The woman stayed silent for a while as Ryan felt her gaze piercing down on him. Could she see the blue screens? Ryan gauged her expressions; she hadn't acknowledged it yet, so Ryan concluded it's most likely that she can't see it.
"You seem to be doing quite well here after three days. Most go crazy after just a day," the woman's voice occupied the silence again.
"Three days?" Ryan questioned. Could he possibly have been lying in this place for three days? No wonder he felt so hungry.
"Yes, the town guard had come in with you three days ago with a dead body and quite the story," the woman said as she slid the tray of food through the gap under the cell bars.
"He said on the way here, you all were attacked by a mana beast."
"Yeah," Ryan confirmed, his eyes settling on the food. It was bread with some kind of porridge and a cup of water. It wasn't a royal feast, and honestly, it looked barely decent or edible. But with the hunger Ryan felt, it was almost irresistible. It took everything in him to not pounce on the food.
"Then he went on to say after his companion was injured, he began fighting the beast, and you took advantage of his companion's injury and killed him, unlocking your chains and attempting to escape... Then after he managed to injure and fend off the beast, he chased you, knocked you out, and brought you here."
Ryan couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the absurd lies that were told. He didn't care, though. What point was there in them knowing the truth?
"What a story," Ryan let out dryly.
"It really is, one that makes the townsguard a hero to be rewarded and you... Well, a murderous and cowardly escapee," the woman observed Ryan's expression as she spoke, as if trying to read his thoughts.
"So what now? Do I serve another life sentence for this new murder I apparently committed?"
"You know," the woman turned her gaze to the darkness on her right. "I find it hard to believe that you're anything more than a worthless slave." A tiny magic circle formed atop her fingers as suddenly torches lit up, illuminating the dungeon and her face.
'so that's magic' Ryan's eyes widened as he watched her.
"Yet... I find it even harder to believe that a no-rank townsguard not just survived but fought off a mana beast, and yet there's evidence that you all truly encountered one."
Ryan could see her face now with the torches on; her hair was a blonde wave flowing down her back, and her eyes a dim ruby. Her pale skin highlighted her blank expression, and the flames' light on her face showed beauty that left Ryan in awe for a moment, but a moment only.
"So where does this leave us?" Ryan asked, the light painting his face orange.
"I... Don't know. Not yet, but I'll find out," the woman replied, turning to Ryan. "For now, you're a mystery... I hate mysteries." She turned, then walked away.
"Make sure to eat," she gave her departing words before exiting the dungeon.
Ryan waited until he could no longer hear her footsteps, then he rushed at the food, grabbing the bread and shoving it into his mouth. There was no spoon, it didn't matter. He scooped the porridge with his hand and stuffed it into his mouth, his severe hunger urging primal tendencies.
In under five minutes, he was done, the entire tray of food left cleared with a sparkling glint. Not a single crumb remained. He burped as he finished drinking the water.
He wasn't full, but he felt far better than he had previously, way more energetic, and his stomach no longer ached terribly.
With his food finished, Ryan finally had the chance to shift his attention to the now lit-up dungeon. In the cell just opposite his, he could see the skeleton of someone, probably damned to the same fate he was currently given, and the skeleton wasn't alone.
In all the other cells, bones decorated the floor. Then, as Ryan turned back, his gaze met something that made him shudder. He hadn't seen it before, but in the very corner of his cell, a skeleton also laid.
"Dear god," Ryan muttered as he looked at the dried-up bones. He shook his head; he wouldn't let it affect him.
"Back to work," he decided.
[Would you like to resume training?]
"Yes."
The pyramids materialized again in front of him; this time, they aimed at different parts of his body. It wouldn't be as easy to evade as the first time.
Ryan rubbed his mouth clean with his sleeve, stretched his neck, then cracked his knuckles and stretched his hands. He had energy; he was ready now.
"Come at me," Ryan declared as the projectiles lunged at him.