“ Welcome to the level thirty gate dungeon, this is the earliest known dungeon to multi-spec in two elements instead of just one, and it is a doozy. The Echo Caverns is a darkness and sound element dungeon. That means you will not be able to use your sight or hearing in this dungeon. I know we have covered these previously individually, but together...”

  Lisa then turned to the mana constructs that are nearby.

  “ I will be honest with you, Jeff, you are the weak link here. That is why I will be sticking close to you the entire run. That means I will be fighting as well.”

  Jeff nods at this as they enter the dungeon, Lisa first, then her summons, then his, and finally himself. When he blinked to reorient himself to the sudden change in scenery, he found a simple audience chamber lit by simple braziers that led into a dark tunnel. He knew from experience that this room was a safe room, but it still made him nervous every time entering a dungeon.

  “ All right, standard formation, with my night vision and the summons mana vision, we will keep you in the guard position while we do everything. Nice and slow, I will abort this run the moment I sense you are in danger. This is not like the other dungeons, this place is one hundred percent a deathtrap. The only reason why it has not been deemed too dangerous is that it gives equally rewarding loot. Still, only fools let their guard down in here. We will be acting like anything and everything is out to kill you once we leave the light. And only stop to rest when we find one of the dungeons' safe zones lit up like this room. I do not care if it takes days to find one.”

  Lisa then draws her daggers, something she had never done in a dungeon before unless it was to save Jeff’s life. This told him how serious this dungeon was compared to others.

  “ Jeff, I want you to set your summons to telepathic commands only. I have already done so to mine. The dungeon will try to trick your summons to attack us this way.”

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  Jeff briefly nods, having already done so before entering the dungeon, double-checking just to be sure. He then checked his own gear one more time, making sure his legging was stuffed into his boots tightly and adjusted his armored cod piece to be slightly more comfortable. An addition he had made in lieu of all the attempts at his privates from all the dungeons he has been in. Since they have been targeted by more than half the dungeons they have been in so far. He next checked his ward amulet under his shirt and coat sleeves to make sure they were fastened as well. It did not take long before all their checks were done, and all they had left to do was walk into the darkness.

  It was not ten steps before Jeff heard the first signs of combat, but said nothing, knowing he was as blind as a bat and any sound he made would be warped and twisted by the dungeon.

  -----

  Sarsa jolted up to a sitting position and stretched both her arms and wings wide. This was not her first blood moon slumber, and hopefully, it will not be her last. What caught her attention as she opened her eyes was not the sight of the carriage they were in, nor the sound of a hammer working metal, but the scent of freshly baked sausages on a plate beside her bed. A plate that was quickly cleaned of them by her hunger, and the pitcher of water next to it just as quickly.

  “ Better?”

  She nods happily before looking at her mate's current project, reinforcements for boots so they can be driven into hard stone to secure footing while climbing.

  “ We are not at the Echo Cavern already, are we?”

  Joshua nods to this as he bends the metal to fit the shape of a boot better.

  “ Oh, we are further along than I thought. How long was I out?”

  “ Three weeks.”

  Sarsa blinked, surprised at this. She knew her level had not changed much since her last hibernation, so that was not the reason for her extended sleep. She then looked down at her belly and saw a small bump starting to form there.

  “ You know, don’t you?”

  “ That you are pregnant? I would have liked to have known earlier, but I was not even sure you knew.”

  Sarsa nods at this.

  “ For a few weeks before my slumber. Are you mad that I didn’t tell you?”

  Joshua shakes his head as the biggest grin forms on his face.

  “ No, it just means there is more to love.”

  Sarsa could not help but blink at this, finding no lie in his words. It could not make her any happier knowing this.