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CHAPTER 27: Losing sight of things

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        I continued to smile at him even after shaking his hand and yet, no one said anything the whole time. I can hear the sizzling of the Ogre King’s flesh from a distance and the heat from my flames is starting to make them sweat. I couldn’t blame them since the whole cave now feels like a sauna.

       Ding!

Congratulations!

You have cleared this dungeon!

Would you like to name it?

Yes / No

        "Yes," I whisper and they were startled by me suddenly talking to the notification.

Please say the name out loud.

        “Yasu and Mole’s Adventure Land 2” I didn't care what they think but I decided to name all of the dungeons I conquer this way to preserve my memories of Mole.

You have said, "Yasu and Mole's Adventure Land 2." Is this correct?

        "Yes," I answered the notification as they probably see me staring at a blank face.

Rejoice! This dungeon has become a memorial! Adventurers who visit this dungeon will come to study and learn 'Yasu and Mole's Adventure Land 2' adventures!

        They all perk up probably seeing the name change and getting the welcome message.

       “M-my name is Balo, I’m the leader of the Gold district," Balo says as he stood in front of me and I gave him a nod as I stare right into his eyes. I must have been glaring, as he seemed worried and scared to look at me straight in mine.

       “Y-you’re hurt!” The lady who was protecting everyone with her green light suddenly spoke as she approaches me seeing the cut on my arm.

       Huh? When did I get this?I whisper in my mind looking at the shallow cut. She tried to grab my arm but I abruptly move back startling her.

       “R-r-relax. I-I won’t hurt you.” Her voice was full of nervousness and worry. She held out her hands and slowly approached me like I’m some kind of unknown animal, “L-let me heal the wound.”

       "No need old lady," I tell her and I can see a bit of fury in her eyes when I called her old lady.

       “W-wha- I’m not an old lady! Call me Kumiko-sensei!” She says defensively.

       “uhuh… whatever rocks your boat old lady.” I tell her again and I can see her face turning red.

      Try something, I dare you.I say in my mind but she just moved back towards the Akane girl and continued to heal her.

       While she's busy with Akane, Balo decided to speak to me. “Haha, she means no harm. So you’re Yasu. It’s nice to meet you. You see we’ve been waiting to – “

       “That’s all dandy but I don’t give a rat’s shit who you all are. I’m not here to meet any of you, save anyone, or be friends. I’m here looking for somebody I know that Luro brought might have brought.” I interrupt him as I walked towards the group to get a better view on who’s here.

       I looked at all of them and some of the girls started blushing. I see my school’s nurse and she just stared at me. I smiled at her while waving but she never moved as she continued to stare at me. Though, she's known as the school's nurse, she actually a doctor. Samantha or Sam for short is from Mount's Sinai Hospital in New York. She was hired by Seito Private High School to handle the school's infirmary. She doesn't like being called a doctor so most people call her Ms. Sam.

     “Y-Yasu?” She finally spoke and I gave her a nod. “Yasu!”

     She ran towards me almost tackling me down hugging me tightly. Even though she sounds happy, I can feel her body shaking.

     “Ms. Sam," I tell her and she loosens her grip.

      “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy to see you.” She says as she looks at my face inspecting for any wound.

      "Long time no see Ms. Sam," I tell her giving her a smile. Even though I hate the idea of someone I know being in this god-forsaken world, it still felt refreshing seeing a familiar place.

      “The whole school went crazy when you disappeared. They hired and dispatched private security to look for you." She says as she looks at the wound on my arm. She got close to it but this time I didn’t flinch as she tried to heal me.

      Ah, she’s a healer class.I whisper in my mind as I watch her hand glow as she hovered it over the wound.

     "Were you looking for me? How did you know I was here?” She asked me happily.

     “No. I’m looking for my mother," I tell her and I can see her with a surprised look.

     “Your mom? She’s here?” She asked and I can feel her voice shaking. I know her and my mom have secret meetings to keep tabs on me while I’m at school and she’s practically my big sister since she’s too young to be my aunt.

      "dammit, I need to check the other side then," I whisper to myself looking at the portal, which was engulfed in flames. "Did you meet my mom while I was gone? How is she?" 

     “Oh, y-yeah! She fine! The school hired her to keep a close eye on her. You’re important for the school so is your family.” She tells me and I felt a weight was lifted off my shoulder.

     “What else?” I asked her.

     “After you disappeared, the police kept an eye on her thinking your kidnappers will ask for ransom or even attack her. But nothing happened and the school was beginning to be anxious at your disappearance so they built a living area just for her within the school to keep close surveillance. Kana and your friend Daikichi visit’s her from time to time.”

     My mind became blank and the thought of my mother almost made me cry but I couldn’t shed a tear. Not in front of everyone. I held in and just gave Ms. Sam a nod mouthing off thank you even though I’m really happy inside.

     I can’t look weak in front of them. Not now.I say in my mind.The other dungeon. I need to make sure my mom’s not there.

       I quickly turn around and looked at Balo who’s being held up by one of his teammates.

      “Who’s in the other dungeon?” I ask him and he was caught in surprise and I can see a hesitation in his expression.

      “U-uh…” He tried to stall but I was getting impatient and irritated.

      “Try not to lie, the last thing you want is me as your enemy," I tell him and I can feel the whole area go silent.

      “Junpei.” Balo whispers and the mention of his name is boiling my blood as I started clenching my fist.

      “Junpei and the rest of the old diamond members are dealing with the other dungeon as we speak.” Another guy stepped up and everything he said went in one ear and out the other. I didn't want to hear any more about them so I turned around and stepped out the green force field. I hear cries as I step out onto the flames but my chef’s coat skill protected me enough to activate a skill.

     “Sky king’s wind.” I faintly whisper and both my dragon slayer and the two-handed sword was encased with a strong gust of wind. I swung towards the flame and the wind coming out of my weapon eradicated most of the fire exposing the charred steaming ground and walls. I see the portal still intact and I started walking towards it while putting the weapons back in my bag.

      “Y-Yasu! Wait! Where are you going?! W-wait for me!” Ms. Sam shouts running after me. I stopped right in front of the portal to turn around and she caught up to me bumping into my chest.

     “Ms. Sam. I would suggest you stay with them. I’m going to the other dungeon to check who else Luro brought here.” I tell her as I push her off me. I looked at Balo who’s slowly making his way with the help of his team. We both meet eyes making him stop on his tracks as I talked without breaking of my glare, “You see, that bastard Luro came to me telling me he brought someone here. I have to make sure it isn’t my mother.”

      Without waiting for him to reply, I turn around to enter the portal when a sudden voice came shouting in my ear “My Lord! There is a-“

      The soldier I sent flying to the wall earlier bumped into me and we both drop to the ground along with Ms. Sam.

      “Ack fuck!” I shout as I used myself as a cushion for Ms. Sam. I felt rocks lodge in my back leaving a stinging sensation as I curse under my breath.

     "We meet again you fucker," I say as I look him in the eye.

    “Y-you! Dungeon Robber!!” He was about to unsheathe his sword when the whole gold team stopped him from doing so.

    “C-captain. Relax. He’s not a robber. He’s an acquaintance.” Balo says. I can see him really weak.

    “M-My lord!! What happened?!” The captain shouts and he rushes towards Balo ignoring that he just pushed me to the ground and didn’t bother helping me up. One of the gold members tried to help me up but I swat his hand away as I stood up with Ms. Sam.

    “Fucking hell," I muttered as I got up dusting off my pants.

   "Relax Captain. We were all hit with poison the Ogre King. Our stamina is cut in half making it hard to just even move. Akane is still unconscious but she's alive. Tell me, Captain, why are you here?" Balo asked.

    Why wasn’t he here in the first place?I asked in my mind remembering how this guy leisurely ate outside while his lords are fighting to the death.

    “O-Oh yeah! We have retrieved all of the new adventurers. Sir Junpei and the rest already went on ahead back to the city since a message was received from princess Stella that sir Yasu has exited the hidden dungeon." The captain says while glaring at me making me want to gouge his eyes out with my bare hands. I gave him a smirk while I slowly held up a middle finger.

    “You!” The captain shouted as he approached and like private guards, the gold members got in his way startling him.  

    “What do you want bottom feeder?” I snarl at him while I call out my item bag taking out the dragon slayer. Most of the gold member eyed my weapon with fear.

    "My lord! This person has attacked us for no reason and almost killed one of our soldiers! He even kidnapped the chef who managed to escape back out of the portal!” The captain says and I decided to walk towards him gripping my sword with one hand.

      “I what?” I asked him in a sinister voice. “You dumbasses called me a demon, dungeon robber, and laughed at me. It’s only practical for me to stomp your heads to the ground and create a garden with your bodies. Be lucky you’re alive you fucking prick.”

      “W-w-whoa.” One of the gold members tried to stop me from going to the captain And quickly pointed my sword at him making him turn pale. “You sure you want to get in the way of my sword?”

      “Yasu! Put that away!” Ms. Sam shouted in my ear as she pushed my sword down using my hand. “Don't just say stuff like that!”

      I scoff looking at everyone while I turned to Ms. Sam smiling, “Just kidding~”

      I put my dragon slayer away and threw the bag over my shoulder so it won't disappear. "You're a lucky one she's here," I say looking at Balo and he knew what I was talking about since he didn't say anything back and just acknowledge me by nodding his head. Without wasting any more time, I walked towards the portal while Ms. Sam followed behind me non stop talking about what is wrong with me which made me smile hearing a familiar voice. As soon as I exit towards the other side, what greeted me is all of the guards I knocked out earlier.

     Ah great… I whisper in my mind as I eye all off them.

     “Bandit!!” Someone shouted and they all stood up drawing their weapons.

     “W-wh-wha-“ Ms. Sam stuttered as she got in front of me. I can see her body shaking from fear and I smile knowing she’s putting herself between the soldiers and me. I spot a couple of new people sitting around a table while some healers are healing their wounds. I also spot the girl I punched earlier towards the forest. She was tending to the guy I stomped earlier and her expression is a mixture of anger and fear as she couldn’t even stare at me in the eye. I see a couple of guys from the newcomer's group are giving me a bad look and it makes me want to skin them alive for that reason.

       My mom isn’t here. Luro did something right for once.I whisper in my mind as I see unfamiliar faces. Most of them are Japanese except for one guy who looks Korean. We all have slanted eyes but I can tell he's Korean due to the shirt he's wearing has Korean words.

    Or maybe I’m wrong. Ah, who cares. I whisper in my mind as I got too caught up trying to identify them.

       “Get them!!!” One of the guards shouted out and they all got ready to attack Ms. Sam and me who were looking around like crazy. Right when they’re about to charge, a voice came ringing from behind me making them all froze in place.

       “Everyone! Stop!” I turn around and I see the captain right beside Balo.

      “I apologize sir Yasu. We did not know it was you.” The captain says and everyone’s looked confused about the situation.

       When they grasp the situation, all of the guards got on their knees and shouted, “Sir Yasu! Forgive us!!”

      "what the fuck…" I whisper as I see all of them kneel before me. The newcomers we're startled and looked at me like I'm some celebrity. The girls are giggling amongst each other while the guys keep giving me that damn look that makes me want to turn their eyelids inside out like a goblin.

      The rest of the gold along with the other newcomer group exit the portal and I notice one of them is carrying Akane quickly placing her down near the healers as they all started healing him with the girl I called an old lady earlier.

     Balo sees the new group of people and turns towards the captain. "Is that all of them? They seem less in numbers compared to the number of people in our dungeon."

     It’s Moles dungeon now you fuck. I just named it.I say in my mind as I listened to their conversation.

     "Yes, that's all of them. According to the report from the soldiers and the newcomers, Lord Junpei and the rest arrived on time when the newcomers were fighting the gatekeeper. Sir Junpei and the rest dealt with the gatekeeper swiftly but the newcomers retreated to the safe zone out of fear. Lord Junpei ordered us to retrieve the newcomers as they left the dungeon to meet…” He suddenly stopped as he looked at me, “Sir Yasu.”

  Tch. Lucky cunts. Left before I even got there to slap them all. I say in my mind as started walking towards the new group to get a better look.

    “Then what else happened?” I hear Balo asked as I passed him.

     “Well, you instructed us not to enter your dungeon until one of you comes out and deems it safe to explore so I dispatched a group to retrieve the newcomers while I and a couple of soldiers stand guard outside to deflect any unwanted intruders.”

  Stand guard outside? You fuckers were happily eating while the gold fucks are on the verge of death.I say in my mind but I continued on listening.

      “That is when….we encountered sir Yasu and mistaken him to be a demon and a dungeon robber. My apologies again sir Yasu.” The captain faces towards bowing.

     “You forgot one thing, I was also called a bandit.” I snarl at him stopping at my track looking at all the soldiers that have their heads down facing the ground with pale expressions.

      “I apologize for my men's misconduct." The captain never stood up and he remained with his head down until Ms. Sam helped him up and he continued talking to Balo. “I was immobilized during our confrontation, but I was freed thanks to my soldiers that I sent to retrieve the newcomers from the other dungeon."

       Immobilized? More like your ass was so hard it went through a wall and you got lodged in.I let out a small laugh and I can see the captain getting nervous. I didn’t mention anything and let him continue his sweet talk towards Balo as I turn around and walked towards the other newcomers.

     "W-When I met with the newcomers, they have told me one has passed away from their team while a few people have gone missing." I hear the captain say making me stop on my tracks.

      “Where’s the one that passed away?” I asked as I turned to them and they all looked at me. “Where?!”

      My voice was so loud that even Ms. Sam who was standing beside me was startled making her jump back.

“W-w-we haven't had the chance to fully inspect the dungeon and my soldiers were too busy getting the newcomers out to properly scan the area. We didn't have time to see who died and c-couldn't find the ones that were missing.” The captain says.

      There’s only one exit. How can they go missing?I say in my mind. Unless…Did they find the hidden passage?

       I quickly approach the newcomers and I can see some of the girls started fixing their hair. As I walk through the soldiers, they bowed as I passed them and part a way for me to walk a straight path.

         "H-hi~," One of the girls says as soon as I got close.

         “Who died?” I asked the girls without changing my expression.

         “U-u-um…” One of them replied. She was turning red and couldn’t look me straight in the eye. I grabbed her by the neck and all of the newcomers stood up while I picked her up with one hand.

         “Stop making me wait or else, I'll squeeze your neck till I crush your windpipe," I tell her slowly squeezing her neck and she was trying to rip my hand away as she scratched my skin. She tried kicking me but I didn't care as all my anger just makes me squeeze her neck tighter and tighter with my hand.

         “Yasu! Stop!” Ms. Sam suddenly hugged me from the back making me loosen my grip on the girl’s neck. I let go completely and she fell to the ground coughing. I watched her struggle to breathe as she looks up to me in fear.

         “Now tell me, what’s the name of the adult with you guys?” I asked not breaking my gaze towards the girl.

No one said anything till the Korean looking guy stepped forward. “Hey hey, relax. Her name is Miki. We call her Miki-sensei.”

        “Hello?” I wave my hands in front of her eyes and she snaps away from her imagination.

        "And who the fuck are you? Their leader?" I snarl at him making him flinch as my glare made him stop from taking the next step. He didn’t say anything as I clench my fist. Looking at how many of them nonchalantly recovering knowing that someone from their team died inside the dungeon. It made me remember Junpei and the others and how they left me inside to fend for myself to save their own skin. I wanted to go on a fit of rage, but I held myself back as Ms. Sam held me in place.

       “Y-Yasu calm down.” Ms. Sam says and I can feel her body shaking.

       “I’m fine now, let go Ms. Sam, I need to check something.” I tell her and it took a while for her to loosen her grip on my waist. I started walking towards the other dungeon where I came from and no one stopped me. I passed the Korean guy and he couldn’t say anything as I glared at him.

       "Don't get too friendly with me or I'll rip your eyes out of your head," I whispered to him as I passed him and didn't even bother waiting for his acknowledgment. 

       “Yasu wait!” Balo’s voice got everyone’s attention including mine and I notice Ms. Sam is still quietly following behind me. "A-Are you going to check the inside? Our team is not in good condition so I'm going to have them rest for a bit. I know you won't wait for us so please take some soldiers with you just in case."

      Take soldiers with me? Do I look that weak to you? I say in my mind.

       “No need. They’ll just get in my way.” I quickly reply.

      “Fair enough. We’ll be out here if you need anything.” Balo says as the captain helped him sit on a chair while the healers started healing him from the poison. Sitting there with a higher-class gold armor does make him look like a lord. I hear a commotion between the two new groups as some of them knew each other hugging and crying in place.

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      I look at Ms. Sam who's stood by me the whole time. "Ms. Sam, stay here, I'm going to check something out real quick and if there's an enemy like the Ogre King, it's going to be harder to fight him while trying to protect you." 

      “B-but what if you get hurt? I can heal you. I have a healer class.” She says and I shook my head.

      "You're probably not strong enough to heal large wounds, besides, I have a skill that lets me heal in an instant," I tell her and after a while of persuading, she agreed to stay as long as I come right out. I gave her a nod, but I felt bad lying as getting out right away wasn't on my agenda. I wanted to check the hidden dungeon and settle my score with the crab rat I met a year ago. I turn around and before I even took one step, I hear my name again.

      "Sir Yasu wait!" The captain shouts running to me. "You might need this."

      He hands me a rolled paper and when I unrolled it, I see a map of the dungeon.

      "Dungeon of the beginnings? Who the fuck named this?" I whisper to myself as I inspect the map. It basically shows the layout of the dungeon. "It’s missing a few details. You got something to write with?"

      The captain quickly took out a charcoal looking pencil and placed it in my palm as he bowed.

     The fuck is wrong with these people. Stop bowing. I say in my mind.

      "Let's see...this should be this....written here.....this...and this.....and done!" I say as I finish scribbling on the map showing where the hidden passage is and also other labels I think is necessary.

[https://i.imgur.com/Wo6CgA2.jpg]

     "Perfect! But one year in this world and my hand somehow have gotten worse." I whisper to myself as I inspect my writing. I never did have the best handwriting but now, it looks more like a chicken scratch. I store the map in my bag and decided to enter the portal.  Right before I enter, the Korean guy stopped me by tapping on my shoulders.

      “H-hey! Are going back in there? That place is hell. Good thing these people saved us or else we would have been toast.” He tells me. I was about to activate my skill and obliterate his head, but I stopped as I noticed Ms. Sam staring at me with a worried expression. “Mind getting the fuck out of my way?”

      “Haha, come on man, relax. And you’ll find nothing in there. Bunch of dust and rubble now.” He tells me trying to act friendlier and it’s making me grit my teeth.

      “Listen, right now, you’re lucky a certain someone is looking at us or else I’d pull out your insides with my bare hands. Want to give it a try?” I whisper to his ear and I can feel his breathing become abnormal before bursting out into nervous laughter. The captain probably noticed as he stepped between us grabbing the Korean guy's shoulder.

       “Ha ha, come, Mr. Jung-Gi. We need to properly heal you.” The captain pulls him away from me probably saving that guy’s life.

    I wish we’d meet outside in the future. I will cut your balls and feed them to you.I say in my mind as I watch him walkway before turning and entering the portal without hesitation. Like the other portal, my eyes were caught it a white flash making me unable to see for a few seconds till the flash quickly dissipated exposing the other side which was reduced to a pile of rubble. The place looked exactly the same as I remembered one year ago but the stalactites are hanging on the ceiling once more.  I walk past the dust and enter the hallway leading me to another room that also has piles of dust, armors, and weapons.

        I decided to collect as many weapons I can, but I left the ones I think are useless and won’t sell for much. But my main reason never left my mind as I hastily collected as much as I can before entering the dark hallway. It didn’t take long till I reached the other side and as I approach the white marble door, I remembered we used our handprints to open it. Looking at the other side of the door, the print's is still there but there are a lot more pairs compared to what I remember.

       "I'm guessing it was after opening this door that one person died while other's disappeared. I remember it was impossible to open this unless everyone puts their hand on it." I whisper studying the door. I decided to push further on through the cave and enter the undead skeleton room which is also full of dust and weapons. The sheer feeling the dungeon gave brought back unwanted memories as my heart raced, remembering where I was tied up and eaten alive. I quickly gather what I can and walk through the undead skeleton room to enter the hallway that leads to the safe zone. I felt like I was retracing my own history as I recalled being carried by a troll. Even when he's my savior, I can't help feeling the hatred towards his whole entire race and existence.

   Fuck, I back here again. I say in my mind as I walk the dark hallway towards the safe room. I grabbed one of the lit torches from the wall and used it to light my way. Once I reached the end of the dark hallway, I see the door to the safe zone was shut closed.

       “Huh? Who the fuck closed this shit.” I whisper studying the door. I grab a circular handle and pulled it towards me. It slowly opens echoing the creaking joints throughout the ambiance of the hallway. As the door slowly opened, a pungent odor escaped the room like a wave of far someone threw in my face.

      “Ugh, this place smells.” I muffled as I walk in.

You have entered a 'safe zone.'

        I ignored the notification and continued walking towards the center. I didn’t need to hold my breath, the smell of the gatekeeper’s decaying body a year ago was a lot worse. I inspect the circular room where I spent most my time in the beginning.

      “Did they break this?” I say as I pick up broken pieces of the statue.

      Somebody smashed it to pieces. If this whole dungeon was restored, this statue would have been restored also.I say in my mind as I sit on the ground leaning on to the pedestal.

      "Ah….it feels the same," I whisper as I close my eyes listening to the sound of the water. I reminisce the time I had here. Memories I'm not fond off but something I can't seem to forget. "I guess it's time to go."

       I place my hand on the pedestal of the statue and used it to push myself up. I decided to check all of the room starting where I woke up from and I was still the same as I remembered with the only difference of vines hanging off the walls and weeds growing out of the cracks on the ground.

      "Still the same old darkness," I whisper to myself before exiting back out towards the circular room. I checked each and every room and to my surprise, the wall in Hiroko’s room is still intact. “Huh, so they didn’t get out of here. Missing…don’t tell me they were killed off?”

       I walked back out and walked to the last door on the other end of the circular room. I stood in front of it holding my nose. "Ugh, what the hell, did they use this as a toilet?"

      The smell was a mixture of feces, piss, and burnt rubber. It was quite hard to explain in reality.

       Now that I think about it, we never pissed or shit no matter how long we stayed in here… I say in my mind.I only started feeling bowel movements when I got out the dungeon the first time.

       “What the fuck did they do? burn their shit?" I whisper as I push open the door. I walk slowly trying not to step on feces just in case they took a shit in the dark hallway.

BAM!

     “Fuck!!” I shout getting startled at the door behind me suddenly closing putting out the fire on my torch. The light from outside was cut off in an instant encasing me in darkness. “Anybody there?!”

      Nothing. I whispered my item bag just in case something is in here with me. I quickly took out a stalactite illuminating my surroundings and no matter how long I stood there, there was no sound except for my breathing. 

       “What the fuck…” I whisper as I turn around and continue advancing forward. I walked until I reached the other door which is closed shut. This time, the door was actually locked from the outside. A sword was lodge between the doors handles that would prevent anyone from opening it from the inside.

       “What the hell…are they keeping something from getting out?” I whisper as I grab the sword and remove it. I put the sword in my bag but still prepared myself from any monsters coming out to attack me. I waited a few minutes thinking something will burst through but nothing. Even when I knocked on the door, I heard nothing. No scuffles, no voices, no trace of anything alive on the other side.

      “Ugh...Even with this bullshit door closed, it still smells fucking bad.” I whisper on my palm as I cover my mouth. I placed my other hand on the handle of the door and slowly pushed it open. The other side was completely dark. The stalactite on my hand was too small to even illuminate a few inches an away from me. I took out more stalactite out of my bag and threw them around inside until I saw it.

      “What the fuck is that…” I whisper as I walked towards it. It wasn’t a stick. It wasn't a rock, and definitely, it didn't look like a big pile of shit. It was something only I could see. It was a dead body. I use the stalactite over the corpse, and I see it’s badly burned to a point that it’s unrecognizable. 

      "Well, you got burned to crisp…" I say to the corpse hoping it would respond. But it didn't move. “Don’t tell me there’s another cook in your team?”

       Even when seeing a human corpse, I didn’t feel anything. I looked around the room some more and I see a piece of ripped clothing near its head its hands was the only thing that wasn't burned like a piece of cloth bound its hands. I picked up the one above its head and I spread it open to see what it was. It looked like a one-piece dress that girls usually use at home, but it was ripped open. Putting the pieces together, it was easy to understand what happened to her.

        “Damn, I should have never gone in here," I say as I throw the dress to the side.

        Fucking animals.I whisper in my mind.

       “Ah, I'll bring your corpse with me and show it to everyone. The look on their faces should be a sight to see.” I whisper as I looked at the corpse from head to toe. “Can I even restore you?”

       I paused as I inspect the corpse one more time. I wanted to find out who this is. To make sure it isn’t anyone I know. “Wait…will the potion work?”

      I decide to take out a potion out the bag that I found earlier when I got out the hidden dungeon. I tested out if it will restore her body and poured a bit of the potion in her mouth. Or what looks like her mouth. It was too badly burned that I can see some of her teeth was gone and all of them were scorched black. As I was about to give up, I hear what sounds like something sizzling on hot oil. I looked at her body and part of her arms and legs began regenerating to only stop after a few seconds. 

      "Oh, it works!” I shout with joy as I see her body restore partially. I emptied the whole bottle jamming it on her mouth and her body slowly regenerated up until she looked good as new.

      “Sorry to say this but, I'm glad it's no one I know," I whisper as I see she looks younger than me. “Well, that was a waste of potion. Ugh, this room is giving me a headache.”

        I stood up and clapped my hands together to offer prayer. But that didn’t last long. As I couldn’t stop smelling the shit around the area. I quickly made my way towards the room with the only water source to try and wash. I smiled as I thought about the enjoyment of everyone seeing the corpse as I carry her out.

       “Those fuckers. Should I sharpen a stick and jam it in their eyes? No, no no no I should cut their dicks off in front everyone and jam it up their ass…e-ehem….’hey, stop fucking yourself.!” I let out a small laugh, but I’ve been having a heaving feeling ever since I saw the corpse. As if something wasn’t right. She was already dead but why would they block the door. I tried to clear my mind as I focused on cleaning my fingernails which was covered in dirt.

       "It's surprising how no one has visited me yet from the outside," I whisper as I wash my hands. “But that girl, why did they burn her?”

  Someone actually burned her probably right after they had their way. Just thinking about stuff like this is making me furious. I say in my mind.I might have lost the feeling of remorse in regard to human life, but I feel the depression as my pride of being the man of the house back in the earth made it uneasy. I remembered my mother and knowing that people did that to a girl, they could easily do it to anyone. 

     “I’m really glad that wasn’t my mother.” Whisper to myself as I sat near the puddle of water staring at my reflection. “Should I burn all of them Yasu?”

      “Yes, you should. And do it while they’re alive Yasu.” I answered myself. “The guy that stopped us, he knew she was going to be in there. That’s why he was probably trying to stop me… Those fucking animals. We should make them eat other Yasu.”

      “How about we cook them alive and make them eat each other?” I asked myself.

      "Hahaha Brilliant!" I tell myself opening my arms into the air.

      “But still, why did they lock a corpse in?” I asked myself. “Was it to prevent anyone from finding her? No that’s impossible.”

      I sat there thinking about different scenarios but all that came in my mind is, she was probably still alive when they left her.

      "A fight for power or conflict of interest I guess," I whisper as I dry off my clean hands on my shirt. “Wait. Wait a minute. Wait a fucking minute. Why did the potion work if she’s dead?”  

  How come her body is still intact? Did another blade kill her? Impossible, All the newcomers had leather armor or metal and were holding a sword or a staff.I say in my mind trying to remember the situation I saw outside. Even the Korean guy was wearing some metallic armor.

   Unless one of the newcomers outside is a blade. I was able to wield a sword after I hit a certain level. Is it the Korean guy?

  Or is it……Probably…

     “Is she’s still alive?” I whisper to myself and thinking about it, I didn’t check if she had a pulse. “Nah, with that type of damage she can’t be alive. Maybe I should go and check."

      I stood up and the minute I turn around, I froze in place as I see someone standing at the doorway. Her hair was over her face and she’s hunched down slightly. It looks like she just came out of a televisions white noise, just to kill me.

      “Uh…Hello?” I say to the figure of the girl but she started walking slowly towards me. She’s holding a rock she probably picked up from the pile of debris of the statue.

      “You…” the figure says in a very low rough voice as she slowly walked towards me.

      "Um...Do you need some water? You sound really fucking thirsty." I tell her and she stopped on her tracks.

       Yea bitch you better stop. I whisper in my mind as I stood my ground. She probably didn’t feel any fear from my voice, but I didn’t have any fear either. Facing a lot scarier things makes a skinny person with a rock less daunting.

        “Look skinny thing. Why don’t you turn around and leave-“ I suddenly stopped talking as she goes on a full sprint tackling me down. She quickly got above me and using her legs, hugged my waist.  

        “I’m going to kill you! You’re with them! I’m going to kill you!” She kept shouting and shouting as she struggled to even hit me with the rock on her hand.

        "Uh…uh, I can see everything you know." I tell her and she tried to bash my face with the rock which I easily caught with one hand. She struggled to even get the rock out of my grasp and we started a tug of war for the rock.

       “L-let go!” She shouted at me trying to punch me in the face. I moved my head side to side and she kept hitting the ground till I see her knuckles bleed.

       “Uh no? If I let go you’ll hit me with it!” I shouted back at her. “Now, get the fuck off me!”

       I pushed her with my other hand, and it felt like I was pushing a feather as she went flying to the side landed on her ass and her leg was spread open exposing everything.

       I stare at it for a moment and accidentally whispered, “So that’s what it looks like..”

       She looked up to me and I quickly averted my gaze and looked her in the eyes. She tried to attack me again and I quickly dodge pushing her to the small puddle.

       “Ah!” she winced in pain as she hits the wall, hard.

      “Urghhh, you're covered in shit!" shout at her while smelling my hands. She looks up to me and I can see the fury in her eyes. Those eyes, they seem too familiar. She screamed again as she charged right at me. With the reflex I got from constantly fighting nonstop, I subconsciously punched her in the jaw as a reaction and her body became a ragdoll as she fell unconscious to the ground.

       “The hell is wrong with you," I whisper walking up to her to check her pulse and to my dismay, she still alive. She’s so skinny that one small punch seems like it will break her neck. I picked her up and brought her outside and set her on top of the pedestal.

      “Argh!!! You bitch!” I cursed at her taking out all my frustrations. After I calmed down, I took out a leather chest plate from my bag and placed it on top of her so she not completely naked. I walk back towards Hiroko’s room and filled a glass bottle with water before heading back out.

        SPLASH!

        I threw the water in her face and she woke up gasping for air.

       “Relax dumbass. It’s water.” I tell her but she kept gasping like she can’t breathe.

       “Hey, are you ok? What the fuck.” I just stood there watching her as if a ghost is choking her to death. “Wait a minute….you can’t be…”

       I slowly removed the armor off her and she started coughing catching her breath.

       “Y-you…you’re a non-combatant class?” I asked her in surprise and she just glared at me as if it was my fault. I can see she want to pounce on me again and I just raised an eyebrow towards her. She tried to swing at me and I jump back dodging her fist. She quickly stood up and ran towards my room and disappeared into the darkness.

       “Hey! You fucking dumbass! The exit is that way!” I pointed at the exit but she probably didn't hear me since the sound of her footsteps was becoming faint in my ears.

       Sigh*

      “There goes my master plan of bringing out a corpse. What the fuck. She was alive? How? She looked deader to me than being alive.” I was a bit baffled at what just happened. “But then again, this isn't earth. People can get skinned alive, lose limbs, eyes, bleed, and still not die. Well, whatever. Rot in there for all I care."

        I started walking towards the skeleton room but stopped right before I entered the door.  “What the fuck am I doing?!”  I hit myself in the head thinking about it. I was about to leave that girl in that dungeon alone like how I was left alone.

      Just get her outside and that it. Be on your way. Bring her out, and then go.I whisper in my mind as I looked down the ground walking back towards the safe zone.

     “Don’t be like them. Don’t be like them. Don’t be like them.” I kept muttering to myself as I entered the safe zone quickly turning towards where she ran off to. “Fuck. Stupid fucking stick. Fucking stupid shitty stick.”

     I cursed over and over again walking in the dark hallway towards my old room. I slowly stepped into the room as I got close to the door and I can hear crying in the dark. It reminded me of a horror game.

 Fucking creepy bitch, I say in my mind as I listen to the sound similar to a crying witch. It sounded too creepy and gave me goosebumps.

      “I have no time for this,” I whisper as I call out my item bag taking out a stalactite. “Hey!!”

      I ran in there shouting and the crying stopped but I couldn’t see where she. Was as my stalactite wasn’t big enough to illuminate the whole room.

  Why the fuck I keep taking out the small stalactite. I cursed in my mind as I looked around the room. Now what? Do I put food out to make her come out?

       My eyes slowly adjust to the darkness and I saw a figure towards one corner, and it looks like she’s hunched over hugging her legs, but It was too dark to see properly. 

      “Item bag.” I took out a piece of meat and slowly approached her like she’s a wild animal. “Here. Want to eat something?”

       She didn’t even move as I slowly approached her. The minute I shine the stalactite at the darkness I paused at what I’m staring at.

       “A fucking rock. I’m talking to a fucking rock!” I shout out of frustration and the next thing I know, I felt a sharp pain from my side as she kicks me with all her might.

       “Argh! That hurt you fucker!!” I shouted as I see her run out of the room. “You’re going to pay for that! Seismic Step!!”

      I run out of the room and in no time, I caught up to her as she exits the dark hallway. Using my whole-body weight, I slammed into her and we both went stumbling down the ground. She looks back up at me and she gives me the same look. That familiar look I always gave my enemies. It’s like looking at a mirror and seeing A female version of myself.

       “So, are you going to come quietly or am I going to drag you out by your foot?” I tell her and she stills glared at me but didn’t say anything. “What? Did you bite your tongue? You were talking earlier and even cried like a damn bitch.”

       She kept glaring and looking around looking for a place to run off to.

      “Go ahead, run. I have a skill that makes me run really fast. I’ll catch you before you even reach any door you fucking witch stick.” I tell her giving her a mocking smile. What I said probably pissed her more off as she stood up and ran towards the rubble to pick up a rock. Rather than coming at me with it, she started throwing it at me but her strength wasn’t enough as the rocks slowly flew towards me making it easy to dodge them.

       “Pfft~ you missed me~ Come on! Do better!” I egged her and she kept throwing as many rocks as she can pick up at me. She tried to pick up a piece that probably weighs more than her I can see she already struggling but she managed to get the rock over her head.

  What the fuck she’s strong.I say in my mind. But the weight got the best of her and the rock fell on her head and she came stumbling down the ground. The rock landed on her foot and I can see blood coming out as she winces in pain grabbing it.

      “Mnnnnhhhh!!” She made a muffled scream trying to not let out a sound. I see her face scrunch up as if she just ate a sour patch, but she bit her lip together keeping her mouth shut. Tears came out of her eyes as she closes them out of the pain of her foot.

      “Hey, you okay? Dumbass.” I say to her as I approach her, and she quickly stood up and started limping towards another room. “I am sick and tired of this!!”

       I walked towards her and I see her trying to speed limp towards another room. I quickly moved to close the gap between us. Without notice, I grabbed her wounded foot causing her to fall forward. I tighten my grip on her ankles and started dragging her out of the dungeon. I see her scratching on the ground but there is nothing she can hold on to. Even after all of this, she didn’t let out a sound and sobbed silently as she struggled to get out of my grasp.

       “I know you went through a lot but I don't have time to stay here and baby you or get your fucking trust," I whisper as I drag her out the safe zone and I guess she heard me since she stopped fighting and just let me drag her out.

        I decided to glance back and she's still crying silently but her hand stopped moving as she gave up scratching the ground. Some of her nails chipped off and blood was coming out of it.

       “I know if I let go, your dumbass will try to waddle away from me. Why? I don't fucking know. But no matter what, I will take you out of here whether you like it or not you fucking witch stick.” I tell her and she didn’t respond.

     I’m not turning into one of them. I will never turn into one of them.I say in my mind as I remember the old diamond members choosing to leave me behind.

      I passed the skeleton room and the white marble door. I’m on the hallway towards the cave where the portal is. It felt like I was dragging a corpse. She just laid flat on her stomach as I drag her by her injured leg.

      “Hey, you still alive?” I asked stopping for a brief moment but no response. She’s not even moving. “What the hell…”

      I decided to lightly poke the wound on her foot and she suddenly let out the same muffled scream she did earlier as she clenches her fist from the pain.

     “Fucking respond next time or else, I’ll keeping poking this shit," I say and I decided to poke the wound a couple more times. I see her knuckles becoming white as she clenches her fist too hard, so I stopped before she passes out from the pain.

     “Do you want to walk out now, or you just want to lay there like a fucking dead body," I asked her but she never turned around. She's still completely naked and I can see everything.

     Doesn’t she care that I can see?I say in my mind but she never turned around to even try to cover her private part.

     "Whatever, drag you out or walk, either way, I'm bringing you out of this dungeon," I whisper as I pick up a torch on a wall and continue walking forward pulling her by her leg. As soon as we both exit the dark hallway, I felt a sense of accomplishment as I was coming closer to the portal. I sang as I happily walked towards it but in reality, I’m trying to drown the silence that makes me remember everything that happened to me in this dungeon. As get I closer to the portal, I glance back, and I can see her letting herself get dragged. We passed a few weapons, but she never grabbed one of them. But, if she’s like me, she probably wouldn’t be able to since the weapons I left on the ground are the owns I couldn’t pick up.

       “I'm finally leaving this dungeon. I wish I could have renamed it to Yasu and Mole’s adventure land 3.” I say in a loud voice as I glance at her head. Hearing my name made her head go up but she never turned around.

  Wait a minute.I say in my mind as I stop walking as soon as I caught my own sentence.

       “This dungeon. How come it didn’t give me a notification…” I whisper to myself as I walked towards the portal. “Thinking about it, every dungeon I conquered made me name it. Even the hidden dungeon after killing the overlord, It asked me to name it.”

        But this dungeon, I never saw a notification come up. Did they skip the naming process? They probably did.I say in my mind. I was too busy thinking about it that I didn’t notice her grab something off the ground.  

      “H-hey.” I hear her whisper and the minute a turnaround, a cloud of dust hits me right in the eye making me drop her leg.

       “Argh! The fuck you did that for?!" I shout trying to clear my eyes from the dust. “Arggghh!!!!!”

       I scream in pain as the dust started feeling like it’s burning my eyes. It feels like grains of hot sand all over my eyes and it’s making it harder for me to keep them open. I slowly open one eye but tears made my vision blurry.

       “You fucking bitch!!” I shout in pain as I tried to open my eyes, but my vision was blurry all around. I noticed something blurry liming away from me and it made me more furious than ever. “You dumbass!! The portal is behind me!!!”

       Even though I shouted at her, she never stopped and continued limping away slowly. But I couldn’t keep my eyes open for very long due to the dust irritating it. After rubbing a couple of times and the pain slowly subsided, a notification suddenly appeared.

Ding!

You are blinded by the 'ashes of a gatekeeper.' You must rinse your eyes with a healing potion to regain your vision.

      “Oh, fucking hell. Your ungrateful prick!!!!” I shout rubbing my eyes trying to get my vision back but nothing. Even with my eyes open, all I see is the notification and the minute it disappeared, my vision turned completely black.

       “Oh fuck! No! Item bag!” I shout in frustration and I hear my bag drop beside me. I got on all fours, but I couldn’t find it. “Item bag!!”

      Thud.

      I looked around again but nothing, I hear where it drops but when I go to it, it’s not there. I kept shouting my bag over and over again trying to find it but nothing.

      “Arghh!!! Item bag!!” I shout one more time and this time, my bag sounded like it landed far away from me. “Arghhh!!! Fucking cunt!! When I get my vision back, I’m going to fucking murder you!!

       I tried to control my breathing sitting on the ground as I took deep breaths slowly exhaling. “Relax Yasu. Fucking Relax. Once you find your bag, grab a handful of that gatekeepers ashes and shove it into the fucking witch stick's eyeballs."

Inhale*

    Exhale*

       “Ok, one more time. Item. Bag-”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!

        “Agrh!!!!!” A huge shockwave of hot wind making me fly a few inches away as I rolled on my back. The air was so hot, it felt like someone just turned on a giant hairdryer. I quickly touch atop my head and my hair is still there.

       “Oh thank god." I whisper to myself and I tried finding where my bag landed. "w-what the…did it lands on a mine? What the fu-“

       “Who dares wake me up from my slumber!!!” A sudden voice shouted so loud I had to cover my ears since it felt like it was going to burst.

       You got to be fucking kidding me. I whisper in my mind.

       “Human, did you wake me up?” I hear it whisper in my ear as I slowly removed my hand and all of a sudden, I felt my body was picked up from my shirt and was flung towards the air.

      “Chef’s coat!” I shouted out as I flew fast and all of a sudden, I felt my body hitting the wall as I hear rock erupting around me. My body dropped to the ground and thanks to my skill, I didn’t feel anything from the impact.

        Fuck. This is not good.I say in my mind as I slowly stand up.

       ‘This. Is. Not. Fucking. Good.” I whisper to myself as I completely stand up. “If the other dungeon had the ogre king, that means that this one is-“

      “Yes, I’m the queen.” It whispered in my ear again and I felt a droplet of sweat traveling down my temple as I clenched my fist.

       But even with the odds against me, I couldn’t help it. I smiled as wide as I can as I whispered, “knockout.”