The adventurer's icon pulsed on the map, glowing a vivid red that radiated danger. Ethan watched as the Spellsword moved cautiously into the Poison Mist Chamber. Already the toxic fumes were active, swirling like some invisible predator eager to suffocate their prey.
Ethan could see everything from above—a god's-eye view of the dungeon. And the adventurer wasn't just walking around like a total idiot; they paused at times, calling up a faint, blue glow that enveloped them like a bubble.
Barrier, Ethan thought bitterly. "They're shielding against the poison. Smart."
Yet, the Poison Mist Chamber's upgrade wasn't just in the initial damage. The venom effect was insidious, stacking over prolonged exposure. Even with the barrier, the Spellsword wouldn't leave unscathed.
The Spellsword moved further into the maze.
Ethan's thoughts were racing as the adventurer's stats still outmatched his dungeon base capabilities by a long shot, but with the traps, with the Shade Warden and with the Spellsword's overconfidence.
"Come on," Ethan muttered, leaning more closely towards the glowing map. "Just a little further."
As the Spellsword rounded a corner, the Poison Mist began to take its toll. The barrier flickered and dimmed, faint green trails sneaking past the defenses. The adventurer coughed, faltering for a moment before swinging their sword in a fiery arc.
Flame Slash.
The fire tore through the mist, briefly dispersing it, but the toxic fumes swirled back almost instantly. The dungeon adapted, its traps relentless.
Ethan grinned. "You're wasting energy, buddy."
The Spellsword staggered but pushed forward, nearing the exit of the Poison Mist Chamber. Ethan's grin faltered.
"Time for Plan B," he muttered. With a quick gesture, he activated the next room: Explosive Hallway.
The Spellsword stumbled into the narrow passage, a clearly weakened target. Their movements were sluggish, heavy, but their aura blazed, the unmistakable sign of a Level 50 adventurer.
Ethan denied them the opportunity to recoup themselves. A command in his thoughts-and the Explosive Dart Traps triggered.
A series of sharp clicks echoed through the hallway as concealed panels opened on the walls. Dozens of darts fired, streaking through the air faster than the eye could follow.
The Spellsword's instincts were sharp. They dropped to one knee, spinning their blade to deflect several darts mid-air. The metallic clangs echoed loudly as the fiery aura around them pulsed with renewed strength.
But Ethan wasn't finished. The Explosive Hallway was a trap of layered chaos; the second volley of darts ignited mid-flight, bursting into fiery explosions that rocked the narrow space.
The Spellsword roared with the sudden urge to throw up yet another barrier. The explosions slammed against the magical shield, but the force staggered them-the flames licked at their armor. When the smoke cleared, the adventurer was still standing-but now, their aura flickered weakly.
"Almost got you," Ethan said, his hands tightening into fists.
Then the dungeon shook. A red notification flashed before Ethan's vision.
Adventurer Ability Activated: Blink.
"Wait, what?" Ethan said, but before he could do anything, the adventurer disappeared from the hallway in a flash of light.
The map flickered, and the Spellsword's icon reappeared deeper into the dungeon-inside the Shade Warden's Lair.
"Damn it!" Ethan cursed.
In the dark lair, the Shade Warden stirred. It was a huge shadow with only barely visible form, save eyes that shone as hot coals. The Spellsword came out, drawing his sword now, his movements much slower but still threatening.
The Shade Warden hissed, disappearing into the darkness. His new ability, Shadow Strike, activated, which let him turn almost invisible in this dim room.
Ethan watched, tense, as the adventurer turned, trying to locate the monster. The Shade Warden was patient, following the Spellsword silently until the right moment.
Then it struck.
The Shade Warden appeared behind the adventurer with a flash of steel, its claws tearing through the air. The Spellsword reacted too slow, and the assault ripped across their back. There were flying sparks as the claws met enchanted armor, but the blow staggered the intruder, their health dropping significantly for the first time.
"Yes!" Ethan cheered.
The Spellsword spun, swinging their sword in a wide arc. Fire exploded outward, forcing the Shade Warden back. The monster screeched, retreating into the shadows, but Ethan could feel its strength—its morale—still holding strong.
"Keep pressing!" Ethan urged, though he knew the Shade Warden couldn't hear him.
The battle raged on; the adventurer and monster trading blows. The Shade Warden's passive skill of Shadow Strike allowed him to dodge several of the adventurer's attacks while his claws landed blow after blow.
Finally, the Spellsword fell onto one knee, breathing in deeply. Armor scorched, the aura bristled like an ember that was dying.
But the adventurer roared then and had driven his blade to the ground. A wave of flame crashed through the room in that instant.
The Shade Warden shrieked as the fire engulfed its body.
Ethan's stomach dropped as the notification flashed:
Shade Warden Defeated.
"No…" he muttered, eyes wide. The Spellsword struggled to her feet, badly injured but still alive.
Another notification popped up.
Critical Threat Detected. Emergency Mechanism Engaged: Decoy Treasure Room Activated.
Ethan's eyes went wide. The Decoy Treasure Room wasn't ready—it had been a last-minute addition, barely designed to stall for time.
The adventurer limped toward the glowing door leading to the Decoy Room.
Ethan clenched his fists. "You've made it this far, but I'm not letting you leave alive."
The game wasn't over yet. And Ethan wasn't about to lose his dungeon's first battle.