The Manaverse

North East Penthouse

Slatewell Safe Zone

Jut was pleased with his increased stats and level ups. He closed his status, settling back into the couch. It was the next morning when a loud barking that came from the bathroom woke him up. He hadn't even noticed he had pass out but he was not surprised.

Groggily, not really remembering what he was doing, Jut stood and walked over to the bathroom door. Opening it, a giant beast jumped from the bathroom and tackled him off his feet. Jut was in the middle of pulling his sword from his inventory when a fat, wet tongue licked his face and the events from the night before resurfaced.

Jut chuckled and pushed at his pet. "Okay, okay, Gunther. Enough."

The Rottweiler backed up and sat, looking at him with a giant puppy smile. Jut looked over his friend closely. Gunther wasn't much bigger than before and his over all appearance was the same with the only difference being his brown fur was now slightly tinged red, similar to the Boss Gunther had killed and eaten. However, it was the feeling Jut received from his pal that made him recognize that Gunther was, in fact, Stone Rank now. He felt more solid over all. Like he took up more of reality than before.

Jut checked his Notifications and Chat Log. Magatha has requested the Crusaders come for dinner instead of breakfast as she had errands to do. He messaged her back, telling the Matron that he looked forward to it and if she needed them to get her anything to just let him know. He closed the message out and turned to the Notification about Gunther's ascension.

Congratulations, your Pet, Gunther, has reached Stone Rank.

Gunther may now use your Skills at Stone Rank.

Gunther has learned two new skills: Increase Density

Power Bite

Jut smiled at the window and dismissed it before he pulled up Gunther's new Status.

Name: Gunther

True Name: Stalker of the Pack

Rank: Stone

Race: Magical Beast - Mammal

Species: Earth Canine (Stone Rank)

Racial Abilities: Canine Senses

Pack Mentality

Characteristics:

Body:

Strength: 19

Constitution: 21

Agility: 15

Mind:

Intelligence: 6

Wisdom: 5

Willpower: 4

Skills: Infuriating Bark, Level 0

Increase Density

Power Bite

Companion Skills:

+

Affinities:

Fire Magic

Jut was glad to see that his pet had grown so much by Ascending. The increase to Gunther's Mind stats was a great thing, meaning his pal could use Jut's skills more often. He was more than a little curious why Gunther's Stats had grown so much more than his had while Ascending with nearly double the growth. He chalked it up to Magical Beasts being different from what the System called "Ascendant Beings". There wasn't any further Lore on the subject either, so he didn't dwell on it further. Anything that would help Gunther survive as good in his book.

Jut understood the Skill, Power Bite, easily enough. It was a biting version of Power Strike. A single Special Attack that dealt physical damage with a minor cool down. It was Gunther's other new skill he had to check out. For, while a name like "increase density" sounded straight forward, there could be more to it.

Skill: Increase Density

Rank: Normal

Type: Guardian

Cost: Very Low Mana Per Second

Duration: Channeled

Range: Self

Cool Down: None

Effect: Increases the user's density, making regular attacks deal slightly less damage to the user. This effect also increases the users weight proportionally to the amount of Mana spent on the Skill while active.

Using this Skill with his own Firm Footing Skill would make it harder to knock him down by a good margin. The combination of his Scaled Skin and Increase Density would help quite a bit when he wanted to dish out some vulnerability stacks too. He was looking forward to trying it out.

"Nice job, Gun. Do you feel different now?" Jut gave Gunther a head scratch, looking over the dog closely.

Gunther spun in place and yipped. If a Rottweiler could be said to yip. It was the communication he received in his mind that made Jut pause. He received an image of himself lifting a car like on one of those super hero shows. Thinking about it deeper, it felt like Gunther was saying that he felt stronger. Why Gunther chose that image, Jut had no idea, so his smile reappeared and he pet Gunther again.

"You seem stronger to me too, bud. I'm going to shower then we can head down to the Guild and meet the others. Need to go out first?"

Gunther did his usual potty dance, scratching at the elevator door with one paw. This caused Jut to chuckle as he took his friend out. Nox had appeared at the elevator door just before it closed and Jut gave the Shepard a scratch for good measure. Seeing the two together underscored the difference in their presences. Gunther just felt more. More real. More powerful. Jut was already thinking of ways to get Nox up to the same rank.

After the dogs finished their duties and Jut was thoroughly clean and geared up, they headed down to the Adventurer's Guild. Brick had slipped out while Jut was showering but he expected to see the Guardian soon enough. Part of him was curious where the man always went, but part of him did not want to know either.

The dogs waited outside while Jut went in and looked over the Quest board. Unlike when he had checked the day before, the board was filled with more than a few possible assignments. Most were missions to deal with a group of monsters that had taken refuge in a specific area, likely generated from Lore of the Adventurers when they reported in for the evening. Jut picked up a Quest for a Lair located to the the Southeast as that was the direction they had discussed exploring the night before on their walk back to the Safe Zone.

After taking the Quest's sheet to the receptionist, who was, of course, an Operator Bot, the Quest appeared in his Quest Log and the location of the Lair was placed on his map with a small indicator. The marker floated in the darkness that occluded locations he had not been to before. It was the Operator Bot's final statement that answered the few questions Jut had.

"Should your objective be completed by someone else, and if they have the appropriate Lore supporting that claim, they will receive the Reward. If you fail to compete your objective within fifty hours, the Quest will be reissued for acquisition. Do you have any questions?"

Jut shook his head and thanked the Bot before exiting the Adventurer's Guild. A crowd was beginning to form on the tavern side of the building, and Jut wasn't in the mood to be around so many people just then. He also enjoyed the cool air of the morning, so he relaxed next to Nox and Gunther in the grass until everyone else arrived. People came and went from the Guild steadily, showing how eager the population was to stop another wave from occuring.

More than a few groups were also meeting up just outside the Guild, enjoying the morning and crisp fall air as they waited for their party members to arrive. Conversation was light and more than one group were trading everything from information to potions or weapons. It made for a pleasant wait as no one bothered him.

Unlike the day before, Isabelle was the next Crusader to appear.

"You are early, as always, Jut." Isabelle said, offering a hand to Jut to help him up.

"Well, I'm eager to get out and explore. Not to mention, I struggle with being idle." Jut said with a shrug after taking her hand and standing.

"You know your promptness is one of the reasons leadership is left to you, right?" Isabelle said with a return smirk.

Before Jut could retort, the rest of the Crusaders showed up back to back. His expression falling deeper and deeper upon every new arrival as they each said something similar to him. He forced his annoyance away and just went with it.

As the group turned towards the nearly completed Eastern Gate, the gap being filled in by the Safe Zone's non-combatants even as they approached, Brick nudged him.

"What should we do today, oh fearless leader of ours?" Brick's grin was sly.

"We discussed going East or South. So, I picked up a Guild Request to the South East if anyone wants a share." He shared his quest and was alerted that everyone had accepted it. He continued. "I figure we should start by checking out the new river and following it East to the objective. Any objections or other suggestions?"

"Why the river, boss man?" Diggy asked, his wider stature making him stand further apart from the group.

Jut was silently thankful for Diggy. If he wasn't given a choice of being the team leader, he would rise the occasion instead. He just needed a little time to adjust. His freight and Prime teams were around the size of his party, but the stakes were much, much higher now.

"While we do have maps, following the river is a sure way to find our way back. If we have to fight a retreating battle, we won't have to risk getting lost, even if only briefly. As long as monsters aren't popping out of the water, we can use it as natural barrier against sneak attacks. At least on one side any way. Not to mention, we will have a source of fresh water if it's needed."

The Crusaders each agreed without much fanfare or other suggestions. It seemed they were all a little on edge and Jut didn't blame them. There was an underpinning of excitement in the group though. A curiosity to go and explore their new home. He doubted they would have objected to any direction if it allowed them to get out and see the area.

Diggy did share a request he had picked up that was in a similar direction as Jut's. It was to take out a forming nest of snake monsters. Brick also had a request to take out spiders Monsters and one for cat Monsters. The four requests they had should keep them busy for at least most of the day based on how far the markers were spaced out.

They waited in line at the Eastern entrance. The crowd was milling about but remained orderly. The team passed out into the barren, rich soil. That familiar feeling of crossing the Safe Zone's boundary washed over them as they did. Jut put his hand up once they were clear of the flow of bodies leaving the Safe Zone and the team stopped. His other hand was sitting on his belt pouch.

"While the edge of the circle isn't that far away, I think we have something we we should all try out." With a grin, he produced his Mount Horn. He had considered checking it out the day before, but forgot after they fought off the wave. "A faster way to travel."

All five horns had been the same, shaped like a black and white marbled recorder flute; one without any holes to form notes with. They were about six inches long. Jut showed his around. The group's reactions were mixed.

Diggy and Isabelle were eager, each pulling their horns out quickly. Brick was nonchalant, not really showing any reaction while Joy was apprehensive.

"I get the idea of a mount and what it is. But if we summon these things, won't it cause an issue? At the very least, it will give us new mouths to feed, right? Maybe it would better to wait for the Zone to reach its maximum defense first?"

Jut pulled up the item's description before he responded.

Item: Randomized Mount Horn

Type: Tool

Slot: None

Rank: Stone

Durability: 100%

Rarity: Scarce

Quality: Excellent

Description: A Stone Ranked Randomized Mount Horn

Effect: Playing this Horn will change this item into a Race specific Spectral Mount Horn.

Note: Unlike Monster Mount Horns, used to tame a wild Monster as a mount, Spectral Mount Horns are created with Monster Cores. Playing a Spectral Mount Horn will call forth a Spectral version of a Monster matching the core that was used in its creation. Spectral Mounts do not need to be cared for and will return to the Void once dismissed. Also unlike a Monster Mount Horn, the summoned Spectral Beast has no personality and will never increases in speed or power. They cannot be used as battle mounts.

"I don't think that will be an issue. Read the description." Jut said, stepping away from the group. He was already planning to find out how to make any kind of Mount Horn as soon as possible, monster, spectral or otherwise. Without hesitation, he gently blew into the horn.

No sound came from the item. Instead, a cool sensation passed over Jut and bled back into the horn. The flute like horn began to glow. Its shape lengthened and flowed into something new before emerging into view, the glow dissipating quickly. The process only took a second or two to complete and Jut nearly dropped the thing.

Now, though, he was holding a real horn. As in, an actual horn from a beast. The horn was closer to eight inches and was a straight, black length of bone like material. The horn's body twisted to a point that was a mouth piece. He struggled to imagine what kind of animal this came from. It was unlike anything he'd seen before. However, he didn't have to wait long to find out.

This time, the twisted horn made a roaring sound as he blew on it. Passing adventurers turned to look at the source of the noise, some even jumping in fright. Jut, however, did not have time to react to their stares.

A rip the air appeared a foot above Jut's head and two arm lengths ahead of him soundlessly. The split looked like a swirl of energy with a dark center that shot down to the ground forming a dark straight line. The line widened into a large gap that a creature strode through. The rip in space remained black to Jut's vision, but he could swear he saw some kind of structure in the distance. The tear closed quickly behind the creature, as if it hadn't been there at all.

Jut thought it was a horse at first glance, and in all respects, it was one. The hooved, four legged animal had a luscious mane and long flowing tale that was a deep green. It's face was long with big brown eyes, just like any other horse. It was the lighter and brighter green scales instead of body fur and the pair of long, twisted horns sticking out of its head that made him do a double take. The creature was also slightly transparent except for the saddle on its back.

Jut examined his new horn and pulled up its item information, something he should have done before blowing on it, he supposed.

Item: Spectral Kirin Mount Horn

Type: Tool

Slot: None

Rank: Stone

Durability: 100%

Rarity: Scarce

Quality: Excellent

Description: A Stone Ranked, Spectral Kirin Mount Horn

Effect: Summon a Spectral Kirin as a mount. The Kirin may only carry one Ascendant Being at a time, does not take nor deal any damage, and needs no sustenance or water to exist. This effect lasts for up to eight hours per day. Only usable at Stone Rank.

Four other animal calls joined his own and Jut watched as more mounts joined the group, appearing before their horn blowers in an identical fashion.

Brick's flute stayed the same, turning into a white recorder flute instead of the original marbled color. The instrument sounded like a flute should, soft and airy. The Guardian was met by a huge spectral stallion nearly a quarter again as tall as he himself was. The stallion was a chestnut brown with a black main and tail. He was broader than most horses and looked tough as Hell.

Joy's horn had turned black instead. It made the same sound Brick's did. Her spectral horse that emerged from her portal was a mare. The mare was sleek and looked like she would be very fast. Her deep black fur and flowing mane were only offset by two large, white spots on her chest and side. While much smaller than Jut's own Kirin, the dainty mare was still beautiful.

Isabelle blew on a horn that was an antler. The sound was similar to what Jut thought a deer call would sound like. A majestic spectral stag strut out of the tear in space. The stag had deep brown fur with a beautiful pair of antlers identical to the one she now carried. With how regal the beast looked, it was surprising that it was not taller than Brick's stallion.

All of these, Jut kind of expected. They fit too well for the Human and Elf races that they almost felt like stereotypes. As Jut had never heard of a Drakkin before, he did not know if his mount was similar, but he expected so. However, he could not have known what to expect from Diggy's mount. What does a Minotaur ride as a mount? A chariot?

The horn, a long and curved tusk should have been a dead give away. What emerged from Diggy's portal was an elephant. It had smokey grey skin and pearly white tusks that jutted from its mouth around its long trunk. The shocking part wasn't seeing an elephant, strangely enough. After seeing giant dogs, cats and rats, an elephant actually felt kind of normal. It was how small beast was that surprised Jut. It was not much bigger than Brick's stallion and not nearly as wide as was to be expected.

Jut and Brick both looked at Diggy with shining eyes. Before they could release their taunts, Diggy spoke and stole their thunder.

"Yes. I have a short king. I expected as much. At least my mount isn't an over compensation." He winked at Brick before pulling himself up into the saddle on the elephants back. He didn't even struggle doing so either.

Jut and Brick looked at each other with a "damn" face and laughed aloud.

"Nice one, Digs." Jut complemented.

"It was worth the burn. Now I just need a burn heal." Brick agreed with a false, whiny tone and they both mounted up on their beasts.

The women, who had been in their saddles already, just rolled their eyes, with joy muttering "boys" under her breath loud enough to be heard.

"Everyone Mounted up? Then let's get this show on the road." Jut ordered.

As one, the group took off heading towards the break in the tree line that was the new river.

The many adventurers that had been around stared after them for a long moment. As soon as they were pretty far off, one man turned to another.

"Wow. I heard they got a bunch of cool stuff from clearing the Dungeon. Think those were part of their reward?"

"I don't know. But, I heard Casanova's Delight has a few of them mounts too."

"Really? Think we could get one for us?"

The second man shrugged. "Seems likely. Makes we want to run the Dungeon some more. At least death ain't real there."

The team around the man all agreed and began their trudge into the wilderness.