The morning sun broke through the thin curtains of the tavern’s common room, casting a golden glow on the wooden tables and chairs. Jake, the leader of Iron Resolve, stretched as he descended the creaky staircase to find most of his team already gathered around a large table. The smell of fried bacon, fresh bread, and strong coffee filled the room, mingling with the low murmur of early risers and clinking mugs.

“Morning,” Jake greeted, dropping into a chair next to Bell, who was already halfway through his third plate of food.

“Morning? More like mid-morning to some of us,” Bell grumbled around a mouthful of bread. “You’ve been sleeping in while we’ve been keeping the kitchen busy.”

Phil, the elf ranger, chuckled softly as he sipped his tea. “Don’t let him fool you, Jake. Bell’s been keeping the kitchen busy all by himself.”

Bell’s bushy eyebrows shot up. “Hey now, fighting those beasts yesterday worked up an appetite. And if you think this is excessive, just wait until Parker starts ordering.”

“I’ll have you know,” Parker, the team rogue, interjected, sliding into a seat, “that I’m only on my second helping. Third, if you count the pastry.”

Sarah, the team cleric, rolled her eyes but smiled. “Well, at least we’re all recovering. Yesterday was... unexpected.”

“Unexpected and profitable,” Mitch, the team bard, chimed in. “I checked my stats before bed last night. That beast fight bumped us up a good chunk of experience points. Not bad for an impromptu brawl.”

“Agreed,” Jake said, nodding. “And it’s not every day you fight alongside a dungeon’s minions. That was... different.”

Carah leaned forward, her dark hair framing her sharp features. “It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Those minions didn’t feel like the usual constructs or mindless monsters we’re used to. They were… alive, in a way.”

Bell grunted in agreement. “Aye, they fought like they had a purpose, not just orders. That big guy with the hammer? He’s got some strength. Nearly bowled me over when he congratulated me after the fight.”

The group laughed, the memory of Bell sprawling on the ground still fresh.

As their conversation continued, the murmur of the tavern’s other patrons grew louder. Snatches of gossip drifted over to their table, and the name “Golem’s Gambit” caught their attention more than once.

“… dangerous place, that dungeon,” one voice said. “I heard it’s got traps that make the Verdant Depths look like child’s play.”

“And what about that attack yesterday? Beasts breaking in? That’s bad luck if I ever heard it,” another added.

Sarah frowned and looked at Jake. “They’re already talking about it. This could be bad for the dungeon’s reputation.”

Jake stood, crossing over to the gossiping group with an easy smile. “Excuse me, friends. I couldn’t help overhearing. You’re talking about the Golem’s Gambit?”

The patrons nodded warily. “We are. You were there, weren’t you?”

“We were,” Jake confirmed. “And let me tell you, it’s not what you think. When those beasts broke in, the dungeon’s minions didn’t just stand by. They defended everyone in there, adventurers and bystanders alike.”

Bell joined him, arms crossed. “Aye, they didn’t have to. Could’ve let the beasts pick us off and dealt with the mess after. But they didn’t. They fought like they were protecting something important.”

“Maybe even us,” Carah added, stepping forward. “It’s not like any dungeon we’ve ever seen. And trust me, we’ve seen plenty.”

The group at the other table exchanged uncertain looks. “Still, dungeons aren’t supposed to care about adventurers. They’re supposed to kill them.”

“Maybe that’s what makes this one different,” Jake said. “Maybe it’s worth giving it a shot before passing judgment.”

The murmurs quieted, and Jake returned to his team, satisfied.

“You really believe that, don’t you?” Sarah asked as he sat down.

Jake nodded. “I do. There’s something special about that place. And I’m not just saying that because we’re going back today.”

“Speaking of which,” Mitch said, pulling out a small pocket watch. “We should probably finish up and head over soon. Don’t want to keep the Golem’s Gambit waiting.”

Phil grinned. “Especially not with those mechanized carts waiting for us. Horseless carts… It’s like something out of a bard’s tale.”

As they finished their meal and gathered their gear, the team’s excitement began to build. Despite the previous day’s chaos, they were eager to face the challenges ahead. Together, Iron Resolve left the tavern, their spirits high and their sights set on the Golem’s Gambit.

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As the Iron Resolve arrived at the Dungeon of Golem’s Gambit, they were surprised to find the massive stone doors still closed. A crowd of adventurers milled about nearby, including a coordinator from the Adventurer’s Guild, whose expression of confusion mirrored their own.

“It’s not like the dungeon to stay closed this late,” the coordinator muttered, flipping through a ledger. “They usually open the doors right at sunrise. Everything’s supposed to be back on schedule today.”

“Maybe the damage was worse than it looked?” Jake suggested, shifting the strap of his pack on his shoulder.

Bell crossed his arms and squinted at the doors. “Could be. That attack was no small thing. Took a lot of us working together to clear out those beasts. Maybe they’re still fixing the game room?”

Phil nodded, his sharp elven features creased with thought. “I’ve heard some dungeons have repair systems that are slower for high-impact damage. They might still be recovering from what happened.”

“If that’s the case, it’s impressive they managed to reopen at all,” Sarah added, brushing a strand of dark hair out of her face. “The way those creatures tore through the walls, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d needed a week to recover.”

“It’s not just the repairs,” Parker chimed in. “The dungeon’s minions helped us fight. That’s... unusual, isn’t it? Like, dungeons are supposed to be adversarial. Why would it—”

Before he could finish, the stone doors groaned and began to open, sending a hush over the gathered crowd. The same voice from within the dungeon yesterday echoed through the clearing, clear and calm.

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“The Dungeon of Golem’s Gambit welcomes Iron Resolve. Now that the returning team is present, the day’s challenges may commence. Please enter and enjoy the newly restored facilities.”

The team exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and anticipation in their expressions. “Well, I guess that answers that,” Carah said, gesturing toward the now-open entrance. “Let’s see what’s changed.”

As they stepped inside, the repairs were immediately evident. The game room, once a scene of destruction, now gleamed with renewed energy. The dartboard stood proudly in its place, its surface unmarred. The shuffleboard table’s magical etching glowed faintly, and the bowling lanes stretched out, their polished surfaces reflecting the faint light of the enchanted sconces above. The exchange counter, completely repaired and shining with a new coat of polish, had a fresh, reinforced look with the token displays prominently featured behind it.

“Look at this,” Mitch said, pointing to the mural Vulcanis had worked on. The artwork depicted a grand race through the dungeon, with adventurers in mechanized carts weaving through traps, dodging minions, and celebrating victories. The detail was intricate, with glowing accents that made the scenes feel alive. “That’s... incredible.”

“It’s like they’re trying to make the waiting area part of the experience,” Bell observed. “This isn’t just a dungeon anymore. It’s... I don’t even know what to call it.”

“A spectacle,” Sarah supplied. “They’re making it impossible not to talk about.”

The team spent a few minutes exploring the area. Mitch tried his hand at the darts game, earning an approving nod from Bell when he hit the bullseye on his second throw. Carah inspected the prize counter, her eyes lighting up at the display of shimmering tokens.

“Bronze, silver, gold,” she murmured. “Guessing these are the different levels of prizes you can earn?”

“Looks that way,” Jake said, joining her. “Wonder how many we’ll need to snag something good.”

“We’ll have to ask when we finish the course,” Phil said with a wry smile. “If we finish the course.”

“Oh, we’ll finish it,” Jake said, clapping him on the shoulder. “No way we’re letting this dungeon beat us.”

The team’s attention shifted to the leaderboard prominently displayed near the entrance to the staging areas. The glowing board listed the top twenty teams, their completion times, and a “DNC” notation for those who had failed to finish.

“Look at these times,” Sarah said, scanning the list. “Some of these teams didn’t just finish, they crushed it.”

“And some didn’t make it at all,” Parker pointed out, his tone more somber. “Makes you wonder what went wrong.”

“We’ll do better than that,” Bell said firmly. “We’ve faced tougher challenges before.”

“But never in carts,” Mitch reminded him, grinning. “Speaking of which, let’s get to it.”

The group moved toward the staging area, stepping into a room with a single cart positioned against one wall. The walls were lined with glowing runes, and a familiar magical projection sprang to life before them. The female AI’s voice greeted them.

The team leaned in to watch the projection as it cast a warm glow over the staging area. The tutorial began with a clear explanation of the go-carts—mechanized marvels unlike anything they'd ever seen.

“Welcome, adventurers!” the cheery voice of the dungeon’s tutorial began. "You are about to experience the thrill of the Mechanized Carts. Let’s go over the basics of operation to ensure your safety—and your success!"

The projection shifted to an image of a sleek cart, with labels pointing out key features. The voice explained, “Each cart is equipped with two foot pedals. The one on the right is the accelerator, used to increase your speed. The one on the left is the brake, which you’ll use to slow down. Steering is controlled by the wheel in front of you—turn it left to go left, right to go right.”

The team exchanged glances. “So… it’s like driving a wagon without the horses?” Mitch asked, scratching his head.

“Pretty much,” Bell grunted. “Except wagons don’t have pedals.”

“And we don’t usually have to steer this much. Wagons just kind of go,” Parker added.

The tutorial continued. "Keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel at all times, and remember to use gentle, smooth motions to avoid oversteering." The projection showed an adventurer expertly weaving through a series of glowing obstacles. “Precision is key. The track is designed with curves, loops, and hazards. Navigate carefully!”

“Gentle, smooth motions,” Mitch mimicked in a mock-fancy voice. “Sure, this’ll be a breeze.”

“You’ll be the first to lose control, calling it now,” Carah teased with a grin.

“Each cart is also equipped with a reinforced frame and protective seat straps. These will keep you secure as you face the twists and turns of the course. Buckle up before you begin,” the voice continued.

The projection shifted again, this time showing an animated sequence of a cart navigating an incline. "Be mindful of the terrain. You may encounter slopes, sharp turns, and obstacles designed to test your reflexes. Use the accelerator and brake wisely to maintain control."

“Slopes? What kind of slopes?” Phil asked, squinting at the projection. "That doesn't sound so bad."

“Let’s hope the brake actually works,” Sarah muttered.

The tutorial ended with a cheerful tone. “Good luck, adventurers! Your skill behind the wheel will be just as important as your courage. Remember, safety first—and have fun!”

The projection winked out, leaving the room in silence for a moment.

“Seems straightforward enough,” Jake said as the tutorial ended.

“Except for the part where we’re dodging traps and minions,” Sarah replied dryly.

“Details,” Jake said with a wink.

As the projection faded, a shimmering portal flared to life at the far end of the room. The team exchanged glances, their excitement palpable.

“This is it,” Carah said, her hand tightening on her gear.

“Finally,” Phil said. “No invasions, no delays. Just us and the course.”

“And hopefully, no fiery hammer-wielding maniacs,” Mitch quipped, earning a chuckle from the group.

“Alright, Iron Resolve,” Jake said, his tone steady and determined. “Let’s show this dungeon what we’re made of.”

With that, they stepped through the portal and into the starting area. The cavernous room stretched out before them, the carts lined up at the starting line, engines silent but ready. The checkered stone starting line was illuminated by glowing runes, and the air buzzed with anticipation.

One by one, the team climbed into their carts. As each adventurer settled in and secured their safety straps, the engines roared to life, filling the room with a low, thrilling hum.

Jake raised a hand, signaling to the rest of the team. “Ready?”

One by one, they nodded, their faces a mixture of determination and excitement.

The countdown timer above the starting line began to tick down.

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