B-rank Dungeon, Lava-lake
On a huge cliff, two people could be seen standing and looking at the horizon…
"But really, to think I would end up teaming up with you in this dungeon, that's quite an amazing coincidence we have encountered here, isn't it?" (Link) (Link's voice seemed to be sarcastic.)
"Indeed, I also never expected to end up being paired with someone, who brags about his girlfriend all day long…" (Rio)
Rio said in a calm and emotionless voice as always, while looking at the huge volcano in front of him…
Hearing Rio, visible annoyance appeared on Link's face:
"You are the last person who has the right to say that, you know!? And how can you even mock someone with that straight face!?" (Link)
Suddenly Link's face turned extremely serious and he said in a very serious tone:
"Hey, tell me seriously…" (Link)
"What?..." (Rio)
"Are your face muscles made of stone or something? They barely even move… put some emotion on that face, dude!" (Link)
"Even a statue made of stone would have more emotions on its face than yours, you know~" (Link)
"Even if you say that…" (Rio)
"Tch, how did I end up with someone as boring as you, sigh~" (Link)
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A few hours earlier, outside the dungeon.
"Now that all of the students have in front of the dungeon, I should make you all aware of all the rules and important things you need to know…" (Anna)
"But first, each one of you draws a slip out of that box, those slips have two numbers on them, one written in blue and the other in red, the blue one denotes your number, and the red one denotes your partner…" (Anna)
"After you all draw a slip each pair up with the corresponding person, this exam will not only check your own combat skills but also your team cooperation skills too." (Anna)
"Now start drawing out your slips one by one…" (Anna)
After getting instructed by Anna all the students started to draw their slips from the box one by one, and after a few minutes Rio also was able to get his slip.
[Blue: 34, Red: 23]
'Hmm, I wonder who number 23 is. Perhaps I should look around…' (Rio)
Just as Rio was about to look around, Link was already standing beside him looking at both the slips.
"So, we are gonna be partners again, heh I am looking forward to seeing how much you have improved since then Rio!" (Link)
"Is that so…" (Rio)
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(Back to the present)
"But isn't it overkill…" (Link)
"What do you mean?" (Rio)
"Well I mean, we both are strong enough to conquer this whole B-rank dungeon on our own, if we pair up, then wouldn't it be just a one-sided slaughter... I might not be able to even use my most powerful skills, having a good teammate also have its own disadvantages, sigh~" (Link)
"Yeah, indeed, I am strong, you might not even get the chance to fight if it's just some weak monster…" (Rio)
"Sigh~, I wish, I was paired up with Riya, it would have been so cool when I would have slayed monsters and protected her from all the monsters…" (Link)
'The Link I know from the novel was never so cheerful and energetic, he seems to be a totally different person… Seriously, love has the power the make a poisonous snake like him into a cheerful house dog… The power of love, so terrifying…' (Rio)
"Hey, Link, listen…" (Rio)
"Hmm, what happened?" (Link)
Link's face looked as if he was very curious to hear what Rio has to say after all this is one of those few times when Rio has first said something, otherwise most of the time Link starts a conversation between them:
"Drown and die in that imaginative dream of yours…" (Rio)
"Wha-!" (Link)
"Hey, are you trying to pick a fight with me!" (Link)
Rio just ignored Link's rambling and continued walking toward the foot of the volcano.
"Hey, don't ignore me you bastard! I will spoil your food, which you talk about every day so much, hey!" (Link)
"I would kill you if you did so…" (Rio)
While arguing with each other, Rio and Link continued to go deeper into the dungeon.
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At the same time, Near a Small River stream in the dungeon.
"ohh! Look how pure and clear, this water is!" (Riya)
"Yeah, it's really beautiful, and that waterfall over there is even more beautiful." (Lia)
Suddenly Riya got up and looked at Lia:
"Hey, hey, can I take a bath in it, I promise I would be quick!" (Riya)
"Wha-! What are talking about!? We aren't sure if there are any monsters hidden in that river yet you know…" (Lia)
"But I would be very quick and come out before any monster get me!" (Riya)
Riya was looking at Lia with great anticipation now.
'Sigh~, how did I end up pairing with her, every time I meet her, I get more and more sure about one thing-'This girl has a problem in her mind', but taking a bath here would be dangerous and if something happened to her our team would be eliminated, I Can't let that happen. Sigh~' (Lia)
"Hey, tell me already, hurry!?" (Riya)
'Okay I would have to use that method now, perhaps she mind take the bait' (Lia)
"Well you can take a bath…" (Lia)
"Hurray!" (Riya)
"But, you know I have heard 'that there's a legend that, such streams have a tentacle monster living in it, and when a young maiden enters the water it plays with her body and makes her go insane from pleasure'" (Lia) (What is that monster, I will leave it on your imaginations, hehe)
"Although I don't know what that means encountering a monster when you are unarmed isn't good, since you want to go then go, I would stay here…" (Lia)
'Take the bait, take the bait!' (Lia)
After hearing Lia, Riya stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around, her face seemed pale and her body was shaking a little bit, she seemed to be genuinely scared.
"A-are yo-you s-sure? T-then i-I won't go there…" (Riya)
Now Riya looked at the stream with great vigilance and moved far away from it.
'Yes! She took the bait, but seriously, how much of a blockhead you have to be to fall for such a cheap trick, but at least we can move forward now' (Lia)
"Eh, you don't want to take a bath now, well if you say so, let's go towards that waterfall, perhaps we can find a monster worth many points there." (Lia)
"y-yeah" (Riya)
After that Riya maintained quite a bit of distance from the stream all along the journey, it seems even someone as nonchalant and carefree as her can get so terrified from just some made-up nonsense.
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Academy's Monitoring Room
"Are there any abnormalities so far?" (Anna)
"No, all the students seem to have entered the dungeon successfully and the first round of combat would be starting soon" (Observer 1)
"The boss monster also seems a bit stable now, everything is going good for now." (Observer 2)
"Hmm, good, keep monitoring the student's movements and be sure to record properly, this data will be used to give them marks, after all." (Anna)
"Yeah!" (Observer 1)
"Yeah!" (Observer 2)
'Everything seems normal, but what is this strange feeling I have, my intuition is telling me that something is not right, but what is it?' (Anna)
'Perhaps, I am just thinking too much, it seems I am just worried over nothing. I should calm down a bit (Anna)
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Outside the academy, in a dilapidated basement.
"Get ready, the prince would be here any minute now, according to the information we have, the prince would be teleported here with the help of the teleportation scroll." (???)
"After that, when he gives his permission we can start our plan immediately, there is no time to waste, get ready to welcome his highness the prince." (???)
'I just hope he doesn't get angry when he sees this dilapidated place, compared to the luxurious environment of the demon Castle this place is nothing after all.' (???)
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Author's Note
Work harder guys we are still very far behind in the win-win rankings, I am looking forward to all of your support:
Question of the day:
Which team do you think is the best?
1. Rio and Link
2. Lia and Riya
Top-secret Hidden options:
3. Author and his keyboard
4. You and your keyboard
Don't forget to share your thoughts on the chapter in the comment section. Also tell me if anything in the chapter needs to be improved, as my precious readers I wouldn't mind if you find any flaws in the chapter, I would just fix them as fast as possible.
By the way, don't forget to use those power stones and also leave a review if you like the story. Comment your opinion about the chapter. Your support is my motivation.