Endurance Log Card

They then joined the others. Kael moved to Leon's side with his usual grin. Some of the teammates also greeted each other with smiles of relief.

Right away, a man from the unfamiliar group walked closer to Timothy with an outstretched arm. He had a well-defined goatee, long hair, and an icy pair of eyes.

Timothy shook his hand with a firm, cautious expression.

"It's nice meeting you. I'm James Jauger," the man told Timothy. "You must be the team leader they were talking about."

Timothy gave a dry smile, looking between James and Jane. "You guys have already talked. I'm Timothy—it's nice to meet you too."

For a moment, he got a closer look at the man. Yes - he appeared very strong. But no - the strong presence he felt earlier didn't seem to emanate from him. Or... was there another leader lurking somewhere else?

They released the handshake. In that moment, Axel's eyes went to Jauger's fist. The split skin showed bruises so dark they looked black in the dim light. Those bruises told of recent, desperate impacts. He furrowed his brows. As a matter of fact, the entirety of Jauger's team had neither an Arcane Pocket nor a single weapon.

What was going on? Timothy locked gazes with him. Axel nodded with hesitation.

"I have something important to discuss, Mister Timothy," Jauger said. He stepped forward without even realizing it. Timothy framed a smile despite sensing this man's awkward desperation. Jauger said, "I don't know if you're free right now. It could be crucial to the well-being of your team too..."

Everyone shared glances. Does that mean they were at risk?

"Ah..." Timothy voiced trailed off as he nodded. He then responded, "Uhm... do you mind talking about that tomorrow, Mister Jauger? I'm sorry, but I and my team would need some rest. We have been walking for hours out there."

The teammates thought Timothy would give Jauger some time. Besides, it was important for their own team too. But if he decides not to, that's fine—he always knows what he's doing.

"Understandable," James said in a cold, detached tone. This even made Timothy raise his brows. Jauger added, "Don't keep me waiting for long tomorrow, Mr. Timothy. Thanks..."

Timothy nodded back. He spared Jauger's team a momentary glance. They glared back at him as though they were trying to hide a softer part of them.

Timothy asked James Jauger, "How long have you guys been here, Mister Jauger? I don't know if you somehow know the layout of the station... There should be a supermarket here."

Jauger hesitated before replying, "We arrived today as well."

"Through the tunnel?" Timothy asked. Jauger nodded with hesitation.

Hearing this even made Leon raise his brows. There were no footprints down the tunnel despite the ground being soft.

Timothy nodded. "Alright then. We could team up to search around the station tomorrow as well." As he turned around, his teammates followed. Axel shared his worries while they climbed the stairs. But Timothy said they weren't discussing it now.

They needed to rest. Behind them, Jauger's teammates shared glances with one another.

Luckily, they found another decent walkway that led them to the lobby. They stepped in. It had a moderate size, the walls reinforced with metal and painted white. As a matter of fact, there were benches made available. It was suspicious, but they chose to stay.

Everyone sat. But even though the room could contain thirty people at once, Ann stood. But no one seemed that surprised.

She bowed at Timothy. "I'm sorry, Mister Cross. But I will have to stay somewhere else."

Timothy smiled back with a nod. "All right, Ann. Go on."

For some reason, Sam's expression dullened. Others stared his way. Leon felt in the dark until Kael lightened the situation.

Kael leaned closer. He whispered, "They're a kind of enemy: Ann and Sam."

Leon quirked a brow. "Enemies... how?"

"They have a terrible past together," Kael replied with a shrug. "It surprised me to hear Ann stayed in the same ward last night. I already knew things would be different today."

Leon then looked away. The matter didn't quite interest him, but he found it unexpected. Though he put it aside as he shut his eyes to rest. But, Jane being the loud one, no one actually had a perfect rest. She kept talking about the dirty tricks she pulled on everyone back in the clan.

So, Leon opened his eyes again and saw Timothy leaving the room as well.

... Clear enough - he was going to talk to Ann. Undoubtedly, he was the best team leader ever. Jane's silence brought relief, allowing everyone to return to their naps.

Time, the unforgiving controller of fate, moved on. Each passing second tended to release the veil between worlds. The last second counted, bringing the world into the stillness of the witching hour.

Brim! - Leon stirred awake as he heard the sound in his sleep.

He opened his eyes to the red screen. It was here again. The new daily mission. His chest tightened—the difficulties would definitely be higher.

BRIM!

[Log Card switched.]

"Eh?" Leon almost gasped.

[You have received an Endurance Log Card. Transporting you to the dungeon.]

His eyes widened. 'DUNGEON?!' He jerked forward, "Wait. No—"

TWISH! Before he had grasped the entire scenario, a sudden breeze drove him out of the room.

Ariana frowned as she woke from her sleep. 'What was that... noise about?'

***

CLAM!

Leon's cloak billowed in the steady breeze. He held his breath, staring at an almost eight-meter-high golden door before him.

The screen flashed up.

[Welcome to your first D-rank dungeon. Please know that this is a real-life location.]

"Geez..."

Then he glanced back. There was another door there. He was in a much narrower spot flanked by dark stone walls. The ground was so jagged he couldn't stand properly...

"What the heck is all this?" Leon cursed again. Sweat trickled down his face.

He yelled, "You fucking bastard... where the hell am I?! What happened to the Log Arena... and stuff?! WHY am I in a fucking dungeon?"

[Please prepare yourself. This is your first claim of an Endurance Log Card. Upon...]

Leon leaned forward with clenched fists. "DAMN YOU, BASTARD! Are you even listening to me?!"

[... Upon reaching level 14, you will receive this Log Card once in a while. It puts you in a real trial where there is no shortcut to survival. Every hit is real.]

[Aim: Clear the entire D-rank dungeon.]

[Note: Though you can use paradoxes, there are limits to the command you can give. Use it with careful consideration.]

[Failure: Death.]

"You crazy sons of bitches! There are real people behind the system that just wants me to die... NO?! Answer me, damned fuckers-"

CREAK!

The gate opened without warning. Leon clenched his jaw as sweat trickled down his face. Why would a training session turn into a survival one overnight? It makes no sense!

If he were to clear the dungeon, that means he must kill every D-rank monster there. And the number could be up to hundreds for all he cared!

Leon's eyes locked on the two creatures far ahead of him. But, Leon didn't even want to think about them as he groaned...

"Create a paradox," his eyes lit up. He swallowed. "Create a paradox such that this daily mission never comes! Fucking take me out of here!"

[Reminder: There are limits to the commands you can give here. Leaving the dungeon without completing the mission is impossible. Or you could admit defeat...]

Leon's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe his eyes.

'Admit defeat? Then what?'

Silence stretched... The wind flowed steadily.

"YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"