ability to evolve into new forms on their own. I'm sure you are aware one of my attendants, the Dark Paladin, Skitters-across-the-sand, has been seen with two scorplings? They aren't her true offspring, but the first test subjects of this new ability; they were once Crabs, of the first floor. I'm told we've already had several other Children change into new species as well, ones not seen on the surface before."

Though she couldn't see the woman's eyes through her blindfold, Kata could tell her interest by the way she leaned forward. She could imagine, if the woman had ordinary eyes, they'd be sparkling right now.

"Fascinating!" The woman exclaimed. She certainly sounded interested! "I actually met the scorplings you mentioned on my way here. Despite the unsettling language they possess, seeing one with babies has a way of... humanising them. Please, share whatever you're willing to about this phenomenon. What did you call it, again?"

"Evolution."

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A Clearing, East of the Capital, Theona

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"I just feel like I'm not making much progress," Tamesou Akio sighed, lowering his sword and shield. Across from him, his sensei Guard-Captain Heliat mirrored his movements with a raised eyebrow. They'd been training for a while now, and while Akio wasn't tired yet, he was frustrated.

"Young Akio, I can understand from your point of view that you don't see how far you've come," Heliat answered, sheathing his sword. His sensei waved him over, and Akio crossed the clearing. To his left, Jinasa, Bruce, Sophie and Elize had recently finished setting up camp, and were organising dinner. Heliat placed his hand on a large boulder, one of three half-buried next to each other.

"This boulder is likely incredibly heavy, it would take dozens of ordinary men to dig it out and dislodge it. Without the aid of Earth or Gravity magic, it could only be transported on logs, would you agree?" The guard-captain began, looking at Akio for an answer.

"Um. I guess so."

"Good. I want you to move it."

Silence.

"What?"

"I want you to lift the boulder. You don't have to move it much, just dislodging it, or lifting it slightly would be enough proof."

"Proof?"

"Young Akio, you have grown so much," his mentor insisted, placing one hand on Akio's shoulder. "It's come slowly, and as with most guilders it creeps up on us. My own mentor did this same thing with me. Since the beginning, I've been matching your strength in training. To you, it must seem as if you've made no progress, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Now, Move. The. Boulder."

Akio took a deep breath as Heliat released his shoulder.

He wasn't sure if he believed his sensei, but what he was saying made sense. He remembered two days ago in the Capital, when Eliza bumped into him. If someone had done that to him back on Earth, he had no doubt he'd have fallen to the ground too. He barely moved. Barely noticed.

He took another deep breath. After an encouraging pulse from Amaratsu, returned with heartfelt thanks, he put his sword and shield down and approached the rock. There were a few spots that would work as hand-holds. Just shift it. Don't pull it out, just shift it.

He reached forward, grabbing the pitted boulder. Akio took a deep breath, and pulled.

The boulder shifted with a rumble.

His eyes opened wide. He'd... actually shifted it? Akio turned his head to his sensei. The man nodded at the rock. He... actually wanted him to lift it? Beyond Heliat, he saw his friends looking over, looking confused.

Well, If his sensei believed in him, he had to try.

He shifted his grip, and heaved.

Slowly, he lifted the rock. At first it was a few centimeters, then more. He lifted as much as he could, and though he couldn't see exactly how high out of the pit it was, he knew it was enough to see. The rock he was gripping crumbled, and the rock slipped from his grip. It fell back into the pit, and the ground rocked. Birds cried, and wings flapped.

Akio had stumbled back and fallen on his ass, breathing heavily with eyes wide. He'd done it. He turned to his sensei again, seeing the proud smile he bore.

"You see?" Heliat "You are strong, stronger than you think."

"Holy shit, dude!" Bruce called, running over from the camp. "That was awesome!"

"Oh My God, Akio," Sophie cried, right behind him "What the Fuck!?!" The two crashed into him, babbling. Over their shoulders, he saw Jinasa and Eliza approaching at a more sedate pace. Jinasa nodded at Heliat, looking satisfied. Eliza's blue eyes were flicking between Akio and the boulder, wide and disbelieving.

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