Overconfidence at the Dungeon's Threshold
The grassland in front of the dungeon entrance. Two students were conversing there. One of them was Ace, who had ended up in the same group as Cha Jiyun for this dungeon exploration.
Ace's friend spoke up. "Hey, Ace. You're in the same group as Cha Jiyun this time, right?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't this a perfect chance to rack up some serious points from her?"
"What do you mean? We're just entering the dungeon together."
"No, think about it. Who's in your group?"
"Nam Doyun, me, and Cha Jiyun."
"Exactly, you idiot. That deadweight Nam Doyun is tagging along."
"Oh. Right."
"So while that useless Nam Doyun sits around doing nothing, you'll stand out way more if you actually perform, won't you?"
"That... actually makes sense."
"Yeah. Nam Doyun's just going to be deadweight, so mess with him a bit."
"Why?"
"Think about it. Cha Jiyun probably hates being in the same group as that deadweight, but she can't exactly say it out loud."
"Yeah, that's true."
"So you say the things she's too frustrated to voice herself. That way, you'll score points with her. She might even start taking an interest in you after that."
"You really think so?"
"Of course, you moron. Besides, Cha Jiyun barely talks to anyone, but since you're in the same group, she'll at least have to respond. Strike up a conversation and keep it going."
"Got it."
Ace glanced toward Cha Jiyun in the distance.
"Go on, hurry up."
Ace's friend gave him a push on the back.
"Hello, Miss Jiyun."
Ace walked over to Cha Jiyun.
"...Yes."
Cha Jiyun replied with a cold expression.
"I've been wanting to meet you. It's truly an honor to be on the same team."
As he spoke, he extended his hand for a handshake.
"...Yes."
However, Cha Jiyun merely glanced at his outstretched hand before looking away.
"...Tch."
Ace stared at his awkwardly extended hand.
"More importantly, it looks like the two of us will have to work hard with our team composition."
Ace said.
"...?"
Cha Jiyun gave him a puzzled look.
"I mean, just look at that guy over there."
Ace pointed at Nam Doyun.
"That guy ranked 500th in the entrance exam. I heard he barely scraped into Elphon Academy. From what I know, he came dead last in the physical test and his mana capacity is ridiculously low. He's basically a disgrace to our academy."
"......"
"But don't worry about being stuck with someone like that. I'll support you properly by your side, Miss Cha Jiyun. Just trust me and follow my lead. Hehe."
"......."
Cha Jiyun let out a silent sigh. He can say things like that because he doesn't know the power Doyun is hiding. It was pathetic.
"By the way, do you have time this weekend? I reserved a restaurant I thought you'd really like. It's got a wonderful atmosphere. I'm sure even someone with your refined palate will be impressed. Definitely. I've been trying to get a reservation at this place for two months now—"
"....Ah, yes."
Cha Jiyun cut him off with a brief reply and immediately started walking toward Nam Doyun.
"Miss Jiyun! Where are you going? I'll support you properly. You'll be safe as long as you stay by my side!"
Cha Jiyun spoke to Nam Doyun.
"...Shall we head in now?"
"Sure."
Nam Doyun replied.
The two of them entered the dungeon, leaving Ace behind.
"Where are you going, Miss Jiyun?"
Ace hurriedly chased after them.
Upon entering the dungeon, they found a cave entrance marked with numbers. The numbers indicated the difficulty level. The higher the number, the greater the dungeon's difficulty.
"Hmm..."
Nam Doyun looked at the numbers written above the dungeon entrances. They ranged from 1 to 15. Students were gathered in front of each number, discussing with their groups.
"Hey, where should we go?"
"If we go to 15, we'll get way more points, right?"
"But the monsters are probably insanely strong. Even Radeon's group isn't going to 15."
"Then how about we go to 7?"
"Yeah, that's better. Let's hurry inside."
They soon entered the cave marked with 7.
Nam Doyun silently stared at the numbers above the caves. Difficulty 15 was still too much for students to handle. Normally, no one should enter there. But to obtain that ring, he had no choice but to go to 15.
"Let's go to 15."
Nam Doyun said to Cha Jiyun.
"What? You want to go to 15?"
Ace frowned at those words.
"You're pathetically weak. What makes you think you can handle 15?"
"..."
"Ah, don't tell me you're trying to ride on Miss Cha Jiyun's and my coattails? Higher difficulty means higher scores, after all."
"...."
"Well, I guess someone who ranked dead last on the entrance exam would want to boost their grades by hitching a ride. I can understand that, but why does it have to be on Miss Cha Jiyun's and my backs?"
"...You think we're the ones carrying him?"
"Of course. That guy is so weak he'll be completely useless in the dungeon. In reality, the two of us will have to handle all the monsters."
"....I believe it's the opposite."
"What?"
"...I think that person will be the one carrying us."
"What the hell are you—?"
Ace wore a dumbfounded expression.
"...Shall we go in now?"
Cha Jiyun said to Nam Doyun.
"...Yeah, let's head inside."
Nam Doyun and Cha Jiyun entered the cave entrance. Ace stood there with a blank look on his face.
Nam Doyun and Cha Jiyun stepped into the dimly lit cave. Only small torches on the walls provided any light. Areas without torches were completely swallowed by darkness.
Nam Doyun smirked. Just as I expected. A dungeon's difficulty wasn't determined solely by the strength of its monsters. Traps, mana barriers, and various other factors installed within also greatly affected the difficulty.
Ace barely managed to catch up. He confirmed there were no monsters inside the dungeon. Dungeons without monsters did exist. But those dungeons were filled with traps that activated with every step.
Ace grinned. But he wasn't worried. Detecting traps was his specialty. His mana was specialized in locating traps set within dungeons.
"Miss Jiyun, don't worry. I'll detect the location of every trap."
He said smugly.
Ace channeled his mana toward the dungeon floor. In an instant, he began sensing the traps embedded in the ground.
One step forward from here and I'll fall underground. Two steps ahead is a trap that shoots arrows when stepped on...
Ace soon scanned all the traps in the area with his mana.
Then he spoke with confidence. "Miss Jiyun, I've found all the traps. Just follow me."
He wore a smug expression.
"...."
Cha Jiyun stared at him in silence.
Ace began walking toward the left wall of the cave.
"One step forward from here, then stop and move one step to the right..."
He explained the optimal route he'd discovered.
Nam Doyun watched and chuckled. "That's not it."
"What?"
"That's not right."
Ace looked at Cha Jiyun. She was listening intently to Nam Doyun's words. If he backed down here, any chance of scoring points with her would be gone.
"What the hell do you know?"
"Me? I just happen to know exactly where all the traps are."
"Pfft—"
Ace burst out laughing. "You? You know where they all are? That's hilarious."
He turned to Cha Jiyun. "Miss Jiyun, just follow behind me. I'll safely escort you to the boss room."
But Cha Jiyun didn't even glance at Ace. She stood behind Nam Doyun, staring blankly at him.
This doesn't make any sense. Since earlier, Cha Jiyun has been completely ignoring me and only talking to Nam Doyun. And now she actually believes that deadweight will disarm all the traps? What the hell was so special about that useless guy?
Ace gritted his teeth.
"...Don't tell me you're planning to follow Nam Doyun, Miss Jiyun."
"....Is there a problem?"
"You'll regret not following me."
"...."
Ace pressed himself against the left wall and began moving forward. I'll prove I'm right. Ace smiled. The ground beneath his feet wasn't sinking at all. That meant all the trap locations he'd detected were correct. Just a little further and he'd reach the boss room ahead.
Without hesitation, he stepped onto the ground in front of him. According to his detection, there were no traps here.
"!!!"
But the ground suddenly gave way beneath his foot. His body began tilting toward the opening. His center of gravity had already shifted in that direction.
"Aaaah!"
He barely managed to grab the edge of the cliff and hang on.
"Ugh..."
Using all his strength, he pulled himself up.
"Huff... huff..."
I thought I was dead for a second there. He let out a heavy sigh. But just making it this far was impressive. Nam Doyun and Cha Jiyun probably hadn't even taken a single step yet, since they didn't know where the traps were.
But they were nowhere to be seen.
"...?"
Confused, he turned around without thinking. There stood the open door to the boss room.
"......."
From inside came the sounds of a fierce battle with the boss.
Ace walked toward the boss room. Just as he was about to open the door and enter—
Thud—
Someone struck the back of his neck hard. Ace lost consciousness instantly.
"So this is where the 'Crystal' ring was hidden?"
A chilling demonic energy emanated from his body. He began peering into the boss room.