The stairwell to Floor Three wound down into silence. The air grew heavier with each step, carrying with it the smell of wet stone and something acrid, like iron left to rust in the rain. Kairon clutched the strap of his satchel tighter. His legs felt stiff, his breath shallow, and yet he followed the steady rhythm of the others.
They emerged into a chamber where the walls glowed faintly, veins of pale light crawling across the stone. The Dungeon here felt different—more alive. The quiet pressed down harder, broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the occasional drip of unseen water.
Kairon's heart thudded louder with each echo. Floor Two had been filled with goblins, predictable in their shrieks and crude weapons. He had grown used to their sound, even if it still set his nerves on edge. But here, the silence itself was a predator, waiting.
Lars halted, raising a hand. The party stopped as one.
A sound slithered through the chamber. Not the shriek of a goblin. Not the scrape of claws on stone. This was lower, rougher—a growl, thick and guttural, rolling in Kairon's chest as much as his ears.
From the shadows ahead, the wall bulged. Cracks split open, light bleeding from the stone as something forced its way through. The tearing noise was the same as before, but what emerged was not a goblin.
A kobold dragged itself free, stone dust falling from its matted fur. Taller than a goblin, hunched and lean, its muscles corded beneath ragged hide. Its snout wrinkled, baring jagged teeth. The glow from the wall reflected in its yellow eyes, feral and hungry. A crude weapon of stone and iron dangled from its clawed hand.
Kairon's breath caught. His chest seized as the creature growled again, the sound vibrating in his bones. He wanted to run, to scream, but his legs rooted him in place.
"Kobold," Lars said evenly, greatsword sliding free with a metallic whisper. His tone was calm, but heavier than when he named goblins. "Form up."
Sera stepped forward, shield raised. Bren twirled his dagger, grin sharp even in the dim light. Corin already had an arrow nocked, bowstring drawn back, eyes half-lidded but unshakable.
Kairon was the only one frozen. His body screamed to move, but he could barely breathe.
The kobold lunged with a sudden burst of speed, claws scraping sparks from the stone. Its growl erupted into a harsh bark, echoing off the walls. The sound tore through Kairon's skull, making his vision swim.
Sera met it with her shield, the impact shuddering down her arm. The kobold snarled, snapping jaws inches from her face. Bren darted in low, his dagger flashing, carving a shallow line across its thigh. Corin's arrow thudded into its shoulder, making the beast howl.
Still, it fought on. Stronger, faster than the goblins. Its strikes hammered against Sera's shield, claws screeching across metal. Each sound made Kairon flinch, his knees weak.
Then Lars moved.
His greatsword rose and fell in a single, brutal arc. The kobold twisted, but not fast enough. Steel bit deep into its side, splitting hide and muscle. The beast staggered, howling a sound that was half-growl, half-scream.
Corin's second arrow silenced it, punching through its throat. The kobold gurgled, dropped its weapon, and collapsed. A moment later, its body dissolved into black smoke, leaving behind a larger, jagged magic stone.
The silence after was worse than the fight itself.
Kairon realized his back was against the wall. His satchel strap dug into his clenched fists. He couldn't remember moving, only retreating, retreating until he had nowhere left to go. His breath came in short, ragged bursts. His heart felt like it would claw out of his chest.
"Collect it," Lars said, voice cutting through his haze.
Kairon forced his legs forward, each step unsteady. The magic stone still glowed faintly, hot against his palm as he picked it up. This one felt heavier. Denser. He shoved it into his satchel quickly, wiping his hand against his tunic to rid himself of the phantom heat.
"Not just goblins down here," Bren said lightly, wiping blood from his blade. "Careful, porter. Kobolds bite harder." His grin widened. "Wouldn't want you to lose an arm before payday."
Sera shot him a glare but said nothing, adjusting her shield straps. Corin was already checking his next arrow, calm as ever. Lars stood silent, gaze fixed ahead.
Kairon stayed crouched a moment longer, hands shaking as he clutched the satchel. His thoughts screamed. His fear gnawed at him. The kobold's growl still rattled in his bones, its eyes still burned in his mind.
It wasn't just monsters birthing from walls. It was predators. And now, he knew the Dungeon had more to show.