Chương 57: Really Sorry

"So, that's some neat armor you've got there." I say to Ari as we sit around a campfire, eating more cookies. Getting a closer look, it truly is beautiful. The purple seems to blend together quite nicely too, acting as a sort of optical camouflage. Even if I wasn't caught off guard, I doubt I could've fought her very well. So it is a good thing we are now eating cookies around a campfire.

"Thanks, I made it myself. Well the magical parts, not the actual armor itself. That part I had to buy, but some random smith hooked me up, since it was such trash armor and was just lying around. I got really into magically altering stuff and now I made it into this." She gestures to herself, as if I haven't been inspecting every bit of the armor already.

"Really sorry about using it to torture you by the way…" I sigh, despite countless reassurances that it is fine, she keeps insisting on apologizing. Which I get, I would probably do the same were I in her situation. To be fair, most people don't just forgive someone that beat the shit out of them. But I guess I am just used to it. Plus with such rapid healing, the only consequence is a bit of mental damage. I am pretty good at ignoring mental damage, being an adventurer and all.

"Really, don't worry about it. You sound like you have had it rough…" Ari sighs, which is made all the more dramatic by her voice changer. She also hasn't taken her armor off a single time, instead eating through a flap in the mouth. Seems a bit impractical, but I am not one to judge.

"Tell me about it! First I get kidnapped by some random fucker with an ego. Then she had the audacity to try to compel me to obey her snakey plans! I would've fallen for it too, if there wasn't a convenient assasination plot that reached its end at that exact moment."

"Hmm. Sounds horrifying." Now, I am no expert in coincidences, but that seems like a bit more than a coincidence. But I'll hold off on sharing my thoughts for now.

"By the way, don't think I ever introduced myself. Name's Orn."

"Oh, sorry, I totally forgot about introductions. You see, it's been a while since I talked to someone like this… everyone tends to run away in fear. Or they will try to kill me. Nice to have someone to just talk to, despite me trying to kill them… My name is Ari, by the way." I proffer my hand.

"Nice to meet ya, glad we got over that whole killing each other thing. It really doesn't bother me that much. Perhaps it should, but keep these cookies coming and I can't see a reason to hate ya." She takes it, and damn near breaks my hand as she tries to shake it. I yelp in pain and she quickly lets go.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I really cannot control my strength in this thing. I haven't managed to get the runic arrays small enough to allow fine control…" I inspect the armor a bit further, and surely enough, I notice a lot of small runes etched all over it. They are what is giving that blueish glow.

"Hmm, so the armor is enchanted or something?"

"Well kinda, technically they aren't enchantments. More like my own version, as a part of one of my classes called Magical Artificer. I can do enchanting and other runic magic stuff, but also using some uh, knowledge I happen to have, I have refined it a bit more. Oh and I can also make potions! Though the process is a bit strange and makes very little sense. Having access to them is quite OP though, can't imagine trying this without it.

Honestly my whole build does not make that much sense, yet somehow just works together, it is odd." So an artificer and alchemist. That is definitely a strange combo, and one without apparent combat potential. It seems more supportive, yet she is definitely quite strong in combat. This Ari fella is starting to become more interesting by the second. She seems quite strong as well, even if it is just as a result of her enchantments.

Heck, from the magic radiating off them, I think they are at least on par with my imbuements. Though with the flexibility of runic magic, I imagine she could do some quite interesting things. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. I figure I should probably tell her some stuff about me, seeing as how she shared it is only fair.

"Neat, I am a magical smith, hence the fancy armor and hammer." I hesitate for a second before telling her the next part, but she seems trustworthy enough. Or at the very least, she doesn't seem like a spy sent to learn my secrets and murder me in my sleep.

"I am also a Spirit Mage. So like, I have spirit companions and can do some weird spirit-y stuff." To demonstrate this fact, I have Dovey come out of the phylactery. Then I have him make himself fully visible. The stupid bird sits on my head as he introduces himself to Ari.

"Nice to meet you, human. Please kneel, for it is I, the great dove spirit Dovey, guardian of the forest, and this idiot human!" My smile twitches as Dovey says such embarrassing things. But to my great shock, Ari does actually stand up, only to then sink down into a kneel.

"Oh what an honor it is, spirit. It truly is a pleasure to meet you. But uh, what is a spirit?" Dovey puffs his chest out.

"See that, master! This is how you truly respect a spirit." I laugh, "Sure thing, stupid bird." I turn to Ari, "You don't actually have to kneel. He is just a stupid bird that has a chronic ego problem. As for what a spirit is, I've got no fucking clue. They just seem like more magical animals with some weird shit added on top, so far."

"Hmm. Guess w-we will simply have to figure it out!" Ari says, jumping up. Wait, did she just say we?

"Come on, let's take on this floor boss together, it'll be fun. Plus I really can't think of other ways of making up the whole uh, torturing you thing." Before I know it, Ari is already standing over by the door. Now, normally I would refuse, after all, I want all of the experience and treasure for myself. But strong allies are useful, and Ari does seem strong, and seems the type to only get stronger too. So I stand up and head over to the door.

"Wait, how do you even fight? That spell of yours was quite cool, but I tend to fight close up, that could be dangerous."

"Oh, it isn't a spell. I actually have no affinity for magic whatsoever." She pulls a weapon out of her storage and shows it to me.

"I use this rifle I made to focus the magic, it also has a precision setting, so no worries about friendly fire. I can also just punch things really hard, too, if needed." The 'rifle' is definitely very well crafted. I don't really understand how it works, but it seems cool. Plus I can respect a person that practices pugilism, takes a lot of guts to punch monsters like that.

"Sweet, I tend to stay at midrange with my hammer, and I can use magic, but I don't actually know many spells…"

"Neat, what about Dovey? Can he peck those bastards to death?"

"Of course I can!" Dovey declares.

"Just give the order miss, and I will peck them so good that they will never be pecked again!"

"Wait," I say, "how come you never offer to peck them to death for me?" Dovey glances down at me, "Well that is because you never asked. Plus I really don't want to get in the way of that hammer, it is scary for a big fella like me." I poke Dovey on the forehead.

"Well then stop being a coward and do your job. It'll help you level too!"

"Yes master, as you wish." Dovey replies. Ari bursts out into laughter, drawing attention to herself. Noticing this, she panics a bit.

"Sorry, it's just that having strategy discussions with a dove is just ridiculous. Also he can speak too! What even is up with this place?" I smile, "Well there is a good way to find out. We simply have to climb this dungeon and hope that it gives us knowledge as a reward. I heard that is how most people learn how to do things 'round here."

"Yeah the loot is quite good. It seems like this is your first time in a dungeon, then?" She asks.

"Yep, I'm as rookie as it gets. Though I did read a very informative book about how a lot of it works. I was just about to take on this floor boss before you, uh, arrived."

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry 'bout that. Uh, yeah, please let me make it up to you by helping. No offense, but you likely do need it. The first time I tried a dungeon I got absolutely wiped by the first floor boss. They are super tricky if you've never done one before."

"Well then, lead the way, o great teacher of dungeons." I say and Ari seems to brace herself a bit. Then without any hesitation, she reaches towards the door and clicks the 'start fight' button that appeared on a conveniently placed interface. The familiar feeling of teleportation washes over me, but I don't have time to worry about that as a terrifying roar splits the air.