The Young Demon Lord and her Maid-Knight

"Good morning," Maia greeted Lilith warmly as she approached. "Welcome to the entry point of the dungeon gate. As you can see, it's not that big, but still a gate."

Lilith glanced around, taking in the scene. The dungeon gate was built into the inner walls of the castle town, a small but sturdy entryway. The structure was designed to ensure that, even if monsters managed to escape the dungeon, they couldn't easily overrun the town.

"I noticed," Lilith replied, her crimson eyes scanning the area. "And good morning, everyone."

"Did you sleep well?" Maia asked, her cheerful tone infectious.

"I slept a little, but not very well," Lilith admitted with a slight chuckle. "I was too excited about my first dungeon run."

"I see," Maia teased, her grin widening. "It was the same for me during my first dungeon run. Couldn't sleep a wink the night before."

As the group exchanged lighthearted banter, Maia added a piece of advice. "Just remember, the chambers inside the dungeon tend to change over time. It's never exactly the same dungeon as the last run, and no one really knows why that happens."

A tall man carrying a large shield stepped forward, his expression serious. "Maia, please don't make it sound so simple. Dungeons are unpredictable and dangerous. This isn't a game."

"Oh, come on, Gilion," Maia teased, rolling her eyes. "We've got a platinum-ranked mercenary with us! She's more than capable of handling herself."

Gilion frowned, his stern gaze shifting to Lilith. "She might be a platinum, but she's still a rookie when it comes to dungeons. Even experienced adventurers have been killed on their first runs. As the leader of this group and the tank, it's my responsibility to make sure everyone understands the risks."

Lilith nodded, appreciating his caution despite the slight edge in his tone. "I understand, and I'm ready. I'll follow your lead and stay alert."

Gilion's expression softened slightly at her calm response. "Good. Just remember—teamwork is key. We'll get through this together."

Maia patted Lilith on the shoulder. "Don't worry too much. We've got each other's backs. Now, let's get moving. The dungeon's not going to explore itself!"

The group gathered their gear and prepared to enter the gate. The anticipation was palpable as they stepped toward the unknown depths of the dungeon, each member ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

Gilion stood tall at the dungeon entrance, his voice firm and commanding as he addressed the group. "Now that we're all gathered, let's go over the plan. Our objective is to reach the 10th floor and eliminate the boss. Lilith, stay close to Maia. She's our main damage dealer. I'll taunt the monsters to focus on me, and you'll assist in taking them down. Jimmy will scout ahead and check for traps."

"Right, boss," Jimmy said with a grin, giving a confident nod.

"Stella and Jess," Gilion continued, glancing at the two women, "you'll stay in the rear, ready to provide support when needed."

Both women nodded, their expressions resolute.

"Okay, team, let's move!" Gilion shouted, raising his shield. The group cheered, their spirits high, and stepped forward into the dungeon.

As Lilith crossed the threshold, an unusual sensation washed over her. She could feel the flow of magic coursing through the dungeon, almost as if it were a living entity. The air was heavy with energy, and her connection to mana sharpened.

This place is alive with magic, Lilith thought, marveling at the intricacies of the dungeon's layout. She closed her eyes briefly, extending her senses. A vivid map formed in her mind, showing an expansive dungeon with 67 floors, each teeming with dangers. She could sense powerful monsters waiting on every 10th floor, as well as the traps concealed along the way.

I could map this entire dungeon using my mana flow, she mused. But for now, I'll follow their lead and learn their tactics. Later, I'll return to explore it fully on my own.

Jimmy, the scout, stopped abruptly and jogged back to the group. "Up ahead, there's a group of goblins—three fighters and a shaman," he reported.

Gilion nodded, his face set with determination. "Understood. I'll take the lead and draw their attention. Lilith," he turned to her, "your job is to eliminate the shaman. They're dangerous and can complicate things quickly. Maia, you're with me. Jess, Stella, stay ready to assist. Jimmy, guard the rear."

"Got it!" the group responded in unison, their formation tightening as they prepared for battle.

Lilith gripped her weapon, her crimson eyes gleaming with focus. She felt a spark of excitement and determination surge through her. Let's see how this group works together, she thought.

Gilion raised his shield and charged forward, drawing the goblins' attention with a booming roar. 

The three goblin fighters charged at Gilion, their crude weapons raised high as they roared in unison. With practiced precision, Gilion raised his shield, bracing himself for the impact. As the first two goblins collided with him, he bashed them aside with a powerful sweep of his shield, sending them stumbling. Maia darted in from the side, her sword gleaming as she struck down the third fighter with a clean, precise slash.

Meanwhile, the goblin shaman stood further back, muttering in its crooked tongue as it began to chant a spell. A faint green glow surrounded it, signaling a dangerous attack in the making.

"Oh no, you don't," Lilith smirked, stepping forward with her mana saber blazing in her hand. In one swift motion, she closed the distance and struck the shaman with a clean, decisive slash. Its chanting stopped abruptly as its lifeless body crumbled to dust, leaving behind a small, shiny crystal that glinted faintly on the ground.

Moments later, Lilith rejoined Gilion and Maia, effortlessly slashing down one of the staggered goblins near him. With her assistance, the fight was over in less than 30 seconds.

Maia, panting lightly, pointed to the ground. "Oh, look! A mana crystal."

"It must have been from the shaman," Gilion said knowingly, glancing at the shimmering object.

"Yes," Lilith confirmed. "Its body turned to dust, and the crystal was left behind." She bent down, examining it briefly before handing it to Gilion.

Lilith furrowed her brow, murmuring to herself, "I guess this is how monsters are created in dungeons—born of mana essence."

"You're absolutely right, Lilith," Gilion said, nodding. "Monsters in dungeons are born from the dungeon's magic. The deeper you go, the stronger the mana essence becomes, and that's where you'll find the more dangerous and powerful creatures. That crystal is a fragment of the shaman's mana—it's proof of its origin and death."

Maia grinned, wiping her blade clean. "Well, that went smoothly. If we keep this up, we'll reach the 10th floor in no time."

Lilith smiled faintly but remained thoughtful, her mind already analyzing the flow of mana in the dungeon. She was beginning to understand not just the magic of this place but also how it pulsed with life and danger.

As the group moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoed softly off the ancient stone walls. The flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows, and the air was thick with the damp, earthy smell of the dungeon.

A sudden noise broke the tense silence—hurried footsteps. Moments later, Jimmy came sprinting around the corner, his face pale and his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Guys, I messed up!" he panted, hands on his knees. "We've got company—five fighters and two shamans. On the bright side, though, I found the stairs down. It's exactly like last time; nothing's changed, except there's a group of goblins there now."

Gilion frowned, his tone sharp. "Jimmy, I told you to be careful! Don't go rushing off recklessly." He straightened, raising his shield and gesturing to the group. "Alright, everyone, get ready. This is a bigger fight. Lilith, time to show us those platinum skills. Your priority is the shamans—take them out before they can cause trouble. Maia and I will handle the fighters."

Lilith nodded, her eyes gleaming with focus. "Understood."

Maia unsheathed her blade, a confident grin on her face. "Piece of cake. Let's do this!"

Stella and Jess positioned themselves at the rear, readying their magic and supplies for support. Jimmy took a step back, keeping his daggers at the ready to protect the group's flank.

The sound of approaching footsteps and guttural goblin chatter grew louder as the enemy closed in. The group tightened their formation, preparing for the fight.

As the goblins came into view, Gilion let out a fierce battle cry, slamming his shield against the ground to draw the attention of the fighters. "Over here, you filthy monsters!"

The five goblin fighters charged, their crude weapons raised high. Gilion braced himself, his shield absorbing the impact as Maia dashed in, her blade dancing between enemies, cutting down one goblin after another with swift precision.

Lilith wasted no time, her mana saber humming as she focused on the two shamans at the rear. They began chanting, their voices weaving together an eerie, magical melody. With a flick of her wrist, Lilith unleashed a pulse of concentrated mana, disrupting their chant. She darted toward the first shaman, her blade slicing cleanly through it before it could react. The second shaman raised its staff, but Lilith's speed outmatched its defenses. In a blur of motion, she struck it down, leaving both shamans in crumbling piles of dust.

With the shamans gone, the rest of the fight was a matter of cleaning up. Maia and Gilion worked in perfect sync, eliminating the last of the fighters.

When the final goblin fell, the group regrouped, catching their breath.

"Not bad, Lilith," Gilion said, his stern expression softening into a small smile. "You handled those shamans like a pro."

Jimmy grinned sheepishly. "Guess I owe you guys for covering my mistake."

"Just be more careful next time," Maia teased, patting him on the shoulder. "Now, let's check out those stairs. Onward to the next floor!"

With renewed confidence, the group continued deeper into the dungeon, the thrill of adventure driving them forward.