Oz stood tense, her eyes darting around the star-scape. The vast emptiness, dotted with twinkling lights, felt surreal. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she instinctively reached for her blade, only to remember she was weaponless. She patted her sides, the flimsy slip dress showed no hidden blades or even a boost. Looking at her hands, the only boon she had was her grandfather's ring.
Instead of the bulky class ring made for a strong bear of a man's hand, it was delicate, almost dainty on her right ring finger. Spun silver pulled so tight it was like hundreds of threads frozen around the sparkling ruby centered within sparkling diamonds. Somewhere deep in Oz's mind, it reminded her somewhat of the old engagement rings that were popular in the last century. Nowadays most people show their devotion through monster ore bracelets or arm bands. Rings were rare in the hunter world, given the worry of degloving a finger.
Katrina watched her with a serene smile, her movements graceful and deliberate. She lowered the curtain of beads, yet the pulse of magic made itself known. It felt the same as the double beat in Oz's chest. Almost drawing her to take a step towards the robed woman.
"You have nothing to fear here, young Saint," she said softly, her voice carrying a calming warmth.
Oz's eyes narrowed despite the serenity of the sea of stars.
"Nothing to fear? I'm standing in an endless void, stripped of my weapons and armor, talking to a stranger who claims to be my 'Guardian.' Forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical after everything that has happened to me these last few weeks." She grumbled, her voice carrying little in the way of bite. Fear tasted bitter on her tongue. She felt weak. Defenseless. Unable to feel the power she harnessed.
She felt…human.
Katrina's smile widened, her mouth full of a touch to many teeth and was too wide. But it made sense, since the woman was no human. In the starscape she seemed more alien, longer, leaner. From her robe another pair of arms slid free, making Oz jump back in shock.
"Understandable. I would be wary too if I were in your position." Katrina sighed, cupping handfuls of stars before throwing them into the void around them. "But I assure you, I am here to help."
Oz took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She adjusted her posture, trying to stay alert but less ready to murder. "You said we have a connection, fortune teller. What does that mean?"
Katrina gestured to the shimmering void around them. "This place, the Access Room, is a space where the boundaries between worlds are thin. It allows us to communicate more freely. As for our connection... Well, it's quite complex. But to put it simply, I am part of the system that governs the dungeons."
Oz's eyes widened. "The system? You mean Source?"
The alien woman tilted her head in confusion. "Source?"
Oz's cheeks flushed as she rubbed her arm, "The dialog box? That talks to me?"
"Your [System], how interesting." One of Katrina's hands came up to rub her chin. "You named your system, humanized it. How curious, none did that before."
Oz felt uneasy under the curtained gaze, through the beads the red glow pulsed at her. Was this what others felt when she gave them the dragon's stare? But she didn't feel scared. Instead it gave her a headache, like she was looking at herself somehow. But if they shared eyes…Oz's mind raced with questions. She had so many things she needed to know, but where to start? Katrina seemed to sense her hesitation.
"How about we play a little game?" Katrina suggested, her eyes twinkling. Stars twirling around her in small orbits. Around her ten blank cards appeared around her. "You can ask me any ten questions you have, and I will answer them to the best of my ability."
Oz hesitated, but curiosity won out. "Alright. Ten questions. And if I don't use them all? I can bank them for another day?"
Katrina nodded, folding her hands in front of her. "If you so desire."
Oz took a deep breath. "Are you the same as Source? Are you the one controlling everything?"
Katrina shook her head. One of the cards flickered, turning dark. A used question.
"A part of the system, just as Source is. Think of it as different facets of the same entity. We each have our roles to play in maintaining the dungeons and the balance of power."
Oz frowned. "If you're part of the system, why are you helping me? What do you gain from this?"
Katrina's smile softened. Another card faded, Oz cursed. A wasted question.
"The dungeons are not just challenges for you to overcome. They are ecosystems, and their balance is crucial. When the balance is disrupted, as it has been by the Dungeon Virus, it threatens everything. By helping you, I am helping to restore that balance. To restore the balance that keeps the sea of stars steady."
Oz considered this. It made a strange kind of sense. "You mentioned the Dungeon Virus. To us it is the creeping poison fog that limits time within it."
Katrina's expression grew serious. "The Dungeon Virus is a corruption that spreads through the dungeon systems, destabilizing them. It causes the dungeons to behave unpredictably, making them far more dangerous. It also corrupts the creatures within, turning them into mindless, aggressive beasts. If left unchecked, it could spread to all worlds connected by the dungeons, causing untold chaos and destruction."
Oz nodded slowly. "Okay, next question. How did I end up with this glitch that made me... different? I fell out of the dungeon into this world, well not this world but the one we were in. That has never happened before."
Katrina's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah, the glitch. It's not so much a glitch as it is a manifestation of your unique potential. You were always meant to play a pivotal role in the unfolding events. The system recognized your potential and adapted, granting you abilities beyond those of a typical hunter. You have a gift within you sweet girl, it was only now that it needed to be awakened. The Glitch is part of you, you need to realize what it truely us. Claim it. Name it. Give it shape."
Oz's mind was reeling with this information. "If the system is so powerful, why can't it just fix everything? Why do I have to be the one to do it!?"
Katrina sighed softly. "The system craves balance, but it cannot interfere directly without causing further imbalance. It can only guide and support those who are destined to restore. That is why it chose you, Oz. You have the strength, the determination, and the heart to make a difference."
Oz felt a strange mix of pride and burden at Katrina's words. So she was still the packmule, still carrying a burden.
"Alright, next question. Who is behind the Dungeon Virus? Is it a person, a group, or something else entirely?"
Katrina's expression darkened. "The Dungeon Virus originated from a group of powerful entities who seek to control the dungeons for their own gain. They are driven by greed and a desire for power, and they do not care about the consequences of their actions. They are the true enemy you must face. The unworthy ones who dared scale the tower."
Oz clenched her fists, feeling a surge of anger. "And what about Nahern and Selene's brother? How can I save him?"
Katrina's gaze softened. Beads rustled as she shook her head. "The situation with Nahern's brother is complicated. He is being held by those who seek to use him as leverage. You will need to gather unlikely allies and strike at the right moment. It will not be easy, but it is not impossible. He is safe for now. "
Oz nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "I need to get stronger. How can I do that quickly enough to make a difference?"
Katrina smiled. "You are already on the right path, Oz. Training, learning new skills, and forming alliances are all important. But remember, strength is not just about physical power. It is also about wisdom, strategy, and heart. Trust in yourself and your abilities."
Oz took a deep breath, feeling a bit more confident. "Alright, last question. What is your role in all of this? Why are you here, helping me?"
Katrina's smile was gentle. "My role is to guide and support you, Oz. I am here to help you navigate the challenges you will face and to provide you with the knowledge you need. I am not your enemy, nor am I your master. I am your ally, and I believe in you."
Oz felt a warmth in her chest at Katrina's words. Despite her initial mistrust, she could feel the sincerity in Katrina's voice. "Thank you," she said softly.
Katrina nodded. "You are welcome, young Saint. Remember, you are not alone in this. You have allies, both seen and unseen. Trust in yourself, and you will succeed. Should you ever need to speak to me, merely think of this place. I will be here."
"Thank you Katrina."
"Before you leave. I have a question for you as well, dear saint."
"Ah, sure. Shoot."
Katrina smiled slowly, "Your Crusade is ill founded. The Dungeon System has spread long past your planet, out into the stars, into parallel universes. Yggdrasil will not be stopped by a mercenary with a grudge. The branches will spread onward and outward no matter what life desires. Crushing under its roots or lifting life into the stars, nothing"
Oz flinched at her words, feeling a flush of anger bubble up. Still Katrina held up a hand, continuing on.
"Instead, I believe your anger is misplaced. It isn't the Dungeons you wish to stop. But those who wronged you." Katrina tapped her lip under the beaded curtain. "Instead I ask you, dear Saint of the Tower's Dragon, to look inward. To focus on what it is truly you desire and use the gifts given to you to fulfill that purpose."
"What I truly desire?" Oz parroted back, voice hoarse with confusion.
She wanted the dungeons to stop right? So no one else suffered…that's what she wanted. Wasn't it?
Katrina then clapped both her sets of hands together, smiling underneath the beaded curtain hiding her face. "That is all, Dear Saint. Go back to your two guards, tell them what I said."
Oz took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She still had many questions and challenges ahead, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.
"As a clue, dear Saint," Katrina called as the void went fuzzy. "You will find a worthy ally in this city, where dice make and break kings."
As the star-scape began to fade, Oz felt herself being pulled back to the real world. But she held onto the memory of Katrina's words, knowing they would guide her in the battles to come.