The Caves of Inharmonious Discord Part 2

From the vantage point of the large  purple-green bakemono, Gunjar and Ginjo had spotted a number of other caves higher and deeper in the canyon.  The chose one to explore, having found a broken shield outside, plus a handful of copper yuan.  Almost as soon as they entered, they felt disoriented and this feeling intensified as they explored further.  Gunjar, doing his best to map, was overcome by an urge to vomit.   They were attracted to a dim red light and horrified to find its source, a scuttle of dog-sized beetles with  glowing glands surrounding their scythe-like mandibles.  Ginjo, a true warrior, overcame his fear and drew his sword, and let the farmers and monks into battle against the disgusting foes.  The beetles were fierce and their shells hard like armor.  While Ginjo’s individual prowess was no match for the beetles, but his tactics failed to account for their strange qualities.  Two climbed up the walls to escape his flashing blade and then dropped down on the lightly-armored Liu-Po.  They tore him to bits. 

Gunjar and Ginjo rallied their companions and killed the beetle that had killed Liu-Po and chased away the others.  Shaken my the death of the valiant farmer, Gunjar proclaimed that they should exit the cave, and take Liu-Po's remains with them.  Ginjo led the way, bearing a lantern.  The twisting ways of the cavern seemed to take them deeper and deeper, but just when they had nearly given up, they saw the glow of daylight.  They walked toward the light and felt the outside air on their faces.  They carried Liu-Po's body back to their camp and decided to bury him there.  Gunjar presided over a short ceremony.