"For years they called me mad. Mad I say! Everyone rambling on about 'dangers' and 'feasibility.' But I'm ready to show them... they'll come crawling when they've realized their error. I've managed to find a biomancer who doesn't ask too many questions. I have gills now; I can breathe underwater. You can't use spells or equipment you see. It's too dangerous, too likely for the dungeon to notice and focus on them to the exclusion of everything else.

Fluid friction was my next concern. I focused on Water magic for five years, finally unlocking [Water Manipulation]. Hahaha! You see how it's all coming together? My blood? My blood I traded to a Nereid; a water fey. I got a good price for it. She replaced it with ichor and suppressed my ambient electrical field. I can't regulate my temperature now, but sacrifices you know? The next five years after [Water Manipulation], I spent toughening my body. Armor would slow me down even more down there; my hands and feet can be my only weapons.

I am ready."

--Lurik Benselsik, Water Mage. Interview with Sea Folk Adventurer guild. Presumed suicide by Dungeon. AC 1148

Claws ready, I gingerly step through the illusion separating this room from the next. My [Natural Camouflage] must have had some effect because this time I have a split second to react before the [Dungeness Crab] swings at me. I [Coast] to the side and hug the wall; bringing [Earth Manipulation] online so that I can anchor myself to the ground. The crabs initial sprint had thrown it off balance, and I focus on its movements; estimating the time I have before the second rush.

I never see the other one drop from the ceiling.

It's impact slams me to the ground. Panicking, I overcompensate, scrambling to get to my feet. As I gather my legs underneath me I jump, trying to get away from the claws raining blows on my carapace.

My leap dislodges the crab as I'm tossed up into the water, swimmerets engaging as I try to gain my bearings. I align myself horizontally just in time to see the crab who I had thrown off rushing from below. I raise my claw to strike...

Wait... where is the first one?

*crash*

*crack*

Roaring pain chases any thought from my mind as the first crab impacts my side. While I was engaged with the ambushing crab it had crawled to the ceiling and employed the same strategy as the second. It didn't aim for my carapace; the strongest part of my shell. No, when it swam from the ceiling, it slammed into the side of my body, ripping free one of my right legs.

It's impact wrenches me more than 45 degrees from the parallel as a cloud of blood squirts into the water. In a state of shock, I idly notice my leg slowly drifting to the floor; white meat stark and apparent from the severed chitin.

My awareness jerks back to the present just before the second crab impacts. I stare into it's beady eyes, features full of rage and malice. I scramble to dodge but I'm not quick enough; my movement too slow being suspended in water. The only response I have time for is crossing my claws in front of me to absorb the impact.

*crack*

It slams into me and rebounds, it's momentum propelling it towards the ground as I'm flung upwards to the ceiling.

*crack*

My head hits the unyielding rock and stars dance in my vision. I slowly drift down, dazed and confused; blood leaking from a dozen different places in my shell. I manage to reach a modicum of awareness to see the two of them rushing side by side, swimming towards me with claws extended. I try to summon a response, but my mind is sluggish as my body fails to respond. They close in; and just before the strike, I find my body completely yanked to the side, out of my control, slung down to the ground and back towards the entrance.

I ride the momentum of the sudden change in direction and orientation as I hit the ground, letting my body bounce and slide towards the opening. Idly, a portion of my mind remembers the [Luck of the Crab] - 'Once per day, [Dodge] attack that would cause your death.'

The pair of crabs, unable to quickly slow and stop, hit the ceiling as well. The sharp *crack* of their impact a minor solace as they start to recover. Summoning as much strength as I can, I drag my broken and beaten form to the wall. I pass through the illusion to the first room, praying they won't follow.

***

**********************************

**Warning: You are at low health 12/70**

**Warning: You are bleeding. -1 HP/sec**

**Warning: You are at low health 11/70***

**********************************

I cross the threshold to the previous room as the [System] blares messages at me.

Collapsing on the ground, I manage to slur, "Yesh, yeah, I... I got..it," my voice weakening by the second. It takes all of my willpower and my full focus to activate [Earth Manipulation]. A black halo crowds in the corners of my sight as I apply a layer of sand to the open wound. The dimming light is banished by a haze of red; searing pain focusing my thoughts. I hold pressure, hold the skill in place as I'm torn between black and red. For what feels to be an eternity I'm held there, a lone broken crab in a dungeon; until a new message appears.

***********************************

**Warning: You are at low health 4/70**

**Note: Bleeding has stopped.**

**Warning: You are at low health 5/70**

***********************************

As I see the first health point rise, I slowly release the hold I have over the skill; fully prepared to reengage if need be. With shaking trepidation, I gingerly release the sand I've used to apply pressure. As the red fog of pain diminishes, the black halo returns as I struggle to stay awake. I need to watch my status, make sure I don't start bleeding again. Soon, the only solace I have left is banished as pain and exhaustion steal my awareness.