The crackle of metal echoed through the forest as I arranged weapons and a few tools that might prove useful.
"Rurik, are you done yet?" Tesline's voice boomed from the doorway, breaking my concentration.
I turned to see her, burdened with the rest of the supplies. Her face, though stoic, showed clear exhaustion, especially after spending nearly half an hour trying to decipher the map I had given her.
"Whatever you drew here makes no sense," she said, plopping down on the ground and spreading the paper out in front of me. "Do you even understand this scribble?"
Offended, I set aside my tool and crossed my arms.
"Of course I understand it. It's a perfectly functional map," I replied, straightening up with an air of false dignity. "Don't expect professional quality when I only had twenty minutes to draw it."
"Twenty minutes?" Tesline exclaimed, raising an eyebrow. "And here I am breaking my head trying to understand a last-minute map."
I sighed in resignation and carefully folded the paper before tucking it into my pocket.
"But no one bothered us all day!" Tesline exclaimed, making her point clear. "Fine, I admit it, I left it for the last minute."
"Doesn't it seem strange to you that no one bothered us, especially Darius?" Tesline asked, puzzled by the unusual calm.
"A little, but I enjoy not being in trouble all the time," I replied while finishing loading everything into the armor.
"Maybe he's plotting something," Tesline added, though her tone didn't sound concerned.
"It's better not to overthink it."
*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*
Once inside the armor, the space was surprisingly roomy, enough to accommodate us both. I handled the main controls while Tesline stayed at my side, carrying the rest of the equipment. The mechanism began to hum softly as we moved forward.
The journey was peaceful, with the sun beginning to set on the horizon. The arid plains soon gave way to cliffs and steeper rocky formations. After a few hours of travel, we finally arrived at a more lush area filled with hills.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Tesline asked, frowning as she looked around.
I stopped and observed closely.
"It is. The entrance is hidden," I replied confidently. "You'll see."
While she inspected the area, I pulled out the improvised map and gestured for her to come over.
"By the way, what guild mission did you choose to keep them from suspecting us?"
Tesline rummaged through her things and pulled out a small notice.
"Gather ten Lotus berthelotii for one copper coin," she said with a grimace of displeasure. "These flowers are used for magical seal ink. Pretty boring, but no one will ask questions."
Smiling, I looked up at the cliff ahead. A large number of the mentioned flowers hung from the rocky walls.
"There's your reward. We won't have to work too hard."
Wasting no time, we gathered the necessary flowers. Tesline stored them in a bag swiftly while I secured the rest of the provisions. Once we finished, we headed toward the real entrance to the tomb.
In front of a massive vertical wall, I stepped forward with the axe in hand. Tesline watched me curiously from the armor.
"What the hell are you doing?" she asked as she saw me raise the weapon with both hands.
Without answering, I delivered a strong strike against the wall. A deep, hollow sound echoed, followed by a faint glow. Slowly, the wall began to fade, like mist dissipating at dawn.
What remained was the entrance to a dark passage, suddenly lit by torches that ignited with white flames.
"That was amazing!" Tesline exclaimed, hurriedly jumping out of the armor. "What was that?"
"An illusionary wall," I replied calmly, resting the axe on my shoulder. "It was designed so the unwary couldn't find the entrance."
Tesline was already preparing to enter, but I stopped her, raising a hand.
"Hold on. Get back in the armor!"
"What? Why?" she protested, crossing her arms.
"Because I'm the only one who knows the safe path," I responded firmly. "There are parts where we'll need to run, jump, or walk carefully. One wrong move means death."
Tesline raised an eyebrow and looked at me skeptically.
"And is the jump long?"
"Considerable," I said, puffing out my chest. "But don't worry, I've got it all figured out."
Tesline looked at me with a mix of boredom and curiosity.
"Then jump."
My confidence deflated, but I couldn't back down. I stepped back a few paces, bent my knees, and leaped forward. The result was... disastrous. I barely managed a pathetic half-meter jump, causing Tesline to burst into laughter.
"That was pathetic!" she shouted between laughs, doubling over.
I stood up, brushing off the dust and swallowing my pride.
"I admit it, that wasn't great... But if I try again…"
Before I could finish, Tesline crouched down in front of me.
"Climb up," she ordered, pointing at her back. "I'll carry you, and you'll tell me where to step. That way, we won't take any risks."
"What?" I was silent for a few seconds. "Not a bad idea, actually."
I climbed onto her back with some difficulty—it was my first time doing something like this. It was, without a doubt, an uncomfortable yet oddly fun sensation.
"Stop moving so much!" Tesline growled, trying to keep her balance.
"I'm trying, I'm trying!" I retorted, struggling not to flop over her shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
Still, I held on as best I could and raised my head. The path ahead was treacherous, and although there was no map, my memory and keen sense of detail were the only tools I had. Tesline trusted me, though that didn't stop her from letting out annoyed grunts now and then.
I pointed to the right with a decisive gesture.
"This way. Slowly."
Tesline obeyed without complaint. The corridor led us to a wide room, but the floor was covered with stone tiles that didn't look very reliable.
Some had strange cracks, while others were marked with suspicious stains of something I definitely didn't want to identify. I lightly tapped her shoulder and began pointing with my finger.
"Go there, skip that one, step on this one... No, not that one. Here."
Tesline followed my instructions to the letter, but I could feel her tension with each step. I didn't blame her. One wrong tile could mean the end for both of us.
"If we fall into a trap," she muttered through gritted teeth, "I swear I'm taking you down with me."
"Wow, how sweet," I replied, trying to lighten the mood.
After overcoming the first obstacle, we turned left. The next corridor was different: narrow and silent. Too silent.
"Walk slowly," I warned. "Very slowly."
"Why?"
"Motion traps. If we trigger one, I doubt we'll make it out in one piece."
Tesline nodded, her expression growing more serious. She advanced step by step, moving almost like a hunting cat. The silence in the corridor was suffocating, as though something invisible was watching us.
At one point, I felt my breathing quicken, but I forced myself to stay calm. I knew if I got nervous, she would too.
Finally, we arrived at a passage opening onto a stone bridge. At first glance, the bridge looked like any other, but I knew what it concealed. Before Tesline could take another step, I stopped her, pressing my hand on her shoulder.
"Do you trust me?" I asked abruptly.
Tesline turned to look at me, clearly confused.
"Why are you asking me that now?"
"Because what comes next sounds crazy. I need you to trust me completely."
She stared at me silently for a few seconds before sighing and nodding.
"I trust you, Rurik. What do I have to do?"
I pointed at another stone bridge further ahead, barely visible in the dungeon's darkness.
"These bridges also activate a mechanism," I explained. "A giant rock guillotine rises and falls with a predictable rhythm. We need to use that to our advantage."
"Excuse me?"
"I need you to stand right at the edge, there," I pointed at a spot. "When I give the signal, you'll drop down onto the rock base supporting the guillotine. Wait five seconds, then jump forward with all your might. If you do it right, we'll reach the intersection we need."
"That... sounds completely insane," she muttered, her expression a mix of disbelief and fear.
"I know. But it works. I'd understand if you're scared—"
Tesline cut me off.
"To hell with it, let's just do this."
I grinned, grateful for her determination.
I waited, mentally counting the time it took for the guillotine to rise and fall. Its rhythm was almost hypnotic.
"Now!"
Tesline jumped. We landed on the base with agility that almost made me forget the danger. I began counting.
"Five... four... three... two... one!"
"Jump!!"
Tesline reacted instantly, bending her knees and leaping with all her strength. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. We crossed the abyss until finally landing at the intersection. We rolled onto the ground, Tesline panting but alive.
"Ha! See? We did it! Agh!" I dropped to my knees and kissed the ground with enthusiasm. "I'm still alive!!"
Tesline, still catching her breath, looked at me and burst into laughter.
"You're completely crazy, Rurik! Look at yourself!"
I couldn't help it. Emotions welled up inside me, and I felt tears streaming down my face.
"I don't care," I mumbled through sobs and laughter. "We're alive. That's all that matters."
Tesline kept laughing, though this time it was softer, almost fond. She extended her hand to help me up.
"Come on, let's go in already."
I stood and looked ahead. There it was: the entrance to the secret chamber of the Tomb of the Forgotten Heroes. All the effort, danger, and madness had led us here.
We stood before the imposing stone door, its ancient carvings barely visible under the dim torchlight. Tesline examined the structure carefully while I pointed out something on the right—a panel with small pieces forming a puzzle. It was obvious this was the "lock" protecting the entrance.
"Look at that," I said, leaning toward the panel and stroking my chin. "That's the lock."
"Of course," Tesline replied, crossing her arms. "This place has motion traps, guillotines... but somehow, this room is guarded by a puzzle."
"I know, it doesn't make sense. Just don't overthink it," I sighed, crouching to solve the puzzle.
She huffed, her frustration evident, but said nothing else and let me work. Kneeling in front of the panel, I observed how the pieces—covered in strange symbols—could slide within a limited frame.
It was a classic sliding block puzzle, where one piece needed to be moved from one end to the other. Luckily, I already knew the solution, so it wouldn't take long.
Carefully, I moved the final piece into position. The panel emitted a soft hum, and the stone door responded with a deep rumble, as though waking from a long slumber. Slowly, it began to open, revealing a dark corridor beyond.
"And voilà." I stood up, dusting off my hands like I'd just completed a masterpiece.
"What does voilà mean?" Tesline asked, puzzled by the unfamiliar word.
"To be honest, I have no idea."
As we stepped into the room, our footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor. A faint glow emanated from a structure in the center. It was an unusual fountain; the water seemed to shimmer with a faint blue radiance. In the middle of the fountain stood a limestone cylinder, intricately carved with runes highlighted by golden lines, giving it a majestic appearance.
Atop the cylinder rested a crystal sphere, its core swirling with a vortex of light.
"What is this?" Tesline asked, a mix of curiosity and caution in her voice. She approached the sphere slowly, examining it closely.
"That thing is used to obtain a Sub-Class," I explained as I positioned myself next to her.
"Sub-Class?" she asked, looking up at me.
"Yes. In addition to your main class, you can acquire a Sub-Class to complement your skills," I said, pointing to the orb. "Just touch the orb, and it will project a list of options. Pick the one that best suits your style."
Without much hesitation, Tesline extended her hand and touched the orb. Instantly, a magical screen projected before us, displaying a list of available Sub-Classes, each accompanied by a brief description and key effects.
"What do I do now?" she asked, her voice reflecting both excitement and uncertainty.
"Choose the one you like best. Though, if you'd take my advice, go with something that matches your current class," I suggested while quickly reviewing the options displayed on the screen.
"For example, 'Monk' would be a good choice for you. It won't just increase your mana; it'll also unlock aura attacks that will enhance your strikes and provide more versatility."
Tesline furrowed her brows, thinking for a moment, then nodded.
"That makes sense. Let's try it."
She selected the Monk Sub-Class with a simple tap on the projected screen. As soon as she did, a golden light enveloped her, soft yet intense, as if it were blessing her. The crystal orb emitted a final flash before the screen disappeared.
When the light faded, Tesline raised her hands, clenching them into fists as she observed her body, feeling the change.
"I did it. I'm a Monk now," she said with a smile, then checked her bracelet and noticed something else. "I also gained a new ability. It's called 'Calm Strike.' According to the description, my attacks now have a 10% chance of temporarily reducing the attack speed of my enemies."
"Not bad," I commented, crossing my arms. "That will definitely make your battles easier."
She smiled, clearly satisfied with her choice.
"And you? Aren't you going to use this to get a Sub-Class?" she asked, pointing to the orb.
"Of course, just give me a second." I placed my hand on the orb, and it repeated the process, showing a list of Sub-Classes.
As I touched the orb, a tingling sensation ran through my fingers. I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I opened them, the magical screen was already displaying an endless list of Sub-Classes before me.
The words and symbols seemed to glow as if trying to capture my attention. Patiently, I reviewed each option until I found the Jester Sub-Class.
Without hesitation, I selected that Sub-Class. The orb immediately reacted, emitting a multicolored flash of light that enveloped me. As I felt energy flow through me, I heard Tesline's voice beside me.
"Jester?" she asked, clearly puzzled. "Why pick something so... odd? It doesn't seem to fit you."
I used my bracelet to avoid having to call the system directly, but when I checked the ability I had gained, my expression of happiness was impossible to hide.
Grinning, I raised my bracelet to show her the new ability I had acquired, Queen of Spades' Jester.
"Check this out," I said with a triumphant tone.
She leaned closer to read the description.
"A 15% boost in experience gain for you and your allies within a six-meter radius?" she said, eyebrows raised. "That's incredible!"
I was just as thrilled but decided to keep my excitement in check. In my mind, I was patting myself on the back. I knew this ability was special, a rare variation of the standard King's Jester ability.
It wasn't impossible to get, but the odds of obtaining it were pretty low.
"It's a very useful support ability," I explained, barely containing my smile. "With this, we'll level up much faster than any other group at the academy."
"Alright then, what else should we do here?" she asked, looking around for anything else of value in the dungeon.
We approached a corner of the room and found three chests lined up, as if waiting to be opened. Tesline's eyes lit up with excitement as she stepped toward the nearest one.
"Tesline, wait!" I said, raising a hand to stop her.
She looked at me, puzzled, while I rummaged through my satchel. Finally, I pulled out a small bag of grayish powder and, without saying a word, tossed it onto one of the chests.
The powder glimmered faintly upon touching the chest's surface, and suddenly, the chest trembled. Its lid snapped open with a click, revealing a dark, slimy interior from which several writhing tentacles emerged.
"What the hell is that?" Tesline exclaimed, instinctively stepping back and readying herself.
Before I could respond, the powder began to take effect. The "chest's" movements grew erratic and sluggish until the tentacles collapsed onto the floor with a wet thud.
"It's a mimic," I explained calmly, pointing to the now-motionless false chest. "They're creatures that can imitate chests, statues, and other common objects to trick the unwary. I learned about them from one of the books I read."
Tesline relaxed slightly, though her face still showed a mix of astonishment and disgust.
"And how did you know this one was a mimic?" she asked, frowning. "It looked completely normal."
"The other chests are chained, but this one isn't," I pointed out the difference between the mimic and the real chests. "It's small details like that that, according to what I've read, can help you tell them apart."
Of course, I knew about them not from books but from experience. These damned things killed me in my early playthroughs when I was a newbie. I learned to spot them after many attempts... and failures.
Tesline watched in silence as I checked the other chests. Finally, I stood and patted her shoulder.
"The other two are safe. Go ahead, you can open them."
She nodded, still a bit wary, but her enthusiasm quickly returned as she approached the first "safe" chest. Meanwhile, I went back to the mimic and, despite my hesitation, reached inside and retrieved the skill scroll it contained.
Tesline looked at me with slight disgust for what I'd done, but we hadn't come all this way to miss out on such a valuable scroll over something so trivial.
"Here you go. These kinds of items are usually useful."
She glanced at me with mild disdain but took the scroll nonetheless. Ignoring the slimy residue covering it, she used it without hesitation. A gentle light enveloped her, and her face lit up with a smile.
"I just got the Titanium Hands ability."
"I told you we'd get it."
With the mimic neutralized, we turned our attention to the other two chests. Opening them revealed several pouches of gold and silver coins—enough to keep us well-stocked for a while. But the most exciting finds were the Frostbloom Staff and the Frostbreaker Axe.
We stored all the loot in my armor, which I summoned using my bracelet. The storage space was limited but sufficient for what we had found so far. Just as I was about to move on, Tesline stopped me.
"Wait, look over there."
She pointed to a corner of the room that glowed faintly, as if the light was emanating directly from the walls.
When we approached, we discovered two corpses. One, on the left, wore heavy leather garments with worn details. The other, on the right, donned a long robe that had lost its original color over time.
"Who do you think they were?" Tesline asked in a serious tone.
"Maybe they're the reason this place is called the Tomb of Forgotten Heroes," I replied.
In my mind, I remembered that during my gaming sessions, I had never stopped to investigate who these characters were. I knew they were part of the scenery, but they weren't interactive. Now, being here in person, everything felt different.
Nearby, I noticed an old, dusty book. Picking it up, I realized it was a journal.
"This might tell us more about them," I said.
Tesline watched with interest as I opened the journal and began reading aloud. We discovered that the corpses belonged to two adventurers who were once the most renowned of their time.
The man was known as the Martial King, a legendary fighter who mastered martial arts like no one else. The woman, on the other hand, had been the most powerful mage of the Mage Tower.
"It's amazing they were together here," Tesline said, impressed.
She knelt and touched the Martial King's hands. His fingers rested on some red bands and bracelets made of an unknown metal, connected to chains that seemed to anchor the bracelets to his arms.
"What do you think these are?" she asked, pointing at them.
"Their weapons, most likely. They don't need them anymore, so we might as well take them. Better than letting them gather dust here," I said.
Tesline looked at me, a bit surprised, but after a moment, she nodded.
"Seems fair. But if we're going to take their things, we should at least give them a proper burial."
"Agreed. But first, let's see what else we can learn about them. I have an ability that lets me see the description of items. Hand them over, please."