Dungeon Merchant?!

As Lilith crept closer, she crouched behind a sand dune to get a better look at the bustling scene ahead. Countless tents stretched out before her, forming what seemed to be a lively encampment. The air was filled with a cacophony of shouts, laughter, and the hum of barter. Brightly colored fabrics and banners fluttered in the desert breeze, giving the settlement an almost festive appearance despite its harsh surroundings.

Her attention was drawn to a peculiar sight: a sand rat walking upright on its hind legs, its small form draped in layers of loose, desert-worn cloth. The creature carried a basket overflowing with vibrant fruits that seemed almost out of place in the arid desert.

The sand rat stopped in the middle of the camp, its high-pitched voice cutting through the noise as it called out, "Come and buy my power fruits! One bite, and you'll neither need food nor drink for a whole day!"

Lilith's curiosity was piqued. From her hidden vantage point, she observed the interactions around the merchant. A few figures approached to inspect the wares, their appearances varied—some humanoid, others distinctly monstrous. Coins exchanged hands, and the sand rat handed over the curious fruits with practiced ease.

"Interesting," Lilith murmured to herself. "A desert merchant selling magical fruits. That could be useful."

She debated her next move. Approaching too boldly might draw unwanted attention, but ignoring this opportunity seemed unwise. She decided to take her time, observing the dynamics of the camp and the behavior of its inhabitants before revealing herself.

Lilith leaned back against the dune, smirking. "Let's see if this place has more surprises in store." She allowed her mana to flow outward subtly, continuing to map the area and gauge the strength of the creatures nearby, ensuring she was prepared for anything.

"Oh, those are snake people... and goblins are here too. But they seem more friendly. Could this be because of the merchants?" Lilith mused. "This might be a peaceful place where dungeon monsters can trade goods. Maybe I can buy something as well."

With a determined look in her eyes, Lilith walked forward, prepared to defend herself if attacked but maintaining a neutral, small smile on her face.

As Lilith descended the sandy slope into the heart of the encampment, her senses remained sharp, her mana attuned to every subtle movement around her. Despite the lively atmosphere, she wasn't about to let her guard down. The figures she had observed earlier were now clearer—snake people slithering gracefully through the crowd, goblins chatting casually, and sand rats darting between them, their baskets full of wares.

Her neutral smile remained steady as she approached a group of sand rats. They noticed her immediately, their small black eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Oh, look at you, human," one said, its voice surprisingly cheerful. It was shorter than the others, with a basket slung over its shoulder filled with shiny trinkets. "You've come to buy, yes? Good timing! We're only here for another day before we leave!"

Lilith nodded politely, her smile widening just enough to appear approachable but not overly friendly. "I might be interested. What kind of things are you selling?"

The sand rat's whiskers twitched with excitement. "Everything you need! Power fruits to keep hunger and thirst away, desert cloaks to shield against the sands, and even enchanted baubles for travelers like you!"

Another sand rat sidled up, carrying a small satchel that jingled with every step. "Yes, yes, we've got treasures too—gems, old coins, and maybe even a map or two, if you know what to look for."

Lilith glanced around the camp, noting how the goblins and snake people moved about. The usual hostility she expected from dungeon creatures was absent. Instead, there was a strange sense of camaraderie among them, no doubt fostered by the merchants and their goods.

"This must be a neutral zone," she thought, her eyes narrowing slightly. "A place where dungeon monsters gather to trade without fear of attack. If that's the case, it could be a goldmine for information and supplies."

Turning back to the sand rats, she kept her tone even. "Show me what you have. I've been traveling for a while, and I might need some of those enchanted items."

The sand rats beamed and eagerly led her to a small stall where trinkets and goods were laid out on colorful cloths. Lilith followed, her mind racing with possibilities. If this camp was as peaceful as it seemed, it could become a valuable resource for her journey deeper into the dungeon.

"Oh, sure," the sand rat said. "Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Hani, merely a humble merchant in this trading group. We travel through these dungeon deserts, and wherever we go, we ensure that everyone has a chance to trade. This way, even monsters like us and humans like you can engage in commerce. I suppose this is your first time seeing something like this?"

Hani's beady eyes studied Lilith with curiosity before he asked, "Oh? Where is the rest of your party?"

"I'm by myself," Lilith replied. "My name is Lilith."

Hani blinked in surprise and then chuckled. "Then you must be quite strong… or we are simply in the lower levels of a desert dungeon."

"Lower levels?" Lilith raised an eyebrow. "This should be the 18th or 19th floor. I kind of lost track and just kept going down. But wait… can you travel to other dungeons?"

At her question, Hani suddenly looked sheepish, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh, uh… well, we can't, but our guide can open portals. But please, don't tell anyone about this—it's a secret."

Lilith gave a small nod. "Sure, I'll keep it to myself," she promised.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a small light flitting around. The glowing orb drifted closer and closer until a voice called out, tinged with irritation.

"Hani! You've been yapping again!"

"Ah! I'm sorry, Lix!" Hani yelped.

The floating light turned toward Lilith and examined her closely. "Welcome, human… wait." The glow pulsed as if in confusion. "You're not human." Lix narrowed its gaze. "You're not from around here."

"Hani, go away," the pixie suddenly commanded with a stern voice. Then, turning back to Lilith, it added, "You—come with me."

The tiny being led her to a nearby tent, where the entrance opened as if responding to Lix's presence.

"Come, sit," Lix insisted, gesturing toward a large, plush bean bag.

Before sitting, Lilith gave a polite nod. "I am Lilith, a Demon Lord," she introduced herself. As she spoke, she undid her minor transformation—her small horns materialized, and her ears sharpened into an elven-like shape.

Lix gasped, fluttering slightly backward. "You—you are not from this world! We do not have Demon Lords here!" It hesitated before adding, "And yet… there is something familiar about you. Your presence feels like… home. Are you fused with a World Tree?"

Lilith tilted her head. "I'm not fused with a World Tree," she answered. "But my mother is one."

Lix's glow flickered as it processed her words. "I see…" The pixie finally nodded. "I am Lix, a dungeon guide—one of many, at least."

"So, Lilith," Lix began, its glow pulsing softly. "Tell me everything. Why are you here? Why are you in our world? Did a god send you or something?"

Lilith tilted her head slightly, pondering the question for a moment. "Well, I'm traveling to learn new magic, new spells, and to understand more about different worlds," she finally said. "But I can't tell you much more than that—I don't know you, nor do I trust you."

Lix let out a light, chiming laugh. "Clever one, aren't you? But rest assured, this is a peaceful place. Every merchant ground is. If anyone dares to attack another here, they would be thrown into the deepest part of a dungeon."

"A dungeon?" Lilith noted. "So… not this one?"

"No," Lix continued. "All dungeons are connected by our World Tree."

Lilith's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. "World Tree?" she repeated. "But… I don't sense a tree in this world."

"Ah, that's because Xandoria's World Tree is a dungeon," Lix explained. "Or rather, it built a dungeon around itself. At the beginning of time, when Xandoria was still young, the World Tree shaped the first dungeons. Now, there are over a thousand of them—some only a few floors deep, while others extend down over 500 levels."

Lix's glow flickered as it hovered closer, its voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "Tell me, Lilith… Are you interested in meeting her? Our World Tree?"

Lilith's crimson eyes gleamed with curiosity as she leaned forward slightly. "Meeting your World Tree?" she echoed. "That depends… What kind of being is she?"

Lix pulsed with excitement, its light shifting in intensity. "She is ancient and wise—the very heart of our world. Without her, the dungeons would collapse, and the balance of Xandoria would crumble into chaos." The pixie tilted its tiny head, studying Lilith intently. "And given your connection to a World Tree, I wonder… would she recognize you? Or perhaps… would you recognize her?"

Lilith folded her arms, deep in thought. "I won't make any promises," she admitted, "but I am curious." A small smirk tugged at her lips. "How does one even meet a dungeon that is also a tree?"

Lix let out a melodic laugh. "Ah, that is the question, isn't it?" The pixie's glow flickered with amusement and mystery. "If you truly wish to stand before her, I can guide you. But be warned… those who seek her audience rarely leave unchanged. Her presence alters those who are willing to listen."

Lilith's smirk widened. "I like a challenge." She leaned back slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Very well. Show me the path."