As the two stepped into the dungeon, they were met by the scent of mildew and ancient dirt as a slight breeze carrying stale air blew past them. The stone walls, jagged and rough, seemed to close around them, their surfaces cold. Illuminating the darkness, clusters of bio-luminescent fungi clung to the rocks, casting an eerie blue glow. These fungi pulsed gently as if breathing, their light creating ghostly, shifting patterns on the cavern walls.

The faint illumination was just enough to reveal the treacherous path ahead. The floor was littered with uneven stones and shallow pools of stagnant water that rippled occasionally, disturbed by unseen movements. Interspersed among the fungi, glowing crystals jutted from the walls and ceiling, their radiant hues ranging from deep azure to pale cerulean.

These crystals emitted a soft, soothing light, their facets refracting and scattering beams of luminescence that danced across the cavern in an otherworldly display. The light from the crystals mingled with the fungi's glow, creating a mesmerizing interplay of blues that bathed the entire dungeon in an unearthly aura. The deeper they ventured, the more the entrance sound faded, replaced by the echoing water drips and the distant, unsettling skittering of unseen creatures.

Shadows lurked at the edges of the light, flickering and shifting as if alive, adding to the dungeon's oppressive, haunted atmosphere. Despite the beauty of the glowing fungi and crystals, an undercurrent of danger was palpable, a reminder that this place was not merely a wonder to behold but a perilous challenge to survive.

“Let’s take some of these crystals. They might be worth something,” Noah mentioned as he reached over and broke loose a few storing them in his satchel.

Emberfang suddenly became tense as he sensed a mysterious presence and a movement in the shadows ahead.

“Noah, stay on guard. I sense a presence. Something is moving through the shadows ahead of us,” Emberfang warned as his voice resonated in Noah’s head.

“Okay, let’s stay ready then. You can change for now; we are hidden in here.” Noah said as he pulled his sword from its sheath.

Emberfang’s small form grew. His innocent demeanor reverted to the original, fierce dire wolf he truly was.

They slowly made their way deeper into the shadows, Noah’s sword barely casting a faint, dimly lit red light, outlining the runes that enchanted it.

“We need a light source bad,” Noah said as he tore a piece of his shirt and wrapped it around a pile of bio-luminescent fungi.

Holding their new light source in his left hand, Noah held it above their heads as they continued to dive deeper into the dungeon, the light pulsating ever slightly.

Suddenly, a quickened scuffle of small feet pattered across the cavern floor as something dispersed, surrounding Noah and Emberfang.

“This is it, Noah. Be ready!” Emberfang warned as a handful of creatures emerged from the shadows charging and leaping toward them.

In a surge of instinct, the two used offensive skills simultaneously.

“Flame Burst!” Noah chanted, activating a magic skill, and set the immediate area on fire. Flames licked, scorching the walls and the ground, incinerating most of the creatures on his side; the blast from a fireball sent the remnants of them flying in panic.

“Fierce Slash!” Emberfang shouted, activating a physical skill as he slashed his way through the advancing creatures. Blood sprayed from their wounds as it painted the walls and the ground in a formidable display of strength.

The creatures fell back, regrouping as they planned their next move. They gripped their small hand-crafted weapons and glared menacingly toward the two of them as their figures became known.

“Kobolds!” Emberfang exclaimed as he readied himself.

Noah examined the monsters carefully. “These creatures look just like my RPG game descriptions! This is wild!” he thought hysterically as he finally made out the HUD above one of them.

-[ Kobold ]- Level: 20 Gender: ? Race: Riptilian Class: Warrior Location: Current dungeon, narrow cavern walkway.

The creatures were reptilian in origin, with small, sharp claws and teeth gleaming in the dim light. They were barely covered in makeshift light armor. Half of them carried small bucklers and stone axes, and most fought using their own claws.

Suddenly, a movement behind him broke his thoughts, and one of them leaped from the shadows to flank them.

Noah spun around, his sword gleaming as he slashed toward the creature, severing its head from its shoulders.

“These creatures are small and low-level! Regular attacks will kill them! We don’t need to use our skills on them!” Emberfang exclaimed, slashing and biting his way through the small horde of Kobolds.

Noah joined in beside Emberfang, swinging his sword as he cut through their defenses with little effort, defeating two in one blow. As the last of the creatures fell, the area grew silent. The last kobold dropped, defeated, its armor and equipment clanging on the cavern floor as it settled.

“That was sure intense for a small group of kobolds,” Noah said, walking up to one of the deceased creatures.

Noah knelt cautiously beside the fallen kobold, his eyes examining the small, reptilian creature. The kobold's skin was a mix of earthy browns and dark greens, its scales glinting faintly in the dim blue light of the glowing makeshift lantern of fungi Noah held above it. Its body was lean and wiry, built for agility rather than brute strength, its muscles visible beneath its tough hide. The creature's head was disproportionately large compared to its body, with a tapered snout and sharp, yellowed teeth protruding from its mouth. Its eyes, now lifeless, were a vibrant, almost hypnotic amber, slit like a serpent's.

Small, curved horns protruded from its head, adding to its menacing appearance. Noah noted the kobold's hands, which were more like claws, with elongated fingers ending in sharp, curved talons. These claws, he realized, were not just for climbing or digging but were formidable weapons. The kobold wore a crude loincloth made from rough-spun fabric and bits of leather alongside a few pieces of mismatched armor, likely scavenged from previous victims or fallen comrades. Around its neck hung a necklace of bones and small, polished stones, perhaps a talisman or a symbol of its rank within the Kobold tribe.

The creature's long and whip-like tail lay limp on the ground, covered in small, bony ridges that suggested it could be used both for balance and as a weapon. Examining the kobold further, Noah noticed faint, intricate patterns etched into its scales, almost like tribal markings or a form of primitive camouflage. Despite its smaller size, the kobold exhibited an aura of fierceness and cunning, a reminder of the danger even small foes could pose in these treacherous dungeons.

“I wonder what we could run into next?” Noah questioned as he stood up, looking at Emberfang. Let’s keep going, but be ready for anything,” Noah ordered as he gripped his sword and pressed on beside Emberfang.

The two trudged deeper into the dark cavernous dungeon, their footsteps echoing off the arrow walls as they advanced. Making their way to a wider opening, they peered out into the abyss, trying to recognize any signs of structures or pathways.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“This room seems to be very spacious. Let’s stay close to each other and examine each side cautiously,” Noah suggested as Emberfang nodded. As they walked down the left side of the room, Noah noticed a bunch of slime covering the walls and the ground. They avoided multiple puddles of the mysterious liquid.

“What is this slimy substance?” Noah questioned as he dug the tip of his sword into the liquid and lifted it up, watching as the slime slowly fell from his blade.

“It looks like a secretion of some kind,” Emberfang mentioned as his eyes scanned the darkness for clues.

Making their way further down the room, they came to a passageway lit by a faint glowing light. Beyond it, they made out another massive area.

“Should we continue to the next room?” Noah asked.

“let’s check it out,” Emberfang said.

The dim light of the cavern flickered as Noah and Emberfang cautiously entered the room. At the center lay a tranquil body of water, its surface reflecting the shimmering light from the bio-luminescent fungi clinging to the walls. Human-sized tunnels stretched into darkness on both sides of the room, a reminder of ancient inhabitants or something far more sinister.

Noah's eyes were drawn to the water's edge, where a soft, ghostly light emanated. "What do you think that is?" he whispered to Emberfang, who stood alert beside him, the fur on his neck bristling slightly.

Curiosity piqued, Noah approached the water, each step slow and deliberate. The light grew brighter, revealing an ethereal glow just beneath the surface. Kneeling by the edge, he extended his hand cautiously, the tips of his fingers nearly brushing the water as he peered closer.

Suddenly, the light shifted, darting deeper into the pool. Noah recoiled slightly, startled. "Did you see that?" he asked, glancing at Emberfang. Emberfang growled softly, eyes fixed on the water.

Before Noah could react further, a massive serpentine figure rose from the depths, water cascading off its smooth, slimy body. Its bio-luminescent patterns pulsed rhythmically, and atop its head, a glowing antenna flickered like a ghostly beacon. The creature's eyes were pitch black with amber slits; he noticed as it locked onto him with an unsettling intensity.

-[ Dungeon Boss: Gloom Serpent ]- Level: 27 Gender: ? Race: Serpent Class: Shadow Serpent Location: Current Dungeon, stagnant pool.

"The dungeon's Boss!" Noah shouted as Its jaws opened, revealing long, needle-like teeth that glistened menacingly. Noah's heart raced as he scrambled back, grabbing Emberfang as he chanted his defensive spell. “Aegis Ward!” he shouted as a shimmering barrier enveloped him and Emberfang.

The [Gloom Serpent] hissed, its movements fluid and eerily graceful as it began to circle them. Noah could feel the oppressive weight of its presence, the air thick with tension. Emberfang stood his ground, teeth bared, ready to defend his companion.

"Noah," Emberfang growled, "this creature is unlike anything we've faced before. Its light is a lure, a trap for the unwary."

Noah nodded, his mind racing to find a strategy. "We need to stay calm and find its weakness," he said, glancing around the cavern for any potential advantage. "Can you sense anything unusual about it?"

Emberfang sniffed the air, his keen senses attuned to the environment. "The slime on its body might be susceptible to fire. But be careful; it's most likely fast and unpredictable."

Noah's mind raced as he prepared for the impending confrontation. Emberfang's words echoed in his ears: the slime could make it susceptible to fire. He steadied his breath, drawing on his inner reserves of magic and courage.

"Ready, Emberfang?" Noah asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.

"Always," Emberfang growled, his eyes never leaving the Gloom Serpent.

Just as the ward disappeared, the creature lunged forward with a sudden burst of speed, its glowing antenna casting eerie light across the cavern. Noah barely had time to react as he dodged to the side, the serpent's needle-like teeth snapping shut where he had been moments before.

"Flame Burst!" Noah chanted, thrusting his hand forward. Flames shot forth following a series of fireballs as they exploded, bombarding the Gloom Serpent and hitting it squarely on its slimy hide. The serpent recoiled, hissing in pain as the flames licked at its body, steam rising where the fire met the slime.

Emberfang seized the opportunity, leaping at the serpent with a ferocious snarl. His powerful jaws clamped onto the creature's antenna, shaking it violently. The serpent thrashed, its bioluminescent patterns flickering erratically as it tried to dislodge the dire wolf.

"Noah, now!" Emberfang barked, his voice strained as he fought to hold on.

Noah didn't hesitate. He chanted another magic skill, his hands blazing with power. "Flame Burst!" he yelled, launching another volley of fireballs as they smashed into the Gloom Serpent. The cavern filled with the acrid scent of burning slime, and the serpent's hisses grew more frantic and desperate.

The serpent, in a desperate move, flung Emberfang off its antenna, sending the dire wolf crashing into the cavern wall. Noah's heart skipped a beat, but Emberfang quickly regained his footing, growling defiantly.

The Gloom Serpent, now enraged, turned its full attention to Noah. Its black eyes glowed with a malevolent light as it coiled and struck, moving with deadly precision. “Aegis Ward!” Noah shouted, barely erecting a barrier in time, the serpent's jaws slamming into the magical shield with bone-jarring force.

"Noah, keep it distracted!" Emberfang called out, shaking off the impact. "I'll find an opening!"

Noah nodded, focusing all his energy on maintaining the barrier. "Over here, you ugly overgrown worm!" he taunted, trying to keep its attention off Emberfang.

The Gloom Serpent roared, the sound reverberating through the cavern. It struck again and again, each impact weakening Noah's barrier. Sweat poured down his face as he struggled to hold it together.

“The ward is going to disappear anytime now!” Noah shouted with concern.

Suddenly with a fierce howl, Emberfang launched himself at the serpent's exposed underbelly. His fangs and claws tore into the creature's softer flesh, ripping through slime and scales. The serpent writhed in agony, its movements becoming frantic and disjointed.

"Finish it, Noah!" Emberfang shouted, his voice filled with determination.

Noah gathered every ounce of strength and courage he had as he held back the fear that was fighting, trying to overcome his body.

Charging forward as he let out a war cry, Noah chanted yet another magic skill. “Flame Burst!” he yelled, unleashing another relentless fire blast upon the serpent. As he approached the serpent fighting to throw Emberfang, he readied his physical skill, watching as the fire scorched the worm, making it screech in pain.

“I’m going to impale you! Nobody hurts my friend and gets away with it! You’re going down, fugly worm!” he declared as he leaped off a small boulder, activating a physical skill in a relentless assault.

“Blade Strike!” he yelled as he ran the serpent through with his blade, igniting its body on impact. “Damn! I forgot the sword was enchanted with fire magic. Right on!” he shouted as he pulled out his sword and dashed away, leaving the creature squirming franticly.

The flames roared, consuming the creature in a blazing inferno. The serpent's screams echoed through the cavern as it thrashed wildly, its body burning and blackening under the relentless flames.

Finally, with one last, ear-piercing hiss, it collapsed into the water, steam rising from its charred remains.

Breathing heavily, Noah collapsed to his knees, his energy spent. Emberfang limped over, his fur bloodied but his eyes shining with victory.

"We did it," Noah panted, a tired but triumphant smile on his face.

Emberfang nuzzled his side, his own exhaustion evident. "We did, Noah. Together."

As the steam cleared and the cavern fell silent, the two companions stood side by side, their bond stronger than ever.

Noah looked to Emberfang’s side, noticing a wound. “You’re hurt he said in a panic. “Let me heal you. Hold still,” he ordered, casting his healing skill.

“Healing Hands!” Noah chanted as he cast a healing aura over Emberfang’s body, mending his wound and easing his pain.

Feeling better, Emberfang’s gaze met Noah’s, noticing a shimmer of worry and compassion resonating from Noah’s eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay. Watching you hit that wall, I feared the worst,” Noah confessed, his eyes tearing up.

Emberfang nuzzled Noah's hand, a deep rumble of appreciation emanating from his chest. "I’m tougher than I look, Noah. But your healing magic is a blessing."

Noah smiled, wiping away his tears. "We make a good team, don’t we?" he said, his voice filled with warmth and relief.

Emberfang nodded, his amber eyes glowing softly in the dim light. "Yes, we do.”

Just then, the Interface appeared before Noah with a notification.

“Dungeon cleared! Congratulations on your first dungeon victory! Dungeon Core added to inventory. Unknown chest added to the item drop menu.”

“Returning to Dungeon entrance,” it said as they were both teleported to the dungeon's entrance. The Door to the dungeon faded as it disappeared into particles floating away in the wind.

A much-needed breeze came in, flowing through Noah and Emberfang’s hair. Gazing at the sky, the sun was just starting to go down as the faint sight of dusk was moving in, painting a light orange hue on the sky’s canvas.

“We did it, partner,” Noah said as he gave an ecstatic smile, his eyes squinting as he grinned.

“Yes, we sure did. Noah, can you change me back to my smaller form?” he asked.

“Oh yeah,” Noah said, casting his alteration skill. “Poly-morph!”

As Emberfang yet again held the form of an innocent red pup, Noah picked him up, setting him on his shoulder.

“I’m excited to see what the unknown chest is about. But I’ll check it out when we get back. Ready to turn in our first core at the guild?” he asked.

Emberfang barked in confirmation, his high-pitched voice echoing through the mountainside.

“Alright, let’s go,” Noah said, making his way back toward Emberfall City….