Having concluded his tasks with Forlune, Thorian retraced his steps back to the Magus Guild. Engrossed in his routine, he diligently infused the depleted mana stones, a process that demanded his unwavering focus. After about three hours of intense concentration, the mental strain began to weigh heavily upon him.

Exhaling deeply, Thorian surveyed the table to find it adorned with an array of revitalized mana stones. The fellow magi glanced at him, exchanging hushed whispers among themselves, their eyes wide in astonishment at the spectacle they had just witnessed.

"My lord, should I mark your quests as completed now?" Fizzlegrin chuckled, breaking the silence that enveloped the room.

"Yes, please do," Thorian replied as he rose from his seat, stretching his fatigued muscles. Remaining stationary for hours had left him feeling stiff and sore.

As they made their way towards the guild master's desk, a sudden idea flashed through Thorian's mind. "Fizzlegrin, I've been meaning to inquire about my progress towards advancing my rank in the guild."

Pausing momentarily to assess, the guild master performed some mental calculations before responding, "You're more than halfway to the next rank, my lord. At your current pace, I believe you could attain it by tomorrow. Following that, you'll need to undergo a ranking exam."

At the mention of the exam, a smile graced Thorian's lips. "Will there be rewards for successfully passing the exam and achieving a higher rank?"

"There will indeed be rewards," the guild master replied with a mischievous grin. "However, I'm afraid I can't divulge their nature. My apologies, my lord."

"That's quite all right," Thorian dismissed Fizzlegrin's secrecy with a casual shake of his head. He harbored no qualms about the guild master's reticence, already having a sense of the rewards that awaited him.

This will greatly aid me in meeting the prerequisites for advancing my class, Thorian mused quietly to himself.

At that moment, Fizzlegrin efficiently stamped Thorian's completed quests, enabling him to claim his well-earned rewards. With nothing else holding him in the guild, Thorian swiftly departed from its premises.

The twin suns had begun their descent toward the western horizon, indicating the deepening afternoon. Thorian's initial destination was Forlune's dwelling. However, upon nearing the residence, he spotted Forlune emerging from the front door, accompanied by the priest.

"It appears I've arrived at an opportune moment," Thorian remarked, announcing his presence.

"Indeed, you have, my king," Forlune replied with a hearty laugh, his voice now robust once more. "Saves us the trouble of seeking each other out."

Observing Forlune's regained strength, Thorian couldn't help but chuckle. "Since you're back in fighting form, gather our usual team. We're poised to take on the challenge of the second layer of the Citadel."

Forlune arched an eyebrow in surprise at the unexpected proclamation before breaking into a boisterous laugh. "Excellent! That's a fitting challenge to shake off any rust that's accumulated."

With those words, Thorian took his leave, heading first to the Village Hall to await the rest of the team. Once assembled, they briskly made their way toward the cave concealing the entrance to the Citadel.

Choose the difficulty layer you wish to enter.

Difficulty Layer I Recommended for a party of ten at Peak First Advancement. Layer II Recommended for a party of ten at Second Advancement. Layer III Recommended for a party of ten at Peak Second Advancement.

Upon recognizing the familiar notification, Thorian decisively opted for the second layer. Instantly, the party teleported to the now well-known location—a floating metallic island adjacent to the bridge.

The initial segment of the dungeon mirrored its predecessor, albeit with more formidable adversaries. The azure hounds displayed swifter agility, the sentinels boasted increased resilience, and the elemental creature exuded a fiercer demeanor. Nonetheless, such enhancements mattered little to Thorian and his companions, who had already mastered strategies to counter these adversaries.

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As they stepped into the maze, Thorian drew in a deep breath. This marked the true commencement of the challenge.

"Everyone, I trust you're acquainted with what lies ahead," he addressed the group.

"Certainly, my lord. We're well-versed in the layout," Vigil replied.

Thorian nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Then, as before, we'll part ways here."

"Oh, is this the same as last time, king?" Ventus interjected, a playful grin on his face. "You went in alone when we first tackled the previous layer. Is there some secret challenge you’re aiming for?"

"Yes, indeed," Thorian replied, a smile gracing his lips. "But only one person can partake. Interested in taking on the challenge yourself?"

Chuckling, Ventus responded. “Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t. But since only one person can do it, I will let you have the honor, king.”

Smiling at Ventus's playful demeanor, Thorian replied, "You're quite the character." He patted Ventus on the shoulder. "Take care, and remember, the guardian of this layer poses a formidable challenge. I'll wrap up my task swiftly and lend support as soon as I can."

"We won't require any help," Harald interjected with unshakable confidence. "With me here, no battle is too daunting."

Thorian acknowledged Harald's assurance with a knowing smile. He had witnessed the raw power of the Alpha Storm Direwolf firsthand and recognized the legitimacy behind Harald's bold claim.

"You're absolutely right. I have nothing to fret about," Thorian concurred, then leaped off Harald's back. "Well then, I'll see you all soon."

"Take care, my king," Aqua approached Thorian, offering his well wishes. "And may fortune favor you."

Thorian reciprocated with a reassuring smile and a gentle pat on Aqua's shoulder, understanding conveyed without the need for words as their eyes met.

With that, the group split up. Thorian veered left while the remainder of the team proceeded in the opposite direction. Guided by practiced steps, Thorian navigated the maze until he reached a concealed compartment housing a pedestal. Placing his hand on the imprint, a notification materialized before him.

Congratulations! You have discovered the room of the Hidden Boss: The Undead Mage Tza’har.

Do you wish to enter?

Yes, I wish.

With a simple command, Thorian materialized once more in the dimly illuminated chamber. Navigating the labyrinthine shelves of the expansive library, he finally reached the desk where Tza’har was fervently writing on a parchment.

"Ah, it appears I have a visitor," the undead mage remarked, turning around to reveal his skeletal visage.

"Long time no see, Transcendent," Thorian greeted him with a warm smile.

"Long time no see?" Tza’har echoed, momentarily puzzled before realization dawned upon him. "Ah, I comprehend. You must have encountered another version of me in a different layer of this dimensional structure."

He chuckled softly before continuing, "Regrettably, whatever conversation we might have had escapes my memory. The entity you met before and the current version of me are distinct entities."

"Different entities?" Thorian inquired, raising an eyebrow. Having experienced a decade of the apocalypse, he possessed a faint understanding of what the undead mage might be alluding to. The guardians of the dungeons stood as a clear example. Each time someone entered a dungeon, they were tasked with vanquishing its guardian to clear it. These guardians were either immortal, capable of resurrection, or distinct entities spawned from the same source.

Encountering a being within a dungeon that wasn't immediately hostile was an exceptionally rare occurrence for Thorian. Thus, he sought to glean as much information as possible from this unexpected encounter.

Taking a moment to contemplate, Tza’har composed his response to Thorian’s inquiry. “The current me and the one you previously encountered are both entities that originated from the same original being. We've inherited all his abilities, memories, and power. In essence, you could consider us to be him."

"Is such a technique possible?" Thorian questioned, his eyebrow arching in curiosity. "Creating perfect replicas of someone as potent as you... the being responsible must be immensely powerful."

Tza’har chuckled at Thorian's probing. "You're quite inquisitive, aren't you? Unfortunately, I cannot divulge much about that being. I can only assert that their power is beyond imagination."

"The gods..." Thorian muttered, a swirl of emotions coloring his tone.

"You could label them as such," Tza’har replied with a gentle smile. Rising from his chair, he unveiled a concealed stairway. Glancing back at Thorian, he continued, "As you've experienced this before, I need not repeat the explanation. The challenge will resemble the previous layer, but with a more potent and cunning adversary."

Accompanying Tza’har, Thorian queried further, "And the rewards will be akin to the previous level?"

"They'll be superior," the undead mage affirmed, smiling as he led Thorian down the stairs toward the arena. Once they arrived, Tza’har turned to Thorian. "Best of luck to you. I'll meet you after the match."

With a mere flick of his bony fingers, Tza’har teleported to the stands. Simultaneously, a deafening roar echoed through the space. A colossal bolt of lightning struck the arena's center, revealing a figure that swiftly materialized.

The being appeared humanoid, draped in a lengthy cape that trailed down to its ankles. In its right hand, it wielded a long katana occasionally charged with crackling lightning. Its visage was grotesque and decomposed, with one eye socket hollow and empty. It was a ghoul.