Descent into the Deep Temple
No sooner had we arrived at the dungeon hostel than the familiar sight greeted us. The warm lighting cast a soft glow over the interior, and there were my comrades waiting for me. As expected, Eily was the first to rush over. The moment she spotted me, she let out a sigh of relief and hurried closer.
“Master! You’re so late. I was worried something might’ve happened to you…”
Her voice brimmed with deep concern and affection. Her eyes flickered like a candle in the wind, anxious and unsteady, her fingertips trembling faintly. True to form, she didn’t hide her emotions—she laid them bare. Drawing near, Eily clasped her hands tightly together and looked up at me. Her large eyes glistened with moisture, radiating a desperate longing like a lost puppy finally finding its owner.
I gave her a gentle smile and stroked her head. Her soft silver hair fluttered under my fingers. She blinked in surprise for a moment, then broke into a shy smile.
“Sorry, I just took a bit longer picking up some supplies.”
At that moment, Elisha, who’d been leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, chimed in with a sarcastic edge.
“You said you’d be fine going alone—don’t tell me you were off messing around without your fiancée?”
Her tone was light, like a joke, but laced with sharp wariness. She arched an eyebrow, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on me. Her silver hair cascaded naturally over her shoulders, and a faint shadow played across her pale face. She acted nonchalant, but I caught the subtle way she bit her lip. Her voice carried a mix of jealousy and suspicion.
I let out a light, exasperated sigh.
“I told you nothing happened.”
But she didn’t uncross her arms, staring me down as if to say, Really?
Then I sensed a quiet approach.
“Arnold~”
It was a familiar voice. I turned to see Melina gliding toward me with her elegant stride, exuding the mystical aura unique to elves, a serene smile on her lips as always.
“Oh? You got back quicker than I thought.”
Flanking her were Varis and Lucy, standing as if they’d been waiting just for me. Varis wore his usual laid-back grin, while Lucy eyed me with evident curiosity.
“Our junior’s always so thorough with his prep, huh?”
Varis tossed in a playful jab, and Lucy chuckled softly in agreement.
“So, what’d you pick up?”
Melina’s gaze naturally drifted to the bag slung over my shoulder. From her expression, she seemed more interested in its contents than in fretting over me.
I set the bag down silently and opened it with care. One by one, the tools essential for exploration emerged.
First came the night vision potion. Inside the small glass vial, a pale green liquid shimmered faintly. Each time it caught the light, it rippled with a mysterious glow.
“This’ll secure our vision even in total darkness.”
As the group peered at the potion with interest, I pulled out the second item: a holy enchantment scroll. Unfurling it revealed a silver magic circle that briefly floated in the air before fading dimly. A short but potent surge of mana briefly enveloped the room.
“This enchants weapons with holy attributes. Perfect against undead or the demon race."
Melina nodded with keen interest, while Elisha remained arms-crossed, lost in thought. But I hadn’t yet revealed the final item still hidden in the bag’s depths: the key. I toyed with it briefly. No real need to hide it, but no point in showing it off either. Only I knew its function, and explaining it would just complicate things.
I quietly closed the bag and looked at the group.
“Everyone ready now?”
And so, the next day arrived. We finally set off for the dungeon. The dawn air chilled our skin. A deep blue sky was pierced by the first light of dawn, blending with soft orange hues. A thin mist cloaked the streets, and as we left the city behind, silence enveloped us on all sides. Yet amid that stillness, I could feel everyone’s tension.
“Everyone, check your gear.”
At my words, the group inspected their weapons. Eily drew her sword and meticulously examined the blade, running her finger lightly along the edge before nodding in satisfaction with a small smile.
“I’m ready.”
Elisha, lacking a special weapon, stretched lightly and exuded confidence. Her platinum hair gleamed softly in the dawn light.
“I’m always ready.”
Melina adjusted her bow and steadied her breathing. Her eyes were calm and unwavering. She plucked the bowstring once with her finger, and the taut twang echoed through the quiet air.
“Condition’s perfect.”
Varis checked his armor and greatsword, the clank of metal ringing out with his precise movements. He smirked, brimming with assurance.
“All set over here.”
Senior Lucy ran her hand slowly along her staff, etched with magic circles. She closed her eyes and murmured softly, a faint mana spark dancing from her fingertips.
Not just our group—the academy students gathered here were all wrapped in tension. This final exam was more crucial than ever. Inside awaited trials unlike any before, matched by equally grand rewards.
“We’re here. A quick word before entering.”
The dungeon entrance loomed before us.
“Safety protocols as trained.”
True to its name, the Deep Temple exuded an eerie aura. The ruined temple consisted of massive stone pillars and collapsed arches, overgrown with moss, vines, and the scars of time. An oppressive weight, like that of ancient architecture, pressed down on us.
“Follow your mentors’ instructions.”
Professor Adria scanned us slowly before continuing.
“And in emergencies, use your portal scrolls without hesitation.”
Beyond the temple’s massive doors lay a deep, impenetrable darkness—a void that seemed to devour all.
“Alright, it’s go time! Give it your all, but above all, prioritize your lives!”
The professor’s commanding voice echoed across the space. In response, cheers erupted from the students.
“Let’s do this!”
“Can’t miss out!”
“Gonna nail it this time!”
Resolutions and unity filled the air, igniting a strange fervor amid the tension.
“Master, it’s finally here!”
Eily looked up at me, her face alight with excitement.
“……”
This is where it really begins.
We exchanged glances, then took our first step into the shadowed temple interior.
Dungeon explorations followed a strict rule: five team members plus one assistant. The reason? The insane dangers involved. Dungeons brimmed with unpredictable variables, where a single lapse could mean death. To counter this, we’d undergone rigorous safety training multiple times, and each team received an emergency portal scroll before entry.
The portal scroll was a magic tool for instant teleportation to a set coordinate. Facing unforeseen peril, it had to be used without a second’s delay to survive. But fleeing without loot meant mission failure.
“Master, you okay? It’s kinda creepy in here…”
Eily whispered, scanning the dungeon interior. Her slender blade caught the dim light, reflecting her tense expression.
“This place is especially so. They say ancient spirits wander here. Gives me the creeps.”
I patted her shoulder lightly and met her eyes. She nodded faintly, regripping her sword.
We descended quietly, footsteps echoing softly. Faint, unknown runes marked the walls, and a musty dampness assaulted our noses.
“Definitely bad vibes.”
Elisha muttered uneasily, fiddling with her ring.
“This ring helps settle my nerves, though.”
It was the one I’d given her, embedded with a holy mana stone for psychological comfort.
“Potion’s letting me see fine up ahead.”
“All thanks to Arnold. Hehe.”
Melina touched her necklace and smiled softly.
“Wonder how deep we can go?”
Varis murmured lowly, his eyes glinting with rivalry.
“Goal’s snagging the most valuable loot this run.”
The evaluation criteria were straightforward, like the midterm: retrieve the most valuable items from the deepest possible level. But danger scaled exponentially with depth.
“Hmm~”
Thus, we pressed on through the thick darkness, the potion guiding our path. The walls felt rough under our fingers, the uneven floor a tripping hazard. Only the occasional drip of water broke the oppressive silence.
In that atmosphere, Varis shrugged boredly.
“Nothing’s showing up.”
But then—
“Stop!”
A firm, urgent shout cut through the dark. It was Senior Lucy.
Thud—!!
Before we could process the warning, a deafening roar tore through the air. An overwhelming blast that rent the atmosphere, followed by violent tremors. No explanation needed—we’d been ambushed.