- Sure you did, - I grinned.

  Undead mage was not alone. He was surrounded by a dozen undead knights.

  - How do you wish to die mortals? - asked undead mage and raised his staff.

  Nelly was preparing her spell, but I was faster.

  - Holy light! - bright light shined over the yard. It was level three Light magic spell that purified all undead in rge area. Undead knights tried to hide behind their shields, but light was everywhere and they turned to dust.Undead mage survived, but was ying on the ground, barely alive.

  - Lightning! - said Nelly, and mage exploded.

  - Ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Cough, cough, - my evil ugh ended not as pnned, when I started coughing.Some of my friends rolled their eyes, but that did not removed my grin from my lips. I am back baby!

  * * *

  Turned out that I underestimated size of the town. We needed four days just to run through it, and we did not even went through widest part of it. I decided to rey on potions and take no rest or sleep. We did managed to get out, but run out of potions and for the st two hours Nelly and me had to carry Trevor, who run out of mana.

  Few times we almost run into floor guardians, but after our encounter with undead mage, I ordered Nelly to use her View air spell, and we avoided strongest monsters. Rest of them were easily destroyed by our spells. Most dangerous feature of the dungeon for us turned out to be mana drain. Without potions we got lucky that Luara also did not colpsed like Trevor. If we would have run out of mana potions in the middle of the town, we might have not leave it alive.

  But my gamble paid off, and we got out with everything that I wanted to get there and even more.

  After leaving town's border, we went further away and made a camp, waiting for Trevor's mana to restore, so he could move by himself again.

  I was sitting near the fire and cooking soup. Well we called it soup. Neither one of us excelled at cooking, and we usually improvised. I added some dried meat, and stirred the liquid.

  It was my turn to cook. Secretly I wanted to get rid of a pot, but my other party members forced me to keep one in my magic purse.

  - Smells not as good as I remember food smelling like, - commented someone from beneath me, and I almost jumped into the fire.

  - For hell's sake! Do not scare me like that.

  Cat sith came into fire light. Small cat followed him. Little cat sith was also bck with a white spot on his chest.

  - This is my grand, grand, grand grandson. He will serve you, as long as you treat him well.

  - What we are suppose to pat and feed him?

  - He likes milk, but hates fish and bathing in water, - commented cat sith. He jumped into darkness and disappeared.

  - We do not have any milk! - I screamed to him. Bu-ut he was gone.

  I looked at the small cat sith version. He had big eyes and stared at me with them. Hmm.

  - Nelly, you ordered him, so you take care of him. You'll be like a witch and a familiar.

  - What's a familiar?

  - Well, it's... a cat.

  - Can I name him?

  - Sure.

  - How about Catsy? - she asked and made a gesture calling cat to her.

  Cat sith looked at her and shook his head. He meowed and looked at me.

  - He wants some other name, - I transted.

  - Then how about Kitty?

  Half a dozen names ter we settled on Grim. Nelly did not like it, because it was not cute, but that was a name that I spitted out after getting tired with cat's refusals. Grand, grand something cat sith accepted my idea and now was sitting in Nelly's p and letting her to pat him. He allowed Luara also to pat him, but hissed at Trevor. Probably he was a male.

  Nelly gave him some dried meat. To my opinion he ate too much, but Nelly seemed to like him. At least that was good.I had my doubts about cat sith coming with us, but Nelly already took him under her wing. Taking baby sith away from her would be as hard as stealing a bone from a dog.

  More than two month ter, after taking few wrong turns, we finally entered Grimsburg gates.

  Grimsburg was Asgrin kingdom's closest town to uninhabited nds and first town, which I saw in this world. In my opinion even few decades ter it did not change.

  Even people that I knew best were still there, working in the same pce and in the same position. One of them, adventurer guild master Fiord was happily grinning and crying at the same time.He was happy because in front of him was biggest mountain of magic stones that he ever saw. And was crying because of the hours that he will need to count and properly appraise their value.

  I needed almost two hours to take out all of them from my magic purse. I could take them out only one at a time, and taking out all magic gems that I got in Prometheus room and some of them ter took a lot of time. And those were not even all of them. I kept those that could be magic gems to myself.

  Nelly was sitting in the corner and pying with her cat. After getting bowl of milk cat agreed to py with her, or at least that was how I saw it. He was not very useful during our journey, but mostly he procured food himself, hunting down small rodents and occasional bird. Few times he warned us about monsters and earned his pce in our party. He even allowed Nelly, me and Luara to pat him, but usually hissed at Trevor. Typical guy.

  - You are rare guests here these days, - said Fiord: - Did you decided to sell me magic stones that you spent hunting for, st twenty years?

  - We would have been her sooner, but got stuck. I bme Nelly. I was counting on her to level up really fast, but she was taking her time.

  Nelly ignored me, but her favorite party member hissed at me. I should remind him that it was me who set free his grandpa.

  - I will need at least a week to count all these stones. Maybe more.

  - That's fine. We deserve some rest. And a bath. Many, many times in a warm bath. We will return in a week or so then.

  - Good, - Fiord sighed and went to summon some guild workers. He saw in his future several sleepless nights. But it was his duty to reward adventurers as soon as possible.

  We went outside, and I took a deep breath. I missed the town. Not exactly this town, but any town in general.

  - What now? - asked Nelly.

  - We wait until we can cash in all those stones and then go to capitol. Then we go to Taingor. There is another ancient dungeon nearby, that we haven't visited.

  - Do you really pn to go dungeon hunting again?

  - Do you know any other way to increase our levels? But this time we will take it slow and safe. No need to hurry, our goal will be to impress and be noticed, not to conquer the dungeon.

  - Really? Why?

  - I have a pn. For now I need to visit someone. Meet you in the tavern.

  - I thought that you will say that, - shook her head Nelly.

  Ha, she probably decided that I will go to coffee pntation or to talk to Mesmer. But I will be unpredictable and visit someone else first. And then talk to Mesmer and visit coffee pntation.

  Sage Tanot also still lived in the same house. Like always he worked in his small garden. Tanot was a djinn. His lifespan was nearly infinite so one year or ten made not much difference to him. I wandered if I also will end up like him. Living in a small house, alone, but also somehow satisfied with my life.

  - Avone, - he smiled: - You are a rare guest.

  - Cannot argue with that. I brought you some mead. I bought it in Mina and kept for a simir occasion.

  - Please come in then. I haven't tried that drink in many decades.

  We shared a drink, and I told him about some of my adventures. He shared the news from Grimsburg, and some rumors from Ashgrin capitol. Hero Milligan married Mortana, archduke Kurgan again regained his youth, princess Nayndria reached adulthood, but was still unmarried.

  - I got a job for you, - I said after we shared most interesting news.

  - I expected no less. What is it this time?

  I got out for vials with Prometheus blood, and Tanot nodded after examining them.

  - Give me a week. I kept ready all other ingredients, knowing that you will show up sooner or ter.

  - Thanks.

  - Do not forget my payment, that is the best gratitude that you could show me. After all my income decreased considerably after you destroyed Grimsburg dungeon.

  - That was a nice dungeon. Too bad it's gone.

  After Tanot I visited Mesmer, but he had no interesting artifacts for me. Our business was going well. There were bad years for the harvest, but high prices kept Mesmer's wallet full.

  I spend a week casting Nature blessing and after receiving payment from Fiord and leveling potions we left for Ashgrin capitol. I also used leveling potion and increased my level, but decided to wait before giving others their potions. We were heading for a dungeon and I wanted them to increase their levels by killing monsters, before giving them potions.

  Ashgrin capitol was not doing well. Several years of bad harvest increased food prices, which affected people lives. At least king did not increased taxes, but prices in capitol still increased. My wallet was full with coins, so higher prices did not affected me, but I did notice that number of pure people did increase.

  We rented a room in a tavern with a huge bath and after enjoying warm water I visited my second familiar sage. High food prices did not affected sage Norris. As kingdom's only skill orb maker, his income was as considerable as usual.

  After some social conversation I spend half an hour getting out magic stones. Norris's eyes almost jumped out of their sockets, after he saw all of them. He did not even listened to my st words, but started sorting them, even before I left.

  I came back next day and to my surprise he was already finished. Sage had dark circles under his eyes, but was satisfied with himself.

  - Here, - he pced ten magic stones in front of me: - These seven are low ranking magic gems and these four mid ranking. You have also enough magic gems to make seven leveling orbs. And those are quite expensive, but still just a magic stones.

  He pointed at two rge bags near table. I took magic gems and waved at bags.

  - How about you make me leveling orbs and keep those stones as payment. You do need them to make your skill orbs.

  - I did want to buy them from you. But that works for me. But I need to warn you that I will need at least a year to finish your leveling orbs.

  Those were bad news, but not like I had a choice.

  - Sounds good. I will return after them when I will have time.

  - Very well. I will get to work immediately.

  We nodded to each other, and I left for my party. In the beginning I was pnning to stay in capitol to wait for leveling orbs, but now there was no reason to stay any longer. No one objected to my decision to leave next day. Everyone rested already in Grimsburg and we already had horses and everything else that we needed to continue our journey. Our next destination was Taingor.

  * * *

  Taingor was one of the four great town's of Ashgrin. Located in central area of Ashgrin it could have been kingdom's capitol. Taingor did not have any rivers flowing through or nearby town, instead its main water source was rge ke nearby town. Taingor was famous for whole town being built on the hill and had an ancient dungeon near it. Entrance to the dungeon was located at the base of the hill, and many strongest adventurers lived in Taingor. Many of them risked their lives hunting in the dungeon, but it was famous for being a source of powerful artifacts. Most people called it Taingor dungeon, and it was only ancient dungeon in Ashgrin.

  Town was ruled by archduke Kurgan. His son Graig was captain of royal knights and daughter Mortana was married to hero Milligan. Kurgan was richest and most influence aristocrat in whole kingdom and his influence rivaled the king's.

  I never met him, but his children an my party members did not had the best retionship. Ordinarily I would have stayed away from him, but he had something that I wanted, and since I was not skilled at stealing, earning or trading were my only options.

  After arriving in Taingor and founding a tavern with a huge bath and extortion level prices, Nelly and me registered at local Mage guild's magic circle, and then my party went to check town's Adventurer guild. Adventurer guild was located not war from northern gate, which was closest to the dungeon.

  We went inside and found a familiar guild hall, but filled with rough looking adventurers. Almost all of them were men, who looked like warriors. I did not noticed any magic robs or priests. Most men had either steel or leather armor, and they were armed with swords, axes on long daggers. Room smelled like sweat and most adventures had beards and looked like highwaymen.

  - Look at that, we have there a harem party, - said one of them, and most of men ughed.

  I looked at Trevor. He was the only guy among us, and it was his moment to shine. Instead he froze in pce, unsure what to do. Luara put her hand on her dagger, while Nelly squeezed Grim. I went towards receptionist, but one of the adventurers got in may way.

  - Hey cutie. If you are looking for real men, then you came to right pce.

  Knew that it would happen, I sighed to myself, and hit him in a face. I could have tried to avoid a fight, but decided to skip all forepy. He flew back and fell on the floor unconscious. I expected other men to get the message, but instead I heard angry shouts and two of adventurer's companions attacked me.

  I grabbed one of them by his shirt and threw him into the hall. My friends joined me and soon almost all people were drawn into fight. I was worried about Nelly, but she released her cat and used her staff to pommel anyone who got close to her.

  I used my martial arts skill to its fullest to beat the crap out of adventurers. One of them grinned when he saw my performance and started walking towards me. He dealt with anyone who got in his way with a single blow, and I got a bad feeling about him.

  Instead of "Hello" he tried to hit my face. I blocked his punch and answered with my own. To my surprise he also blocked my attack and immediately counterattacked. I barely avoided his fist by bending my head to the side. We exchanged few more blows, when someone used Lightning spell.

  Lightning struck the middle of the floor and send flying adventurers closest to it. It was a powerful spell, but whoever used it aimed it precisely and no one got killed. Everyone stopped and looked towards second floor. On the steps was standing grey bearded man with angry expression. Some adventurers who were closer to the door left the building.

  - Stop this immediately! - roared the man.

  Everyone listened to him, and people started taking care of their unconscious friends.

  - Who started this?!

  To my surprise everyone pointed at me. What happened to adventurer solidarity.

  - You, new girl! Come with me! - he ordered. I looked back and beckoned my friends. In my opinion they deserved scolding just as much as I did. We followed man who I presumed to be guild master. Nelly and Luara were fine, but Trevor's nose was broken. He was such a klutz.

  Nelly used Cure spell on him, and Trevor thanked her.

  - You do realize that this is your fault, - I whispered to Trevor.

  - Didn't you started the fight, - said Nelly. Her cat joined the girl and now was running near her feat.

  - I wouldn't have needed to do that, if Trevor would have protected his dies.

  - So was he supposed to start a fight?

  - Exactly!

  Trevor just sighed and shook his head.

  We followed guild master to one of the private rooms, and he nodded to us to take a seat.

  - I will not allow fights in here, - he started.

  - Who to hell are you? - I interrupted him.

  He got red in the face from anger, but answered me.

  - I am Taingor guild master Tom.

  Ha, Tom, that was simplest name yet.

  - Then you should have taught your pigs about manners, - I pced my hair behind my ear and took out my adventurer tag. Usually golden tag made people immediately act differently, but that did not scared Tom.

  - An elf, - he said with disdain. Then he looked over my party members: - Beast-girl, knight and a mage. You must be Avone?

  - Yes. How do you know my name?

  - Every guild master on the continent knows your name. And about your party. You conquered three out of four Rakshasar ancient dungeons. Probably all four. At least that's what rumors say. Last time that was done when King of Iron Mountains was still alive. Fine, - he sighed: - Scum, that currently call themselves adventurers, probably should have thought twice before insulting an elf. But keep fighting to a minimum and preferably outside my guild. Why are you here? Last I heard your party was going through Rakshasar dungeons.

  - We heard about Taingor dungeon. It sounded like a nice pce to visit.

  - You must be totally insane to call dungeon nice, - he got distracted by cat, who jumped into Nelly's p: - Is that a cat?

  - He likes milk, - I gave him an advice.

  - Stop talking about milk! - he roared and got red faced again.

  No one reacted to that, we actually looked bored. After facing dragon like monsters who roared like without a break, ordinary human would have needed to be more imposing to get a reaction out of us.

  Guild master calmed down and continued.

  - Fine. I will forgive you, first time. But try not to cripple too much of those morons. I will still need to work with them after you leave. And what about the dungeon. Are you pnning conquering ours as well?

  - No. Too difficult to do that. We are pnning to increase our levels and earn some coins. Do not get in our way, and things should be profitable for all of us.

  - Sounds good, - he nodded: - Just please stay out of trouble. I will tell my boys to stay away from you. At least those of them who did not get the message by now. Anything else I can do for you?

  - Yes. The adventurer who fought me in the end. Who is he?

  - I am surprised that he did not knocked you out. He is an A rank adventurer. One of the strongest in town. Maybe the strongest. Name's Griffin. Or nickname, but that's how he is registered.

  - Thank you. Also could you sell us high ranking mana potions, elixirs, if you have them, stamina potions and anti-sleep potions?

  - Can do that? How many you need?

  - All of them.For the first time he got surprised, but soon he recovered and nodded.

  - Wait here, I will send someone to you. I need to go downstairs and see what's the damage. And you are paying for it. Look likes you can afford that.

  - Fine, - I sighed and took out one coin. I flicked it to Tom and he caught it. He looked at the coin and got surprised for the second time.

  - God cursed, high ranking adventurers, - he mumbled and exited the room.

  - It did not go so bad, - I looked at Luara: - And we are still bming Trevor for the fight.