Uno

Once again Tinna stalked my halls, her leather armor and small figure traveling from cover to cover. She was a professional - I granted her that. There weren’t many obstacles she could hide behind, especially in the tunnels, yet somehow she still managed to do it. Without my cameras, I would be hard-pressed to find her small shadow in the interlaced light and darkness.

But, as before, that was a futile endeavor - these halls were not trapped after all. There was another problem though - the entrance they had chosen was leading straight into the Ratling Warrens, a place with high ceiling and a suspicious mound laying smack dab in the middle of the room. A place that the Ratlings called home. Or, more like, their ancestral lands.

While most of their kin already relocated to the second floor there were some rats that still guarded the said room. More from the sense of duty than any real need, since the proper Warrens were located deep underground - far away from the harmful claws of the human race. Their tunnels already encroached on the most rooms of the second floor and the first one was also fully in their grasp. Of course, a few incidents occurred in the process, one even nearly leading to completely submerging the whole complex underwater. A zealous digger broke through the wall separating Ratling's living space from the lake. Chaos ensued, but due to the cooperation of his brethren, the situation was soon under control.

And I had gained a few high-pressure water traps to play with... Okay. Medium pressure. They were still fun!

Anyway - it was these guard rats that managed to notice the advancing rogue. She could be all stealthy and stuff, but nothing beats the animal’s nose!

They took a few whiffs of the air and the leading Ratling - a bit bigger than the rest - squeaked in a questioning tone towards its subordinates. They answered with an angry confirmation and soon the group started to close in on the human intruder. A few seconds later a whole group gathered together and started to leg it towards the perceived threat.

Tinna stopped for a moment, like a deer caught in the headlights.

She didn’t panic though. Her eyes started to look over the environment, taking in the weird, large structure in the middle. I personally thought that it resembled a dirt mountain, with small, oval entrances pasted all over the lower parts. There was a sense of chaos saturating the structure which contrasted a bit with the orderly nature of my rats.

After getting her fill she ran away, her moves fluid and full of concentration. A small animal gracefully escaping her predators.

And a bunch of rats close on her tail.

The thing about the Ratlings was that they were really territorial and would fight tooth and nail for the place they perceived as their home. I already had my hands full handling their homicidal rage, when a “free-range” monster accidentally intruded on their turf. Becoming enslaved to the warriors stationed in the Temple Grounds or the Secondary Ratling Warrens was the best that could happen to them.

In the worst case, they were fed to the Rat Beasts - gorilla-like monsters reared by them as a type of feral assault infantry. I still didn’t really understand how did they manage to do that, but there was a sneaking suspicion that a few Anima stones that they asked me for earlier may have been involved…

Anyway, unlike most of my earlier experiments, this one ended on a rather positive note. If positive means a big, ugly mix of an ape and a rat with enormous appetite and a really short fuse.

Not that it mattered. They were after all only on the second floor, not here.

Back to our lovely thief then, who was artfully using her escape skills to dance around the tunnel. The dancing part was due to the whizzing spears, barely missing the escapee. It took her only a few minutes to arrive at her friend’s location and as soon as she saw them a shout left her mouth.

“Enemies incoming!”

“Prepare!” Agnes immediately answered, green eyes gleaming with eagerness under the light of my chandeliers. A large grin slowly emerged on her face. Truly an expression worthy of the wild predator.

Her party members returned to the earlier formation with ease, only Charles stumbling a bit on seemingly flat ground. As soon as they did Tinna appeared from thin air and just behind her squeaks of rage sounded from the tunnel.

A group of fifteen Ratling guards appeared from behind her in a few seconds, their enraged snouts dripping with desire to kill. I whistled. These were all of the Ratlings tasked with defending the Warrens. Was this just a coincidence or an effect of the real skill?

“Rats only?” Asked Boulder, visibly disappointed, his arms sagging a bit.

“An experience is an experience. Didn’t they teach you to not fuss over the food?” Agnes scolded him, shooting forward like a living steel moment later.

The battle was short, bloody and one-sided.

Princess took care of the most enemies by herself, slashing with wild abandon - cutting off limbs, piercing hides, and gouging eyes. Her way of battle was cruel and brutal, focusing on efficiency over style.

The rest of her team mostly helped with a random attack here, a quick incantation there, mostly taking care of stragglers, while making sure that mages weren’t exposed in the process.

Even Boulder, which I was taking for a pretty rowdy individual was rather calm, observing her rampage and throwing a shield bash towards any Ratling stupid enough to get close.

A few minutes later all that remained of my minions were scraps of flesh and bone littering the ground. The phrase “I won’t leave you with a complete corpse!” now had a new meaning...

Agnes breathed out, smearing the blood over her armor in a pointless attempt to get her body clean. There was still a big grin visible on her cute face and she chuckled for a moment, letting bits of blood and flesh fall to the ground.

“That was refreshing.” A melodious voice echoed on the battlefield. “It was a while since I really let loose. Mhm...” She moaned with pleasure.

Seeing this Charles seemed like he wanted to puke, turning back and hyperventilating.

“This is nothing.” Murmured Boulder loud enough for the fire mage to hear. “You didn’t see how she went ape-shit in the goblin village.” He went a bit closer, using his finger to show a gap of about three-four centimeters long. “There were bits of the flesh this big all over her. Most of them ended up in her hair.” The half-orc smiled. “That’s why she cut it short, you know? Rather cute of her, don’t you think? Right, sir?”

These words made Charles face turn even greener and run a bit further away while keeping a hand over his mouth. Then he proceeded to empty the contents of his stomach on the surrounding floor.

I could see the grin forming on Boulder’s face and malicious anger burning in his eyes. He turned back towards his companions, once again composed and calm - an actor wearing his mask.

“What happened?” Asked the leader, while trying to shake free the pieces of meat out of her hair. It seemed like the current short style was still not enough. Maybe she should go bald? I laughed to myself in glee.

“It seems like it was a bit too much for the cherry boy.” Boulder grinned evilly. Agnes only sighed in response.

“Just curb it down a bit, okay. He is still an asset and a powerful mage. You don’t want to get on his bad side.” She chided, but even I could see that there wasn’t much strength behind her words.

“Yes, yes my lady. This lowly orc will heed your words.” Boulder nodded, bowing deeply and thus hiding the emotion spilling out of his eyes.

“Whatever.” Agnes shrugged her arms and turned towards Tinna. “What happened?”

“The rats were guarding the smaller room. My hiding skill was useless since their sense of smell seems really good.” She shook her head in disappointment. Two daggers cluttered each time she moved her body.

“Then of what use you are, rogue?” A voice interrupted. It was, of course, Charles, who returned from his retching session. A small handkerchief was kept by his mouth.

“For traps and scouting. Sir.”

“You just returned with enemies on your tail! How’s that scouting? Huh?”

“I simply don’t have strong enough suppressant, sir.” She scratched her cheek, leaving a white trail on it. “We’re pretty much bathed in sweat, blood, and… other fluids.” It took all her willpower to not look at his handkerchief.

“Bah! You-!”

“Leave it be, Charles.” Agnes took this moment to intervene. “What did you see?”

“These guys were all guarding the room I was in. What did I see inside? Most of the place seemed empty, even too much. There weren’t even any of these weird plants. Besides that in the middle of the room stood a large, three to four meters tall structure, mostly made from dirt and some compressed... things?”

“How did it look?”

“Like… an enlarged ant mound.” Sounds of anguish emerged from the group as soon as she finished her words.

“Fuck, not the insects again! Their acid burns like hell!” Screamed Boulder, while taking off his left gauntlet and scratching the visible scar.

“Ants. Ants… no. Not. Don’t.” The elven maiden whispered to herself and even Lone Mountain seemed to tremble for a moment. She looked at the ground with a complicated expression.

“It shouldn’t be ants. There were no tracks after all. This dungeon specializes in rats and the undead for some reason. Such a change would be unheard of.” Peter spoke suddenly, lifting the atmosphere.

“Yeah, like everything else that we saw here was so normal, huh?” Boulder immediately dragged the conversation down, and I could nearly see the plummeting morale.

“I didn’t say there were any.” Tinna got a bit angry. “It just looked like an anthill! Besides, I doubt that the ant colony would be guarded by rats, right?” She asked in the void, but her calm voice seemed to quell the emotions of her companions.

“True.” Agnes nodded sharply, her earlier expression gone. “Did you saw anything else?”

“Yes. A glimpse of the next room.” Tinna tensed up a bit. “It looked like some sort of metal was embedded in the wall.”

“A boss room then.” Boulder laughed and the rest soon followed. Once again only Charles looked a bit lost.

“I don’t understand. Why is everybody laughing?”

“Most of the dungeons tend to pretty-up their boss rooms with a bit of colorful stone, metal, sometimes even plants. Looking at how dreary this place turned out we can be pretty sure that our Floor Guardian is just a few minutes away.” Agnes smiled while sharing her knowledge with the noble.

Huh. I wondered. Was the place really that colorful? I guess so. The copper embedded in the walls made for a fascinating sight, its web-like structure flowing freely from the empty place where my Fake Core rested before.

It was true that it was the flashiest place on the whole first floor.

Was that an accident or did some unseen force guided my steps?

It was damn worrying.

Now, however, I had more important things to think about.

After not even sparing more than a few looks at the Ratling Warrens the adventurer's party walked towards the former Core Room. I guess calling it a Floor Guardian room was fitting, especially since it was this world’s tradition.

As they came closer to my Soul-hive Guardian their steps faltered and soon all of them stopped, gazing at its monstrous, yet knightly form.

He somehow procured a two-handed sword from somewhere, that sad excuse of the golem-smith, probably being the source. It hurt my eyes seeing how blunt the supposed cutting weapon was, but then again the sheer mass of it was enough to deal damage.

Still, I promised myself that I’ll get a better weapon ready. It was a shame for the Floor Guardian to be only armed with… this.

The monster was kneeling before, but as soon as the human party entered it lifted its large form out of the ground. Two reddish eyes scanned its opponents and then…

It spoke.

“Hmmm… the children of ash grow bold I see.” Its voice was a calm and deep baritone, similar to the deep sea. “A three-pronged star.” He nodded towards Agnes. “An unyielding shield.” Lone Mountain bowed slightly. “A child of the beasts.” Boulder was seen and dismissed. “A little bird.” Tinna stared at it nervously. “A chosen by flame.” Charles smiled but kept his mouth shut. “A slave of light.” Eve squinted her eyes in anger. “A servant of shadow and rock.” Peter's sleepy eyes suddenly snapped open.

“How interesting.” The shadow mage was the first one to speak. “An intelligent monster as a boss? Who are you?” There was an unseen edge in his voice.

“I'm but a shadow of my former self.” The giant answered in a self-mocking tone. “You can just call me Guardian.”

“Guardian. I see. What can you tell me about this dungeon? What are these artifacts? Why the rats? And how did the dungeon core summon the--”

“That’s enough.” The giant waved his hand and laughed with amusement. For a moment illusion of his voice wavered and a choir-like sound emerged. “I know why are you here, child of shadow. I also know that you sentients always try to kill the Floor Guardian. And since that’s what I am… discard the pleasantries, mage.” Guardian pointed towards the Agnes, already emitting a hungry aura. “Be true to yourself, you barbarians. Just like your master. It suits you better.”

I was sure that if Guardian had the ability to smile he would - just now.

With a clatter of metal, the monster took a stance, the sword kept high, with the blade pointing towards the ceiling. A two-handed grip made sure that it would neither slip or stray from its intended path. Its real body was covered in metal, creating somewhat insectoid feel, like a giant beetle standing on two legs. The black helmet without any decorations housed two red eyes, cautiously overlooking the battlefield.

From behind its head, a bundle of wires extended towards the ceiling - a rope for Guardian sanity, helping him overcome the singing mad chorus in his head.

And then, without as much as a scream, the blade fell.

“Dodge!” Shouted Agnes and most of the party dispersed like a bunch of insects. Then she looked again only to see Boulder clenching his teeth and lifting the tower shield in defiance.

“Dodge, you fool!” She screamed, her voice suddenly hoarse. In a blink of the eye, Agnes changed her direction, now running in parallel to the enemy. The half-orc only smiled at her, while mouthing some words. Shield technique I think? Was that his skill?

It seemed like he had full trust in his abilities.

Yet the princess though differently.

“It’s not enough!” She screamed with a shrill voice, unlike any I’ve heard before.

Her dash forced her to run right into the wall, but as I watched with excitement Agnes did something weird. She jumped right up towards the wall and - using the momentum - turned completely back, right into the path of the falling giant blade.

I winced seeing this maneuver. Overworking your joints like that was bound to have consequences. Youch.

At least her move surprised the Guardian enough to stop his attack for a moment. Making use of the distraction she moved right close to the falling weapon. Her dual swords drew a beautiful arc and smashed into the pile of metal. This moved the executioner blade just far enough to only scrape the tower shield, leaving a long scar in the middle of it. And then it smashed into the ground.

*boooooom*

A pile of dust floated into the air, completely muddying both my and the monster’s sight.

And that turned to be the chance that humans were waiting for.

“Mages, focus on the weird rope coming out of its head!” The princess screamed once again. She was clearly enjoying it, like a fish in the water. After all she seemed to be most alive in the battle against a powerful enemy. “Warriors, thieves - harass! Eve! Heal when needed! Attack when you deem it necessary!”

The elven maiden nodded, clenching her teeth.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” A loud voice of the Guardian cut through the dust and just behind it a flat side of his blade appeared, this time moving horizontally.

“Doooooooodge!” Agnes screamed once again, ducking right under the attack.

Tinna wasn’t so lucky as she jumped into the air, but was swatted down like a fly by the constantly moving weapon. Lone Mountain jumped forward, grabbing the girl by the scruff of her neck and retreating close to the healer.

With a quick incantation, she was back on her feet.

In the meantime, Charles and Peter were sending pieces of rocks and flame towards the Guardian, their attacks little more than a distraction.

The Floor Guardian knew that too and vigilantly defended against the skulking Agnes, his blade not just once or twice barring her path. She responded with swift, practiced movements, getting closer and closer to the perceived weak point.

The wires extending from the Guardian’s head.

It was then when something unexpected happened - a piece of debris sent flying by the monster managed to cut Eve's hand open, letting the blood out. It was a minor injury. A non-existent one even.

If not for one small thing.

The Bloody Sacrificial Altar, which looked like a slab of rock. A thrice cursed piece of dark mage equipment.

The moment she started to bleed a magical effect had overridden her senses.

Which normally would be a good thing. Killing the healer? Leaving them stranded without an ability to recuperate their wounds? Lovely.

Except I already tried it. And it failed miserably… mostly because that this quiet, blonde-haired doll was most overpowered of them all!

The bloodlust had started and in turn, Eve screamed in rage.

“ALWAYS HOLDING BACK! NEVER HAVING ANY FUNNNNNN! FUCK YOU ALLLLLLLL!” Her coarse words didn’t register for a moment in her companions.

“HEAL THIS, HEAL THAT, I’M HURT! I! DON’T! FUCKING! CARE!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“JUST THIS ONCE!”

“ONCE!”

“SOMETHING TO KILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!”

Her bloodied eyes turned towards the biggest target in the room.

“YOU!”

Guardian winced. The greed and madness were clear in her voice.

“Shit!” Cursed Agnes. “It’s her assimilation?! Why now?” She shook her head as soon as a hand appeared on her shoulder.

“It doesn’t matter. We need to hide.” Peter materialized from the shadows, his pale form even more white than before. “May the Gods have mercy.” He muttered while dragging back shocked Tinna towards the tunnel. “I sure hope she won’t collapse the whole damn dungeon…”

My Floor Boss turned towards the only remaining aggressor. I couldn’t see his face, but the uncertainty he felt was easily recognizable.

“Ummm… maybe you should go back?” He asked warily. Her blood had healed any scratches he accumulated and there was a newfound strength in his flesh and iron body, but while the Altar blessed him with a part of the enemies' vitality... it was this portion of its abilities that worried him immensely.

A part of. Only a part.

“How strong are you, slave of light?” He murmured to himself, his deep voice easily reaching even the hidden adventurers.

“Oh, he’s f-fucked.” Laughed Boulder, only now coughing out a bit of blood.

“Shut up. We need to calm her down before she destroys the Forgotten Dungeon. The king would never forgive us.” Agnes was looking intently for the way to deal with this situation.

“Out there, see the aura?” Asked Peter, while pointing at the ceremonial slab lying down just near a strangely shaped hole in the wall. “A magical effect ingrained into the room radiates from there.”

“On the first floor? That’s insane!” Answered Charles while cradling his head.

“Really? You’re saying this now? And the earlier encounters were normal? Two bosses? A smithing golem? This whole weird ecosystem out here?!” Agnes kicked a piece of the bone lichen which fell down on the ground in the commotion.

“It’s the Forgotten Dungeon.” Answered Peter. “The deeper we go, the better loot will be. That is the rule. But the deeper we go, the greater danger we encounter. Sir.” He added after a moment of reflection. Charles waved him off.

“No time. How do we stop that?”

He asked, pointing at the boss room. Eve managed to cut the Guardian sanity cord - and pandemonium ensued.