"So there we are, guys."
Geoffrey and his party finally step out of the carriage after a long journey. The party scans the surroundings until all of them set their eyes on a massive and obviously out-of-place black pyramid about a hundred meters from their position.
Even though they are in the middle of the forest, several camps have been erected to shelter the adventurers, knights, and explorers who want to survey the dungeon. Trees were cut off, and their lumber was used to build cabins and other things.
It does not take long before the people around them notice their arrival and greet the heroes' party. A man around in his forties approaches Geoffrey to formally receive the hero.
"Sir Hero, I am expecting your arrival today." The man greets with his fist on his chest.
"Thank you for welcoming us, sir," Geoffrey responds by bobbing his head once. "We finally got here after a long trip. Are you perhaps the leader of the survey team?"
"Affirmative. My name is Russell Astbach, the leader of the survey team. I am also an executive of the Intelligence Bureau of the Roheazul Kingdom."
"I see."
Russell is a tall man, around the same height as Geoffrey, with slicked-back deep red hair. Under his gray cloak, he wears his official attire that hides his robust body. He has sharp and piercing dark brown eyes that intimidate anyone who looks at them, which he used to interrogate suspects during his prime.
"I know that we have many things to discuss, but please let us accommodate you, Sir Hero, as well as your companions after your long trip. Let's continue the discussion after you all take your rest."
"That would be a great pleasure, Sir Russell."
On Russel's lead, the members of the heroes' party walk there to the biggest cabin in the area.
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"...In the span of two days, we have sent six men to investigate the dungeon. However..."
"No one returned yet?"
"Exactly, Sir Hero. We really wanted to rescue them, but we cannot risk more men venturinginto the unknown."
"It must be very hard..."
In the cabin, Geoffrey and his companions are on the wooden table with Russell. The heroes' party have rested well, and they have been discussing the situation with Russell.
In addition to the disappearance of the Great Sorceress and her team, Geoffrey was gravely saddened to learn that the dungeon had claimed six more. The dangers in the dungeon even grow stronger.
Though they are not certain about their fate. Do not know if they are still alive or not. They are trying to be as optimistic as possible. Hoping that any of them will be found safe and sound.
Geoffrey's party and Russell discuss for a bit longer. Russell breaks down any details and information they have found about the dungeon. The dimensions of the dungeon on the surface, the area where the explorers disappeared, and everything that Geoffrey needs to know, even the unnecessary ones.
The more bits of information drop, the more cautious Geoffrey and the others are. Despite the increasing dangers, they do not get affected by it and treat it like a challenge to get themselves stronger and better.
"The dungeon has been sounding more and more dangerous every hour." Frowning his brows, David expresses his concerns. "It's going to be a rough day for us."
"Alright, everybody." Geoffrey stands up from his seat, declaring the end of the discussion. "Everything is already wrapped up. Our priority is to find the Great Sorceress and the others and bring them out of the dungeon. More important, please do not forget to mind your safety. We do not make any compromises and have more casualties."
"We understand, Geoffrey." The rest of the heroes' party nod their affirmation in unison.
"That's all for now. Let's go, everyone, and do our mission."
Geoffrey raises his fist in the air, and the cheers follow suit.
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"Now that I am this close to it, I feel more and more the eeriness of this dungeon. It is just... this is so different from what we used to explore."
Before the entrance of the black pyramid, Agatha wraps her arms around her shoulders as she is feeling some chills looking at the dungeon. Aside from her, the other members of the party do feel the same.
"This is only the entrance, but I already feel the danger." David said as he glances at the dungeon from the bottom of the top.
The entrance of the dungeon is an opening in the shape of a square that is located at the south side of the fifty-meter-high pyramid. Each side is measured to be twenty feet in length. Just like any other dungeon, there is no door to pass. Not even a single decoration or architectural style to be found, just pure brutalism.
Beyond the entrance is a hallway. The walls, floor, and ceiling are apparently made out of black stone slabs, which is normally the build material for all dungeons. The initial explorers measured it to be around fifty feet long.
Each side of the hallway is lit with rows of torches. Originally, the hallway did not have a light source and was always dark. The previous explorers have installed those torches to light up the way for the future explorers.
Other than the heroes' party, they are accompanied by a company of knights and adventurers led by the captain of the kingdom's 5th Knights' Order, Captain Morris Celbrypro. The Kingdom of Roheazul has twelve Orders of the Knights that are working directly under the king.
The company is comprised of a platoon of skilled knights, which is actually the whole team of Morris, and several dozen hired adventurers. Their number was formerly above a hundred strong, but several adventurers backed out after laying their eyes on the dungeon.
"So this is the dungeon," Geoffrey mutters under his breath. "I have to admit that this is the most peculiar dungeon I have ever seen. Even with my resistance to dread, I could still feel the ominous atmosphere from it. But here goes nothing. Let's go."