The journey to the western mountains took several hours.
The farther we moved away from Vailor, the more the surroundings changed. The trees became dry in some areas, and the mana around us itself seemed heavier. The wind that swept across the road carried a strange smell, like iron mixed with damp earth.
It no longer felt natural.
We continued walking along the ancient stone road while watching the mountains in the distance. Massive reddish rock formations dominated the landscape, giving the place an almost lifeless appearance.
Scarlett walked beside me in silence.
Rai'kanna carefully observed the surroundings while carrying her massive weapon on her shoulder. Vespera remained farther behind, analyzing the terrain. Liriel and Elara spoke quietly about the region's mana flow while Lyannis consulted the map she had brought from the guild.
After several more minutes of walking, we finally caught sight of the dungeon entrance.
A massive opening between the mountain rocks.
The place looked like an open wound carved into the stone itself.
The surrounding walls had a dark crimson color, and a faint mist slowly escaped from the entrance. Even from outside, it was already possible to feel the heavy mana pouring out from within.
I stopped for a few seconds, observing the place.
So this was it.
The Crimson Dungeon.
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"This definitely doesn't look like a pleasant place."
"Because it isn't," Lyannis replied.
She folded the map and looked directly at the entrance.
"The mana density here is far above normal."
Elara lightly ran her hand along a nearby rock wall.
"The demonic energy has completely contaminated this region."
Liriel frowned slightly.
"That explains the mutations."
Rai'kanna let out a small sigh.
"So those goblins really became stronger because of this."
I nodded slowly.
"Most likely."
The wind blowing from the dungeon entrance swept over us again, carrying that strange smell once more.
Blood.
That was what the scent reminded me of.
I looked ahead as I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword.
"Let's go in."
As soon as we crossed the entrance, the temperature dropped immediately.
The interior of the dungeon was dark and silent. Small crimson crystals embedded in the walls partially illuminated the corridors, creating a dim and unsettling glow.
The ground was uneven, and marks were scattered across the stone.
Scratches.
Footprints.
Dark stains.
It looked as though battles had taken place there recently.
We advanced slowly through the main corridor while the sound of our footsteps echoed throughout the dungeon.
The mana inside was even worse.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
It was as if the environment itself had been contaminated.
Scarlett looked around.
"I hate this place."
"It's unsettling," Liriel commented.
Lyannis suddenly stopped walking for a moment.
"Listen."
Everyone immediately fell silent.
A few seconds later, I heard them.
Footsteps.
Several of them.
Coming from deep within the dungeon.
Vespera calmly drew her bow.
"They've already noticed our presence."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"Good."
I looked at the group.
"We're splitting into teams."
Lyannis nodded.
"Better for coverage."
I took a deep breath before continuing.
"Scarlett and I will take the central corridor."
Scarlett smiled with satisfaction.
"Good choice."
"Liriel and Elara will handle the left side."
The two of them nodded immediately.
"Vespera and Rai'kanna will take the right corridor."
"Leave it to us," Vespera replied.
"Lyannis."
She looked directly at me.
"I'll maintain magical support and communication between all teams."
"Perfect."
Lyannis then began creating small bluish magic circles around each of us.
"These will allow me to track everyone's position inside the dungeon."
Rai'kanna seemed impressed.
"Useful."
"They'll also allow mana transmission in case of an emergency."
I nodded.
"Then let's begin."
The group slowly split apart.
Scarlett and I continued through the central corridor while the others disappeared into the side passages of the dungeon.
Silence quickly returned.
Only the distant sound of dripping water echoed through the caverns.
Scarlett walked calmly beside me while small crimson flames occasionally appeared around her hands.
"Did you notice?"
"What?"
"The sounds."
I paid attention again.
She was right.
The footsteps were too organized.
It didn't sound like random monster movement.
It sounded like a patrol.
I frowned slightly.
"Normal goblins shouldn't behave like this."
"These aren't normal."
We continued advancing until we reached a large open chamber inside the dungeon.
And then we saw the first monsters.
Five goblins.
But unlike the ordinary goblins I knew, these were larger and far more organized.
They wore improvised armor made of rusted metal and hardened leather. Some carried short swords while others wielded spears.
Their eyes glowed with a reddish hue.
Demonic mana.
One of them immediately shouted something in a strange language as soon as it saw us.
Then they attacked.
The goblins charged toward us at incredible speed.
Far faster than goblins should have been.
I drew my sword instantly while Scarlett launched two explosive flames at the monsters on the left.
The explosion completely illuminated the cavern.
Two goblins were immediately hurled against the wall.
The third tried to attack me from the side with a short sword.
I dodged easily and split its body in half in the same motion.
But the fourth goblin tried to exploit my opening by attacking from behind.
That surprised me.
Coordination.
They were truly fighting as a group.
Scarlett fired a bolt of lightning that pierced the goblin's chest before it could reach me.
The last monster immediately retreated when it realized it would lose.
Then it let out a loud scream.
The sound echoed throughout the entire dungeon.
"That wasn't good," Scarlett murmured.
Right afterward, we heard numerous footsteps coming from the nearby corridors.
Many footsteps.
I smiled faintly as I tightened my grip on my sword.
"So they really learned how to work together."
Scarlett smiled excitedly.
"Even better."
Dozens of goblins began emerging from the surrounding corridors.
Some carried improvised shields.
Others wielded bows.
There were even creatures holding crude staffs.
Magic.
The goblins had begun using magic.
One of the archers fired immediately.
I dodged the arrow while charging at high speed toward the front line.
My sword cut through two goblins instantly.
Scarlett unleashed a wave of fire that exploded among the monsters in the rear, once again illuminating the entire cavern.
Their screams echoed through the area.
Yet they continued advancing.
Without hesitation.
Like soldiers.
That was the strangest part.
Normal goblins would have fled when faced with such an overwhelming difference in power.
These didn't.
These fought to the very end.
A magic circle appeared near my hand.
Draconic flames partially engulfed my sword as I charged toward another group.
The impact destroyed several monsters at once.
Scarlett then raised her hand toward the ceiling.
Several spears of fire formed above the goblins before crashing down violently upon them.
Explosions echoed throughout the dungeon.
The monsters began retreating momentarily.
But then we heard another sound.
A roar.
Deep.
Heavy.
The dungeon itself seemed to tremble.
The remaining goblins immediately began moving away.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes.
"So he's here."
The roar echoed again from the depths of the dungeon.
Much louder this time.
I felt the surrounding mana stir violently.
That definitely wasn't an ordinary goblin.
A heavy pressure began rising from the deepest parts of the cavern.
At the same time, the magic crystal Lyannis had created glowed faintly near my arm.
Her voice echoed immediately.
"Takumi."
"What is it?"
"The team on the right has encountered dozens of goblin mages."
"Any problems?"
"None yet."
Rai'kanna's voice came through immediately afterward.
"These monsters are much stronger than they should be."
Elara joined the communication next.
"The mana flow increases the deeper we go."
Liriel then spoke calmly.
"And we've found demonic symbols carved into the walls."
I frowned slightly.
So there really was direct demonic interference in this place.
I looked once more toward the depths of the dungeon.
The roar echoed for the third time.
Even closer this time.
Scarlett smiled faintly.
"It seems the king has finally decided to show himself."
I tightened my grip on my sword as I felt the heavy mana filling the corridor.
Then I slowly began walking toward the darkness of the dungeon.
"The Goblin King is waiting for us."