A soft blue glow suddenly erupted a few steps from the group, contrasting sharply with the dark hues and still-smoldering scars of the destroyed arena.
The air vibrated slightly, as if rippled by a familiar wave, and a blue geometric pattern, composed of interlocking, luminous shapes, materialized above the ground.
They all recognized it almost instantly:
It was the dungeon's exit system, an unmistakable sign that the ordeal was drawing to a close.
Around this pattern, mana particles floated slowly, illuminating the scene with a calm, almost reassuring light.
Then, in a more intense burst, five chests appeared, arranged with precision, as if placed there by conscious will.
The chests that appeared near the blue pattern all shared the same robust and well-crafted appearance, attesting to their magical origin and value.
Each was of medium size, large enough to hold substantial objects without being cumbersome.
Their structure was primarily made of solid wood in light brown hues, polished but marked with subtle natural striations, as if the material had been chosen for its strength rather than mere decoration.
The corners and edges were reinforced with black metal plates.
These reinforcements gave the chests a sturdy appearance, capable of withstanding the rigors of a dungeon without breaking.
Small, thick, slightly worn metal handles were attached to the sides.
Around the chests, a faint bluish glow persisted, identical to that of the exit system.
It didn't emanate directly from the wood or metal, but seemed to float on their surface, like a protective aura.
This light gave the impression that the chests weren't mere containers, but rewards sealed by the dungeon itself, patiently waiting to be opened by those who had proven their worth.
Bram: "...".
Bram was the first to react.
Leaning on his weapon, still heavily marked by the exertion, he let out a deep sigh.
His gaze shifted from the chests with the blue pattern, and a weary smile spread across his face.
For him, this apparition meant one thing above all: they had survived.
The fight had been tough, but seeing this exit symbol confirmed that their endurance and coordination had paid off.
Kael: "...".
Kael, for his part, observed the scene with almost suspicious attention.
Accustomed to the traps and plot twists of dungeons, he took a few seconds to analyze his surroundings, making sure no new threat lurked behind this apparent reward.
However, upon clearly recognizing the blue system, his tension eased slightly.
He thought that, this time, the dungeon had nothing left to throw at them, and that they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Lyra: "... ".
Lyra, still breathless, felt a mixture of relief and pride wash over her.
The residual heat of her firestorm seemed to still throb through her veins, and seeing the chests appear confirmed that her power had been decisive.
She stared at the blue pattern with an almost grateful look: for her, it was the promise of fresh air, far from the constant pressure of combat, but also proof that her efforts hadn't been in vain.
Eron: "...".
Eron, meanwhile, knelt for a moment to catch his breath, clutching his crystal.
Seeing the chests, his calculating mind immediately kicked into gear: potions, artifacts, rare materials… all these rewards could strengthen the party for the challenges ahead.
But his gaze quickly returned to the exit symbol.
He thought that, more than the loot, the chance to leave the dungeon alive was the greatest reward.
Venti: "...".
"Finally, our reward."
Finally, Venti watched the scene in silence, his eyes slightly wide.
He could still feel the anemo energy coursing through him, more intense than before, a direct consequence of his recent leveling up.
The blue pattern instilled in him a profound sense of calm.
For the first time since the start of the fight, he allowed himself to completely relax his concentration.
In his mind, this light represented not only the end of the immediate danger, but also a milestone reached in his own progress.
They all remained like that for a few seconds, motionless in the middle of the shattered arena, bathed in the blue glow of the exit system and the promise contained in the five chests.
The dungeon now seemed silent, almost empty, as if it had acknowledged their victory and offered them a choice: claim what was theirs, then leave this place, leaving behind the traces of a battle none of them would ever forget.
After a few seconds of silence, broken only by the faint hum of the blue pattern, Kael straightened up completely and looked down at the rows of chests.
Despite the visible fatigue on his face, a glimmer of relief crossed his eyes.
He took a deep breath, as if to make sure it was all real, then turned to the rest of the group.
Kael: "We did it…"
He said, his voice still a little hoarse.
Kael: "The dungeon is over, it's time to leave."
Eron nodded in turn, still holding his crystal in one hand, almost instinctively.
His gaze moved from face to face, lingering briefly on each, checking one last time that everyone was still standing.
Unlike Kael, his expression was more pragmatic, almost methodical.
Eron: "But before that…"
He added,
No one leaves this place without their reward.
Eron: "These chests are proof that we survived to the very end."
Bram managed a weary smile, crossing his arms with difficulty.
For him, these chests represented more than just loot:
They were confirmation that their efforts, their injuries, and their risks had not been in vain.
Lyra, meanwhile, gazed at the chests with a mixture of curiosity and impatience, still coursing with the adrenaline of battle.
Part of her was already wondering what kind of item might be hidden inside, and if the dungeon had provided a reward worthy of the firestorm she had unleashed.
Venti, slightly apart, watched the scene in silence.
He could still feel the effects of the stat boost, like a residual energy coursing through his body.
For him, these chests were also a symbol: a step closer to understanding his own powers and the mysterious system that governed them.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffff
The blue pattern pulsed gently, as if reacting to their decision.
He would wait a little longer.
First the chests, then the exit.
The dungeon granted them this final moment, suspended between the end of their ordeal and their return to freedom.
Each member of the group slowly approached one of the chests.
The ancient wood creaked softly as their weary hands touched the metal-reinforced lids.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
The air seemed suspended, thick with anticipation and curiosity.
Bram was the first to open his.
The lid swung open with a thud, revealing a massive, solidly forged iron shoulder guard.
The metal was dark, marked with fine engravings almost erased by time, but the whole piece exuded an undeniable sense of robustness.
Bram grasped it, weighed it briefly in his hand, then nodded with satisfaction.
Bram: "Solid… exactly what I needed."
"This dungeon was no joke."
Beside him, Kael opened his chest more carefully.
Inside lay two perfectly balanced daggers, their slightly curved blades reflecting the bluish glow of the arena.
Discreet runes ran along the hilts, a sign that these were no ordinary weapons.
Kael took them in his hands, twirled them with ease, and then smiled a rare smile.
Kael: "They're light... and very well made."
"These daggers will suit me perfectly."
Lyra then opened her chest.
A gentle warmth immediately emanated from it, contrasting with the arena's chill.
Inside was a fire-resistant witch's tunic, its dark red and orange hues adorned with stylized flame motifs.
The fabric seemed both supple and surprisingly strong.
Lyra's eyes lit up.
Lyra: "Incredible... It's like it was made for me."
"With this, my spells will be even more stable."
Eron was next.
His chest contained several elemental magic stones, neatly arranged, each pulsing with a faint glow corresponding to its element.
He examined them carefully, already imagining the potions, catalysts, and experiments he could create with them.
Eron: "These stones are of high quality..."
"They're worth a fortune, and their energy is very pure."
Once they had collected their rewards, the four adventurers turned almost instinctively to Venti.
He was still standing motionless in front of his closed chest. Their eyes held a mixture of expectation and curiosity.
After everything he had contributed in battle, each wondered what the dungeon had in store for him.
Silence returned, broken only by the faint hum of the blue exit system, as everyone waited for Venti to finally open his chest.
Venti: "......".
After a few seconds of hesitation, Venti finally placed his hand on the lid of his chest.
Unlike the others, he seemed neither hurried nor impatient, as if he already sensed what he would find inside.
The wood opened without resistance, and a soft golden glow escaped, mingling with the surrounding blue of the dungeon.
Inside lay a finely crafted lyre.
The instrument was a pale, almost pearly gold, decorated with delicate motifs evoking the wind and leaves carried by the breeze.
The strings, a translucent light blue, vibrated very slightly on their own, as if animated by an invisible breath.
Venti: "......".
Just by looking at it, Venti felt a strange resonance, familiar and comforting.
He remained silent for a moment, staring at the lyre, as a memory flashed through his mind.
He clearly remembered that conversation with Leona, long before the dungeon, when they had discussed unconventional weapons and how music could channel elemental energy.
Venti: "...A lyre."
He delicately took it in his hands, and the moment his fingers brushed the strings, a gentle breeze swept through the arena, stirring up the dust and making the group's clothes rustle.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffffff
Venti immediately understood that this was not just an instrument, but a catalyst perfectly suited to his Anemo affinity.
Venti: "I should play a piece for Leona if I ever see her again."
The others watched the scene intently.
Bram crossed his arms, impressed by the instrument's almost instinctive, elemental response.
Kael narrowed his eyes, already assessing the lyre's combat potential.
Lyra smiled, finding the object a perfect match for Venti, while Eron examined the instrument with almost scientific interest.
Lyra: "It suits you perfectly."
"It's as if it was waiting for you."
Eron: "The energy it emits is steady... yet powerful."
"It's a rare item, Venti."
Venti gently closed the chest, still holding the lyre close to him.
At that moment, he felt that this reward was not only the end of the dungeon, but also the beginning of a new way of fighting, and perhaps even of understanding himself.
After collecting their rewards, the five adventurers instinctively gathered around the blue seal.
The structure floated a few meters above the ground, composed of luminous geometric patterns interlocking with one another.
The azure light pulsed slowly, casting shifting reflections on the shattered walls of the arena, like a calm breath after the violence of combat.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffff
A gentle tugging sensation in the air clearly indicated that this was a teleportation system, ready to extract them from the dungeon.
Bram adjusted his still-new iron shoulder guard, testing its weight on his shoulder.
Bram: "Well… getting out of here isn't so bad."
"I'm starting to feel every blow I've taken."
Kael twirled one of his new daggers between his fingers, his gaze still fixed on the seal.
Kael: "Let's stay focused."
"Dungeons love last-minute surprises."
"Especially members of the Abyss."
Lyra, holding her witch's tunic still folded under her arm, watched the blue glow with a mixture of relief and suspicion.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffff
As for Venti, he kept his lyre close to him, feeling the Anemo react slightly to the presence of the seal, as if the air currents themselves recognized the exit.
Just as the group was about to advance, Eron suddenly raised his hand, stopping them in their tracks.
His expression, relaxed until then, became serious, almost tense.
Eron: "Wait."
"Before you leave... there's something you're forgetting."
They all turned to look at him.
Lyra: "What now?" "Don't tell me there's still a hidden boss..."
Eron shook his head slowly.
Eron: "No."
"I'm talking about the knight."
The word fell like an invisible weight.
A brief silence fell, broken only by the hum of the blue seal.
Venti: "...The knight who gave us the rules of the dungeon."
Kael frowned, remembering their meeting at the beginning of the trial.
Kael: "The one who was supposed to guide us... and then disappeared."
Bram clenched his fists.
Bram: "And who wasn't there when the Abyss Lector fell on us."
Eron nodded, visibly troubled.
Eron: "Exactly."
"We never knew who he really was."
"Or if he was connected to the dungeon... or to the Abyss."
Lyra glanced around them anxiously, as if she expected an armored figure to emerge from the shadows of the ruins.
Lyra: "Do you think he could still be here?"
Eron: "I'm not sure."
"But leaving the dungeon without understanding his role... that bothers me."
Venti: "...."
Venti lowered his eyes slightly, thoughtful.
A gentle breeze swirled around him, a sign that he was deep in thought.
Venti: "If he was part of the dungeon... then perhaps finishing it is enough."
"But if he were something else..."
"And if he can go wherever he wants."
He raised his head, looking at each of his companions in turn.
Venti: "Then he could still be watching us."
"Even after we leave."
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
The blue seal pulsed a little harder, as if urging them on.
The group understood that the dungeon was giving them one last choice: leave now, or stay longer at the risk of triggering something unknown.
Kael took a deep breath.
Kael: "We'll talk about it once we're outside."
"But let's keep this in mind."
"Nothing in this dungeon was normal."
The five adventurers exchanged one last look, torn between relief and worry, before turning their attention back to the blue seal, aware that leaving the dungeon might not mean the end of all the answers.
[Venti's Stats — Visible only to him]
Name: Venti
Level: 21/100
Max HP: 8400
ATK: 1300
DEF: 860
Elemental Mastery: 310
Identified Skills:
- Telekinesis — Level 2/10
- Stat Boosting — Level 3/10
- Intangibility — Level 3/10
- Flight — Level 2/10
- Soul Manipulation & Lie Detection — Level 2/10
- Elementary Anemo Mastery — Level 4/10
- Illusion Creation — Level 2/10
- Resistance Reduction — Level 5/10
- Stat Reduction — Level 3/10
- Mass Increase/Decrease — Level 2/10
- Teleportation — Level 4/10
- Wind Communication — Level 2/10
Stock exchange: 19000 Moras
Equipment: Sacred Lyre
Chapter 44: Chest and artifact
The End