"Jupiter's tears, Lightning of devotion. Pulsenet!"
A surge of violet lightning tore across the area, striking each shadow wolf directly through their cores. The surge didn't merely deliver an electric shock; it first pierced through the dense layers of fur, illuminating the beasts in brilliant arcs of energy.
Just when despair seemed absolute, the lightning appeared from nowhere, obliterating the wolves in an instant.
Confusion rippled through us, but it dissipated almost immediately.
From above, a white-haired student descended gracefully, followed by several others. Ten in total.
"Are you all alright?" the white-haired student asked.
"More or less. Thanks to you," Eugene replied, relief evident in his voice. "Is this everyone?"
"From what we know, the other teams haven't reached this point yet, they'll be here shortly. However it's possible some gave up, but they all are capable enough to handle this level of monsters," the white-haired student answered calmly.
"You did well to hang in there," a man with a heavy sword interjected as he approached. "I thought you'd be done for."
We had indeed been on the verge of disaster, if not for that unexpected salvation.
"My name is Vaelon Stroud. I'm a fighter. Yours?" he asked, his gaze scanning me with measured interest.
"Chàros. I'm just the treasurer of this party," I replied. "Pleasure to meet you."
I'd very much like to eavesdrop the conversation Eugene is having but I guess date has other plans.
"Treasurer, huh?" He studied me closely. "You don't exactly give off that impression. You look more like a skilled fighter."
What's his angle?
"Is that so…" I replied coolly.
"Of course, it's only my impression. Doesn't make it necessarily correct," he shrugged.
And here I thought I could make an image.
"I've had my share of experience, so I can at least manage the bare minimum," I countered internally.
Why did he approach me so suddenly? What sparked his curiosity?
"Very well. Keep at it. It only gets tougher from here," Vaelon said, turning away to regroup with his team.
Beyond this floor is a whole new level of monsters, so he's suggesting me to do better, I guess.
"Eugene!"
A familiar voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Glenn, you're alright!" Eugene exclaimed, relief washing over him.
"Of course," Glenn said with a grin. "I had two of the top students from my team. We met the rest of the top five and regrouped. Then we started cutting down those monsters. We even caught up to you."
"I can see that," Eugene replied, an awkward smile tugging at his lips.
"When we found you, I honestly thought you'd be dead. I hesitated to save you. I even tried signaling for help, but then Ernst made his move, and—Bam!—a surge of flame erupted. That spell… it was breathtaking," Glenn recounted with unrestrained excitement.
"Right," Eugene agreed.
"I thought that was the end, but slowly, the wolves began regenerating from nowhere. That's when Ernst finally stepped in," Glenn continued.
Eugene's confusion deepened, but Glenn had no ulterior motive. Sharing his experience with Eugene was instinctual—like a brother keeping a comrade informed.
"What do you mean the wolves regenerated from nothing?" I interjected, moving closer.
I hadn't witnessed their origin firsthand, but Glenn's eagle-eyed observation suggested something horrifying: they didn't just use shadows as portals. They simply appeared out of thin air.
"Uh… what?" Glenn looked bewildered at my abrupt approach.
Before he could recall what I'm talking about, something came up.
"Everyone, stand guard!" Vaelon commanded. "Prepare for battle! Something's coming!"
"What is it?" Ernst asked.
"I don't know," Vaelon said plainly.
"Don't tell me—" Ernst's eyes widened. "The entrance! Don't let it close!"
Everyone scrambled to prevent the tunnels from sealing. All five entrances were under threat.
"Firebolt!"
"Spearhead Strike!"
"Wind Essence!"
"Brave Smite!"
"Ice Spear!"
A destructive fire spell, rock-shattering wind-enhanced magic, Vaelon's fist spirit punch, and a colossal ice spear cast by Elizabeth and Lily—each attack surged against the invisible barrier.
Yet the results were disheartening. Each spell collided with the barrier as though it didn't exist, dissipating into nothing. The wall had appeared out of nowhere, blending seamlessly with the surrounding structure, blocking the exit entirely. Even combined, our forces were insufficient to destroy it—its three-hundred-meter expanse bolstered by magical and physical resistance.
"It can't be…" Eugene muttered.
" Is there something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
Eugene's expression was grim. He nodded.
Elizabeth grinned after reading Eugene's expression. She knew what was in his mind.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked.
"The Wave of Will Fire has been activated," Livia said.
"What do you mean?" Lily asked, unease lacing her tone.
"It was written in the paper they handed us," Livia admitted quietly.
"Livia… what exactly is the Wave of Will Fire?" Lily pressed, desperation sharpening her voice.
Vaelon stepped forward, urgency in his movements. "You know something?"
Livia instinctively retreated behind me, nodding.
"That's great. Tell us," one of the students urged.
"...Well—" Livia faltered.
"Tell us quickly! We don't have all day!" another shouted.
I interjected, "You're making her uncomfortable."
"So what! We're in a situation where God knows what will happen next!" The same student snapped.
I understood his fear, but forcing Livia's explanation would do more harm than good.
"I understand how you feel—" I began.
"I don't have time for a lecture!" he interrupted, panicking.
This is getting troublesome.
"Silence!" Vaelon's voice cut through, calm but firm. "Focus first. Panic will get none of us through this alive."
He turned to Livia. "I apologize for my friend."
Eugene, lost in thought beside Elizabeth, seemed to be recalling a distant memory, something deeper than any notes or manuals could explain. He's thinking of a loophole.
"It's fine. I understand panicking when magic fails or you're trapped," I said. "Now, tell them what you know." I said lightly as I turn to Livia.
Livia nodded and took a deep breath. "Okay."
"I'll tell you everything you need to know," Eugene said, stepping forward from behind.
Did he figure it out?
"Very well. We're listening," Vaelon said. The group fell silent, urgency grounding every attention.
Huston's face was pale, worry evident.
"We're in what's called the Wave of Will Fire. This is the final stage of a floor—or at least, it's supposed to be. The difference? This entire area wasn't meant to exist. It's atleast a floor fifty difficulty. Anyone who's read the book might know half of it. The rest… apparently, you're all morons for such ignorance." Eugene said, voice devoid of emotion.
"What did you just say?" a student shouted, but Vaelon raised a hand to stop him.
Eugene continued, undeterred. "Do you know why we split up to cover each tunnel?"
Everyone exchanged confused glances.
"What do you mean?" Vaelon asked.
Huston's expression shifted—he seemed to understand.
"It was to prevent this," he said. "The main purpose of splitting up was to meet the requirements to unlock this area and keep it open."
"Don't tell me—" Ernst's realization dawned.
"Did you figure it out?" Vaelon asked.
Ernst nodded. "The splitting was necessary to summon this area as early as possible. Without access to all five tunnels, we cannot advance. This is a shortcut method and helps to avoid being trapped. If some remain in the tunnels, the area stays open. But the entrance closed because everyone entered."
"But several teams haven't reached this place yet," Vaelon noted.
"True. But what if they retreated? Or were defeated?" Ernst added.
"It's impossible to lose against these wolves," Vaelon said, voice calm.
"That would only be true if they were facing the same monsters," Eugene interjected. "We're fighting clones. The first and second tunnel teams were likely attacked first. That means the dungeon's monsters are real—and these wolves aren't ordinary."
He turned to Livia. "Can you please explain about the wolves."
Livia nodded.
"...The shadow wolves are extraordinarily powerful and has all kinds of abilities.They can teleport using shadows, create clones, or hide within them. But the frightening part isn't just that—they are self-aware, strategists that exploit and torture their prey before finishing the job."
"Are they… for real?" a student asked, disbelief in their voice.
"Don't worry. They won't attack us here," Eugene said, a hint of calm in his tone.
"What makes you say that?" Vaelon asked.
"They're intelligent. They'd send clones repeatedly to exhaust us. Only after we're worn out would the originals intervene," Eugene explained.
"Can we deal with them?" Ernst asked.
"There is a way," Eugene said, a spark of hope in his eyes.
"Great! Tell us," the students urged.
"We fight without mana. Once exhausted, the wolves would reveal themselves. The longer you hold mana, the longer the trap lasts. It's a cage for powerful mages."
"What? If we drain our mana, we'll lose stamina too. Are you sure there's no alternative?"
Regardless, the strategy of these wolves is to drain both physically and mana until they're dry. So it's pointless to fight them head on.
"There is another way," Eugene offered.
"Which is?"
"If someone outside defeats the original, rescue is possible—but it's unlikely. This is a test. In real adventures, no one comes. That's why it's called the Wave of Will Fire," he explained.
"So we're basically doomed," a student muttered.
"Is there truly no other way?" I asked.
"Sorry, Chàros. That's all I know. I learned it when I lost my brother. I forgot amidst the chaos, and by then… it was too late. The wolves will arrive in about half an hour," Eugene said.
Half an hour. Why did they need that long? And… how did Eugene know his brother was truly gone?
"You hear that? Prepare yourselves. They'll arrive any minute," Vaelon instructed.
Everyone readied themselves. Every breath, every movement, measured.
I approached Eugene. "I'm sorry about your brother. But… how did you know he was dead?"
"His comrades returned his body and told me what happened," Eugene said, memories flooding back.
It seemed the events he recalled had unfolded years ago.
As expected…
He lit up in realisation." That's right!"
It appears Eugene thought of something. No matter the plan, it's evident that people will have to agree or atleast one that have sense.
"Everyone, listen up!" Eugene announced, voice resolute. "I have a plan."
"Are you sure?" several students asked.
"Yes," he replied with a confident smile.
"Can we trust you?"
"Just listen to me, please," Eugene insisted.
"But earlier you said—"
"Let him speak," Ernst interrupted. "Whatever it is, we should hear it. It's better than fighting blindly."
With those words, everyone fell silent, attention fixed entirely on Eugene. He explained the plan in full detail, outlining every step and contingency. Once he finished, the group absorbed the strategy, nodding as understanding settled in.
"I see. Not a bad idea," Vaelon commented, a hint of approval in his tone.
"Are you certain it will work?" one of Vaelon's team members asked cautiously.
"It's better than doing nothing," Vaelon replied. "Executed correctly, this plan has potential. I trust each of you to do your part."
"Thank you," Eugene said, bowing his head slightly.
"No," Vaelon replied with a chuckle, "I should be the one thanking you. For the glimmer of hope."
With that, the group steeled themselves, mentally and physically bracing for the relentless onslaught of the shadow wolves.