Hidden Dungeon

--- Akira ---

I handed Yui a sheet of paper.

"How is it? Did I do well?" I asked, my expression neutral

After half a second, a smile bloomed on Yui's face.

She wrote a red "100" at the top of the sheet and handed it back to me. "It's a perfect score! I can't believe you've mastered such complex knowledge to this extent." She clapped her hands, genuinely surprised by my ability.

Well, this is just the average level I'd need if I want to accomplish my goal.

Now that preparations were done, it was finally time.

"So, where do you think we're going next?" I asked.

Yui's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Are you going to challenge the 62nd Floor Boss?" she inquired.

I gave her a knowing smile and shook my head. "No, the target won't be the 62nd Floor Boss. I actually think that will be left for the Guilds to conquer."

Yui tilted her head, confusion evident on her face. "If we're not clearing the boss of this floor, what else could be the 'destination' you have in mind?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued.

"Rather than making our way up, we'll actually be heading down for once," I revealed.

Her confusion deepened. "What could you possibly want from the lower floors?"

It's true that I don't have much I need currently as I just recently refilled my stocks, but it doesn't mean the lower floors are useless.

Even so, it wasn't that important.

I decided to remain mysterious. "It's a secret," I teased.

Have you ever had someone ask for your attention and then they end up telling you "it's nothing" before resuming their own thing?

If you didn't experience this before, I can tell you it's really annoying.

Why was I doing this, then?

Well, there is no particular reason, really.

I'm just having some fun in my own way.

Yui pouted, clearly annoyed by my secrecy. "You're so stingy! I've been answering all your questions about programming, you know," she protested.

I chuckled, knowing she had used her good nature against me effectively.

She had won this.

Raising my hands in defeat, I said, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you."

Yui's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nodded. "I knew you were just about to spill the beans," she said with a smug grin.

Suppressing a laugh at her shamelessness, I coughed and continued, "Our destination will be the first floor. More specifically, the hidden dungeon situated there."

Yui's eyes widened in surprise. She opened her mouth to retort, but I stopped her.

What if her talking about it is deemed as helping by the Cardinal System?

We can't risk it.

Understanding my concerns, Yui nodded. "Are you sure about this?" she asked softly.

I nodded, confident. "Yes, I'm sure," I replied.

With my current level, I should be able to handle the normal monsters that spawn in there.

[Status]

[Name: Haru]

[Level: 64(2%) ➔ 73(67%)]

[STR: 113 ➔ 128]

[AGI: 78 ➔ 90]

[Skills:

Spear(Lv. 301(39%)) ➔ (Lv. 462(10%)),

Threefold Piercer(Lv. 350(9%)) ➔ (Lv. 478(17%)),

Fighting Spirit(Lv. 373(10%)) ➔ (Lv. 442(23%)),

Burst Speed(Lv. 302(17%)) ➔ (Lv. 379(69%)),

Battle Healing((Lv. 62(11%) ➔ (Lv. 120(70%)),

Acrobatics((Lv. 33(53%) ➔ (Lv. 82(64%))

Spear Throwing((Lv. 18(20%) ➔ (Lv. 39(72%))

]

[Extra Skill:

Demonic Spear(Lv. 80(0%)) ➔ (Lv. 206(55%))]

[You have 1 ➔ 2 Skill Slots left]

As for The Fatal Scythe, It wasn't that much of a problem.

All I need to do is make it to the Safe Room.

After that, I can simply use a teleport crystal and I'm done.

"...I see."

Yui didn't say anything else about the matter, and neither did I.

It's been 2 days.

We've gotten closer, that is undeniable.

But sadly, we cannot just stay in this Floor forever.

The time to rest has ended.

--- Asuna ---

Was I that useless?

Is this the reason why you've left me like that?

I couldn't help but reflect on myself.

Had I done something to displease him? Was there a bigger reason he couldn't share with me?

I doubted myself now, questioning every action, every word. I remembered Haru's encouraging words, telling me how strong I was, how useful an asset I had been.

But even with his reassurances, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had failed in some way.

Was it truly that hard to accept him without arguing so much?

Although I knew he did the right thing by eliminating those future threats, a part of me had hesitated.

Murder wasn't something you could just take lightly, even if you know there is a good reason for it. Maybe he had taken my hesitation as a lack of acceptance, a sign that he couldn't feel safe with me.

I wanted to approach him, to ask why he had left like that.

But it felt like a game of cat and mouse.

No matter what I tried, he'd always be able to avoid me.

I'd wait in the Floor Boss Rooms, only to find myself in a random inn after falling asleep. When I tried to catch him at his blacksmith, he'd always slip away, entering and exiting through places I couldn't see.

I always knew his observation skills were no joke, but how could you notice me every single time?

He managed to perfectly avoid me, and it frustrated me to the point of tears.

At this rate, this situation will really stay like this forever...

Out of longing, I opened my friends menu and saw that Haru hadn't removed me as a friend.

If I wanted to, I could send him a message. And yet, I never did.

I was actually afraid. What if he actually hated me now? What if he was angry with me?

By text, could I truly convey my thoughts in a satisfying way?

These fears paralyzed me, leaving me stuck in a painful limbo...

---

Author's Note:

I have an exam in about...10 hours. After this, I have another exam in a week, so expect chapters to be a little unstable. But as you can see, we're edging on to the final act of this Trial :D!

Join the discord to choose the 4th Trial location! I'm pretty sure irregular at a magic high school will win tho.