A medium-scale dungeon, huh? I forgot about that detail.
"We're allowed to enter with ten men?" Forlune questioned, an eyebrow raised in surprise as he stared at the unseen screen. "Should we return to the village and gather more people?"
"Yes, that would be prudent," Thorian agreed, nodding. "We could also bring our direwolves. They'd surely appreciate the extra experience points."
“Tami would love that,” Ventus said, a grin spreading across his face. “She was so upset when I told her to stay back at the village.”
"Tami?" Saxum questioned, an eyebrow raised in confusion. "Who's that?"
"That's the name of my direwolf," Ventus clarified. "And what about you? What name did you give to your direwolf?"
Saxum shifted his gaze away from Ventus, "I didn’t realize we were supposed to name them."
“You’re a heartless one, aren’t you?” Ventus admonished, shaking his head in disbelief. “How can your direwolf be your companion without you naming them? That is basic courtesy.”
“What courtesy you’re talking about?” Saxum retorted, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "And you certainly talk a lot for someone who didn't even have a name until two days ago."
Overlooking the brewing argument between the two, Thorian decided to take command, “Let’s go back to the Village. We don’t have time to waste.”
And so, Thorian and his team retraced their steps back to the village, eager to reunite with their direwolf allies. Harald, upon hearing their intent to venture into a dungeon, wore a grin that was impossible to miss. Even though he didn't voice it, his excitement was palpable.
The five additional members recruited into the team were all from the original tribe. Caedar, Crimen, and Bellafor proudly joined their leader, Forlune. Ifrit was equally eager about the prospect of conquering a new dungeon. The last to join them was Mysta, the priest from Forlune's group who had taken care of Caedar after his arm was lost.
Ifrit's presence felt like a louder, more intense version of Nox. Her competitive streak clashed instantly with Ventus, as they started placing bets and engaging in trivial competitions. Their direwolf companions, Tami and Fang, were left dealing with their owners' combative spirits as they raced tirelessly from the outer village wall to the cave entrance.
Thorian didn't take part in their antics, instead opting to guide Forlune's old squad who were less familiar with this part of the forest. He led them slowly, carefully towards the cave.
Close to their destination, Thorian attempted to strike up a conversation with the typically silent Harald. "How's your son faring? Is his recovery going well?"
"He's hunting proficiently now," Harald replied. "However, he hasn't yet found a suitable companion. It's a shame, as I had hoped he'd experience the wonder of these dungeons."
Thorian absorbed Harald's words before responding with a nod. "That is unfortunate. However, we shouldn't rush him. He'll find a companion soon enough, particularly as our numbers continue to grow."
"Are you planning to expand even more?" Harald questioned, a flicker of curiosity apparent in his tone.
"To ensure the village's continued growth, expansion is necessary," Thorian clarified. "If the opportunity arises, I intend to welcome more kobolds and kobloids. However, the most likely group to integrate seems to be the goblins, surprisingly."
"Goblins?" Harald questioned, a curious eyebrow raised. "How so?"
Upon the Direwolf King's inquiry, Thorian elaborated on Brix's plan. The goblin's proposal had been percolating in his mind for a while now, and it had gradually become clear to Thorian that it offered the most straightforward path to enlarging Wolvendale Village. Moreover, it would pave the way for various species to join his burgeoning kingdom, positioning him uniquely as the potential ruler of monsters.
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Having completed his explanation, the group finally arrived at the cave entrance. There, they found the two magi arguing fiercely, their direwolves panting heavily from the grueling race that Ventus and Ifrit had instigated.
"My boys really got pushed to their limits," Harald telepathically commented. "Yet, for two proud direwolves to be exhausted after such a basic race, it's quite the embarrassment."
"They have given it their all. There's no shame in that." Thorian chuckled, hopping down from Harald's back and approaching the two debating magi.
“You really have a knack for cheating, wind boy,” Ifrit accused, clicking her tongue in irritation.
Ventus, in response, simply shook his head. “Using your abilities to your advantage isn’t cheating; it’s called being smart!”
“Being smart?” Ifrit scoffed, tilting her head to one side. “I really should have blasted you with my magma skill. That would have been a great use of my abilities to my advantage.”
“You should have done so,” Ventus shrugged nonchalantly, "but I doubt you would've hit me."
Observing Ventus's smug expression, Ifrit clenched her fists and marched towards him, ready to pick a fight. "You insufferable little-"
"Enough," Thorian interjected just in time. He turned to Ventus and admonished, "Quit antagonizing your teammate before a dungeon delve. It helps no one."
With a mischievous yet apologetic expression, Ventus stuck out his tongue. “Sorry about that, King. I’ll tone it down.”
Satisfied with the response, Thorian nodded and then turned his attention to Ifrit. The magma girl was still glaring fiercely at the yellow kobold.
"Don't let his words ruffle you," Thorian advised Ifrit. "If such provocations unsettle you, adversaries will exploit this weakness. Maintaining composure is crucial."
"I'm sorry, King. I understand," Ifrit responded, casting her gaze downward. Her clenched fist, however, still bore testament to her simmering irritation. Thorian chose not to comment further; magi with a high affinity for fire were innately passionate beings. He himself had spent years refining his impulsive nature to become a suitable leader for his people. However, he knew this was merely a veneer, and his true fiery disposition could surface at any moment.
"Healthy competition never hurt anyone," Caedar chimed in, striding over to the duo with a hearty laugh. He placed a hand on Ifrit's shoulder, suggesting, "Why not turn this into a contest? The one who slays the most monsters gets first dibs on the rewards."
A moment of silence followed, before Forlune pointed out, "Caedar, that's not your decision to make. The King should decide the distribution of items."
"No, I appreciate the suggestion," Thorian interjected. "Let's make it a contest for everyone. The one with the highest monster kill count gets first pick. The Elite Monster counts for ten kills, and the dungeon guardian, twenty. Harald, you keep count."
Thorian's decree was met with surprised expressions, before Forlune erupted into laughter. "You heard the King! But don't get your hopes up; I'll be the one racking up the kills."
"You're delusional, Forlune," Saxum shot back. "Just because I haven't displayed all my skills, don't count me out."
"Will you be partaking in this contest as well, my King?" Aqua inquired apprehensively.
Thorian shook his head in negation. "No, I will not participate."
Hearing his answer, Aqua's lips curled into a triumphant smile. "In that case, there's no other competitor I need to fear."
"Everyone's really fired up," Bellafor remarked, cracking his knuckles with a grin. "I like it."
"Your kind find motivation in the strangest things," Harald commented, approaching Thorian. "Though if it's a competition, I won't back down. I rather enjoy toying with young cubs trying to make their first kills."
Thorian nearly laughed at Harald's veiled request. Not wishing to damage his new friend's pride, Thorian played along. "I'm sure if you and the direwolves join in, the others will only get more competitive."
Harald didn't reply, but his wide grin told Thorian all he needed to know. Playfully rolling his eyes, Thorian led the group into the cave, each of them mounted on their direwolves.
Just as they had done in the Verdant Labyrinth, everyone held hands with one another to be registered as part of the same 'party.' Then, Thorian selected the first layer difficulty.
The gemstone emitted a blinding blue light accompanied by a thunderous roar that threatened to deafen Thorian's group. Everyone instinctively closed their eyes to shield them from the bright light, and a gust of wind indicated a drastic change in their surroundings.
When the echoes of the thunderclap faded, Thorian's group found themselves on a broad, stark platform. The crisp forest air was replaced by the electrified, tangy atmosphere of a brewing storm. Overhead, tumultuous storm clouds billowed ominously, casting an eerie flickering light over the landscape.
In front of them, a massive fortress towered. Constructed from a dark, blueish stone that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, its towers defiantly pierced the chaotic storm above. The entire structure throbbed with raw power as arcs of lightning traced across its surface, highlighting the intricate carvings etched into the walls.
"No matter how many times we do this, it never ceases to amaze me," Harald noted. "To think such worlds exist, and we can access them so readily."
Observing Harald marvel at the dungeon's existence brought a smile to Thorian's face. He remembered his own disbelief when he had first stepped into a dungeon ten years prior. However, having now acclimated to the rules of this new world, he could only look upon his friend's astonishment with a sense of nostalgia, unable to share in the same sense of wonder.
“This is crazy!” Ventus's exclamation drew Thorian's attention. The young kobold was perched on the platform's edge, peering down at the view below. From a distance, Thorian could make out a sea of clouds blanketing the horizon.
"We're on a floating island!" Ventus exclaimed.