Memoir (2): Into the Kingdom of Fire
“You're late? Can't move quick even as the maknae? If you do that in battle, I'll discipline you.”
I dashed into the red dungeon entrance—split like a crevasse—that everyone had already entered without me, protesting Exy Train's ridiculous nonsense.
“What the hell are you doing right now?! Sending an F-rank awakener into an uncharted S-rank dungeon destruction op—do you think human lives are a joke?!”
Exy Train's eyes widened slightly in surprise at my irrefutable logic, her lips rounding into an "O" of admiration.
“Oh, you worry about that stuff too? You're full of surprises. Alright, let's do this.”
And with a pat on my shoulder, that was it. Utterly absurd. She ignored me completely, striding toward the raid team members. Unable to hold back, I grabbed her shoulder roughly and shouted.
“Do I look like I'm joking?! This is an S-rank dungeon. For an F-rank awakener, just breathing consumes their life force—it's a brutal hell! No matter your reasons for dragging him here, I demand you send him out right now!”
An S-rank dungeon was a disaster in itself. Even transcendent awakeners couldn't survive without meeting a minimum threshold. Humanity learned that through the blood and lives of countless awakener predecessors, leading to entrance restrictions on all dungeons.
Yet the woman before me, Exy Train, was flouting awakener protocol on a whim. As heir to the Julie family and an awakener of a prestigious house, I couldn't overlook this. I had to stop her madness, even by force.
With thoughts of freezing her solid if she tried to brush it off with more infuriating nonchalance, I glared at her. Sensing the ominous air, she dropped the smile. Instead, she placed a hand on my shoulder, peering straight at me with narrowed eyes.
“But we're already inside. How do you plan to send him out?”
“......Ugh.”
I hated admitting Exy Train had a point, no matter what, but she was right. The S-rank dungeon we'd entered this time, the Kingdom of Fire, was a fall-entry type—literally dropping in—and without flight or teleportation abilities, exiting the way you came was near impossible.
S-rank dungeons were easy to enter but hell to leave. The Kingdom of Fire followed that rule strictly. The only ways out were finding an exit somewhere in the dungeon, defeating the boss, or destroying the dungeon core.
It was uncharted, but someone had explored, found an exit, and escaped—hence its specific name. Guide Paster to that exit, and even an F-rank could make it out.
Stunned by her fundamental question, my mind blanked momentarily. But with the Julie family's keen intellect, I quickly devised a plan, flashing a confident smile at Exy Train.
“We'll find the exit. That's how it got named Kingdom of Fire—someone entered, grasped its layout, and escaped. It'll be more work... but better than letting someone die.”
Common sense dictated it: no debate needed. Protecting lives was a strong awakener's duty and responsibility. Exy Train had dragged the weak Paster into this demonic realm; she bore the accountability.
But after a long pause, her response blindsided me.
“Nope.”
Something that shouldn't be denied was dismissed so lightly. Her mildly annoyed tone snapped my fraying patience.
I summoned glacial crystals in both hands, baring my teeth at her.
“Are you completely clueless about the situation?! If you say no, I'll do it alone...!”
“Hold up. Don't fly off the handle, Lapis Julie. Hear me out.”
As my righteous fury erupted, Exy Train finally raised both hands in surrender, cutting me off before division could fracture the team.
I was pissed, but resolving it through talk was the mark of a rational intellect. I dismissed the crystals temporarily and eyed her.
“Fine. Speak.”
“You're awfully prickly. Well... it was classified, so I was gonna grit my teeth and stonewall. But you look ready to throw hands, so no choice. You're about to hit S-rank after this dungeon break anyway. Early intel's fine, right?”
Muttering to herself, rationalizing away, Exy Train snapped her fingers at me with a light grin. A whoosh of wind formed a hemispherical barrier, sealing us off from the outside.
“Even our 2nd team can't hear this—stuff Paster himself doesn't know. Promise you'll keep it secret.”
“No idea why it's such a big deal, but fine. I promise.”
Uttering promises lightly was unwise, but curiosity and frustration overrode caution. I gave my word.
“Good. Listen up and don't freak out. The thing is... Paster's amazing at running away. Probably the best in the world?”
Her serious tone, paired with the isolating wind barrier, ramped up the tension. She'd been playful till now; her gravity pulled me in, making me ask earnestly.
“......And? So Paster's great at escaping—then what?”
“Exactly. He's so good that in an emergency, he can get all of us out. Simple terms: as long as you're alive, he's an insurance policy guaranteeing survival in any situation.”
“......What?”
“No time for chit-chat. We gotta move. Scout logs say staying in one spot over three minutes draws human-shaped flame giants.”
I sputtered at the nonsense, but Exy Train dismissed further questions, dropping the barrier and vanishing like the wind.
Her gray bob swaying as she went, I realized I'd been played again. Teased to the bitter end...!
I'm not letting this slide anymore!
As I moved to teach Exy Train—finally crossing the line—what happens when you insult a Julie, a shout rang out.
“Enemies! Over 500 flame giants heading our way! At this rate, they'll enter visual range in about a minute!”
“Knew it'd come to this. Everyone, battle ready! Form annihilation array!”
The 2nd team's A-rank scout announced the threat, and Exy Train—my vengeance target—issued combat orders.
“Of all the timing!”
Not the moment for payback. Gritting my teeth in frustration, I bolted to the ace spot at the rear center and took position.
“Oh, you can separate work from personal? Nice.”
“Shut up and focus. I'm pissed.”
“R-Right.”
In the crane-wing formation, my center-rear spot—right in front of the team leader's command position—drew an irritating gaze on my nape. But personal grudges had to wait; I cooled my emotions, filling my mind with icy reason.
“Huuu...”
Each flame giant was mid-tier A-rank monster. Fire or no, my chill would freeze them on sight. Wiping out an A-rank horde would be a perfect opener for Lapis Julie's S-rank dungeon conquest tale.
Shining here would elevate the Julie name and my renown. Honor was the noblest pursuit for a prestigious house member. Gathering mana to flash-freeze them into view, an unexpected order came from behind.
“Oh yeah, Paster might be in danger? With 500 flame giants coming. Someone should guard him thoroughly, right?”
“......Are you talking to me?”
“Who else? You brought him up, you prioritized lives—you're the maknae, so take responsibility. Save one life, yeah?”
“Th-That's...!”
Exy Train was utterly vile. She flung my own righteous words back at me.
“