Days of Dungeon: From Simple Quest to Strange Adventure

The fading of a white translucent aura—the purest form of mana—or the discoloration of a blackened aura—the highest form of mana—that's how Lynn viewed the corruption of curses with her eccentric blue eyes, each bearing two black pupils colliding like someone touching their reflection in a mirror.

A more concrete example would be the rusting of metal weapons and armor, the decaying of trees and plants, or the rotting of meat and bread.

"The corruption of curses here in the Crystal Mirror Dungeon is like a gem corroding, while the one in the town above is like a gem losing its luster," Lynn said, standing proud and confident before everyone seated on the stone floor to rest.

"It's the same material, but with different kinds of decomposition or deterioration. It means the factor causing the change is different."

Her assumption was supported by Hannah, who stood beside her.

"In other words, both curses might be the same but have different origins."

"That just leads us back to the start then," Arezu muttered, disappointed by the realization that they still couldn't figure out how to resolve what was happening to the town—or find a way to save the townsfolk. It was the same for everyone else—except for Lynn.

"Like I always said—"

"I'm not gonna kneel before you and promise to worship you forever, Lynn."

"—That's not what I meant, Mr. Ignorant-Yet-Perceptive."

Everyone else was just as confused as Arezu, unable to understand what Lynn meant—except for Hannah. Not because she understood, but because she wasn't paying attention at all. Her focus was on Lynn and Arezu, lost in her own misunderstanding of Arezu's words as a romantic proposal.

What Lynn said next made Hannah fall to her knees, lost in thought within her own fantasy.

"Do you think I'm just enjoying myself while you're holding me in your arms all night?"

"You two perverts!"

"Calm yourself, Lady Liz."

"You youngsters are so full of energy."

"Pfft—Hahaha…"

Whether intentional or not, Lynn's words caused a massive misunderstanding—not only for Hannah, who was delighted by it, but also for Liz, who grew so irritated she brandished her longsword at Arezu, only to be stopped by Sylvie. Meanwhile, Brandon was enjoying the spectacle, and Ellric was laughing despite still lying on the blanket, unable to stand.

"Please, Lynn… just explain everything properly," Arezu said, growing exhausted—physically and mentally—not only from the danger they faced but from Lynn's antics as well.

To ease Arezu's weariness, Lynn set aside her mischief and began explaining properly as he requested.

From the moment the town became a dungeon—when the two of them escaped the town square, ran across rooftops toward the Mages Guild and Crafters Guild, and finally reached the Crystal Mirror Dungeon with Arezu carrying Lynn, either in a bridal carry or a piggyback—Lynn had been observing.

"From dusk to midnight, until we entered the dungeon, I've been observing the corruption of curse lingering in the strange mana flowing through the town—"

Lynn paused, placing her left hand on her chest and raising her right hand toward Arezu, cueing his participation.

Arezu, not wanting another debate, humored Lynn's dramatic flair.

"And what did you figure out?"

"Just how much you're going to pamper her like a loyal follower?" Liz retorted.

Pleased by Arezu's response while ignoring Liz's comment, Lynn pulled out the town map from her enchanted bag—the one Arezu had bought earlier that morning. She unfolded it before everyone and pointed to a certain location.

"Everything leads us back to the start—like you said, Mr. Arezu."

To the town square—that's where the curse's corruption originated, hinting at the location of the Dungeon Core that had turned Mirare Town into a dungeon.

"That's where we're going, everyone."

Their group still had more than an hour before dawn. They could rest longer and wait until daylight to continue their quest to save the townsfolk and everyone from the Annual Caravan who were dragged inside the mirrors.

However, Lynn's intuition—and both Arezu's and Brandon's guts—told them they didn't have the luxury to wait until dawn.

They prepared themselves for one final stretch with what strength they had left.

Brandon's golden armor and longsword were on the verge of breaking, just like their owner. Ellric could barely stand, supported by Sylvie. Liz and Hannah had only just recovered enough strength to fight.

When everyone was ready to move, Lynn stood before Arezu, raised her arms, and spread them as if asking for a hug.

That sight didn't escape Hannah's watchful eyes—satisfying her hobby of observing romance—and, as always, irritating Liz.

"I'm not giving you a hug," Arezu said, looking slightly flustered and awkward at Lynn.

Though pleased by his reaction, a hug wasn't what Lynn was asking for.

"You can give me one later, after everything's done. But right now, what I need is a piggyback ride. You wouldn't expect me to run after collapsing three times tonight—right, Mr. Arezu?"

"Get on then, Lynn."

"Mhm!"

It took them half an hour to get out of the Crystal Mirror Dungeon, following the fastest route marked on their map. They didn't encounter any Visage along the way, nor as they passed through the southern forest for another half hour. But as they reached the edge of the forest—right at the entrance to the central district—

"Dodge!" Arezu shouted, warning everyone of the incoming attack.

A bluish-green light flashed from the darkness down the road leading to the town square. They leapt in different directions to evade the attack. A split second later, the ground where they had just stood exploded.

"You'll have to walk on your own from here, Lynn."

Arezu set Lynn down and stepped forward, cracked halberd-axe in hand, to face the opponent emerging from the darkness.

"Leave this one to me and go ahead to the town square."

"You're not saying you'll fight the Crystal Blade alone—are you, Mr. Arezu?"

Ellric and Sylvie were spent—barely able to stand, let alone fight. Lynn, Liz, and Hannah wouldn't stand a chance against a gold-rank warrior adventurer. Brandon, battered and exhausted, might not win in his current state, but he could at least hold the Crystal Blade at bay. Yet their mission required someone with a divine gift—someone capable of destroying the hidden Dungeon Core within the town square. And so, only one person remained.

"Do I even have a choice, Lynn?"