The dungeon's air was thick with silence and tension. The torches lining the ancient walls flickered as if trying to stay alive—much like the two young adventurers who stood near the boss chamber.
Their clothes were torn, skin scraped, weapons cracked.
And yet, they stood.
Rai panted heavily, his chest rising and falling with each breath that felt like a hammer to his lungs. Sweat poured down his forehead, mixing with the dirt and blood on his face. He turned to Mina with a weak smile.
"We took them all down," he said between gasps. "Well... I mean, you took them all down. I just... tried to keep up." His knees trembled. "And now... the boss stage is the only thing left. What do we do? We're tired. We're starving…"
Mina leaned against the wall, her breathing as ragged as his. But she managed to flash a confident grin.
"Don't say that," she said, gripping his hand tightly. "We've come this far. We're not going to lose now. And Rai... stop worrying about your powers. It doesn't matter whether they've awakened yet or not. You're still you."
Rai nodded, but his thoughts betrayed his calm.
> Why haven't I awakened yet?
The goddess promised me powers in this life. Was it all a lie? Did she cheat me?
Damn it... I won't forget this.
"We'll rest for now," Mina said. "Then we'll go in. Together."
---
Outside the Dungeon
Meanwhile, beyond the sealed gate of the A-Rank dungeon, General Baren's fists slammed against the stone door again and again.
"OPEN, DAMN YOU!" he roared. "RAI IS IN THERE!"
His eyes were bloodshot, jaw clenched with fury. No matter how hard he struck, the ancient mechanisms refused to budge. A-Rank boss rooms sealed shut once activated. Until the boss was defeated—or the challengers died—the gate would remain locked.
"Sir, please calm down," a guard said cautiously. "Your nephew is strong. He's the son of your brother. I've seen his strength—he'll come back."
Baren turned to him, veins bulging in his neck. "If anything happens to him... I'll burn this whole mountain down."
The guard could only nod, praying silently that Rai would survive.
---
The Boss Room
The massive double doors creaked open as Rai and Mina stepped into the final chamber.
It was dark. Silent. Too silent.
"Where... where is the boss?" Rai asked, glancing around nervously. "You think he got scared of your face?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Mina rolled her eyes. "Not the time for jokes, idiot."
To their shock, the room echoed with laughter—but it wasn't Mina's.
A deep, amused voice bounced off the walls.
Even the boss found Rai's joke funny.
The torches lining the chamber suddenly flared to life. The room glowed in eerie red and gold.
Then... he appeared.
A tall figure stepped out from the shadows—cloaked in black and crimson, glowing eyes staring through the gloom. His aura was overwhelming. The pressure he exuded made the stone beneath Rai's feet crack.
Mina grabbed her sword.
"Rai," she whispered. "Get ready. He's here."
The boss stepped forward and raised his hand.
"Room: Lockdown."
With a heavy boom, the gates slammed shut behind them.
Rai's heart sank.
"No... We're trapped..."
The boss looked at Rai, his gaze piercing and strangely familiar.
"Why are you scared, boy?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Because... your face... your voice... it's terrifying!" Rai said, half-joking, half-serious.
The boss laughed again. "I see. You still haven't remembered, have you?"
Rai frowned. "What the hell are you talking about? If this is a joke, I'm not laughing."
The boss lowered his hood. His face was scarred but noble. He had the aura of someone powerful—too powerful.
"I can't kill you," the boss said calmly. "Because I know you, Rai."
Rai froze. "What?"
The boss took a step closer. "I know who you are. Or rather... who you were."
Mina stepped in front of Rai defensively. "Stay back! Who are you!?"
But the boss only smiled.
---
To Be Continued...
> Who is this mysterious boss who claims to know Rai?
What secrets does he hold about Rai's past life?
And why did he say he "can't" kill him?