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  [Dungeon]

  I became aware of the adventurers when they stopped to get ready outside my entrance. They had walked up the mountain before circling around to come at me from the opposite side.

  As I observed them further, I noticed that the man from before had led them back to me. I was glad now to have let him go. Of course, I knew he wouldn’t disappoint. He was named Sigurd apparently, and the others that had followed him were called Jenna, Lorelei, Kael, Jackson and Sebastien.

  From what I could gather, it seemed that Sigurd was an outsider to the group, and since he had explored the dungeon previously (only a little though I thought to myself gleefully), he would be leading the group through the dungeon.

  Putting on a confident air he strolled into my dungeon only to immediately fall down my new stairs.

  I laughed hysterically at him as he did so. My initial change had been an immediate success, even if it was particularly unimportant in the long scheme, I thought it was one of my best moments as Sigurd tripped and fell down all the stairs in a confused cacophony of flailing limbs and grunts of pain.

  “I’m fine, fine!” he called out to the others, unworried, though blind and in potential danger. I saw smirks forming on most of their faces.

  “Stairs” he called out a moment later. “Watch out for the stairs” he added, cursing under his breath as he clambered to his feet.

  When the others got to the bottom he tried to explain himself, but he just ended up red and embarrassed.

  Shaking his head, Kael clapped him on the back.

  “Whatever you tell yourself son. Whatever you tell yourself” Kael said, trailing off.

  “Son!” Sigurd exclaimed indignantly. “I’m older than you!”

  “Doesn’t matter though. I’m not the one who fell down the stairs.”

  Sigurd sighed, shutting up wisely.

  Now that they were inside the dungeon, I could observe them properly. Outside of my mountain, things were blurry and unfocused, but here? My vision was crisp and sharp. With nary a thought I could see them properly.

  At the bottom of the stairs, they regrouped in a quick and organised manner. It spoke volumes of their professionalism and skill and even though there was no reasonable threat on the level, they hadn’t been sloppy.

  I was exceptionally pleased with the series of “wow’s” that resounded as they observed my caverns with wonder. From the luscious grasses, filled with deep greens and the trees with their elegant drooping branches to the abundance of small animals and life that filled the space with its unique atmosphere. They were stunned. It was jaw dropping if I do say so myself. I was glad they felt the awe that I was inspiring.

  Preening under their admiration I felt it was a shame that all too soon they got over the wonder and trance like state I had put them in and moved on.

  With the death of the mysterious man to my new dragon as well as the goblins, I had realised what a boon it was to me to kill. I had received enough mana to level up several times and almost fill my reserves, that was without mentioning the points, of which I would make good use.

  Although I certainly wouldn’t mind claiming the life of one or two of them, I wanted them to leave to bring more of their kind here. I was happy just observing them, it was entertaining enough seeing them stumble through the floors facing death at any point. If they brought more people, I would have a steady stream of entertainment – because digging stone out is certainly boring – but also deaths to fuel my growth.

  Since they were inside though, I wouldn’t be able to build behind them nor anywhere near in front of them.

  Testing it out, I noted that I could observe them just fine, but whenever I went to build or move anything on the floor they were currently on, a splitting headache prevented me from achieving anything, and as I moved away from them it faded into that God awful incessant pounding that made it much harder, but perhaps still possible. Several floors further down - beyond what had currently been explored - I found it far easier to build and at my current deepest point I could build with only a distant awareness of the adventurers in my mind, something that I guessed was to become my new normal once more people arrived.

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  As they progressed, they challenged anything and everything. From the trees to the rabbits and insects. They collected everything as well. All the various types of plant. All the dirt, rock and dust. All the carapaces from the insects and skins from the creatures. Absolutely everything was collected, examined, catalogued and then either stored and packed away or discarded as they marched onwards.

  As a result of their method, they took absolutely ages to get anywhere and by the time they made it to the second level, several hours had passed.

  Progressing onto the second floor, Sigurd was just as wary of the root stairs as he was the first time. Though I guess his experience with my stairs hasn’t been all positive I thought to myself, amusingly.

  Perhaps he thought that if I had already changed the entry, there was a good chance I was going to change this one. I wasn’t. But he couldn’t know that.

  The others were just as wary, but braver. Kael – the rogue – went first, jumping along with fleet-footed agility. Once he had made it, the others reluctantly stepped down as well, making their way to floor two.

  Emerging on the tree tops seemed to surprise them. I was almost certain Sigurd must have told them this would be the case, but nonetheless they seemed to find it surprising. Perhaps it was the fall that awaited them if somehow it collapsed that was the reason.

  As they descended the main tree they stopped at the branches to the sky paths.

  “Which way?” The soft voice of the healer, Jenna, asked.

  “I haven’t gone that way, I prefer the comfort of the ground.” Sigurd responded, chipping in.

  “Makes sense being a dwarf” Kael replied tongue in cheek.

  “Well, we have to catalogue the dungeon, so I imagine that we have to do both. Sigurd’s right though, the ground is far more appealing.” Seb said taking hold of the conversation before it could spiral out of control.

  “I don’t think I can fight on that” Jackson mumbled, eyeing up the path before looking back at his shield.

  “Come on bud, what’s the worst that could happen. So what if you fall and break your back? At least you’ve got some stories. That’s the most important thing, right? Nothing to worry about.”

  “Shut up Kael!” the nervous tank retorted, stress evident in his tone.

  The rogue just laughed harder at that.

  Sebastian seemed to let it go for a bit but hissed out “Zip it” at him after the laughing persisted.

  “Right, so Jackson can’t really fight up there. The armour, shield, and weapons will really hinder him and since it seems to be single file there’s no real point in taking him along.” Jackson nodded to that, signalling that he was fine with the plan and for Seb to continue, but Sigurd jumped in first.

  “I’ll keep him company then, I’ve not explored it, and the ground is where I belong. I won’t be much help anyway. Probably fall off and have you rescue me.” he said snorting at himself with a self-deprecating laugh.

  It took them but a few moments to decide that Lore should stay as well. Since it was single file and fire wasn’t the best choice in the tree tops, she wouldn’t be much help. Kael would lead with Seb and Jenny wobbling along after him.

  It took them the best part of an hour to explore the treetops. And a poor job they did of it too. Kael was the only one happy up in the sky path and as such they only went as far as to challenge some of my mobs and ascertain what it was like.

  Despite the rogue’s pleas to continue, Seb made them turn back as soon as he could. They hadn’t even managed to find any of the treasure chests.

  “Find anything” Lorelei queried once they returned.

  “Not much, no treasure at least”

  “It was further on I tell you. We should have stayed the path for a while longer. I’m sure we’d have found some treasure.” Kael interrupted.

  “Maybe so. But maybe the mobs are the prize here. We’ll have to take the snakeskin to an alchemist to find out. But I’d rather we came back and didn’t risk it. We’re paid enough as it is, let’s not fuck it up eh?”

  “Aye” he responded slightly subdued.

  They continued down the tree, taking the stairs two at a time, well, some of them did, Sigurd being little didn’t have the choice, but the tall Jackson and Sebastien settled into it naturally. At the bottom of the tree, they looked around briefly before setting off.

  It took them a while but eventually they managed to catalogue the whole level, though the secret cavern at the source of the stream evaded their penetrating gazes, much the same as the hawk nest on floor one had. No deaths for the water elementals today.

  The camp was of great interest to them, and they sketched out a small drawing of it. Though none of them were artsy enough to do a decent job of it. I couldn’t help but feel that had I been there, I would have done much better. But then again, I am much better.

  Eventually, they made it along the stream to the opening that led down to the swamp.

  As they peered over the waterfall, I once again listened in to their conversation.

  “It doesn’t seem safe, there must be another way down.” Jenna told the others, worried.

  “Look, it’s a soft landing and we’re adventurers. A little fall won’t hurt us, we’ll just get a little wet. Look, down there we won’t be able to stay dry even if there was another way down than jumping. It’s a swamp after all.” Sigurd replied, rebutting her gently.

  “Fine, but if this ruins my robe, you’ll owe me, little man” she said with a slight smile.

  “I think you mean that the dungeon owes you. But, if you truly believe that you would still have had fine robes by the end of the swamp, I will gladly pay for replacements fair lady” Sigurd responded with a smile.

  After a bit more back and forth they decided to just go for it. Finally!

  “On three! One, two, three!” they shouted together before jumping. They had all grasped each other’s hands and so when Jenna tried to abort at the last minute she was dragged over the edge with a high-pitched yelp. I laughed at that.

  A few seconds of free fall and a loud thump and splash later, they landed in a heap on the soft marsh. Somehow during the fall Jenna had managed to twist and position herself so that she landed on Kael. I laughed again.

  I liked this lot, despite their overly serious style and obnoxious talent they were fun. I wouldn’t be upset if they died here, but if I had a choice between them and another group, I would have chosen the other group. Certainly, I would miss the brief joviality that they brought with them.

  Regardless, for the time being they were still alive.

  Jenna stood with a sigh, and as she stood, she maliciously pressed the little man’s head into the muck just a bit as she climbed to her feet. A form of petty revenge, I’m sure.

  “Torture, torture!” he exclaimed laughing. “Sigurd, Sigurd. Help me!”

  “Sorry man, I might get her a bit muddy and then I’d have to pay for the robes, but I thank you for sparing my wallet by catching her fall.”

  As she clambered off him, he raised his head and sucked in a gasp of air. He glared in fake anger before climbing to his feet and running a hand through his wet hair and wiping his smiling face.

  Over to the left was a clear pool of water that he wandered over to and washed off his armour and head quickly. With another glare at Jenna, he re-joined the group on the left to guard that flank.

  “I’m gonna get you back little lady.” Kael whispered in her ear as he got into position. She just smiled innocently back.

  “Try me…”