Chapter 20: The Ambush of the Cursed Night

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie darkness upon the surroundings as we stood before the stairway leading to the next level of Mina's Dungeon. The first level had been somewhat manageable, and we had successfully mapped out most of it. But our venture was far from over, and greater challenges awaited us as we descended deeper into the abyss.

I had healed my companions throughout the day, expending considerable mana and effort to ensure their safety. Yet, despite my dedication, I still hadn't leveled up. The path of a White Mage seemed to grow increasingly demanding as I climbed higher in my job level. I couldn't help but wonder how arduous the journey to becoming a master healer would be.

As we rested for the night, the guild leader expressed satisfaction with our progress, assuring the party that the second floor would be relatively manageable. The undead, however, grew stronger during the night, putting us on guard as we returned to our camp.

Upon arriving at the camp, an unsettling feeling washed over me. Something was amiss. Two of our companions who were supposed to be guarding the entrance were nowhere to be seen, and the once-lively campfire had dwindled to mere embers. The guild leader's sharp instincts were quick to pick up on the danger that lurked around us.

With the oppressive darkness closing in, the guild leader approached the dying campfire and examined the cooled ash. His keen perception indicated that this was no mere coincidence, and his swift decision-making brought some relief to the rest of us. Just as we thought we might be safe, a foreboding crack echoed through the night.

From the shadows emerged an overwhelming horde of undead creatures—zombies and skeletons numbering in the hundreds, perhaps even more. Panic gripped us, and we knew we were facing an insurmountable force. There was no wall to protect us, and with only a fraction of the adventurers present compared to the night before, our situation was dire.

In the face of this overwhelming threat, the guild leader showed true leadership. He unsheathed his mighty sword, fearlessly confronting the undead onslaught. With a single, powerful swing, he repelled some of the undead, but it was clear that this fight was not one we could win on open ground. The guild leader commanded us to retreat back into the dungeon, where we might have a better chance of holding off the undead horde.

As the darkness of the cursed night enveloped us, we retreated step by step, the clamor of a battle raging all around us. The undead pressed relentlessly, and the fate of our party hung by a thread. I could feel the mana coursing through my veins, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination.

Once again, I found myself on the front lines, casting healing spells with all my might. The other adventurers fought valiantly, but the sheer number of undead was overwhelming. I couldn't help but wonder if our fate was sealed on this accursed night.

In the midst of the chaos, our camaraderie grew stronger, forged by the trials we faced together. Each swing of my companions' swords, each spell I cast to heal their wounds, was an affirmation of our unity and determination to survive this ordeal.

The night was long and arduous, and as the darkness began to wane, our strength also dwindled. Yet, we fought on, resolute and unyielding. The dawn brought with it a glimmer of hope, but the undead remained unyielding in their assault.

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the horizon, the undead horde gradually began to retreat, dissolving back into the shadows from whence they came. Our bodies were weary, and our spirits tested, but we had endured the night of the cursed ambush.

Though we had survived the onslaught, it was clear that the challenges ahead would only intensify. The dungeon's depths held secrets untold, and every step we took brought us closer to the climax of our journey. We had entered this dungeon seeking answers, and now we were faced with the consequences of our actions.

The battle against the undead had left its mark on us, and as we gathered our strength, the guild leader addressed the party with unwavering resolve. The night had been a harsh reminder of the dangers that lay ahead, but we were determined to overcome them—to face the mysteries of Mina's Dungeon head-on and to uncover the truth that lay hidden within its cursed depths.