Extra's Descent

"Rein, let's split evenly. Can you take on three?"

"Sure."

Raven and Reinhard peeked behind a corridor. There, they could see six Reapersnakes, slithering silently in the cave's shadows. The torches' dim light cast a reflection off their glossy scales.

Tsss~

Their forked tongues flicked in and out.

Raven tightened his grip on his dagger, analyzing the situation.

From what he knew of Reapersnakes—information provided by the main guild—they were around the A–ranks.

Furthermore, they were known for their ability to blend into the darkness and ambush unsuspecting prey.

Raven glanced over at Reinhard.

"I'll keep mine busy and make sure they don't flank you."

"Sure."

Reinhard nodded and stepped forward.

Tsss~

As they approached, the snakes reared back. Their eyes glinted with dangerous intent. The bloodlust surrounding them was palpable.

Crack!

Flexing his muscles, Raven kicked the ground, sending pebbles scattering away. Raven's dagger extended forward, ready to cleave down.

The Reapersnakes hissed in response, their bodies coiling tightly as they prepared to attack.

Then, without warning, they struck.

Swoosh—!

Raven twisted his body to the side, narrowly dodging the first snake's lunge, while bringing his weapon down on its exposed flank. The strike was clean, and the creature fell to the ground with a final hiss.

He was getting stronger. Raven was getting used to manipulating his body without the help of mana.

In any case,

"That's one."

He muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Raven's grip tightened as the second Reapersnake lunged at him, its fangs gleaming.

He shifted to the left with precise movements. In one swift motion, he countered, driving his dagger deep into the snake's side.

Slash—!

Another clean kill.

"One more."

Turning his attention towards Reinhard, Raven informed.

"Yeah, nice. Let me finish this quickly."

Reinhard, meanwhile, engaged the other three.

Flames erupted from his arm as he swung his fist in the dark, illuminating the cave with every swing.

Voosh– Voosh—!

The first Reapersnake darted toward him, but he blocked it with a quick burst of fire, disorienting the creature before swinging down.

Raven, watching him from the corner of his eye, noticed the last of his two enemies preparing for a strike.

The snake coiled, ready to lunge. Timing his movements, Raven feinted to the side just as the creature launched itself at him.

Swoosh—!

He ducked low, then spun, slashing the dagger upward through its underbelly. Blood splattered across the cave floor as the last of Raven's targets fell.

"Looks like I got three."

Raven said quietly, catching his breath. He turned to Reinhard, who finished the last of his targets with a final, blazing strike.

The cave fell silent, except for the crackling embers of Reinhard's flame.

"Good work."

"You too."

They exchanged a quick nod and bumped their fists.

"Ah."

They continued roaming the labyrinth's floors, but suddenly, Reinhard paused as if he had just realized something.

"....I haven't studied."

"...."

Raven stood baffled. How irresponsible is he?

Before Raven would leave for a labyrinth dive, he would always make sure to review his notes first to ensure the knowledge would remain.

"You're only realizing this now?"

"...."

***

"How arrogant of you to think you'd make a difference."

"Shut up."

The whispers echoed once more.

It had been like this for five days now, serving as a distraction to Brandon's meditation.

"If only you realized it."

"...."

"You're turning into him."

"Fuck off!"

Crack—!

The ground cracked once again, snow scattering as Brandon's magic power erupted.

Due to this, one of the wyverns who was near the vicinity was alerted.

"You're never enough."

"Tsk."

Brandon clicked his tongue, popped a pill, and Lumian's image once again vanished.

Picking up his sword, Brandon took a stance. The wyvern was looming closer, shading above him.

He hadn't fully recovered from his previous injuries yet. So he wasn't confident he would make it out of this unscathed.

However, that was exactly what he needed.

A reason to push himself further.

But now that he took a good, close look…

"...?"

The wyvern was much larger than it appeared to be when it was initially high up in the sky.

"Ah."

This meant.

—Hwoooooar!

….It was much stronger than the wyvern Brandon had killed back then.

"Shit."

There was no need to hesitate.

Brandon had no chance against the wyvern. Especially with his sore body. Regardless, of whether he was an S–ranker or not.

Pouring mana in his leg, Brandon gritted his teeth and dashed to the side.

Crash—!

In the next instant, they wyvern crashed onto the mountainside, completely shaking the vicinity with horrifying intensities.

Brandon was just about to turn and leave, when….

"...?"

The wyvern, who was supposed to tower over him, disappeared.

"What the hell…."

Was he losing it?

Did he just imagine the wyvern?

Brandon retrieved the pill from his pocket and scanned.

"A side–effect?"

Could've been the case.

No, he wasn't serious. It was clearly real, when a large crater etching on the ground revealed itself as soon as the snow–dust faded.

However,

"Where the hell?"

Brandon looked around, and clearly, there was no sign of the wyvern.

"...!"

A lot of conjectures rose in his mind, and Brandon was alerted, taking a battle stance.

It could've been anything. Maybe the wyvern had a skill that could cloak itself.

"There."

Brandon swung his blade behind him.

"Hush."

His sword came to an abrupt stop, and a whisper echoed.

"...."

Brandon's eyes shot wide open, and a sudden chill ran down his spine. His blade had been stopped by a single fingertip.

A boy, who didn't look to be older than fifteen, stood right in front of him. Lilac hair and silver eyes that seemed to stare straight in his soul. His body was refined with silvery scales that were formed to look like armor.

Just from the scales alone told Brandon enough. However, he still had some doubts.

After all, he couldn't see enough from Raven's memories to make a conjecture.

He couldn't remember every detail.

"You."

The boy's eyes narrowed. Bloodlust emanated from him, making Brandon swallow deeply. Read engaging stories on m vl-em|p-yr

"How are you here?"

The boy asked.

"Uh, I…."

Brandon stammered, the grip on his blade trembling.

Not that he was afraid, but the pressure exuding from the boy was palpable.

"I climbed the mountain…?"

"Not that."

The boy quickly shot him down. He traced his finger on the blade, and a scratching metallic sound rang. But to Brandon's surprise, the point of his finger didn't bleed.

"This world. How are you here?"

"Huh?"

Did he know…?

If so, how…?

"Are you…. a wyvern?"

Brandon had to ask, quickly shifting the topic aside to better confirm his surmissions.

"Yes, and you are…."

The wyvern's next set of words.

"A wraith?"

….Sent a chill down Brandon's spine.