n

n

nAfter laying there for a few moments, Foster slowly stood back up. He could hear Kyla's music in the distance, her playing her lyre while singing, so that she could keep the Holy Field miracle active. Although, it didn't take long until said music stopped. It seemed like they had figured it out.

nSlightly stretching, to make sure that his condition didn't seem too bad overall, he walked toward the hallway where the others were, and just waited for them to come here. Their footsteps became louder and louder, but there were some from the other side as well, albeit ones that were quite a bit lighter.

nThey were more skeletons, the more numerous enemy here on this floor. He was quite lucky that there weren't too many here in this room before, but it seemed like now, with that special undead killed, they slowly approached this space in the hopes of filling in any gaps that might have been created.

nOf course, Foster had been able to take care of them quite easily despite his injuries, considering that they were still incredibly weak, especially compared to that undead just now.

nIt didn't take long until the others reached the room as well, and quickly looked around. They made sure to avoid the discs and puddles of death slime that were covering the ground.

n

"Did everything work out alright?

" Lynol asked, looking down at the ground instead of Foster to make sure he didn't suddenly lose a leg, especially now that this particular danger had been practically fully taken care of.

n

"Yup, I'm good.

" Foster said with a light smile,

"Although, I could maybe use some healing...

" He pointed out while looking at Kyla, who raised her brows surprised and looked Foster up and down. Only then did everyone realize that his armor was completely dented, and that there were multiple places where not only the leftover furniture of this room, but also certain parts of the walls had been cracked up to an extent. And then, they looked at the mountainous undead that was laying motionlessly on the other side of the room, seeing that it had huge lumps of metal on its feet.

n

"That thing kicked you with those..?

" Octer asked with a wry smile, as he tried to lift one of the lumps of metal up. Just one of them was as nearly as heavy as his tower shield.

n

"I mean, it's not a big deal. I've been hit by worse.

" He pointed out bluntly,

"And sure, I got a bit hurt, but this armor helped me out pretty well. I won't have to fight alone against enemies anymore either, so we're good.

" Foster added quickly, but Lynol simply rubbed the bridge of his nose, somewhat annoyed.

n

"Fine, alright. You've got a point. Considering that we managed to get past this, we're not turning back now anyway, or else we'll have to do it all again some other time, and that would be even more annoying.

" Lynol said in a blunt tone, before Octer tried to get the attention of the others.

n

"Erm, I... This guy... I think he's a prisoner...

" He said to them,

"That doesn't really fit the theme of the dungeon, right?

"

nFoster turned toward him, but was quickly pulled back since Kyla was busy trying to cast a miracle of healing on him,

"Don't move.

" She said, as she played a specific melody on her lyre.

nWith a slight sigh, Foster just spoke from here,

"Fine. But yeah Octer, I thought the same thing. It felt kind of out of place compared to the others. But what makes you think he's a prisoner?

"

n

"...Because I know people who've been punished like this. They do this to people that are particularly strong, to stop them from trying to escape.

" He quickly explained, slowly looking at the hands of the undead,

"This as well... His hands were tied in a specific way, where his thumbs would break if he tried to pull out with force, not that he would be able to get much further than that anyway.

"

n

"Huh, I think I know a knot like that as well. A bitch to try and get out of.

" Foster added,

"But is it really that weird? I mean, couldn't the other skeletons just be guards, while this guy is a prisoner? Maybe the skeletons on the next two floors will have a clearer prison theme or something.

" He suggested, but it was clear that Octer wasn't particularly happy with that explanation. Or at least, he wasn't sure whether or not that was really it.

n

"...Maybe.

" He replied, before slowly standing up again,

"Either way, we should just get going, right? With only regular undead left, we should be able to get through pretty quickly.

"

n

"You're right, let's get moving.

" Lynol agreed immediately, opening the door on the other side of the room. This monster source seemed to be the only one on the third floor, meaning that all the death slime on this floor were going to be unable to move from now on. So as long as they paid attention so that they wouldn't step into puddles of slime, then Foster didn't need to be the one in the front anymore.

nRather, it would make more sense to take on a more classic structure. Octer and Foster in the front, Kyla in the middle, followed by Lynol. Since Lynol needed a good bit of open space in order to swing his weapon properly, the slow and large Octer with his ridiculously large tower shield might end up getting in the way, even if Lynol's combat was based on speed and agility. Foster was easier to match up with another person, while it was easier for Lynol to be a bit more alone so that he could unleash his full attacks, especially in an enclosed space like this.

n

"By the way, do you guys also think that Zhaine is gonna be pissed, or is it just me?

" Foster asked, looking down at his dented armor. Octer slightly turned his head and shook his head,

"Something like that can be fixed super easily, so don't worry. Trust me, my shields tend to get quite banged up, but they've always been repaired easily. As long as they weren't pierced.

" He explained briefly, relaxing Foster a bit.

n

"Good... if it's not a big deal, then that's good. I don't want to go back and then return the armor that I nearly poisoned myself for, in a basically ruined state.

"

n

"Huh?

" Kyla let out,

"What do you mean, you nearly poisoned yourself?

"

n

"Oh, that. Yeah, that was dumb.

" Lynol replied,

"Foster won a drinking contest against Zhaine, a blacksmith we met. Which would usually be fine, but Zhaine happens to be a dwarf, and the drink of choice was dwarven spirit.

"

n

"....Are you an idiot?

" Kyla asked, looking at Foster's back, before she realized what Lynol just said,

"Hold up, he won?!

"

n