Chapter 304 Giant Spacial Rif
While the three men laughed, they also discussed their future plans to bring gods to Trodar so that Argyle was fully up to date on what had to be done.
As their conversation neared its end, Grangor approached them with over two hundred shadow goblins of all ages. There was more youth then elderly due to the tribe's constant push for clearing the dungeon and sending out their warriors.
Because of that, most of the shadow goblins were between levels 20-39 but a fair share of goblins was in the 40's as well. Aside from the chief at lv. 66, there were six other shadow goblins over lv. 50, which included the lead scout that Argyle had intimidated upon entering the fourth floor.
Grangor was ecstatic, eager to finally see his people leave this dungeon and find a more prosperous place to live. But most of the shadow goblins behind him were still unconvinced.
"Master Jack, please forgive us for taking so long."
"No worries, Grangor. You were faster then we were expecting, which is good because we need to get you all out as soon as possible," Jack replied with a smile. "Tralon, it's time. Have the potions at the ready."
"Right."
Tralon closed his eyes. His focus left the dungeon and honed in on a place he had recently memorized deep below Churstin Canyon. As he pinpointed the vast chamber where he had sat beside gods, Tralon smiled.
"Spatial Rift!"
Dark violet energy suddenly appeared and starting dancing violently around Tralon's body. And as that energy grew thicker the shadow goblins in disbelief were blown away by the sight of the old man drowning in vibrant power they had never seen before or imagined could exist.
The violet energy oozed out from Tralon, gradually pulling apart the space behind him. Soon, a tear emerged, then grew wider and wider.
Now, even the shadow goblins over lv. 50 were convinced that they were finally getting out of the dungeon.
Grangor was delighted to see this taking place. Unlike the others, he knew that the spell Tralon was casting was a legend-tier spell, something most people would never be able to witness in real life.
Finally, the rift steadied itself after becoming large enough for twenty goblins to enter at once.
"Now! Hurry and go!" Tralon shouted.
"Run, Grangor! We'll see you again after we're done here," Jack laughed loudly, letting all the goblins hear him.
With an anxious grin on his face, Grangor yelled, "Everyone! We're finally getting out of here, so thank Master Jack before we leave this place."
Altogether, the shadow goblins bowed in their own ways and replied, "Thank you, Master Jack!"
"Go already!"
Not wasting another second, Grangor and the other shadow goblins ran at full speed. They funneled into the rift without ever looking back to their homes or the dungeon that housed them. Each shadow goblin was excited to finally escape the dungeon that had contained their people for over one thousand years.
As the last shadow goblin exited, Tralon instantly released the spell. He collapsed to the ground, not paying attention to his soaking wet robes or the sweat covering his body. Tralon looked to his side and laughed at the seven empty bottles beside him.
'That was a lot harder than I wanted it to be…'
'Just rest Tralon. Rest as long as you need.' Jack walked over to Tralon and lifted the old man onto his back. 'As long as we clear the first four floors in nine days, then we'll reach the fifth floor before they reset again.'
'Thanks… Jack…' Drifting to sleep from pure exhaustion, Tralon let his body go unconscious and enter a state of recovery.
'Bowzer!' Jack carefully laid Tralon across Bowzer's back. 'We'll rest in the city until Tralon is fully recovered. Find him the best bed in the chief's home.'
'Okay!' Slowly but steadily, Bowzer took Tralon away in search of a comfortable bed.
'So, Jack, what should we do while we wait?' Argyle asked. 'Got any ideas to pass the time?'
'Hmmm… We could check in on the others and how their leveling is going. But then they'll ask about my level…'
'Hey, sweetie. I'm just checking in on you and the others.'
'Argyle! I just said--'
'Hey, Dad. We're doing alright for now,' Eliza replied, noticing that something was off from Jack's interruption.
'Are you still leveling or are you back at an inn?' asked Argyle.
'We're almost back at the inn. Sunset Valley is more difficult than we anticipated, but we're doing fine despite the recent changes to our party.'
'Recent changes?' Argyle gave Jack a questioning look as he continued, 'What changes?'
'Oh… Jack hasn't told you yet?'
'I… Umm…' Jack tried to break the awkward tension to the best of his ability. 'Argyle, back in Limneer we succeeded in delaying the army but we were ambushed by bounty hunters… In the chaos, many of us almost died. If it wasn't for those Phoenix Lillies, neither Rydel, Eliza, nor myself would've been alive. But Daliea and Keela still passed…'
'But… You spoke with Daliea earlier, didn't you?'
'I did, but only because we used a life spring jewel to revive Daliea… But we had no way of reviving Keela,' explained Jack. 'We held her funeral and welcomed two new temporary party members, a swordsman and a ninja who led me to Choron.'
'Oh… I see… Well, I'm glad that you and Eliza are still with us.'
Argyle didn't want to say it out loud, but he was overjoyed. Though he understood that losing Keela was a great blow to the party, Argyle didn't know her personally and he had seen plenty of death in his life. He was so glad that he offered the Phoenix Lillies at the auction. And if he ever got such an item again, Argyle would directly sell it to Jack, no questions asked.
'I'm glad you're all working well together, Eliza. But I'm sure you've got your hands full as the main support of the team,' Jack added.
'Yeah, but Rydel is helping too,' replied Eliza. 'His arrows help keep the battles under control and make it more manageable for me. However…'
'You think we need to find another cleric?'
'... Yeah… I know they can't replace Keela, but the party could really use one.'
Jack sighed, 'I agree. We can't have an unbalanced team, that's just asking for trouble when things get tougher. I'll see if I can find one before we meet up again.'
'So, sweetie, what level are you guys so far?' Argyle asked, not hiding his smile from Jack.
'We've all gone up a level so far, and Maura is about to go up a second level. It's hard work clearing out the place, but we're lucky that almost no one else visits the valley anymore. Oh yeah, we also got hired to clear the valley after the townspeople saw us doing so well compared to past adventurers.'
'That's great! So some of you should be lv. 40 soon,' Argyle congratulated his daughter. 'Unlike Jack, you're all working so hard and grinding away to earn each and every level.'
'Argyle…'
'What do you mean, Dad? Has Jack leveled up too?' Eliza asked, noticing Jack's avoidance of the question.
Argyle laughed as he stared Jack in the eye. 'This pestro had me and Tralon carrying him through a dungeon, so his gains have been unbelievable. I was pissed when I found out how fast he's going up.'
'Jaaack, where are you guys? And are you really having them carry you for free levels?' questioned Eliza.
'It wasn't my original intention, but my plans had to change so I recruited them to help me raid an old dungeon that's too strong for Bowzer and me,' answered Jack.
'What dungeon?'
'... The storehouse of the Leisure Guild.'
'The storehouse?! Isn't it filled with lv. 50 monsters?!'
'Actually, they ranged from lv. 55 to lv. 65. But some mobs might be even stronger now that no one's touched the storehouse for a thousand years.' Jack nervously corrected his furious wife.