Yes, the one I suspect was the final boss and wouldn’t descend until we had dealt with both the golem and the lich.
As soon as we step into the chamber, we proceed with extreme caution, keeping an eye on the floor, the walls, and the ceiling. Every step is accompanied by constant vigilance, mindful of the traps that could have been triggered by the recent battles.
The first thing that greets us is the massive statue of the golem, frozen in place with one arm raised to strike the wall. This was the exact moment it turned inert because I destroyed its core.
As we move further into the chamber, the destruction caused by the golem becomes increasingly evident. Its marks are everywhere: shattered columns, cracked walls, and the enormous hole it created to enter this room. Of course, I can’t overlook the remains of the scorpions, most of which were courtesy of the zombie bear and the seed of darkness.
Vincent doesn’t ask us to search this chamber—perhaps because of its enormous size or the enemy remains scattered throughout. Or, perhaps, because he’s unaware of the mother scorpion, he assumes there wasn’t a boss here and therefore doesn’t expect a treasure chest.
I, for one, don’t correct him. I think the two skeletons have scouted the area a bit, likely searching for the puppy. If they had found anything, Ronan would have told us.
Finally, we arrive at the enormous hole in the wall where the golem emerged, and we use it to enter the new room. It’s spacious, though far smaller than the scorpion’s chamber. It’s quite cluttered, with piles of rubble scattered everywhere. What catches my attention the most are the human-sized statues distributed throughout the room. They stand completely still, like forgotten guardians of this place.
Alistair, ever cautious, approaches one of the statues and, without hesitation, strikes its base with his mace. The statue shatters, scattering fragments of stone across the floor. We all step back slightly, anticipating a reaction, but nothing happens. They seem to be mere inert figures, though their presence remains unsettling.
Carefully, we continue exploring the room. The golem’s destruction is apparent: in the area near the wall it breached, almost everything is reduced to rubble. However, among the debris, we find another chest. Though less ornate than the previous one, it appears intact. We approach it cautiously, alert for any potential danger.
While Vincent and Ronan inspect the chest, the rest of us keep watch over the room, ensuring there are no hidden surprises. When Vincent finishes identifying the contents, he shares his findings with us. He explains that the golem’s core can be split into up to ten minor heart stone gems, each granting +2 HP.
- Fragmented golem core: Non-socketable crafting component.
- 4 health potions.
- Key to the dungeon’s second level.
- 3 stone tablets with summoning glyphs. Single use. No cost. Summons 7 mummy warriors.
- Rock-Crusher Mace: x2 damage against golems.
- 30 gold coins.
“Did I hear that right?” Alistair asks. “A key to the second level? There’s a second level?”
“That would be amazing!” Darius exclaims.
“Guys, we’re not high enough level for this,” Theodore interjects as the voice of reason, likely because, like me, he can already imagine the two redheads hyping each other up to plan an expedition next weekend. Or worse, to go in right now if we let them.
“Yeah, we’re not idiots,” Alistair replies.
Theodore raises an eyebrow but says nothing.
“We’ll save it for when we’re stronger,” the prince says, quickly pocketing the key. Just in case.
Then something occurs to me: the special loot for being the first to clear a dungeon. Sure, many people have come to this one, but not to the secret level. However, if there are more levels, I imagine that special reward is reserved for the first group to clear the entire dungeon.
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Of course, when we divide the loot, we need to make it clear that we will all use that key together. I, of course, want to go.
“Those tablets,” Mary asks thoughtfully, “do you need any particular affinity to use them or enhance the summons?”
“No, they’re single-use and will summon the same mummies regardless of whether a mage with high intelligence or a warrior with low intelligence uses them. They don’t teach you the summoning spell; they simply perform the summoning,” Vincent explains.
“I see…”
I’m glad she asked because it helps me understand the differences compared to the elemental affinity items from the previous chest.
“The life gems… one for each of us, right?” Darius asks.
“Of course, if you want them. But later. Come on, let’s grab everything and move on,” Vincent orders.
We get to work and, after a couple of minutes, voices echo from the hallway. They call out to us, insistent but friendly. We exchange glances, still on guard, before hurrying toward the source of the voices. Upon reaching the main hallway, we see a group of soldiers clad in the armor of the outpost near the dungeon. As soon as they spot Vincent, they greet him respectfully, bowing their heads slightly.
“Prince Vincent!” says one of the soldiers, a middle-aged man with a scar on his cheek. “We’ve come to assist you. We were attempting to break through the rock blocking the entrance when, suddenly, it opened on its own. We decided to come in and look for you.”
Some soldiers, curious, move past us and venture into the chamber where we fought the scorpions. Their exclamations of astonishment and confusion fill the air.
“By all the elements!” one of them exclaims, looking at the scattered remains. “I’ve explored this dungeon dozens of times, and I’ve never seen anything like this!”
“Or this chamber,” another adds, observing the size of the fallen columns and rubble. “This wasn’t here before. What the hell happened?”
As the soldiers murmur among themselves, Ronan approaches one of the scorpion corpses. With calm movements, he places a hand on its shattered carapace and begins channeling his magic. Dark energy emanates from him, enveloping the scorpion’s body. Suddenly, the creature partially rises, its legs moving awkwardly and unnaturally. The display causes several soldiers to instinctively step back.
“Relax,” Ronan says, releasing the scorpion immediately. The creature collapses again, lifeless.
Mary, still startled, approaches him.
“Why did you do that?” she asks with genuine curiosity.
Ronan looks at her with a small smile.
“I need to awaken it so that if I ever need its help, I can call it.”
Mary studies him intently. I watch them; it seems as though she’s once again seeing beyond Ronan’s dark magic and understanding something she’d previously ignored.
I discreetly step closer and place a hand on her arm. Ronan has already moved away, and Mary turns to me.
“I think I’ve been very unfair, you know?”
I don’t respond, simply looking at her kindly and offering my support.
“I had so many prejudices against him, fueled by rumors and my own insecurities. I… I realize they were unfounded. This boy has repeatedly shown that the only darkness he carries is the pain of his past. In different circumstances, who knows? Maybe he would have been a light mage, like me.”
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “Ronan knows how brave you are to see him objectively and let go of those prejudices and fears. But Mary… I think you’re wrong about one thing. There was darkness in Ronan as a child, or he wouldn’t have shown such a high affinity.”
As she opens her mouth to protest and defend him, I give her arm a reassuring pat and continue explaining.
“I don’t mean he was bad as a child, but that he had the potential for darkness. However, people who suffer the most are often the most empathetic and the ones who help others the most. I believe that confinement in a basement, in darkness, paradoxically gave him light. That he’s developed in a way that, even with dark magic, he doesn’t seek to harm anyone who doesn’t deserve it.”
“Then we have to protect him so no one else hurts him,” she replies decisively, with such fire in her eyes that I burst out laughing.
Ronan has found himself a great defender.
“Count me in,” I assure her, and we both fall silent, lost in our thoughts.
I’m still not entirely sure she doesn’t believe Ronan should have been born with light magic...
Ronan approaches us. He gives me a small nod and, noticing Mary’s introspection, smiles gently at her.
“They’re waiting for us,” he says, gesturing toward the rest of the group.
We return to the others. Darius watches us impatiently.
“Come on, hurry up! I want to get out of this dungeon as soon as possible,” he says, crossing his arms and glancing toward the exit.
One of the soldiers, the one with the scar, addresses us in a firm voice:
“The materials collected will be secured and your payment will be sent accordingly. Don’t worry; everything is under control.”
Well, that eases my worries about leaving a chest behind in the scorpion chamber. If they find it, they’ll bring it to us.
Vincent nods, grateful for the soldiers’ efficiency.
“And the guides?”
“They’re outside, waiting for you. We’ll escort you to the fortress,” one of the soldiers responds, pointing toward the hallway leading to the exit.
With one last glance at the chamber, we begin to move, leaving behind the dungeon that has tested us in so many ways.