"Me? What! How is that possible? I don't even have my mana pathways or nexus core working! If it's anything, it has to be the two of you," DK protested, his voice tinged with panic.
Lucy's eyes remained fixed on the glowing tree, her expression grim. "It's not about your pathways or your core being active. It's about something deeper. The dungeon is responding to your presence. Garin and I have done this run countless times, even with other rookies, and the layout's never changed. But this? This is unprecedented."
"Wait! this guy has no mana affinity? How the hell did you allow him to run the dungeon with us? When you said we are might have to carry him you meant we have to literally carry him all through the dungeon." Garin was frustrated overhearing DK while making sure none of the active tree roots attack them.
DK winced at Garin's outburst, but before he could respond, Lucy stepped forward, her voice firm and cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Garin, calm down. I didn't bring DK here to be carried. He may not have an active mana core, but he's more capable than you think. You saw how he handled the Root Skitters."
Garin scoffed, his grip on the warhammer tightening as he surveyed the chamber. "Capable or not, he's a liability if this dungeon is targeting him. You know how dangerous an adapting dungeon can get, especially for someone untested. This is reckless."
Lucy shot him a sharp look. "We're here now, and we're moving forward. If the dungeon's adapting, it's better we figure out why and deal with it together. DK's survival is part of this mission, and I expect you to do your job."
DK tightened his grip on the Darkmoon Blade, his jaw clenching. "I didn't ask for special treatment, Garin. I'm here to pull my weight, and I'll prove I'm not a liability."
Garin grunted, his expression unreadable. "Fine. Just don't get yourself killed, rookie. I don't need that on my record."
The eerie hum of the dungeon grew louder, as if responding to the tension. The trio was almost crawling on their knees to move forward and entered into something that looked like a chamber which The massive tree at the center of the chamber seemed to pulse more brightly, the veins of light running through its roots glowing with an almost malevolent intensity. Upon their entry into the chamber it suddenly turned silent.
The silence in the chamber was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the tree's glowing roots. DK's breathing was ragged, his grip on the Darkmoon Blade tight as sweat trickled down his brow. He glanced at Lucy and Garin, their faces set with grim determination. He was ready to follow their lead, but something about their expressions made him pause.
"You've got this one, DK," Lucy said abruptly, lowering her staff.
DK blinked, confused. "What do you mean? We've been fighting as a team. Why stop now?"
Garin rested his warhammer on his shoulder, stepping back. "This fight is yours, rookie. We'll step in if it gets out of hand, but you've got to handle this alone."
DK's stomach churned, a mix of disbelief and apprehension washing over him. "Alone? Against this thing? I don't even have mana!"
Lucy's gaze softened, though her tone remained firm. "That's exactly why you need to do this. The dungeon is targeting you, DK. It's reacting to something inside you, something neither Garin nor I can trigger. If you're ever going to break through, it has to be here, under pressure."
He stared at the massive tree, its pulsating roots coiling and uncoiling like living tendrils. The shallow pool at its base began to ripple, the glow intensifying as a shape began to emerge. From the water rose a colossal figure, humanoid in form but made entirely of twisted wood and glowing blue veins. Its eyes burned with a fierce light, and the air around it seemed to vibrate with raw energy.
"Didn't you just say that the dungeon has adapted to me and to something that you guys have not yet witnessed. I still think we need to fight as a team in this one too." DK challenged the idea. "True, after looking at the monster there, I dont think you should be scared. I was doubtful too but worry not we got your back." Garin reassured.
DK's eyes flicked between the massive tree guardian and his companions, his grip tightening on the Darkmoon Blade. The creature's glowing veins pulsed rhythmically, almost hypnotically, as though mocking his hesitation. Lucy and Garin stood back, their faces calm but expectant. It wasn't a challenge; it was trust—or so they claimed.
"This thing doesn't look like it'll give me a warm welcome," DK muttered, his voice low and tense. "If it goes south, you better jump in."
"We will," Lucy said evenly, her staff glowing faintly, though she made no move to step forward. "But only if you push yourself first. Trust me, DK, this isn't just about fighting—it's about waking something inside you."
Garin gave a faint smirk, his warhammer resting against his shoulder. "If you can't handle it, don't worry. I'll be sure to write something nice on your gravestone."
"Gee, thanks for the motivation," DK shot back, rolling his shoulders and forcing himself to focus. The creature roared, its massive wooden limbs slamming into the ground, sending a shockwave through the chamber. The ripple of energy knocked DK off balance, and he scrambled to regain his footing. He wasn't ready—he knew it. But there was no other choice.
The monster charged, its glowing fists slamming down with tremendous force. DK leapt to the side, the impact sending chunks of stone flying. He retaliated with a quick slash of the Darkmoon Blade, the edge slicing into the creature's wooden frame but barely making a dent. The recoil rattled up his arm, and he winced, his frustration mounting.
"Come on, DK!" Lucy called out, her voice sharp. "You're holding back! Stop thinking and fight!"
DK gritted his teeth, ducking under another wild swing. "Easy for you to say!" he shouted, darting in again and aiming for one of the glowing veins. The blade connected, the strike sending a brief surge of energy through the creature, but it only seemed to enrage it further. The monster roared, its movements growing faster, more precise.
The weight of the fight pressed down on DK, his chest heaving as exhaustion clawed at him. Every dodge felt slower, every strike weaker. He knew he couldn't win like this. His mind raced, desperate for a solution, when suddenly, the guardian's massive arm came crashing down.
DK raised his blade instinctively to parry the attack head on as he knew he did not have time to dodge around, the impact nearly driving him to his knees. Pain shot through his body as he struggled to hold his ground. This is it, he thought, his vision blurring. I can't keep up.