Chapter 50: The Wind That Answered

In one of the underground corridors…

Margaret walked at the front.

Her eyes moved between the worm corpses scattered everywhere,

the stains of poison smeared across the walls,

and the air itself—heavy… suffocating.

Behind her came Liz,

then Mia and Talia.

Talia finally broke the silence, her voice hesitant.

Talia:

“Are all these bodies… because of Y?”

Mia slowly shook her head.

Mia:

“I don’t think so…

Probably that monster.”

Suddenly—

Margaret stopped.

In a single, swift motion she drew her weapon—

a long blade, thinner than a sword yet slightly shorter—

spun, and hurled it into a dark passage.

Margaret:

“You’ll need more than hiding your aura to ambush me… whoever you are.”

The blade pierced the darkness.

Then—

Slow clapping echoed through the corridor.

A calm, mocking voice followed.

Voice:

“Well… it seems we have someone experienced here.”

Mia whispered, barely audible.

Mia:

“…Bram.”

Talia turned toward her instantly.

Her calm expression vanished, replaced by something older—

anger… and hatred that had never faded.

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

A young man who could hardly be called alive.

His face was twisted with wounds that had never healed,

and a long black cloak covered a body that barely seemed alive anymore.

Margaret’s blade was buried deep in his neck.

And in a single instant—

Mia cut the rope binding her to Talia without hesitation.

No thought. No calculation.

Her body moved before her mind.

She appeared in front of him in an instant

and released compressed wind magic.

His body was hurled violently into the wall.

Rocks collapsed over him.

Mia’s breathing grew heavy.

Then—

Margaret’s hand settled on her shoulder.

Margaret:

“Calm down… for a moment.”

Mia snapped back to her senses.

Mia:

“Talia!”

Talia:

“Don’t worry…

Liz helped me the moment the rope snapped.”

Their voices were cut off by a low chuckle.

Bram stepped out from beneath the fallen rocks…

as though his body hadn’t just been crushed.

Bram:

“I didn’t expect you to have the courage to form a new team…

after you killed us, Mia.”

Mia tightened her grip on her staff.

Mia:

“I’ll make sure you die this time.”

Margaret stepped forward, placing herself between them.

Margaret:

“This man has been dead from the beginning.”

Bram’s crooked smile widened.

Bram:

“As expected of a former S-rank hunter…

I’m merely a spirit… inside a corpse.”

Margaret narrowed her eyes.

Margaret:

“I didn’t expect anyone to still remember me.”

Bram laughed softly.

Bram:

“I looked into your history when I learned you were close to Mia.

And I know… what happened ten years ago—”

In that instant—

Darkness swallowed the corridor.

Margaret appeared behind him.

Her eyes held no trace of mercy.

Margaret:

“Silence.”

With one motion—

She severed his head.

The head fell.

But—

It moved.

The head returned to the body…

as though nothing had happened.

Liz whispered in shock.

Liz (quietly):

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen Mom… this angry.”

Bram spoke calmly, mockingly.

Bram:

“Pointless.

Like I said… this body is only a corpse.

Even if you burn it, my spirit will simply move to another one.”

Margaret:

“Corpse manipulation…

and an advanced form of it.”

Mia stared at him, confusion in her eyes.

Mia:

“How?

I killed you myself…”

Bram:

“That part doesn’t matter.

What matters… is that I’m here.”

Talia stepped forward cautiously.

Talia:

“Are you here for revenge?”

Bram laughed.

Bram:

“If I wanted revenge directly…

I would have targeted you first, Mia.”

Margaret’s expression hardened.

Margaret:

“So you’re behind the worm attack.”

Bram:

“Correct.

When the meteor attack on Mond failed…

we became a little anxious.”

He smiled.

Bram:

“Then I remembered the story of the old mine.

With the help of the Demon King…

I took control of the Worm Queen.”

Liz clenched her teeth.

Liz:

“Why would sorcerers cooperate with demons?”

Bram:

“Why not?

If the goal is the same.”

Margaret stepped closer.

Margaret:

“You think you’ll walk out of here alive?”

Bram laughed again.

Bram:

“You should worry about yourselves first.

There’s a monster killing worms nonstop…

and the poison is everywhere now.”

He looked at them with a cold smile.

Bram:

“And by the way…

my body is already dead.

So I’m perfectly fine.”

He turned to leave.

Mia clenched her fists.

Mia:

“I won’t let you walk away!”

Bram:

“I wouldn’t mind playing with you until morning…

but you might want to check on the hunters first.”

He paused.

Bram:

“I sent my friends after them some time ago.

We’re on the twentieth floor… remember?”

Mia shouted.

Mia:

“This has nothing to do with them!

Why drag innocent people into this?!”

Bram turned, his eyes gleaming.

Bram:

“Because I enjoy seeing helplessness on your face.

When everyone dies… because of you.”

His voice dropped lower.

Bram:

“That look…

I want to see it again.”

Then he smiled.

Bram:

“Just like the look on your face…

when your sister died in front of you.”

He burst into laughter.

Mia collapsed to her knees.

Her hand gripped her hair tightly.

A ringing filled her ears.

Images exploded in her mind—

Screams.

Blood.

Her sister’s body… falling before her eyes.

—

And the corridor fell into silence.

Margaret tried to step forward to help Mia,

but she was surprised when Talia’s hand gently held her back,

while Liz moved ahead first.

Liz spoke in a calm voice.

Liz:

“I’m not used to seeing you like this, Mia…”

Mia slowly lifted her head.

Liz was standing right in front of her.

Liz:

“You were always composed… strong… intelligent.”

Then she knelt down and continued softly.

Liz:

“It’s true that we don’t share the same blood…

but you and Elena will always be my older sisters—

the ones I rely on.”

Liz stood and extended her hand.

Mia took it and rose to her feet.

Mia:

“You’ve grown a lot, Liz…

I’m sorry you had to see me like this.”

Liz:

“We’re sisters.

And sisters support each other in moments like this.”

Mia:

“Thank you…”

Mia then turned toward Talia and bowed her head slightly.

Mia:

“I’m sorry for putting you in danger.”

Talia:

“There’s no need to apologize.

If I were in your place…

I probably would’ve done the same.”

Without warning—

A violent explosion thundered through the tunnels,

shaking the entire labyrinth.

Margaret immediately lifted her head.

Margaret:

“Girls… it’s time to move.”

———

On the other side—

Behind a curtain of smoke rising from a magical explosion,

Y appeared alongside the team of hunters,

standing before a hunters’ outpost on the twentieth floor.

One of the hunters stepped forward and said:

Hunter:

“Welcome to the twentieth floor.”

The twentieth floor was different from the ones before it.

The moment the final corridor was crossed, the air changed.

It was no longer suffocating, no longer heavy with the stench of blood and poison.

Instead, it felt cooler… cleaner.

Here, the dungeon itself seemed to step back.

The narrow passage opened into a wide chamber,

its ground unusually level,

as though nature itself had decided to grant those who arrived here a moment to breathe.

Solid stone walls surrounded the area, free of deep cracks.

Along them were mounted luminous crystals,

casting a steady light that neither flickered nor dimmed—

a light not meant merely for illumination,

but as a clear signal:

this place is accepted.

At the center of the space stood a small settlement,

built not in haste, but with experience.

Simple stone huts,

tool storage areas,

designated places for treatment,

and guard posts at the entrances of the tunnels—

not out of fear of monsters,

but out of caution for any unforeseen danger.

Monsters did not approach this place.

No screams.

No creeping shadows.

Even the sounds here seemed quieter,

as if the dungeon itself enforced silence out of respect.

Hunters sat without constant tension.

Some removed their helmets.

Others laid their weapons beside them for the first time in several floors.

A small fire burned in the center—

not to repel monsters,

but to cook food,

and to exchange ordinary conversation.

Conversation that did not involve casualty numbers,

or calculations of escape.

Everyone knew the truth:

this was not permanent safety.

But it was enough.

Enough to regroup,

to treat wounds,

to decide:

continue deeper… or return alive.

And so,

in the heart of the brutal dungeon,

this place stood as something close to an unspoken truce.

A truce…

that would not be broken—

unless someone chose to defy the very rules of the dungeon itself.

Y stood quietly for a moment, then spoke.

Y:

“Can you follow the plan?”

Hunter:

“Yes…

But remember—our lives are in your hands now.”

Y:

“I know.

I’ll do my best to save as many of you as possible.”

Hunter:

“And what about the hunters who refuse to cooperate?

I know them well… they won’t move without something in return.”

Y:

“I’ll make the worms a common enemy.

When the danger becomes the same for everyone,

they’ll unite to destroy it.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

Y:

“As long as you remain within my range,

I’ll make sure you’re safe

before any other hunter.”

The hunter nodded.

Hunter:

“Then we’ll do our part.”

Y:

“Take your positions.

We begin on my signal.”

The hunters quickly dispersed, moving to their assigned places.

Soon, only Y and the mage remained in the open space.

She stepped forward slightly.

Mage:

“Excuse me… but what exactly is my role in this plan?”

Y:

“All you need to do is carry my weapon and stand beside me.”

Mage:

“I know that… but I mean my real role.”

Y:

“I’d prefer to leave those questions until after we survive.

All I need from you is to stay close to me—

and don’t use any magic.”

She hesitated for a moment before replying.

Mage:

“But I’ll defend myself if necessary.”

Y:

“You’ll be fine as long as you stay near me.”

He glanced ahead calmly.

Y:

“It’s time to begin.”

In a corner of the settlement—

there was a man sitting alone,

in a place that looked like the remains of an old tavern somehow transplanted into the heart of the dungeon.

He sat calmly on a wooden chair,

holding a glass of liquor without the slightest hurry.

Beside him, a metal club rested on the ground,

as though it were nothing more than an ordinary tool unworthy of attention.

He wore no armor.

No helmet.

His clothes were simple,

his black hair carelessly unkempt,

and the light beard on his face was neither neglected nor carefully groomed.

As if the entire dungeon

were nothing more than a passing stop for him.

Suddenly—

a violent explosion thundered through the air.

The ground of the settlement trembled,

and the echo rolled through the tunnels.

Drinks spilled from cups,

and the hunters’ voices rose in alarm.

One of them rushed toward the man, panic in his voice.

Hunter:

“We’ve got a problem!”

The man replied without even turning his head.

Man:

“What’s wrong?”

Hunter:

“The floor exit has been destroyed!

And a group of worms appeared out of nowhere… they’re attacking us!”

Before he could finish—

the ground exploded.

A massive worm burst from beneath the settlement,

smashing everything around it

as debris scattered in every direction.

The hunter fell back in terror,

retreating until he collided with the man.

But the man—

did not move.

He finished his drink,

then calmly set the glass down.

He stood.

And the moment the worm lunged toward him—

he reached down and grabbed the club.

One strike.

The worm’s head shattered,

crushed into the ground

as if it had been nothing but something fragile.

A heavy silence fell over the area.

The man looked at the corpse and spoke calmly.

Man:

“Why all the panic?

It’s just an insect…

even if it got bigger.”

He lifted the club slightly.

Man:

“All you have to do

is crush it.”

Suddenly—

a flaming arrow fell onto the worm’s corpse,

reducing it to ash within seconds.

The man looked at the flames,

and smiled.

Man:

“Looks like it’s time to warm up.”

Meanwhile—

Margaret and the others had reached an opening overlooking the settlement.

Margaret stopped first.

Margaret:

“We’ve arrived.”

Talia collapsed near the edge, breathing heavily.

Talia:

“Finally…

I don’t think I can run any farther…”

They moved forward cautiously.

Chaos had spread across the area.

Worms were bursting from the ground in every direction,

and the hunters were fighting without pause.

But in the center—

atop a raised stone platform—

fire spheres were being launched with astonishing precision,

striking their targets without a single miss.

Liz whispered.

Liz:

“That must be… Y.”

Margaret’s eyes narrowed slightly as she observed the scene.

Margaret:

“We’re close.”

Above the platform—

Y stood calmly,

while the mage beside him watched.

The flames were not random.

Every fire sphere was launched at a perfectly calculated moment,

as if it already knew its target before it was even born.

(In her thoughts)

This person… his precision is terrifying.

Suddenly—

a rough voice came from behind her.

Voice:

“Who are you?”

She turned quickly.

A massive man stood behind her,

holding a heavy metal club.

Y (without turning):

“My apologies,

but I’m a little busy right now.”

Man:

“I can see that.

I have one question…

Are you the one who destroyed the settlement’s entrance?”

Y:

“Yes.”

A brief silence followed.

Then—

the man suddenly lunged toward Y.

The mage reacted instantly and stepped into his path.

Man (angrily):

“You… step aside.”

Mage:

“We’re on the same side now.

There’s no need to fight.”

The man paused for a moment.

Then he lowered his club slightly.

Man:

“Tell me, young man… what’s your name?”

Y:

“Y.”

The man’s expression changed.

Man:

“Did you say… Y?

Are you that Y?”

Y:

“Yes.”

The air stilled for a moment.

Then the man spoke again.

Man:

“Then… there’s no need to go easy on you.”

He moved with explosive speed,

the ground cracking beneath his feet.

He passed the mage in a blur.

Mage (shocked):

“So fast…!”

His club collided with Y’s weapon.

The impact forced Y a few steps back.

In the next instant—

the man surged forward for another strike.

But suddenly—

he stepped back without thinking.

A primal instinct.

A warning he had not felt in years.

A dagger was already aimed at his throat.

The mage raised her voice in astonishment.

Mage:

“He… backed away!”

The man’s expression changed completely.

Man:

“That feeling…

I never expected we’d meet in a dungeon

after all these years, Margaret.”

Margaret stepped out of the shadows slowly.

Margaret:

“Neither did I… Hector.”

—

Hector stood facing Margaret,

then spoke without taking his eyes off Y.

Hector:

“I’m not here for you.

I want the one behind you.”

Margaret:

“And why are you targeting him, Hector?”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Hector:

“Targeting?

No… I only wanted to test him.”

He looked at Y again.

Hector:

“I heard there’s someone

who managed to stand against King physically.

They called him Y.”

A brief silence followed.

Y:

“We might surpass King in certain areas,

but physical strength isn’t one of them.”

Hector slowly lowered his weapon.

Hector:

“So… even you seek to surpass him.”

Y:

“Clashing with King was only to test myself,

not to surpass him.”

Hector let out a quiet sigh.

Hector:

“You raised my expectations more than you should have.”

He turned and walked away without another word.

Mia, Talia, and Liz joined Y and Margaret.

Margaret:

“It seems the poison hasn’t affected you, Y.”

Y:

“Yes.

What about you?”

Liz:

“We’re fine.”

Y looked at Mia.

Y:

“Did something happen?”

Margaret and Mia exchanged a brief glance.

Margaret:

“We need to talk.”

Y:

“I understand.”

⸻

They moved a short distance away from the battlefield.

Margaret briefly explained the situation.

Y listened until the end, then spoke.

Y:

“So the cause of all this… is a sorcerer.

Does he know about me?”

Margaret:

“I don’t think so.

You barely stay in Mond for long.”

Y:

“I’ll deal with him.”

Margaret:

“Then we’ll handle the worms here.”

Y:

“But be careful.

I’m barely keeping the poison under control.

And by the way… the hunters don’t know anything about the poison.”

Liz frowned.

Liz:

“Are you burning the corpses?”

Y:

“Yes.

But there are too many.

The poison and paralysis will begin affecting the hunters soon…

though only mildly.”

A heavy silence followed.

Y:

“Their lives won’t be in danger

as long as you keep burning the corpses.

That mage will handle it.”

Margaret nodded.

Margaret:

“Then all we need to do…

is kill the worms.”

Y:

“Exactly.”

He turned.

Y:

“I’ll go after the sorcerer.”

Mia stepped forward.

Mia:

“Can I come with you?”

He looked at her for a moment,

then a faint smile—barely visible—appeared on his face.

Y:

“There’s no need to ask.

We’ve been a team…

since the moment we entered the dungeon.”

He turned away.

Y:

“Let’s move.”

Before they moved, Margaret raised her hand.

Her body glowed with intertwined blue lines of mana,

like a delicate web surrounding her.

Margaret:

“This is the best way to protect yourself from the poison.”

She turned to Liz.

Margaret:

“Liz, you need to merge magic with your aura,

then coat your body with both of them together.”

Talia hesitated.

Talia:

“That’s extremely difficult…

I couldn’t do it without help.

I need to share someone else’s aura.”

Y looked at his hand.

Y:

“And what’s the correct order for using it?”

Liz:

“Start with magic…

then activate your aura,

and finally form the coating.”

Y raised his hand.

Magic gathered around his palm,

then a white aura slowly merged with it,

until it completely enveloped his hand.

Talia’s eyes widened.

Talia:

“That’s impossible… how did you do it so fast?”

Y:

“Exactly as you explained.”

Margaret smiled calmly.

Margaret:

“That’s normal for him.

Y uses his aura instinctively—

unlike most mages, who neglect aura and focus only on magic.”

Y (with a faint smile):

“Thanks for the lesson…

We can move now.”

Liz grabbed the back of Y’s jacket.

Liz (in a quiet voice):

“Y…

I can’t save Mia from her past on my own.

Can you help me with that?”

He looked at her.

Y:

“I will… for all of us.

You can rely on me.”

Margaret placed her hand gently on Liz’s head.

Margaret:

“It’s time to kill some worms.”

They split up.

Y and Mia headed deeper into the labyrinth.

Back at the settlement, the battle intensified.

Worms burst from the ground in growing numbers.

From atop the tower, fire spheres rained down, burning the corpses before they could explode.

Below, Margaret tore through the ranks with precise, ruthless strikes.

Hector never stopped for a moment—

his club crushed anything that came near.

A small worm leapt at him from behind.

He slammed the ground with force,

turning it into mangled flesh instantly.

Hector (smiling):

“This doesn’t even count as a warm-up.”

But suddenly—

a worm’s body exploded right in front of him.

He stepped out of the smoke, steady and unfazed.

Hector:

“An explosion that weak won’t bring me down.”

Then his club slipped from his hand.

He looked at his palm.

Hector:

“My hand… it’s getting heavier… this is poison!”

From a distance, Margaret shouted:

Margaret:

“Use this!”

She hurled her dagger toward him.

He caught it mid-air,

then slashed his arm and leg with it.

He took a deep breath.

Hector:

“Now I can crush the worms again.”

He tossed the dagger back to her with precision

and picked up his club.

But the poison had already begun spreading among the hunters.

Some of them slowed.

Others became paralyzed.

A few began coughing up black blood.

⸻

Above the platform—

Talia watched the scene unfold.

She tightened her grip on her staff.

Talia (voice trembling):

“Until now… I haven’t done anything.

Everyone is fighting for their lives,

and I’m just standing here watching.

I’m tired of being saved every time…

Now it’s my turn.”

She raised her staff.

A golden light appeared at its tip,

and a vast circle of light rose in the sky above the settlement—

like a massive celestial seal.

Light poured down.

It flooded the battlefield.

The hunters’ bodies began to glow,

their strength returning in an instant.

Their shouts rose again,

and they charged back into the fight with renewed resolve.

———

Deep within the labyrinth—

the Dungeon Guardian tore Bram’s body apart again and again.

Yet every piece reformed, stitching itself back together.

Bram (mocking):

“I told you… it’s useless.”

Dungeon Guardian:

“You are not an ordinary human.”

Bram:

“I was human… once.”

The guardian lunged again—

but suddenly…

he stopped.

A chill ran through Bram’s body.

Quiet footsteps were approaching.

Mia stepped out of the shadows.

Bram:

“So it’s you…

Have you finished crying?

And where are your friends—”

Before he could finish—

a faint slicing sound.

His right leg fell to the ground.

Y was standing behind him.

Bram:

“I told you… this won’t wor—

wait… why isn’t my leg regenerating…?”

Y stepped forward slowly.

Y:

“Wondering why?

I think the name Marcus might give you a hint.”

Bram’s expression changed.

Y cut off his other leg.

Bram collapsed, crawling backward in panic.

Y:

“Marcus was a professor at the Mage University…

until it was discovered he was a traitor.

His magic revolved around manipulating souls and corpses…

and he died by my hand.”

Y raised his weapon slightly.

Y:

“My weapon severs the mana lines within the body…

which means your body won’t regenerate again.”

The blade fell once more.

Bram’s right arm dropped to the ground.

Y spoke in a calm voice.

Y:

“Seventeen.

Do you know what that number means?”

Bram (confused):

“Seventeen…?”

Y:

“Seventeen hunters died today.

Do you know who was responsible?”

The air froze.

Y (coldly):

“You.”

Bram collapsed completely.

Bram:

“Please… forgive me…”

Y raised his weapon—

then handed it to Mia.

Y:

“His weak point is in the center of his chest.”

Mia gripped the weapon.

One strike.

The blade pierced through his chest.

Bram’s spirit burst out of the body,

laughing madly.

Bram:

“You can’t do anything to my soul!”

But a massive shadow rose behind him.

The Dungeon Guardian.

Its eyes glowed green.

Dungeon Guardian:

“And who decided that?”

Green roots burst from its chest,

wrapping around the spirit.

Bram screamed.

Bram:

“Wait! Let’s negotiate!

I’ll give you information about the one responsible for all of this—

but you must guarantee my life!”

Y:

“That depends… on the nature of your character.”

Bram:

“The one behind all this is called Nerak.”

Y:

“Nerak… who is he?”

Bram:

“A sorcerer… his face is disfigured.

They call him the One-Eyed.

He joined Sadorn only to take advantage of his authority.”

Y:

“The One-Eyed…

Where is his hideout?”

Bram:

“I don’t know.

He trusts no one.

But he’s the one behind the meteor

that was meant to strike the Kingdom of Mond.”

Y:

“Continue.”

Bram:

“I heard a rumor…

that Nerak comes from a well-known family.

But something happened in the past

that caused the entire family to disappear.

That event…

is what disfigured his face.”

Y:

“What does he want?”

Bram:

“To reach immortality.

This body…

was one of his failed experiments.

That’s all I know.”

A short silence followed.

Then Y spoke calmly.

Y:

“Alright.

You may continue what you started, Guardian.”

Bram panicked.

Bram:

“We had a deal!”

Y:

“I told you…

that depends on the nature of your character.”

Then Y looked at him with cold eyes.

Y:

“And you…

were thinking about killing my family, weren’t you?

That’s why… I won’t save you.”

The Dungeon Guardian began absorbing Bram’s soul slowly.

The screams faded—

until they disappeared entirely.

Silence returned.

Y spoke quietly.

Y:

“Now… the total is eighteen.”

After Bram was eliminated—

the three split up.

Dungeon Guardian:

“There are still some worms left in this labyrinth.”

Y:

“Let’s split up and wipe them out.”

Dungeon Guardian:

“I’ll go left.”

Y:

“Then I’ll take the right.”

He glanced at Mia.

Y:

“You can leave the ones in the center to me.”

Each of them moved in a different direction.

⸻

Right Side — Y

He walked with steady steps,

his weapon in hand.

He wasn’t looking for a fight…

only for an ending.

Whenever a worm appeared from one of the tunnels,

he simply passed by it—

one strike was enough.

The sound of metal slicing through the air,

then silence returned.

Five… ten… and more.

They all fell the same way.

The air behind him slowly began to clear,

as though the poison itself stepped back in his presence.

⸻

Left Side — Dungeon Guardian

He moved without hesitation.

His hand extended,

and a single strike tore through the wall and the worms alike.

No magic.

No weapon.

His strength alone was enough.

He wasn’t killing them…

he was erasing them.

⸻

Center — Mia

She advanced lightly.

Her staff moved with her breathing.

The air around her sharpened,

like invisible blades.

Whenever a worm approached,

compressed winds struck it and hurled it away.

She didn’t count them.

She simply kept moving forward.

⸻

Minutes later—

silence began to swallow the labyrinth.

The green glow along the walls gradually faded.

The poison grew heavier… more concentrated.

Y and Mia met again near a massive descending tunnel.

Y:

“The Dungeon Guardian entered before us, right?”

Mia:

“Yes.”

They moved forward.

The ground beneath their feet changed its sound—

as though something deep below was slowly shifting.

Y paused for a moment.

Y:

“Just a reminder… this is a mine.

There’s a high chance there’s flammable gas here.”

Mia:

“I’ll be careful.”

They entered a vast chamber,

lit by a massive blue crystal in the ceiling.

At the far end—

the Dungeon Guardian moved back and forth,

destroying every worm without hesitation.

Y watched him.

Y:

“Looks like he doesn’t need help.”

But suddenly—

the ground trembled.

From behind the rocks—

a colossal body rose.

The Worm Queen.

Enormous.

Her skin rippled like a living volcano.

The three of them stood before her.

Y:

“So this is the Worm Queen.”

She raised her head.

And the moment she saw them—

her expression changed.

It wasn’t anger.

It was fear.

Her body began to swell.

The air recoiled suddenly,

and the ground shook violently.

Mia froze.

Mia:

“Is she… going to explode? Why?”

Dungeon Guardian:

“She’s afraid.

No… she’s terrified.”

Y clenched his fist.

Y:

“Her explosion won’t kill us,

but the poison will spread everywhere.

It might even reach the surface.”

Dungeon Guardian:

“Fall back.

I will deal with this.”

Y looked at him.

Y:

“I don’t suppose I have a better solution… do I?”

Dungeon Guardian:

“I will simply carry out my duty.”

Y smiled faintly.

Y:

“I expected that.”

They exchanged glances for a few seconds.

Then the Guardian spoke calmly.

Dungeon Guardian:

“What do you propose?”

Y:

“You and Mia leave.

I’ll detonate the place.”

Mia’s eyes widened.

Mia:

“Why that solution…?

Both of you are trying to sacrifice yourselves!”

Y:

“We don’t have many options.”

Mia:

“We should get out first!”

Dungeon Guardian:

“We cannot do it here.”

Y stepped forward.

Y:

“Yes.”

He and the Guardian advanced.

Mia remained behind them.

Her fingers trembled around her staff—

but she did not retreat.

Mia (in a steady whisper):

“I refuse.”

She raised her hand—

and the wind exploded around her.

A shield of compressed air formed,

wrapping around Y and the Dungeon Guardian

like a trembling transparent shell.

The Guardian turned toward her,

his green eyes glowing in the darkness.

Dungeon Guardian:

“Do you intend to obstruct my duty?”

Mia:

“I’m simply taking responsibility for my actions.”

She stepped forward.

Now she stood between them and the Queen.

She glanced at Y—

just for a moment.

As if apologizing…

and thanking him at the same time.

Y approached the barrier.

One strike—

the air cracked like glass.

The shield shattered.

Then—

he calmly sat down on the ground.

He removed the mana shield from his body,

and placed his weapon beside him.

Y:

“My life is in your hands now.

Failure means my death.”

It wasn’t a challenge.

It wasn’t a test.

It was absolute trust.

The Worm Queen’s body swelled further.

Gas accumulated inside the chamber.

The air grew heavier… hotter.

The Dungeon Guardian didn’t move.

But he didn’t retreat either.

He was watching her.

Not like an enemy—

but like a judge.

Mia closed her eyes.

She slowly raised her staff.

Mia (in a soft voice, almost lost beneath the pressure):

“Spirits of wind unseen…

Breaths of the first sky…

I am Mia.

I do not ask for power.

Nor for glory.

All I ask…

is that you protect

those behind me.”

A fleeting silence followed—

then the air trembled.

It wasn’t a breeze.

The wind was compressing.

Y smiled faintly.

Y (whispering):

“…A familiar wind.”

From the heart of the pressure—

a voice echoed.

Not loud.

Yet it filled the entire chamber.

**“Elf girl…

You who call yourself Mia…

I heard your pure call.

And I am here to answer.”**

In the next moment—

everything exploded.

The gas ignited.

The air tore apart.

The mine became a storm of fire, pressure, and light.

Sound swallowed the world.

And the light—

consumed the entire chamber.