The stairway was longer than the other staircases on the lower levels. About a hundred steps with torches mounted along the walls.

When the party reached the doorway at the stop step, Susie pushed it slowly. "I will go first. Watch my back."

She pushed the door fully open and stepped into the next chamber on the fifth floor.

Another small room with little rocks across the stone tile floor. On the other side was the last staircase. Once they climb those stairs, the final floor awakes them.

“I don’t see anything in that chamber,” said Paul.

Susie stared at a rock and picked it up. She tossed the stone across the chamber and watched it roll until it hit the left corner.

She shrugged. "Hmmmmmm. I guess it is clear."

She stepped forward and walked across the chamber. Without warning, the ceiling fell on top of her, crushing her flat.

Villa defeated!

Resurrection potion used!

The ceiling rose off the floor, and Susie's body wasn't on the floor. She probably respawned outside the castle.

"Holy crap!" Paul shouted.

Sora stared at the ceiling. "I guess that is the trap."

"Did you see her step on something?" Amy asked.

"I saw nothing. The whole floor must be the trigger."

"Should we wait for Susie to come back?"

"I think she would prefer us to move on." Sora knew waiting for Susie would be a waste of their time.

"I guess that will make you our new team leader," said Paul.

Sora smiled.

Although he never raided a dungeon before, he knew how to be more cautious in any situation. He doesn't even complain a lot, just like Susie.

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"So how can we walk through there without getting crushed?" Amy asked.

Sora observed the chamber, eyeing every inch. The floor was too big to jump across to reach the staircase. A levitation spell might work, but Sora doesn't have one. "Paul, what abilities do you have?"

Paul stared into space, checking his character status. Nobody else could see it but him. "I only have divine shield, healing light, and holy touch. My action moves are staff swung and light arrow."

So Paul's character was built to be a support unit. Meaning he was only good to stand in the back lines, using his abilities to keep his party members alive. But maybe…..

"Can you divine shield stop anything?" Sora asked.

"Yes," the boar answered.

"Then we will perform the same stunt we did in the dining hall."

"I guess that can work, but we have to move fast before my shield expires. We will get crush once my shield vanishes."

"Then we will move fast," Sora suggested. "Are you ready?"

"Hold on." Paul pulled out an elixir and drank it.

Mana restored!

"Ahhhh- I hate that taste!" the boar complained.

"Is that why you only have two?" Amy asked.

Paul watched the empty glass vial disappear in his hand. "Sometimes. I am trying to learn a new ability that refills my mana. If I can get it, I won't need to drink any more potions."

"I believe that ability is Magic Rain," said Sora. "It refills your mana and your party's mana. But you can only use it three times each game session."

Paul glared. "Errrrrr. I don't want to drink anymore of those potions."

"Sometimes you have to. All abilities have limits."

Paul frowned.

"Now you're ready?" Amy asked.

“Yes, stand close to me. The ceiling will not crush us when my shield is up.”

Amy approached him. “How do you know?”

“While I was walking through a canyon, two bandits pushed a boulder down upon me. When I used my divine shield, the boulder bounced off my shield like a bouncing ball. My shield is incredible!”

“Well, I hope it will keep our skins alive,” said Sora, standing close to the boar.

“If a boulder couldn’t break it, either could the ceiling.” Paul held up his arms. “Ready?”

Sora and Amy nodded their heads, although Sora’s heart raced. He whether not start all over if they don’t make it, but what other choice do they have?

The only way through the ceiling crushing chamber was running or flying without touching the floor. But since Paul said his divine shield could handle a boulder, he should be correct about the ceiling.

“Let’s go!” Sora ordered.

Korsol used Divine Shield!

After the yellow energy shield spread around the party, Paul strolled forward as Sora and Amy followed his lead. While walking, Sora felt nothing on the floor. They probably haven’t stepped on the trigger yet. All the stone tiles were the same gray colors, which made it difficult for Sora to spot the trigger.

Maybe walking through the chamber required blind luck to reach the other side. That could make players rage quit the game.

Across the center, Sora felt the floor vibrated a bit, and then the ceiling fell straight down upon the party.

“Here it comes!” Amy shouted.

The ceiling slammed on top of Paul’s divine shield and stopped. While trying to push against the shield, Sora could hear the gears grinding inside the ceiling.

He smiled. “It’s working!”

“Let’s run for it!” Paul shouted.

The party dashed toward the staircase as if a boulder was running toward them. When they reached the staircase, Paul’s shield blinked.

“Oh, no!” the boar cried.

Without stopping, Sora and Amy leaped to the staircase and landed on the second step. Paul leaped, but the ceiling fell on top of him once his shield vanished.

Korsol Defeated!

Resurrection potion used!

Sora and Amy watched the ceiling rise before they sighed.

“That was close,” said Amy. “Too bad Paul couldn’t make it.”

“It is just the two of us now,” said Sora, looking up the staircase. “Let’s not let Susie and Paul’s sacrifice be in vain.”

As they walked up the staircase, the creepy voice echoed again. “You are closssssse!”