Jackson shifted uncomfortably in the makeshift shelter. It was not his best lean-to, but in his defense, he had had little time to throw it up before the next storm moved in. A gust of wind rocked the shelter, and he fought back a shiver. Most of the wind was blocked, but he hadn’t the time to put up good sides or a thicker later of insulation, so some of the cool moving air got through. The tendrils of wind brushing against his already soaked clothing made the already uncomfortably cool, in his opinion, temperature worse. Rain dripped through the leaf debris roof and fell onto him, ensuring that he would remain soaked until returning to his house in the village.

Them and their gods’ damned rules. I should have brought some dry wood with me for a fire, regardless. If I catch sick because of this. Jackson just shook his head. It was best not to antagonize them. Not yet anyway.

Thankfully, he didn’t have long to wait. A figure in a mottled green and brown cloak stepped around the side of the lean-to and ducked inside.

“You better have a good reason to call me out in this Jackson,” the figure said, settling down next to him.

“The site is either gone or will be soon.”

The figure froze, then turned towards Jackson, their features hidden by the deep hood and a cloth wrapped around the bottom half of the face.

“Explain.” They said.

“A group of adventurers came through the village and announced to everyone that a new dungeon had taken up residence in an abandoned mine within half a day or so of the village. There is only one such “mine” that I know of within that area.”

The figure was silent for a long time after that. Jackson knew it was not out of contemplation, though, as he could practically hear their teeth grinding together. They’d probably be yelling and hitting things if they didn’t have to stay quiet. It took some time, but the figure was able to unclench their jaw enough to speak.

“You are here to look after the site. How could you let a dungeon sneak in and threaten decades of work?” the figured hissed. “Just how incompetent are you?”

“Dungeons don’t sneak anywhere. They just appear and you know that. And why didn’t I catch it sooner? I’m only allowed to visit the site once every two months, according to your rules. If the adventurers’ conjecture is correct, it first appeared around a little over a ten-day ago. Maybe two. My next visit wasn’t supposed to be for over a month.” Jackson replied.

“Why were there even adventurers here? Did they go inside? And where are they? What do they know?”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Well, I couldn’t just go interrogate them. I only have what information I could get from them at the village meeting. And that’s not much. I made sure to ask about what was inside the dungeon, and they said they didn’t go past the threshold. As for why they’re here, a shepherd boy went missing around a ten-day ago. The boy’s father, a former adventure themselves if the rumors are to be believed, went missing looking for them a few days after that. The wife and a few of the village folk scrapped together enough coin to put a job in Grayfall, asking for some adventures to come and look for them. I can only guess that the party stumbled across the dungeon while looking for the pair. The party headed back towards Grayfall early the next day. That was two days ago. They’ve probably reached it by now and have already reported the dungeon to the guild there. I wouldn’t be surprised if the king hears about it by the end of the next ten-day.”

“Why didn’t you stop them or delay them or do anything?”

“Why didn’t I do anything? Why didn’t I do anything?” Jackson had to fight to stay quiet. “I’m a fucking Forester right now. What am I supposed to do against three fucking Silvers? Fell a tree onto them while they sleep and hope the sound of my chopping doesn’t wake them up? I’d have been hard pressed to get rid of them if I hadn’t changed classes for this job. And that’s not to mention that three silver ranked adventures disappearing in this back water right after discovering a new dungeon would certainly raise a few eyebrows. And before you accused me of being slow to contact you, I sent a message that fucking night. It’s not my fault that the only way I can contact you is so gods damned slow. I told you I needed a faster method.”

The figure had no response to that, and Jackson had nothing else to say to them. The pair fell into silence. For a long time, the only sounds near them were the rustling of leaves in the wind, the patter of rain, and the rumble of distant thunder.

“The dungeon needs to go.” The figure said, breaking the long silence.

“Obviously.” Jackson replied.

“If the dungeon is so young, there is still a chance it hasn’t reached the site yet. We might be able to salvage this.”

“My thoughts as well.”

They fell silent again.

“How long until a team arrives?” Jackson asked after a few moments.

“There won’t be a team,” they said.

“Then how long until whoever you’re sending arrives?”

“However long you take to get up to that dungeon.”

“No.” Jackson said, “I’m dedicated to the cause, but I’m no delver. It’s as good a suicide for me to attempt to close a dungeon by myself. Send someone else.”

“We can’t. We don’t know how, but the kingdom has caught whispers of our movements recently. Without finding the leak, putting together a team and sending them here could tip them off that there is something here of interest. And sending someone strong enough to solo an unexplored dungeon would be worse. Either of those added to a brand new dungeon just disappearing guarantees an investigation by the royal family, and we cannot afford that right now. You’re the only one nearby remotely capable enough to attempt it.”

“It’s impossible.”

“Then figure out a way to make it possible. That dungeon needs to be gone before the news spreads too far. Once more adventurers arrive, it’ll be too late to act quietly. And I don’t want to be around when the inner circle gets words that a dungeon ate all of their hard work and careful planning.”

Jackson opened their mouth to refuse again, but the figure interrupted them.

“Think of it this way: if you succeed, you’re all but guaranteed to move into the inner circle. If that happens, you’ll reap even greater rewards once the plan is complete. This is a golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you.”

“Then why don’t you take it?”

“I’m a messenger and a handler. Not a fighter. I have an even smaller chance of success than you do.” They said. “Besides, I don’t want to be the one to take the blame for this failure.”

Jackson clenched his fists and took several long breaths.

“Fine.” He said, “I’ll do it. But this is far outside of my duties. I’m only supposed to look after supplies, provide a safe house for our people, and let you know if any brigands or monsters take up residence in the site. I expect compensation for this.”

“If you succeed and are still alive afterwards, I’ll make sure you get it.”

“You better.” Jackson said.

Jackson ducked out of the shelter and disappeared into the storm without another word.