This Guy Frustrates Me to No End

Nathan was still grumbling as they set the items down in another pile in the tent.

The tent was empty aside from them.

“…This is absurd,” he muttered. “Who's hauling all this through a dungeon?”

Zam hesitated, glancing between the trunks. “I mean, I can—”

“Why?” Meru asked mildly.

Nathan looked up. “Why what?”

Meru’s gaze moved over the three of them, unhurried. “You travel without packs. No bedrolls. No spare gear. Yet you’re debating who carries excess.” He smiled faintly. “Are you trying to hide something from me?”

The tent went quiet.

Nathan stared at him. “Hide something?”

What does he know?

Nathan glanced toward the tent opening. A few soldiers lingered nearby, close enough to be seen, far enough not to overhear. He looked back at Meru.

“Perhaps,” Meru said mildly. “I am curious why you feel it necessary to hide something so rudimentary.”

Rudimentary?

Nathan frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“We are sharing a temporary alliance,” Meru continued, unbothered. “Yet you seem intent on keeping your interface hidden.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened. “Isn’t it improper to open your interface in public?”

“Sensibly cautious,” Meru agreed. “But why would you need to?”

He smiled.

"What?"

Meru stepped forward and rested his fingers against the nearest trunk.

“Store trunk,” he said, his eyes still on Nathan.

The trunk vanished.

Nathan blinked.
Voice activated? What? Since when?

“…You have an inventory,” Nathan said slowly. “You didn’t even open your interface.”

Meru smiled faintly. “You do not need to open your interface in order to access an inventory." His eyes sharpened, just a fraction. "So basic. And yet you seem surprised.”

Heat crept up Nathan’s neck. “Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Meru tilted his head. “I assumed that you must have one as well, and yet chose not to use it for some inexplicable reason.”

Nathan clenched his fists.
Because I don’t fucking trust you.
Maybe mine doesn’t work the same way.

Meru’s gaze lingered, sharp in a way that made Nathan feel like he’d just failed a test he hadn’t known he was taking.

“How intriguing.”

Nathan opened his mouth, then shut it again.

Let's just try it.

He stepped forward and placed his hand on the other trunk. “Store trunk.”

The trunk vanished.

Shit. It worked.

A faint glow flickered at the edge of his vision.

Hint: Inventory access does not require interface display.

Nathan's eye twitched.
Why is it so useless?

“Draegor! Whoa, you did it too?” Zam stepped closer, staring at the empty space. “It’s like magic!”

“Yeah,” Nathan said flatly. “Seems that way.”

“That will be useful,” Kieran said from behind him. “Very efficient.”

Nathan sighed. Yeah. Would’ve been nice to know before. Stupid interface.

“My, my,” Meru said softly as he moved closer. “You truly didn’t know.”

Nathan felt it then. The shift.

Meru’s gaze sharpened.

Nathan took a step back. The look in Meru’s eyes reminded him uncomfortably of Nyx when she slipped into her scholar’s mode.

“Perhaps,” Meru said lightly, “I have two students.”

He raised a hand. “Retrieve trunk.”

The trunk reappeared in front of him.

Nathan stared at the trunk.
That simple. Store and retrieve.

“Having an inventory is rare,” Meru continued, almost to himself. “Even among mages.”

He focused on Nathan again.
“So why—”

“Pardon me.”

The manager from earlier stepped into the tent. “Mr. Meru, you are clear to proceed now.”

Meru glanced at him. Then he pasted his smile back on. “I see. We shall be out in a moment.”

The manager lingered, the gushing not quite spent.

Nathan looked at Meru.

The corner of Meru’s mouth dropped a fraction. Almost imperceptible.

“Leave,” Meru said, the smile still in place.

It sounded terrifying.

The man startled. “Oh—yes. Of course, Mr. Meru.” He turned abruptly and exited.

Meru turned back to Nathan. “Gather the supplies.”

“Why do I have to?” Nathan said. “It’s your stuff.”

Meru didn’t move. He simply waited, wearing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Nathan opened his mouth to protest, but Kieran stepped up beside him.

“Draegor,” Kieran said calmly, “you should be in control of the supplies.”

“I… should?”

For a brief, stupid second, Nathan felt a flicker of pride. A smile tugged at his mouth.

“You clearly need the practice,” Kieran continued. “And I don’t expect to require much assistance from you in the dungeon.”

The smile died.

Nathan slowly craned his neck toward Kieran. Excuse me?

A ghost of a smile played at Kieran’s lips as his hand rested on his sword hilt, possessive in a way that made Nathan’s jaw tighten.

This ass. He just wants to use his new sword.

Nathan sighed. “Whatever.”

He stepped up to a trunk. “Store trunk.”

The trunk remained.

Nathan frowned. He cleared his throat. “Store trunk.”

Nothing.

“It’s not working now,” Zam said, sounding genuinely concerned.

Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Nathan looked at Meru.

The wizard looked like he was very deliberately not laughing.

Nathan planted his hands on his hips. “Just say it,” he snapped. “Why?”

“It was too fun to resist,” Meru replied lightly. “You must name an item to store it. You already named the first trunk… trunk.”

Ah.
I think I get it.

Nathan placed his hand on it again. “Store trunk one.”

It disappeared.

Simple.

“Very fast learner.” Meru’s gaze lingered, thoughtful. “I like that.”

The approval sent a prickle up Nathan’s spine.

He moved toward the packs, reached out, then stopped. “I already have packs in my inventory. I didn’t name them.”

“You entered them manually,” Meru said.

Nathan nodded.

“Then your interface named them for you.”

“How would I know what…”

Nathan’s eyes brightened.
Maybe.

“Retrieve… adventurer pack one?”

Kieran’s pack appeared in front of him.

Okay.
Huh.

So mine’s probably just adventurer pack? Or maybe adventurer pack two.

He glanced toward Zam.
And his is… maybe just pack?

I can always pull everything out and name it later.

Either way, useful. An element of surprise in combat. I won’t need to open my inventory just to pull out coin anymore. No more carrying it around in a pouch. Possibilities.

Once I get the hang of it.
Not bad.

He retrieved the remaining packs, naming them one and two before storing them away.

They vanished without ceremony.

“You adapt quickly,” Meru said, stepping toward the tent opening. “Shall we proceed?”

Arrogant bastard.
Why does every mage use me as a lab rat?

Kieran and Zam were already following Meru out.

Nathan exhaled.

Let’s just get through this.

***

The manager led them to the entrance.

Nathan knew all the fuss was because of Meru.

Kieran and Zam didn’t seem ruffled by it.

Is it really just me? Am I being petty?

The entrance was heavily guarded.

Keeping out the riffraff, or expecting an army?

Nathan glanced over his shoulder. Smoke curled from burning trash piles. The air stank. Voices carried from the distant crowd.

Jeez. Rankings. Connections.

We got expedited.
How many people got pushed back because of us?

He shook the thought away.

Nothing I can do about it right now.

He looked forward and noticed a clean sign bolted to a wooden post.

Rennick Dungeon
Active Floors: 12
Party Verification Required Prior to Entry

Only twelve floors are active?

The manager turned toward them.

No. Toward Meru, shoulders squaring.

I’m the damn party leader.

Nathan crossed his arms instead of saying anything.

“You will find the stairs that descend to the subsequent floor after the floor boss is eliminated,” the manager said.
“As I stated, we have staggered party entry to minimize overlap.”

Nathan frowned. “But only by a few hours?”

“Typically an hour or less.”

“An hour?” Nathan stared at him. “Wouldn’t that mean there wouldn’t be any monsters left?”

The manager blinked. Then looked at Meru.
“…Is he a new adventurer?”

Meru didn’t bother answering him. He turned to Nathan instead.

“Monsters respawn.”

Nathan froze.

Respawn?
Like a real game?

“Oh.” Nathan shifted, heat creeping up his neck. “I see.”

“I do not,” Kieran said flatly. “What is respawn?”

Everyone turned toward him.

He was so calm about it that it almost made Nathan smile. Right. I’m not the only noob here.

Zam answered before anyone else could.

“In dungeons, monsters regenerate,” he said. “After a set interval, the population replenishes. It ensures there are always enemies available.”

He shrugged slightly. “Otherwise, the first parties through would strip the place clean.”

“Correct,” the manager said. “We’ve determined Rennick Dungeon’s regeneration rate to be approximately one hour per floor. At present, your party will be the only one on the first floor.”

Zam smiled, satisfied.

“I understand,” Kieran said evenly. “I have never encountered a dungeon like this before.”

Meru glanced at him, interest flickering.
“I may ask you about that later.”

Nathan rolled his eyes. Maybe he'll forget.

“Camp and rest areas will be clearly marked.”

“What?” Nathan blinked. “There are rest areas?”

Is this for real?
Are we sure this isn’t a tourist attraction?

He looked at the others.

Kieran was the only one who seemed equally put off. Or maybe he was just annoyed by how long this was taking.

The manager looked back at Nathan. “…Yes. Marked areas.”

Nathan nodded once. “Okay. If you say so.”

“If you encounter another party,” the manager continued, “standard procedure requires you to wait. However, Mr. Meru has been granted a priority pass.”

Nathan stiffened.

“As long as the party ahead of you is not actively engaged in combat, you may proceed past them,” the manager said. “Unless, of course, they possess a similar pass. There are currently only two other parties with that level of authorization, and both are operating on the newly opened floors.”

His gaze flicked briefly to Meru.

Pass?
Like a line pass at Disneyland?
For real? What the fuck.

Meru inclined his head, his ever-present smile firmly in place. “I appreciate your attentiveness.”

The manager produced a necklace, a small pendant glinting at its center, and handed it to Meru.
“Your pass.”

Meru accepted the necklace, slipped it over his head, and adjusted it slightly.

There was a brief pause. No one spoke.

“Is that it?” Nathan asked.

The manager cleared his throat and looked past him. At Meru.
“Are there any questions before entry?”

Nathan gaped.

Did he just ignore me?

“We have no questions,” Meru said, smiling.

Nathan stared at him. “Since when are we a we?”

Meru turned his head slightly. “Always so feisty.” His eyes flicked over Nathan, amused. “Did you have a question?”

Nathan opened his mouth. Closed it.

“N-no.”

Fuck.

“Let us proceed,” Kieran said, already moving forward.

“Yes. I am ready,” Zam said cheerfully, falling in beside him.

Meru kept his gaze on Nathan for a moment longer. Then he gestured, inviting him to go first.

Nathan closed his eyes.

Imagine something peaceful.

He stepped forward.

Behind him, the manager huffed softly. “How dare they treat you in such a manner, Mr. Meru.”

Nathan glanced over his shoulder.

The two men were shaking hands. Meru murmured something polite in return, his smile firmly in place.

Nathan faced forward again.

He wondered if there was another reason the man was so cherished.

The entrance to the dungeon looked like many others he’d seen, an opening cut into the rock wall. This one was more uniform. Less jagged. There were even steps leading up into it.

As he climbed the few steps, a notification popped up in front of him.

[ Entering Rennick Dungeon ]
[ Objective: Complete the Dungeon ]

Complete the dungeon, huh.
Why do I get the feeling it’s more than twelve floors?
How the fuck long is this going to take?

Hint: Map is available, adventurer!

Nathan snorted under his breath.
“Useful for a change,” he muttered. “And back to cheerful. Mood swing much?”

He reached the last step, onto a small platform, and crossed into Rennick Dungeon.

Kieran and Zam were already ten feet ahead, inside the corridor.

It was surprisingly well lit. The walls were intact. It didn’t smell.

“That’s… good,” Nathan muttered.

Map.
I wonder…

He glanced back. Meru had been stopped outside by a guard.

Probably asking for a damn autograph.

Nathan lowered his voice. “World map.”

The familiar fog-covered map appeared.

He kept walking.

Why?
Why didn’t I think to try this earlier?

Can anyone but Kieran see this?

He looked at Kieran.

Kieran met his eyes, then glanced down and tilted his head.

Yeah.
He can see it.

Zam was looking the other way.

“Hey, Zam?”

Zam turned. “Yes, Draegor?”

He can’t see it.

It was just the map. No tabs. No extras.
The interface hadn’t actually opened.

“You can take point.”

“Really?” Zam beamed.

Kieran stared at Nathan like he’d just punched him. “Yes, really?”

“Just for a bit, sir.”

Kieran studied him, then nodded. “Go on, Zam. Stay prepared.”

Zam already had his sword out.

“Of course!” He moved ahead without hesitation.

“Walk with me, sir.”

Kieran eyed Nathan, then fell into step beside him as they followed.

Nathan lowered his voice. “Rennick Dungeon map.”

A new map appeared.

This one was different. Structured. Layered.
A floor-by-floor layout, clean and precise.

The first floor was visible.
Everything beyond it was swallowed in fog.

Red dots. Like in the tutorial. Traps. Or enemies.
Very useful.

“Only you and I can see this,” Nathan said quietly.

“You accessed it the same way?” Kieran asked.

“Yeah. I’m not even sure how long that’s been possible.”

A voice drifted from behind them.

“What are you two whispering about?”

Nathan whirled. “Don’t sneak up on people!”

How much did he hear?

“Sneak up?” Meru said mildly. “Aren’t we working together? I find it a little insulting that you all proceeded without me.”

Nathan stared at him.
Is he sulking?

“Figured you were busy with your fan club,” Nathan said, already moving forward.

Have to make sure Zam doesn’t get too far ahead.

“You sound jealous,” Meru said flatly.

Nathan whipped his head around. “Jealous? I am not.”

Why did I say that so quickly? Now I just sound jealous.

“I’ll catch up to Zam,” Kieran said abruptly. “You two hold the rear.”

“Sir?”
Is he running away?

Kieran was already several paces ahead.

Don’t leave me with him!

Meru fell into step beside Nathan, close enough to be deliberate.

Great.

“You and he seem close.”

“Close?” Nathan laughed.

Right. Close.

“You aren’t a couple,” Meru stated.

Not a question. A statement.

Nathan looked at him. “What?”

Meru chuckled.

“Well, you certainly wouldn’t be his type.”

“Excuse me?”

What in the hell is this now?

“I, on the other hand, am everyone’s type.”

“You crazy bastard.” Nathan’s face flushed with anger.

“So you do have feelings for him? Beyond companionship.”

“Who said that?”

“Your emotions are written all over your face. You don’t need to say anything. He probably knows, too.”

“There is nothing to know! We are party companions. End of story.”

There can’t be more. Nathan suddenly felt guilty. In this body? Kieran’s history with Mason?

A flash of movement caught his eye ahead.

Kieran was already engaging, his augmented sword flaring as brilliant white light enveloped the blade.

The first notification blinked briefly.

[ Level 10: Acidic Gelsie ]
Behavior: Aggressive

More notifications followed almost immediately.

[ +5 Party XP ]
[ +15 Slime Acid Vial ]
[ Party Inventory Updated ]

And it begins.

Kieran turned to Nathan and held up his glowing sword.

“Happy with it?”

“Yes. It is more than adequate.”

Definitely his happy face.

"Good."

Kieran nodded, then turned and kept moving forward.

Nathan watched his back.

Yeah. Not with this body. Doesn’t mean I have to stop looking though.

Nathan could feel Meru’s stare on him.

“What?”

Meru laughed. “You are quite interesting. More than originally meets the eye.”

“Okay.”

“Your personality doesn’t seem to match your exterior.”

“My exterior?”

“Yes. You do realize you are rather unsightly, and you act immature. Not in the brutish way that your appearance might suggest.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you are extremely rude?”

Not that he’s far off the mark. How long will we have to stay with him?

“I only speak the truth.”

“You are annoying, too.”

“Yes, yes. I do get told both of those fairly regularly.” Meru smiled. It reached his eyes this time.

He’s amused.

When Nathan didn’t respond, Meru added calmly, “I’ll continue observing until we reach the newly opened floors. You are… a useful contrast.”

Fuck. No. I don't even want to know what he means by that.

Nathan looked ahead as Kieran and Zam, mostly Kieran, plowed through more monsters.

He really doesn’t need me.

He looked back at Meru.

Meru was looking at him.

Nathan sighed loudly.

He made a conscious effort to ignore Meru after that. Focused forward instead. On Kieran and Zam’s backs. The map. The corridor ahead. On anything that wasn’t the wizard walking beside him like this was some sort of academic outing.

Nathan barely noticed the notifications after a bit.

XP ticks.
Loot added.
Party inventory updated.

They reached the first-floor boss chamber before Nathan really registered that it was supposed to be a boss. It was already dead. Kieran had collected the loot, and the stone floor at the back of the chamber slid open to reveal stairs.

At least we’re moving quickly?

On the second floor, it was the same.

Enemies fell fast. Traps were marked before they became relevant. Kieran moved like he was finally allowed to breathe again, augment blade cutting clean arcs through things that barely slowed him down.

Meru started speaking incessantly, as if he existed purely to provide commentary.
“He is quite deliberate with that sword, isn’t he?”

His gaze lingered on Kieran. “That body. There is considerable power in it. He can only channel for now.”

Meru hummed softly. “I wonder why.”

He glanced at Nathan. “You’ve entered dungeons before. You must have.”

Nathan didn’t answer.

He tried not to react. Kept his face still. His posture neutral.

It didn’t matter.

Nathan felt it happen even as he failed to stop his small reactions.

Meru caught every flicker. The slight tightening of his jaw. The twitch at the corner of his mouth. The way his eyes shifted just a fraction too fast.

Then he moved on to the next subject, as if they were having an actual conversation.

The urge to scream clawed up his throat.

This guy frustrates me to no end.
Will he never shut up?

Meru’s smile deepened, just enough to confirm it.

He’d seen everything.

Nathan felt as if he were being slowly driven mad.

He adjusted their path without thinking about it, calling out to Kieran when needed.

Left instead of right.
Straight through instead of detouring.

At some point, Meru had asked, “How do you know?”

Nathan hadn’t answered.

“Almost like you have a map,” Meru said.

This guy. Just ignore him.

After he called out a few more directions, it hit him.

Kieran didn’t actually need the directions anymore.

He was already moving toward monsters and traps, already cutting them down or dragging Zam clear before Nathan even spoke.

Nathan slowed for a second.

Okay. Guess I really am useless.
Or rather… the map is.

He kept the map open regardless.

They caught up with other parties sooner than Nathan thought they would.

On the third floor, they passed three parties using Meru’s pass.

Once, they paused at the edge of a chamber while another party finished clearing it. Steel rang. A spell flared.

Haven’t actually seen anyone use magic like that here yet.

Nathan glanced at Meru.

“Low-tier,” Meru murmured. “Garbage.”

“Didn’t ask.”

“You were thinking about something related.”

Nathan turned his attention back to the fight.

He can’t actually read my thoughts, right?

When the last creature fell, the corridor went quiet.

Someone in the nearby party whispered Meru’s name. They stepped aside without being asked, clearing the path ahead.

Nathan ground his teeth. He didn't even need to show his pass.

They kept moving.

Nathan stopped registering individual fights somewhere around the fourth floor. The map updated. The stairs appeared. Enemies fell before he finished adjusting their route.

He realized, distantly, that he hadn’t drawn his sword once.

Not because he couldn’t.

Because there had been no reason to.

Kieran moved like someone finally unchained. The augment blade no longer flared wildly, its light controlled now, deliberate. By the fifth floor, even he slowed himself.

“Zam,” Kieran said once. “Take the next group.”

Zam blinked. “Alone?”

“Yes.”

Oh. He’s sharing now. How generous. Nathan huffed.

Their clearing rate only seemed to be accelerating.

Nathan felt bored.

He also didn't volunteer to help.

Letting Zam have some moments seemed more important.

I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunity later.

They passed more parties without stopping.

Sometimes Meru’s pass did the work. Other times, it wasn’t needed. People just recognized and parted for him.

Nathan still hated it.

If Meru wasn't here, this might almost have been pleasant.

On the eighth floor, Nathan finally spoke again.

“Do you not have a weapon?”

“I do.”

He did not elaborate.

Nathan exhaled sharply. Now? He chooses now to remain silent?

He slowed just enough to force Meru to match him.

Meru glanced over. “Are you curious?”

“Yes.”

“Well,” Meru said calmly, “why should I tell you when you’ve been ignoring me?”

Nathan stopped. Pinched the bridge of his nose. “Because right now you’re useful for exactly three things,” he said flatly. “The pass. The expediting. And the fact that everyone seems to know you.”

Meru studied him.

“You truly had never heard of me before,” he said. It wasn't a question.

“Nope,” Nathan replied. “Can’t say I’m a fan, either.”

Meru smiled. “Now who’s rude?”

“You’re worse.”

God. I sound like a kid.

“Is that so?”

Ahead, Kieran and Zam were engaged with a pair of hulking minotaur creatures, blades flashing as they moved in practiced tandem.

“We do seem to be moving through here at a rate I’m not used to,” Meru said mildly.

“So this pace is unusual?” Nathan asked.

Meru glanced at him. “That’s what piqued your interest? Someone has a generous opinion of himself.”

“Ah, what are you talking about now?”

Meru laughed.

By the time they reached the others, the minotaurs were already down.

Nathan caught the flicker of notifications at the edge of his vision. More XP. More loot.

Kieran raised a hand, signaling forward.

So boring.

“Yes,” Meru continued, unprompted. “He is unnaturally talented. One of the best I’ve ever seen.”

He gestured ahead, toward Kieran and Zam.

Nathan followed the gesture. Kieran didn’t even look tired. Not that he would.

We’ve been through worse than this. Much worse.

“A staff,” Meru said suddenly.

Nathan looked back at him. “What?”

“I carry a staff,” Meru said easily. “I haven’t had a reason to retrieve it. Likely for the same reason you haven’t even touched your sword.”

Very true. Haven’t needed it.

They walked in silence for a few moments, keeping pace with Kieran’s relentless advance.

“Have you noticed?” Meru asked.

“Noticed what?”

“The way your companion moves,” Meru said. “The way he anticipates.”

Nathan frowned as more hooved shapes spilled into the corridor ahead.

Kieran shifted before the monsters fully emerged. Struck before they committed. Every movement precise. Efficient.

Like he knew where they’d be before they got there.
Oh. Shit.
The foresight. It has to be the foresight.
No wonder we’re flying through the floors.

Meru’s gaze slid sideways. “You’ve made a deduction.”

“Oh,” Nathan said carefully. “I’m not really sure.”

He really is observant. Maybe too observant.

“Another secret?” Meru said lightly. “I do plan to teach him. But if you keep things from me, I can’t be as effective.”

Nathan watched Kieran again.

He really wants to learn magic.
I need to talk to him first. And I want to see his interface when we’re not being watched.

“Let’s discuss some things later,” Nathan said. “When we rest.”

Meru smiled. “I’m looking forward to that.”

“Yeah,” Nathan muttered. “Okay.”

They continued on, trailing behind Kieran and Zam, watching them fight.

Meru stayed silent for a while.

They started passing more and more marked areas where adventurers had set up camps. Larger groups. Slower movement. People lingering instead of pushing forward.

And then they crossed into the eleventh floor.

They could hear the commotion before they saw it.

A bottleneck. A mass of people packed tight in the corridor ahead.

“What is this about now?” Nathan asked, craning to see what was causing the holdup.

“Can’t we just pass through them?” Kieran asked, already looking at Meru.

“I don’t see why not,” Meru replied.

A voice boomed from the front.

Barking orders.

Familiar.

Nathan’s gut twisted. “Fucking seriously? These assholes again?”

“It appears so,” Kieran said, unamused.

“Olark?” Zam’s face went pale.

“Are we going to the front or not?” Meru asked, entirely unfazed.

Nathan stared at him.

“Yup,” he said. “We are.”

Just what I needed. Another headache.