The Monster Rift, also known as the Monster Abyss or Dungeon - the last name being coined by players.

Strictly speaking, this was a void realm separate from reality.

The surroundings were vast and empty, with maze-like pathways. The nearby walls might disturb observers - they undulated slowly like purple, writhing masses of flesh, with membrane-like tissues connecting between the fleshy masses.

On these flesh walls, as if carved by some unknown force, shifting forms appeared. Purple smoke seeped out between the fleshy surfaces, followed by black-purple fissures that kept trembling.

Looking up, endless purple spread across the space's dome like spilled paint, constantly churning.

Occasionally, monsters would slowly squeeze out from these fissures. While they were still covered in mucus and membrane, barely able to stand steady on the writhing ground, a demi-human would instantly draw their blade, stomp hard, and rush at lightning speed toward the newly-born monster.

Swoosh!

A cold flash of light, and in the blink of an eye, the monster's body froze in place. Before it could even solidify its shape, it was split in half, sliding to the ground.

A flame followed immediately after, engulfing the monster's fragile body. The fierce fire burned frantically, reducing the monster to ashes.

Weak, too weak.

Compared to the well-equipped demi-humans, these monsters were mere cannon fodder.

Viktor walked with his hands in his pockets, with Aurelianne following beside him. The deeper they ventured into this space, the more puzzled Aurelianne became.

She looked up at Viktor and asked: "Teacher, why are we training here?"

And why bring so many people in such a conspicuous manner?

She couldn't understand. The monsters here were pitifully weak, offering no challenge whatsoever.

However, this was still her teacher's choice. Although Aurelianne had doubts, she would only obey.

Viktor's voice sounded beside Aurelianne's ear: "Where you are now is the first ten levels - the Dark Field of Pain. The Monster Abyss is divided into many levels, and every ten levels, the surrounding scenery and monsters change. The first ten levels of the Dark Field of Pain are the most basic and simplest tier."

"The deeper you go into the Monster Rift, the stronger the monsters become, and even their respawn speed increases. So, it's normal for the monsters here to be weak."

Aurelianne seemed to understand and didn't inquire further.

The team continued forward, clearing the weak monsters along the way. These monsters were all pathetically weak, being thoroughly eliminated in just a few moves.

Soon, however, the team stopped in their tracks. They had reached the end.

Ahead lay what appeared to be a bottomless purple abyss. Within it, what seemed like a pair of giant eyes kept flickering, examining the approaching team.

From the purple abyss, a stone bridge gradually rose. Behind the bridge, a giant door slowly emerged from the flesh walls.

"Go forward, and you'll reach the eleventh level," Viktor said calmly. "After the eleventh level, you'll face real challenges."

Of course, most of the monsters in the rift had been cleared by the guild members. Plus, with fourth-tier mages like Cocotte accompanying them, this team wouldn't be in danger.

Aurelianne looked at the door in surprise, then Viktor's voice reached her ears: "Do you know why I brought Elsa along?"

Hearing this, she couldn't help but look at the solitary assassin among the demi-humans. Despite being a powerful fourth-tier adventurer, she now seemed like a mere tool, always following Viktor's orders.

She stopped thinking further and shook her head in confusion.

"Because she used to be an adventurer too."

Aurelianne blinked, seemingly not understanding Viktor's meaning.

But as his words fell, Viktor's figure gradually became slightly transparent.

"By the way, what follows is your own trial."

Hearing this, Aurelianne's eyes widened. She instinctively reached out, trying to grab Viktor's coat, but only caught air.

Her teacher was still there before her, yet somehow unreachable.

She stood frozen, her heart pounding.

"T-Teacher?"

His voice continued around Aurelianne, carrying an advisory tone:

"From here on, Elsa will guide you, and Gwen will protect you."

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"Finally, trust Cocotte - no one here is stronger than her."

Viktor's form gradually turned to white powder, slowly crumbling away before Aurelianne's disbelieving eyes. His body dispersed like dust in the wind.

"Lead this team below the thirtieth floor - that's your lesson for today."

The remaining powder scattered completely with Viktor's final words.

Everyone silently watched as Viktor vanished, coat and all.

From the sky, a single black feather floated down, landing in Aurelianne's palm.

She looked down at the perfect raven feather, feeling dazed as her mood gradually sank.

Anxiety, restlessness, fear - various emotions surged up as Viktor departed.

Her teacher... had left her?

The sound of armor clinking together reached her ears.

Gwen stood beside Aurelianne, kneeling on one knee.

"Your Highness."

At the sound, life returned to Aurelianne's vacant eyes.

She looked down at Gwen with helpless eyes.

"Where... where is my teacher?"

At this moment, she seemed like a little princess left alone without her guardian.

Gwen responded respectfully: "Viktor has other matters to attend to. He informed us beforehand, please don't worry."

Aurelianne lowered her head, slightly crushing the black feather in her hand.

The raven's tail feather became slightly deformed in her grip.

He informed you beforehand?

Then why... why didn't he tell me?

Just because I'm his student?

Gwen looked up at the silent Aurelianne.

"...Your Highness?"

Her tone showed concern and confusion.

"No, I'm fine."

Aurelianne raised her head again, seemingly restored to her usual bright smile.

Viktor's departure appeared to have no effect on her.

"Thank you for telling me this, Teacher Gwen. Let's continue - my lesson isn't over yet."

"Yes."

Gwen stood up and returned to the front of the team, leading the demi-humans behind Aurelianne.

The surrounding demi-human guards regrouped, adjusting their armor and gripping their weapons tightly.

They followed Gwen across the stone bridge, continuing deeper into the Monster Rift beyond the door.

...

Meanwhile, in the depths of the tenth level.

Viktor's form gradually solidified as he stood in place, looking at the writhing cave before him.

Vega perched on Viktor's shoulder, covering its beak with a wing while yawning.

"Say, you left that little girl behind - won't she hold a grudge against you?"

Viktor didn't look at it, walking straight toward the cave's depths.

When reaching a fork in the path, he didn't even need to think, decisively entering one of the branches.

As familiar as returning home.

At the same time, Viktor calmly said:

"She needs to become more independent."

"Surely there could have been better ways?"

The raven chuckled, making one wonder what colored nonsense filled its lacking brain.

"Tsk tsk, I hope you're not setting yourself up for some imprisonment ending."

"However..."

The raven looked up, peering through the walls toward the purple dome.

Its single eye flickered with a certain light, as if sensing something.

"For you, getting them out of the way is indeed a good choice."

"You really planned everything, didn't you, Viktor?"

Viktor remained expressionless, ignoring Vega's praise as he continued walking forward in silence.

The path became more complex, with increasing numbers of branches, but Viktor's mind seemed to contain a map, always choosing the correct route.

Finally, the path reached its end.

Viktor walked to the terminus, quietly observing the surroundings.

The walls around were perfectly uniform, completely different from the writhing flesh before, as if specially constructed.

And within these orderly walls stood an enormous... door.

Though "door" might not be the right word - it was more like a disc.

The disc was carved with an extremely terrifying magical beast, its ferocious form and sharp fangs displayed vividly before Viktor.

Vega's eye widened slightly, marveling at this masterpiece of a stone door.

"A door? Interesting. The previous maze and levels were surprising enough."

"This mysterious Monster Abyss - which deity created such a thing?"

As if sensing their presence, the massive stone door slowly twisted, gradually moving to both sides.

Creaking sounds echoed through the narrow passage, reaching Viktor's ears.

Boom!

When the door fully opened, a tremendous sound burst forth.

A damp and cold smell wafted out, entering Viktor and Vega's nostrils.

A musty scent clung to Vega's body, making it naturally raise one wing to cover its nose.

Finally, the void behind gradually revealed itself, like a giant mouth completely swallowing the two.

Viktor didn't hesitate, extending one foot into the void.

"Before the main event begins."

"Let me warm up first."

As his words fell, Viktor's body completely entered the void.

The great door slowly closed again.

Another heavy sound, and it was completely sealed.

Then a voice rang out between the entire door, incredibly ethereal and light:

[Trial Initiated—]

[Challenger—Viktor Kravina Level 43]

[Difficulty Adjustment—Adjustment Complete]

[First Trial—Remain Unharmed Through Five Monster Waves While Eliminating All Creatures]

[Challenge Begin—]