The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays casting long shadows over the grand arena. The murmurs of the audience faded as the duels concluded, leaving behind a lingering tension. Among the remaining contestants, Lucian stood, his face impassive beneath his enchanted mask, eyes fixed on Xeran.
Their battle had ended in a draw, but the thrill of the fight still coursed through his veins. He tightened his grip on his sword, a faint smile playing on his lips. That guy... he's no joke.
Xeran, on the other hand, remained calm, his serene face turned towards the sky as if he could see the clouds despite the cotton band covering his eyes. His silver hair flowed in the breeze, giving him an otherworldly aura.
"Ahem!" The examiner's voice boomed, echoing across the arena. "The first stage of the Adventurer's Guild Exam has concluded! Those who have passed, prepare yourselves. The second stage begins shortly."
The ground beneath them rumbled as a massive gate slowly opened at the far end of the arena. A cold, eerie wind gusted through the passage, carrying with it a faint whisper of magic. Lucian's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued.
"That's... the artificial dungeon?" he muttered under his breath.
Xeran's head tilted slightly, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Interesting... I've never felt mana flow like this before."
Lucian glanced at him, his gaze sharp. Even though he can't see, he's already sensing the dungeon's mana? Just what is he...?
"Participants, listen well!" The examiner continued, his voice carrying authority. "The second stage is a solo challenge inside this artificial D-Rank dungeon, crafted by the 7th Ring Mage. It's designed to test your individual strength, adaptability, and strategic thinking. You'll each face different paths and trials. The objective: reach the end and retrieve the crystal shard."
The crowd buzzed with excitement, whispers filling the stands. Artificial dungeons were rare, created by powerful mages who could manipulate space and mana. Though not as dangerous as real dungeons, they were known to be tricky, filled with traps, puzzles, and magical beasts.
Lucian's grin widened beneath his mask. A solo challenge, huh? This should be fun.
The examiner's voice cut through the murmurs. "The order will be random. Step forward when your name is called. Remember, use of lethal force is forbidden. The objective is to retrieve the shard, not to kill." His eyes sharpened, his aura pressing down on the contestants. "Any violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification."
The first name was called, and a young swordsman stepped forward, his face pale but determined. One by one, the participants entered the dungeon, vanishing into the swirling darkness. The echoes of their footsteps faded, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Lucian watched, his heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't wait to test his skills in this magical labyrinth. But his attention was drawn back to Xeran, who stood motionless, his expression calm, almost indifferent.
"You're not nervous?" Lucian asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Xeran's smile was faint. "Should I be?"
Before Lucian could respond, the examiner's voice boomed once more. "Phantom!"
"That's me," Lucian muttered, stepping forward. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, whispers of his masked identity spreading like wildfire. Phantom... huh? He chuckled to himself. Not a bad name.
He approached the gate, the cold wind brushing against his face. The darkness beyond was thick, swirling with magic. It felt alive, pulsating with an otherworldly energy. Lucian's grin widened.
"This is going to be interesting." Without hesitation, he stepped into the darkness.