The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 312 Enter the Fifth Floor

After waiting an hour or so, the party continued to the fifth floor. They were eager to see what had become of the fifth floor with renewed health and mana.

Argyle was a bit surprised at first when they arrived. Kari crystals lined the entire ceiling and they were on a path barely three meters wide with a dead-end behind them. They could see the path fork into three before them, offering them a choice at the beginning of the labyrinth.

’So there’s no way for us to see the rest of the path since you didn’t leave any gaps. I love and hate that idea,’ stated Argyle with a sour face.

’Who said there was no way to see it?’ Jack chuckled as the color of his eyes became a faded white.

Tralon nodded. ’Jack, allow me. Honestly, you and Bowzer together may be stronger than me right now. Bu tI can handle something as simple as God’s Eye without worries.’

The white light faded from Jack’s eyes as Tralon’s gained that same white cloudiness. ’Sounds like a plan. If needed, me and Bowzer will tag-team whatever dares to hurt you, Tralon.’

With a smile, Tralon looked around them and gained a new view of the surrounding, looking through the dungeon walls and clearly seeing the labyrinth layout. He kept his gaze for nearly five minutes until he canceled the spell and smiled. ’We’ll go left first.’

’I hope you’re leading us to all of the treasure troves and not just the end, Tralon,’ stated Jack. ’I don’t like the idea of leaving anything behind for those stupid councilmen.’

’I already know what you’re after so, of course, I’ll lead us correctly,’ Tralon laughed. ’Also, I’m not sure if you noticed earlier but there are far more mimics than I remember.’

’I caught a glimpse. I’m sure Argyle will have fun trying to loot my dungeon,’ Jack joined in the laughter.

’Well, if nothing has a level higher than lv. 65, then why would I want it.’ Argyle showed a smug look until a thought came to him. ’Unless... there are mythic-tier items in here?’

With a nod, Jack replied, ’I guarantee that there are no legendary items here, but there might be a few mythic-tier items among the overwhelming mimics.’

’Then I’ll accept your challenge, Jack!’

’Just be quick about it. If you take too long, then I’ll be forced to take it all to save time.’

’And how do you plan to handle the mimics on your own, huh?’ Argyle mocked.

Jack shrugged. ’Why should I deal with them when I can simply choose the real items among the mimics?’

Argyle looked at his son-in-law like he would a cheating conman. ’You can do that? I’d like to see you try it.’

’Sure, just don’t be mad when I take everything. How about we take turns choosing an item? That way you won’t be mad when I leave with everything?’

’Deal!’

As Jack and Argyle continued down the path, each with their own versions of a mischievous grin, Tralon calmly rode Bowzer at the rear. ’What do you think, Bowzer? Who will snag more treasure?’

’Jack for sure!’

’Oh? I think it might be closer than Jack’s expecting, but only time will tell.’

Tralon and Bowzer were quick to become great friends. Both were fully loyal to Jack and were glad to have someone to finally talk to about so many things. Tralon could talk about all of his many life experiences, both with and without Jack, while Bowzer was glad he could finally speak to someone besides Jack and ask Tralon any question that came to his mind.

’I call first pick!’ shouted Argyle. He made sure he was the first to arrive at the glittering open space they had reached. The auction house owner stared at the brilliant treasures lining the walls around them. ’This one! This one is mine!"

Jack was all smiles till he noticed which one Argyle was reaching for. With a frown, he asked, ’Are you sure about that?’

’More than sure!’ Proud of his choice, Argyle chose a spear among many weapons surrounding it. When he lifted it in the air, it glistened in the light of the thousands of kari crystals along the ceiling. ’This is a good spear. What tier is this one, Jack?’

’It’s only peak-tier, but it’s at the top of peak-tier.’ Jack squinted and gave Argyle a scan with his eyes. That was when Jack sighed and smiled. ’So that’s how you did it... That’s a nice headband you’re wearing, isn’t it?’

’What, this? It’s nothing compared to what you own, but it’s quite useful at times like this. Remember, I own an auction house and made tomb-raiding my occupation. If I didn’t have something like this, I never would’ve been successful.’

’Fair, it’s my fault for underestimating you. Then let’s be fast with our choices so we can hurry and clear the dungeon.’ Jack looked again at Argyle’s Headband of Truth. ’I’m just curious, how much if that headband worth nowadays?’

’Hmm... I’d say it’s worth a lv. 65 peak-tier item.’

’Then I can buy it off of you for a lv. 70 item, right?’

Turning his attention to Jack, Argyle stored the spear. ’It wouldn’t be impossible. What are you offering?’

’Nothing yet,’ replied Jack. ’I’ll be nice and make you an offer after we’re done here. That okay with you?’

’Sure, now hurry and choose your item.’

Jack then picked a belt from among the treasures. It was only lv. 50, but it would greatly increase the wearer’s natural strength. And so long as Jack used his transforming cloak correctly, then the belt should be protected while Jack uses his flame body.

’Oh, nice choice!’ Argyle laughed as he picked up a lv. 60 sword. ’Only peak-tier, right?’

’Yeah. There wasn’t anything mythic-tier in this batch,’ Jack stated as he selected a lv. 55 necklace.

’That’s everything real, right?’

’That Headband of Truth lives up to its name,’ chuckled Jack. ’Let’s get going to the next treasure trove. There should be two more before the safe house.’

’Safehouse?’

’Yeah, I put a safe house in the center to mark the halfway point of the fifth floor.’

Tralon smiled. ’I’ve already memorized the first half of the labyrinth, so we’ll reach the next two troves very soon. And I’m sure Argyle will want to search the safehouse for more treasures.’

Argyle laughed, ’You already know it, so don’t get mad at me for turning your safehouse upside down.’

’Anything you find in the safe house you can keep, I’ll be nice but you’ll have to really search if you want to find things I’ve hidden away,’ Jack stated proudly.

’Sounds simple enough. Where to now?’

’We go straight, then left.’

Jack and Argyle followed Tralon’s directions eagerly, both full of smiles. When they reached the second trove, they again chose another four treasures. There wasn’t anything spectacular, but it was all good equipment that was worth something. How could Jack put anything truly valuable out in the open?

The same thing happened at the third treasure trove. Each of them chose two items and managed to avoid the mimics. Soon they were on the way to the safehouse.

After twenty minutes of walking, something came into view, and Argyle beamed. The swordsman darted ahead at full speed. He didn’t want to waste a single moment in his search for Jack’s treasures.

’One, two, three...’ Jack started to quietly count as he slowly approached the two-story safehouse.

Tralon and Bowzer followed Jack’s pace, but the fox was also excited to explore the safehouse. However, before Bowzer could act, Tralon caught his attention.

’Bowzer, don’t go inside.’

Bowzer pouted, ’But why?! Argyle went inside, why can’t I?’

’Just wait. You’ll see,’ chuckled Tralon.