(The Comfy Corner - Mochi's POV)
My dungeon was quiet. The three pacified goblin raiders had been ejected, the adventurers were satisfied, and my new official status as a 'Sanctuary' was pending. For the first time in a while, things were calm.
FaeLina was nervously re-reading the DLRB notice on the bulletin board. "Provisional Sanctuary Status," she muttered. "That means they can still change their minds. We need to be on our best behavior."
'The Blood Pit won't be on its best behavior,' I projected. 'We should expect them to retaliate.'
"I know," she sighed. "I wonder what their master is thinking right now."
....
(The Blood Pit - Lord Vorlag's Throne Chamber)
The heart of the Blood Pit was a grim and vicious place. The air was hot and smelled of sulfur and stale goblin ale. Jagged obsidian walls were lit by the flickering, greasy light of torches set in skulls. In the center of the chamber sat a throne of sharpened iron, upon which nothing sat. The dungeon's core, Lord Vorlag, was not a physical being, but his presence was a palpable wave of rage and impatience that made the very stones tremble.
The three raiders—Gor and his two cronies—stumbled back into the chamber. They didn't look wounded or defeated. They looked… relaxed. Confused. One of them was quietly humming a soft lullaby.
A harsh, grating voice echoed from the throne, sounding like rocks grinding together. "REPORT! DID YOU BRING ME THE SHARDS OF THE NEW CORE? DID YOU DRENCH ITS PATHETIC FLOORS IN BLOOD?"
Gor shuffled his feet nervously. "My lord," he began, his voice strangely placid. "We attacked the new dungeon. And... there was a talking pillow..."
"A WHAT?" Vorlag's voice boomed, shaking loose dust from the ceiling.
"A very heroic plush knight, my lord," the second goblin chimed in helpfully. "He was very polite but firm."
"And the smell," added the third, a dreamy look on his face. "It smelled so nice. Like flowers. And then... I had a lovely dream about a warm beach and a delicious cherry tart."
Gor nodded in agreement. "The tart was a highlight of there, my lord."
Lord Vorlag was silent for a full ten seconds. The rage radiating from the throne was so intense it made the lava-lamps bubble faster. He had not, under any circumstances, expected his raiders to return well-rested and with a glowing review of the enemy's pastry selection.
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, YOU INSIPID BUFFOONS!" Vorlag roared. The three pacified goblins scrambled out of the chamber.
Vorlag's rage focused. He summoned a new minion from the shadows. This one was no mere goblin. It was a Hobgoblin, larger, smarter, and clad in expertly crafted black iron armor. His name was Klarg.
"Klarg," the dungeon master grated. "That pillow-scented nuisance to the south has befuddled my scouts. I have a new mission for you. Go there. Ignore the strange smells. Ignore the talking furniture. Your only goal is to locate their Dungeon Core and smash it into dust. Bring me its shards."
Klarg gave a sharp, wicked smile and bowed. "As you command, Lord Vorlag."
...
(The Comfy Corner - Mochi's POV)
A new, golden notification chimed on the Guild Bulletin Board. It was the official notice from the DLRB.
PUBLIC NOTICE: The dungeon known as 'The Comfy Corner' has been granted Provisional Sanctuary Status due to its unprecedented tranquility rating. Unprovoked hostile actions against a designated Sanctuary may result in fines and penalties from the DLRB.
FaeLina's face lit up. "We're protected by the rules! See? The Blood Pit wouldn't dare attack us now and risk getting fined!"
Hearing the pure, happy relief in her voice made me feel warm, and for a moment, I wanted to believe it was that simple. But the feeling was quickly replaced by a cold certainty settling deep in my core.
A fine won't stop a creature like Lord Vorlag, I thought. I had seen the absolute terror he inspires in Gor's dream. The master of the Blood Pit didn't care about rules.
This official recognition didn't make me safer. It made me a more important target—a symbol that Vorlag had to destroy to prove his own strength.
'This piece of paper won't stop them,' I projected to FaeLina. 'It will only make them angrier.'