Chapter 26: Is it Isabel or Celine?

Golden Dungeon, Floor 10.

Melin stepped over rubble, magic lantern raised, scanning.

“Floor 10. Never thought we’d reach in a month.”

“Careful. Magic fluctuations weird—strong enemy likely.”

Joyna spoke, hand to heart.

Fine on 9. Here—heart pounded. Bad omen.

Seli unfazed, curious about dungeon origins.

“How’d it form?”

“Abyss. Magic breached seals—space twisted, birthed monster dungeon.”

“Abyss-related…”

Leanna gripped sword hilt.

Abyss ties—never simple. Golden Dungeon once fearsome. Adventurers culled—now weak or cunning remnants.

Exceptions possible.

Like… this one.

Hand up—team hold breath. Leanna stared at distant monster. Silent.

Kneeling. Human-like, blood-red skin. Abyss demon fit.

Chains bound limbs—most snapped. Others rusted, crumbling.

Ancient seal. Cracking. Freedom near.

Swallow. Leanna paled at magic density.

LV50?

70?

Unknown—far beyond them.

Turned—signal retreat.

Crack—

Careful—rubble crunched. Monster’s ear twitched.

“Withdraw! Exit dungeon!”

No hesitation. Leanna shouted, bolted to Floor 9 entrance. Monster woke fully. Mouth agape—deafening roar.

“ROAR—!”

Magic tide with roar flooded Floor 10. LV15 team—mired, pinned.

No escape!

Panic. Leanna grabbed Celis’s gem.

Days studied: anti-toxin, teleport in danger!

But—gem cracked under tide. Shattered in palm.

“ROAR—!”

Chains fully broke. Monster rose. Stalked nearest girl.

Pinned, Melin unaware. Lantern light—foot raised over head.

“Melin!”

…

Oracle Hall, main hall. Celis crowned nobles with wreaths.

Third, final rite: Blossom Bouquet to goddess.

Isabelle’s role—miracle skies, her image.

Celis—Nora spots identity.

Thinking, Celis placed wreath.

“May goddess… bless you.”

Sensed something—smile stiffened. Next second, skirt hiked—ran rearward amid gasps.

Unseen—vanished.

Hall nobles exchanged looks.

“What?”

“Saintess rushed?”

“Something wrong?”

Front row, Queen Frandor clenched hands.

Only Isabelle could urgency Celis.

Isabelle in trouble?!

…

“Melin!”

Leanna’s cry ahead. Melin struggled—futile.

Gap too vast. No dodge.

Foot falls—death?

Cold snake thought slithered mind.

Death fear flooded—body iced. Yet clarity: two figures.

Mother. Saintess Celis.

Bedridden mother—pale, gentle. Withered hand stroked hair. Yesterday-like.

Medicine and faint maternal scent—nose again.

But… unreachable.

Failed savior knight. Broke mother promise. No pride.

Sorry.

Saintess Celis…

Unwilling.

So much: deeds, love, repay grace… gone with death.

No more Celis.

Thought—unwilling.

Struggle vain.

Fists clenched. Tried rise—limbs stiff. Memories—one tear from eye, mixed dust.

BOOM—!

Left foot slammed. Explosion-like. Ground shook.

“MELIN!!”

Dust rose. Leanna’s pupils shrank. Rage bit lip bloody.

Dust cleared—she froze.

No cold corpse. Familiar black silhouette. Melin cradled.

“Didn’t expect… your kind sealed here.”

Melin set aside. Isabelle eyes narrowed. Wave—black longblade materialized.

Tide winds whipped hair. Lavender scent brushed Melin—snapped from daze.

Staring at protector—haze, saw Saintess Celis in Isabelle.