Part 2
My footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor as I tried to keep my focus. Yuna's words played over and over in my mind: "Advancing cautiously is vital in a dungeon."
The atmosphere seemed to shift with every step, as if the dungeon itself adjusted its rhythm to match mine.
The shadows in the dim light twisted, forming unsettling shapes, until I finally made out spherical figures floating ahead, surrounded by a faint glow.
They were a pale green, their gelatinous surface rippling in sync with the ethereal breeze enveloping them. There was something both fascinating and dangerous about them—a clear departure from the classic blue slimes of RPGs.
—Wind slimes? —I murmured, a chill running down my spine.
The tension in the air grew thicker, dense and brimming with danger.
Suddenly, a red flash interrupted my thoughts. A mechanical voice echoed in my mind as a glowing panel appeared before me, like a warning:
—Warning! Multiple enemies detected. Proceed with caution.
I turned my gaze back to the slimes. The ethereal breeze around them began to intensify, a clear omen that they were about to attack.
—What exactly are they? —I whispered; my voice laden with uncertainty.
The panel reacted instantly, projecting a new message:
—Enemies detected! Wind Slimes. Level 3. Primary ability: "Razor Leaf". Caution: pose significant threat in groups.
A mixture of excitement and fear welled up inside me as I observed their hypnotic movements.
The spherical, gelatinous figures emitted a faint green glow, surrounded by a constant breeze that swirled around them in tiny whirlwinds.
Though they barely reached my knees in height, their energy was unmistakable—a latent threat, ready to strike.
—Watch out, Haruto! —Kizuna shouted, her high-pitched voice sharp with alarm.
A bright green circle appeared beneath one of the slimes, glowing intensely. Before I could react, three razor-sharp leaves tore through the air toward me.
Instinctively, I raised my wooden shield. The impact reverberated through its surface, making my arms tremble from the force of the blow.
When I lowered the shield, the slime in front of me had vanished. My eyes darted around the room until I spotted it bouncing between the walls, propelled by gusts of wind that left a green trail in its wake.
Its speed was incredible—a combination of agility and precision that left me frozen for a second too long.
Suddenly, the slime launched itself at me with unexpected force, slamming into my right side. The impact forced a gasp from my lips as I crashed into the wall.
Pain spread through my arm like a whip, leaving me on my knees as I panted, struggling to catch my breath.
—Get up, Haruto! —Kizuna exclaimed, floating close with unwavering determination—. You can't give up now! Your story is just beginning! —she added, striking her signature "V" gesture with her fingers, as if that alone could restore my strength.
Inspired by her enthusiasm, I gritted my teeth and forced myself to my feet, ignoring the sharp pain radiating from my side.
Dropping my shield, I gripped the sword with both hands, assuming the basic kendo stance. This fight was far from over.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a brief moment as the slime bounced between the walls, its speed creating a wind echo that resonated through the room like an irregular rhythm.
The tension in the air thickened, heavy like an impending storm. I forced myself to focus, syncing my thoughts with the rhythm of my breathing.
At that moment, the Panel appeared before me, its bright light cutting through the gloom like a beacon of what was to come.
—New option available! A new ability can be created by combining the elements Darkness and Wind: "Tempest Waltz". Do you wish to proceed?
The question hovered in my mind. Without hesitation, I nodded with determination.
—Yes, create it! —I responded mentally, a mix of excitement and anticipation coursing through me.
The Panel flickered, and after a few seconds of silence, a new message emerged in clear, glowing letters.
—Warning! You are about to fuse two elements. This action will consume half of your available mana.
—Wait a minute...! —I tried to protest, but the Panel didn't wait.
—Process completed! Fusion of elements: Darkness (Passive Skill: Basic Kendo) and Wind (Kizuna Skill: Tempest Waltz - Basic Level).
A spark of determination ignited within me as I felt the energy of the new ability course through my body. Tempest Waltz was exactly what I needed to counter the slime's incredible speed.
Kizuna floated nearby, her eyes sparkling with contagious excitement, as if she were watching her favorite hero in action.
—That's Yuna's ability! —she exclaimed with enthusiasm—. But it looks like the Panel adapted it to your Kendo style. It's amazing, Kizu!
My gaze locked onto the slime in front of me, but soon I noticed I wasn't alone. Four more had regrouped behind it, moving in eerie synchrony.
Five enemies in total. I could feel the tension tightening my muscles; there was no room for mistakes.
—Tempest Waltz! —I shouted, letting the energy course through every fiber of my body as I activated the ability.
The energies of Darkness and Wind intertwined, forming a torrent that heightened my senses and charged my muscles with renewed precision.
The five slimes wasted no time. Their attacks converged into a barrage of spinning leaves, slicing through the air with lethal speed. But something had shifted—time seemed to slow around me.
Every leaf, every movement of the slimes, became predictable, as if the ability had sharpened my perception to a razor's edge.
I dodged one attack after another, moving with an unfamiliar fluidity. Each step and turn became part of a harmonious dance, as though the wind itself was guiding my movements.
With renewed determination, I closed the distance between us. In one smooth and precise motion, I delivered a decisive slash.
One by one, the slimes fell. Their gelatinous bodies split into perfect halves before disintegrating into flashes of ethereal breeze.
When the last slime vanished, a triumphant fanfare echoed in my mind, and the Panel activated with a brilliant glow:
Level Up: (+3). New Level: (5).
Drops acquired: Small Mana Gems x5, Razor Blade x15, Bronze Piece x5.
Abilities acquired: "Razor Leaf" and "Wind Dash" (added to Wind element).
The revitalizing energy of leveling up surged through my body, washing away the accumulated fatigue. I looked at the Panel, examining the items and new abilities. It felt just like hearing the victory jingle of an RPG, but this time, the satisfaction was undeniably real.
Carefully, I picked up the scattered items and stored them in my pockets. As I did, I couldn't help but think about Yuna's convenient magical bag, capable of storing anything effortlessly.
—How I wish I had one of those magic bags like Yuna's, —I murmured with a wistful smile, feeling a slight pang of emptiness as I remembered how far away she was at that moment.
Elsewhere in the Labyrinth of Roots, Yuna carefully navigated a narrow corridor. The stone walls around her were marked with faintly pulsing runes, as if the labyrinth itself was watching her.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath her feet. Pillars began moving back and forth, while a section of the floor opened, revealing spinning blades that emitted a menacing whir.
—Another trap! —she exclaimed, quickly stepping back to assess the situation.
The path behind her was blocked, leaving the only option to navigate through the constantly moving pillars. Taking a deep breath, she let the wind magic flow beneath her feet.
—I won't fall here, —she murmured, her green eyes locked on the danger ahead.
With a calculated leap, she launched herself toward the first pillar, letting the wind currents help her maintain balance.
However, an unexpected shift caused her to slip. For an instant, she felt gravity pulling her toward the deadly spinning blades below.
—You won't defeat me so easily! —she exclaimed with determination, raising a hand to invoke her magic.
—Wind Whirlwind!
The wind responded immediately. A spiraling gust formed beneath her feet, intensifying rapidly until it lifted her with a sudden force.
The current propelled her upward, carrying her away from the danger in the nick of time.
She landed gracefully on the last pillar, bending her knees to absorb the impact while gasping for breath. The energy of her magic still swirled around her, dissipating like an echo of the wind.
—That was close... —she murmured, letting out a sigh as she steadied herself.
Wasting no more time, she forced herself to move forward, her eyes fixed on the next challenge. The labyrinth seemed determined to test her limits, but she had no intention of giving up.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the Root Labyrinth, Kizuna broke the silence with her trademark enthusiasm.
—Don't worry, Kizu! —she exclaimed, cheerfully floating beside me—. I'm sure you'll get a magic bag or something even better soon!
With a dramatic gesture, she gave me a few light pats on the shoulder with her tiny hands, her eyes shining with pride.
—Plus, you were amazing! —she added, brimming with excitement—. See? This world is yours to conquer, Kizu!
I let out a soft chuckle as I tried to catch my breath. While I knew the challenges were just beginning, her words made the weight of the dungeon feel a little less daunting.
I cautiously moved toward the next section, with Kizuna floating close by, radiating optimism like a beacon in the midst of the darkness.
The silence around me amplified the sense of the unknown. The air grew heavier and more humid, as if the dungeon itself was breathing with every step I took.
As I rounded a corner, a set of stairs appeared in front of me, descending into the next level. Shadows danced under the faint light, each movement playing tricks on my perception as I slowly made my way down.
When I reached the lower floor, a green glow blanketed the entire space, emanating a latent energy that felt almost alive.
Unlike the previous levels, this floor was covered in small plants and vines sprawling across the walls and floor, transforming the dungeon into an underground jungle of sorts.
Everything felt too alive, as if the very place were breathing. A sense of awe and alertness washed over me as my eyes scanned every corner of the environment.
—What is this place...? —I murmured, my voice barely a whisper, lost in the heavy, humid air.
Kizuna floated nearby, her expression shifting from curiosity to alertness in an instant. She pointed ahead with a trembling finger, her usual enthusiasm replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness.
—Careful! These aren't just ordinary plants—they're monsters! —she warned in a voice so low it was almost a whisper.
Amidst the vines and vegetation, tiny sprouts began to stir, emerging from the shadows. They were small, resembling budding plants, but each had a pair of glowing eyes and sharp teeth peeking out from between their leaves.
I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, adjusting my stance as I watched the creatures closely.
—Plant monsters? —I whispered, trying to suppress the tension building in my chest.
The creatures advanced in small groups, emitting a dry crackling sound with each step. It was as if the ground itself protested beneath their weight, and though the sound was faint, it was enough to set my nerves on edge.
Suddenly, one of the sprouts released a green spore into the air. The cloud floated with an ethereal motion, expanding rapidly toward me, glowing faintly as if to warn me of its lethality.
—Don't breathe that in, Haruto! —Kizuna shouted, her voice cutting through the air just as a red panel flashed before me, its urgent glow impossible to ignore:
IMMINENT DANGER!
I reacted instinctively, leaping backward while shielding my face with my arm.
The spores fell to the ground, leaving a viscous residue that sizzled upon contact with the stone, as if it were acidic.
—Perfect... now I have to dodge poisonous plants too, —I muttered, letting out a sigh laced with frustration and sarcasm.
The red panel reappeared in front of me, its message extinguishing any hope of peace:
—WARNING! Enemies detected: Poisonous Vines, Level 5. Maintaining distance is recommended.
I clicked my tongue, quickly evaluating the situation while keeping my eyes fixed on the creatures. The ground, covered in plants and vines, now felt like a minefield—every step would need to be calculated to perfection.
—Fantastic! —I grumbled as frustration built up inside me, realizing my options for moving forward were narrowing with every passing second.
—Come on, Haruto! —Kizuna exclaimed, floating beside me with a mix of urgency and enthusiasm—. Use your new abilities, Kizu!
"Razor Leaf…" The skill I had learned from the wind slimes seemed perfect for dealing with these creatures. I took a deep breath, letting my resolve solidify.
—Razor Leaf! —I murmured, activating the skill with a decisive gesture.
The air swirled around me, forming razor-sharp blades of wind charged with a cutting energy that seemed to hum with power. I launched them with precision, allowing them to carve swift arcs through the air.
The sharp whistle of wind echoed with each projected blade. They struck the vines, which moved menacingly forward. Several retreated, torn apart by the force of the attack, while others fell to the ground in fragmented, dry crunches.
Finally, after the last impact, the creatures collapsed. Silence filled the air, broken only by my heavy breathing echoing through the dim surroundings.
Then, a triumphant fanfare resounded in my mind, and the Panel lit up with its familiar glow:
Level Up: (+5). New Level: (10).
Drops obtained: Silver Pieces x10Mana Gems x10Anti-Venom Potions x2Healing Herbs x2
Skills obtained: "Toxic Spore" and "Binding Root" (added to the Earth element).
I carefully gathered the items, storing the mana gems and anti-venom potions in my pockets. A revitalizing energy coursed through my body, clearing away some of the accumulated fatigue.
—You were amazing! —Kizuna exclaimed, floating beside me with a radiant smile—. With these skills, no one will be able to stop us, Kizu!
I smiled at her enthusiasm, feeling how her joy rekindled my confidence. Although the path ahead was still uncertain, for a moment, I believed I could face anything the dungeon threw at me.
—Yeah, these new skills might come in handy against groups of enemies, —I replied, adjusting my sword on my belt before taking the next step forward.
After securing the loot, I made my way toward a grand stone staircase that descended to the next level. Each step felt heavier, not just from the physical exertion but from the weight of the thoughts accumulating in my mind.
Since arriving in this world, everything had changed. I wasn't the same person anymore, but I couldn't deny the lingering doubts that still weighed me down. Despite being alone in this moment, I felt a connection—Yuna, Kizuna, even this strange place—they all seemed to be leading me toward something greater. But was I truly ready to face what lay ahead?
Uncertainty lingered in my thoughts like a shadow, yet the desire to keep moving forward kept my steps steady.
Kizuna floated nearby, her gaze scanning every corner with an uncommon seriousness. It was as if even she could feel the weight of the unknown awaiting us below.
—What do you think is waiting for us down there? —I whispered, breaking the oppressive silence that surrounded us.
—Whatever it is, we'll outshine any monster! —she replied with her typical confident smile. However, her tone shifted quickly, adopting an unusual caution—But be careful... the deeper you go in a dungeon, the greater the dangers you face.
I nodded, trying to ignore the shiver running down my spine as I descended the seemingly endless stone staircase. Each step seemed to stretch the distance between the surface and whatever awaited me in the depths.
The air grew denser, laden with a humidity that clung to my skin and made each breath feel heavier. The dungeon felt alive, watching, measuring my steps with every meter I advanced.
Finally, the steps came to an end. In front of me, a dark hallway stretched into a wide chamber, enveloping the space in a silence so deep it felt as though the dungeon itself was holding its breath.
The faint light illuminating the space had no visible source; it seemed to seep from the walls, casting elongated shadows that danced with barely perceptible movements.
I crossed the threshold cautiously, alert for any signs of danger. Yet, what I found left me puzzled: the floor was empty.
The echo of my own footsteps reverberated through the vast chamber like a drumbeat against the silence. My eyes scanned every corner, searching for any hint of movement, but there were no enemies, no visible traps, no signs of life.
—Is it… empty? —I murmured, my voice barely a whisper that dissolved into the immensity of the room.
Kizuna floated beside me, wearing an uncharacteristically puzzled expression.
—It looks that way... but it's weird! Dungeons are never completely empty.
The Panel remained silent, offering no relevant information. The lack of response, far from reassuring me, only made the emptiness more unsettling.
—Maybe it's some kind of rest area between levels, —I suggested, though the unease clung to me like a second skin. This absolute silence felt more menacing than comforting.
Kizuna nodded slowly, though the glimmer of doubt in her eyes lingered.
—Maybe… but don't let your guard down, Haruto-kyun. These places always have something up their sleeve, Kizu.
The echo of our footsteps broke the stillness as we crossed the chamber. Each sound seemed amplified, as if the dungeon itself was listening and judging. On the far side, another staircase descended further, its darkness beckoning like a silent warning.
Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of the unknown. The air grew damper with every descent, and the echo of our footsteps quickly vanished, swallowed by the oppressive void surrounding us.
Finally, we reached the base of the staircase, where a massive metal door loomed before us. Unlike anything we had encountered before, its edges were etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, almost as if they were alive.
The door seemed to breathe, vibrating with a contained energy that seeped through the runes.
I stopped, studying it cautiously as my hand instinctively rested on the hilt of my sword.
—This isn't going to be easy, —I murmured, feeling the tension build in the thick air around us.
Kizuna floated near my shoulder, her usual enthusiasm tempered by a rare seriousness as she examined the shimmering engravings.
—Hm... this looks like a sealing barrier, —she muttered, her tone unusually solemn—. Are you ready for what's on the other side? —Though she tried to sound playful, her gaze held a glimmer of warning.
—Ready or not, I'm already here, —I replied, letting a spark of determination flicker through my thoughts.
With both hands, I pushed against the cold metallic surface of the door. It gave way slowly, emitting a deep groan that reverberated through the walls, as if the dungeon itself was exhaling its pent-up breath.
The fifth level of the dungeon unfolded before me in an oppressive gloom. The immense chamber seemed to stretch into the unknown, its boundaries shrouded in shadows that moved almost imperceptibly.
I paused at the threshold, allowing my eyes to adjust to the dimness as a shiver ran down my spine.
This was it—the culmination, the final test the dungeon had prepared. Every skill I had learned, every obstacle overcome, had led us to this point.
Suddenly, a deep rumble shattered the silence, echoing off the walls like an ominous announcement.
At the far end of the chamber, a door began to creak open, the metallic sound marking each second like a heartbeat. My body tensed, turning toward the noise with every sense on high alert.
And then, a familiar figure emerged from the doorway.
—Haruto! —she called out in relief upon seeing me, her eyes quickly scanning me as if to ensure I was truly unharmed.
For a moment, a flicker of concern crossed her gaze before she looked away, regaining her usual composure.
—After so many obstacles, I finally made it to this room.
In that instant, the tension melted away. Her silhouette, illuminated by the faint glow of the chamber, was a reminder that, despite being separated, we had both managed to reach the same destination.
I quickly approached her, my footsteps echoing in the empty room. Though her face bore traces of exhaustion, she was unharmed, and that was all that mattered in that moment.
Kizuna floated with excitement.
—Yuna-chan! You made it! —she sang, her cheerful tone easing the tension in the air.
Yuna nodded with a faint smile, though her eyes reflected the gravity of our situation.
—It seems the dungeon split us into two separate paths, —she said, bringing a hand to her arm to discreetly cover a scratch—. But I'm glad you made it here.
—You had a rough path too, didn't you? —I asked, noticing the marks on her clothes and the small wounds on her skin.
—Yes, but nothing I couldn't handle, —she replied, a hint of pride in her voice—. Although I did worry when the trap separated us. I'm relieved to see you in one piece.
—Same here. Even though my path was full of traps and creatures, it seems this dungeon is designed to test us both.
Kizuna crossed her arms, adopting a confident posture as she grinned.
—Haruto did wonders! Though... his style still needs a little polishing. Nothing we can't work on together, Kizu!
Yuna's smile softened, and for a moment, a spark of pride lit up her green eyes.
—Haruto… if we're both here, that can only mean one thing.
A deafening roar interrupted the brief relief I felt at reuniting with her.
The ground trembled beneath our feet, and a deep rumble echoed through the stone walls, as if something colossal was awakening in the darkness.
My hand instinctively gripped the hilt of my sword, bracing myself for whatever was coming...