―—―—

-This is odd.

The path ahead was actually much easier then I thought? We barely encounter any resistance and make a quick work of single enemies that come our way; the party learned how to better cooperate in dismantling skeletons after their training on the frozen dummies.

I'm relieved and disappointed that there are no skeleton mages here -If those are even a thing in this world. Could help to watch them and learn how such things work. Mana animates them, but it's still unclear to me how. Watching a caster undead would be very informative.

It would appear that we've already killed most of the enemies in here after luring them to those two trap rooms. That's good because we had to cross yet another bridge soon after - this one much shorter then the last, and all the water flowing down the corridors got drained away at this point. So I guess that means there will be no more cheating our way through.

We were able to find more treasure and everyone now carries a pretty heavy bag. The mood is much lighter, as they not only got rich but also gained levels - not much but it's always a good feeling. Jim takes the cake when it comes to surprises though ―Seriously? I can only shake my head, this explains a lot.

Well everyone except Kammi that is - but she is the highest level around, so might need bigger targets. And it's still funny, that me being at level 3 in my class means I'm the lowest here - yet still doing most of the work. Demons are unfairly strong, and it also proves that numbers aren't everything.

> Dwarf. Rogue (22)

My class turning back to level 1 after the evo―

-Wait. Something Is wrong here but I can't put my finger around it. There's that thing at the back of my head that's been bugging me for some time.

We walk silently through the dark catacomb with alcoves full of bones - thankfully not animated. There are various trinkets that were buried with them, party members looting something that strikes their fancy from time to time. Jewellery, coin and even magic items. Still a bad feeling keeps growing in my chest.

-I can almost grasp it but then it slips away.

I don't like how empty this place has become, my paranoia is waking up. Especially since there is a lot of magic waiting in the next part...

This next room is actually a very big chamber, half cave-half a carved out ancient temple. Both natural columns and intricate pillars are supporting the high ceiling; in the back of the temple part up ahead, there is a flight of stairs with a pair of big stone doors atop of them. We are standing at the entrance, just a step from a smooth path flanked by obsydian coffins that runs straight up there - towards those huge double doors of what is likely the inner sanctum. Everything is carved in stone – If this doesn't scream Boss room then I don't know anymore. The whole setup sticks of a trap.

The cave opens up to the right into another massive chasm, with the floor ending abruptly on a cliff. The other side is too far to see from here even for me because of miasma - another bridge leading into the dark abyss. The place is flooded with mana that raises from the depths.

I can almost hear boss music... ―Oh, that's just Circa. She started humming to herself as my nerves started affecting her as well.

I'm just standing there, at the entrance without saying a word and scanning the room. They can't see in the dark, so tension is raising. -Will those statues back there move to attack us if we enter, or are they just for decoration? I can't help but wonder and imagine the worst.

-Well, they won't be able to carry everything back now. Looking around you can see piles of treasure off to the side. There are also rows of big stone sarcophagi by the left wall, and more even larger coffins near the pillars. -Yeahhh... I'm not going in there.

"Red? What's wrong." Sebby it seems couldn't stand the rising tension; he started using my nickname after our break. -Hell, even Jim stopped glaring at me like I've killed his puppy.

"I'm not sure... but this smells like a trap if I've ever seen one." That remark from me made Circa stop the silent boss music. This girl... "Problem is I can't sense any enemies, but I'm not making this mistake again."

"Mistake?"

"I had my senses fooled not that long ago." I answer Circa's question, scanning the temple side of the room; some serious spellwork was put up around the doors leading inside the complex in the back. There are reliefs on the carved part of the wall; One is depicting a dark giant figure gifting something to a group of tiny people gathered at its feet - another shows seven figures donning strange looking crowns. There are also depictions of battles, and other less savory... activities.

Some ancient history, maybe Circa or mage boy could shed some light on it. The thing is I'm-

"C'mon let's go in, looks safe ey?"

"Yea let's go, we wasted enough time." I respond and step inside, soon followed by the rest. When the Mage Light reached the piles of treasure everyone starts gawking, reaching for some of the more shiny baubles.

-Too quiet. Treasure is supposed to be guarded, what sorry excuse for a dungeon is this?

There is some strange magic around all the caskets preventing my senses from reaching inside them. Runes were carved on the floor around these, but they look almost new? Much different from what I can sense near the doors further in, which are actually protected by stupidly powerful wards barring everyone from entering ―No, something more specialized? I would need to take a closer look.

"Later guys, we need to make sure it's safe before you loot the place." I'm being very serious now. "And stay away from the temple doors and the coffins! Circa come with me, I want you to take a look at those walls." as a bard she has some knowledge about various legends.

But she only shakes her head at my silent question after I created some light for her. Trick I picked up watching Sebby reapply this spell on the simple staff he's been carrying, to let the others actually see where they are going. Nothing illuminates the darkness inside this tomb.

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-I can't imagine people exploring here with just simple torches.

"The gifting..." Said mage answered from behind, and I raised a brow at him - he sounds shocked. "Ancient history." adds then looking at the seven figures. -Not very helpful either man. We then follow him along the wall as he keeps muttering to himself studying each picture, more excited and more scared with each depicted scene.

"This is–"

"Jim! what are you doing?!" Tyrel's shout makes him stop mid sentence.

Turning our heads, we all look back to see our hunter who was keeping an eye on the coffins and still standing near the treasures. He points at the entrance to the temple; where Kammi stands just outside the enchantments and wards set around the doors, few steps behind Jim... Jim who is currently opening the damned things! —I can already sense the magic stir inside the coffins and the sarcophagi by the walls. It's sluggish but something is slowly waking up. What the actual fuck!?

"Run to the fucking exit!" I roar at the two by my side, panic and anger on my face "Tyrel! grab the most shiny chest you can carry from the pile and run!" Yea I'm a greedy little thing.

There is a groan of stone grinding, coming from the entrance but the fear we would get trapped her by a massive boulder was unfounded.

I run for the crazy dwarf, and hopefully our still breathing idiot Paladin. What the hell is he thinking!

Now that it's open the enchantments no longer block me and I can sense the magic inside ―The thing is a fake, made to look like a separate building. It's basically nothing more then an alcove hidden behind those decorated doors, and Jim is right back outside carrying a crown in his hands.

"Good boy." Kammi compliments the man, his eyes are vacant and empty. ―ohh, shit! But he stops right as he was about to cross the runic formation and hand her the item.

"Jim!" I know the magic swirling around his head. "Wake up you stupid paladin!" And then to my surprise his eyes regain clarity. He looks down at the short black haired woman, her violet eyes turn at me annoyed.

"Paladin?" She starts to ask, and some realization hits her.

"Demon!" There is now a bright aura around the freshly evolved man, he bellows at the girl in front of him as its Light washes over the dwarf woman. Jim throws the crown away, ready to pull his sword and takes a step —This is!?

No, stay in the ward!

"Oh, for fuck's sake..." she sighs, and faster then an eye can see puts a black glass dagger through Jim's heart.

The round item rolls bouncing down the stairs, stopping at my feet.

What was I supposed to do? I turned away from the damn thing and started to run away. ―We are so screwed.

The rest of the idiots waited by the exit instead of running, shock and horror at the betrayal plain to see. Then the first of the caskets start opening with the ominous sound of a grinding stone echoing in this vast space... And I was almost by the exit, when pain like never before exploded in my chest. ―When did she... She just stood there and took a single step.

The strength leaves my numb body and she takes something from my hands― When did I even pick it up?

"Yea, no... I will be taking that." I weakly turn my head to that voice. There, right behind me—

> Lilim Cambion* (22), Deceiver (56), Assassin (28)

Fuck. One hit.

I fall to the ground. Some strange magic spreading through me, burning all the vitality. All the Life force that keeps me alive. I can't muster any strength Rose is― Rose! How did I...

She is working overdrive to keep the strange power from spreading but it's a losing battle. We can try something else though -This is going to suck but just hang in there.

"Fucking finally." Says Kammi. While standing over me with this strange glass-like blade. Her features changing before our eyes. I blink once and there is a pair of horns on her head - another and she is actually pretty tall. ―Yea I don't think that's her name.

"Do you have any idea how much I had to go through for this?" She turns the crown over in her hands, looking at it fondly. "Getting rid of the guardian lizard and then bringing these stupid people all the way here, it was such a pain in the ass. I underestimated how well this place was guarded... You weaklings had me clear most of the way for you." She whines to them.

She looks down at me. "I almost though I would have to find another group when their mage failed to get past the wards, he is so useless. So thanks again for getting them in -But get fucking lost already." Angry, she steps down on my chest, making sure I won't take another breath.

"No, I... You guided us here?" Magic boy wakes up, but the reality doesn't seem to work for him either.

"Hahahaha, as if a bunch of newbies could even find this place, truly a miracle you didn't got lost in the woods." She laughs at the boys confusion while twirling the circlet, then turns to Circa. "But finding a group without any divine healer wasn't easy, so I had to work with what I've got." She adds with a smirk.

"Well Circa, you sure surprised me with that 'summoning a demon' idea but it saved us a lot of time. So you can now die and join your friend in hell~" There is an evil smile on her face as she is raising her dagger ready to take a step. "A friendly demon, Ha!".

—I won't let that pass.

Ancient creatures rise from the coffins as she continues, more serious now. " -it's time to say goodbye."

Circa and the rest are not moving, frozen from the shock. I notice Tyrel has a big chest on his shoulder, good man.

I weakly grab at her ankle. "No, I prom-" I can't finish the sentence as she breaks my ribs, with a nasty scowl on her face. There is blood everywhere.

"Red!" A pain filled scream.

"No time gotta run, so-" She turns back to the exit currently blocked by by a bunch of idiots - well, they are now slowly backing away. Circa is crying while dragged away by Tyrel and behind me something is coming closer. "Say hello to your bitch queen from me, 'Red'" I just lay there limp - no life left in me. Can't even see anymore, only my mana sense lets me grasp the situation.

With those last strange words my way, the Cambion is about to take a step forward, her dagger raised and the crown hanging now from her belt ―barbed vines explode from my back, both of their abilities activate.

"Run, you fools!" I whisper towards the stunned trio.

"Oh! You piece of―" She grabs the vines going for her eyes with ease. Thorns doing barely any damage to her. I might not have any Life left, but there is still some in Rose after I transferred it to her. The vines wrap around the half-demon, but get easily torn to pieces by the bitch that just caved in my chest, still they've bought enough time.

I pray this works.

Magic Erupts from my core, with everything I had. Blinding, yet at the same time deep dark light erupts under the Cambion. All of my mana, and every ambient bit I could reach with my senses rushes towards us to fuel my magic - until there is nothing left... Nothing but Ice.

That was a lot of magic down here.

―Damn it's cold. I hope they've gotten far enough.

And the world fades to black.

―—

I wake up in the ruins, feeling like shit. Rose isn't doing much better —Fuck this is bad.

I'm barely able to retrieve my mana vial and open it. Rose is weakly reaching down into the sand searching to gather some more taint. Only saving grace in all this is she could absorb a lot of the stuff before we set off to the damned desert, and still had plenty left able to keep us alive after I emptied our tanks. Now we are just just laying on the soft sand, while my demonic body puts itself back together...

―Alright I fucking overdid it. Coughing while greedily taking in mana from the vial, I look at the gray stone ceiling above, questioning my life choices. I've just exploded all that magic through my greed core and it fucking hurts. Almost broke myself to pieces.

And I'm really damn hoping Circa didn't get caught in the blast. I fucking said I won't let her die there, so that idiot better don't make me into a liar. Shit hope I've bought them enough time.

> Warning: You suffer from Backlash, all attributes temporarily reduced by 66%. Time remaining: 42 days.

>

> Ice Mastery ability of the Greed Core lost. Please restore your core to regain it's functions.

Well, fuck that's new. I might need the rest anyway, and some instructions on how to fix the core would be nice.

Thinking about what just happened —Well, at least I know what- or rather who possessed me to go along with the stupid idea of exploring that damn dungeon, I was afraid I went insane.

-Another cambion huh?

Feeling mana again run through my body I feel better and can't help but smirk as a round object adorned with something very familiar drops on the sand, out of my pocket space.

"Eat shit Kammi." I sit up and grab the crown -More of a circlet really, that our roots snatched while she was distracted by the sneak attack. Right before I exploded myself back to hell and took it with me via the pocket space.

I always get it my way in the end, don't I?

But the smile soon disappears from my face as I notice we might have a problem...

——――