Chapter 36 : SSS Rank Dungeon
Aurelia pushed the door open to her room, her presence immediately drawing the attention of Lyra and Seraphine, who were sitting comfortably on the sofa, chatting casually. Aurelia's crimson hair, cascading down her shoulders, and her golden eyes radiated authority.
As she stepped inside, Lyra quickly got up and approached her with a bright smile.
"Sister-in-law, you cleared it, right?" Lyra asked eagerly.
"Easy." Aurelia's tone was dismissive, but her sharp gaze didn't miss the nervous exchange between Lyra and Seraphine. "Something happened here, didn't it? Tell me what's going on."
Lyra hesitated, her eyes flickering toward Seraphine. The red-haired girl's cheeks were already turning pink from embarrassment. After a moment, Lyra sighed and decided to speak up.
"You know what happened with Raven and Seraphine..." Lyra began, recounting the entire incident.
By the time she finished, Seraphine's face was glowing red, her gaze lowered in embarrassment.
Aurelia's golden eyes narrowed, and the room's temperature noticeably dropped, as if someone had sucked the warmth from the air. She stepped forward, her steps slow and deliberate, until she was standing right in front of Seraphine.
Aurelia was slightly taller than both of them, her elegant figure exuding maturity and perfection. As she looked down at Seraphine, her presence felt overwhelming. Reaching out, she placed her hand gently on Seraphine's cheek, her fingers cold against her warm skin.
"I would never have allowed it if it was someone else," Aurelia said, her voice icy and controlled. "I'm allowing you only because it's Raven." Her stare was cold and unreadable.
Seraphine lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of Aurelia's words. "I-I understand..." she murmured softly.
"Where is Raven?" Aurelia's voice was deadly calm, the kind of calm that hinted at a storm waiting to break.
"He went outside," Lyra replied quickly. "And sister-in-law, don't worry. I'm going to make sure he treats her nicely."
Aurelia's coldness melted a little, her lips curving into a faint smile as she glanced at Lyra. "Yes, make sure of that."
Seraphine hesitated before speaking, her voice timid. "A-Are you angry, sister?"
"No." Aurelia's tone softened just a little. "Let's talk about this after we return home. I've only come here to tell you that I'll be busy for the next five days. So, you should all stay together, and we will discuss this after we return home—together with you and Raven."
Lyra perked up at the mention of going back. "Sister-in-law, I'm planning to challenge some dungeons while I'm here for the next five days. I think I know how my abilities work, so I'm going to give it a try."
Aurelia's eyes sharpened. "Will you be okay?"
"Yes." Lyra nodded confidently. "I'm stronger now."
Aurelia regarded her for a moment, her golden eyes appraising. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. Just make sure to be careful. I'll be going now. Take care, both of you."
"Take care, sister-in-law," Lyra said cheerfully, her black eyes sparkling with determination.
Seraphine offered a shy smile. "Take care, sister."
Aurelia turned and left the room, her elegant figure disappearing beyond the door. The air warmed slightly as her presence faded.
Now alone with Seraphine, Lyra turned to her with a reassuring smile. "Did I make my sister angry, Lyra?" Seraphine asked, her voice uncertain.
"No." Lyra shook her head with a comforting smile. "She's just worried about you. Nothing more. So, you should just continue as you are continuing."
Seraphine let out a breath of relief and smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
"Don't worry," Lyra replied with a light laugh. "I'll be going now. You should wait here for Raven."
"Yes," Seraphine replied with a gentle smile, watching as Lyra left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
---
The world they found themselves in was teeming with dungeons scattered across each floor. Dungeons were ranked from (F) to (A), with (F) being the weakest and (A) the strongest most could realistically hope to conquer. But there existed even more fearsome ranks: (S), (SS), and (SSS). These dungeons were not only rare but incredibly deadly. The survival rates were terrifyingly low — 1% for (S), 0.5% for (SS), and a mere 0.01% for (SSS). Challenging them was almost akin to throwing one's life away, and only a few dared to enter such places.
The higher the floor, the more brutal the dungeons became. And as one climbed the floors and grew stronger, the previous floors' dungeons became inaccessible, forcing everyone to progress or be left behind. While many dungeons could be challenged alone, some required groups. However, the floor rooms — the ones that allowed further progression — always had to be cleared individually.
Now that they had cleared the tutorial room, each of them could challenge the dungeons on this floor. And Lyra was the first to make her move.
Lyra had decided to take on a (D)-rank dungeon. She left the room with determination burning in her black eyes, her white hair flowing behind her as she walked with confidence.
Now, only Seraphine remained in the room. She rested her back against the couch, her crimson hair spilling over her shoulders like liquid fire, golden eyes distant in thought.
A short while later, Raven returned. His sharp gaze immediately searched the room, finding only Seraphine relaxing there.
"Where's Lyra? And did sister-in-law not come yet?" Raven asked, his eyes briefly checking the room again as if expecting someone else to be hiding there.
Seraphine's expression softened into a gentle smile as she met his gaze. "Sister cleared the tutorial room. She said she would be busy for the next five days and won't be coming back during that time."
"Five days?" Raven murmured, his brows drawing together in thought.
"And Lyra… she said she's going to challenge a dungeon, so she also left," Seraphine continued, watching his reaction closely.
"So, we're alone now?" Raven asked, a playful smirk touching his lips as he leaned against the doorframe.
"Yes, we are. So… what should we do?" Seraphine replied, her voice light and teasing, but there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
Raven stepped closer until he stood right in front of her, his white hair framing his handsome face. "Well, since it's just us, how about we go on a dungeon date?"
Seraphine's cheeks flushed a deep crimson that almost matched her hair. "Who goes on that kind of date? A dungeon date… really?" she said, her tone flustered but also amused.
"Why not?" Raven shrugged, his dark eyes gleaming with excitement. "We both need to get stronger, and I doubt we'll get another chance like this. Let's make it fun."
Seraphine stared at him for a moment before her lips curled into a smile. "Alright. I'll come. But… which rank should we challenge?"
Raven folded his arms, his expression thoughtful. "We should get stronger quickly. Let's start with the (C)-rank dungeons and work our way up. After all, we've only got five days."
Seraphine nodded, her golden eyes now shimmering with determination. "Fine. But if this goes terribly wrong, you're to blame."
Raven laughed. "Deal."
He reached out his hand toward her, and after a moment's hesitation, she took it. Her hand was soft and warm against his, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Raven's gaze softened slightly, his usual arrogance replaced by something almost tender.
"You look beautiful today," Raven said, his voice low and sincere.
Seraphine's blush deepened, her eyes darting away before returning to his. "You're… really going to say that before we go charging into a dungeon?"
"Well, if something happens, at least I won't regret not telling you," he replied with a charming grin.
Seraphine's eyes widened before she chuckled softly. "You're impossible, Raven."
"Maybe. But I'm your impossible."
They both shared a smile before heading out, their hands still intertwined.
Together, they left the room, ready to challenge the (C)-rank dungeon, their bond growing stronger with every step they took.
---
Aurelia was now in the room with Grim, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, golden eyes gleaming with excitement as she told him about her encounter with Lyra and Seraphine earlier. But the moment she mentioned Raven and Seraphine, a dark, murderous glint appeared in Grim's eyes.
"Raven and Seraphine, huh?" Grim's voice was cold and deadly, his gaze sharp as blades. "Looks like I have to have a talk with the both of them."
Aurelia chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. "Let's leave that matter for later. Right now..." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous, almost predatory hunger. "Let's do it."
Grim's expression remained indifferent. "No. We're going to challenge a dungeon instead."
Aurelia's playful expression faltered, replaced by a pout of displeasure. "No." She stepped closer, her body pressing against his, arms wrapping around him tightly. "Don't tell me you're scared you can't handle me right now?" Her voice was taunting, daring him.
Grim's gaze narrowed as his hand shot up, grabbing a fistful of her crimson hair, yanking her head back with rough precision. A sharp gasp escaped her lips, her golden eyes meeting his black, merciless ones. His smirk was pure arrogance and amusement.
"We are only going to challenge one dungeon, an (SSS)-rank dungeon," Grim said, his tone cold and final. "After that, we'll have plenty of time to enjoy ourselves. This isn't the time to relax. It's the time to grow stronger, you crazy bitch."
Aurelia's playful look vanished, replaced by genuine worry. "Why (SSS)-rank?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Everyone advises against even thinking about challenging (S), (SS), let alone (SSS)-rank dungeons. You know the survival rates — 1%, 0.5%, and 0.01%. Those dungeons are suicide. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"If there's a possibility of me dying, then I'm going to challenge it," Grim replied, his voice filled with cold amusement. "Don't tell me you're afraid, darling."
Aurelia winced slightly from the sharp pain of his grip, letting out a soft gasp. But instead of pulling away, she pressed herself even closer to him, her gaze daring and heated. "Fine. I'll come with you. But if I die, you'll be responsible."
Grim's grip on her hair tightened even more, his smirk widening. His face lowered until his lips were mere inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin. "If we die, darling, then you're going to die in my arms." His voice dropped to a dark, possessive growl. "But don't worry... I'm not planning on letting you go. Not now, not ever."
Aurelia's heart raced at his words, a twisted thrill spreading through her chest. His cruelty only drew her in more, like a moth to a flame.
"Then make sure you keep me alive, Grim," she whispered, her voice low and trembling with excitement. "Because I'm not planning to let you go either."
His dark laughter echoed through the room, filled with a dangerous intensity.