Chapter 33

“Should we challenge it now, or wait until the next delve?” Cora asked as she eyed a very familiar-looking entryway that marked the entrance to the floor’s new trial.

When reports that new floor challenges had appeared after the dungeon evolved, I didn’t think much of it. Trials were such a common part of the Realm Dungeon that it hadn’t struck me as peculiar at the time, even with the natives’ apparent surprise.

But seeing the familiar markings around the entryway made me realize there was something more going on. And when I took a closer look, that suspicion became a certainty.

“Don’t they move with each new instance?” Stephen asked. “I remember reading something about that.”

“That’s a good point. These are supposed to be good sources of essence, though they only provide a single reward at the end, no matter how many people enter together. What do you think, Emie?”

“I think we should rest for the night and challenge the trial when we’re fresh.”

It was a bit unfortunate that we’d encountered the trial on the last day we planned to spend in the dungeon, but now that I’d seen it, I definitely wanted to go inside.

“It’s a little weird that the dungeon marked it with an unfamiliar language,” Mike pointed out.

Our steadfast party leader had been carefully examining the trial entrance since we’d discovered it a few minutes earlier, and I was very curious how he would react to what I was about to share.

“It’s written in English. It’s my native language.”

Three sets of wide eyes turned in my direction.

“What does that mean?” Stephen asked. “Is the dungeon trying to reach out to you for some reason? We already know that you’re the Originator. Do you think there is something more to the title?”

“I have no idea,” I answered honestly. “It’s probably better that nobody else learn about the connection. I’ve already got enough eyes on me as it is.”

“It’s not just you,” Mike said. “I’ve noticed it as well. They are probably monitoring our progress. I expect we’ll be receiving multiple offers for employment once we leave the dungeon.”

We’d all been warned about the likely reaction to us reaching the first milestone. As Ascenders, we would each become a hot commodity.

Not only could partnering with us significantly reduce dungeon taxes for anything obtained from an Ascender Dungeon, but we were all usually capable of fighting well above our actual level, especially compared to natives with barely a fraction of our experience.

That wasn’t even taking into account my status as an Originator or a Space Magi.

The first was more of a bragging point than anything since the title didn’t actually convey any real benefits as far as I could tell. However, glancing at the elegantly carved cursive lettering on display, I wondered if that was actually true.

Clearly, I was connected to the dungeon more than I realized. Why else display something that only I would recognize? It was almost like the dungeon wanted me to recognize that there was something more going on.

The question was: What?

It was something I planned to ask Priest Zeth at the earliest opportunity.

“Well, if I needed any more motivation to stay in the dungeon for a few extra days, that would have done it,” Stephen muttered.

“Then we agree? We’ll take a break for now and start the trial after we’re all well rested?” Mike asked.

I liked that he didn’t just make a decision and force it on us. Though he was officially the party leader and often took charge, he was always considerate of everyone’s wishes.

Stepping through the arched entryway, our party was transported to a new location – one that I instantly recognized. Any doubt in my mind fled as I examined our new surroundings.

“What’s wrong?” Stephen asked, noticing my expression.

“This is exactly the same setting as the later wave trials in my old dungeon,” I answered. “Not similar. They are exactly the same. Even the pedestal with the crystal is the same. It’s like the dungeon copied it right out of my memories.”

“Well, you are the dungeon’s Originator,” Mike interjected. “Perhaps your affinities weren’t the only things used to shape the dungeon’s evolution.”

A familiar notification appeared, outlining the parameters of the trial. Skimming it, I saw that even the rules hadn’t changed, aside from the caveat about death within trials not being permanent. Since there was nothing in the notification making such a claim, I could only assume that death in these trials would be permanent.

“That has some pretty hefty implications,” Stephen said. “Do you think we’ll see things from our own pasts as we delve deeper?”

“Perhaps,” Mike said noncommittally.

“The first wave is about to start,” Cora warned us. “It looks like a group of little bipedal monsters.”

“Goblins,” I said as I shook my head. I wasn’t even surprised anymore.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Whatever they’re called, they are pretty ugly,” Cora said, making a face. “Do they have any special attacks?”

“Probably not at the start. They’ll likely get more competent as we progress. If you see one with a staff, you should target it first since it probably has access to magic.”

Our conversation was cut short by the attacking goblins. There were four of them – one for each of us. While they were all nominally first evolution creatures, they were far weaker than the beasts serving as the mobs for the rest of the floor.

“Other than appearance, they remind me of horkins,” Stephen said several waves later.

By this point, the goblins had grown stronger, and shamans had started appearing. There were also a few other varieties mixed in as well, though the bulk of the waves were still the weaker, basic goblins.

“What do horkins look like?” I asked as I watched the defeated mobs disappear without leaving any loot behind.

“They are about the same size, but have four arms and patchy fur, making them look mangy and diseased. They also have large, bat-like ears and fangs like a serpent, which they try very hard to sink into anything they see as prey.”

“Sounds pretty nasty.”

“They would be if they weren’t so weak. They are mostly swarm monsters, though they occasionally could be found in smaller groups if the main swarm grew too large. They never fought with weapons, though, so I guess that’s another difference.”

“How far are we planning to push this?” Cora asked, walking over to us with Mike. “I say we go until things start getting too difficult. If we start taking injuries or it seems like we’ve hit our limit, we use the crystal to quit.”