“The great monster worm dungeon.” A woman’s voice echoed in the cave, as she took her first step into the cave. She was accompanied by three large warriors and thin-built young man. Her cheeks were puffed and red – she was breathing heavily as if she had exerted herself greatly.

“I can’t believe we are really here.” She continued as they walked in. “There are countless stories and legends about the great white monster worm….I would have never believed that I would ever have a chance in my life to explore it…”

The three warriors wore the same expression on their faces. They did not have any expectation in their life to be able to explore a monster dungeon.

The only one who was unsurprised was the young man – Crayford. His artistically chiselled like face revealed no awe or enthusiasm. It appeared as though he had experienced many more exciting or frightful places or had been to a hundred other similar dungeons. There was not a shred of excitement in his tiny frame.

As the party walked a few more steps into the dungeon….

*RUMBLE*

… the cave entrance behind them caved in.

The three warriors and woman spun around to see what happened; but Crayford didn’t even bother turning around. Just from the sound of the falling rocks he knew that they had been caved in. This was the point of no return. Once you step into a monster dungeon, there was no going back till you either finish it or die trying to.

It turned out to be a good decision not to look back for Crayford – the moment four of the five turned around, arrows whizzed towards their heads. Fortunately, Crayford had been quick enough to react and none of them reached their target. No one saw it but the arrows just fell to the ground, cut in half. It happened so fast and quietly that the four didn’t even know an attack had been launched at them and foiled.

It was only when they turned around and saw Crayford holding a sword in a very flashy pose (raised in the air) and then the broken arrows; they realized that in their moment of distraction, they had been attacked.

In one tenth of a second, Crayford unsheathe his sword, which had been hanging on his waist – hidden by his cloak, and cut each of the four arrows down precisely in half. It happened so fast that it all appeared bizarre to the naked eye – one moment this weak looking person is standing facing forward and the next moment he is holding a sword in a roof guard position.

“Be careful.” Crayford spoke in a low whisper. “An attack of this level, would not kill you but it would definitely injure you.” Again, there was no emotion in his voice – his comrades had just been attacked yet, there was not a hint of worry or excitement.

“Crayford…” The woman spoke as she turned to Crayford. “An attack of this level would only scratch us. You need not worry….those arrows would simply bounce off us ….at worst scratch us….”

“You attitude is too lax, Claire.” Crayford spoke in a stern voice. “This is just the first floor –these arrow heads have been covered in poison…”

The woman, Claire, frowned. Crayford was indeed right, even if the arrows only managed to scratch them – it would only take a small amount of poison to hurt them. Although poison can be cured, it is still a troublesome matter. Why take unnecessary risk if there is no additional reward?

“We will be more careful, Master.” The four spoke in unison as they made a slight bow towards Crayford. Their voice conveyed their gratitude for saving them.

Even at this, Crayford revealed no emotion. He appeared clearly younger than them yet he seemed to be completely unaffected by the gestures made by these four when they bowed and thanked him. He was also unmoved when they referred to him as master….almost as though he were used to it.

Crayford looked around carefully before sheathing his sword. Although his face revealed no emotion, mentally he worried and excited at the same time. He was bothered by the unwelcoming start they had – could be even considered an ill omen. However, this also provided him an opportunity to look cool – so he was okay with it. But still, Crayford knew he could not let his guard down…the attack from before stirred up some painful memories….

Just as Crayford was sheathing his sword, several more arrows whizzed from the darkness towards him. This time the warriors spun into action. Two warriors covered Crayford and one of the three warriors waved his massive sword, which was nearly as tall as him and one foot wide – in a rectangular shape, blowing away the arrows.

“Come out and fight like a man!” The warrior holding the massive sword shouted out.

The three warriors were burning in anger. Whoever the enemy was they had been waiting for Crayford to sheath his sword, so that they would catch him in an awkward situation. Clearly, this way of fighting was crafty and low.

The warrior who blew away the arrows spat on the ground in anger. “Low lives…Master give me the order and I will hunt down these cowards…”

“No need.” Crayford said as he pushed past the two who were covering him. “They just want you to go after them – they intend to split us apart from the very beginning. Can’t you see they are baiting you?”

“As expected of Master. Despite being so young you are always very calm and collected.” Claire said as she took the lead.

“I have never received such a warm welcome in dungeon before. There must be something amazing in this dungeon! Right Master?” Claire asked as she armed fists with spiked gaunlets.

Crayford kept quiet….these attacks were stirring some very painful memories. ‘It can’t be that one of them is in this world as well…or is this dungeon a copy of that place…’

As the party advanced forward, they were attacked several more times in a stealthily manner. It wasn’t just arrows but there were massive wall spikes, false floors, falling ceilings….every dungeon cliché trap had been laid out for them.

Although, the level of difficulty of traps was low for a party of their strength, Crayford began sweating….

“Master? Is everything alright?” Claire asked. She could tell by Crayford’s grave expressions, there was something bothering him.

“I might have underestimated this dungeon.” Crayford confessed.

The three warriors turned around in surprise, when they heard Crayford.

“Underestimated?” One of them muttered. “But this is only the first floor…and traps of these levels are pitiful.”

Crayford’s eyes turned sharp. “Pitiful you say? Then, let me ask you, how many monsters have we seen so far?” He asked in angrily.

“None…”

“And you say that it is pitiful….” Crayford grumbled.

The warriors didn’t understand. The three warriors and Claire could not understand why, Crayford was being so overly cautious. This was after all the first floor? How dangerous can the very beginning of any dungeon possibly be?

“Do you know what war of attrition is?” Crayford asked in irritation; seeing they didn’t understand him.

The warriors nodded sideways; conveying they didn’t know. They had a slight grasp of what it could mean but they didn’t want to appear arrogant in front of their wise master.

“Chipping away your opponent….bit by bit. Even a needle can suffice for a great pickaxe if given enough time.” Crayford explained.

“Oh you mean, it is like the fight between the Empire and us? If we do not fight little by little, we will slowly be destroyed by them?” Claire asked – her voice did not match the heavy atmosphere.

“Yes something like that. Right now, we are being chipped away and none of you know it.”

“Are you sure?” Claire asked with confusion written all over her face. “Everything so far has been very normal. Considering our strength, I would even think of it as weak. One would have to be really careless for this to kill…”

Crayford cut her in between. “And how long before your concentration begins to waiver?”

Claire paused. It was true that the level of traps was weak…but that could only be considered because they were extremely vigilant. However, even the most vigilant person can have a lapse in their focus at some point of time.

“If we get tired, then we can just rest…” One the three warriors spoke up.

“And who do you think will let you rest?” Crayford’s eyebrow twitched slightly in impatience.

“We will take turns guarding while others rest…” The warrior continued.

“Is it just you or have all your brains been swapped with lumps of meat.” Crayford cursed at them.

“…”

“Just when we rest, the monsters will appear…we will kill them…tire ourselves…..and the cycle goes on…”

The other four kept quiet.

It was true that they haven’t found a safe camping spot on this floor yet….and they supposed they would simply rest up when they did find one. However, what if monsters attacked then? Normally, monsters are the obstacles which wear out the explorers. However, if you kill enough of them in beginning then the others hide….but so far they were yet to encounter a monster….which only meant the monsters were waiting for an opportunity… They finally understood. If they took this floor too lightly, by the time they reached the third or the fourth floors they would be pushing themselves past their physical limits…

‘Scary – so this is the war of attrition.’ The four thought to themselves.

These few floors were only meant to tire them out mentally till they reached the mini-boss floor. The four warriors only now truly understood and comprehended what Crayford figured out on his own right from the start.

“So what if these are only the first few floors – a dungeon is still a dungeon where you have to risk your life. You should give it your all in each floor.” Crayford instructed.

The four were nodded in unison. They were in complete awe of their Master. So young and so brilliant. This was definitely why they served him.

Beneath, that no emotion expression, Crayford fought hard to hide his smile – he was definitely appearing ‘too cool’ right now. Secretly, he adored being admired and being seen as brilliant. After having lived his life like a hikikomori before, frightened of the world, Crayford was hungry for glory, admiration and attention.