Noir sat at his old wooden desk, his fingers gently tapping the scratched surface. The dim light from half-burnt candles cast trembling shadows on the stone walls of the dungeon. A freshly poured glass of whiskey sat beside him, untouched.
His mind was elsewhere. It had been days since he added Angelina to his team, and now it was time to take a bigger step.
The door to the room swung open, and Nadia walked in with her confident stride that always seemed to say, "I'm here."
Her hair was tied back with a red ribbon, her golden eyes glinting like jewels in the dim light. She wore a tight black leather outfit, embroidered with magical runes, exuding a quiet power.
"So, Dungeon Master, lost in your scheming head again?" Nadia smirked, hands on her hips.
Noir shot her a tired glance. "Can't you come see me without throwing shade for once?" he grumbled under his breath.
Nadia laughed, quickly pulling up a wooden chair across from him. "If I didn't give you a hard time, how would you know I still care? Now, spill, what crazy plan have you got brewing today?"
Noir took a deep breath and picked up his whiskey. "It's not crazy, it's clever. I want to rank this dungeon up to F. It's time we move past this damn G status."
Nadia raised her eyebrows mockingly. "Wow, big dreams! You think a few sword-wielding skeletons and a cranky wizard will get us there?"
"Exactly," Noir replied with a devilish smile, giving his glass a little swirl. "Just needs some planning. I've designed a new mission that'll attract stronger adventurers. If it goes right, we'll boost the dungeon's points and bring in better monsters."
Nadia paused, her curiosity piqued. "Alright, what's this mission going to be?"
Noir stood up and walked over to a large map spread on the wall. He pointed to a spot. "Here, an old cave near the dungeon. I've spread rumors of a legendary treasure hidden there. It's not real, of course, but I've set up a solid trap and some new monsters to keep the adventurers busy."
Nadia squinted at the map. "And what if your trap doesn't work and the adventurers realize there's no treasure?"
Noir shrugged nonchalantly. "Then Gerk and Angelina step in. Gerk's our final boss; Angelina distracts them with her spells. It's like a show, we just need to make sure no one walks out alive. Plus, by making the cave part of the dungeon with some point expenditure, killing them will earn us a ton of points."
Nadia let out a short laugh. "You're one ruthless devil, you know that?"
"Thanks for the compliment," Noir replied with a wink, taking a sip of his whiskey.
Nadia suddenly asked, "By the way, how do you drink so much whiskey and vodka without getting drunk?"
Noir smirked as he took another sip. "That's a secret."
Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway, and Gerk, with his massive frame, entered the room. His broadsword was still slung over his back, sweat dripping down his forehead with the blade slightly stained with blood, as if he had just returned from a fight.
"Boss, I tested those new skeletons. Their swords are rusty, but at least they don't look as ridiculous as before," Gerk said in his deep voice, standing off to the side.
Noir nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Now we need to increase their spawn rate. Can't have adventurers thinking this place is a cakewalk."
Nadia looked at Gerk with a curious expression. "How do you stand working with this idiot for so long? Aren't you afraid he'll throw you into a trap one day?"
Gerk glanced at Noir and then smirked. "As long as Lady Liliana trusts me, I'm here. The boss... well, he's kind of amusing."
Noir frowned and muttered, "Damn it, bringing up my sister again. Can't you just say you're here for me?"
Gerk just shrugged. Nadia laughed, "Your giant is very loyal, Noir. Too bad he only listens to Liliana!"
Noir shot her a glare. "Alright, enough of this. We need to bring Angelina into this. She's going to play the lead in this mission."
×××
[Half an hour later - Dungeon Training Room]
Angelina stood in the training room with her scorched cloak and slightly tidier blonde hair, a short magical staff in her hand. She scowled at Noir, still somewhat resentful about the fake bomb incident, but the promise of coins and freedom kept her there.
"Okay, what do you want from me now? Going to send me into another ridiculous situation?" Angelina snapped, giving her staff a small shake.
Noir calmly clasped his hands behind his head. "Dear Angie, this time it's real work. You're going into the cave to play the part of a mysterious witch. When the adventurers come in, you'll distract them with some showy magic until Gerk finishes them off."
Angelina narrowed her eyes. "And what if they attack me? You think I'm a shield to block their swords?"
Noir chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll give you a magical shield. You just need to be quick. You managed to save yourself from that bomb situation; this should be a piece of cake."
Nadia, leaning against the wall, grinned mischievously. "This girl's kind of funny. I might actually like her if she wasn't such a complainer."
Angelina shot Nadia a sharp look. "I'm not complaining; I just don't want to die because of this idiot's schemes!"
Noir raised his hand. "Calm down, both of you. Angie, you just need to distract them. A small flame, some colorful smoke, whatever. Gerk will handle the rest."
Gerk, standing quietly in the shadows, spoke softly, "If you play your part right, I'll wipe them out in two minutes."
Angelina took a deep breath. "Fine, but if this turns out to be another dumb trap, I'm whacking you with this staff, Noir!"
Noir laughed loudly. "Deal, just try to stay alive until then!"
×××
[The next night - Near the Cave]
The air was cold, the wind howling through the bare branches of the trees. Noir, Nadia, Angelina, and Gerk hid behind a large rock, watching the entrance to the cave. The rumor of the legendary treasure had worked; a five-member group of adventurers, equipped with torches and swords, entered the cave: a heavily armored warrior, a slender archer, a wizard in a blue robe, a thief in a dark cloak, and a healer with a silver cross.
"Perfect, they've got a good mix. If they go down, it'll boost our points big time," Noir whispered.
Nadia looked curious. "Are you sure Angelina can handle this?"
Noir nodded confidently. "If she messes up, Gerk's here. But I think she'll surprise us."
Angelina, off to the side, gripped her staff tightly. "I just hope there aren't any dirty goblins this time."
Noir smiled. "I can't promise, but I'll keep them at bay."
The adventurers were now inside the cave, their footsteps echoing in the night's silence. Angelina took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the rock. Her cloak fluttered in the wind as her staff emitted a faint green glow.
"Showtime," she muttered, heading towards the cave entrance.
×××
[Inside the Cave]
The adventurers moved cautiously. The warrior, leading the party, held his sword high. "It's too quiet here. Something's off."
The archer chuckled nervously. "Maybe it's just a rumor, and we're wasting our time."
The wizard, his blue robe shimmering in the torchlight, said, "No, I sense faint magic. Something's here."
At that moment, green smoke rose from the back of the cave, followed by a loud, echoing laugh. Angelina emerged from behind a stone pillar, staff pointed at them.
"Welcome to my domain, fools!" Her voice was deepened for effect, though she was secretly laughing at how ridiculous she felt.
The warrior yelled, raising his sword, "It's a witch! Get ready!"
The archer quickly fired an arrow, but Angelina swiftly conjured a magical shield, dissipating it in mid-air. She then launched a small fireball at them, which landed at their feet.
The healer, surprised, said, "That was weak!"
Before they could react, Gerk leapt from the shadows like a specter. His broadsword swung through the air, slamming the warrior against the wall. Blood spurted from his armor, and the sound of cracking bones filled the cave.
Angelina froze for a moment but quickly regained her composure, releasing a thick, disorienting smoke. The archer tried to shoot again, but Gerk caught his arm, snapping his bow in two. The wizard started to cast a protective spell, but Angelina hit him with a paralyzing charm, and Gerk finished him off with a single blow.
The thief and healer, now terrified, attempted to flee, but Gerk chased them down like a merciless beast, cutting them down in seconds.
Breathing heavily, Angelina looked around. Her heart raced, but there was also a strange satisfaction. "That... that was fast."
Gerk rested his sword on his shoulder. "Told you two minutes. Let's go back to the boss."
×××
[Outside the Cave]
Noir and Nadia watched from behind the rock. When Angelina and Gerk returned, Noir smiled, pleased. "Excellent work. I think our points are going up tonight."
Nadia looked at Angelina with a mix of surprise and respect. "Gotta admit, the girl's got something. Maybe she's actually useful."
Angelina scowled. "Thanks, but I still don't like you, Noir. This is crazy!"
Noir laughed. "Crazy works, Angie. Now come on, let's have a drink. We're celebrating tonight!"
The group headed back to the dungeon as the wind continued to whistle through the empty cave. In his mind, Noir was already plotting the next steps. This was just the beginning.