A dozen young men and women gathered within a spacious office. They wore luxurious clothes, not bothering with the simple student robes.

With confident expressions they scanned the office. But since they knew that time wasn’t any issue they rather conversed happily instead of working.

“I still can’t get over that general. How could we not manage to take the spear away?”

“Tzz. If you don’t slack off all the time you might’ve stood a chance.”

“How can you say that after you failed as well?!”

“This…”

“Guys! We aren’t here to relax!”

“Yes Vorea…”

With this reminder the youths at least pretended to scan the room. They browsed through some books and documents.

“This desk has seen better days. Look at these scratches.”

“Yes. My father has a desk made from Enriched Suragium Wood at home. He once boasted that it could even block the punch of a domain lord.”

“Wouldn’t the lord just carry the desk away?”

“Guys!”

“Sorry.”

“Hey look, I found something.”

“What is it, Kalmin?”

“A report about an advancing army. It seems to come from the army, addressed at the head priest.”

“Hmm, speaks for a close relationship between this defending army and the religion.”

“Kalmin, are you kidding us? How does this help us find the heart?”

“At least I’m useful, Vandean.”

“Sorry to inform you, but you’re the only one who thinks so.”

Tepo patiently waited outside the room until Vorea’s voice urged everyone to search elsewhere. Before the youths arrived, Tepo hastily left his position. He decided to take a look at the general.

Arriving outside through the balcony in the temple’s main hall, Tepo stood in the shadow of a massive throne. A faint pressure surrounded the mighty general sitting on it despite his motionlessness.

Circling the throne, Tepo studied the man from up close. He frowned as he glanced at the hole in the general’s chest.

How was the heart taken away? This armor seems incredibly sturdy, without any other damage. But the chest is cleanly pierced through.

Was the difference in strength just too immense?

Tepo came up with many scenarios, his eyes roaming the tall body before him.

Suddenly his mind blanked. His attention was drawn to a pair of incredibly clear eyes. They appeared free of worries, even almost relieved?

Those aren’t the eyes of a man embroiled in combat. How can they still be this lustrous? They appear so prepared, so accepting. His entire face does…

Tepo was filled with more questions than answers. He went back inside since his competitors had already left, entering the head priest’s office.

He sighed as he observed the chaos of books, documents, even a few broken bottles. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even tell if this was done by the aristocrats or if this was the room’s original state.

It won’t be easy to find clues like this.

Tepo carefully began to search the room, always making sure not to step on any papers, being as silent as possible.

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Despite being pressured for time Tepo tried to be thorough. But even after a long while he didn’t find any clue. Only one detail stood out, which was a strange socket in the wall, only visible because the shelf in front of it had toppled over.

Tepo inspected the socket for a while. Obviously, something should be inlaid there, but he didn’t find any suitable object.

Even after searching the room again, he gained nothing.

The young man could only give up. He left the office, standing in the hallway with a lot of questions in his mind.

But the temple wasn’t that big. There were no more doors for him to search. Confused, Tepo could only retrace his steps, wondering if he missed something.

However, he had to stop in the corridor as the aristocratic youths were back in the main hall. From their conversation they were apparently lost as well.

Tepo leaned with his back against the wall, the door leading to the main hall next to him. His mind was working continuously, one ear listening to the others’ conversation, his eyes lazily roaming the hallway.

Suddenly though Tepo’s attention was drawn to a point close to the stairs.

He frowned as he observed a certain priest. The old man’s eyes were panicked, his legs lame. He came out of one of the altar rooms, trying to reach another before a weapon seemingly severed his head.

But what attracted Tepo’s attention was the stalk of herbs which fell out of the priest’s robe during the sprint.

Tepo furrowed his brows, observing the man closer. Suddenly he noticed something sticking out of the priest’s pocket.

Strange… why carry such a tool? A leave remover? Only alchemists would need this.

But… there is no workspace for alchemists here…

Immediately Tepo’s eyes lit up. He hurriedly followed behind the priest, entering the small altar room targeted by him.

Have I missed something here?

Tepo did another detailed search of the room. But he found nothing. It was still only a small altar room, without any secrets.

Can it be some kind of illusion again? How annoying. In my old life secrets at least had keys…

Observing the priest closely, Tepo tried to come up with any ideas. He sank into deep thoughts, contemplating his options.

Finally, as he watched the priest beheaded for the fourth time in a row, he came up with something.

He waited for the old man to die one more time. As the cycle repeated once again, Tepo suddenly focused on the priest, activating [Time Dilation: Target].

Tepo drew a sharp breath as he noticed the priest’s eyes showing a flash of surprise. But the old man didn’t change his target and ran towards the altar room.

Following closely, Tepo wore a confident smile. The priest reached the room before the invisible sword could cut of his head!

But immediately afterwards the man appeared to struggle. He wore a confused expression as his gaze roamed the altar room. Only as he found a certain spot did the priest remember something and hastily hurried over.

The priest stopped before the wall.

Tepo watched with eager eyes.

But suddenly the young warrior’s head felt dizzy. His eyes threatened to pop out, his chest tight, his heart beating wildly.

NO! Calm down. Calm down! It… it can be a coincidence!

Tepo’s throat was dry as he watched the priest’s hands and lips move. Although there was no sound, a deep shock rocked Tepo’s body.

Because the priest’s hand movements were too familiar!

They were made by the followers of the God of War!

One of the favorite gods of many outsiders!

His body trembling, Tepo didn’t even register when the priest passed through the wall. His mind was too chaotic.

It took the warrior quite a while to forcefully stabilize his mind. He never expected to suddenly receive a hint about outsiders.

No! I mustn’t judge hastily only because someone follows the God of War! Nothing is confirmed yet! The God of War can exist without outsiders! I don’t even know exactly how dungeons work. Maybe they show scenes from different timelines!

Although Tepo tried to be rational, the seed of doubt has already been planted and couldn’t be killed anymore.

Thus, his face gradually grew determined. This dungeon now had a higher significance than just winning a reward.

Tepo followed the priest’s actions. His steps were firm as he stood in front of the wall.

Staring at the smooth stone before him, the young man felt somewhat reluctant. But still, he slowly repeated the hand movement used to pray for the God of War’s blessing.

But unfortunately, nothing happened.

Tepo gritted his teeth. He took a deep breath, almost feeling disgusted as his lips moved in sync with his hands:

“Hear me, Lord of eternal struggle, Bearer of strength, Eternal Evolution!”

Speaking lines he knew from outsider rituals, Tepo almost felt like throwing up. Despite the wall before him slowly vanishing he couldn’t be happy. His guesses only fermented.

A dimly lit staircase appeared before Tepo, inviting him in. Not far away stood the ghostly priest, his face filled with confusion, as if not remembering why he came here.

Tepo eyed him with a complicated mood as he went downstairs. A familiar smell entered his nose. He immediately knew that he was approaching the room of an alchemist.

And indeed, a small room soon opened up before him. It was filled with all kinds of different materials, with a large cauldron occupying the center.

Unfortunately, the various herbs were already dried up. Only metals and minerals were intact, while the situation for materials won from beasts varied.

Tepo carefully stepped into the room, approaching the black cauldron.

With nothing inside, Tepo took a deep breath. He was surprised as he still smelled a strong sweetness.

Although he had no idea how time in dungeons worked exactly, judging from the dried herbs it was obvious that this room had been left unattended for a long time.

Thus, it was surprising that some smell still lingered within the cauldron.