Jason sighs, “Not worth looking into them. Though it does make me wish I had been more knowledgeable about the subject. I’m sure at least a few of the bits of loot I’ve gotten would have worked. What are the chances I get something to use from the dungeon?”

  Courtney shrugs, “Really hit or miss. One of the big requirements is that the material can’t be big enough to create something other than an accessory. This is partly because it represents power being condensed, but mostly a System restriction so high-level hunters can’t just go and turn the scrap hide off a high level monster into a ton of knickknacks.”

  Rosha, “From how I understand it, your best chance of an accessory in a dungeon is going to be the end boss.”

  Courtney, “Well yes, but not in this case. No one has ever gotten an accessory from this dungeon before. Now, it isn’t like some old games where there is a literal loot table that the system rolls against to decide what we get.

  “Sure, it isn’t all bespoke rewards tailored to the people who beat the boss. Though since we’re using this dungeon to break through to 25, we will get slightly more tailored gear than not. All that will mean though is that instead of a random piece of chitin armor, we’ll get a piece to replace something we’re missing or needs replacing.”

  Rosha laughs, “Though me and Courtney are going to likely end up with complete randomness, anyway. After all, we both have armor sets right now of appropriate effectiveness.”

  Courtney, “Actually, we are probably going to get material instead of gear. Though to prevent people from abusing this, it will be a step below the gear quality we would have gotten. The System doesn’t mind giving material, but it isn’t going to give you a blank check just because you splurged on quality gear beforehand.”

  Jason, “If that is the case, why do I always hear about someone or another getting some rare drop and making a small fortune? It isn’t like they’re faking it as some release videos of it in System.”

  Courtney shrugs, “Like I said, there isn’t a loot table. In theory, you could get just about anything from a dungeon boss. However, what you’re talking about is partly some specific dungeons that are closer to a loot table than not.

  “When they get a rare drop and instantly there is a value range, that is because it is a lore drop. Not all lore drops are rare, mind you. They are basically any kind of dungeon loot that drops in the same condition every time.

  “They will either explain the story behind the dungeon or at least hint at it. So, maybe in a castle themed floor a note has a chance of dropping that has the orders the guards had received on it. That won’t really be worth anything, but would tell you the castle lord had ordered his militia to put down a peasant rebellion, hard.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Sometimes, you aren’t just getting a note or a locket with a picture in it. Instead, you’re getting the main boss’ signature weapon. Whether that’s a wand that boosts magic to a silly degree or a spear to pierce the heavens. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a weapon.

  “Any powerful historical artifact that has ended up immortalized in a dungeon can end up dropping if you’re lucky. Not here, though. This dungeon isn’t steeped in history or mystery. It’s a space dungeon. Which, admittedly, has its own specialties, but we aren’t going to find Excalibur rip off number 29.”

  Rosha rolls her eyes, “A little long winded, let’s go kill some bugs in an arena!”

  Courtney sighs, “Despite the fact that the System decided to give the tardigroids chitin, they aren’t insects. They’re actually their own grouping separate from animals. Irl, their skin is more like a plastic glove filled with water.”

  Rosha ignores this as she moves further into the dungeon, with Jason following her. Courtney shakes her head and follows as the party continues on through more blind corners, though no more variants. Then they come upon a large open cavern.

  Jason, “Welp, I’m going to guess this is the arena.”

  Rosha, “Can’t you tell when we go between floors?”

  Jason shrugs, “I’m guessing the new floor begins the moment you step into the arena.”

  Rosha nods, “So how quickly do we want to take this? We’re sort of all more the assassin type fighters and we can probably take down the normal tardigroids in rapid succession. It will just be tiring.”

  Courtney raises an eyebrow, “While we are players, Lily isn’t.”

  Rosha goes pale, “Oh, right. Well, I guess we can take it easy. Besides, variants would probably break the run.”

  That settled the three of them, plus Lily, of course, entered the arena. Then things got spicy right out of the gate. The first monsters to enter were a bevy of variants.

  Luck wasn’t completely against them though, as they were all the same variant. Not the rarest of events as about a third of the times there are more than one, they tend to match. Still, only having to figure out what the catch is once when facing ten of the things is quite the relief.

  Not that them all being the same made things easier, just more understandable. In fact, among the frequent delvers, it is of much debate on whether or not them all being the same is actually a curse. Though the reality of it is that it all depends.

  The variant tardigroids the party we’re facing aren’t anything too special. They’re pure white in color with an exoskeleton made of some kind of ice that wouldn’t melt in a campfire. Along with that, they can spew out tight sprays of ice shards from their mouths.

  A move they use as soon as they enter the arena. Sweeping their heads back and forth, all ten icy tardigroids release sprays of ice lasting six seconds. While that doesn’t seem like a lot of time, it is more than enough to bathe the arena.

  If not for a number of columns and boulders spread throughout the area, it would be impossible to avoid. Of course, those obstacles do exist and the party makes proper use of them. Though the ice strewn floor isn’t going to be the easiest to traverse.

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