15 The Hidden Dungeon
"What . . . what is that?" John uttered.
Seth couldn't provide an answer.
Before them, where solid rock formations should have been, stood a gate. It resembled a swirling vortex, an anomaly in the rocky terrain.
"It's a . . . Hidden Dungeon," Roger declared confidently and burst out laughing. "There's a hidden dungeon here."
"I don't understand. We've been here numerous times, and nothing like this has ever happened."
"Hidden dungeons are said to appear around the towers at random. They say whatever's inside contains rune stones and higher-level Divine Sparks."
"Rune stones?! Don't those grant you new abilities?"
"But aren't hidden dungeons dangerous? They said they have their own boss."
"Should we report this to the Association?"
"Idiot. And risk forfeiting all the treasures inside to them? Don't you know that most major guilds stumbled upon hidden dungeons, and look how far they have come now."
"But it could be dangerous. We could be trapped in there if we don't defeat the boss."
"The risk balances the rewards."
"What should we do?"
While the Ascendants were discussing their options, Seth observed the swirling hole intently. It seemed like a rift in space.
Could it be . . . because of the key? Seth pondered.
But why could the others see it too?
Wasn't he supposed to be the only one capable of accessing it?
Seth was baffled by this unexpected turn of events.
Or perhaps this was just a random portal, and this wasn't the hidden dungeon that the White Key could access?
As Seth contemplated, he took a step forward, and a notification popped up over his head.
[Do you want to open the Gate to Gallium Goo's Lair?]
Huh? Gallium . . . what?
|| W A R N I N G ! ||
Once you step inside, there's no turning back until you've vanquished the boss or clear the quest.
|| E N D ||
Seth hesitated, wanting to choose [NO], especially since he wasn't alone. But then he stopped himself.
What would happen if he selected [NO]? Would the White Key disappear because he rejected entering?
His options were limited, and he didn't know if this was a one-time opportunity or if the gate would remain forever.
Was there a time limit?
Would it disappear if he chose not to enter?
The lack of information was killing him!
"We will enter the dungeon," Roger announced confidently, breaking Seth's train of thought.
"Are you sure? What about the boss?"
"The boss is on the same level as the monsters here. It's common knowledge that wherever a hidden dungeon appears, the level of the boss is comparable to the level of the beasts in the area. So, we'll be fine," Roger assured the team.
"Well, that's good news."
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!"
All eyes went to Kith. He suddenly snapped, his frustration boiling over.
Seth couldn't blame him. He was tired, hungry, and sleepy, and now they were about to enter a hidden dungeon to fight a boss, risking their lives in the process.
Any human would be pushed to their limits.
"Hey, Kith," John attempted to calm him down, but Kith brushed his hand away.
"I'm tired of you Ascendants dragging us around like your slaves. We are not your slaves, and this isn't part of our contract!" Kith exclaimed, dropping his bags to the ground before turning around defiantly.
However, before Kith could take a single step, Selena's arrow struck him in the head.
Kith collapsed to the ground, a gaping hole in his skull where his brain matter spilled out from the force of the blow.
Shrieks and cries echoed through the walls, but everyone inside the dungeon treated it as if it were normal, paying no attention to the commotion.
John and the others stood rooted to the spot, trembling so intensely that blood drained from their faces.
"Does anyone else have thoughts of leaving?" Roger asked, breaking the tense silence.
The group remained quiet. They knew that one wrong move could spell their doom, and the ones who've done it wouldn't even be punish.
John realized that accepting a job from Roger's group was a colossal mistake from the start. However, he seized the opportunity because he desperately needed the money. Individuals like him, with limited options, could only resort to risking their lives to earn a living.
Now faced with death, he deeply regretted it.
"We don't want you dead," Roger announced. "After all, we still need you to carry our loots back home."
The Ascendants laughed.
"However, don't think that we wouldn't kill you if you push our buttons. So be good, obey your orders, and don't do anything stupid. In the end, you'll get your money."
John and the others didn't comment. Some of them took a peek at Kith's lifeless body and held back their puke.
Everyone fell silent, knowing that one wrong move could lead to disaster.
Seth took a deep breath, realizing that he could have probably saved Kith's life if he had wanted to. The arrow was so slow that he could have caught it with his hand.
But in the end, what would be the consequences of his actions? If the others found out his secret, would he have to eliminate them all?
He wasn't here to play hero. He was here to find some information on how to revive Michael, and he would sacrifice anyone and everything just to achieve his goal.
"Boss, we have a problem," one of the crew members interrupted.
"What is it?" Roger inquired.
"The gate is locked."
"What? How could it be locked?!"
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|| A/N ||
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