Path of the Extra

"Why aren't we being attacked anymore...?"

Celestina's quiet voice reached Yelena and the others at the front.

Yelena didn't respond, her gaze fixed ahead.

She knew it was crucial for her to stay vigilant—her eyes were sharper than most here, and her instincts were finely tuned.

But that was precisely why she was on high alert.

Because...

Her instincts weren't warning her of anything.

No danger.

Nothing.

It felt as if the first floor was completely deserted.

A floor that should have been teeming with void creatures, especially prowlers, was eerily empty.

And no one knew why.

They just kept walking.

Everything looked the same, like a distorted mirror image.

Celestina spoke quietly with Lumine and the others as they moved, but the cadets were starting to lower their guard—unlike Yelena.

She couldn't blame them.

They'd been walking for hours, and the only threats they'd encountered were a few prowlers at the start, easily dispatched by Lumine.

No one had really had the chance to test their skills.

It was mostly Lumine and Azriel who had done the fighting and killing.

Well, Azriel had sidelined himself, for reasons Yelena couldn't quite grasp.

Then there was Lumine, her childhood friend, who had been unusually quiet since they arrived at the Void Dungeon.

'...It must have happened at the hotel. He was with me the whole time, though.'

Whatever it was, she was certain it wasn't her doing.

Nor had anyone else bothered him.

So...

Her eyes widened slightly.

'Was it the system...?'

She knew about Lumine's system.

It was a secret kept strictly between the two of them.

The moment Lumine had received the [System], replacing his original unique skill, he had confided in Yelena.

Fortunately, she had managed to stop him from telling anyone else—not even their family.

If she was honest...

She didn't like the [System].

Sure, it had made Lumine significantly stronger, bringing him closer to his dream, and she was thrilled that he always helped her grow stronger as well.

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But even so, she couldn't trust it.

It had come out of nowhere.

She knew nothing about it—what it wanted, how it worked, or why it existed.

It was an enigma.

And she hated the unknown.

'If it was the system, then what happened? Is it a quest?'

She couldn't ask him now, though.

Exhausted, Yelena finally broke her gaze from the path ahead and looked back.

The other students were talking among themselves as they walked, some already clinging to each other from fatigue.

But overall, they were holding up well enough.

Looking further back, she noticed the instructors.

They appeared just as confused, likely discussing the situation with Jasmine.

But what puzzled Yelena the most was seeing Azriel and Vergil at the very rear, together.

She didn't like Vergil, not after the incident he caused on the first day—insulting her and Lumine.

And she thought Azriel would feel the same, given how his name was slandered because of Vergil.

Yet here they were, together, talking.

And whatever they were discussing, it seemed important enough that they didn't want anyone else to overhear, judging by their serious expressions.

'Are they planning something together?'

It was a possibility.

Neither of them had joined the other cadets, yet they hadn't gone off on their own either.

She couldn't understand what they were thinking.

"Everyone, stop."

Celestina's voice cut through the air, commanding the attention of every cadet.

They froze, their breaths held in anticipation, thinking they were finally about to be attacked.

But...

It wasn't an attack.

No.

In front of them stood a colossal gate.

*****

Why?

Celestina couldn't understand how this had happened.

This was never supposed to be this easy, yet here they were, standing in front of the boss room.

It was utterly ridiculous, but undeniably real—they were already close to reaching the second floor, leaving the Imperion Maze behind in less than a day.

If she told anyone on the surface about this, they'd laugh in her face, calling her crazy.

Yet here was the colossal gate before them, its ancient, dust-covered engravings unreadable, the gates towering and imposing.

"Celestina, I think we should take a break here and discuss our next steps."

Lumine said, his expression unusually serious.

Celestina glanced at him, then back at the gate, and finally at the other cadets.

Each one of them looked to her, waiting for her command.

'We haven't really fought. No one is exhausted, and we could probably take on the boss if we went in now. But... everything here is off. What if going in now is a mistake?'

She was uncertain.

Her decision could potentially cost lives.

She looked towards the instructors—they wore unreadable expressions, watching her closely, but said nothing.

They weren't going to interfere.

'Does that mean it's not too serious?'

If it were, they would have stepped in, wouldn't they?

Celestina closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again.

"We'll rest here for the day. Tomorrow, we'll fight the floor boss and proceed to the second floor."

No one objected.

The third group immediately began preparing the camp, though a few cadets looked dissatisfied with her decision.

But Celestina didn't want to take any chances.

Who knew what might change in a day?

'They can call me a coward if they want... but if that's what it takes to keep everyone alive, then so be it.'

Lumine and Yelena joined the third group, helping the other cadets set up camp.

There was no rule against bringing personal items into the Void Dungeon, as long as you had a storage ring.

Of course, the larger the storage space, the more expensive the ring.

So, while no one had brought anything extravagant like a bed, they had enough to make themselves comfortable and assist with the camp.

As the cadets began to relax and help one another, Celestina's gaze drifted to a certain duo—Azriel and Vergil.

Jasmine was surprisingly busy helping with the camp, and the instructors were inspecting the boss gate without opening it.

'They've gotten awfully close.'

Celestina thought, watching Azriel and Vergil sit together against the wall, not mingling with the others.

They weren't talking anymore, and the air between them felt tense, solemn.

It wasn't just her who noticed—no one seemed eager to get near them.

'Did something happen...?'

She shook her head.

Unlike the others, she had a responsibility here, and she needed every advantage she could get.

Celestina walked towards the two, who noticed her approach.

Azriel smiled, though it was a bit stiff, while Vergil wore an unreadable expression.

The sharp glint in Azriel's eyes had already disappeared.

As she sat down in front of them, Azriel's smile remained, though it seemed a bit forced.

Vergil, on the other hand, looked uncomfortable being so close to her.

"Celestina, is there something you need from us?"

She nodded.

"I need both of your help."

Azriel and Vergil blinked in unison.

"Our help?"

Celestina nodded again.

Azriel sighed, while Vergil remained silent, seemingly content to let Azriel speak for both of them.

"I told you I'd be handing you the crown, didn't I? Has it become too burdensome?"

Celestina furrowed her brows and shook her head.

"It's not. I can handle it, but that doesn't mean I enjoy making things harder for myself when I don't have to."

"Celestina, I'm not interested in stepping in right now. Besides, why do you need my help? You've already led everyone to the boss room perfectly. Just strike the iron while it's hot."

Celestina narrowed her eyes.

"You know this was too easy—no void creatures attacked us, no real challenges, no dangers. I don't trust this situation. Something might go wrong, and I want to prevent anyone from dying."

Azriel shrugged.

"You're overthinking it, Celestina. The floors in the Void Dungeon change from time to time. It's rare, but not impossible. You know that. Maybe we got lucky, and the dungeon's showing us some mercy. Who knows?

The trouble you're looking for might not even exist, or it might just be waiting for us on the second floor instead."

Celestina bit her lip, considering his words.

'He's right... the floors do change, and maybe it is just luck. But still...'

She couldn't rely on luck alone.

And she knew Azriel wouldn't either, so why... why was he so relaxed?

Not just him—the instructors, Jasmine—they all seemed calm.

'Is this the difference in experience...?'

If that was the case, perhaps she should heed his advice.

But...

Celestina clenched her fists tightly.

"...I'm not asking for the help of the Apex. I'm asking for the help of my friend."

Vergil looked visibly stunned by her words, while the smile on Azriel's face faded, replaced by an unreadable expression.

"I don't want to risk anyone getting hurt or... worse. So please, Azriel."

'I don't want anyone to die...'

No matter where they were, anything could happen.

That was her belief.

Celestina didn't meet his eyes as she asked for his help.

If anyone else had heard her right now, they might have thought she was losing her mind.

A tense silence followed her words, with neither Azriel nor Vergil saying anything as she felt their gazes on her for different reasons.

"...."

Finally, Azriel broke the silence sighing.

"Why... is everyone always so unfair?"