n

n

n

n

"Are you saying that girl left her mark on me?

" asked Nikolai with a frown.

"I am going to kill her.

"

n

"As if you could,

" rose the spirit as her image regenerated back into the same sweet girl.

"You should not be worried. This mark protects you from other demonic overlords.

"

n

"Are you saying that a demonic realm exists?

"

n

"Aren't you one of them?

" she was confused, but Nikolai did not refute her. He did not want to say that he was a dark fae, a race damned by the gods themselves. It seems that not many knew of his existence.

n

"I will fulfill your requests since you asked them of me,

" he said with a smile as he walked towards the spirit.

"Come over here, succubus.

"

n

"Stay away from me!

" she shouted before rushing away like a scared cat, hanging to the ceiling.

"I will be cursed for an eternity if I disobey her words!

"

n

"And is not thrilling to defy the gods?

"

nNikolai asked with his eyes looking into her soul. The spirit was dazed as she opened her mouth, but nothing came out other than labored breathing. Her body slowly descended before she snapped out of it and disappeared into the smoke.

n

"That was a bit of an overreaction,

" laughed Nikolai as he watched the empty room.

"Well, I have no time for this. I have a dungeon to run.

"

nAs he waved his hand, his undead appeared. He missed them dearly, and he missed allowing them to fight. The skeletons were giddy, the ghouls were frightening, and the mages seemed expectant. Vikas was the only one among them who looked to be calm.

n

"I know that I have not allowed you to go outside for the past few days, but this will change now. There is a floor that we can use to hunt until our heart's content.

"

n

"Your wish is our command, my liege,

" Vikas bowed, and Nikolai smiled.

n

"All of you follow me. Fortunately, we have some challengers to terrorize,

" Nikolai led his troops away without checking on the alchemist. The challenges ahead were countless, but he believed that Sergio would survive.

n***

n

"Then, what are we going to do now?

" asked the alchemist as the time was about to run out. The riddle was still there, but he wanted to see what his boss thought.

n

"This riddle makes no sense because this is a demonic dungeon. Maybe that is the clue we need to solve it. We should think outside the box here.

"

n

"And do you mean the box being the church?

" asked Sergio.

n

"I believe that this phrase was simply there to misguide the believers of Trinity. However, as for a reason, it does not make a difference.

"

n

"If the believers were to be misguided, then the true salvation lies in the choice they will never think about.

"

n

"…right,

" Valkyrie nodded.

"You have an idea, don't you?

"

n

"An improbable one, but it needs time. However, the dark being will arrive soon. I need you to stall it for me until I figure out a solution.

"

n

"And how can I trust you?

"

n

"I need you to believe in me without any basis.

"

n

"You are asking for the impossible, alchemist,

" Valkyrie shook her head.

"I cannot fight a dark being this easily. Of course, I can stall it, but the end will be bad for me.

"

n

"This challenge has been created to divide us, so I need you to trust me to solve it. I will remain in this room as you buy us time.

"

n

"…how much time?

"

n

"Another hour.

"

n

"You are pushing it, alchemist,

" scowled Valkyrie.

n

"You are the one who got us into this dungeon. Now, protect me as I read,

" he said before going to the desk and picking up the diaries.

"I think the answer lies here.

"

nValkyrie was silent before she unsheathed her sword. However, the alchemist did not move from his position. She sighed and turned toward the door, unable to know which one was it.

nThe time has passed. There is one minute left to make a choice. If neither of you enters a door, then the dark being will enter the room.

nValkyrie gritted her teeth and turned toward the alchemist, who simply shooed her away. Then, as her hand gripped the sword tighter, she fell into deep thoughts.

n***

nHelnes.

nThis name cursed her with the most bothersome of lives. It was the source of her misery, but as she grew, she realized that it shielded her from the cruelty of the world. As she grew a bit older, she realized that her house was the cruelty of the world: nobles stepping on commoners for their gains, wars waged for power, and a royal family who was blinded by their peace. There were so many wrongs with this kingdom that had to be made rights.

nValkyrie grew up with maids and servants, no teachers or parents, no friends, just people who listened to her every demand. That was why when someone stood up for her the first time, it made her confused.

nHow did the world dare not comply with her desires?

nIt was a tutor who worked inside the mansion. Valkyrie was eight, a genius of the blade and war. Her family worshiped her, and none dared defile her sanctuary.

nThat tutor taught History of War, a subject that no one could guess if they saw her. A well-defined woman who had the kindest of eyes and the gentlest touches. Valkyrie did not see her remarkable she was until that slap.

nIt was when she did not understand life and death, suffering, or honor. Valkyrie had to admit that she was an apathetic monster raised in isolation, and the monster never left, only dormant.

n

"You cannot treat lives lightly.

"

nThe tutor said as the pain of the slap spread through her cheek. It was a new feeling, but she realized not all novelty pleased her. As she turned to look at the woman who had tears in her eyes, Valkyrie understood that this person was different.

nAs she looks back on those days, Valkyrie realized how cruel she was simply to prove a point against her teacher. Therefore, she gave her servants an impossible choice to prove what humans would do in desperate times.

nA day after that incident, her tutor returned, with her hand missing. Valkyrie stared at the absence of the hand that slapped her with confusion, but the tutor did not act any different, and life went on.

nIt took her years to realize that the slap was behind the punishment inflicted by her family. However, her tutor became the sole person she loved during those years. Her mother and father were never there, and the kind woman replaced them.

nValkyrie stared at the doors open as the riddle disappeared. This was an impossible choice, too. This dungeon reminded her greatly of her past self, and the alchemist reminded her of her tutor.

nThe two shared the same kind eyes and broken smile. Valkyrie lied to him when she said that she harmed herself too, and that was how she knew about his tendencies because it wasn't her. It was her tutor before she died.

nThis was why she wanted to believe in the alchemist and did not look at him like a resource to use. Her plan was immaculate, but she needed to be cruel, to be ruthless, for her to achieve her goals.

nA slow growl came from inside one of the doors, but Valkyrie could not tell which one. Then, there were footsteps, something dragging itself across the ground, approaching their room.

n

"I will believe you, alchemist,

" she said as if this was a recent decision. However, Sergio did not know that he had the power to make others trust him.

n

"I will not disappoint, so fight!

"

nHis words were like a command that ran through her body. It was a novel feeling because this was one of the few times someone dared to command her.

n

"Do not get too arrogant,

" she said while raising her sword above her shoulder, aiming it toward the door.

"I am still your boss.

"

nHer heart was beating fast as she said. She was unafraid of the monster, but she was more afraid that she would be disappointed. The alchemist proved time and time again that he was similar to her master.

nOne other person did not listen to her whims and hated her for the test she made him go through. It happened to be the person who traumatized this alchemist, but she was unsure how to feel.

nHis name was Nikolai Yaran, the first ranker of the midterms.

nValkyrie wanted him because he seemed unexpected, but he was elusive. She never managed to make him trust her, even after going as far as making sure he enrolls.

nHowever, it was also one of her bad traits. Her master told her countless times that there would be a day when her attitude toward others would be her befall.

nCrackling sounds came from inside the alleyway as a creature oozing with darkness leaped toward her, its sharp fangs first.. Valkyrie banished all thoughts as divinity flooded through her body.

n