His father’s old dungeon crawler ”The Rough Riders” crew were already going inside happily.
Titan stood dressed in his office black suit that he had wore during his father’s memorial.
Titan worked all his life to avoid his father’s profession and now here he was.
Time was not on their side. The city government had given them a twenty-four window to clear the dungeon of all enemies.
Charlie Walker put his rough, scared hand on Titan’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do this Titan. There are other safer ways to get the money.” He said.
“I don’t have the time for safer ways. The mortgage payment is due Monday morning. It’s Friday.” Titan said, reminding Charlie as well as himself.
Titan took a breath and then took out his Axiom Edge from his sheath that was attached to his utility belt.
Axiom Edge was a magical fourteen inch dark blue ebony short sword.
“Lead the way Uncle Charlie. I’m ready.” Titan said and straightened up his back as he prepared to go in.
Titan looked down at his wrist watch and set the count down.
Charlie grinned and took out his shinning light sword. “Alright. Let’s make some money.” He said.
Charlie entered the entrance with Titan following close behind him.
Titan jumped slightly as he heard the entrance forcefield go up behind him.
“Don’t worry about that. That’s the wizard's doing to keep the monsters from getting out until we can kill the boss.”
Titan sighed and acknowledged Charlie’s explanation with a nod.
“Do you remember the plan?” Charlie asked him.
Titan nodded, pushing up his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
“Yeah. I stay close to the crew and target enemies’ weak spots. I back you up, you take on the boss.” Titan whispered.
“Hey, kid what’s your class again?” Eddie, one his father’s buddies asked.
Titan looked at the man wondering what his class and he was surprised to see the man’s system menu pop up.
[ SYSTEM STATUS ]
Name: Eddie Dunbar
Class: Fighter (Rank III)
Level: 59
Focus: 220 / 220
Health: 500 / 500
Primary Attribute:
- Strength (STR): 490
Secondary Attributes:
- Agility (AGI): 90
- Perception (PER): 22
- Endurance (END): 400
- Willpower (WIL): 30
Titan grimaced. “I just tested for Rogue Rookie Level 1. I don’t have a class system menu yet because I just entered the system.”
“Shit. Boy. You about to pop your cherry today boy.” another warrior said.
Titan looked at the man that had spoken; he had a large warhammer and black beard.
[ SYSTEM STATUS ]
Name: Ronald Gains
Class: Cleric (Rank V)
Level: 59
Focus: 900 / 900
Health: 500 / 500
Primary Attribute:
- Willpower (WIL): 180
Secondary Attributes:
- Strength (STR): 200
- Agility (AGI): 55
- Perception (PER): 300
- Endurance (END): 120
Titan whistle. “Cleric. Level five hundred. Are all of you old guys tanks?” He asked.
The five veteran dungeon crawlers stopped and all turned to stare at Titan.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Charlie smiled at him. “So you can see Ron’s system status?” He said.
Titan frowned at their direct focus on him. “Yeah. Isn’t that normal in a dungeon?” He said.
“No. No. It isn’t. Can you bring up your menu real quick?” Charlie said.
“The lady that trained me said I needed to earn system points first before the system activates.” Titan said.
“Try to do it anyway.” Charlie insisted.
Titan frowned. “System Menu.” He said.
Nothing happened. He didn’t see anything. He started to say something but he heard something.
Titan’s body reacted dodging to the side. An object went flying by him and exploded on the barrier around the entrance.
Titan heard another attack shooting through the air and dodged barely but he felt something burn across his cheek.
“Shit!”
Titan turned searched every corner until he found a shadow moving and loading a revolver.
Titan waited and dodged and threw his weapon to his enemy. He fell to the floor sweating.
A monstrous scream followed and everything started to return to normal. Charlie popped the cork on a red bottle before he forced Titan to drink down the contents.
Titan drank it down in one go feeling the wounds on his shoulder and cheek burning.
Charlie took the empty bottle from Titan’s lips and he frowned at him.
“You were doing good there. You fucked up on two parts. Never let go of your weapon. You spot the enemy, just tell the archer where he’s at.”
“Shit! I'm barely in the game already and I'm already fucking up huh?” Titan said with a chuckle.
“We’re down one potion bottle. We kill the Boss and then we collect our pay and treasures in the dungeon.” Charlie said.
Titan chuckled. “It was dumb luck Uncle Charlie. Help me up.” He said.
Charlie and Bob helped Titan to his feet. The other veterans nodded to him.
Bob nodded to Titan. “You’re a pretty damn fast Rogue class. Kid.” He said.
Titan sighed and followed the veterans down the stone staircase. Titan walked over to where a green dead goblin lay with his Axiom Edge in the creature's head.
Ronald shook his head. “He’s a hybrid golden marksman shadow type. That's a bit strange.”
“He’ll give you a decent amount of XP points and item drop for your first kill.” Charlie said.
Titan reached for his weapon, removing it from the monster’s body.
Invisible white strings were cut away from the dead Goblin's body.
Titan started to ask about the strings but he immediately heard a chime in his head.
Titan’s Axiom Edge glowed brightly in the deeply lit dungeon. Titan frowned.
“What does it mean when my weapon glows again?” Titan asked.
Charlie pointed to Titan’s weapon in his hand. “You just upgraded. Your system menu should be ready.” He said.
Titan looked at his weapon as it glowed blue in his hand. “System Menu.” He said.
[New Class Unlocked: Psi Striker]
Focus Pool: 100/100
Primary Attribute: Willpower: 12
“Did you activate your system menu yet?” Charlie asked.
Titan looked up in surprise. “You can’t see my system menu?” He asked.
The others shook their heads. Charlie waved a hand.
“What Rogue class are you?” He asked.
“I unlocked a new class. Have you ever heard of a Psi Striker?” Titan said in a quiet voice before shutting down his system menu with a wave of his hand.
The others studied him quietly. Titan frowned.
“What does it mean?” He asked.
Charlie shook his head. “How old are you, Titan?” He asked.
“Twenty-three.” Titan said. “What’s wrong Uncle Charlie? What kind of magic can I do?”
Charlie shook his head. “Strikers are common. Psi powers are rare mind powers. Psi don't use magic.”
Titan frowned. “Is there a big difference between the two?” He said.
Charlie along with the others laughed. “Oh there’s a difference. A big one.”
“Okay, what do I do going forward?” Titan asked.
“I want you to keep your class secret from others. You’re already tested as a Rogue. Don’t let nobody else know about your real hidden class.” He said.
Titan nodded his head. “Okay. The plan is the same right.” He said.
Charlie nodded. “Stay with the group and keep your head moving for enemies and let us know where they are. When we get to the boss. Fall back and watch for the weak points.”
Titan nodded. “Okay.” He said.
Charlie sighed. “Remember don’t tell anyone not even your family your Psi status. People act funny about Psi in the dungeon crawler community.” He said.
Titan said nothing. He analyzed the others and listened to their breathing and examined their nervous smiles.
Titan really didn’t want to deal with this bullshit.
Titan had only just discovered the family house was behind on the mortgage.
Titan’s sister’s college savings was gone. His father spent it on weapons for dungeon crawling.
“Okay. Let’s get this job done. Lead the way uncle Charlie.” He said and then looked again at the dead Goblin.
He searched the goblin’s clothes and found a brown leather bag and black wand. He looked inside the bag to see it seemed deep and filled with gold coins.
“Uncle Charlie. I got a bag.”
“It’s a magic bag. It’s yours now. Use it to put whatever loot you find here in it. You can store up to twenty items and weapons later.” Charlie said.
Titan stared at the black ebony wand and he wondered how much money he could get for it at the shop. He reached for it.
“Don’t take that wand! You won’t need it. It also might be cursed.” Charlie ordered.
Titan dropped the wand in disgust and came away with a magic bag that had gold coins inside.
“I only need a few more gold coins and I can pay off the mortgage for this month at least.” Titan said with a sigh.
“What are your dreams after this hunt?” Charlie said in an odd voice.
Titan looked at him again. “Pay off the mortgage on the house and send my sister to college.”
“Yeah. I understand that. What type of position do you want to have in the world?” Charlie asked.
“Position? I don’t know. What do you mean?”
Charlie snorted. “What do you want to do after you take care of your responsibilities?”
“I want to retire from dungeon crawling. Speaking of which. Uncle Charlie does the guild have an accountant to handle the day to day businesses.” Titan said.
“Holy shit.” Charlie said and turned walking away leading the group forward.
“What? What did I say?” Titan asked, pushing up his glasses again.
“Your mother raised you too good.” Charlie said, shaking his head.
“Thank you. I think she did a good job, myself. Listen. I do wonders with numbers and such. I can even scout out businesses for the guild too buy.” He said.
“Titan. You’re hired. Keep your head moving and let us know when we have an enemy coming up on our back door.” Charlie said.
Titan saluted. “Yes Sir.” He said.