In a world where power is everything, society operates on the principles of strength and magic. Here, everyone follows a predetermined path: training their physical and magical abilities to achieve ultimate power and absolute strength. Kai, the protagonist of this story, used to believe this was the right way, until something terrible happened to him.
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"Kai, you're late!"
"Ah, I'm sorry. I just finished training and got a bit delayed."
"So, our team is finally complete."
"To be safe, I'll do a headcount."
"Roger."
"Ren," "Here!"
"Mai," "Present!"
"Kai," "Here!"
"And lastly, myself, Rio."
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yes."
"Then let's move out."
"Roger!"
And so, his team of adventurers began exploring the level 2 labyrinth. At that time, Kai thought that a low-level labyrinth like this wouldn't pose any problems, but he was wrong.
They moved through the dark corridors, the light from the magical stones on the walls just enough to illuminate our steps. The air inside the labyrinth was suffocating and tense. Every little noise was enough to make them nervous, ready to face any danger.
"Kai, are you sure this is the right way?" Ren asked, unable to hide his worry.
"I've checked the map. We just need to go a bit further, and we'll reach the treasure room," Kai replied, trying to stay calm.
After a while, we reached the room, but strangely, there was nothing inside except for a book placed on a pedestal.
"What kind of treasure is this?!" Ren sighed in frustration.
"Well, it's not surprising. A level 2 labyrinth would only have this much."
"But Kai, don't you think this book looks a bit unusual?" Rio asked.
"Unusual? What do you mean?" Kai responded.
He looked at the book, its cover pitch-black with a golden cross motif adorned with a blue gem in the center. A feeling of unease rose within him, as if it wasn't something they should be messing with.
Suddenly, Mai walked over and opened the book, but what was even stranger was that there was nothing written inside.
"What the heck is this? A blank book?" Mai exclaimed, flipping through the pages in vain.
"Wait," Rio said, approaching the book and examining it carefully. "Maybe this isn't just any ordinary book."
As soon as Rio touched the blue gem in the middle of the book's cover, a blinding light erupted. The entire room shook, and before they could react, a magical portal appeared, sucking them inside.