The oppressive weight of the unseen entity bore down on them, making rational thought difficult. Hana quickly led the team into a shallow cave nearby, a dark cleft in the purple rock offering minimal shelter but at least a defensible position.
Inside, the pressure lessened slightly, but the fear remained. Arguments broke out almost immediately.
"We should have pulled back the moment we felt that pressure!" Joe snapped, pacing nervously near the cave mouth. "Going further was suicide!"
"And how were we supposed to know the exit would vanish?" Gary shot back, leaning heavily on his hammer. "Hindsight's useless now. We need a plan."
"A plan?" Susan scoffed, checking the edge of her shield. "Our plan was based on a Rank 6 dungeon, not... whatever this is. We're outmatched and cut off."
"Maybe if we push forward?" Lucas suggested, though his voice lacked conviction. "Find the source of the presence? Maybe that's the clear condition?"
