Silence Before Winter

Eight legs ending in sickle shaped blades. A dark metallic shell gleaming with tiny thorns across its entire body. And eight crimson eyes glowing fiercely in the darkness.

If Elysia’s memory was not mistaken, that monster was an Iron Arachne, one of the stronger variants of the Arachne species that normally lurked in the deeper and more dangerous layers of a dungeon.

Yet that creature seemed far from a match for her sister.

Syrene moved with graceful evasiveness, dancing between its scythe-like legs. Each swing of her axe struck with flawless precision, always targeting its fragile joints.

Crack... crack...

The first strike shattered the exoskeleton around one of its joints, exposing its vulnerable flesh.

Slash.

The second strike cleaved one of its legs clean off.

Just one missing leg was enough to make the giant spider stagger. Its variations of attack dwindled and became easier to predict, even for Elysia who was not a close range physical fighter.

Elysia closed her eyes, letting out a quiet breath. She did not need to watch to know who had won.

“Do you know why an Iron Arachne is on the third floor. The books said they usually appear in higher levels. Perhaps seventh or even tenth.”

Her gentle older sister’s voice cut through the silence, drawing everyone’s attention to Mireya.

She asked the question at a moment like this to soften the tension. She clearly understood the capabilities of the juniors she guided.

“Hm... that is true. The books do say that.” Irine crossed her arms and tilted her head. “Why though...”

Imaria raised her hand. “Because the monsters here are strong. Their hierarchy must have forced the Iron Arachne to stay in a higher ranked group instead of the deeper floors.”

“Your hypothesis is correct, Imaria. But there is another reason. Something related specifically to this dungeon. Anyone else can answer.”

Elysia knew the answer, but she also knew she needed to keep her mouth shut and let others learn. Sometimes, one needed to step back and give others room to grow alongside.

Arabella, even while being carried, managed to raise her hand.

“Because... this dungeon... is different.”

Mireya smiled with understanding. “Do not push yourself, Arabella. Your condition is still unstable.”

Arabella gave a faint nod. Then Mireya began explaining.

Normally, a cave type dungeon had over a dozen floors. Some could even reach more than thirty layers beneath the surface.

However, the academy’s dungeon was different. It only had five floors. Even the third floor was equivalent to the seventh floor of an average dungeon. This was also why their older sisters forbade their group from going deeper.

Suddenly, something round and disgusting floated above them. With swift reflexes, Mireya caught it without even looking.

“Oh, it is done.” She glanced aside.

Everyone instinctively followed her gaze.

They saw Syrene behind them, her axe resting on her shoulder. Her entire body was coated in sticky green slime that looked horribly unpleasant.

With a look combining irritation and resignation, she raised one hand to push aside the clumps of hair glued to her face. The strands stubbornly stuck again to her cheek, forcing her to wipe them away once more with a harsher motion.

“Haah. Damn it,” she groaned while flicking slime from her fingertips. “I hate that monster.”

She tried to fix her hair with her fingers, but the more she tried the more the strands clung together. She clicked her tongue.

Mireya only covered her mouth with the back of her hand, holding back a laugh.

“Do not just laugh. Help me, Mira. Look at this.” Syrene lifted her slime soaked uniform slightly. “It even seeped into my underwear.” Her voice dropped as her flushed face turned aside.

“Calm yourself, Sister. Maintain your dignity in front of the children. They will imitate you.” Mireya snapped her fingers.

A magic circle enveloped Syrene. Her uniform was instantly clean.

“How is it now.”

“Much better. Thank you.”

Syrene flicked her shoulder length blue hair with satisfaction, now dry and silky once more. A pleased smile brightened her face.

Elysia recognized that spell. The same magic as Imaria’s Laundry spell.

She bit her finger in annoyance at how useful that spell was. Even disgusting slime clinging to clothing could be erased so effortlessly.

I want that magic even more. If I had it I would always be clean. Always fragrant. He would always notice me.

Her expression softened as memories of the one she cherished returned sharply to her mind.

Thud.

Her faint daydream shattered when her twin sister nudged her elbow.

“Ah.”

“What were you thinking.”

“N nothing.”

“Very well.” Irine shrugged and looked away.

But Elysia caught a subtle shift in her sister’s expression. As if Irine had already guessed the truth.

After everything that happened, they continued onward. Nothing disturbed them. They walked quietly through dark tunnels stretching far into the distance.

Either they were too lucky or something else was at play. They did not encounter a single monster. Almost identical to the previous floors.

That made Elysia frown. She glanced at Mireya. “Sister, why have we not seen many monsters. A dungeon should be dangerous.”

Her sister laughed softly. “Sharp as always. I have been waiting for someone to ask that. You are the first, Ely.”

She cleared her throat once. “As you know winter is nearing. But some monsters seem to have begun hibernating earlier than usual.”

“That fact was discovered only a few years ago. It seems the headmaster is experimenting by moving the dungeon expedition earlier this year.”

“So the cunning old fox planned it all.”

Mireya scratched her temple. “Calling her a cunning fox is a little... ahaha. Well, I suppose it is not entirely wrong.”

“Do not misunderstand,” Syrene replied from the front without turning. “She is trying to reduce the number of casualties by bringing the expedition forward.”

“Reduce casualties?” Arabella narrowed her eyes. She was now able to walk on her own thanks to Imaria’s constant healing. “Is it not the opposite, Senior?”

“That might be your view. Truthfully...” Syrene looked toward Mireya. “May I say it, Mira.”

Mireya reluctantly turned her head. Disapproval glimmered briefly in her eyes. “I dislike revealing this. But fine. Say it. You are better at explaining anyway.”

Syrene revealed the harsh truth.

Every year dozens of students from the preparatory academy died during dungeon expeditions. Their inexperience and the viciousness of monsters claimed lives relentlessly.

Thus, when the opportunity appeared, the cunning fox experimented. New students this year had exceptional potential. The seniors guiding them were also the best among recent generations.

If no tragedy occurred, the headmaster would likely establish this as a system. Students would explore when monsters were less active. This would prepare them before they encountered fully aggressive creatures.

“But... why did we get a cave type dungeon. This is one of the hardest kinds.” Elysia asked.

Syrene scoffed. “Do you think the dungeon orb assigned to you was random. The headmaster is nothing like what you imagine. I hate to admit it but that old woman is terrifyingly calculating. I am certain she predicted all of this and selected us as test subjects.”

“Well, it does not matter now.”

They continued onward while Mireya explained further details. It was rare to see her talk so much. Perhaps she hoped to ease the burden weighing upon everyone.

Indeed, the atmosphere grew lighter. Their steps became steady and confident. Ready to continue without hesitation.

*****

A wounded demon rested casually near the edge of the first floor. A severed monster leg still dripping blood was gripped tightly in his hand.

With a powerful bite, he tore flesh from the limb. Fresh blood dripped heavily from the shredded muscle.

“Damn it... I am starving. This small piece is not enough.”

When he finished eating, he wiped the remaining blood from the corner of his lips.

He leaned against the wall and looked down at the wounds across his body. Demons possessed powerful regeneration, particularly demons of his rank. A lethal wound should have healed in a day or two.

But this time was different. There was no sign of regeneration at all. His wounds remained open, still oozing blood even after nearly a full day.

He bit his lower lip until the taste of metal filled his mouth. “That cursed wolf. I will kill you. I will kill you. I will kill you.”

He repeated the words until his strength faded. At last he inhaled deeply and forced his mind calm.

“What a miserable day.”

He wiped his mouth. The cut on his lip already healed completely.

Perhaps the wounds caused by that giant wolf possessed regeneration inhibiting effects.

“I must go deeper. Maybe staying in the deepest layer will heal me. The negative energy here is strong. That must be why the informant said this place likely has many potential monsters.”

His teleportation point had not been random. Gurhalla set it. The plan was simple. Capture the wolf first. Then come here to search for a monster with the potential to evolve into a demon.

But everything collapsed when the wolf became a calamity for the three of them instead.

“Gurhalla... Mbuemo... I will avenge your deaths.”

His voice trembled with sorrow. His fist tightened. Their deaths remained raw in his heart. His chest throbbed painfully as he spoke their names.

But he could not drown in grief. Not now. One mission still remained. Find a powerful monster that could become a demon.

“This time... I will complete our final task.”