Azure: Gunner

Chapter 8-1

Dungeoneer is possibly the rarest Class known to man. It is exceptionally fucking valuable as long as demand exceeds supply, but nearly worthless otherwise. Basically, a Dungeoneer is a Tamer for dungeons.

They can bond with a stable dungeon much like a Tamer bonds with a pet. Once bonded, the Dungeoneer’s Skills allow them some measure of control over their pet dungeon. It can be made more predictable, more oriented towards certain types of monsters or resources, and ultimately much more profitable.

Getting this Class almost assures someone of a safe, luxurious, and obscenely well-paying job. The Families need one for every stable dungeon they manage, and most try very hard to keep a spare or two around just in case they get their greedy little hands on another precious portal.

The downsides, however, are rarely discussed. The most fundamental is that dungeons don’t fucking move. They can’t be moved, though many have tried. And getting too far away from their dungeon is like separating a Tamer from their pet. Both parties typically suffer from severe anxiety and mood swings.

You can medicate your Dungeoneer with booze, drugs, Spells, or sex to alleviate their symptoms. Their dungeon, however, will quickly start to resemble a baby throwing a tantrum. This will kill profitability as fast as that kid murdered their parents’ sleep schedule. Yes, I’m anthropomorphising here, but you get the idea. The dungeon will get fucking unpredictable, scientifically speaking.

- Delver’s Guild Handbook, Section 10.3 – “Basics of Dungeon Management”

I had so many questions, but one was clearly the most important.

“What opportunity?” I asked before anyone else could jump in.

“That will remain confidential until I determine if it is more than a possibility. The only reason I am explaining this much is that my instructions would not make sense otherwise. You are free to tell your teams – over the Comms only, as with all sensitive information. Are we clear?”

I twisted in my seat to look up at Jayce. The cyborg had a thoughtful expression on their split face.

“What instructions are those, Head Instructor?” they asked carefully.

“The dungeon is currently full of mana and at its peak Level – 8. Squad Excel will initially conduct a full clear of the dungeon, which should bring it down to roughly Level 5. Recruit Leyla, I strongly recommend you consider bringing in a heavy hitter for the first run. There are a number of Tier 1 guards in Backhorn who could accompany you.”

The Ice Mage frowned. That would reduce the Essence her Squad could earn, but also make the attempt much safer. After a moment, she nodded in agreement.

“Good, we’ll arrange it this afternoon and you’ll go in tomorrow. Depending on the dungeon’s Level after your run, you’ll likely go back in within a few days for a partial clear. Once the dungeon’s Level is suitable for Azure’s team, we’ll be sending in her team exclusively.”

My eyes widened at that. It sounded like we’d be getting multiple dungeon runs in a short period of time, which would hugely accelerate our Leveling. At least, for our Class Level. Our Skill Levels could easily fall behind, so whenever we weren’t in the dungeon we’d have to push extra hard in training.

“I have no desire to explain this ‘preferential’ treatment of Squad Hard Limit to anyone until and unless necessary. It will eventually come out, of course, but until then I can do without the headache that the parents of the trainees will give me. Recruit Azure, I trust Trainee Hammersmith can keep his mouth shut.”

I nodded in response, and she continued.

“Good. Squad Excel, please stay behind and we’ll arrange for a Tier 1 to join you for tomorrow. Squad Hard Limit, you’ll find Instructor Wolf is impatient to begin your intensive dungeon preparation. Dismissed!”

My mind whirled as I left Thompson’s office to find Wolf standing outside. I noticed right away that he was standing on two prosthetic legs and I gasped.

“Wolf! What happened? Was it the matriarch?” I asked, pointing at his new leg.

He grimaced and nodded.

“I’m sorry! Are you OK now?” I asked, giving him a big hug, which he shrugged off uncomfortably.

“I’m fine Az, no need for theatrics. Let’s get the team together and we can get started.”

Once we had the whole group together we followed Wolf to one of the smaller classrooms. The class building had only minor damage, probably because no one had been in it when the monsters attacked. Wolf put his hands on his hips and looked at us seriously.

“Let’s get straight to business. Normally, you’d have extensive preparation before your first dungeon run, but Thompson’s got some scheme in mind that requires you to get in there ASAP. So, I’m going to give you an overview now and then it’s training time.

“The first thing you need to know is that I can’t tell you exactly what the dungeon is going to be like. It’s different every time.”

That immediately got everyone’s attention. Zaire was the quickest to speak up.

“Instructor Wolf, I believed that stable dungeons were quite similar from run to run,” the Earth Mage noted.

“Stable dungeons are nearly always bonded to a Dungeoneer, much like a Tamer-type Class bonds with a monster,” Wolf reminded us. “The Dungeoneer can influence their dungeon in many ways. Most stable dungeons value consistency because they are run like businesses – their owners want to get a steady supply of valuable goods out. They also don’t want to deal with potentially losing employees to unexpected dangers.

“However, that same stability makes a dungeon impractical for training. Every dungeon you enter in the wild will be a mystery until you’re inside. Why would we train you on something that’s the same every time? No, what we want is inconsistency, so that each run is as different as possible.”

He paused, looking around as we all processed what he was saying.

“We talk about using this dungeon for training, and that is literally true. Unfortunately, that makes some people take it lightly. It is also literally true that it will still fucking kill you if you don’t take it seriously! Will you die permanently? It’s unlikely, but it does happen. The protections put in place by our Dungeoneer mean that if you die inside, your body will be teleported out.

“That means a Healer can revive you. HOWEVER!” he barked suddenly, and I jumped slightly. “There is only one Healer here now. If you lose more than one person, well, you’re fucked! Normally we have four Healers available, but these are special circumstances. You will not fuck around in there! Are we clear?”

“Yes sir!” H’ruk growled as the rest of us nodded along.

“Good,” Wolf replied. The Ranger smiled grimly and rubbed his new mechanical leg. “I can assure you firsthand, dying is not something you want to experience.”

We’d known that Wolf had been badly injured in the attack, but finding out that he’d actually died added fuel to the fire of my motivation. He pushed the team hard throughout the next few days, and I drove myself even harder.

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With a Tier 1 guard added to their team, Squad Excel made it through the first dungeon run without any deaths. A couple of them picked up Levels, and they were a smiling, exhausted group at dinner that night. After we’d eaten and rested a bit, I led the Squad in a sprint, making sure to spend almost every point of mana. I even spammed Quick Step to make sure I was utilizing my stamina as well.

Despite the sense of urgency, we had to wait almost a week for our first chance to enter the dungeon. The veterans went in again three days after their first run, and that dropped it down to barely above Level 3. Then we had to wait for the dungeon to accumulate more mana, to make sure we didn’t accidentally drop it down too low. That would permanently close the dungeon, so it couldn’t be risked.

The good news was that I was finally able to break through to Level 5 in Variable Load. As I’d hoped, it unlocked a new type of ammunition for me. Eagerly, I Inspected my bandolier to see the changes.

Item: Gunner Class Ammunition SupplyType: BandolierCapacity: 13 ShellsMods: Ammo Capacity – Level 5Condition: ExcellentPrimary Ammo: 4BK x 33, 1400fpsDamage: MediumPenetration: LowAmmo Cost: 3MP per shellFill Time: 39sAlternate Ammo: BB x 78, 1400fpsDamage: Medium-LowPenetration: Very LowAmmo Cost: 2MP per shellFill Time: 26sAlternate Ammo: 00BK x 12, 1400fpsDamage: Medium-HighPenetration: MediumAmmo Cost: 5MP per shellFill Time: 75s

I was elated to see the new 00 buckshot ammunition would finally give me more penetration than before, even if it was more expensive than my #4 buckshot. I immediately conjured one and cut it open, finding that there were twelve large pellets inside. Compared to my #4, each one felt twice as heavy and was much larger.

To my surprise, we were told to be ready on Tuesday night. Thompson wanted us in the dungeon the moment the mana had recovered enough, which was apparently going to be at 20:13 hours Tuesday. Our stress levels rose throughout the day Monday and into the evening, culminating with Tara and I snapping at each other as we ran another sprint.

Raylan and Zaire quickly separated us, and I stalked back to my room in an annoyed mood. The next day, Wolf kept us to light training, just running a few drills in the fake dungeon and out on the range. We carefully checked and re-checked our gear. My spare clothes were in my chest already, and I added my old shortsword and the various pieces of junk I’d accumulated in my Inventory.

The only things I was taking with me were plenty of ammunition for my pistol, water, rations, potions, and my few remaining explosive shells. Plus a ‘dungeon kit’, which Wolf had handed out to each of us.

It contained items like rope, basic climbing tools that I had little idea how to use, and a few other potentially useful items. One of them was what Wolf called a trap-finder, but I called a quarterstaff. It was exactly what it sounded like – a long stick for poking things that might be trapped. Of course, that had to be stored separately from the pack containing the rest of the items, and Wolf advised us to store the rope individually as well.

I had just two slugs left, both in my bandolier, and the rest of my shells were my new 00 buckshot – Arlo called it ‘double-aught’. My three remaining explosive shells were safe in my pouch. My belt was heavily loaded with my cutlass and Adjudicator, medkit, pouch, and canteen, along with my wand. I stomped around my room a few times, getting everything settled into place, and then I went to join the team.

The dungeon entrance was actually in the base of the watchtower, so we met outside. Thompson, Wolf, Zenia, and Lydia were all there to greet us. The instructors led us through the pair of surprisingly thick doors – each had to be at least a foot of metal, with runes etched on their backs – and into the base of the tower. We were greeted there by a Squad of guards I’d never seen.

They escorted us through a corridor that looked like the entrance to a fortress, and past a raised portcullis the hallway split into two doors. One was open, revealing what looked like a luxurious living quarters hidden away in the tower. There was a man sitting on a chair with large wheels instead of legs. He had to be the oldest person I’d seen in my life.

He had just a few stray wisps of white hair, and his skin was nothing but wrinkles, spotted with age. His head looked too large for his skinny frame, and he was covered in blankets. He had thick glasses on, and his eyes were alert and sharp. The old man let out a cackling laugh as we approached.

“Hello, children,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Welcome to my dungeon! I hope you have a lovely time today, and do try not to die!”

The Head Instructor was too professional to roll her eyes, but I could sense it in her voice as she introduced us.

“Squad Hard Limit, this is Dungeoneer Thompson. No relation.”

“Hahah!” the old man cackled again, then broke out in an extended, hacking cough. When he’d recovered, his voice was even more scratchy. “No relation, she says! Are we not the dearest of friends?” he asked in a pitiful tone. “My poor feelings are shattered!”

“You’ll get over it, old man,” the Head Instructor said with a trace of affection in her voice. I hadn’t heard her speak like that about anyone before. Well, except for Trite… She opened the other door and gestured us in.

The dungeon portal sat, shimmering and swirling, in the center of the room. What surprised me was the space around it. One corner looked like a small infirmary, with a pair of cots and shelves of medical supplies. The rest of the room looked more like a luxurious living room than anything else.

There were a couple of comfortable looking couches, several chairs, and even a table with a pitcher of water and glasses waiting. Mana lamps illuminated the room in a comfortable glow, as there were no windows. Squaring my shoulders, I strode forwards and took up position in front of the unworldly portal.

I saw the fascination in my team’s eyes as they joined me around the portal. Only Raylan, Zaire, and I had seen an actual dungeon before, I reminded myself. I looked at them one by one, catching their eyes and trying to look confident and reassuring. On the inside, I felt my stomach clench and my heart racing. My palms were a little sweaty inside my gloves. I rested one hand on the hilt of my cutlass, and the other on my Adjudicator.

We’re going to kick this dungeon’s ass! We’re all much stronger than before, fully equipped, and so much more prepared. We can do this!

I remembered the song we’d been greeted with at the Guild HQ. I couldn’t recall most of the words, but the chorus had stuck with me.

“Danger waits and wild winds blow

Into the depths Delvers go!

Monsters rise, we strike the foe

Into the depths Delvers go!”

I reached out and touched the shimmering portal. As I did, Lydia raised her hand, and I felt a surge of energy rush through me as she cast a Spell that wiped away any lingering fatigue from the day.

Dungeon portal activatedEnter: Level 4 dungeon?“Yes.”

All members of Ashley's Squad entering the dungeon must touch the portal in the next thirty seconds.292827…

“Into the depths Delvers go,” I whispered, and I saw Wolf give me a tight smile over Tara’s shoulder, then the world around me flickered and vanished.