It felt as if the air had been sucked out of the room. Sylvie nearly collapsed, her knees buckling under the weight of the revelation. It was impossible. There had never been anything written about a level above Mythical Grade. She refused to accept it, her mind reeling. Haruto, on the other hand, took the words and mulled them over. It made a strange sort of sense. He had never fully believed that the Mythical Grade was the pinnacle of power, especially with the existence of divine beings. It didn't add up. Could it be possible for someone to ascend to the level of a divine being? Haruto's mission loomed in his mind, and with this new knowledge, the questions only multiplied. He needed to contact Dimitri immediately. Bane, however, wasn't as shocked. He had heard tales of Plane Ascenders before—stories of their kingdom's original founder ascending. But he had dismissed it as mere legend, a cultural story. Now, it seemed that Plane Ascenders were not just real but potentially within reach.
As they each grappled with the implications, the guide observed them with a knowing gaze. He understood they needed time to process what they had just learned. He wasn't obligated to share such information, but these three reminded him of the sect members before everything went wrong. There was something about them that made him feel… comfortable.
"You mentioned you'd never heard of anyone finding or possessing an Origin Stone. There's a reason for that," the guide began, his voice calm and measured. "What do you think happens to the balance of the world when someone gains the power to rewrite reality itself? Do you truly believe the nobles of Mordell would allow someone with such mysterious powers, with the luck to match, to also obtain unimaginable power? When something cannot be stopped, the only option is to contain it, to keep it a secret. But… nothing remains a secret if you dig deep enough."
Sylvie's eyes widened as the pieces began to fall into place. The stories, the omissions in history books—of course. Warlords dealt with the military and combat, but the nobles controlled everything else. Now, a chilling thought crept into her mind. If they started to share this information, would they become even bigger targets?
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she turned to the guide. "It's you, isn't it? You're the other one who passed the trial?"
The question hung in the air like a challenge. Bane and Haruto stared at the guide, their expressions a mix of disbelief and realization. For Bane, it all made sense now. This guide, who served Kahl so closely, could only be here if he had successfully passed the trial.
The guide chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. "It seems I've been caught red-handed. But I never claimed otherwise. I was curious if you'd eventually figure it out. It seems my worries were unwarranted. Yes, you're correct. I now assist Kahl in administering the trial. You see, My master was deeply saddened by the fact that no one else could pass. So now, he wanders and searches for worthy individuals to face the trial. The thing about space," he added with a sly smile, "is that it's infinite."
"So that's it. This dungeon can move," Haruto said, surprising even himself with the realization. "It explains the time gaps between the disappearances."
The guide nodded approvingly. "You are correct, young one... Ah, and here we are." They had arrived at a grand, spacious door at the end of the corridor. It felt as though they had been walking for an eternity, but they now wondered if that, too, was a trick of space magic.
After the guide reminded them of the rules, they stepped into the room, each of them eager to find their reward. As Haruto browsed through the items, the divine band around his wrist activated, revealing the first object.
**[Sphere of Magda, Grade: Ancient Maxed]**
*A Sphere that can instantly trap any being below Epic Grade indefinitely.*
Haruto nodded, considering the sphere, but it seemed too basic, too straightforward for what he sought. He moved on, inspecting various other items that caught his interest, but none felt right. Then, he came across a simple, unremarkable crate filled with what appeared to be basic scrolls. He picked one up and unrolled it.
"Oh? What an interesting pick. I wonder if it called to him as it did to Kahl," the guide mused, watching Haruto closely to see if the scroll would reveal its secrets.
At first, the scroll appeared blank, but then lines began to form across its surface, creating a detailed map. 'A map? But what are these points it's showing?' Haruto wondered. The map was vast, spanning multiple kingdoms, and though he didn't fully understand why, he felt an inexplicable connection to it. "I'll take this," he said, his voice resolute.
The guide nodded in approval, as if he had anticipated this choice. Sylvie and Bane, too, had made their selections. Sylvie chose a Unique-grade staff, which had the ability to store different magical abilities from beasts or people up to low Legendary grade. She could then activate the magic at will, though it would consume the stored power. Bane opted for aUpgraded set of boots and gauntlets. He mentioned they paired well with his hydra blades, featuring hidden poison and paralyzing abilities—perfect for his close-combat fighting style.
With everyone satisfied, the guide prepared to send them on their way, but Sylvie, her curiosity getting the better of her, asked the question they all wanted to know. "What is your name?"
The guide smiled warmly. "I am Kellac. It is time for you to be on your way." He clapped his hands, and the trio was instantly teleported outside the dungeon's entrance. Kellac was nowhere to be seen, and the once formidable dungeon had returned to its ruined state. Exhausted, they all sat down, nearly collapsing from the ordeal. Sylvie glanced at Haruto, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. Haruto, seeing her expression, let out a tired sigh.
"Don't you dare say it," he warned.
"I told you! Trouble always seems to follow you!" Sylvie teased.
They looked at each other and burst into laughter, the tension and fear of the dungeon finally giving way to relief. The experience had been more than just a challenge; it had been a profound journey of growth. And they had come out with more than just rewards—they had gained a deeper understanding of themselves and their abilities.
Back in the dungeon, Kellac sat in a marble chamber, sipping tea when a familiar old man appeared and took a seat opposite him. If the trio had been there, they would have recognized him as the old man they had helped on the road. Kellac didn't seem startled at all, instead offering a small bow of respect.
"So, was I correct in my assumption?" the old man asked, a gentle smile on his lips.
"Indeed you were, Master Kahl. Those three are indeed special. One wields rare Hex magic and doesn't even know it, another has been recognized by the hydra, and the third, a pure elemental with the potential to become an Origin. You were correct, just as you were when you led that young man to the Dragon Stone."
Kahl let out a boisterous laugh, so different from the reserved demeanor the trio had witnessed. "I like to keep things interesting. Besides, it's not directly interfering if I'm not there," he added with a playful wink.
Kellac couldn't help but smile. "I suppose you're right."
Kahl leaned back, his expression turning thoughtful. "What item did the elemental select?"
Kellac was surprised by his master's sudden interest. "Surprisingly, the scrolls. I was also taken aback by such a choice."
Kahl's smile widened, a knowing glint in his eye. "Ah, yes, a good choice indeed. I'm not surprised. He possesses a divine blessing even higher than mine. Those scrolls can only be read by those who have interacted with the divine."
Kellac's eyes widened in shock. "What! That kid has a divine blessing? Well then, I suppose it's true. If he's here, it means that the group is likely on the move, and things are about to get extremely interesting."
Kahl's gaze grew distant as if he could see far beyond the confines of the room. "Oh, indeed, Kellac, indeed."