I fell into the void, with nothing to grab myself onto, no way to stop my fall as each moment my view of them grew smaller and smaller

"ARGENTAAA!"

I could still faintly hear Elizabeth calling out my name.

A desperate situation, no doubt. However, my mother emphasized the importance of not panicking in such situations, as it would only make things worse. So, this time as well, I steadied my nerves.

"Bianca!" hoping for salvation, I summoned my demon; once the spell was cast, it appeared behind me... Cold! It was cold once again!

The demon grabbed me in its 'arm', while with the other it reached for the wall of the right, embedding its claws into the rock, trying to slow down our fall. It seemed there was a way to save myself, after all.

Little rocks fell around us as the demon's claws scraped against the rock. Eventually, it came to a stop, and the demon dropped me to the floor.

"Ouch!"

It was a short fall, but it still hurt my butt; I had fallen over something.

"Huh? A lever?" I noticed as I stood up, massaging the sore spot, trying to make the pain go away. "Why is a lever here?"

Shortly after, I could hear a mechanism moving on my side. It was pitch black, I couldn't see a thing except for my demon who was emanating a faint light.

"My codex could help me here..."

I retrieved the codex from its dedicated bag, opening it and letting its light illuminate what it could. Directing it towards the source of the sound, I could see a passage. So that was the lever's purpose.

Shortly after, the demon vanished, just like the first time I used the spell; raising a total of six claws.

"One day, I'll understand what that means..."

The demon lasted one minute... And the light emitted from the spell went out.

"Okay, let's start counting..."

I had to count. I had to understand the cooldown of this spell. Time was not a problem; this dungeon could last even a week for all I cared.

"Food and water are the only problems... but if I'm alive, then there must be a way to get to the top. Back to the others..."

I scanned my surroundings; my eyes were gradually getting used to the darkness. I was surrounded by cold rock, enveloped by pure silence, and caressed by fresh air. I stood all alone, facing a path leading to who knows where, uncertain whether or not I would reunite with my group ever again...

"Hm... Haha..."

A faint laugh escaped my lips, soon growing into a louder and heartier one. Just like a crescendo building to its peak, the space around me became filled with nothing but the echoes of my own laughter.

"Good! Excellent! That's exactly how it should be!" I exclaimed, lifting my gaze to the top. "This is exactly what I've been looking for! A challenge! Surrounded by nothing but doubts! Will I survive? Will I die? Who knows!" I then raised my dagger to the sky, as if challenging the Ones above. "Are you looking, Deities? I hope you are, and I hope you are entertained! For I am! Observe and witness as I, your sweet anomaly, Argenta, reach the top of your dungeon! Hahaha!"

I exhaled, regaining my composure before taking a deep breath to clear my mind, getting ready to face whatever lay ahead.

In such a situation, my mind couldn't help but recall my mother's teachings once again.

...

I once got lost in my little hometown, without a clue on how to get back home. Had I been just any other kid, many things could've gone wrong: anxiety could've clouded my judgement, fear could've gripped me, and nausea could've made me feel sicker than ever. However, none of that happened; my mother had already taught me to steady myself. Of course, the thought of never seeing her again faintly crossed my mind; I was also quite dramatic at the time. A futile thought, perhaps; she would've crossed the whole world to find me.

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Anyway... lost and without a clue where to go, I took deep breaths and decided to ask around for directions. Unfortunately, many avoided me, giving me doubtful looks, while many others ran away upon hearing my question. I was confused, but I suppose that's just the curse of being a kid; nobody takes you seriously, and nobody wants to deal with you. So, I had to do it by myself, all alone and without any help... It took me a while, but eventually, with cold blood, a calm demeanor, and a clear mind, I managed a glance at a familiar road.

When I finally returned home, I told my mother what had happened. She hugged me closely, kissing my forehead; she seemed worried, and looked happier than ever to see me.

"Mom, what would you have done hadn't I returned?" I asked out of curiosity as I sipped a hot chocolate she made with love.

"I would've turned the world upside down, sweetie," she warmly replied.

...

Even now, remembering her teachings gives me calm...

"Now, then... No point standing here. The spell may come in handy, but I can check the cooldown even as I proceed. I really want to explore... I'll just have to be careful."

My first spell was still active, but in some minutes it would've dissipated as well.

"Alright... let's go."

I began my walk along the path ahead. It was complete darkness. Nothing but sheer blackness on and on, stretching endlessly. It resembled a long and spacious cave, slightly sloping uphill.

The walk was... boring, to say the least, to describe it in a word, to put it mildly... It felt more like a stroll, a walk in the park, rather than a path through a dungeon, except for the extremely damp air.

Why was it so boring? Why was it so dull? It was long, with nothing really emotional and nothing particularly exciting happening. I even yawned as I progressed, glancing at my codex from time to time.

But then, some time later, guess what?... I walked some more!

I sighed in delusion from the experience.

"Hmm?"

At some point, my eyes finally caught sight of something: a faint light in the distance.

"That's a room... It was about time. I was honestly getting bored."

Since the disappearance of the demon, I've been counting every single second.

"Twenty thousand five hundred and twenty seconds in... and a light is visible. But my spell is still in cooldown. Hmm, that's almost six hours. It doesn't seem really fair... It lasts one minute, but it still hasn't recharged. I feel a little scammed..."

I've walked a little more, my eyes were desperately trying to adjust to the light after being enveloped by darkness for so long.

The more I drew nearer to the room, the more I could discern its details and it's content: creatures. Hunchbacked monsters with long, sharp and pointed claws roaming around the room, their claws scraping the brown floor, making a screeching sound audible from afar. The flooring appeared meticulously crafted, looking like an old and ancient structure.

"Oh!"

Suddenly, a light coming from below caught my attention, it was my codex.

"Six hours... Six hours is the cooldown on my second spell. Hm..."

I abruptly emitted a gasp, swiftly moving to my side. The view of a stinger-narrowed claw passing within a hair's breadth of my eye. Goosebumps all over my skin, shivers running from head to toe.

I've been careless. I allowed myself to get distracted in a bad moment. Hadn't I sensed its bloodlust, I would be dead now.

I swiftly reached for my dagger, severing the monster's arm and slicing his neck.

Once again, I escaped Death's embrace by a hair. However, I didn't feel troubled by that.

"Haha..."

I giggled. I felt cold sweat trickling down my skin from what had just happened, but I was heartily smiling.

"Again, this sensation!"

What a wonderful feeling!

"I am thrilled!"

I turned around; the room looked like an arena packed with monsters, much like the one I had just slain. Now, all their eyes were fixed on me, probably realizing what had just happened. Another path was visible on the other side.

I relaxed my entire body, all my nerves. I was not concerned. No, I was just as relaxed as someone who had just taken a relaxing and refreshing morning bath. Nonchalantly maneuvering my dagger, as if it were a mere toy I could juggle with one hand.

"Felinchant."

Upon casting my spell, I could feel even more eyes fixated on me. Monsters were approaching me. As they closed in, I tightened my grip on the dagger. The first one leaped at me, claws outstretched. I ducked low, feeling the rush of air as its swipe missed my head. With a swift motion, I drove the dagger upward, sinking the blade into its throat. The monster screeched, and a spray of dark blood marked its demise.

But that wasn't the end; two more rushed at me from either side. I spun on my heel, dashing forward and bringing my knee up into the chin of the one of my right. Then, twisting my body, I kicked the other away with my left leg. Finally, swinging the dagger in a wide and brutal arc, I sliced through the neck of the one beside me. As the other began to rise from my kick... many more were charging at me.

I laughed. A laughter filled with euphoria! "Good! It seems like the long wait was worth it! Come at me as if you want to feast on my blood! Hahaha!"

I sliced through them with joy. Nothing but excitement flowed through my veins. Some of their claws managed to softly graze me in my dance, leaving behind little cuts all over my skin. Fueling my excitement even more. Oh, I felt like I could die from happiness!

"This is it! ... This is elation!"