—―—―

―Fuck, fuck, fuck. Things went so horribly wrong, so horribly fast. Jim thinks to himself as he [Shield Bash] another damned thing out of their way and down into the abyss.

-I knew it. We should have turned back–

He ducks under an old rusted blade as Sebastian's firebolt comes from behind and sets the abomination that just took a swing at him on fire. Without hesitation and ignoring the flames he shoulder tackles the thing to put it off balance, then sends it after the previous one with a powerful kick. The burning bones lighting up the ominous darkness below as it silently falls into its doom - bright glow from the mage's staff once again the only source of light to illuminate the pitch black cavern. It is barely reaching the underground walls of this massive space while casting their long shadows on the bridge.

-No time, they have to keep moving.

They are running for their lives, crossing the narrow path hanging over the abyss and chased by a horde of monsters. -I hate this Light forsaken place. In his mind he keeps cursing and praying to his gods, lamenting they didn't bring a priest with them.

―We should have known better, went back to town, find us some experienced help. Someone who actually knows this stuff. But Jim also allowed himself to be blinded by the promise of treasures hidden in the unexplored ruin - he now has a family to support.

First the demon and now the undead, how did he got tangled up in this. Things started out fine; the place looked just like any other catacomb and they'd managed to defeat a few of the wandering skeletons roaming the upper floors, it wasn't easy but— should have turned back then, gathered more people.

Now they had to run. Through the darkness, and deeper underground.

He prayed.

—―

We are currently exploring the dungeon.

Solving this magical puzzle at the entrance was more fun than I thought. Having the ability to sense mana sure is convenient, and then some application of Mana Burn skill helped me cheat with the more complicated elements, but I've managed to get those heavy doors to open right before dawn - learning quite a bit in the process.

Seriously didn't like what my senses showed me down beyond, and I knew then that insisting to come with Circa was the right choice. Because there was Miasma beyond the wards, spilling out like fog the moment the path was open. It was different though? Not what I was used to back in hell. ―Curious.

The party of five got at least some sleep that night and were back on their feet soon after. They sure needed that, as there might not be much chance for rest from now on.

Tired people do stupid things.

As expected, this was some sort of a tomb. First few chambers were empty, nothing attacked us. Not counting mundane traps that Kammi made a short work off. I always stayed near my Idiot while the party went over the adjacent rooms, looting trinkets and even some coin. Main hallway with high vaulted ceiling supported by plain walls didn't have any lights, nothing to disperse the dark of the underground.

They'd left most of their baggage by the entrance, hidden in the corner and decided to go deeper while the mage boy provided a bright white light with a nifty spell. Mage Light he called it, magic making his staff glow like he was Gandalf or something. Strangely it didn't blind you, even if looked at it in this pitch black darkness - arcane arts are nice like that.

Then we'd found the first undead; skeletons around level 10, bare bones with rusted weapons. The team had little trouble there, but by the time 20s started showing up in the mix it was clear how unprepared and under leveled they were.

I kept silent, just as we agreed to last evening, before they all went to rest. Had to make a proper deal back then after our little argument about my participation - I'm now just making sure Circa doesn't die like an idiot she is.

I just watch them struggle within the gloomy dungeon.

―Seriously their party sucks when it comes to facing skeletons; their vanguard is a swordsman and swords are bad at disposing of the animated bones, you would want a mace or some other blunt force object that can shatter them. Shrug.

Even Kammi had trouble; daggers almost useless with no fleshy bits for her to go stab-stab on. She tried to sever their spines at first —That is until her blade chipped on the hard bone. I learned a lot about dwarvish cursing at that time, really amazing stuff.

The enraged dwarf then picked up a mace dropped by one of the raised warriors and started kneecapping them - jumping in and out weaving between old bones, her small stature a big advantage. That was unsurprisingly very effective and seemed to turn the tables in her party's favor.

―They should have just left after it became obvious how badly matched they were against their enemies. We even found a nice chest full of loot in that last room, so it's not like they would be going back empty handed.

Mage boy was doing fine - especially after he switched to using fire spells, but no matter how much Circa boosted his mana regeneration with her small lute it was never enough.

Poor Tyrel... not much you can do to a skeleton with arrows, this isn't a game. An enchanted one to the skull would stop or cripple one sure, but he didn't have many of those and had already lost a few. His second weapon of choice was a long thin sword... seriously another rapier? -Good luck, Circa also uses one together with a small crossbow. It's nice you taught her but―

Watching them struggle was giving me a little bit of satisfaction I won't lie. My little vindictive black heart found it entertaining, and at least the music was good. I've watched with fascination as mana danced to the tune played by our bard, my vines swayed with it – I was in a good mood despite the situation, humming along which seemed to irritate the others. Too bad the mana regeneration boost provided by it didn't work on demons, as we don't generate any on our own to begin with.

But this place has a really dense ambient mana, and I was taking full advantage of that. Taking it in with each breath - strange miasma present in the massive crypt oddly not affecting me at all, actually staying away from us.

I was sticking to Circa like glue, using subtle magic to trip random enemies headed her way or deflecting arrows from a few skeletal archers that joined the fight at one point. The five were getting worn down by restless assault, and the enemies didn't tire. The dark atmosphere of the place not helping their spirits at all.

And of course someone just had to say the magical words: 'Just one more hall' ―Sigh.

That's when a much different, more foreboding part of the complex started, and the big boys showed up. Tall armored undead with giant swords. The young adventurers realized then―

> Skeleton (15), Guardian (10)

-They've fucked up.

And to make it worse the party was cut off from the exit. Soon running for their lives through the darkness, chased by a small horde that poured out of concealed doors. We reached a huge natural cavern with a narrow bridge across a very deep chasm. Thin waterfalls coming down the walls from somewhere above, turning to mist long before reaching the bottom.

Our warrior was able to deal with the guards that charged us from the other side, being smart and throwing them out of the way and into the depths instead of trying to fight head on - skeletons are much lighter then him, the guy experienced enough to add two plus two.

I've had my fun but this can't go on like this. I was told to keep quiet unless it was a matter of life and death, and to not get in the way...

—I'm sure this counts.

"You should stop at the end of the bridge." I told Circa but made sure I was heard by everyone, this startled some of them.

"Wha-" She glanced at me but I'm not finished.

"There is more strong enemies in the next hall." Even more desperation showed in their eyes at those news, but they keep running.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"This bridge is your best defensible position, it's narrow and you can just push the stupid things off." I point out, and Jim seems to agree as he slows down to take the rear. "This is likely your only chance— well, not really."

"Shit, this wasn't supposed to go this way!" Sebby stops just beyond the bridge, at the balcony that overlooks the underground cliffs when we reached the next part of the crypt complex. -The boy is scared.

But I'm not sure what he expected would happen here. Tyrel just readied his bow, grim determination on his face while standing behind their sole vanguard. Still the army man is ready, his sword glows with a Skill even as he resigns himself to their fate.

Kammi seems conflicted about something -Is she considering abandoning them? She could likely sneak her way out.

Only Circa picked up on what I've just said.

"What's our other option?" She asks in a hurry. Some hope in her eyes.

"You could just let me loose?" And she blinks at me confused ―the hell?

"What do you–"

"Part of the deal is for me to stay quiet unless its an emergency, and I'm not supposed to get in the way of your fight." I shrug as first skeletons reach to middle of the bridge running fast. "And this is your fight, so..."

"Red!" "-For fucks sake!" Circa's jaw drops as I just shrug at her. Mage boy realized they had a demon with them this whole time, and that I was just tagging along the whole time not doing much anything.

"Deal's a deal, I can't just break it and you've kinda forced it on me." Telling them about how they messed up with a narrowed stare I can hear two people sigh behind me.

"―You've got to be kidding." Oh, that's Tyrel.

"Ok! I take this back out of the deal, help–"

"What about the loot part?" I decided to take my chances with the distressed guy.

"Sure! you can also get some loot!" And I smile at the magic-man. Good boy. "Now if you really can, just do so―"

-Already ahead of you. Third rank of Elementalist finally allows me to just magic things into existence. Conjuration is crazy useful but expensive, not like I needed that here but there is so much mana down here it would be a shame not to use it.

I was already preparing this from the moment the two realized they messed up when we made the deal that evening, sure they would agree. With a wave of my claw thick layer of smooth ice appears on the bridge - just the final part and under the first skeletons that were about to charge at Jim. It has a slight slope to one side that then grows more steep closer to our positions.

Undead are fascinating creatures, somewhat similar to demons yet completely different. But they are dumb as fuck.

We watch them slip, watch them fall ―Hey, the front ones were actually smart enough to try and stop! But the rest of the horde just keeps pushing from behind. I'm just laughing with hands on my hips in a classic pose, as this is kind of funny. Some slip in a really spectacular way.

Jim had to hide behind his shield when one numbskull lost a grip on its weapon when flailing -sending it his way, but otherwise nothing made it across. Others are speechless, and Kammi is just turning her head at the scene playing out on the bridge.

Sebby just crumpled to the ground, tension leaving his body and even gave a chuckle but I'm not sure what exactly got it out of him.

Circa smiles at me but it doesn't reach her eyes. —What?

The train of bony horrors soon ended, with a few smarter bastards still remaining on the other side of the ice - still wanting a piece off the living intruders. Since the kids are now recovering from their mad run I just volunteer and push em bones off with strong gust of wind, and then remove the ice to make sure we have a clear escape route - in case something comes out from the deeper parts.

I wanted to test the ability of my Greed Core, and it was more fun this way. I was able to observe how the cold sucked the ambient mana from the air, strengthening and supporting the conjuration. Although some of the smarter skeletons tried to jab their weapons into the ground to stop the fall, there were only few nicks and cracks on the smooth surface. I nod to myself satisfied with the experiment.

-I should try freezing something now instead of conjuring the ice itself.

I glace down into the abyss to make sure they won't be climbing back up, but even with my dark vision I can't see the bottom. Looking back to the walls, the designs carved onto them make me want to hurry the brats up so we can bail out from here. This part of the dungeon starts looking more sinister. -What's with all those spider motifs

Meanwhile the team was discussing something behind me, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"...We should keep going." Seriously Kammi? Are you crazy?

"I vote we go back." Tyrel had enough, and I can only nod at that.

"We need better preparation." Jim also wants to go. "Some priests or a Paladin to deal with the undead. Enchanted weapons. If there are wraiths down there..." A voice of reason.

But the other two. I already know their answers, can feel the greed grown in them. I'll have to ask Circa later what's the deal with her, why does she need the money.

"I say we go forward." She looks down for a bit when the two men look at her strangely. "This is actually a great opportunity that might not repeat itself-" She looks my way. "With Red with us- And not messing around. We might actually get much more out of this place." Preposterous! They basically forced me to swear I would keep quiet and not interfere. I send her a hurt, dirty look.

So they are casting votes, something tells me no one will be asking me for my opinion. Fuck that.

"I―"

"The creatures ahead are much stronger." I quickly interrupt our greedy mage. I guess magic is expensive so I won't hold it against him but this isn't a joke young man. "I can feel their presence from here, and there is likely something much worse trapped in this tomb. And as Jim said, you will need better preparations to face the undead." I would be surprised if that wasn't the case. A boss monster maybe? Who knows, this is my first dungeon since reincarnating in this world's hell.

Now that I think about it ―wow, this is some crazy opportunity... But I promised to keep a certain girl from dying here, and no undead will be making me into a liar -So let's go play in some lower level zone.

"C'mon Sebby, with the demon around we can make it!" The fuck Kammi? I look at her like she grew a send head.

"I–

Sigh...

—―

I don't like it. Suddenly I was made to carry a bunch of newbies through a high level zone. This is wrong, how did they even convince me? ―Huh?

-I have a bad feeling about this.

> Level up.

>

> Level up.

>

> Class: Red Rosen-Maiden Imp (3)

Well alright, this isn't all that bad. Actually kinda nice.

Considering how many undead I've already disposed off my new class levels up painfully slow. I'm currently examining a completely frozen skeleton in front of me -Frozen to the bone. I give a chuckle at that.

The rest of the group is hacking at another one, slowly chipping away at its health. There are many more of them around the room, all in a similar state, frozen at least sheens deep to the ground unable to get to us. When a skeleton manages to break its legs off in an attempt to reach Sebby - who was standing to the side recovering mana, I trap it in more ice where it waits for someone to come and bash the skull in with a looted mace.

Power leveling them is a slow process, but I refuse to do everything myself anyway. Since I'm now somehow in charge, we do things my way ―Easy way. This is already our second room like this...

Those crypts keep going down, so I took the time while the kids rested to redirect one of the waterfalls falling down the chasm with some earth magic, just flooding the damn place because I can. Much easier and cheaper to freeze the water than create Ice. All I had to do to have the enemies gather like this was to make some noise in the spacious hall ahead, which then attracted a lot of undead attention. The rooms were made in such a way that allowed the water to pool on the floor.

Since it is just normal water the stupid boneheads didn't react to it at all. ―Then I just Invoked a lot of Ice magic to create this experience farm.

-The Ice I've made is very effective against them; they are being animated by magic and if drained of mana they ―well not die, perish? But it's slow, and the stronger ones either break the ice or their damn legs snap and the undead creepy crawl towards us. Those guys are nothing if not persistent.

―Mhmm, I don't see much difference in the effects of the Core's ability between conjuration or invocation. Conjured Ice seems to drain them faster because it has higher upkeep, but not by much.

I watch as the mana leaves it, flowing into the ice. It's getting really cold in here, each breath coming out in a white cloud. Well, at least from the mortals - not from a demon like me. Hmm, what is wrong with this crazy rogue? Shrug.

I make the ice tighten its grip. With a snap the thing breaks into thousand pieces, frozen bone rather brittle. I move to study another one

―Boring? Well the kids are having fun avoiding the mad swings of their immobile enemy, while trying not to trip on the frozen water. If they thought I will just blast through the damn place for them they must be crazy. The ice covered floor is a bit tricky, but I didn't make it smooth so they can manage.

> Skeleton (15) Guardian (12)

Yeah, no thank you. Those guys are damn hard to kill, likely the guardian class. Just like demons, the undead seem to have a race and class levels―

Just then something enters my perception range and I frown. I've been slowly allocating points into my stats one by one since I can't afford to get incapacitated now. Those two level ups earned me 20 off them, and I decided to get my perception up since it was lagging behind.

Something's lurking below at the edge of my senses. So yes the kids need at least few levels, if we are to keep going. It won't be that easy further down.

After the second room was cleared we finally take a break. Since I've gained levels I decide to use this time to risk investing in some skills. In this hall some of the stronger enemies gathered, lured by loud noises from deeper underground and the Ice didn't hold them for long, even I need this break after being forced to blast them with more magic then I've ever used before.

With all the water now flowing in a small stream through the middle of the room and deeper underground, I should have more than enough Ice to slow and dispose of them and then—

"-I will go scout ahead."

"Sure, don't take long" I respond to Kammi. ―Huh?

"I won't." She responds with a smile. -What is she? Crazy girl, why would she need to go when I can feel the enemies ahead with my Mana Sense? Whatever, if she really wants to go just let her.

Actually she was always scouting ahead when we moved through this place ―wasn't she?

I shake my head to clear those thoughts -what was I?

Road ahead will be hard, right? So I better finish allocating my points. While scrolling down the list of skills I decide to chat with Circa to pass the time - she also gained two levels.

"Was Kammi always the crazy one in the team?"

"Huh?" Ahaha! "No, she just talks like this, very thick dwarvish accent and the unique way they speak." She laughs.

-What accent? I mean sometimes she would let it slip but is otherwise hiding it pretty well.

"Sometimes I can't tell what she is talking about." Circa shrugs and plays us few notes meant to speed up our recovery. I blink at her ―something is wrong.

"Are you sure about that?" Is this some system shenanigans translating things for me?

"She is new to the team, but I don't think she is crazy, no." What? Are we talking about the same thing? I was asking about the accent.

"She is new?" But they seem to get along so well.

"Yeah, we met her in Markan."

Isn't that the border town? The one they passed on the way here? I muse to myself while investing more into spirit after rising perception to 20.

Oh, I can feel Kammi coming back already, so everything is alright.

...

―—―—