djarcher

The people of the alpha plane have made it their hobby to enter the dungeons of other worlds and conquer them. Naturally not everyone is happy with this as dark undercurrents begin to work against the conquerors.

As some people die in the dungeons they are made an offer. To give up their humanity in order to live on. 
Guy, a veteran carrier, is one of them, he can't bear to leave his family alone and accepts. From then on he must fight in the dungeons but as a monster while simultaneously continuing his life in the alpha plane in the shape of a human.
Jade, an elite adventurer, also accepts the offer but her intent is solely to get revenge on those who killed her and make humanity suffer for her life.
Monica, a little girl not native to the alpha plane is pulled into the happenings due to her childish innocence.

Counter Dungeon-Delving

What am I to you? A portable wish machine with a personality?


<Don't forget about the fact that you come with a family!>


I arrive at the small office room and discover that it looks more like a small study. There are bookshelves on both sides of the room with a large desk for writing between the shelves. The entire room is well lit but not too bright.


The desk is slightly slanted and made from a dark wood that probably contrasts nicely with the white of paper pages. Speaking of paper, where are those materials you mentioned, Navi?


Archibald? Another employee? What's he in charge of?


There is a short but pronounced knock on the door. I expect my visitor to just enter but the door does not open. Is he shy?


<Sigh. No, he is anything but shy. Archibald is exceedingly obsessed with politeness and sees these writing quarters as holy ground. He will wait in front of that door until you ask him to come inside. And since he believes too much knocking will ruin the experience, he only knocks once.>


Another weirdo. I should have expected this.


The door opens and an owl kin in a jet black tuxedo enters with a tray held on one of his wing like a waiter would hold a plate. On the tray are two piles of normal paper, one pile of cardboard cover pages, and a roll of treated string. Both the cover pages and the normal pages have four holes punched into them along the left side. Seems we are making a rather rudimentary book here.


"My most humble salutations, Sir Guy. I was given the name Archibald by master Darwin. Today, I have come in person to deliver this first batch of materials to you as well as bring to your attention a small petition from my humble self. Would you be so merciful and lend an ear to my petition?"


He sets down the tray on my desk and bowls deeply while his feathers perform a little dance by rhythmically rustling along the side of his head. I can't read owl faces but I think he is happy.


"Most marvelous, my good Sir. You see, in all our bookshelves and the entire back storage, skill books are a rarity to the point where some doubt we even have them. My petition involves the simple donation of a few precious skill books you make into our care whenever you can spare them. I assure you that they will be treated with the utmost care that can taken."


With how his beak is slightly opened and his eyes are transfixed to my mouth, I think he is tensely expecting my answer.


I look at Archibald who's face is still the same. Will he keep that expression until I answer? I better say something quick.


"I think that will be possible but I can only give you anything I have in excess."


"Gratifications, good Sir. I will be more than content with simply picking up and storing and surplus you might have. You, Sir, are a paragon of generosity and scholarly virtue. Truly, I bow before your excellent and your noble character. I am eternally in your debt! Should you ever have need of my service, just say the word and I will mobilize all available resources to complete your request to your fullest satisfaction."


Seeming to have no need for additional air, Archibald launched into a fanfare of thanking me and praising aspects of mine that I doubt I even have. What is scholarly virtue?


<Archibald's word for people who are willing to increase his hoard of books. He has some belief that all knowledge must be accumulated in one place and anyone who helps him with that is a virtuous scholar.>


"Forgive my tirade of superfluous words, my excitement must have gotten the better of me. I shall no longer disturb you, lest my presence hold up the creation of the very thing I long for. Valediction, my good Sir, valediction!"


He almost glides out of the room and closes the door with such skill that I can't hear the sound of it closing. Well, time to get to work.


Skill books (2)