pov
Zag
I snapped my head towards the sound, beads of sweat covering my back and forehead. Trapped in this darkness, I frantically searched for a way out. This dungeon, in the middle of nowhere, was the most reckless place I'd ever been.
My com link, a wristband used for communication, had died due to the prolonged time I'd spent here. This wasn't the plan. I was supposed to hunt beasts below tier one, lowly creatures with minimal magical energy. As an unawakened, killing such a beast was a big deal – it guaranteed food for my family and me for the week.
But fortune had other plans. When I spotted the horned rabbit, I was overjoyed. An easy kill that would lead me to a nest of rabbits. I used fire to take it down, gathered the kill, and stacked it in my storage ring. But when I caught a little horned rabbit hopping away, my fortune took a turn. The ground caved in, and I fell into this dark hole.
Three days passed, and I navigated this labyrinthine dungeon, trying to find a way out. On the first day, I used my flash and walked aimlessly, discovering this hole was a giant world of its own. I didn't encounter any beasts, a relief. After walking for hours the second and third days, my com link only counted the hours and days. I was cut off from the outside world.
I deduced I was in a dungeon because com links don't work here unless the person you're communicating with is also inside. My battery was drained, and my flashlight was dead. Rubbing my hand on the wall helped me navigate the darkness. After walking 10 kilometers, I reached a bend and pushed the wall, opening giant doors that creaked open.
I covered my eyes, walking into a well-lit room. A voice spoke from the light, "My name is Fragona. Since you've found me, you'll fulfill my wishes. Complete them, and you'll leave with my gift. Fail, and your bones will decorate this hall."
A giant, golden bird stood before me, its fleece shining like gold. I couldn't tell if it was real gold, but I didn't care – I wasn't an awakened, and this beast was out of my league.
"What's the challenge?" I asked, trying to sound brave.
"You'll complete three tests," Fragona replied. "The first is a riddle, the second a duel, and the third... you'll choose. But be warned, if you fail, you'll never leave this place."
I gulped, accepting my fate. "What's the riddle?"
"There are three eyes and one destiny. How do you tell the destiny if you can only use two eyes at once?" Fragona asked, its eyes gleaming with amusement.
I hesitated, unsure. "Can I have another riddle?" I asked, trying to stall.
Fragona chuckled. "No, you cannot. But I'll give you a hint: you can use each eye only once, and you must use them in pairs."
I thought for a moment before answering, "I'll pair the first and second eyes, then the second and third. It doesn't matter which eye is used first; its purpose is to help the next eye see the destiny."
Fragona's eyes lit up with surprise. "Clever! You've passed the first test. Now, for the duel. all you have to do is land a hit. what weapon would you like to use?"
I thought quickly, then poked Fragona with my dagger. "I've landed a hit. Does that count?"
Fragona laughed, impressed. "Clever indeed! You've passed the second test. Now, for the third... you may choose."
I thought for a moment before answering, "I want your core. If I can ingest it without dying, it becomes mine."
Fragona's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would you choose that? You can't possibly ingest the core of a God-tier beast and live."
I shrugged. "I'll take the risk."
Fragona nodded, opening its mouth to reveal a glowing, egg-shaped object. "If you ingest it and survive, the core is yours. And as a bonus, my wings will become your cloak for eternity, and you'll claim all the treasures in this hall."
I hesitated, unsure if I should take the risk. But something about Fragona's words resonated with me. I reached out, taking the glowing core, and stored it in my storage link.
Fragona let out a shriek and ran after me. "You can't escape from me, boy! I can smell you in the dark. You should have just swallowed the core and died like a normal loser."
I remembered buying a potion in the market that would allow me to swallow any kind of beast core and grant me its powers. I took the potion from my storage ring and drank it. I knew Fragona would kill me if she saw me taking the potion before ingesting her core.
I waited for thirty minutes, then ran back into the hall. Fragona chased after me. "I knew you couldn't ingest it! But a deal is a deal. I have to release it to you. Now give it back and face your fate! The giant bird bellowed.
I took the egg-shaped core from my storage ring, opened my mouth, and swallowed it. The core felt weightless and passed through my throat with ease.
Fragona watched me, amused and confused. For twenty minutes, she waited for the core to burn me from the inside out. But nothing happened.
I realized that I had won. "I swallowed your core and completed all three tests! I won!" I exclaimed, jumping for joy.
Fragona's expression turned to horror. "You can't leave! The bird cried out.
"You have to let me go, i won! yelled back.
I won't give a God-tier core to a useless being like you!"
Fragona protested dashing towards me
But it was too late. Fragona's own rules bound her. Suddenly, an unseen force pulled her away from me, tearing her feathers and flesh. She struggled, but the force ripped her apart, leaving only bloody, golden feathers scattered on the floor.
I remembered my father's words: those who reach God-tier cannot break their own rules. Fragona's promise still held, even after her death.
I was transferred out of the dungeon minutes later. As I emerged, I stuffed some gold into my pocket. A golden cloak appeared, covering me. I stored the cloak in my storage ring, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had faced my fears and won.
The only problem now was to activate the core within.