I took a deep breath and, holding onto the edge, lowered my body into the hole. I materialized a small lance and stuck it into the wall, doing the same with my other hand. I continued this process as I descended deeper. The superficial wound on my side was no longer a problem, and the burning sensation had faded. However, my mana reserves were becoming a concern. Not knowing how deep the hole was, I couldn't estimate how much mana I'd need, so I chose to conserve it as much as possible.

As I descended, it grew darker, with the only source of light being the lances of pure mana. This descent was physically challenging, even with my enhancements. I didn't know how long I'd last, but worst case, I could chip into the wall to create a temporary shelter.

After a few hours, my muscles began to ache, and I was unsure whether to stop or keep going. I even considered going back up because I might run out of food. Suddenly, the gravity changed, and I fell face-first against the wall I was climbing.

I increasingly hated this place.

Perhaps it's the work of the crystal. Is it meant to confuse me?

I walked in the same direction I had been descending, using a sphere of pure mana to light my way. A few steps later, gravity returned to normal, catching me off guard. I tried to grab onto the wall, but I couldn't, and I fell into the void.

I was plummeting at great speed, not knowing when I'd crash. I swear I'll destroy this place with my own hands.

I empowered my body as much as possible in hopes of surviving the fall while thinking of a way to save myself. However, a powerful light blinded me. I covered my eyes with my arm, thinking I was about to crash. Then the intense glare vanished, and I moved my arm to see that I was now falling into a massive area, similar to where I had just been, but larger and more majestic. Crystals of all colors illuminated and decorated the cavern, populated by enormous monsters of various species. In the center stood an imposing dragon, wrapped around a giant green crystal.

If that's the crystal I'm looking for, it means I'll have to face that dragon. As I thought, it won't be easy, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

I smiled with excitement at the idea of facing that beast, but then I realized I was just a few meters away from crashing. I concentrated and reached my hand towards the ground, then released all the remaining mana in one go, creating a recoil to slow down the fall. The mana dissipated like a dense blue mist and shone brighter in the cavern than any other crystal before gradually dispersing in the air. Fortunately, it worked, but the impact was still painful.

I never thought such a thing was actually possible.

I looked in disbelief at my arm and felt a sharp, intense pain. What's happening? I clenched my hand over the painful limb. Releasing all that mana might have damaged my mana channels. I didn't know it could happen.

I sat with my back against a mossy rock, waiting for the pain to subside. I gritted my teeth through the aftershock when a shadow cast over me. I raised my head to find a beast resembling a vulture, as large as a room, with imposing venomous purple claws.

I remained still, trying not to agitate it, but it seemed too late. The monster screeched and took off, then dived straight at me. I got up and started to run, but the beast flew faster. With no mana left and an injured arm, I had no way to take down that monster. I needed to figure out a solution.

I'll die here. How am I supposed to deal with that huge thing without mana?

I turned and noticed the short distance separating me from the giant vulture, as I approached a massive rock twice the size of the beast. At that moment, I analyzed the situation and decided to exploit my opponent's weaknesses.

I made a sudden change in direction, and the vulture tried to follow me but being too large, it couldn't maneuver as quickly as I could. It had to stop to avoid crashing into the rock. I gained several meters, but then the beast resumed its pursuit. As before, just before it reached me, I changed direction again to regain ground.

I continued with this technique, but my physical energy was running out. My body was still that of a child, and I had recently completed the descent, which had exhausted me. So I started to slow down, and even if I continued changing direction, the beast was closing in.

I looked around for a place where the vulture couldn't follow me and fortunately found a sort of hole in the ground resembling a burrow. It was too far, but I headed toward it, hoping not to be caught. The beast screeched just as it was about to reach me, but I kept my focus on my goal, concentrating all my strength on that final sprint.

The burrow was now just a few meters away, but the beast was too close and tried to grab me. I dodged and dived into the hole, sliding inside. Finally, I was safe. I was completely sweaty and exhausted, but I was alive.

The vulture seemed unwilling to leave, waiting right outside the entrance, but it was only a matter of time. I just needed to recharge my mana to take it down. I can't wait to savor that bird's meat; it seems to have grown well.

I crossed my arms behind my head and leaned against the burrow's wall. The adrenaline faded, and exhaustion set in. I struggled to keep my eyelids open but soon succumbed to a deep sleep.

I slept soundly for who knows how many hours, only to be awakened by the annoying screeching of the vulture, which continued to hover near the entrance. It's time for payback.

I got up, smiling, ready to take down that beast. But when I tried to materialize a sword in my left hand, I felt intense pain. I guess this arm is completely out of commission. So, I materialized the weapon in my right hand and confidently stepped outside. The vulture immediately noticed me and screamed before charging at me.

The beast tried to grab me with its claws, but I dodged and, enhancing my body, made a huge leap onto its back. The vulture thrashed, but I remained firmly attached by driving my sword into its neck. A small wound wasn't enough to bring it down, so I enlarged the blade until it emerged from the other side of the creature, and it fell lifeless to the ground.

I guess I used up too much mana again. I better get out of here quickly.

I returned my sword to its original size and cut a piece of meat. I tasted it with confidence but spat it out in disgust. You're utterly useless, stupid bird.

When I arrived here by falling, I spotted the crystal's location and roughly memorized the path to reach it. To ensure I was going in the right direction, I headed towards the giant rock and climbed to its peak. From up there, I could see both the crystal and the dragon guarding it. The enormous beast was covered in black scales and was as large as an entire building. The insides of its wings and its jaws were a bright red, while its claws were long and pitch-black.

I was mesmerized as I gazed at it, excited to face a creature of that caliber. I slid down from the rock, eager to make my way to the crystal. As I walked, I reached the point where I had landed, and as soon as I crossed it, I found myself in an open area. The sensation of being so exposed was unsettling, but I endured it and kept my concentration high.

I continued walking calmly until I felt a strange sensation, as if the floor was moving. I carried on, and the ground started to tremble. So, I didn't imagine it. It's reassuring to know I'm still sane.

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In front of me, a massive cloud of dust approached at great speed. What is it? A herd of beasts? I had plenty of time to escape, but out of curiosity, I sat on the ground, erected a dome around me, and observed more closely.

I distinguished huge silhouettes within the dust, but I didn't know what kind of beasts they were until I heard various trumpet-like sounds. Are they... elephants? They passed over me in a herd, trampling me mercilessly. Fortunately, the barrier seemed to hold, and I took the opportunity to observe them better. Unlike the other creatures, they appeared to be ordinary elephants, with nothing special about them. But at that point, two questions came to mind that I should have asked earlier. Are they fleeing? And from what?

A powerful roar echoed throughout the cave. I raised my head and looked into the distance, where the dragon, now awake, was standing and fixing its crimson eyes on me.

"Oh, so it was you." I got up, turned toward him, smiling and ready for the challenge. I extended my arms as a display of power and declared, "I'm ready."

The dragon opened its jaws, and mana started gathering in its mouth, creating a bright sphere of light resembling a sun. From it, the dragon unleashed a powerful mana beam directed at me.

I materialized a shield and parried. The energy from the beam pressed me, and I had to enhance my body further. Finally, the attack ended, and the dragon roared again. My shield shattered, and I began to sweat from the heat of the beam. Before I could recover, the dragon created and hurled a mana sphere at me. I didn't have time to create a new shield, so I had to dodge by jumping away, but I was still caught in its explosion.

I managed to withstand it, even though my body was wounded and burned. I had no problem staying on my feet. I have to test something, even if it won't be very effective against him.

The dragon took to the air to get closer to me. In the meantime, I materialized a lance and created a rapidly rotating layer of mana around it, then hurled it at the dragon. As I suspected, the lance left a faint trail of mana in the air, which I could exploit. Using the trail, I could remotely control the lance, keeping the mana layer around it stable.

The lance pierced deep into the dragon's neck, but being too small, it was ineffective as an attack. However, my goal wasn't to defeat the beast but to experiment, and I had done that perfectly.

Well, now that I've confirmed my theories, I need to find a way to apply this new ability. I could try to target his eye, but I don't think I can hit it. Moreover, my mana wouldn't be nearly enough to create a lance capable of killing that dragon, so I have no choice but to face it in close combat.

I focused all my mana on my legs, and my muscles swelled as a slight layer of pure mana dust began to float around my limbs. I'm coming.

I started running toward the beast faster than I ever had before. The dragon, frightened, fired another energy sphere, but this time, I was fast enough to dodge without taking any damage, and I continued toward the beast. It rose higher and roared to intimidate me, then launched another energy beam. I created a lance and threw it straight into the enemy's attack, which was cut and dissolved together with my lance. Now!

I stopped my sprint, lowered myself, and charged my jump. The mana flows around my legs intensified, resembling a storm. I leaped, and the ground beneath my feet cracked from the force. I exceeded all my limits and reached the dragon's snout. I landed on it, concentrated all the remaining mana in my left arm, and my veins swelled as a mana storm raged around it, emitting a powerful light. I closed my hand into a fist and struck the dragon's head.

The beast fell to the ground, and I landed on top of it. The knuckles of my hand were bleeding from the dragon's resilient scales, and my body complained about the excessive effort. The dragon writhed, and I fell to the ground in front of it. Our eyes met just a few meters apart, and the beast still seemed dazed from my punch. I took advantage of the moment, materialized a lance, and thrust it into the dragon's eye.

The dragon roared and took flight to put some distance between us. There's one more thing I intend to try, and if the lance went deep enough, it might be decisive.

I reached out toward the dragon, utilizing the mana trail, to remotely control my weapon. I tried to shape it into a sphere, and although the connection was weak and deteriorating slowly, I managed to do it by concentrating. Then I released all the mana in the created sphere in one go, causing an explosion in the dragon's head.

As I thought, it worked. The remote control of mana has many useful applications.

The dragon roared in pain and lost control, crashing to the ground. If that small explosion caused so much damage, the lance must have reached the beast's brain. I was lucky.

I took the opportunity to run toward the enormous green crystal. My body was at its limit, and I had no mana left. I can't defeat it, even though I don't like to admit it: the best option is to escape.

The dragon was slowly recovering, but by now, I had reached the crystal. I placed my hand on it, hopeful that it would be enough to get me out of there, but nothing happened. Damn, this way, I'll be killed. I don't have the strength to escape. I sat down, leaning against the crystal to rest, but the dragon was heading back toward me. I tried to get up, but even running would be futile.

The dragon spotted me and, opening its jaws, prepared its attack. I'm at my limit, I can't escape, and I think I'll end up dying here. I would have liked to have more fun with magic, but oh well.

The dragon shot the energy sphere at me, and I watched its light approach, closed my eyes, and clenched my teeth, ready to endure the decisive blow.

A laugh echoed in my head. 'It was quite an entertaining scene, Roseth.'

The heat from the energy sphere vanished completely, and I opened my eyes, confused to find that it had disappeared.

What?!

The dragon crouched in front of me with its head lowered. What's happening?

The crystal behind me lit up, and my body did the same. Then, I was enveloped in a blinding light.

I found myself in an entirely white room with a man in front of me, his back to me, with white hair.

"Who are you?" I asked, confused.

"Congratulations, Roseth, you made it," he replied with a familiar voice.

It can't be, he is...

"Arter!" I exclaimed.

The god turned toward me. "Yes, it's me. Nice to see you again, little creature."

"What's happening? Where have you been?"

Arter chuckled. "Did you miss me?"

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "Cut the act."

Arter stroked his beard. "At the moment when you defeated Zephyr, this dungeon was left without an owner. Utilizing the purple trial crystal, I transferred my mana into the green crystal, taking control of the dungeon."

"So, can I leave now?" I asked enthusiastically.

"We need to talk first. Sit down," Arter leaned against the ground and crossed his legs.

"O-okay," I did the same.

"Roseth, I can get you out of here, but I need to warn you about a few things," Arter looked me in the eyes seriously. "Zephyr, the god of darkness, was once the strongest of the deities. With his power, he ruled over both the divine and earthly worlds. The other gods, disturbed by his might, united against him. This initiated a battle of 9 against 1. Even with a significant numerical advantage, they struggled against Zephyr, but they still managed to seal most of his powers. The god of darkness went from being the strongest to the weakest of the gods. He could be sealed entirely at any time, so he hid here in this dungeon. The silver-haired boy who confronted him was probably an apostle of one of Zephyr's rival deities, sent into dungeons in search of him."

I yawned, bored with the long explanation. "So where's the danger?"

"Zephyr's power, capable of disrupting the balance of the divine world, has become the ultimate weapon. In essence, all the gods are looking for his power. However, none of them can figure out where it is. The only one who knows its location is me, the one who sealed it, and the other gods are well aware of this."

"What does all this have to do with me?" I asked, still confused.

"The ten realms in this world were all founded by different deities, each with a monarch who obeys the orders of the deity who founded the realm. The realm of Dorth, where you are right now, was founded by me, and its inhabitants worship me as their primary deity. Essentially, if the gods want to find Zephyr's power, this is where they'll begin, and they won't ask nicely from each inhabitant; they'll use force."

"Are you saying I'll have to confront gods?"

"No, without Fate's permission, no one can descend directly to the earthly world. However, they can interact with humans or find a human vessel capable of hosting their spirit."

I widened my eyes in surprise. "Fate? What is it? Some kind of higher deity?"

"Well, let's say it is," the god cleared his throat and continued speaking. "Each god will utilize their respective realm to find the location of Zephyr's power."

Arter stood up. "Probably, a war will begin, but I can't tell you more." He extended his hand to help me up, and I took it.

"Your body is too weak, Roseth. It's only a matter of time before the conflicts begin, and you're not ready."

"So, what are you suggesting?" I asked.

"Now that I can control the dungeon, I can use the power of the crystal to make your body grow."

I glanced at my still shaky legs due to the excessive effort. "Alright, but don't overdo it, or I'll have trouble getting used to it."

"Alright, I'll make you grow by 9 years."

"Why exactly 9?" I asked curiously.

"It's the time that has passed outside the dungeon."

"Ah, I see..."

"Alright," Arter clapped his hands. "I

t's time to get you out of here."

"I'm ready."

"Then, we'll see each other, Roseth."

I waved goodbye to the god, smiling, as I was enveloped in a blinding green light."