Chapter 276: A Reunion Across Time

The memories burned like fire in her chest.

Lately, Ais had often dreamed of the days when her mother would hold her and tell her stories.

Back then, she had been an innocent little girl, always smiling—so unlike the way she was now.

But everything changed the moment that disaster struck.

That single tragedy had stolen both her mother and father, shattering her childhood and rewriting her life entirely.

Once, she had simply been a cheerful girl. Fairy tales were her joy, and heroic adventures were her favorite.

But that incident erased the smile from her face. The stories she once adored turned into blades, and innocence was consumed by the Dungeon's harsh reality.

Now, her hands were stained with the blood of monsters, and beneath her feet lay countless bones.

She no longer resembled a normal person—just a doll on the verge of breaking, driven only by revenge.

"Ais."

A voice engraved in Ais's heart echoed suddenly in her ears.

Even Riveria, who was holding Ais, heard it—that familiar voice, and that familiar face.

A flowing white dress, a full figure wrapped modestly, devoid of any sensuality but emanating a serene grace.

Her beautiful face, paired with a gentle smile, looked so much like Ais's—only more mature, more enchanting. Especially that cascade of golden hair, like a waterfall shining even within the depths of the Dungeon.

"Aria..."

Riveria instinctively whispered the name as she looked at the woman before them.

But after that fleeting moment of shock, she quickly raised her staff and aimed it at the woman.

"You can't be Aria! Aria is already... Ais!"

Before Riveria could act, Ais—still in her arms—grabbed her hand.

The once obedient Ais now held Riveria's hand tightly.

She didn't speak. She just turned swiftly around.

That familiar figure brought a sudden redness to Ais's eyes. Tears welled up fast in her vision.

"Mom..."

The person she had only seen in dreams now stood right before her.

Ais knew it wasn't real—but she couldn't stop the storm of emotions rising in her chest.

"Ais... my sweet daughter."

The woman smiled gently. She didn't reach out her arms, only looked at Ais with soft, loving eyes.

That gaze pierced through the walls Ais had spent years building. Her nose stung, her defenses crumbled.

"Have you been eating well all these years?"

"Mom..."

That gentle voice broke what little control Ais had left.

She was about to rush forward—only to have her hand caught.

Turning her head, she saw Riveria's grave expression.

"Ais, don't be fooled. That's an illusion!"

"Let go of me..."

"Ais, that is—"

"I know it's an illusion! Just let go already!"

Ais's emotions burst out. Her last words were nearly a sob.

She knew the person in front of her was fake.

But even so—she couldn't hold back the tears.

Ais...

Riveria hardly recognized this side of her. But even so, she couldn't let go. She couldn't let Ais walk toward that illusion.

"Riveria."

The woman's soft voice floated through the air, making Riveria, who was gripping Ais's hand, tremble.

"Hold on to Ais. This child has always been stubborn. If no one's there to stop her, she'll end up getting herself into trouble."

Her face remained gentle, her gaze full of motherly affection—but there was a clear restraint behind it.

That moment cracked the certainty Riveria had just seconds before.

"Aria..."

For a brief moment, Riveria truly believed the woman before her might be real.

"Riveria, don't let go of Ais. Keep her from rushing over."

The woman's soft yet firm reminder brought Riveria back to her senses. She tightened her grip on Ais's hand.

And Ais froze where she stood, halted by the voice.

The woman didn't look sad. She just gazed tenderly at her daughter.

"Have you been eating properly all these years?"

"Remember to get enough sleep, and don't stay up late."

"The Dungeon is full of hidden dangers. Don't always charge ahead—stay cautious."

Hearing those tender words, Ais couldn't hold back any longer. Silent tears streamed down her face.

She bit her lip, trying not to sob—maybe to avoid showing just how much it hurt.

"Hahaha... you're still such a crybaby, even after all these years, Ais."

A hand gently rested on her head, accompanied by a warm, hearty laugh filled with fatherly love.

That voice made Ais freeze again. Slowly, she turned her head.

"Papa..."

He wore lightweight armor and carried what looked like an ordinary sword on his back—but only those who knew him would understand just how deadly it truly was.

His handsome face, usually firm and commanding, now held only tenderness and relief.

He casually patted Ais's head, smiling softly, though his words carried a trace of sorrow.

"Seeing you grow up should make me happy. But seeing my little girl covered in blood just like I used to be... it's the last thing I ever wanted."

"Listen to what your mother said. The Dungeon is far more dangerous than you think."

Then he walked over to stand beside the woman.

"Aria... I never imagined we'd see Ais again, here of all places."

"Yeah. I thought we'd never get the chance. But here she is—all grown up."

The couple didn't get emotional. They knew their time was short.

As they moved toward Ais, their bodies began to shift. Their once-natural skin slowly darkened to a deep violet-black hue, no longer looking human.

But the warmth in their eyes never faded.

"Ais, the next time you see us will be when you've proven that you can live on."

"Every fledgling must one day take to the skies. Every child will eventually walk forward, standing on their parents' shoulders."

"Bring your best friend, your strongest ally. Find us. Surpass us. Show us how far you've come."

"Do you understand?"

Ais couldn't stop crying.

She understood.

Her parents had been waiting for her all this time, deep within the Dungeon.

She wiped her face with the back of her hand. No matter how much time had passed, or how much she'd changed—she knew, without a doubt, that they were still the parents she remembered.

So now, she had to give them her answer.

She didn't charge forward like before. Instead, she pressed her left hand to her chest.

"Papa, Mama... I promise I'll find you. And I'll make sure you see how much I've grown."

"Please... wait for me!"

Both the man and woman smiled gently.

"Oh, we'll be waiting!"