2 days later
During the past 2 days, we reviewed the mayor’s information, finding everything we needed to know about the dungeon. Using Gwenn we surveying the area outside of the dungeon for any more bandit camps and other dangers. Lastly, we developed combat strategies for our chance encounters once inside the dungeon. Finally, it was time we began the real quest.
Based on Lucas’ information, the dungeon was discovered about 1500-sols ago by an adventurer. As a response, the king at the time and the Guild worked together in creating this town as a waystation for those seeking to conquer the dungeon. In this world there are 3 ways to conquer a dungeon,
1. Kill the floor guardians, the dungeon master and destroy the dungeon core at the deepest level.
2. Kill the dungeon master, but covert the dungeon core into an artifact or weapon which will allow the dungeon to remain intact until a new core and dungeon master form in approximately 300 or so sols.
3. Become the new dungeon master, preventing the dungeon from growing any further.
According to the mission details provided by Lucas, we were tasked with retrieving the personal effects of Mayor Lucas’ ancestor. Once a Roaming Arcana about 100-sols ago, Lucas’ ancestor attempted to become the dungeon master in hopes to turn the dungeon into a magic shelter. The aim was in case the town was attacked by foreign countries, or massive monster waves reached Breilan.
Lucas believes his ancestor made it to the core chamber but is not sure of his fate. He believes he’s dead as the dungeon has been acting very oddly for the past 20-sols. Lucas stated at this point, he’s okay if we conquer the dungeon since bandits keep using the place as their own.
Additionally, the dungeon is said to only have 4 floors. The entrance is the sigil portal we saw earlier leading to the 1st floor. Once inside each floor should be divided by a stairway leading to the next floor. Given the dimensional difference, time in the dungeon is faster than time spent outside.
It is believed this dungeon has a 4 to 1 time ratio. So even if we spend 20 days inside, 5 days would have passed since entering. The guild gave us 100 days to complete the mission. Excluding the approximate 4 days round-trip traveling to and from Breilan, and another 2 days’ rest we just used, we have a total of 94 days to complete the mission or 376 days inside the dungeon! James was right, that is more than enough time to clear this mission.
Of course, I was not underestimating the dungeon, it’s just according to the information provided, each floor is a different biosphere with a surface area of approximately 11.6 million km². The 1st floor is an underground area, the 2nd being a volcanic area, the 3rd a forest area, leaving the last area a mystery. As far as we know, only Lucas’ ancestor ventured that far, with all the other parties not making past the forest area. Regardless, our goal is to reach the deepest part of the dungeon since that’s where our query lies.
After packing our supplies and thanking Lucas, we proceeded to the dungeon entrance. This time it only took us 5 minutes to return to this spot since we drove the carriage directly to the dungeon. Setting up a Safe house artifact and commanding the guard golems to kill anyone other than us who enters the safe house effect range on sight, we walked over to the sigil portal. One key piece of information regarding dungeon entrance portals which all dungeons have in common. No matter what, everyone will be separated once we step on the sigil. As we gathered near the sigil, Cavilhaugh spoke,
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Okay, now that we are here, let me reinforce our plan. Since we are going to be separated on the 1st floor, the first task is to meet up. Based on the map Mayor Lucas provided, the best place to meet is the lake towards the center of the floor. We have exactly 60 days to meet before the guardian of the floor takes notice of our entry.”
Cavilhaugh said, while pointing at the map Lucas gave us. The map was divided into the segments. Each segment was a dungeon floor. The only floor not accounted for was the 4th floor. Cavilhaugh continued,
“Should anything happen to either of us in that time, do your best to stealthily reach the lake or the floor guardian will make things harder. Last and most important piece of intel. According to Lucas, the leader of the bandit group is on this floor and is a peak Master level mage. If you are able to locate him, do not approach. Instead, get as far away as possible since any of his movements will definitely attract the floor guardian. Any Questions?”
After recapping the current task at hand, we all nodded and prepared to enter the sigil. Of course, we could not enter all together, so we drew straws on who would enter first, with the one who drew the short straw entering last after setting up our counter measures. Lucky me, I of course drew the short straw…
“Come find me soon, love… giggle!”
Ivy said as she stepped in, vanishing before everyone’s eyes. After Ivy, was Katya whose sitting on Goeff’s shoulder with Gwenn in her arms, and Raptor being carried by Geoff. Unlike everyone else, her golems have the same magoi signature as her, so they will be sent to the same place. Afterwards was Cavilhaugh, and then Anansi. Seeing everyone head inside, it was time to do my part and setup the counter measures.
As planned, I inscribed a magic circle around the sigil portal, then placed 5 magoi crystals with each of our internal magoi and aura filling the crystals. Should any one of us be facing a life-threatening situation, they will automatically be sent here. The magic circle was called Escape Net, and is a technique provided by the Guild for dungeon related missions. The spell is usually an individual use spell; however, with a few tweaks Cavilhaugh, Katya and I were able to allow 4 uses before the magoi crystals explode.
Next, I placed 5 additional small formations around the sigil portal. These formations will prevent anyone else from entering or leaving the dungeon unless they have the same magoi/aura signatures as us. Another Guild technique called Magoi Barricade which is to prevent hostile targets from entering or escaping and dungeon breaks from occurring should the worst happen inside the dungeon.
Finishing that, I placed down another spike artifact similar to Safe house called Camo Trap which hides all the formations including the sigil portal and creates a fake dungeon portal entrance which sends all who enter to any place the caster designates as long as they input the geographical coordinates. After much consideration, the destination I chose was Salandir Wastes. This way not only will they be sent a faraway distance but will be in a place void of magoi and will not doubt be turned into a raving husk awaiting death. With everything in place, I fed the required amount of magoi into the artifact and formations, then stepped into the sigil portal.
To be honest, it felt like I was going through a S**r *at* until I landed at my new destination. Taking a look at my surroundings, I noticed nothing in my immediate vicinity. Nonetheless, I needed to be extra careful. With this in mind, I ignited my plasmasaber while infusing darkness and neutral magoi, causing the bright saber light to dim until no light was emitted.
-End of Chapter