The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 342 Summoning Daruun

"Jack, you always have to go and prove that only the most reckless options are for you."

A voice pierced through the blinding light, startling everyone further.

"Don’t be afraid, this is what Jack wanted to happen, to an extent." As the light faded, a man was revealed beside Jack in a pure white robe. "His prediction was close enough, albeit that he’s still trying to rush things more than anyone else would expect him to."

"Who are you?" On guard, Argyle swallowed some saliva while leaning protectively over Jack.

"Who do you think?" chuckled the man, smiling back at Argyle’s threatening gaze. "You’ll never be able to see through me, but I know everything about you, Argyle Wittam. And you, Vixus Hurdlon. I even know about Mooldrat and Dragovich, and all of the things they endured or waited for inside this dungeon. So, who do you suspect I am?"

Sensing an aura that was completely foreign to him, Argyle cautiously looked back to the simply-dressed man. "I... I’m not sure."

"Who do you think that Jack would try so hard to summon?"

Thinking of that, Argyle’s serious face was wiped away by uneasiness. "You’re... Daruun... The God of Fate?"

The man smiled. "Correct."

"He’s..." stammering and stumbling over his thoughts, Vixus fell to his knees and bowed. "I-I’m sorry!"

"Sorry for what, Vixus? If you want to apologize for something, speak up and share your thoughts," stated Daruun, still smiling warmly.

"T-that... I..."

"Since you can’t speak, how about I speak instead?" Daruun then looked to Jack, sighing. "I knew you would do this, but part of me was hoping you try some other way. Your reliability puts me at ease, but your recklessness even has me worried."

Jack said nothing in return. He passed out after the bright flash signified that he had succeeded. Releasing that pressure and focus meant passing out and remaining unconscious while Daruun appeared.

"Dragov." Daruun looked to the Draconic Centipede with a smile of appreciation. "Thank you for lending Jack some of your mana. It’s thanks to you that he succeeded in summoning me this way."

"Daruun... I’ve only heard tales of you. More importantly, I know that my master worshipped and followed you. Does this mean that Jack is indeed my master?" Dragov questioned, trying to make sense of the situation.

"That’s correct. Jack is indeed your old master."

"Wait... If Jack’s is the master of the dungeon boss... isn’t he..."

"Yes, Vixus, he’s the man you’re picturing now. The creator of this dungeon and my greatest follower, though I wouldn’t call Jack a worshiper," Daruun chuckled. "Jack was the ancient hero Jack J., otherwise known as the Legend of Trodar."

"Then... he’s... Jack’s..."

"Calm down, Vixus," Argyle spoke loudly, trying to get Vixus to shut up. "Daruun, this isn’t the first time Jack had summoned you, right? What’s so different about him summoning you this way?"

"The other times wouldn’t be counted as summons, actually," explained Daruun. "Each time Jack conversed with me was only between us. It was more like he created a window of space where Jack could speak with an apparition of me. This is the first time he successfully summoned me, albeit he had a lot of help."

"Then how long are you summoned for?"

"That’s up to me. I can stay however long or however short I feel. This time, since it’s been so long since I’ve physically walked on this planet, I’ll stay for a while. I wouldn’t want to leave before I can congratulate Jack."

"Does that mean you’ll be staying with Jack till he wakes up?"

"A bit longer than that." Daruun nodded. "Now bring out Tralon. I’d like to speak with him as I’ll be staying with the Leisure Guild for some time."

While Argyle nodded and started to release the others from his bestial storage, Daruun looked to Bowzer, who was only looking at Jack and not focused on the god who had appeared. "Bowzer, he’ll be fine. Though he’s reckless, he’s always able to make things work out in the end. Why else would I choose him as my champion?"

Finally, Bowzer looked toward Daruun, who was now kneeling beside Jack and the fox. "Daruun, what happened to Jack’s avatar?"

"His what?"

"His avatar," repeated Bowzer. "Jack said his other self wasn’t his real body and he wanted to ask you that, right?"

Chuckling loudly, Daruun petted Bowzer’s head. "Don’t worry about that right now. Jack will get a chance to ask me later and I’ll eventually have to explain that. Unlike before, Jack has finally managed to summon my true self and not just an apparition. As a reward, I’ll make sure to answer plenty of his questions after he wakes up."

"Thank you." Bowing his head, the fox tilted his head, all but asking to be scratched behind the ears.

Doing as Bowzer wished, Daruun smiled and scratched Bowzer’s fur while Tralon approached Daruun.

"Daruun." The ancient mage bowed, respectfully and cordially addressing his superior.

"It has been some time, Tralon. Nearly one thousand years if I remember correctly."

"Right you are, Daruun," replied Tralon, lifting his head. "Please, allow me to again thank you for your help long ago and again for your appearance now."

"Long ago it was just an apparition that spoke with you and showed you where to find an elixir of youth. You’re the one who ventured to find it, willingly becoming cursed to do so." Daruun stood himself up and extended his hand to the aging mage. "I guess you learned a thing or two from Jack about being reckless."

Taking Daruun’s hand in his, Tralon smiled with some moisture in his eyes. "But it was you who told me that Jack would be back. How could I not search for a way to be with him again."

"Just be careful. Isn’t your time almost up?"

Tralon’s smile remained as he stated, "Even if it is, it was worth it."

"Thank you, Tralon. Without your actions and support, Jack would’ve been at a great set back. It’s thanks to you and a few others that Jack has been able to level up so quickly and protect himself," mentioned Daruun. "Whatever happens to you in the end, know that I’m eternally grateful for the help you’ve given me by proxy of Jack."

"I’m just glad to see that Jack wasn’t killed or hunted like the others..."

Overhearing this conversation, the other party members were floored.

Argyle was especially perplexed. Not only had Tralon met Daruun before, but that meeting is the reason why Tralon is both alive and cursed.

"What’s this about heroes being hunted, Tralon?" Argyle questioned, intent on getting an answer.

"Now’s not the time to talk," Daruun interrupted. "With Jack out cold, let’s save the serious discussion for later. Tralon, hurry up and take all of your guild items. I’m sure you and Jack will need them at some point.

"As for what to do after that, how about we get a bite to eat?" Daruun asked with a smile, stunning the crowd around him. "I haven’t eaten Trodan cuisine in a millennium. Do you still have the best spider stew in Kartonia?"

"Y-yeah... Trodar’s known for it, thanks to the Silk Woods south of Gilga." Not wanting to argue with a god with strength far beyond his comprehension, Argyle nodded and agreed.

"Perfect! Then once Tralon collects the remaining goods, we’ll get going," chuckled Daruun. "And don’t worry Vixus, Daruun will give you your ancestor’s old talisman when we get back, and Argyle, you’ll receive your crystal.

"And you, stop trying to hide behind Dragovich. Come out, Mooldrat."\\

Once he was called out, the Dark Beholder poked his head and body out from behind the giant centipede. ’Y-you’re... Daruun, right?’

"That I am. And if you want your mind fixed, then you’d better get over here," stated the god, getting the behold to hurry over. "Do you swear to treat my champion as a friend, listening to his orders and not daring to eat him or anyone else without his permission?"

Dropping to the ground and bowing, Mooldrat replied, "Y-yes... Please... my people remember you... oh great... God of Fate..."

"Good, then here."

As Daruun waved his hand strange energy gathered around Mooldrat’s mind, forcibly entering and rearranging how his brain worked.

"This is much better!" the beholder shouted, again able to speak with his mouth as well as his mind.

"I’ve altered your mind slightly, making it impossible for you to betray Jack since you said so yourself. Should you do so, you’ll contemplate suicide before you think of turning against him," stated Daruun, getting both Argyle and Vixus to stiffen their spines in fear.

"Have no worries, as I’ll willingly serve him so long as he treats me accordingly. It’s thanks to being trapped here that I’m still alive and not eaten by a dragon, like most of my people," mentioned Mooldrat.

"Good. Now that Tralon’s done with his collecting..." Daruun smiled back to Tralon as he exited the now empty vault, "all that’s left is dealing with you, Dragov. I already know you want to leave with Jack. I can assure you that Jack will return to this place shortly after he wakes up to get you, so wait just a little longer."

"Thank you." Humbly, the massive beast bowed his head all the way to the floor.

"I’m excited to see Jack help you evolve, Dragov," added Daruun while waving his hand and filling the entire space with another flash of light.

Before Dragov could ask what Daruun meant, the god and the others had already disappeared from the eleventh floor.

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