Chain Of Desperation

"Okay, what level of dungeon do you want?" Gunter asked, crossing his arms.

"A level where I can earn 200 gold immediately," Rethrus answered without hesitation.

"Would you go with a party?" Gunter raised an eyebrow.

"No, I'm planning to go alone."

A hushed murmur spread through the guild hall. People around him exchanged glances, some scoffing at his arrogance. The boy who had stood up earlier felt even more embarrassed now that Rethrus hadn't even acknowledged him.

"Tsk," he clicked his tongue, sinking back into his seat.

Gunter smirked. "Oh? How about two Purple-coded dungeons? If you clear both, you'll get your 200 gold."

Rethrus nodded. "Okay, that's it."

The counter attendant hesitated. "But Sir, isn't that dangerous?"

"Nah, let him. Besides, we'll get to see just how strong he is," Gunter said, his amusement evident.

"So, since we're doing this… I'm Jazzer, sir Rethrus. Sorry for the late introduction," the man behind the counter said with a quick nod.

Rethrus gave a polite nod in return but stayed silent.

As Jazzer began explaining what Rethrus needed to bring and where the dungeons were located, the whispers around him grew louder.

"I hope those dungeons teach him a lesson…" someone muttered.

"Arrogant kid," another sneered.

Rethrus ignored them all, focused only on the task ahead.

"So, all clear?" Gunter asked, his gaze steady.

"Yes, sir," Jazzer replied, nodding as he handed over the necessary equipments.

Gunter turned to Rethrus. " Did You understand everything?"

"Yes, sir," Rethrus answered, his tone firm.

Jazzer carefully placed the items on the counter while Gunter pulled out his Blue Emberfox Token. Without hesitation, he handed it to Rethrus.

"Be careful out there," Gunter said, his voice carrying a note of warning.

Rethrus gave a slight nod, securing the token before stepping toward the exit. The heavy rain greeted him as he disappeared in it.

Gunter watched him go, a frown tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Damn that kid… Does he really plan to tackle those dungeons alone?"

Jazzer's expression was uneasy. "I'm afraid so, sir. Is that even safe?"

Gunter let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know… Even I wouldn't do it alone. But that boy—he's different."

His voice dropped to a near whisper.

"He's a godsend… and we? We're just mortals watching as he changes the world."

A brief silence hung between them before Jazzer cleared his throat.

"By the way, sir… your father sent word. He wants to see you immediately."

Gunter's brows shot up. "And you're just telling me this now?"

"Ah… I'm sorry, sir," Jazzer mumbled, flustered. "Too much happening."

Gunter shook his head, irritation fading as quickly as it came.

"Fine. Just make sure to retrieve my token from Rethrus when he's done."

"Of course, sir."

Rethrus hired two charioteers and set off outside the city. As they approached the city gate, a mysterious mage in a black robe silently joined him.

"New robe, huh?" Rethrus remarked, eyeing the mage with mild amusement.

"Where's your party?" Gerard asked, his voice calm but laced with concern.

Rethrus shook his head. "We're doing this ourselves. It's a purple dungeon."

Gerard's steps slowed. "A purple dungeon?" His tone shifted. "You know how dangerous that is, right?"

"I know," Rethrus replied with a confident smirk. "But we've got each other."

"You really think I can help with something that deadly?"

"Of course." Rethrus grinned. "Besides, I'm paying you to help… and I can pay once we clear these dungeons."

Gerard sighed but didn't argue further.

After a quiet ride, the chariots came to a halt deep in the forest.

"This is it," Rethrus said as he hopped off the chariot. Gerard followed, his gaze scanning the dense trees ahead.

"Stay alert," Gerard murmured. "Monsters love lurking around dungeon entrances."

Rethrus nodded, already pulling a circular disc from his sling bag. It was etched with the image of a blue emberfox—the key to finding their target.

He placed it into the dungeon compass.

"Now, pour some mana into it," he said to himself.

The device as a faint glow pulsed from his palm. The compass flickered to life, its needle pointing the way forward.

"Eh… you know how to use that?" Gerard asked, a bit impressed.

"Of course." Rethrus smirked. "Jazzer from the guild taught me."

"Fast learner, huh?" Gerard murmured, nodding with approval. "Especially at your age…"

As they followed the compass deeper into the forest, a rustling echoed around them. Within moments, several monsters emerged from the shadows, their hungry eyes locked on the two travelers.

Without hesitation, Gerard raised his hand and cast a shimmering barrier, blocking the incoming threat.

They pressed on, the path narrowing as the compass guided them toward their destination. Finally, they arrived.

A massive stone entrance loomed before them, sealed shut by a shimmering barrier. Etched across the barrier was the sigil of the Blue Emberfox Guild.

Rethrus didn't hesitate. He pulled out the token Gunter had given him and placed it against the seal.

The barrier rippled, then faded as the dungeon entrance creaked open.

"So… that's how it works," Rethrus murmured, a spark of curiosity in his eyes.

The path ahead was dark and unforgiving, but Rethrus and Gerard stepped forward without hesitation.

They built a small fire to ward off the chill, using the brief moment to prepare for what lay ahead. But their peace didn't last long.

A low growl echoed from the shadows, followed by glowing eyes circling them.

"Wolves…" Gerard muttered, reaching for his staff.

Before he could react, a flurry of shadowy fists erupted from behind Rethrus, striking with terrifying speed and precision. The shadowy fists pounded into the approaching wolves, sending them flying before they could even get close. One by one, the beasts fell, lifeless.

Gerard blinked, barely able to process what had happened. "Ah… ah…"

"Potion," Rethrus said, holding out his hand.

Gerard quickly handed over the Potion of Dryness. Without hesitation, Rethrus poured the liquid over himself and his gear, the moisture evaporating instantly. He then did the same for Gerard.

"I don't want to fight soaking wet," Rethrus muttered.

Gerard frowned, watching the water disappear. "You know you can just throw up a barrier while walking, right?"

"I could…" Rethrus shrugged, stretching his arms. "But I like the rain. Fighting while wet, though… that's the real problem."

Gerard shook his head, but there was a trace of amusement in his eyes.

"Come on." Rethrus's tone grew serious. "Time's running out."

At Kaeli's House…

"Ahhh! Please… stop!" Caesar's voice cracked, barely recognizable as he writhed in agony. His body convulsed, violently shaking as if trying to escape his own skin. The poison of itchiness was merciless—spreading like wildfire, consuming every inch of his body in relentless torment.

But the worst of it was his groin.

It felt like thousands of red-hot needles pricked at his most sensitive flesh, burrowing deep and dragging their jagged tips through raw, tender skin. The sensation was maddening, like swarms of fire ants crawling beneath his flesh, biting and tearing without pause. His wrists, tightly bound by thick iron chains, dug into his skin as he struggled, his muscles straining against the unyielding metal.

"Please… kill me… just end it!" Caesar begged, his voice cracking, barely more than a raspy whisper.

But Eri wasn't done. Her cold, merciless gaze met his, and without a hint of hesitation, she lifted another vial.

"This one's for your stomach," she said softly, her words dripping with cruelty.

The liquid poured down, thick and viscous, seeping into his skin.

Caesar's eyes bulged as the new wave of torture ignited. His stomach burned, the itchiness spreading like a chain reaction, crawling upward and downward simultaneously.

His body convulsed again, his back arching unnaturally as he fought against the chains, the metal clinking and groaning under the pressure. But no matter how hard he pulled, they held firm, trapping him in a prison of pain.

The sweat dripping from his forehead made it worse. Each drop was like acid on his skin, amplifying the itch, making it impossible to think.

The chains clanked again as he tried to twist, to move, anything to relieve the torment. But all he could do was thrash helplessly, his mind consumed by the never-ending itch.

"Ahhh… ahhh—STOP!" Caesar screamed again, his voice echoing through the dimly lit room, but his pleas were met with silence.

The metal chains rattled violently, his body jerking in desperation as he felt the poison dig deeper, crawling through his veins like a parasite.

"Okay… fine," Caesar whimpered, the last shred of resistance draining from his voice.

"There was… an incident… before Rethrus's group left the city."