"Can't believe we actually managed to kill-off a horde of this magnitude" - Bob suddenly said, after the looting process was done and both sides managed to gather a share. To each according to their capabilities. And fast reflexes - "Your skills proved exceedingly useful as well, glad we brought you along. Though some had...questionable use" - He finished, glancing at Wails satchel and money bag.

Greed. Contempt. Envy. Wail's companions were still bandits, no matter how much intimacy he gained with them. Even though it rose remarkably after the successful battle, it did not seem to help. A greedy bunch, no matter the circumstance. They'll covet everything and everywhere. Surprising how they managed to remain so shockingly poor. You'd think that after obsessing over gold and glory every single day - one would find ways to actually reach at least some measurable amount of wealth or status. Certain conclusions could be made due to that - regarding this bunch.

"We should continue deeper in. I'm sure this was just the welcoming party" - Wail said, after replying with a sinister smirk. His colleague’s displeasure only served in lifting his mood. And there was quite a bit of lifting remaining - since the enormous loss constantly drilled at his skull. So much potential profit melted into uselessness…

Bob agreed to the idea with a frown, though his colleagues needed a little talking-in. Recent events did shake them up quite a bit, and the idea of something worse did not motivate them much. In the end, the fact that they leveled up and managed to grab an item or two served as drive to go on. More riches and experiences awaited them. Prospects of achieving their dreams of wealth and power – something they clearly weren’t able to do until now. Be it due to a lack of capability or luck. Or both.  

Once the party returned to the spacious expanse – they did not receive the same greeting. Instead, a number of goblins were scattered here and there, idly crawling around the floor with no visible purpose in sight. By the looks of it - the sudden swarm attack was a little gift to its’ first visitors. Quite a welcoming.

They remained there for a time, spending it hunting down small groups of critters. Gathering experience, loot and most importantly – self-confidence and courage. Wail’s greedy-bunch of bandits no longer shook in fear and managed to properly fight the goblins. Sometimes even singlehandedly. Their old rusted weapons were now replaced with various steel swords and such. Though Wail didn’t get anything useful. Another strange tome, a belt for warriors – which he couldn’t even equip. A waste of space. But he did manage to snag a few coins right under his colleagues’ nose. Which resulted in…

Your intimacy with Bob and his fellows has fallen. They are unhappy over your recent actions.

Wail had no intentions of letting his fellow outlaws’ profit, while his coffers remain empty. Their priorities crashed. Conflicts were emerging. Wail’s leadership was high enough to take the lead in almost everything, but it wasn’t high enough to dominate the will of money-hungry goons. Not enough to suppress his colleagues’ interests. It didn’t matter much, of course. At least to Wail. He would not sacrifice his own well-being for something as uncertain as friendship or companionship. Anyone who threatened it, were hindrances – and he had a way to deal with such. All in due time.

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They spent at least a day hunting and getting ready to delve deeper into the unknown of the dungeon. Morale at the highest peak, the expanse completely explored. It was time.

Wail approached a crude bridge made of rock - that hung over a bottomless pit, leading who-knows how deep. Perhaps it had no bottom, though neither Wail nor his fellow outcasts were planning on putting the theory to the test.

Beyond the bridge - a huge broken down gate awaited them. Its’ large doors barely holding onto rusted hinges. Not a single enemy in sight. No room for doubt, the party continued onwards toward it. No movement, no sound – just the echoes of their footsteps. Didn’t this situation happen before?

Suddenly, sounds of screeching metal echoed loudly, followed by an ear-numbing crash as the rusted-through doors finally gave out. The passage of time finally won another victory, another mark on the endless board of past victories. Unsteady on their feet, the group balanced themselves as the bridge shook and cracked under their feet – a tense pause following as everyone froze up in trepidation. Luckily, the bridge did not collapse. Though every single member of the group felt cold sweat run down their backs. Descending into the seemingly bottomless below, did not seem like a pleasant prospect. 

A few more moments passed in ominous silence and just as Wail and the rest were about to lower their guards – what was to be expected, finally happened. A familiar noise echoed all around them. Groaning, clattering of iron, scratching and other indistinguishable sounds. Quite a racket. Surely - enough to wake the whole neighborhood, if it wasn’t awake already.

All around, did the racked echo and all around, they saw shapes and figures moving and scrambling about, on the rocks and cliffs. Most of them, though, seemed to be sprinting from behind. Where the heck did they come from so soon? Wail did not have enough time to be skeptical of the design. After all – things were looking pretty grim. Knowing from previous experience, the goblins, due to their single-minded nature, would not simply stop and exchange pleasantries once caught up to Wail’s group. And the bridge seemed quite narrow, with no protective railing in sight.

Running like mad through the broken-down gate seemed like the only feasible option. That or just plummeting down into the nothingness that lied below them. First choice it is, then!

Wail started casting Inferno and after a few seconds released its’ fury right in front of the swarm, turning its’ vanguard into a band of bright candles. Seeing their brethren in such a predicament, the rest managed to barely stop their advance - which accomplished Wail’s hopes. Surely - this hurt Wail more than it hurt the goblins. All that precious loot...

"Let's get the hell out of here! If we stay here, they'll run us over!" – The greedy magician shouted, and since his colleagues shared his fears, the five ran through the gates into who-knows-what.

They ran like the wind - passing closed doors, collapsed passages and detours. Always in a straight line - with the goblins hot on their tail. Desperately, Wail kept casting Inferno behind, whenever able. Sadly - all it did was slow their pursuers down. Things didn't look too good, though they were lucky enough not to encounter any other living obstacles. Most of the time. All that changed during the last moments of the chase – for an outwardly unthreatening individual barged their way.

Between them and a pair of large doors that led into a slightly lighted opening - he stood. An apparition of pale skin and worn attire. Covered in rusted through pieces of metal, worn over torn leather – the figure stood there almost like a statue. The only indication of life being a slight turn of the head, as it regarded the swiftly approaching guests. Right hand shifting as if to more tightly grip the brittle looking broadsword it carried. By the looks of it - days of glory have long passed for this sad excuse for a guard and Wail didn’t feel like slowing down one bit. No disrespect, surely.

"None.Shall.Pass!" – The apparition then shouted after slowly turning towards his guests – its’ voice carried far and loudly, contrary to what would be expected. It wasn't much, though. Nor did it have any effect.  Before the words were even finished, the group already ran past him and barred the doors shut. Wide-eyed the guardian turned to look at the closed doors. Obviously, this has never happened to him before. Not only that, but a thundering noise approached from behind - with amazing speed. As the guard turned once again, its’ eyes went even wider. Only for a moment though. Since the goblin swarm quickly ran over the wronged sentinel and slammed itself into the doors with all the momentum that was mustered over the long chase.

The doors groaned. Loudly.