Leveling Up by Defiling Milfs-Chapter 87: Ch: Dungeon & Danger (1)
The ground beneath them rumbled, trembling as the vibrations spread outward, echoing toward the north.
*Rrrrumble-CRACK-Grrrsh*
"What was that sound?" Belinda said, her eyes darting toward the source of the sound.
Marco glanced north, then bolted off without a word, leaving the others behind. Two guards immediately followed, Belinda among them.
"Guys, should we follow them too?" Zushio asked, eyes narrowing toward the fleeing figures.
Bernard stepped forward. "I think Master has found something."
One by one, the shamans raced deeper into the North, but before Daniel could join them, his eyes caught a trail of blood flowing down from a tree. He leaned closer, and his stomach churned—it wasn’t red, but pitch black.
...
’Damn it... not this again,’ Marco thought, staring at the dungeon. ’That Niharin must’ve broken the pilgrim’s barrier.’
"Guards, march toward the North barrier quick," Marco Commanded.
The two armored guards nodded and sprinted off without hesitation. The young shamans arrived shortly after, their eyes sweeping across the scene.
The area stretched open, rolling with green hills that rose and fell like gentle waves. Ahead, a sloping decline led to a stone structure shaped like a tent, shrouded in a glowing white holographic mist—it was a dungeon.
"Master, is that a dungeon?" Bernard asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Marco nodded. "Indeed it is, Bernard."
The shamans glanced at the dungeon with eyes full of awe—some brimming with curiosity, others tinged with unease. Daniel, however, felt goosebumps prickling across his skin.
"Does that mean the earthquake was because of it?"
"I’ve only heard about dungeons being large caves or something, but it looks nothing like that."
"I have never been inside a dungeon. What about you?"
The shamans exchanged words among themselves, discussing everything they knew or had heard about dungeons.
"Master, can we see the dungeon? I have never seen a dungeon in my entire life," Brad said, stepping beside Marco.
A moment of silence passed between them, until another shaman stepped forward.
"Please, Master, I wanted to see as well," Vraden added.
Marco glanced at them, noting the curiosity in their eyes. He then looked at Belinda, standing beside his students; she stared at him—waiting for his response.
"Master, me too," Jerald said, raising his hand.
’God, what should I do,’ Marco thought frowning. "It’s not like I don’t want to, but it will be against the rules if I take them inside the dungeon—before they even learn the second form.’
"I want to see as well, Master." Pise said, stepping forward.
Zushio stepped forward silently, joining the line of eager shamans.
So far, five of them had requested to enter, each one brimming with anticipation.
Marco looked at Belinda again.
’Marco, don’t tell me you’re planning to take them inside the dungeon before they learn the second form,’ Belinda thought, her eyes locked on him.
The afternoon sun hung high above them, its rays casting a warm glow over the tense scene. A gentle breeze passed through, brushing against their skin.
"What happened Daniel? You looked scared," Bernard whispered softly into his ear.
Daniel jerked and turned—saying nothing.
"Master, I want to see too," Bernard added, giving a gentle smile at Daniel before joining the group.
’Tch, who say I’m scared. I’m not, I just wanted to go home and make mouches before Aunt arrives,’ he thought, clenching his jaw.
Daniel paused for a moment, his mind wanting to go home, but his body refusing to step back.
"Okay students, I accept your request," Marco announced. "But before we step inside, promise your Master that you won’t tell anyone about the dungeon. Okay?"
"I promise, Master."
"I promise, as well."
"Mother promise, Master."
’Marco what are you even trying to accomplish by breaking the rules?’ Belinda thought, disliking his decision.
The other four shamans were dragged along with them, Daniel included.
’Damn it... if I stay behind, I’ll be called a coward, and if I join them, I might not make it in time,’ Daniel thought, stepping forward. ’But we literally have Master Marco on our side. It shouldn’t take much time.’
"Status," he whispered, his eyes locked on Marco.
————————
Name: Marco Z Dante
Age: 42
HP: 6000/6000
Mana: 1980/4000
Description: A disciplined yet impulsive person, driven by a passion to teach and a desire to create a lasting legacy.
{ Temporary Debuff: Defense and damage reduced by 30% [1h 46m remaining] }
————————
"Oh no," he murmured.
"What happened Daniel?" Molex whispered, walking beside him.
"Uh, Nothing," Daniel replied, forcing a nervous grin.
They all walked toward the dungeon and formed a half-circle around it. Dirt and dust clung to its surface, filling the air with an earthy scent.
The ground along the edges was cracked, showing how it had burst from the earth.
"Master, I want to ask—how many times have you cleared the dungeon?" Jerald asked with a curious expression.
Marco glanced at the sky as he replied, "Umm... I can’t. It’s a lot, Jerald."
*Tap*
"Obviously, Jerald—he’s a Master, after all," Zushio said, giving him a pat on the shoulder from behind.
The shamans chuckled and laughed for a moment—until Marco clapped his hands, silencing them.
*Clap-Clap*
"Students, once we enter, you will just observe and not do anything, okay?" Marco said firmly.
The shamans nodded in unison.
"Good. One guard stay outside, and one come with us," Marco commanded.
A guard stepped into the dungeon first, moving without hesitation. Marco followed, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead.
One by one, the young shamans entered, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls, and at last, Belinda stepped in, her gaze fixed on the ominous glow within.
*Bwoosh*
Daniel stepped inside and was greeted by darkness, faintly pierced by a dim, flickering light.
He stood on a raised platform, connected by a bridge to another platform where two lampposts flanked a tunnel. In the right corner, a wooden sign leaned crookedly, a rusty suit of armor resting against it.
"Woah," he murmured, glancing around. ’This is completely different from what I’ve experienced.’
"Master, there is something written on the sign-board," Bernard said, lowering his body to get a closer look.
"Yes, that is the objective we have in this dungeon," Marco said in a steady tone.
The shamans hurried to the signboard, brushing away the dust to read it clearly. Pise reached out and touched the helmet of the rusty armor, and it clattered to the ground.
*Clang*
From inside, a writhing mass of bugs and insects spilled out, tiny centipedes skittering across the platform, their legs clicking and twitching as they scattered in all directions.
"Eek! Bugs! I hate bugs!" Tridon screamed, stumbling backward.
*ZZZap!*
Marco unleashed a bolt of lightning, incinerating the insects instantly. A putrid, acrid smell wafted from their charred bodies.
"Yuck! What is this disgusting smell?" Molex exclaimed, pressing his tunic to his nose to block it.
*Rub-Rub-Rub*
Daniel walked toward the signboard, while Jerald rubbed its surface with his hand.
——————
: Kill the dungeon boss to exit the dungeon (0/1)
: Defeat the mini boss (0/1)
: Chest available (0/3)
——————
’Mini boss? That’s new,’ Daniel thought, raising an eyebrow.
"We have to kill the boss to exit? But can’t we just leave from behind?" Jerald said, glancing over his shoulder.
It was solid, covered in rock, with patches of moss clinging to its surface.
"Wait... where is our exit?" Jerald asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"There is no exit unless we kill the dungeon boss," Marco replied calmly.
...
After some basic questions about dungeons, Marco instructed the guard to move forward. The guard nodded and picked the rusty helmet and threw it on the bridge.
*Tang-Clang*
The helmet tumbled from the bridge, and the sound of its impact never echoed back.
Some of the shamans swallowed hard at the sight.
"Everyone, follow me!" Marco barked, moving swiftly after the guard.
The shamans fell in line behind their master, moving in eerie, silent formation like a colony of ants. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
The hanging bridge was wooden, bound tightly with ropes that looked solid and unyielding. As they crossed it cautiously, Daniel glanced down, his eyes widening.
’Fuck... it’s so dark down there,’ he whispered under his breath.
As they reached the middle of the bridge, Marco sparked his lightning to light the way. Slowly a chill wind swept across their skin, and creepy sounds echoed from the darkness as they crossed.
A few moments later, everyone reached the other side of the bridge and let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Hooh... I thought I was going to fall," Jerald said, steadying his racing heart.
"Yes, I was thinking the same. That bridge was making creepy sounds whenever I stepped on it," Brad said, shivering slightly.
Bernard chuckled. "Haha... that bridge isn’t the only thing wobbling—you know it suits your body too!"
The other shamans burst out laughing at his chubby frame. Some smiled warmly—enjoying the joke, while others didn’t find it funny at all.
*RUMBLE~ RUMBLE~*
*GRR-KRACK!-DSHH*
Suddenly, a massive boulder plummeted from above, smashing the bridge beneath it. The wood splintered and snapped, sending both boulder and broken planks tumbling into the darkness below.
