Starlit Library 2

Jacob and Alex looked at the utility door in front of them, the starscape etched on its surface matching the description given to the Divers Association. Jacob, the taller of the two, was dressed in black body armor and gray combat fatigues, a sword sheathed in a scabbard at his waist. Alex, the shorter of the two, was dressed in the same black body armor, but unlike Jacob, they wore a long cloak over the armor, and a long sleeved shirt and jeans beneath.

“So this is the place, huh. An unknown dungeon. It’s  been a while since we’ve had one of these to explore.”

“It’s not completely unknown. A group of teens stumbled into it a couple days ago, nearly died.”

Jacob chuckled to himself.

“Yeah, I read the report too, you know. From how the kids described it, they should have died. You think this is a ‘merciful’ dungeon?”

“I hope not. Merciful dungeons are the worst. Nothing kills your sense of danger like thinking you won’t die.”

“Well, let’s hope we don’t get the chance to find out. The association gave us a teleport scroll for emergencies.”

“Thank God for that. Those things are expensive.”

“Yeah, so we’ll get a pay cut if we actually use it. We’ll just have to try and not die the usual way.”

Alex sighed and shrugged.

“Guess so. Let’s get going then?”

“No time like the present.”

Jacob pushed open the door.

+=+=+=+=+

> You have entered the [Starlit Library]

The two divers took in the vista stretching before them. As the report stated, the dungeon took the form of a massive canyon of bookshelves, reaching high up into the black sky. Somewhere, far off in the distance, a curtain of mist separated the boss chamber from the rest of the dungeon.

Alex rested their chin in their hand.

“Weird layout for a dungeon, isn’t it? Just a straight path without any twists?”

“Yeah, can’t say I’ve seen a dungeon this straight forward before. Even newborn dungeons have a turn or two.”

“The way the report describes it, this might by the simplest dungeon out there. Just a straight line with some zombies and a boss. The only thing that stands out is the [Watched] areas.”

“Mmm, it’s too simple. There must be hidden doors or something.”

“Maybe the [Watched] areas tell you where to look.”

“Maybe. Keep your eyes peeled.”

Jacob and Alex walked down the corridor paying close attention to their surroundings. Neither of the two could understand anything in the books, and none of the shelves responded to Alex’s careful prodding.

> You have gained the [Watched] condition

Jacob stopped abruptly, Alex stopping behind him.

“We’re here. According to the report, the first monsters were found soon afternoon leaving a [Watched] area.”

“Got it. Any clue what this [Watched] business is? I don’t see any changes in my stats.”

“No clue. Other than this awful feeling of being watched, everything seems to be the same. Think you can find the watcher?”

“I’ll try. Give me a boost, I’ll have a better view from on top of the bookshelves.”

Jacob braced himself against a shelf and pushed Alex up, giving them the extra height they needed to pull themself up onto the shelf.

> You have gained the [Scopophobia] condition

Alex froze, trembling on then top of the bookshelf. There was more than enough room to move around, the tops of the shelves forming a whole new path, but that didn’t matter. Something was *looking* at them, so many eyes, revealing everything they wanted to keep hidden. They had to hide, had to stop the gazes, but no matter how tightly they curled, the eyes drilled into them mercilessly.

“Hey? Hey Alex, you alright?”

“They’re looking at me, tell them to stop looking at me.”

“Alex, Alex calm down. It’s just a dungeon trick. You’re fine.”

“They’re *looking* at me Jacob. I can’t- they won’t stop! They won’t stop!”

“Okay, it’s okay, just come back down, they won’t see you down here.”

“...are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ll protect you. I won’t let them see you.”

Alex jumped down from the shelf, practically landing in Jacob’s arms.

> You have lost the [Scopophohia] condition

“God, what the fuck was that?”

“You okay now, Alex? You alright.”

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine now. I’m still being watched but, but it’s bearable again.”

“Any idea what happened? You just started freaking out.”

“I got a [Phobia] condition as soon as I got on the shelf. I guess the dungeon doesn’t want anyone to climb it.”

“Mmm. Could you make anything out while you were up there? Could you see the watcher?”

“No, I could barely think. There was a lot of space up there, though. Might be the 2nd floor.”

“Good to know. Here’s hoping we won’t have to deal with that when we find the legitimate way up.”

“All I know is, you can try that ‘legitimate way’ first. I’m not going through that again.”

Jacob laughed.

“Sure, sure. Let’s fight some monsters to calm down, okay?”

> You have lost the [Watched] condition