Prologue
"Come on, Tiberius. You can do it!" Conway coughed up blood as if last words drew his last energy forth. He was behind Tiberius. Down on one knee and clutching his side.
"We are doomed if you don't pull that off." Sinea sounded strained. She was mostly okay - save for a few superficial cuts all over her body - but was heaving their bleeding rogue on her shoulder.
"Go kill …. that bastard … of a Lich," Debtar, the party's rogue, managed to say between labored breaths.
Strengthened by the words of courage, Tiberius grabbed his staff harder and turned towards his foe. The skeletal mage - a Lich - was worse for wear. Already taking a beating by Tiberius' group. But now, only Tiberius was left. The young mage gathered his courage and magic.
"Time to end this!" he growled out between clenched teeth.
"Wake up Tiberius! Time to rise and shine!"
A groan escaped the young mage and suddenly the dark dungeon was gone. Replaced by bed and sheets. Bleary-eyed, Tiberius looked around. Right. They stayed at an inn. He shared, as always, a room with Conway and Debtar. The former was already strapping on his enchanted armor.
The rogue, however, took a dramatic pose right in the middle of the room. Not minding one bit that he was just in his underpants. "Time to end this! I vanquish thee!" Mockingly swinging an imaginary staff around and pretending to cast spells. Not for long, as he broke into chuckles. Playfully, the rogue cuffed Tiberius in the shoulder. "Did you dream of the Lich again?"
As an answer, Tiberius gave a deep sigh. "Judging by that performance, I guess you already know the answer."
"Don't give the kid a hard time," Conway said as he buckled close the last pieces of armor. "After all, he defeated the Lich. Let him savor his victory."
"Does it even count?" Sadly the reality and Tiberius' dream varied wildly. Not nearly as dramatic. His group had beaten the Lich to an inch of his undead life. With hardly any help from Tiberius. They were, after all, veterans of the adventuring trade.
"It counts," Debtar said with a resolute nod. "You landed the killing blow."
"Because you held back and let me do the honors," Tiberius couldn't help but point out.
"True," Conway said. Taking a seat beside Tiberius made the bed groan under the heavy weight. "Look. Sinea, Debtar, and I have been adventuring for over a decade now. When we decided to add a mage to our team we chose you for a reason. And so far you haven't disappointed us. Even with you having less than a year of practical experience, you are valued by us. Else we wouldn't bother with you."
"Yeah," Tiberius said reluctantly as Conway gave him a pat on the shoulder and stood up. "Because I am not as arrogant as other mages. That's what you told me."
"Yes!" Debtar shouted out. "Mages are an arrogant bunch of assholes. But you aren't. Not if we can prevent it. And if we have to mock you a little for talking in your sleep then that's a sacrifice we are willing to make."
"Are we done here?" Conway asked. "Time to get dressed. I bet Sinea is already waiting for us downstairs."
Giving his friends a quirky smile, Tiberius got up and hurried to throw clothes on as well. After all, Conway was right. Surely Sinea was waiting. And every minute late they would pay for it. Still, the trio of adventurers took the time to bring the small room up into a decent shape. Leaving a pigsty wasn't a good habit. The group had Tiberius memorize an old saying: you always stay at an inn at least twice in your life. Adventurers who couldn't show some restraint usually get the worst rooms from an innkeeper.
Just as predicted, Sinea already sat in the common room of the inn. Hunched over a bowl of porridge and a mug of ale. As the three walked down the stairs, she looked up and a smirk appeared on her face. "Look who made it. Ladies, what took you so long. Did you do your hair before dressing?"
"A lady needs her beauty sleep," Conway waved off the huntress's snide remark and walked towards the counter to get his own breakfast.
Not so Debtar. He chose confrontation and posed himself up just for it. "What do you know of ladies? That world is utterly foreign to you, Sinea. You couldn't be one even if you tried."
The counter made Sinea laugh out loud. After calming down, she looked at Tiberius as if the next verbal attack would be coming from him. But he avoided her eyes and hurried to the counter too. Even after almost a year with this group, he wasn't used to their tough love and needling of each other. At least not to the point where he would join in. That, of course, didn't mean he got off scot-free.
"So, how many Lich have you slain by now, Tiber?"
Sinea's question made him turn around in shock. "How do you know about that? Am I talking that loud in my sleep?"
"You? No," Sinea waved him off. After drinking a gulp of ale she pointed at Debtar. "But our wannabe thespian here was probably loud enough to wake the whole inn."
"That he was."
Tiberius was surprised as a new voice joined in. Coming down the stairs was a huge man flanked by two beautiful maidens. Tiberius had no clue who they were, but apparently, his group did.
"Malvis you asshole!" Sinea shouted as she stood up. Leaning forward and resting her fists on the table. She glared at the man like it could kill him. Just as Tiberius got worried, Sinea broke out into a huge smile. "It's good to see you, you large cuddle bear."
"Annevi. Gisenne." Debtar rushes to the beauties. "Aren't you tired of this big oaf yet?"
"Never," the two answered in unison. But Annevi couldn't help but add: "You might have a chance if you just weren't as scrawny."
"Scrawny? Look at these muscles!" The overdone posing the rogue did was met with chuckles all around.
"Alright. Alright. Everyone pipe down." The strong voice of Conway had the desired effect. The gathered adventurers settled down. Before Tiberius knew what was happening, his party leader had an arm over him and led him to the new arrivals. "Annevi. Gisenne. Melvis. I want to introduce you to someone. This is Tiberius. Our newest member."
Hearing those words, Melvis squared up and took on a somber expression. Crisply he raised his hand for a handshake. "My deepest condolences. I wouldn't wish this fate on my worst enemy."
The shocked and flabbergasted Tiberius didn't have to suffer for long. A flying mug of ale bounced off the brute. Courtesy of Sinea and some choice words. But Melvis was even betrayed even by his own group. Annevi and Gisenne both slapped him on the back of his head.
"Don't mind him," Gisenne said to Tiberius as she stepped close and gave him a friendly hug. "All his training for strength left him bare in other departments."
"Like wit and a sense of humor," Annevi added before following suit. Giving a hug of her own.
"I-it's fine," Tiberius pressed out. Fighting in vain to stave off an oncoming blush.
"I am kidding," Melvis proclaimed and slapped Tiberius' shoulder playfully. Still, the heft of that man's arm nearly made the young man stumble.
"So, what is the terrible trio up to these days?" Sinea asked.
"What?" Annevi looked truly confused.
Gisenne eyed Tiberius's group wearily. "We all know who the real terrible trio is."
"But Gisenne," Debtar cut in with a charming smile. "We have Tiberius now. That means we can't be a trio. That only leaves you guys."
"That's right," Sinea confirmed. "We are now the quartet of dread."
Everyone groaned at Sinea's joke. Even Conway - who often stoically endured Sinea's and Debtar's attempts at humor - and Tiberius.
"Before this goes any further," Conway spoke up and cut off any reply. "Let's sit and eat."
After getting their food from the innkeeper - that man must have seen a lot as he didn't even blink at the adventurers' banter - they all sat down at two tables pushed together. The quiet brought on by eating and drinking didn't last long.
"So, what was that about a Lich?" Gisenne asked while she half-heartedly pushed her spoon through the porridge.
"Well, our whelp of a mage has defeated a Lich. Blasted it to smithereens," Debtar proclaimed proudly. Slapping Tiberius on the shoulder.
Tiberius tried to hide a wince. If this goes on he'd need a healing potion just for his bruised shoulder alone. "The others did the most work," he protested aloud. Blushing and looking down he added: "It's no big deal."
"No big deal?" Gisenne let her spoon fall down into her food in surprise. "A humble mage? Where did you find that boy? Did a unicorn deliver him to you as a baby?"
"Nah," Sinea waived those questions away. "Tiberius is a decent guy. Of course, napping him away from the academy right after graduation helped. The old geezers there hadn't corrupted him too much and others couldn't sink their claws into his ego yet."
"Wait." Melvis looked like he had a sudden epiphany. A little porridge actually spewed from his mouth. Earning a sigh from Annevi who witnessed it "The Lich from the tower of Belerus?"
Conway paused his own eating to respond properly. "Yes. We had a quest to subdue the tower. Pulled it off two weeks ago."
"That's where we wanted to go," Melvis admitted and deflated in his seat.
"Ha! Beat you again, you slowpokes," Sinea cut in. A triumphant smile on her face. "But to beat you by two weeks? Did you take a detour?"
The newly named terrible trio looked at each other with conspiratorial glances. But it was Annevi who broke the silence. "Oh. Not much. Just a quick trip to Shroom Dung-"
"Shroom Dungeon!" Sinea shouted out while pushing up from her seat. "You went to Shroom Dungeon! Conway." She looked pleadingly to their party leader, like a little child stopping at the candy display of the local general store. "Can we go? I totally forgot, but the dungeon is practically right around the corner. Can we?"
"What is Shroom Dungeon?"
Sinea motioned with both arms at Tiberius. "He doesn't know what Shroom Dungeon is. Our fledgling had never been there!"
"We haven't been in over a year," Debtar casually added to Sinea's plea. It earned him a look and then vigorous nodding from her.
"Fine!" Conway agreed with a tone similar to a parent who relented to the demands of a spoiled child. "We could use a vacation."
"Yay!" Sinea pushed away from the table and started to dance around the table. "Shroom Dungeon. Shroom Dungeon. Shroom Dungeon."
To Tiberius' surprise, Annevi and Gisenne left their place too and joined the improvised dance. Leaving him even more confused. "Just what is so special about this dungeon?"
At once, everyone took a somber look on their face. It was Conway who spoke up. "We can't tell you. You see, there are rules for Shroom Dungeon. And one counts even outside of it. It is-"
"What happens in Shroom Dungeon stays in Shroom Dungeon," both groups said in perfect unison.
"Well, that is helpful," Tiberius remarked dryly.
"Cheer up kid," Debtar gave the dejected mage a pat on the shoulder. "You'll find out soon enough."
Chapter 1
Sinea's statement of Shroom Dungeon being right around the corner was a tad misleading. At least, so Tiberius thought. It was two days of hard tracking later when Debtar announced he saw the entrance. If they had wandered at their usual speed, Tiberius had guessed they probably would have needed three days instead. But his group was giddy with excitement and walked like possessed. He had a hard time getting into the same mood. Not to mention that they still blocked every question Tiberius asked.
It didn't help that they were far from the only adventurers traveling to the shroom dungeon. There was a steady trickle to and from the dungeon. Those heading to it with excitement on their faces and those leaving with silly grins and knowing glances. Many friendly greetings were exchanged, but none would talk about the dungeon.
The dungeon itself appeared to be accessed from the side of a mountain, but his group didn't steer directly toward it. Instead, just like every other group before them, they headed to a large lush tree decorated with thousands of vivid-colored ribbons. Some were simply hanging down from branches. Others were wrapped around. Tiberius spotted at least a half dozen dwellings woven with the fabric. It was clear to him that a fairy lived here.
The smallfolk with wings usually led solitary lives. Deep in the forest. Far away from humans and other annoying races. Not so those fairies that practiced the job of soul-keeper. They could entangle a soul with a place. Binding it. If the person bound died, the fairy would use her magic to resurrect them. At least if the person didn't die too far away.
They, the soul-keepers, provided an important job for adventurers. Taking the biggest punishment an adventurer could face off the table: their death. In return, it was customary for adventurers to leave small presents to the fairy they were bound to. Thankfully every fairy had a passion for collecting something.
"Moe! Good to see you." Sinea was the first to greet the little fairy. Making Tiberius' ears perk up. To be friendly with a fairy was common. But to know one's name and use it publicly was rare.
"If it isn't Sinea from the terrible trio."
"Ah. Ah. Ah," Debtar chided her. "We are the quartet of dread now, Moline. Look, we got a mage."
"Did you kidnap him?" Moline shot back.
"He doesn't know better," Conway remarked. "And we keep him until he does. Moline, this is Tiberius. Tiberius, meet Moline. The busiest fairy to exist."
"Friends call me Moe," the fairy said as she flew closer to Tiberius. "And hardly busy. Getting gifts, sure. Binding adventurers, yeah. But I can't remember when the last time was when I had to revive someone."
"All the good with none of the bad, eh?" Conway asked. "Speaking off. Tiberius has your gifts."
"Oh, right." Now reminded, Tiberius looked into his backpack. Fishing out the small package of wrapped fabric. Four ribbons. One for each of them. "I enchanted them myself," he said as Tiberius presented them.
"Nicely done," Moline remarked. With a wave of her hand, the ribbons came alive. Fluttering towards the tree like eels swimming through the ocean. Then, in turn, the fairy flew to each of them and cast her magic to bind the adventurers' souls. Once done, turning towards Conway, she remarked: "That boy shows promise. Those ribbons will make a fine addition."
"I am twenty-five," Tiberius piped up. His pride was a little hurt.
"Centuries?" Moline retorted. "I think not. Don't mind me. To me, all the short-living races are boys and girls. Dying before reaching adulthood."
"I am an adult," Sinea proclaimed. However, her grin showed her statement was made in jest.
"You?" Moe gave a heartfelt laugh. "You are the worst brat of all. Now shoo. The next group is arriving. More presents. We can talk more when you come back."
Just as the group turned to walk away, Moline had to add something: "If you see my brother down there, say hi for me."
"Will do," Conway promised.
"Wait a moment." Tiberius shook his head slightly to clear the confusion. "Aren't all fairies women? It is a one-gender species."
"It is," Conway confirmed. Much to the amusement of Debtar and Sinea who had a knowing smirk on their faces.
"Then how can she have a brother?"
"Can't tell you," his leader waved him off. "Sorry, but it has to wait until we are in the dungeon."
"Don't worry," Sinea said as she slung an arm around Tiberius and patted his chest with her other hand. "Look. We are nearly there."
Following her suggestion, Tiberius looked ahead and grew more confused. A dungeon was defined as something that needed regular suppression by adventurers. It could be anything. From a cave where monsters used to breed continuously to the castle of a vampire that just couldn't be killed. Only suspended in near death. Most dungeons only needed suppression every decade or two. Then why was a group just leaving? Not to mention all the others that left the dungeon.
The entrance itself was curious too. Quite unlike other caves, this one wasn't left natural. Sculptures and carvings out of stone dotted the entrance. All of them in various forms of mushrooms. But the most foreboding aspect was the pitch-black month of the entrance. Just a few feet in, all light was absorbed. Just a large canvas of blackness that couldn't be breached.
"I don't understand." Confused, Tiberius looked to his group leader. "They just defeated the dungeon, right? What are we doing here? Or everyone else."
"Tiber, the third rule of Shroom Dungeon is not that you defeat it." Conway gave him a serious look that slipped away to a mischievous grin. An unusual occurrence for the serious man. "We are here to be defeated by it."
Still baffled, Tiberius followed his friends into the cave. Well, Sinea was still guiding him. Her arm still slung around him and steered him towards the darkness.
"What now follows can be disorienting for newcomers," Debtar explained as he approached the impenetrable black. "Just let Sinea lead you."
With those words, the party's rogue pushed an arm into the darkness and moved part of it away. Now Tiberius saw that there was no magic at play here. Just heavy drapes dyed black. The rogue slipped into the cave beyond. Followed by Conway.
Once it was Sinea's and Tiberius' turn, he had to help push the heavy fabric away. Just stepping inside revealed more blackness. Then the fabric fell behind them back in place and Tiberius was plunged into darkness. Utterly blind, he had to follow Sinea's lead who slowly proceeded forward. Just a few steps forward brought them to another partition of canvas. They pushed towards it together. Not for the last time as two more fabric walls had been hung in place.
As they parted the last heavy canvas, Tiberius had to blink at the sudden brightness. There were lights everywhere. Assaulting him from every direction at once. Thankfully, Sinea braced him as he stumbled a step back. Mushrooms. Bioluminescent mushrooms. They carpeted the floor and clung to walls and ceiling. Glowing all in different colors of the rainbow.
"Welcome to Shroom Dungeon!" Debtar boomed from not far ahead. Not much quieter, he continued. "I guess now you know why it is called that."
"And now that you have seen the inside we can start filling you into the rules of this place," Conway added.
"About time," Tiberius grumbled as he slipped out of Sinea's grasp and stepped close to a few mushrooms growing on the wall. Studying them. While most were bioluminescent, not all were.
"But first, we have to get dressed," their party leader decreed.
Once again confused, Tiberius looked to Conway. "But we are already dressed."
"Not appropriately." Conway turned around and walked a long stretched hallway. Steering to a passage where light flooded out. "Follow me."
"Don't have to be told twice," Sinea quipped back.
"Race you," Debtar said a moment before starting to dash down the hallway. Despite having a headstart, Sinea took off too. Giggling like a small child.
Shaking his head, Tiberius followed. The antics of his party made him caught off guard by what happened in the large room he entered. Debtar and Sinea were in the progress of being disrobed by a bunch of Succubus. Female lust demons. His party was clearly outnumbered and more of the female vixen turned towards Conway and him.
Instinct took over and Tiberius raised his hand. Channeling mana from the surroundings to create a ball of fire in the palm of his hand. Taking on two dozen Succubus might be a losing battle, but Tiberius had to try.
"Don't!" Conway grabbed Tiberius' arm and pushed it down before the young mage could release it. "Rule number two. No harmful attacks within the dungeon. Be it physical or magical. Besides, these are friendlies. Not part of the official dungeon."
"But those are demons!" Tiberius protested.
"Despite how they look, everyone here is human." Conway's strict voice left Tiberius at a loss. Without even realizing it, Tiberius let the mana in his hand disappear.
"Let me guess. A newcomer?" The voice oozing sexuality belonged to a Succubus slightly taller than the two that flanked her. She was scantily clad and despite Conway's words clearly had features not quite human. There were the bat wings growing out of her shoulders and reaching slightly past them. Or the prehensile tail that swished behind her. Not to mention her eyes that not only had a deep purple iris but were somehow shaped like hearts.
"Yes. Sorry." Conway actually looked sheepish for once. A way Tiberius had never seen him before. "We should have eased him in more, but my companions just couldn't wait."
The companions in question were butt-naked and pretended to not hear a word. Their display made Tiberius look away in embarrassment, but the new view was worse. The bosom of the Succubus in full view.
"Let me explain then." The voluptuous temptress gave Tiberius a huge hug. One that smashed his face in her bosom. Leaving him shocked and dazed.
No, more than that. Paralyzed. Tiberius recognized that she had enchanted him, but with a type of magic utterly unfamiliar. He could only stand there. Slack-jawed and staring at her chest.
"Now sweetie, welcome to Shroom Dungeon." She actually lifted his chin with her finger so Tiberius could look at her magnificent purple-colored eyes. "I am Alune, the headmistress of the Impish Armory. But let's start with the basics."
Gently, Alune took his hand and led him to a padded bench. It was as if she could take control of his body with just a touch. Her magic coursed through his veins. As both had sat down, she picked up one of many mushrooms from a nearby tray. Presenting it so Tiberius could get a good look at it.
"It was half a millennia ago that explorers found a strange mushroom in a cave. This cave." Her soft purring voice nearly made Tiberius forget that she controlled his body through magic. "Not only proved the shroom eatable, but it also had strange magic to it. One that could transform people. Intrigued, the explorers tried to take the mushroom with them, but once it hit sunlight, the mushroom disintegrated. All magic and transformation done by it vanished too."
Alune bit into the mushroom she was holding and Tiberius could see it was juicy. Part of it ran down the Succubus' cheek and Tiberius was tempted to lick it off her. Then again, he was quite paralyzed.
"Some liked the taste. Either of the mushroom or the strange magic it extruded. They erected a camp to study the shroom. Researchers came. Be it mage, enchanter or botanist. Slowly it was growing. Eventually evolving to this."
"Now." Alune looked him deep into the eyes. "In a moment, I will undo the magical hold I have over you. Please remain calm and we can go through the rest, okay."
From one second to the next, Tiberius could move of his own accord again. At once, he averted his eyes. His ingrained shyness coming to the forefront again. Sitting so close to a not just beautiful, but sexy, woman was a bit much for him. His mind needed a distraction. It came in the form of the mushrooms on the tray nearby. Examining it, Tiberius could indeed detect a faint magical aura. One quite unfamiliar, still he recognized it as the same magic Alune had used to not just paralyze him, but also steer him like a puppet.
The mushroom piqued Tiberius' interest for sure. "It is sensitive to sunlight you say? Is that why the heavy blackout curtains are installed at the entrance."
"Oh, he is a mage alright," Alune said over her shoulder to Conway. Quickly turning around, she corrected Tiberius. "Not just sunlight. The pale light of the moon does the same, but slower. And yes, that is the reason why we cordon off the entrance."
Tiberius nodded at the explanation, but his curiosity was far from satisfied. Sometimes, experimentation was warranted. Not even hesitating, he took a big bite out of the mushroom. It tasted sweeter than he expected. The flavor of the juice washing over his tongue was delightful. But Tiberius knew better than to simply enjoy it. His focus was inward. Tracing the strange magic as it spread from his stomach to the rest of his body. If there was a transformative aspect, then Tiberius couldn't tell.
"I don't see or feel any changes," Tiberius admitted.
"The effect is gradual," Alune explained. "And well done. Most hesitate to take their first bite. The magic of the shroom acts faster the higher the level of it is within the body. You'd have to eat about ten to see a noticeable difference. About ninety would complete the transformation. But it depends on the type of mushroom. Over time, the residents here have bred many for all kinds of purposes and transformations. Here." The Succubus picked up a new shroom from the tray that looked a little different.
Taking it from Alune, Tiberius examined it. It had a deep red cap with a slight pinkish stem. Two extensions on the cap looked like horns and on the backside, there was a growth that reminded him of a tail. Just like the one Alune and every other Succubus here had. "What does it do?" he asked, despite suspecting the answer. "Would it make me a lust demon too?"
In reply, Alune leaned forward and Tiberius instinctively leaned back. Not far enough, as she could easily reach his far enough to snip at his forehead. Earning her a small yelp from him. "Your head appears to be a bit thick. No one here is a demon. You've got to remember that every themed mushroom type still only creates facsimiles. I may look like a Succubus, but I still ain't one. But yes, eating enough of them would make you just like me. That's why this breed of mushroom is commonly called 'Shroomcubus'."
"Can we do the rest inside?" Sinea asked aloud.
Looking past Alune, Tiberius saw the huntress buck naked sitting on her own bench. Not even showing signs of feeling indecent. Instead, she looked bored with a big pout on her face. Tiberius quickly averted his eyes. This was not how he wanted to see his group member. It made him uncomfortable.
It wasn't helped that not much further, Debtar and Conway had stripped too. Quite a strange sight as Conway rarely let go of his armor. It was enchanted and quite valuable.
"Right," Alune said with a clap. Drawing Tiberius' gaze back to her. "The basics are done. Time to get you naked."
"What?" They wanted him to strip too?
"In the shroom dungeon it is a tradition that one only wears items and clothing made inside the dungeon," Conway explained. "That's why the Impish Armory exists. Mistress Alune here will take out gear and safely store it for us. In exchange, we get dungeon-approved starter gear."
"That is unless someone holds everyone up." The accusive tone in Sinea's voice was palatable.
"Is there somewhere I can change in private?"
"Nope." With one word Sinea crushed Tiberius' hopes of a shred of decency.
"In that case, I need a minute," Tiberius admitted.
Sinea pounced on his roundabout confession. "Is your little mage excited?"
"Sinea. Play nice." Of course, Tiberius could count on Conway to discipline his group. "Tiber, look at me." When the young mage listened, Conway pointed down. To the shock of Tiberius, the hardened warrior flew full mast too and wasn't even ashamed of it. "This dungeon will teach you that sometimes you have to go with what you have. And if you got nothing, then you fight naked. Modesty is good for society, but not so much for adventurers. We all had wardrobe malfunctions. Sometimes in the middle of a fight. We can't pause to get decent. One has to fight on. To overcome this modesty is part of this dungeon."
"Oh, is that what this dungeon is all about?" Debtar piped up. "I had no idea."
That earned the rogue a few chuckles from all around, but Sinea got laughter when she pointed out: "That's because you didn't have modesty in the first place."
As the gathered folk settled down, Alune addressed Tiberius. "Do you need help? I do have willing assistants." She pointed to two younger Succubus lounging nearby. They did eye Tiberius too. As if they were hungry and he was a piece of candy.
"I am fine," the young mage blurred out. With trembling hands, Tiberius started to undress. Growing redder and redder the more he proceeded. Quite aware of how big his audience was. At last, he was buck naked too, and hid his junk behind his hands.
"Alright. Let's get this show on the road," Alune exclaimed and stood up. Clapping her hands twice. The Impish Armory sprung into action. Attendants picked up the discarded gear, folded it neatly if necessary, and stood behind each adventurer. On Alune's behest, the group followed her deeper into the armory.
They passed rows and rows of what Tiberius identified as safes. Arriving at four that were open, the attendants proceeded to place the gear inside. The mistress of the Armory was helpful enough to guide Tiberius through the process. "Listen up. Place your hand on the closed safe. Once you do, the safe memorizes your aura. Meaning only you can unlock it."
Tiberius did as told and at once, paint appeared on the door of the safe. Stating his name and a countdown that steadily declined. Starting at seven days.
"What's the timer for?" Tiberius wanted to know. "And what happens if the time runs out?"
"The safe unlocks," Alune revealed with a mischievous smirk. "And all your items inside are forfeited."
"Don't worry," Debtar chimed in. "Well be back way before that. Do you really think Conway would risk losing his enchanted gear? That stuff is worth a fortune. Usually, he urges us to leave on the sixth day."
"Six days? How do we even know when those are up?"
"With this." Alune took Tiberius' left hand and clasped a simple bracelet on. It featured a milky white stone in the center. "This crystal always knows if it is day or night. At day, it is white like now. In the evening, it fades to black. To return to full whiteness in the morning. Now, physically connect the bracelet to your safe. A brief moment is enough."
After gently bumping the bracelet against the safe, a red ring started to appear on it. Circling the inlet crystal.
"Now you synchronized the bracelet with the safe." Alune pointed at the red ring. "The red will slowly disappear. It takes exactly the same time to do so the safe is locked. One glance at it and you should know a rough estimate on how much time is left." As Tiberius nodded, Alune turned around and inspected the rest of the group. "Everyone squared away? Then it is time to get dressed."
On clapping twice, the assistants shuffled out and a whole new group of them came in. They each held a small bundle. As Tiberius received his own, relief washed over him. Those were clothes and sandals. But doubt settled in quick.
"What are these made of?" Tiberius asked as he held one piece up against the light. It was slightly yellow-tinged white. Some parts were opaque, while others turned slightly transparent. The pattern reminded Tiberius of roots crisscrossing each other. "It feels like thick paper."
"It is," Alune confirmed. "Sort of. This is made of mycelium. They are like the root-like extensions of mushrooms. While often used as paper, it is tradition to send entering adventurers in dressed like this."
"I have my doubts about the durability," Tiberius admitted as he stepped into the shorts provided. The paper-like material felt flimsy on his skin. "These are just one step away from a wardrobe malfunction."
"Maybe that's the point," Sinea said. Then proceeded to tear her newly donned skirt at the hem. Slowly elongating the break and steadily progressing to her privates. "Any moment now-"
Just on cue, Tiberius heard a ripping sound. Felt it too. Just when he had calmed down his little magus, Sinea had to tease it back to life. Now, Tiberius had a tear in his shorts and it threatened to widen even more.
"Sinea!" Tiberius said in protest. Then, a little softer, he asked Alune: "Would it be possible to get a replacement?"
With a soft chuckle, Alune clapped her hands twice more. "Sure. But only this time. An exception just for you. Be more careful with the next. I'll take these."
With those words, the mistress of the Impish Armory tore off the rest of Tiberius' shorts. Leaving him once again buck naked and scrambling to cover up. When the replacement arrived, Tiberius grabbed it so fast that he nearly tore it too. For his sanity, he turned around to get dressed. Pointedly looking away from Sinea, Alune, or any other woman around. Joined by the shorts were a light short tunic of the same material and a pair of sandals. At least the latter appeared to be more sturdy.
Once Tiberius was dressed, Conway spoke up. "Alright. Enough time wasted. Time to delve a dungeon." Earning him enthusiastic agreement from Debtar and Sinea. As he walked by Tiberius, the group leader gave a short pat on his shoulder and a few words of encouragement. "Don't worry. These garbs don't have to hold for long. The dungeon is full of loot."
But Conway wasn't the only one. Debtar had some words too. "I liked what I saw. Great potential, but you need to work out more." With a wink, the rogue walked away.
"Did he just flirt with me?" Tiberius asked in shock.
"Oh, you don't know?" Sinea asked innocently. "Debtar is bisexual. Well, he only really expresses it inside Shroom Dungeon."
Tiberius stood stunned. Until Sinea grabbed him and pulled him along. A few steps more and she turned around and walked backward. Just to reveal more and see the young mage's reaction. "Conway by the way too. And before you ask, I also swing both ways. Though right now, I wouldn't mind exploring a certain mage. Who knew your mage staff was anything but little."
Getting Tiberius to blush deeply was seemingly enough for the huntress. Turning around, she pulled him now more eagerly along. Until they reached the foyer of the Impish Armory. There already was another group waiting to stow their stuff. The fact was very evident as they were naked too. Tiberius quickly averted his eyes as he saw the two women of the new group. Less he'd suffer a new wardrobe malfunction.
Outside, Debtar and Conway were already deep in an argument while examining a large map. Where they had gotten it, Tiberius couldn't tell. Just a glance, clued him in that the dungeon had surprisingly many districts. Each was named and with rudimentary descriptions of how to reach it.
"Anything new?" Sinea asked aloud.
"The factory," Debtar said while pointing at a district at the edge of the map. Then his finger moved again. "And the Flower Garden."
The other districts were equally named. If not even stranger. There was one named 'Kitten Basket' and decorated with a few balls of yarn. A little further was 'The Barnyard' and pictures of bottles of milk drawn beside. 'Harem's Sprawl' was penciled in a few times and appeared to be acting as buffers between larger districts. Tiberius tried to make sense of 'The Driplands' when it became too much for him. He had no clue about any of that.
"So, where does anyone want to go?" Conway asked. Shocking Tiberius in turn. Normally, the group leader decided and the others followed.
"I promised you revenge at The Barnyard, Conway," Debtar needled. "And I keep my promises."
"But I wanna see one of the new areas," Sinea pouted. "How about this. We start here. Make our way through the harems sprawl here and hit The Flower Garden first. Neither of us was there before, so we and Tiberius are on an equal footing. Then, we go through 'Hive Life', 'The Barnyard', and 'Kitten Basket'. From there we can hit the 'Curated Gallery' and then at last 'The Factory'. Sounds like a plan?"
Debtar nodded. "Sure. As long as we hit 'The Barnyard'."
"It does," Conway agreed. "What do you think. Tiberius?"
The young mage looked at his group leader as if he had sprouted a second head. "I have no idea what any of that means. I guess this plan is as good as any."
"Then it is decided," Sinea decreed. "Onward we go."
"Sinea is always so bossy." That complaint by Conway could be barely heard and Tiberius didn't know if the rogue or huntress had noticed it.
Once again they walked below a cornucopia of colors as they headed deeper into the dungeon. Thanks to the myriads of bioluminescent mushrooms growing on the walls, but mostly on the ceiling. The floor was walked smoothed by probably thousands of visitors over the centuries. Not that it mattered. Just a few dozen steps in, the mushrooms claimed the floor too. A type different from all others covered the bare rock up. Giving the ground a soft but firm feel under Tiberius' feet.
While Conway and Tiberius walked at a slow pace, Debtar and Sinea raced to and from both walls. Hunting for special mushrooms growing on the sides. Not that there were many. Apparently, close to the entrance most had been plucked by previous adventurer groups. Still, sometimes they got lucky and shouted out their success. "I got a Mushyshroom!" "Two Plushrooms, but they are kind of small." "A Bloomshroom. Nice!"
They even found a mushroom they didn't know. But it surely was something special, as the mushroom resembled a large metal screw that had been bent and twisted out of shape. It joined their meager bounty. Tiberius deducted that each of them would cause a specific transformation, but questioning his friends yielded nothing. They were tight-lipped and simply said it wasn't time yet. Once again, leaving him clueless.
By the time they reached the first major crossroad, Debtar and Sinea held half a dozen mushrooms each. They would have double the amount, but both had snacked on a few. Crude arrows with names were nailed to the wall. Indicating what direction one had to take.
"There! The 'Flower Garden'," Sinea exclaimed while pointing. A mistake, as half her bounty fell to the ground. Making her curse out loud. After gathering up, they took the leftmost branch. Leading deeper into the dungeon.
"All the directions are only rough estimates," Conway explained. "The dungeon is a maze in itself, but if you follow the direction indicated, sooner or later you will arrive there."
"I see a chest!" Debtar shouted out and sprinted down a side corridor. Leaving Tiberius stumped. Normally the rogue was cautious in a dungeon and checked carefully for hidden traps and ambushes. This was simply reckless.
Sinea took off after him and even Conway broke out into a small jog. Making Tiberius hurry to catch up. The side corridor wasn't very long and at the end, Debtar waited beside a large chest. Giddy with impatience. Once again, Tiberius was reminded by him and Sinea of small children. Making it hard to remember that they were in fact at least a decade older than him.
"Who gets to open it?" Debtar asked. "We don't have any dice yet."
"Standard loot rules for now?" Sinea suggested. "Who needs it the most gets it."
Conway gave the mage a slight push forward. "Tiberius, why don't you do the honors?"
Tiberius nodded but knew the drill. No opening chests before the rogue gave the okay. "Did you check it for traps already?"
In reply, Debtar broke out in laughter. "Oh, Tiber. This is a vacation. No work allowed, you hear me? And checking chests for traps sounds like work."
"Go ahead," Sinea urged him. "If there is a trap then it won't be harmful. Most are silly things or pushing you along a transformation path."
With a sigh, Tiberius did as told. Pushing open the lid and bracing for impact. Instead, a soft glow came from the chest. Even inside the chest, bioluminescent fungi had found their home. Giving him a good look at what was inside. At first, Tiberius thought there were more paper clothes inside. Instead, each item of loot was wrapped individually in the same material.
"Alright. Here we go. The first loot is-" Tiberius carefully unwrapped a bunch of mushrooms. Twenty to be exact as he counted them. They surely were transformative ones with a theme. He made out animal ears on top - probably from a cat - and whiskers. "Are those mushrooms for cat features?"
"Yep," Sinea confirmed as she took the bundle from him. "Meowshrooms I think. One. Two. Hmm. Hmm. Twenty? Should be a nice starter for later."
"Could be a Nyashroom too," Debtar pointed out.
"Isn't one mushroom for each type of feature enough?" Tiberius wanted to know.
"I would have agreed with you at some point," Debtar replied. "But the Nyashroom is a breed off branch of the Moewshroom. It has some unique quirks."
"Let's move on," Sinea urged. "I wanna see loot."
Shrugging, Tiberius got back to the task of emptying the large chest. The next package was quite big. Looking into the wrapping paper revealed leather. Maybe some kind of harness. He heaved it out and handed it to Debtar.
"Great. A backpack." The rogue gave the item to Sinea who unfolded and slung it on her back. It looked quite large on her small frame. For a moment, Tiberius thought of suggesting Conway would take it but thought better of it. Sinea looked quite pleased.
Instead, Tiberius grabbed for the next item. There was already a heft poking out and he could guess what it was by its size. A large dagger or short sword. Complete with belt and sheath. But then, Tiberius noticed something strange. Just by judging the sheath alone, the blade must not just be wide, but thick too.
Confused, Tiberius pulled it out. What flopped into view was something so absurd he needed seconds to grasp that was he was seeing was real. Mounted on the heft was a realistic formed-
"Oh, sweet. A dildo dagger," Debtar exclaimed and snatched it out of Tiberius' hands. "That's clearly a rogue weapon. Nice size too."
"Wha-" The question died on his lips. Too strange was the view. Debtar was mesmerized by a veiny phallus, flopping around with each flick of the rogue's wrist.
There was only one last item in the chest and Tiberius was eager to get it over with. Pulling the paper away revealed something silky. Folding it out, revealed a very skimpy and slightly see-through robe. Not a practical one. If Tiberius would have guessed the ladies of the night in a city's red-light district might wear something like it. Wordless he presented it to Sinea, but the huntress refused to take it.
Conway stepped in and reminded Tiberius of his duties. "First, what enchantments has it?"
Tiberius was baffled. Yes, as a mage it was his duty to determine if an item was magical and identify it as best as he could. But enchanted gear was rare. Surely they wouldn't stumble upon it at the very first chest. Still, reminded of his duty, Tiberius focused his magic sense. Yes, the robe was brimming with magic. The same strange one from the mushrooms.
"I can't read some of the enchantments," Tiberius admitted. "But from what I can tell this one helps gather and store mana."
"Mage robe," Sinea decreed. "So, it is yours, Tiber."
"You expect me to wear this?" Just to underline his statement, Tiberius held up the garment. Revealing it in all its glory of delicate silk and lace.
His group shared glances that spoke of a conspiracy. So much Tiberius could tell. It was Debtar who took Tiberius to the side and clued him in. "Look. Mage gear goes to mages, right? You don't have to wear it. But be mindful of what we are wearing. Wardrobe malfunctions can happen easily. Not just to you or me, but to others. Just imagine it. A young maiden trying to hide her nakedness. You, as cavalier, donate the robe to her. A knight in shining armor just when she needs one."
"That sounds a little far-fetched," Tiberius pointed out.
"Maybe," Debtar agreed. "But you never know when you need to cover up a naked maiden. In any other case, bartering is a thing in Shroom Dungeon. Hold on to that robe. It might get you exactly what you need later."
"I guess."
With the first loot plundered, the group moved on. The next three chests were sadly empty. But Sinea still found something to put in her large backpack. Dozens of random mushrooms. By now, Tiberius was curious to see what they would do, but his curiosity was swatted away. He only got "not yet" and "later" as replies.
After an hour of walking, the cave changed. The design was still labyrinthian, but now it became decorated. Padded benches, daybeds with pillows, and curtains of silk. The walls changed to brick and mortar. Still, mushrooms poked out here and there. Hallways still split and merged at random, but now, when they did, it was always in a large room.
"We are entering the 'Harem's Sprawl'," Conway explained. "So far, we didn't have any chance encounters, but that will now change. It is practically guaranteed we will run into someone."
Tiberius gave a nod to indicate he understood. And for a moment, he was relieved. This was what he was used to. Conway giving heads up about sections of a dungeon. Not this childish and reckless behavior his group had shown today.
"There are a few more things you should know," Conway continued. "Encounters are one on one. More like a duel than regular fighting. Keep in mind that every enemy, no matter how monstrous or strange they look, are volunteers and human. That means no harm should befall them. Most duels are mock battles anyway. The winner can demand a prize. Be it an item, an action, or even a service rendered. But the defeated party can haggle. Because, above all else, one rule is paramount: permission and consent are key. No one is forced to do anything they don't want to. You understand."
"I think so." Tiberius shifted the concept in his mind around to formulate it anew. He liked to bounce this off Conway to show that he really understood what the group leader said. "In essence, we are all here to have fun. That includes the volunteers."
"That's right!" Conway gave Tiberius a pat on the shoulder. "No means no. But sometimes asking can't hurt. You'd be surprised with what some volunteers agree to."
"Like what?"
Conway pointed at Sinea who walked eagerly ahead. Now and then stopping and looking back with a look that said: "hurry up".
"Two years ago she asked every opponent she bested for the enemy's undergarments. None refused. They could have if they wanted. By the end, there were so many panties tied to his belt as trophies that it looked like a skirt."
"His belt?" Tiberius asked in reflex. Surely he must have misheard.
"Her belt," Conway corrected with a nonchalant wave of his hand.
"Intruders!" The loud shout surprised Tiberius. His group had just entered a large room where several hallways connected or branched off. For a moment, he had to hunt for the source of the voice. The group had walked past her who lounged on a daybed behind some silken curtains.
As the volunteers playing roaming monster stood up, Tiberius had to take a double look. The white-haired girl was strikingly beautiful, but other details made his mind boggle. Some details just didn't belong on a human. The big fluffy ears, for example, sprouted from the top of her head and flopped down on the sides. Next, her piercing eyes caught his attention. Tiberius had never seen irises so blue. And below, he could have sworn those were whiskers.
She was dressed strangely too. A short black tunic with white accents revealed entirely too much. It was so short, it concealed nothing of her thighs. Not to mention that her cleavage was so low, most of her breasts were prominently displayed. In no way Tiberius could rate this tunic as armor. The most important area - right above the heart - was completely left bare. And just to make the outfit more impractical, she wore a big white ribbon around her waist instead of a belt.
"I may be just a lonely bunny girl tasked with filling chests, but I can't let you roam unchecked. Prepare yourself!"
"Uhh, time to throw Tiberius into a fight," Sinea said. Clearly excited by the prospect.
"I don't think that is a good idea," Conway shot her down. Earning him a pout by the huntress. "It would be quite unfair to him."
"It can't be helped!" Debtar shouted out. Pushing his friends aside and stepping forward. With great theatrics, he pointed towards his hip. Or rather the dildo dagger that was sheathed there. "Only I am armed. My compatriots, stand back. For I will defend you."
The white-haired bunny girl gave him a discerning look up and down. "You'll do nicely."
"Prepare yourself, foul creature," Debtar shouted while drawing the floppy dagger imitation. With a yell, he started charging. Three steps in, he suddenly exclaimed "Oh, no. I tripped!" and promptly did so. Over what Tiberius couldn't tell. The ground was smooth. The rogue tumbled to rest on the floor. Then rolled further toward the bunny girl as if someone had shoved him with telekinesis. His priced weapon didn't just fall out of his hand, he flung it aside with a flick of his wrist.
"Damn you, creature!" Despite the hard words, Debtar's voice was laced with humor. "How easily you have bested me. Now I am at your mercy."
Not just the bunny girl chuckled at the antics of the rogue. All except Tiberius, who was too stunned with confusion to do so. Not so the bunny girl. "Let's see," she said while crouching down. "No loot worth taking." Her hand roamed over Debtar's chest. "I guess you have to pay with your body."
"If that is the price I have to pay to soothe your wrath, so be it."
The bunny girl grabbed the collar of Debtar's tunic and tore it off his chest. The thin material gave away clean. Revealing the rogue's chiseled chest. "Nice," the girl exclaimed. "Let's see if down there matches." Debtar's shorts were torn to shreds a second later. And by the looks of it, he was ready for her. She mounted him without a second thought and leaned down to exchange a hungry kiss. The movement made her tunic ride up high and he could see that she also had a small white bunny tail growing from her buttocks.
It was too much for Tiberius. The young mage looked away. What was happening? Of all things possible, he hadn't imagined this would. He had expected something like the wandering carnivals roaming the lands. Just themed for adventurers. This was a lot more than Tiberius could have even dreamed of.
"Don't look away," Conway said. The serious tone made Tiberius look to the group leader on instinct. Conway studied the sexual tangle before them with professional distance and a schooled face. Not so Sinea. She had taken a seat on a bench and munched on mushrooms while leaning forward and focusing on the action.
Conway led him to sit beside Sinea but hardly looked away. This was more to him than just voyeurism. Something took his attention. It wasn't long before he clued Tiberius in. "You know my gift in magic is limited. That through my family I inherited the ability to strengthen any enchantment on gear that I wear. But spells are too much for me. I can sense it. Barely, but this is different. There is a lot there. Can't you tell?"
Baffled, Tiberius turned back towards Debtar and the bunny girl riding him. She was bouncing on his dick as if madness possessed her. Making her ears and breasts hop with each thrust. But when Tiberius blended that out and concentrated on other senses then it drew another picture. "I can't believe it. Such amount of mana within someone. More than the Lich we defeated. That's close to what the principal arch-mage could hold in the academy."
"What else can you sense? Details, Tiber."
"It is the same mana from that strange mushroom magic," Tiberius said as soon as he was sure. "No, wait. It is similar. An offspring? Maybe a variant based on a breed type of mushroom. But it appears she can't hold it all. She is leaking mana. No, that isn't quite right. The mana flows only into Debtar. It is controlled. Directed. I think she is using it to change him." Tiberius focused his sense to track the mana and its path within the rogue. Most of it settled on his chest. And there, it pushed outward, yet stayed beneath the skin. A paradox? To make sense, Tiberius dismissed his mana sight and immediately gasped. Standing up slightly in alarm. "Debtar has breasts! She is changing him into-"
"Debbie," Sinea threw in. "We know. They know. It was the expected outcome. Mushroom?"
Tiberius eyed the huntress and the offered mushroom as if she had sprouted a second head. "But-"
"Just watch and learn, kid," Conway said while pulling Tiberius down onto the bench again. "And don't block the view. It looks like the climax is near."
A little overwhelmed, Tiberius looked back to the bunny girl and Debtar. No, that was hardly appropriate anymore. The rogue had taken on feminine curves. Debbie might be more fitting now. Only when Tiberius activated his mana sense, he could tell that one part hadn't changed yet. Guess the bunny girl didn't want to lose the dick that gave her pleasure.
At last, Debtar bucked. Pushing them both to a climax. It was at that moment, Tiberius witnessed the last deed of transformative magic done. Shrinking and then inverting the rogue's genitals. There was no mistaking it now. Debtar became Debbie. A complete woman.
Huffing, but with a blissful smile, Debbie addressed the victorious bunny girl. "You had my body - like promised - and in more than one way. Was my payment satisfactory?"
"You think we are done?" the bunny girl asked as she stood up. With a smirk, she looked down at Debbie. Not for long. A few steps brought her to the discarded dildo-dagger. "You wanted to poke me with this, right? It is only fair if I poke you with your own weapon. Get ready for round two."
"Oh, I am."
Tiberius settled in. It looked like they would stay for a while.
