I Took the Smart Pill, Forgot the Escape Plan

Next Day

Kinito was dressed in a fresh shirt and pants he bought from the system. Slimy was sitting on his shoulder. Both were hyped to explore a new dungeon—a female-only dungeon, which obviously doubled the excitement.

But...

Something felt off.

The air was thick, suffocating—like a powerful demon was trying real hard to suppress her deadly aura.

"Are you really going to a female-only dungeon?" she asked, smiling while clenching a fist.

"For forming an alliance," Kinito corrected her.

"Yeah, but... female-only dungeon."

Sigh...

Kinito looked up at the ceiling. Sunlight fell across his face as he ran a hand through his hair, his expression suddenly dramatic and tragic—eyes brimming with fake tears.

"Aqua... do you know how hard it is for me to leave you here? To go there... and enjo—ahem, I mean, explore the unknown alone? Who knows what awaits me? I might not even return alive..."

He looked deep into Aqua's eyes.

"You have to understand my pain."

Slimy was dutifully wiping away Kinito's crocodile tears.

"If that's the problem, Master, I can go with you instead," Aqua offered. "They did say you can bring one companion…"

"NO!" Kinito screamed.

"???"

Aqua tilted her head in confusion.

"Cough I mean, no," Kinito said more calmly. Slimy was shaking his head aggressively like a maraca.

Kinito suddenly teleported behind Aqua, massaging her shoulders with puppy eyes.

"Wifey~ we need someone to protect the dungeon while we're gone," he said in the most child-like voice possible. "If something happens to our home, I'll never forgive myself!"

Slimy jumped on her head and started massaging too.

Kinito locked eyes with her. He knew—Aqua couldn't resist his begging face.

"You're the strongest, babe. Only you can protect the dungeon when we're away," he pleaded.

Slimy nodded like a backup dancer.

"No...?" Aqua replied, narrowing her eyes.

"The mobs can protect the dungeon," she said bluntly.

Kinito froze and looked at Slimy, who returned the look—utter defeat in his gooey face.

Just when all hope was lost, a miracle descended:

[HOST: THE DUNGEON IS BEING RAIDED. PROTECT THE DUNGEON.]

Kinito turned to Aqua, a massive grin stretching across his face as he tried (and failed) to look serious.

"Wifey, protect the dungeon."

Aqua's aura flared instantly, her purple eyes glowing. In a flash, she vanished.

Opportunity: acquired.

Kinito immediately bolted from the dungeon.

Elsewhere...

A bald raid leader stood before a mysterious gate.

"You're sure this is the new dungeon that appeared?" he asked.

"Yes, boss," the mage replied. "It's the one that crushed multiple raid parties."

"We haven't seen a single mob," the healer complained, dragging his feet. "Are you sure this isn't just a dead dungeon?"

"It's active... but yeah, it's weirdly quiet," the mage muttered.

"Boss!" the archer girl shouted. "I sense something insanely powerful ahead! Stronger than any dungeon boss we've ever seen!"

"How can something like that exist in a lower dungeon? You're just imagining things," the raid leader said.

And then—

SLICE—

FLEW—

The archer's head was gone in an instant.

SLASH—

The mage's hand hit the floor.

"YOU BASTARDS," Aqua growled, glowing with rage. "Because of you I couldn't go to the female-only dungeon with my lord. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?!"

She huffed.

"I didn't even like their dungeon boss."

The raid team stood frozen in shock.

Aqua pouted.

"I'll never forgive my lord... not even if he gets kidnapped."

Suddenly, the raid leader lunged.

"DIE, YOU EVIL MONSTER!"

SLASH—

Aqua erased him on the spot. And wiped the entire raid team like it was a morning workout.

But then—a terrible thought crossed her mind.

What if he actually does get kidnapped? What if... he chooses to live there?!

She imagined the scene:

"I don't like you anymore, Aqua," Kinito sneered. "Go back to the dungeon. I like Aerial more."

Kinito—full playboy mode—holding Aerial in one arm and Tera in the other, walking away, while Aqua lay on the ground crying,

"NOOOO, MY LORD!"

She shook her head furiously.

"No. No. That can't happen. I have to find him!"

Meanwhile...

Kinito strolled through the Butterfly Dungeon. Being level 5, it was already bigger than his own. And just as he hoped—every single mob, from guards to workers—female.

"System, am I in heaven?" Kinito muttered, smiling stupidly.

"Every isekai protagonist would kill to be me. Hah! HAHAHA!"

He wandered through the garden, dumb grin still glued to his face.

"My lord," a voice called out.

It was Tera.

Kinito still wore the same dumb grin.

Cough cough.

"Yes?"

He quickly adjusted his expression to look more... princely.

"My master is waiting for you in the throne room."

He followed Tera through the hall.

Step. Step. Tuck—

The throne room doors opened.

Aerial sat gracefully on the throne, a long table beside her stacked with food that smelled heavenly.

"How was your journey, Lord Kinito?" she asked.

"Pleasant," he replied. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long."

"So, Lord—"

GURGLE—

His stomach betrayed him.

Kinito's face turned bright red.

"Haha... The trip was kind of exhausting," he laughed awkwardly.

Aerial chuckled.

"Then let's not make Lord Kinito wait any longer."

Chairs were pulled out. Food was uncovered. The aroma filled the room.

They began to eat.

Sip...

"Miss Aerial, your dungeon is quite strong for a lower one," Kinito said between sips.

"Glad to know it pleases My Lord," she replied with a playful smile.

"But credit goes to my hardworking mobs."

"Though... compared to stronger dungeons, my humble level 5 dungeon is nothing," she added with a wink.

[WARNING: HOST, SHE IS HIDING HER TRUE LEVEL. ENERGY ANALYSIS SUGGESTS HER DUNGEON IS ACTUALLY LEVEL 10.]

Kinito's expression turned sharp.

"There's something I don't get, Miss Aerial."

For the first time, he looked genuinely cool. Like, anime protagonist cool.

"What is it, My Lord?" she asked, dropping her spoon and focusing on him.

"You said the old alliance between top dungeons broke. That's why you're seeking a new one, right?"

She nodded.

"You also said the alliance prevented wars between high-level dungeons. Without it, everyone's at risk—including weaker dungeons like yours."

"So, wouldn't the weak dungeons band together to survive? If they did, they could just recreate the alliance."

"But you're trying to make a new alliance—meaning no such union ever existed."

"So how did the weaker dungeons survive before?"

"And if they didn't form a pact, then it means all the strong dungeons already took over the weak ones. And you… you're already part of one of those blocks."

"You came here to recruit me into your block. But if that were true, you'd have brought another rep or boss."

"And you wouldn't have hidden your true level."

"From your aura... and confidence... it's clear—you're one of the top three."

"But then why try to destroy my dungeon?"

Clap. Clap.

"I didn't expect you to be this clever," Aerial said, smirking. "But yes—you've figured out most of my plan."

Then—

Snap.

Dizzy—

Kinito's head spun.

[ALERT: DRUG DETECTED IN FOOD]

"Can you nullify it?" he whispered.

[NO. BUT I CAN REDUCE ITS EFFECTS.]

Aerial appeared behind him, blowing glittery particles in his face—amplifying the drug.

"F**k..." Kinito cursed internally. "I took an intelligence booster pill to figure out if she was sus... but I forgot to prepare an escape plan. And I'm out of coins to buy more pills!"

He struggled to stay awake.

"Why do I want to destroy your dungeon?" Aerial said. "Simple. When I destroy yours, mine gets stronger. And you're not part of any alliance block—so no war will follow."

"Damn it... I—"

Before Kinito blacked out, he heard her final words:

"Their boss is here. There's no one left protecting their dungeon. Destroy it."