Part 1
The Mythara Forest seemed to guide us, revealing a hidden path through the luminous mist.
We walked in silence. Yuna led the way with light steps, while Kizuna floated nearby, unusually quiet. The crisp air, laden with tension, seemed to herald something unknown.
The vegetation grew denser, and suddenly, Yuna raised her hand, signaling me to stop.
Her gaze, fixed on something within the thick underbrush, conveyed a blend of alertness and caution.
—Haruto, look over there, —she whispered, gesturing subtly toward a point between the trees.
I followed the direction of her hand and saw it: a stone arch, covered in roots and vines, standing at the base of a hill. Its carved symbols, partially concealed, seemed to guard an ancient secret, protected by the forest itself.
A chill ran down my spine. There was something about that place—something commanding respect and stirring an almost irresistible curiosity.
—What is this place? —I asked in a whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from the imposing arch.
Yuna stepped forward without hesitation, her fingers brushing the symbols with a reverent touch.
For a moment, her gaze lingered on them, absorbed, as if perceiving something only she could understand.
Her connection to Mythara felt almost tangible, as though the forest itself was breathing through her.
—It's a Level 1 dungeon, the "Labyrinth of Roots," —Yuna said at last, her tone laced with respect—. It only reveals itself when the forest allows it.
She paused, observing the arch as if she could read a forgotten story etched into its surface.
—Long time ago, the elves used this place to test the worth of adventurers. Mythara only reveals this site to those with a deep bond to nature. It's as though it's guarding something important, something it doesn't want to let go easily.
Kizuna floated by my side, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
—This is amazing, Haruto-kyun! —she exclaimed, twirling in the air—. It's your chance to shine as an adventurer, Kizu!
A mix of nerves and excitement churned within me. I knew this was my opportunity to prove to myself that I could face this world.
—Do you think we can try it? —I asked, trying to sound more confident than I actually felt.
Yuna studied the entrance closely before nodding decisively.
—It's a low-level dungeon, —she said seriously—, but even the simplest ones can be deadly if underestimated. —She turned to face me, her gaze steady—. This will be a good way to gauge your abilities, but remember, dungeons don't forgive mistakes.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words as I tried to steady my breathing.
—Dungeons are filled with traps, creatures, and challenges, —she continued, her tone even graver—. Even at a low level, it won't be easy. Every step matters. A single mistake can be fatal.
Her eyes met mine, carrying a determination that felt like a solemn promise.
—If you decide to enter, you'll follow my instructions without hesitation. There's no room for error.
Her words were overwhelming, but they also ignited a spark of adrenaline within me. This wasn't an RPG; everything here had real consequences.
I took a deep breath, trying to project confidence despite the rapid beating of my heart.
—I'm ready, —I said with more conviction than I actually felt.
Yuna studied me for a moment before nodding once again.
—Good. Remember: no hesitation. Every step in a dungeon matters.
With a firm motion, Yuna pushed the massive wooden door open. The creak echoed through the air, like a warning of the dangers ahead.
As we crossed the threshold, a dense, almost tangible darkness enveloped us, beckoning us to uncover its hidden secrets.
The cold air brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine, while the earthy scent of dampness filled my senses. The stone walls, intertwined with roots, seemed like a living extension of the forest we had just left behind.
Yuna moved cautiously, her steps fluid and assured, as if she were part of the environment itself. I followed her, striving to keep my senses sharp, though the oppressive atmosphere seemed intent on distracting me.
Each step echoed against the moss-covered walls, amplifying the sounds in the eerie silence. There was something in the air—an invisible pressure that grew with every movement, as if the dungeon itself was alive, watching us intently.
Suddenly, the ground vibrated beneath my feet. Blades shot out from the walls with a lethal hiss, tracing unpredictable patterns that sliced through the air with deadly precision.
—Watch out, Haruto! —Yuna shouted, stopping just in time as she noticed the mechanism activate.
She had already crossed to the other side of the trap with a single step, her lightness as a wind elf seemingly preventing the blades from reacting.
I swallowed hard, staring at the sharp blades moving with relentless rhythm, each hiss a reminder of the mortal danger before me.
—How… how am I supposed to get through this? —I asked, trying to control the tremor in my voice as I looked at the distance separating us.
Yuna furrowed her brow slightly, her eyes calmly analyzing the pattern of the blades. Finally, her expression softened, and she gave me a small, encouraging smile.
—You could try "Wind Walk," —she suggested—. It's a basic ability that grants you speed and lightness, as if the wind itself were carrying you.
She paused before adding, her tone soothing:
—You learned it recently, remember? It doesn't use much mana, so you should be able to handle it.
Kizuna fluttered near my face, her enthusiasm unshaken even amidst the tension.
—That's it, Haruto-kyun! Use "Wind Walk"! You'll be as fast as the wind, Kizu. But, you know... try not to fall into the trap in the process! —Kizuna exclaimed, striking her signature "V" pose with her fingers to cheer me on.
I took a deep breath, ignoring her teasing tone as I focused. I recalled how Yuna had used the ability the day before, moving through the trees with a grace that seemed to defy gravity.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I let the memory of her agility fill my mind. It was as if she and the wind were one, her movements as natural as a leaf carried by the breeze.
—Alright... —I whispered, opening my eyes with determination. I let the flow of mana activate the ability within me. A light tingling sensation spread through my legs, as if an invisible breeze began to wrap around me.
—Wind Walk! —I exclaimed, feeling my body grow lighter. While the effect wasn't as seamless as Yuna's, something had changed. My steps became faster and more precise, driven by a singular goal: crossing to the other side.
I advanced, dodging the blades one by one. Each twist and movement demanded more from me than I thought I could give, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins kept me moving.
Sweat dripped down my forehead, and my breathing grew heavier. I couldn't afford to hesitate.
Suddenly, a blade came dangerously close to my face, so near that I could feel the sharp air graze my cheek. Instinctively, I turned my head, but not quickly enough to avoid a scratch. A warm line of blood began to trickle slowly down my skin.
—That was... too close, —I murmured, my heart pounding as I tried to steady the trembling in my legs.
—Don't stop, Haruto! —Yuna shouted from the other side, her voice filled with determination—. You're almost there!
I took a deep breath and focused on the remaining blades. My body moved instinctively, dodging each obstacle with an effort that felt like it was draining the last remnants of my magic.
Just as I thought I had made it through, a sharp creak beneath my feet alerted me. Before I could react, the ground gave way.
—Haruto! —I heard Yuna's cry as my body plunged into the unknown.
It all happened in an instant. Darkness enveloped me, separating me from her, her alarmed face the last thing I saw.
—Yuna! —I shouted, reaching out a hand toward her, but the trapdoor shut swiftly, severing any connection between us.
The cold air surrounded me as the dungeon swallowed me whole. A harsh impact against the ground knocked the air from my lungs, leaving me stunned and gasping. I lay motionless, trying to gather my senses.
For a few seconds, pain pulsed through every muscle as I tried to calm the confusion in my mind.
With effort, I stumbled to my feet, gasping for breath as my eyes adjusted to the dim light surrounding me.
The faint glow from the upper floor seeped through the opening of the trapdoor, casting eerie shadows on the ground.
Looking up, I saw the trapdoor slam shut with a sharp, final thud, sealing off any connection to the world above.
As I disappeared beneath the trapdoor, shrouded in the darkness of the unknown, Yuna stood frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the spot where I had vanished.
Her heart pounded, a mix of worry and determination compelling her to remain steady.
Though the forest seemed to separate us, she knew our paths were still intertwined, as if Mythara itself was testing us in different ways.
—Haruto… —she murmured, her voice barely audible.
The echo of my name bounced off the stone walls as the blades slowly retracted. For a moment, she considered chasing after me, but she knew the dungeon wouldn't allow it. The forest had its own will, and this challenge was something I had to face alone.
She took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs as she closed her eyes.
—I trust you, Haruto, —she whispered, more to herself than to me.
However, her path was far from simple. Just a few steps away, a wall covered in runes began to glow faintly, as if the dungeon itself was guiding her next move.
—It seems I won't be able to help you directly... —she said calmly, her fingers brushing over the glowing runes—. But I'll do my part.
With determination, she stepped toward the puzzle that the Root Labyrinth had set before her.
The silence that followed was absolute, amplifying the oppressive weight of the darkness.
Loneliness settled heavily in my chest, as stifling as the air around me.
—Yuna! —I shouted, my desperate voice piercing the darkness. Only the echo answered, bouncing off the walls before fading into the void.
For a moment, fear wrapped around me, cold and paralyzing, as if the dungeon itself wanted to remind me how alone I was. But I knew I couldn't always rely on her. This challenge was mine, and if
I wanted to prove my worth, I'd have to face it alone.
I wondered briefly what Yuna might be encountering. Did she feel the same invisible weight that seemed to watch my every move? This world wasn't just a place—it was alive, more aware than I could have ever imagined.
Though we were apart, I couldn't shake the feeling that our actions remained connected, like invisible threads that the forest itself was weaving with purpose.
I remembered Yuna's words: "Focus, every step matters."
I took a deep breath, letting her advice cut through the fog of my thoughts.
—I can't keep worrying her, —I murmured softly, breaking the oppressive silence around me—. If I do, I'll never change.
The air was dense, almost tangible, as the dimness consumed everything around me. My world had shrunk to this oppressive space, where every step felt like a challenge against the very essence of the place.
In the distance, dark orbs swayed with a hypnotic rhythm, like bubbles of shadow on the verge of collapsing. There was something profoundly unnatural about their erratic movement, a presence that made my skin crawl with silent warnings.
Suddenly, Kizuna's voice broke the silence, light and comforting.
—Haruto-kyun! I'm here! —she said, floating with her characteristic smile while fluttering her tiny wings—. We'll get through this together!
Her presence, though small, was a breath of relief amidst the oppressive solitude of the dungeon.
—Kizuna… —I murmured, feeling a mix of relief and determination—. I guess, for now, it's just the two of us.
She twirled in the air, radiating enthusiasm.
—Exactly! This is your moment to shine, so let's move forward, Kizu! —she exclaimed, her contagious energy bringing a smile to my face despite the tension of the place.
I inhaled deeply. There was only one option: to move forward and, with luck, reunite with Yuna.
No matter how hard the dungeon tried to separate us, there was something it couldn't break: the trust we had built in this brief but intense time together.
Every step I took into the unknown was also a step toward her, as if, in some way, this labyrinth was preparing us to face it together.
My eyes scanned the shadows around me. The darkness seemed to stretch and shift, almost mocking my uncertainty.
—Kizuna... do you have any ability that can help us light up this room? —I asked, forcing myself to stay calm as I noticed the figures slowly approaching.
Kizuna floated in front of me, crossing her arms and frowning with an air of exaggerated indignation.
—Do you think I'm some kind of floating lamp? —she said, spinning dramatically in the air before pouting slightly—. I know I'm dazzling, but not a pocket flashlight!
I suppressed a smile. Even in such an oppressive place, she found a way to lighten the mood.
—Although... I could try something bright just because you asked so sweetly, Kizu.
I rolled my eyes, but her enthusiasm was almost comforting. She closed her eyes with an expression of absolute focus, and slowly, she began to emit a faint golden glow.
—Aura Light! —she exclaimed enthusiastically as a warm glow emanated from her tiny body.
The light was faint, but its warmth was enough to push back the oppressive shadows. I looked at
Kizuna, floating proudly, and for a moment, I realized it wasn't just her light illuminating the dungeon. It was her presence: a reminder that even in such a hostile place, I wasn't entirely alone.
—See? I shine like a true professional! —she said with pride, puffing out her chest at her "effort," though the light barely reached a few meters.
—Yeah, sure… a pocket-sized professional, —I muttered with a smile.
Thanks to Kizuna's faint light, something on the ground caught my attention.
As I approached, I discovered a skeleton—the remains of an unlucky adventurer. Its position suggested a fatal fall, perhaps breaking its neck upon impact.
A chill ran down my spine as I grasped the brutal reality of this place: the dungeon didn't forgive mistakes.
If this dungeon is low-level, I don't even want to imagine the more advanced ones. Maybe they include giant dragons like Valakios, that impossible boss from my old MMORPG, where we needed teams of fifty S-rank adventurers just to stand a chance…
Among the remains, a worn sword and shield caught my attention. The sword, though simple, seemed functional and carried the silent weight of its last wielder's challenge.
—Well... —I murmured, more to myself than anyone else—, I guess he won't be needing this anymore.
Kizuna floated nearby, observing with curiosity, though the glint of excitement in her eyes was unmistakable.
—Good eye! You can never have too much extra gear, —she said in a tone that tried to sound solemn, though her mischievous nature was clear.
I knelt in front of the skeleton, clasping my hands in a gesture of respect.
—"Thank you for these items… I hope you rest in peace."
As I did so, a shiver ran down my spine. This place was relentless, and if I wanted to survive, hesitation was a luxury I couldn't afford.
The weight of his sacrifice, though intangible, carried a silent promise: to make the most of this second chance.
The silence was oppressive, amplifying the echo of my footsteps in the dimness. Everything around me felt suspended, as if even the air itself avoided moving.
Suddenly, a faint draft brushed against my face, carrying with it a barely perceptible murmur—a whisper that seemed to emanate from the very walls.
Under Kizuna's soft light, something else caught my attention. Shadowy, spherical shapes undulated in the distance, swaying hypnotically at the edge of my vision.
The air grew denser with each step, as though the shadows themselves were absorbing it. My breathing seemed amplified, each movement echoing in the dimness—a sound that seemed to alert them to my presence.
—What... is that? —I murmured, my voice barely a whisper.
Kizuna floated ahead of me, her usual cheer replaced by an unusually serious expression.
—I don't know, Haruto-kyun... but I don't like it, —Kizuna warned softly, her unusually serious tone a stark contrast to her usual energy. —You'd better get ready, Kizu.
I took a deep breath, adjusting my posture as I gripped the shield tightly. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears.
Whatever awaited me at the end of this corridor, I knew it wouldn't be easy. The tension in the air told me this was just the prelude to something much larger.
In the distance, a faint tremor rippled through the ground. Barely noticeable, but enough to remind me I wasn't alone in this dungeon.
Perhaps, just like me, Yuna had also felt this shift.
Far ahead, the tremor grew stronger, resonating like a muffled heartbeat that echoed through the walls.
The dungeon had a life of its own, and that life was now fixed on me. Whatever awaited in the depths, it wouldn't let me proceed without proving I deserved to be here.