"Haah~ Go home, school tomorrow. Go home again, school again. Graduate, work, get married…"
A sigh slipped from the lips of a young man with unkempt black hair, his tone drenched in resignation.
He lay sprawled across his narrow bed. The silver glow of the moon filtered through the thin curtains beside him, washing the small room in pale light. His hair wasn't particularly long, yet loose strands fell over his forehead in a careless mess. His crimson eyes stared blankly at the ceiling—thinking, and thinking, and thinking—
What's the point of all this?
Is there any meaning behind it?
Is this really the life I wanted?
He stretched both arms outward, barely reaching the edges of his cramped mattress. He had long lost track of how much time had passed since he lay down. The night breeze slipped through the slightly opened window, cool and gentle, brushing against his skin. Closing his eyes, he whispered softly—
"I... just want to live my own way..."
And then, he drifted into sleep.
The young man lived alone in a rented apartment somewhere in the city. His living expenses came from the inheritance left behind by his parents—people he barely remembered. His school life was neither bright nor dark, neither happy nor tragic. He didn't have many close friends, and his days passed by in dull repetition.
Study. Graduate. Work. Marry.
Live "happily ever after" like a model citizen.
But... was that truly the kind of life he wanted?
To him, such a life was no different from being dead. And within his slumber, he muttered once more—
"I'd rather die... than live a life like this..."
———
"..."
"...er!"
"...ger!"
"...Rudiger!!"
Someone was calling his name—Rudiger! The voice pierced the stillness, snapping through the air like a whip.
Rudiger's eyelids twitched open. His blurred vision caught the silhouette of someone leaning over him. Brown hair, slightly messy, yet oddly familiar. The man's brow was furrowed, his expression a mix of panic and disbelief.
Before Rudiger could say anything, the other man took a deep breath—as if gathering strength for something absurd.
Rudiger blinked. What's he even doing...?
Then—
"WAKE UP, BRO! RUDIGER, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, THIS ISN'T A DREAM!!!"
"Wha—?!"
Rudiger's eyes flew open. The shout exploded right beside his ear, practically blowing out his eardrum. His body jerked upright instinctively—
—and crack!
"Aack! Dude, my head!" the brown-haired man yelped, falling backward from the sudden collision.
"Ouch...! Man, you're—Lopez?! What the hell are you doing in my apartment?!" Rudiger groaned, squinting one eye shut as he rubbed his forehead hard.
"Bro, look around. Does this really look like your apartment?"
Rudiger blinked, his gaze wandering across the space around him.
Rough stone walls. The faint shimmer of firelight dancing across uneven rock. A group of people—strangers—huddled near a campfire at the center of the cave, their faces flickering in the orange glow.
His expression stiffened. Slowly, he raised both hands, opening and closing his palms as if to test his senses—then smack! he slapped both cheeks at once.
Lopez sighed, lowering his brows slightly.
"Dude, I think I already said this, but—you're not dreaming right now, Rudiger."
Rudiger's tone rose, edged with disbelief.
"How am I supposed to believe that? I was literally asleep, and the next thing I know, I'm waking up in the middle of some random cave!"
Lopez rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Well, that makes sense. I can't say I believe it either... but facts don't lie. We're both conscious, and that's proof enough this is real."
A long sigh escaped Rudiger's lips. He raked a hand through his black hair, letting it fall back loosely. Then his gaze shifted downward—to his arm.
A long, black coat draped down to his knees. It wasn't something he remembered putting on.
His eyes moved to Lopez, who was wearing a similar coat—though his was the color of warm cappuccino instead of shadowy black.
Rudiger frowned slightly.
"Huh... we're even wearing our signature outfits. Don't you think that's a little weird, man?"
Lopez gave a half-smile.
"Yeah, weird for sure. But—first things first. We should join the others; they've been waiting for you, bro."
He lifted his arm and gestured toward the campfire group, his gaze shifting away from Rudiger as the flames crackled between them.
"Ah, really?" Rudiger muttered as he began to rise to his feet.
Both he and Lopez stood up from where they'd been sitting on the cold, uneven ground. Rudiger stretched his arms high above his head, his joints cracking faintly as he tried to shake off the stiffness. With a brief sigh, the two began walking toward the group gathered around the campfire.
As they approached, Rudiger glanced around, taking in the scene.
Massive rock formations arched overhead, forming a natural dome that shimmered faintly under the reflection of countless glowing crystals embedded in the cavern walls. Each one glimmered with a different hue—blue, violet, green—casting a surreal light across the entire space.
On his right, he noticed two dark tunnel openings carved into the stone—possible paths leading deeper into the cave.
Then—
"Yo, what's good, Rudiger? You finally woke up," called out a young man with deep green hair that fell just past his ears, swaying slightly as he turned his head.
"Ahh, finally. Took you long enough," another voice chimed in, this one belonging to a short-haired blond with messy strands sticking up in every direction, giving him the look of a cheerful delinquent. "Hope you've realized by now this ain't a dream."
"Don't be too harsh on him, Ferus," said a calm firm, feminine voice. A woman with sleek, jet-black hair tied high in a ponytail stepped forward. Her hair gleamed under the crystal light, flowing down to her lower back. "He just woke up. Let him gather his thoughts first."
Rudiger's gaze fell upon the group sitting leisurely around the crackling campfire. The warm glow painted their faces in shades of amber and gold—faces he recognized immediately.
These guys...
They weren't strangers. Every single one of them was familiar to him—classmates from his very own school.
Rudiger's eyes swept around the circle, tracing each face illuminated by the firelight.
All the people I know... are here... he thought, a faint unease twisting inside him.
Then, his eyes caught a certain figure. His expression darkened slightly.
Ah, crap... there he is. The guy who always gives me a headache.
He shut his eyes for a moment, brow tightening in mild irritation.
"What's wrong, Rudiger?" came a bright, feminine voice. "You look like you're struggling to believe all this."
The speaker was a cheerful-looking girl with straight, orange hair that reached just below her jawline, framing her lively expression.
Rudiger shifted his gaze toward her and let out a faint smile.
"Don't worry, Lilia. I've already come to terms with it... more or less."
"Hah, seems like you two already know each other," said a young man with smooth blond hair that covered his ears, his tone firm but casual. "Still, wouldn't it be better to start with proper introductions? Not everyone here knows one another, right?"
"I agree," added another voice—this one belonging to a sharp-eyed man whose narrow, fox-like eyes glinted in the firelight. "There are ten of us here, after all. Waking up in some random cave out of nowhere isn't exactly normal."
"Then let's start the introductions in order," said a woman wearing rectangular black glasses, pushing them up slightly with her finger. "From the one who woke up first, then the rest will follow."
Rudiger lowered himself onto a flat stone that served as a makeshift seat.
Before he could settle in, the blond-haired man beside the fire raised his hand confidently, palm open. Rudiger's eyes naturally shifted toward him.
"Well then," the man began with a self-assured grin, "I suppose that means I'll start the introductions."
He straightened his back, puffing his chest proudly.
"My name is Joshua Aspidiske! A man who always stands on the side of truth! I hope we can all get along!" he declared in a booming voice that echoed through the cavern.
Rudiger exhaled quietly.
Ah, right. Joshua—the guy with the justice mindset that's way too simple.
In Rudiger's eyes, Joshua was someone born with a strong sense of leadership—brave, straightforward... but far too easy to fool.
Just as Rudiger's gaze began to lose focus, drifting deeper into his thoughts, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.
Lopez's voice followed, casual but sharp.
"What are you spacing out for, dude? Don't drown in your thoughts. I know you're thinking about him, but try not to make it too obvious."
"You're right. Thanks for snapping me out of it," Rudiger replied, forcing a faint smile before turning his eyes back to the fire.
The next person stood up—a young man with messy blond hair, brushing dust from his gray shirt and the survival belt strapped around his waist.
"I'll keep it short," he said bluntly. "Ferus Mencalinan. That's all."
Ferus was known back at school as a troublemaker, but despite that, Rudiger couldn't help but watch him closely—not out of suspicion, but because he felt Ferus was someone dependable in situations like this.
Ferus sat back down and picked up an old, thick book that lay beside him. Rudiger barely had time to wonder about it before someone else stood—someone he wished hadn't.
Great... him.
"Let me introduce myself," the boy said with a lazy drawl, crossing his arms over his chest.
"My name is Haltz Duinqoix. Nice to meet you all."
His sleek black hair flowed down to his shoulders, framing a face that always carried an air of smug indifference. Rudiger's muscles tensed instinctively.
Haltz wasn't just another student—he was that guy, the one who'd always found ways to get under Rudiger's skin, stirring up tension back at school.
Before the mood could sour further, an energetic voice cut through the air.
"I'm next! My name is Lilia Rayvine!"
Her voice rang loud enough to fill the entire cave. "I'm so happy to meet you all! Let's do our best together!!"
She beamed brightly, her orange hair bouncing to her neck as she waved both hands enthusiastically. Her white graphic T-shirt and knee-length skirt gave her an innocent, cheerful look that perfectly matched her personality.
"And I'm Kagumi Maitreya," said another voice, this one calm yet firm. "I practice swordsmanship at home. I hope I can be of help... especially if it means finding a way out of this strange cave."
Kagumi stood tall, her high ponytail swaying behind her. The light gray blazer and black leggings she wore emphasized her athletic, disciplined presence—a woman both graceful and strong.
The green-haired young man spoke next.
"Guess it's my turn. I'm Wilhelm Viridis—your resident herbalist," he said with confident flair.
His tone was calm yet brimming with assurance. Despite the dark circles under his eyes, which made him look perpetually sleep-deprived, Wilhelm was well-known for his medical expertise. The long white lab coat draped down to his knees only made that impression stronger.
Then, Lopez stood up.
Without saying a word, he extended his hand forward—straight through what looked like empty air. Or rather, something beyond the air itself. His arm seemed to pierce through the fabric of space, as if reaching into another dimension.
While his hand was still half-buried in the invisible layer, he said casually,
"I'm Lopez Zhurkanai. Don't mind me—I'm just checking my inventory."
Rudiger tilted his head, his expression filled with confusion.
"Dude… what's going on with your hand? Why is it phasing through thin air?"
"This?" Lopez chuckled, eyes glinting mischievously. "Just searching for something in my inventory… Ah, there it is."
He pulled his hand back out, revealing a perfectly roasted marshmallow skewered on a thin metal rod.
Lopez handed it over to Rudiger with a grin. "Here, take this. I've got plenty more."
"…Alright. Still," Rudiger said, taking the treat hesitantly, "I have no idea what you just did. And—what do you even mean by 'inventory'?"
Before Lopez could answer, a woman with square glasses stood up.
"My turn," she said, voice low and slightly husky. "Hera Rhetoric. I'm good at mathematics—though that's probably useless in a situation like this."
Her wavy black-blonde hair brushed against her shoulders, giving her a faintly mature, professional air. She wore a crisp white shirt tucked neatly into dark slacks, looking every bit like an office worker. Sitting back down, Hera reached for a folded maroon coat beside her. She lifted it slightly—and in the next instant, glowing blue particles surrounded the fabric. The coat shimmered, then slowly disappeared into thin air.
Rudiger's eyes widened. "What the—?"
But before he could ask, another man stood up—the tall one with foxlike eyes.
"I'm Ray Kornephoros," he said evenly. "An archaeologist... though it's really just a hobby."
Ray's black hair was short and wispy, a few loose strands falling across his forehead. His height, however, was impossible to ignore—he easily stood taller than anyone else in the group, nearly matching the stature of a brown bear standing upright.
Rudiger thought to himself, Some of them I barely even know… even though we're all from the same class.
He glanced around the fire. The faces were all familiar, yet distant. Out of everyone here, only two truly stood out in his memory—his close friend Lopez, and the person he least wanted to see, Haltz.
Just then, Lopez nudged his shoulder.
"Your turn, dude. Go on—introduce yourself, and then we'll explain everything."
Rudiger sighed softly. "Ah, right." He stood up, brushing his knees.
"My name is Rudiger Rutherford. Nice to meet you all."
His voice trembled slightly toward the end. It came out awkward—too formal, too uncertain—but no one seemed to mind. In fact, several of them offered warm smiles through the flickering campfire light.
Joshua chuckled. "Relax, Rudiger. We're classmates, remember? Even if we don't know each other that well, we're all in this together."
"Yes! Exactly!" Lilia chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. "We'll get to know each other better as we adventure and find a way out of this gloomy cave!"
Her bright grin shone like a little flame of its own, unbothered by the strangeness of their surroundings.
Rudiger exhaled slowly.
A dream... or reality? He couldn't tell anymore. But as he bit into the marshmallow Lopez had given him, the warmth and sweetness spread through his mouth—so real it crushed the thought that this could be anything but reality.
His gaze shifted toward Ferus, just as the blond troublemaker closed the thick, ancient book he'd been reading in silence.
Ferus looked up. "Alright, everyone. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say—it's important." His tone carried weight, firm and unwavering. "We are currently deep underground. In other words... we're inside a dungeon."
The entire group fell silent. The air around the campfire thickened with tension. Some faces twisted with confusion, others glimmered with curiosity.
A dungeon? Like… those in RPGs? Rudiger thought, blinking in disbelief.
Ferus sighed, scanning everyone's reactions. "Everyone, focus up! Our chances of getting out of this place alive are low if we panic. So listen carefully."
The light mood from earlier evaporated. Worry etched itself onto everyone's faces. Lilia's usual smile faded. Kagumi, who had seemed calm before, now looked alert and ready for anything.
But Rudiger barely had time to read their expressions before Ferus raised his hand again—index finger pointing forward.
A white circle of light appeared in midair, swirling around his fingertip. Strange runes began to form within it, glowing brighter with each stroke.
Then Ferus spoke a single word—
"Duplicate."
The circle flared blindingly white, consuming his hand in light.
Moments later, identical old books materialized beside everyone—including Rudiger, who instinctively caught the one that appeared in front of his face.
As the glow faded, the cave dimmed once more. Ferus lowered his hand, the magic circle dissolving into faint sparks that drifted away like embers in the dark.
Ferus spoke first, his tone sharp yet measured.
"That old book is the foundation—the basic framework of how this world's system works. Read what's inside, and then I'll continue—"
"Uhh, wait a second!" Joshua cut in, curiosity lighting his eyes. "Where did you even get this book? I was the first one to wake up, and I swear, this thing wasn't here before."
Ferus froze for a moment, his expression tightening. He turned his sharp gaze toward Joshua, his voice trembling slightly as he struggled to hold back irritation.
"Oh? You want to know?" His tone turned biting, sarcastic. "Fine then."
He reached for the flashlight hanging from his belt and flicked it on. The narrow beam of light cut through the dark cave air, pointing toward the eleven o'clock direction—just behind Rudiger.
And then—
"Eeek!!"
Lilia screamed, her voice breaking the silence. Her eyes trembled as she turned toward the beam's end. Ray and Lopez stiffened, cold sweat trickling down their necks as they forced awkward smiles to hide their unease.
Rudiger, curiosity outweighing his caution, turned to look—
—and froze.
Leaning against the stone wall was a human skeleton, perfectly intact yet horribly fresh. Crimson stains spread across the wall behind it. Even worse, its skull still had eyes in the sockets—wet, living eyes—and scraps of flesh clung stubbornly to the bone.
Joshua's voice rose in panic. "Alright, that's enough, Ferus! Turn that thing off!!"
Ferus's lips curled into a sinister smirk as he switched the flashlight off. "Why? You should be thanking me," he said coolly. "I just gave you the answer—and your first taste of death. Or, well, at least a human corpse." He raised one hand mockingly, taunting Joshua with his gestures.
Joshua clenched his jaw, glaring daggers at Ferus. Before he could retort, Lopez stepped in, placing a calm hand on Joshua's shoulder.
"Hey, control your anger. Tell me, does a hero lose his cool when a friend makes a mistake?"
Joshua blinked, caught off guard. He exhaled slowly, loosening his shoulders. "You're right… I should've controlled myself. I let my anger take over."
Lopez gave a faint smile. "That's good to hear." Though his lips curved upward, the edges trembled slightly, as if the expression cost him effort to hold.
Through it all, Wilhelm—unfazed—rose from his seat on the flat stone. "Ferus," he called calmly, "mind if I examine the body? Judging by the look of it, it hasn't been dead for long—not since Joshua woke up."
Kagumi's eyes widened. "What?!" She turned to him sharply. "What do you mean not long ago? That skeleton looks ancient!"
Wilhelm replied evenly, "I know how it sounds. But think about it—if it had been dead for a long time, we'd smell it by now. And those eyes… they look way too fresh."
Haltz, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Yeah… I agree. Even the bones still look bloodstained."
Ferus ran a hand through his messy blond hair, sighing. "Yeah, yeah, go ahead. But I'm not waiting for you. I'll start explaining whenever I feel like it—deal with it."
Wilhelm nodded. "No problem. I'll report back when we're done."
Hera, who had been quietly observing, stood and adjusted her rectangular glasses. "Mind if I tag along, Wilhelm? I might be able to calculate how long the corpse has been dead."
"Sure," Wilhelm replied. "Just don't complain if you miss Ferus's explanation."
The two of them started toward the shadowed corner. Before they left, Ferus tossed his flashlight at Wilhelm. Wilhelm caught it mid-run.
"Appreciate it!" he called back.
Ferus clicked his tongue, muttering under his breath. "Tch."
Watching everyone scatter and do as they pleased made Rudiger's patience wear thin. His expression hardened.
"Ferus," he said, voice steady but edged, "will you finally explain what the hell is going on? Because honestly, this is starting to piss me off."
The cave went still. Everyone around the campfire froze, their gazes shifting between Rudiger and Ferus. Lopez let out a small, amused chuckle.
Ferus smirked again—that usual, mocking smile. But this time, it was different. There was a faint glimmer of acknowledgment in his eyes, as though Rudiger had just earned his respect.
"Oh~ didn't I tell you to read the book first?" Ferus teased. "That way I could actually explain what's happening."
Rudiger crossed his arms. "I already did. While you were busy arguing, I finished reading it—and calmed Lilia down after your stunt scared her half to death."
Lilia looked down, still trembling, her head resting on Kagumi's shoulder. Rudiger glanced at her softly, then back at Ferus. In his mind, he thought—these people were too wrapped up in themselves to realize how shaken everyone really was.
Ferus scanned the group, eyes narrowing. He saw Lilia's fragile expression, Kagumi's wary stance, and the silent tension hanging thick in the air.
Then—he snorted. A chuckle escaped his lips. And before long—
"Heh… Hahaha! Fine, fine! Since you're so desperate to hear it…" Ferus's laughter echoed through the cave, sending a shiver down everyone's spine.
He lowered his voice, expression darkening.
"We're currently on the 40th floor, deep beneath the earth's crust. According to this damn book, we need to take the left corridor. The right one's already stained with dried blood—probably from that corpse you saw earlier."
Rudiger turned toward the right path, spotting the faint, rusty stains on the stone—just like Ferus said. His mind churned.
Fortieth floor underground…? That's insane. How many days would it take to climb out? Especially with barely any food…
Ferus continued, his tone now sharp and commanding.
"If you've read the book, then you already know your mana capacity and storage capacity, right? So—does anyone have a special class? Say it out loud. We'll need to strategize if we're getting out of this dungeon alive."
Haltz raised his hand. "How are we even supposed to know our class? Does it just… pop into your head or something?"
"Exactly," Ferus replied, nodding. "It appears in your mind, or as a vision. Sometimes you just feel it. And in rare cases, you get a special class—like me."
He smirked, tapping his chest with pride.
"My class is Vajra. So—what about you guys?"
Everyone around the campfire slowly shut their eyes, trying to sense the class that would awaken within them.
From atop a large boulder, Ferus watched them closely, his voice echoing across the cavern.
"Hey, you two over there! Wilhelm! Hera! What classes did you get?"
His loud call reverberated through the cave walls.
Wilhelm replied first, "I'm an Alchemist!"
Then came Hera's voice, sharp but calm, "Philomath. Now stop interrupting, please."
Ferus grinned with quiet satisfaction, muttering to himself,
"Alright, alright… those weirdos. Honestly, though, that title should belong to Haltz. He's the one I can't read at all."
Joshua opened his eyes next—his face breaking into a wide, triumphant smile. Raising both hands energetically, he shouted,
"I got a special class! A Holy Knight! There's even a skill tied to it!"
Ferus chuckled softly. "Check your inventory. There should be a sword waiting for you."
Without hesitation, Joshua extended his hand into the air. It rippled like water as his arm pierced through a translucent wall. His fingers brushed against something solid and heavy—an ornate hilt. With a dramatic pull, he drew it out as though he were retrieving the legendary Excalibur itself.
A brilliant white-and-gold scabbard emerged, gleaming under the dim firelight. The weapon was enormous—almost as tall as Joshua himself. When he unsheathed it, a divine brilliance washed over the chamber, gold blending seamlessly into sacred white.
Joshua raised his sword high and shouted, "Heavenly Armor!"
Light burst forth from his chest, blinding everyone momentarily. Ferus threw up an arm to shield his eyes as the golden radiance engulfed Joshua entirely.
When the glow finally faded, Ferus lowered his hand—and there stood Joshua, clad in immaculate armor of white and gold. The intricate engravings shimmered with holy energy as he swung his arm experimentally.
"Whoa, this is so cool!" Joshua cheered, the armor moving effortlessly with his body.
Ferus sighed, exasperated. "This idiot… can't believe he actually got a special class."
He scanned the others—still deep in concentration, their brows furrowed as they sought their own class.
His gaze turned inward.
Should I tell them? Their power… it won't last long anyway.
He lowered his head and muttered under his breath, "I'll have to teach them basic magic later. Classes are just reflections—manifestations of what kind of mana each person holds."
"Whoa! I got a Holy Mage class!" Lilia's voice rang out, full of delight. "And there's even a staff in my inventory!"
She reached forward, pulling out a radiant staff that materialized in her hands. It wasn't made of wood, but a rare crystalline material of white and gold—resembling Joshua's sacred weapon, though she lacked the armor he wore.
Ferus thought to himself, Another holy type, huh? Whatever. It won't last long anyway.
His eyes drifted toward Rudiger, whose tightly shut eyes trembled. His brows furrowed deeply in strain.
Then Kagumi spoke flatly, "Oh, I got a Swordsman class."
Haltz smirked faintly, flexing his arm as a faint breeze coiled around it. "Wind class, huh? Convenient."
Ray raised an eyebrow, his tone half amused. "Enchanter class? Didn't expect that."
And Lopez grinned wide. "Booyah! Crafter class! ...Wait, is that even a good thing?" he asked, rubbing his chin.
Everyone laughed lightly—everyone except Rudiger, who still sat motionless.
Ferus straightened, looking over the group. "Alright, seems like everyone's got their class. So next—"
"Uh, Ferus?" Lilia interrupted gently, smiling nervously. "Can we wait a bit longer for Rudiger? He seems to be struggling."
Ferus looked at her, his expression softening. His usual sharp tone faded, replaced with something faintly kind.
"Him? Let him be. Honestly, he's the most natural one among us. Besides, what I'm about to say will shock most of you."
A few tilted their heads in confusion. Lopez shrugged. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ferus pointed dramatically at him. "Excellent question!" He lowered his hand, lifting his old tome instead.
"Our powers—these classes—they're temporary. They come from the restless spirits wandering this dungeon. Once we leave this place, our powers will fade away."
Joshua's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! You're saying this power isn't permanent?"
Ferus nodded solemnly. "That's right. But don't worry—our bodies will permanently adapt to these powers. Think of it as evolution, a synchronization with this world's system."
As Ferus continued his explanation, Rudiger's fists clenched tighter. His eyes remained shut, his mind racing.
Damn it… where is it? What's my class?
No matter how hard he focused, he couldn't feel a thing—not a flicker of energy, not a whisper of mana.
Is it supposed to appear like a system window? A vision? A flow of mana?
He visualized symbols, shapes, lights—but none responded. Nothing answered.
Damn it! Everyone else already got theirs... Why not me?
Frustration clawed at his chest. Then—he blinked.
Suddenly, silence.
The air around him was still and heavy.
"Huh…? Where am I?"
He stood upon a vast, shimmering pool of blue water. Every step sent ripples spreading endlessly in all directions. The ceiling above stretched into darkness—immeasurably high, almost like staring into the sky itself.
Rudiger gazed down. His reflection stared back—black hair, black coat, black boots, surrounded by darkness—only his eyes stood out, glowing crimson against the tranquil blue.
"Is this… inside my mind?"
His voice echoed softly.
He recalled the words from the old book:
'Close your eyes and be aware of your subconscious. You will confront what reflects you.'
Scratching his temple, he frowned.
"Huh? Since when was my mind this clear?"
Even he found it hard to believe—his thoughts, for once, felt transparent. The calmness was unnerving.
"Is this what Ferus meant? …Ah, whatever. I just want to get out of here before I go insane."
He stepped forward, water rippling around his boots. Then, an image from the book flashed across his mind—faded ink written in haste:
'Desire is power. Awareness is its core. That is the essence of—'
Before he could finish reading the memory, something tapped his shoulder.
A sigh followed.
"Give it up, dude. There's no point forcing it. You're just unlucky, that's all."
That voice—he knew it well.
Rudiger slowly opened his eyes. A golden light warmed his vision.
Standing beside him, hand extended, was Lopez.
"Get up, bro. We're moving out soon," Lopez said with a grin.
Rudiger took his hand, pulling himself up. "Are we ready to go? Did everyone get their class already?"
Kagumi, standing near the left tunnel, turned her head. "Yeah. We've all got one—though it won't last long once we're out of here." She tightened her grip on her sword.
Ray added as he approached, "Even if it's temporary, the physical boost stays. Our bodies adapt to the power." He handed Rudiger a large backpack. "Here. It's your survival pack. Everyone got one."
Rudiger brushed the coarse fabric—blue particles scattered as the pack dissolved into his inventory.
"How convenient," he muttered.
Lopez leaned in, whispering mischievously, "Hey, I made your favorite RPG weapon. Check it later."
Rudiger sighed. Great… what did this guy make this time?
He could only guess. The only person who knew Rudiger's favorite weapon—was Lopez himself.
Rudiger swept his gaze across the cavern, his mind still replaying what he had seen in that strange realm of consciousness.
"Desire is power… Awareness is its core? What does that even mean…?"
Above him, crystals of violet, green, crimson, blue, and gold shimmered faintly on the ceiling. Their soft, pulsing light painted the cave in a thousand hues, and Rudiger found himself staring, as if the answer he sought might be hidden in their glow.
"And the last line… 'That is the essence of—' what?!"
He clicked his tongue in irritation. The sentence had been cut off right at the crucial moment, leaving him with nothing but fragments. His lips pressed into a thin line as he turned away, his gaze falling upon the skeleton leaning lifelessly against the wall. The dried blood on the floor, the faint scuttling of insects among its ribs—it was a grim reminder of what awaited those who failed.
Alright, calm down, Rudiger. You've got at least part of the clue.
He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes to clear the haze in his thoughts. His tense shoulders loosened. The answer wasn't complete, but a faint understanding began to take shape in his mind.
"Desire"... maybe that means "will." And "awareness," that's "consciousness," right? But still… I don't get it.
Then—
"Oi! How much longer are you gonna stand there, Rudiger?!"
A familiar shout echoed through the tunnel. Rudiger looked up, spotting Ferus cupping his hands around his mouth. Behind him, the others were waving, clearly waiting for him to catch up.
He ran a hand through his slightly unkempt black hair and let out a small sigh.
"Yeah, well… I guess I'll figure it out later."
With that, he took a step forward—firm, steady, and resolute. His black coat fluttered behind him like a shadow caught in motion, matching the rhythm of his strides. Clenching his fists, Rudiger braced himself for whatever awaited them beyond the dim corridor ahead—something that had been waiting for him and his companions in the depths of this foreboding dungeon.
—————