The 22nd floor presents a stunning view: a vast and dense forest. Giant trees towered tall, hiding the sky above with their dense foliage. The sound of gurgling water can be heard from a small river that flows in the middle of the forest, adding to the beauty of the atmosphere.
Sunlight also tries to penetrate the gaps in the trees, creating a play of shadows and fiery light between the grove of green leaves. Fresh air and the aroma of wet earth filled the surroundings, refreshing every breath.
But behind its natural beauty, this forest holds unexpected secrets and dangers. In the dense foliage, there may be predators hiding, ready to launch an attack on anyone who disturbs their peace. Tree roots that spread along the ground may become a deadly trap for those who are not alert.
"We can't let down our guard in a place like this." The old man replied to all his party members.
"Yes, let's walk carefully in this place." Kyle took out his sword from its sheath.
The 22nd floor was very different from the 21st floor they had just passed earlier. It's like entering a whole new world. The endless dense forest seemed to surround them on every side, making them feel like they were trapped in a wilderness that was seductive with its mystery.
Unlike the previous floor which still felt well organized, the 22nd floor was full of natural chaos. Towering and lush trees covered the sky, limiting their view in all directions. Only a little sunlight can penetrate, making the atmosphere even more gloomy and mysterious.
Adventurers who passed through this floor felt as if they were trapped in a boundless natural labyrinth. Every step they took immersed them further in the darkness and silence of this dense forest. With no clear endpoint, they must rely on their instincts and alertness to navigate and survive within this mysterious floor.
"Hey, what's going on here!" Kyle shouted suddenly as they walked through the forest.
Suddenly, a violent shaking shook the ground beneath their feet. The trees trembled and leaves fell all around, creating a roar that echoed throughout the forest. The wind was blowing hard, carrying the smell of wet earth and a sense of tension in the air.
The adventurers stood straight, trying to hold their balance amidst the powerful shaking. Their eyes continued to scan the surroundings, alert for any possible danger that might occur after this shock.
"An earthquake?" the young man who was a courier muttered as his voice trembled, his eyes looking around for clues about what was going on.
The old man took a deep breath, trying to remain calm amidst this critical situation. "We must remain alert. Who knows what is waiting behind this shock," he said in a tough voice.
"Are all of you okay?" Kyle asked, seeking confirmation from his comrades.
"What happened?" Verna replied, her voice shaking with the fear that still felt.
Everyone's gaze fell on him, their faces reflecting a sense of confusion and uncertainty. They all wondered about the cause of the shaking and what it meant for their safety in this forest.
"Could it be because Rising Phoenix is fighting up there?" said the man who was an assassin, his voice filled with speculation.
His statement caused everyone to think for a moment. Rising Phoenix is a top guild known for its bravery and skill in exploring dangerous dungeons. The possibility that they were fighting on the floor above them was a reasonable speculation.
"Maybe," Kyle answered after a moment of thought. "But we must not take risks. Whatever caused the shock, we must remain alert to all possibilities."
The old man turned towards the young man, and he saw that the young man was focused on something.
"Is something wrong, kid?" asked the old man in a worried tone, realizing that the young man seemed distracted from the current situation.
The young man who was the courier raised his head and met the old man's gaze. "Sorry," he answered hesitantly. "I just feel... weird. There is something wrong here."
The old man looked at the expression on the young man's face seriously. "What do you feel?" he asked again, trying to understand what the young man was feeling.
The young courier boy shook his head. "I don't know. But it feels like there is something going on in this dungeon, something that cannot be explained."
Not long after the great shaking, suddenly the birds which were monsters scattered in an irregular manner from the north of this floor.
After several minutes, the shaking stopped. The ground returned to stability beneath their feet, and the forest seemed calm again. The trees no longer trembled, and the leaves stopped falling. The air became quiet again, only filled with the sound of the wind rustling gently between the trees.
The adventurers looked at each other, still tense after the incident. They were relieved that the shaking had stopped, but concerns about what might have caused it still hung in the air.
The adventurers immediately faced this unexpected invasion with the readiness and resilience they had. They drew their weapons and prepared to face the threat that had just appeared in front of them.
"Prepare yourselves! We will face the attacks of these birds!" Kyle shouted, leading his party members in facing the incoming danger.
the young man who was a courier was also ready to fight, raising the rusty dagger he always carried with him at all times. His eyes shone with determination and determination to fight, even though he felt small among his more experienced fellow adventurers.
However, the bird-like monsters just flew above, ignoring the existence of the adventurers below.
The adventurers stared in astonishment when they saw the strange behavior of these monsters. They wondered what could be the reason why these birds were just flying above without paying attention to their presence below.
"Why do they just fly away like that?" asked Verna, her voice full of confusion.
Kyle frowned, trying to understand the situation. "Is there perhaps something that has caught their attention up there? Or maybe they were avoiding something on the ground?"
ROOOOOAAAAAARRRR!"
A powerful and loud roar resounded from the north of the 22nd floor.
The adventurers immediately pricked up their ears, startled by the voice that echoed around this forest. The voice was filled with power and threat, sending chills down their spines.
"What was that sound?" asked Verna, her eyes looking towards the north with fear.
The ground shook again, and this time it sounded like the thud of strong, heavy footsteps.
The adventurers looked at each other with growing tension. The sound of footsteps was getting closer, indicating that something large and dangerous was approaching them.
"What's that?" Verna hissed, her voice shaking with fear.