Chapter 6

The four adventurers approach the mouth of the mine. The elven ranger, Ralvon, raises his hand, holding it in a fist near his head. “Hold up.” He kneels and touches the tracks on the ground. After a few minutes of observation he begins to speak again. "I'm counting at least a dozen goblins. It's hard to say the exact amount, many of the tracks are overlapping.”

"Makes sense. It's not a huge tunnel" says William. The group searches around the entrance to plan out their assault and look for traps.

"The entrance seems to be safe. It's going to be narrow so we will have to move in pairs. It looks like this is a recently abandoned mine. See? There are some cart rails in fairly useable condition."

"There was a town close by, but it has been in ruins ever since the war started." Says Rokar, the barbarian, stroking his beard.

"How many floors are we dealing with here?" Asks William. Isella the priestess chants and the tip of her staff begins to glow, a golden light taking form around the staff, pulsing as if the beating of a heart. Isella’s eyes widen.

"It's hard to believe but we are dealing with an infant dungeon here. Based on the mana saturation, it's only a single floor.” Her voice is soft, but stern.

"So other than the goblins that moved in, we are dealing with rats and slimes at the most? Should be easy enough!" The bard roars in excitement at the news.

"Well I saw a lesser wolf once, but in general a one floor dungeon is short on threats.” Says the bearded barbarian in agreement. The firm voice of the priestess chimes in, adding her piece.

"I'm sure everyone knows this already, but I’m going to reiterate the rules of the dungeon, as we are all new to the guild. Do not touch the core. Unless you want to part with your head. Dungeons are the only way to purify mana that has been corrupted.”

"Yes, we all know it's illegal to destroy a core. The kingdom considers them an important resource. We are just here to kill some goblins and map it out. Then we will head back and report the new dungeon to the guild and get paid a good amount for the discovery of a new dungeon." William says with a burning smile.

"Are you able to cast words of the world? Always good to know what the enemy is saying and I doubt anyone here speaks goblin." Asks Ralvon. Isella nods and begins a brief chant before a golden rune forms on each of the adventurers foreheads. Once the rune is fully formed Isella begins to speak.

"Keep in mind it works both ways. Don't say anything they can use against us. " Ralvon laughs and brings to ready his axes before speaking.

"Well goblins are idiots but it's better to be safe. I'll move in front with Rokar. My bow is probably useless in here as it is, considering how cramped it is."

The four adventurous double check their gear one last time before heading into the opening of the mine. The tunnel is narrow so they move in pairs. The barbarian and ranger lead the assault while the bard and priestess support from behind. William begins plucking a tune on his lute filling the four party members with a strange energy. They move down the tunnel at a crawling pace, with Ralvon stopping every so often to check for traps. He holds his hand up to signal the others to stop. "Pitfalls. Follow my steps or you might sprain an ankle. They aren't too deep. Also, I see some lanterns in the distance over a gate. Looks like they have settled themselves in." A chuckle is heard from behind them, coming from William.

"That gate should be unlocked. Doors cannot be locked unless there is a key somewhere in this tunnel, and there's no other rooms here. Dungeon rules are always the same. There must always be a path that can allow the dungeon core to be reachable." As the party maneuvers past the pitfall traps, the large gate from before comes into view. With the better view, the group can see that the gate has two watchtowers stood fast on each side of it. The room it’s guarding seems to open up into a shockingly large open area, catching the adventurers by surprise.

"No wonder they moved in, they could fit their entire village in that one chamber." Says Rokar. A horn in the distance blares, causing the adventures to ready their weapons. Two goblins poke their heads up from the watchtowers.

"Nasty humies!" Says one.

"Go away! We hit wit rock." Says the other. The priestess points her staff and fires a bolt of light at one of the goblins. The small goblin is engulfed in flames immediately. The goblin begins to scream in pain and starts a retreat from the tower. At least, that's what should have happened. The party looks at the goblin in surprise as it begins laughing and throwing rocks at them with an increased fervor. Most of the rocks miss, and the few that do hit hardly cause any damage. But the goblin continues throwing until he succumbs to the white flames, dying. The holy flames die out as the goblin dies, never spreading to the tower. The other goblin is no longer in sight, most likely having retreated. The firm voice of the priestess breaks through the tense silence.

"That was strange. He should have run in fear, but instead he kept attacking until he died.”

"It is most likely that they have a leader they are more afraid of than us. At most, it’s a hob. Our plan stays the same.” William’s voice is soothing, honeyed by his ever-growing smile. The four open the gate and proceed inside. The gate comes crashing down behind them.

"Its locked. Possibly a trap or ambush." Says the ranger as he checks the gate. Before they can get a view of their surroundings, three goblins wielding nothing but wooden clubs rush out of a nearby building.

"Gut the humies!" Yells one.

"Kill for Shiny God!” Scream the other two in unison. Rokar let's out an audible sigh and proceeds to cleave the first two goblins in half in a single motion. He shakes the blood from his blade.

"How dull.” He says, mid swing. The other goblin manages to slip past him and proceeds to receive an axe to the skull from Ralvon. "This is too easy. Where's the challenge?” Says Rokar in annoyance.

"Where are the rest of the nasty little things. Shouldn't they be assaulting us with the others?" Asks Isella.

“Oh come on, you know these little buggers are adorable. Don't call them vulgar names." The sarcasm is dripping off of the voice of the bard in waves.

Before the group has a chance to check the surprisingly well constructed barracks, they are interrupted by chanting. "Its coming from that...totem?" Says Ralvon. The troupe examines the giant totem from the distance. "Looks like the goblins are worshipping the dungeon core."

"Good, the core is still intact then." Says William in relief.

"There shouldn't be anything too powerful then. If a goblin consumed the core we might have to deal with an orc or a goblin chieftan, but it looks like we lucked out. Remember we are reporting this to the guild. I don't want to see anyone get greedy for the core." Says Isella. The barbarian’s boisterous laughter barrells through the conversation.

"Well it would be three versus one if someone decided to try and take it. I doubt anyone would be that stupid." The group cautiously begins moving to the other side of the massive chamber ignoring the other structures filling the chamber. The group passes by what appears to be a large tavern, and the barbarian becomes visibly excited. "We should look for booze on the way out.”

"Stay focused." Ralvon chastises. Finally, what lies beyond the totem and tavern comes fully into their view. They look on in shock as they see a dozen goblins surrounding two figures while chanting. One of the figures appears to be normal goblin wearing a black robe. The only characteristic visible on his face is an evil grin, the rest obscured by his hood. This alone is not something that would shock them. To his side stands a creature not of this world. Its body clad in copper armor blades and its head seems to be some sort of sword, nearly as large as Rokar’s.

"So the humies had no fun with da bois. Need real fight. Need challenge. Come die wit glory to Dak." He shouts as the goblins around him cheer.

The party readies their weapons for the group of goblins but only the metal goblin begins to approach them. "Looks like the others will run after we kill big boy here" says Rokar.

"Stay on guard the others must be afraid but they may join in if we show weakness." Says William.

"Thats… that is an abomination! How is that here, in a one floor dungeon? We need to purge this dungeon and notify the church immediately." Says Isella as she readies a spell with a chant.

"DO NOT DEFILE THE SHINY GOD'S DOMAIN WITH YOUR FAKE GOD'S WORDS!" Shouts the robed goblin as he stabs his own hand in anger with a stone knife. He raises his bloody palm and a mass of dark energy forms. It begins to take shape, becoming moulded into something reminiscent of a crossbow bolt, before launching from his wound and piercing the throat of the priestess in an instant, interrupting her chant.

"Glaaki! Don’t kill Dak’s toys!!" Shouts the metal goblin. Isella scratches at her throat while gasping for breath. William reaches down to aid her as Rokar charges in. Ralvon turns to William.

"Take care of her, we will hold it off for now. We are going to need her healing miracles." The ranger pulls out his bow and begins firing as he runs off towards the metal goblin. William examines Isellas condition.

"She cant breathe? A curse? She needs an anti-curse potion." William mutters to himself, reaching into her pack to grab the necessary poultice. Her face begins to contort as she starts suffocating. William hurries, trying to open the potion bottle he pulled from her pack to cure her. A black blur snatches the potion from his hand and lands a few feet away. "Is that a rat?" He looks over in its direction. The creature skitters away before he can get a true read on its appearance. He looks back at Rokar, who is now about to meet the metal goblin in a charge.

"Finally a worthy foe." Yells Rokar as he swings his claymore down in full force at the charging goblin. A snap rings out across the chamber as his blade breaks from the impact. The metal goblin smirking as his momentum continues, driving his great sword horn into the chest of the barbarian. The goblin swings his head and in one motion rips the body of the mountain of a man in two. The goblins cheer again as the metal goblin stands in triumph. William laughs morbidly.

"Sorry Isella, looks like you guys are going to die here. At least the goblins saved me the effort of having to betray you all later I suppose. You really should have brought more potions.” The priestess looks up at him in shock, her eyes widening to an impossible level, before the oxygen finally leaves her brain. William’s appearance changes into that of a goblin as Isellas eyes begin to close.

Ralvon pulls out his bow and attempts to fire off a few more arrows at the charging metal beast. The arrow simply bounces off the copper skin. The goblin laughs at him and says "Humies are pathetic. Why need weapon when you are weapon!"

"I'm an elf. Not that it matters." Says an annoyed Ralvon. “Goddess It's like fighting a golem, we were so underprepared.” His eyes glow yellow as he chants shortly. Time around him slows as he analyzes the creature. “Slashing immunity. How is that even possible? Why is there a floor boss outside of a boss room and how is it this strong. We were doomed the second we stepped foot passed the gate." He says while chuckling. The metal goblin finally reaches him and charges straight into his chest while cackling. His heart is pierced and he dangles from the goblin’s head lifelessly.

In the next chamber a lone goblin approaches the dungeons core. A single goblin stands at guard with its back turned to him. “Hi boss, me help keep core safe." Says the goblin, approaching waringly. The figure turns and the goblin becomes frightened at its visage. Where the face should be is a pulsing sack of black meat with tentacles hanging. The creature scoffs at him and begins to speak. Its tentacles wiggle and its flesh pulses while doing so.

"Your disguise will not work here." A large amount of black mist forms and pools around the feel of the creature. An immense pressure causing the goblins form to revert to that of a human. William in shock at his broken disguise skill which has even fooled the king and church falls to his knees.

“Please don't kill me! I just wanted the cores power! I'll do anything, just let me live!"

“You will die here. It will help the masters growth.” The creature raises its hand, the dagger firmly in its grip. William tries to run but is unable to move from the terror.

"Wait" The new voice feels as if its from all around him. "If the giant goblin wants to join, that's fine."

"Master, these inferior creatures came in here and killed your slaves. They should be punished." Says the tentacled creature in protest.

"No, this one didn't kill anyone Sluggo. He did play some cool music though." William wonders to himself.

‘This voice feels powerful, but it's so simple minded. How did a core gain a will so quickly? Maybe I can reason with it? This is probably the shiny god the goblins referred to.’ William’s thoughts are interrupted by the overwhelming voice of the core.

"Hey there giant goblin, would you like to join the dungeon?" William moves seamlessly from his kneeling position into a formal bow.

“O’ great and amazing Shiny One! This one would gladly serve you, but this one is human and not a goblin, so it may be impossible. But I shall stay here and serve you until you see fit to release me."

"Hugh Man? Good name choice. You are pretty well spoken for a goblin. You are kinda tall and that skin is a little pale but Dak is downright orange at this point. I'm sure you'll be fine, so get along with the others. Contract accepted." Says the voice. William stares in horror as the core’s black mana penetrates his body and a window pops into his vision.

"Impossible..." Was all he was able to get out before fainting.

A monster has been named and successfully contracted. Unique Monster Hugh Man has been added to the dungeon.