Menu no.25 - A small step for a great leap.

Before me stood the massive door we had discovered the day before.

Gold-lined. Ancient. Silent.

It loomed at the end of a wide stone corridor, its surface etched with symbols worn down by time, yet still radiating authority. This wasn’t something made to be opened lightly. This was a threshold—one meant to separate worlds.

The path leading here had been uncovered by Kazuha’s team. What began as a narrow trail swallowed by overgrown bushes had led us, after only a short exploration, to this enormous passageway—and to the door waiting at its end.

I couldn’t help myself.

“Wunderbar…” I muttered under my breath.

Now, at last, it was time to uncover what lay beyond.

I gave the order to force it open.

Ropes were thrown around thick metal rings embedded into the door. Iron hooks were hammered in for leverage. Soldiers and independent adventurers lined up, gripping the ropes with both hands.

“Pull! Pull harder!”

Joan’s voice echoed through the corridor as she coordinated the effort.

Muscles strained. Boots dug into stone. The ropes creaked under the pressure.

But the door didn’t budge.

Not even an inch.

Minutes passed. Then more.

Finally, one by one, people let go of the ropes, panting heavily. Sweat dripped onto the stone floor. Frustration hung thick in the air.

I raised my hand. “Let’s rest. We’ll rethink this.”

No one argued.

.

.

.

Boss Hugo was breathing heavily, leaning against a nearby rock. Even he looked exhausted after pulling on the ropes.

I approached him and handed over a canteen.

“Here. Drink.”

He accepted it with a grunt and took a long gulp. “Heh… guess age really does catch up to you.”

“You still outlasted most of them,” I said honestly.

He chuckled, then his gaze drifted back to the massive door.

“…I never thought I’d step foot in this dungeon again,” he said quietly. “But now… I finally have a reason.”

Before I could ask what he meant, footsteps approached.

Lysette appeared, accompanied by a stout dwarf with a thick beard and soot-stained gloves.

“Daiki,” Lysette said, bowing slightly. “This is Grendoll. He believes he has a solution.”

I turned to the dwarf. “You’ve figured something out?”

Grendoll crossed his arms and nodded. “Aye. I’ve been studying the hinges and locking hooks. This door wasn’t meant to be opened by force alone.”

“So how do we open it?” I asked.

“Controlled explosions,” he replied bluntly. “Small-scale. Just enough to destroy the locking mechanisms without collapsing the structure.”

The suggestion rippled through the group.

Boss Hugo stroked his beard thoughtfully. “…It makes sense.”

After a moment, he nodded. “We’ll do it.”

.

.

.

Everyone took cover behind boulders and supply carts. Tension thickened as explosive charges were placed carefully along the door’s hooks.

An archer stepped forward, arrow tipped with flame.

“Ready!” someone shouted.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

The arrow flew.

DHAARRRR!!!

The explosion thundered through the corridor, shaking the ground beneath our feet.

Dust filled the air.

And then—

The door moved.

Slowly. Heavily.

With a deep, ancient groan, the massive gate began to open.

For a split second, no one spoke.

Then—

Cheers erupted.

We did it.

I turned toward Boss Hugo, a confident smile spreading across my face.

“Boss Hugo.”

He met my gaze and smiled back. “A small step… for a great leap.”

And then—

ROAAAAAAR!!!

A monstrous roar thundered from beyond the doorway.

The cheers died instantly.

Every face went pale.

Fear flooded the corridor like icy water.

I felt it too—that primal dread, clawing at my chest.

But I stepped forward.

I raised my sword high, pointing it toward the dark beyond the door.

“Do not falter, my comrades!” I shouted. “I stand with you! And so do our ancestors!”

My voice echoed through the stone hall.

“They are watching! And they will bear witness—that victory will be ours!”

One by one, voices rose again.

Shaky at first.

Then stronger.

Yes.

This was only a small step.

But its impact would be immense.

Lord Drachen.

If you truly have returned—

Then I will be the one to end you.