Abarith
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Chapter 45: Into the Depths
🕑 Added 2024-11-30 20:33:02 +0000 UTCJeremy flopped down on his bed in his suite, the doctor’s warnings about resting and taking it easy ringing in his ears. The world was changing—war wasn’t some far-off idea anymore. It was getting closer, and they could all feel it. The doctors had let him go for this very reason; they knew there was no time left for proper recovery. Unfortunately they were still adamant about him not using magic, something about his soul still needing to recover. But for the time being he could focus on his other Skills.
He brought up his Status screen. There it was—his Essence, sitting there, waiting for him to use it. He stared at it, and the longer he looked, the heavier it felt. He knew where that Essence came from. It wasn’t just a number; it was the lives of those people—the Seekers.
Allocate 106.67 million Essence
Their faces flashed in his head. He could still see them—how they were so young, just like him. They were just people, and now they were gone. And here he was, about to use what was left of them to make himself stronger. The guilt twisted in his stomach, making him feel sick. He didn’t know if he deserved this power, not when it came from something like that.
But then he thought about the academy. About his friends. About how war was coming and they all had to be ready. He couldn’t afford to be weak, not now. If he wasn’t strong, he wouldn’t be able to protect Andrew, or Perci, or Mia. Not even Marcus, who always acted like nothing scared him. He had to be ready.
Jeremy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He couldn’t afford to think about what-ifs or guilt. Not now. He turned inward, focusing on maxing all of his Skills—he clearly had more than enough Essence for it.
Jeremy Hoppins
Tier -
Remaining Essence: 96.72 million
Body 120
Mind 120
Soul 2010
Skills:
Cooking - Basic 10/10
Introspection - Basic 10/10
Memorization - Simple 100/100
Multitasking - Basic 10/10
Spearmanship - Basic 10/10
Reflexes - Simple 100/100
Running - Basic 10/10
Universal Equipment Slots - Personal
He opened his eyes and let out a long breath. He felt stronger, but also emptier in a way. He thought about what his mother had said: You have to be strong, no matter the price. She had said it like it made everything okay, like the ends justified the means. Maybe that was true, but to Jeremy, it felt like more than just an excuse.
For a second, he thought about telling his friends. About what she’d done. Maybe they’d understand. Maybe they’d tell him it was okay, that he wasn’t a bad person for using this Essence. But then he shook his head. They didn’t need his guilt. They needed his strength. He had to be the one who held it together, for their sake.
Jeremy stood up, brushing off the weight of his thoughts. He couldn’t let himself be held back by hesitation or guilt. Not with everything at stake. He moved over to the chest sitting in the corner of his training room where he’d stored his equipment, but this time, he planned to keep it simple.
He ran his fingers over the Spear of Echoing Strikes, feeling the familiar weight of it as he lifted it from the chest. It had saved him before, and Jeremy knew he would rely on it again. He attached it to his back, adjusting the straps so it rested comfortably.
Then his gaze fell on the Amulet of Amplification. He decided to bring more of these amulets—not just for himself, but to lend to his friends as well. His father's words about building alliances echoed in his mind: "Building alliances can be just as valuable as individual power". Sharing his resources now would strengthen their group as a whole. He filled the rest of his equipment slots with the amulets, focusing on boosting his overall stats, while keeping extra amulets in his pack to hand out to his friends. He wanted everyone to have the best chance possible in the dungeon.
Jeremy Hoppins
Tier -
Body 768
Mind 288
Soul 6984
Jeremy grabbed his pack and slung it over his shoulder. He double-checked its contents—rations, water, medical supplies. He wouldn’t forget to bring anything this time. He was ready. The thought of what his mother had done still gnawed at him, but he pushed it down. Later. He'd deal with it later.
Jeremy spotted the group at their usual table. They were eating, but there was a tension in their eyes that Jeremy recognized. The meal had mostly been quiet, with conversation kept light, but the underlying worry was palpable. The uncertainty of what was to come was something that hung over all of them.
He approached, forcing a smile to mask his own worries. They all looked up from their plates, their expressions shifting from worry to relief when they saw him.
“Hey,” Jeremy greeted warmly, sliding onto the bench beside Andrew. He bumped Andrew lightly with his shoulder as he reached for a slice of bread on the table.
Immediately, questions poured in. “What did the doctors say?” “Are you really okay?” “Can you come with us?” The concern in their voices was evident; they had been worried about him, and Jeremy felt a pang of warmth at their care.
Jeremy held up his hands, trying to reassure them. “I’m fine, really. They said I’m good to go. I’ll be coming with you to the dungeon.” He kept his tone light, but there was a seriousness beneath his words. The doctors hadn’t been thrilled, but they all knew the stakes. They had all seen what was coming—there was no room for weakness now.
Marcus exhaled, nodding. “Good,” he said, a determined edge to his voice. “We’re planning to gather as much Essence as we can. We need every bit of strength for what’s coming.” There was a fire in his eyes, a resolve that Jeremy knew was reflected in each of them. They were ready to fight for each other, no matter what.
Jeremy nodded, then reached into his pack. He pulled out several Amulets of Amplification, the polished surfaces catching the light of the dining hall, drawing everyone’s attention.
“I thought we’d need every edge we can get,” Jeremy said, placing an amulet in front of each of them. “These are from my father. He said something about building alliances, and I think he’s right. We’re in this together.” He looked at each of them, wanting them to understand how much he believed in them.
Their eyes widened in surprise, and Jeremy could see the gratitude in their faces. Mia hesitated, her gaze flicking between the amulet and Jeremy.
“You’re really giving us these?” she asked quietly. Her voice had a hint of disbelief, as though she couldn't quite grasp the idea of being trusted with something so valuable.
Jeremy nodded. “We’re a team. I can’t let you all face danger without every advantage we have. Besides, I have my own set. These are borrowed, but they’re as good as yours for now.” He smiled, hoping to ease her worry. “We’ve got to be ready for whatever comes, and that means all of us being as strong as we can be.”
Perci clutched her amulet, her expression softening. “Thanks, Jeremy. This means a lot.” Her voice was sincere, and Jeremy could see that this gesture had touched her. It wasn't just about the power the amulet held, but what it represented—trust, unity, and the promise that they wouldn't leave anyone behind.
Marcus grinned, the tension easing slightly from his features. “We’re going to make sure this counts. We’ll come back with enough Essence to make a difference.”
Timothy nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. “Together,” he echoed, gripping the amulet tightly. He looked at the rest of the group, his usually quiet demeanor replaced by a resolve that made Jeremy proud to have him by his side.
As they moved on to dessert, Jeremy looked around at his friends, noticing the tension still hanging in the air. They needed a break, even if just for a moment.
“So," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, "has anyone unlocked their weapon Skill yet?"
Marcus, Perci, Mia, and Timothy all shook their heads, looking slightly confused. "No," Perci said, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
Jeremy leaned back, crossing his arms with a satisfied expression. "Well then, it looks like you all owe me your desserts. I unlocked mine during my Tier 2 solo run."
They all looked surprised, their eyes widening, except for Andrew, who simply rolled his eyes. "Show-off," Marcus muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice. Mia laughed, handing over her dessert without hesitation. "Alright, you earned it," she said with a grin.
Jeremy chuckled, accepting the desserts with a laugh. "I guess that's one way to motivate everyone. Don't worry, next time I'll be fighting to keep mine." They all shared a laugh, the mood lifting slightly, the camaraderie growing stronger.
The group stood, each of them clutching their amulets, their expressions a mix of fear and hope. They knew the risks, but they also knew the strength they drew from each other. Together, they walked toward the path that would lead them to the teleporter, ready to face whatever awaited them in the dungeon.
The teleporter room was different from how Jeremy remembered it. The attendant stationed by the controls wasn't the same one who had been there before—the one his mother had almost killed. This new attendant seemed disinterested, but when she looked up and saw Jeremy, her expression shifted briefly—a flicker of recognition, a hardening of her gaze.
"We're here for a Tier 1 dungeon," Marcus said, his voice steady.
The attendant's eyes lingered on Jeremy for a moment longer, her lips pressed into a thin line before she shrugged. "Go on in," she said, her tone dismissive as she waved her hand toward the teleporter. Jeremy felt his stomach twist at the thought of the previous attendant. The memory left a bitter taste, but Jeremy forced himself to keep his expression neutral. There was no point in dwelling on what had happened—he couldn't change it now.
There was also no mention of their dungeon quota, no checking of their Tiers or of their Essence. The group exchanged looks but otherwise said nothing. It was clear that things had changed—anyone could now freely delve into the dungeons without the usual oversight.
Jeremy felt a chill run down his spine. The lack of scrutiny, the way they were just allowed in so easily—it made him uneasy. It felt like the academy was getting desperate. They were pushing everyone into the dungeons, regardless of whether they were ready or not.
They stepped into the teleporter pad, the familiar hum surrounding them as the attendant pressed a few buttons. Jeremy took a deep breath, glancing at his friends. They all looked determined, even if there was a hint of nervousness in their eyes.
A flash of light enveloped them, and the world shifted. When the light faded, they found themselves standing at the entrance to the Tier 1 dungeon. The air was thick with the damp, earthy scent of the underground, and the dim light of the dungeon stretched out before them, the shadows flickering as if alive.
Jeremy gripped his spear tighter, his eyes scanning the entrance. He looked back at his friends—Marcus with his sword ready, Mia with her bow, Perci and Timothy holding their weapons with steady hands, and Andrew, his mace gripped firmly.
"Alright," Marcus said, his voice low but confident. "Stick together, watch each other's backs. We go in, we get what we need, and we get out. No unnecessary risks."
Jeremy gave Marcus a nod of respect, letting the familiar weight of following his lead settle comfortably. Marcus grinned, taking a step forward. "Let's do this," he added, his eyes reflecting determination. He turned towards the dark tunnel ahead, leading the group into the shadows.
