Starlight Necromancer

Chapter 53 - Discussion

Foster, Octer, and Kyla looked at Lynol, unsure what they should say to him. At the end of the day, he was right with what he said. They could very well be the worst team-up for that sort of dungeon.

"Well..." Kyla finally said, pulling the rolled-up dungeon map out of her bag, placing it down onto the table in front of her. She pushed it opened and weighted down the sides with some copper pieces, "Just take a look at this, alright? This map was drawn by someone with a special skill, and it even shows where which monsters are most common... The monsters that we need to worry about are on the first three floors, but they're really only a thing on the very first floor. And on the second and third floor, they become larger and easier targets. Any other monster won't really give off that effect, you know?"

"So? Who says we will even be able to make it through those first three floors, then? More skilled parties with a better skill configuration entered that place and didn't come back out." Lynol said bluntly, and the others knew that he was right, "Without information beside just this map, I will not even think about approaching that place."

"...Then what if we did have more information than that map?" Foster asked, looking at the first floor shown on the map, "The only type of monster on the first floor is that monster that gives of necromantic magic, right? Do they do any other sort of damage?" He looked at Kyla, who quickly shook her head.

"I don't think so, no... they're like small slimes that do magical damage instead of physical one, and that's basically it. I spoke to someone that did enter the dungeon once, and he described it as those slimes taking over the corpses of other creatures, although they just rot away until only their bones are left. On the first floor, that's mostly things like mice, rats, and other critter, on the second floor it's different, somewhat larger animals, and on the third floor... they're actual large beasts, like wolves or wildcats."

Lynol rolled his eyes and leaned back deeper into his seat, "Knowing rough characteristics of the monsters won't be enough either, so just forget it."

"...I wasn't talking about that. I'm just going to... you know..." Foster said, "Go in there on my own for a bit, explore the first floor, see what these monsters are really like... maybe get used to them a bit? That kinda thing."

The moment that he suggested this, both Lynol and Octer stared at him intensely, "Dude, what are you doing? Why are you talking about this now, in front of... her?"

"Oh? What are you muttering about?" Kyla asked curiously, "Would it be his absolute resistance to necromancy?"

Now, three pairs of eyes quickly wandered over toward Kyla, "Wait, how did you- Foster, did you tell her already?" Octer asked, and Foster immediately shook his head.

"Of course I didn't! Why would I do that? I was gonna go for the resistance story again! But seriously, how did you know?" Foster looked at Kyla, wondering if she somehow listened in on a conversation between Lynol, Octer and Foster. But Kyla simply laughed.

"I have mentioned it before, have I not? I'm an Aria. We are a special people, just like the Lorgrans." Kyla said with a quick wink directed at Lynol, and the group of three looked at her, unsure what exactly to expect after this.

"I've never heard of Aria before... In what way are your people special?" Octer asked with a frown, and Kyla chuckled, "We have a special ability~! It's just like... knowing certain things, you know? It's like I can tell what people are best at! And when I looked at you three, I was able to tell. A man with an incredible defensive ability, born to be the perfect wall against his enemies. One of the most talented swordsmen I have seen in my life, who is set to only improve the more he fights. And... a man who may not be the greatest martial artist-"

"Oi..."

"-but! He is still an amazing fighter nonetheless! And that man is not only able to resist, but also wield death as a weapon. I didn't know the extent, but... I just made a quick guess~!" Kyla explained with a smile on her face, "I didn't know that it was really true until your reaction just now! But if this is the case, then this is really great! I agree that you should try and head into that dungeon yourself for a bit, but make sure to stay near its entrance in case something does happen~!"

Foster turned his head and looked at Octer with a wry smile, "You hear that? She guessed... she guessed, Octer."

"I heard her as well, I'm not deaf..."

"Yeah, but you're a fucking moron..." Foster grumbled quietly, as Octer turned toward his friend with a glare, "Yo, what did you just say?"

"What, are you deaf after all?" He asked as he returned the glare quickly, while Lynol let out a deep sigh before talking to Kyla again.

"Listen, please keep it a secret, alright? We don't want any trouble with anyone... You know that necromancy isn't particularly... accepted." Lynol pointed out, "And are there any more Aria here in the city that you know of?"

"Hm... maybe a handful, I guess? There aren't too many, and most are a lot younger than me, so they can't control their abilities too well! So, nothing to worry about!" Kyla explained with her ever-gleeful expression and voice, before Lynol raised his brows at something she said.

"How old are you, then?" He asked, and although Kyla's smile stayed on her face, it suddenly had a lot more threatening undertones than before.

"I don't think that's something you should ask a lady, Lynol." Kyla pointed out, before Lynol's whole body suddenly became covered in goosebumps. He had been able to face incredibly large beasts in the north without even flinching, but for some reason... Kyla just terrified him.

"R-Right, sorry about that..." He stuttered in response, while the small fight between Octer and Foster slowly settled down again.

"So..." Octer started, "I think it might be something worth looking into, really. Lynol, I get your concern, but you know... we do have a guy that's totally immune to necromantic feedback... Doesn't the idea of conquering a dungeon that has never been conquered before seem kinda... fun to you?"

"...I would be lying if I said it didn't, but my concerns still stand. I am worried, and we are not the best party for this job. And nobody actually knows what's in the lower floors, right? There might be more of those magic slime monsters deeper down. What if something happens, and we can't deal with it?"

"Then I can just scout ahead, right?" Foster suggested, "Come on.... let's just give this a try!"