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nAfter they scouted the desert, they flew around for a while and found nothing. They decided to walk so as to not waste any more magic in case they had to fight.

nWalking on the sand was rough. John could feel his feet sinking on every step, but it would be good endurance training.

nAfter half an hour of walking, we encountered the first problem.

nAt first everything seemed normal, sand everywhere as far as they could see, then eventually they spotted a ruin. But as they walked over to it, the sand around them began to sink.

nAs they tried to climb out, the sand began to rotate and in the middle was the mouth of a sand monster. They tried climbing out, but that slope was too slippery and there was nothing they could hold on to.

nJohn could have flown them out of it, but he got a better idea.

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"Let's attack it. It's basically defenceless at this point.

" John said as he cast Glacies.

nJohn formed 3 Glacieses and propelled them at its open mouth. Serena and Ariel did the same with their own spells.

nThe monster who was completely defenceless was hit head on by their attacks. It let out a loud shriek before dying. Once it was dead, the sand stopped spinning and it was easier for them to climb back up.

n

"Alright, let's go back up. How's everyone holding up?

" John asked as they climbed up.

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"*I-I'm good.

" Replied Serena.

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"M-Me too.

" Replied Ariel.

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"Is that so,

" John said.

nIt's been around 2 hours since they had entered the desert. The heat was starting to get to them. Shortly after, they made it back up, John thought of something.

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"Hey, you two, come over here for a moment.

" He said.

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"Huh? What is it?

" Asked Serena as they came over.

nOnce they were right next to John, they noticed.

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"What? It doesn't feel hot around here?

" Said Serena.

n

"H-How?

" Asked Ariel.

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"I just mixed wind Magic with ice magic and created a frosty area around us. If you stay near me, you shouldn't be affected by the heat.

" John replied.

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"Thanks...

" Said Serena as she got slightly closer.

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"This breeze feels nice,

" Said Ariel, who also got closer.

n'You girls don't have to be that close... It should have a radius of 2 meters around me. But I guess it's fine, It'll be easier for us to help each other like this.' John internally spoke.

nAfter a few more minutes of walking, they finally reached the ruin. It was made of stone bricks which had been dyed black, almost as if it was made to stand out within this sea of yellow sand.

nThere was a broken down entrance. They walked inside and looked around. There was nothing special inside, just stone lying everywhere.

n

"What do you suppose this place is?

" Asked Serena.

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"Not sure, probably a place where monsters won't attack?

" John Said.

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"What makes you say that?

" Asked Ariel.

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"Well, I mean, this must have been here for a long time. Why haven't the monsters destroyed it yet? It's a bit strange.

" John said.

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"True... There's probably a reason why they can't... Maybe we'll find out if we go down there?

" Said Ariel.

nAriel pointed at a staircase which led down to a basement..

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"Was that always there?

" John asked.

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"Ah, I'm not sure. I didn't notice it when we had walked in, I only noticed it now.

" Ariel replied.

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"A spell was probably placed to keep it out of sight.

" Said Serena.

n'So like furtim…' John thought.

nThere were footprints formed thanks to the sand lying on the stairs.

n

"Someone's been here recently.

" John said as he began going down the stairs.

nAriel quietly followed behind with her guard up.

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"If someone's here, why are you going?

" Said Serena as she followed behind him.

nOnce they reached the bottom, they couldn't see anything. It was too dark, so John cast Lumine. The room lighted up and once he could finally see things; he felt a shiver go down his spine.

nThey stood right on top of a magic circle. It hadn't activated, so they were still doing fine. John was about to warn the two girls who hadn't noticed.

nFootsteps resounded as someone walked down the stairs. The person stopped once only his torso and legs were visible. They couldn't see his head.

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"John... Do you think that person is friendly?

" Asked Ariel.

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"I don't know. Hey who are you?

" John asked the person who stood there..

nWithout replying to his question, the person muttered 5 short words and the magic circle under them began glowing. His voice sounded like a guy's.

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"This! It's a teleportation magic circle!

" Said Serena.

n'Why did he set us up?' As John thought about that he placed his hands on the stone and began to pour magic inside to prevent it from activating.

nJohn thought it wouldn't work, but to his surprise, they still hadn't been teleported.

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"Ariel, Serena, grab on to me! I'll ask again? Who are you?

" John asked as he cast Glacies.

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"Resisting teleportation magic, you never cease to amaze me.

" Said the person.

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"Amaze you? I don't recognise your voice. I'm sorry but have we met before?

" John asked.

nJohn was talking normally, but his magic was being sucked out of him as if it were a broken tap.

n'I won't last long at this rate... I need to find a way to get us out of this circle…' John thought.

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"Oh, we haven't met. But since you've managed to last this long, I'll give you a reward and answer your question.

" He replied.

n'Where does he want to teleport us?! Damn it... I can't move... If Serena and Ariel let go of me, they might be teleported elsewhere, John thought.

n

"I'm the one who put a curse on you and sent you to the 10th floor. I do it to quite a few people, but you were the first ones that survived.

" He casually said.

n'It was in a dungeon, so I'm guessing he could do that and get rid of the proof…'John thought.

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"Can you imagine? 3 Kids, survived a boss hundreds of adults I sent failed to kill? Although I'm guessing you were also lucky that the A-Rank party helped you. But Luck is also part of strength.

"

nJohn continued to listen to the man go on without speaking a word.

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"I'm also the one who trapped you and your friends inside.

" He said.

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"So you're the one... Because of you... Ariel nearly died...

" John muttered.

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"And? Why does that matter? Rather than that, it was more amusing watching you three climb through the tower. Ah well, if she did die I guess I wouldn't be able to watch you three anymore...

" He said.

nAs John heard his words, he felt something inside of him start to snap.

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"Are people's lives just a game to you..?

" John quietly asked.

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"Hm? Yeah

" he casually replied.

nJohn lost it.

nThe instant he said that, John formed over 20 Ice spikes around the room. John aimed all of them at him. And began to gather air behind each one.

nAs John was about to propel them at him he spoke again.

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"Oh, I think that's a new record! But In the end, it only amounts to decorations.

"

nAfter he finished, John propelled them all straight up the stairs where he was at. But right before it reached him, he muttered a few words and all his spikes dispersed.

n'He spoke faster than my wind propelled Glacies?' John thought with surprise.

nAs he thought that, the man spoke again.

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"Come back and challenge me once you're stronger. I'm quite interested in you, you see.

"

nAs he began muttering words again John started to panic, but before he finished Ariel spoke up.

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"Why..? Why do you play around with people's lives like this? Everyone's trying to make a living so they can support those they care about... Why do you treat it like a game?

" Asked Ariel as tears streamed down her face.

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"Why... Well if you ask me... I guess it's because it's fun?

" He replied with a casual tone.

nAt his reply, Ariel got truly angry. She began gathering air in front of her to fire off her spell. Serena remained quiet, but I could tell she was even angrier than Ariel. Without saying anything, she simply began gathering Fire in front of her hand.

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"Oh, Serena, is that a new spell? I'd love to see it, but maybe another day.

" He said.

nAfter he finished, he muttered another set of words at speeds you wouldn't expect possible coming from a mouth.

nAfter he finished, Serena dropped to the ground, then Ariel, and finally John could feel my consciousness fading.

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"You're still not down? Just give up. There's nothing you can d-

"

nBefore he finished, he stopped when he noticed that his right shoe was frozen.

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"Surprised? You must not be that special if it was this easy to land a hit on you.

"

n'Crap... I can't hold on any longer... Sorry Ariel... Serena…' John internally muttered.

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"Tch, don't get cocky.

" He said with an annoyed tone.

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"Likewise. I'm coming back for you... And soon... So... Until... Then... Enjoy...

"

nThose were the last words John said before he fainted. A bit of my anger was satisfied as he managed to land a hit on him. But that wasn't enough…

n'I'll get back at him…'

nAnd just like that, all traces of the trio disappeared from the dungeon.

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