The party prepared themselves in their hearts as Silver Blade pushed open the first door. Immediately a terrifying heat welcomed them as black flames danced towards the ceiling.
Cyclone gulped, speaking carefully:
"Why don't we try the other door?"
"It's pretty much the same."
Hearing Liam's words, the party knew they had no other choice. They preemptively turned down the options for pain simulation as they waited for Silver Blade to take the lead.
The young woman observed carefully. Through the black flame, vents could vaguely be seen on the floor along the entire hallway.
A few seconds later the fire in front of the party gradually died down, allowing them a clearer view.
The hallway's floor was separated into squares, alternating between fire-spewing vents and stone flooring.
Silver Blade quickly waved her hand.
"Go, go, go! Hurry up!"
Everyone naturally understood, dashing across the vent before another burst of flames could burn them to a crisp.
But as soon as they reached the supposedly safe stone floor, the fire on both sides suddenly burned fiercely. Their path was cut off.
"What is happening?"
Suddenly holes opened in the ceiling.
"Oh no, it's a trap."
Silver Blade's face turned grim as piles of bones dropped down, crashing onto the floor.
It only took a moment for these bones to begin moving, reassembling themselves and forming skeleton soldiers.
"So many!"
The group was chaotic. Before they could get into formation, the skeleton soldiers already started attacking.
Balm was panicking, standing at the edge of the group. Two rusty swords aimed for her neck. She hastily turned away, but it wasn't enough.
[-198!]
"Damn! Protect our healer!"
Silver Blade noticed the predicament as Balm was only a single strike from dying. She tried to push through the skeletons, even ignoring their attacks.
But suddenly a spear tip enlarged in front of her face. Silver Blade reacted instinctively, raising her shield.
[Stance -14]
"An elite! Careful!"
Balm didn't know how to get out of the situation, hastily casting a [Push].
The skeletons around her were shoved away, one of them landing in the flames, taking a lot of damage.
But the others collided with their brethren, making the space even more cramped, their movements stopping briefly.
Liam wasn't sure if there was still a way to salvage the situation. He attacked left and right, but the opponents were too numerous.
A second later a notification pooped up in the party chat.
[Player Balm has died!]
The party members took a hit to their motivation. They tried to hold on for a while, but eventually they were met with their first wipe.
A few moments later they revived at the beginning of the dungeon.
Balm sat on the ground, back against the wall, her face looking disheartened.
Cyclone sighed as she patted her friend's shoulder.
"Sorry guys. I let you down."
The young woman apologized sadly. But Silver Blade shook her head. She looked unhappy as well, stating solemnly:
"Don't say this. It was my mistake. I led all of you into a trap."
"Don't blame yourself young lady!", said Watchful Eye.
Fortune looked left and right, commenting in a narrator's voice:
"Our heart fell victim to the flames. Can the party recover from such a setback? Find out in the next video!"
Quickstep shoved her friend's shoulder, clearly showing her disapproval. She knew that this was one of the reasons why Fortune and other content creators weren't well received among pros.
Liam watched his party members, surprised that a considerable number of them were sulking.
Silent Acacia felt similar to Bleary Mirage, addressing the group nonchalantly:
"Guys, what's with your faces? You didn't really expect we would succeed at first try?"
"Well…", Cyclone smiled sheepishly.
"Don't kid yourself. Dungeons aren't meant to be easy. We need to learn their workings through trial and order.
Do you know the record for the fastest clear of competitive dungeons in RR?"
"Pray tell."
"It's seven wipes. Me and Quickstep were part of the team, surrounded by seasoned veterans. Yet it still took us seven attempts.
And the longest we ever struggled was 241 attempts! It took us months!"
"So, don't give up this easily. That's not how the game is meant to be played."
"Acacia is right.", agreed Quickstep with her boyfriend.
The others mulled over those words. It took a few minutes, but they gradually managed to recover their spirits.
"My friends, we can't falter like this! Let us prove our courage, advance with brain and brawn, and conquer this dungeon!"
Silver Blade chuckled from Radiant Shield's little speech:
"Acacia and Radiant are right. Our expectations were too lofty. Let's continue one step at a time."
Liam watched as the others nodded their heads, gradually getting up again. He didn't expect them to need this much time though. It ultimately goes to show the difference between pros and casual gamers.
However, failures and setbacks weren't necessarily a bad thing. They served to temper the team and offered opportunities to learn. One just had to grasp them.
Silver Blade obviously was of the same opinion as she raised her attentiveness as a leader, keeping a keen eye on the formation, allowing the party to make it through the dungeon swiftly.
With knowledge of what to expect the party dominated the fight in the kitchen.
Cyclone was disgruntled because of the poor loot from the elites. Liam's explanation that dungeon monsters offered the best loot after their first defeat, didn't help to cheer the woman up, rather the contrary.
Still, when the party faced the wall of flames for a second time, even Cyclone focused her mind.
Silver Blade stared at their place of defeat, speaking to the party:
"Let's not make the same mistake again. We need a solid formation and stick to it. Warriors, let's form a circle.
The others will be protected in the middle. When those skeletons drop, focus on the circle's inside.
Balm, you will have to concentrate on healing.
Understood?"
"Got it."
"Yes, young lady."
"A new attempt. Will Silver Blade lead the party to success this time? Are we destined to take the first clear? Only time will tell!"
Liam glanced at Fortune. There wasn't much to say. He could only praise her dedication.
The party followed Silver Blade, staring intently at the wall of flames. A few moments later it died down.
"Now!"
Everyone moved orderly, adjusting their movement speed to the slower mages. They safely reached the other side.
Instantly the flames revived with a hiss, closing the escape route. The ceiling opened and the fight began.
Three opponents landed within the formation. They were barely able to stand up before dozens of attacks focused on them.
One skeleton fell immediately.
"Continue!"
Cyclone swung her wand, while watching the warriors protecting them. Suddenly her eyes nearly popped out.
She observed as two swords aimed for Liam's back. But the expert only swayed and with a smooth step he evaded both attacks.
Quickstep did something similar, but she still had to look over her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Silver Blade and Radiant Shield didn't bother with dodging, letting the skeletons clash with their sturdy armors.
[-110!]
[-54!]
The difference between a physical and magical tank began to show itself. Balm focused on the health of her teammates, ready to heal Silver Blade at any moment.
However, the situation changed quickly.
The elite skeleton guard had arrived, its spear aiming for Watchful Eye. The tall man was forced to dodge to the side. He didn't consider it a big deal, his face remaining calm.
But just as he was about to close the gap again, dark energy enveloped the skeleton guard.
The party was caught off guard as the elite used its skill right at the start of the battle.
"Che, che, che."
With an eerie cackle the skeleton guard suddenly began swinging its spear widely, affecting a large area.
Watchful Eye gritted his teeth, raising his sword to defend.
"Careful!"
Liam saw what was happening, issuing a warning. But it was too late. The skeleton's skill hit. A pulse ran along the spear, erupting against Watchful Eye's weapon and pushing him away.
Caught off guard, the man lost his balance, stumbling into the fire.
Flames latched onto his armor. Although they didn't hurt, the fierce heat still made Watchful Eye sweat, as burn damage began to stack.
Fortunately, Watchful Eye only entered the flames briefly, getting back onto the stone. But the damage still continued to tick.
[-60!]
[-60!]
[-60!]
Silver Blade noticed what happened, hastily reminding her bodyguard.
"Use Tacaria!"
Watchful Eye reacted instinctively, grabbing two herbs from his inventory and shoving it into his mouth.
The burn was negated, but his HP had dropped considerably.
Meanwhile the elite skeleton didn't stop its rampage.
With Watchful Eye out of the way its sight was set on the frail mages.
A spear swiped through the air.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Silver Blade shouted angrily as she used [Brutal Strike]. The stun triggered, finally interrupting the skeleton's skill.
The opponents within the formation fell at the same time.
"Keep it up! We got this!"