“Just remember: we don’t have to clear it today–there’s no pressure to run all the way through. If things get bad, we’ll tuck our tails between our legs and get the hell out,” he made sure they recognized that, “…Still, I know we can afford a bit of risk, right? There’s only about three months left until the end–and we all have to reach twenty.”

They all seemed to share that same sentiment: the goal of reaching “level twenty”–the ticket into the mysterious tower that inhabits the center of the seeming world, bridging the falling world and Heaven itself.

“…Level twenty seems so far away,” Hyun said, “but, we’ve made it this far, right? I don’t see what’s so impossible about it now.”

“Exactly,” Myung-Hee slapped him on the back.

“Yowch–!” Hyun leaned forward a bit, standing as if feeling the burn of the woman’s slap engraved onto his back, despite the all-white, leather-armored uniform he wore.

Yeah, get used to that, man, he thought with a wry chuckle.

Making sure all of his gear was ready, and checking with his personal interface that his items–such as health potions, spirit pots, and other emergency objects were all stocked up, he looked back at the group as he stood at the threshold of the dungeon.

“All set?” He asked._.

He received a resounding “Yes” in response from everybody, some in the forms of an audible confirmation, and some nods, and even a thumbs-up from Hyun.

“Alright, then–let’s do this!”

[Obsidian Dungeon | Level 12 | AREA REACHED]

The moment he stepped through that shadow-obscured entrance, the monotone system voice informed him of the area he deliberately entered.

As soon as they all stepped inside of the first room beyond the entrance–they learned of the difference of this specific Obsidian Dungeon: the door sealed itself shut behind them.

The moment those doors sealed themselves, the dark, lightless dungeon lit itself as the dormant lanterns hung on the steel, black walls manifested with deep, blue flames that provided an unorthodox light.

“What–?” He let out in surprise, looking back in unison with the others as the steel-like, sable doors closed.

Hyun immediately started banging on the door, attempting to open it, but no such luck came. That didn’t stop Myung-Hee from giving it a shot, either, as she drew her lengthy claymore, rearing it back before swinging it at the door they came in from–only receiving an unseen force that knocked her back in retaliation.

“Myung-Hee!” Kamou called out worriedly, helping her companion back to her feet.

“Damn, that smarts…What gives? Dungeons are supposed to stay open!” Myung-Hee rubbed her head as she stood back to her feet.

“Was it a trap…?” Ara asked worriedly, holding her hands close to the chest of the azure mantle that sat over her white uniform.

They each gave an attempt at bashing the door down, but it didn’t budge in the slightest. Such was the nature of the unknown metal of the dungeons that never budged even when magic was being cast.

“…It’s not opening at all,” he sighed out, catching his breath after attempting to punch, kick, and cut it down.

In the entrance to the dungeon, which was merely a square room, lit only by the lanterns carrying the exotic, azure flames, they sat for a minute, gathering themselves. There was only one way forward, by the looks of it: the dark, shadow-crept corridor beyond the first room.

“Has this ever happened before…?” Hyun asked, “I haven’t been in many–but I don’t think this is normal for a dungeon.”

He shook his head, “As unfair as I like to say this game is, it’s at least fair with its dungeons–usually. You always have the option to back out when things get hairy.”

“Yeah,” Kamou nodded in agreement, “That’s how it’s always been for me, too…”

“Then what gives?! Why’re we locked in this stupid place?!” Myung-Hee asked, attempting to bash the door open again with a front kick, only to fall back, wincing.

“Stop that…It’s clearly not going to open…” Kamou sat beside her.

After looking around the room, the entirety of the group checked for anything–a hidden button, false plate, lever–nothing was found.

“…I’m guessing this sort of dungeon is a “no leaving until you complete it” sort of deal…” He sighed out, rubbing his own head before pulling his hood up.

“Isn’t that unfair…?” Ara asked, holding her white-glove covered hand close to her chin.

“It’s completely unfair. Imagine if we were lower leveled, or alone–that’s an instant death wish,” he responded.

“That’s what I was thinking,” Ara added with a nod, fiddling with her brown locks as if helping with her stress.

He stood by the corridor, looking down as it was obscured by abundant darkness–not helping with the nervous churn within his stomach.

“If we’ve got to beat it to get out, then what’s the hold up then?!” Myung-Hee said, hopping to her feet.

“…Hold on, we shouldn’t just rush in,” Ara said, stepping closer, “It’d be dumb to run in blind.”

“Huh?” Myung-Hee raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not going to do anything to risk my, or my brother’s lives…You got that?”

It was a bit surprising to see, but it seemed Ara wasn’t as meek as he initially mistook her for. Rather, she just wasn’t as talkative due to being used to being around just her brother, but in reality, she was quite feisty herself.

“Ara,” Hyun placed his hand on his sister’s shoulder, prompting her to calm down, “We were already planning on going through this place, right? All this means is that we have to bring one-hundred-and-ten-percent, then.”

“That’s pretty much it,” he said in agreement, placing his hands on his sides as he looked at the group, “–All there is to it, is that we have to kick this place’s ass.”

“You’re speaking my language,” Myung-Hee smiled.

–Together, the group of five descended into the unknown, nerve-racking dungeon with reignited spirits.

However, that strong will would only last so long, as something unexpected and deeply sinister resided in its depths.