The Legendary Dungeon Master

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Party

The forest was silent. Arin walked between the trees with a sword at his belt. He needed to find ten Moonleaf Herbs. The first he found grew near a large tree.

The second, he found nearby. Arin continued to search for the herbs. After about an hour, he found nine of them. ”One more,” he muttered.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the bushes. Arin stopped and pulled out his sword. Something was coming toward him. A goblin jumped out of the bushes. It had a small knife and was right behind him. Arin pulled out his sword.

”CLANG!”

The goblin’s knife hit Arin’s sword. He pushed the goblin away. The creature jumped back at him. Arin sidestepped the attack. His sword went across the goblin’s chest. The monster fell.

[Monster Defeated.]

[Experience Gained.]

Arin glanced at the message before closing it. He heard something behind him. He turned around.

Two goblins were walking toward him. ”Of course,” Arin muttered. The first goblin charged at him.

Arin blocked the attack. The second goblin came around behind him. Arin kicked the first goblin in the chest. He turned around and stabbed the second goblin.

The monster fell. The first goblin ran at him again. Arin moved to the side. The goblin missed. He turned around and stabbed the creature in the back. The goblin fell.

[Monster Defeated.]

[Experience Gained.]

Arin felt warmth going through his body. Another message appeared.

[Level Up!]

[Level: 4]

Arin smiled. ”Level four.” He picked up the last Moonleaf Herb. His mission was complete.

______

Arin returned to the village before sunset. The Adventurer’s Guild was still busy. He gave the receptionist the Moonleaf Herbs.

She counted them. ”Ten Moonleaf Herbs.” She smiled. ”Good job. Here are your payment.” Arin took the five silver coins from her. ”Thank you,” he said.

The receptionist looked at him. ”You came at the right time. A party needs another member.”

Arin was interested. ”A party?”

”They want to enter the dungeon.”

Arin smiled. The receptionist gestured toward a table. Four young adventurers were sitting there. Two boys and two girls. They were around the same age as him.

The receptionist called them. ”Rayan!” One of the boys looked up. ”I found your fifth member.” The four adventurers stood and walked over. Rayan looked at Arin.

”You’re Arin?” ”Yes,” he replied. ”I’m Rayan.” He gestured toward the others. ”This is Dev.” A boy with a shield nodded. ”Nisha.” A girl with a staff smiled. ”And Tara.” The other girl waved. ”Nice to meet you.” Arin nodded. ”Nice to meet you, too.” Rayan smiled.

”We need one more adventurer.” ”For the dungeon?” ”Yes.” ”Which floor?” ”The first.” Arin thought for a moment.

”What’s the plan?” Arin asked. ”We won’t go deep.” Rayan gestured toward the dungeon. ”The first floor is easy for beginners.”

Dev nodded. ”We just want to gain some experience.” Nisha smiled. ”And find some magic stones.” Tara laughed. ”Maybe we’ll find something valuable.” Arin nodded.

”Okay. I’ll join you.” Rayan smiled. ”Great.” The receptionist looked relieved. ”Then it’s settled.” Arin looked toward the Guild entrance. Mira wasn’t there. She had stayed home. She had warned him not to gointo a dungeon, but Arin had decided to go. He would tell her about the party when he returned.

______

The next morning, Arin met the party outside the dungeon. A large stone doorway was between two cliffs. The opening was dark.

Rayan looked at everyone. ”Ready?” Dev raised his shield. ”Ready.” Nisha gripped her staff. ”Yes.” Tara checked her bow. ”Let’s go.” Arin nodded.

The five of them entered the dungeon. The first floor was dark. Blue magic crystals grew from the walls. They fought through groups of goblins. Then, they battled wolves.

It wasn’t hard. The party worked well together. Rayan was at the front. Dev blocked attacks with his shield. Nisha cast spells from behind. Tara shot at the enemies. Arin stayed at the back. He watched. He learned. And he fought when something came to the back.

After a while, Rayan stopped. ”We’ve gone far enough.” Dev nodded. ”Should we return?” Rayan looked ahead. ”Just a little farther.” Arin frowned. ”You said we wouldn’t go deep.” ”We won’t.” Rayan smiled. ”This is still the first floor.”

Arin looked around. The tunnel had gotten wider. The air was heavier. Something was wrong. But Arin followed them. They entered a large chamber. Everyone stopped. A deep sound came from the darkness.

BOOM.

The ground shook.

Another step.

BOOM.

Tara’s face turned white. ”What was that?”

A giant figure walked out of the darkness. It was more than two meters tall. It had a muscular body covered in brown fur. A bull’s head was on its shoulders. The creature had a massive axe in its hands. Arin’s eyes widened. ”Minotaur.”

Rayan’s face turned pale. ”That’s impossible.” Dev raised his shield. ”Minotaurs don’t appear on first floor.”

The monster roared.

ROAAAAAR!

The chamber shook. Then, it charged.

”Run!” Arin shouted.

The Minotaur’s axe smashed the ground.

BOOM!

Everyone scattered. Rayan attacked. His sword hit the Minotaur’s side.

CLANG!

The blade bounced off. ”What?!” The Minotaur punched Rayan in the chest. He flew backward. ”Rayan!” Dev ran over. He raised his shield. The Minotaur’s axe came down.

BOOM!

Dev was thrown across the room. Nisha raised her staff. ”Fireball!” A ball of fire hit the Minotaur. Smoke filled the room. Tara shot several arrows. The smoke cleared. The Minotaur was still standing. It wasn’t hurt at all. Nisha’s face turned white. ”Run!”

The Minotaur charged. The party tried to run away. But they were hurt. Rayan could barely stand. Dev’s shield was broken. Nisha’s magic was weak. Tara’s arm was bleeding. Arin looked at them. Then, he looked at the Minotaur. He knew what he had to do. If they all ran, the Minotaur would catch them. Someone had to stay behind. ”Go!” Rayan looked at him. ”What?”

”Get out!” ”We can’t leave you!”You’re all injured!” Arin stepped forward. ”I’ll hold it back.” Tara shook her head. ”You’ll die!” ”Maybe.” Arin raised his sword. ”But if all five of us stay here, we definitely will.” Rayan clenched his teeth. Arin shouted.

”GO!” The four adventurers finally ran. The Minotaur turned toward them. Arin moved in front of it. ”Hey!” The creature looked at him. Arin attacked. His sword hit the Minotaur’s leg. Nothing happened.

The Minotaur swung its axe. Arin jumped back. The weapon smashed into the wall. Stone broke away. Arin’s eyes widened. ”That much power?” The Minotaur attacked again. Arin dodged. The axe hit another part of the wall.

BOOM!

The dungeon shook. Cracks appeared in the stone. Arin looked around. ”Wait...” The Minotaur raised its axe again. Arin realized what it was doing. ”Don’t!”

BOOM!

The wall collapsed. The ground beneath Arin cracked. He fell. ”AH!” Arin fell to the ground. The broken wall was still falling. He heard Rayan’s distant voice. Then, the floor completely gave way. Arin fell deeper and deeper. His body hit the side of the dungeon. He tried to grab something.

Nothing.

He continued to fall. Until he hit the ground again.

BOOM!

Arin opened his eyes. He tried to move. Everything hurt. ”Ugh...” Arin looked around. The room was dark. The entrance above him was gone. He was trapped. And this wasn’t the first floor. Arin looked into the darkness ahead.

A strange feeling came over him. He was alone. Deep inside the dungeon. Then, the System appeared. A red window floated in front of his eyes.

[WARNING.]

[Host condition: Critical.]

[Severe injuries detected.]

Arin’s eyes widened. Another message appeared.

[Emergency Recovery Initiated.]

Arin tried to stay awake. But his vision was fading. His breathing was weak. Then, the final message appeared.

[Beginning emergency treatment.]