Your organs slowed down one after the other. The paralyzing poison from the Ivy monster wouldn’t kill you on its own, but the queasiness in your stomach could result in you drowning in your own vomit. If you weren’t found before being buried in the ivy tenticles, this might be your last time dying. You regretted coming to the dungeon alone.

Meanwhile, an adventuring party was turning the corner right where you last stood…

Marcille had her staff clutched in both hands. “I told you! I’m not eating any more monsters, you psychopath!!” She shouted, swinging it in frustration at their Party Leader.

“You say that every time, but you still always do…” Chilchuck replied with a sigh, his arms behind his head as he walked. He was creeped out at the idea of another meal of monsters, but Marcille said everything on his mind for him.

“But I’m telling you-!” Laios defended, ducking in an attempt to avoid Marcille’s onslaught, but getting hit in the head multiple times. “-Ow- Hey!! I have a good feeling about it this time!! Senshi got some new spices… and…” He trailed off, coming up on a patch of Ivy vines with the lower half of a body sticking out, blood dripping from where the monster’s thorns stung your legs. The party quickly shifted their attention.

“…Is that… a person?”

Those were the last words you heard before you lost your hearing to the poison, and the Ivy pulled you deeper into the tangled cluster.