All eyes shifted to Irida as she began her spell. Her face was cold, focused as she gripped her staff firmly.
Joel’s eyes widened as a memory struck him.
"Irida, don’t use flame blasts, or we’ll be done for!" he called out quickly.
Irida froze for a moment, then whipped her head toward him. Her glare became sharper, her eyes burning. "I know that much. I’m not an idiot, for gods’ sake." Her words cut like a knife but she turned back, refusing to break her focus.
Her staff pulsed with power. Heat gathered in the air. A second later, fire roared.
Swoooosh!
A wave of flame burst out, spraying across the ceiling. The fire moved like a giant serpent, writhing and curling through the darkness. The air sizzled as the flames struck the insects.
The stench of burning flesh filled the corridor as the first wave of insects shrieked.
SCREEH!SCREECH!
Crackling and sizzling sounds erupted above them. Chunks of blackened bodies fell from the ceiling, crashing against the floor in a sickening rain. The sound of their twitching limbs scraping against stone echoed through the passage.
But not all were burned.
Several carrion crawlers leapt down, their twisted legs moving fast, their mouths wide open. They rushed toward Irida with screeches that pierced the air.
"Haro," Joel ordered sharply.
"On it!" Haro grabbed arrows loading them on his bows and fired.
TANG!TANG!TANG!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Arrows tore through the air, piercing the creatures before they could reach Irida. Their bodies fall to the ground, with huge holes carved by errors.
But the ceiling was still filled with creatures that were jumping down.
More crawlers began to stir,and the sound of their legs scratching the ground reverberated.
Beads of sweat formed on Haro’s forehead as too many crawlers swarmed in.
Ethan’s gaze tightened. He could feel the fight slipping out of control. Without hesitation, he tossed the shield toward Randall.
"Use it!"
At the same moment, his body blurred.
Crack!
Lightning sparked around his boots as he activated his movement technique.
Swish!
He vanished in a flash, reappearing among the crawlers with his sword raised high. His blade cut through two at once, his body moving faster than the eye could follow.
Sparks flew as his steps left streaks of light along the ground.
Each strike of his was clean, precise, cutting the monsters down before they could surround Irida.
Irida glanced toward him, but her concentration never faltered.
Her eyes widened slightly. For a brief moment, awe flickered across her face. Ethan’s speed was unlike anything she had seen. The technique made him look almost untouchable, like a phantom tearing through the swarm.
She gritted her teeth, snapped her gaze forward, and focused back on the ceiling. Her staff pulsed again, another wave of flame bursting forth to scorch the crawling tide above.
The air grew thick with smoke with the stench of burning flesh unbearable.
..
..
Moments later, the whole passage reeked of smoke and the bitter smell of roasted flesh. The ground was littered with blackened insect husks, their twisted legs curled inward like claws reaching from the grave. The heat still lingered in the air, pressing against their lungs.
Irida pushed forward, her staff glowing faintly as she cleared the last of the swarm. But even with the monsters gone, the air was suffocating.
"Cough... cough..." Joel bent slightly, covering his mouth.
"Irida!" he called out, his voice rough.
"On it," she replied quickly. She raised her staff and twisted her wrist. A small vortex of wind spun into existence, pulling in the smoke and ash. The air slowly cleared, the haze being swallowed by the swirl until the space grew breathable again.
When the vision cleared, the sight before them made everyone grimace. The rocky floor was smeared with charred bodies, burned flesh clinging to the walls, and the melted remains of the insects stuck to the ceiling like black tar.
Randall shook his head. "What a strange and disgusting dungeon."
Everyone agreed silently. The atmosphere grew heavy. Ethan let out a quiet breath, his hand tightening on his sword hilt.
’Sophia was right,’ he thought with a bitter sigh. ’I would have been finished if I had entered this place alone. This isn’t impossible to clear, but it’s too troublesome without a team to cover each other’s backs.’
"Are these carcasses usable?"Ethan asked.
Joel gave a look then shook his head,"No!’’
The group pressed forward, their steps echoing in the stillness. The path stretched deeper until it ended at a massive metallic door.
Its surface was old and cold, covered with strange engravings that glowed faintly in the dim light.
Joel’s eyes gleamed as he looked at it.
"Beyond this door should be the hidden boss room." His voice carried a spark of excitement.
He stepped closer, but Ethan’s hand gripped his shoulder firmly, halting him. Joel turned, puzzled.
"How are boss rooms usually?" Ethan asked quietly. "What’s the terrain like inside? Is it spacious?"
Joel frowned in thought before answering. "To be honest, we’ve only cleared one boss room before. But most dungeons like this... the rights to their boss rooms usually go to nobles. If no noble claims it, the Adventure Guild sends a chosen team."
Ethan stayed silent, listening. Joel continued. "The one we entered back then was just a grassy plain. It was an F-rank dungeon, so not very dangerous."
The explanation gave no comfort. Ethan’s chest felt heavier, and unease crept in.
"Can we run if we can’t win?" he asked at last.
His question made everyone pause.
Haro rubbed the back of his head and muttered, "Man... it’s hard to say. Depends on the dungeon. Some lock you in until it’s over. Only after entering can we know if escape is even possible."
The silence that followed pressed on them like a weight. Each of them felt the same cold dread, though none spoke it aloud.
Ethan drew in a slow breath and forced his nerves down. "We’ve brought enough potions, right?" He looked from one face to another.
"Yes," Randall answered quickly. "We stocked up."
Joel nodded as well. "I also brought a few haste potions." He pulled two from his pouch and tossed them to Ethan and Randall. "Keep them close. They might save you."
They exchanged short nods, each clinging to the thought of those small bottles as if they were lifelines. The group shifted aside, all eyes turning toward Ethan.
"You open it," Joel said firmly.
Ethan blinked, giving them a strained smile. "Can I refuse?"
"No," they replied together without hesitation.
His smile turned bitter. With slow steps, he moved forward until he stood before the towering door. His palms pressed against the cold metal.
For a moment, he closed his eyes. The silence of the passage pressed into his ears while the faint smell of charred insects still hung in the air. Then he pushed.
Crunngggg!
The metallic door groaned as it moved, the sound deep and heavy like the growl of some ancient beast. The ground shook faintly as it swung open.
And beyond it, a grim scene revealed itself.