One by one, the travelers exited the caravan. Shobai rubbed his eyes in disbelief. The once dense Asyralon forest had somehow turned to desert ruins half-swallowed by rolling hills of sand.

Follow me. The ogre said and disappeared into the mouth of a sand-swept cavern. 

This isn't Behemoth! A lizardman said. We paid for–

The caravan driver interrupted. It’s a shortcut. With the ogre's help, we’ll cut three days off our trip.

A wave of relief washed over the travelers as they entered the cavern.

A low hum vibrated through the sand with each uneven step. In the darkness, Shobai could barely make out the path ahead. His unease grew with every turn.

They walked for what felt like hours in the dark until a strange glowing fog filled the passageway. It twisted and coiled on its own until, with a sudden jolt, it pulled together forming a vortex of pure, raw energy. It pulsed erratically, as if alive. Could it be–

A portal. Tiana said. 

Shobai had read about portals in fantasy novels. How they connected humans to inter-dimensional dungeons filled with monsters… and treasures. But something about this didn’t feel right.

This way. The caravan driver said and vanished into the pulsing light. The other travelers reluctantly followed, a mix of fear and desperation in their faces. Tiana pulled back.

Are you sure about this? She said. 

Shobai’s heart lurched. A portal to Behemoth? It seemed to good to be true, but what choice did they have.

No. He said, with the same practiced smile he had perfected over the years. But I'm going anyways.

Good. Tiana said. For a second there, I thought you'd runaway.

I literally saved your life a day ago. Shobai said.

You're getting some mileage out of that one, huh Butt Grabber?

Hey–

Look, I'm almost out of snacks so can we move this along?

Shobai let out a sigh. There was no point in arguing. Besides, she was right—if they waited any longer, they'd be left behind. 

He took a deep breath, clenched his jaw, and stepped into the light.

FLASH.

He landed in a shadowy expanse–a murky cavern of twisting tunnels and splintered rock deep within the earth. The once dry air thickened with the damp rot and unholy mildew. His eyes struggled to adjust, but there was no mistaking it...

This was a dungeon. He'd beaten dozens of them in RPGs. Spent countless hours battling pixelated foes and stockpiling treasures. But the real thing was nothing like he imagined.

Shobai scrambled to his feet, following the sound. His heart sank as he entered a large chamber. It wasn't Tiana's cry he'd heard.

The caravan driver lay on the ground in front of a colossal monster. It was a golden-eyed wolf, nearly three times his size. Its fur was matted with blood, its claws filthy.

Shobai’s hands trembled. A golden-eyed wolf was one of the strongest electric monsters in his dungeon RPGs. Its growl alone could paralyze foes. What was a monster like this doing on the first floor! Any hopes he had of leveling up on slimes dissolved instantly. 

Get up, human. The ogre said. It’s dead. 

Right, of course. The driver said and brushed off his jacket. Now, I believe I’ve upheld my part of the agreement. If you would be so kind as to–

With a reluctant sigh, the ogre handed over a jingling bag of coins. The driver snatched it, and with a nauseating grin, counted every coin. Once satisfied, he nodded and rushed back through the fading portal.

Listen up! The ogre said. I am Donavon Krvasto. And for the next seven years, you belong to me.

The ogre stepped aside, revealing a massive chamber bustling with beastfolk and humans – all bound in rusted chains. Flickering light revealed axes, shovels, and identical black and white uniforms marked with a bird insignia. Shobai could barely hear their groans of despair over the screech of mining carts on rusted tracks.

Men on the left. Women on the right. Donavon said.

Before Shobai could even process the words, guards surged from the shadows and seized him. In seconds, they had separated the men and women like cows before the slaughter. 

Shobai! Tiana said.

He lunged, desperate to free her, but couldn’t move. 

Tiana! He shouted over the guards. I’ll… I’ll figure something out! I’ll find you. 

The next time I see you, you’re dead! Her words echoed in the chamber, a sharp, bitter promise. 

And then she was gone.