The air in the cavern was a strange symphony of contrasts: the distant, muted hum of the dungeon, the comforting crackle of an open fire, and the low murmur of human voices. Adam and his group, still reeling from their precipitous fall and the overwhelming insect swarm, stood amidst a bustling, makeshift community. Tents, small, sturdy shelters, and even rudimentary gardens filled the vast space, all illuminated by glowing energy conduits seamlessly integrated into the cavern walls. It was an impossible sight, an oasis of life in the heart of a deadly labyrinth.
"A... a safe zone?" Panchenko stammered, his spear still gripped tightly, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Inside a monster-spawning dungeon?"
The gruff Adventurer who had greeted them, his scarred face now softening into a weary smile, chuckled. He wore practical, reinforced gear, and the heavy energy rifle slung over his shoulder looked well-used.
"That's right, kid," he said, gesturing around with a calloused hand. "As I said, this is a safe zone, nestled right here on the fifth floor of Astabal."
Adam, his mind racing to process this unprecedented turn of events, stepped forward. "The fifth floor? We fell all the way from the third?"
"Seems that way," the Adventurer nodded. "That hole you tumbled down is one of Astabal's quirks. Sometimes it opens up for a quick escape from an impossible situation, sometimes it's just a dead end. You got lucky."
Julian, ever analytical, piped up. "But how? How can a place like this exist within a dungeon renowned for constantly spawning monsters? And what prevents creatures from entering?"
The scarred Adventurer settled into a more relaxed stance. "Good questions. Name's Roric, by the way. As for 'how,' well, that's Guild magic, mostly. These 'safe zones' are designated areas within the dungeon where adventurers are protected from monsters.
They're created with ancient wards and energy fields, maintained by the Guild itself. No monster, no matter how powerful, can get through these barriers."
He gestured to the glowing conduits running along the cavern walls. "These aren't just for light. They power the wards. These zones act as havens for adventurers to rest, regroup, and strategize before continuing their exploration. Or, like us, if you're stuck deep inside, they become a temporary home."
Adam and the others understood now. The relief was palpable, a wave of profound gratitude washing over them after the relentless pressure of the previous floors. This wasn't just a place to rest; it was a sanctuary, a moment to breathe, to truly recover.
"Thank you, Roric," Adam said, a genuine warmth in his voice. "We owe you. We were… well, we were cornered pretty badly back on the third floor by a horde of giant insects."
Roric nodded grimly. "Ah, the bug floor. Yeah, that's a nasty one. Most people either get pushed out of the dungeon entirely from that level, or end up as monster chow. You lot are tough to have survived that fall and still be on your feet." His gaze lingered on Edward, a flicker of something akin to awe in his eyes. "And you have some… interesting company."
"We're here for the Adventurers' Guild Final Exam," Adam explained. "We need to get to the tenth floor and retrieve an energy core from the boss."
Roric's eyebrows shot up. "The final exam, eh? You're going for the Floor 10 core? Bold move for a final test. That's usually reserved for seasoned Elite Adventurers." He looked them over, a newfound respect in his eyes.
"Well, you picked the right place to land. You can rest up here, get some proper grub, and figure out your next move. There's even a little pub-tent over there, if you're looking for information."
The prospect of a real pub, with real food and information, was an irresistible draw after days of rations and relentless combat.
They thanked Roric profusely and made their way towards the designated pub-tent. It was a surprisingly cozy establishment, carved out of a large section of the cavern, with rough-hewn tables and benches, and a counter behind which a burly, one-eyed barkeep wiped down mugs.
The aroma of freshly brewed synth-ale and sizzling, grilled cave-fungus patties filled the air. Other adventurers, some looking as weary as Adam's group, others looking more relaxed, dotted the tables, sharing stories and quiet conversations.
"Welcome, strangers!" the barkeep boomed, his single eye glinting with a friendly curiosity as he assessed their bruised and battered appearance. "Looks like you just had a close encounter with Astabal's finest. What can I get ya?"
"Just water for now, if you have it," Adam requested, pulling out some credits. "And perhaps… some information? We're on a mission to Floor 10."
The barkeep's good eye widened slightly. "Floor 10, eh? Greenhorns straight to the deep end. I like your moxie! Pull up a seat.
Information is on the house for those who survive the bug floor. Name's Borin."
They settled around a large, sturdy table. Borin quickly brought them generous mugs of cool, refreshing water and plates piled high with the grilled cave-fungus patties, which, despite their unusual origin, smelled delicious.
"So, Floor 10, you say?" Borin leaned on the counter, his gaze shrewd. "That means you'll be looking for the shortcuts. No one in their right mind tries to brute-force all ten floors of Astabal. Takes weeks, even months, and chews through too many resources."
"Shortcuts?" Julian inquired, intrigued. "Are there designated paths?"
"Astabal's a living dungeon, remember?" Borin explained, pouring himself a drink. "It shifts, it changes. But sometimes, stable paths emerge. Rumors, mostly, but consistent enough to be worth pursuing. For Floor 10, you're looking for the path from the sixth floor."
Adam's group exchanged glances. They were currently on the fifth. One more floor, then a shortcut. It sounded almost too good to be true.
"What's on the sixth floor?" Astrid asked, taking a cautious bite of a fungus patty. It was surprisingly good.
Borin's expression darkened slightly. "The sixth floor… that's where things get interesting. It's largely the territory of two main monster types. First, the Dark Apes. Big, strong, and highly intelligent. They move in packs, use crude tools, and are surprisingly tactical. They'll try to ambush you, lead you into traps. Their fur absorbs light, making them hard to see in the deeper parts of the floor."
"And the second?" Roman rumbled, his hand instinctively going to his greatsword.
"The Flame Lizards," Borin said, his voice dropping slightly. "Think miniature dragons.
They breathe concentrated bursts of superheated plasma. Tough hides, fast, and they're usually found guarding their nests.
They're territorial as hell, and they don't give up easily."
Panchenko whistled. "Dark Apes and Flame Lizards? Sounds like a party."
"Indeed," Edward rumbled, his crimson eyes gleaming with ancient knowledge. "Two highly dangerous species, requiring distinct tactical approaches. The apes, highly mobile and intelligent; the lizards, dangerous at range with their plasma breath, and physically resilient."
"But you mentioned a shortcut?" Tom interjected, eager to get back to the objective.
Borin nodded, his single eye twinkling. "Aye, the shortcut. It's a tricky one. Deep within the sixth floor, there's a unique passage. But it passes directly through the territory of the Black Queen Spider."
The name itself sent a shiver down some of the adventurers' spines.
"The Black Queen Spider," Mei Jing murmured, her serene expression replaced by a rare frown. "A legendary creature. Its venom is said to be instantly paralyzing, its web unbreakable."
"That's the one," Borin confirmed. "She's massive, cunning, and fiercely territorial. Her lair is a maze of her own making, laced with traps and smaller, venomous spiderlings. Getting past her… that's the real challenge of the sixth floor."
"So, the shortcut leads directly to Floor 10?" Adam pressed.
"Not directly to Floor 10's core," Borin clarified. "It leads to a 'back door' on Floor 10. A less-guarded entrance, usually used by Guild elite teams who know the dungeon inside out. But you still have to deal with whatever's waiting on Floor 10 itself, which is never a walk in the park."
Adam exchanged a glance with his team. Dark Apes, Flame Lizards, and a Black Queen Spider guarding a shortcut to Floor 10. This was the true test. Twain hadn't lied.
They had "passed" the exam, but the survival part was now very real.
"Any other advice for the sixth floor, Borin?" Adam asked, taking a sip of his water.
"Stay vigilant," Borin advised. "Dark Apes use the shadows. Flame Lizards are loud, but their breath can catch you off guard. And for the Black Queen… don't touch the webs. Seriously. Don't. Touch. The. Webs. And watch out for her spiderlings. They're fast and their venom can slow you down, making you easy prey for the Queen herself."
"Sounds like we'll need to be even more coordinated than before," Ronda observed.
"Precision will be paramount," Julian added. "Especially against the Queen. Every strike must count."
"Mysterio, your stealth and reconnaissance will be more critical than ever," Adam stated.
"You'll be our eyes in the dark against the apes, and our warning system against the lizards. And we'll need a full map of that spider's lair."
Mysterio simply gave a single, almost imperceptible nod from behind his mask, acknowledging the immense responsibility.
They spent the next few hours at The Blind Burrow, resting, eating, and gathering more ambient information from the other Adventurers. They learned about common monster behaviors, the subtle signs of a shifting dungeon, and survival tips from those who had been stuck in Astabal for extended periods. The safe zone was indeed a godsend, offering not just physical recuperation but also invaluable intelligence.
As the time passed, they knew they couldn't linger forever. The dungeon's core awaited.
"Alright, team," Adam finally said, standing up, his frame feeling fully rested and ready.
"We've got our intel. We know what's coming. One more floor, then the shortcut. We'll plan our approach meticulously. This time, we face the apes and lizards. And then, the Black Queen."
The ten Adventurers, a formidable, united force, left the relative comfort of the safe zone pub. The atmosphere had shifted. The initial shock had given way to a grim determination, fueled by new knowledge and renewed strength. The fifth floor was their temporary oasis, but the sixth floor, with its primal dangers and the promise of a shortcut, now beckoned. They were ready to face the deepest challenges of the Astabal Dungeon.