Chapter 23

  Titan sat in Hank's truck outside of the Gypsy. He had a ring box in his hand. His heart raced as he stared at the wide door.

  "You ready?" Hank asked.

  Titan shook his head. "I still have a lot to do still. Pay off the mortgage and Kristy's college fund. Everything changes when I go through that door OG."

  Hank nodded. "You done whinning like a bitch."

  Titan stared at box and put it away in his pocket. "He said I would know what I would want to do when I went through the door. Dad's never been wrong. Right?" He said.

  "Never. He always looked out for my ass. Let's go Young Blood. Destiny is waiting." Hank said and opened his door hoppng outside.

  Titan quickly followed him out of the truck. His heart hammered against his chest as he approuched the door. Hank opened it for him and stepped aside for him to walk through.

  Titan walked into the bar ahead of Hank. His eyes landed on Glenda. She was sitting at the bar. The Bartender Harold was chatting with her.

  Titan stared at Glenda and he knew. He made up his mind. It was then that he noticed Harold was trying to grab his attention.

  Harold gave him a short nod as he was cleaning a beer glass. He glanced over to a corner in the bar.

  Titan frowned at the signal. He quickly glanced in the direction Harold wanted him to check.

  Three males in casual clothes with gold swords.

  Titan’s focus locked on them. All three had green energy surrounding their bodies.

  [Enemy Critical Analysis]

  Drone soldiers: Nine Blades

  Health points: 900

  Titan smiled and glanced back toward Glenda to see her frowning.

  “Give a minute. Thanks for stopping by.” He said and walked over to the drone soldiers.

  The drone soldiers had average looking human like faces but Titan wasn’t sure what they were at first.

  One of the drones glanced up at him. The drone had jade eyes.

  “Who the fuck are you?” The drone asked.

  Titan smiled. “Hey. I’m Tiian Young. I was just wondering about something.”

  “Titan Young!”

  All three drones started to get up from their table at the same time Titan moved in with his sword in hand.

  He blocked a shot of magic from a green sword with his Axiom Edge.

  Titan activated his blink step and appeared in front of them.

  Titan grabbed their leader and slapped his head down on the table. The other two drones were pinned against the wall by a golden energy.

  Titan turned his attention to the drone he held face down on a table.

  “Glenda. I need your professional advice.” Titan said.

  All three drone soldiers were snarling and growling moving about. Titan noticed the wild and animalistic looks in their eyes.

  Glenda appeared next to him. Her eyes glowed as she scanned the drones bodies.

  “They appear to be human but I am not sure my perception of them is correct. What did your eyes and senses tell you?” Glenda asked calmly

  “I saw one identification for all of them are drone soldiers. Some type of green energy around them. No system menus.” Titan said

  “Kill them.” Charlie said.

  Titan looked up toward the entrance of the guild meeting from. Charlie nodded to him.

  “Kill them. Their dungeon monsters. They’ve gotten loose from the unguarded gate.” Charlie said.

  Titan turned his gaze toward Glenda. She blinked. “What?” He asked.

  Glenda stared at him. “I didn’t say anything.” She said in a quiet voice.

  Titan shook his head. “You were going to say something. What is it?”

  Glenda’s eyes glowed brightly as she stared at him. “I need you to help me track the location of the open dungeon they came out of so I can seal the dungeon gate.” She said carefully.

  “Do you need one or more of them alive?” Titan asked.

  “No. I have other means.” Glenda said.

  Titan nodded and activated his quick step killing the drone he held down with a quick slash. The other two drones screamed, breaking free of Glenda’s magical hold and rushing toward them.

  Titan, still moving in his quick step killed them both by throwing his daggers into their heads.

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  The drone soldiers' bodies turned to dust as Titan fell down into a seat by a table and examined one of their swords in his hand.

  The sword had a green crystal in the middle of it that gave off a signal to somewhere else. A dungeon possible? A possible key maybe.

  Titan’s mind turned over these thoughts and idea of what he could use it for later.

  ( May I see that sword, Titan? ) Glenda’s voice spoke into Titan’s head.

  Titan looked at Glenda and handed her the sword. Glenda’s face glowed with a warm smile at him.

  “Thank you. I think the same as you do. The signal will help us track the sword back to the dungeon it was created in.” She said.

  “Titan. Drink this.” Hank said, handing him a red potion bottle.

  Titan nodded his thanks to Hank as he took the bottle and drank it down quickly.

  Charlie walked over toward them with one of the swords in his hand. He shook his head as he examined it.

  “Do you recognize it from a dungeon?” Titan asked.

  Charlie, still frowning, shrugged. “This looks like a sword from one of the goblin dungeons on the East side outside of town.”

  Titan frowned. “Sounds like a lead. What’s bothering you about it?”

  “I don’t remember drone soldiers being in that dungeon? Dungeon monsters stay the same once a dungeon goes live.” Charlie said.

  Charlie turned to Glenda. “You just need him to help you track the location down, right?” He said.

  Glenda nodded. “Yes. Titan’s focus and mind are more valuable to me in this regard. I already have a team of legendaries on hand to assist in the combat.” She said.

  Titan shook his head. “There’s something I don’t understand. Why did you recognize they weren’t normal hunters?” He asked.

  It was a long quiet that followed.

  Titan frowned and turned in his seat to glance at Harold. The other man flinched at Titan’s direct gaze but he met it.

  “They came in asking for you by name? They seemed like some normal hunters that wanted to meet a Psi.” Harold said in careful measured words.

  Titan froze. He turned to Glenda.

  ( Is that normal for dungeon monsters to talk and act like humans? ) Titan thought the words into Glenda’s mind.

  Glenda’s eyes brightened for a second in surprise. She met his stare and she shook her head.

  “That is not normal. We have to find this gate and close it down before more of them get out.” She said calmly.

  “What the hell is happening?” Titan asked, voicing his confusion.

  Glenda shook her head. “I don’t know. Are you ready?” She asked.

  Titan got to his feet as Charlie threw him another red bottle. “Thanks Uncle Charlie. I’ll be back.” He said.

  Glenda held out her hand. “Do you trust me?” She asked.

  Titan reached for her hand. Gold flames consumed them both in an instant and then they were suddenly on a dirt road outside of the city.

  Glenda raised her hand and shot out a golden fireball into the air. The fireball exploded in the air and an image of a “V” that sent out the sound of a hawk.

  Five minutes later a group five of government agents all dressed in dark blue uniforms appeared behind them.

  Titan knew without locking his focus on the group that they were all Legendary top tier warriors.

  Titan started to say something but he lost interest in what he was going to say. He started to jog forward into the woods.

  Glenda floated along side Titan while the others trailed behind silently.

  Titan kept running as a strange darkness fell over around them. There was no light.

  Glenda’s body glowed like a mini sun. Titan’s eyes glowed as he reached for his sword and threw it.

  The Axiom Edge landed into a monster’s body and fell to the ground. He held out his hand and his sword appeared back in his hand.

  “The door way to the Dungeon should be here.” Glenda said.

  “Sh! Listen.” Titan whispered.

  Titan took out the drone jade sword. It started to shake. He held out his hand and threw it into a tree.

  A doorway appeared in front of the tree. Titan sent his focus into the doorway and deep into the dungeon.

  He felt the boss’ mind inside as it sent an echo impression to him.

  [Enemy Critical Analysis]

  Dungeon Boss: Earth Dragon Spirit

  Health points: 2,222/2,222

  “There’s a dungeon boss inside. Earth Dragon Spirit. HP is Two thousangth and twenty-two hundred.” Titan said.

  Glenda laid a gentle hand on Titan shoulder.

  “Stay with me Titan. The rest of you. Go try to defeat the boss quickly. We’ll stay to guard the outside. You have twenty-eight hours. Go.” Glenda said.

  The other team of agents all moved into the doorway single file.

  Glenda put up a golden shield of energy and two golden swords. She faced the door way.

  Titan stood behind her with his Axiom Edge in one hand and a dagger in his other hand.

  “I got your back.” Titan said calmly.

  Glenda chuckled. “I know. No doubt in my mind. We might have to stay here for several hours.” She said.

  Titan nodded. He stood alert and ready. His eyes, ears and mind were all actively focused on everything around him.

  “So. What kind of flowers do you like?” Titan asked.

  Glenda laughed. “I’m a traditional girl. I like roses, sunsets, and reading. What else would you like to know?”

  “Everything else. Where were you born? What are your family like?” Titan said.

  Glenda smiled but her eyes looked distant like she was staring off into a past that was to pleasent to remember.

  "My past doesn't matter. I was born an orphan and raised in the Divine Light monastary until I was seventeen and I entered a dungeon to assist a friend as a support mage and healer. I gained my class as Sage in the dungeon and studied more until I gained my doctorate in magic later on." She said.

  Titan nodded. "So you were already a mage before you entered your first dungeon?" He asked.

  Glenda nodded. "Yes. I gained my power through books and experiments in magic."

  "What is your friend like?" Titan asked.

  Glenda sighed. "You've already met him. He is a powerful gun battlemage." She said.

  Titan frowned. "Ned Roggers."

  "Yes. He helped me out a bit in my education in magical combat." She said in emotionless voice devoid of attachment.

  There was also something in her tone that made him think she didn't want to talk about him. Titan frowned.

  "What was it like growing up for you and your family?" Glenda asked in a voice with more warmth.

  Titan smiled. "Laughter and warmth. My Mother was the best. She taught me and my sister to read. Dad taught me how to fight and think. He also encouraged me and Kristy to follow our dreams."

  "Did your father encourage you to be a dungeon crawler like him?"

  Titan laughed. "Oh no. He just wanted me to know how to fight and take care of myself. Every decision I make about my life is mean. I own it.”

  “Every decision?! Even becoming a dungeon crawler though it was not something you wanted to do orginally.” Glenda said and sounded like she was speaking more to herself than him.

  Titan waited a moment and thought of his answer.

  “Nobody is forcing me to do anything. My Dad would have accepted any choice I made. I became a dungeon crawler to achieve my goals. Nothing more.”

  “Thank you.” Glenda said.

  “What? What did I do?” Titan asked.

  “You answered a question I have ben asking myself for over twenty years now.” Glenda said.