A rock blasted, and from the smoke, Zoroth came out while coughing. "Shit! Another mistake. I was so close this time. Kosax, another rock. Fast."

"We have almost depleted the rocks brought by the Lord. You must finish the experiment quickly. It is already more than one day, and the workers are again fatigued, without food and water, they won't be able to hang on for long."

"Oye! Don't blame me now. None of us know any healing stuff. I am only trying to make a time accelerating rune. It was almost finished, but I made a stupid mistake. Bring me another stone, I don't have time."

Kosax was surprised to see this part of Zoroth. When their Lord brought back the barrel of water, he had battled with something outside. The battle was so intense that their Lord came back with broken bones around the torso area. Once he entered the Dungeon, he could only muster all his strength to pull out the barrel from his interspatial ring.

He and Zoroth discussed the possible ways, but none of them knew any healing technique. They were unable to call for any help as well. They argued, the only approach was to let Joy improve himself.

They started to follow 2 paths, one was time accelerating rune, which will enhance the self-healing, another was to complete the building. As their Lord was resting on the ground, which was not good. They were able to begin the tasks with exceptional energy.

Zoroth failed time after time. He started to act unlike himself. He was enlightened multiple times in the process. But, the time required to produce a new kind of rune is tremendous, and he did not have that kind of time. Once Joy died, all their lives would be meaningless.

Under this exceptional condition, Kosax and his team had completed a portion of the building, focusing on the Lord's resting place. They started with so much energy that allowed them to produce more than 2 BPs each day.

But, after one full day and a half, they started to feel weak, and their productivity had reduced. They had completed Lord's room and built it accomodating the changes asked by Zoroth. It was then, Kosax went to find about the progress about the time accelerating rune.

Zoroth was the first one to propose this method, but it was too much of a burden on him. Kosax had a team, but Zoroth was fighting alone. He had to bear all the success and failure of the research, and then the whole engraving process was needed to be performed by him only.

Kosax cheered Zoroth and made him feel relieved a bit. But, with more time elapsed, they were becoming pessimistic. As the more time was wasted, the more they were falling behind the rest of the Dungeons. Only one building was erected, and that too not full. They were yet to start their actual projects.

When Kosax was still thinking about the possible consequences, Zoroth was focused on experimenting with the rune. His time was short, but he had a huge responsibility to perform.

Around a couple of hours later, Zoroth was still immersed in the engraving process, Kosax felt a shadow moving towards them from the fog.

"Oye! Hello, brother Kosax." He heard a very familiar voice from that shadow. When he looked at the shadow, it was signaling with its hand. He was certain once he saw that gesture, it was Jim, their lost brother. The gesture he made was his signature move. After a profound time, a smile broke in his face.

"You know how to come back, and you still let the Lord worry for you." Kosax joked when he saw a smiling face.

"Aye! Don't tell me Lord is angry with me. I have much to report. Can you lead me to him? I wish you and brother Zoroth join as well, as this report is very significant for our future." Jim told him while scratching his head. Kosax understood what was going on, inside Jim's head.

"Oye! Wait, man. The situation is different than you think right now. I wish you can go and report to Lord... Let's go to that side. Zoroth is doing something important."

By the gloomy tone of Kosax, Jim understood something was amiss. He was lead by Kosax to the lord's resting room. What he saw and heard next was something he never desired to. Lord was lying, and his torso region was totally shattered.

Jim was surprised. He used his palms to cover his eyes. His idol was lying on a crude bed, without any treatment, which made him shiver in the cold. It was not such that others did not want to treat him, but more likely, they had no idea how to do it.

Jim had been away for 2 days in the Dungeon. But in the Mist of Forgotten Lands, the time and space were totally messed up. He started to think of the experiences he gained in the adventure, which could help the Lord in any way.

Suddenly, without any warning, Jim rushed towards the mist again. Kosax was unprepared and baffled. He followed Jim once he regained his judgments. Jim returned with a birdie on his shoulder and dragged some rocks tied with a rope towards the altar. It seemed, he left those in the perimeter of the Dungeon and came in for their Lord's permission. He pressed one with the altar, and one of the rock fused with it.

Kosax and the other workers were looking at him with wide eyes. As soon as he fused the rock with the altar, Kosax suddenly felt something was changing in the Dungeon.

"You! You despicable traitor. Are you trying to sabotage in this condition? Everyone! Let's take him down."

"Oi! Wait. I don't have time to waste talking. I need all your help. Wait for the lord to awake, then I will explain everything."

"Have you taken me as a fool? Explain what did you do with the holy altar. Now! Or I will kill you." Kosax exploded with anger.

"Have you forgotten why I ventured in the mist? It had gone to find the Lord and save our settlement. Do you think I will ruin our lives only to take this small piece of land? Without the Lord, our lives will cease to have any meaning. Let's not make it hard. I pledge loyalty to the Lord and this Dungeon. My life will be bound to Lord's. Let the Dungeon, witness this pledge to uphold justice in case of any wrongdoings." Jim declared while kneeling in front of the altar.

A blinding light appeared from the altar, to acknowledge the pledge.

The workers all already circled him, in case of possible betrayal. But as they witnessed it worked in the best way, they retreated.

Suddenly, Zoroth jumped up from his place and rushed towards the Lord's room. He barred the door from the inside. Some shouts were heard periodically from the inside, which made others scowl.

"Now, you will never say a word, as brother Zoroth is gifted. And, his talent is on a par with yours", Jim complained as the treatment was the total polar opposite.

It was a lunatic behavior, unexpected from Zoroth. But Kosax really did not object this time.

"Don't go overboard. Your words are not something you should even think about your brother." Kosax left his chin down and felt ashamed as Jim's words were accurate.

Jim knew Kosax wanted to save the Dungeon and their lord. But, he had his own limitations and prejudices. He was not a simple and inexperienced worker anymore. He had already seen a fair share of the world inside the Mist of Forgotten Lands. So, he did not refute anymore.

After a whole hour of waiting, Zoroth came outside the room. He looked around to find Kosax, and asked abruptly, "How many shouts did you guys hear?"

"Around 6."

"I guess it's 5."

"No, I counted. It's 5."

"I am pretty much sure it's 6."

All the workers started to argue.

At that time Jim came forward, and responded, "The count is 6, all at approx 5 mins interval."

"Oh! Someone has got senses here. How many hours have I spent inside?"

"Around an hour."

"Hmm? One hour? This long? Do one thing. Bring me more stones and pile those here, just outside of the room." He pointed to a place and did not wait to listen to the reply. He turned back and went inside again.

"Gather, everyone. Listen to me."

As Kosax roared, all the attention was drawn towards him. "I know everyone is fatigued. But, look at Zoroth. He had not taken a single minute off for almost 2 days. Can we not gather enough will power to support him for the last time?"

"Oi! I have asked to gather more stones, and you guys are still chatting. Am I the only one who is serious about the issue?" Zoroth came out of the room and sighed. When he was talking, suddenly they heard a small explosive sound.

"Shit. I missed the chance to stabilize the rune. I have to think of another way. I don't need stone anymore. Keep chatting and enjoy your laziness." Zoroth was clearly frustrated.

"I guess the fusion process is concluded. Help me gather some herbs. I have fused a new land with the Dungeon."

"Jim, I have a feeling that you have found something of tremendous value. Let the Lord wake up, and we will celebrate." He praised Jim and faced other workers, "Brothers, let's help Jim to gather the herbs. Zoroth and I have discussed many times, but our lack of herbal knowledge and experience barred us from helping the Lord in this situation."

All the workers nodded vigorously but did not utter a single word. As if they were preserving all the energy left in their body.

With the experience Jim had, they found the herbs quickly. Jim rushed back and waited for Zoroth to come out. After a long waiting, Zoroth came out of the room. He was almost possessed by the look.

Jim quickly went near Zoroth's ears and asked him something. Zoroth pondered for some moments and nodded in response. Before Kosax could even ask about the situation, both of them had vanished behind the door.

Kosax sighed. Despite being the creator of the room, he was not allowed to enter. For the first time, he started to regret not having a sharp brain. All brawls and no brain forced him to stay outside.

Before he could even gather his thoughts, he heard two different voices from two different places. One was human, another he could not understand.

"He will survive for sure, but the amount of time required to wake up is beyond my knowledge. None of us are healers, you know?" Jim expressed his opinion as Zoroth nodded in return.

"Joy! Where are you, man. My brothers said you did not pick up the logs we sent to you yesterday as well as today." This time a tree was approaching the unfinished construction from the forest end. As Kosax saw the walking tree, he remembered his Lord's words about the new alliance. He sincerely wished it was their leader, Bor, who had experience in healing. But, he could not understand a single word the treant was speaking. So, he could not figure out whether the tree heading in that direction had any malicious intent or not.