Sera and Aermo stepped out of the teleportation circle and into the uppermost floor of the dungeon. The area they entered was stark and barren. The floor was scattered with the occasional remnants of old camp materials: a charred fire pit surrounded by half-burnt logs, a few abandoned bedrolls, and some dirty cooking utensils.

Sera glanced around the space before she turned her attention to the teleportation circle behind them. The runes and symbols glowed faintly, their energy pulsating in response to her presence.

She extended a hand, fingers tracing patterns in the air as she spoke softly. "Welcome any tributes who arrive and grant them passage to the subsequent floor autonomously. Ensure they cannot skip any floors."

Command acknowledged. Access restrictions implemented.

Aermo furrowed his brow in confusion. "What was that for?"

"I'm ensuring that anyone who enters this dungeon cannot just bypass all the floors immediately. They will have to navigate each floor, one by one. This will allow us to monitor and control who progresses, and allow me to control the progression of future tributes."

"Uh, did you mean adventurers, Boss?"

"I said what I said."

The two kept walking, their footsteps echoing softly through the empty chamber. Eventually, they were approached by Zoha, who had returned to her disguised self.

The demoness's body was once again covered in meticulously wrapped bandages, concealing the insectile form beneath. Her black hooded cloak cast a deep shadow over her face, making her hollow, pupil-less eyes even more haunting.

Zoha greeted Sera with a polite bow. "Greetings, Mistress."

Aermo involuntarily grimaced. "Hey, wait a minute, aren't you the bitch who put me to sleep?"

Zoha looked at the beastkin with a blank expression, but soon bowed her head slightly. "My sincere apologies."

Aermo clenches his fists in anger. "Oh yeah? I'll show you what—"

Sera stepped in between the two. "Enough," she said sharply. "There are more important things for us to do."

The beastkin relaxed slightly, though his arms remained crossed. "Whatever you say, Boss."

Sera then turned her attention to Zoha. "Tell me, are there any settlements nearby? Villages? Towns?"

"There are a few small villages and the city of Marwood within a day's journey from here."

"A city only a day's journey away from here? Humans must have no more fear over dungeons."

"It's how things are, Mistress. Adventurers are managed under the adventurer's guild and send people into dungeons every week."

"Do people no longer die in these dungeons?"

"Some still do, but the vast majority of people expect to come out alive."

Sera rubbed her temples, a wave of frustration washing over her. "Things are worse than I imagined."

Zoha's hands were clasped tightly in front of her, the fingers interwoven in a gesture of subservience. "My sympathies, Mistress."

Sera waved a hand dismissively. "Nevermind that."

She then pointed to Aermo, her gaze narrowing with curiosity. "What about him? Are beastkin shifters always stationed in dungeons now?"

"Not always, but very rarely, a dungeon will have an enraged beastkin shifter placed at its bottommost floor to protect the core."

Aermo sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. "Seriously? I was kidnapped and tortured just to be a glorified guard dog?"

Sera shot a surprised look at him. "You weren't aware?"

"Nope, just got taken away one day. Didn't know I could transform either."

"I see, that is most unfortunate."

Sera then turned to Zoha. "I'm now very curious about what life is like for humans in current times. Can you guide me to Marwood?"

"Of course, Mistress."

Sera turned to Aermo, her expression softening as she addressed him. "Aermo, I shall require you to remain within the dungeon while Zoha and I explore Marwood."

Aermo's ears perked up slightly. "Got it. And if you don't mind, could I chop some wood and gather materials while you’re gone? I’d like to make some tools and maybe build something for myself."

Sera considered his request. She didn't see many negatives in granting the beastkin a little leeway given his position. He has nowhere else to go, I doubt he will do anything rash.

"Very well, you are free to do as you wish, provided you remain within the confines of the dungeon." Sera said.

Aermo's face lit up with gratitude, his tail giving a small twitch. "Thanks, Boss. how long do you think you’ll be away?"

"It depends, maybe a few days depending on the travel distance."

"We could take the path through Whispering Woods. From there, we can follow the Old Trader’s Road that will take us to the outskirts of Marwood." Zoha said.

Sera raised an eyebrow. "Is that the best route to Marwood?"

Zoha inclined her head slightly, maintaining a respectful demeanor. "Yes, Mistress. It is the standard and safest way to reach Marwood."

Before Sera could respond, Aermo's voice cut through the air. "Why not just teleport to Marwood? I've seen the teleportation circles in the dungeon, so why can't we use the same method to get there?"

Sera turned her gaze to the beastkin. "The dungeon teleportation circles are special, created directly by the Spirit Tree. Making a teleportation circle from scratch is something that is outside of my capabilities for the time being."

Zoha's eyes flickered with irritation as she addressed Aermo. She crossed her arms over her chest, fingers tapping lightly against her forearm. "Teleportation magic isn't as simple as you think."

Aermo's expression hardened as he squared his shoulders. "Well if you're so smart, why don't you figure out a better way to get to Marwood?"

"I would if I could." Zoha said.

At that moment, Sera looked at the demoness with great suspicion. She observed the subtle rigidity in Zoha's overly practiced movements, the way her hands moved with rehearsed elegance. The mask of innocence that she wore was almost too perfect, too polished to be genuine.

She took a step closer towards the demoness. "Zoha, do you know of a faster way to get to Marwood?"

"Mistress, the route I mentioned before is one of the safest and fastest ways to get to the city."

"I believe you, however, my question was whether you're actually able to get me there faster. Should you keep trying to lie, there will be consequences."

"Mistress, I don't—"

Before Zoha could finish, a sharp pain pierced through her body and caused her to wince. Her knees buckled under the sudden agony as she collapsed to the ground. Her hands instinctively clutched her sides as pain spread through her body like wildfire.

"What's happening to her?" Aermo asked.

Sera shot an indifferent glance at the demoness while she writhed on the ground. "Zoha went too far in trying to break the terms of the contract. She wasn't technically lying when she mentioned the safer route earlier, so I changed my question accordingly."

Aermo chuckled as he watched Zoha writhe in pain. "Serves her right."

The demoness breathed heavily as she slowly got herself up. Zoha's eyes then flicked toward Aermo, narrowing into a venomous glare. Her lips parted as she was about to hurl an insult, but Sera's icy glare silenced her instantly.

Zoha instead forced a sheepish smile. "M-my apologies, Mistress."

"Do you really think that a mere apology is enough to pay for your transgression?"

"Of course, not. If there is anything I can do to make things up to you, please let me know."

"Give me one of your arms, I don't care which."

"Mistress, you can't be serious, right?"

"Don't make me repeat myself."

"But I—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Zoha collapsed to the ground as her body was hit with excruciating pain. She convulsed violently, purple blood splattering from her lips with each shuddering cough. Her body twisted and writhed as every muscle seized uncontrollably.

Aermo knelt beside her and reached out with a hesitant hand. "Hold on, let me—"

Zoha's eyes blazed with fury even as her body betrayed her, and she swatted his hand away with surprising strength. "I don't need your help."

Aermo shrugged and backed off. "Suit yourself."

The demoness took a deep breath as she forced herself into a sitting position. Then, she tore her arm from her body, the sound of tearing flesh and snapping sinew echoing through the chamber. Purple blood oozed from the wound as her face contorted in agony.

Stolen novel; please report.

She presented the severed limb to Sera and bowed her head down. "Please forgive me, Mistress."

"You've earned my forgiveness, this time."

"I… understand."

Sera knelt down and approached Zoha, her expression softening slightly. She placed her hand over the demoness's side, "Hold still."

Soon, a green light emanated from Sera's palm and enveloped the jagged stump of Zoha's torn arm. As the light pulsed, the raw wound closed and pale flesh started to regenerate, inching outward from the severed end.

New skin formed to cover the flesh, spreading over the exposed muscles and sinews. As the flesh solidified, a familiar chitinous exoskeleton emerged.

The exoskeleton grew outward and covered the newly formed hand. Segments appeared and interlocked with natural precision as her fingers finally took shape, the segments clicking into place with a near mechanical rhythm.

Zoha watched in awe as she felt the magic work through her body. When the light faded, she flexed her new insectile fingers. "Thank you, Mistress," she said with genuine gratitude as she stood up alongside Sera.

Sera stood up and dusted her hands, a satisfied smile on her lips. "We should leave for Marwood soon," she said aloud, her voice echoing in the barren chamber.

Zoha, now standing beside her, glanced at Sera's antlers. "Mistress, you will need a disguise. Your antlers will draw unwanted attention."

Aermo nodded in agreement, though his expression was doubtful. "She's right, Boss. But I'm not sure how you're going to hide those antlers."

Sera chuckled softly. "I can manage a disguise just fine."

She reached up and tapped her antlers one by one with her fingers. As her magic flowed through them, the antlers began to crack and splinter. The pieces fell to the ground, breaking off in chunks. The stumps receded back into her forehead, melting away and vanishing without a trace, leaving her brow smooth and unblemished.

The second that the last antler disappeared, her black, shadowy dress shifted and warped. The fabric rippled like liquid before transforming into a hooded cloak that enveloped her.

Sera pulled the hood over her head and looked at both Aermo and Zoha. "How do I look?"

Zoha chuckled, putting a hand over her mouth. "You look like a runaway elf princess, Mistress."

Aermo blushed slightly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, what she said."

"But will people be suspicious if I look like this?"

"Probably not, elves aren't too uncommon in Marwood."

Aermo glanced at Sera's eyes, their piercing silver hue glowing faintly even in the dim light. "What about your eyes, Boss? They are quite noticeable."

Sera turned to Zoha. "What do you think?"

The demoness considered this for a moment before responding. "Your eyes might draw some glances, but I doubt they'll cause too much suspicion. Most people will likely think it's just an exotic trait."

Sera scrutinized Zoha, noting the twitch of her fingers before they relaxed. The demoness's steady, pupil-less eyes didn't appear to hold deceit, only calm confidence. Her posture was straight, shoulders squared, and chin slightly lifted in respect.

Satisfied, Sera turned and started to walk. "Good, we can finally leave."

The three of them walked towards the dungeon's entrance, which was now an intricate weave of thick roots, intertwining and forming an almost organic gate. Zoha examined the entrance and touched it tentatively. Her fingers brushed against the roots, causing some of them to recede into the ground. "This entrance isn't the same as when I came in."

Sera stepped forward and touched the root-filled entrance, causing all the roots to recede to the ground all at once. "The Spirit Tree must have made some improvements."

The three of them walked past the dungeon's entrance, the thick roots parting smoothly to allow their passage. As they moved closer to the outside, the air grew warmer and filled with the earthy scent of the forest floor mingled with the fresh aroma of pine and wildflowers.

Outside, the forest was bathed in the golden hues of the afternoon sun. Tall trees filled the area, leaves rustling softly in the gentle breeze.

Aermo stretched his arms wide, his muscles rippling under his fur. He inhaled deeply, a contented smile spreading across his face. "Feels good to smell fresh air again."

Sera turned to Zoha. "Now, tell me how you can take me to Marwood as fast as possible."

"I can use my flies to take us immediately to the city."

"And how many people can you bring using your flies at any given time?"

"Ordinarily, just myself, but since I am contracted to you, Mistress, the flies will be able to teleport you as well."

"Are there any other restrictions on this teleportation?"

"My flies can lift objects but cannot teleport them unless either you or I are carrying or wearing them. Allow me to demonstrate."

Zoha extended her hand as her swarm of flies emerged from beneath her sleeve. They moved with a synchronized elegance, circling around her wrist. The demoness then picked up a small, smooth stone from the ground and gently handed it to the swarm.

The flies buzzed softly, lifting the stone effortlessly into the air. After a few seconds, the flies carefully lowered the stone back to the ground, placing it precisely where Zoha had picked it up.

"I see, now, show me the teleportation." Sera said.

Zoha nodded and picked up the rock again, this time holding it in her open palm. In an instant, she and the rock dissolved into a cloud of flies. The swarm pulsated with energy, then vanished, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.

A few seconds later, the cloud of flies reappeared a bit further away. The swarm coalesced, reforming into Zoha, who stood with the rock still balanced on her palm. She opened her eyes and smiled slightly, "will that do, Mistress?'

Sera nodded, clearly impressed. "Indeed, that's enough. Now, can you take me to Marwood?"

Zoha inclined her head respectfully. "Of course, please step closer to me."

Sera moved closer to Zoha with a steady gaze. As she did, the swarm of flies rapidly gathered around them, enveloping them in a cocoon of darkness.

***

For a few seconds, Sera couldn't see or feel anything. The world around her was silent, the only sensation being the emptiness that pressed in on all sides. But gradually, the sound of buzzing wings grew louder, filling her ears with their relentless hum. The noise crescendoed to a peak before vanishing all at once.

When she opened her eyes, Sera found herself standing on the outskirts of Marwood, its skyline a mix of imposing stone structures and wooden buildings. The city walls were tall, but their surfaces were darkened with soot and grime. Smoke rose from numerous chimneys, which added to the putrid scent that carried on the wind.

The surrounding landscape was equally uninviting. Sparse, scraggly trees dotted the barren fields that led up to the city gates. The ground was uneven and rocky, with patches of dry, yellowed grass struggling to survive in the harsh environment.

Sera turned to Zoha, who was still busy dusting off her cloak. "This is Marwood?"

Zoha nodded as she finished adjusting her clothes. "Yes, we are currently just on the outskirts of the city."

"Truth be told, I had imagined something far less dreary."

"The war that the King started a few years ago took its toll on the city. Most of its men and women were sent out to fight. In addition, the war also disrupted the flow of trade, depleting the local government of valuable tax revenue."

Sera chuckled. "That explains why that foolish prince was only escorted by weaklings."

Zoha's pupil-less eyes widened. "Do you mean Prince Leo?"

"Ah yes, him."

"If I recall correctly, he was sent on an expedition to destroy the last dungeon in existence, was that your dungeon, Mistress?"

"It was, but before you say anything, let me ask you this. Do the humans know about Prince Leo's death?"

"Nobody knows as far as I can tell. Besides, the royal family would want to keep the news hidden for a while regardless even if they knew in order to avoid panic."

Sera felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her at the news. Prince Leo's death, still unknown to the humans, gave her an advantage she intended to exploit. She turned to Zoha with a slight smile. "Guide me into the city proper, Zoha."

The demoness nodded and began walking toward the city gates. Sera followed closely, her eyes scanning their surroundings with keen interest. As they approached, the line of people waiting to enter Marwood stretched out before them, a bustling stream of travelers, merchants, and townsfolk.

The air buzzed with murmurs and the occasional clatter of hooves and wagon wheels. Yet, despite the length of the queue, it moved at a surprisingly brisk pace.

Sera's sharp gaze quickly discerned the reason. The guards at the gate were turning away people fast. Out of the twenty to thirty people she saw so far, none were allowed inside.

As she neared the gates, Sera's attention was drawn to a family just in front of them. A man and a woman, both with worn faces and tattered clothes, were on their knees, pleading with the guards. Two young children clung to their mother, eyes wide with fear and exhaustion.

"Please, we just need shelter and food," the mother begged, her voice cracking with desperation. "Our village was destroyed, we have nowhere else to go."

The father joined in, clasping his hands. "Please, we don't need much. Just a place to rest, some food for the children. We can work, earn our keep. I used to be a blacksmith. I can fix your armor, mend your weapons. My wife can help in the kitchens, or with cleaning, just give us a chance."

The scarred guard's eyes narrowed with contempt. "Heard all of that bullshit before. We don't have room for more mouths to feed. Move along."

The father took another step forward. "I beg you, sir. We have nowhere else to go. The children... they're hungry, and tired. We've been walking for days. Please, show some mercy."

The guard's face hardened, his jaw tightening. Without saying anything else, he lashed out with a brutal shove. The force sent the father stumbling backward as he tried to regain his balance. He hit the ground hard, a pained grunt escaping his lips as dust billowed up around him.

The mother cried as she pulled her children closer, fingers digging into their small shoulders protectively. The children huddled against her, visibly confused and fearful.

"Piss off," the guard spat. "You think your begging will change anything?" He took a step forward, towering over the father. "Get up and get out of here before I make you regret staying."

The father struggled to stand. His gaze casted down before he helped his wife to her feet, her sobs quieter now but still filled with the same desperation. The guards watched them leave with impassive expressions, as if they had grown numb to such scenes.

While the family passed by, Sera turned to Zoha. "Who were they?"

"They were likely refugees, Mistress. Where they came from is hard to say, but the war has displaced many."

"I see, and did Marwood take in any of these refugees?"

"The city did take in a good amount during the start of the war, but most ended up living in the slums as they couldn't return to wherever they came from."

"Very interesting." Sera said out loud. Desperation often breeds opportunity. Hopefully, the circumstances within the city are even more dire.

Eventually, it was Sera and Zoha's turn to approach the guards. Their demeanor shifted almost instantly as they recognized the demoness. "Lady Zoha," one of them greeted, inclining his head respectfully. "Back from another adventure, I see."

"Yes, just a minor dungeon run this time." Zoha said confidently.

The other guard's gaze shifted to Sera. "And who might this be?"

Zoha smiled and gestured towards Sera. "This is an old friend of mine who has come to visit. She's quite interested in seeing Marwood for herself."

The first guard chuckled. "Must be quite the friend to get an endorsement from Lady Zoha herself. What's your name, Miss?"

"You can call me Sera."

The guards exchanged a quick, knowing glance and grinned. One of them, a burly man with a crooked nose, stepped forward. "That's a lovely name, and any friend of Lady Zoha's is welcome here, especially one as rare and enchanting as you. It's not often we see such elven beauty gracing our gates."

His companion nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's a rare treat to see an elf in these parts. Perhaps we could show you around, make your stay more... enjoyable."

Zoha, sensing the guards' intentions and growing impatient, waved a hand dismissively. "Your interest in my friend is noted. But we require rest, not your company."

The guards' smirks faltered as they collectively sighed and stepped back. "Of course, Lady Zoha. We meant no disrespect."

Soon, the guards pushed open the wooden gates with a creak that echoed through the air. The gates parted, revealing the city of Marwood beyond.

As Sera and Zoha walked in, she glanced at the demoness with a curious expression. "Were they not supposed to check for any papers or anything of that sort?"

Zoha shrugged. "The guards don't ask too many questions for A-rank adventurers such as myself."

"How come you are only an A-rank given your capabilities? I know you are capable of much more than what I saw."

"I didn't want to become too high-profile. Many former S-rank adventurers get entangled in politics, something I prefer to avoid."

"Are there any other S-rank adventurers around?"

"Not currently, they've all been 'persuaded' to join the frontlines."

Sera chuckled. "I see, that's good to hear."

The two continued walking through the streets of Marwood. The buildings were run-down, with many shops struggling to stay open. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and unwashed bodies, mingling with the occasional scent of cooked food from street vendors.

Beggars lined the streets, their hollow eyes pleading for scraps of food or coins. Lines of weary people stood outside soup kitchens, waiting patiently for their turn to receive a meager meal. None of these people look like they would be missed if they were to disappear. All I need to do now is to figure out a way to get them into the dungeon.