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Chapter 8 – The Violet Cave's Test
The tension in Jason's chest had eased—just a little—since entering the violet cave, but the air here was heavy, thick with the metallic scent of something ancient. Shadows rippled along the jagged walls, painted in an eerie violet glow that seemed to shift with every breath he took.
He tightened his grip on his blade and took another step forward. The deeper he went, the more he felt the weight of unseen eyes watching him. Then, without warning, a shape lunged from the darkness—a beast unlike anything he had seen before. Its body shimmered like molten glass, every movement bending the light around it, and its eyes burned with an intelligence that sent a shiver down his spine.
Jason's Magical Eyes of Twilight flared to life, a cold rush of power flooding his vision. The world around him slowed, each heartbeat stretching into an eternity. He could see the beast's movements before they happened—yet still, it pushed him to his limits. Its claws scraped dangerously close, its speed unlike anything he had faced in the cave before. The battle was relentless, a test of every ounce of his skill.
Finally, with a sharp twist and a surge of strength, Jason drove his blade upward through the beast's core. It let out a soundless scream, its body dissolving into a violet mist that scattered into the air.
Jason exhaled heavily, sweat dripping down his temple. "That… was too close."
He pressed on, steps echoing in the seemingly endless cavern. Time blurred until he saw movement ahead—someone else.
A girl.
She stood tensely in the violet haze, her short auburn hair catching the cave's light. Her clothes were torn and stained with dust, but her eyes were sharp and wary. The moment she saw him, her expression shifted to panic.
Without a word, she spun and ran.
Jason blinked in surprise. "Hey! Wait!"
But she didn't.
Her boots kicked up small clouds of violet dust as she sprinted deeper into the cave, darting between stalagmites. Jason followed, not at full speed—just enough to keep up.
Minutes passed. Her breath grew ragged. His did too. Finally, she slowed, stumbling to a halt. She turned to face him, chest rising and falling.
"Why… why are you chasing me?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "You had the chance to kill me back there. So why didn't you?"
Jason lowered his weapon slightly. "Because I just wanted to talk."
Her eyes narrowed, searching his face for any sign of deceit. Slowly, the tension in her shoulders eased. "Talk…?"
"Yeah," Jason said. "What's your name?"
"…Luzin Harper," she replied reluctantly. "One of the recruits. I… managed to escape when the others started turning on each other."
They exchanged names, a few fragments of their stories, and for a brief moment, the violet cave felt less hostile. But that moment didn't last.
A cold chime rang in both their ears, followed by the sterile voice of the system:
[Time remaining: 1hr: 4min: 33sec]
Jason's eyes widened. Luzin's lips tightened.
"We have to move. Now," she said.
They pushed forward together, their footsteps quick and determined.
Then—
A scream tore through the cave. A high, desperate cry of pure terror. It cut off abruptly, replaced by the wet, sickening sound of blood hitting stone.
Jason froze for half a second. Luzin's face paled.
"…The boss," she whispered.
When they finally reached the end of the cave, they were met with an unexpected sight. Beyond the last stretch of stone was… nothing. A vast, endless expanse, its ground a smooth, pale surface under a starless sky.
And in the very center—
The Dragon Flag.
Its crimson fabric rippled gently despite the still air, mounted on a black obsidian pole that pulsed faintly, as if alive.
But they weren't the first.
Four other recruits were already there, locked in a brutal clash for the flag. Blades clashed, magic roared, and the ground cracked beneath their blows.
Jason's gaze swept the group—and stopped cold.
Lucy.
She was there. Her eyes were fierce, her stance unyielding, her every movement cutting down anyone who stood in her way.
Jason tightened his grip on his blade. This wasn't going to be simple.
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