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n

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nDo you wish to challenge this dungeon?

nA voice asked both of them, Sergio and Valkyrie, as they fell into an unknown abyss. The blonde alchemist was confused as he held onto his boss tightly, ensuring that the darkness would not separate them.

n

"What happens if we say no?

"

nThis was his first concern. The abyss did not look like a good place to survive, so he wanted to leave. Sergio has heard about dungeons before, but he was always advised against going into one. After all, he was weak, exceptionally so.

nYou will be guided outside, without any harm.

n

"Then, we don't want to enter,

" said Sergio in conclusion, but the voice answered after a moment that each person needs to decide for themselves.

"Boss, you should refuse as well,

" he asked naturally, but Valkyrie was silent as her hair swayed in the wind.

n

"What kind of dungeon is this, and what is the final reward?

"

nA demonic dungeon. The final reward is power.

n

"And what is the level?

"

nThe level of monsters will be adjusted according to your strength. The criteria to inherit the powers includes ethics, bravery, and determination.

n

"I will participate,

" decided Valkyrie, and it made Sergio frown. His new boss was more reckless than it seemed. The two of them knew nothing about this dungeon.

"I will need your help, Sergio,

" she said while squeezing his hand.

n

"Boss, we don't know anything about this place. We can never guess what lies in the belly of this dungeon. There should be dark beings inside since this is a demonic dungeon.

"

n

"This is the path towards power, lined with dangers of every kind. However, I will protect you, and this is a chance for you to prove your loyalty.

"

nSergio was silent because she was again pushing him into places he did not like. However, this has always been the case with whoever took care of him, and it was the way he preferred. At least, if he listened to their demands, then no one should leave.

n

"I understand, boss,

" nodded the alchemist.

"I agree to join this dungeon.

"

nAs soon as the words left his mouth, the abyss disappeared, and the two of them were fell on a giant mattress. Their bodies bounced back before settling into it, their faces staring at each other. Valkyrie blinked, and so did Sergio before he jumped away.

n

"Ahem,

" coughed the blonde with self-consciousness.

"We are in a room of some sort,

" muttered Sergio as he looked around.

"Why are there two doors?

"

n

"I guess this dungeon is not one fraught with danger,

" said the knight as she stood up and loosened her shoulders.

"We need to make decisions, too.

"

n

"I believe so,

" muttered the alchemist as he walked toward the brick walls and knocked thrice.

"There is no resonance. We cannot tear down these walls, it seems.

"

n

"That would be laughable,

" said Valkyrie as she walked to a different corner, where a table and two bags were laid.

"These are rations, enough to last us three days. However, are three days all it takes to pass this dungeon?

"

n

"If we pass,

" empathized Sergio as he held covered his face.

"There is an underground dungeon in these ruins, and the guild must already know about it. Not to mention, it might be a spatial dungeon with different entrances. So we cannot expect ourselves to clear this dungeon.

"

n

"Why not?

" she asked with confusion, and the alchemist paused before he turned toward her. She was not asking this in a sarcastic self-ridicule but genuine confusion.

"I will never participate in something I cannot win.

"

n

"There must be hundreds who are challenging this dungeon now and thousands who did before. Yet, we did not ask if we could leave the dungeon midway or at a certain point. Furthermore, we didn't even ask about the survival rate!

"

n

"There is no need for caution if it involves character and determination,

" she said while flipping through the books inside.

"We need to have an unshakable belief in ourselves because that is the only path forward.

"

nSergio was speechless at her mindset, but he couldn't deny that unshakeable resolve was the shared trait among the higher ranks. However, she knew that he had no such a thing.

n

"As an alchemist, I rely on knowledge and caution,

" he said while walking toward him and snatching the book from her.

"You brought me here for that reason. How about you listen to me?

"

nHis words were bold, almost disrespectful, especially toward the person revered by the people of Rohan. Sergio has seen how this person was treated by everyone in the academy and the city.

nValkyrie Helnes was akin to a god that no mortal could taint. Her strength was far superior to anyone in the academy. The only reason for her attendance was her plans to find good seeds—this blessed Rohan Academy with countless gifted students enrolling just to get her attention.

nThe Helnes House was among the four houses that ruled over the kingdom, including the Rosian Family. This made them on equal footing with the royal family, and a change in the rule was not out of the question if the need arose.

n

"You are finally stepping up,

" she smiled and said with a relieved voice.

"I was afraid that I picked a spineless man to be my alchemist. But, you are right, and I will rely on you from now on.

"

nThe words sent shivers of happiness over his skin, and he felt seen. It was the first time that someone worshiped by all believed in him, and Sergio knew that it was a chance to prove himself.

nAs his smile grew wide, his eyes fell on the book in front of him. The words did not make sense initially, but his smile soon disappeared. The messy inscriptions inside the book were not neat enough to be a random one, but no other than diaries.

nWelcome to my dungeon.

nA voice resounded inside the brick room, startling the two. It was ancient, covered by layers until it had no tone, no feelings, and humanity. The two of them turned toward the platform above the door, which began to shine.

n

"We are grateful for the hospitality, but the voice is a bit different from earlier. Are you truly the dungeon master?

" asked Valkyrie. There was a hint of intrigue on the edge of her voice as if she was more interested in the master's identity than winning the reward.

nThose who have nothing to say should close their mouths.

nThere was no hint of respect in the response, and Valkyrie's face crumbled. The alchemist can tell that it was the first time for her to be treated in such a way, and he admired the boldness of the dungeon master.

nThere are two doors to leave this room. However, each door only allows one person to enter through it. There is a reward behind one door and a dark being behind the other.

n

"You want us to turn against each other?

" muttered the alchemist with shock. His eyes glanced at Valkyrie, but her face did not change at all.

"How do we know what lies behind each door?

"

nA riddle will appear on the platform in a few minutes. You have an hour afterward to decide who enters each door. The doors will open after the hour elapses, and you will need to make your decision.

n

"What is the reward, dungeon master?

" asked Valkyrie with a smile.

nA book that has secrets on the transformation arts. You will be able to use this knowledge in the following challenges of the dungeon.

n

"Transformation Arts?

" muttered Valkyrie with shock, and her eyes widened.

"This cannot be the reward to a simple choice. You are lying.

"

nI might be, but you have no choice but to believe me.

nThe dungeon master said with disdain, and it made Sergio frown. Nevertheless, something about how this entity carried himself filled the alchemist great with nostalgia.

n

"You are cowardly,

" declared the knight with a frown as the riddle appeared on the wall. Her attention turned toward the words, but Sergio failed to see through her mind.

nYou can do what you desire, but others might disagree; you can bend earth, ice, and fire, but you can never create a tree.

nThese are the words written on the wall. The sentences were simple, almost wise, and within them was the clue. Which door was it that contained the dark being, and which door contained the reward?

n

"How foolish,

" muttered Valkyrie as if she had seen through the riddle.

"This is nothing but an old verse from the church of trinity. However, there is a slight modification.

"

n

"Then, do you know the answer?

" asked Sergio with interest, but Valkyrie did not reply. Instead, she turned and met him with silence.

n

"I want to know first if you would betray me.

"

n

"What…. do you mean?

" he said with a pause, and the thought never crossed his mind.

"Are you going to play his game?

"

n

"We are trapped here, so I need to know if I can trust you and if you can trust me.

"

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