From the depths of the cosmos, the voice of The Silent Creator resonated through the ether, enveloping Akano and Sayano with an invisible yet undeniable presence.
"You will be deposited in the year 1500 of this world, ready to see what you must witness."
Without erasure or disappearance, the world adjusted around them: the ground beneath their feet, towering trees, and the humid air filled with the scent of moss and leaves.
— Sayano: "Interesting… everything feels both familiar and strange."
— Akano: "We must proceed with caution. This world is not forgiving."
Their path quickly led them to the massive entrance of a stone dungeon, covered with vines and thick moss. Low-level goblins patrolled, rudimentary weapons in hand, emitting wary growls.
— Goblin: "Who dares enter here?"
— Akano: "We are exploring, nothing more."
As they advanced, the goblins grew larger and more organized, until they reached a vast hall where the goblin king stood, flanked by his generals. A palpable energy emanated from these creatures, and the goblin king, in a deep voice, suddenly knelt, hands clasped and head bowed:
— Goblin King: "Lords, forgive my weakness. I feel a murderous aura emanating from you… I am ready to serve and guide you through this dungeon if you allow me."
— Akano: "Very well, rise and show us the way. Every word you speak must be of use to us."
The goblin king bowed again respectfully and began to explain the dungeon: its traps, its levels, the hierarchy of monsters, and the most dangerous areas. Exchanges followed, Akano and Sayano asking questions at regular intervals to learn as much as possible about the dungeon world, the goblin hierarchy, and the creatures' strategies. Sayano was interested in organization and artifacts, while Akano detailed the creatures and their strengths, each enriching the other's knowledge along with that of the goblin king.
Upon reaching the 47th floor, cries and ferocious noises drew their attention.
— Goblin King: "Three women, surrounded… they hold knowledge of this world that I do not. If you intervene, they may answer your questions."
— Akano: "Enough, hominids! Bow and acknowledge your weakness."
— Sayano: "As usual, a spectacle worthy of you."
The monsters were quickly neutralized, falling to their knees under Akano's power, and the three women—a wolf-woman, a human, and a demon—were left kneeling, frightened but unharmed.
— Akano: "Now, speak and answer without reservation."
The wolf-woman trembled, the human bowed her head, and the demon stared at the ground, all silently accepting their fate.
— Sayano: "How does your world work?"
— Human: "It is governed by physical and magical laws."
— Akano: "Which peoples inhabit it?"
— Demon: "To our knowledge: humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, and dragons."
— Sayano: "Who rules these lands?"
— Human: "Emperor Alvar, ruler of the three kingdoms."
— Akano: "How many kingdoms in total?"
— Wolf-Woman: "Fourteen, to our knowledge."
— Sayano: "Are there other major powers?"
— Demon: "Yes, a powerful demon queen rules the north."
— Akano: "What types of powers exist here?"
— Wolf-Woman: "Elemental powers, ancient magics, enhanced physical abilities, magical artifacts, enchanted weapons."
— Sayano: "Any specific artifacts?"
— Wolf-Woman: "The human possesses a regeneration artifact."
— Sayano: "Tell me about your artifact."
— Human: "It increases my regeneration fourfold."
— Akano: "And the hierarchy of powers?"
— Demon: "Some are inherited, others acquired through training or artifacts."
— Sayano: "Are there secret techniques?"
— Wolf-Woman: "Yes, hidden combat arts and ancient magics exist."
The questions continued until each had asked ten, alternating between Sayano and Akano, covering culture, economy, magic, customs, and artifacts. Each answer revealed a facet of the world, allowing Akano and Sayano to better understand their environment.
Once the dungeon was traversed to the 50th floor, the goblin king guided the two men to the exit portal:
— Goblin King: "I cannot go further, but I swear allegiance to you with my body and soul."
At the surface, the three women guided Akano and Sayano toward the village, walking through the forest.
— Women: "It is better to enter from the back; there is a secret passage through the sewers. It will avoid raising suspicion."
Arriving at the village, they descended through the secret entrance, progressing through the sewers until a ladder. They climbed and found themselves in a closed, isolated alley. Akano signaled for the women to remain kneeling, stripped anything useful, and Sayano observed their reactions, noting their fear and submission.
During the walk to the inn, Sayano and Akano exchanged:
— Sayano: "These submissives… they feel something we barely understand."
— Akano: "Yes, their instinct recognizes strength and superiority."
— Sayano: "And the goblin king who knelt?"
— Akano: "The same. Some species sense domination without words."
— Sayano: "Fascinating… or unsettling."
— Akano: "Perhaps a mix of both."
— Sayano: "These artifacts… their impact on the world's hierarchy must be immense."
— Akano: "Exactly, and what we saw in the dungeon is only a fraction of what exists."
— Sayano: "Do you think other kingdoms have similar secrets?"
— Akano: "Certainly, and likely more dangerous."
— Sayano: "We must be attentive to how the inhabitants react to our presence."
— Akano: "Yes, which is why taking the sewers was wise."
— Sayano: "And submission magic?"
— Akano: "It gives us a clear advantage, but requires caution and control."
— Sayano: "We've learned a lot today."
— Akano: "Yes, and we are just beginning."
— Sayano: "The forest… it teems with life we've never perceived."
— Akano: "Each step reveals a new ecosystem."
— Sayano: "Those dungeon monsters… if the locals knew…"
— Akano: "They'd panic, but we must understand this world before judging."
— Sayano: "The kingdoms, the artifacts… politics…"
— Akano: "Everything is interconnected; every piece of information has a price."
— Sayano: "We must remain vigilant, even with these three women."
— Akano: "Yes, they have useful information, but no personal freedom now."
— Sayano: "These submissives… their fear is natural."
— Akano: "Exactly, it reveals the true nature of the world and those who survive in it."
— Sayano: "And our methods… must remain efficient and swift."
— Akano: "We have no luxury of hesitation."
— Sayano: "The goblin king… fascinating that he understood our superiority immediately."
— Akano: "Some species perceive brute strength as obvious."
— Sayano: "And the rest of the dungeon…"
— Akano: "We will return, but not before understanding more of this world."
— Sayano: "These artifacts and powers… imagine what they could cause on a large scale."
— Akano: "Catastrophe or absolute domination, depending on who wields them."
— Sayano: "The walk to the village… another step, but necessary."
— Akano: "Yes, every movement teaches us something."
They then approached the inn and entered.
— Akano: "What is your best dish?"
The lady served them curry rice, which they tasted without showing emotion but with internal satisfaction.
— Sayano: "Please request a double room."
— Akano: "Very well."
Akano secured the room with his feather and a powerful spell.
— Sayano: "Thanks for the spell."
They both lay down, letting calm fill the room. Night fell, and sleep carried them away, preparing the stage for the world's next revelations.