[ Ding!
Remove the intruders from your respective dungeon floors and ensure they cease to exist within this domain!
Rewards: If the intruder manages to reach higher floors, the host will have a chance to escape the dungeon and receive three additional perks. However, the quality of the rewards worsens with each higher floor reached.
Failure: Exposing the dungeon prematurely to the public.
Dungeon mission starts in 30 minutes. ]
Emberon glanced at the system screen before him, surprised by a realization, but he kept his composure.
"Oh, so I obtained this system from him," Emberon remarked with a touch of amusement in his voice.
He had completely forgotten about it until now, as his focus had been solely on survival and his confined surroundings.
"Perhaps I acquired this system for some unknown reason when I devoured him in my insatiable hunger...
"These systems truly are remarkable creations born from human imagination. They exist in countless stories and the memories of the departed, serving as companions and fulfilling the dreams of those who have lost touch with reality. And now, I have one of them."
Emberon gazed at his hands, his fingers resembling sharp claws.
While his expression remained serious, a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes, and his tone became more relaxed and at ease.
The flickering system screen before him offered a means of escaping the dungeon, resonating with his strong desire to break free rather than passively await death.
"I shall summon them once again," Emberon murmured, taking a slow, deliberate breath, filling his lungs.
ROOAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!
...
Upon leaving their lord Emberon's dungeon, Thornhelm, Hornbreaker, and Steelteeth—Emberon's three loyal guardians—felt perplexed by the situation.
Steelteeth pondered, mirroring Emberon's curiosity, "Lord Emberon appears to be correct. This slumber is unlike any other, and he discerned it immediately."
Giant Lady Hornbreaker, filled with intrigue, inquired, "What could be the cause of this?"
Meanwhile, Thornhelm walked steadily, lost in deep contemplation of the recent events, wondering who could possess the capability to target their Lord Emberon and induce such a profound slumber.
Suddenly, they all halted as they sensed a tremor beneath their feet. Then, a familiar, earth-shattering roar reverberated through the air.
ROOAAAARRRRRRRRRRR!!!
The three floor guardians exchanged glances and nodded, understanding the significance behind that roar.
...
Within the first floor of the labyrinth, a group of eight armored individuals emerged from a shimmering gate that materialized out of thin air.
Among them, the ninth knight stood with an air of arrogance, his flowing golden locks cascading down his back.
Positioning himself in the center, he commanded the attention of the surrounding knights.
One of the eight knights broke the silence, addressing Sir Palest.
"Sir Palest, should we return and report? There's something off about this dungeon we've entered."
Sir Palest dismissed their concerns with a dismissive shake of his head.
"No need," he replied, his gaze scanning the darkness with an air of superiority. He smirked and added, "I never imagined this brat would stumble upon an abandoned dungeon. Perhaps he's here to shed tears because he's been abandoned by his own loving family."
A brief pause ensued before he continued, his tone dripping with condescension.
"Well, well, well, now we're here wasting our precious time retrieving that brat, only to see him get grounded once again. Might as well give him a beating if we come across him," he sighed, feigning helplessness mingled with annoyance.
"Once we capture him, we'll permanently incapacitate him and render him completely helpless. That will mark the beginning of our plan," he whispered quietly, making sure the knights couldn't hear him. In his mind, he held hope for another young man.
Palest's hands swiftly moved into his grand armor, pausing momentarily as if time stood still, before retrieving an object.
He held a golden lamp in his grasp, his fingers curling around its sleek surface. As he raised it, a soft glow emanated, casting a warm radiance that enveloped the forgotten dungeon.
The light danced and swirled, revealing the intricate dragon designs that adorned the walls, breathing life into the ancient stone.
The eight armored knights stood frozen in astonishment, taken aback by the sudden transformation.
Breaking the silence, Sir Palest pondered, "This dungeon is exceptional. It's a shame to see such beauty abandoned. I can't help but wonder how it appeared in its prime, bustling with monsters and all. It must have been a remarkable sight," he added, shifting to a more menacing tone, "and it would be a pleasure to destroy such beauty, just as I ruin my women, particularly the inexperienced ones," he concluded, a mischievous glimmer in his eye and a playful touch of madness in his words.
The knights exchanged perplexed glances, unsure how to respond to Sir Palest's peculiar comment.
With newfound confidence, Sir Palest marched forward, using the lamp to guide his way through the dungeon hall adorned with draconic designs.
"Alright, everyone, let's find that kid. He thought he could challenge Baron Wycliff's top prodigy, the important child with aspirations of becoming a Magic Knight. How foolish he is. Being the original child doesn't guarantee him the future. Let's see what trouble he's gotten himself into this time."
The eight knights exchanged glances and positioned themselves around Sir Palest, forming a protective circle, prepared for any potential danger.
As they cautiously proceeded, keeping a watchful eye for signs of trouble, something in the distance caught their attention. Sir Palest abruptly halted, signaling the group to stop. "Wait a moment," he urged, his voice filled with urgency.
In the dimly lit path ahead, barely illuminated by Palest's flickering lamp, a shadowy creature stood on all fours, its eyes gleaming like beacons, unsettling anyone who laid eyes upon it.
A peculiar mixture of unease washed over Sir Palest's heart, and it appeared that the other knights felt it too.
"Is this truly an abandoned dungeon?" he muttered, a trace of horror in his eyes.
Based on his experience, a typical dungeon would be teeming with wild beasts as soon as they entered. That's why they came prepared. However, there were no creatures roaming about, leading him to believe it should be safe and abandoned.
Their plan was to assess the place first, to determine if it was infested with beasts. If it was, they would retreat and return with reinforcements, fully prepared for battle.
Yet, Palest had made a false assumption about the dungeon, believing it to be secure and devoid of any living creatures. After all, that insufferable Wycliff child had ventured inside, hadn't he?
However, Palest couldn't have been more mistaken. And in that moment, he and the knights understood what they had to do.
"Alright, let's turn back and inform the Baron," Palest declared, the weight of their duty surpassing any concerns they had for the young troublemaker.
They surmised that the brat was likely already dead, or worse, consumed by a beast. There was little they could do except report the situation in its entirety.
However, one knight intervened and said, "Wait, sire!"