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Coffee Break Commission

Newbie Dungeoneers

By XP Author

Grayson took a long pull from his pipe, holding it for a moment before letting the smoke slowly billow out of his mouth. They were late. The wolf sat on a log just outside the stone gateway, amid a small pile of goblins he had slain. All of this was so beneath him. But, if he was to keep in good standing with the adventurer's guild, he had to play babysitter to the newbies. He was waiting for a trio of prospects. Their task was to make it through a dungeon as part of their final initiation into the guild. He was to be their veteran escort, giving advice and only stepping in if something really big showed up.

Finally, he heard the footsteps and jovial banter as they approached. As they got close, he blew out another cloud of smoke before calling out. "You're late. You were supposed to be here at dawn." He glanced at the three. They were all half his age, practically kids in his eyes. They had a good spread of skills between them, at least. The fox was a ranger of some kind, a longbow held in her hand and a quiver full of arrows at her hip. The raccoon was a fighter, like him, with a hefty two-handed sword slung on his back. Though Grayson was not wearing such heavy armor. Heavy plates did little to protect you from a troll, only slowing you down. The last was a mouse, dressed in fancy robes with a staff of white ashwood. By the holy symbol hanging from her neck, she must be the healer of the group. Always good to have one of those... provided they didn't start spouting off about their deity too much.

The raccoon gave him a big, goofy grin. "Sorry about that, Sir. We were checking our gear to make sure we had everything, and realized we forgot to get some potions. Then we had to wait for the shop to open..."

"You should have done that yesterday." He grunted as he pushed himself up to his feet. "Well, you're here now. Let's get the formal stuff out of the way. I'm Grayson, and I'll be your escort. You lot are to head into Darkmire Grotto... that's behind the big stone door over there... and clear it out. That means getting to the end, nabbing the loot waiting for you, and getting back out alive." The grotto was set up by the guild, stuffed with low-level monsters and traps. The 'loot' at the end was an emblem with the guild crest, a sign of their completed trial. They all knew that part.

The mouse stepped forward. "A pleasure to meet you, Sir Grayson. I'm Esmeral-"

"I don't care who you are." He interrupted. "Once you complete the trial and officially join, then I'll bother to learn your names. Until then, you're Bow, Sword, and Staff." He pointed to the archer, fighter, and healer in turn.

The healer flinched. "I beg your pardon!? I am a cleric of the holy lady Alba N-"

"I don't care if you're the Avatar of the White Mountains." He interrupted again. "You're the healer, you have a staff, you're name is Staff. Though if it makes you feel better, I'll call you Cleric. That good with you, princess?"

Sword brandished his massive blade, flourishing it unnecessarily. "I like it! Yeah! I'll be Sword."

Bow spoke up, her tone sarcastic. "So do we call you Sir Grumpy? Or just Escort?" Great. They had a sense of humor.

He shook his head. "I don't give a shit what you call me. Veteran, Grayson, or Asshole. Take your pick." That did get a chuckle from the vixen. "Alright, enough of the banter. Listen up, this part is important. I'm here only to observe, or jump in if something really big shows up. Sometimes a hobgoblin or drake like to muscle their way into these things. If they show up, that's my job to deal with. Otherwise, you're on your own. You fight on your own, figure out the traps on your own, and get back out on your own. This is no tutorial or practice run. You can die. Try to avoid doing that." The dungeon was hardly the most insidious place, but it was meant to teach adventurers that they could die at any time. Even those that made it through tended to walk away after seeing just how real it was, especially if someone in their group died. There was almost always one. He had his suspicions who it would be of this lot, but kept that to himself.

Sword grinned, gripping his blade tight. "Alright! We trained for this. We can do it!" He turned to the other two. "Let's get through this! A few traps and monsters won't stand a chance!"

The mouse put her hands together. "May the blessing of Alba Nika protect us." The fox kept quiet, making sure her bowstring was tense enough. She at least had the right attitude to make it.

Once they were ready, Grayson pulled a small stone out of his pocket. He set it into a small groove in the door, the huge thing moving on its own to open the way. "Alright. Off you go. Remember: keep a look on your surroundings, cover each other's back, and don't get cocky. Failing to do any of those is a good way to die quickly."

The raccoon nodded. "Got it! Thanks, Sir!" He strode in, chest puffed up, completely ignoring the third piece of advice. The other two followed. After Grayson stepped inside, he pulled the stone piece out of the door, and it shut behind him. Ahead, he heard the raccoon again. "Ez. Do the light thing." A moment later, Staff had cast a light orb spell, a small ball of shining energy hovering just above the trio. The wolf nodded. A good option. It would not flicker as much as a torch, or cast odd shadows. If the raccoon could learn to keep his excitement in check, he might make a good adventurer after all. He naturally took to being a leader, too, telling Bow to look around as they got to the first room. The fox had the best eyesight, and found the first trap.

The wolf leaned against the wall as he watched, wondering how they would go about disarming it. Several of the room's floor tiles were covered in pressure plates. Pressing them would cause darts to shoot from holes in the walls. They could be avoided, but it was not readily apparent which were trapped and which weren't. The fox reached into her pack and pulled out a couple of stones meant for her backup sling. She tossed one. Nothing. Another. Nothing. At the third, she got a reaction. Puffs of pressurized air shot darts out across the room, crossing over the plate. She tested a few more, moving slowly and methodically testing each one. Something that would take a long time if-

"I figured it out." She said, and he smirked. "The trapped ones have a cut corner on the tile. Watch your step and avoid those tiles. Follow right behind me. Esmeralda, keep that light orb high up." The trio moved in a line, following Bow the whole way. Soon, they were safely on the other side of the room. "I think that's all of them."

Sword chuckled. "Great job, Bow!" The fox just rolled her eyes, but nodded. "Alright! Let's keep moving!" He was certainly not being quiet. Something he would regret in the next room. As soon as he turned the corner, an arrow struck him in the shoulder. "AH! G-Goblins!" He cried out, stepping back and readying his sword as best he could. Bow was already on it, launching a quartet of arrows in record time, each striking true and downing one of the little creatures suddenly charging at them.

Grayson watched from the hall as the three fought. After removing the arrow, Cleric cast a spell to heal the wound. Sword charged in once he was unhindered by the injury, slashing and cutting through waves of the small monsters. Goblins were hardly threatening or intelligent, throwing themselves at the group. However, they used swarm tactics, often relying more on sheer numbers. They also did not respect the rules of the trial, a small group approaching the wolf, crude weapons at the ready. "Really?" When one launched itself at him, he grabbed it by the neck, turning its head into paste as he slammed it on the wall beside him. A hard punch took out another, which he then used to batter the remaining three. He didn't even feel the need to draw his sword for this rabble. The other goblins seemed to get the idea and focused their attention on the trio that was less dangerous than the single wolf in the hall.

The three were doing a pretty good job. Though they were too focused ahead. One of the goblins moved around behind. Just as Cleric was about to cast a spell, a blade suddenly jammed into her back, bursting from her chest in a spray of blood. She cried out in pain, looking down at the metal sticking out of her body with shock. It was ripped free a second later, leaving her staring at the hole as her blood soaked through her robes. Her staff clattered to the ground, her trembling hands coming up. She slumped forward a moment later, making a few wet coughs before growing still.

Sword spun around as he heard the cry of pain. "EZ!" He launched forward, cleaving in half the goblin that had stabbed the mouse. He looked down at his friend, and for a moment, Grayson thought the raccoon was going to just let himself get overwhelmed by the grief, a fatal mistake. Instead, the raccoon let out a bellow of rage, the sound echoing around the chamber, so loud that the few remaining goblins flinched. The fight was over in seconds. Fueled by fury, Sword flew around the room in a frenzy of twirling metal and goblin blood. Grayson had seen this kind of berserker behavior before. Effective, but a double-edged sword that left someone blood drunk.

When the raccoon turned to Bow, he saw the look in his eyes, and so did she. She flinched back. Sword moved as if he was going to attack, and Grayson was just about to launch himself forward to stop it... but the young fighter stopped himself. He slumped forward, planting the tip of his sword on the floor and leaning on it like a cane. "Sorry..."

Bow reached out tentatively, touching the man's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, looking at the fallen mouse. "Yeah..." He looked up as Grayson stepped into the room. "What do we do with her?"

"Leave her here." He held up a hand before the others could object. "You can pick her body up when you come back through. Dragging her along with you now would just open you up to attacks." He got nods from the pair. "Don't worry. I'll move her into the hallway out of the way." For a moment, he was sure they were going to just call it here and give up.

Instead, Sword took a deep breath and turned to the hall leading out and further into the dungeon. "Alright. Let's finish this."

Bow nodded, stone-faced as she set her quiver back in a comfortable position. "For Ez." The two moved on, leaving their friend behind.

Grayson got a melancholy smile. It hurt to lose a friend, but this was a lesson they needed to learn. He crouched beside the fallen healer's body, hefting her up and over his shoulder. She was surprisingly light. He gently set her down in the hall, propped against a wall. "Sorry, princess. But I kinda knew you'd be the one to get yourself killed." He reached out and brushed the woman's chin. Her eyes were still open, staring at nothing behind him. "It's always the pretty ones, isn't it?"

" GRAYSON!" He shot up as he heard the panicked call by Sword. There was genuine panic and fear in the cry. He drew his sword and charged down the hallway. He rounded the corner and saw what the panic was about. A massive, snake-like creature had its tail wrapped around the fox, slowly crushing the woman. The top half, which resembled the form of a naked woman, just very reptilian, had two curved blades, one in each hand and crossed before her, easily holding off Sword's attack.

The vet drew his own sword. "What the fuck is a naga doing here!?"

The creature saw him charging in and bashed the younger swordsman away. "Mmmmore meat! Not assss fresh, but well aged!" She clashed her swords with his. "You brought mmmmme some ffffine morsssels!!"

Sword got up after being thrown away. He looked at Bow, who was trying to scream as she was crushed, but no sound came out. He growled and rushed in. "Let her go!" He ducked under a swing, slashing to the side and cutting deep into the snake's tail. The naga screamed in pain, writhing back away from him, dropping Bow onto the ground in the process. Grayson quickly grabbed the fox and pulled her away before holding his sword out again. The raccoon looked at him. "Do we run?"

"No. We have to take her down." He gripped his sword harder. "Monster like this CANNOT be allowed to get out."

"But this thing is way too strong for-"

Grayson stepped forward. "Kid, if we take this thing down, I'll personally sign your acceptance letter. Now shut up and get ready." He spared a moment to glance behind him. "You good to fight, fox?" Bow nodded as she got herself back to her feet unsteadily. She looked worse for wear, but ready enough. "Good. Don't hold back." With that, he charged forward again, Sword following with him. The two swung at her over and over, swords meeting as she nimbly parried the much heavier blades. Despite being so large, she was able to keep her body moving constantly, just barely avoiding any swings at it. Her hide was too tough for any of Bow's arrows to pierce, each bouncing off instead of sinking in.

The tail swung forward, catching the wolf under his guard and bashing into his chest. He cried out as he was sent flying away, tumbling over the ground. Sword managed to see an opening when she did, lashing out and cutting into her again. She cried out in pain, swinging her tail around to crash into the raccoon, pinning him to the floor. "WHELP! You dare cut me!?" She reached down to grab him by the neck, lifting him up off of the ground. "You are not worth food!"

The wolf pushed himself up in time to see a flash of magical energy in the naga's eyes. "NO!"

Sword let out a cry of pain, his body feeling cold, starting from his feet. Stone started to crawl up his legs as his flesh was petrified. "G-Gray... son!" He tried to call out, but the grip on his throat and the hardening of his chest made even breathing difficult. He gave the veteran a look of pure terror as the stone reached his neck. That was the look he was literally frozen with as his head petrified. The naga did not even spare a moment, tossing the raccoon's body against the wall. It shattered into rubble in an instant, pieces of what had been a promising young adventurer, now just gravel on the floor.

Grayson grit his teeth, bringing himself up to his feet. He moved closer to Bow. "How good is your aim?"

"Very... but it doesn't matter. Her hide is too strong! My bow isn't strong enough to-"

"Aim for her eyes." She looked at him, and he explained. "They're not covered in scales. They're vulnerable. And that magic is in her eyes. She'll have to wait a minute before she can do it again, but she will do it again. Blind her, and I can finish her off." The fox nodded, readying another arrow. "Good. I'll distract her." Without saying any more, he charged forward.

The naga faced him, swords at the ready. "Yourrrrr turn, old dog!" She caught his blade, then went on the offensive. He played like he was struggling to keep up with her as she chased him. "I will cut you into little piecesss!" He caught Bow moving in the corner of his vision, getting a good angle. "I will cook you in sssstew for din- AHHH!!" The naga suddenly screamed as a pair of arrows struck true, each piercing into an eye. She flinched back, screaming at the top of her lungs. "YOU BITCH!"

Grayson had to hop backward several times as the monster started to flail about. He ducked under a wild swing of the swords, parried another, then ducked again. "Get down!" The naga was swinging with wide, blind attacks as she careened around the room. Grayson was too busy trying to get behind her to watch Bow. He did not see as she failed to duck in time, or her body hit the ground a moment later. He was focused on lining his attack. He managed to get around the flailing monster, climbing up onto her back. He plunged his sword into her back, piercing straight through. The naga screamed, but he gave a great tug upwards, slicing the creature clean in half from just below her hips, his sword emerging beside her neck. The thing flopped onto the ground, twitching a few times before it quickly died.

The wolf let out a heavy breath, hopping off of the slain beast. "Ah... fuck. First time I've ever killed one of these things..." He wiped his brow. "Great job on those shots Bo...oh..." His words faded as he turned to see the fox. She lay on her belly in a pool of blood, her head having rolled a few feet away. He saw the look of shock and pain frozen on her face as it stared up at the ceiling. He sighed. "Ah... fuck." He stashed his sword on his back, then made his way over to the fallen fox. He gently picked her head up. "I'm sorry, kid. I really thought you'd be the one to make it through this..."

He reached down to pick her body up, hefting it over his shoulder. Another job of the veteran escort was to carry out the bodies of those that didn't make it, if the team was not able to. He did not bother trying to collect any of the raccoon's pieces, though. He carried the fox back to the hall where he had left Cleric, setting her down beside the mouse. He sat down beside the two, letting out a long sigh. He held up Bow's head, brushing fingers against her chin. "You probably would have made it if not for that damned naga." He smiled to himself. "Well. I do get to enjoy one last perk of this whole escort thing." He brought the fox's mouth close, giving it a gentle kiss. "Not like you mind, eh?"

He reached down to start unbuckling his pants, giving them a slight tug down. He did not bother to remove them entirely, just push them enough that his cock sprang free. "Don't tell anyone about this, okay? Sleeping with candidates is against the rules." He brought the fox's head down, resting the tip of his shaft against her slack tongue. He was not quite all the way hard yet, but quickly getting there. Bobbing the woman's head along his shaft certainly helped. Soon, he was fully rigid, letting out a soft moan as he stuffed himself into her muzzle. "Fucking bodies like this is also against the rules, but... it'll be our secret, okay?"

He played with the head for a few minutes, but he wanted to do more than just that. A blowjob wasn't quite as fun with a limp mouth for him. Pulling Bow's head off, he set it down gently. "Let's see wh- oh..." he was about to start pulling the fox's leather armor off when he saw the dampness between her legs, the woman having pissed herself when her head was removed. "Ugh... sorry, love. Not a fan of that..." He instead looked at the mouse. He glanced at Bow's head. "What do you bet she's still a virgin?" He moved over and grabbed the hem of her robes. "Let's find out."

He pulled the robes open, exposing the mouse's body. Rather than bother taking off the thin shirt under, he just used his knife to cut through it. Free of the fabric, her hefty tits bounced free, though blood had soaked into much of the white fur. He still gave those breasts a firm squeeze. "Bet you'd be giving me a real stern talking to if you could see this, princess." He chuckled, squeezing the tits hard, then letting his hands trail down. He pulled her thin pants away, exposing the slit hidden between her legs. "Hrmm... guess there's no point in foreplay, is there?"

He laid the mouse on her back, scooting himself between her legs. He grabbed his shaft to line his tip up with her cool lips, then just pushed forward. He barely got in before he felt something blocking his way. "Ha! Called it! You holier-than-thou types are either total prudes, or complete sluts. No in-between." He pulled back, only to plunge himself deep and rip through her virgin barrier. "Ah... there you go..." He pushed deep, moaning. "Nice and tight, even cold."

He did not bother starting gentle. He grabbed her hips and started thrusting himself as deep as he could. Each time his hips hit hers, it made her tits bounce and jiggle and flop about. He enjoyed watching them. He grunted and thrust harder as he felt his knot starting to slowly swell at his base. He did nothing to hold back, enjoying the tight pussy around his throbbing shaft. He had all the time in the world to have another go if he wanted later. Right now, he wanted to fill the self-righteous cleric to the brim.

His knot grew, until he struggled to get it back inside. He started to grunt, gripping her hips harder. "C'mon, girl. Take it!" He shoved forward, feeling her stretching, but not enough. Finally, he forced himself in, his knot locking him deep into her. He cried out, her pussy almost too tight around him, squeezing hard. He threw his head back and howled as he came, blasting a heavy load deep into the dead pussy. Shot after shot sprayed into her, filling her just as he wanted. He pumped his hips a few more times, though he was quite stuck for the moment.

He leaned forward, resting his head between her tits. "Ah... fuck... I needed that." He tried to pull back, but winced. There was no way he was ripping himself free without hurting himself. "Damn... you got a tight grip, Staff." He glanced back to see Bow's head where he left it. "Don't worry. I'll clean you up and give you a proper fucking later." He smiled. He was definitely going to be blasting a load down that exposed throat the first chance he got. That was a rare treat. For now, he would have to wait.

"Y'know, maybe this whole newbie escort thing ain't so bad..."

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