Part XXIII Dungeon

During the hunt, students earned scores based on the quality of their submitted beast, graded from E to A (20-100 points). Students strategized their hunting paths based on quality or quantity. On the third day, Lazuro and Trion earned 180 points. After submitting the Flying Boar and gaining 40 more points, they returned to the forest and rested by the tree where Davina was sleeping.

"You're quite good. Not like a senior who should be a role model. So, have you considered becoming my subordinate?" Trion asked.

"I'm sorry." Lazuro lowered his head.

"You're truly useless. Just like someone who sleeps all day. A real burden on the team. What's the most mysterious Vanadis family?" Trion spat. "Just a pretentious family full of trash and burdens."

Lazuro knew Trion was taking a dig at Davina. Curious about Davina's reaction, Lazuro finally lifted his head. Davina seemed to be shifting her mask over her nose, completely unfazed by Trion's words. Sensing no reaction, Trion finally stood up from the tree.

"You've rested enough; let's get out of here!" Trion say.

Trion walked away, followed by Lazuro. However, unexpectedly, Davina, who had been sleeping all this time, suddenly jumped in front of them.

"What do you want?" Trion asked sharply.

"Do you want to win this hunt?" Davina countered.

"Tch, what can you do to make us win? Sacrificing us—isn't that what you do every year with your team?"

"If you walk straight for about two kilometers and then turn, you'll find a dungeon. Carrying mana crystals is more valuable than prey. As a learned man, you should know that." Davina stared at Trion.

"It's true that mana crystals are more expensive. "Besides being used for medicine and enhancing abilities," Trion rubbed his chin. "Then show me where they are!"

Davina finally walked forward casually. Lazuro continued to stare intently at Davina while thinking about Fiore's words. Besides the mask that covered her nose to her neck, the thick eye bags were something that stood out on Davina's fair skin. Lazuro wondered why Davina had such big bags when she always looked lazy and sleepy. However, Lazuro chose to dismiss his curiosity and focused on following Davina and Trion. Soon they finally arrived at a gate located under a large tree. The large gate had six supporting pillars and two doors that opened in different positions.

"Amazing! Dungeons are rare anomalies that are hard to find. Now we can go inside and have a chance to find the treasures inside." Trion rubbed his hands together.

"So there are dungeons in other worlds too." Lazuro touched a ten-meter-tall pillar.

"Ah, I forgot, first-years haven't been taught about dungeons. As your handsome and kind senior, I'll explain it to you. Dungeons are hidden parts of the world tree. It's said that the beasts of this world emerged from the dungeons. Once they emerged, they brutally devoured humans and nearly led to the extinction of humanity. This is the origin of the world and also the cursed world tree that summons the beasts."

"This place seems dangerous. Are we really going in?" Lazuro asked.

"Why are you so scared? We've stocked up on supplies, and I think since this dungeon is here, the beasts won't be too dangerous. If we can clear this dungeon, we'll get more than our credit. This dungeon holds many artifacts, as well as monsters with extraordinary mana crystals. What do we have to fear?" Tristan made a mocking expression.

After a lengthy discussion, Lazuro, Trion, and Davina decided to enter. As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted by a large room, and suddenly the dungeon door slowly slid open. Lazuro stopped walking, unsure of his own decision.

"Come on, hurry up! Why are you daydreaming?" Trion asked.

"The dungeon door is closed. Are you sure this is okay, Senior?"

"I already explained that the dungeon door closes when someone enters. Don't worry, it will open in twenty-four hours, or after we clear the dungeon."

Lazuro finally stepped forward, following Trion and Davina into the dungeon. It became dark as soon as they stepped inside. Trion quickly made a torch and handed it to Lazuro. They walked until there was only one staircase leading down. Trion forced Lazuro to go first, claiming he was the one carrying the torch. They descended the stairs cautiously, and upon reaching the bottom, they were startled by flying insects. Lazuro groaned as he swung his torch continuously to keep the insects biting his face away.

 “What… what is this? This insect is terrifying!” Lazuro shouted.

"Calm down, idiot, it's just a small insect!" Trion shouted.

Trion created a water ball that trapped the insects while Davina casually crushed the ones that approached her with her hand. After a few tense seconds, the attacking insects disappeared. Lazuro stood up and lit up the room. Nothing was visible, only the sound of puddles. Lazuro, under Trioan's orders, wandered around the room while Davina and Trion relaxed. After exploring the room, Lazuro finally returned.

"It seems there's only one way: the bridge that connects one foundation to the other," Lazuro said.

"I see. Don't worry, I'm pretty good at remembering. We just need to follow this room," Trion said.

The three of them finally continued their journey to the second foundation. There were bridges on the right and left sides, having made their decision on the next foundation. However, this time the foundation wasn't empty. There were countless skeleton-type beasts with black crystals floating inside their ribs.

"Prepare your mythbreakers, we've got prey."

Lazuro and Trion quickly joined their mythbreakers and killed all the skeletons and collected the mana crystals.

"Don't worry, I'll share them fairly. Especially you, a commoner. You should be grateful and willing to become my follower," Trion said arrogantly.

Lazuro sighed tiredly and continued collecting mana crystals. After that, they continued their journey, encountering only weak beasts like slimes and skeletons. After passing five foundations, they reached a dead end. Relying on Trion's memories, they returned to the second foundation and took a different path. After three hours of wandering, they finally found a door, and once inside, they discovered a multitude of confusing paths.

"Looks like we should take a break," Trion suggested.

The three of them finally sat down and unwrapped their packages. Lazuro didn't expect Davina, who seemed lazy, to have a supply of dried meat and water in her cloth bag. Davina took a piece of bacon and pulled off her mask, preparing to eat. Lazuro and Trion suddenly stopped eating and focused on Davina. They both seemed curious about what Davina looked like under her mask.

“Why did you guys stop eating?” Davina asked, narrowing her eyes.

“That…” Lazuro averted his gaze.

"That's none of your business. So what if I stop eating? Don't think I stopped eating because I wanted to see your face. The Eastern Clan has so many beautiful, educated, and diligent girls. Why should I be curious about a slacker like you?" Trion also looked away.

Lazuro and Trion looked back at Davina. However, it seemed Davina had finished eating and drinking. Some of the meat on Davina's cloth was missing, and her water pouch also looked smaller. Davina then wrapped her food back up, much to Trion and Lazuro's disappointment. The atmosphere fell silent as Lazuro and Tristan focused on filling their stomachs and quenching their thirst.

"By the way, we encountered a skeleton earlier. So a dead human can become a beast?" Lazuro asked.

"It's called Mana Decomposition. Humans who possess Mythbreakers also possess mana. When they die, their mana coagulates and transforms into mana crystals. Mana itself possesses the will of the possessor. So, skeletons or deceased humans are controlled by their mana will. Depending on the amount of mana and the will of the living, humans can even become undead beasts if they harbor a grudge or possess exceptionally high mana," Trion explained.

"Mana will?" Lazuro was curious.

"The ultimate form of a Mythbreaker is the embodiment of mana will. Mana will make mana come alive and protect us according to our will. You can strengthen your attacks by adding will to it. It is said that those who master mana will fully synergize with their Mythbreaker and unlock extraordinary potential power. Only the king and the four generals have unlocked that potential," Trion said.

While they were enjoying their meal, a horde of undead suddenly appeared. They had green skin and disgusting lumps that would ooze pus when they burst. Lazuro and Trion immediately synergized with their mythbreakers and prepared.

“You, make sure you destroy the mana crystals of those undead.” Trion spun his spear.

“So what?”

“They’ll keep moving as long as their mana crystals aren’t destroyed. Don’t worry about the crystal’s value. If we get surrounded, it’s over. Water whips.” Trion advanced.

High-pressure water whips emerged from both of Trion’s spears. Trion aimed for the crystals in the undead’s chests and managed to knock several down. Meanwhile, Lazuro prepared in his samurai pose, drawing his sword upward. He then created a massive slashing wave that sliced ​​through the ranks of the zombies.

"My servant is indeed extraordinary. If we succeed, I'll give you ten percent."

Trion and Lazuro fought, slashing, whipping, and stabbing through the undead. A mound of corpses grew, but the creatures continued to advance. Despite being covered in reeking, green slime from the corpses, Lazuro and Trion pressed on.

"You lazy bastards, hurry up and help us. Aren't you our senior and supposed to be protecting us? You're just relaxing like that." Trion glared at Davina as she continued to hold back the line of undead.

Davina seemed unconcerned, instead moving away from Lazuro and Trion. Annoyed, Trion finally jumped up and thrust his hand forward.

"Take this, you bastard. Batomorphic Wave."

A magic circle formed in front of Trion's hand. From it, a powerful wave of water emerged, pushing all the undead back.

"Let's go!" Trion shouted.

They veered right and sprinted forward. Trion stumbled as the floor collapsed beneath him. They halted, a sense of impending danger washing over them. A crescent blade plunged down, and Lazuro, reacting instantly, intercepted it with his mythbreaker. The impact threw Lazuro back, but Trion, shielded by his friend's sacrifice, narrowly avoided the deadly blow.

"You're amazing, my servant. I'll definitely increase our share of the profits later." Trion wiped the sweat from his forehead.

After navigating their way and avoiding traps, they finally arrived in a room lit by mana crystals. Inside was a pile of gold and silver, along with a flashy armband. Suddenly, Trion was knocked unconscious, and Davina pulled out her mythbreaker.

"What did you do to Senior Trion? Senior Davina?" Lazuro asked.