“You’re here… again.” Faeyna’s voice came from behind.

I turned to look at her. “You don’t know who I am?”

“Should I?” She looked up at me, her eyes red with the tears she was holding back, her lips tight. “You’re an acquaintance of my brother, right?”

“Faeyna…” I reached out, but she took a step back, her behavior guarded.

“I don’t know you, but I think it’s best if you go. I have a lot of messes to clean up.”

“You’re a hero now…”

“I’m not.”

“But…”

“I’m just a maid! That’s all I am. That’s all I’ll ever be. Now, my master is waiting for me to make his supper.”

I looked around incredulously. The mansion had been untouched, but the entire front yard was filled with holes and craters. It was as she said, a mess.

“Your brother…”

“You don’t have the right to tell me about my brother!” She rose her voice, her tears finally starting to fall.

“What about the Elf Hero?”

She stiffened. “What about him?”

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“Do you think he’d be without life insurance?”

A man like him definitely would be resurrected. Before, when the Elf Hero had killed her brother, he may have refused to help resurrect him, but resurrection was still a possibility. She would have had a month to find someone to do it. Money could be raised. Disreputable people could be contacted. However, after sacrificing himself and damaging his soul, such a thing was less likely. I had been resurrected, but I also understood those were special circumstances.

Faeyna’s expression turned white for a second but her expression turned dark. “If that’s all you have to say, then, please leave. I won’t ask again.”

She turned away and left, walking back up to the mansion and then entering inside. In the end, we finally had a chance to speak, but we had barely exchanged two words. More than that, she had given me the cold shoulder. Was that Faeyna’s ultimate feelings regarding me? Did she just want me to go away?

I started to feel increasingly depressed. “Rejected, huh?”

“Is it so surprising?” A voice asked behind me.

I looked back at Elaya standing there. I took a steady breath.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“This is Faeyna before she met you. She doesn’t even know you. Well, this cycle has met you a few times, but that doesn’t mean she’s formed any particular strong opinion about you.”

“This cycle?”

“Do you think this is the first time this story has played out? This… or variations of it, have been playing out ever since this dungeon formed.”

“You mean… Faeyna’s entire life…”

She nodded. “I had to break free from her cycle. This damn dungeon cast me as the old maid! Well, Xin was caught up in it too. I managed to send her out, and you were able to sever that bond. As for her, Faeyna has been suffering this loop, like a self-imposed punishment.”

It was like Twilight Dungeon. The story played out over and over again. I was only seeing the most recent version of it. Presumably, once it finished, it’d repeat again, desperately trying to change its story. Of course, things turned out the same way. I wasn’t able to change anything.

“What is she punishing herself for? I’m the one who failed.” I responded bitterly.

“Not yet. There is still one last level.” Elaya declared.