Chapter 32 " Deserts alliance, Battle in the sand"

When we reached the seventh floor, we stepped into a vast desert-like landscape. The ceiling of the dungeon shone with an intense, unnatural light that mimicked the sun. Towering cacti stood out prominently, surrounded by clusters of smaller succulents and desert plants scattered across the sandy ground. In the distance, orange-hued rocky mountains stretched toward the horizon, adding to the dry and peaceful atmosphere. The scene was full of vibrant colors—lush greens of the plants contrasting sharply with the sandy beige and warm orange tones of the desert terrain.

"Let’s keep moving," Geo said, trying to sound confident, though he already seemed a bit tired.

We started walking along the sandy path, the grains crunching under our boots. At first, we moved quickly, eager to find the next entrance. But the soft sand made it harder with every step. Our feet kept sinking slightly, making it feel like the ground was holding us back. It was tiring to keep going, as each step took more effort than normal.

"This is tougher than I thought," I mumbled, wiping the sweat from my face.

"Let's rest for a while," Geo said, his voice tired but relieved.

We stopped walking and dropped onto the sandy ground, settling under the shade of a large cactus. After walking for so long, even a short rest felt like a blessing.

"Van, why are you staring at those cacti like that?" Niro asked, raising an eyebrow.

Van squinted at the tall plants, his face serious. "I'm just making sure they're real cacti. You never know—they might suddenly start moving."

For a moment, we were silent. Then, as if on instinct, we all jumped to our feet, gripping our weapons tightly, ready for an attack.

When nothing happened, we finally relaxed, letting out sighs of relief.

Geo chuckled. "Still, he’s got a point. What if these things were actually monsters? We didn’t even check!"

"Exactly," Van said, crossing his arms, looking smug.

Hiddan leaned back against a rock and sighed. "Van’s right. We should always check our surroundings before relaxing. The most dangerous time for adventurers is when they’re exhausted or injured—that’s when mistakes happen."

We exchanged glances, realizing none of us, except Van, had bothered to check if the area was safe.

"Fair enough," Geo said with a grin, stretching his legs. "But let’s take it easy for now. If the cacti decide to attack, we’ll deal with it then."

---

The soft, dim light from the ceiling bathed the surroundings, reminiscent of sunlight breaking through thick clouds. The shadows cast by the cactus provided a brief reprieve from the oppressive heat, though the air remained heavy.

“That should be enough rest,” Geo muttered, stretching his arms and glancing up at the ceiling. His voice carried a hint of restlessness

. “But inside this dungeon… it’s like time doesn’t exist. It’s unsettling.”niro said

Van leaned back against the cactus, his expression thoughtful. “Yeah, it messes with your head. Day and night feel the same here.”

“Stepping into a dungeon is like stepping into another world,” Hiddan added, his brow furrowed as he counted their dwindling supplies. “You lose track of everything—time, direction… even yourself, if you’re not careful.”

Caelan, adjusting the straps of his bag, stood up with a focused expression. His gaze fixed on the narrow, winding path ahead. “We can’t stay here any longer. There’s still a long way to go, and we don’t know when we’ll find another safe spot like this. We need to move.”

Jason sighed, He tightened the straps on his sword, his grip firm as determination replaced his earlier unease. “You’re right. No point wasting time.”

Geo glanced around, his eyes scanning the area one last time to make sure nothing was left behind. “Everything’s packed. Let’s go,” he said, his tone calm but resolute.

They slowly moved away from under the cactus, their footsteps leaving traces behind. With each step, they made their way toward the rocky mountains visible in the distance.

Caelan gazed at the steep mountain towering before them. Despite the exhaustion and heat weighing them down, they immediately began climbing the rugged slope. The mountain was filled with strange formations of red rocks, resembling towers from an ancient kingdom.

“Make sure you’ve got a solid grip,” Jason said as he felt for grooves in the rock. “I don’t want to have to pick you up from below.”

“Thanks for the concern,” Niro replied with a slight smirk as he steadily climbed. “But I’ve got this.”

Every step upward felt like a challenge. The heat from the dungeon’s ceiling bore down on them, like sunlight scorching their skin, while the rough rocks beneath their feet were covered in dust. Each hold and foothold had to be chosen carefully, ensuring they were firm and wouldn’t crumble. From time to time, they paused to catch their breath, feel the faint breeze brushing past, and look at how far they had climbed.

Van stopped briefly, catching his breath. “Look,” he said, turning back to the group. “We’re so high up already.”

Geo glanced over, his eyes glinting with excitement. “Yeah, we’re close. Don’t take too long resting!”

Caelan leaned against the rock, listening to the wind whistling through the cracks in the mountain. It sounded like music, giving him a renewed sense of energy.

Each of them could feel the strain of the climb—arms aching, fingers sore from gripping the sharp edges.

When we finally reached the summit of the rocky mountain, we were greeted by the sight of a vast desert dotted with enormous cacti. But what truly caught our attention was a triangular-shaped mountain in the far distance.

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The moment I saw it, only one thought came to mind—it looked just like a pyramid.

"Look over there—people!" Jason’s voice was urgent as he pointed toward the distance.

We all snapped our heads in the direction he indicated.

Farther down the mountain, a fierce battle was unfolding. Three adventurers were locked in combat with a massive stone golem.

“They’re in trouble,” Van muttered, narrowing his eyes as he watched.

The adventurers were holding their ground, but it was clear they couldn’t gain the upper hand. The archer among them loosed arrow after arrow, each shot precise but utterly ineffective as the projectiles harmlessly bounced off the golem’s hardened exterior.

The two others fought at close range. One wielded a sword, its blade flashing as it slashed against the golem’s torso. The other drove a spear forward in a powerful thrust. Both attacks barely left a scratch, the solid stone rendering their efforts futile. While they managed to dodge and counter the golem’s slow but heavy strikes, the strain was visible in their movements. It wouldn’t be long before fatigue caught up with them.

“They’re wasting their strength,” Geo said, his tone low but critical. His eyes stayed fixed on the fight, studying the golem’s movements. “They’re attacking the wrong parts. If they want to take it down, they need to aim for the joints. Start with the legs—take those out, and it won’t be able to move.”

Caelan, still watching the battle, clenched his fists. “If they don’t figure that out soon, they’re going to lose. That thing’s too tough to fight head-on for long.”

What do we do now, Geo ?" Mario asked, his voice tense. "You're the leader. It's up to you to decide."

Geo glanced around, his expression steady but his eyes sharp with determination. "What else is there to do? We can't leave our comrades behind," he said, his tone unwavering. "And don't worry—we can take down that monster. We’re ready for this."

We quickly descended the mountain and made our way to the battle. When we arrived, I saw the golem up close. It was about 195 cm tall and made entirely of stone. Its body was built from large, uneven rocks, giving it a rough, solid look. Its arms and hands were massive stone chunks, strong enough to crush or lift anything in its way. The golem’s red, glowing eyes made it look even more menacing.

Without hesitation, Geo and Hiddan charged at the golem,their weapons poised for battle.

“Move aside!” Geo bellowed at the three adventurers, his voice sharp with urgency.

With a fierce roar, he swung his weapon in a crushing arc. The impact was brutal-his blade cleaved deep into the golem’s left leg, sending cracks splintering across the stone. The golem staggered but retaliated fast.It swung its massive fist downward like a collapsing pillar, aiming to crush Geo where he stood.

Hiddan was already moving. His spear blurred through the air, striking the golem’s wrist with pinpoint precision. The force of the blow redirected the golem’s attack, its fist slamming into the ground instead of Geo.Dust and debris exploded from impact.

Jason and I seized the moment.I lunged at the golem’s right leg, gripping my sword with both hands.With all my strength, I slashed down. The blade bit into the stone, sending shards flying, but the limb held firm.Jason dashed around, delivering rapid strikes to keep the golem’s focus divided.

Geo met my eyes for a split second, and we moved as one.Our weapons struck in perfect sync, tearing through the fractured stone. Crrrrrrrk A sickening crack rang out as the golem’s legs gave way. It toppled, thuuuuuud crashing to the ground with an earth-shaking impact.

The two adventurers we had saved earlier didn't hesitate. They rushed in, their blades flashing as they hacked at the golem’s exposed body.

Hiddan took a measured step forward, eyes locked on the creature’s core.He spun his spear once, then drove it straight into the glowing heart of the monster. The tip pierced deep, and for a moment,everything was silent-then a deep, shuddering crack split the air. Crrrrck The golem let out a final, hollow groan before its massive form crumbled into dust and rubble.

As the dust settled, only a single object remained- a glowing brown magic stone, pulsing faintly in the silence.

"These magic stone are yours. We can't thank you enough for your help," said one of the adventurers we had saved. I then noticed that he was an elf. His long ears stood out, and his sharp green eyes held a determined gaze. He was dressed in forest-green clothing, perfect for blending into the trees, with armor and a belt full of tools. A quiver full of arrows rested on his back, and his face bore tribal markings.

"I'm Quiro," he said, nodding with a quiet smile.

The other adventurer spoke up, standing nearby. "And I'm Frank." His messy hair and relaxed posture gave him a laid-back vibe. He wore a sleeveless orange shirt, loose green pants, and a bandana tied around his head, with cloth wrapped around his arm. His sword was sheathed at his side, "Seriously, thanks again for the help," he added with a grateful grin.

The last companion introduced himself simply. "Brian."

He had messy gray hair, a rugged face with a slight beard, and a serious expression. A loose white shirt hung over his frame, partially covered by a dark green cloak draped over one shoulder. Leather belts and straps secured various pouches and equipment around his waist. His tight-fitting pants and sturdy leather boots spoke of practicality, built for travel. In his hand, he held a long spear, his grip steady and firm.

"My name’s Geo, and these are Hiddan, Mario, Jason, Niro, Van, and Caelan," Geo introduced, pointing to each of us as he spoke.

"There are only three of you in your party. Who’s the leader?" Geo asked, raising an eyebrow.

The three exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain how to respond. Finally, Quiro broke the silence.

"Actually, there are four of us," he said, his voice steady but tinged with sadness. "Marius was our leader, the highest-ranked among us. But when we reached the fourth floor, we were ambushed by Crystalline Spine monsters. He... ran. Left us behind. We barely made it out alive. When we got to the sixth floor, we found his body. Along with a lot of others."

Hiddan narrowed his eyes, leaning forward. "On the sixth floor, did you run into any monsters? Or did you just avoid them?"

Frank shook his head. "No, we didn’t see any. Just bodies. A massacre must’ve happened before we got there."

Mario gave a thoughtful nod. "Looks like someone—or something—cleared them out before we arrived. Guess we were lucky."

Geo’s expression darkened. "That many deaths in a class E dungeon? Casualties happen, sure, but this... this is something else."

Quiro sighed, frustration and exhaustion written across his face. "That’s why we’re asking to join your group. After what happened on the fourth floor, we know we won’t last on our own. We even thought about turning back. But after coming this far... quitting didn’t feel right."

Geo’s eyes studied them for a moment, weighing their words. "What do you all think?" he asked, glancing at us.

Hiddan was the first to speak. "I think we should take them in. We’re on the seventh floor now, and we have no idea what dangers lie ahead. The more of us there are, the better the chances."

Mario nodded in agreement. "There’ve been too many casualties already. Just because this is an E-class dungeon doesn’t mean we should underestimate the dangers here."

Geo looked around at the group. "Anyone opposed?"

The silence that followed spoke volumes. No one objected.

"Alright then, welcome to the group," Geo said, his voice firm but welcoming. "But there are rules. You’ll need to follow them."

"We understand," Quiro responded, his voice relieved but still somber.

We continued our journey until we finally reached the pyramid we had spotted from afar.

"It looks even more impressive up close," Van said, his voice filled with awe.

The massive stepped structure loomed before us, built from weathered stone blocks that gave it a rough yet perfectly symmetrical appearance. At its base, a rectangular doorway stood between two small columns, with a short flight of stairs leading up to it. The sheer size and ancient design of the pyramid made it feel imposing, as if it had stood undisturbed for centuries, waiting for someone to uncover its secrets.