In the small village known to many as Olyres, sun rays awoke the villagers signifying another day of hard work. It sat underneath a large mountain, believed to be guarding the people from danger.

Summer was approaching, as the bugs had started to come out, and the crops were flourishing.

Atop the mountain, was a boy in his teens, lazily dazing on a hammock, swinging between two trees. His snores could be heard from a mile away, and was easily recognizable by everyone in the village.

Fumbling in his sleep, he eventually fell over. Of course, the hammock was still unstable. It was something he had only just created the night before.

"Ouch..."

The boy stood up, dusting himself off from the dirt that caught on his shirt. He had messy black hair, and light blue eyes, similar to the color of the sky. Wearing a plain attire made of wool, he really had no attachment nor care to his outfit.

He gazed across the vast world from the mountain. It was a colorful and magical place. From here, he could see his village, forests, rivers, and lakes everywhere. In the distance was the town known as Remedi, where the world-famous 'dungeon' was located. It was everyone's dream to able to enter that town. A world hidden with treasures and riches was what drove the world to try their best and getting stronger to one day exploring the dungeon.

However, this did not matter for the boy. He was content with his life if he could sleep as much as he wanted. 

Soon after, he heard footsteps approching. Turning around, he could see two figures approaching up the mountain. Squinting, he still couldn't make out who they were, but he had a vague idea.

"Faul! What are you still doing up here?" One of the two said, panting in fatigue.

"Oh, it's you two." [Faul]

They were both Faul's friends, always hanging around each other from birth.

One of them was a short girl named Iona, who was very passionate about many things and open-minded. She had a caring personality, but could get overwhelming at times. 

The other was an older boy named Varus. He was rather laid-back to his friends, however worked very hard in order to get stronger and bring prosperity to his family. 

Each of them were all around the same age of 15, the time when their magical powers would soon awaken. At that age, everyone would take a test in the town of Remedi, in order to determine if they were worthy to explore the almighty dungeon.

"Geez, all you do is sleep all day! Have you forgotten what time of the month it is?" [Iona]

Faul thought about it. Seconds had passed. He had something in mind, but he didn't dare to say it. This was something to be talked about in private, with another women! Not out here in the open!

"Aren't you going to say something? Why are you looking at me like that?" [Iona]

"Oh, no..." [Varus] After being with them for several years, he knew exactly what was going to unfold within the next few minutes.

"Co- Could you be on your.. p-" [Faul]

Faul was quickly greeted with a jab to the stomach. "Ow!"

"That's what you get for saying something so insensitive!" [Iona]

Faul held on to his stomach in pain. "What is this, some sort of terrible cliche novel?" He muttered as he winked at the sky.

The two others were confused at his actions. 

"What are you talking about?" [Varus]

"Huh? Oh, nothing. Don't worry about that. Anyways, what are you guys doing here? I'm trying to sleep." [Faul]

Iona and Varus looked at each other in dissapointment. This guy was hopeless... 

"Don't you remember that we're supposed to take the Dungeon Test in three days? We have a carriage here in order to bring us to Remedi!" [Varus]

A realization came quickly to Faul. So that's what it was! He had no care for this test, so it was natural that he didn't keep up with the news. Every year, during the beginning of summertime, was the Dungeon Test. According to the rumors, it was a difficult test with very high standards. Only about 5% of the applicants made it in each year.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"Ah, that." [Faul] 

He had completely forgotten about it.

"Quickly, let's go!" [Iona]

She grabbed Faul by the hand and began running down to the base of the mountain, to the village. Varus was right behind them. 

When they finally arrived, an old man came to greet them. Alongside him were nine other people, who were also there to take the test. The old man approached Faul and his group and looked into the distance, as if he were remembering a distinct memory.

"So you are finally here. Get in line." [Old Man]

The three of them went towards the other nine, who were also people they all recognized for being together throughout the many years.

"Ahem. I shall now start. You are all here, at the age of fifteen, in order to take the Dungeon Test. Many have attempted this test, and only a select few have made it through. Even if you do not, however! Do not bring shame to the village of Olyres! Try your best, and bring glory to this small village! I believe in all of you, as the elder of this village." [Elder]

"Yes, sir!" shouted all of them in unison.

As everyone of them got on personalized carriages, Faul decided to rush back to his house and bring a special item with him. His trusted pillow! He had received it as a child, however, he had always felt like this pillow was peculiar, simply because it couldn't even be compared to others. It was really that soft!

They each got on the carriages, and at the orders of the village elder, they were sent off to head to Remedi.

"After 15 years, it's finally here, huh..." [Faul]

He gazed out the window, looking at the bright sun and the surrounding horizon. The view was spectacular. After a bit of looking around, he grew tired eventually. The trip would take at least a day and a half. Sleeping for a little bit wouldn't harm anyone.

Faul set up his bed carefully and slept like a log, until the next day.

-24 hours later-

With a crash, Faul woke up. The carriage had stopped moving? What happened? In a rush, he opened the doors, revealing a large griffon with flamed wings. In front of it, several other carriages had been destroyed!

Screams and explosions rung in his ears. Where was Varus and Iona?

"Over here!" A familiar voice yelled.

Faul turned his head around. Iona was peaking out a large rock, and Varus was behind her, safe with the other nine villagers and the carriage riders. He felt instantly relieved. At least they were safe.

He rushed to them, in order to not be seen by the beast. 

"I never thought I'd see one of these in my life!" One of the carriage riders screamed. Faul took a closer look at his face. Who was this guy supposed to be?

"This is a Winged Flamebeast.. They should only be within the depths of the dungeon, how was it able to get all the way out here?! We're dead... Only an S-rank could have a chance at taking down one of these!" [Carriage rider]

All the villagers looked at him in shock. An S-rank? Within the dungeon, explorers were divided into ranks. To others, S-ranks were a legendary existence. Every one of them were extremely powerful in their own way, bringing great contributions to humanity. There were only six out of the millions that had entered the dungeon.

If what the organizer said was true, then they were all most definitely going to die here! There was no way to escape, once they left the rock the Flamebeast would definitely see them.

"Someone! Save us, please!" screamed one of the villagers.

Faul stood there the entire time, silent. He had a plan, but was this a good idea? He thought to himself. Probably not, but if he didn't, then everyone else would die.

"Tch!" [Faul]

He left the group and began running towards the beast.

The organizer yelled in desperation, "What are you doing?!? Do you have a deathwish? Get back here, immediately!" As he was about to rush out, two hands grabbed him by the shoulder. It was Varus and Iona.

"Let him do his thing! Faul isn't brave enough to risk himself without a plan. He won't die here!" [Varus]

"W- what are you talking about.. This kid is going to get destroyed in an instant! Don't you guys care?! Even an S-rank would have a tough time against this thing!" [Organizer]

While the two were arguing, Faul was being very cautious. He didn't even know if his plan would work. It was to distract the beast by running to the opposite direction and trying to guide it as far as possible from the others.

For someone like Faul, this plan was very stupid. However, ever since they were young, he had always been the most fit one in his village, even if he slept all day. He had no idea how, but it was worth a shot, in order to save the others!

"Hey, over here!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.

The Flamebeast met his eyes, and immediately changed his focus towards him. Good! So far, it was going according to plan. Faul ran as fast as humanly possible, however the Winged Flamebeast catching up was inevitable. It was a magical beast known to be extremely fast!

The organizer muttered "It's no use.. That kid's a goner... Once he's dead, the Flamebeast will come back for us!"

Varus and Iona looked into the distance. Although they believed in Faul, they still had concerns. He wouldn't actually die, right?

Faul had managed to dodge most of its attacks and led the beast to the edge of a cliff, out of view from the others. There was no longer anywhere run. He was definitely going to die here! His life flashed before him as the Flamebeast charged at him, and all he could do was stick his hands out in a futile attempt to defend himself.

A large cross shape came out from his hands, and the Flamebeast gave out a large shriek as it was cut into pieces, followed by nothing but silence.

He couldn't believe it. In front of him lay the beast, reduced to shreds.

"Ah."