B3 Chapter 334: Something New, Finale

Abrissian Manticore – Level 268:

Crucible Guardian, Depths-born, Beast, Skirmisher

Kaius blinked, staring at the patchwork Guardian as he grappled with what the notification told him.

A Crucible? He’d been suspicious, but he hadn’t thought it would actually be one! As far as he was aware, the guild had been on the lookout for them from the very day of the phase change, yet they’d had no luck whatsoever. At least, he assumed so — Rieker and Ro would have surely kept him abreast of any developments.

Sure, it was possible that the news had travelled slowly, or another had been found during the months they’d been away from Deadacre. Still.

A Crucible…

He switched back to the eight-sided obelisk of black glass, staring at it as if the fiery runes that covered its surface would reveal their secrets if he willed it hard enough.

Hunger swept through him like a storm, his heart pumping hot as a low droning whine sounded in his ears. This was what they needed. Something that could reforge them anew — provide the weight they needed to push themselves to their goals.

Levels, Aspects, power. It was perfect! It would be dangerous, but so what? They’d made their choices — not one of them would have reached where they were today if they were the type to turn back from a challenge like this.

What was it the system had said?

Kaius focused his intent, his Glass Mind helping as he whirled through his memories, desperately trying to remember the wording of the first phase change notification.

‘Rare Crucible Grounds have opened in the Great Depths. Seek them out and attempt their challenges to obtain potent rewards, if you dare.’

Kaius turned the words over in his mind, savouring them as he drank in the obelisk. Yes, this would do nicely. A wild grin spread across his face.

“What did you find?” Kenva said suddenly, breaking his revere. “Still no sign of the Guardian up top, but I’ve spotted a few common Depthsborn.”

“It’s a Crucible, with what looks like a portal,” Kaius replied, not bothering to suppress the excitement in his voice. “It’s got a Crucible Guardian too, which I have to assume is different from a normal one.”

His team froze, every single one of them looking between him and the far off obelisk in shock.

“You’re sure?” Ianmus asked, disbelief evident.

Kaius nodded firmly. “I’m sure — Kenva can double check, though.”

The ranger nodded, focusing on the far off Guardian — before she blinked.

“He’s right — what are the bloody chances?”

Porkchop snorted, settling onto his haunches as he shook his head. “In my experience, pretty good. I do wonder one thing — how likely do you think it will be that this Guardian will be tougher than a normal one?”

“Do you really have to ask that? The system itself warned us they were dangerous challenges.” Kaius replied, cocking a brow. “It’s still within a normal level range for a Guardian, though — so we won’t know for sure until we get down there.”

Kenva cleared her throat, drawing his attention as she stepped back from the edge of the stone ledge. “I hate to be the voice of reason here, but are we sure it’s the best idea?”

She raised her hands when Kaius, along with everyone else, gave her a blank look. “I’m as eager as the rest of you! It just seems smart to talk it through?”

“Well, what’s the other option?” Ianmus replied with a shrug. “Ignore the challenge that might as well have ‘big, juicy rewards’ painted on it in ten-stride high letters? We’ve been looking for the next thing to push us, and we just found it. Besides, none of us have heard anything about others discovering them first. There’ll be Honour in it, or I’ll eat my left boot — let alone the other promised rewards.”

Kaius nodded enthusiastically — the mage was right. If they really were the first, he could see that potentially being enough of an achievement to be worth a Major Honour. Even if it wasn’t, each one was invaluable. They had to try.

“Well, there’s one other situation that’s worth considering.” Porkchop replied grimly.

“Oh? What’s that?” Kaius asked.