As we descended the stairs to the sixth floor, I asked, “So what is the sixth floor like? From what I found out, it’s a gigantic lake.”

“Well, it's good to know you can at least find basic information,” Nicholas snarks.

“What is your fucking problem?” I demand, finally having enough of his negative attitude. “I haven't done anything to you, and quite frankly, I’ve been contributing during this delve.

Nicholas stops in his tracks, turning to face me with a look that could freeze lava. "You think contributing means you're off the hook? Do you even understand the stakes here? Or are you just playing adventurer because it sounded fun?"

I narrow my eyes, refusing to back down. "You don’t know me, so don’t pretend like you do. I’ve put in just as much effort as anyone else, and if you have an actual problem, say it instead of throwing these snide comments around."

His laugh is sharp, humorless. "You want me to spell it out? Fine. I don’t trust you. You’ve been here, what? A few weeks? And now, suddenly, you're diving into a place that’s killed better-prepared teams than ours. This isn’t just a game, Melissa."

The sound of my name, spoken like an accusation, stings more than it should. But I refuse to let him rattle me. “You think trust is earned by being a miserable jerk? Maybe you should stop sulking and start leading if you're so worried about everyone else screwing up.”

A tense silence falls over the group, and I realize everyone else has stopped, their attention split between the two of us. After a few heartbeats, Sarah finally clears her throat. “Okay, okay, both of you—deep breaths. We’re about to step onto the sixth floor; the last thing we need is more infighting. Save the drama for later or somewhere that won’t try to drown us.”

Nicholas doesn’t respond immediately. His glare lingers, and for a moment, I think he might say something else. But then he turns sharply and continues down the stairs without another word.

“But seriously, what can we expect?” I ask the rest of the group.

“Well, as you said, the entire floor is one gigantic lake with aquatic monsters ranging from giant crabs to piranha to eels,” Sarah says, still looking after where Nicholas had gone.

“So I take it swimming across is not advisable?” I comment before asking, “So how do you get across, and what about the floor boss.”

“The dungeon spawns a wooden boat at the shore for groups to use to get across. As for the boss, it’s a giant white serpent with an ice affinity that roams the entire lake.”

“Ao, as long as we can get across the lake, we don’t actually have to fight the boss to move to the next floor,” I ask.

“Theoretically, yes,” Dominique answered, “but that usually never happens in practice. Roaming bosses seem almost to have a sixth sense for when a group is getting close to the exit and will usually attack.”

“Ah,” I say, “well, this should be fun.”

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As we emerged from the stairwell, the sixth floor stretched out before us—a vast expanse of shimmering water reflecting the dull glow of bioluminescent moss on the cavern walls. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone, and the faint lapping of waves echoed in the cavern's vast emptiness.

"Well, there it is," Sarah announced, stepping forward to the shore. Where a single, modest boat awaited. It was large enough for all six of us but looked far from sturdy.

“Charming,” Dominique muttered, inspecting the boat for hidden traps or weak points. “I don’t trust this thing to keep us afloat, let alone carry us across an entire lake.”

Andrew stepped up beside him, adjusting his mage staff. “I might be able to help; my RuneMaster skill has some runes that can create a water-repelling effect and strengthen the structure. At least for a while.”

Sarah nodded. “Good idea. Do it. We’re not exactly spoiled for choices here.”

While Andrew got to work, Nicholas loomed near the boat, inspecting the surroundings. His earlier silence had lingered the tension between us unbroken. I tried not to let it bother me.

“Melissa,” Sarah said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You and Nicholas keep watch while Andrew works. Dominique, see if you can spot anything unusual in the water. Jacob, stick close to Andrew in case he needs help.”

Everyone moved into their roles seamlessly, save for Nicholas, who threw me a look that made it clear he wasn’t thrilled about working alongside me. Still, I wasn’t about to let his attitude distract me. The lake seemed peaceful at first glance, the surface rippling gently. But something about it felt off—too quiet, too calm. My hand instinctively rested on the hilt of my sword as I scanned the water.

“See anything?” I asked Nicholas.

“Nothing yet,” he replied tersely, his eyes never leaving the lake.

Minutes passed in silence. Andrew’s rune were nearly complete, the air around the boat shimmering faintly with magical energy. That’s when I saw it—a ripple, too large to be from the natural current, about thirty yards out.

“Movement,” I said, pointing toward the disturbance.

Nicholas followed my gaze, his grip tightening on the hilt of his greatsword. “Get ready. Could be a scout monster.”

Before anyone could respond, the water erupted. A massive crab, its shell glistening with a metallic sheen, surged out of the lake and clambered onto the shore. Its claws snapped menacingly, each one the size of a full-grown man.

“Here we go!” Sarah called out, drawing her sword.

The group sprang into action. Dominique darted to the side, vanishing into the shadows, while Sarah and I moved to flank the creature. Nicholas stepped forward, raising his greatsword in a defensive stance, drawing the crab’s attention. The battle was quick but brutal. The crab’s claws smashed down onto the shore, sending clumps of water-logged sand everywhere. Nicholas absorbed the brunt of its attacks, his greatsword deflecting one claw while his shield arm took another.

“Go for the joints!” he bellowed, locking the crab in place.

I darted in, my blade slicing into the softer tissue beneath its leg. Sarah mirrored my movements on the other side, her strikes precise and deadly. Andrew sent a blast of fire into its exposed underbelly, the flames hissing as they met water. The crab let out a high-pitched screech, its movements growing erratic. Dominique emerged from the shadows, driving his dagger into one of its eyestalks. The creature spasmed, its remaining limbs flailing wildly before collapsing into the water with a final splash.

“Good work,” Sarah said, breathing heavily. “Everyone okay?”

“Fine,” Jacob replied, already casting a healing spell over Nicholas’s bruised arm.

“Let’s keep moving before something else shows up,” Dominique suggested, kicking a stray piece of crab shell as I loot the corpse.

After Andrew checked to ensure they had made weren't damaged and finished the rest, the group clambered into the boat and pushed off the shore. The crossing was tense but uneventful. But as we neared the opposite shore, the air grew colder. A low, ominous hum began to resonate across the lake.

“It’s here,” Sarah said grimly, her hand gripping her sword tightly.

The water ahead of us churned violently, and a colossal white serpent burst forth. Its scales gleamed like ice, and its eyes glowed with a cold, unearthly light. It let out a deafening roar, its frosty breath freezing the water around it in jagged sheets.