After the quick teleportation, Steven stood breathing hard on the transportation platform. The giant skeleton monster didn’t quite make it to him, and he was able to initiate the teleportation unmolested. That didn’t help with the adrenaline.

On his walk to the closest gazebo his legs trembled with every step. The short walk did help somewhat with catching his breath and controlling his shaking hands. He thought back to the teleportation menu and realized he didn’t have an option to proceed to Floor 2.

So much for a bonus challenge. He had to actually defeat that monstrosity before being able to progress. It seemed more like a punishment than a bonus.

He was confident he could defeat it after several tries. He had higher attributes than the monster, but with its placement around the Red Eye it would most likely kill him before he recovered from a previous death.

A bit ashamed that he had to escape, he was even more embarrassed knowing what he had to do next. The guild offered help and he had to ask. Before he could do anything however, he needed to find food.

His hunger has been building since the end of Floor 0. Mostly forgotten in the events since then, now that he had a chance to sit down and relax he could feel his stomach grumbling.

Isn’t he supposed to be dead? Dead people shouldn't need to eat or drink. It was a bit annoying to die and be reborn with basic needs like food and water, especially when they were fighting for their lives in a weird all-powerful dungeon.

Putting aside those thoughts for the time being, he made his way past the guard shack to the lesser guildhall. The guildhall was just as loud and busy as it was the last time he was here. He shuddered as an image of white teeth intruded into his thoughts. Something irked him about those teeth.

He went to the nearest counter and an attendant in a blue uniform approached.

“What can I help you with?”

“I’m new here,” he said, “and I need some help.” Steven was quiet and more than a little embarrassed, so he didn’t explain the predicament.

“Yes, that’s what I’m here for. Can you explain what help you need?”

Steven took a deep breath, “There’s a boss that I can’t defeat,” he said quickly, “and I have no food or water.”

The attendant frowned and gave him a once over, “Did the guard not give you the tour?”

“My orientation was a bit rushed.”

“Well, that happens from time to time. Daniel is not known for his thoroughness,” said the attendant, assuming correctly that it was Daniel who escorted him from the Red Eye. “No matter, along the back wall you’ll find several doorways. They all lead to the waystation. An inn, of sorts, for those who haven’t found a place to stay. Food and drink is there, along with a bed.”

Steven’s heart skipped a beat. He had napped on Floor 0, and the hard ground wasn't very accommodating. Plus food and water. That was his next stop.

“As for help with your floor, that’s no big deal,” said the attendant, noticing his hesitance from before. “It happens all the time. The bulletin board is split. The left side has notices for people looking to help, and the right side has people looking for help. If you found a suitable assistant, they should be waiting in the lounge above or where the notice indicates. If you don’t find anyone, post a notice on the right side. You can either wait in the lounge, or make sure you write down where you’ll be.”

The attendant gestured to a large lofted seating area above the board, of which only Steven could see the floor. It would be nice if it were clear, so he could see how busy it was.

“If I may,” the attendant began, leaning forward and whispering. “I suggest a trip to Supply. You mentioned you were new, and that in itself isn’t uncommon. You can exchange your current clothes for better clothes. If you looked less new, you might have a better chance of finding better help.”

“Thank you.” Steven knew where supply was, but it wasn’t very high on his priority list. He also decided to put off finding help for the moment, especially after discovering they had a waystation he could utilize that offered food, drink, and a bed.

As he made his way around the counter and walked across the stadium sized room, he noticed he was on the receiving side of more than a few stares. It bothered him a little, as he wasn’t one for a lot of attention. He tried to maintain an air of neutrality as he walked through the doorway on the far end of the guildhall.

“Goodness gracious, dear! You look like you’ve been through hell!”

Steven heard a booming female voice. He looked over to the side to see a curvy middle-aged woman standing behind a bar. She was surrounded by bottles, hands on her hips, and frowning at Steven.

The whole sight made Steven feel surprisingly welcome.

“Aren’t we supposed to be in hell?” He replied, smiling.

“Yea, but you don’t have to look like it, hon.” She began rummaging under the counter, and after a bit pulled up a bar of soap. She turned around and plucked a key out of a small box on the wall. The key was immediately replaced as another key appeared right back in the small box.

He looked around inside the waystation. It reminded him of a luxurious cabin found in the woods. There were no windows, but the walls were covered by a dark brown wood paneling. Along the walls Steven saw stuffed and mounted animals, of which he was sure none were found on Earth.

Several tables dotted the floor, occupied by small groups nursing drinks, or random loners eating a meal. Steven’s stomach growled loudly.

“You’re in room 186,392. Rent is 200 mana due in 800 hours. Put your key in that door over there, and it’ll open right up. You can order food here, or from the room. The shower is good sweetie, but make sure you turn the hot water off before the cold, or it’ll skald you,” she chuckled.

“Thank you, uhhhh..”

“Nelda. But most just call me the Matron. I run this place, and you look about as green as a greenhorn can be. Lost like a little bunny, bless your heart.”

Steven grimaced, and smiled apologetically while he took the key and the bar of soap off the bar top. He made his way to the door she indicated and inserted the key into the keyhole. The keyhole flashed, like a lightbulb flaring out, and the number 186,392 appeared above the doorknob.

The Matron had mentioned that rent was 200 mana, which didn’t seem like a lot since his weekly salary was 1000, if it ever decided to work. But if this was what 200 mana got you in Serenity Springs, he will indeed be a happy camper.

The room wasn’t huge, but it was more than large enough to fit what Steven guessed was a king sized bed with matching nightstand. A flat desk and chair sat beside the bed with ample floor space between the door and furnishings. One corner contained a small glass countertop.

Unexpectedly, there were no torches or lanterns. It seemed like the room was lit magically, much the same way the other buildings seemed.

Decorations were similar to the waystation lobby, just without the stuffed critters adorning the walls. He kinda wished there was a window, but with magical buildings he could understand why there wasn’t one.

There was another door he opened to find a bathroom that contained a very futuristic looking enclosed glass shower, a thankfully very normal looking toilet, and a double sink. There was a long mirror across the wall, and Steven saw himself for the first time since coming to the dungeon. He looked like hell.

He was covered in dirt and grime. Dried blood coated the chest of his shirt, which was torn in several places. He was honestly surprised it didn’t just fall off him. His pants and weird shoes were a little better off. The leather soled burlap shoes he had been reborn with were brown now, originally being the light tan color the rest of his outfit was supposed to be.

His hair was matted and dirty, and seemed to be much longer than he remembered. It had grown out to double its own length in the day or two since he had really died. The hair was slicked back with blood along his head and reached to his earlobes. Strangely, he didn’t notice any stubble along his jaw.

Leaving the bathroom he saw a small panel with a dial on the wall close to the room entrance, which he guessed was the light control. He stood in the middle of the room for several long minutes to take it all in. It was almost like he wasn’t even in an infinite dungeon afterlife.

He couldn’t wait to take a shower, and stripped off his clothes as he went back into the bathroom. It took a moment to figure out the shower controls, as he discovered he had to press a button that contained the range in which his endurance attribute fell. After that, he was able to turn the water control knobs. He made sure to turn off the hot water first when he was finished. The shower even had a drying feature.

He wanted to inspect the strange glass countertop tucked away in the corner, but passed right by and went straight to the bed.

He supposed the guild wasn't so bad, if this was the accommodations it offered. Never had he been on something so comfortable his whole death.