The morning air in the forest was cool and refreshing. As the sun slowly rose in the distance, golden light pierced through the tents, casting a warm glow over the forest floor.
Lux was the first to wake. He stretched his body with a quiet yawn before making his way to the campfire. There, he found Blake and Lowel already up, preparing their equipment and tools.
"Good morning, Mr. Blake, Mr. Lowel! Did you sleep well?"
He asked while stretching his arms overhead.
"Yes, all thanks to you,"
Blake replied with a short nod, wiping his sword clean with a cloth.
"We should wake the others and continue our journey. I'd like to finish this quest as soon as possible."
Beside him, Lowel quietly packed tools into his satchel.
Lux glanced around and spotted Lia washing her face nearby a tree next to the tent. As usual, he greeted her warmly.
"Ah, good morning, Ms. Lia!"
Lia returned the greeting with a soft nod before patting her face dry with a towel.
Noticing Will and Vox were still missing, Lux realized they hadn't woken up yet. He headed toward their tent to rouse them.
As expected, the two were not morning people. Both groaned and yawned as they reluctantly sat up, still drowsy from sleep, while Lux had already begun packing up the campsite. He took down the tents, folded the blankets, and made sure nothing was left behind.
Then they had a quick breakfast around the campfire before making their way to the Dungeon of Nightfall.
"Everyone let get ready !"
Blake addressed the group as he stood and adjusted his equipment.
"All right, let's move out."
Lux slung his backpack over his shoulder and took the lead, guiding the party toward the dungeon.
The distance from their campsite to the dungeon was roughly a two-hour walk.
They began ventured deeper into the forest. The path became narrower, and the underbrush more tangled, but Lux led them with confidence. Eventually, the trees gave way to a clearing, and there, carved into the base of a mountain, stood an ancient structure.
It looked like the remnants of a forgotten civilization. Moss and ivy crawled across its cracked stone walls, and worn carvings hinted at an age long past.
The entrance was a shallow archway, yawning open with darkness beyond.
They had finally arrived, the Dungeon of Nightfall.
"We're here!"
Lux called out with a cheerful smile.
"Ok, thanks Lux,"
Blake replied, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Whoa… so this is a dungeon!"
Will exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.
"That's right!"
Vox chimed in; both were thrilled. It was their first time standing before such a place, and their eagerness was plain to see.
Blake stepped forward; arms folded as he examined the dungeon's entrance.
"We'll head inside and explore for a while,"
He said, addressing the group.
"If nothing unusual happens, we'll wrap it up and head back to the village."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Lux set down his bag and began handing out the torches and waterskins to the group.
"Here, some torches and water for the trip,"
He said with a grin.
"I guess this is where we part ways. I'll see you all back at the village!"
"All right then! Everyone let's get going!"
Blake lit one of the torches and stepped into the dark dungeon ahead, his voice firm and confident.
"All right! Let's gooo!"
Will and Vox followed closely behind, each lighting their own torch with excitement gleaming in their eyes. Lowel silently brought up the rear.
Lia turned to Lux and gave him a gentle, grateful smile.
"Thank you, Lux."
Then, without another word, she followed the others into the shadows.
Lux stood there quietly, watching as their figures disappeared into the darkness of the dungeon. The torchlight faded with every step they took.
But Lux wasn't the kind of person to let such an opportunity slip by.
A spark of determination flashed in his eyes.
This might be his only chance to explore a dungeon, his first chance. And even if he wasn't officially part of the party, he had made up his mind.
He waited patiently outside, listening until the sounds of footsteps had vanished deep into the stone passageways. The air grew still.
Then, with a quiet breath, he lowered his backpack to the ground and tightened the sheath on his sword. Picking up one of the remaining torches, Lux lit it, the flame flickering in his eyes.
"…All right, time to begin," he whispered to himself.
And with that, he stepped into the Dungeon of Nightfall, alone.
Most dungeon resembled an ancient ruin, though scholars had speculated for years, the true origin of dungeons remained a mystery. Some believed they were remnants of a long-lost civilization—one even older than the Aspidan people.
Unlike typical ruins, dungeons were far more treacherous. Their interiors were twisted labyrinths, sprawling with dead ends and hidden passageways. Without a map or a guide, it was easy to become hopeless lost. Trap doors and hidden chambers lay scattered throughout, waiting to ensnare the careless or unprepared.
Yet, adventurers continued to risk their lives for the treasures hidden within. It was well known that the greatest reward was buried deep. Most dungeons were structured vertically, descending floor by floor. Each level brought more risk.
Every adventurer knew this, understanding the nature of dungeons was fundamental knowledge. But for now, Blake's team had a simple mission: investigate and report on the current state of the dungeon.
As they began exploring the first floor, the atmosphere was eerily calm. There were no signs of demi-humans or hostile monsters. Only a few animals; bats fluttering in the shadows and lizards scuttling across the cold stone walls, broke the silence. Still, the group remained alert.
Will and Vox trailed behind Blake and Lowel, wide-eyed with excitement. It was their first time inside a real dungeon. They ran their hands along the ancient, moss-covered walls, taking in every detail like children entering a sacred ruin.
"Stay sharp, everyone," Blake warned, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "We'll check the second or even third floor. If nothing unusual shows up, we head back."
As they descended to the second floor, the air grew heavier, and the corridor narrowed. Rounding a corner, the group halted.
In a wide chamber, a group of small figures lounged near the broken remnants of a collapsed pillar. Their skin was a sickly green, their faces disfigured, with jagged teeth and crooked limbs. They spoke in harsh, guttural tones that echoed through the dungeon.
There was no mistaking them, goblins.
Lia's gaze shifted, not to the goblins, but to Blake and Lowel.
A subtle grin curled at the corners of their mouths.
They exchanged a glance then a nod. Lia felt something was off.
"Should we kill them?"
Will whispered, his voice tense but eager. He slowly unsheathed his sword, trying not to draw attention.
Beside him, Vox already had an arrow drawn and notched, his bow aimed low but ready.
Lia's eyes narrowed slightly.
It wasn't just the goblins that made her uneasy, it was Blake and Lowel's expression.
Something about the grin they shared didn't feel right.
There were about fifteen goblins, a small nest, judging by their numbers and behavior.
To Blake and Lowel, they looked like nothing but a small fried. But for Will, Vox and Lia, all D-rank adventurers, this could turn deadly without proper coordination.
"You three, stay in the rear," Blake ordered calmly, drawing his sword. "Lowel and I will handle the front."
"Yes, sir,"
Will and Vox replied in unison, their postures tightening.
The two veterans stepped forward slowly. That was when Lia noticed something, a faint movement from Blake's side pouch. Her eyes widened.
In one smooth motion, Blake and Lowel pulled cloth masks over their faces.
A second later, a faint hissing sound filled the air, then a sweet, cloying fragrance washed over the group.
"Wha—?!"
Will started, but his voice wavered.
"Close your noses!!"
Lia cried out in desperation.
But it was too late.
Her own breath had already drawn in the scent. As her muscle began to loosened, then her knees buckled. Her vision blurred as her strength drained away.
She saw Will and Vox collapse first, eyes rolling back, weapons clattering to the ground.
Lia dropped to her knees, her fingers scraping the stone floor.
She looked up, barely conscious, and caught a final glimpse of Blake walking toward her, his eyes cold behind the mask.
Then, everything went dark.