The corridors of the Adventurer's Guild bustled with activity as Kaleb descended from the upper floors. Yet despite the noise around him, his thoughts remained elsewhere.
The abnormal dungeon.
The Adze.
The possibility of the World-Class Dungeon influencing the world once again, none of it sat right with him. As he reached the main hall, he immediately spotted his party gathered around a large table, Terry was devouring enough food to feed an entire family.
Natalia was reviewing quest documents.
Saria sat with her feet on the table despite repeated complaints from nearby adventurers.
Asura was busy feeding pieces of meat to a tiny wyvern hatchling perched on his shoulder.
Kaleb sat down, the others immediately noticed his expression.
"Bad news?" Natalia asked.
Kaleb sighed.
"Worse than I expected."
That immediately got everyone's attention,
Saria removed her feet from the table, Terry stopped eating even Asura looked serious.
"The Guild Master believes the World-Class Dungeon may be involved."
Silence.
Several nearby adventurers overheard the words and immediately looked away, nobody liked discussing the World-Class Dungeon openly not even as a joke. Terry swallowed.
"...That's not funny."
"I'm not joking."
The large tank cursed under his breath. Asura leaned back.
"So we're talking about the dungeon that supposedly destroyed kingdoms during its last break?"
Kaleb nodded.
"The very same."
Natalia folded her arms.
"Do we have evidence?"
"No but monsters are appearing above their registered rank and now an Adze has appeared."
The healer's expression immediately darkened and the others noticed.
"You know something?" Saria asked.
Natalia hesitated then nodded.
"My uncle was a historian." She took a breath
"The Adze was involved in one of the largest disasters in recorded history."
The table became silent.
"How bad?"
Natalia looked down.
"It infiltrated an entire city."
Nobody spoke.
"It possessed nobles, Military officers,
Merchants, for nearly two years."
Terry slowly put down his fork.
"...How many died?"
Natalia's answer chilled everyone.
"They never found out."
Silence.
"By the time the Adze was discovered, nobody knew who had been replaced and who hadn't."
Even Kaleb felt uncomfortable hearing that, an enemy you couldn't identify.
Couldn't predict.
Couldn't trust.
The worst kind.
Eventually Kaleb stood.
"Get some rest, we leave tomorrow."
"Where are we going?" Asura asked.
Kaleb's eyes narrowed.
"To investigate about the Adze."
Meanwhile...
Maira stared at the glowing status screen with excitement shining in her eyes.
"A second element..." she whispered,her gaze immediately landed on the newly acquired trait. "Forest Resonance, huh? What exactly does it do?"
Arcanis floated beside her proudly.
"It grants you access to Forest Magic."
A new screen appeared before her.
Acquired
[Magic]
Forest Magic
[Skills]
Forest Binding
Nature Cannon
Unique Skill: Self Heal
Maira's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
She immediately looked at him.
"Does that mean I can heal myself now?"
"Yes," Arcanis replied, then his tone became serious. "But don't let that make you careless."
The excitement on her face faltered slightly.
"Why?"
"Because healing isn't immortality."
The grimoire floated closer.
"If you lose your head..."
"I die."
"If your heart gets pierced..."
"I die."
"If you're cut in half..."
"I die, alright, alright, I get it!"
"And if you run out of mana while trying to heal yourself..."
Maira sighed.
"I die."
"Correct."
She puffed her cheeks out.
"You're such a party pooper."
"I'm being realistic."
He spun slightly in the air.
"I'd rather not watch my precious new master get herself killed because she suddenly thinks she's invincible."
Maira froze.
"...Your what?"
"My precious new master."
He answered so casually that it almost sounded natural.
"And beautiful, of course."
Maira's face immediately turned red.
"W-What?!"
She quickly looked away.
"You know, you really shouldn't say things like that so casually!"
Arcanis tilted slightly.
"Why not?"
"B-Because you just don't!"
The grimoire seemed genuinely confused.
"I'm merely stating facts."
"Nobody talks like that!"
Arcanis sighed dramatically.
"Humans are strange."
Then his voice softened slightly.
"Hasn't anyone told you that you're beautiful before?"
Maira hesitated.
"...They have."
"Then what's the problem?"
She lowered her gaze.
"Sometimes it didn't feel genuine."
The playful atmosphere faded for a moment and Arcanis remained silent, then he spoke.
"I see."
For once there was no teasing in his voice.
"If that's the case..." He looked away.
"I'll stop saying it."
Maira's eyes widened.
"What?"
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
His voice was calm. "So I'll keep those thoughts to myself from now on."
"Don't."
The word left her mouth before she could stop it. Arcanis paused.
"...What?"
Maira's face immediately became even redder. She turned away so quickly she nearly tripped over a root.
"N-Nothing."
"Hmm?"
"I said nothing."
The grimoire floated closer.
"Master."
"No."
"I didn't even ask anything."
"I know where this is going."
"Going where?"
"Nowhere."
Arcanis chuckled.
"Maira."
She refused to look at him.
"What?"
"What exactly am I not supposed to stop doing?"
The silence that followed felt endless, Maira's entire face burned.
"..."
"Master?"
"..."
"I can't hear you."
"You're doing this on purpose."
"Perhaps."
She groaned then finally—
"Please don't stop calling me beautiful."
The words came out in one rushed breath.
The moment she finished speaking she wanted the ground to swallow her whole, Arcanis stared at her.
Then—
"Hahahahahaha!"
Maira immediately covered her face.
"I hate you."
"You should see yourself right now."
"I hope a monster eats you."
"I am a book."
"I'll find a way."
Arcanis continued laughing.
Meanwhile Maira was seriously considering digging a hole and hiding in it forever.
Eventually the grimoire calmed down.
"Very well."
His voice was warm.
"I shall continue to call you beautiful whenever I feel like it."
Maira groaned.
"You're the worst."
"Yet you're smiling."
She immediately touched her face and to her horror he was right, a small smile had appeared without her noticing. Arcanis floated forward.
"Come on, Master."
The path deeper into the Verdant Wilds stretched before them.
"Let's keep moving."
Maira sighed before following after him.
The excitement from her newly acquired abilities slowly settled as Maira looked deeper into the endless Verdant Wilds.
Then she suddenly stopped walking.
"Hold on."
Arcanis paused mid-air.
"Hm?"
Maira crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"Are you sure we should be rushing like this?"
The grimoire tilted slightly.
"Of course. Why shouldn't we?"
"You just became stronger, your mana has recovered, and you're fully healed."
"Yeah, but..."
Maira glanced around the forest, sunlight filtered through the enormous emerald leaves overhead, a cool breeze drifted through the trees, Bird-like creatures sang somewhere in the distance. For the first time since entering the dungeon the place felt peaceful.
"I'd like to rest a little."
Arcanis blinked.
"...Rest?"
"Yes."
Maira stretched her arms above her head.
"Besides, this floor feels almost like a sanctuary."
She pointed toward the forest.
"It's beautiful, there's fresh air, plenty of water and honestly..." She looked away slightly.
"I'd really like to find somewhere to take a bath."
Arcanis stared at her.
"...A bath."
"Yes."
"In a dungeon."
"Is there a problem?"
The grimoire let out a long sigh.
"Master, these dungeon floors are fragmented realities."
"It could take us days to cross a single floor at your current level."
"And?"
"I'm saying that if we want to escape this dungeon, you need to become stronger as quickly as possible."
He floated dramatically in front of her.
"Which means no unnecessary detours."
Maira immediately frowned.
"Arcanis."
"What?"
"I'm a girl."
"..."
"I need a bath."
"..."
"I haven't had one since I got here."
"..."
"I haven't slept properly either."
She pointed accusingly at him.
"You may be a god."
Arcanis raised a page defensively.
"Former god."
"Former god."
She corrected herself.
"But I'm still human."
Maira rubbed her tired eyes.
"I've been fighting monsters, running for my life, nearly dying, and eating giant lizards, when exactly was I supposed to relax?"
Arcanis opened his mouth then closed it. A few seconds passed then he sighed.
"...You make a fair argument."
Maira smirked triumphantly.
"I know."
"My apologies, Master."
The sincerity in his voice surprised her.
"I was being inconsiderate."
His pages fluttered softly.
"You are correct."
"We should rest."
Maira grinned.
"See? You're learning."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
She laughed then gestured toward the forest.
"Think about it, what are the chances we'll end up somewhere this nice again? We could arrive on a volcanic floor next, or a storm floor, or an ice floor."
Arcanis immediately answered.
"Actually, all three of those exist."
Maira froze.
"...You're joking."
"I am not."
"That's horrifying."
"Welcome to the World-Class Dungeon."
Maira groaned.
"Exactly my point."
Arcanis thought for a moment before nodding.
"Very well, once you've rested, eaten, and recovered..."
His tone became more serious.
"We'll spend some time hunting monsters and strengthening your skills before moving to the next floor."
Maira smiled.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Excellent."
The grimoire suddenly glowed, several pages began flipping rapidly.
"Hm."
"What?"
"I've located a water source."
Maira immediately perked up.
"You did?!"
"Approximately one hundred meters north."
Her eyes widened.
"How?"
"Search."
Maira blinked.
"The skill?"
"The very same."
Arcanis sounded proud.
"You can use it too."
"However, it requires focus."
"A lot of focus."
"And unlike you..."
His tone became smug.
"I possess Thought Acceleration."
Maira rolled her eyes.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The bragging."
"It is not bragging if it is true."
"It absolutely is."
Arcanis ignored her.
"As I was saying, leave surveillance to me."
"I can scan the surrounding area far more efficiently."
Maira nodded.
"Fair enough."
She adjusted the Stonefang Daggers at her waist.
"Then let's head to the oasis."
Arcanis floated forward.
"Agreed."
A mischievous pause followed.
"And while we're there..."
His pages fluttered.
"We should probably hunt something edible."
Maira immediately remembered the Stonefang Lizard.
"...Please let it taste better than giant lizard."
"No promises."
"Wonderful."
"Perhaps we'll find giant fish."
"That's somehow worse."
Arcanis laughed.
And together, the girl and the ancient grimoire headed deeper into the Verdant Wilds, following the scent of fresh water through the endless forest. For the first time since her fall into the dungeon Maira wasn't simply surviving, she was beginning to live again.
Meanwhile
Kaleb's eyes narrowed.
The table fell silent once again, nobody needed him to specify which dungeon, there was only one dungeon capable of making an S-Rank party uneasy.
The World-Class Dungeon.
Saria leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.
"That's insane, people have disappeared trying to find entrances to that place and the ones who returned usually came back missing limbs, sanity, or both."
Terry nodded immediately.
"I'd rather fight another Asambosum, Asambosums don't make entire kingdoms vanish."
Asura scratched the cheek of the tiny wyvern perched on his shoulder.
"You do realize we're probably going to investigate it anyway."
"That's what I hate."
Natalia sighed.
"The Guild Master wouldn't ask unless he had reason."
Kaleb nodded.
"Exactly, we aren't entering it, that's suicide."
Everyone visibly relaxed.
"For now."
Everyone immediately became tense again.
"Kaleb."
"Yes?"
"I hate you sometimes."
The flame conjurer ignored Terry's complaint.
"We're starting with reports, disappearances, monster sightings, ancient records. If the World-Class Dungeon is involved, there will be signs."
Natalia nodded.
"That's more reasonable."
Saria stood up.
"Fine, i'll gather information from the underground network."
Kaleb raised an eyebrow.
"You mean criminals."
"I prefer the term unofficial information brokers."
"You mean criminals."
"They pay taxes."
"No they don't."
"Details."
Before Kaleb could continue arguing, a loud commotion erupted near the quest board.
Several adventurers suddenly gathered around a newly posted notice.
"What happened?"
Terry asked.
One adventurer rushed past them.
"The Guild posted a special quest!"
"A special quest?"
"That was fast." Kaleb said in calm shock.
The crowd grew larger, curiosity getting the better of them, Kaleb and the others approached. The moment they arrived, they understood why everyone looked disturbed, a silver quest notice hung at the center of the board.
A rank far above normal missions, the title alone made several adventurers pale.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION QUEST
Target: Unknown Legendary Monster
Codename: Adze
Reward: 500 Platinum Coins
Additional Rewards: Direct Audience with Guild Master Zelkris Valor
Warning: Possession Capabilities Suspected
Extreme Caution Advised
The crowd immediately erupted.
"Five hundred platinum?!"
"That's enough to retire!"
"Possession?"
"Forget the money!"
"How do you fight something that steals bodies?!"
Fear spread rapidly, even veteran adventurers looked uncomfortable. Kaleb studied the notice quietly, then something caught his attention. At the bottom was a small handwritten addition, his eyes narrowed.
"What's wrong?" Natalia asked.
Kaleb pointed, everyone looked.
The note read:
Latest victim discovered this morning.
Location: Ikasa Village.
The atmosphere around the party changed instantly.
"Ikasa?" Saria muttered.
"That's the village near the western forests."
Natalia frowned.
"I've heard of it, it's a small farming settlement."
Kaleb continued staring, something felt familiar, then suddenly one of the guild clerks approached.
"Lord Kaleb."
He turned.
"Yes?"
The clerk handed him a file.
"The Guild Master requested that you review this personally."
Kaleb accepted it, the moment he opened the file, his expression darkened. Inside were reports, several reports. Every victim had one thing in common.
No wounds.
No signs of forced entry.
No magical traces.
About 60% drained of blood.
But the final page was different, very different. Kaleb froze.
"What is it?" Asura asked.
Slowly, Kaleb handed him the report. Asura read it, then his eyes widened.
"...What?"
Natalia grabbed it next.
Then Saria.
Then Terry.
Each one became more confused than the last.
The report detailed an execution that had occurred just a day ago.
A fourteen-year-old girl, accused of murdering her mother and sentenced to the World-Class Dungeon.
Village of Origin: Ikasa Village
The accused's name: Maira.
Saria frowned.
"What does this have to do with the Adze?"
Kaleb continued reading, then another line caught his eye. A witness statement, one sentence. A sentence that made the hairs on his neck stand up.
"The mother's body showed symptoms similar to complete blood drainage, but the village chief concluded poisoning."
Silence.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Natalia's face slowly paled.
"No way..."
Asura looked up.
"You think—"
Kaleb closed the file, his expression had become deadly serious.
"I think the Guild Master was right."
The others waited, Kaleb looked toward the distant west. Toward Ikasa Village, toward a forgotten girl abandoned by everyone she knew and toward a mystery that suddenly seemed much larger than a simple dungeon break.
"If the Adze was present in Ikasa..."
His voice lowered.
"Then there's a chance an innocent girl was thrown into the World-Class Dungeon."
The party froze, for a moment, nobody knew what to say. Then Terry spoke.
"...That's messed up."
Kaleb nodded.
"Very."
He turned toward the exit, his cloak shifted behind him.
"We leave at dawn."
"For Ikasa."
Meanwhile...
After dealing with a few minor monsters along the way, Maira and Arcanis finally arrived at the oasis. The sight before them was breathtaking, crystal-clear water reflected the emerald sky above, colorful flowers surrounded the shoreline, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
Small bird-like creatures with blue feathers and white markings on their heads and tails perched on nearby branches, singing softly as they fluttered between the trees. The atmosphere felt peaceful and safe, for the first time since entering the dungeon Maira felt like she could finally breathe. Arcanis floated beside her.
"Here we are, Master. The oasis you were looking for."
Maira smiled.
"Thanks, Arcanis."
"You're welcome. Now you can finally enjoy the rest you've been desperately asking for."
As she approached the water, Arcanis began gathering some of it.
"Let me collect some of this while we're here."
A soft glow surrounded the grimoire as large quantities of the pure water disappeared into his storage.
"Never hurts to prepare for the future."
Maira nodded.
"Good idea."
As she prepared to wash up and relax, she looked toward him.
"Do you mind giving me some privacy?"
Arcanis paused.
"Of course."
Then he added thoughtfully,
"Although I should mention that my detection abilities remain active. If any threats approach, I'll know immediately. Plus I'll have you know that I can't experience lust incase you were worried."
Maira sighed.
"That's reassuring... and slightly creepy."
She took a breath.
"Just stay out of sight, alright?"
"That I can do."
The grimoire floated away toward a nearby tree.
"We can still communicate through telepathy if necessary."
"Sounds good."
Once Arcanis had moved away, Maira finally stepped into the water, the cool sensation immediately relaxed her tired muscles. A content sigh escaped her lips.
"This feels amazing..."
More importantly, she could feel a gentle healing energy flowing through the oasis itself. The water possessed natural restorative properties, the exhaustion from countless battles seemed to slowly fade away. After several minutes of simply enjoying the peace, she reached out through their telepathic connection.
"Arcanis?"
"Yes, Master?"
"There was something I wanted to ask."
"I'm listening."
"You mentioned earlier that you can't experience things like lust. Is that because you're a grimoire?"
"Partly."
His voice sounded thoughtful.
"I also spent over a thousand years as a god. Certain mortal instincts become distant after enough time."
"I see."
A brief silence followed, then Maira spoke again.
"Arcanis."
"Yes?"
"I'm glad I found you."
The grimoire was quiet.
"If it wasn't for you..."
She looked at the calm water around her.
"I don't think I'd still be alive, you gave me a chance to survive, you gave me a chance to grow stronger and maybe..."
Her voice hardened slightly.
"...a chance to make those responsible answer for what they did."
For a moment, Arcanis didn't reply, then his voice became softer.
"The feeling is mutual, Master, if you hadn't found me, I'd still be trapped in that chamber."
He paused.
"Your circumstances were terrible and yes, we'll make sure those responsible pay for what they've done."
A faint chuckle escaped him.
"But despite everything i'm grateful our paths crossed."
Maira smiled.
"Being grateful for a disaster is a bit strange."
"Cut me some slack."
His tone became playful again.
"I spent two thousand years trapped in a dungeon."
"Fair point."
Maira laughed.
The sound echoed across the oasis, for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt genuinely at peace. Then suddenly—
"Master."
His tone became more alert.
"What is it?"
"I've detected a group of goblins."
Maira immediately became serious.
"Nearby?"
"About ten meters away."
She started to stand but Arcanis quickly interrupted.
"Relax, there are only six of them, nothing you need to worry about."
"You sure?"
"Quite sure, i'll handle it."
Maira sat back down.
"Alright."
As Arcanis floated away, she looked up at the emerald sky and smiled to herself.
"He was actually right."
She laughed softly.
"This really is the World-Class Dungeon."
Some time later, she finished resting and left the oasis feeling refreshed. By the time she returned to camp, Arcanis had already prepared supplies for the evening. Among them was meat taken from the Forest Fang Wolf they had defeated earlier.
"Perfect timing."
The grimoire floated over.
"Time for dinner."
Maira looked toward the darkening sky.
"It's already evening?"
"We've been here longer than you think."
She smiled.
"Then let's eat."
A small fire was soon crackling beneath the night sky, Maira roasted the meat while Arcanis discussed future plans.
"We should gather edible plants while we're on this floor."
"Probably a good idea."
"Food shortages tend to be inconvenient."
"That's one way of putting it."
The two continued talking while the stars slowly appeared overhead. Eventually, after dinner, Arcanis located a nearby cave suitable for shelter, the entrance was narrow enough to defend and dry enough for a night's rest.
After settling inside, Maira and Arcanis talked for a while longer about the dungeon, magic, and what challenges might await them on future floors. Eventually exhaustion won, Maira curled up beneath a makeshift blanket and drifted off to sleep.
Outside, Arcanis silently placed several Forest Magic traps around the cave entrance.
Roots settled beneath the ground, ready to react if anything approached. His Universal Detection remained active as always.
Only after ensuring the area was secure did the ancient grimoire return to the cave, he settled beside the sleeping girl. For the first time in two thousand years, he didn't face the darkness alone.