Snow frowned. She threw the newspaper onto the table, rubbing her forehead.

She wasn't too thrilled with what had happened, but what could she do but watch as the event took place. Something was going on out in the world.

It has been over a month since the fight against the Wendigo. The population of the Hunters has increased to the point a large community was growing inside the first floor. The clearing of the boss had kept the monsters that appeared under control, giving it a good place for easy money and collection.

The people got used to the dungeon life, clearing the floors at an astounding rate one after another. She knew that the Players were growing, and their growth was mind-numbing freaky. It was almost as if they were fueled by magic alone in helping them grow at such an exponential rate.

In two weeks, the Players and the Hunters worked together to clear the second to the third floor quickly. They made their way into the fifth floor at the end of the third week. Eventually, the sixth floor was cleared a week later, when the excited Hunters boisterous appeared early morning, cheering in excitement as a large group of Players came waltzing in the village as a dog-like creature pulled a makeshift sled. She could easily see the size of the body of the monster was three times the size of their own, making it into a small giant.

It was a feathered monster, resembling a Roc. She had heard stories on how they shot it down from the sky and killed in a fatal blow.

Still, the days went by slowly. Snow was busy managing the Dragon Express team as it steadily grew to accommodate the growing population of the Players. The business was booming; she felt pleased at the weekly income that fattened her pocket and the companies.

Heather came over, flopping onto Snow. Snow, who was busy with the papers, was suddenly pushed halfway down onto the table because of Heather's weight and her chest squishing her head.

"Heather." Snow placed her pen down. She had used some strength to keep herself from not being squashed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm bored."

"We got work to finish."

"Yea, but I feel stuffy."

"Then go out for a walk."

"But!"

Snow pushed Heather off her head, where Heather flopped off and rolled around on her desk.

She then stopped, looking up at her friend. Her hand reached upwards, shuffling Heather's hair. In a bolt, Heather got up, scowling at her.

Heather quickly fixed her hair and even pressed her clothes as she straightened up. "You know I hate that."

"I know." Snow replied with a pleased expression.

"I thought so."

With a clap of her hands, Snow stretched. She needed a few minutes to break as the day was long and aching to her back. She felt a bit hunched for looking down at her work for too long that she could feel the building up of a neck pain starting to form.

"A few minutes break isn't so bad."

Elated, Heather came over and wrapped around her hand in between her arms. "Good. I got some great places we should go out and sightsee."

"Sightsee? I don't know about that."

"Come on, Snow. You are like an old maiden, squirreling away in your home and work. You need to go out and live your life."

"I thought I am." Snow was confused at Heather's statement. She wasn't the type to go out partying, which was a once in a blue moon occurrence.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Exactly, we need you to find yourself a date."

Snow gave her a horrified expression. "What do you mean a date? You know I've been single for literally five years now. I don't need no man in my life."

It wasn't that she didn't like men; it was more on the line that she was too busy to entertain herself with such thought. Plus, every man who came up to her didn't interest her in the slightest.

"You know, this is why you would die a single life."

"No." Snow raised her hand to Heather's lips. "I have a vision of where I want to go in my life, Heather. You know this. I got things I need to accomplish, plans I need to come to fruition. Have you forgotten I want to travel the world and help people and animals?"

"Yes. You did." Heather pulled a bit away. "But you are going in that same repetitive cycle of staying at home and being a shut-in, which" She motioned around her, "you are using this place as an excuse to dive into your scared little world."

"I am not scared." Snow huffed, getting a bit offended.

"Don't lie to yourself. I have known you since you were a kid. Your tendency when you get scared is to shut yourself in the room and use excuses. Now tell me, how are you any different from back at the other store?" Heather placed her hand on her hips. "There must be something in your heart that is screaming that this is only a small slice of your pie that you want to accomplish in life. The flaming passion that keeps you awake at night. I know you. You are a dedicated person who has a fantastic drive when you put your mind to it. "

Snow thought over what Heather had said. She knew that she was using the cover of the Dragon Express workload to busy her mind and tell herself that she is doing it for the greater good. But in all honesty, Snow was scared. Scared to die in this dungeon, she knew nothing about as she slowly but surely uncovered dark hidden secrets.

Uncomfortably, she shifted, picking her nails. The false nobility that she put on her heart ate her slowly away. She felt ashamed at the thought that crept in her mind as she realized that there were parts of her, she kept hidden away. Apart from the world, that many couldn't see but herself and her best friend.

"You're stressed." Heather pointed out towards Snow. "You pick your fingernails whenever you're thinking about things. Instead, let's go and release that pent up stress and clear our mind. A double date or maybe even exploring around the dungeon should help you relax. Plus, I'm bored as well. Not going to lie about it. Both of us can get in some kind of trouble once in a while." She smirked as a hint of mischief dazzled in her eyes.  

Heather grabbed her hand; she pulled her towards the door. With a jolt, all the looming thoughts were thrown out the window as the calm aura of her friend's presence calmed her disordered thinking. She felt grateful for having a friend like her, who helped her become a bit more outgoing and confident in herself.

Just when they were going to go out, a knock on the door was heard. Both of Snow and Heather froze, wondering who it was as they went back into their professional pose. The door creaked open. An elderly bald man with black suits came walking in with a smile on his face. Snow wondered who this was, but when she saw the large paper in hand with the Dragon Express Seal, she knew that he was a Messenger.

The older man gave her a paper for her to sign.

Taking it, she quickly signed and ripped open the envelope. Her eyes darted through the few couple of lines that made her want to chuck the paper across the room.

"He asked for something irresponsible again, didn't he?" Heather spoke up, already knowing the difference in her friend's body language.

"He wants me to go deeper into the dungeon and find a possible location for a second shop. It's not his orders. It's the higher-ups."

Eventually, Snow let go of the thought, and she breathed in and out. "It's alright." She said with a bit more pep in her talk. "I'll use this opportunity to explore. I think I know what I'll do." She nodded. Her plan quickly formed.

Heather was curious at her strange behavior, wondering what plans Snow had in her mind. She couldn't help, but maybe she lit a fire under Snow's heart.

"Heather, do you remember you telling me that you had a way to get me to go deeper into the dungeon without any problems?"

Curiously, she gazed at Heather, wondering what she was going to say. "Yea?"

"I'm going to need it now."

"I can get one of the mages to work on it."

"Good, can you get it as soon as possible?"

"You're in that much of a hurry?"

"Yea. I think this will help me out immensely." Snow nodded; she headed towards the room where all the supplies were. Grabbing up a digital watch, she clicked a few buttons as it whirled into life. She then went towards the storage room, taking a look into the inventory as she started to make a large amount of supplies.

"You're going to go now?"

"No, just getting ready. I'll leave tomorrow." Snow grabbed a bag of water bottles and dried food, storing them away in her watch. "Let me just quickly put the items away for today and then we will go out."

Heather groaned. "You could do this later."

"Yea, just give me an hour, and I promise. We will go."

"Fine." Heather crossed her arms, throwing her lush hair back. "No, take backs."

"Yea." Snow chuckled, shaking her head at her friend's cute words.

This time, she felt a stirring of excitement at exploring. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to see the dungeon and find a way out of this dungeon life. There was too much at stake with her life, and she did not want to stay here, waiting for things to happen.