CHAPTER 42: PERCHEL ZONE 4

Kiiikk... Kiiikk...

Kael Vi-rel’s swords sliced through the spectral form with precision, the creature splitting in two before dissolving into a mist of ethereal light that shimmered faintly against the dim dungeon walls. Each swing echoed softly in the empty corridors, a reminder of the relentless trials that lay hidden in the shadowed depths. Clearing the dungeon was going better than expected, much better than he had feared when he first stepped inside. Kael’s eyes swept over the aftermath of the encounter piles of loot scattered around: materials that glimmered faintly with latent magic, potions that smelled faintly of herbs and metals, and rare fragments that pulsed with energy. A small grin tugged at his lips.

If I record this... he thought, I could post it on Tube and rack up a ton of views... and game points. His mind flickered briefly to the streaming possibilities, imagining the surge of comments, likes, and accolades. Not that he was chasing fame—well, not entirely—but seeing the numbers climb did offer a peculiar thrill.

As he sheathed his swords, the familiar click resonated in the quiet corridor, a soothing rhythm amid the chaos. He murmured to himself, almost as if reasoning through a personal lesson, "I should hold my sword properly instead of stashing it in the Codex every time. It conserves magic power... and thinking strategically pays off." He ran a hand along the hilt, feeling the subtle grooves and edges, a tactile reminder of the difference between convenience and efficiency. The Codex was convenient, yes, but convenience often came at a cost. Efficiency, Kael realized, could be the edge that separated success from failure in this dungeon.

Selene Whitmore’s cheerful voice broke through his introspection. "How did you do this?" Her eyes sparkled with genuine delight as she clutched the gift Kael had given her, turning it over in her hands as though discovering a new detail each time.

Kael allowed himself a faint smile, warmth spreading through his chest. She really likes it, he realized, a rare sensation that prickled his nerves and made his chest tighten pleasantly.

Selene, eager to show off the gift to Clara Winslet, suddenly turned back toward Kael, their gazes locking. Her eyes shone with unfiltered joy, and she offered a soft, almost shy smile. "I like the gift," she said, her voice carrying a quiet sincerity that made Kael’s pulse quicken.

He waved back at her, a small motion heavy with unspoken thoughts. It must be the end of the world to see her smile like this, he muttered under his breath, feeling a faint blush creeping up his neck. The memory of her grin lingered in his mind, a soft light against the harsh shadows of the dungeon.

Memories from his pre-game days flickered unbidden. Before entering this virtual world, Kael had often wandered these corridors in simulation, noting their traps, their spectral guardians, their ever-shifting layouts. Every time, Selene would appear, her character fighting with relentless intensity, cutting through enemies with a fluidity and ferocity that bordered on art. Watching her in those moments had been... jarring. He hadn’t understood it then why she fought with such dedication, why she pushed herself relentlessly but now, seeing her here, he suspected the truth. Perhaps it wasn’t just about improving her views or standings. Perhaps it was about something deeper a drive, a need to prove, to survive, to excel.

Kael’s eyes drifted to the others around them, their faces obscured by shadows, their stances alert, hands twitching near weapons. They looked capable of slaughtering anyone foolish enough to approach. It wasn’t just skill it was presence. Aura. Authority. No wonder the crowd followed them. Appearance alone could intimidate, and he knew it well. He rubbed his chin, noting the subtle details: the way one player adjusted a gauntlet, the way another’s cloak shifted with movement, even the faint hum of magic that surrounded a few. These were players who didn’t just fightthey dominated.

Selene Whitmore’s popularity or lack thereof wasn’t his concern anymore. Not in this reality. Not now. This wasn’t just a game, a mere simulation to kill time and earn points. This was... tangible. Dangerous. Real. And her affection toward him, though subtle, was a weight he wasn’t sure he could bear without faltering. What part of me does she even like? he wondered, a shadowy question that lingered, unspoken, at the edge of his mind.

Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Kael pinched his cheek lightly. Focus. There was no room for distraction here. He summoned a deep, even breath, then unsummoned his Vismora glasses, watching them shimmer softly as they returned to Codex storage. The familiar shimmer offered a momentary comfort a tiny, controlled certainty in the chaos of the dungeon.

"So... are you guys ready to head out?" Kael asked, forcing his voice to remain steady, pushing away the slight tremor of nerves threatening to creep in.

"Yeah," Selene replied promptly, her tone calm, her posture steady. She had a way of grounding him even when his own thoughts threatened to spiral.

"Yup," Clara added, adjusting her gear with a tired sigh. Despite the exhaustion lining her shoulders, her gaze remained sharp, scanning the corridor ahead as if she could sense the dangers lurking beyond the next corner.

"Okay, then. Let’s get ready for the boss fight," Kael said, pressing a hidden button embedded into the floor beneath his palm. The stone shifted with a low rumble, revealing a doorway swirling with golden light. It pulsed faintly, beckoning, ominous yet inviting, a portal to the next challenge.

Selene raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at her lips. "How did you know there was a button here?"

Kael scratched the back of his head, a sheepish gesture. "Uh... I forgot this was a hidden dungeon. No one’s found it yet," he admitted, the faint humor in his voice hiding the underlying tension.

"Well, you wouldn’t tell us even if we asked," Selene said knowingly, her smirk widening. "Let’s just go."

A quiet sigh of relief escaped Kael’s lips. At least she wasn’t pushing him to explain. At least not yet.

As they neared the boss room, Clara muttered, a hint of fatigue coloring her voice, "Erm... can we take a little rest? We’ve been walking for hours already."

"That’s right," Selene agreed, nodding as she adjusted her gear. "We need to conserve our energy. We’re almost out of usable items."

Kael inclined his head. "The dungeon’s level increased as soon as we entered, higher than I anticipated. Let’s recover first." He tapped at his system window, a soft glow emanating from the interface, and a bright light enveloped his left hand. From the radiance, a bag of items materialized, landing on the ground with a muffled thump. Opening it revealed a treasure trove: potions that shimmered with magical energy, scrolls etched with runes, and rare materials pulsating faintly with potential.

Selene’s eyes widened, a mix of awe and disbelief. "Are you running a business or something? Why do you have so many items?"

Clara gawked, equally impressed. "Wow... it’s my first time seeing this many items in one place."

Kael chuckled softly, a faint grin crossing his face. "Heheh... consider it preparation." His tone was light, but his mind was already running through strategies, contingencies, and sequences for the fight to come.

He began distributing the items with precision, each motion practiced, each decision deliberate. "Here, take these recovery potions. They’ll help during the boss fight."

Selene accepted a few, inspecting them with a critical eye. "You’re too organized... it’s almost scary," she remarked, though the note of admiration in her voice was unmistakable.

Clara laughed softly, shaking her head. "I guess this is what being over-prepared feels like."

Kael’s grin widened, heart swelling at their reactions. Despite the looming threat, despite the tension thickening the air like fog, he felt a spark of pride. This wasn’t merely survival. This was strategy. Teamwork. Small victories that built the confidence needed for the challenge ahead.

He adjusted his grip on his sword, feeling the familiar weight settle into his hands like an extension of himself. "Alright. Let’s make sure we’re ready. Once we step into that room, there’s no turning back.