Chapter 65: Ch 65: Dungeon’s First Test
Before they entered the dungeon gate, Selene’s voice cut through the chaos around them.
"Everyone, hold hands."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his usual smirk appearing.
"If you wanted to hold my hand, you could’ve just asked, Selene."
Selene rolled her eyes, but the slight pink tint on her cheeks betrayed her.
She ignored his teasing, instead gripping his hand firmly while reaching for Orion on her other side. Her desire to hit Ethan was rising, but she cald herself down before she could cause an accident.
Orion clasped Zara’s hand, and their team ford a chain, standing strong as the crowd surged around them.
"Is this necessary? Can’t we enter the dungeon as we previously did?"
Zara asked, gently nudging a stranger away with her elbow.
"It’s just a theory. But if we enter while touching, the dungeon might see us as one entity and keep us together. No evidence, but it’s worth a shot. As much as I would like to think we will all be together, it is not worth the risk to be separated."
Selene explained. She did not go into details, but everyone understood.
In so of the earlier dungeons, their party had been separated when they entered a dungeon. It was not a problem for a low-level dungeon, but for a C
ranked one like this, it was better not to risk it.
Ethan grinned, tightening his hold on Selene’s hand.
"I like when you take charge."
She stayed quiet, but the corners of her lips lifted, and Ethan’s laughter bubbled over. Even in the tense atmosphere, his joy was contagious, and Orion chuckled, too.
The dungeon entrance pulsed, a shimring veil that seed to breathe. With one last look at each other, they stepped through, the world folding around them.
The transition was smooth, but the mont their feet touched solid ground, the scene changed.
They stood in a maze, its walls woven from thick, living tree branches. The canopy overhead blocked the sky, casting shadows that danced in the dim light.
"Whoa-"
Orion breathed, his eyes wide as he took in their surroundings.
Zara ran her fingers along the bark, her expression curious.
"Think we could cut through? Make a straight path to the exit?"
Selene’s stomach twisted, an unease settling over her. She tightened her grip on Orion’s hand, but the plant walls trembled, and she pulled him closer.
"Wait—sothing’s wrong—"
The maze responded, its branches growing rapidly, thick vines weaving together, and in seconds, walls of greenery shot up between them.
Their handhold snapped, and Selene was shoved back, her back hitting the earth.
When she scrambled to her feet, the others were gone.
"Orion! Zara! Ethan!"
She called, her voice swallowed by the maze’s rustling leaves. She pressed her ear to the wall of branches, listening hard.
"We’re okay! Orion’s with . We’ll et at the exit!"
Zara’s muffled voice ca through, strong and clear.
Relief flooded Selene’s chest.
"Stay safe. And hurry."
A pause, then Zara asked.
"Will you be okay on your own?"
Selene’s lips curled into a confident smile, though no one could see it.
"I’ll be fine. Just worry about yourselves."
Orion’s voice piped up.
"You can do it, Selene!"
She pressed her hand to the vines, comforted by the faith in his tone.
"Thanks, Orion. I’ll see you soon."
But Ethan had been silent, and that nagging worry returned.
"Ethan? Say sothing."
The branches trembled, and then, from the other side, a hand broke through, its fingers searching.
Selene recognized it instantly, the faint scars, the calloused skin.
"Ethan!"
She grabbed his hand, her fingers intertwining with his.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah! Damn plants tried to swallow , but I’m good."
His voice ca through, muffled but steady.
Selene chuckled, the sound easing her nerves.
"Hold tight. I’m not letting go."
"I’d hold on even if you tried."
He teased, and despite the situation, Selene felt her cheeks warm.
They stayed like that, their hands clasped through the thick vines, as if the physical connection was the only thing keeping them grounded.
The maze groaned, the branches shifting, but the wall between them held firm.
"What now?"
Ethan asked, his voice soft.
"We move forward. Find the exit. I’ll et you there."
Selene said.
"You’d better."
His grip tightened, and for a mont, neither moved.
Then, slowly, their hands slid apart, and the vines knitted themselves back together, the barrier becoming solid once more.
Selene exhaled, her breath fogging in the cool air. She turned away, her eyes scanning the path ahead, and moved forward, her steps light but determined.
The maze seed alive, its walls breathing, the ground pulsing with a heartbeat of its own. Every step felt monitored, every turn a potential trap. But Selene’s mind remained clear, her focus sharp.
"I’m not getting lost. Not today."
She muttered, her voice low.
The branches overhead whispered, and as she moved deeper, the maze responded, its paths shifting, its walls contorting. It was a ga, and the dungeon was testing her.
"Fine. Let’s play."
Her insight skill flared, and the world around her shifted, showing her the true layout beneath the illusion of twisting vines.
The exit lay ahead, but the direct path was guarded, the maze throwing false turns and dead ends at her.
Selene grinned, a spark of challenge igniting in her chest. She moved quickly, ducking under vines, weaving through narrow gaps, and avoiding the traps that snapped at her heels.
Her breathing steadied, her body finding rhythm, and as she neared the exit, the maze howled, its walls reaching out, trying to pull her back.
But she was faster, her feet light, and with a final push, she broke through, tumbling into the clearing where the exit portal glowed.
She stood, brushing dirt from her clothes, and waited.
Not for long.
One by one, her team erged, Zara and Orion first, their faces bright with relief, and then Ethan, his eyes imdiately finding hers.
"Told you I’d make it"
Selene said, and Ethan’s laugh was bright, the sound of victory.
______
Extra Chapter because of the gift. Rember, you can always bribe
to release more by buying gifts, and privileges.
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