8-10: Battle With The Unseen I

A defensive circle formation, it would help a bit—but ultimately, what this creature, or creatures, were... The girls needed to leave regardless.

But to where? Are they surrounded? Is there just one? There's too many variables.

"I don't remember any creature like this in any bestiary I've read..." Veronica shakily said, gripping her sword tightly.

"Probably because anyone who's seen it-' Sable started, but was quickly interrupted.

"Don't you dare finish that!" Cassidy said, trying to calm down and focus.

Aviris was studying their surroundings, listening for the slightest rustle of the leaves, or a breath, anything out of the ordinary. At the same time, Lilith was looking around the nearby area, trying to find where this threat is.

Nothing. No sounds out of the ordinary, no rustling leaves, not even blood from the creature Aviris' knife had hit. Speaking of her knife, Lilith had found it on the ground. No blood, not even wet. It was as if Aviris missed. But that sound it made, that horrific sound, it did hit. So, why is the knife perfectly clean?

Slow movements, everyone stayed together. Push forward to the next floor, and leave? Is this creature on other floors? Either way, they need to report this whole thing. It should've been reported already. So why haven't they received any word on this? Not even the guards at the entrance warned them.

Then, it clicked. You can't report a creature if you're dead. No one knows about this. The most people know is that adventurers have disappeared after going into the dungeon. And it can't be considered strange for this occupation.

Now, not only do the girls need to report this, they also need as much information as possible, to prevent authorities from needlessly dying as well. Which also means making sure the rest of the floor is normal.

All because the guild that is in charge of the dungeon is all over the place I their morals. They'll take this seriously, but they also won't do anything about it unless there's sufficient evidence.

Seraph clicked her tongue, readying her crossbow. There's not much to prepare for, if you simply don't know how to prepare.

Still, nothing. Was it just a fluke? A trick of the wind? Then what about the dead adventurers? It can't just be a normal creature. No known creature, at least on this floor, has ever done something like this.

The long silence, the nothingness, caused the girls more fear than anything else. They've faced death before, but now? This was wholly different. At least they could see it before.

Finally, a rustle to the east. The girls all turned to look and waited for something to appear. Seconds felt like years. But finally, something jumped.

"It's just a damn squirrel." Cassidy sharply exhaled, still on edge.

"Let's just keep moving. Keep your eyes open, and listen carefully. We can NOT be ambushed." Seraph ordered. The girls nodded, following her orders.

They walked slowly, unsure if they were going forwards or backwards as their guide was busy checking their hard blindspots.

While nothing was good, even just the chirp of crickets would be enough to make the girls relax. But no, there was still something scarring off all the critters.

Only their own heartbeat could be heard. And it beat hard. The anxiety of a possible, invisible threat that's lurking nearby.

But for some reason, it hasn't attacked them yet. Why?

Is it letting them go? Letting them continue? Or is it playing with them? Toying with it's prey.

Their worries didn't stop there, as they found themselves in a cave.

"This is the way to the next floor... but... where's there stairs to the boss? It should be right here..." Kazue wondered, looking at the cave wall.

Then, a horrifying screech, similar to what they heard before. But this time, not pain, but rage. A monstrous creature at the mouth of the cave, having followed the girls there.

Veronica thought for a moment. This wasn't an ordinary creature... it's could potentially be a key. No other hostile creatures, and where the entrance to the next floor is has disappeared, and a new creature.

The dungeon was completely changing, creating new challenges. A challenge that the girls absolutely NEED to beat.