The Luminous Glade was a sanctuary within the verdant hell, a serenity that was paradoxical to the chaos of the dungeon. The warm afterglow of their triumph lingered, fuelling their spirits for the impending challenges.
"Keep your wits about you," Thorian warned, his golden eyes reflecting the phosphorescent light. "The Quicksand Marsh is treacherous. One wrong step and you could be sinking into oblivion."
His words echoed, casting a somber veil over the camaraderie. They nodded, acknowledging the gravity of their next challenge, before venturing into the labyrinth.
The contrast between the tranquillity of the Luminous Glade and the eerie desolation of the Quicksand Marsh was stark. The ground beneath their feet turned soft and treacherous, the air filled with a decaying stench, while the distant moans of the Marsh’s inhabitants broke the ominous silence.
The group advanced cautiously, eyes alert, and weapons ready. Thorian's hands glowed, preparing to conjure flames at a moment's notice. Suddenly, the ground beneath Saxum gave way, quicksand threatening to swallow him.
"Nox, a hand here!" Saxum called out. The Shadowstalker responded with lightning reflexes, his lithe figure darting forward, arm extended. His strong grip closed around Saxum’s wrist, pulling him free from the deadly trap.
"Thanks, mate," Saxum nodded, his eyes reflecting his gratitude.
The group continued on their way through the dangerous marsh, making sure to avoid the spots that looked too soft or shifty.
"Nox, what's the lead look like?" Thorian called out, breaking the ominous silence of the Marsh.
The black kobold had ventured ahead, scouting for the safest path. "This way," he gestured, guiding them around a particularly large and menacing Venus Flytrap.
The group complied, keeping their steps light and wary. As the earth gave a little beneath their weight, Ventus voiced his concerns. "This terrain doesn't suit me well, King. Too much earth, not enough air," he quipped.
A soft chuckle rumbled from Saxum, easing the tension. "Don't worry, featherfoot. If you start sinking, Nox would quickly come and save you."
Their banter was cut short when Nox suddenly held up a hand, signaling them to halt. "Armored Beetle, right at the front," he whispered, eyes narrowed at the approaching threat.
Ventus stepped forward, hands crackling with energy. "Leave this to me," he murmured, his gaze focused. With a swift movement, he extended a hand. "Wind Gust!"
A rush of wind erupted from his palms, catching the beetle off guard and flinging it sideways into a waiting flytrap. The plant snapped shut in an instant, trapping the beetle within its maw.
"You really wanted to show off with that one" Saxum rolled his eyes, while Ventus laughed sheepishly in response. The earth magus then looked to the others, a note of caution in his voice, "But we must remain vigilant. More creatures lurk in the shadows."
As if on cue, the earth beneath them began to ripple, the muddy surface bulging as creatures that looked like a giant mix of leeches and worms emerged. "On your guard!" Thorian warned, his hands already aflame.
With the ground beneath them threatening to turn into a mass of writhing worms, Nox lunged at the nearest one, his axe slicing through its segmented body with ease. Ventus, aided by Saxum, manipulated the air and earth in perfect synchronization, causing the worms to lose balance, making them easy targets.
"We have to move. Now!" Thorian commanded, leading the group through the marsh towards the safety of solid ground.
"Be ready," Thorian warned, his gaze narrowing at the uneven terrain of the shifting mounds all around them. His words echoed in the eerie silence, casting a tense air over the group.
"Something's moving," Nox whispered, his silver eyes glowing eerily in the dim light as he focused on a writhing mound. His hands tightened around his axe, prepared for the imminent attack.
Suddenly, a giant worm burst forth from the ground, lunging at Saxum with its jaws wide open. The earth magus, reacting quickly, thrust his palm out. "Rock Bullet."
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Saxum’s conjured spell flew toward the incoming enemy, piercing through it instantly. The attacking worm, dead on impact, fell back into another set of mounds. More worms burst from the disturbed ground, hissing angrily.
"Looks like we've found the nest," Saxum muttered, backing up against the group as they formed a defensive circle. Thorian's hands were aflame, casting a flickering glow across their grim faces.
"I don't like this," Nox whispered, his gaze flitting nervously over the uneven terrain of the Shifting Mounds. "Too many places for things to hide."
Hearing Nox’s assessment, Thorian smiled. I am not doing much, but this is perfect. Their group dynamics are shaping up well.
“That is true,” Thorian agreed with Nox, his golden eyes glowing in the eerie twilight as they scanned their surroundings. "Remember, nothing in this dungeon is as it seems. We need to stay alert and—"
Suddenly, more worms burst from the mounds around them, their bodies writhing and hissing in anger.
"Looks like we've roused the nest," Ventus remarked dryly, his hands crackling with energy.
Just as the wind magus was primed to cast a Gale Slash, Thorian intervened.
"Ventus, what do you say to setting this entire place ablaze?"
The wind kobold's eyebrows knit together in initial confusion before his face brightened with comprehension. "You mean to try that combo, King? It's been a while!"
"Pick a target," Thorian chuckled, his voice ringing with anticipation. "Let's purify this forsaken realm."
"Right away, King!" Ventus responded with a grin, cracking his knuckles in preparation. He pinpointed a cluster of squirming mounds, and both Thorian and the wind magus began to summon their spells.
Ventus's Wind Gust bolted towards its target, while Thorian’s fireball trailed hot on its heels. As the elements intermingled, the fireball morphed into a cascading wave of flames.
The worms emitted high-pitched shrieks as they attempted to flee from their nests, but to no avail. The raging inferno swiftly reduced them to ashes.
"Again!" Thorian ordered, and the pair readied their spells once more. As they methodically incinerated the predatory leeches, the chorus of shrieks and squeals rose to a fever pitch. The discordant cacophony was filled with inhuman cries that lacked sympathy, yet managed to elicit an instinctive, primal reaction from the heart.
Amidst this tumultuous cacophony, an unexpected notification resonated in Thorian's ear.
Level up!
Already? Thorian frowned before checking his status screen. Display Panel.
Level: 13/30 (exp: 237/1500)
Is it because of the double rewards? Thorian’s lips curved into a smile. Hunting is first and foremost a dungeon activity. What we had been doing up until now was simply the poor man’s version.
While pondering inwardly, Thorian's gaze scanned his teammates. They all seemed absorbed with invisible screens hovering before them.
"Ah, I've leveled up twice," Saxum noted casually. "How did that happen?"
"Wait, what?" Ventus interjected, surprised. "I've leveled up twice too, but how did you manage that? It doesn't make sense."
"I've leveled up as well," Nox chimed in, "Not twice, but I'm close to another level up."
"The reason is that we're in a dungeon," Thorian provided an explanation. “The experience points are all shared between us. That way, even those with a supportive role get to reap the rewards.”
"I wish I could support you, but I'm just a liability," the priest sighed in self-deprecation. "Could you guys pretend to be injured so I can heal you? At least that way, I'd feel a bit more useful."
“Don’t worry, mate. I got you!” Ventus reassured him, flashing a thumbs up that only added salt to the injury.
Meanwhile, Saxum shook his head, a wry smile betraying his amusement as he looked at the priest. "I didn't realize you had that side to you," he commented. His tone might have suggested disappointment, but his expression revealed his true sentiments.
As the group continued their friendly banter, Thorian's ears perked up. He shot a glance towards the black kobold, recognizing a similar hint of disquiet reflected in his eyes.
"Nox, can you scout ahead?"
With a nod, Nox darted forward, his lithe figure quickly disappearing among the Shifting Mounds. The others waited, their gazes scanning their surroundings, their hands tightly gripping their weapons. The stillness was only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves or a distant creature's cry.
Suddenly, Nox returned, his face grave. "We have a problem," he announced, his silver eyes darting uneasily towards a particular mound. "There's something big over there."
Before anyone could respond, the mound he had pointed at started shaking violently. With a deafening roar, a monstrous figure burst out from the ground, sending chunks of earth flying in all directions. As the dust settled, a creature, unlike any they had encountered before, stood before them.
Its body was massive, its fur had a sickly green tint, and large fungi sprouted from its back. Its roar echoed in the air, sending a chill down their spines.
However, while everyone was surprised by the arrival of the new creature, Thorian grinned. So you finally showed yourself, Fungal Bear.