Zen’s Side: Dungeon Dive

If Zentella had to categorize her… uncle in one word it would be; naive.

How else could you describe someone who was excited about a Dungeon Dive? When they had finally made it to Bellen that was the first thing he wanted to do before the guild girl stopped him. Something about “setting up an appointment” or whatever. He uncle seemed all for it and suggested not wasting time. Sure he told her about the red shard that he needed to get for their revenge, but shouldn’t they procure a base of operations first? Still, it was two to one so Zentella wouldn’t argue.

The process was long and very boring. She remembered she once asked her Father to take her to see the Adventure’s guild before, to see where he spent most of his time. He told her they were very boring places for little girls like her… he was right. No targets for practice, no anatomy quiz dolls. It didn’t help that her Uncle asked about the guild girl’s safety. Something about “that man’s men retaliating,” There was obviously no need to worry. She seemed to have something capable in her shadow already.

Was it a cat? It did look like a kitty when it brought her the evidence from that man’’s fancy carriage. Zentella really wanted to ride in it, but everyone said no.

Their conversation was taking too long.

“She’ll be fine.” Zentella nodded in confirmation. Her uncle relented after that.

It was strange. How could he fight well, but not sense the kitty?

xXxX

They finally made it to the Dungeon of Eltar. The guild girl said that it was cleared recently and the “boss” was defeated. Which was why there were guards here. Guild girl used her connections to allow them entry while they mine resources before the dungeon reset. Zentella didn’t care to remember what was said of why they needed to stay out of the way of them getting resources.

It always amazed her seeing her uncle fight. It was very… confused. Lingering goblins would come out to attack only to be met with swift end by a haphazard, but clean strike. That shouldn’t make sense. He didn’t do anything fancy or uniform, just swung wildly, but it was the Mana beside him that guided the blade.

Zentella could see it every time her uncle used what he called “skills.” It was weird, they were using the same words, they meant the same thing, yet the way Uncle Leo said it was… off. Yet, when a “skill” was used; a person would always overshadow her uncle. The person always felt familiar to her. Did she meet them before? She had to of because one of the four people was her Father. His mana was inside her uncle.

It was the reason she followed him in the first place. Her eyes could always sense and see a person’s unique mana. Her Grandpa always said it was gift of her blood, granted once in a few generations. Seeing her Father again… she really missed him.

Her mother only told her when they left that they would hide somewhere. However… all those plans died with her. Zentella would have probably left her uncle as soon as they escaped the forest if not for the mana.

Thinking back… she was glad she did. She would have just been at that orphanage while those who killed her Father were out there and her clan that killed her Mother would still be searching for her. She would have felt bad if the orphanage got in trouble because of her. Good thing that dumb boy pulled her hair. The perfect excuse to leave. Now she was putting her skills to use.

“She’s… a monster.”

“To be so young and already kill an upper member…”

Echoes of harsh words still rang in the silent dungeon. No, they always stayed and sprung up. The wounds were still fresh and she didn’t want to remember in the middle of the fight with the bandits. Yet, she let her guard down. Her mind would go back to when her talent was discovered by the clan. Acknowledgment and pride soon turned into fear. How more strict her training became and the increased punishment should she mess up. She had to remember what her Mother and Father told her; She wasn’t a monster. Her Uncle also saw that.

As they proceeded deeper in the dungeon her uncle suddenly stopped.

“Hey Zentella. Do you think you can track the shard by comparing it to my mana?”

She shrugged. She had no idea. He claimed it was apart of some powerful artifact, but nothing was giving that sense in here. So closing her eyes she tried to see if there was a copy of her uncle….. “Nope.”

“Damn… ah.” He looked sheepish for some reason. “Oh, maybe the system screen.” He then raised his hand. “Try sensing while I have the screen open.”

Again, he asked about his strange magic before. She still couldn’t see it, but she tried to sense anything… “Still nothing.”

“Man… well thanks for trying anyways. Still can’t ask for an easy out even with your cool ability.”

They continued on down in the dungeon. He stopped again and turned suddenly, “Hey let’s try this.”

Zentella was shocked when this sudden… transparent floating red paper appeared in front of her.

[Join party?]

[Yes/No?]

“Go ahead and accept.”

She nodded and pressed it… “Now what?”

Other than a strange feeling washed over her, nothing changed and no mana left to track. “Ok… well I can see your stats in this now. That’s a plus I guess.”

He continued to mutter things to himself as they walked.

She wanted to ask, but if it was important he would tell her… Yeah he would tell her. Could she tell him? Zentella looked at her pinky. Who knew something so small held so much weight? He was clumsy, inexperienced, and naive. Yet, she felt that he would keep his promise to her. That despite his weakness he’ll protect her. The same way her Father promised. So… she should now. “Uncle.”

“Zentella?” He turned around shocked at her voice cutting the silence. “What’s wrong?”

That worry… yeah she can tell him. So, that’s what she did. She told him about her Family. She told him about her clan. Her clan of assassins that specialized in tracking mana. How her Father and Mother said they fell in love with her Mother trying to kill her Father. How that, while reluctant, her Mother ended up sending her to train with her clan. That her Grandfather intensified the training to drastic levels once her gift was discovered. The very bad things she had done and the punishment she faced before her Mother came to retrieve her. After she was done she waited for his response.

Her uncle simply knelt down and patted her head. “It must have been a lot huh?”

Indeed, it was. His words were genuine and reassuring. Like he was willing to take on anything. Oh yeah, she should mention what she sensed then; “We are being followed.”