“Are we going to wait for the others?” I asked quietly, glancing backwards to see if they're nearby. They are not.

  “No need, I don’t see anything dangerous,” Sasha shrugged.

  I looked back into what looked like a crypt and glanced around for monsters. I didn’t see any at least. I decided it was safe enough to scout ahead a little more but Sasha held a hand out.

  “Why don’t you have Trap Detection?” she questioned, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  Oh, I’m guessing that means I almost stepped on a trap. Looking down, I didn’t see anything, it just looked the same as the floor everywhere else around here; at least to me. “Is there one here?”

  “Yeah, and one more step and you’d be more ‘holy’ than the rest of our group combined. What garbage did you buy that seemed more important than not dying to dungeon traps?!” Sasha hissed.

  “I uh…” I can’t exactly tell her that I don’t have access to Trap Detection, the closest trait I saw was something called “Trap Tactician” but I can’t afford it right now. I also can’t tell her a trait I took instead because I don’t know what sort of traits Rogues get! Uhhh .. oh wait, aren’t there a few talents that basically all classes get? I didn’t see them on my trait list but I bet they are on there for Rogues.

  “I took Animal Companion, sorry. I really want a dog,” I said nervously. It’s partially true at least, I would love to have someone like Daisy accompanying me on adventurers. Of course I’d never let them fight with me but it would be nice to have a traveling companion. Having the trait alone wouldn't guarantee that I would get one but it would make it significantly easier to.

  Sasha’s eyebrows raised in confusion and she shook her head. “Maybe consider doing that after you’ve assured you won’t die in your first dungeon,” she sighed. “Whaterver. Look, there’s a trap right there, count ahead three tiles and then right two.” she pointed.

  I nodded in thanks and began creeping forward, putting more than enough room between myself and the trap she pointed out. This would be a really good opportunity to get me killed if that’s what she wanted.

  Everything seemed fine for now. I moved on ahead without anything bad happening but Sasha didn’t seem like she was going to move. “Are you coming?” I asked.

  “What, do you want one of them to wind up dead instead? That’s pretty cruel of you.”

  Right, obviously she has to dismantle the trap before we move forward. While I waited for her to finish, I peaked around the corner and immediately hid back behind the wall!

  How long has that thing been standing there staring off into space while we’ve been over here talking to each other?! Is it friendly or just deaf? I guess she did say they were “dumber than rocks”.

  Seeing Sasha moving towards me, I held up a finger over my mouth and pointed to my right, hoping she would get the message. She seemed to as she immediately slowed her approach, taking extra care to remain silent. Upon reaching my side, she glanced into the room as well … and promptly scoffed.

  “It’s only a zombie, come on,” She said, motioning forward with a hand.

  “It’s not dangerous?”

  “Only on the off chance it manages to see you. We’ll be fine. I don’t see any traps either.”

  Well if she’s moving in then I guess I might as well. If one of us is going to be seen it’ll probably be her first anyway.

  Following her lead, I circled around on the opposite side as Sasha and began to move towards the zombie. Completely oblivious to our presence, the zombie continued to remain there, staring at nothing in particular while groaning like it just stubbed its toe. I was feeling pretty nervous, getting ready to attack my first actual monster but with Sasha double the zombie’s level, I’m sure it will go down easily.

  Slowly we creeped forward while matching our pace. Once I was almost within arm’s reach of the zombie I began to reach for my daggers when suddenly, the zombie turned in my direction. I froze, dead in my tracks; preparing to run the moment it moved to attack. Sasha quickened her pace and prepared to strike.

  All three of us remained still for a solid thirty seconds but nothing happened. I swear I was looking dead in the zombie’s eyes but it never showed any hostility. It didn’t even know I was standing right in front of it, from what I could tell! Zombies really are dumber than rocks, I guess. If it wasn’t a literal zombie I might have felt the temptation to say hello to it.

  After the zombie turned away I moved forward to join Sasha who looked on with amusement in her eyes. With a nod we both drew back and struck down at the same time, piercing deep into the back of the zombie. It immediately dropped to the floor as its nameplate faded away.

  A slight feeling of euphoria suddenly overtook me as the zombie fell, leaving me deeply confused.

  “Oh, level two already it seems. I guess you weren’t as new as I thought. You must have been pretty busy if you managed to level up just from killing monsters.”

  I immediately opened my profile to check and sure enough, I had leveled up. I figured it would take much longer from what I had heard but I guess with five hundred perfect extra experience, I basically have killed five boars and zombies. Granted I killed the zombie with Sasha’s help but it was also higher level than me.

  “Why don’t you go ahead and go through your stuff? We can wait for them while you do.” I nodded appreciatively and began distributing my attribute points. Since I won’t get more trait points for another eight levels, I only receive some attribute points from my level–ten this time. The first twenty that I got was only because I had just been put in the system. I also had five leftover that I hadn’t used. I spent them according to my sister’s recommendation but also put a few in Intelligence and Charisma just in case I need them. I’m not actually a Rogue and it seems like I get access to everything from magic to weapon masteries so it wouldn't be a good idea to forget about those attributes. My strength is still quite low at nine but I think that's fine; I don’t really want to be the type to swing around heavy weapons.

  With my points spent, I was happy to see my health had nearly doubled since my original health total of twenty eight. I do wonder though, how I stack up to others like Sasha. My only other point of reference is Natalie but the last time she told me anything about her profile was when she had reached level forty eight. I believe she said her highest attribute was around eighty at the time. I have no doubt that The Hero’s stats make even my sister’s look like a pebble next to a mountain.

  “Oh there they are,” Sasha called out, turning towards the direction we came from. “Took you guys long enough.”

  “Blame those two.” Darrick gestured behind himself as he stepped into the room with us. I couldn't actually see who he was pointing at but it was easy to tell who he was referring to. “I see you had your fun,” he scowled, noticing the corpse.

  “We found it like this,” Sasha shrugged. She was obviously lying but Darrick didn’t press further.

  The other three arrived soon after; Urthor and Witney were glaring at each other like they were trying to have an argument without actually saying anything.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Save it for the bedroom, you two,” Sasha ribbed while giving the two a playful look.

  They both immediately turned their glares towards Sasha and looked like they were about to speak up but apparently decided it was best to stay quiet.

  With the way they were acting, I couldn't help but wonder if I missed something important.

  “Is it safe?” Troy asked, looking to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

  “I don’t-”

  “It’s safe. There might be more undead further in but for now, we’ve had little trouble.” Sasha gave me a dirty look for interrupting her but I tried to ignore it. I felt kind of bad for the nervous priest, I didn’t want Sasha making him worry even more.

  “Very well, let’s move forward then. Please move on ahead and we shall follow behind,” Darrick declared as he ushered us forward.

  “He sure is demanding for a holy man,” Sasha rolled her eyes in my direction as we walked. “Are all paladins like that?”

  “All the paladins I know of,” I chuckled softly.

  The hallway after was more of the same. Sasha didn’t find any traps but there was another zombie staring up at the ceiling again. This time it was swiftly struck down by a thrown dagger from Sasha, showing that she really didn’t even need my help before and was likely just testing me. Either that or she just didn’t want to share the experience. However, the next room wouldn't be quite so simple.

  Sasha and I retreated from the room to inform our companions about the dangers ahead. There were far too many enemies for us to kill stealthfully. We could maybe take two down if we both attacked separate enemies but the moment we did, we’d be left with five angry monsters and would no longer be able to Sneak Attack.

  We informed them of the situation and Urthor already had a plan. “Piece a piss, just let me and Cheese Head distract the lot while the rest of you pick off the backline.”

  “W-what should I do?” Troy asked in a shaky voice.

  “You’re a priest, do I need to spell it out for ye?” Urthor rolled his eyes. When Troll did not respond, Urthor groaned and spoke slowly, “Keep. Us. Alive.”

  “Right! I can do that!” he nodded, suddenly looking more confident.

  “Restarts,” Urthor cursed under his breath, earning a smack from Witney.

  Darrick loudly cleared his throat before another argument could begin. “Any other suggestions before we go? I believe Urthor had a good idea. He and I–DARRICK, shall fight off the undead that fight up close while the two Rogues take out the Archer and the Defiled Zombie. Preferably take out the later one first. I would rather not get vomited on.”

  A zombie that throws up on people? For once, I’m glad to be a stealthy Rogue.

  “Right, let's do this. Giraffe, let loose and I’ll charge in.” Urthor declared, hammers in each hand.

  Witney scowled but moved ahead without argument. Urthor and Darrick followed closely behind her while Sasha, Troy, and I hung back.

  Without hesitation, Witney drew back on her bow and fired an arrow at the Defiled Zombie, hitting it in the shoulder. It fell backwards into a pile of limbs and ichor but I didn’t see its nameplate turn gray. Every undead in the room turned in our direction but Urthor was already charging in with a loud battle cry.

  “Not so loud, you dolt!” Darrick complained, following in after.

  The two ran up to engage with the skeleton warrior who was closest to the threshold and the two zombies and regular skeleton quickly followed. Sasha followed in after, keeping low to the ground while staying to the left wall. She was heading in the direction of the Skeleton Archer, who was now firing off arrows at Darrick, so I decided to follow the opposite wall and move towards the …ugh, Defiled Zombie. No doubt she left it specifically for me.

  I creeped forward, sparing an occasional glance for the battle. Urthor was a flurry of hammers, clubbing the zombies hard enough to tear flesh but he was still suffering the occasional zombie slap. Darrick was holding off the Skeleton Warrior with his shield but was making no effort to strike. At least he seemed to have taken Natalie’s advice to heart, seeing that he wasn’t holding still anymore.

  The Defiled Zombie had not fully risen to its feet by the time I arrived. Not wanting to give it the chance, I immediately stabbed downward, picking a random red box as I couldn't make out specific body parts through all the ichor. My daggers sank deep into the zombie and I was rewarded with a spray of sludge as if I had just popped the world’s grossest balloon.

  “Ewww!” I shrieked. It smelt TERRIBLE and I could feel chunks of … something in my hair .. Ahhh I don’t want to think about it! I did my best to wipe away at my face just so I could see but I was still hesitant to open my eyelids as I REALLY didn’t want this stuff in my eyes. I’m probably an easy target while I just stand here but I don’t know what else I should do.

  A rough piece of cloth gets shoved against my face and I gratefully accept it and begin cleaning off my face. When I can finally open my eyes, I see Sasha standing in front of me with laughter in her eyes.

  “Thanks for the rag! Let me give you a hug!” I stand up and begin approaching her, much to Sasha’s horror.

  “L-let’s focus on the fight first, r-right Elvira?!” Sasha stammered.

  Oh right, the fight. Glancing around, it seems like everything is already dead. Darrick is still hiding behind his shield before a very dead skeleton warrior. Urthor is panting beside him, looking roughed up but otherwise fine. Witney is still in the back and … laughing in my direction. Troy is … “Ahh! H-help!” Getting hugged by the zombie grappler.

  Giving Sasha a slimy pat on the back, I approached the rest of the group, now standing in front of the terrified Troy. The zombie wasn’t doing anything, it just had its arms squeezed tight around his legs, preventing him from moving. “Come on lad, beat its brains out!” Urthor cheered.

  “Here,” Witney chuckled, handing me a water skin. I nodded in thanks and began cleaning out my slimy hair.

  “Can’t one of you … do that? This staff wasn’t cheap, what if it breaks?!” he wined, desperately shifting his legs around but unable to move an inch.

  “If it breaks just because you hit something with it, I’m afraid you got ripped off,” Urthor snorts.

  Troy pleads nervously with eyes while his arms are raised up like he’s walking through chest deep water. When he finally realized none of us were going to act, he sighed and began clubbing the zombie in the head. Six swings later, the zombie’s nameplate turns gray and a heavily panting Troy lets his arms fall with relief. The moment the zombie dies, I notice a change in Troy’s nameplate.

  “Oh, congrats on the level,” I said.