Although DK was a versatile in different weapons in the "Fallen Skies" games of his homeworld the sword was his goto weapon and for this dungeon trip he had requested Lucy to get a well balanced sword that was light enough to swing around and also durable enough to last a dungeon flight.
So Lucy got him a darkmoon blade which is a popular sword used by magic swordsman who use mana for their physical enhancement. It could withstand the strain of enhanced attacks and had a sleek design that allowed for swift, precise movements. DK ran his fingers along the blade as they walked, feeling its smooth, cold surface. It was light in his hand, almost an extension of his arm—a weapon that seemed to hum faintly, as though it recognized the anticipation in its wielder.
"You'll want to get familiar with that blade quickly," Lucy said, her tone even. "The Darkmoon Blade is reliable, but it's designed for someone with mana pathways. Without mana running through it, it's just a sharp piece of metal. You'll have to rely on your skill alone. You have only swung that sword for a day and I am not sure if the sword would work for you."
"Good thing I've got plenty of skill," DK replied, twirling the sword experimentally. He let it slice through the air, the faint whistle of its edge sending a small thrill through him. Even without mana, it felt like a blade that wanted to perform.
Garin snorted, not bothering to turn around. "We'll see how far skill gets you when the dungeon starts pushing back. Keep your head down, rookie, and let me take point."
They emerged into a wider chamber, the walls narrowing into a bottleneck ahead. The moss was gone entirely now, replaced by thick, pulsating roots that crisscrossed the floor. The air was damp, carrying the faint metallic tang of something ancient and decayed. DK scanned the area, his instincts flaring.
Lucy paused, her eyes narrowing as she examined the roots. "Careful," she said quietly. "This is a choke point. Perfect spot for an ambush."
As if on cue, a low growl echoed through the chamber. Shadows shifted near the roots, and a cluster of creatures began to emerge. They were small but menacing, their hunched, insect-like bodies glinting in the faint light. Each had multiple legs ending in razor-sharp points, and their mandibles clicked ominously.
"Root Skitters," Lucy muttered, gripping her staff. "Tier 1 dungeon pests. Fast and aggressive. Stay together, and don't let them flank you."
"Got it," DK said, adjusting his stance. His muscles tensed as the creatures surged forward, their clicking growing louder as they closed the distance.
Garin stepped forward, his warhammer swinging in a wide arc. The first Scuttler shattered under the impact, its brittle exoskeleton exploding into fragments. He followed through with a second strike, clearing a path through the advancing swarm.
DK took a deep breath, his grip on the Darkmoon Blade tightening. One of the Skitters broke from the group, running toward him with alarming speed. DK sidestepped its initial lunge, then swung his blade in a precise, downward arc. The edge bit into the creature's body, splitting it cleanly in two.
"Not bad for a rookie," Lucy called, her artifact flaring as she unleashed a concentrated blast of fire. The bolt struck another Skitter, sending it sprawling. She turned to DK, her expression both focused and impressed. "But keep moving. These things don't tire."
As the battle continued, DK's movements grew sharper, more fluid. He dodged, parried, and struck with a precision born of his years playing Fallen Skies. The Darkmoon Blade felt alive in his hands, slicing through Skitters with ease.
When the last creature fell, the chamber grew still once more. DK exhaled heavily, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Well, that wasn't so bad," he said, trying to sound casual despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
Garin snorted, shouldering his warhammer. "That was just the welcome party. Don't get cocky."
Lucy stepped beside DK, her gaze softening. "You did well. But Garin's right—this is only the beginning. Stay sharp."
As the trio continued further through the thicket of roots and moss, they faced two more swarms of the Root Skitters. Although the team was successful in eliminating them, the difficulty sure was increasing. It was not very difficult for Garin despite swing around the massive warhammer or for Lucy as she seemed to possess infinite mana in shooting dozens of fireballs non stop. It was DK who was the most exhausted both physically and mentally. This was nothing like the simulations or games of his old world. Here, every movement carried weight; every strike mattered potentially life or death. DK tightened his grip on the Darkmoon Blade, the adrenaline from the earlier fight still coursing through his veins. He felt a strange sense of exhilaration, a mix of fear and anticipation.
The trio pressed onward, the faint hum of the dungeon growing more distinct with each step. The roots thickened, twisting into grotesque, unnatural shapes that seemed to pulse faintly with a life of their own. The bioluminescent glow had dimmed further, casting the path in an eerie half-light.
"Don't let your guard down," Lucy warned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Dungeons adapt. They'll test your limits and exploit any weakness."
"Adapt?" DK echoed, glancing at her. "You're saying this place is alive?"
"In a way," she replied, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared for whatever lay ahead. "Dungeons have cores—living, sentient entities that control everything inside. The creatures, the traps, even the layout. They learn from intruders, setting challenges based on what they observe."
"Great," DK muttered, scanning the path ahead. "So it's not just a test; it's a game we're playing against something smarter than us."
"Smarter than you, maybe," Garin interjected with a smirk, his warhammer resting on his shoulder. "Just follow my lead, rookie."
The path into the grotto became more and more convoluted, twisting through tight passageways where the roots closed in like skeletal fingers. The air felt heavier now, saturated with a faint energy that prickled at DK's senses. Lucy and Garin moved with practiced ease, their familiarity with such terrain evident in their fluid movements. DK, however, had to consciously focus on every step, his breath growing heavier with each passing minute.
The trio emerged into a clearing, a wide cavern lit by faintly glowing crystals embedded in the walls. The center of the chamber was dominated by a massive, gnarled tree whose roots spread out like veins, pulsing faintly with an eerie blue light. At its base lay a shallow pool of water, its surface unnaturally still.
Lucy stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing. "This is different," she murmured, gripping her staff tightly.
Garin frowned, his warhammer already in his hands. "What's different? It's just another chamber."
Lucy shook her head, her tone grim. "No. This isn't in the typical layout for the Verdant Grotto. The dungeon's adapting faster than expected."
"Adapting to what?" DK asked, his voice tinged with unease.
"To us," Lucy replied. "We're being tested. This isn't a standard run anymore. And more specifically it is adapting to you DK. "