Chapter 29 " The second floor of the Dungeon"
We continued searching for the entrance until we found a massive tree with an opening resembling a cave, surrounded by dense, twisted vines and roots. Its branches and foliage wove into a hollow, dark passage, giving the impression of an eerie, hidden pathway. Mist clung to the air, adding to the mystery, while dangling vines and overgrown foliage framed the entrance. The tree looked ancient and untouched, its surface covered in moss and tendrils, blending seamlessly into the swampy surroundings. The entire area felt secluded and foreboding.
"Do you really think this is it?" I asked, a mix of doubt and anticipation tightening my chest as I stared up at the towering tree.
Geo narrowed his eyes, a slight smile forming on his lips. "Yes," he said firmly. "This is it. We’ve finally found it. Let’s go."
He stepped through the entrance first, and we followed closely behind as the dimness swallowed us whole. The air hit me like a wall—thick, damp, and heavy with a musty, timeworn scent that clung to the stone. Geo stopped a few steps ahead, his posture tensing as he scanned the shadows stretching across the rough, uneven walls. His hand instinctively reached for his sword.
As my eyes adjusted, I saw patches of moss clinging to the stones, while faintly glowing fungi cast a ghostly greenish light over everything. The ceiling loomed high above, lined with stalactites that dripped water, each drop echoing through the cavern’s vast silence.
The floor beneath my feet was slick and uneven, forcing me to focus on every step to keep from slipping. A narrow, winding path stretched deeper into the darkness. Jason moved cautiously ahead, his sharp gaze scanning every corner. Twisted roots jutted from the walls, their gnarled shapes resembling skeletal hands clawing at the stone, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Deeper inside, we found a vast cavern resembling an underground forest. A stone staircase descended to the left, leading to a clear waterfall that spilled into a small lake below. We carefully made our way down, the damp air filled with the soothing sound of flowing water. Thick roots and moss covered the cave walls, making it feel both untouched and ancient.
Beyond the lake, a dark passageway stretched before us.
"Stay alert," Geo warned.
The tunnel ahead was deep and ancient, its rocky walls twisting like tangled tree roots, disappearing into the darkness beyond.
"Once we get through this cave, we’ll be on the second floor of the dungeon," Geo said, his gaze fixed ahead, tense but focused.
Hiddan glanced over, a hint of concern in his voice. "We should look for a safe place to rest as soon as we’re down there. Who knows if we’ll get another chance on the next floors."
Van frowned, clearly uneasy. "But if we do that, other adventurers could get ahead of us and clear the dungeon before we do!"
Mario shot him a look, shaking his head. "Come on, Van. They’ll have to rest too. It’s not like they’re unstoppable."
Geo turned to Van, his expression hard. "Listen, I’ve said it before—clearing a dungeon isn’t just about skill; it’s about luck, too. If we’re not the ones meant to clear it, there’s nothing we can do. We’re not risking our lives for this, no matter how tempting the prize might be."
After we exited the tunnel cave, we were greeted by a strange forest. However, instead of towering trees, there were...A forest filled with giant mushrooms and trees with orange and yellow leaves. The mushrooms are tall and come in various sizes, their colors playing in soft shades of orange and gold, giving the place a warm atmosphere. Light flows from above, casting rays that touch the surroundings, adding to the beauty of the scenery. The place feels quiet and dreamlike, like a scene from an enchanted forest.
"We can’t help but be amazed. Woooooow!" Van's voice echoed through the towering mushrooms.
"Seriously, I’ve never seen mushrooms this massive," Jason muttered, wide-eyed, almost in disbelief. "This is insane."
Hiddan chuckled, shaking his head. "In over ten years of adventuring, this is only my fourth time clearing a dungeon. Every one of them has its own kind of beauty… a beauty you won’t ever find above ground." He paused, looking around cautiously. "But remember, no matter how breathtaking, a dungeon is still one of the most dangerous and mysterious places in the world."
Geo scanned the area before nodding. "We’ll rest here for now. The safest spot is usually close to the entrance."
"Good idea," I replied, feeling the weight of our journey settle on me. "Let’s eat first and recharge a bit."
We pulled out the bread and fruits we’d packed, passing them around and sharing in a moment of quiet as we took in the surreal surroundings, each of us lost in awe and respect for the mysterious beauty—and danger—that surrounded us.
“We’ll split into two groups,” Geo said firmly. “One will keep watch while the other rests. After three hours, we’ll switch—first group takes over, second group gets to sleep. Everyone clear?”
Jason gave a quick nod, looking around at us. “Got it.”
Mario added, “Then you, Caelan, Niro, and Van can take the first shift.”
I glanced at our group and nodded. “Alright, we’ll keep watch while you guys get some rest.”
With a quick exchange of nods, Geo’s group began setting up their bedding, and the rest of us took our spots around the camp, facing outward to keep an eye on our surroundings. The towering mushrooms cast eerie shadows, making the place feel almost surreal. I found myself wondering what lay on the lower floors—what kinds of creatures or strange landscapes were hidden there?
The three hours felt both long and short. My mind drifted between the quiet watch and the anticipation of what was to come, until finally, Geo and his group stirred awake.
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“Caelan,” Niro whispered, stretching after our shift. “Our turn to get some rest.”
Relieved, I gave him a nod. We went to the now-empty bedding and lay down. Exhaustion settled in quickly, and as soon as my back hit the mat, I fell into a deep sleep.
I woke up to a gentle tap from Jason. “Caelan, it’s time.”
“Alright,” I replied, forcing myself up even though my body resisted. After we packed up our bedding, we continued our search for the entrance to the dungeon’s third floor.
As we walked, we spotted figures approaching us. At first, we thought they might be monsters, but as they came closer, we realized they were people. One man was supporting his companion, who looked weak and pale.
“What happened to him?” Geo asked with concern.
“He was poisoned by a monster mushroom,” the man explained wearily. “He can’t go on, so I’m taking him back to the surface. Be careful with those mushrooms—it’s best to fight them from a distance. They spit saliva that contains poison.”
“Thank you, friend,” Geo replied sincerely.
We continued walking, and Jason muttered, “Hopefully, we don’t run into any of those monster mushrooms.”
“Yeah,” Hiddan added. “It’d be ideal if we could reach the last floor, where the dungeon core and guardian are, without running into any more monsters. That way, we’d be at full strength and avoid injuries.”
“That would be the best scenario,” Geo agreed, hoping our luck would hold.
As we made our way through the second floor, we spotted three mushroom-like creatures near the Pathway Guild, as though they had been waiting for us. If we hadn’t been alert, we might have overlooked them—just like the tricky Greengloom monsters from the first floor. These creatures were masters of deception, blending seamlessly into their surroundings by posing as ordinary, lifeless mushrooms.
Each had its own distinct features, making them easy to tell apart. The first was tall and thin, its oversized mushroom cap draped in wispy moss and tiny plants, as if carrying a miniature forest on its head. The second was smaller and rounder, with a smooth, soft cap. Its youthful appearance gave it an innocent, almost childlike look.
The last one stood taller in the middle, its wide, solid cap resembling armor. Its body was covered in tiny scales or leaf-like patterns, giving it a more formidable presence. Yet, despite its intimidating build, its small, round eyes held a surprising curiosity—watchful, calculating.
For a moment, none of us moved. They studied us, and we studied them, a quiet tension settling in the air.
But we knew better. Behind those seemingly harmless eyes lurked real danger.
At Geo’s signal, we immediately pulled back, keeping a safe distance. Niro and Mario wasted no time, drawing their bows in perfect sync. Their arrows flew true, striking the mushroom creatures before they could react.
A faint shimmer flickered around their bodies as if they were resisting the attack, their forms wavering for a heartbeat. Then, with a soft glow, they faded away, leaving behind only their magic stones glinting on the dungeon floor.
We were lucky. Thanks to the two adventurers who had warned us about these creatures, we knew exactly what we were dealing with—and we eliminated them before they could become a threat.
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" what happened?" one of the knights demanded, his sharp gaze locking onto the two adventurers who stumbled out of the dungeon.One of them, barely standing,clung desperately to his companion for support.
“He’s been poisoned! He needs a healer-right now! The other adventurer pleaded, his voice urgent as he tightened his grip on his weakened friend.
The knight’s expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of something cold passed through his eyes.He exchanged a glance with his comrades. One gave a barely perceptible nod.
Steel flashed.
Before the adventurer could react, a sword drove deep into his stomach.His breath hitched-a strangled gasp of shock and pain.His grip on his poisoned friend loosened, and as his life drained away, he crumpled to the ground.
The poisoned adventurer fell with him, hitting the dirt hard.His limbs trembled violently,both from the poison ravaging his body and the sheer terror gripping his soul. His eyes, wide with horror, darted between his fallen friend and the knights.
“W-why…?” His voice was weak, barely a whisper.His body shuddered, his breathing ragged.
One knight sneered, stepping closer, his blade dripping with fresh blood. “You don't need to know.” A cruel smirk twisted his lips.”After all, you won't be alive long enough for it to matter.”
With deliberate ease,he raised his sword high-then brought it down.
The poisoned adventurer barely had time to scream.The steel sliced cleanly through flesh and bone,his head rolling away from his trembling body.Blood pooled rapidly.
A silence heavier than the corpses settled over the group.One knight exhaled,kicking aside the severed head with an air of indifference.”We need to clean this up. Inform the commander.”
Another groaned.”Do we really have to? He’s just going to give us another speech about vigilance,”
“Yes,”the first knight snapped, irritation flashing across his face.”Those are his orders. He wants to know if any adventurers make it out of the dungeon.”
“Fine,fine.” With a sight, one knight turned on his heel and strode away to relay the report,leaving the others to deal with the body.
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After defeating the mushroom monsters, we pressed on, determined to find the path to the third floor. Our search led us to a narrow stream, winding through the dim light of the dungeon. On either side, enormous mushrooms loomed, their caps painted in vivid reds, oranges, and purples. The stream’s water was so clear that it reflected the colorful mushrooms like a glassy mirror, filling the area with an otherworldly glow that felt almost enchanted.
"This stream could be a clue to the next floor. We should follow it," Geo suggested, his voice filled with quiet hope.
Van frowned, glancing at the stream. "But what if it’s just a regular old stream? We might be wasting time," he argued, his tone a mix of doubt and concern.
Jason crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "You could be right, but with no other clues, we can’t afford to ignore even the smallest lead."
Hiddan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we’re in a place full of mysteries, so we have to consider every possibility," he added, scanning the area as if hoping for another sign.
Geo took a steadying breath, then gave a nod of determination. "In a dungeon like this, instinct matters. We’ll have to trust ours. Let’s go."
We moved along the stream, following its gentle flow as it led us deeper into the dungeon. Soon, we found ourselves facing a massive mushroom that looked almost like a house, complete with a door in its thick stem. Its cap was a dark, earthy green, and tangled roots wrapped around it like vines, giving it an ancient, weathered appearance. Small waterfalls trickled down the path toward the mushroom, pooling into tiny streams, and colorful plants dotted the grassy floor around it, their delicate petals glistening in the dim light.
"It looks like we finally found the way to the third floor," Geo said, relief and excitement in his voice.
Mario nodded, a small grin forming. "Guess following that little stream really paid off."
Gazing at the entrance to the third floor, a mix of excitement and unease stirred within me. What dangers—or discoveries—could be waiting for us down there? I couldn’t help but wonder if we were truly prepared for whatever lay ahead.