Chapter 28
“Wow, the atmosphere is intense.”
The academy’s custom-made dungeon was more impressive than I expected. Although it was just for a student event, I thought it would feel a bit amateurish.
But it had all the right elements—darkness, that distinct musty smell, and an ambiance that really mimicked a dungeon.
“It’s way too dark. It’ll be hard to keep a clear view like this.”
“I-I can manage a basic light spell at least!”
“Oh? Then, would you mind?”
Whirr—
At Cynthia’s request, Emily immediately conjured a glowing light in the air. As the light radiated from
Emily’s fingertips, illuminating the area around us, everyone seemed a bit more reassured.
‘Tch. Honestly, I prefer the dark.’
Well, everyone except me.
“Alright then, shall we get moving?”
“Sounds good. Just like before, I suggest I lead, with the same formation…”
“No, this time, I’ll take the front.”
“Huh?”
Cynthia stepped forward, interrupting Elaine.
‘Makes sense.’
Even with the light from Emily, visibility was still limited. In such conditions, it was better for someone with sharp senses, like Cynthia, to take the lead.
“It’s darker than expected, and visibility is poor. I think it’d be best if I went first.”
“Oh…”
Elaine reluctantly nodded at Cynthia’s logical and serious suggestion. During our preparations for the competition, we had decided on a specific formation for navigating dungeons, and Elaine was always at the front.
With her as our steadfast knight, it seemed natural. I didn’t have any issues with that arrangement at the time, but now that we were here, the circumstances had changed.
It was so dark you could barely see five meters ahead. Considering the difficulty level of the previous obstacle course, there could very well be dangerous monsters or traps ahead.
In situations like this, having someone agile and perceptive in front to scout was the better choice.
Though that was the standard approach…
“No, I’ll go first.”
“Uh?”
I stepped in front, blocking Cynthia as she tried to lead.
“Besides, you’re a ranged type, aren’t you?”
To be fair, that wasn’t my main reason, but it made for a convenient excuse.
Even though we had quickly cleared the first and second trials, the real competition was just beginning.
To get ahead of the other years and secure first place, we needed to move swiftly from here on out. For that, it was most efficient for me to lead.
“Alright, let’s pick up the pace…”
Whirr—
Suddenly, something appeared in midair without warning.
Elaine instinctively started to draw her sword but stopped when she realized it wasn’t a threat or a trap.
<Current Leader: Third Years>
The words floating in the air were just an update on the competition standings.
“Hey, look at that! The third years are in the lead.”
“Well, that’s only to be expected. From what I know, this year’s third years already cleared the dungeon last year. It’s no surprise they’re fast.”
“Hah. What’s so certain? We’re the ones aiming for first place here.”
“Mr. Ryu, that’s impossible. No first-year has ever taken first place in the competition.”
“Then we’ll be the first! ‘First-year Ryu takes first place!’”
“…”
Elaine, Cynthia, and Emily all gave me blank stares.
I had been saying from the beginning that we were going for first place, but apparently, none of them took it seriously.
“Hm. Why so unresponsive?”
“You mean it?”
“Huh? What?”
“That your goal is to come in first.”
“Of course. If we don’t get first place, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”
In truth, it was more than just losing sleep.
This quest wasn’t a side quest—it was a main quest.
I had to place first to clear it and receive the reward of learning “magic.”
Magic that could be cast with just a command, without complex calculations. I had to get it, no matter what.
“I thought you were kidding.”
“I-I thought so too…”
Cynthia and Emily added their comments. So that’s why they hadn’t been reacting until now—they thought I was just joking.
“Of course I’m serious. I’ve been working hard for this, you know?”
I said it with as much emotion as I could muster, and they finally seemed to take it seriously. Although, it didn’t seem like they fully believed we could actually come in first.
‘So, the third years are currently in first place. We’ve made it this far without much trouble, but they’re fast, that’s for sure.’
We hadn’t faced any real obstacles in the written exam or the obstacle course.
Thanks to Emily’s efforts, we cleared the written test in no time, and Elaine led us quickly through the obstacle course. I had been a little complacent, thinking we might be in first place ourselves.
But to hear the third years were leading…
“Alright, let’s keep moving.”
The message floating in midair, indicating the current leader, faded away like scattered dust.
Knowing we weren’t in first was a bit disappointing, but the gap couldn’t be too large. Just to be safe, we needed to get moving right away.
“Well… at least there’s only one path to follow.”
“Alright, I’m going to start running now! Try to keep up, okay?”
“Are you… seriously doing this?”
Cynthia and the others grumbled but kept pace with me.
Not that I really took off running, of course. And so, our dungeon exploration officially began. The light Emily created illuminated our path ahead, guiding us forward in formation.
“It really feels like a dungeon.”
“Have you been in a dungeon before, Mr. Ryu?”
“Yeah. Plenty of times.”
“I figured…”
“What do you mean, ‘figured’?”
Dungeons, crawling with monsters and filled with dangerous magic.
People rushed to explore dungeons whenever they were discovered, hoping for the treasure hidden in their depths.
Especially for mercenaries who made their living from combat.
There was no way I hadn’t been in a dungeon before. The first time I entered a dungeon on Arkaria Continent was before I even formed the Black Shadow Corps.
I had joined a mercenary group and had one hell of a rough time. Since then, whenever I had to go into a dungeon, I always brought along at least one scout. Someone with a sharp sense like Cynthia.
“But they’re not exactly fond memories.”
“I see. This is my first time in a dungeon. I believe it’s probably the same for Miss Franz?”
“Ah, I… I went once, with my parents and my sister…”
“Oh…”
Elaine looked surprised at Emily’s response. It surprised me too. I had always thought Emily spent her entire childhood studying, yet she’d been to a dungeon before.
“I-I see. And Miss Surplus?”
“Oh, I went with my dad a few times. He wanted me to get used to seeing in the dark, so we went without torches.”
“… I guess I’m the only one without experience.”
“Seems you had a more refined upbringing, huh?”
“What the…!”
Elaine fell for my provocation, just as expected.
She’s definitely a character who’s fun to mess with. Her tone and behavior are almost the same as Addy’s, but she has no tolerance for teasing, so it’s really satisfying. And to think Cynthia has been to a dungeon before, like Emily.
Right now, we’re joking around as we walk, but a dungeon is a dangerous place where it’s not unusual to lose your life.
I can’t believe their parents brought them here as kids—what were they thinking?
“Wait, hold on!”
“I didn’t exactly have a delicate upbringing either…!”
“Shh! Elaine, quiet!”
“…Urgh.”
Elaine reluctantly bent down when Cynthia and I lowered our stances, but she couldn’t hide her frustration. Just another satisfying reaction.
“Cynthia, what’s going on? Do you see something up ahead?”
“There’s something there, but…”
“What is it?”
I focused and scanned ahead, just in case.
As I narrowed my eyes in concentration, the darkness gradually gave way. Ahead of us, the path seemed as ordinary as before.
However, there was something… unusual in the distance.
‘Is it a living creature…?’
Having Erica here would have been useful right now. I could see it, but that was all. Erica would have figured it out instantly. It was shaped vaguely like a person, standing on two legs, but oddly small and giving off an unusual vibe.
“Oh, maybe I was mistaken.”
“In that case, how about proceeding cautiously?”
“Hmm… What is that?”
‘What is it, really?’
Listening to Cynthia and Elaine’s conversation, I stared intently at the strange figure up ahead. It was standing completely still, motionless.
It looked suspicious at a glance.
It was too still to be alive, yet too human-shaped to be inanimate.
“Let’s move forward slowly.”
“Hmph, you were all about hurrying for first place just a moment ago!”
“…I see something, don’t you?”
Elaine, apparently frustrated from my teasing, muttered under her breath, but I ignored her. I didn’t have the luxury to play around with Elaine right now.
This was a dungeon, created by the academy for students, but still, a dungeon. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down when something unusual appeared. Plus, I had to look out for my teammates.
Step by step, we approached the unknown figure. I wasn’t sure how much Cynthia could see, but we’d soon be close enough to make it out clearly in the light.
‘If it’s still not moving, maybe it’s just a rock. But it looks a bit too human.’
Twitch—
“Ah.”
“Huh?”
“What is it? What’s going on?”
Just as the light almost reached the figure, I felt it. The once still figure had moved, ever so slightly. Cynthia seemed to notice it too, judging by her reaction.
“Something’s…”
Twitch—Twitch—
‘What is that thing?’
“It’s moving!”
Shwing—
With a quick exclamation, Cynthia took a step back, while Elaine unsheathed her sword, her face serious.
Despite all this, I couldn’t take my eyes off the twitching figure.
It trembled and slowly moved its arms and legs.
As it began to shift, an ominous energy seemed to rise, creeping through the air.
‘What is this thing, really?’
A chill ran down my spine.
“Grrraaaah…”
“I-It’s making a strange sound!”
With Emily’s cry as she hid behind me, the moving figure slowly turned in our direction and began to approach.
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