Chương 23: 1-22 Meeting the crew

"Did we have to meet down here? This reeks, even for me" Josef complained loudly.

"Why couldn't we just do this back at the tavern?"

"Because Zassa doesn't want everyone messing around in the back, she's already making an exception for you. And we can't meet in the front when we're trying to keep your face separate from the tavern." Cana huffed. He wasn't sure whether it was because of his complaints, or because she was trying to push the smelly sewer air out of her nose.

"I know. It still sucks, so I'm going to complain loudly. That's a sign of being healthy." He saw her roll her eyes at him, clearly unamused.

"Well said," an unfamiliar voice interrupted them. It sounded light as a feather, but held a slight purr to it. Out of the nearby shadows stepped a black cat, with a single white splotch around their left eye, wrapped in some simple looking leather gear.

"So let it be known that Marik is very upset with this arrangement."

"Oh don't act like a damn kitten. We both know there's way worse smells down there." Cana quipped as she clasped paws with him in a greeting.

"Yeah, remember the time he dodged a blade trap and fell into the channel? I could track his smell across the city for an entire week after!" a squeaky voice laughed out as another person strolled into their little meeting spot.

"You agreed to never mention that again!" Marik's black fur bristled as he hissed at the newcomer. Said newcomer was a mustelid, an otter, to be precise. Or whatever bipedal otters would call themselves. His fur was a dark brown with muted splotches, and the plated greaves and chain mail he wore created a stark contrast to the bare hands and feet. Josef reminded himself that those were practically weapons with a body that could be reinforced by mana. Something that most beastkin could probably do.

"And you agreed to stop talking third person with your friends. Spilling secrets is my allergic reaction to that." He flashed a toothy grin before ignoring Cana's outstretched paw and simply pulling her into a hug.

"It's good to see you again, Cana. Still can't believe what I heard from the old snake. Glad you got away from those freaks."

"Good to see you too, Chip. And same, really." She awkwardly hugged him back, tail wagging behind her.

"Now where did you leave your sister?"

"Coming, coming! Don't leave without me!" The pitter patter of feet cued Josef into the next arrival. Unsurprisingly, it was another otter of similar fur color. He was glad that Cana had already announced her as Chip's sister, as he could not tell the difference in gender by voice or appearance. They were both the same brand of squeaky and adorable. Unlike her brother, however, this otter came with a flowing robe and a staff on her back. There are staffs for casting?

No less energetic than her brother, she rushed up to Cana and practically tripped into her arms.

"Easy there Chris. Can't have you spill on the floor before the day even starts." She righted the energetic girl and patted her on the shoulder.

"Oh, but I'm just so excited. This is the run. I just know it. Floor 40 will be ours!" she cheered optimistically.

"So, when are you gonna introduce us to your new beau?" It was Marik's voice that cut through the cheerful atmosphere. It didn't sound serious, but the cat's voice had a certain sharpness.

"Shove it, kitten. That's my friend Josef. He's the one who saved my little girl." Cana fixed him with equally sharp eyes. Josef wanted to call out that they acted like cat and dog, but he didn't fancy having to regrow his own limbs afterwards.

"Saved how?" Chris looked at him curiously. They had already talked about it before. These were the people Cana trusted with her life, just as they trusted her in turn. She didn't want to keep things hush with them. And Josef had agreed with her, especially since he wanted to join them on their dungeon delves at some point. He still felt a bit uneasy about revealing his abilities to so many people at once, but not enough to make him second guess his decision. That's why Cana spilled the beans without restraint.

Not only about his abilities as a healer, which drew some collective gasps, but also about his heartstone, which definitely shocked them to the core. After all, dragons were gone long enough that they were already starting to become a thing of myth. It also served as a proper explanation as to why Cana wanted to check the 10th floor with them, as his heart was the most likely explanation as to why things turned as dangerous as they did.

That also eased everyone's minds, as random changes in a dungeon that has been established for many years were more worrying than an understandable explanation. It also meant that they could expect their delve to go as planned, without any surprises.

"Still can't believe I've met a proper Drake! It's like getting to live one of those stories pa used to read to us as kids!" It was Chip's turn to be the over-energetic sibling. He could barely be contained as he jumped around Josef, acting excited like a little kid. His sister meanwhile stood close by, biting her lip, clearly interested in doing the same, but apparently having enough restraint not to act on it. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Only Marik remained outwardly cool, as he leaned on the least grimy spot of the sewer wall, arms crossed. He had the airs of a dramatic brooder until Dusty suddenly appeared next to him and elicited a yelp from the startled cat. After seeking eye contact, Cana came to his rescue.

"Alright Chip, that's enough. Don't suffocate the poor guy." She had to put both paws on Chip's shoulders to drag him away, which finally pulled the otter from his manic state.

"Aww man, you can't just drag me away from a once in a lifetime meeting. I'm gonna be telling my grandchildren about this. Can't we just hit a tavern with the Drake? The dungeon's not running away."

"Nuh uh, no skipping the dungeon, we need the coins you dolt!" Chris loudly reminded her brother, almost drowning out Marik's comment about how the otter would never find a wife to begin with.

"And please stop calling me Drake. The name's Josef, and heartstone or not, I'm just me." Josef helplessly pleaded. He really wished he could get rid of that weird title.

"I get the sentiment, but you're not gonna get away from that.

'Drake' isn't just a title, it's a calling and your future. You can only keep it hidden for so long until the first scales start showing." Chris told him in a serious tone.

"Scales?" Josef was dumbfounded. What did she mean when she said that scales would be showing?

"He doesn't know?" It was Marik's turn to question Cana. She first looked shocked, then contemplative. Finally she turned to Josef.

"You don't know. Of course you don't. Fuck me, I didn't even think about that." As her gaze swept across her friends, she continued.

"Josef's … from a sheltered background." That was the story he himself had ultimately settled on to explain his lack of certain common knowledge. Humans were a rare and isolated tribe from across the ocean, so he had some knowledge gaps. And now Cana didn't even mention his race, as they hadn't talked about sharing that particular secret before. He wouldn't have minded, but was glad that his friend was dependable like that.

"Josef, Drake isn't just a title. It's what you are. You can't just pop a heartstone into your chest and expect nothing much to change. You literally have the same heart as a dragon, the same quality of mana. Drake is what the hybrid between a dragon and a non-dragon humanoid is called. As you continue to level, that's gonna end up bringing some changes. The stories say they're different for everyone, but it's gonna become painfully obvious as your level increases."

Chris was the one to fill the lack in his education, with a flat tone and a raised finger, like she was trying to make a point to a kid. Josef had to take a deep breath to try and reign in his emotions. It's not as if he didn't like dragons. Heck, who didn't enjoy stories about dragons as a kid. In fact, he still did. He still felt excited whenever he saw Lapis during his skill choices. Big, badass and powerful. And they had wings.

One day, he might just be able to fly through the sky like a bird, free and unbeatable. What he definitely didn't enjoy was the lack of agency. Neither did he ask for it, nor did he even know about it until now. At least not as far as he could remember, but this time he didn't feel like he was missing something. That information simply hadn't been there before. They had pushed it on him as if it was some unimportant side-note.

'Oh, you're the one supposed to save us? Here, have this power. It's gonna fuck over your puny human body, but it's not like that would be important.' Josef was angry, and he wanted to vent. Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone deserving of his anger nearby. Cana couldn't have known that he was in the dark about this. And the others couldn't have known how much that expression was going to hurt him.

"Fuck those dragons." he finally pressed out. That caused a spectacular mix of shock and amusement in everyone around. Cana gave an empty chuckle. She already knew of his fears and saw a reaction like that coming. Chip and Chris meanwhile made faces like he had just slapped them, which wasn't all that surprising, with how revered dragons seemed to be. Marik, however, was the most surprising.

"If you find one, let us know and we'll help you beat their scaly ass," he nodded sagely at his own decision.

"You can't just say that!" Chris sounded like she was stuck halfway between amused and offended.

"Why not? If anyone gets to beat up dragons, it's a Drake," Cana added. Heads were shaken helplessly at that.

"You know, if a Drake gets to do whatever they want, why don't you take me along on your delve?" Josef took the opportunity to jab at Cana.

"Because Zassa asked me not to bring you, and she's scarier than you." She deadpanned.

"Besides, don't you have to regrow some guy's arm? You can't just ditch that."

"How dare you use my own sense of responsibility against me? Outrageous!" He exclaimed in mock indignation.

"Hush dragon boy. We've dawdled long enough as it is. Let's not give you any more silly ideas of joining up, cause you're not. It's about time we headed out. Don't get yourself killed while I'm gone." She gestured for everyone to get moving. That was met with surprisingly little groaning. Clearly, they were used to her bossing everyone around. Maybe he should just start his own party.

He already had the most important role filled, all that he needed was some guy in armor to place at the front, and people with pointy sticks, or claws. One day he could build the optimal fantasy party. Josef found himself looking forward to doing something like that.

"Fine, but it feels like I should be the one telling you that. Also, fuck you!" Cana just laughed at him as she turned to leave, her crew in tow.

"See ya next time, looking forward to it!" Chip yelled as they walked off, and Chris gave a cheer of approval. Marik simply nodded, cool and stoically. His eyes were still on Dusty, like he was keeping track of a dangerous predator. Josef could still hear them ribbing each other as they walked off. He was going to miss them. Until their return, he would just have to keep himself busy. Fortunately, there was going to be plenty of work to submerge himself in.

He turned and left, making his way through the sewers towards Charly's place. There was an arm waiting to be restored. Now he just had to make it there without getting lost.