The Achievement Junkie

Chapter 340 The Draconic Centipede and the Vaul

The beast's eyes stiffened, glaring down heavily on the human before it. "You know my name, human? How so?"

"Was it ever a secret?" chuckled Jack.

"No… it wasn't. But you still know of me and bear the emblem of the guild. Who are you to know so much?"

With a smile on his face, Jack waved his hand to cast silence, not wanting Vixus to overhear them or for Mooldrat to learn so suddenly that his new best friend was the man who captured him in the first place.

"Would you believe that I'm your master, Jack J.?"

Dragovich squinted and came within a meter of Jack's face. "You? Do you have any proof?"

"I know that you were gifted to me for being the first person to complete Grixor's quest, making you the one and only Draconic Centipede that's not under his influence," stated Jack, surprising the gargantuan beast. "Also, you were raised as my first ever beast companion till you were lv. 68 and then placed inside this dungeon as the keeper and guardian of the vault, even if the other guild members didn't know it."

"You… reveal your level and class to me at once," Dragovich order, truly wanting to know the truth.

"I'm not the same as I was before. I'll let you see, but also allow me to explain." Jack then removed his cloak and revealed himself.

"Lv. 49… If you are my master, then why are you so weak? Explain or die, for none shall falsify my master's identity."

"I'm glad to see that you're loyal as ever, Dragov."

"That…"

Dragovich was caught off guard by the sudden mention of his nickname. When Dragovich was born, Grixor, the God of Earth, gave the Draconic Centipede his name. It was only after Jack had taken ownership of him that the gamer officially renamed him Dragov because it was easier to say.

Though it tarnished the powerful, draconic name that he was born with, Dragov eventually grew accustomed to it. But he only allowed Jack to call him that.

"So, Dragov, what level are you know? And, have you gotten even bigger?"

The Draconic Centipede shook his head and body before softening his glare. "I'm lv. 81 now."

"And are you the one who altered this magic circle?" Jack knelt down and closely examined the writings with his fingers. "You changed this circle so it would teleport anything that touched its sister circle on the tenth floor, didn't you?"

"How else would I find nourishment?" replied Dragov. "I was left here without any prey of my own. I feared that I would soon run out of beholder to feast upon as they stopped coming through the circle not long ago."

Jack laughed, "Your meddling with the circle had a hand in the beholders on the tenth floor insane. Did you know that?"

"I realized it quickly, but I have no regrets as it kept me alive and growing. My hope was to rejoin my master on the battlefield. Though I can gain EXP in this dungeon setting, it never compared to facing godly beings with my master. The thought of defying even the gods… That the epitome of strength."

"How about you join me and we fight the gods again?" Jack added, catching Dragov's attention.

"Explain? Also, I'm still not fully convinced you're my master."

"Dragov, I want to ask you to allow us entry to the vault. If I'm right, there will be an item in there that will help me prove my identity."

"You won't take anything else? Aren't you down here to raid the vault?" argued the Draconic Centipede.

"If I'm really who I claim to be, would that count as raiding or reclaiming my treasures?"

Dragov eyed Jack cautiously. "Then explain what you meant by fighting the gods. I'm curious."

"Simply put, I'm going to be fighting the Holy Gods and the Chaotic Gods as the champion of chosen champion of the Neutral Gods," Jack stated. "That's why I vanished. Daruun, the God of Fate, plucked me from that time and put me here with a new body and new abilities. Sure, I have to start from scratch, but my potential is far greater with my new abilities."

"So you'll be fighting the gods directly?" asked Dragov.

"In a way, yes. But I'm going to prepare and ready my side for battle before that happens," explained Jack. "For example, I'll be bringing the neutral gods back into the public light. That alone will bring more traffic into Trodar and will tempt the other gods to do something lest they lose the little influence they have left."

"Hmm… Calculating, thought out, against the norm… You scheme just like my master in the past, I'll admit that. But I still want evidence. If there is no evidence in that vault, what happens then?"

"Then… I'm not sure," Jack chuckled nervously. "I'm being honest here, Dragov. Who else would know so much about our relationship?"

"Then we'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I'll allow you to open the vault without my interference." Dragov began to retract his head into the darkness above. "I hope you truly are my master. Then I can finally leave this place and fight bigger, more challenging foes…"

When Jack dispersed the silent orb around them, Argyle heaved a sigh of relief.

Vixus on the other hand was still shaking at the knees. "Argyle… What was that? It's even bigger than your wyrm."

"I'm not sure, but Jack's already struck a deal with it. Now, we'll finally enter the vault," stated Argyle, stepping toward Jack.

'Friend!' Mooldrat was the first to reach Jack with a big, gnarly grin of his yellow fangs. 'You protected me and now we can find beef!'

"You're right, Mooldrat! Let's let Argyle open the vault and search for your beef. After you, Argyle." Jack showed a slight bow, leading Argyle forward with his hand. "Just place your hand with the ring on the door and give it a little push."

With a nod, Argyle took the long walk toward the door. The echoes of his footsteps came to a stop once he placed his hand on the door. And with the tiniest push, Argyle felt the door unlatch from the inside and start to open on its own, like the dungeon's entrance.

"Mooldrat, you can come inside, but don't touch anything, okay?"

'Okay! I just want beef!'

"I've already found some!" The beholder instantly turned his head to find a couple of dozen sacks of rations just outside the door. Another bag and another bag were being thrown onto the pile from Argyle who was already inside. "Have at it, Mooldrat!"

Not saying another word, the drooling beholder began to rip the sacks open one by one. He was in a world of bliss he had forgotten in the past millennia.

"Hurry up and pick your treasure, Vixus. Go ahead." Jack pushed the slow walking Vixus forward, reminding the best tamer of the reason he had entered the dungeon.

"Right!"

Vixus darted in at full speed, carefully but hastily rummaging through the many treasures of the vault. And like Jack had stated earlier, most everything carried the insignia of the guild, marking them as guild items for guild members.

While Vixus was hurrying through the vault and Argyle was searching for where the magic crystals were stored, Jack walked into the vault with his gaze locked. The hero didn't touch anything as he walked to the back corner. There, he finally opened a single chest and pulled out a single item.

It was a sphere crafted from a polished crystal that comfortably fit in the palm of Jack's hand. Inside the crystal was the symbol of Daruun, an all-seeing eye among the clouds. The item was also very peculiar because no matter what angle you viewed it from or how many people looked back at it, the eye was always looking back at the viewer. It was mysterious and creepily portraying Drauun's ability to always be watching over everything.

Taking a deep breath, Jack nervously smiled. "Okay, let's try it out."