"Ouii... That's some excitement," I muttered sarcastically.
When I looked around, the scene that greeted me almost made me forget the madness we had just escaped. A dense forest stretched endlessly before us, cloaked in a gentle tranquility that soothed the nerves. The air was crisp—light, almost too pure to be real. I drew a long breath, and for a fleeting moment, all my burdens seemed to fade into the wind.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating a mosaic of light and shadow across the soft moss-covered ground. A canopy of green stretched overhead, and the rustling leaves whispered like the quiet chatter of spirits watching from afar. Each step I took pressed softly into the natural cushion beneath, made from countless fallen leaves.
A faint mist drifted through the trees, curling into the entrance of a dark, silent cave ahead. It felt less like nature and more like an invitation. Or a warning. I narrowed my eyes at the cave, every instinct telling me to back off.
'Is this the dungeon Mr. James mentioned?' I thought, stepping back cautiously. The aura that seeped from the darkness didn't feel natural—it was heavy, ancient. Alive.
Whoosh.
A bird shot past my face and perched on a nearby branch, chirping as it fed its chicks nestled in a cradle of twigs. Around us, other animals lounged peacefully—deer, squirrels, even a fox sunbathing on a rock. It reminded me too much of home.
Of her.
Of the quiet mornings when Ma would gently hum while tending the garden. Of Iz's teasing voice. Of fights over who had to do the dishes and who ate the last dumpling. Our little world that once felt eternal, now just a memory too sacred to touch.
I covered my face with both hands, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. I couldn't go back. Not now. Maybe not ever.
"You crying?" Rona peeked through my fingers like a curious child.
"Ah—I'm okay, Rona." I forced a small smile. "This place... it just reminded me of home."
Rona nodded solemnly, as if she understood a little more than she let on.
Isaac stretched under a sunbeam, arms behind his head. "So this is what a forest really looks like, huh? Pure. Untouched. Like a relic from the world before we ruined it."
"Because of that," I said, plopping down beside him, "every day used to be stupidly hot."
"Mm. Small price to pay for fresh air and birdsong." Isaac's voice, for once, didn't sound like he was about to pick a fight.
Behind us, chaos was still unfolding.
"Did you see that monster's face?! It was ugly!"
"It crushed the tunnel..."
"What even was that thing?"
"I think I'm gonna hurl."
Their voices faded into the background as Mr. James materialized with an obnoxious clap.
"Congratulations, little bunnies!" he beamed. "Looks like we've got... 50 of you left!"
"50?" I stood up. "Wait—there were 55 of us before!"
"There were," Mr. James grinned like a game show host, "but the monster ate five. Oopsie!"
A timid girl near the back asked, "B-but... why?"
"Why?" Mr. James blinked. "Why not?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Anyhow, let's welcome our favourite mascot—Looney!"
A tiny brown worm popped out onto his shoulder.
"Is that edible?" Rona whispered, eyes sparkling.
Isaac facepalmed. "Monica-killer already murdered the first mascot. Now you're eyeing the second?"
"I thought Monica was your favorite?" I asked cautiously.
"Monica who?" Mr. James replied with a deadpan grin.
"Ouii..." I gulped.
A boy with a sharp, predator's gaze raised his hand. "How do we kill the monsters in the dungeon?"
"Figure it out yourselves, twerps!" Mr. James snapped.
Isaac whispered, "Still salty we offed Monica, huh?"
Mr. James cleared his throat. "Now, the rules. The dungeon is split into two stages... plus one bonus. Each stage is guarded by a different entity. Survive those, and you'll reach the boss stage, where the dungeon core lies. Your mission? Destroy it. No time limit. Oh, and a surprise awaits at the end."
"Why are there only 10 of us here?" the same menacing boy growled.
"Ten?" I turned and counted. He was right.
"Ever played a dungeon where 50 players enter at once?" Mr. James rolled his eyes. "Ten's already too generous."
"Any more questions?" Silence. "Good! Then pick your weapons."
A glowing blue screen appeared in front of us, filled with countless weapon icons. "You can only pick two, and once it's gone, it's gone. Stock's limited, kiddos. Good luck. Try not to die. Ciao~!"
He vanished.
The scene exploded into chaos.
Children shoved, punched, and even stabbed each other over the more popular weapons.
"Give it to me!" someone screamed. One child collapsed, blood pooling beneath them.
"Humanity in its purest form," Isaac muttered. He quickly snatched a gun with a silencer and a sleek katana. "I bet Mr. James is grinning from ear to ear."
I was scrolling through the blue screen, then Isaac explained. "If you press a weapon icon long enough, a description shows up. Stats, skills—it's all there."
"Oh?" Rona was examining her hammer and gloves like oversized candy.
"You didn't check your weapons?" Isaac groaned. "And tell me. How are you going to switch between them?"
Rona giggled and scratched her head.
I found her weapon set and tapped.
[Blood Berserker Gloves]
HP +50 Madness (MP: 50)
⊹ Lose HP to greatly increase attack
[Blood Berserker Axe]
Attack +30 Taunt (MP: 30)
⊹ Draws enemy aggression
"Both are berserker-class weapons. Kinda terrifying, honestly." I glanced at Rona. "...But they suit her perfectly."
"Yay!" Rona beamed.
Isaac peeked over. "Those boosts are insane."
"What about yours?"
[Star Gun]
+20% hit damage Drunk Fire (MP: 150)
⊹ Shoots at random targets
[Lost Katana]
+10% attack Lost Art (MP: 1000)
⊹ No description
"Why does that last skill need 1,000 MP? What even is that?"
I picked mine.
[Cursed Dragon Twin Daggers]
+20% critical damage Causes bleeding
[Grim Reaper Customized Scythe]
Instantly kills enemies at ≤10% HP Inflicts poison
"My daggers are short-range, but I can launch them with a chain. Kind of like in my nightmare..."
Isaac stared at my screen. "...Those passives are lethal. I'm sorry for every insult I've ever thrown at you." He dropped to his knees dramatically.
I patted his shoulder. "I forgive you. Let's move on?"
Rona suddenly blocked us. "Status Window! Look! Look!"
"Status Window?" Isaac and I echoed, and a translucent screen popped up.
I squealed. "Whoa! This is just like in games!" I tapped through everything like a kid in a candy store.
"How'd you know we had this function?" I asked Rona.
"The brute man told me. While you were sleeping, and Isaac was grumbling like an old fart, I made friends!"
"Aww~ I doubt any human could hate such a lovable person like you, Rona," I pinched her cheek.
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Hello?"
"He's not human," I whispered.
"I heard that, Llyne."
We checked our stats.
Name: Llyne
Level: 1
HP: 30
MP: 10
Attack: 45
Defense: 12
Stamina: 84
Agility: 55
Luck: 3
Passive Skills:
Precognition Lv.1 Stubbornness Lv.5 Dodge Lv.6 Prank Lv.6
Active Skills:
Dash Lv.1 (MP: 5) Lyndall [MAX] (greyed out)
"I have trash luck. And stubbornness is a skill now?"
Isaac smirked. "With your prank and dodge, you must've been that student—the one teachers always chased."
"They were all ex-athletes," I whimpered. "My poor butt..."
"What's Lyndall?" Rona asked.
"Beats me," I lied.
Name: Isaac
Level: 1
HP: 28
MP: 55
Attack: 27
Defense: 25
Stamina: 25
Agility: 32
Luck: 30
Passive Skills:
Tenacity Lv.6 Patience Lv.5
Active Skills:
Info Gathering Lv.7 (MP: 5) Hunter's Game Lv.3 (MP: 15) Eagle's Eye Lv.5 (MP: 5)
"Pretty balanced, huh?" Isaac grinned.
"Sure, but you still can't use Lost Art."
Name: Rona
Level: 1
HP: 48
MP: 20
Attack: 15
Defense: 38
Stamina: 32
Agility: 12
Luck: 52
Active Skills:
Merry Go Luck! Lv.7 (MP: 5) Taunt Lv.1 (MP: 5) Iron Wall Lv.1 (MP: 5) Heal! Heal! Heal! Lv.1 (MP: 10) Love Cherry Lv.7 (MP: 5)
"Conclusion: Rona is a cheat," Isaac said, deadpan.
"Can't argue that." I grinned. "Alright, time to explore the dungeon. I wonder what's inside."
"Yay! Adventure! Food!" Rona bolted ahead.
Isaac caught her collar. "We need a leash."
I laughed and followed them both, toward the cave where the real nightmare waited.