The damp air clung to their skin like a ghostly veil, heavy and chilling—each breath they took only deepened the unease wrapping around them. None of them knew what awaited in the darkness ahead. Rudiger's footsteps echoed faintly across the stone floor as he followed the others, his eyes wandering over his companions' gear.
Joshua, clad in polished armor and a sword that gleamed in the dim light.
Lilia, gripping her long staff like it was an extension of her soul.
Kagumi, holding her slender blade with casual precision.
And Ferus—every inch of him weighed down with survival gear strapped to his belt and chest, like a soldier prepared for the worst.
As Rudiger took in the sight, someone appeared beside him—soundless, almost like a shadow that had taken form.
"I know you're nervous, Rudiger," said Ray, his tone calm yet grounding. "But don't worry. You're not the only one. Everyone's nervous, even if they don't show it—including me."
Rudiger flinched slightly. He hadn't even noticed Ray's presence. Turning to his left, he let out a quiet sigh.
"Yeah, maybe. You guys look so prepared… Meanwhile, all I've got is this backpack. It's just full of first-aid kits and food supplies."
Ray tilted his head. "Hmm? Didn't Lopez give you a weapon?"
"He did," Rudiger grumbled. "But it's the kind of weapon I can barely use in a place like this."
From the distance, something whizzed through the air—
Thud!
"Ack!"
It struck Rudiger right on the head. Wincing, he caught it midair with one hand while clutching his sore scalp with the other. When he looked down, he saw what it was—a knife sheathed in dusty leather, the hilt faintly glimmering with specks of blue crystal.
"Hey! That's dangerous, you idiot!" Rudiger barked, glaring at Lopez. "You could've killed me with that!"
Lopez just exhaled heavily, his tone unusually serious. "Dude, just accept it. I made that knife for you, so… don't die, okay?"
That voice—steady, without a hint of his usual teasing—made Rudiger pause. Maybe Ray was right after all. They were all scared, every one of them. Even Lopez.
He looked at his friends again. Kagumi's grip was so tight that her slender sword quivered faintly. Joshua, normally loud and reckless, now stood silent and focused. Hera's glasses were fogging up, her breath uneven.
But one person stood out.
Lilia.
Her hands didn't tremble. Her gaze burned with unshaken resolve, and her grin was fearless.
"Guys!" she called, her voice bright with energy. "Don't be scared! I'll cast a protection spell for everyone!"
She raised her staff high, the red crystal at its tip bursting to life with a golden-green radiance. Then she spoke—
[Pure All Protection!]
Light scattered across the chamber, weaving trails of shimmering gold and green that wrapped gently around them all. When the glow reached Rudiger, his arm shimmered faintly as if cloaked by invisible armor.
Wow… this feels like wearing a second skin.
Awe washed over the group, pushing aside the fear that had been tightening their hearts moments ago.
Joshua raised his massive sword high. "Wooah! I feel stronger already! With this, I'll take the lead and guide us out of this dungeon!" he shouted with renewed vigor.
Haltz ran his hands across his body, marveling at the sensation. "Wait—what is this spell exactly? It feels like actual armor!"
Lilia beamed. "That's because it is! This spell completely protects you from all incoming attacks!"
Wilhelm arched a brow. "Completely? That sounds overpowered. There's gotta be a drawback, right?"
Lilia scratched her cheek, smiling awkwardly. "Ehehe… you might be right. But, um… it doesn't affect you after it's used, at least."
Ferus sighed in annoyance. "Just spit it out already, how long are we gonna stand here?"
"Ah! R-right!" Lilia fumbled her staff nervously, then steadied herself. "Okay, short explanation! Every time one of you gets hit, that damage gets converted into mana consumption—my mana, specifically. The heavier the damage, the more mana it drains."
Rudiger's eyes narrowed. So… her will is to protect everyone, even if it means sacrificing herself.
He spoke up, calm but firm. "Lilia, do you know your mana capacity?"
"Uhh… I think it's around eighty percent right now? I'm not totally sure."
"And do you realize what that capacity looks like? I mean, inside your mind—storage, flow, the shape of it?"
Lilia tilted her head, hugging her staff as her foot tapped nervously. "Hmm… I saw something once. It looked like a deep pool—round walls, smooth surface. I could barely see the edge of the water, like I was trapped inside a glass sphere…" She trailed off, blinking. "Ah, sorry, that must sound weird."
Rudiger smiled faintly. "No, that actually helps a lot. Thanks, Lilia."
Inside, he pieced it together. So mana can be shaped by one's will… and that "sphere" she saw must be her consciousness—the core of it all.
Even so, it was still speculation. He barely understood the rules of this strange new world. There was so much to learn… but for now—
First things first. Let's get out of this damn dungeon. I miss the sunlight.
Ferus's voice cut through his thoughts. unnecessary." His gaze shifted to Joshua. "Joshua, you can—"
"No need to tell me," Joshua interrupted with a confident grin. "I'll lead us safely to the surface." He strode forward, his armor gleaming faintly in the crystal light.
Ferus smirked. "Alright then! Everyone, follow Joshua's lead!"
Kagumi laughed softly. "Finally. I've been waiting for this." Her grip loosened—yet her blade gleamed sharper than ever.
One by one, they advanced into the vast corridor. Lopez passed by Rudiger, giving him a calm, steady look. "Come on, man. Even if danger's ahead, we keep walking. I hope you find the answer you've been chasing, Rudiger."
The tone in Lopez's voice—it was different. Steady. Mature. Almost… resolute.
Rudiger watched him go, a strange heaviness filling his chest. Why… do people always move toward danger? Even knowing it could kill them…?
That wasn't him. Not before. Back in his old world, Rudiger had avoided risk, responsibility—anything that could threaten his safety. Yet here he was, walking straight into it.
They all throw themselves into peril… searching for meaning in a mortal life.
He clenched his jaw, looking down.
"Tch."
A bitter sound slipped past his lips. "I hate this. I despise this. So why… why do I suddenly feel so much empathy?"
His chest tightened, his throat burning. Tears never fell—but his heart ached. Every deep thought only seemed to stab deeper into that unexplainable pain.
Still, Rudiger moved. One step at a time, following the others into the endless corridor ahead—where unseen danger awaited in the dark.
Rudiger let his gaze drift across the corridor, where the rough stone walls slowly awakened under a gentle violet glow. Torches hung along the thick walls in perfect rhythm, their flames burning a soft purple that danced as if whispering secrets. The dim light washed over the group as they walked, each of them quietly mesmerized by the surreal beauty around them. Violet crystals bloomed from the stone like frozen flowers, their forms ranging from tiny shards to towering clusters.
"Whoa… this is spectacular…" Joshua breathed, head tilted back, eyes wide with childlike wonder.
Wilhelm nodded, his voice hushed. "Yeah… it feels like we just stepped into a fantasy novel."
"Yeah, indeed…" Rudiger murmured, unable to tear his eyes away. His reflection trembled faintly across the crystal surface—smooth as glass and glowing with an inner pulse. The sight tugged at his curiosity, murmuring thoughts into his mind.
Is this amethyst? No… something different. What purpose do these crystals serve in this world—
"Hm… I think I know what they're used for."
Rudiger's thoughts snapped. Someone behind him spoke with surprising certainty. He turned and found Lopez crouched down, examining the stones.
"You already figured it out? Then… what are they used for?" Rudiger asked without hesitation.
Lopez rose, brushing purple dust off his coat. "These crystals have a lot of uses. They can amplify thunder magic, boost physical speed temporarily, and plenty more. But…" He shrugged lightly. "I don't know how to create them. I only know what they can do."
Rudiger frowned. "How do you even know that? None of this was written in the book."
Lopez grinned, lifting a crystal between his fingers. "Well, when I let mana flow into my eyes, I can see information about objects—valuable details that most people can't. Like scanning something."
A soft blue glow shimmered from his palm; the crystal dissolved like faint smoke. "Pretty convenient, right?"
Rudiger turned back to the front. The corridor had narrowed significantly. He noticed right away—yet chose silence. He wanted the others to realize the shift on their own. Instead, he let the awareness sink deeper into his thoughts.
The tunnel's shrinking… which means we're approaching a new area. But are we truly ready for what's ahead?
His eyes wandered to his friends. Their focus drifted anywhere but forward—toward anything but the unknown swallowing the path ahead. Kagumi and Lilia chatted softly, blissfully unaware of the danger. Wilhelm and Hera tinkered with their interests, lost in their worlds without noticing the corridor tightening around them.
Rudiger glanced behind—only to find the same scene repeating.
Haltz walked lazily, eyes tracing the ceiling, arms folded behind his head. Ray trained silently, his finger carving invisible symbols through the air. Lopez gathered crystal fragments with unwavering enthusiasm.
Rudiger turned away, frustration knotting faintly in his chest.
These guys… Are they really ignoring the signs? Or are they unconsciously shielding themselves from what's creeping toward us?
And yet, his glance caught Ferus—quiet, steady, gaze fixed forward. One hand rested lightly on his knife hilt, movements sharp and aware. That simple posture eased something inside Rudiger.
His eyes shifted again to Joshua, leading the group. His broad sword was gripped firmly, unwavering. His sharp gaze swept the path without missing a detail—calm, vigilant, immovable.
"…Sigh."
Rudiger exhaled softly, a breath that escaped before he even realized it. Lilia, catching the sound, slowed her pace until she matched his stride.
"Are you nervous, Rudiger?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, eyes bright like flickering lanterns.
"Maybe I am," Rudiger answered honestly. "I don't have any powers like the rest of you."
Lilia let out a light laugh. "Hehe—don't worry, Rudiger." She looked ahead, her voice warm and steady. "I'll protect you. I'll make sure you feel safe."
Rudiger smiled faintly—but inside, her promise weighed heavily on his heart.
Why would you say something like that? Why?
In a place like this… a promise like that can only hurt you.
Rudiger knew well—promises weren't soft, nor gentle. They were burdens. Heavy ones. Chains wrapped in sincerity.
How ironic… She's so innocent she doesn't realize that every word she spoke only adds more weight to her shoulders.
Behind his closed eyes, Rudiger's expression faltered. He didn't understand why Lilia would offer him such devotion—why she chose to carry a burden meant for no one.
He wanted to tell her to take it back.
But he knew the moment he said it… the spark in her heart would dim.
So he swallowed the words.
He bit down on their truth, sealing them behind silence.
He couldn't bring himself to break her warmth.
Not here.
Not now.
"Guys! There's a door at the end of the tunnel—should we take a short break first?"
Joshua's shout shattered the daydream Rudiger had sunk into. He lifted his head, letting his closed eyes part slowly, and found a door—no, something far older. A gate. One that looked as if it had been standing open for ages.
Ferus, who had been walking with his fingers resting lightly on the sheath of his knife, halted for a moment.
"Yeah. We'll stop once we reach that door. While we rest, there's something I want to explain to all of you."
With that, he resumed his steady pace.
"Another explanation? Oh damn, how many of those do you have? Can't you just sum it all up in one sentence?" Lopez groaned, his expression clearly exhausted by Ferus' perpetual cliffhangers. But Ferus didn't spare him even a glance. He didn't slow, didn't stop. Just walked forward, following the quiet rhythm of his determined steps.
Rudiger exhaled softly and continued forward as well. Pushing aside the remnants of his earlier thoughts, he extended his arm and pulled his bag out from his inventory. Its heavy form materialized in the air, distorting the space around it—blue light flickering faintly like a dying ember.
"Why did you take your bag out? Isn't that thing really heavy?"
Lilia's curious voice came from beside him.
Rudiger held the bag close against him and glanced her way. For the first time, his gaze seemed… sharp. Tense. As if anger and irritation had brushed dangerously close to the surface. Lilia stiffened, startled by the sudden heaviness in his expression.
But just as quickly, the tension vanished. Rudiger's eyes softened, calm again—as though nothing had happened.
Before fear could fully take root in Lilia's gaze, he replied,
"Ah, this? It's nothing. I just like to prepare things before they happen. Keep walking—and don't mind what I'm doing."
He smiled, breaking the unease that had nearly swallowed her.
Lilia returned a smile, though the corners of her lips trembled slightly. Something about the moment didn't sit right with her. She looked away and quickened her steps toward Kagumi.
Rudiger rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
Damn… I almost lost my temper at her. Am I an idiot? She just asked what I was doing.
No… it's just how I am. I hate when people ask me what I'm doing. Even if it's small talk, it grates on me. But is that really okay? Putting my own irritation above someone else's feelings? Am I that kind of person? I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking… or maybe I'm not.
Rudiger wasn't someone who angered easily. In fact, before he transmigrated, he was known for being calm and even-tempered. But for some reason, questions like "What are you doing?" always unsettled him—made him swallow bitterness and clench his tongue.
Regardless, the group had finally reached the end of the path.
The door Joshua mentioned now towered over them up close.
Wilhelm squinted at it. "It looks more like a gate than a door. I'm sure of it."
Kagumi added, "Yeah, right? Makes sense. From a distance, it looked small, but this… is huge."
"So, can we take a break now?" Haltz said, already leaning against the wall with a lazy sigh.
Hearing that, Ferus released his grip from the knife's handle. He looked around at everyone, then nodded.
"Yeah, let's rest for a moment. In the meantime, I'll explain more about how this world works—especially the contents of that old book we found. I'm sure some of you haven't read it all… or maybe you've forgotten most of it."
He paused, voice lowering.
"Don't get too tense. I'll explain it in simple terms. Sit comfortably and rest. Because our next journey… might come with dangers that could very well take your life. I hope the phrase 'take your life' is enough to prepare your minds."
He sank into his thoughts as he finished speaking.
Rudiger sat down on the smooth stone floor, leaning against the rough wall. Beside him, the violet crystals sprawled like the interior of the gate itself, fragments of white quartz glimmering faintly between them. Beyond the open gate, he saw another short path—and another gate beyond it.
What kind of world is this? Why were we the only ones sent here? What has actually been happening to us this whole time?
His eyes were blank as they traced the distant gate.
And truly, his thoughts made sense. Before all this, before transmigration stole him away, Rudiger had simply been walking home from school.
School that lasted until the moon replaced the sun, six days a week. His life had been consumed by assignments—so much so that even his "days off" were spent working, leaving no space for rest or recreation.
His parents had left him twelve years ago without a word. The only "confirmation" came when their relatives gave him the inheritance they left behind. Even then, his expression barely changed—flat, neutral, as if saying, This is normal.
He never knew why they left. And he never pursued the answer.
Now, he sat in an unfamiliar world, listening to Ferus speak about their new reality.
"As you know," Ferus began, "your classes and powers come from the spirits that roam this dungeon. But aside from that, the class you obtained reflects your growth—your expertise in a particular field."
He lifted the old book in his hand.
"This book contains several magic circles you can use depending on your class. Even if your class magic isn't specifically written here, that's fine. You just need to use magic that resonates with you."
He pointed to Hera.
"For example—you, Hera. Philomath class. From the name alone, I can guess you'll have high precision in magic usage. Which means fire magic suits you well."
He looked around. "So, does that make sense?"
Ray raised a brow. "So basically, we unlock our class skills and then choose the magic that suits us best?"
"Yes," Ferus replied.
Half truth, half lie… Can't he just spit out the real part already?
The class system he mentioned is almost useless. The real ones are Joshua's and Lilia's—because they made "contact" with the spirits of those who died in this dungeon. The others just imagined their abilities out of desire, unconsciously giving their personality to Ferus' interpretation… except maybe Haltz, who either got lucky or actually knew what suited him.
Truthfully, almost none of them remembered—or even read—the book. They were too wrapped up in their personal desires to follow Ferus' instructions.
Knowing this, Ferus mixed truth and lies to guide them—to give them confidence.
Ah, I see what you're doing, Ferus.
Rudiger nodded slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He understood. Ferus was leading them step by step, ensuring they would obey his guidance when the time came.
He thinks so far ahead… A truly charismatic person, even with that sharp tongue.
"—So, try to memorize the magic circle patterns in the book I gave you," Ferus continued. "Make sure they match your class. And you, Rudiger—still not getting a class? Hah. What a passionless person."
"Say whatever you want, bro," Rudiger muttered, unconcerned as he turned his gaze back toward the gate.
Ferus shot Rudiger a sharp, almost sarcastic glare—not out of hatred, but out of a quiet, persistent irritation. To him, Rudiger always carried himself with a kind of low flame, a life without vigor—without the drive to reach for anything. And Ferus knew very well that Rudiger was far from incapable.
Rudiger possessed sharp intellect, an eerie ability to read emotions and atmosphere with precision bordering on instinct. Yet he wasted all of it, letting his potential rot in indifference. Ferus hated that. No—he felt disturbed by it. Because Rudiger could have been a better leader than him. Far better.
Such a waste of talent, he thought bitterly. Born into a body with no enthusiasm, no will to ignite a passion for living. Why? Sometimes I wonder… and sometimes I'm jealous. People with high emotional intelligence—they understand others so well, they must live their lives with ease, with joy. I'm sure of it. And I'm jealous of that.
Ferus's quiet jealousy flickered in his eyes as he stood before the gate, lost in thought. But the moment broke when Wilhelm and Hera approached, carrying the results of their rushed research.
Meanwhile, Rudiger sat on the ground, staring blankly at the gate before him. With his cheek resting against his hand, he wandered deeper into his thoughts.
…I already know some magic. Have they memorized theirs? Lilia and Joshua seem to be getting along. Yeah, that's why… Kagumi, Lopez, Ray, the others—they seem comfortable now. Ah… what's behind that gate? That looks like a bridge. Made of… cement? Concrete? Brick? Quartz? Quartz makes sense, right? But if it's a bridge, then there must be a ravine beside it… Is that true? Most likely.
Suddenly, Rudiger shook his head violently.
"Aaaghh! Dammit—dammit! Calm down, stop thinking too much… it's a pain!" He dug his fingers into his hair, pulling lightly as if trying to untangle his thoughts. "My head feels like a knotted mess, and I can't burn it or cut it off… aghh! It's so irritating!"
Lopez, sitting beside him, blinked in confusion. He assumed Rudiger was struggling with memorizing magic circles.
"Come on, I know you can memorize it. Sure, it's a bit complicated, but just imagine it loosely. Even if you don't get the small details, it's fine. You'll remember most of it—and that fits you, Rudiger."
Then Ferus finally rose from where he sat and stretched his arms above his head.
"Alright, guys," he said while turning toward the corridor behind him. "Are you ready?"
"Huh?" Haltz jerked upright. "Ready for what? Are we moving again? We just got here from that long—unexpectedly long—hour-long walk, and now we're leaving again? Unbelievable!" Irritated, he stood up and tossed the old book Ferus had given him aside—fortunately landing into Ray's hands before it hit the ground.
Joshua, hearing Ferus's tone, also wanted to complain, but Haltz's outburst beat him to it. And when Haltz finally stopped, Joshua stepped forward with a calm yet firm voice—though his eyes betrayed restraint, as if he was holding himself back.
"Anyway, I want to say this: we still haven't memorized these spells. Can't we have more time? And what's with the rush? Are we on a deadline?" Joshua stared directly at Ferus. "I've been watching you. You act like something is chasing you—something we can't see or even feel. That's what's making us panic. You don't even give us time to ask ourselves, 'What is this place?'
And your explanations—they're always half-finished. It makes us more anxious than before.
…Hey, Ferus? Maybe I'm better suited to lead, don't you think?"
Ferus fell silent. He lowered his arms, ran his hand through his messy blond hair, and released a long breath. Then he let out a soft laugh.
"What a fucking idiot," he muttered under his breath. "Ahh… it's been a while since I said that."
Then, louder, "So? Let me finish, alright? You idiot. I only asked whether you were ready—and this is the reaction I get?"
He sighed again.
"Fine. Let me answer both of your very intelligent-sounding questions. First: I don't recall telling you to get moving right away. Did I? Second: Yes—of course I'm giving you time to memorize the spells. That's why we're taking this break. And then—"
As they continued arguing, each defending their own perspective, Lopez leaned closer to Rudiger and whispered:
"Hey, isn't this kind of fun? Look at them argue—it reminds me of the mice from our old world. Squabbling about who's better at controlling the lions trapped in their cage. What do you think, Rudiger?"
Rudiger whispered back, "While I agree… shouldn't you focus on memorizing your spells? They're important for later."
"Well," Lopez shrugged, "there aren't many spells that suit me anyway. I've already memorized everything useful to me.
So hey—what do you think about Joshua becoming the leader?"
"Joshua? He won't bring integrity to this group, even if he acts heroic. He's really… hmm." Rudiger paused. "Calling him naïve isn't quite right. He's more like… blind. Not literally, but implicitly—from my perspective. Sorry. I'm not good at forming sentences that describe someone's personality or my views on them."
"Ah, I get it," Lopez replied. "At least you said what you think."
He shifted slightly, returning to his original seat.
Whether Lopez truly understood Rudiger or was merely pretending to, it was impossible to tell. But his expression managed to look convincing enough for both possibilities.
In that moment, Rudiger heard something.
Faint—yet unmistakably clear.
A shrill cry that crawled beneath his skin, sharp enough to twist unease into his gut.
Instinctively, he swept his gaze toward his friends, hoping he wasn't the only one who heard it.
But what stunned him more was the fact that Ferus and Joshua were still at it—locked in a pointless argument over who was more fit to lead their group.
"I know best what to do right now, and I'm confident in that. Because of my experience when—" Ferus began, only to be cut off by Joshua.
"Best what to do? Then why don't you make a decision that would actually calm us down? Isn't that what a leader should do?" Joshua snapped, firing back without hesitation.
Ferus let out a bitter chuckle, the kind born from irritation.
"I already did, didn't I? Or are you too stupid to notice? What kind of 'leader' fails to see what's happening around him?" he shot back.
"Watch your mouth! You're foul-tempered and reckless. Everything you say contradicts itself. Sure, your words raise our courage—maybe even dull our fear—but some of us are still trembling. Especially Lilia! You scared her half to death when you threw that human skeleton at her. Is that the behavior of a caring leader?" Joshua retorted, sarcasm dripping from each word.
"Oh, now you mention that? How pathetic. You were the one who lit the spark in the first place. I merely used the opportunity—showing the skeleton so you all would understand that reality is far crueler than you think. You fear death so much you can't even look at the corpse that once lived as you do. From that skull alone, I could see you shaking, Joshua. And from that, I can already predict—if you become our leader, then this group—"
Before Ferus could finish, Kagumi stepped forward and cut him off sharply—shifting the conversation from rivalry to survival.
"Alright, both of you, stop! Didn't you hear that sound just now? That horrible screeching?" Kagumi said, rising to her feet, alert and facing the dark corridor behind them.
At the same time, Rudiger was already packing, pulling out the supplies they would need. He wasn't alone—several others followed suit without being told.
Joshua, however, blinked in confusion.
"What screech? I didn't hear anything. Kagumi, are you sure?"
Ferus's reaction was the complete opposite.
His face drained of color.
His hand hovered over his knife sheath—steadying himself, though his arm trembled faintly.
"Heh… so we really are being hunted…? Damn it. This is bad."
Despite the tremor in his voice, Ferus forced himself to stay composed.
Earlier, Wilhelm and Hera had reported their analysis of the human skeleton. The victim had died slowly from an unidentified poison—but the horrifying part was that the poison emitted a sort of "signal," something that could reveal their location to nearby monsters.
Ferus had been shaken by that information. He had intended to quietly check if everyone was prepared in case something happened soon.
Unfortunately, "soon" had already become "now."
The screech resounded once more—this time, everyone heard it.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
The shriek twisted into a violent hiss, far more menacing than before.
Rudiger grabbed his pack, gripping his knife.
From the shadows at the far end of the corridor, a silhouette slithered forward—massive and cold like death manifest.
A serpent.
But far too large to be anything natural.
Its glowing red eyes bore into them from the darkness, unsettling every last one of them.
Lilia's voice trembled.
"U-Uh, guys… are we really going to face that? I think—"
She was cut short.
"NO. WE MOVE. NOW! GET THROUGH THAT GATE!" Ferus roared, sprinting past her.
Everyone, including Rudiger, didn't question him.
They ran—desperately—as the trembling earth and the hissing behind them intensified.
The moment they passed the gate, Ferus spun around.
He knelt, pressing both palms to the ground.
"Thick stone wall!"
A slab of stone materialized from the ground, slowly sealing the entrance. Ferus exhaled harshly, breath ragged.
Rudiger noticed the faint circle of magic glowing beneath Ferus's hands.
He wasn't shocked—rather, something about it felt strangely reassuring, like another puzzle piece falling into place.
Ferus rose to his feet.
"Come on! Keep moving!" He gasped, "The wall won't hold for long… prepare yourselves for whatever comes next!"
But Joshua stepped in with another complaint.
"Hey, hey—why are we running? We can fight that thing, can't we? I've got power, Lilia can protect us. Why run? Or are you scared, Ferus?"
"You… are you stupid? Did your temporary power melt your brain? None of us have the strength or experience to fight that monster. Yet you think you can take it down easily? You blind fool!"
"What's that supposed to mean!?"
Their argument reignited as if nothing had happened.
Rudiger shook his head at their hopelessness.
He looked around the new cavern—massive, almost the size of a football field.
A stone bridge stretched across it, lined with torch pillars, while a bottomless abyss swallowed the edges of the path.
Awe and anxiety clenched Rudiger's heart.
Just moments ago, they had been relatively safe—and now danger chased them relentlessly.
"That was my first time facing a real monster from this world… I wonder what would've happened if I were alone…"
But Wilhelm broke his thoughts.
"Hm, I'm curious. What kind of venom does that snake use? Is it like a normal snake—"
Crack.
Everyone froze.
The sound of something breaking echoed loudly.
Ferus shouted without hesitation:
"RUN! NOW!"
They bolted.
Even with a pack strapped to his back, Rudiger's speed matched the others—drawing surprised glances, though nobody had time to question it.
Then—
Hera stepped on something.
Columns of green light burst around them, blocking their path.
Figures emerged—monsters with yellow skin, large cheek-horns like crude trumpets, and weapons in hand.
Unfortunately for them, Rudiger's group was running on pure adrenaline.
"Get the hell out of my way! Holy Slash! "
Joshua swung his sword, unleashing a golden arc that cleaved through the monsters.
"Get out of my sight, minions! Thunder step! "
Ferus followed, slicing through them in a flash of blue-gold light.
They competed even now—racing each other at the front line.
Behind them, the others fought too.
Not as flashy, not as graceful—but they held their own.
"Don't hesitate, everyone! I'll protect you! Just look forward!" Lilia yelled—her fear forgotten.
Rudiger, surprisingly agile, cut down monster after monster.
He dodged blows instinctively, lost in the rush.
Yet amidst the chaos, a quiet thought drifted inside him:
What am I doing here? Is this a dream? Why do I feel so alive? Is it just the adrenaline? Am I… actually killing monsters? I am. This is real. But why? Why am I choosing to survive? Wouldn't this be the perfect moment to just… end everything? I have no reason to live, no purpose. No one waiting for me. No "welcome home." Maybe dying here wouldn't change anything… Would it? He said I had no passion, no spark for life, and he was right… I've never dreamed of anything, because in the end, we all die anyway. So what am I? And why is "he"… not appearing now? "He" usually shows up when I think like this. Strange… does this mean—
Rudiger faltered.
A monster's club smashed into his right ribs.
Lilia's protective magic softened the blow—but it still sent him flying sideways.
Into the abyss.
"RUDIGEEER!!!"
Lilia's scream pierced the cavern.
Her friends froze—not because of the volume, but because of the name she cried.
"What?!" Lopez rushed toward the edge, slicing through monsters as he ran.
He caught a glimpse—just for a fraction of a second—of Rudiger's arm disappearing into the darkness.
"No… no way…" Lopez gasped. "I'm just imagining it… right?"
But Ray grabbed him immediately, hauling him onto his back.
"Get a grip, Lopez! You could've died too! There's no time to grieve—save it for later! Not now!"
Lilia collapsed—shaking, pale. She fell to her knees, clutching her staff as monsters surrounded her.
Kagumi and Hera broke through just in time.
"Hera! Can you handle them? I need to check on Lilia!"
"Got it! Be quick!"
Kagumi crouched beside Lilia.
"Lilia, are you alright? Hey… now's not the time to drift away. We need you—"
She froze.
Lilia's face was ghost-white.
Her eyes empty—hollow, like someone stripped of everything that made them human.
"She's… fainted," Kagumi whispered.
"Kagumi! You done yet?!" Hera yelled, still firing spells.
"Yeah! Let's move!"
They carried her forward, sprinting across the bridge.
But then—
Someone stepped on something.
The first half of the bridge began collapsing.
Behind them, the serpent monster shattered Ferus's stone barrier—but before it could cross, the falling bridge forced it to halt and turn back.
Rudiger's friends managed to reach the other side just as the entire bridge crumbled, leaving a deep, horrifying chasm behind.
"So… we really lost one of our friends…" Wilhelm muttered, staring into the abyss.
"Hey, Lopez…" Ray said softly. "I'm sorry. Not just for you… for all of us."
Lopez curled in on himself, refusing to look up.
And Lilia—still unconscious—worried them most.
"Will she be okay?" Hera asked quietly.
"I don't know… she fainted the moment Rudiger fell," Kagumi replied, her voice trembling despite her attempt to stay composed.
Ferus, who had been watching everything unfold, could only stand there in frozen silence.
He knew that a single word from him would do nothing but ignite more tension, more fear.
Silence—painful as it was—felt like the only option left for him.
On the other side, Joshua clenched his hands so tightly his knuckles went pale, his teeth sinking into his lower lip. He was furious—at himself.
He had been too caught up in his own emotions, forgetting what mattered most: his friends.
Just like Ferus, he understood that speaking now would only tear open the wounds everyone carried.
And so he remained silent, swallowing every word that tried to rise.
The entire group fell quiet as they leaned against the gate they had just escaped through.
Their faces were painted with regret—bitter, heavy, and unmistakable.
They had survived… yet survival didn't feel like victory.
They had known Rudiger only briefly, students from the same class who never truly looked past the surface.
And now, regret gnawed at them for never understanding him deeper.
None of them seemed willing to lead—not anymore.
They waited for someone, anyone, who still held enough courage to step forward.
Until Kagumi finally stood up and broke the suffocating silence.
"Alright, guys! Enough already! Are you planning to drown in regret forever?! Do you want to sit here and crumble?! Come on! I'm sure Rudiger wouldn't want any of this. He'd want us to keep moving—keep trying to survive! Don't you think so?!"
Her voice hardened.
"Ferus! Are you seriously not giving any more instructions?! Tell me—are you stepping down for good?!"
"No."
Ferus exhaled, deep and defeated.
"I will not lead this group anymore. I lack sympathy… and sensitivity toward others. That is why I think you should elect Joshua as my replacement. He should be the leader of this group."
"Eh? Me? Why? Why would I—" Joshua began, but Ferus cut him off.
"You have better leadership skills than I do. You care about the others more than I ever did. Look at what happened when I led this group… my friends ended up—"
"Don't say that, Ferus," Haltz interjected firmly.
"You're only hurting yourself by blaming everything on your shoulders. Mistakes aren't made alone—we all feel guilty about what happened today. So don't carry it alone. I feel guilty too, you know?"
"…Yeah. I guess you're right." Ferus gave a faint, tired smile. "Thanks… for that, Haltz."
"Well then," Joshua stood, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
"I suppose it can't be helped. From now on, I'll take responsibility. I'll lead this group, and I swear I'll protect every single one of you. I'll make sure we all get out of this dungeon alive. Any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads—everyone except Lopez, who still trembled silently, and Lilia, who remained unconscious from the shock.
From this moment onward, the leader of Rudiger's group—and the one to guide them through the dungeon—was Joshua.
Joshua Aspidiske.
And from this moment onward—
the true story of Rudiger Rutherford's life would finally begin.
—————