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The floating walls and stairs tremble violently as the space around them fractures, sending waves of raw magic through the air. The floors shatter under the force, scattering stone debris in every direction. Leena strides through the torn space with a cold, unyielding gaze. Her long crimson hair radiates with an intense glow, billowing wildly in the distorted currents of magic. Her flower-like crimson eye spins with a dangerous intensity.

Mirelith leans back in his seat, a smile playing on his lips. "Leena, how rare for you to visit. Did you get lost?" His expression hardens, his gaze turning icy. "Have you forgotten your manners, to break into my floor in such a destructive way?"

Leena remains unfazed by his harsh tone. She steps forward, and the shattered space seals itself behind her, "Mirelith," she murmurs, her voice flat and emotionless. "I apologize for my entry," she continues, her tone devoid of sincerity. She stands before him, her eyes locking onto his. "However, you're not allowed to deny my entry."

Mirelith's smile widens, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "Under normal circumstances, you would be correct," he concedes. "However, even you are not allowed to interrupt my test."

Leena's eyes narrow as she pushes her hair back. "Don't play me for a fool. You know that boy isn't qualified to be in this dungeon." She steps closer, her presence almost tangible as she towers over him. "For the last 700 years, you have refrained from testing any adventurers. Why now?"

Mirelith places a hand over his face, laughter bubbling up from deep within him, low and menacing. "Hmhmhmhmhmhm... Who are you to question me?" He rises from his chair, towering over her with a cold smirk. "Who I choose to test is none of your concern."

"It is," Leena counters, her voice sharp and cutting. Her eyes widen, glowing with a dangerous light. "Have you forgotten why you're here? You knew I was after him. What's your game? That boy doesn't belong here."

Mirelith floats back to his chair, exhaling slowly. "You have no right to decide that."

"I am the dungeon master—"

"So what?" Mirelith interrupts with a murmur, his tone dripping with disdain. "Do you think that gives you absolute control? No, regardless of your status, you cannot go against the will of the world. Even if this is only a copy; once inside this dungeon, just like the others, he has the right to take the tests." He scoffs, his gaze turning mischievous. "He passed my test, so I sent him away."

"Why?" Leena grits her teeth, clenching her fist tightly. "I only wanted to keep him away from the inevitable. Are you so bored you wish to see a weak boy die for no cause?"

Mirelith's smirk widens. "Hmhmhmhmhm… Have you no faith in them? This batch of adventurers is the most interesting one I've ever seen. I'm afraid you might lose."

Leena sighs, snapping her fingers to create a rift. "What nonsense. This is the final batch. Once this is over, I'll keep my end of the agreement."

"Where are you heading? Why don't we have some tea?" Mirelith offers with a smile, extending his hand.

"It's finally here. After so many centuries, we'll both get what we want," she murmurs as the rift closes behind her, leaving Mirelith to watch her departure with a look of mild amusement.

"What a bummer," Mirelith exhales, his voice tinged with disappointment.

-

Kael slowly stands up, his eyes scanning the room. 'What is this place? White walls, a dark brown sofa, a kitchen, and two tables.' He exhales heavily. 'The last thing I expected in a dungeon is a hotel room. Well, I guess this isn't half bad.'

[Resting period: 24 hours]

'So Mirelith wasn't lying... I have so many questions. This whole place is a mess,' Kael thinks, rubbing the back of his head. He glances down at his palm, feeling an unfamiliar calm. 'I feel... different. I got my memories back, but why do I feel like I've lost a part of myself? I'm too... composed.'

"Are you just going to stand there?" Ryua's voice cuts through his thoughts. She lifts a towel off her face, her striking eyes locking onto Kael with an expressionless stare. She grips her head with one hand. "There's a bathroom over there. We'll talk once you wash up."

'Things have gotten complicated,' Kael thinks, rubbing his forehead as he strips down, heading into the bathroom. He catches his reflection in the mirror, studying himself. 'Why? Why are my emotions so stable? Or have I lost them entirely? I don't get it,' he ponders, clenching his fist as he steps into the bath.

'Not long ago, I was losing my mind over my sister. I can feel it—I still miss her...' He closes his eyes, letting the warmth of the water seep into his skin. 'Why am I so calm?' He opens his eyes, watching his hand tremble slightly. 'I definitely went through shock, but as soon as my memories returned... it's like my unstable emotions completely shut down. More importantly, system, I know you know—just how much have I forgotten?'

[As I said, I have no clue what occurred in your world. However, based on my analysis, you have forgotten at least 9 to 11 years of your life. I have gone through your current memories and, in addition, there are holes in the memories you have.]

'That many years... Just what the hell happened?' Kael grits his teeth, clutching his head. 'Hey, why am I so calm?'

[You are still currently processing the memories you unlocked. The you from those memories is influencing your current self. You will stabilize once you process those memories.]

Scrubbing his head, Kael smiles wryly. 'You're being awfully nice today.'

[Hey, I might be... mean from time to time, but I'm still here to assist you.]

'Mean is an understatement,' Kael leans back, enjoying the warmth of the bath.

[I won't tell you anything else ( ︶︿︶)_╭∩╮]

'You've told me everything I needed to know.' Standing up, Kael stretches his neck, popping it on both sides. 'Now to deal with a bigger issue... Ryua. Seeing her memories is one thing, but she saw my memories... this is a problem.' He rubs his chin, looking in the mirror and admiring his appearance. 'If... yes, if I play this right, I'll have her in the palm of my hand.'

Walking out of the bathroom, Kael pauses, taking a deep breath. 'Being this calm feels unusual,' he thinks. 'Most of the time, I'm nervous even if I don't show it.' As he steps into the living room, he glances around, puzzled by the layout.

"I'm in the kitchen," Ryua's voice calls out, echoing across the strange space.

'Now that I think about it, this place is weird,' Kael muses, raising an eyebrow as he makes his way toward the kitchen. 'Why the hell is the living room on one end and the dining room and kitchen at the other end of this weird resting place?' His confusion grows as he notices couches in the dining room as well. 'What the fuck? Who designed this place?'

"So, who exactly are you?" Ryua mumbles, her voice sharp as she chops onions with a practiced hand, her golden gaze piercing.

"Can we talk once I'm done cooking?" Kael asks, walking past her. He turns on the stove, catching sight of what she's preparing. 'A salad? What is she doing?' With a sigh, he picks up the bowl and throws it aside.

"What?" Ryua's eyes narrow as she swiftly stabs the knife between Kael's fingers, the blade quivering from the force. "Should I kill you now?"

"Cross-contamination," Kael mutters, picking up the knife with calm precision.

"What?" she asks, her eyebrow arching in disbelief.

"You can't cut vegetables with the same knife you use to cut meat unless you plan to cook those vegetables," he explains, pointing at the improperly sliced beef. "You cut it wrong. The slices are too thick. Sit down and let me cook."

"I've never had any problems cooking like this," she retorts, sitting down with a resigned sigh.

Spinning the knife in his hand, Kael starts cleaning the area. "Functionality doesn't equate to morality. In other words, there is a right way to cook."

After preparing the meal, Kael hands Ryua her plate and takes a seat across from her. "Just who are you?" she asks, taking a bite of the food, her eyes sharp and probing.

Looking up at her, Kael meets her gaze—one eye strikingly blue, the other pure black. "I'm Kael," he responds simply before continuing to eat.

"Don't make this difficult," Ryua murmurs, her glare icy. "The way you murdered that man… why would you do such a thing?"

Wiping his mouth, Kael looks back at her, his expression unreadable. "Let's do this," he suggests, raising his hand and covering his heart. "We'll both make an oath. We'll both answer honestly, and we'll both keep it between us. We won't share anything in any way, shape, or form. We are allowed to refuse to answer certain questions out of respect."

Leaning her head on her palm, Ryua's expression remains cold and unyielding. "Now, why would I agree to that?"

"Why?" Kael exhales, scratching the back of his head before meeting her gaze with unwavering seriousness. "Would you rather I share the truth? Just how much of your past does Oda know?" Standing up, he reaches into his pouch and pulls out a potion.

"What is that?" Ryua asks, her voice laced with suspicion.

"Listen," Kael begins, his tone softening. "I know you're scared. Right now, you're in pain, and you're afraid of judgment. This potion is a painkiller. An oath would benefit both of us. Just repeat after me." He places the potion in front of her.

Ryua glances down at the potion before closing her eyes. "Okay, I agree," she finally says, lifting her arm and pointing her gun at Kael. "If you try anything, I'll blow your head off."

Both of them place their palms over their hearts, their voices steady as they recite the oath: "I swear I will never share anything I learn here today. I swear I will never share what I learned in the memories I viewed. I swear I will answer all questions, and I will not lie. I have the right to refuse questions. I invoke the god Lyx as a witness. If I break my oath, may I suffer eternal damnation in the pits of hell." As they finish the oath, the mana around them darkens momentarily before dissipating into the air.