"So this is it."
I let voice my thoughts as we stopped in front of a cave entrance. Having followed the blood trail from yesterday, it wasn't hard to find the entrance. Looking up at the mountain that looked huge from a distance, now that we were close, it towered into the heavens and looked unnatural.
I had never seen a mountain this big and I could only associate if with Mt Everest, but even then I didn't know how each would match up.
We had to move around the mountain for a good hour before we found the ominous cave. Like the dungeon I had found back in the elf forest, the gloom and shadows that the entrance cast sent a small shiver down my spine.
It literally wasn't natural, taking a quick peek with my spirit vision I could see some type of energy being radiated outwards. Weaker people would avoid it naturally; even those that had come here with a purpose might turn back. But for those that were strong it was a minor hurdle.
Maybe it was a way to keep weaker people out? Stop them from making mistakes. That did beg the question though, was this caused by the system on purpose? Or just something the dungeon naturally does?
I didn't think about the question for long as we moved closer. The splatter of blood on the rocks surrounding the entrance showed me the violence we were about to face. Obviously more than one person had tried to escape and failed.
Deciding it was time, I pulled out my weapon. The glint of my halberd was bright as Ella and Rose also summoned their weapons. The kids followed soon after, while Hunter started to pack his things.
The entrance wasn't big enough for his wooden cart so he would have to store it while we were inside. He said it happened some times, and the floors of the dungeon might expand later on.
With him going about his business we checked our gear and got rid of anything that could impede our bodies, I didn't want any accident to happen. Judging by the pressure that the dungeon was pushing out, I think we were fine at our level, but I couldn't be sure yet.
****************
40 minutes later everything was finally ready. Me, Ella and Rose made a triangle formation as we moved in. They would flank me while I took point, the kids would stay behind us till we figured out the dangers, and Hunter would be at the back.
Our deal was to protect him in here, and to maximize the amount of exp we received he wouldn't be fighting. Maybe giving us health potions when necessary and whatever else we may need, but no direct interference in general.
Unless it was an emergency of course.
My weapon that once shined brightly in the sun dimmed as I stepped into the cave. The air that was mildly warm and comforting instantly changed as if I stepped over some type of barrier. The shiver in my spine had come back and my danger perception started to ring.
The ringing started to increase as we made our way in, while my eyes scanned the area in front of us. The roof of the cave wasn't tall, maybe 3 meters, and it was also quite narrow. The only sound that echoed about was the crunch of our metal boots on stone and gravel.
We continued forwards for another 100 meters before I saw the entrance to a different area, we slowed down as my danger perception rose to imminent proportions. The small rumble of sound in the distance told us there was a monster in the next room.
We slowed down and started to sneak up towards the area, unlike the gloom that was surrounding the cave entrance that we were still in, the next are seemed to be lit by some type of light. It was orange in nature and as we got closer and closer, the temperature started to rise.
It wasn't noticeably at the start, but by the time we reached the entrance to the area, the temperature had gone up by 10 degrees. I motioned for the other to hang back for a second as I took a look around the corner.
The room that unfolded before me was huge. The roof that had only been a few meters was closer to 50 meters tall now. The area was bigger than a football field and had streams of magma, (Or was it lava?), crisscrossing around the floor. Didn't matter I had found the reason for the temperature increase.
The small steams of hot liquid were numerous as the circled the area before heading somewhere deeper in the dungeon. I could see them disappear into some other cave entrance. The thing that really drew my attention though was the 7 meter tall rock monster that was using the stream as a bath.
A monster taller than any I had seen before was kneeling in the lava. Its big stone hands were reached down and it had scooped up some of the lava. Pulling it up towards its head, it then tipped the contents over itself.
Like running water it streamed down its body. The lava ran down its frame and seemed to cling to small groves that were etched into its form. The engravings lit up lightly at the contact and dulled in a few seconds. Doing this the creature stood up and moved off in a different direction.
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
Its heavy weight sent vibrations off its every step, as it moved further and further away. That's what we heard before.
From what I could see it was the only creature in the whole area. In the full 2-3 hundred meter area only one giant rock monster was here. I found this slightly odd as I was expecting a lot more in such a huge area.
Especially if it was a dungeon, the last one I had visited had bodies of wolves everywhere. The elves had to go through hell in each parts of the dungeon to get anywhere, and now I only had to deal with one monster. Something wasn't right here.
I moved back quietly not to draw any attention before telling the other what I had seen. They all then took turns to peek out behind the corner and see what we were facing. The kids seemed to take the hulking figure very hard. One of them even started shivering after seeing its massive form.
Ella scowled at the thing as she saw it lumber about and Rose showed it a very cold look when she stared at the thing. She was still pissed about the body we found before, no doubt one of these things; if not the same one, had crushed that poor woman's skull.
But it was when Hunter looked at the creature that we finally got some useful information. Being the only one from a different world, he instantly knew what it was. And judging from his pale and frustrated face, it wasn't good.
"What is it?"
He turned to me with an annoyed face once he identified the monster.
"It's a Rock Titan."
His voice was solemn as he spoke. I decided to take another peek at the creature as I processed his words.
"Titan? I know it's big, but aren't titans really big?"
It was a slightly stupid question, but hearing what it was called, I couldn't help but ask. Its title really should inspire fear, but looking at it, it didn't look that bad. Might be a bit hard to take down, but I was sure my halberd could cut thoughts it rock body.
Tuning back to look at Hunter he just shook his head.
"You don't understand."
He moved to stand next to me, we were both out in the open now, and we were far enough away that the creature couldn't see us.
"You see its tough rock exterior, that's no normal rock. Depending on what level these titans have reached, the stronger their skin."
He raised his finger and point at their tough skin. I didn't think it was a problem, but if their bodies where influenced by their level, I had no clue how tough it could truly be.
"At the same level, most people can't break through it; at higher levels you might have a chance. And if you are a lower level, you're basically screwed."
I mulled over his words as I looked down at my weapon. It was a purple weapon and should be able to deal with creatures and armour under level 40, but going by his words, I wasn't sure if it would be effective now.
"Do they have a weakness?"
Hunter mulled my question over for a few seconds before motioning towards the lava streams that filled the area.
"It makes sense they are here. They thrive in lava regions and mountains. Their very slow because of their big size, so we can surround it and try to chip it down, but the best way to deal with them it to coat weapons in cold affinity energies, or the like."
A large smile came to my face as I heard his words.
Cold energy?
I had just the thing.
A small spec of ice formed in my hand.
Hey guys here's the chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Really want to do the dungeon good cause i will be doing more in the future, just drawing a bit of a blank in how to describe it.
Thanks for reading as always :)
Shout out - Yuriy Shuvalov and Bernini