Veronica wasn't surprised when Bo showed up later that day. She'd have to wait until the next morning for everyone to clear out so she could unlock the next floor. Elora and Eldrin had already been given the night off and the tavern was closed with a notice posted about the upcoming dungeon upgrade. She'd likely still have to knock on doors and force some people to leave, maybe she'd just go ahead and start the process and let them deal with the consequences if they were too stubborn. Either way, though, that was something she could worry about later.
She had faced off against Bo countless times before and every time she had lost. Today would be no different. Veronica no longer held any hope of being able to win against him. He had even recently grown stronger. The bull-headed Shifter was obsessed with strength, even if he was rather lacking in other areas.
It was to the point that she was starting to fantasize about just giving up. Who cares if the dungeon core is destroyed? Maybe she'd be able to get some rest in the afterlife. Goddess knows this one was nothing but a living nightmare. She'd believe it if she were actually in Hell and Bo was assigned to torture her. He certainly showed up on a regular basis just to make sure she could never quite move on and be happy.
Bo's seemed cool, confident, and even happy as he walked toward her. His towering mass of strength and brute force made for an imposing figure. His bull horns caught the light, seeming just as menacing as any other weapon. She had certainly died from being impaled from them more than a handful of times. Even just the sight of them now made her shiver in fear as she anticipated the gruesome end that was soon to come.
Was there even a point in trying to fight back anymore? She would die either way and she didn't particularly feel like playing this 'game' anymore. However, her grip on her staff tightened as Bo grew closer, even as the tremor in her hands betrayed her fear. Then, Bo delivered the same line he always did
"You, me, duel now!"
Veronica gritted her teeth, but she didn't respond. She didn't have the mental energy to waste on words. She knew she should probably try to focus, to keep her mind clear, even if defeat was inevitable. She should try to outmaneuver him, to use his strength against him. However, she knew it was pointless. How many times had she tried that? How many times had she failed? How many times had she died now?
Bo didn't wait for her to make the first move. He knew from their last dozen or so fights that she wouldn't move until he forced her to. He charged forward, his powerful legs pounding the ground as he closed the distance in an instant. His horns were aimed straight at her chest, a deadly spear that could end the fight before it even began, and she let it.
That seemed to annoy Bo who shouted something along the lines of "I'll be back tomorrow, this isn't over!" before leaving. She didn't care, she could only sit on the steps of the dungeon core room, her breathing ragged and shallow, as she tried to recover. Surely it was better to get it over quickly? She could still feel the dull ache in her chest from her latest defeat. The dungeon core glowed softly behind her, almost seeming to mock her.
No matter how many times she died, it would always revive her. She was the dungeon's protector, forever bound by a duty that she couldn't even fulfill. She had never even agreed to become the Dungeon Master. It was doubtful she'd have ever consented if she knew this was the fate that awaited her. Yet, this cycle would continue for as long as the dungeon continued to stand.
"What's the point?!"
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She screamed out to no one in particular. There was no answer and she could only sump to the ground, staring at her trembling hands.
"What's the point?"
she whispered once more to herself. Her voice echoed back to her, sounding just as hollow as she felt.
Veronica glanced back up at the dungeon core. She had considered destroying the core herself on numerous occasions. The thought frightened her, but it also brought a strange sense of relief. No more battles. No more pain. No more facing the same inevitable outcome. She could just be done with it all.
She was still lost in these thoughts when she heard the footsteps approaching. Her heart hammered in her chest. Why would they approach the dungeon core? The placement of this room made it more than obvious what it was. A feeling of dread overcame her as she realized what was likely happening. They were here for her, just as Bo had been. However, she had nothing left to give, not today.
The adventurers didn't wait for her to come and greet them. Five figures walked confidently into the dungeon core rooms. Their leader was a tall man with a cruel sneer that surveyed the room with cold, calculating eyes. When he saw her he laughed, the sound mocking to her ears.
"So, this is the famous dungeon core. You must be the pitiful Dungeon Master we've heard so much about. Lovely place you've got here."
Veronica didn't respond, only glaring at the man. It was all that she could manage as she didn't have the energy to do anything else. The leader's grin widened at her silence.
"Not much of a challenge, are you? What a disappointment."
The others snickered. One of them, a burly woman with a scar across her face, kicked Veronica's staff out of her reach before saying
"Maybe she just needs a little... encouragement."
Her tone was filled with malice. Veronica's body tensed as the woman advanced on her. When the first blow landed, she didn't cry out. She wouldn't let them take any joy from her suffering. The pain wasn't even that big of a deal. It was nothing compared to the despair that had hollowed her out after all of this time dealing with Bo.
She didn't know these people, but they didn't seem to care about that. They took turns tormenting her, their laughter echoing in the chamber as they mocked her weakness and her inability to protect the core. They were nothing more than bullies, using their strength to kick her when she was already down. However, to Veronica, they were the final straw.
As they continued to kick her and mock her, something inside her snapped. She couldn't do this anymore. She wouldn't. If she couldn't live her life freely, if she couldn't stop people like them from taking whatever they wanted from her, then there was no point in continuing.
When they finally tired of their cruel game, they left her bruised and bloodied on the floor. They didn't bother to finish her off, knowing the core would only revive her once more. To them, this was just as much of a victory as killing her off was for Bo. However, she wasn't thinking about the next battle. No, the only thing she had in mind now was ending the pain. Forever.
She stumbled to her feet, each step feeling like agony, even as her body slowly began to heal. Her mind was set, determined, as she brushed her fingers against the core's surface. It felt warm, full of life. It had been a part of her for so long already, but now that bond felt like a chain, one she was desperate to break. With a sigh, she walked over to where her longstaff lay on the ground, wincing as she bent over to pick it up.
When she walked back over to the dungeon core, tears were streaming down her face as she whispered
"I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore."
She raised her longstaff and prepared to strike the core with all of her strength. However, before the strike could land, the entire dungeon began to shake and tremble stronger than it ever had before. The effect was so great that Veronica couldn't help but lose her balance and ended up tumbling down the steps that led up to the dungeon core. At the bottom, the door lie open, but she didn't have time to question why as she blacked out by the time she finished tumbling into the hallway just outside of the room.