Talis Argentas

The room remained freezing, with several paths branching off in different directions, just like in the first chamber. Behind him, Kiyen recognized the path they had taken to get there.

How much time had passed already?

It was hard to tell in this place.

He approached one of the entrances and ran a finger over the mark he had made with his dagger. Even though the space seemed to have changed, the mark was still there—a reminder that no matter how different everything looked, the place remained the same.

"This is strange. The boss should have appeared immediately, but nothing's happening," Noah muttered, scratching his head in frustration.

They waited. The thick sensation of danger lingered in the air… and yet, nothing happened.

"Uh… follow me," Noah said after a while. "Let's keep moving, try to reach the end. Maybe, because of my level, it doesn't even bother showing up, so no—"

His voice was cut off abruptly.

Without warning, he raised his shield in a reflexive movement, just in time to block a projectile aimed at Kiyen.

That attack had been too fast.

Kiyen barely managed to react. He hadn't seen it coming. He had no time to anticipate it.

If it weren't for that idiot with the shield… I would have died.

Noah lowered his gaze to his shield. A curved blade had embedded itself in the surface, vibrating slightly from the force of the impact. His expression tensed. Whatever had launched that attack… was strong enough to pierce his shield.

[Charge complete.]

The voice echoed once more in Kiyen's head. He ran his hands through his hair, startled by the sound. This time, it was clearer. More real.

[Mission loaded.]

[Title: From Ice to Flesh.]

[Objective: Return the soul fragment.]

[Hints: A step back.]

Mission? Objective?...

Those words sounded like a System, but… I don't have a System, Kiyen thought, feeling uncertainty twist his stomach.

With those thoughts circling his mind, Kiyen looked at Noah. Maybe, in some way, he was manifesting his missions through him.

But nothing made sense. Everything was confusing, and the situation didn't give him time to think.

From the frozen mist that filled the room, a silhouette emerged from one of the entrances ahead of them.

Her footsteps echoed against the surface, firm and steady. Kiyen lowered his gaze. Pointed heels. A woman?

She was wrapped in a long, dark cloak that barely revealed half of her face. Her skin, unnaturally pale, seemed drained of all blood. Her lips, almost bluish, gave the impression of not having felt warmth in a long time.

When she opened her mouth, an icy breath escaped from her lips, revealing perfect, white teeth.

"I'm sorry."

Her voice was velvety, sweet—like the orange juice Kiyen had tasted not long ago. But that sweetness didn't just bring back the memory of its sugary flavor. His body reacted instantly—a shiver ran down his spine, his skin prickled.

Was it because of her voice? Or had the cold just intensified?

For some reason, both sensations seemed connected.

"Who are you? What are you?" Kiyen exclaimed, raising his daggers firmly. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Noah, bewildered. For the first time, the blond, usually talkative, had fallen silent.

The woman lifted her hands to her hood and pulled it back, revealing hair as black as a starless night. Her face was fully exposed now, along with her dark eyes—deep as her hair.

She tilted her head slightly and smiled.

"I'm like you."

Her smile had an air of innocence, and her dark eyes narrowed slightly.

"Ah, ah, I see," Noah finally said, letting out a small sigh. His whole body relaxed… too much. "You're a player, just like us."

No.

Kiyen didn't know why, but his instincts screamed that he was wrong.

She wasn't like them.

"Don't be stupid!" Kiyen snapped. "How can you believe her? She appears out of nowhere, attacks, and tries to kill me…"

Noah blinked, surprised by Kiyen's outburst. It didn't match the image he had of him—an innocent and disoriented kid. But in the end, his expression softened. He concluded that Kiyen's reaction was simply fear.

"You're right, Mauri. What she did was reckless… She probably thought we were creatures. With so few players around, it's hard to come across others in dungeons. That's why she reacted that way… just like you did at first."

"Check her," Kiyen insisted. "If she's really a player, she should have her information, right?"

Noah nodded, more to calm him down than because he actually considered the woman a threat. He accessed his system and searched for her information.

"Talis Argentas… Ah, you're from the Argentas family. A well-known family, and if I remember correctly, you're their only heir… I'm sorry for what happened to your relatives… We saw the event up close, and, well… my condolences."

The woman didn't respond. She simply kept that strange smile.

Why is Noah looking at her so calmly? Doesn't he realize how strange her behavior is?

Kiyen clenched his teeth, exasperated. But he couldn't deny reality—if Noah could see her information in the system, then she was a noble… just like him.

"As you've probably seen in the System, I'm Noah Pendragon, and this is Mauri, last name unknown, hehe."

"Mauri?" the woman repeated, fixing her gaze on Kiyen as if she could see beyond his skin.

Did she realize I don't have a system? Kiyen wondered, feeling a slight chill run down his spine.

"Yeah, I'm Mauri, and I'm not telling you anything else," he replied. "Especially after your attitude and your…"—he glanced at the blade still embedded in Noah's shield—"peculiar way of introducing yourself."

She simply nodded and began walking toward them.

Kiyen instinctively took a step back. Something inside him screamed not to lower his daggers.

"The boss…"—her voice was slow, too calm—"I already took care of him. I hope that's not a problem. I didn't know there were other players still alive; I didn't mean to take everything for myself. That's why I attacked… I thought some minions had somehow been left behind."

"Ohh, too bad! I wanted the boss!" Noah exclaimed, his tone far too relaxed for Kiyen's liking.

But the woman didn't stop staring at him. Her eyes were here… and yet, somewhere else at the same time.

"If you defeated the boss, then the exit should be open now, right?" Noah asked.

"Yes," she replied. "Let's leave this place—let's return to our world, where we belong."

She emphasized that last part too much.

Kiyen frowned. Why did she say it like that?

"But… what about your mission? The System mission," Kiyen asked, turning to Noah, recalling the mysterious voice.

"Huh? What mission?" Noah blinked, confused. "If the boss is dead, there can't be any more missions."

"Let's go back," the woman suddenly interrupted. Her voice was still calm, but there was something different in her tone—something barely perceptible… less composed than before.

"Mauri, did you accept a mission?" Noah asked again. "If you didn't complete it, you'll have to wait for another chance. Without a boss, missions can't be finished anymore."

"It's not that…" Kiyen fell silent. How could he explain the voices without revealing that he didn't actually understand how a System worked?

The woman gestured for them to follow. Her steps were firm, but there was a trace of anxiety in her posture. Noah followed without hesitation.

And for some reason, Kiyen noticed that Noah's expression looked even dumber than usual.

I don't like this at all, he thought, glancing over his shoulder, feeling a growing urge to step back.

They moved along a new path that stretched ahead of them. Kiyen, moving cautiously, marked the walls with his dagger as they advanced. The walls remained just as smooth and polished, easy to carve.

Each time he did it, the woman leading them glanced at him. She didn't say anything, but in her dark eyes, a flicker of irritation seemed to spark.

As if it annoyed her.

Finally, they arrived at a massive chamber.

And they froze.

Four bodies lay on the ground, motionless.

Their armor was intact, their weapons scattered around them. There were no signs of a struggle—no blood, no visible wounds…

It was as if they had simply fallen asleep in the middle of battle.