The Immortal Nightmare [3]

 The team exchanged glances after hearing the captain's words, each sinking into their own thoughts, weighing the decision's gravity.

 The silence that followed was thick, like the calm before a storm, as if the next few moments would dictate the course of their entire journey.

 Elijah, the captain's closest friend and most ardent believer in all things mystical was the first to break the silence.

 He had always been fascinated by rumors—he'd heard countless stories about hidden treasures in dungeons, but never believed he'd see one himself. Yet now, standing before the entrance to what seemed like one of those legendary sites, his excitement was palpable. 

 With a wide grin and a gleam in his eyes, he spoke with uncontainable enthusiasm. "Captain, we can't miss this chance. Opportunities like this don't come twice!".

 His voice carried an edge of eagerness, and as he spoke, his mind swirled with images of gold, artifacts, and ancient relics waiting to be discovered.

 Meanwhile, Mr. Joe's reaction was more measured, though no less determined. He had been disappointed with the day's haul of blood crystals, feeling that the venture had been a waste of time thus far. But now, as he stared at the gaping hole in the wall caused by Samantha's explosion, his hopes lifted. 

 "I agree. We should go," he said, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of steel. His mind was already racing with thoughts of the riches hidden beyond the wall.

 Today had been frustrating, but this… this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. The hunters standing beside Mr. Joe exchanged glances of uncertainty before nodding in agreement.

 "We're in," they said, their voices united but tinged with unease.

 The captain's gaze then shifted to Samantha, who had been lost in her own thoughts. Her face was a picture of internal conflict.

 She was a practical woman, driven by logic and careful consideration, and the idea of pushing deeper into uncharted danger didn't sit well with her.

 Samantha had a younger brother waiting for her at home. If anything happened to her… She shook the thought from her mind. But before she could voice her reservations, Elijah spoke again, sensing her hesitation, "Samantha, I know you're cautious, but think of what we could find in there. This could be life-changing for all of us."

 Samantha sighed, torn between her sense of duty and the temptation of a better future. The thought of her brother surfaced again, followed by the hope that this treasure could provide them both with a better life. 

 After what seemed like an eternity, she exhaled deeply and nodded. "Fine. We'll go. But we need to be extremely careful. If something feels off, we retreat immediately."

 The captain nodded in agreement. "You heard her. Caution is our top priority. No treasure is worth dying for."

 With that, the party began their cautious approach toward the ominous hole in the wall, their steps heavy with both anticipation and dread.

 Noah Nightshade, the young porter, remained silent, watching the hunters prepare to enter the unknown. An uneasy feeling gnawed at him, tightening his chest.

 He had heard too many stories about hidden caves like this—tales of dark guardians, ancient protectors who would kill anyone daring to take what wasn't theirs.

 The rumors weren't the hopeful kind that Elijah loved, but rather warnings that had haunted Noah's nights. Even now, standing on the cusp of potential danger, he couldn't shake the dread creeping into his thoughts.

 Mustering his courage, he addressed the captain quietly. "Sir, I've heard about places like this. The hidden ones… dungeon keepers protect them. Monsters are stronger than anything we've seen so far. It's dangerous."

Before Noah could finish, Mr. Joe cut him off with a sharp, derisive tone. "Shut your mouth, porter! Who asked for your opinion?" His voice was venomous, the contempt clear in every word.

 Noah lowered his gaze, swallowing the sting of the rebuke. He was just a porter, after all. His job was to carry their supplies, not offer his thoughts. But still, the foreboding in his heart wouldn't subside. The sense that something terrible awaited them gnawed at him, even as he fell silent again.

 The captain, who had been mulling over everyone's opinions, hesitated for a moment. But Mr. Joe, ever eager to push forward, spoke again before he could.

 "Captain, don't listen to the porter. Even if there's a keeper inside, they'll be no stronger than the other monsters we've faced. This dungeon is only one star, right? How dangerous could it be?"

The rest of the party nodded in agreement, their faith in Mr. Joe's words bolstering their confidence. The beasts they had encountered so far, while tricky, hadn't been insurmountable.

"Mr. Joe has a point," the captain said after a pause. "If we do run into a keeper, they shouldn't be stronger than anything we've already dealt with."

He turned to Noah, who stood quietly off to the side. "Your shift is over now, isn't it?"

 Noah nodded, feeling the exhaustion from the time distortion that always drained him. Four hours had passed in the real world, but inside the dungeon, it felt like he had been with them for an eternity.

 He was tired—mentally and physically—after what felt like half a day in the dangerous, unpredictable dungeon. But he needed the money, even more so now.

 The captain, sensing Noah's fatigue but also his need, proposed something different.

 "Listen, most porters earn 100 bronze coins for every hour outside. You've been with us for four hours—so that's 400 bronze. But, how about this? Stay with us for just one more hour, and I'll pay you upfront." He paused, watching Noah's reaction before continuing. 

"Besides, you're carrying our gear and supplies. If you leave, things will get complicated for us." The captain offered a small smile. "And if we find treasure, there's a chance you could get a little piece of it yourself. What do you say?"

 Noah hesitated, thoughts of his brother and their financial struggles clouding his mind. The prospect of earning more money tugged at him. If they did find treasure, it could be a rare chance for him to take a slice of the reward. 

The Adventurers Association had rules about these things—porters who stayed until the end could sometimes claim a share of the loot. After weighing his options, he sighed, his decision clear.

"I'll stay," Noah finally said, his voice firm despite the weariness in his bones.

The captain smiled in approval, handing Noah 500 bronze coins—a little more than expected—as an advance. Noah pocketed the coins, giving a small nod of gratitude.

"Alright then," the captain said, turning back to the group. "Let's go see what treasures are waiting for us."

With renewed determination, the party stepped into the dark cave, hearts filled with a mixture of hope, anticipation—and the ever-present fear of the unknown.