Dungeon Walker 1 CH1

Here is the nearest series to be written. it will end up taking AG's place in the rotation, and is only having book 1 show up now as I haven't been able to get my research trip done for AG8 yet. I hope you enjoy this series.

Chapter One

Stern leaned back in his chair, ignoring the man at the front of the room droning on and on. Stifling a yawn, he did his best to stay awake. Today is the last day of class, thankfully. If they’d have just let me test and skip the last six months, but nooo. That isn’t allowed here and he’d already made the trip to this city.

“Once I hand out the tests, you may begin,” the professor said, glaring at Stern. “You must get at least eighty of them correct to pass this course.”

“About time,” Stern muttered as he sat up straight.

“Did you say something?”

“No, sir,” Stern replied, the instructor’s annoyance at him coloring his own mood. “Just wishing you’d have let me take this six months ago.”

“The academy doesn’t allow for that,” he said stiffly, clearly hating what was an old argument.

“Yeah, I think we’ve been over that,” Stern snorted. “Test, please.”

Slapping the papers onto Stern’s desk, the professor went around handing the test out to the rest of the class. Stern picked up his pencil and spun it through his fingers before turning the paper over.

‘What is the counter to earth?’ Who wouldn’t know it’s air? Stern sighed to himself.

‘How many times can a person enter a dungeon?’ Three. It’s always been three and I doubt the Goddess will change that.

‘Name at least one weakness to the angelics.’ Dark element, fire, a sexy succubus… Stern paused and erased the last one. Teacher has no sense of humor... have to remember that or he’ll mark it wrong just to flunk me.

Finishing the test long before the others, Stern stood up, making everyone look his way. Stern frowned and slouched as he took his test up to the instructor. He hated that everyone always focused on him whenever he stood up.

“Done already?” the professor smirked, sure that Stern would fail if he hadn’t taken the test seriously. “I’ll just check your answers now, shall I?”

Stern shrugged. “Knock yourself out. We can’t go in until tomorrow, right?”

“Tomorrow is the day that the class is allowed to enter the dungeon,” the balding man replied primly. “You can check your score later tonight when I post them.”

“No need,” Stern snorted. “See you tomorrow.”

The professor glared at Stern’s back as the lanky young man left the room. Snorting, he looked down at the five-page test. The first few questions were easy and he expected even a delinquent like Stern to answer them correctly. The professor’s frown grew as he kept marking the answers correct. When he got to the last page, he took his time, shaking his head with each answer. How in the world did he manage that? I swear that he slept more often than he paid attention...

Stern left the academy behind, his frustration at the instructor and the academy in general boiling over. “Stupid fucking rules... I know all of this! I’ve known all of this for years. I could’ve dropped some names... maybe that would’ve gotten me past this asinine part, but no. I’d have to admit things I don’t want to…. I haven’t been registered as a Walker yet. Once I get my badge, I’ll be able to skip this in the other cities, at least.” Done complaining out loud, he sighed.

His pace slowed and he looked at the three-story building that he was passing. The sign proclaimed it to be “Dungeon Walkers,” and he spotted some people just inside the open doorway. There was a short-haired dwarf wearing chainmail with an axe and shield slung on his back, laughing with a mug in his hand. A put upon-looking elf in a skimpy gown was sitting at a table with a jeweled staff resting next to her. There was a man with rows of sharp triangle teeth in supple black leathers, with daggers strapped to his chest, and a dark-skinned woman with folded white wings and plate armor, fitted to cover her and not hinder her wings.

With a sigh, Stern kept going. The fingers of his left hand twisted through an intricate motion, and in the space of one step, a cat walked beside him. He glanced down at his companion and smiled. “Hey, sorry for not summoning you right away, but class. You know how it is.”

The cat looked up with the disdain of cats everywhere and huffed.

Stern laughed. “That’s what I told them. Bet you’d like some fish, huh?”

The cat had kept pace with him, but now, it walked a little faster. The soft meow sounded very much like an admonishment for him being too slow.

Laughing, Stern followed his friend. His father called it a Maine Coon and had named her Pawly, due to her large paws with an extra toe. Pawly’s fur was dark gray streaked with black and some brown.

A few people looked at the two of them and moved a little farther away. Stern wasn’t surprised— most people normally tried to give him some distance. His tall, painfully-thin frame and his light blue, nearly gray eyes always made people think he was on the verge of dying. As Pawly was a slightly more than two-feet long— over three with her tail— thick-furred cat, people shied away from her, which meant they were given even more room.

Pawly sat by the door, waiting and giving him an annoyed meow.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming. If I hadn’t mentioned fish, you wouldn’t have rushed ahead of me.”

Pawly looked away, ignoring his obvious attempt to deflect her annoyance.

Opening the door, Stern had to wait as Pawly darted in ahead of him. He looked up to find Barbara giving him a smile. “Afternoon,” Stern said. “Can I get the usual table?”

“Of course,” the young woman replied. “Hello, Pawly. Would you like to lead us?”

Pawly meowed and walked to the table Stern had used more often than not when eating here. Barbara giggled and followed the cat, glancing back to give Stern a grin. “How was the test?”

“Aced,” Stern said.

“‘Aced’?” Barbara asked.

“Something my dad used to say,” Stern sighed. “I should’ve passed easily.”

“That’s good. That means you’ll be going in tomorrow, right?”

“Unless they use some bullshit and try to stop me,” Stern snorted, moving a chair back a little for Pawly to jump onto. He gave the cat a grin before seating himself. “I doubt they will, though, so yeah.”

“You want the usual?” Barbara asked.

“For Pawly,” Stern said. “Today’s the next to last or last day you’ll see me here, so let’s celebrate. Give me the best you have.”

Barbara blinked. “You’ll be leaving after tomorrow?”

“This is only the first dungeon for me,” Stern told her. “I’m going to hit all of the known dungeons, and then go find more. I’ll be a Dungeon Walker tomorrow and I plan on sprinting up their rankings.”

“Oh...” Barbara said. “I guess I should have known.”

“Sorry,” Stern said, giving her an apologetic smile. “I just came here for the test.”

“Oh, no need to apologize,” Barbara said, putting on a smile. “I’ll go get the cook started on your food and bring a drink back.”

“Meow.”

“And your saucer, too,” Barbara giggled. “I’d never forget you, Pawly.”

Pawly looked away from her and began grooming a paw.

“At least she’s consistent,” Barbara laughed as she turned away.

Stern gave Pawly a look after Barbara left. “She’s just sad that we won’t be here anymore. She’s probably going to miss you more than me.”

Pawly stopped grooming her paw, giving him a level look before chuffing.

“Laugh it up, furball,” Stern said, but the smile on his face took any sting from the comment. He looked over the tavern, spotting the regulars he’d come to know in the last six months. “Coming here was the right choice... away from family and obligations. I didn’t expect the old man to agree to it, honestly. Surprised the hell out of me.”

Pawly yawned loudly.

“Yeah, yeah. You always had a soft spot for him because he named you. It’s such a dad-joke of a name, though.”

A soft growl came from Pawly.

“Easy, easy. You know it as well as I do. Besides, you like it, and honestly, it’s grown on me.” Stern chuckled. “Remember jumping Neb when he asked if you wanted a cracker?”

Pawly purred, and a smile seemed to form on the cat’s muzzle.

“Oh man, I can still hear him screaming for me to call you off,” Stern cackled. “You only left a couple of small scars. He got off lightly.”

“Here you go,” Barbara said, coming back to the table. “A small bowl of water for Pawly with her cream, of course.” She set the two small dishes where the cat could reach them before placing a mug down by Stern’s left hand. “What’re you planning after you eat?” Barbara asked as she leaned against the table.

“I’m getting the last few pieces of gear for tomorrow,” Stern said, not looking over at her. “I want to make sure I have everything in order. I’ll be the last one going in, not that anyone really dies in the first dungeon, but it happens sometimes.”

Barbara exhaled slowly and nodded. “Okay. The food will be out in a bit. I’ll bring it over. Enjoy the drink.”

When she left, Stern exhaled deeply and found Pawly watching him. “Yeah, no. She’s nice and all, but if she never went through the academy, she isn’t right for me.”

Pawly purred, then lapped at her cream.

The mug was filled with dark ale, making Stern grimace. Dark ale wasn’t his favorite— he felt that it should never be required to use a knife and fork to have a drink. He’d told her to bring him the best and he had to admit that, for a dark ale, it wasn’t bad.

He sat in silence, watching the inn. His father had always said that awareness could stop most accidents or attacks, and Stern had come to accept that bit of wisdom. The elves sipping wine across the room were melancholy while the dwarves at the bar were happy, their boisterous nature letting everyone know it.

He spotted badges on at least half of the patrons, but the majority of them were lead and bore only the mark of Darkstone, the city he was in currently. Most of them took the chance to go through the dungeon here, at least, he thought. It’s obvious that most of them aren’t real Walker material— they just wanted the boost to what they have and that’s it. The fear of death stopped them from going further.

“Meow,” Pawly said, her head turning to look toward the kitchen.

Stern smiled and watched as Barbara came out of the kitchen with two large platters. She wove her way through the room, which was getting busier. When she saw him watching her, her smile grew. She placed the steamed, deboned fish in front of Pawly before setting the other platter in front of him.

“I hope you like it. It’s ursa steak,” Barbara said. “You said you wanted the best and this is that, but it’s a little pricey.”

“Yeah, it is,” Stern chuckled. He pulled the coin that had been hidden on the back of his belt and placed it on the table. “I’m sure this covers everything we’ve had, and it thanks you for everything you’ve done for me over the last six months.”

Barbara’s eyes went wide when she saw the large silver coin. “But—!”

“Nothing hidden, just my thanks,” Stern said evenly, his eyes on hers. “Besides, Pawly already claimed my time this evening.”

Barbara’s eyes flickered to the cat and back before she began to laugh. She pocketed the coin and shook her head. “If they only knew who you were, they wouldn’t be so wary of you.”

“It’s better this way. I’ll always be on the move.”

Barbara gave him a sad, wistful smile before she left the table.

Pawly chuffed once at him.

“Yeah, she understood. She’ll smile when we leave, but she’s accepted it.”

With another chuff, Pawly began to eat her fish.

Stern chuckled and pulled his cutlery from his belt pouch. “Haven’t had ursa steak since I left home... I doubt the cook can match Mom, but I just hope they didn’t screw it up.”

~*~*~

Stern was right— Barbara had just given them a smile and a wave as they left. Now, the sun was setting as they made their way to the armory, hoping to get there before it closed.

The inside of the building was illuminated by glowstones, the armor on display gleaming in the soft light. The woman behind the counter gave him a smile as he approached.

“Made it just before we closed for the evening, Stern.”

“Good thing. Pawly would’ve been mad at me, otherwise,” Stern said.

Pawly leapt onto the counter and flopped onto her side, meowing at the woman.

“Oh, did someone want some belly rubs?”

Pawly wiggled on the counter, eyeing her.

“She’ll make you bleed if you try it, Trish,” Stern chuckled.

“Yes, but how many people can say they’ve laid a hand on her belly?”

“Outside of my family? Three, and two of them nearly lost fingers.”

“See? I’m special,” Trish grinned.

“Unless she decides she wants to complete the set today.”

Trish grinned and began rubbing Pawly’s head. “The leather is done. Why the odd colorization?”

“Dad swears it’s better than all black,” Stern said. “I trust him when it comes to how to stay alive.”

“Never told me who your mysterious father is,” Trish said.

“Just my father,” Stern shrugged. “Did my payment cover the costs?”

“Yes. We even owe you some change,” Trish replied, her hand going from Pawly’s head to her side.

“Oh? I didn’t expect to get anything back.”

“Well, I gave you a discount,” Trish said as her hand crept closer to Pawly’s stomach. “We don’t get many friendly animals in. The ones that normally come in are part of a crew and have been trained to be aggressive.”

“Pawly can be aggressive,” he replied, watching Pawly’s eyes narrow as Trish’s hand got closer to her belly. “I’ll remind you of nearly lost fingers.”

“Ah, but Pawly doesn’t try to rip throats out,” Trish said.

“Can’t say. All I ever find are bits of fluff left behind.”

A warning growl came from Pawly as Trish inched closer to the forbidden zone. The growl died off when Trish’s hand moved away, but kept petting her.

“Did you want the armor now?” Trish asked.

“Please.”

“Go flip the sign and latch the door for me,” Trish sighed, taking her hand away from Pawly. “Sorry, Pawly, I’ll be right back.”

Pawly yawned and wiggled a little, but stayed where she was. Stern snorted and went to do what Trish had asked him to do. The open-closed sign covered what would’ve been a small window if it weren’t covered. He glanced out the glass at the darkening street before latching the lock.

He made it to the counter in time for Trish to come back. “Where is it?” he asked.

She pointed to the curtained alcove to the side. “Waiting for you to try it on. See if we need to fix anything for you.”

“Ah, right. Thanks.”

Trish went back to petting Pawly. “Go on, already.”

Stern stepped into the alcove and pulled the curtain closed. It took him a bit to get into the soft leather armor, but once he was done with the buckles, he smiled. Opening the curtain, he stepped back into the shop to find half the lights out.

“How does it feel?” Trish asked, still petting Pawly.

“Good. Nothing is pulling or loose. I hadn’t even thought to ask about the metal being blackened, so my thanks for thinking of that.”

“It’d be silly to have dark armor and bright buckles,” Trish grinned. “That odd color scheme, though...” She shook her head.

“It’ll do the job I need it to.”

“You’re going in alone, aren’t you?” Trish asked softly, looking down at Pawly.

“Yeah. I didn’t exactly hit it off with the other people in my class.”

“I wonder why? I still remember you coming in here for the first time.”

Stern chuckled. “What can I say? I am who I am.”

“You’re lucky you had Pawly with you or else I’d have thrown you out.”

“She’s always saving me. Something about needing to keep her staff safe.”

Trish laughed and began scratching Pawly’s belly. “Can’t have you getting hurt, hmm?”

Pawly growled then snagged Trish’s hand with her large front paws, biting her. Trish snickered as she watched Pawly try to draw blood.

“Iron Skin— one of my perks,” Trish said with a grin.

Pawly wriggled away and huffed, glaring at Trish from the far end of the counter.

“I let you think you could get me the first two times,” Trish grinned at the cat. “Let that be a lesson— monsters might lull you, too. I know you’ll be going with him.”

Pawly came gliding back down the counter, sitting between Trish and Stern, and meowed softly.

“Oh, this dungeon isn’t the one to worry about,” Trish said, “and if you go hit the other two easy ones, you’ll be fine. The ones after that…” Trish shook her head and looked up to meet Stern’s eyes. “Find other people to go with you. You might know tricks and have Pawly, but the curve is sharp and rough.”

“The most deaths for early Walkers happen in dungeons four and five,” Stern said, “even to those who have crews of two or three. I know. Finding people who I can tolerate is the problem.”

“You mean who can tolerate you,” Trish said softly. “Best of luck. I won’t forgive you if Pawly dies.”

“She only dies if I do,” Stern said. “She’s one of my perks.”

Trish nodded. “I thought she might be. She’s too smart to be a regular cat, even if she isn’t like any I’ve ever seen or heard of.”

“Pawly, go home,” Stern said softly.

Pawly yawned, then turned in a circle. As she did, she faded away.  The last parts to go were here eyes and teeth.

“That was... a little disturbing,” Trish said. “She’s just a cat, though? No humanized form or breath weapon?”

“Not yet, but who knows what the dungeons will offer me?” Stern shrugged. “I’m hoping for something noteworthy in the first three.”

“What about your other perks?”

Stern frowned. It was bad manners to flatly ask unless you were looking to join them. “Nothing martial or spell-based. I have the skills my parents taught me, but that’s all.”

Trish exhaled slowly. “Then you really need to find a crew, Stern.”

“I know, and maybe I will,” Stern said. “The Walkers might have a lead on a crew that can use me.”

“That’s fair,” Trish said before standing up straight. “Best of luck tomorrow. Now get out.”

Laughing, Stern grinned at her. “And people find me hard to deal with.”

“Well, birds of a feather,” Trish winked. “Go. Become a Walker and maybe I won’t shoo you out after dark.”

Stern’s eyebrows rose at the feeling behind her words. “Well damn. I was planning on leaving the city after I finished the dungeon, but now I might need to stick around for a bit.”

“Out,” Trish laughed, pointing.

Stepping back, Stern bowed as formally as he would in a royal court. “As the queen of armor decrees.” He left without looking back. If he had, he would have seen the shock on Trish’s face.

As soon as he was outside, he summoned Pawly back to him. “Let’s go home, huh?”

“Meow.”