"So dark..." Amelia muttered, her voice barely audible in the heavy silence. The cold air clung to them, each breath forming faint clouds of white against the blackness. Their only light came from dim sources, casting small circles that seemed to shrink as they descended deeper into the abyss.
The steps were slick with dampness, sending shivers down their spines. Each footstep echoed unnaturally, amplifying the oppressive quiet pressing in around them. They stayed close together, senses sharp, scanning the darkness for any sign of movement or danger.
Suddenly, a rhythmic drip broke through the silence, growing louder by the second. The group exchanged uneasy glances, their minds conjuring unseen threats lurking just beyond sight. The chill, the dark, and the sound combined into an atmosphere thick with dread.
"We need to be careful," Sebastian whispered firmly. "Stay close, keep alert."
Lyra, picking up on the unease in the air, added, "This place feels... wrong." Her words hung in the suffocating stillness.
Sebastian chuckled dryly. "Dungeons always feel wrong, trust me. But this one... this is different. There's something else here. More than just damp walls and creepy crawlies."
His words resonated. Everything about the place felt off too heavy, too ancient, too malevolent. It wasn't just another dungeon; it was something worse.
As they continued downward, Sebastian snapped his fingers. A soft glow spread from his hand, growing brighter until it formed a radiant sphere of light.
[Skill Activated: Astra Light]
The warm golden radiance pushed back the shadows, revealing rough stone walls etched with cryptic symbols. The dripping sound now traced to a narrow crack in the ceiling, water trickling steadily down the wall.
Relieved by the light, the group looked at Sebastian with gratitude. The Astra Light wasn't just illumination—it was a shield against whatever horrors might hide in the dark.
"Is that light magic? Or fire?" Amelia asked curiously, staring at the glowing orb.
"Neither," Sebastian replied with a slight smile. "It's Astra magic."
Amelia frowned. "Astra magic?"
He nodded, his tone reverent. "It's a gift from the God of the Outer."
A hush fell over the group. Talk of gods wasn't common, and hearing it now carried weight.
"Which god?" Lily asked finally.
Sebastian's gaze grew distant. "The God of the Outer exists beyond our world. It's said to grant celestial magic, power beyond elemental limits."
They listened intently, awestruck. The idea of magic tied to a being outside their reality was both fascinating and unsettling.
Before anyone could speak further, a piercing scream shattered the silence, freezing them in place. Weapons drawn, hearts pounding, they waited.
"Help!" the voice cried again, desperate and pained.
Sebastian raised a hand, silencing the group. "Shh... Could be a mimic. Or maybe there's someone here..."
Tension gripped them as they scanned the darkness. Then, a figure stumbled into the edge of the light, collapsing onto the stone floor. A woman, tattered and bruised, gasped for air. Despite her disheveled state, terror filled her eyes.
The adventurers hesitated, then moved closer. This wasn't a monster—it was a person in need.
Frey, maintaining her disguise, whimpered softly, looking up at Sebastian with pleading eyes.
***
"Master… should I go now and act like a lost woman…?" Frey whispered, her voice barely audible.
Alex stood beside her, silent, his gaze fixed on her. He remembered her plan—this was the moment she'd been preparing for.
"Wait until they pass through the Titan room," he murmured finally, his voice low.
Frey nodded subtly, understanding the unspoken message. It wasn't just about pretending; it was about earning their trust. The Titan Room would be her ticket into their group—a shared experience to bridge the gap.
Taking a deep breath, Frey pushed herself up from the cold floor, moving slowly and deliberately to maintain the illusion of weakness. She limped toward the adventurers, her eyes wide with fear, her voice trembling as she prepared to spin her tale.
***
Frey leaned closer to Sebastian, surprising him with her sudden movement. Lily's eyes flickered with jealousy.
"Help… heroes…" Frey stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's someone deeper in here… Alex. He can't get out alone."
At the name "Alex," shock rippled through the group.
"Wait, you said Alex?" Amelia exclaimed, disbelief coloring her tone.
"He's alive!?" Lyra echoed, stunned.
Gregor's voice thickened with emotion. "If he's alive, that's a miracle…"
"Yes, he's fighting for his life right now," Frey continued, her voice shaky but urgent. "Please help him! He's further ahead, battling something terrible…"
The mention of a friend thought lost reignited their determination. Suspicion toward Frey faded as the chance to save Alex took priority. They had faced the Titan together, and now rescuing another survivor bound them even tighter.
"Who's Alex?" Sebastian asked, his gaze locked onto Frey, searching for deceit.
Before Frey could answer, one of the adventurers spoke up. "We heard about him before coming here. He was with Captain Amelia on an expedition, but she said he fell into a trap."
Amelia confirmed, her voice heavy with old guilt, "That's true… I thought he was dead. But if he's alive…"
The revelation hung in the air. A presumed casualty was alive, and hope surged within the group. Sebastian's skepticism waned as he turned to Frey with renewed urgency.
"Where is he? How far ahead?"
Frey pointed deeper into the darkness, her voice resolute despite her trembling. "He's further in. I don't know exactly where, but I heard him fighting. Please, you have to help him!"
The adventurers exchanged glances, apprehension mixing with resolve. Without hesitation, Sebastian gestured forward. "Let's move. We need to find Alex."
They pressed on, the faint glow of the Astra Light casting long shadows on the walls. The oppressive atmosphere lingered, but the possibility of saving Alex gave them purpose. For adventurers, courage often shone brightest when comrades were in need.
Frey limped slightly, leading the way while maintaining her helpless facade. The rhythmic drip of water and the crunch of boots on stone filled the silence. As they advanced, the passage narrowed, the air grew colder, and the dampness clung to their skin.
Clank!
The sound of clashing metal echoed ahead, growing louder. Frey flinched, feigning fear. The adventurers tensed, gripping their weapons tighter.
Rounding a bend, the Astra Light revealed a cavernous chamber. In its center stood Alex, his back against the wall, fending off a pack of rat-like creatures. Their beady eyes gleamed with hunger as they lunged at him.
DO I LOOK BADASS!? DO I LOOK BADASS!?
Alex struck dramatic poses, trying desperately to appear cool under pressure.
Frey just take a sighs and secretly nodded.
"Alex!" Amelia cried out, her voice urgent.
Seeing him surrounded by creatures, a surge of protectiveness hit her. She charged forward, sword drawn, eyes blazing.
"Hey! We're here to help!" Sebastian bellowed, his voice echoing through the cavern. His massive sword hummed with anticipation.
Gregor followed close behind, his axe glinting in the faint light. "Hey kid! We're here!" he roared, his deep voice steadying their allies.
Their arrival startled the creatures, breaking their assault on Alex. The adventurers rushed in, weapons flashing. Amelia cut down one creature with a swift strike. Sebastian swung his sword, sending two flying. Gregor held back the rest, his axe a blur of motion.
But as the battle raged, unease crept into their hearts. The man they fought for looked like Alex, but something felt off. His eyes, though desperate, held a practiced glint. His torn, bloodied clothes seemed different from before—the marks of battles they hadn't seen. The blood on him was old, dried, not fresh from this fight.
Confusion and suspicion clouded their relief. This wasn't the Alex they knew. He resembled their lost comrade but carried signs of another journey entirely.
As the last creature fell, they lowered their weapons, staring at the figure. Silence filled the chamber, broken only by ragged breaths and dripping water.
"Who are you?" Amelia finally asked, her voice cautious.
The figure cleared his throat, his raspy voice laced with exhaustion. "You're late..." he muttered, the words echoing.
Amelia stammered, "S-Sorry..."
Sebastian placed a firm hand on the figure's shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
The figure flinched slightly, meeting Sebastian's gaze. The Astra Light flickered across his weary face. His breathing was heavy, his body shaking from exhaustion.
Sebastian noticed a small wooden box hanging from the figure's belt, adorned with golden symbols. It radiated a faint magical aura.
"Woah!? Are you a sage…?" Sebastian blurted.
Alex nodded curtly. "Yes..."
"Not many people are sages…" Sebastian mused, then glanced at the figure's ears. "Are you an elf?"
Alex chuckled dryly. "Seems not." He tugged at his earlobe, revealing a tiny scar. "Just a man with a knack for the arcane."
His words left more questions than answers. The group exchanged uneasy glances. This wasn't the Alex they remembered—a stranger... or he just different?
Sebastian turned to his companions, brow furrowed. "So… are we continuing or finishing here?"
Amelia sighed. "Let's just finish here. Let's get back to the village."
A murmur of agreement spread. Their adrenaline had faded, replaced by unease and unanswered questions about the real Alex's fate.
With a heavy sigh, Sebastian nodded. "Alright, let's head back. We'll regroup and figure things out there."
He turned to the figure. "We'll be back. And when we do, we'll have some questions."
Without delay, the adventurers retraced their steps, the Astra Light guiding them through the dark passage. The silence was heavy with unspoken doubts.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Lily subtly watched Frey, who continued to play the role of a helpless victim.
As they walked, Amelia broke the silence. "How long have you been in there?" she asked, her gaze lingering on Frey.
Frey hesitated, her voice barely audible. "A long time…"
Amelia pressed further, skepticism clear in her tone. "And you just happened to find him here?"
"I heard sounds… fighting… followed them…" Frey stammered, her words vague.
Her evasive answers only deepened their suspicions. The tension grew thicker as Gregor finally spoke up. "That man didn't seem like the Alex we knew."
Frey flinched under his scrutiny. "He… he changed. Dungeons do that to people," she mumbled weakly.
Her explanation did little to ease their doubts. Sebastian stepped in next. "Did you come here to save Alex?"
Frey hesitated before shaking her head. "No… Alex… he saved me."
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
Emerging from the dungeon into sudden sunlight, the ground trembled violently. A deafening roar echoed behind them as a massive cloud of dust billowed into the sky.
They turned to see the unthinkable—the entrance to the A-Class dungeon collapsing, buried under an avalanche of stone and debris. The earth shook beneath their feet.
"What the…?" Amelia gasped, her voice drowned out by the chaos.
Sebastian stared in disbelief. "It's… shutting itself down?" he muttered.
Lyra started to speak, but Amelia cut her off. "The dungeon is gone."
A heavy silence fell over the group. As they stood there, the ground trembled with aftershocks. The once-imposing entrance was now rubble, sealed shut by rock and dust.
Unbeknownst to them, Alex stood nearby, watching silently.
Hope no one comes back here again… I don't want anyone else to die…
< Chapter 11 > Fin.