"Let's start with the hunt then, and for that, we need to go to the 131st floor—ho of the Titaness we need to hunt," Leon said as he stood. They were on the 11th floor now, but the bosses required for the World Quest were scattered across the 100 floors.
"So… we're back to normal quests, level-up phases, and then continue to ascend?" Millim asked, and he nodded.
"Yes. That's the plan," he replied as they prepared to move.
"But we'll also do the Dungeon Quests, the rare and hidden ones," Leon added, his expression serious. "Since death is real from now on, most dungeon quests are ignored unless soone is absolutely sure the reward is worth risking their life."
He then flipped through a few pages of his quest log. "There's one in particular—called the Mystic Cave. One person once tried to explore it and never returned. Another tried to borrow the illusion core that resides within it, but he ended up going mad. The only ones who made it out alive were a few legendary ascenders who left no record of how they survived."
He glanced toward the Mystic Cave quest icon. "Let's do this. I'm confident. Though the illusion core can hinder your senses and twist your perception."
"I was going to suggest that myself," Roman said with a small grin. "Count in. I want to see how this cave sses with our minds."
Leon smirked. "Then let's move. The era of safe play is over."
***
The group made their way to the Teleportation Hub, a towering circular building made entirely of gleaming obsidian and flowing crystal streams. Floating sigils hovered in the air, shifting constantly to form gateways to various kingdoms and floors.
Each mber stepped onto one of the glowing platforms marked "Long-Range Inter-Floor Travel."
"Destination?" asked the ethereal AI-like guide.
Leon spoke clearly, "Kingdom of Lysor, Northern Border – Mystic Cave Dungeon Entrance."
A low hum vibrated beneath their feet as the circle lit up with runes. One by one, their bodies were engulfed in shimring silver light. In a flash, the group vanished from the Teleportation Hub.
A mont later, in the Kingdom of Lysor...
They appeared just outside a massive ancient ruin partially sunken into a mountainside. The air was heavy with mist, and a chilling wind blew down from the icy northern peaks.
"Whoa… this place is already creepy, and we haven't even entered the cave yet," Naval muttered, adjusting her cloak.
The group stood at the edge of a frozen forest. Beyond it lay the Mystic Cave, its mouth hidden under twisting roots and glowing mushrooms, giving off an eerie pale-blue light. Cracked runes were etched into the surrounding stone, barely visible due to ti and erosion.
A tall, black obsidian monolith stood beside the cave entrance with ancient inscriptions pulsing faintly.
Leon stepped forward, reading it aloud, "'Only those who trust not their eyes, but their will, shall pass through the illusions of the old gods.'"
"Perfect," Roman said sarcastically. "So we're going in blind."
"No," Leon replied, narrowing his eyes, "We're going in guided by instinct."
Millim cracked her knuckles with a grin. "Sounds fun."
Roselia glanced around. "We'll set up a ntal link before going in. If anyone breaks it… assu they've lost to the cave's illusion."
Leon nodded. "Good call. Once we step inside, there's no turning back until we conquer it."
They all exchanged a look of silent understanding… then stepped toward the Mystic Cave Dungeon, vanishing into its shadowed maw.
As they entered the Mystic Cave Dungeon, the world shifted imdiately. A thick fog enveloped them, muting their footsteps and cloaking the air in a damp, dreamlike haze. The tunnel twisted unnaturally, its shape bending and coiling like a serpent's spine. There were no walls—only shadows pretending to be stone.
Leon took the lead, his Miracle and Sage Eyes glowing faintly like a compass, Their light slicing through the illusions.
"Keep your focus," he said sharply. "The cave feeds on your doubts."
As they moved deeper, the ground beneath them turned slick, coated with dew that shimred like stardust. Ti felt slower here, and sounds beca warped—voices echoed without being spoken, and whispers crept along their ears like silk threads.
Suddenly, the path ahead split into five separate tunnels.
"They're illusions," Roselia said calmly, her crimson eyes flaring. "They want to separate us."
But Leon held out his hand. "No… these aren't just illusions. They're personalized trials."
Before anyone could respond, the ground cracked beneath each of them, and one by one, they were pulled into different corridors—separated by the cave's will.
Leon's Path:
He landed softly in a world of stars—floating platforms suspended in the cosmos. Each step made ripples across the void.
A figure appeared across from him. It was… himself.
"You seek to rule a world, yet cannot even command your own doubts," the illusion said, mirroring every detail of his appearance.
Leon narrowed his gaze. "I don't need you to tell what to do"
His clone attacked, wielding the sa powers, sa strength—but lacking the purpose. The battle between will and fear began.
Millim's Path:
She found herself in a ruin of her own kingdom—her father's throne shattered, citizens turned to stone.
A voice whispered:"This is what happens when power is left unchecked."
Millim clenched her fists. "I'm not my father… and I don't run from my strength."
As the illusion of her father rose to challenge her, she smiled. "I laways wnated to beat the shit out of you."
Roselia's Trial – "The Fallen Fla"
Roselia found herself standing in a ruined battlefield, soaked in blood and ash. The flags of her fallen holand lay shredded beneath her boots. Around her were lifeless bodies—soldiers, comrades, even children. The skies were a burning crimson, the sun a distant ember.
At the center of the destruction stood a familiar figure—her forr ntor, eyes hollow, armor cracked, pointing his sword at her.
"You let them die. You beca stronger, but at what cost?"
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