Chapter 136: Finding What One Looks For


    Youre going to have to try and freeze that section, Tan said. I don''t want to use all of my mana, and you can recover some if you kill something.


    An ice bolt started forming near Maxs hand. After it had grown to the size he wanted, he released it at the section of burning trees blocking the path they were taking.


    It hit one and shattered about a third of the trunk into tiny pieces. Sizzling and popping sounds came from the ice thatnded in the fire all around it.


    Shame you''re not stronger, Fowl teased as they waited on the cooldown for Maxs spell. This wouldnt take so long if you could cast real magic like Tan.


    Oh, Ill show you real magic when I freeze your nutster, Max replied as he pointed his hand toward Fowls crotch.


    Bah! You cant do that, protested Fowl. Batrire wouldnt like them being blue!


    A groan came from their healer, who shook her head in embarrassment.


    I cant take him anywhere not even to a dungeon, she muttered.


    Max smiled, then returned to the fire blocking their path, preparing to unleash another bolt of ice.


    How far do you reckon we havee in this forest? At least halfway? Tan asked after he cast the spell a second time.


    Id hope, but, he nced back at the path they hade down, its hard to tell. Right now, I just wanna find the chest and the portal and get out of here.


    Were still getting a little bit of experience, though, Fowl said. Ive gained as much as during that first fight, or more, since we started exploring. Somewhere, spiders are dying.


    Hours passed before Max and the rest of the group finally found the edge of the forest. A wall of magic surrounded the dungeon floor, which projected a barrier at the edge of thest tree.


    It doesnt look like the spiders could climb up this, Max said as he ran his hand along the invisible wall.


    Tan nodded as she studied the barrier. Ive heard of dungeons that end in stone or have massive walls, but ones with these kinds of barriers arent usually in this low of a dungeon. The tower will have some floors like this, usually in a boss room to prevent adventurers from creating safe points to fight from.


    You mean holes in walls? Max asked.


    She nodded as they turned to look back at the forest. There are levels in the tower where you can dig through the ground or mine through a wall until you cant. Depending on what youre fighting, some groups and raids have used that to their advantage, preparing defensive areas inside a cliffside and bringing their quarry to them.


    Thats kind of smart, Max said with augh. Almost as smart as burning a forest down.


    A groan came from Fowl. Stop making yourself feel good. You had one amazing idea; let''s see if it pans out.''


    Max grinned and pointed in the direction they had decided to go. Lets stop waiting and see if we can find the chest and get something good.


    As they began walking toward the smoldering section of trees, Batrire gently nudged Fowl, Maybe you should use the key in case it''s another mimic.


    Everyone but Fowlughed at thatment.


    After eight more hours of trudging through the charred forest they had created, Max let out a tiny <em>whoop</em> when he spotted a chest sitting in a very small clearing.


    Ok, Fowl, youre up, Max said as he pulled the huge key out, still amazed at howrge it waspared to his torso.


    No sir, Fowl replied, waving his hands. There isnt anything you could offer me to do that again.


    You certain? Max asked, holding it out to his dwarf friend.


    Absolutely! Not even if Ockrim himself showed up and told me to do it.


    Batrire groaned and rolled her eyes.


    Ok, Ill do it, but just remember, you didnt want to so I get the first crack at any shared loot! Max eximed as he started jogging toward the chest.


    About three seconds after Max finished his statement, Fowl processed what he said and started running after Max, shouting, Wait! I changed my mind!


    Max nced back at Batrire and Tan, who were about twenty yards away, each with a hand on Fowls shoulder.


    Grumbling could still be heard from the dwarf as Max took a deep breath and approached the chest.


    It was the same size as thest raid chest they had acquired. Made of dark metal, it gave off a weird humming sound, and an aura of ck light seemed to pulse from it.


    Wish it was Fowl opening that, Tan muttered as Max moved the key toward the chest.


    Fowlsint was ignored as the key moved from Maxs hand on its own and inserted itself in the huge keyhole. It turned, and a clicking sound could be heard.


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    Max had already taken a few steps back and pulled out his weapon, preparing for the worst. After nothing happened, he moved forward and tapped it gently with his weapon.


    If it was going to eat you, it would have already grabbed you! shouted Fowl.


    Max held up a middle finger toward Fowl and then stored his weapon. He pushed up with two hands on the lid, and the chest top snapped open.


    Inside it sat a much darker than normal dimensional space, and within the void were eight items, all of the same ck color as the chest.


    Its safe, but you four give me a minute! Im going to collect everything first!


    Fowl was moving the moment Max said, <em>Its safe,</em> running as fast as his little legs could carry him.


    Wait, ya bastard! Fowl shouted.


    Smiling, Max pretended to reach into the chest,ughing as Fowl started running faster.


    Thats one ugly staff, Fowl said as he pointed at Tans new equipment.


    Scrunching her eyebrows, Tan looked at her staff and then back at Fowl. Whats wrong with it?


    It doesnt go with your outfit at all.


    Rolling her eyes, Tan ignored Fowl and ran her hand along the new staff. Very thin crystal-like strands ran through the ck metal, their pattern almost like a spiderweb. She had immediately traded out her old one, amazed at how much better the new one was.


    Yer talking about outfits, and you got that damn te chest piece on. One ck piece and the rest of yer outfit doesnt match, Batrire said as she pointed at Fowls new chest piece. Even worse are the lines running along yours.


    Shifting from side to side, Fowl spun. I look dandy, and you know it. Besides, not everyone gets a cool tiara like you not even Tan.


    Batrires grin grew as she tapped her head, raising her eyebrows a few times. Ockrim likes me more than you, she said.


    Max had said nothing, letting the other three enjoy the first crack at their items.


    Seth?


    Looking up from the helmet he had in his hands, he saw how she smiled softly at him.


    Yeah? he replied, still amazed at what he was holding.


    Going to share the stats?


    Nodding, he couldnt help but grin as he slid it over his head.


    A gasp came from Batrire when his brand-new ck helmet vanished after he took his hands off it.


    Wheres yer damn helm?! eximed Fowl.


    Invisible. Its an ability of the helm, Max replied, banging his hand against the side of his head. As his gloves hit his helm, a slight sound of metal on metal proved that it was still there.


    Gods, that is so unfair! Fowlined. Now, I must stare at your bald head all day!


    What about the stats? Tan asked. Its obviously better than your old one.


    Nodding, Max grinned.


    [ Inspect Helmet ]


    *****


    Scout Spider Helm


    +5 STR/CON/DEX


    Invisible State


    Minor Poison Resist


    Bonded


    *****


    HOLY MOTHER OF GOD LOVIN ELF TI


    Batrires staff smacked into Fowls head, interrupting him as he proimed his curses for the entire dungeon to hear.


    Shut it, or youll bring the whole dungeon down on us, Batrire snapped.


    Thats impressive, Tan said. Even though all of ours have a plus five to two stats yet again, as Fowl would say, someone up there loves you.


    Max frowned as he saw everyone looking at him.


    There are still four items waiting for us to roll on them.


    Fowl stopped massaging the spot on his head where Batrire had bopped him and grinned, knowing what wasing next.


    A cloak, boots, belt, and what looks like a helm or circlet, depending on who gets it, Max said. I would prefer the cloak or the boots. Im not sure I will give up my chest piece yet.


    Ill do boots or helm, Fowl said.


    Only really need the circlet or belt, Tan stated as they went in a circle.


    Id only really want the belt, Batrire dered, pointing at her waist. Momma needs something to keep this robe tight.


    Ok, so Batrire gets the belt, Tan gets the circlet, Fowl gets the boots, and I get the cloak? Max asked only needing a moment to figure out how it would best work.


    Sounds good to me! eximed Fowl as he moved up next to the chest. Can I go first so I can protect my toes in case Batrire decides to step on them?


    Everyone chucked and nodded, letting Fowl go first. When the boots materialized in his hand, Fowl scowled slightly.


    Bah, not as shy as I had hoped, but I cantin, even if they look ugly.


    Max nodded at the weird crystal design on the boots backs and sides. The crystal lines did not have a specific pattern.


    They provide a nice boost to my strength and constitution. Four points each! Fowl eximed.


    Batrire went next and got a ck cord that cinched itself around her waist. She smiled as she put it on, and grinned even more at the fact it gave four points each to constitution, intelligence, and wisdom.


    Fowl started toin, but when she raised her staff he stopped, holding his hands up in surrender.


    Your turn, Tan.


    She nodded at Max and reached inside the chest. When the timer ended, a ck circlet with a single clear crystal in the center of a spiderweb sat in her hand. Slipping it onto her head, she smiled. Hows it look?


    Beautiful as always, Max said with a sigh, causing Tans cheeks to redden a little.


    And the stats? Fowl asked. Dont forget the stats!


    Touching the ck metal with her fingers, Tan nodded. Five to intelligence and wisdom, and it has a rity effect.


    Batrire whistled. Thats really nice. Whats the bonus?


    Twenty-five percent, Tan said, wincing as she did.


    Holy dwarf balls, groaned Batrire. Twenty-five percent! Thats


    She stopped ranting when Fowl poked her in the stomach.


    Hey now, dont bring the dungeon down on us, he teased.


    But twenty-five percent! Batrire eximed.


    Someday youll get something nice, Fowl replied before turning to Max. Alright, chosen one of the gods, make me cry.


    Chuckling, Max nodded and reached into the chest, touching the spot where the cloak was.


    The timer finished, and a ck cloak appeared in his hands.


    Even before he put it on or inspected it, he could feel its power radiating through his hands.


    Dont tell me, Fowl muttered. I can already tell Im going to be extremely jealous.


    Tan moved forward and touched the cloak with her fingers, looking at it in surprise.


    What is it, Tan? Batrire asked, seeing the mages face change.


    Its spidersilk, Tan replied.