In a dark, damp underground chamber, the stench of metal and mold clung to the air. Only two small candles flickered, their flames trembling amidst the shadows cast against the stone walls.
A man in a black robe sat behind a cluttered table—papers, smoking vials, and rusted alchemical tools scattered before him. His sharp eyes scanned the latest experiment results.
"Damn it… Another failure," he growled, voice low and venomous.
A sinister aura seeped from his body, pressing down on the air—causing the candlelight to falter.
"All because of that idiot… Dying like a rat to a bunch of low-level adventurers. He failed to retrieve the high-tier Summoner Stone, and now I have to be cautious. The Kingdom and Letticia's Church are starting to move."
With a snarl, he hurled the documents to the floor.
Creak.
The old door opened slowly, and another man stepped in cautiously.
"Sir, as reported… the girl is approaching this region."
The black-robed man fell silent.
Then, a slow, cruel grin spread across his face.
"Good… So the girl is coming. The one who awakened the Phoenix…"
He stood, eyes burning with ambition.
"She'll be the perfect test subject."
His voice dropped to a whisper, full of hunger and madness.
"With her body… and that power… I'll become the greatest Archbishop in the history of all Black Mages—HUAHAHAHAHA!!"
His laughter echoed through the underground lair—sharp, chilling, as if the darkness itself had joined in his madness.
___
Elsewhere, near the southeastern ruins, two figures sat in a large tent adorned with the Vance family crest. The scent of herbal tea filled the air, while the faint murmur of voices drifted from outside.
"What brings you here, Elara?" Ragnar asked casually, though there was a mocking edge to his tone.
Elara Vance smiled faintly and raised her teacup with practiced elegance.
"As you can see, I heard news of the ruins. Missing out on a treasure like this would be bad for business, don't you think?"
She set her cup down.
"As a merchant, opportunities like these are rare."
Ragnar chuckled.
"Interesting. I thought you were busy dating the second son of a northeastern marquess."
He leaned back, arms crossed.
"He's handsome, I hear… though he's got a rather filthy reputation."
"Don't be ridiculous," Elara replied calmly, unfazed.
"We're simply business partners. Besides, he's a bit… eccentric."
She stared at her tea, then took another sip.
"Is it true," Ragnar asked, leaning in slightly, "that he found ancient knowledge from another ruin too?"
Elara turned to him, a cryptic smile on her lips.
"Let's just say… it's a trade secret."
She stood gracefully, brushing down her long gown.
"In any case, I have other business to attend to. I paid a high price for those mages from the Red Tower. It's time I meet them."
Without waiting for a reply, Elara stepped out of the tent, her lavender perfume lingering in the air. The entrance flap waved gently behind her.
Moments later, Daniel and the other mercenaries entered.
"Ragnar, time to go over our raid strategy."
___
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The clatter of hooves echoed over the ruined plains.
A carriage rolled across the rocky ground, stopping before the main tent where Elara stood waiting.
The fabric of her gown fluttered gently in the wind, her eyes—sharp as a cat's—sizing up the approaching mages.
Four figures stepped down from the carriage one by one.
But instead of awe-inspiring power, Elara saw something unexpected.
What… happened to them? she wondered, tilting her head slightly.
Pyra descended first—expression grim, as if she'd been holding back fury for hours.
Behind her, Erica looked exhausted—almost staggering as she stepped down.
Clay followed, pale as a ghost.
And Haluti… Haluti was different.
Usually cheerful and friendly, today her face was stormy. Lips pouting. Eyebrows furrowed in sheer frustration.
Did someone just dump her? Elara almost laughed—but maintained her elegant facade.
The truth, however, was far more chaotic…
___
Earlier, inside the carriage…
Haluti had been reading a new favorite romance-fantasy novel for her, Warrior and a Little Bird.
Everything had been going perfectly.
A brave warrior. A gentle noblewoman. Sweet moments. Hopeful dreams.
Until she neared the final chapter…
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
Her scream shook the carriage, nearly launching Erica from her seat.
"WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!"
Thud!
She slammed the book to the floor.
"THIS IS LITERARY TRASH! YOU HEAR ME, AUTHOR?! THIS IS YOUR IDEA OF A TWIST?!"
Erica flinched.
"W-Whoa, Haluti?!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! THE WARRIOR LEFT HER BECAUSE HE WAS IMPOTENT?! IS THIS A LOVE STORY OR A BIOLOGICAL TRAGEDY?!"
"PAGE 197 MADE ME CRY!
PAGE 300 MADE ME WANT TO BURN THIS BOOK!!"
"I SWEAR—if I find where the author lives, I'll summon a goblin to their front door!"
Pyra groaned.
"At least stop spoiling everything… I was only on page thirty."
Clay curled up in the corner, shivering.
Erica just patted Haluti's back gently.
"…There, there. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale."
She tried to smile.
Honestly… I totally get it. I've raged like this over bad otome game endings before.
She remembered, in the late nights ranting on forums and writing one-star reviews like:
"-Crazy Dev! Just making garbage endings again!!!"
Erica sighed.
It's not just me, huh.
The novel had ended with a cruel twist.
The warrior, instead of marrying the noblewoman, he just left her and wandered alone.
The reason?
Simple.
He was impotent.
___
When they finally arrived at the camp, the aftermath of that dramatic meltdown still clung to them like heavy fog.
___
Night fell.
Inside the central tent, everyone gathered around a circular table covered with maps, papers, and rough sketches of the ancient ruins.
Torchlight danced across determined faces.
"Where's Sir Alvarez?" Ragnar whispered to Daniel beside him.
"I heard… he's praying," Daniel replied with reverence.
"Even before a major mission, he takes time to pray for our success. A truly noble Knight."
Ragnar chuckled awkwardly.
"Sure… right."
Elsewhere, Erica sat quietly in the back—eyes wide.
No way… Ragnar's here too?! Crap, this is bad. I need to stay away from the protagonists of that cursed otome game! The main story hasn't even started yet!
She looked down, trying to stay unnoticed.
The further I am from them, the safer I'll be…
"Now then," Elara's voice silenced the room.
"Plans are finalized. After tonight's rest, we'll begin the expedition tomorrow morning. All main paths have been marked. Each team knows their route."
Her gaze swept across the room.
"Artifacts and discoveries will be divided as agreed. Anyone who tries to cheat… won't make it back alive. These ruins aren't for the greedy."
Everyone nodded. Some adjusted their gear. Others stood and returned to their tents.
Tomorrow… their real adventure would begin.
___
The Next Morning.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed through the ruins' entrance hall.
Carvings of a forgotten age lined the walls. Magic symbols shimmered faintly.
The main chamber stretched forward, columns rising high toward the cracked ceiling.
Even seasoned mercenaries paused in awe.
Whispers of admiration rippled among them.
Exploration teams fanned out: some moved inward, others remained at the outer camp.
Elara stayed with her soldiers, ensuring logistics and overseeing progress.
Meanwhile, Erica's party—Pyra, Haluti, and Clay—headed down the central passage.
___
Clang!
A deafening crash rang out.
As they entered a large chamber, dozens of Skeleton Warriors emerged—bones rattling, eyes glowing crimson.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
Gretel charged like a wild beast, shield raised, warhammer swinging.
Doom! — Skulls shattered.
Clang! — Blades deflected as she barreled through, sending skeletons flying.
Hansel moved with brutal grace.
His spear danced.
Swish! — Chak!
Two skulls split. A sweeping strike knocked down more.
From behind, Ragnar and Daniel joined the fray.
Ragnar's twin blades tore through bones.
Daniel guarded the flank, fending off flankers.
Behind them, mages cast fire and earth spells.
Boom!
Fwoosh!
Magic lit the hall in blinding flashes.
At the center stood Sir Alvarez—still as a statue.
Observing.
Judging.
Pyra, Erica, Haluti, and Clay remained in reserve.
According to Elara's plan, they were to conserve mana—for the true threat waiting deeper inside.
Battle after battle followed. Coordination was flawless.
Too flawless.
____
This is strange… Erica thought, brows furrowed.
Ragnar's too strong. I remember his power only spiked after joining the Academy.
And Alvarez… who is he? In all the otome routes, there was no such character!
She searched her memory—names, paths, endings.
No "Alvarez."
Well, maybe that's a good thing. More strong allies is always welcome… right?
She exhaled, forcing herself to stay calm.
Hours passed.
After a short break, they reached the end of the ruin's main corridor—a massive sealed gate, four meters tall. Glowing magic runes lined its surface.
A few mercenaries stepped forward to examine it.
Then—
DING!
[Warning: Danger Detected!]
Erica froze.
Another alert.
DING!
[Warning: Danger Detected!]