the third floor(1)

The light from the teleportation spell dimmed, leaving the group standing in eerie silence. The third floor stretched out before them, a vast expanse of jagged terrain and dimly glowing fungi.

The oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating, the air thick with an unexplainable tension. Dakota's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his blade as his eyes scanned the dark expanse ahead.

Dakota:

"So... this is the third floor."

Duke stood beside him, his sharp eyes taking in the surroundings.

Duke:

"This place doesn't look much different from the second floor, but something feels... off."

Henry, his usual grin firmly in place, let a small flame dance in his palm.

Henry:

"You're always so serious, Duke. It's just another floor. We've handled everything so far—this'll be no different."

Ava, emboldened by Henry's confidence, added with a smirk:

Ava:

"Exactly. How much more dangerous could it really be?"

Dakota turned to face them, his expression grim.

Dakota:

"Don't start underestimating this place. You saw the news—tens of thousands died on the second floor. The rumors weren't exaggerated. And if this floor is even half as dangerous as I think it is..."

He trailed off, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Mia spoke up, her soft voice cutting through the tension.

Mia:

"We're the first ones to set foot here, aren't we? Nobody's even seen this place before us."

Luna nodded, her tone steady.

Luna:

"Which means no one knows what's waiting for us."

Dakota reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. The faint glow of the screen illuminated his face as he scrolled through the news updates. His brows furrowed as he read the latest report.

Dakota:

"We're officially the first group to make it to the third floor."

Amelia tilted her head, her light magic softly illuminating the area around her.

Amelia:

"The first? Even after all those teams went in before us?"

Dakota sighed, his eyes still on the screen.

Dakota:

"It makes sense. With the death toll on the second floor, most teams never stood a chance. This dungeon isn't just high-ranked—it's a death trap. Every step forward is a gamble."

Lucas chuckled nervously.

Lucas:

"Come on, Dakota. It can't be that bad. The second floor wasn't easy, but we made it through just fine."

Dakota finally looked up, locking eyes with Lucas.

Dakota:

"The second floor was bad enough to kill tens of thousands. The third floor is going to be worse. You'd better get that through your head right now, or you won't last long."

His words silenced the group, the weight of their reality pressing down on them.

The group began moving, their footsteps echoing against the cavern walls. Duke eventually broke the silence.

Duke:

"The third floor... There's no concrete information about it, is there? Just rumors."

Dakota nodded.

Dakota:

"Exactly. The second floor was so deadly that nobody ever made it here. People just assumed the third floor had to be worse. And judging by how this place feels... they were right."

Franklin, walking beside them with his usual calm, added quietly:

Franklin:

"We've already proven we're stronger than most. But strength doesn't guarantee survival. Stay sharp."

Ava, trying to lighten the mood, rolled her eyes.

Ava:

"You two sound like we're about to walk into the jaws of death. How much more dangerous could it really be?"

Dakota didn't respond immediately. He glanced at her, then at the others, before speaking in a low, serious tone.

Dakota:

"You'll find out soon enough."

The cavern ahead began to narrow, forcing the group to walk closer together. The glow of the fungi dimmed, and the shadows grew longer and darker.

Lucas frowned, his voice echoing softly.

Lucas:

"Why is it so quiet? I don't like this."

Mia's water magic swirled faintly around her hands, ready to strike.

Mia:

"Something's not right. Stay alert."

As if on cue, a deafening roar shattered the silence. The ground trembled as five massive monsters emerged from the shadows. Each creature was nearly three times the size of a human, with spiked, obsidian-like armor and glowing red eyes. Their claws gleamed in the dim light, sharp enough to tear through steel.

Dakota's heart sank as he recognized them.

Dakota:

"Hellhounds. These things are fast, vicious, and nearly indestructible. Spread out!"

Before anyone could react, the hellhounds charged.

The group scattered, barely avoiding the first wave of attacks.

Dakota rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe from one of the creatures. He swung his sword, but the blade barely scratched the hellhound's armor.

Dakota:

"Their defenses are insane. Aim for the joints or their eyes!"

Henry and Ava:

Henry and Ava stood back-to-back, their fire magic blazing.

Henry:"Let's see if these things like a little heat!"

He hurled a fireball at one of the creatures, but the flames barely singed its armor.

Ava:"What the hell? Fire barely works on these things!"

Liam and Jack unleashed a torrent of lightning, the bolts crackling through the air. But even their attacks seemed to have little effect.

Liam:"Their armor's conducting the electricity. It's not working!"

Jack:"Then we'll just have to hit harder!"

Mia and Luna combined their water magic, sending sharp spikes of ice at one of the hellhounds. The attack managed to slow it down, but only briefly.

Mia:"It's not enough! These things are monsters!"

Luna:"We have to figure out their weakness!"

Meanwhile, Duke and Franklin faced two of the hellhounds head-on. Unlike the others, their fire magic was powerful enough to crack the creatures' armor.

Duke:"Focus your fire on one point. It's the only way to break through!"

Franklin nodded, his flames intensifying as they melted through a hellhound's defenses.

Despite the group's combined efforts, the hellhounds were relentless. Their speed and strength forced everyone to stay on the defensive, and exhaustion was beginning to take its toll.

Dakota dodged another attack, his breath ragged.

Dakota:"This isn't working. We're barely holding them off!"

One of the hellhounds roared, its glowing red eyes locking onto Dakota. It charged, its claws slashing through the air.

Dakota raised his sword, bracing for the impact. As the creature bore down on him, he muttered under his breath:

Dakota:"You have got to be fucking kidding me."