Well, except Wolfton, who remained unconscious on Jin’s back.
“What do you mean it’s been months since anyone entered this dungeon and made it out?”
Sameer glanced at them, shrugged, and replied,
“For months now. I think three, since the anomaly started. Nyxarion Cavern used to be free for all, there was no barrier to entry or exit. Treasures and monster parts could be taken out freely.”
“But all of a sudden, entry became a one-way journey. Strong monsters usually found on the lower floors started heading toward the surface.”
“The dungeon itself restructures its layout daily, linking the top floors to the deeper levels. Sometimes, it directly influences where adventurers end up…”
He paused.
“It’s like the dungeon is alive.”
The four exchanged glances.
It was indeed strange.
First, the sudden chasm that had opened beneath them, if not for Sergeant Lupin, they would have fallen into one of the lower floors, and who knew what horrors awaited there.
Then there was the unnatural wind that had scattered them apart. They had only managed to reunite by sheer luck.
In both cases, it felt as though something was pulling strings, placing them exactly where it wanted.
Now, they were beginning to understand.
Nyxarion Cavern was not just a dungeon.
It was a death trap.
Swallowing, Jin asked,
“So… you’ve been in this dungeon for three months. How did you survive?”
Triste chuckled softly. She tilted her head toward the cavern ceiling, her gaze distant, reminiscing.
“We survived,” she said. “But it was by no means easy.”
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“Before the anomaly began, at least eighty adventurers were exploring different sections of the dungeon…”
“Now, we’re no more than five. And we walk on eggshells every day. We don’t know who might be lost to the underworld next.”
“Each day, we risk our lives searching for exits that might appear. But with the layout resetting daily, it’s nearly impossible to make meaningful progress.”
“Indeed,” Sameer added.
“That’s why it was surprising to see new faces in here. The Adventurers’ Guild should have been aware of the anomaly. No one has made it out, not even the reinforcement teams sent to investigate. They died searching for an exit.”
“They should have discouraged you from coming.”
The four exchanged looks again, confusion clouding their faces.
On their way here, James and Sergeant Lupin had visited the Adventurers’ Guild to gather information.
Did the Guild withhold the truth?
Or were they told, and Sergeant Lupin chose to ignore it?
Knowing him, he might have viewed it as a challenge to overcome.
But they had also received direct orders from the army to rescue a squad trapped inside.
Was this the army’s way of handling the Guild’s problem, sending ability users to resolve it?
And if so… why send them?
They were still students, still learning to use their abilities efficiently.
There were just too many unknowns.
“You said there were five of you,” Lysandra said. “Where are the others?”
“They’re searching for an exit as well,” Triste replied. “Just like we were before we stumbled upon you.”
“Wait,” Jin interjected. “How would you know if they found an exit? And if you fail, how do you reunite?”
Sameer raised his index finger.
The four squinted at him, confused, question marks popped on their heads until Aurelia’s eyes widened.
One of her abilities,
Wrapped around Sameer’s finger, and Triste’s, was a thin, nearly invisible strand of mana stretching into the distance.
“Mana strings?” she blurted.
“Exactly,” Sameer replied.
“Each of us is connected by a mana thread created by our captain. Usually, only those at Savant Aura Stage or above can see it.”
Aurelia quickly looked away, offering an awkward smile.
“When the day is nearly over, we return to a designated rendezvous point before the dungeon relocates us again. If we don’t make it in time, we follow the thread.”
“And if one tether disconnects…” Triste continued quietly, “we know someone is no longer with us.”
Silence settled over the chamber.
Though they tried to hide it, the weight of loss was etched across Sameer and Triste’s faces. The four could only imagine the hardship of being trapped here for months.
“So,” Sameer said, attempting to lighten the mood, “what are you doing here?”
The four hesitated.
Edric answered.
“We were sent by the army to rescue a squad trapped inside.”
“We didn’t know it was this complicated,” he added quietly.
“From the army?!” Sameer and Triste exclaimed.
“You must be from one of those special unit squads,” Triste said, eyes shining. “I thought they were just myths. But those powers you showed… they’re real.”
The two grew visibly excited.
If the army had sent them, then surely they possessed the strength to break free of this cursed dungeon.
For the first time in months, hope flickered in their eyes.
The four exchanged another look, wry smiles forming.
What would their reaction be if they learned the truth?
That they were still students in training.