"If they really are merging or monsters are moving from one floor to another it could become disastrous for new explorers." Vilkar thought

Vilkar emerges from the burned-down forest, the smell of smoke still lingering in the air. He stretches his legs, feeling the tension in his muscles ease as he leaves the smoldering ruins behind while dragging his loot which he bound with a rope.

In the distance, he can see the murky waters of a river, and he decides to head in that direction. As he walks, he takes in the sights around him - the scorched earth, the charred remains of trees, and the occasional flicker of flame in the distance.

The sound of shuffling footsteps that hit a bell breaks his reverie. Vilkar stops in his tracks and grips his warhammer tightly. He sees movement in the nearby farmland - a group of zombies, their tattered clothes hanging off their emaciated frames.

Vilkar knows that he could easily defeat them, but he also knows that it is important to keep his priorities. He casually walks in the opposite direction, keeping a watchful eye on the zombies to make sure they don't follow him.

As Vilkar approaches the murky river, he takes in the desolate landscape around him. Dead trees with twisted branches stand like gnarled sentinels along the riverbanks, their bare limbs reaching up to the gray sky. The ground is barren and lifeless, with dried grass crunching underfoot as he moves.

The river itself is slow-moving and murky, its surface rippling with the occasional breeze. Vilkar can see the reflection of the dead trees on the water's surface, creating an eerie and unsettling feeling in his gut.

The air is thick with the scent of decay, and Vilkar can see the bloated bodies of dead animals floating in the river. The sight makes him instinctively hold his breath, trying to avoid the foul smell.

"I could take the same approach and throw hellfire at it and wait until all of the water evaporates." Vilkar looked around the lake to see anything unusual or extraordinary.

And so Vilkar decided to make a small attempt as he took the pebble that was laying close by. When he got closer to the water and looked into it Vilkar only saw murky water.

When Vilkar was about to shift his gaze he saw a sudden movement in the water. He wasn't able to see it clearly but it looked like a human hand.

"So there are zombies in the water." Vilkar smiled as he threw the pebble at the place where he saw the hand.

After the pebble hit the surface of the water it created ripples as it sunk deep down. The next moment Vilkar could just barely see fingers moving just under the surface of the water.

Vilkar then summoned hellfire into his hands and threw it onto the lake. Flames burned the water with the same ferocity as it with forest.

Soon the whole lake was enveloped in a fiery inferno. When flames burned nearby bushes he could make the shape of a small boat hidden, "So there was some trick to it." Vilkar said to himself.

While he waited for the water and zombies in it to burn, Vilkar took a few steps back and sat on the grass. Then he decided to take one of his provisions and eat while watching the fire.

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Vilkar sits on the shore of the murky lake, the sound of the lapping waves filling his ears. He pulls out his bag of exploration provisions and begins to rummage through it, looking for something to eat.

After a few moments, he finds dried meat jerky and begins to chew on it. The flavor is not great, but it's filling and provides him with the sustenance he needs to continue his journey.

As he eats, Vilkar takes in the view around him. The murky lake stretches out before him, its surface burning. Dead trees line the shore, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal hands.

Despite the eerie surroundings, Vilkar feels a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. There's something calming about the sound of water and the feeling of nature around him. He takes a deep breath, enjoying the damp air, and takes another bite of his jerky.

After two minutes he heard zombie screams from the lake, but soon after they would stop only to be repeated every few minutes.

As he sits and eats, Vilkar begins to plan his next steps. He knows that there are dangers lurking in this area, but he's determined to uncover the secrets that lie within.

When another fifteen minutes he lay down and observed the sky.

Vilkar gazes up at the sky, his eyes fixed on the dark, ominous clouds that loom overhead. The sky is a deep shade of gray, and the clouds seem to stretch on endlessly as if they are swallowing up the entire world.

But amidst the darkness, there are a few places where the sunlight manages to break through. Small pockets of light illuminate the landscape below, casting a golden glow on the trees and fields.

Vilkar can't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight before him. The contrast between the darkness and light is stark and striking, and he finds himself lost in thought.

He wonders what lies beyond the clouds, what secrets and mysteries are hidden away in the depths of the sky.

But for now, Vilkar is content to simply observe and take in the beauty of the moment. He watches as the sunlight shifts and changes, casting new patterns on the land below.

Despite the foreboding clouds, there is a sense of hope and wonder in the air.

It took about half an hour for the whole lake to burn away. When hellfire subsided Vilkar stood up and went to look at the loot he received.

"No, no, no..." Vilkar repeated as he started at the empty pit where the lake was, "Don't tell me that it required me to take certain steps for me to receive the reward." Of course, it could have been that the treasure simply burned but Vilkar did not think so as loot in the forest remained unharmed.

Vilkar sighed and turned around. He sets off towards the farm, his feet crunching on the dried grass and twigs underfoot.

As he walks, he keeps his guard up, knowing that danger could be lurking around any corner. He approaches the farm, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement.

He knows that nothing here poses any danger to him in the fight but he did not want to risk any surprise attacks.

The once-beautiful fields are now barren, and the farmhouse itself is in ruins. The windows are shattered, the door hangs off its hinges, and the roof is partially collapsed. Vilkar can see movement inside, however, and knows that he must proceed with caution.

As he enters the farmyard, he sees that several zombies are wandering around. They are slow and sluggish, but dangerous nonetheless. Vilkar grips his warhammer tightly and begins to move toward them.

He takes his time, circling around the zombies and waiting for the right moment to strike. With a swift motion, he swings his warhammer, smashing it into the head of one of the undead creatures. The zombie crumbles to the ground, its body twitching as it tries to rise again.

Vilkar continues to fight, dodging and striking with his warhammer as he moves through the farmyard. He manages to take down several more zombies before they become too overwhelming, and eventually, he emerges victorious.

Breathing lightly, Vilkar looks around at the devastation around him. The farm was once a place of life and growth, but now it is nothing more than a desolate wasteland, overrun by the undead.

Vilkar then walks towards the farmhouse and yells, "Come out wherever you are." Vilkar said in hope that he won't be bothered to look for them. Unfortunately, he saw no movement in the farmhouse.