Ninethy turned to Audi and Dodge. "So long, don't forget Data Remote. I'll be back on the 5th floor."

Audi stretched his arms. "Alright, let's head to the lake first."

Dodge shook his head. "The lake is close to the Honey Bee Cave. Why don't we go there first?"

"No!" Audi insisted. "To the lake first!"

Dodge smirked. "I heard honey goes really well with steak..."

Audi paused, reconsidering. "Okay, let's go to the Honey Bee Cave first. But let's stop by the Market Place—I need to grab some meat and supplies."

Dodge raised an eyebrow. "Supplies?"

They made their way to the bustling Market Place, where they asked for directions to the Honey Bee Cave while Audi picked up his provisions.

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At the Honey Bee Cave

When they arrived, they found the entrance closed. Audi frowned and turned to a nearby resident. "Why is the cave closed?"

The resident sighed. "Something strange has been happening with the Queen Bee ever since the Tower Incident. She's stopped generating Golden Honey."

A miner nearby chimed in. "Yeah, but the really strange part is that the warrior and worker bees are still collecting nectar from flowers. Yet, the Queen Bee produces nothing."

Audi's stomach growled. He pulled out some meat and started eating. "Hmm, something’s definitely off."

Dodge crossed his arms. "Why are you eating right now?"

Audi shrugged. "I don’t know. Ever since the Tower Incident, my hunger just won’t stop."

Dodge eyed him suspiciously. "And why aren’t you getting fat?"

Audi blinked. "...I don’t know."

With that, the two entered the cave.

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Inside the Honey Bee Cave

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The place was eerily quiet.

Dodge looked around. "There's no one here."

"Yeah," Audi muttered. "They must be afraid."

Without warning, Audi raised his hand. "Summon!"

A swirl of dark energy formed, and three undead warriors materialized before them.

Dodge jumped back. "Whoa! Why did you do that?"

Audi grinned. "I’m going to try something. Let’s call you three Ninety and Hundred... actually, never mind. You’re One, Two, and Three now."

Dodge tilted his head. "What’s the difference?"

Audi shrugged, pulling out a set of stickers. "No clue. But I have these number stickers, so you're One, Two, and Three now."

Dodge burst out laughing. "They look like mascots!"

Audi ignored him and handed out tasks. "Alright, One, take this lantern and light the way. Two, carry this meat and feed me while we walk. Three, walk with One."

Dodge smirked. "They’re undead. They won’t listen to you."

But to his surprise, the undead followed Audi’s instructions without hesitation.

Dodge stared. "Wait... how are they actually obeying you?"

Audi just grinned, chewing on another piece of meat. "No idea, but it’s convenient, isn’t it?"

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Unexpected Encounter

Suddenly, they encountered a worker bee alongside a warrior bee. To their surprise, neither attacked. Instead, the worker bee was carrying a massive supply of Golden Honey.

Curious, Audi and Dodge followed the bees deeper into the cave. What they saw next shocked them—the worker and warrior bees were depositing all the Golden Honey into a gigantic honeycomb. But inside the honeycomb was something even more alarming.

The Ursa Venator.

The massive, bear-like creature loomed within the honeycomb, standing beside the Queen Bee, as if holding her hostage.

Dodge turned to Audi, eyes wide. "What the hell is that thing doing here?!"

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Sudden Alarm

"I don't know..." Audi muttered. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw One burning from the lantern’s heat. "What?! Unsummon!"

With a snap of his fingers, One disappeared instantly. But as the undead vanished, the Ursa Venator suddenly snapped to attention, its ears twitching.

It let out a low growl. "Where... is the Zombie King?!"

Its massive head swung in the direction of the disturbance. Sensing the unnatural presence of the vanished undead, it roared and burst out of the honeycomb, shattering wax and honey in all directions.

Dodge took a step back, gripping his weapon. "Audi... I think we just woke up something really bad."

Audi narrowed his eyes. "It's the Floor 8 Boss... Do we need to use the Remote?"

Dodge hesitated. "Do you want to pass?"

Without hesitation, Audi grabbed another piece of meat, took a big bite, then reached for his sword. "Okay, Two and Three... Let's go!"