Syl

Chapter 64: Mistaken Identity

Simon must have been tired of me killing his undead, as the room I entered had only two regular skeletons. We coordinated to empower two [Acid Dart] spells, which immediately destroyed their skulls, causing them to collapse into a pile of inanimate bones.

'Surely I should have unlocked [Ritual Casting] by now? The worst part is I don't even see the unknown skill on my profile. Can some things just not be earned at all?'

The next room had two zombies, which also went down in one spell each. I was hoping to reach level two in [Corrosion Magic], but if Simon was being frugal, then it wasn't likely. I could hear the sound of some fighting up ahead, so it looked like I was going to meet up with the group.

I hoped [Acting] was up to the task as I immediately started to fake fatigue and injury, even giving myself a slight limp. When I entered the room, I saw five figures busy finishing off a small group of skeletons.

One wore a fancy cloak with pristine leather armor and held an ornate-looking rapier, while another was a large man wearing plate armor armed with an equally impressive longsword and buckler. The remaining three were practically wearing rags compared to the first two.

'Who the hell are these people? Actually, the one guy with the fancy cloak looks a little familiar. I like his choice of weapon.'

When they finished killing the last undead, they turned to face me with weapons still drawn. Mister fancy cloak grinned triumphantly.

"You are an idiot thinking you could get away from me. Did you really think changing your name and class was enough to fool me? I'd recognize you anywhere, Sylthaeryn."

'Oh, shit. They know her.'

"Master, you should deal with her quickly so we can get out before the guild notices the dungeon has reopened." The knight replied while the other three began to try to flank me as if to prevent my escape.

"Yes, yes, you're right, Edmund." He agreed and flourished his weapon, "I don't know how you survived, but your luck has run out."

"Well boss, since she shacked up with the adventurers, ya know they have a saying... What happens in the dungeons, stays in the dungeons!" One of the thugs mentioned, cackling at his own joke.

I began to laugh, causing all five of them to look a bit startled. I remembered now, this was the guy who was traveling with Sylthaeryn, and now he's just admitted that he was the one who had tried to kill her.

"Looks like the reality of her situation has made her go mad." Keaton chuckled, composing himself.

"No. I'm laughing because of how weak you all are."

"Fucking elf, think you are superior to us, I put you in your place before, and I'll do it again. Grab her!"

Two of the thugs moved in to grab me, and I could only chuckle as it was time to try out what my new evolution could do. Two tendrils burst out from either side towards the approaching men, and at the end of each one was a set of claws from the Venom Barbed Badger, enhanced with the appropriate traits. Their shock and surprise were short-lived as both tendrils disemboweled them before retracting back inside of me. Their lifeless bodies collapsed to the floor.

"What!? Has she sold her soul to become a demon? What was that!?" Keaton screamed, his eyes filled with abject terror.

"Sir, get behind me!" The knight interceded.

"Your first mistake was trying to kill her. Your second mistake was trying to kill me. And your final mistake was assuming I'm an elf." I chuckled, "At least now I can avenge her. So thank you."

Five tendrils emerged from my back, each with a different end, as I decided to maximize my new trait. There were five heads: a wolf, a boar, a bear, a badger, and a panther. Probably not as cool as Simon's Bone Hydra, but I had limited animal profiles to work with. I figured I'd feed Keaton to the panther tendril as it was her original companion.

The remaining thug screamed and tried to flee, only for me to gore him to death with the boar's tusks. The knight swung at me, and his blade at first deflected off of my defenses, then he seemed to utilize a skill as it shone and passed through me on the second blow. When his blade swung through me, I could see the visible relief appear on his face when blood oozed out of the cut.

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'You're so dramatic, Alpha.'

I smirked when the wolf and badger snaked around to bite at his arms. Unfortunately, even with all my boosts, it appeared his armor was no joke, and I couldn't penetrate it, but I could quite easily restrain him, which I did.

While this was going on I had the panther tendril "sparring" with Keaton. It was hilarious how he thought he could damage the head by stabbing it. I was a little surprised when he cast a rather feeble-looking [Flame Arrow], and even if I didn't have [Blaze Slime], I didn't think it would be enough to penetrate my defenses.

"You call that a spell? This is a spell."

I formed an empowered [Acid Dart] and fired it at him, aiming for his leg. When it struck, there was a horrible sizzling noise, and he collapsed to the ground, screaming in pain.

"Sir!" The knight screamed and struggled from his slimy bonds.

"Fuck! No! I can't die here! I'm a Stanton!" He screamed.

I watched him trying to crawl away. It was honestly pathetic, as I had expected more from Sylthaeryn's killer. The adventurers I fought as a goblin put up more of a fight; they had struggled with their every last breath, yet Keaton had presumably more levels than them and went down from one spell.

"If you let me live, I can give you gold. You'll be rich!"

"I'd rather get experience than gold. Plus, with what you've seen, I can't let you live."

"No! No! No! You can't do this to me, Sylthaeryn! My family will find out!"

I gave soft chuckle, "What happens in the dungeons, stays in the dungeons."

I maneuvered the panther's head towards him and enlarged it, and then, with a satisfying chomp, bit his torso in half. The knight was screaming profanities, all semblance of reason gone, and trying to escape. I started to dissolve his armor away, then began casting [Acid Dart] repeatedly at him. Unlike Keaton, he didn't wail in pain and just cursed me, my family, and the entire elf race until he perished.

I started grabbing all the evidence and consuming them. Meanwhile, I looked through the notifications I had been ignoring.

'That confirms it kept my previous experience when upgrading. Really glad about that. Looks like my new trait budget is 36.'

'Wait, poison!? I thought this was acid magic?'

I immediately cast the spell, and it released a purply cloud that rapidly drifted away from me. I cast it again and captured the mist in my slime but received no notification from [Poison Slime] about a new sample.

'Very strange...'

.

'So I gained two class levels and one race level. Not much, if I'm honest. I'll check this skill afterward.'

'At least I got a rapier out of this exchange. I'm happy for the profile.'

'Oh? Wait... Have I never considered eating armor? It feels stupid in hindsight. Although, I'd just be faking the appearance. But if I can get enchanted armor like Simon mentioned, that would surely be extra protection that my slime can't replicate. Although... If I can get a silver slime core, perhaps that's irrelevant.'

I had cleaned up all traces of our scuffle and retaken my injured appearance. I started walking back, and it seemed Simon had no intention of throwing me any more monsters as the walk back was completely undisturbed.

<>

Sense hidden foes or threats around you.

Success chance and maximum radius scale with skill level.

Sensory traits can increase this skill's success chance.>

'Unlike my previous revelation, I think this is an instant purchase. Hopefully, I can ask Whitney about the other one, assuming I'm not emerging from here as public enemy number one.'

When I reached the dungeon entrance, I saw it was late afternoon. Shockingly, there were no guards by the entrance and no signs of a confrontation. Keaton must have bribed the guards or thoroughly hid the evidence if he disposed of them.

I made my way to the inn cautiously, but everything seemed normal beyond a few stares and points from some townsfolk. I arrived at the inn unaccosted, and when I entered, Trevor seemed relieved to see me.

"Gods, I'm glad you're back, Syl!"

"It's certainly been quite an ordeal," I replied, giving my best impression of a fatigued smile.

"I swear, Whitney was about to burn down the dungeon to get to you. Speaking of, why are they not with you? They were waiting for the guards to report the dungeon unsealing."

"There were no guards in sight when I left the dungeon," I replied honestly.

"That's not right... They were under strict order to immediately report to the guild, and even so, someone is supposed to guard the entrance at all times." Trevor frowned deeply.

He sent off one of his staff to call the group and tell them I had arrived at the inn an absolute mess but safe. Trevor even handed me a healing potion, practically shoving it down my throat. My core filled with a soothing sensation, and I could tell my unseen wounds were healing.

"Go wash up, you look like shit. I'll leave a huge plate of food for you."

"Thanks, Trevor."

"And congrats on beating your first Dungeon Trial! You earned that emblem!" He said proudly. He looked like he wanted to slap me on the back but was restraining himself due to my injuries.

'I don't think Simon would agree with you.' I chuckled internally.