Content warning: Gore
How did this happen?
The surroundings were filled with blood and sinewy bits of flesh. In front, a horrific centipede with the face of deformed man swallowed the last bits of what used to be a level 3 player.
Its grotesque face had strands of hair falling over it with coagulating and fresh blood sticking them together. It smiled, rows upon rows of teeth showcasing the remains of humans.
Go Hyun-jin felt like puking. This…this wasn't a [level 4 Dungeon].
This was…in the territory of a level 6.
If this continues…a true monster would be unleashed and wreak havoc.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a loud thud. The monster locked eyes with him, faded white against terrified black. "Fuck.." his voice cracked. He was screwed.
The main attackers were farther up ahead. "Jae-won.." he muttered.
Damn, was he really gonna die? He expected to die at some point in the future, but now? Man…that sucks.
He closed his eyes, preparing for the inevitable. The giant centipede silently slinked towards him, opening its maw wide. A hint of intelligence flashed in its eyes as it stopped itself.
That moment of hesitation was enough as a shadowed figure darted in to interfere. The last thing Hyun-jin felt was being tugged in one direction before losing consciousness from how harsh it was, his head snapping forward.
…
(30 minutes before)
The group of raiders finally made it to the gate, the portal that leads into a [Dungeon].
"I'm going to be with the frontline attackers as support. You just gotta make sure not to get separated from your group, understand?"
Hyun-jin groaned. "Whatever mom."
"Hey." Jae-won's cold voice made him shut up. The older man sighed deeply. "Sorry..I'm just worried, y'know?" Hyun-jin nodded. "I know.."
Changing the mood a bit, Jae-won wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Well, maybe you'll get lucky. Who knows, maybe you'll find a great treasure like that one American player!"
"Yeah, in my dreams," he scoffed, smiling.
The duo separated soon after the exchange, entering the [Dungeon].
…
(Present)
Kim Hyeonmu was starting to get nervous. He walked faster to catch up with the Aegis guildmaster.
"Lady Yoo-bin," he began, fingers twitching, calm fading.
Min Yoo-bin gave him a look, brows raised as she kept her guard up. "What is it?"
"The dungeon..something is strange. This isn't what it looked like before." The older woman didn't stop moving, but the words made her hesitate on her next step.
"I don't understand. Are you trying to say the interior of the dungeon is different?" She asked. Hyeonmu held his ringed staff tightly.
"Yes. The creatures seem to be the same, but the interior…it feels as if it were restructured in a way for invaders…" he paused as Yoo-bin held up her hand to halt.
Everyone stopped. She held up her index and thumb, indicating everyone to get into a fighting formation. "We can finish this discussion later. Right now…we'll all be a little too busy."
They had walked into a room full of giant, cavernous holes, enough to give someone the creeps.
Eyes that almost seemed to glow in the darkness opened to stare at them all.
Jae-won, who was in the middle, went into a martial arts stance. His anxiety sky-rocketed. The situation wasn't looking very promising.
"Hyun-jin…" he murmured. Was he okay? He hoped so…he had to be.
…
Hyun-jin meanwhile, stirred awake. "Ugh.." he groaned, rubbing his neck. He felt groggy, like he had drunk all night and went to bed on the wrong side.
"Where am.." he stopped speaking, remembering what happened. He turned over, holding his mouth as he dry heaved.
The moment he calmed down, he began to wonder how he ended up…wherever he was. It still seemed to be inside the [Dungeon], yet there wasn't a single centipede in sight.
Then he noticed it. Glowing red eyes in the darkness. He froze in fear, just like what happened earlier.
Something did confuse him though. Did any of the centipedes have red eyes?
Dami soon walked out of the shadows, realizing her [Stealth] had been seen through.
Hyun-jin stood up slowly, backing away with every step forward she took. Noticing this, she stopped and sat down, just staring.
This human piqued her interest. Her master was currently preparing back home to conquer this place and told her to wait patiently, but she couldn't hold back.
This interest was solidified when he saw through her [Stealth] skill.
But in Hyun-jin's perspective, this monster was the strange one. 'Why isn't it attacking? Could it be taunting me!?' Maybe it was playing with its food!
He closed his eyes, not wanting to watch as the monster pounced on him and began to chew his untasty flesh.
Dami continued to stare without a twitch in her muscle, then she growled.
'Here it is..!' Hyun-jin readied himself, but the hound continued to growl. When he looked up, she was staring at the opening to the small room they found themselves in.
Through it, a large pair of milky white eyes was staring at them. He sucked in a breath, shaking uncontrollably.
It found him. Even if this dog didn't kill him, that even more terrifying monster would.
"Dami..take him and go."
Eun-ho shared his desire with her through the inexplicable link between their consciousness.
He was ready.
A loud roar echoed through the chamber as the centipede suddenly jerked back from the opening, giving Dami time to escape with the human hanging from her maw.
The moment they left the small room, Hyun-jin witnessed a bizarre sight. Monsters that didn't seem native to the [Dungeon] were attacking the giant human faced centipede…
And they were overwhelming it with sheer numbers.
Usually, when it comes to someone of a higher level, it doesn't matter what species, most wouldn't be able to defeat them if they are lower in level.
Even more so if they were several levels lower…
But what if…it came down to skill? Then even someone a level below could defeat them. Yet that still wouldn't be enough. Pair that with items, potions, versatility…luck.
Eun-ho did everything he could to prepare. He was definitely not as strong, but he had intelligence, a bigger starting advantage, and items from his facilities.
….and maybe just a little bit of luck along with quite a few minions.
Even if humans had quantity on their side, they didn't exactly have a lot in quality.
Getting his soldiers to fight against several centipedes earlier allowed them to gain exp and break through. Now, including Dami who was nearing level 5, he had 4 level 4 summons of each unit besides trappers.
The difference was subtle, but this made things easier.
It was time to conquer.
To be continued…
Additional Information:
>[Dungeon Masters] are the source of power, the [Dungeon] itself. Wherever they go, their minions will follow.