Chapter 10: Right on Time
Wind screamed past Xavier's ears as he sprinted across the city.
Buildings blurred. Streetlights became streaks of white and gold. His feet barely touched the ground as he vaulted over obstacles, slipped between cars, and cut through alleys only lifelong locals knew existed.
Xavier had lived in this city his entire life.
And right now, that knowledge was saving lives.
"Left—no, right!" Xavier muttered, sharply changing direction as a bus roared past where he'd been a second ago.
Serena stayed beside him effortlessly, her breathing calm, eyes locked forward.
They didn't slow.
Not once.
The massive dungeon gate came into view—towering stone etched with glowing runes, guards stationed at the entrance as mana rippled violently through the air.
Xavier didn't hesitate.
"Jump."
They leapt.
The gate passed beneath them as they cleared the barrier in a single motion, landing cleanly on the other side. The guards never noticed—too focused on the fluctuating dungeon readings.
The transition was seamless.
One moment, city air.
The next—
Darkness.
Xavier skidded to a stop, boots scraping against stone. Massive rock pillars lined a wide corridor, shadows clinging to every surface. The air was thick, heavy with mana and blood.
He stared.
"…So this is a dungeon."
"We don't have time for you to space out, Xavier," Serena said sharply.
He winced and smacked his own cheek. "Right. Sorry."
His heart pounded—not with fear, but awe.
I always wondered what it'd be like…
He shook the thought away and took off again.
Silas was barely standing.
His vision swam, the edges darkening as mana exhaustion clawed at his consciousness. He leaned heavily against a shattered pillar, chest heaving as he forced another barrier into existence.
Around him, guild members lay scattered—injured, unconscious, bleeding.
The main combat force fought desperately, their movements sluggish, sloppy from exhaustion.
The Guild Leader staggered to his feet beside Silas, armor cracked, blood staining his side.
"Still standing?" the leader asked.
"Barely," Silas rasped.
He glanced at his phone.
No signal.
His fingers hovered over the call button—then stopped.
He said thirty minutes…
Silas shoved the doubt down and reached into his bag, pulling out his last recovery potion. He drank it in one gulp, grimacing as the weak healing effect barely dulled the pain.
He was the last support class still conscious.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he raised his shield again, deflecting a ranged attack aimed at a fallen guildmate.
The boss monster circled above.
A massive bird-like creature, wings spanning the cavern, feathers black as void. Its eyes glowed with cruel intelligence. Every few seconds, it unleashed razor-sharp wind blades or bursts of dark energy.
Worse—
It healed.
Slowly, but constantly.
If they didn't finish it now—
They would die.
"Fall back!" the Vice Leader shouted. "One last push!"
Silas gritted his teeth and threw out his final spell.
"Smoke Screen!"
Thick green mist exploded outward, engulfing the battlefield.
The guild regrouped behind pillars, weapons shaking in tired hands.
Silas leaned close to the Guild Leader. "He should be here soon. If we can hold out… we can go home today."
The Guild Leader laughed bitterly. "I hear you, Silas. But I don't think time's on our side."
The Vice Leader tightened his grip on his sword. "Whatever miracle's supposed to happen… it better hurry."
The smoke thinned.
The monster screeched, eyes darting as it searched for its prey.
"Brilliant Flash!"
Light erupted.
The creature shrieked, blinded, wings beating wildly.
Sensing danger, it twisted right—
A flaming sword slash barely missed its neck.
"Silas—NOW!"
A glowing green barrier snapped into place around the monster.
It slammed into the barrier, shrieking in fury.
Cracks spread.
Then—
BOOM.
The barrier shattered as the monster activated a hidden skill, crashing violently into the ground.
Its glowing eyes locked onto Silas.
And it charged.
Silas smiled weakly.
Got you.
At the last possible second, the Guild Leader and Vice Leader stepped in from either side.
Two swords.
One strike.
The monster was cleaved cleanly in half.
Its body hit the ground, lifeless.
The shadows dispersed.
Silence fell.
One by one, the remaining guild members exhaled shakily.
The Vice Leader approached cautiously. "Let's make sure—"
Silas pushed himself upright, legs shaking.
Something felt… wrong.
If it had been that easy—
Why were so many unconscious?
He blinked.
Rubbed his eyes.
Then froze.
At the far end of the chamber, a throne had appeared—bone-white, etched with ancient runes.
And sitting on it—
A skeleton.
Clad in tattered robes. A crown of black crystal resting upon its skull.
"Be careful," Silas whispered hoarsely. "The fight isn't over."
Weapons snapped back up.
The skeleton stood.
And laughed.
"Hahaha… hahaha!"
"You did well to defeat my creation."
Its hollow eyes burned with blue flame.
"But now…"
It vanished—
And reappeared directly in front of the Guild Leader.
"…you face me."
The mana pressure spiked violently.
"I am the Mage of the Deep."
Before anyone could move—
BOOM.
The massive doors to the boss chamber slammed open.
Everyone turned.
Xavier stepped inside, Infinite-Sized Bag slung over his shoulder, Serena at his side.
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Uh… sorry if I'm late," he said.
"It's my first time in a dungeon."