Elara stood before the gaping maw of the mountain, the rocky entrance wide enough for two people to walk through side by side. She noticed that for the larger members of their group, like Kael and Tirn, it might be a tighter fit if someone walked beside them. The rest of the team, however, seemed to have no trouble with the space.

Kael, taking charge, sent the scout who had expressed experience in the role to lead the way. She realized she had yet to catch the scout's name, a fact that seemed to be a recurring theme among the group. The other adventurers showed little interest in sharing their names with each other, a behavior that piqued her curiosity. As she watched the scout disappear into the darkness of the mountain, she couldn't help but wonder about the reasons behind the group's apparent disinterest in personal introductions. Was it a common practice among adventurers to maintain a certain level of anonymity? Or was it simply that they already knew each other’s name?

Despite her curiosity, she chose not to voice her thoughts, instead focusing on the present moment. She knew that dwelling on the reasons behind her companions' behavior would not change the situation at hand. Her focus shifted as Isolde spoke up, her voice calm and steady as she addressed the group. "The second team will enter the dungeon in an hour," she said, her eyes scanning the faces of the adventurers gathered before her.

The young man of the Blackwood family, his face contorted with frustration, interjected. "An hour? That's too little time for us. We should have a day without the other group, not just an hour."

Despite the young master's berating tone, Isolde remained composed. "We do not anticipate it to be a large dungeon," she explained patiently. "And we are already fewer than normal, so it is fine. We should not let an official team of the Adventuring Guild wait a day."

The young man huffed, his displeasure evident, but he said no more. Elara, driven by curiosity, used her inspect skill on the siblings from the Blackwood family. The system revealed that the young man was a Warrior, his level obscured by question marks, while the teen was a Mage, also with an unknown level. She pondered the positioning of the Blackwood family members within the group. The teen, a mage, had chosen not to join the other ranged attackers. This decision intrigued her, as it suggested that the teen might be a mid to close-range combatant. Upon closer inspection, she noticed two daggers strapped to the teen's side, further reinforcing her suspicions about the mage's combat style.

Shifting her gaze to the young man, she observed the long sword strapped to his left side. The placement of the weapon indicated that he was likely right-handed. As she continued to study her companions, a sudden movement caught her attention. The scout who had ventured into the dungeon earlier emerged from the darkness, her silent approach catching her off guard. Impressed by the scout's stealth, she realized that she had not heard a single sound indicating the scout's return. The scout approached the group, her movements silent and precise. As she drew closer, she noticed the small lantern strapped to the scout's side, its light muffled by a cloth draped over it. The scout's face was serious as she relayed her findings to the group.

"The way heads slightly downwards," the scout began, her voice low and steady. "It's a trek of about 500 meters until it opens up to a chamber. Inside it, I was able to make out sounds of movement, a group moving around."

Elara listened intently, her brow furrowed as she processed the information. The idea of venturing into a dark cave filled with unknown creatures sounded more than unpleasant.

The scout continued, "There is no light source, meaning we have to create one ourselves." She held out the small lantern, the cloth above it fluttering slightly in the breeze. "I did not want to risk anything, so I only had dim light. I do not know how many monsters or what kind I heard."

Elara glanced around at her companions, gauging their reactions to the scout's report. Kael and Tirn, their faces stoic, seemed unfazed by the news. Esme, on the other hand, had a glint in her eyes, as if the prospect of danger only fueled her enthusiasm.

Ignatius stepped forward, his voice calm and authoritative. "We'll need to decide on our approach," he said, looking at each member of the group in turn. "Do we rely on individual light sources, or do we create a larger, centralized light once we reach the chamber? I would be able to create a ball of flame that would give us some light."

Esme nodded in agreement with Ignatius' suggestion. "Sounds like a plan, but we still have to trek the way towards the chamber. Who has a light source they can use?"

The young man of the Blackwood family stepped forward, producing a small flat stone from his pocket. As he gripped it, the stone began to emit a soft glow. "I can light the way," he said, his voice filled with confidence and head slightly tilted upwards.

Esme raised an eyebrow. "Good," she said. "Anyone else have something?"

Ignatius held up his staff, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I could also light a small space around my staff," he offered.

Esme waited for a moment longer before she clapped her hands together, a look of satisfaction on her face. "Great, then let us split into three groups that travel inside together. The light bearer at the front."

She turned to the scout, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "The first to enter should be Selly with a group," she announced, pointing at the surprised woman.

Elara noticed the surprised looks on the faces of the scout and her companions, clearly caught off guard by Esme's knowledge of Selly's name. Esme, however, merely smirked at the glances thrown her way, enjoying the confusion she had caused.

Without missing a beat, Esme turned to Isolde. "Isolde, would you mind deciding on the groups?"

Isolde, her expression thoughtful, surveyed the assembled adventurers for a moment before speaking. "The first to enter and lead the way will be Scout Selly, Esme, Tirn, and young miss Josephine," she announced, her voice clear and decisive. The four adventurers exchanged nods of acknowledgment, gathering around Selly as they prepared to take the lead. Isolde continued, "The second group will consist of Kael, Healer Krill, Gilvanis, and young master Arthur."

Elara's gaze shifted toward Josephine and Arthur Blackwood. Glad to finally have names to address them by. "Lastly, I want myself, Ignatius, Alira, and Velma in the third group," Isolde said, her eyes meeting Velma's. Elara notes that she is the other woman in a group with Selly and Krill.

Isolde's expression softened as she addressed Velma directly. "Is it alright for us to split your team up like this?" she asked, her voice gentle. "I want the healer to be at the center and near Kael in case of emergencies. And the scout at the front."

Velma shrugged, her face impassive. "I can see the reasons behind the placements," she said, sparing a glance in Esme and Tirn's direction but saying no more.

Isolde nodded in thanks, a smile of appreciation on her face. "Having close-quarter combatants for the last group is good to have," she added, her eyes scanning the assembled adventurers once more.

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Isolde surveyed the group one last time, her eyes lingering on each adventurer. "If there's nothing more, let's head in," she said, her voice calm and steady.

With a nod, Selly and her group began to move towards the entrance, their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the mountain. Esme and Tirn a step behind the scout, their weapons at the ready, while Josephine followed close behind, her hands loose on the hilts of her daggers.

About a minute later, Kael's group entered the dungeon. He led the way, his sword and shield drawn and his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. Arthur followed, his sword clutched tightly in his hands, while Gilvanis and Healer Krill brought up the rear, their weapons glinting in the light. Finally, Isolde gestured for Ignatius to take the lead. With a nod, the mage stepped forward, a wave of his hand causing a glowing orb the size of a grown man's fist to hover above his staff. The light cast eerie shadows on the rocky walls as Ignatius entered the dungeon. Velma, the warrior, followed close behind, her short sword unsheathed and held loosely in her left hand.

Isolde's gaze shifted to Elara, motioning for her to walk behind Velma and in front of her. Elara complied, her heart pounding in her chest as she stepped into the darkness. The weight of her new armor seemed to press down on her, a constant reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. As they made their way deeper into the mountain, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The darkness seemed to close in around them, broken only by the soft glow of Ignatius's orb. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the rocky walls, each step taking them further from the safety of the outside world. As they made their way deeper into the mountain, a sudden system notification appeared before her eyes, causing her to flinch involuntarily.

[Entry Detected: Crystallized Caverns]

The name seemed fitting, given the rocky surroundings and the crystals they had noted in the animals. Her mind began to race, pondering the implications of the system's ability to detect their entry into the dungeon. Was there a clearly defined boundary that, once crossed, signified their official entrance? The thought was both intriguing and unsettling, as it suggested a level of awareness and control that she had not previously considered the system to have. She thought it was only internal.

Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when Isolde placed a hand on her shoulder. The gesture, while perhaps unnecessary, was nonetheless appreciated. It served as a reminder that, despite the darkness, she was not alone. As they continued their descent, she found herself straining to see in the dim light cast by Ignatius's orb. The shadows seemed to dance and flicker, playing tricks on her eyes and making it difficult to discern the true nature of their surroundings. Every sound, from the crunch of gravel beneath their feet to the sound that their armor makes whilst walking, seemed amplified in the enclosed space, echoing off the rocky walls and adding to the sense of unease that permeated the air.

The scent of damp earth and musty air filled her nostrils as she ventured deeper into the mountain, the darkness pressing in on her from all sides. With each step, she could feel her heartbeat quicken, the rapid pulsing, a constant reminder of the unknown dangers that lurked in the shadows. She tried to shake free of her thoughts, focusing instead on keeping up with Velma and finding a safe footing on the uneven terrain. The last thing she wanted was to stumble and draw unwanted attention to herself, or worse, to the group as a whole.

As they continued their descent, she couldn't help but notice the subtle change in the tunnel's trajectory. It seemed to be angling downward, taking them deeper into the mountain's depths. The realization sent a chill down her spine, and she found herself wondering just how far below the surface they had ventured.

Minutes passed, each step a test of her resolve as she navigated the treacherous path. She nearly stumbled a few times, her heart leaping into her throat with each misstep, but somehow managed to catch herself before falling. Just as she was beginning to wonder how much further they would have to go, a small soft light appeared in the distance ahead of them. It was faint at first, barely distinguishable from the all-encompassing darkness, but as they drew closer, it grew steadily brighter. She felt a surge of relief wash over her as she realized that the light must be coming from the other groups. However, her companions seemed less optimistic. Velma moved to walk beside Ignatius, her blade held at the ready, as if anticipating danger at any moment.

As they approached the light, the silhouettes of the other adventurers came into view. Kael stood at the front, his shield positioned in front of an opening, obscuring the light and their forms from whatever lay within. The group fell silent as they drew closer, and Elara sensed that there was a reason for their caution. She resisted the urge to speak up, trusting that her companions knew what they were doing.

Isolde raised her arm and waved it subtly to catch Ignatius' attention from across the dimly lit tunnel. Once she had his focus, she extended her hand and pointed deliberately towards Kael. With a subtle nod, Ignatius acknowledged the silent communication. He began to move forward, carefully squeezing past the people in front of him. His movements were deliberate and precise, ensuring he did not disturb the others around them or draw unnecessary attention with noisy movement.

As he passed Gilvanis, the archer stepped back, making his way towards the rear of the line where Elara stood. Krill followed suit, positioning himself near the back of the group. Elara watched as Ignatius took his place beside Kael, the two men exchanging a brief, wordless communication. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the sudden shift in the group's formation. It was clear that they were preparing for something.

As the seconds ticked by, she found herself straining to hear any sounds that might give her a clue what lay ahead. But the only thing she could hear was the pounding of her own heart and the soft, steady breathing of her companions. The tension in the air was palpable, and she found herself gripping the hilt of her dagger. It gave her a small comfort. She watched as Kael moved his shield to the side, creating a small opening for Ignatius to point his weapon through. As he extended his staff, she felt the people around her tense, their grips tightening on their weapons. The air seemed to thicken with anticipation, and she found herself growing increasingly nervous.

As she stood there, surrounded by the seasoned adventurers, she couldn't help but question her decision to follow Esme and her crew into the dungeon. The reality of her situation began to sink in—she knew no one, had no idea where she was, and had no money to her name. Her heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the faces around her, seeing the hardened expressions and confident stances of those who had faced countless dangers before. She felt a pang of insecurity, wondering if she truly belonged in this world of peril and uncertainty.

The weight of her inexperience pressed heavily on her shoulders, and she struggled to suppress the rising tide of fear and doubt that threatened to overwhelm her. Her thoughts turned to Flamebeard, and she silently cursed the dragon for leaving her in this predicament. She felt a surge of frustration and anger, but quickly pushed those emotions aside. Now was not the time to dwell on the past or to second-guess her choices. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves. She reminded herself that she had faced challenges before, like the Griffins she had fought. Surely, whatever lay ahead in the dungeon couldn't be worse than that, right?

Despite her attempts at self-reassurance, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of her stomach. The unknown dangers that lurked in the shadows seemed to press in on her from all sides, and she found herself gripping the hilt of her dagger even tighter. Her gaze drifted to Esme and Tirn, who stood at the front of the group, their weapons at the ready. She couldn't help but admire their confidence and the way they carried themselves. It was clear that they had faced countless dangers before and had emerged victorious.

She strained to hear the whispered words that escaped Ignatius' lips, but in the deafening silence of the tunnel. Suddenly, a stream of fire erupted from the mage's staff, snaking its way upward. As the light from the fire filled the space, Kael moved his shield aside, having noted Ignatius's successful casting of the spell. He stepped out of the tunnel, quickly followed by the other front-line fighters who emerged in rapid succession.

Elara, who had been waiting anxiously behind the others, finally made her way out of the tunnel and into the chamber. As she approached the opening, the cacophony of snarls, howls, and guttural growls was heard, sending a chill down her spine. The chamber itself was vast, with a high ceiling that seemed to stretch endlessly above them. The walls were rough and uneven, hewn from the very rock of the mountain itself. Stalactites and stalagmites jutted out from the floor and ceiling, creating a treacherous landscape that would make movement difficult. As she stepped fully into the chamber, her eyes were drawn to the source of the snarling sounds. There, in the center of the room, was a pack of creatures that resembled wolves, but with crystalline protrusions jutting out from their fur. Their eyes glowed an eerie blue, and their teeth gleamed in the light of Ignatius' fire. She felt her heart race as she took in the sight before her. Her hand instinctively went to the hilt of her dagger, gripping it tightly as she tried to steady her nerves.