DMS Chapter 156
DMS Chapter 156
Flinx still had a goal even after reaching a combined total of twenty levels across both of his classes and helping the others return to Earth. He still wanted to fight the Torbal Slavers.
He knew that this goal could not be accomplished in a short amount of time. The Torbal Slavers were an immense organization. More than likely, he and anyone who chose to join him would have to rely on guerrilla tactics against such a behemoth.
Flinx knew he could simply abandon his plans for revenge and continue living a productive life as a powerful wizard adventurer in Ilioven, but the anger he felt toward his former enslavers still burned within him. They had kidnapped and tortured him and had nearly destroyed his sanity. He still had not recovered from the years he had spent as a dungeon-mining slave, and more than likely, it would take many more years before he fully recovered. Even now, Flinx felt disconnected from other people. He knew he would probably be unable to form any meaningful relationships until someone helped him address his mental and emotional issues.
He did not even know if the others felt the same way. Flinx could not bring himself to ask because he did not think he had the capacity to offer any assistance. He believed that Paul had been right. They needed professional therapy, and that help could only be obtained once they returned to Earth. He did not believe receiving help through the internet would be effective.
The Torbal Slavers had been operating for decades, victimizing not only the people of their own world but also citizens from other realms. In Flinx's opinion, they needed to be eradicated.
The next day, Flinx was flabbergasted to learn that all of his fellow Earthlings planned to leave Ilioven and travel through different kingdoms. They explained that embarking on an adventure across a magical fantasy world would help begin their healing process. They also wanted to keep the earth elementals Flinx had lent them since, despite their levels, they still felt somewhat vulnerable.
Since Flinx's elementals had a duration of two years, the Rockies would be able to protect them throughout their travels. They intended to remain in their original groups while journeying together, and for a brief moment, Flinx felt envious. He wanted to have an adventure as well, but he could not leave. He needed to continue delving into dungeons so he could reach the level required to return to Earth.
They all planned to return in a year, believing that Flinx should have reached level twenty by then.
As a consolation, everyone dispelled their towers and rearranged the entire compound as beautifully as they could. They also provided Flinx with a list of the spells they had used to beautify the surrounding area. With his ninth-level wizard spell, Wish, he would be able to replicate all of them.
Since it was their departure day, Flinx did not enter the dungeon. Instead, he spent the day with his fellow Earthlings as they transformed the compound. They expanded the man-made lake until it was three times its original size. They filled the grounds with beautiful trees and plants, arranging them in such a way that the entire area resembled an elven paradise. They also redesigned the solar lighting so that it gave off a magical atmosphere rather than the appearance of modern technology. They even provided Flinx with the name of a shop on their System Shopping Site where he could purchase replacements should any of the lights fail.
By noon, only three buildings remained inside the compound: Flinx's original tower, the tower where the cooks and their assistants lived, and the open-air structure where everyone usually gathered to eat and talk. The structure was now located beside the enormous lake maintained by Pondy.
As he admired the beauty of the place, Flinx wondered when the others had decided to leave. What he did not know was that after he had retired to his room the previous night, some of them had gathered at the outdoor meeting area because they could not sleep. During their discussion, they spoke about their desire to feel free. Paul suggested traveling through the various kingdoms of the planet and learning about their cultures.
At first, Mark thought such a plan would be dangerous. However, Flinx's elementals were extraordinarily powerful and would provide a degree of protection during their travels. Combined with their classes and abilities, they were already considered a formidable group of adventurers, so the risks were relatively manageable.
The two then spoke with everyone else, and soon the entire group was gathered, except for Flinx. They knew their decision was somewhat unfair to him since their adventure depended on his continued efforts. They would not be able to enjoy their travels peacefully if Flinx decided to stop leveling.
That was why, when morning arrived, they explained their decision to him. Flinx simply agreed. While he would have enjoyed going on an adventure himself, he admitted that he genuinely liked dungeon delving and enjoyed the feeling of becoming stronger. He knew everyone was benefiting from the fact that he had accidentally received a one-hundred-percent bonus to experience gain from the stone gate the Torbal Slavers had been experimenting with.
If he was being honest, that blessing was also the reason he loved dungeon delving. Compared to the others, his rate of growth was simply too rewarding to ignore.
What surprised Flinx was that Samuel also intended to leave with the group. Flinx had assumed something was developing between Samuel and Olivia, but in reality, his earlier assumption had been correct. None of them was ready for any sort of romantic relationship.
At that very moment, Samuel was in Olivia's shop speaking with her. Flinx hoped she would not be hurt too badly since the others had confirmed that Samuel intended to end whatever was developing between them. They pointed out that no official relationship had ever been established, nor had they shared any physical intimacy. After some reflection, Samuel had admitted to Paul that he was not ready to have a girlfriend.
At around one in the afternoon, Samuel returned. Everyone said their goodbyes to Flinx and departed, accompanied by Flinx's earth elementals.
For a moment, Flinx wanted to run after them and join their adventure, but he stopped himself. Instead, he prayed that nothing would happen to any of them and that they would all return safely in a year.
Once everyone had left, the compound felt empty despite its extraordinary beauty. The property was enormous, formed from the combination of three separate plots of land, yet now he was the only one there.
Flinx was grateful that once Olivia, Ambrose, Christopher, David, Arcios, Keero, and Violet returned home, the place would feel lively again.
He decided to spend the afternoon swimming. When he grew tired, he asked Pondy to keep him afloat while he watched a movie.
After the movie ended, he ate a hamburger while admiring the breathtaking compound, which looked as though it belonged in a fantasy film about elves. At the very least, he did not have to worry about chores piling up since he had magic to handle them. The Unseen Servant spell, for example, could keep the entire place clean.
He could even modify the contracts of the four cooks and their assistants to include additional duties, such as butler and housekeeping work. With the others gone, their cooking responsibilities would be greatly reduced. He would need to discuss the matter with Olivia since she was responsible for managing the employees.
The cooks and their assistants were already aware that the others had departed, so they prepared food only for the remaining residents of the compound. The workload was far lighter than before. Flinx could tell that they looked worried, and he understood why. They were concerned about the security of their employment.