That was derp, now back to the story

As John pushed Jack and Toph away, he scowled at Ilis. “Do you have to put it like that?” he asked in a pained tone. Even if he looked upset, the grin didn’t leave his lips for even a second. For the first time since he joined the Abyss, things had gone well! For the first time in his career as a fledgeling hunter, John had managed to feel like the powerful badass he dreamed he’d become. He looked at the scorched cavern; the smoke heavy was on his lungs even through his mask but it couldn’t stop him from throwing his hands into the air and letting out a loud, resonant cheer. “I FUCKING DID IT!” He actually cackled after cheering, causing Toph and Jack to look at each other, then at John and eventually at Ilis. The latter shook her head but didn’t comment. Apparently at least somewhat understanding of the joy John felt.

The dwarf in question headed for the droids John and his pets had taken down, starting to gather the materials as John had advised her to. As she put on an appraising monocle and took some tools from her apron, John finally had time to deal with the flurry of screens just begging for his attention at the sides of his vision.

Forgemaster Troj-non defeated
1 / 3 bosses defeated

Langtand queen defeated
Secret boss defeated

Skill level up: Boring Shot
Mana rotation speed increased by five percent, your arrows cut through layers of armor faster

Skill level up: Wild Form
+1 charge of Primal Rage

Skill level up: Beast Mastery
New skill for Toph: Earthen Drain. Any earth attacks made by Toph that connect regain 2 energy for both of you

Skill level up: Hawk Eye
Will now show weaknesses in enemies 15 meters away, up from 10.

Skill level up: Marking Shot
You can now have two marks up at the same time

Skill level up: Opportunist
Recharge time between kills reduced by 10 seconds

You have leveled up
You have leveled up
You have leveled up

John’s mind was reeling with the amount of level up messages he got. However, it didn’t end there.

Class rank increased. More than half of your class skills have reached level two, Ranger of the Wilds rank two unlocked.

New Class Skill: Freedom Leap

Jump back skill lvl times 3 meters and get a 20% speed boost for 2 seconds after landing. Skill requires at least one foot on solid ground to be used.
Cost: 20 energy

Achievement unlocked: Two cool for school
Defeat two bosses within seconds of each other
Reward: One guaranteed legendary drop from either loot table

John, being the gamer he was, immediately used his new ability, power filling his legs as he leaped backwards, landing lightly on his feet. A grin played over his lips under the mask. Already starting to think about incorporating this new ability into his skillset. “That should at least make up for my, ehm, well, lack of melee skill,” John muttered as he took a few quick steps, feeling his body brimming with energy. The speed boost no doubt was able to give him a good head start if a fight turned south. His smile turned more pained as he recalled the many times it had already gone badly for him so far. But, if today proved anything, he’d be seeing some changes to that in the near future.

John then looked over at Ilis, when he noticed she was still looting the corpses of the robots. John pulled the gem the queen had been guarding from his inventory. It looked to be just a pretty gem that filled his hand. But something about it… seemed off. Just as John wanted to cast Observe on it, it managed to slip out of his hand.

“I could swear it moved,” John muttered as he in reflex grabbed at the falling gem. This time, however, the gem actively changed shape in mid air, dodging John’s hand. John was now getting frustrated when the gemstone actually started morphing, turned into a small snake like creature and tried to get away.

“Toph, Jack! Help me out here for a second,” John called out, casting Observe on the slowly slithering crystal. He was apprehensive, but also slightly amused. He thought that, if the crystal was going to do something to harm them, it would have done something during the fight. Perhaps it was sentient? Sapient? John never remembered which was which.

Symbiotic Crystal (Saphire)
One of the five remaining symbiotes of the cobalt mountains. When outsiders entered the mountains, the symbiotes formed a symbiotic pact with the leaders of the species of the mountain range. With the langtand queen dead, the crystal is looking for a new host. Due to the pollution of Wyxeltrax, the symbiote is currently in a weakened state.

As John reached down to pick it up again, the crystal almost seemed to jump out of the way. John could have sworn he heard a shrill cry from the crystal, prompting him to stop. Toph, however, didn’t. The pangolin, called over by John, looked curiously at the crystal and let out a soft peep.

The crystal responded by slithering over to Toph quickly, slowly morphing forms into a miniature version of Toph. As Toph peeped at it again, she put her paw forward, waving the other claw at John to tell him to back off.

John, bemused by the turn of events, told Jack, “If it looks like it’s hurting Toph, you’re free to put those anti magic claws of yours to work. But for now, let’s watch.”

The leopard yawned and extended its claws, but did as instructed, waiting alongside John as the crystalline pangolin extended its claw at Toph’s too.

And just like that, the pact was sealed. As the claws touched, the blue gemstone wrapped itself around Toph’s claws. The pangolin let out a soft peep, using her other claw to pat the gemstone’s head, rubbing it to calm it down. Moments passed, then a resonant sound echoed through the cave, akin to glass breaking. After which the crystal started to flow over Toph’s claw and onto her body. It slowly started to spread over her scales and skin in what seemed to be a thin film.

As John looked on in worry, a new notification popped up in front of his face.

Toph has formed a bond with the hardening sapphire symbiote, her toughness has increased. As Toph grows stronger, so will the symbiote. You can increase the growth by freeing the remaining crystals from Wyxeltrax’ grasp.

New Quest!
There and back again
Collect all symbiotes of the cobalt mountains
Symbiotes collected 1/5

John pumped his fist as he grinned. “Awesome! Symbiotes now too, hm? Klyntar will have nothing on you!” The moment of jubilation, however, was cut short when a loud swishing sound was heard from the mouth of the cave.

John, on instinct more than anything, casted his newest skill. Jumping back only to see a chained hammer strike the spot he had just been standing on. John’s gaze followed the chain, and both Toph and Jack got ready for yet another round of combat as John’s mouth dropped open.