"Is everyone ready?" Mika loudly asked the party, receiving a resounding cry of agreement in response.

Everyone was rested, with their spells ready, and I had recovered my strength.

"We still don't know the boss, but the plan remains the same. If the boss allows it, ranged attackers will target its upper body with focused spells, while melee fighters will strike from below. If the boss doesn't allow it, we'll adjust accordingly, coordinating our attacks with the close-ranged ones. Jerald, Louise, I want you to focus only on the members; watch where the attacks are coming from and cast shields only when needed. Alright?"

"Roger that."

"No problem."

Mika then turned towards me. "Argenta, I don't know how you fight, but based on what I've seen so far, and what you've told us, I'd say you're the most proficient one in melee combat, right?"

"Hm, yes, I suppose you could say that," I responded.

"If the usual strategy is not feasible, I'd like you to be in the front line; we'd coordinate accordingly to your movements, if that's fine for you."

"Sure, I'm fine with that."

Mika nodded. "Then, let's go, everyone!" he then shouted; another cry from the rest followed.

Mika slowly pushed open the towering red door, revealing the chamber within; at its center, a colossal monster waking up from its slumber.

"Okay, everyone, same plan as usual! Disperse!"

The creature rose to its full height, emitting a loud roar. Beneath it, a dark-flame circle formed, little monsters were spawning from it.

"Wait, Mika, what about them?" Selena pointed out.

"The close-ranged one will deal with them! The rest will focus on the boss!"

So my role was now clear. I could hit both the colossal's feet and the little ones; no problem at all.

I activated my first spell while everyone dispersed around the boss, unleashing spells left and right. I darted underneath it, stepping into the flame and slicing through the spawning monsters, all the while I also damaged the boss's feet. Despite being attacked by multiple people, the boss got angry almost exclusively with me; probably it didn't appreciate me slaying its minions. It raised its foot with the intent of crushing me beneath it; a pattern I had already seen inside this dungeon. Swiftly, I stepped aside to evade the attack.

"Iroshield!"

To my surprise, a massive iron shield manifested above my head, stopping the boss's foot in its trajectory... Not fun. And I even put effort into leaping away...

Hitting the spell, the boss infuriated, breathing fire from its mouth in circle.

"Lalabubble!" I could hear Elizabeth shout from the side. Within seconds, giant water bubbles materialized in the air, partially deflecting the fire breath.

The boss twisted, shattering the area beneath it with a gust of wind, lacing all of Elizabeth's bubbles and sending me flying against the wall. I shielded my face with my arms; the wind was so strong and sharp that it left cuts all over my skin.

"Are you alright?" Jerald asked me, hurrying to my side.

I ignored him, dashing back to the boss's feet; more minions were spawning. I sliced through them, their heads saying goodbye to their bodies, enraging the boss even further. It moved its foot aside; it clearly wanted to kick me, but I was ready to leap over it.

"Ondashield!"

An arch-shaped green barrier materialized in front of me. Once again, my plan was ruined; the boss's foot collided with the barrier, its attack was blocked. However, the impact was so powerful that the barrier shattered, its fragments propelled by a forceful wind that sent me flying backward. I was now pissed.

"Hey, shield boy," I approached Jerald, standing next to me, immediately after I rose back up.

"'Shield-'... that's not my name," he retorted.

"I'm aware, but that's what you are to me. Stop using your spells to shield me, you're getting in my way."

"Huh?! How am I getting in your way, I'm literally saving your life!"

"Focus your spells on people who don't know how to dodge. I've already told you, I don't need your shields."

"What are you talking about? Without my shields, you could've been hit!"

"I won't get hit!"

"You could get it! Don't you get it? You can't just charge in! This is serious; you could literally die!"

"THAT'S THE BEST PART!"

For a moment, he remained speechless, just staring at me. He then took a step back, as if he felt frightened. "You... you're nuts..."

I regained my composure, steadying my breathing. Somehow, I was getting worked up just thinking about the possibilities. "I don't care what you think. Stop getting between me and my fun, and do your job protecting the others. You're just a hindrance to me."

After that, I returned to my fight with a dash. Now I could dance without someone blocking my steps. Ah, finally! What a bliss! Was it that hard?!

With the minions gone, I channeled all my strength into my legs, propelling myself over the boss's limbs, slicing nonstop. The boss's attention shifted to me as it squirmed, attempting to hit me, while the party kept blasting at it.

At some point, it looked like every vein of the boss heated up, its skin turning slightly red. It emitted a roar, its entire body emanating a powerful hot steam that pushed me far away.

Time slowed down as I was in the air, a massive punch was coming my way, but I couldn't do anything about it. I could only stare at it; every single moment felt eternal.

"Oh..."

I was in awe. I had already felt a similar sensation before, when I was fighting and my body was filled with elation. But this time... it felt different.

"I can't evade it..."

And I couldn't do anything about it. I could just stare at it.

"I'm definitely dying if that hits me."

So, this is it?

"I could use my second spell..."

But that would mean revealing it to everyone...

"And would it even work?"

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Resigned, I closed my eyes, embracing the moment.

"Did time really slow down? Or am I just thinking at light speed?"

Aha, I think I've heard of it... when closer to Death, people would experience something similar. So, I really am dying. Or, perhaps I'm dead already, and I'm just processing it. Strange, though. It didn't feel like this when that dragon killed me. Was it because I had a second chance? Hmm, I'm not sure. Yet, somehow, it seems like dying is becoming a habit... and not a healthy one.

I gradually opened my eyes, squinting. Everything was still in a stillness motion. To my disbelief, in that fleeting yet endless moment, two people crossed my mind... my mother and Joey.

Joey... I told him I would be careful. Alas, I'm afraid I didn't really stick to my word.

"Sorry, Joey... it seems like I've been careless..."

"Onde Dell'Oceano!"

Time precipitously flowed again, and with it, me too, carried away by a fierce water current surged out of nowhere.

"Everyone, hold yourself tight! Elizabeth used a major spell!" I could hear someone shout, muffled, while many others screamed in panic.

The water was utterly overwhelming; I was at its complete mercy, unable to adapt to it. The only respites were when I was briefly lifted out of the water, gasping for air.

"Elizabeth, control it!" Selena yelled.

Elizabeth stood still, trying to control the water using her staff. Even the boss struggled against it; I assume its fist got diverted by the water's force.

Flowing around the room, eventually, the water subsided, making everyone drop butt on the floor.

"Everyone, stand up! More monsters spawned!" Mika shouted, snapping everyone back to attention.

The boss lay the ground, it looked dead, yet it managed to summon more minions, but they got quickly dealt with. Only one remained, charging straight to me. I was still catching my breath from what had just happened, but I could afford it with just a monster of that size.

As it lunged for me, I aimed my dagger at its throat. A clean and swift slash to end the dungeon once and for all. But as soon as the blade clashed with the monster's neck, a metallic sound pierced through the air.

"Now?!" I couldn't believe it, my eyes widened at the sight... The dagger snapped right at the end.

I backed off, but the monster sank its claws into my legs.

"Ngh!"

"Scissarth!" Selena approached from the side, tracing a line in the air with her pen, generating a light sickle that sliced through the monster's neck, beheading it. "Argenta, are you alright?!"

I fell to the ground, clutching my leg; it was bleeding.

"Ah, damn. If only you granted me permission to shield you..." Jerald mocked me.

I scoffed. "It's just a superficial injury. Sorry to disappoint you; I won't die."

"Kyaaa!" Selena suddenly screamed, clutching her glowing codex. "I learned a new spell!"

"Argenta, are you alright?!" Mika rushed to my side, along with Elizabeth.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's not deadly, don't worry," I reassured.

"Ah! Wait, I'll go get some bandages! I'm sorry, I got distracted!" Selena hilariously skipped to the wagon, looking like a happy bunny.

"Elizabeth... you put everyone in great danger today," Mika scolded with a serious tone.

Elizabeth looked down, hiding under her big hat as she tightly clutched her staff. "I'm sorry... I thought Argenta was in danger, and... I'm sorry..."

"Still... was that a Distorted Mana Zone? I've never experienced it before," Louise remarked, rubbing his chin.

"It seemed like time stopped," Deborah commented.

"Yeah, that was sick!" Luke added enthusiastically.

"Wait... that was Elizabeth's doing?" I asked.

"Yes..." she answered, still looking down.

"Here's the bandages!" Selena returned, handing me the bandages.

"What was that exactly? Distorted... Mana Zone, you called it?" I turned my attention to Louise as I bandaged my leg.

"Well, that's how Crimson calls it, although I heard some others call it like that, too. It's a phenomenon that can occur inside dungeons. Crimson says that dungeons are naturally filled with condensed mana. When the mana coming from a powerful and large spell meets the one already present in the dungeon, they collide, having a chance to create a Distorted Mana Zone. This is the first time I experienced it in person, though. I honestly thought it was a legend," Louise explained.

"That's our strongest mage for you! Kyaa!" Selena praised, hugging Elizabeth from behind.

"Hey, guys, the treasure room is there," Michael pointed out, redirecting everyone's attention.

"How do you feel, Argenta? Can you walk?" Mika asked me.

"Huh... yes, I can manage." I replied, slowly getting to my feet.

"Then let's go, everyone. We cleared the dungeon!" Mika shouted enthusiastically, receiving a loud cheer in response.

We approached the treasure room, I limped slightly due to my injured leg. As soon as Mika opened the door, we were welcomed with piles of gold and gems, and what looked like a wooden ambo at the far end of the room.

"Wow, so much gold!" Selena exclaimed, her eyes mirroring the glimmer of what she was admiring.

"There's even a teleportation circle!" Roland exclaimed.

"Good, so we won't have to walk all the way back," Mika remarked.

"Guys... could I have your attention, please?" Elizabeth suddenly spoke up, raising her voice, the little she could manage, at least; stepping forward to make sure everyone could hear her.

"We're listening, Elizabeth," Mika responded, followed by Selena's happy and proud nod.

Elizabeth clutched her chest, she looked like she was about to cry. "Everyone... I apologize for how I've acted as a coordinator at the beginning, and I'll take full responsibility for what I've done; I'll personally apologize to Jean's family, and I'll even talk to Leonard about it, hoping to assist the Armonia, somehow..." her voice trembled with both high and low tones. "But I have one request, hoping it will redeem my poor performance, even if it may sound selfish... I want to ask you all, please, let Argenta use the wooden ambo!" she concluded, bowing her head.

Everyone seemed surprised at first; only Selena looked proud. I was just confused. What does a wooden ambo even do?

"It's my fault she fell! My staff was stolen, and yet she recovered it for me... Please, let me make amends for my actions!" she implored with a louder voice, little tears were falling down her cheeks.

"Raise your head, Elizabeth," Selena approached her, giving her a comforting hug.

Mika displayed a reassured smile. "It's fine by me, but I can't speak for the others. Let's take a vote. Who is fine with Argenta using the wooden ambo?" he asked before raising his hand.

"I'm fine with that," Louise followed.

"I'm obviously fine with that," Selena softly added, still holding Elizabeth in her embrace.

"I guess I'm fine with that," Jerald groaned, raising his hand while keeping his other arm folded.

"Baddies deserve it, man," Luke approved.

One by one, everyone expressed their agreement. Only one remained.

"Michael?" Elizabeth called him out.

He stood with his arm folded, clearly not enjoying the situation. "Do as you wish," he replied, looking away.

Elizabeth didn't look happy with the response, but gratefully thanked him anyway.

"Huh... thanks," I thanked everyone with embarrassment... What had just happened?

"Argenta, could you come with me?" Elizabeth asked me, looking calmer now.

"Sure," I followed Elizabeth to the wooden ambo, while the others collected the gold.

"Ever since you came here," she started. "I've only ever seen you use a single spell. The truth is, you're only using that one because you don't have any others. Am I wrong?"

"Hm, yes, you're right. I only have one spell," I replied.

"I thought as much..." she briefly closed her eyes, before redirecting her gaze to the wooden ambo. "You know, I've always wondered it... When you told me you had no personal weapon, I got incredibly curious about how things worked for you and your codex. But it seems they can't work, after all."

"What do you mean?" I tilted my head.

"You see... although this is just speculation on my part, I believe everything is connected. The personal weapon is necessary for the libromancer to acquire new spells in the codex. I can't fully understand how it works either, but it's as if the weapon gains experience every time a monster is killed with it, or with one of its spells. The codex, after all, is just a way to release the weapon's true power, isn't it?" she explained it as if she were pondering aloud. "Like I told you, I don't know the exact way to learn new spells; sometimes it happens without a reason, sometimes it seems to be personal growth, sometimes people wake up from their sleep and a new spell is there... it's still a mystery. However, did you notice what happened earlier with Selena? She saved you by killing a monster, and her codex glowed. Now she has a new spell. You understand what I mean?"

"Hmm... Well, it makes sense..."

"But that aside, there's also this," she said, pointing at the wooden ambo. "This is something you rarely find in S-rank dungeons and above; it's a reward. Place your book over the wooden ambo, and your codex shall reveal a new spell. It's the only certain way to always unlock a new spell. The wooden ambo will break apart after that, so it can only be used once."

"Are you sure you want me to use it? It could be more useful to the others, or to you."

She shook her head. "Please, accept it. It would be a waste to have someone as talented as you without any new spells."

"Hmm..." I stared at the wooden ambo. An object capable of unlocking a new spell. Interesting...

"Argenta... I'm sure there is a way for you to learn new spells, aside from this ambo. There must be! There is no way the Deities gifted you with a codex without a way to fill it. You just have to find what works for you," she reassured me, offering a hopeful smile.

Elizabeth's words made me ponder... Joey told me that my backpack was glowing while I was dead, after that dragon killed me. That was my codex, I realized that much, but if death is the way I can unlock more spells...

"Did I say something wrong?" Elizabeth asked me, seeing my contorted expression.

"No, no... Sorry. I'm just pissed at the Deities."

I don't think I want to find out...

She chuckled. "Well, who could ever understand them? Come on... aren't you curious to know what your new spell is going to be?"

"You're right. Let's do it..."

I placed my codex over the wooden ambo. As soon as I did, my codex illuminated. Soon after, the wooden ambo shattered into pieces.

"There you go. You have a new spell." Elizabeth said with a reassured smile.

I retrieved my codex; now we could go back to the others collecting the gold. The dungeon was really and finally cleared...

"Is something wrong? You seem paler than before..." Elizabeth observed.

"Ah... no, nothing," I quickly replied.

If only the demon hadn't just reappeared...