The descent into the second level of the Serpent's Maw was a visceral shift from the first. The massive spiral staircase, carved from obsidian, seemed to drain the residual light, plunging them into a darkness thicker than any night. The air immediately grew heavy, smelling of ozone, decay, and stagnant, ancient mana.
Dungeon level 2 was defined by larger chambers carved into the mountain's bedrock, their scale suggesting they served a grander, ceremonial purpose than the corridors above. The sheer size of the rooms meant the trio could no longer rely on close-quarters combat and subtle traps; danger could now emerge from any direction.
The monsters were instantly stronger, confirming the progressive difficulty. They encountered chitinous insectoids, massive, armored beetles, and spectra
