章節 5: Chapter No.5 Dungeon Dive (2)

Dungeon.

A mysterious place teeming with danger, intrigue, and the promise of untold riches. no one knows how they came to be but their allure was undeniable. Many adventurers had met their demise within its treacherous depths, yet the rewards were too great to ignore.

Many theories were formed about the origin and purpose of these dungeons. Some believed they were remnants of ancient civilizations, filled with forgotten treasures and secrets. Others thought they were created by the gods as trials for the brave and the foolish alike.

But one such theory was more famous than the others, whispered among scholars and seasoned adventurers alike: the dungeons were tombs, Tombs of fallen gods of ancient civilization, and within their depths lay not only riches but also the potential for unimaginable power.

As the exploration team made its way through the rugged terrain surrounding the dungeon entrance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation. The air was thick with anticipation, each member of the group steeling themselves for the challenges that awaited us within.

Beside me, the heir of the Rutherford House, whose name I now knew to be Alexander Rutherford, walked with a cocky smirk on his face, his confidence unwavering despite the looming danger ahead. He exuded an aura of authority, commanding the respect and admiration of his companions with ease.

I kept my gaze forward, concealing any hint of nervousness behind my mask and cloak. Despite the uncertainty of my situation, I couldn't afford to let my guard down now. The success of my plan depended on maintaining my disguise and earning the trust of the exploration team.

As we reached the entrance to the dungeon, Alexander halted, surveying the imposing structure before us with a calculating gaze. "This is it," he announced, his voice carrying a note of excitement.

"Before we enter this dungeon, there are a few things we need to go over," Alexander continued, addressing the group gathered around him. "As this is a dungeon under my family, Everything inside belongs to 'me' only. But don't worry you people will be paid in coins. And let me warn you all that if even a single piece of treasure goes missing, there will be consequences."

His words hung in the air, a sobering reminder of the risks we faced and the stakes involved. I nodded along with the others, taking note of the seriousness in Alexander's tone.

"As for our objective," Alexander continued, "we're here to explore the dungeon and retrieve any valuable artifacts or treasures we can find. But we must proceed with caution. The dungeons are filled with traps, monsters, and other dangers that could prove fatal if we're not careful."

I listened intently, committing Alexander's words to memory as I prepared myself for the challenges ahead. The thought of facing monsters and traps sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let fear hold me back.

"We'll split into smaller groups to cover more ground," Alexander announced, his voice echoing with authority. "Each group will be led by one of our seasoned adventurers, with myself overseeing the operation from a safe distance."

As the group began to organize themselves into smaller teams, I waited patiently, biding my time until I could make my move. Meeting the main heroine was my primary objective, and I couldn't afford to let anything distract me from that goal.

Finally, the teams were assembled, and Alexander assigned each of us our respective roles and tasks. I found myself placed in a group led by a grizzled veteran named Marcus, a burly man with a no-nonsense demeanor and a reputation for getting the job done.

With our assignments in hand, our group set off into the depths of the dungeon, our torches casting eerie shadows on the walls as we descended into darkness.

As we ventured deeper into the dungeon, the air grew colder, and the sense of foreboding grew stronger. Every creak of the floorboards, and every rustle of movement in the shadows sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Greee!

A sudden, ominous groan echoed through the dungeon, causing us all to freeze in our tracks. Marcus, our group leader, raised a hand, signaling for us to halt as he scanned our surroundings with a practiced eye.

"Stay alert, everyone," Marcus cautioned, his voice low but firm. "We're not alone down here, and I don't like the sound of that."

Tension hung thick in the air as we waited, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone walls. With each passing moment, the sense of unease grew, a tangible presence that seemed to press in on us from all sides.

Sceeerrrr!

Suddenly, a sharp hiss echoed through the darkness, followed by the unmistakable sound of claws scraping against stone. Before we could react, a horde of snarling creatures burst forth from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice as they closed in on us with alarming speed.

"Monsters!" someone shouted, panic rising in their voice.

"O' mother of all, Pierce my enemies through and through,"

"Earth Spike!"

Marcus's voice boomed with authority as he unleashed a powerful earth-based spell, sending sharp spikes erupting from the ground beneath the approaching horde of monsters. The creatures howled in pain as they were impaled on the jagged spikes, their advance halted by the sudden onslaught.

With Marcus's quick thinking and skillful use of magic, our group managed to fend off the initial wave of monsters. But the battle was far from over. As the dust settled, we could hear more growls and hisses echoing from the depths of the dungeon, signaling that more creatures lurked in the shadows, ready to attack.

"Everyone, stay together!" Marcus bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to regroup and hold our ground!"

"Fire Ball!"

A skinny-looking man with wild, unkempt hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes stepped forward, conjuring a ball of flames in his outstretched hand. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the fiery projectile hurtling toward the oncoming horde, engulfing them in a blaze of heat and light.

His spell proved devastating, incinerating the monsters in its path and buying us precious moments to regroup and prepare for the next wave of attacks. As the flames died down, leaving only charred remnants of our enemies behind, the skinny man grinned triumphantly, his confidence unwavering in the face of danger.

"Nice shot, Flint!" Marcus called out, clapping the man on the back in approval. "Keep up the good work!"

With Flint's powerful magic bolstering our defenses, our group rallied, forming a tight-knit circle as we braced ourselves for the next onslaught. The dungeon echoed with the sounds of battle, the clash of weapons, and the crackle of magic filling the air as we fought tooth and nail to survive against the relentless onslaught of monsters.

As I was just a porter among the adventurers, I found myself on the fringes of the battle, doing my best to assist where I could while staying out of harm's way. With each passing moment, my heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I faced the harsh reality of combat for the first time.

Despite the chaos and danger surrounding us, a sense of camaraderie began to form among our group, forged in the crucible of battle. We fought side by side, covering each other's backs and lending aid to those in need, united in our shared struggle against the monstrous inhabitants of the dungeon.

Time seemed to blur as the battle raged on, the hours slipping away unnoticed as we fought tooth and nail to survive against overwhelming odds. But even as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm us, we refused to back down, driven by a determination to emerge victorious against all odds.

As the last of the monsters fell beneath our combined onslaught, a collective sigh of relief rippled through our weary ranks. We had emerged victorious, battered and bruised but alive, our spirits buoyed by the knowledge that we had faced the dangers of the dungeon and emerged triumphant.

As we caught our breath and tended to our wounds, Marcus stepped forward, his expression grave but resolute. "Well fought, everyone," he declared, his voice ringing with pride. "But we can't afford to let our guard down just yet. There may be more dangers lurking in the shadows, and we must remain vigilant if we hope to survive."

A huge door loomed before us, its ancient stone surface etched with intricate runes and symbols. It stood as a barrier between us and whatever lay beyond, a silent sentinel guarding the secrets of the dungeon's depths.

With a sense of trepidation, Marcus approached the door, his hand reaching out to touch its weathered surface. As his fingers brushed against the cool stone, a faint hum filled the air, the sound reverberating through the cavernous chamber with an otherworldly resonance.

"This is it," Marcus murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "The heart of the dungeon."

With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Marcus began to chant, his words echoing through the chamber in a language I couldn't comprehend. As he spoke, the runes on the door began to glow with an ethereal light, illuminating the chamber with an eerie glow.

Suddenly, with a rumble like distant thunder, the door began to creak open, slowly swinging inward to reveal the darkness beyond. Marcus stepped back, his expression unreadable as he gestured for us to follow him into the unknown.

"Stay close," he warned, his voice tinged with urgency. "We don't know what awaits us on the other side, but we must be prepared for anything."

Yes, Nobody knows about the thing awaiting inside, All except me—who has taken the protagonist's place and knows the original storyline inside out.