Chapter 33 "On the eighth floor at the end of sight"

As we stepped into the pyramid, a long, narrow stone staircase stretched before us, descending into the darkness. The walls on either side were etched with ancient figures and cryptic symbols, their worn edges whispering of forgotten times.

A heavy chill clung to the air, thick and suffocating. Each breath carried a weight, as if the very atmosphere pressed down on us.

We moved in a single file—Geo led the way, followed by Hiddan, Quiro, Frank, and Brian. I walked behind them with Jason and Niro, while Mario brought up the rear.

Geo ran his fingers along the carvings, his voice breaking the silence. “This place is massive outside, but inside... it’s like it’s trying to squeeze the life out of us.” His unease was clear, as if he were trying to shake off the passage’s suffocating grip.

“If monsters attack in a place like this, we’d be at a huge disadvantage,” Hiddan muttered, his eyes flicking to the shifting shadows. His grip on his weapon tightened. “Fighting would be difficult. Escaping might be impossible.”

A deep, uneasy silence settled over us. Each step deepened the oppressive stillness.

“You’re right,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “One wrong move in a space this tight could cost us everything.”

Geo slowed his pace and whispered back, “If it comes to that, we rely on each other. There’s no room to fight alone in here.” Despite his determination, he kept glancing over his shoulder.

A few steps behind, Niro let out a low whistle. “Great. As if this place wasn’t claustrophobic enough, now I’ve got to worry about monsters jumping out of the walls. Fantastic.”

Mario shifted uneasily at the rear. “Could you all stop jinxing it? Let’s just get through this as fast and quiet as possible.”

The silence pressed in, thick and almost tangible. I could feel the tension in the group—every footstep, every breath, every flicker of movement in the dim light felt magnified.

“Stay close,” I said firmly. “No matter what happens, don’t panic. We stick together.”

The others nodded, their faces grim with determination. Only the faint echoes of our footsteps accompanied us as we descended deeper into the pyramid’s ancient depths.

At the bottom of the staircase, we found ourselves facing a narrow, dimly lit corridor that seemed like part of an ancient passageway or an underground tunnel. The thick, rough walls bore signs of decay, with cracks and crumbling edges revealing the passage’s age. The faint glow of crystals embedded along the walls provided just enough light to reveal the dust and fragments of broken stones scattered across the floor.

Jason crouched down, inspecting the debris. His voice broke the silence, tinged with curiosity and unease. “Judging by these shattered stones… it looks like a battle took place here. A violent one.”

Quiro knelt beside him, picking up one of the stones. He turned it over in his hand, his eyes narrowing. “Look at this,” he said grimly. “There’s still a trace of blood on it. Old, but definitely blood.” His tone carried both fascination and a hint of dread as he held the stone up for everyone to see.

Geo, standing ahead, glanced back at us, his voice calm but firm. “Whatever happened here, it’s in the past. Let’s not stick around long enough to find out if it left anything behind. Keep moving.”

As we moved deeper into the corridor, the faint echoes of our footsteps seemed to stretch endlessly, bouncing off the walls like whispers in the dark. The air grew colder with each step,

At the bottom of the staircase, we stepped into a narrow, dimly lit corridor—an ancient passageway carved deep beneath the earth. The thick, rough walls bore the scars of time, their cracks and crumbling edges testaments to centuries of neglect. A faint glow from crystals embedded along the walls cast flickering light, just enough to reveal the dust and scattered fragments of broken stone beneath our feet.

Jason crouched, running his fingers over the debris. His voice broke the silence, a mix of curiosity and unease. “Judging by these shattered stones… it looks like a battle took place here. A violent one.”

Quiro knelt beside him, picking up a jagged piece of stone. He turned it over in his hand, his eyes narrowing.“ Look at this.” He held it up, the dim light catching a faint stain. “Old, but definitely blood.” His tone carried both fascination and a hint of dread.

Geo, standing ahead, glanced back. His voice was calm but firm. “Whatever happened here, it’s in the past. Let’s not stick around long enough to find out if it left anything behind. Keep moving.”

We pressed on. Our footsteps echoed through the passage, stretching endlessly, bouncing off the walls like whispers in the dark. The air turned colder with every step, wrapping around us like an unseen presence.

At the end of the corridor, we emerged into a vast, winding cavern, where multiple pathways branched in different directions.

The walls shimmered with a soft golden glow, as if the very stone radiated light. The warm illumination filled the space with an almost ethereal atmosphere. The ceiling arched high above us, like a grand cathedral shaped by time itself. The smooth, flowing curves of the walls looked sculpted by centuries of erosion, their polished surfaces reflecting the light in shifting patterns.

Beneath our feet, the floor was unexpectedly smooth and even—almost unnatural for a dungeon.

“We’ve reached the eighth floor,” Geo said, his voice steady, though touched with wonder as he took in the breathtaking expanse. “But there’s no sign of the guardian’s symbol. Looks like this dungeon goes deeper than we thought.”

Van frowned. “Then how many more do we have to go?”

“Don’t worry,” Hiddan said. “Most dungeons have eight to ten floors. We should be close.”

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Outside the Dungeon

The army of knights stood divided into formations, each group wielding a different type of weapon, their roles clearly defined.

At the front, the spear-bearers stood in rigid formation, their long, razor-sharp spears pointing skyward like a forest of steel. Their task was clear—hold the line and keep enemies at bay.

Behind them, the archers held their bows in a ready stance, fingers resting lightly on their arrows. Their sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, prepared to rain death from a distance at the first sign of trouble.

The third group consisted of sword-wielding knights, their lighter armor designed for speed and maneuverability. The sun caught the edges of their blades, gleaming like fangs poised for battle.

At the center of it all stood Knight Commander Karim,the commander of the knights of house of Shumidt his presence commanding silence and discipline. He surveyed his men with a sharp gaze before speaking, his voice calm yet firm.

"Is everything ready? Our mission is simple—defeat the dungeon guardian and retrieve the core."

A knight stepped forward and saluted. "All supplies are accounted for, Commander," Ramon reported with confidence. "We’re fully prepared."

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Nearby, Knight Kevin shifted slightly, his eyes scanning the heavily armed force. Then, he spoke the thought on everyone’s mind.

"Do you really think we have enough men to clear an S-class dungeon?"

Karim’s expression remained unreadable. "That depends on what we’re facing." He crossed his arms. "There are only six recorded S-class dungeons in the history of the Yedon Continent. This is the seventh. From what we know, past dungeon guardians included two minotaurs, a Gorecyclops—a massive one-eyed giant—and Gorgofang, a monstrous reptilian hybrid of lizard and deep-sea predator. There was also a two-headed snake and the Ogremoth, a hulking brute with warty, toad-like skin and multiple heads."

Kevin exhaled sharply. "No wonder so many die in these dungeons."

Karim smirked. "Which is why we let adventurers go in first. They clear the lower floors, thinning out the monsters. This dungeon hasn’t had a population surge, meaning most of the weaklings are already gone. That leaves only the guardian."

Kevin let out a dry chuckle. "So we let them do the dirty work first. Smart."

Karim’s smirk deepened. "And profitable. The duke is more than pleased this dungeon appeared. Once we retrieve the core and present it to him, Count Lorno will be elevated to a marquis."

Kevin smirked. "So that means I'll be the knight commander of a marquis's household."

Karim glanced at him. "Not just that. If Count Lorno becomes Marquis Count Lorno, he'll have the authority to grant noble titles. And as his knight commander, you're the closest to being elevated."

Kevin’s grip on his sword tightened slightly, a flicker of ambition in his eyes. A title of nobility…

Karim gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Let’s move out."

The knights marched in disciplined silence, their armor clinking softly with each step. As they reached the dungeon’s entrance—a narrow, ominous gap in the rock—they instinctively slowed. The air here was thick, heavy with something ancient and foreboding.

Forming a single-file line, the first group moved in cautiously. Their every movement was precise, years of training evident in their unshaken discipline. The spear-bearers entered first, their weapons held firm, followed by the swordsmen and archers, each watching their surroundings with unwavering focus.

The darkness inside swallowed them whole.

One by one, they vanished into the depths of the unknown.

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"This floor is way too quiet. Is this really the eighth floor?" Van asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "Compared to the others, this place feels... too ordinary."

Geo gave a cautious look around before responding, "Don’t let the silence fool you. Every dungeon and its floors have their own dangers. Sometimes, the ones that seem the least threatening are the deadliest."

Jason glanced down the cavernous path, his voice low. "This cave is massive. There are so many twists and turns. It's hard to tell what's waiting around the corner."

Frank, walking nearby, added, "Yeah, it’s like a maze in here. We need to stay sharp."

The group continued searching for the next passage. The inside of the cave seemed like an endless labyrinth—winding, filled with walls, and seemingly guided by uncertainty. Every step brought the crisp sound of small rocks beneath their feet.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Van asked, his voice laced with doubt as his eyes darted around the dim cave.

Mario sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Maybe we should take a break. Pushing forward like this won’t do us any good if we’re exhausted."

Jason shook his head, his voice firm. "We’re close, I can feel it. And from the paths we’ve seen, others have already gone ahead of us."

Hiddan crossed his arms and shot Jason a pointed look. "I get what you’re saying, but being too tired to fight if something shows up is just as dangerous."

Geo let out a sigh and dropped his pack. "Fine, fine. Let’s rest for a bit."

"Finally," Van muttered, slumping against the nearest wall.

His relief was short-lived. "Ow! What the—" he yelped, jerking forward and clutching his back.

We all turned to him, startled. "What happened?" I asked.

"Something poked me!" Van snapped, spinning around to inspect the wall. His fingers brushed over a small, twisted piece of wood sticking out of the stone. "This... thing."

Caelan stepped closer, squinting at it. "Tree roots…?" he murmured, running his fingers over the rough, gnarled surface.

Brian frowned, glancing around. "Tree roots? Here? That doesn’t make sense—there’s no sign of trees anywhere near this place."

"Wait," Quiro said, crouching to follow the direction of the roots with his eyes. "Look. They’re all leading that way."

Geo stood up, his expression sharpening. "If they’re pointing somewhere, we need to find out where."

As they moved forward, the roots grew denser, twisting and curling along the walls and ceiling. Some were thick and heavy, like ancient tree trunks, while others stretched out like skeletal fingers clawing at the darkness.

"Okay, this is creepy," Van muttered, glancing warily at the roots around them. "It’s like they’re trying to guide us—or trap us."

"Whatever is at the end of these roots, we need to find out," Geo said.

We continued following the roots, which seemed like guides leading us through a mysterious path.

Before long, we arrived at a vast chamber within the cave. The ceiling was covered in roots that shimmered with an otherworldly glow from tiny crystals embedded in them. At the center of the room, a thicker root coiled tightly around a sealed stone door.

"This seems to be what we’re looking for," Hiddan said cautiously, stepping closer.

"This symbol on the door… it means we’ve reached the final floor," Hiddan said, his voice a mix of awe and tension. "The dungeon guardian and the core should be just beyond here."

"We're heading in. Stay sharp. Archers, take position at the rear and keep your arrows ready." Geo command

Hiddan and Frank pushed open the double doors in unison. As we stepped inside, the ground seemed to vanish beneath us—a vast chasm stretched out before us, its depths swallowed in darkness. A long, narrow bridge extended from where we stood, leading toward an ancient forest veiled in thick, swirling mist.

Beyond the mist, a structure loomed at the heart of the forest. Its towering spires and intricate stonework bore a striking resemblance to a grand cathedral, yet something about it felt deeply wrong. The air was unnaturally still, heavy with a cold, damp chill that clung to my skin.

A shiver ran down my spine as I stared at the distant building. My breath felt short, my heartbeat too loud in the suffocating silence. The longer I looked, the stronger the unease grew, tightening in my chest like an unseen hand. I didn’t know why, but my body knew before my mind could understand—this place was dangerous.

"Are you okay, Caelan?" Jason’s voice cut through the silence, his concern evident.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile that felt brittle.

"You don’t look fine," Mario observed, his sharp gaze scanning my face.

Only then did I realize everyone was watching me. My palms were damp, my fingers curling involuntarily.

"The bridge seems sturdy enough," Van said, glancing down to reassure me. "Don't worry, I'll be right behind you."

"Just don’t look down," Hiddan added with a knowing grin.

I exhaled slowly. "I’m not afraid of heights," I muttered, but my eyes drifted back to the cathedral-like structure, an unsettling weight pressing against my chest.

"If you look at it from here, it does give off a strange vibe," Quiro murmured. His usual lighthearted tone was absent. "This is the most dangerous part of the dungeon. The Dungeon Guardian is just ahead."

"The strongest monster in the dungeon," Jason muttered under his breath.

"You don’t need to worry," Geo said, his voice firm. "It’s just a Class E dungeon. As long as we stay focused, we’ll be fine. Let’s go."

One by one, we stepped onto the bridge, maintaining a careful distance between each other. The structure held firm beneath our feet, but the sheer drop into the abyss below was enough to make even the bravest hesitate.

As expected, Geo led the way, while Van lagged behind. His steps were slow, deliberate, as if each movement required all his focus.

“Come on, Van, hurry up!” Niro called when Van finally reached the other side.

“Sorry,” Van muttered, rubbing his arms. “That ravine’s so deep, it’s messing with my head.”

His face was pale, the usual color drained from his skin. We couldn’t blame him. That endless void below could make anyone’s stomach churn.

“Maybe we should rest for a bit,” Geo suggested, his brow furrowed in concern.

“I’m fine,” Van said quickly, forcing a tight-lipped smile. “Let’s keep going. We’re almost there.”

“You sure?” Jason asked, studying him.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Van nodded.

Geo didn’t push the issue. “Alright, let’s go.”

We continued forward, each step drawing us closer to the ominous structure ahead. The mist thickened, curling around us like ghostly tendrils. The air grew colder. The silence deepened.

And still, the cathedral loomed—watching.