Chapter 150 – The Domestic Inside an Unsettling Pocket Dimension

Chapter 150

The Domestic Inside an Unsettling Pocket Dimension

Date : Day 30 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Hyoren looked at the pedestal where the golden chest had been sitting earlier, then glanced around the room. His exhaustion momentarily faded, replaced by a surge of exhilaration that seemed to flow through his veins like liquid fire.

The Monster Room grind had been brutal. Endless. Exhausting in ways that went beyond mere physical fatigue. But the payoff was extraordinary.

"We got experience, loot, and treasure."

His gaze shifted toward Jackey, then Elise, taking in their similarly disheveled appearances.

"Should we end the day here?"

He rolled his shoulders with a tired groan, feeling the joints protest audibly. The sound echoed faintly through the chamber.

"Honestly… I'm exhausted."

Hyoren looked up toward the ceiling. Pale blue magic lamps were embedded across the stone above, bathing the dungeon in their eternal artificial glow.

"My body clock says it should already be evening…"

Right on cue, his stomach growled. He chuckled, the laughter coming easier than expected.

"And that probably means we should be eating dinner soon. But…"

He frowned slightly, his brow creasing with concern.

"I'm not even sure anymore how much time has passed."

Inside the dungeon, there were no suns or moons to track the flow of time. No shifting shadows to mark the hours. Just the endless pale blue glow that never changed, never dimmed, never offered any indication of the world turning above them.

At first, they could still estimate it through instinct and habit. The internal rhythms that governed hunger and fatigue provided rough markers. But the longer someone remained underground, the less reliable that sense became.

The claustrophobic corridors. The endless stone walls pressing inward from every direction. The unnatural blue lights that cast everything in that same cold hue. Everything inside the dungeon slowly distorted a person's perception of time until minutes felt like hours and hours blended together into an indistinguishable mass.

Elise hugged her own body lightly, her arms wrapping around her torso as if seeking warmth that the dungeon air could not provide.

"Yeah… I already miss the fresh air and the suns…"

She shook her head, her silver hair swaying softly with the motion.

"Dungeons are truly disorienting…"

Jackey, meanwhile, looked completely unbothered by the oppressive atmosphere. His tabby tail swished energetically behind him, and his golden eyes still gleamed with the residual excitement of their victory.

"We're only on our first day, Big Bro! Elise!"

He crossed his arms proudly.

"Normal dungeon-diver parties can stay inside for more than a week! The longest for me was ten days! HAHA!"

Hyoren smiled wryly at the declaration, though genuine curiosity lingered beneath his amusement.

"How are you still sane, Jackey? Your sense of time should get distorted after two or three days without seeing the suns."

Jackey gestured vaguely with one hand, the motion encompassing some abstract concept he clearly struggled to articulate.

"Because there's always someone carrying a watch!"

Hyoren tilted his head slightly.

He knew what a watch was, of course. The concept was familiar from his previous life on Earth. But he had never expected such a thing to exist in this world. People here usually tracked time through the movement of the twin suns and the three moons—their positions providing natural markers for the passage of hours and days. He had never seen anyone openly using a watch before—not even guild staff who needed to coordinate schedules.

Wanting to confirm, he glanced toward Elise. She quietly shook her head, indicating she also did not know about such devices.

"A watch? What is it exactly, Jackey?"

Jackey grinned sheepishly.

"To be honest… I don't really understand either! HAHA!"

He scratched the back of his neck.

"But it's a magic tool for keeping track of time. I don't know how it works, but every party leader I joined before had one."

He shrugged casually.

"The leader would tell us when it was time to eat, when to sleep, and when to wake up."

Then he laughed loudly, the sound booming through the empty chamber.

"So I never missed a meal! HAHA!"

Hyoren slowly nodded in understanding, the pieces falling into place.

So it really was a watch. A tool to keep track of time. Perhaps powered by Aethell and Runic Arrays instead of gears and batteries, but in the end, a watch was still a watch.

"A magic tool to track time, huh… I never knew something like that existed…"

Elise seemed to recall something. Her pointed ears twitched slightly as she searched her memory.

"I think I've heard about such tools before… I don't know their exact name, but I vaguely remember seeing some people carrying time-tracking magic tools…"

She shook her head, silver hair swaying softly with the motion.

"I just never realized how important they were for dungeon diving…"

A faint trace of embarrassment appeared on her face, coloring her cheeks with a delicate flush.

As a veteran adventurer and someone who prepared thoroughly before entering the dungeon, missing such an important detail made her feel slightly ashamed. She had researched mapping techniques, combat strategies, and supply requirements—but the simple necessity of tracking time had somehow escaped her attention entirely.

Hyoren's mind raced about the necessities of such tools.

They badly needed it for dungeon diving. Before their minds went crazy from the temporal disorientation that the dungeon imposed. The thought of spending days—or even weeks—without any reliable way to measure time sent a chill down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold dungeon air.

His gaze landed on Jackey, his expression calculating.

"How rare and expensive are those watches, Jackey?"

Jackey gestured widely with his hands, the motion suggesting something moderate rather than extreme.

"I don't think they're that rare. But definitely not common either, though… And they shouldn't be too expensive! Even Copper-Rank dungeon diver party leaders usually have one!"

Hyoren smiled slightly in relief, the tension in his shoulders easing by a fraction.

"I see. Then getting a watch should become our priority before entering the dungeon a second time."

Elise nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. Gilded Scale should have one too. Those dwarf brothers sell all kinds of tools. We can buy the watch while getting the pendant appraised."

Hyoren then scanned the room once more, his eyes moving across the inert Runic Array and the empty chamber.

"We should rest soon. Should we find a good place to camp?"

Elise smiled softly, the expression carrying a hint of amusement at his concern.

"We should just use this room as our base for the night, Hyoren."

Hyoren widened his eyes, surprise written clearly across his features.

"What? Inside this Monster Room? Isn't that dangerous? What if the goblins spawn again?"

He frowned thoughtfully.

"Or… does a Monster Room never reactivate after being cleared?"

Jackey immediately shook his head exaggeratedly, his tabby tail spiraling behind him with enthusiastic certainty.

"We're safe, Big Bro! For about a week!"

He proudly puffed his chest.

"Me and all the parties I joined before always used cleared Monster Rooms as safe resting spots!"

Hyoren tilted his head and glanced toward Elise for confirmation.

Elise nodded, her expression calm and reassuring.

"Jackey is right, Hyoren. Based on the information I gathered from the Guild, Monster Rooms like this have a 'recharge' period."

She pointed toward the now-inert Runic Array, her slender finger tracing the dead runes.

"They won't spawn monsters for at least six days after being cleared. The Runic Array stays inactive during that period."

Hyoren tapped his chin thoughtfully as he processed the implication.

A six-day respawn period. A guaranteed golden chest. It almost felt like the dungeon itself was intentionally limiting how efficiently adventurers could farm Monster Rooms. The design was too deliberate, too balanced, to be mere coincidence.

Otherwise, parties could simply camp outside one and endlessly grind monsters, loot, experience, and treasure.

If Monster Rooms reactivated too quickly, there would probably be long queues—or even bloody conflicts—over who had the right to farm them. The dungeon's design prevented such chaos by enforcing a natural cooldown period that forced adventurers to move forward rather than camp indefinitely.

The dungeon had felt chaotic at first glance. But the more Hyoren experienced it firsthand, the more he started noticing something unsettling beneath all that chaos.

Everything inside the dungeon felt carefully constructed. Meticulously designed. It was almost like Demon God Gidol was not merely creating a dungeon—but developing content for an RPG game.

***

Hyoren nodded slowly, his mind still processing the implications of the dungeon's design.

"So we have at least six days of peace and quiet in here."

He glanced around the hidden chamber they had just conquered. The inert Runic Array lay dormant beneath their feet. The oppressive atmosphere that had filled the room during the battle had dissipated entirely, replaced by something almost serene.

"Perfect. A secure camp."

After fighting endless goblins for more than an hour, even the stale dungeon air somehow felt comforting now. The faint musk of goblin presence had already faded. What remained was simply cool, clean underground air.

He stretched his sore shoulders lightly before continuing, feeling the tight muscles protest and then slowly release their tension.

"Alright, Elise, Jackey."

His expression relaxed slightly.

"Let's set up camp. We eat, we rest, and we recover."

Then he smiled faintly.

"Tomorrow, we continue mapping."

Elise smiled at him fondly, her emerald eyes warm despite the fatigue etched across her features.

"Okay, Hyoren…"

Meanwhile, Jackey immediately raised both arms high into the air, his exhaustion seemingly forgotten in the face of anticipated nourishment.

"DINNER! YES! I'M STARVING! WOHOO!"

His energetic voice echoed throughout the hidden chamber, bouncing off the stone walls until it faded into the depths beyond. The sound was almost jarring after the tense silence that had followed their battle.

Hyoren chuckled at Jackey's enthusiasm.

But honestly, even he agreed with Jackey. The three of them were exhausted beyond measure. And starving in a way that made his stomach clench. The battle had drained them physically and mentally, and now their bodies demanded replenishment with the same fierce insistence that had driven them through the endless horde.

"Okay…"

Hyoren looked toward Elise, his gaze settling on her silver hair that had become slightly disheveled during the fight.

"Elise, please prepare our dinner. Me and Jackey will handle the rest of the camp."

Elise smiled softly before tucking a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear.

"Just wait."

A faintly proud expression appeared on her face, her emerald eyes gleaming with quiet confidence.

"I will cook perfect stew. Fufu."

Jackey immediately nodded enthusiastically, his golden eyes bright with anticipation.

"Understood, Big Bro!"

Then suddenly, Hyoren remembered something important—something that had nearly slipped his mind in the rush of victory and exhaustion.

"Elise, we should erect Ward Stones too, right?"

Elise tapped her chin thoughtfully, her pointed ears twitching as she considered the suggestion.

"I think we should."

She glanced toward the corridor leading outside the hidden chamber, her gaze lingering on the narrow passage that had served as their killing ground.

"We never know who might wander here."

Her emerald eyes narrowed slightly, the warmth from moments ago giving way to cautious vigilance.

"Sure, the Monster Room's Runic Array will not activate again for around six days…"

Then she continued calmly.

"But other adventurers or wandering goblins could still enter."

A soft smile returned onto her lips.

"Most adventurers from Akela are good people."

Then she added quietly.

"But we never know…"

Her tone became more cautious.

"Dungeons attract many kinds of people."

She giggled softly afterward, the sound light despite the serious topic.

"Better safe than sorry. Fufu."

Hyoren nodded in agreement.

"Yeah."

His expression became serious again for a moment.

"We should not become complacent."

Without further discussion, the three immediately started moving. The transition from rest to activity came naturally—their bodies responding to the familiar rhythm of camp preparation even as their minds continued processing the day's events.

Elise headed toward one corner of the chamber to prepare dinner. Her footsteps were soft against the stone floor.

From her storage bag, she began taking out portable magic stoves alongside various cooking utensils. The items emerged from the void one by one—each accompanied by a faint ripple of displaced air. Pots of varying sizes. Knives with well-maintained edges. Wooden bowls worn smooth from use. Ingredients wrapped carefully in paper that crinkled softly as she unwrapped them.

Soon, the faint sound of cooking preparation echoed softly through the chamber. The clink of utensils. The soft thud of vegetables being chopped. The gentle hiss of the magic stove igniting. The noises created a domestic atmosphere that seemed almost surreal against the backdrop of ancient stone and dormant runes.

Meanwhile, Hyoren rummaged through his own storage bag and pulled out waterproof tarps, sleeping bags, and folded tents before handing them toward Jackey. The camping gear emerged in a neat pile.

"Jackey, please set up the tents."

Jackey immediately grabbed the camping gear confidently, his large hands closing around the bundled materials with practiced ease.

"Leave it to me, Big Bro!"

Then the energetic Beastkin immediately started unfolding the tents with surprisingly practiced movements. His hands worked with unexpected delicacy as he manipulated the fabric and poles.

Meanwhile, Hyoren took four square Ward Stones from his storage bag. The items emerged with a soft glow that seemed almost alive in the dim chamber.

The white stones were smooth and polished, each one engraved with intricate runic inscriptions glowing faintly with pale blue light. The craftsmanship was evident in every line and curve.

He moved toward each corner of the room one by one, placing the Ward Stones carefully. One on the first corner. Another on the opposite side. Each stone settled against the stone floor with a soft click that seemed to resonate through the chamber.

After placing the final stone, Hyoren crouched slightly and poured Aethell into it. The energy flowed from his core through his arm and into the rune.

The runic inscriptions immediately brightened, their pale blue glow intensifying.

Then all four Ward Stones resonated together. Slowly, a translucent dome of shimmering light began forming around the room, spreading outward from each stone until the barriers met and merged into a single cohesive whole.

Hyoren exhaled softly afterward.

Now, they were protected from outside interference. Only people whose Aethell signatures were registered to the Ward Stones could freely pass through the barrier. Monsters. Bandits. Suspicious adventurers. None of them would be able to intrude during their rest.

Afterwards, Hyoren moved toward one corner of the chamber, away from both the tents and Elise's cooking area.

There, he began setting up a simple washing and sanitation corner.

He hung a curtain for privacy first. Then he placed down a Water Orb alongside a large basin behind the curtain. With this, they now had a proper source of clean water to wash themselves and use as a portable toilet area.

Hyoren looked around afterward, surveying their progress with quiet satisfaction.

Elise was still cooking near the magic stove. The delicious smell of stew was already slowly spreading throughout the chamber. Judging from the aroma, it would probably be done within a few more minutes.

Meanwhile, Jackey had already finished erecting both tents. One smaller tent for himself, its fabric stretched taut across the frame with military precision. And another slightly larger one for Hyoren and Elise, positioned at a comfortable distance from the first. Even more surprisingly, Jackey had thoughtfully placed some distance between the two tents, giving them proper privacy.

Hyoren could not help chuckling softly at that, shaking his head in wry appreciation.

A shimmering protective dome now covered the chamber. Two tents stood neatly in the corner. A hot meal cooked gently over magical stovest. Clean water was ready for washing. They had successfully created a safe and comfortable base camp in the heart of a deadly dungeon.

***

Hyoren approached the camp area afterward, his boots crunching softly against the stone floor.

Jackey was already sitting on the tarp near the cooking place, legs crossed lazily while the delicious smell of stew filled the hidden chamber. The Cat-clan Beastkin had somehow already made himself comfortable.

Just as Hyoren approached, Elise looked up from the pot.

"Talk about good timing."

A soft smile appeared on her lips.

"The stew is done."

Using a wooden ladle, she carefully scooped the hearty mixture into three wooden bowls. The motion was practiced and precise—each portion measured with the unconscious efficiency of someone who had prepared countless meals during travels. Chunks of tender meat glistening with broth. Soft potatoes that broke apart at the slightest pressure. Carrots and vegetables swimming in warm liquid rich with spices and herbs. Steam rose gently from the bowls, carrying a comforting aroma.

Soon, the three of them sat together on the tarp with dinner in hand.

For a while, they simply ate in comfortable silence. The only sounds were the soft clink of wooden spoons against bowls and the occasional sigh of contentment that escaped someone's lips. The rich, savory stew felt like balm for their exhausted bodies and minds. Warmth spread through their empty stomachs, the heat seeping outward until it seemed to reach even their most tired muscles.

 After finishing the last spoonful of his stew, Hyoren placed down his empty bowl. The wooden container settled against the tarp with a soft thump.

"We should wash ourselves and rest quickly…"

He rolled his stiff shoulders slowly, feeling the muscles protest with dull aches that seemed to radiate from his joints. All the tanking today was finally starting to take its toll on his body—the accumulated impact of countless goblin strikes settling into his bones like lead.

"Our bodies need proper rest."

Then he looked toward the two of them, his gaze moving from Elise's tired features to Jackey's drooping eyelids.

"And tomorrow, we still need to continue diving."

Jackey nodded while rubbing his own tired arms, his golden eyes half-lidded with exhaustion that was finally catching up to him.

Meanwhile, Hyoren's expression slowly turned thoughtful again.

He remembered something. A piece of information he should probably check regarding dungeons and Monster Rooms. His brows furrowed slightly while he sank deeper into thought. Something about this situation still bothered him—a nagging suspicion that refused to be dismissed entirely.

He looked toward Elise first, his dark eyes searching her face.

"About Monster Rooms… How often do they appear?"

Elise gathered the empty bowls neatly beside her before tapping her chin thoughtfully. Her pointed ears twitched slightly as she rifled through her mental catalogue of dungeon knowledge.

"Actually… I do not know."

She smiled awkwardly, a faint flush coloring her cheeks.

"I have not read that far yet."

Both Hyoren and Elise then turned toward Jackey, seeking answers from the more experienced dungeon diver among them. The unspoken question hung in the air between them.

Jackey smiled wryly immediately. His expression turned sheepish again.

"Actually… I am not sure either…"

He scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"Because I often jumped between parties…"

Then he coughed lightly.

"And I only fully cleared one dungeon before…"

He furrowed his brows hard while forcing his brain to remember details. His tabby cat tail slowly spiraled behind him.

"But I think…"

A pause. The silence stretched for a moment as he searched his memories.

"Only one or two in every dungeon?"

Then his golden eyes lit up again with sudden certainty.

"They are really rare!"

He pointed enthusiastically toward the pedestal on which the golden chest had rested before.

"That is why finding one gives immense reward, Big Bro!"

Hyoren immediately fell into deep thought afterward. His hand rose to his chin.

"Monster Rooms are supposedly rare…"

His voice became quieter, the words almost murmured to himself as much as to his companions.

"And we found one on our very first day diving in this dungeon."

Then he added slowly.

"On the first floor even…"

His gaze shifted back toward Jackey again.

"Do Monster Rooms usually appear in early floors or deeper floors?"

Jackey furrowed his eyebrows once more while crossing his arms tightly across his broad chest. His tail spiraled slowly again while thinking. Then his eyes widened slightly, the golden irises catching the pale dungeon light.

"Near the end of dungeon!"

Silence.

The words hung in the air like a pronouncement of doom. Hyoren and Elise looked toward each other immediately. Both expressions slowly turned grim as the implications settled over them.

Elise tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear nervously, the gesture small but telling.

"A Monster Room which should be rare… And only appear deep inside dungeons…"

Hyoren crossed his arms.

"Either we are extremely lucky…"

Then his gaze slowly wandered around the chamber.

The ancient stone walls that had witnessed countless battles before theirs. The cracked flagstones worn smooth. The pale blue dungeon lamps glowing overhead with their unchanging glow. The now inert runic array inside the Monster Room.

"…or this specific dungeon is different."

His dark eyes met Elise's emerald ones again, the connection carrying weight beyond mere words.

"Remember what Robert and Fris said?"

Elise nodded slowly. Her silver hair swayed softly with the motion.

"A Bronze-tier dungeon…"

Then her expression tightened.

"But with complications… the depth was Silver-tier…"

Hyoren slowly looked around the dungeon once more. The oppressive atmosphere suddenly felt heavier than before—a subtle pressure that seemed to press against his skin and settle into his bones. What had seemed like merely an unusual dungeon now took on more sinister implications.

"The complication is probably not only about dungeon depth…"

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"This Monster Room itself is already proof that this dungeon does not fully follow established dungeon knowledge."

Then he looked toward both Elise and Jackey seriously.

"We need to report this to Ina and Guild Master Fiona once we return to the surface."

Hyoren closed his eyes briefly, allowing the tension to drain from his features. Then opened them again. The sharpness inside his dark gaze slowly faded as he pushed those thoughts aside for now.

"Okay. We truly need to rest… Our information is still too little."

Then he lightly shook his head

"There is no use discussing blindly."

A small smile appeared on his face as he looked toward the other two.

"Let's clean ourselves first."

Then he stretched his sore shoulders again, feeling the joints pop and crack in protest.

"And sleep..."

There was no need for further discussion. Elise and Jackey both nodded in agreement, their exhaustion making the prospect of rest overwhelmingly appealing.

Elise then told the two men to bathe first while she cleaned up the cooking area.

She gathered the wooden bowls, utensils, and cooking tools before carefully putting everything back into her storage bag one by one. Each item disappeared into the void.

Meanwhile, Jackey and Hyoren headed toward the makeshift bathing corner. Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone floor.

The water from the Water Orb was cold. Very cold. The chill bit into their skin like tiny needles, stealing breath and sending involuntary shivers through their bodies. But after an entire day of dungeon diving and fighting endless goblins, the cold water felt refreshing instead of unpleasant—a sharp contrast to the heat of battle that still seemed to linger in their muscles. They washed away sweat, dust, and grime from their bodies.

The goblin corpses themselves dissolved after death, so blood rarely lingered on them for long. But the foul musk of goblins and the stale dungeon smell still clung stubbornly to their skin and clothes.

The cold water gradually washed it all away. Each splash carried away another layer of the day's accumulated filth, leaving behind skin that felt raw but clean.

After finishing, both of them changed into fresh sturdy clothes while storing their armor neatly.

Then they returned toward the camp area. Elise had already finished cleaning by then, the cooking supplies packed away and the tarp folded neatly where the stove had been.

Hyoren looked toward her, his damp hair clinging slightly to his neck.

"We are done, Elise."

He gestured toward the bathing corner.

"You can bathe now."

Elise nodded softly before heading toward the curtain-covered area. Her footsteps were light against the stone, barely audible as she disappeared behind the fabric partition.

Meanwhile, Jackey suddenly let out a huge yawn. The sound was almost comically loud in the quiet chamber—his jaw stretching wide.

"Yaaawwwnnn…"

He stretched both arms upward lazily.

"Big Bro… I think I will sleep first okay… I am sleepy…"

Hyoren smiled and nodded, the expression warm with understanding.

"Go ahead, Jackey. You earned it."

Jackey grinned tiredly before slowly dragging himself toward his tent. His movements were sluggish now.

The moment he disappeared inside—only a few seconds later—a loud snore immediately echoed from inside the tent. The sound was thunderous and unapologetic, filling the chamber with its rhythmic sounds.

Hyoren stared blankly for a moment, his eyebrows rising in surprise at the speed of the transition. Then chuckled helplessly, shaking his head in wry amusement.

"He is either a very fast sleeper…"

His smile widened slightly.

"Or really tired. Haha…"

Hyoren sat inside the tent with its flap slightly opened, quietly waiting for Elise. The faint pale blue glow of the dungeon magic lamps on the ceiling softly illuminated the tent, casting pale blue light across the fabric walls.

Not long after, Elise returned. Her armor was tucked under one arm while she now wore a comfortable green tunic instead. The garment was simple but well-fitted, its fabric soft against her skin in a way that her leather armor could never be. It still allowed easy movement and provided slight protection, but looked much more comfortable for sleeping compared to her armor.

Hyoren smiled faintly at the sight of her. Then both of them entered the tent fully, ducking through the entrance with practiced ease.

Inside, they carefully arranged their gear nearby. Everything was placed within immediate reach in case danger suddenly appeared during the night—the habit of experienced adventurers who understood that safety was never guaranteed, even behind protection from barrier of Ward Stones.

Hyoren's shield, sword, and Ramtauro armor were positioned neatly on his left side.

Meanwhile, Elise placed Moonveil Bow, her quiver, and Aerostag leather armor on her right.

Only after making sure everything was ready did they finally lie down facing each other. The transition from upright to horizontal sent a wave of relief through their aching bodies. The soft sleeping bags beneath them felt heavenly after spending the entire day walking across stone corridors and fighting endless goblins.

Hyoren slowly reached out and pulled Elise closer into his arms.

She quietly snuggled against his chest without resistance, resting her head comfortably in the hollow of his shoulder. Her silver hair spilled softly across his arm,.

Hyoren looked down toward Elise, his dark eyes soft in the dim light.

"Long day today…"

A tired chuckle escaped him.

"And definitely another long day tomorrow."

Then he leaned slightly and gently kissed her. The contact was brief but tender—a moment of connection that needed no words to convey its meaning.

"Let's sleep…"

His voice softened afterward, growing heavy with approaching slumber.

"Good night, Elise."

Elise smiled softly at him, her emerald eyes already drifting closed.

"Night… Hyoren."

There was no passion tonight. No desire for intimacy. Only simple comfort.

The exhaustion of the day finally claimed them afterward. The mental strain of constant mapping. The physical exhaustion from hours of endless combat. The emotional high from surviving and conquering the Monster Room.

Everything combined into overwhelming fatigue.

Not long after settling into each other's embrace, gradually a rhythmic breathing could be heard. And somewhere a short distance away—Jackey's loud snoring echoed faintly through the quiet dungeon night, matching the two rhythms.