Chapter 3

With a whispered incantation, Kai unleashed a bolt of flame, hitting the eye with pinpoint accuracy. Yet, the element of surprise faded, revealing an enraged ogre. Ryu valiantly defended against the initial assault but was sent crashing into a wall.

[Ding! Mana consumed: 15—Current Mana: 85/100]

Yet, the element of surprise faded, revealing an enraged ogre. Ryu valiantly defended against the initial assault using his knight shield but was sent crashing into a wall.

Simultaneously, the castle's entrance doors opened to the goblin horde, flooding the chamber. Amidst the chaos, a spear grazed Kai, narrowly avoiding a severe wound.

[Ding! Health reduced: 10—Current Health: 70/80]

The ogre's thunderous roar echoed, signaling a tumultuous battle against overwhelming both ogre and goblin. Kai and Ryu summoned all their strength and wits to survive.

Dashing through the closet door, Kai forcefully sealed the door behind them. Goblin cheers transformed into terrified screams, drowned out by an earth-shaking, bone-chilling snarl—the audible dread of tearing flesh.

[Ding!

Experience gained: 100

Level up! Kai is now Level 2.]

Navigating the castle's neglected halls, they reached a larger chamber—a dining hall adorned with a long wooden table and twin fireplaces. Kai signaled Ryu to stop, straining to hear. Faint echoes of battle reverberated from behind.

“No escape that way," Kai thought.

Then, a new sound pierced the air—an uneven breath intertwined with soft, anguished cries. The source seemed nearby.

Stealthily, Kai approached the other end of the dining hall. A chilling sight awaited him—a young woman, chained to a fireplace, rocked back and forth. Her sobs created a haunting melody amidst the dark scenery of the castle.

Kai's gaze met with the distressed maiden, her wide eyes filled with a mixture of fear and astonishment. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Who... who are you?"

For a moment, his mind flirted with a peculiar notion—he wondered if she was just another intricately designed NPC, a character woven into the fabric of the game's storyline.

His gaze lingered, and he observed the details of her appearance—the way her disheveled hair framed her face, the genuine fear etched in her eyes, and the subtle tremor in her hands. Yet, a lingering skepticism persisted. The game developers had a penchant for creating realistic characters, and Elena seemed like a prime example.

Kai, with a confident grin, introduced himself and Ryu, explaining their purpose—to survive. The words seemed to resonate with Elena, her fear giving way to a hopeful glimmer in her eyes.

As she shared her own name and story, Kai's heart swelled with empathy. Elena, a merchant's daughter, had been traveling with her father's caravan when tragedy struck. An ogre, accompanied by dark-cloaked priests of an evil god, had descended upon them. Her fellow travelers were either slain outright or taken captive, disappearing one by one at the hands of the malevolent priests.

"They took my father!" Elena's voice trembled with grief. "I fear he may be gone, but I must try to find him. Will you help me?"

Kai considered their options. They could embark on a perilous journey with Elena, but her safety would be at constant risk. Ryu voiced his concerns, suggesting they secure her in a hiding place while they continued their exploration.

Kai agreed, recognizing the dangers that could befall a defenseless merchant's daughter in this treacherous castle.

With determination, Kai set out to find a suitable hiding spot within the ruin. A few rooms away, a pile of rubble offered adequate concealment. Kai instructed Elena to stay hidden, assuring her that they would return.

"Stay still and quiet here. We will come back for you... If, by some chance, we do not return by morning, find a way to escape," Kai told her.

With one last reassuring look, Kai and Ryu left Elena behind, hoping that their plan would grant her safety and freedom.

The castle enveloped them in silence, darkness stretching out in every direction. As they stepped into a wide hallway, it split, offering two diverging paths. One was cloaked in a thick layer of dust, a testament to its long neglect. The other, in stark contrast, revealed a trail of footprints, hinting at recent activity.

As they pressed forward, the cobwebs grew denser. Suddenly, a cry of alarm pierced the silence. It was Ryu, pointing his sword skyward, revealing a monstrous spider ensnared in a web of thick strands. The arachnid's lair was adorned with small, silken cocoons, likely containing its hapless prey.

With trembling hands, Ryu sheathed his sword and armed himself with a bow. Drawing a steadying breath, he fit an arrow, took aim, and released. The spider convulsed momentarily before crashing to the floor with a resounding thud.

“I REALLY HATE SPIDERS!” He muttered.

They moved forward with heightened vigilance, wary of the looming threat above.

Ryu led the way, ascending into a small tower bathed in the gentle glow of moonlight. The room's furnishings stood in stark contrast to the destroyed state of the rest of the castle. A neatly made bed occupied one end, accompanied by a stacked table and a bookshelf. Upon the table rested an open fairy-tale book and a hand mirror adorned with golden embellishments.

Kai's fingers grasped the mirror, examining it closely. Ryu observed the surroundings, noting the absence of dust and a curious draft in the air. "This place looks well kept compared to the other rooms," he murmured.

Kai, studying his reflection, found solace in the sight of himself, his new look was stunning. He brushed away the clinging cobwebs, revealing a contented smile and a set of well-chiseled facial structure.

In the midst of preparing to steal the mirror, a chilling sight materialized in the reflection—a skull crowned with wisps of hair. The illusion shattered as Kai whirled around, only to face a young girl suspended a few feet above the ground, her face fixed intently on him.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH WHAT IS MINE!" the ghostly girl's voice echoed. Kai instinctively retreated, carefully placing the mirror back on the table. Tales of formidable spirits capable of draining life force in the game flooded his thoughts, leaving him to wonder if this spectral ghost was a boss level threat.

Kai bowed his head respectfully. "I... I apologize, my lady," he said sincerely. "It is only that this is such a fine mirror, and I wished to admire it."

The duchess, her gaze unwavering, studied him for a moment before her stern countenance softened. "I am the Duchess Wyvern. My father, the duke, gave me that as a gift."

Kai couldn't help but recall the tales surrounding Duke Wyvern and the enigmatic end of his lineage. The tale was a short introduction into conquering the Neon citadel when he tried to clear the dungeon as a gamer— “some quest?” Kai thought to himself.

His eyes shifted to the books, a notion of shared interests between them. "And these books! Why, they look like excellent, err, stories in here," he stammered, suddenly grateful for his ability to read. The girl's command was clear; she wanted a story, and Kai complied.

He chose the book of fairytales and began reading. Her presence lingered, an ethereal companion to the tale. Suddenly, a chill brushed his shoulder. Startled, he glanced up and spotted Ryu peeking around the corner of the stairway.

With a subtle shake of his head, Kai signaled Ryu to stay hidden. He returned to the book, interested in the unicorn's tale.

The girl, engrossed in her state, shared a secret;

"In my father's library, there is a statue. Push the arm of the statue down," she imparted, her voice bearing the weight of her knowledge.

Intrigued, Kai longed to inquire further, but the girl's impatient gesture redirected his focus back to the book.

Kai, showing deference to the spectral duchess, opted for a diplomatic departure. "Beautiful and gracious duchess, might I ask your full name?" he inquired.

The ethereal figure responded with a touch of melancholy, "Gabriella. Duchess Gabriella of Wyvern."

Kai bowed respectfully. "My lady. I beg your pardon, but there is a young woman in the castle below who requires my assistance. There are evil men. I suspect they threaten her life."

Without hesitation, the duchess urged him to go. "A maiden in distress? Why do you dally here then? Begone!"

Kai wasted no time, making his way toward the door. However, a sudden command from the duchess froze him in his tracks.

"WAIT!"

The weight of her voice sent shivers down his spine, compelling him to turn back. With an ethereal grace, the gold-trimmed mirror floated from the table to him.

"I cannot see myself in it anymore," she murmured, a hint of sadness in her words.

Kai, touched by this act of generosity from the trapped spirit, bowed low. "Generosity befitting a duchess. I thank you most humbly." With that, he took his leave, retracing his steps to find Ryu waiting just around the corner of the stairs, his sword poised for action.

Regaining his composure, Ryu began to pose questions, but Kai raised a hand to stall him. "Another time," he insisted.

[System Notification]

[Ding! Side Quest Cleared: Favour of the Duchess]

[Ding! Level Up: Kai is now Level 3!]

[Ding! New Skill Attained: Mystic Vision]