Chapter 406: The Dreamgrave Dungeon
Adam blinked, his brow furrowing with curiosity. "Dungeon? There’s a dungeon here?"
Selena nodded, a faint smile curving her lips. "There used to be a high-level dungeon here. It was a major attraction for adventurers—a place where they could test their strength and claim rare treasures. But then, something happened. The dungeon became more aggressive and unstable. We were forced to seal it off to prevent it from consuming the city."
Isolde’s eyes widened with recognition.
"You mean the Dreamgrave Dungeon?"
Selena’s smile widened, her amber eyes gleaming with approval. "Exactly. The Dreamgrave. With the city’s destruction, the seal was damaged. We don’t know how much longer it will hold. I need you to clear out the monsters inside before it becomes a threat to what’s left of Myrta."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle over the group. "It would be mutually beneficial. You get to loot whatever treasures the dungeon holds, and I get to ensure the city isn’t overrun by monsters."
Alice’s dark violet eyes lit up with interest. Her tail swayed behind her with eager anticipation. "A dungeon? That sounds promising. There might be artifacts worth taking."
Lilith’s crimson eyes gleamed with a flicker of amusement. Her voice carried a smooth, thoughtful edge.
"It wouldn’t be a bad idea to warm up before facing a Sword Saint. A dungeon crawl would give us a chance to test our new abilities and gather some useful resources."
Adam’s gaze shifted to Isolde, his voice carrying a note of quiet consideration. "Isolde. Would you be alright with this?"
Isolde’s eyes met his, steady and unyielding. Her voice was calm, but carried an edge of cold resolve.
"I’m fine with it. As long as our ultimate goal remains the same—to behead that Sword Saint."
Adam nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Then it’s settled. We’ll clear the dungeon first." He turned back to Selena. "Do you know where the entrance is?"
Selena’s lips curved into a knowing smile as she folded her hands before her.
"The dungeon is located beneath the western part of the city, near the old city center. I’ll instruct one of my subordinates to guide you there." Her amber eyes swept over the group, a flicker of approval passing through them. "You can enter as soon as you arrive—there’s no need to wait for permission."
Ignis’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"It’s been so long since we’ve been in a dungeon! Do you think there might be a dragon inside?!"
Adam’s lips curved into a faint, amused smile. "If there is, that would be quite an epic fight."
The group rose from their seats, the wooden chairs scraping against the floor as they prepared to leave. Adam paused, reaching into his coat and pulling out a small vial filled with a deep crimson liquid. He held it out to Selena.
Selena blinked, her amber eyes narrowing with curiosity. "What is this?"
Adam’s voice was calm. "It’s a potion. It can heal your hand. Consider it a peace offering—I still feel responsible for what happened. Take it."
Selena’s eyes widened. For a moment, she simply stared at the vial, her expression caught between surprise and disbelief. Her fingers closed around it, and she studied the liquid inside with a mixture of awe and guarded hesitation.
"I’ve never held a potion of this caliber before," she admitted quietly, her voice carrying a note of genuine wonder. "One that can regrow a limb... it’s rare. I might not even drink it—it feels like a waste."
Adam shrugged, his voice carrying a note of casual dismissal. "It’s yours now. Do whatever you want with it. Consider us even."
Selena’s lips curved into a small, sincere smile. "Thank you."
Adam nodded and turned, leading the group out of the room. Their footsteps echoed down the staircase as they descended toward the ground floor.
Alice’s voice came from behind him, low and pointed. "Why did you give her Ouroboros blood? That’s incredibly valuable."
Adam’s voice was light, unbothered. "It’s fine. I only gave her a little. It’ll be enough to heal her hand."
Azrynn’s voice carried a note of thoughtful caution. "That woman seems to know exactly what we need and how to use it to her advantage. She’s clever."
Adam’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Let her be clever. As long as it benefits us, I don’t mind. And if she tries anything..." His crimson eyes glinted with cold amusement. "We can always kill her."
Isolde’s voice was calm, carrying a note of quiet certainty. "She won’t try anything. She knows what happens when you provoke a dragon."
The heavy wooden door groaned as it swung open, revealing the sunlit streets of Myrta. The group stepped out, the morning light casting long shadows across the cobblestones as they made their way toward the western district.
Azrynn’s voice carried a note of unease, her yellow eyes darting to the side as they passed a group of workers who stopped to stare.
"Since yesterday, I’ve noticed the humans looking at me strangely. It’s... unsettling."
Lilith’s voice drifted over, smooth and dismissive, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Of course they’re staring. They’ve probably never seen an elf like you before. You’ll get used to it eventually. Just think of them as insects."
Azrynn’s brow furrowed slightly. Her voice carried a note of reluctant acceptance.
"...I suppose that’s one way to look at it."
Adam shot Lilith a flat, pointed look.
"Don’t listen to her, Azrynn. That’s terrible advice."
Alice’s dark violet eyes shifted to Isolde, her voice carrying a note of curious skepticism.
"This dungeon... does it actually live up to its reputation?"
Isolde’s eyes met hers, her voice calm and measured.
"Dreamgrave was once a widely discussed dungeon among adventurers. It was known for its powerful monsters and the hidden treasures buried within its depths. Many entered hoping to become rich and strong, but the high-level monsters claimed countless lives. That’s why it was named Dreamgrave—a graveyard for those who dared to dream."
Adam’s lips curved into a faint, intrigued smile. His voice carried a note of genuine curiosity.
"Hmm. Sounds dangerous. Now I’m even more interested."
A familiar, excited spark ignited in Ignis’s golden eyes.
"This is going to be so much fun!"
They arrived at a temple-like structure, its entrance marked by a massive stone door carved with ancient symbols that glowed with a dim, amber light. The symbols flickered erratically, some already dimmed or cracked from the city’s destruction.
A young man in practical, well-worn clothes approached them, his expression calm and professional. He inclined his head, his voice steady and clear.
"The seal is ready to be released. I’ve been instructed to assist you."
Adam’s lips curved into an approving smile.
"Good. I like someone who works fast."
He stepped forward, his crimson eyes fixed on the sealed door as the young man began to chant, the symbols flaring to life in response.
"Let’s get started."
The other attendants moved into position, their hands tracing glowing patterns in the air as they worked to release the ancient seal. Among them, an elderly man with a long grey beard and eyes that carried the weight of decades stepped forward. His voice was rough with age, but his gaze was sharp and assessing.
"Hoo... you are certainly unusual guests."
The symbols on the massive stone door began to flicker, fading slowly as the seal loosened. The old man’s eyes swept over the group, lingering on Adam’s horns, Alice’s cat ears, and Azrynn’s dark skin.
"Lady Selena has entrusted this task to you. I hope you can stabilize the dungeon."
Ignis puffed out her chest, her flames flickering with cheerful confidence.
"Don’t worry, old man! We’ll wipe them all out, one by one, until there’s nothing left!"
The old man let out a low, rumbling chuckle, his weathered face creasing into a warm smile.
"Haha... I feel relieved just hearing that."
The stone door groaned as it swung open, revealing a yawning darkness that seemed to swallow the light around it. A cold draft seeped out, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and something that had been sleeping for a long time.
The young man who had spoken earlier stepped back, his voice steady.
"The seal is fully released."
The old man’s voice carried a note of quiet warning, his eyes fixed on the darkness beyond.
"Be careful in there."
Adam’s lips curved into a faint, determined smile. His crimson eyes gleamed as he took a step forward, his voice carrying a note of quiet resolve.
"We always are."
The darkness swallowed them as they crossed the threshold.
Behind them, the massive stone door groaned shut, sealing the group in total darkness. The faint echoes of the outside world faded, replaced by an oppressive, heavy silence.
Azrynn’s hands moved with practiced precision, her fingers tracing a glowing rune in the air. The rune pulsed, then transferred onto a small, round lantern she carried, causing it to flare to life with a soft, silver light. The lantern floated upward, casting a gentle glow across the group and pushing back the shadows.
Adam stretched his arms above his head, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he cracked his neck.
"Alright. Time to grind some levels."