The Great Forest Dungeon. That’s the name of the dungeon me and Philomena soon will be entering. Just like the name suggests, the dungeon is forest themed, with all the floors being covered with trees. 15 floors, C level (dungeons have the same grade system as adventurers) and a underground dungeon.

It’s a famous dungeon. It’s the first dungeon for many new adventurers. Most of the enemies inside it are evolved beasts and plant monsters.

Philomena told me that she already cleared it once but that it was long and that dungeons evolve under time. I found this very interesting but when I asked about she simply told me that not much was know about dungeons and there are still many mysteries surounding them.

Philomena also explained that on the last floor one would have to fight the boss monster in order to clear the dungeon. I kinda realized this myself but still I let her explain. She seems to like acting like a mentor.

Either way, she told me that when she cleared the dungeon the boss monster was a giant wolf that could summon minions to fight for it. But this time the chance that we are gonna fight the same monster is pretty slim. By now the dungeon have surely chosen another monster as its champion.

We are not gonna enter the dungeon alone. Philomena invited some of her old companions to join us and they agreed. According to her we will meet them at the dungeon. She have yet to tell me anything about them other than “they are great fighters”. I just hope they are not as… Hot blooded as Philomena.

Two days before heading into the dungeon we bought the supplies that would be needed. There were ordinary things like food, water and maps over the dungeon floors but we also bought magical lanterns that emitted light when you used your mana and instant sealing runes in case we ever get cornered.

I also bought some additional armor for myself. While I recently did buy my robe and hat they didn’t provide me much protection. I bought a leather west, leather arm- and leg guards, a pair of fire proof gloves and sturdy new shoes.

Philomena offered to pay for it but I declined. Why? Well hehehe you see… During these past three weeks I have dune A LOT of quests and gathered quite the fortune. 78 copper coins and 12 silver to be exact. Plus, remember the money I got from that mandrake? Mhm. Hehehe, I’ve never had this much money before! My parents would be so proud of me~

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Finally the day arrived. Philomena and I parted together from Ozlem and headed towards the dungeon. For the occasion Philomena is wearing the same armor she had when we fought. The dungeon itself was located five miles from the city. It’s entrance was a partially destroyed temple made out of black marble.

“Here we are! The Great Forest dungeon!” Philomena exclaims in an exited voice. “Hehehe, this brings back memories!”

“Hey Phi!” a deep voice suddenly shouts. We turn around and see three people walking towards us. The one who shouted is a tall man, about 2 meters, dressed in heavy full body armor so that you can’t see his face. On his back hangs a greatsword.

Next to him walks another person in armor, this one carrying two short swords. Contrary to the other man he is not wearing a helmet so I can see his face. He is young, perhaps 15 years old, and are quite the looker. He have short orange hair, green eyes and… Cat ears?

The last person is a man dressed i a black cloak with a hood covering his head. He’s got pale skin and a thin mouth. His eyes are as blue as the sky. I cannot see any weapon.

“Took you long enough!” Philomena shouted towards the group.

“Well we ran into some bandits on the way here. We made quick work of them but it took a while to cremate their bodies!” the armored man shouted back.

“How many!?” she yelled.

“30!”.

“Bah! No excuse then!”.

“Well, it would have gone faster if they didn’t have an illusionist with them!”.

“Ah, I see! They are really annoying!”.

“Yep! Hahaha!”.

… Why are they still shouting? We are standing like what, two meters from each other? The shouting man takes off his helmet and HOLY FUNK WHAT IS THAT!? Sorry, sorry but I just got shocked. The man standing before me is bald, with large completely black eyes and no skin. Or maybe he have skin and it’s just translucent? He’s got no lips, exposing all his sharp teeth, and no nose.

“Long time no see Phi! And this has to be the girl you mentioned in your letter!” the man says and goes down on his knee, staring into my eye. “Nice to meet ya kid, my name Genreto Vall, but my friend call me Gret! Your name is Ruth, am I right?”

“Ye-yeah! Nice to meet you too!” I answers and bows slightly.

“Hahaha! What a polite gal! But there’s no need to bow at me, we are colleagues, right?” Before I have the chane to answer Gret seems to remember something and turns around. “Hey Leo! You have yet to introduce yourself! Where’s ya manners!” he says and points towards the cat boy. Leo? Like a lion? Jeez how cliche.

“Master, you just said my name so there’s no reason for me to…” he starts saying but Gret cuts him off.

“Boy, what did I teach you? Always introduce yourself when meeting new people! How else are ya gonna get to know each other and build trust!?”

Leo sighs before turning towards me. “My name is Leo Navil… Nice to meet you…” After saying that he immediately looks away. I simply mumble nice to meet you back.

Hmm? It feels like I am forgetting something… Huh? What is this looming feeling, something feels off- Wha!? Wawawawawa! The cloaked man lifts me up by grabbing the back of my robe and stares into my eye. Gosh those eyes are blue... Then all off a sudden he smiles.

“Little birdies should be more careful, wouldn’t you agree?”

N-no way, he knows I’m a… whatever I am! Who is this man!?

Suddenly Philomena slaps him on his back and starts laughing.

“Hohoho, you are still the same Bastion! Always saying weird things like that!”

“Hello Philomena, I see you’re still alive and kicking” the man called Bastion says. He releases his grip on me causing me to land on my bum.

“This man! How dare he treat mistress like this! Unforgivable!” Rowan shouts. “Mistress, let me out so that I can punish him!”

“Calm down blockhead. Getting youssself into a fight wont do any good” Morgana comments.

“I guess you’re right Morgana but still, treating mistress like that! I will not forget it!”

“Sigh, whatever” she says.

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Ten minutes later after checking our equipment one last time we head into the dungoen. Inside the temple there’s a spiral starcase leading down. Philomena walks first, then me, Gret, Leo and lastly Bastion. When we atrive at the bottom of the staircase we are greated by a large cave lit up by glowing crystals, the same that can be found in Ozlem. At the end of the cave is a giant gate.

When we reach the gates Philomena turns around and faces us. She’s smiling.

“I’ve got a good feeling about this!”