“Princess, wake up. Eat some food. You'll need energy for tomorrow's travel," Elara said softly, rousing the sleeping princess who had fallen asleep while grieving for the departed.
As Roland and Albert alternated in keeping watch, Elara took charge of rationing. Princess woke up and reluctantly ate the food, struggling to swallow each bite as guilt still weighed heavily on her heart.
“Albert, do you think this is truly a dungeon?" Roland inquired with a touch of uncertainty. It had been decades since he last set foot in such a place. The last time he did, it was an S-rank dungeon that proved too formidable for the Adventurer's Guild to seal. The consequences were disastrous, necessitating the intervention of the Royal army to resolve the grave situation. The memories of that harrowing experience resurfaced as they delved further into the current dungeon, intensifying the weight of their present undertaking.
"Indeed, Sir Roland," Albert responded, his voice tinged with concern. "But this dungeon is unlike any I've ever seen before. There are no monsters, not even a hint of mana. It's as if this place lacks any magical essence and has been lying here undisturbed for thousands of years, patiently waiting to be discovered."
"The only certainty that this place is a dungeon lies in its absence from the map," Albert added thoughtfully. "Dungeons are intentionally left uncharted by the meticulous cartographers of the kingdom, and that is why it remains hidden from the world." Roland nodded, realizing that the mysterious nature of the location was precisely what had kept it concealed for so long.
Indeed," Albert replied with a hint of astonishment. "It seems that those who discover these dungeons choose to keep their existence a closely guarded secret, not even bothering to report it to the kingdom. They must have their reasons, perhaps seeking to explore the mysteries at their own leisure, away from the prying eyes of authority."
Roland nodded in agreement, realizing that the allure of uncharted territories and the treasures they might hold could lead adventurers to prioritize their personal pursuits over official channels. The thought of an unreported dungeon, hidden from the kingdom's knowledge added an extra layer of intrigue to their quest, making their expedition even more captivating and perilous.
"Let us refrain from going further into the dungeon and wait until morning," Roland suggested. "Once we've ensured that no one is following us, we can begin our real journey towards the Gaul territory."
Elara and Albert nodded, acknowledging.
Having finished her meal, Princess Seraphina lay flat on the ground, her eyes keenly tracing the intricate writings that adorned the walls of the dungeon. Recognizing the ancient language, she was well-versed in, a spark of curiosity ignited within her. With her expertise in the archaic tongue, which is taught to royal magicians in depth, she embarked on the task of deciphering the profound meanings concealed within the cryptic inscriptions.
In a faint whisper, the princess murmured, “Verily, thou shalt not venture forth, for there abides a being, sealed and bound, whose release must never come to pass.” The words did not escape the trio's attention, and they exchanged knowing glances, fully aware that they must be more vigilant.
The last thing they desired was to unleash a monstrous force upon the world, especially when they were already entangled in an extreme and precarious situation.
They reached a collective decision to stay put and await the break of dawn. The knowledge of the sealed being had stirred their hearts, and they recognized the importance of proceeding with utmost caution. Waiting for the light of day to guide their path, they prepared themselves for the journey ahead.
----------------------------------------
Following footsteps and the trail of broken spider webs, the assailants doggedly pursued the companions, driven by their determination to capture their prey swiftly. Their sense of urgency stemmed from the desire to have more time to search for valuable artifacts within the dungeon. Racing through the labyrinthine passages, they left no stone unturned, relentlessly scouring every nook and cranny.
Amidst their pursuit, Blackthorne and his team began to notice an eerie red glow emanating from the ancient writings surrounding them. Suddenly, to their astonishment, two notification prompts materialized before their eyes, interrupting their relentless chase.
The first notification
Hark! Thou grave robber, venture not yon, for this ancient sepulcher possesseth no worldly treasures. Only darkness, sorrow, and death reside herein.
The second notification overshadowed immediately, almost making it impossible for anyone to read the first prompt.
This is Divine Revelation
Title: Dungeon of the Lost World - The Awakening
Level Restrictions: None
Dungeon Rank: SSS Legendary
Caution: The world is not ready, dungeon is inactive.
Caution: Entering further can cause dungeon to awaken.
Caution: Return NOW!
Brave adventurers, heed this call! Deep within the uncharted territories of the Lost World lies a legendary dungeon of unparalleled power. The tales of its existence are shrouded in mystery, and its secrets are said to transcend time itself. Are you prepared to face the unknown?
The Dungeon of the Lost World awaits, offering treasures beyond imagination and challenges beyond compare. Its rank of SSS Legendary promises an adventure unlike any other, but tread with caution, for the world may not be ready for what lies within.
Are you a seasoned hero, battle-hardened and ready to face any foe? Or perhaps you are a novice, seeking glory and fame in the unexplored depths of the dungeon. There are no level restrictions; all are welcome, but only the brave shall prevail.
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Beware! The dungeon stirs as you venture deeper. Its magic becomes unstable, and the very fabric of reality bends and shifts. Spectral guardians and otherworldly creatures stand in your way, guarding the path to untold riches and knowledge.
You will be faced with choices that will shape the destiny of not just yourself but the entire world. The dungeon whispers echoes of the past and glimpses of potential futures, each one urging you to make the right decision.
At a critical crossroad, you must choose: turn back and accept the allure of the unexplored mystery, or press on, risking the awakening of the dormant dungeon and unlocking its ultimate secrets.
Will you answer the call of adventure and claim the glory that awaits? Or will you heed the warnings and step away from the unknown? The fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Dare you enter the Dungeon of the Lost World and embrace your destiny? The choice is yours, brave adventurer. Proceed with caution, for the world may never be the same again.
The divine revelation left Blackthorne and his group in disbelief, their eyes widening with astonishment. It was their first interaction with a divine revelation. To humanity's knowledge, the highest-ranked dungeon ever encountered was of S rank, sealed away decades ago after the catastrophic disaster it had unleashed. The memory of that fateful event sent shivers down the spines of the assailants, realizing the potential magnitude of the situation they now faced.
However, conflicting emotions arose within the group. The promise of a significant reward tempted some members, causing disagreements and wavering trust among themselves. They were now at a crossroads, fully aware that even the smallest misstep in this treacherous dungeon could lead to their untimely demise. The weight of the decision hung heavily upon them, and they knew that their unity and caution were crucial to navigate this perilous path ahead.
----------------------------------------
As the assailants were taken aback by the unexpected prompt, the companions of the princess were equally shocked. The revelation came from Goddess Galadria, whose interventions were rare and usually reserved for imminent calamities, the ascension of a monarch, significant births or deaths only. The unexpected intervention of Goddess Galadria left them all stunned, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on their minds.
"Why are we receiving a revelation from the Goddess?" Princess asked in bewilderment.
"We didn't even venture further into the dungeon. How did we trigger the prompt?" Sir Roland inquired, voicing the confusion shared by the group.
Elara carefully read the prompt, and it became evident that it was directed specifically at the people within the dungeon. The revelation seemed to hold crucial significance, and they all came to a common conclusion.
The Kingdom’s hound have found his way to the dungeon and he is likely looking for them. Knowing their innate nature of greed, they quickly understood the cause of trigger.
"Indeed," Albert contemplated, "let us hope they, too, have received the prompt. However, given the promise made by the Goddess, their greed might drive them to press on regardless. We must act swiftly and make our way to the exit, using this opportunity to potentially trap them within the dungeon."
"How long can we trap them?" Roland questioned, his voice tinged with doubt. "I've faced S rank dungeons before, and I know they wouldn't last a moment in such a perilous place. We must confront them now to prevent the havoc they might unleash upon our world, the very world we strive to protect."
"I understand, Your Highness," Roland continued, addressing the princess with respect. "Our primary mission of safely guiding you to the Gaul empire may seem sidetracked, but I implore you to consider the broader implications. Even if we reach our destination safely, the looming disaster this dungeon holds could jeopardize everyone's safety, including yours. I believe in considering the bigger picture, and I am resolved to confront the assailants before it's too late."
Amidst their discussion, the trio exchanged knowing glances, each understanding the weight of the situation. In unspoken agreement, they devised a new plan, opting to keep the princess unaware of the true risks they faced.
----------------------------------------
Tom and Tim, twins burdened by a poverty-stricken upbringing, lacked the means to pursue proper training as adventurers during their teenage years. In the face of harsh circumstances, they resorted to thievery as a means of survival, and eventually, they turned to a life of banditry. Their path led them down a dark road of violence, targeting both humans and monsters alike. Surprisingly, their nefarious exploits honed their abilities to the point where they became adept adventurers, excelling not only in conventional quests but also in the art of assassination. Possessing a unique blend of talents, they had become masters of both trades, their synchronized skills instilling them with unwavering confidence in their abilities.
Driven solely by the allure of wealth, the twins had chosen to take on this particular job, indifferent to the consequences of their actions. To them, the princess held no significance compared to the rewards promised by the goddess herself. The temptation was so great that they contemplated abandoning their group to pursue the promised treasures alone or convincing others to join their cause. Drawing upon their vast experience with fellow greedy colleagues, they were certain that almost every member harbored similar thoughts. Even someone as distinguished as Blackthorne would likely not be an exception to the allure of untold riches.
Amidst his deep contemplation, BlackThorne found himself lost in thoughts, pondering the potential gains for both himself and his group. Memories of his past experiences in looting dungeons and hastily rushing towards the exit without sealing them flooded his mind. He couldn't shake off the haunting recollections of his youth, when his actions had inadvertently caused an S rank dungeon outbreak decades ago.
Just as he was grappling with these memories, a sudden yell pierced the air, jolting him back to the present. The urgency in the cry was unmistakable, and it roused the attention of everyone around him. With a sharp focus, BlackThorne braced himself for the unexpected turn of events.
----------------------------------------
With a resolute cry, Sir Roland's voice echoed through the outer areas of the dungeon, his anger and determination evident as he confronted the assailants. "Aaaaarghh, you damn bastards! Cease this pursuit of the royal highness. How dare you side with that tyrant and betray the benevolence of the true house of Everhart!"
Blinded by his fury and driven by a desperate plan, Sir Roland charged forward, hoping to draw the attention of the assailants towards himself. His intention was to lead them outside, away from the entrance of the dungeon that could trigger its awakening.
The unspoken plan was straightforward. Sir Roland would act as the bait, luring the assailants away while Princess Seraphina and Lady Elara would retreat slightly deeper into the dungeon, ensuring not to trigger any traps or enable the dungeon's defenses. Meanwhile, Albert, the stealthy member of the group, would position himself in the shadows, ready to eliminate the assailants one by one as they pursued Roland.
Unaware of the shifting dynamics, the sudden yell from Sir Roland caused a ripple among the group of assailants. Some decided to chase after the cry, while the twins headed towards the dungeon entrance. Blackthorne's eyes widened in bewilderment as he witnessed the assailants' actions taking different paths. The situation had slipped beyond his control, and time was no longer on his side.
Gritting his teeth, he understood the intentions of the one who cried out, as if reading their mind like an open book. Realizing that the situation was becoming increasingly unpredictable, he knew he had to act swiftly. With a grim expression etched upon his face, he made a decisive choice, opting to proceed towards the inner part of the dungeon; looking for the princess.
"I am certain he is just a bait," Blackthorne asserted, his intuition guiding him. Along with the remaining members of his group, he decided not to chase towards the supposed dungeon entrance but instead to search for the princess, who he believed was hiding somewhere within the labyrinthine passages.
As they navigated through the dark and treacherous corridors, a new prompt appeared.
Verily, thou grave robber, thy fate is sealed, for thou hast left us no other recourse. Now meet thy end.
And another prompt!
Title: Dungeon of the Lost World - The Awakening
Quest: Survive the Awakening
Brave adventurers, a call to action echoes through the realm as the legendary Dungeon of the Lost World stirs from its eons-long slumber. The ancient runes at its entrance glow with an otherworldly light, and the world trembles in anticipation. The dungeon has awakened, and the exits are sealed, trapping you within its enigmatic halls. Your quest is simple, yet perilous - survive the Awakening!
As the prompt vanished, a sight both eerie and astonishing unfolded before them. The once petrified soldiers' eyes glowed a haunting shade of bloody red, and they broke free from their stony encasement with unnatural ease. Revealing their gleaming, glowing armors, they appeared more like mechanical beings than mere soldiers.
Mechanical sounds echoed through the dungeon as hidden gears behind the walls sprang to life, activating gruesome traps. The companions and assailants alike stood frozen, witnessing this otherworldly spectacle unfold before their eyes. The dungeon seemed to come alive, a maze of mechanical machinations and perilous traps, their purpose concealed for ages, now unfurled with malevolent intent.
Sir Roland's heart sank as he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists in frustration and despair. He mumbled “I failed.”
----------------------------------------