This newly appeared dungeon was clearly unique in more than just one aspect. Its difficulty level being all over the place, just one of them. So how could it be that only Severin, who was neither an adventurer nor a researcher, knew about these things, when even the Society didn’t?


    The fact that the dungeon had coincidentally appeared right on his mountaintop, of all places, was already suspicious enough. Especially with all those other anomalies surrounding the Emporium.


    “You know what? Maybe you are right.”


    ***


    ““Careful! DODGE!”


    “Why don’t you-?”


    ““Quickly now!”


    “Don’t let up now! You almost got him. I can feel it!”


    With all the screaming and backseat commentary going on ever since this third group to ever set their feet into the dungeon engaged the skeletal boss, Magda quickly realized that having a two-way channel of communication wasn’t quite as beneficial as she had initially thought it was; as to not distract the five-headed group, she had to temporarily turn off the corresponding transmitter crystal.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ““Finally.”


    “Well done!”


    “Ha,” huff puff, “not even a scratch,” jokingly postured the out-of-breath tank of the victorious group. It was a great success. Everyone’s relief was palpable and with no losses to be mourned, everyone could now focus on what was truly important.


    “Now show us the loot!”


    “Yeah, what did that thing drop? Was it worth it?”


    Everyone was happily chatting and joking. Including Magda.


    There had once again been many great changes to the dungeon. Various different traps in the corridor and new skills and attack patterns for the boss.


    In fact, the changes this time had even been more numerous and pronounced than the previous time.


    ‘Was there an upper limit to it? And was it based on time passed? Or maybe based on the amount of groups that had previously ventured inside?


    Not to mention the other anomalies.


    No regular monsters. The strange behaviour of the exit portal. The-


    And then she realized.


    “From one moment to the next, both rooms became deadly silent; for a moment.


    Then, as understanding set in, so did the panic.


    Unlike in the recording they had watched earlier, no blue shimmering exit portal had appeared in the middle of the room, but unlike what they were used to in regular dungeons, they couldn’t just backtrack their steps to the entrance; the heavy door was still tightly shut close.


    The recording crystal attached to the ear of one of the group members started frantically turning around. Left and right, up and down. Searching for an escape, a way out. A portal. Something.


    “The confidence in his voice was enough to calm the other team of five and snap them out of it.


    Their actual team-leader in charge of the group didn’t take offence by the other giving orders, and instead doubled down, “He’s right. Replenish your health and resources first.”


    ““There, Look,” someone pointed.


    “The walls!”