This was a different dungeon that required two tests to be qualified to enter. The first was having compatibility with fire magic—even if you had fire magic, if you weren't compatible, entry was impossible. The second was to pass the questions of the hidden boss.
"Is this for real? We entered a dungeon? This was your idea? What level is this dungeon?"
Valença couldn't stop asking questions, worried about the situation, because if Enrico wanted to evolve by fighting in dungeons, he should've asked for help from people of a higher circle, since this dungeon didn't seem like a level-two Zaras dungeon.
"Enrico, you know only true dungeons can give percentage increase, right?"
"Of course, and I also know that it's only given when you receive the closure reward."
"Then why?"
He explained to her that while it was true that it wasn't possible to increase the percentage in this dungeon, there were still dungeons that gave rewards that could help with increasing it.
'I did this myself that week, but those rewards were only for one person, and honestly, I didn't want to face that villain—at least not for now.'
She calmed down and asked how he found this dungeon and why he didn't bring more people. For the first question, he gave his usual excuse that his family had sent him here as a trial.
"And about the second—this dungeon can only be entered by fire users, and only three people can enter. And before you ask more, the reason I didn't bring anyone else is because this dungeon increases difficulty by one level for each additional person."
The name of this dungeon was Fire Sanctuary. For each person, one boss was added to the existing one, making a total of four Nartheis bosses, all classified as Faizes. But since they entered with only two, one was discarded, and only three would remain. They could skip the original one, needing to defeat only two to return—but that wasn't what Enrico wanted.
"If we had entered with three, the hidden boss would have become a level-two Faizes and it would be impossible to do what I want."
"I see... You must've worked hard to gather information."
They both walked down the corridor. Valença was thinking that maybe Enrico had run several tests in the dungeon, since some dungeons allowed you to enter and exit freely, like that zombie dungeon, as long as you didn't defeat the boss. The two reached a room with a two-meter-tall red statue that looked like a guard in heavy armor, standing in front of a black door.
"Do we have to destroy this to enter?"
"Wait a moment. I'll talk to it."
She watched Enrico approach the statue, which moved. Valença took a defensive stance, but Enrico raised his hand, signaling he was fine.
"If you want to pass, you must answer my questions. Who will answer?"
The statue's voice was deep, sending shivers down both of them. Enrico stepped forward.
"I will answer the questions."
"Very well..."
The statue's eyes glowed red and several red circles appeared on the door behind it, in four points—three forming a triangle and the last in the center, connected by white lines.
"First question: What century is this magic circle from?"
"Century 147."
"Correct answer."
The statue's eyes glowed, confirming the answer was correct. The magic circles were originally made by Elves from this dungeon and could only be made by races close to nature.
"Second: Who was the first Elf to be born?"
"Ylrie Marlial."
"Correct answer."
Valença stepped closer, asking why the first Elf's name was different, and Enrico said that the statue asked for the name of the first Elf born in the dungeon, and that name had been hidden on the walls they had passed. Valença was surprised—an Elf was born in this dungeon?
'They still don't know that normal dungeons are attempts by gods to create other worlds, so their confusion makes sense.'
"Third question: How many arcane magic circles exist?"
"Since they are arcane circles, there are only seven, one being a secret created by the first Elf."
"Correct answer."
In this dungeon, there were thirty-seven magic circles, of which seven were Arcane. Valença looked at Enrico in surprise, wondering if he knew the Elven language, because the walls they passed were written in Elven symbols—and she was right. Enrico was learning Elvish, but he was still just starting.
'I'm just repeating what the Fire Druid said in the original story.'
This dungeon was only revealed by a Druid who had the ability to see the future. He told this to Valença, and since Elves were extinct at that time, she revealed the answers and what the reward was—but Valença ended up dying to an evil god before reaching the dungeon. It was a sad day for Kai, who, in his rage, managed to defeat that god with great difficulty.
"Last question: What do you want from this dungeon?"
Now came the most important question, because if he answered in a way the statue didn't like, a part containing an important object would disappear.
"I came to evolve my level..."
The statue's eyes glowed a darker red, about to make the room vanish.
"And to release the sealed Elves..."
The statue stopped, and Valença was stunned to learn that Elves were sealed here. Today was getting stranger by the minute for her. That answer wasn't given by the Druid, who had only offered the first three. The fourth was up to Valença to decide what to do—but she didn't know Elven.
'I just pieced together everything I knew from the story and realized that the Elves of this dungeon wanted to be revealed.'
The Elves—or more precisely, the Dark Elves—were Nartheis. But they were not like the others who sought only destruction; they wanted to live. The statue knelt, causing a loud noise and trembling in the ground.
"What is your name, sir?"
"For now, call me only 'sir', and my friend here 'miss'. I'll reveal my full name when we reach where we need to be."
Valença nodded, not wanting to be surprised anymore by what was happening in that place and would just let him say whatever he wanted.
"Very well, sir. What is your first request?"
The door opened, revealing a beautiful forest with blue roses, white trees, and rivers winding through a small mountain. Valença, behind Enrico, was enchanted, wanting to get closer to see more.
"My first request is to take the Trial of the Fruit of Asquelia."
"Now I understand why you didn't reveal your full name... Good choice, my Lord."
The statue bowed deeply, quite satisfied, and began to lead them to a place in the center of the forest. Along the way, several animals that existed in the outside world but looked different approached—rabbits, deer, and bears in white and blue, with horns. Enrico petted a deer's head and continued walking, while Valença crouched to touch the rabbits, finding them very cute. But to not fall behind, she ran to catch up.
'If there really are Elves sealed in this beautiful place, it would be good for them to be freed.'
The two in front of Valença stopped, and she froze with them. The tree ahead had what looked like the brightest red tree she had ever seen, and several fruits of the same color, round and with fire-like designs around them.
"Get ready when he reveals the name and say your full name."
Enrico summoned a bow in his hand, and Valença raised her staff, ready. With a simple explanation from Enrico that only those who revealed their full names inside the trial could enter—otherwise, they would only receive half the dungeon's rewards.
"This dungeon has a lot of hidden stuff, with many restrictions if you do something wrong."
Enrico nodded. This dungeon was made for those who respected Elves, and only someone who respected them would read and find all that information about them in that long corridor full of hidden lore.
A red sword appeared in the statue's hand and was placed on the ground as it introduced itself, and Valença realized that the statue would be the trial.
"Guardian of the Dark Elves Val'Drakar Ignirun."
"Enrico Solcren Ferreira."
"Valença Bravulha."
Several chains of fire surrounded the place to prevent anyone from escaping as the statue raised its sword for the first attack.
Name: Val'Drakar Ignirun — Rank Nartheis Faizes Level 1
Magic: Fire and Lava