(Demonic Forest)
A tent had been set up, shared between Maira and Eba. From the afternoon until past midnight, both had been using their light magic, and their bodies were exhausted. Yet, neither of them could sleep.
Maira's thoughts kept drifting back to events from two days ago. Until today, she had never felt the touch of a boy. Even though Alex's touch had been unwanted, it was the first time in her life she had experienced it. Being the Duke's daughter, no one dared approach her, let alone speak freely. Yet that day, Alex had fell on top of her.
"What would Elin have done if she were in my place?"
Maira began to wonder what Elin would have done in her shoes. Surely, Elin would have frozen Alex with ice, or done something even more frightening. But Maira… she was simple and straightforward. She wouldn't do something like that.
"Why do these thoughts keep coming to my mind? Even if I don't want to think about them, they keep returning."
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Eba's words.
"Maira, if someone's thoughts keep coming back to you repeatedly, what should we call that?"
Maira was startled. She hadn't wanted Eba to know that she was thinking about a boy. To hide her thoughts, she said:
"If it's someone in the family or among relatives, we call it… 'missing' in intellectual terms."
"But what if it's not a family member, but a familiar men?" Eba asked again.
"A familiar men? That can also be called missing, I suppose," Maira replied.
"But if the men is right next to you, and yet thousands of thoughts about him keep coming into your mind, what should we call that?"
Eba's question froze Maira. She realized… this was exactly what she was feeling. Perhaps Eba had understood her thoughts somehow. Maira said nothing.
Seeing her silence, Eba continued,
"For nobles like us, maybe we wouldn't know this. Our marriages are arranged early, and it can't be stopped. But I once overheard my maid say something: 'If someone outside the family keeps coming to your mind repeatedly, that is a sign of love.'"
"Why you suddenly saying something like that in this hour?" Maira asked.
Maira thought that Eba might have read her mind. But no—Eba was simply speaking her own thoughts.
"I don't know why, but I always think about a certain boy. Even when he's with me," Eba confessed.
Maira wasn't foolish. She understood the meaning, but she couldn't stop her own thoughts.
"So… does Eba also think about Alex? No, no, why am I thinking this? She might very well be thinking it herself. Who am I to think about this? Ugh… I'm going crazy with these useless thoughts."
Seeing Maira fall silent, Eba asked,
"Maira, how do you feel about our team leader? I mean… what kind of person is he in your eyes?"
Eba's question unexpectedly filled Maira with satisfaction. Her emotions were in turmoil, and her heart thumped violently. Even though she didn't want to, her mind kept urging her not to let Alex's name come out of Eba's mouth.
"So… you like our leader, Chain?" Maira asked with a teasing smile.
Eba didn't answer, and Maira realized that she indeed liked Chain. Yet one thought crossed her mind:
"Chain likes Luba… Should I tell Eba? No, she might get hurt."
The thought lingered, and suddenly, both fell silent. Sleep overtook them quickly.
---
(Dungeon)
Alex was panting, drenched in sweat. He was on his knees, hands resting on his thighs. His stamina was almost gone. He had used countless spells and skills, leaving his body exhausted. His body longed to sleep, but Alex knew that once he closed his eyes, he wouldn't open them again.
"Where have I come? If I had known, I would never have made this mistake. I barely managed to finish the Level 10 Earth Golem with Gluttony. But who would have thought this isn't over here? All my energy has been drained fighting the Level 12 Golems. And still, this dungeon refuses to end."
No sooner had Alex finished his thought than ten more Earth Golems appeared from the floor. Alex's Info Skill activated automatically, revealing the level of the new golems: Level 14. Previously, the ten golems had been Level 12. Their levels increased by two with each round. Alex's situation was dire—he had no energy left for skills or spells. Using Agility drained even more energy. Though he had harvested energy from the Level 10 Golems using Gluttony, he could only use the skill once a day. Now, he was trapped.
While battling the Level 12 Golems, Alex had discovered a secret of the dungeon: a red zone area which he entered without realising. Enter it, and the golems would attack; step outside, and they wouldn't. He stood just outside the red zone, bent on his knees. Anyone in his place would have been terrified, but Alex… he was smiling, satisfied.
"I've truly gone mad. Where fear should exist, there's a smile on my face."
The exhaustion eased slightly. Two hours had passed in the dungeon, during which Alex had grown stronger. He had reached Level 21, and all his stats had risen significantly.
"Not bad. For leveling up, this place is excellent."
He shouted aloud, proud of his progress. Reaching Level 20 had granted him a reward he had been waiting for: Stat Points.
Alex called up the Stat Option, and a projection appeared in front of him:
Status:
Level: 21
Strength: 30
Vitality: 16
Agility: 33
Stamina: 25
Intelligence: 35
Luck: 12
Stat Points: 20
Alex had been waiting for this moment. Stat Points could be allocated to any other stat without training or leveling. For example, 10 points could be added to Agility, Vitality, or Strength.
He wasn't sure if it would work—it seemed like cheating. Normally, one couldn't increase walking speed without training. But using this method, stats could increase without effort.
Alex wasted no time. He allocated his 20 Stat Points as follows:
10 to Agility
5 to Vitality
5 to Strength
New Status:
Level: 21
Strength: 35
Vitality: 21
Agility: 43
Stamina: 25
Intelligence: 35
Luck: 12
Stat Points: 0
He observed his new stats. He felt a tingling sensation throughout his body, as if something was moving inside his bones.
"It seems to be working. From what I recall, I would only get 5 stat points per level up, so I must use them wisely. Agility is the most important right now, as I've located the golem's weak points."
After resting and taking an energy-restoring pill prepared by his mother, Alex stepped into the red zone area again.
"Alright, golems… Round Three begins."
To be continued.....