(Curator POV)

Well, wasn’t that something!

I knew I could count on those two to put on an amusing show, plus they even managed to recover the Three Little Pigs book. As for First Floor Guardian, he is currently reforming himself in a secluded area. He'll be peachy in a couple of hours but still liquefying into a pile ooze than getting beheaded...

Such is the nature of being a dungeon monster I suppose.

Rather than pity or sympathy, I only have gratitude for everything he does, for the villainous role he plays, for what he endures for the sake of the story.

Alright, I can’t dwell on this forever. Looking on the bright side, I got another book for the collection.

If they decide to return it, but why wouldn’t they, there's nothing to gain from flogging it off. I’ve observed countless adventurers attempting and failing to read Little Red Riding Hood this morning. All of which resulted in a weird mix of disinterested interest, in the book.

Hold on we are a library. That has one book. That is written in a language nobody can read. Oh, come on!

This is an even bigger hurdle than just gathering books. Actually maybe Alice can translate it. I’ll ask her about it later.

Speaking of books, I should send Alice out to procure a few from outside the dungeon. It would be neat to read the fairy tales and legends these people have woven, I could even build an entire section dedicated to it.

No. This isn’t an attempt to fill the empty void that I call a library, it’s only like a fifth of the reason. But really it would be great, gathering books from all sorts of different cultures, storing them all in one place for people to enjoy.

Alright, now I’m rambling. Ahem, setting up camp around the mysterious book our heroes look to take their first steps into the mysterious moonlit floor, wary but curious of what treasures it may hold...

The idea of using a book to teleport people to the next floor hit me when I was filling in the lakes. I (really Alice) convinced the fairies to set up a fairy ring around the pedestal. And through some trial and error, I linked the ring and the book up through some strings I weaved out of DP.

Okay, okay, now I’m done, honest. Let’s get back into this unfolding story.

(Zhenya POV)

“You could have pulled some punches you know.”

“It’s your fault to begin with, what were you thinking, messing with that book!”

Sitting around the crude but easy to take down tent we set up. Generally milling about, recuperating from our tussle with that monster of a beast. I was tending to the lump on my head as well as my other wounds, which mostly consisted of minor cuts and bruises.

Meanwhile, Fredrica used her moment of respite to pound out the giant crater imprinted in her arm guard. As for the shield that heroically took the explosive blow, well try as she might, to repair it the thing was a lost cause. Despite everything that has happened, her arm is doing miraculously fine barring a couple nasty looking bruises, and maybe a bone fracture or two, but hey I’m no healer.

Scavenging shards of metal from her shattered shield, she placed the bits in a thick leather bag before shoving it inside her breastplate.

I don’t know how best to describe it. The front her breastplate swung open on a hinge like a door, revealing various small compartments and containers all neatly arranged, similar to a mini cabinet.

It was clear that they couldn't fit inside her armor. Unless maybe she’s flat as a board? No, no, no even then that would be impossible.

“Interested in my armor, I see.” Fredrica noticing my stare gave me the biggest grin I have ever seen grace her face. “Well, you see this here is my great-” Without waiting for my input, she springs into an excitedly long tangent about her armor’s history. I kinda zoned around the part about her forefather’s last stand in the Corodia mines, it was mesmerizing hearing just how many words one mouth can spew out, torrential.

*Snap*

*Snap*

“Huh? What?”

Fredrica let out an exaggerated sigh. “Leaving out the long storied history of my ancestors. the short of it, is this here,” She points at the anomalous space in her breastplate, “is a pocket space or a non-existent space, rather that is what this certain version of my armor is now after generations of layering enchantments on top one another.”

“Ohhhh, so that’s what the bags mister Yannagi, Teach, and the others back at home had were called. So it’s called pocket space, neat. Always just called them magic bags.”

It’s not like these types of bags were extremely common, the number of people that owned personal bags could be counted on two hands. Other than that, they were reserved for community use like hauling back hunts, resources, and the like.

“Wait, what.” Fredrica hoarsely squeezed out. “How much could they hold?”

“A few large animal corpses at best and a couple of books at worse.”

“So some civilian-grade bags mixed with military-grade.” The gears in Fredrica’s head creak trying to churn out a thought before immediately spluttering to a halt. “Oh well, In any case for bags it’s easy enough to enchant a pocket space into it but for armor, that’s a whole different story.” She said puffing her breastplate out in pride.

“Don’t go getting any weird ideas though, this space is only big enough to store a few provisions.”

Oof, she could have at least waited for me to say something before completely shutting me down like that, there goes the canon idea.

Sensing that she accurately called me out, a mischievous grin forms on her face. “Oh yeah, that reminds me, check this out.” Fredrica rapidly opened and closed her chest plate. It was sorta trippy, one moment I am looking at her under armor, then the next moment it was her brightly lit pocket space.

Ugh, I’m actually getting queasy just staring at it, but it’s so weirdly interesting that I don’t want to look away. Usually, with enchanted bags you can’t look into the pocket space, you just put your hand in feel around and pull something out.

“And that’s payback for that stunt you pulled earlier!” With that said, she victoriously fastened up her breastplate and we went back to preparing ourselves for the dangers that lie ahead.

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With our weapons and armor taken care of and muscles rested, we decided it was time to tackle the second floor. Quickly taking down our makeshift tent we approached the pedestal.

“Ready?” Fredrica places her hand on the book not trusting me to handle it responsibly. Really it was just a one-time thing, promise.

Giving her the go-ahead, she opens the book and flips it to the next page. Just like last time, day turned to night. Crooked branches blotted out the sky intertwining into a canopy of bones, draped with shadowy flesh the once warm and hospitable woods morphed into a cold monster.

“How about we head east to start off with, check out the fields over there.” After surveying the area, I think this is our best bet.

Fredrica took to the idea, like me she wants to avoid diving headfirst into any heavily wooded areas especially now it’s nighttime. And so it went, she took the lead and I pulled out my map and started recording the second floor on the backside.

Or at least I try to, this whole floor is unsettling like there’s something out there stalking us in the darkness. The grass restlessly jitters about making it hard to tell if it’s the wind or a beast lurking just out of sight. Meanwhile, the shadows beholden to the rustling leaves and branches above, distort and bend into silhouettes of nightmares.

Like that one over there that looks like a monster dog, with a jaw that can swallow a person whole.

*Rustle*

It looks menacing and all but once the wind starts blowing, it is nothing but a trick of the mind.

Wading through the field of shin-high grass we eventually arrived upon a crude dirt trail, one that tore its way through the field and into the woods. The oddest thing about it was the ground itself, uneven and lumpy it was like somebody has been stomping and dragging their feet through here for months trampling the vegetation.

Fredrica and I glanced at each other and came to a silent conclusion, if we wanted to delve deeper this would be our chance.

The trail grew wider as we followed it into the woods. Trees were gently bent backwards, arching away allowing for moonlight to illuminate our path. We remain vigilant despite the lulling light of the moon. Paranoia had gotten a grip on us, It’s concerning that no monsters have tried to chomp our faces off yet.

Either this floor is some big puzzle which would be lovely but considering the first floor, it’s probably the more horrifying alternative. These monsters have been hunting us this whole time and we have yet to notice them.

Though I can say with confidence that we won’t run into whatever made this path anytime soon. Considering how large and heavy this thing must be, it should have left some fairly deep pronounced footprints. But the tracks I’ve examined so far display a considerable amount of wear, to the point it’s almost unrecognizable.

Traveling further up the path we reached a split in the trail. So this was the handiwork of two medium-sized creatures rather than one giant monster, but that doesn't make any sense the footprints show only one humanoi-.

“Hah?” Fredrica comes to a sudden halt and motions for me to do the same. “What’s up, you see something?” I whisper to her while preparing myself in case of trouble.

She gestures to the tip of where the path splits, more specifically beyond that point, laying between two trees a familiar-looking shadow. Crap it’s that dog-shaped one again, there’s no way of rationalizing it now that thing is definitely a monster.

“No ranged weapons looks like we only one option.” Unsheathing our weapons we crept forward. Concealing ourselves in the vegetation on the side of the path, Fredrica shuffled up the left side while I took the right.

Our goal was to kill the faux dog before it could notice us.

As we neared it the shadow shifted ever so slightly, revealing two round fist sized rubies, each floating half-submerged in the misty darkness.

I felt an expectant glare burdening me. Were those its eyes?

There was no shine or life to it, just a dull matted gloom that conveyed no indication of awareness. But it was painfully clear that the shade already knew we were here. Giving up its ethereal nature the shadow thickened into a semi-physical form.

The newly formed specter hung listlessly in the air, neck craned downwards allowing for its dead orbs to fixate on us, unmoving but somehow always tracking us.

Seeing as we neared some invisible thresh hold, the shadow that constituted the beast’s mouth ripped open allowing for smoky white fangs to leak out. Without warning, it gleefully unleashed a soul-shaking howl, stopping us in our tracks.

Reverberating throughout my body the sound echoed all the way through to bone, I find my limbs becoming increasingly numb and harder to move. My joints creak to a halt rusting in place, while my muscles struggle against what seems like invisible tethers.

Paralyzed on the spot and to make things worst, behind me was the unmistakable sound of ground being unearthed as claws grind against coarse dirt. This was an ambush.

Clambering up from whatever holes they dug themselves out of, our mystery assailants inched ever closer.

Move. I need to move, the footsteps are closing in.

Pulling against the invisible ties in erratic fits, I slowly feel one tie snapping loose. Good, more, I muster my strength and eventually wiggle a finger free, followed by a hand, an arm, than my legs.

As each strand broke the next one tightened its grip but eventually, I power through.

Finally freed I go surging towards the beast. Three steps are all it takes to close the distance, lunging with my blade wound up, I focus on keeping my stance steady. There, a chance!

Finding my mark I let it loose pinning the beast in the chest, but there's no resistance.

True to its shadowy nature the beast’s body contorted around my stab, skirting around it and every other blow I tried to throw at it. Back feet now firmly planted on the ground while its front paws hovered just above my head, the beast stretched its body to an unsettlingly comical degree coiling around me.

I don't know if it’s the lazy half displayed eyes or how much of its wispy teeth are showing. But I swear this thing’s mocking me.

Perceived mocking aside, I finally got the beast to shut up, releasing both of us from its invisible bindings. And the first thing to grace my ears was Fredrica’s husky shrieking, yep whatever was behind us just got a sword through the gut.

No time to turn around, I just have to hope that Fredrica has my back while I deal with this pain in the ass bastard. Why is it a pain in the ass?

Simple, each swing of my blade was followed by a resonating cackle that was more akin to a dry heave. The damn thing keeps using its malleable noodle-y body to prance around my blows, looking all so gleeful in the process.

So aiming for the body is no good, but its eyes are a whole different story. Unlike the rest of its fluctuating body, those dim orbs were the only things that never shifted in that dark mass.

Biding my time, playing the role of frustrated adventurer to the beasts impish trickster. It is only a matter of time until it slips up.

The beast flies away from me and readies a paralyzing howl...NOW!

Following the soft red streaks trailing from its eyes to track its movements. Sharp lefts, desperate rights the beast tries to escape me by using its body but ignoring the extra length vying for my attention, I simply focus on the eyes.

In desperation it becomes predictable, One turn later I poise myself plunging my sword through one of its eyes, resulting in a sickening squelch. Ergh, so they were fleshy the whole time, was not expecting that.

The body along with the eye I stabbed dissipates leaving behind paper reminiscent of the beast itself wispy and ephemeral. Its other eye lay on the ground, even dead I feel like it’s still watching me.

Quickly storing the eye in a bottle and stuffing the paper in my pack I turn to help Fredrica.

Paper lay at her feet as Fredrica fought off clones of herself. Realizing that my attention had landed on them, the fighting immediately died down as each one turned to me and. “””“Zhenya, Help me out here!”””” A volley of pleas assaulted my ears.

Hmmm, it would be simple enough to say that the one brandishing a sword is the real one, but that’s not the most decisive thing. “Well, it’s simple enough to figure out who’s the real Fredrica,” This catches the crowd’s undivided attention. “A GAME!”

A collection of emotions sprout of the various Fredrica’s ranging from hellish anger to ecstatic cheers. Alright, marking the happy ones off the list of potential Fredrica’s. “A simple game. I say something and you guys do it.”

After agreements were made, the game was on. “Alright, touch your head with both hands.” Each Fredrica followed suite, with the one holding the sword sticking it into the ground to free up a hand. Walking along the line of Freddie's tokenly inspecting each one, I casually pick the sword up and use it as a cane.

“Humm, good, good.” Let’s get this farce over with. “My next order is to open your chest plate.” One by one the chest plates swing open, only one was different from the rest. Passing the sword to the third Fredrica on the right, we press back to back.

With the ruse dispelled some of the Fredrica’s reverted back to what I assume are their regular form, knee-high humanoid creatures. Each one sported a variety of features ranging from long sharp fingers to ax shoulders but the base body always stayed the same. I catch one unawares and shove my sword right into its chubby little head.

We made quick work of these shape-shifters. Slow and clumsy, they tried shape-shifting into various different monsters but we killed them before they could. The Fredrica’s were a bit more graceful in their movements and proficient with their body horror of weapons. But in the end, we sorted them out, and soon the things were in full retreat, scurrying back into the woods.

“Whew, that was one hell of a welcome party. So the monsters on this floor are mainly the ambushing type, coupled with abilities that can trick and hinder people.”

Fredrica nodded in agreement “Seems like it, as long as, we keep an eye out these monsters should be ea-”

*Thump*

*Thump*

Ahhh, damn it.

“Fredrica, don't get cold feet, we ain’t done yet something big is coming.” Gathering our wits we prepared ourselves.

Thumping down the road came a hulking giant. Bearing two tremendous muscly arms adorned with prickly hairs. Its head was a mix between man and beast, possessing a mouth that was more similar to a snout allowing it to open up way larger than humanly possible. What set it apart from the ravenous beast we previously encounter was ironically another bestial trait, a flowing mane that radiated dignified civility.

The most notable feature about the giant was a wooden stick that acted as a stand-in for one of its legs. The other leg was relatively normal except it was built thick like a tree, packed dense with muscle even more so than its arm.

But contrary to its fearsome appearance, it sported an elegant red silk robe that shone under the moonlight. Which worked to complement its pale blue skin, smooth like polished stone but rugged like all things in nature.

Seeing us with our weapons drawn, he let out a hardy laugh in its deep voice, causing knots to form in my gut. “No, you wouldn’t even put a scratch on me with those toothpicks!”

Ehhh, he might have a point here.

“I’m not one for mindless killing, but I also can’t let you past here... Say you what, let’s instead settle this with a match of ssireum.”

With the edge of his stick leg slightly but firmly denting the ground, he quickly did a full turn, gouging out the land creating a circle around himself.

“So what do you say? If you can best me in a match, I'll let you past.”

Fredrica was the first one to speak up. “But what happens if you win, what do you have to gain?” She was already skeptical of the giant’s offer.

“hmmmm, well I’ve been here for quite some time, while my brothers and the other inhabitants are fun to have matches against it can get quite dull after a while. So once I heard the sound of battle I knew it had to be outsiders, someone to bring a breath of fresh air into this stagnate pool.”

Fredrica looked slightly unconvinced. I think she still has some reservations about being entertainment for these creatures as did I, the child-like voices really left a mark on us. But she ultimately agreed after sizing up the giant. The conclusion we weren’t going to beat this guy in a fight today, plus who knows how he will react if we decline.

“Good. Good, So who is going first?” The giant face expressed pure delight, hearing us agree to his proposal.

Now the question was wh-

“I’ll do it!” Fredrica stepped into the ring with no hesitation. “So then, what is this ssireum?”

“It is a simple affair.” the giant pulled off his robe and to my relief, was wearing shorts underneath held up a prominent red belt. “We grab each other by the belt and try to throw one another off-balance, but you may only turn your waist. If any part of the body above the knee touches the ground then that is counted as a lost and going outside the ring means a reset.”

“Here is a belt you can use. And while against the rules, you may wear it over your armor if you prefer, I would appreciate the challenge.”

The belt in question was a long piece of blue cloth. “Are you looking down on me, I don’t need a handicap!” Throwing off her armor Fredrica tied the cloth around her waist and met the giant in the ring pumped for her match.

(And now to our referee a.k.a Curator POV)

Alright, folks our contender’s today are locked and ready!

Donning the blue belt! Is an intrepid adventurer with daddy issues, Fredrica and sporting the red belt is Dokkaebi, the shadow smashing KING OF SSIREUM!

“Let us begin.”

Dokkaebi declares match start and makes the first move. Twisting his waist he easily lifts Fredrica off the ground and into the air! But not one to be broken so easily our intrepid knight lands nimbly on her two feet and tries to counter.

Ohh and what a counter it was, digging her feet into the ground Fredrica actually managed to lift the hulking Dokkaebi up, for but a few centimeters. Dropping him down, she tried to use the shift in balance to push him backwards.

“Ohh hoooo! So that pride has some strength behind it!” Dokkaebi, broomstick leg now stuck in the ground quivered a bit, but quickly switching balance to his real leg he answered her toss by returning one in turn. But not to be outdone Fredrica tried matching him in a contest of strength.

The struggle lasted moments but the actions wagered, plans set into motion, and counters made were almost countless. Push and pull, twist, and turn the Dokkaebi’s wooden leg was pushed to its limits but in a split second the match was decided. Fredrica abandoning all pretense of planning or cunning went for the takedown, but experience prevailed over youthful vigor.

Dokkaebi lightly twisted his torso and used Fredrica’s own forward momentum to send her careening to the ground. Like that the match was over.

(Zhenya POV)

Fredrica unharmed by the fall got back and... Shared a manly handshake with the giant promising him that she will win their next match. Well, you could make stranger friends than a dungeon dwelling giant I suppose.

"Looks like it’s my turn now!” Sitting on the sidelines I managed to pick up on a few things, it was only a hunch but I think I can beat th-

*Thump*

*Thump*

“It looks like my brothers are coming.” The giant sounded disappointed. “As thanks for the match earlier I will give you this warning, leave now. My brothers are not as mild as I am. they will demand blood be split for passage.”

Taking it as ‘bad shit this way comes, so skedaddle’. Fredrica quickly threw on her armor, and we started running with whatever strength we could muster.

Our escape wasn’t going to be easy though, we still had the other monsters to contend with.

Running through the fields plump stony hands exploded from the ground clawing and grabbing at our ankles.

Dodging the opening surprise leg rub, I opted to go around the stream of grubby little hands. There weren’t as many on the outskirts, clearing a path I plunged my blade into the ground killing the little pests.

“Fredrica, ya good?” I was worried about her since she’s not the fas-

“Yeah, I’m good!” She was stomping on the things tearing a path for herself, she wasn’t going through the thick of it but the amount of gore(paper) in the air almost makes me pity the little guys.

Passing that hurdle we left the fields behind, whatever chasing us was still on our tail. The thumping grew faster.

“Just a little a bit more.”

We were almost there, but in one final attempt to ensnare us a few shadow dogs came out from the woods screaming. It wasn’t the one that paralyzes, this one was a different type of howl, it was a much lower pitch, the type that makes the air feel heavy.

My movements became sluggish, It felt like the weight of the world was on my back.

So close, the pedestal is right there, trudging along, the thudding is now the loudest they’ve ever been. I open the book and flip the page.

“Fredrica! Fredrica!” Back on the first floor, I call out for her not knowing if she was within range of the book.

“Ughh, calm down I’m right here, you’re so loud.” Fredrica tiredly walked up to me, equally as worn out from the encounter.

“What th-” I try to ask her about what she about the floor, but she hushes me. “Not another word, we’ll talk about it later. Right now let’s return topside, the next floor is trickier so we should probably resupply for night battles.”

“Yeah.”

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After a rather uneventful trek back to the A.A, we burst through the door and immediately stumbled to the front counter.

“Welcome, how may we help you today.” It was almost closing time, but the receptionist is still as professional as ever. “Yes, we would like to turn in everything we gathered today.” Fredrica was the one doing the talking.

“Why certainly.” Giving us the go, we pulled out the items we plundered from the dungeon. In all the rundown was.

- A couple pieces of regular paper.

- Two bottles of shiny dust.

- Stretchy paper and goop we scavenged from the pig hungry monster.

- A sheet of black wispy paper gotten from the shadow dog.

- The lustreless eye of said dog.

- And some thick looking parchment Fredrica stuffed into her armor before we ran away retreated.

(And a note from our dungeon)

“THEY FORGOT TO RETURN THE BOOK!!!”

(Now back to business)

The receptionist surprised by the sheer variety started going on about something, but it was well into the night, the A.A was empty and I just wanted some sleep.

“Can we get the rundown and payment later?” Fredrica politely declined, asking for a rain check.

“Why certainly, please ask the front desk and we will have someone attend to you immediately.” The upbeat receptionist replied.

“Alright if that’s all settled, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Saying her goodbyes Fredrica wobbled her way out of the A.A and down the street. Turning it in myself I take my usual spot behind down counter and let the fatigue take hold.