Chapter 12: Trial by Earth and Flame
The entrance to the mine loomed before them like the mouth of a beast — jagged rocks, the air thick with soot, and faint echoes from deep underground. It wasn't just a mine. It was a forgotten outpost-turned-dungeon, swallowed by collapse and infested with things that had no names.
Mario stood at the front.
"Everyone ready?"
Emma gave a nod, her fingers already glowing with a light enhancement spell.
Lena cracked her knuckles. "Born ready."
Caroline pulled her cloak tighter. "Let's move. Fast and quiet."
Descent into Dust
The first tunnel sloped downward sharply. The walls were reinforced with rusted beams, most half-eaten by time. Slime dripped from the ceiling.
It didn't take long before they encountered the first enemy.
[System Alert: Undead Miner — Level 14]
Status: Infected by Void Spores
Weak Point: Chest Cavity (Reinforced Bone)
Caroline lunged forward, slicing through its shoulder, while Mario pivoted and plunged his blade into its chest.
[System Notification]
Enemy Defeated — +340 EXP
Mario – Level Up! Now Level 15
Skill Unlocked: Guardbreaker Strike (Lv.1)
The Forgotten Barracks
Deeper in, they found a collapsed barracks hall — blood smeared across the walls, weapons scattered like broken toys. Behind an overturned table, three survivors huddled — two miners and a young knight with a broken leg.
Emma rushed to heal them.
One of the miners gasped, "They came from the cracks in the wall… crawling, whispering, eating the light…"
Lena secured the door while Caroline stood guard.
"We'll get you out," Mario said.
Swarm Ambush
It happened near the old forge: a void fissure cracked open, and a dozen twisted undead poured through — once-human shapes stitched with crystal and decay.
[System Warning: Dungeon Swarm Triggered]
- Enemy Surge Detected: 13 Hostiles
- Instinct Class – Lower Undead
-Suggested Tactic: Divide and Burn
"Emma — wall of light, now!"
Lena and Mario charged in, flanking and smashing enemies in rhythm.
Caroline shouted: "They're flanking! Counterclockwise rotation!"
[System Notification]
Combo Strike x3 – Critical Hit!
Caroline – Level Up! Now Level 10
Lena – Level Up! Now Level 8
Emma – Level Up! Now Level 9
Emma unlocked: Chain Heal (Lv. 1)
The Core Collapse
As they reached the deepest chamber, they found the origin of the corruption — a shattered magic core, pulsing with void energy. Holding it down was a partial golem, fused to the ground and leaking aura.
[System Alert: Mini-Boss Encounter — Corebound Golem, Lv. 22]
Mario dashed in, narrowly dodging a massive hammer blow.
Caroline's blade slashed across its joints.
Emma amplified Mario's reflexes with a timed boost.
Lena jumped and cracked her weapon straight into the golem's neck.
[Boss Defeated — +1200 EXP]
[Multiple Level Ups Achieved]
Mario – Level 21
Caroline – Level 19
Emma – Level 14
Lena – Level 16
The Escape and the Poster
They carried the survivors back through the tunnel, fighting off the stragglers, until sunlight poured through the exit like salvation.
Everyone collapsed to the ground, panting, bloodied, but alive.
As Mario helped one of the miners to their feet, a scrap of parchment floated down from the wind — stuck to an old, broken sign.
He picked it up.
📜 "Aetherian Academy of Advancement"
Now recruiting: Those with aptitude in magic, swordsmanship, tactics, or healing arts.
All backgrounds accepted. Merit defines rank.
Entrance Examinations begin at the next quarter moon.
Lena glanced over his shoulder. "That sounds… official."
Emma nodded. "And possibly safer than wandering aimlessly into more cursed dungeons."
Mario smiled slightly.
"Then maybe it's time we start thinking like students… and stop fighting like strays."