Ch 82
After a few awkward moments, Matt explained why he was naked. He rummaged through his belongings, pulling out his still soaking wet gear before eventually putting it on. Once he and Apricity had settled down against a wall to catch up, the tension eased.
"So, you said you had to strip to climb a waterfall and didn't have any dry clothes left. But where did all the blood come from?" Apricity inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Killing some goblins," Matt replied nonchalantly. "Would you believe me if I told you that their own greed for gold led to their demise?"
"What, did they have a 'one ring' moment and fall into a volcano fighting to take it from you?" Apricity joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"No," Matt chuckled, shaking his head. "And you know I don't get references like that."
"Right, you're the guy who does nothing but survive in the wild, relying solely on your own two hands. No time for anything else, huh?"
"That's not true. Whittling was a pleasant way to pass the time when I didn't have anything else to keep me busy. You just always saw me when I was in full business mode, focused and determined."
"And what about now? What mode are you in?"
"Survival, pure and simple. And that includes looking out for your survival too, in case you were wondering."
"You don't have to take responsibility for me. I chose to escape to you, and even if something pops out and eats me in the next ten minutes, it would still be better than staying where I was."
"Was it really that bad?"
"Let's just say that people can be far worse than monsters and leave it at that. Still, from what you've said already, I know that I am going to be nothing but a burden to you. So, don't let me get you killed—"
"Stop. Just stop. Look, I didn't get to where I am by myself, and you won't be the first person I've helped to stand on their own two feet since all this chaos began. If fate wills it, you might even meet a few of them before everything is said and done."
"Oh? How many damsels in distress have you rescued?"
"I'm not really sure; I didn't keep track, but it's been over a dozen."
"Seriously, that was meant to be a joke, but really, over a dozen? So, how many of them did you end up sleeping with?"
"None in the way you're insinuating."
Apricity gave Matt a look that seemed to simultaneously believe and doubt his response until he continued speaking.
"More than one person wanted to have a relationship, but I'm not even considering that kind of thing until we're all back on Earth. Besides, if I understand correctly, having a child really hinders your potential to advance in whatever system we're currently part of. Speaking of which, what level are you?"
"Don't change the subject. What happens when one of these ladies tracks you down back on Earth, since it sounds like that's where we'll all end up again?"
"I'll handle that when it happens. But really, we need to start figuring out our situation, and I’m at level 9. What about you?"
"I'm at level 3. I didn't do much fighting where I was and figured I had plenty of time to catch up once I knew what path I wanted to pursue."
"Alright, what was the first path you chose?"
"Guidance," Apricity replied thoughtfully. "Based on my understanding, it makes choosing the correct path straightforward, as I have acquired a skill called Safe Passage. From what I can deduce, I can only use it once a day, but when I do, it's as if I become aware of a direction free from any danger, and this insight lasts for about an hour."
"That's actually fantastic," Matt remarked with admiration.
"So, what about you? What's your path?"
"Currently, it's Willful Warrior Healer," Matt explained. "Each time you reach a new tier, you have the opportunity to adjust your path by adding something to it, or so it seems from my experience..."
Matt proceeded to share everything he had discovered, including his personal journey and the unique skills he possessed that allowed him to heal, regenerate, and return wounds to their original inflictors. By the time he finished, Apricity was regarding him with a look that suggested she thought he was a fool, before delivering a pointed remark.
"How big of a masochist are you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What?" Matt replied, taken aback.
"You willingly left all the comforts of living near other people to live a solitary, rough existence back on Earth. And now you're telling me that all your skills revolve around taking damage to secure a victory. I’m not sure how else to put it, but you’re definitely a masochist. Even if you’re not yet, I can almost guarantee you’re becoming one," she explained with a hint of amusement.
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"No, I'm not," Matt protested. "I can just handle the pain if it means that I’ll win."
"Right, so what's the plan?" Apricity inquired, leaning forward with curiosity.
"That depends on what you want out of our partnership," Matt replied, meeting her gaze with determination.
"Really?" questioned Apricity, her tone prompting Matt to reconsider his choice of words.
"I mean, do you want to just stick around until you reach level 9 or—"
"You're not getting rid of me that easily," Apricity interrupted, pouting slightly. "Honestly, you're stuck with me, and those other women can go find a new knight in shining armor for all I care."
"I don't like what you're implying with that."
"You never have, but you've never pushed me away completely, either. Now, was that only because you needed Mom to keep working with you, or was there a part of you that had other thoughts?"
"Apricity, if you keep pushing, I'm going to shut you down hard. Nothing is happening, with anyone, until we are back on Earth."
"I'm not pushing, it's you who always pushes away."
Matt gave her a look that made it clear he didn’t believe her, but the look she returned clearly conveyed a desperate need for comfort from somewhere. Although he wasn’t foolish enough to bring it up, Matt had a strong suspicion about what had happened, given Tempormr’s earlier offer for her to join him. This realization only made the fact that Matt had refused the offer weigh heavier on him. He sighed deeply before responding.
“If you are looking for a safe place to find solace, I’ll let you in,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm. “But don’t ask for more than a shoulder to cry on and someone to stand between you and the monsters.”
Apricity nodded in agreement, and despite his damp clothing, she soon found herself clutching him tightly. He could feel her quietly sobbing as she let go of the brave front she had been maintaining. While absentmindedly rubbing her back, Matt tried to focus on things other than her, reaching out mentally to Tempormr.
"Is there any chance you can enlighten me about the situation we're in?" he inquired.
"Yes, but listen closely and don't interrupt," Tempormr replied, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "My ability to contact you will be significantly restricted after this, as you are no longer in an integration world under my supervision. I have placed you in a world where level 9 is the lowest power level you can expect to encounter—don't ask how it works. If you somehow manage to reach level 65, you will be relocated once more, but that would be very unwise, as it will attract more attention than is safe for you. Instead, you should remain within the dungeon you're currently in and delve deeper until it's time for you to return to your world."
Tempormr paused for a moment, as if considering his next words carefully. "Now, because I know you won't heed my advice completely, I will share just enough information with you to help you avoid getting into too much trouble with the locals..."
Tempormr went on to share the local customs and expectations for those who explored the dungeon he was in. Apparently, this was a planet entirely composed of the dungeon, with its surface constantly experiencing new entrances randomly appearing in various locations. It was also not uncommon for the paths within the dungeon to shift, causing those delving into its depths to become lost or to emerge in places far from their point of entry. He advised Matt to do the same if he ever reached the surface and to never reveal his spatial storage. Apparently, there were valuable items that functioned similarly, and most would assume he possessed one such item; some might even attempt to steal it from him if they believed they could. However, the two most crucial pieces of advice were to ensure Bob and Apricity reached level 9 before leaving and, if asked, to lie and claim that he had beast taming as part of his path. Failing to do so would undoubtedly create unavoidable issues for Matt, as others could see levels through specific items and skills.
It was for this reason that Tempormr had placed them in a safe room deep in the dungeon, surrounded by level 9 monsters. This made it a location that few who could reach it would ever bother with. However, this also meant that Matt would need to traverse an area inhabited by level 20 monsters if he wished to reach the surface. Despite the daunting challenge, Tempormr assured them that Apricity’s safe passage skill would guide them to more safe rooms like the one they currently occupied, marked by the distinct light that filled them. Additionally, the only other benefit Tempormr provided was the assurance that Bob would soon be able to communicate with them after advancing just one more level, as he was currently at level 5. Nonetheless, Tempormr cautioned that it would be challenging for a while, as Bob's mind stat required further training before he could fully comprehend language.
Finally, Tempormr explained that outside of the safe rooms, it would be impossible to see what was happening. As for their location, he had simply adjusted the system to find a place that met the parameters he required. Furthermore, even in the safe rooms, it would be uncommon for the system to allow him to hold Matt's hand more than he already had. In fact, he cautioned Matt that the system would undoubtedly attempt to balance everything that had been gained through his assistance. It was then that he advised Matt, if he could add luck to his path, he absolutely should do so when he reached level 10.
Once Tempormr was finished, it seemed as though he couldn't respond when Matt began seeking clarification on a few points and advice on others. The aspect that troubled Matt the most was the possibility that some cosmic scales might need rebalancing as a consequence of the aid he had received. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it, and at some point, Apricity had fallen asleep on his shoulder, leaving him somewhat alone with his thoughts while his clothing dried.
This left him torn between listening to Tempormr's advice about avoiding over-leveling and staying in the dungeon. However, even for someone who lived apart from society like himself, there was an undeniable longing for the comforts and conveniences that even a basic civilization could offer. Thus, his thoughts quickly shifted towards ensuring they made at least one trip to the surface to collect valuables. Moreover, he figured that by simply listening to the locals' conversations, he could gather plenty of valuable intel on how the universe operated. Once he had a general plan solidified in his mind, Apricity began to stir, realizing she had fallen asleep on Matt. She almost jumped but then stopped and snuggled closer.
“None of that now,” Matt warned gently. “I agreed to be a shoulder to cry on, not a teddy bear.”
“Sorry, but you just feel like safety, and it’s been too long since I felt safe,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Too bad, because I am about to make you face your fears," Matt said with a hint of determination in his voice. "I want you to stay behind me because we’re going to venture beyond this chamber. I have it on good authority that we will be facing level 9 monsters, and they are at the bottom of the food chain here.”
