As we reformed outside the dungeon entrance, I saw the others were standing there solemnly, but they seemed confused as to why Thalia was holding the gem box and why we were both breathing hard.
"I acquired the second item in the dungeon, that way we have at least 66% completed the dungeon."
Thalia said holding the item up as if she had just won a footrace and was showboating
"You could have warned me!"
I yelled, my stomach practically in my throat by the sudden lurch of action towards the end. There was a sound of stone rubbing against stone behind me as I saw what looked to be the dungeon shaking, like a ladder that had someone scrambling up it. Jax and Selene jumped forward to be on guard as Liora and Kaelen raised their weapons. However, after a moment passed the trap door like entrance burst into sparks and dissipated. A system notification appeared in front of us.
You have cleared the majority of the dungeon Crypt of the 23rd Brigade
+10,000 XP
--------------------
You have acquired the first of the dungeon items
+5,000 XP
--------------------
Your party has defeated zombie soldier X 4
Party member Kaelen +4,000 XP
Party Leader Jax +2,000 XP
Party member Selene +2,000 XP
Party member Liora +1,000 XP
Temp party member Thalia +1,000 XP
Party member Aiden +1,000 XP
--------------------
You have acquired the second of the dungeon items
+5,000 XP
--------------------
Party member Kaelen has survived from the brink of death
+3,000 XP
Party member Liora has survived from the brink of death
+3,000 XP
--------------------
Party member Aiden has saved Party member Kaelen and Party member Liora from the brink of death with the assistance of Temp party member Thalia
Aiden +8,000 XP
Thalia +2,000 XP
--------------------
CONGRATULATIONS
Dungeon progress: 66%
MVP: Aiden - Saved two party members lives
SMVP: Jax - Most damage done
A smaller screen appeared in front of the display that marked the experience from the dungeon
Level up 6 -> 8
HP 20 -> 24
MP 64 -> 69
Dex 13 -> 16
Wis 15 -> 18
While, I was still mad, both at Jax who could have gotten us killed, and Thalia who grabbed the item and made us make a mad dash for the exit, the level up did help my mood. We took a minute to walk back to camp in silence. When we returned, we placed the two bodies in the back of the trailer and started to pack up camp. Normally at times like this Jax would be the one to be chipper and make everyone else perk up alongside him, but I think what I had said to Jax was really weighing on him. His eyes practically never left the ground the entire time we were walking back to camp and packing up. Loading into the vehicle Jax spoke, his voice a surprise in the silence that had been held.
"I'm sorry guys, I messed up."
We all turned to look at Jax as if waiting for him to continue. He seemed to take a centering breath and looked up at us, stuttering slightly as if his own voice was stumbling over itself.
"I-I thought we could do it, and when we fought the Blood Trent it was more than we should have been able to handle, and we were stronger so it should have been easier s-so I thought if we just planned like we did before, and set everything up then it would work, and we could do everything, but I was caught up in the moment, and could have gotten someone killed…. So I'm sorry."
We looked back and forth to each other before Kaelen seemed to chuckle to himself.
"Well to be fair we were in an almost perfect situation to contract adventurers high."
I started the vehicle and began our search for the farm as I asked.
"What's adventurers high?"
"It's basically where you do something that most groups would fail at for one reason or another, and then assume that's the standard, it's something that gets many parties killed."
Liora said, lacing her fingers behind her head.
"Indeed, a Blood Trent, even a young one like you all fought, is generally assigned to Mid-range Porcelain adventurers, so your achievements at a plateless level are above average for such a fight. It is part of the reason I wished to be included as a member of your group, though until now I never knew this term "adventurers high"."
Thalia said in her very robotic way.
"Soooooo you all are not mad anymore?"
Jax asked, his ears perking up slightly.
"Oh no, still pissed at you, but the fact that you recognize the mistake is what we need."
Liora said flicking Jax on the nose.
"Well, that and I say he is stuck on laundry duty for a week, all in favor?"
I asked, raising a hand. Jax looked around in horror as everyone else raised a hand alongside me.
We drove for around 15 or so minutes before we found what looked to be a bunch of cows grazing in a wooden danced in area. While at a distance they seemed relatively normal, I noticed that many of them had strange rainbow-colored gems all over their body's in specific places. A bit to our surprise there were strange machines at the corners of the fences.
They stood on simple tripods, a strange barrel-like design sat on top of them as they seemed to slowly pan back and forth. As we approached, I came to a stop, unsure of what the devices were as Thalia directed by gaze to a nearby sign. It was a simple wooden board with a painted message, a large brass bell hung below it with a string.
Welcome to the Oxhouse ranch, before you approach, if you have not been cleared by the owner, the turrets will shoot at you, to make your presence known so you will not be shot, please ring the bell 3 times. I will be with you shortly.
-Sirus Oxhouse
I took a moment to look back at the body of Sirius in the trailer as I parked the vehicle and stepped out. The others joined me as Selene turned to Jax and I.
"T-Then will it be you two who tell the family?"
I turned a bit surprised as Liora nodded.
"You two are the founders of this party, it makes sense."
I understood their logic, but I really didn't want to be the one who has to tell the family what happened. I turned to Jax who just quietly nodded as we both stepped forward. I grabbed the string and rang the bell. A party of me expected an instant reaction, however another part of me knew that it would take time for someone to walk over.
We took a minute to wait, the anticipation of what we would have to do burning a hole in my stomach like acid when I saw a woman running down the road towards us. A green apron, a set of brown pants and a while shirt could be seen behind them. She had a freckled face, and a set of bright Ginger hair that was tied in two braids that bounced on her shoulders as she ran to the gate.
"D-Did you find them!?"
She asked, taking a few breaths after her run. I held my other hand in front of my waist as I asked in a solemn voice.
"Are you Ms. Oxhouse?"
The woman saw my expression and paled, she nodded as I slowly shook my head. Behind me Selene carried the bodies of the two and placed them down. The woman before us broke down into tears, her guttural cries as she looked over the faces of her dead loved ones. I turned to the others who all seemed to be trying to comfort the woman except for Thalia. She was staring down the road the Woman had run down, her expression cold, sharp and angry. I turned to follow her gaze and saw a group of 4 people walking down the road behind her.
"I see you have Finally shown up."
Came a voice from the group. The one on the far left was a human woman wearing a cyan colored dress, the sides of the dress were open to allow her legs free movement. Her light colored hair was tied in a braid on her right shoulder, a shortbow sat strung over her back, a quiver of arrows sat on her right side.
Beside her was another woman, this one looked to be a half blood beastkin who seemed to be part ape. A large mane of brown curly hair sat on the top of her head. A twin set of curved swords sat crossed on her back, a set of leather arm braces seemed custom made.
To the far right was a man who had a face that could potentially rival Kaelen. It was a delicate face with long bright red hair. A small flute sat on a string around their neck; their shirt was open in a large V down to their belt where their shirt was tucked in. While not overly muscular, he was attractively fit.
These 3 were wearing Porcelain Plates like us, however One of them was wearing a black plate with a reflective surface. They wore a purple suit, something that would seem to make them hot in the heat, but they seem undisturbed. A head of messy purple hair and a gleam in his eye, he seemed to have been the one to speak as they made their way down the road.
"Do you know them?"
I asked looking down at Thalia who was already preparing her strings. Without looking over at me, Thalia spoke with a bit of a growl to her voice
"They were the ones that scammed me."