The walls were slick with moisture, the air cold with a damp chill. Shelly rhythmically tapped her fingers against a boulder she leaned against and dramatically sighed.

“Sugar, I could’ve sworn we were heading the right way. I followed that map to a T. Are you sure that stupid thing isn’t just wrong?”

Limbs echoed as Mushuko stepped out of the darkness, dragging one student’s limp body across the swirl beneath them before tossing him aside.

“Is it upside down?” he asked, his voice sharp with an unmistakable harsh edge.

She gasped, “Why, of course not… oh.” Her lips arced into a coy smile as she flipped the map over. “You’re supposed to read those things?”

Shelly watched as Mushuko flung the student to the side, his stare hard but casual despite the fierce strike. The loud crack of a bone shattering resounded through the silence.

Mushuko stalked down a dimly lit passageway, pulling out a crinkled map from his pocket. Shelly trailed after him, her eyes gleaming mischievously in the night air. As they moved down the cramped hallway, their dancing footsteps raised tension in the air, the night settling over them. Periodically, Shelly turned a shoulder, looking back with eyes darting from side to side, an excited yet shivering look in her eyes. She could tell something wasn’t quite right, but the anticipation seemed to empower her, a wicked grin tracing its way across her face.

In contrast, Mushuko was calm and steady, his eyes fixed on the map as he led them deeper into the dungeon. Everything seemed so uncanny to him, his intention clear—to cut straight to the destination.

The torches flickered irregularly on the walls, casting prancing shadows that danced and taunted them as they descended further. Somewhere in the cave, water dripped, creating a rhythmic echo that grew louder by the minute.

Suddenly, they heard a rustling sound ahead, almost silent but unmistakable. Shelly’s excitement heightened; her eyes shot open in anticipation as she instinctively reached for a concealed weapon. Mushuko, too, heard the noise and signaled her to stay behind as he cautiously approached the source of the sound.

Peering around the corner, Mushuko found a group of students huddled together, pale with fear, frantically whispering amongst themselves—undoubtedly terrified by the recent string of violence in the dungeon.

“Well, it looks like we have more toys to play with,” Shelly said, her face splayed with an evil grin as she approached the terrified students. But Mushuko caught her firmly by the arm. She stopped, turning toward him with a stony stare until, unable to meet his intense gaze, she looked away. Her shoulders hunched in defeat.

“Fine, fine. I won’t hurt them. Let’s just hurry up and get to the last room.” She yanked her arm free and strode off.

“Wrong way,” Mushuko called out. 

“I knew that!” Shelly snapped, her cheeks suddenly flushed with irritation. It truly is a surprise that she somehow manages to find the wrong way indefinetly. The abrupt change in direction had her falling into step beside him, continuing down the length of another corridor.

“Hey, Mu Mu,” Shelly called out, rubbing her arm uneasily. “Doesn’t this cave seem a bit… off?”

Mushuko raised an eyebrow. “Could you be more specific?”

“I mean, it feels strange, you know? Unusual.”

He stared blankly for a moment before responding. “I could say the same about you.”

She frowned, annoyed. “I’m being serious. You can’t tell me this is a normal T-Rank dungeon.”

“It’s a normal T-Rank dungeon,” Mushuko replied, his tone taunting her to anger. He continued walking, but then paused, deep in thought. “That’s what I would say if there wasn’t another dungeon beneath this one, holding the very artifact we’re after.”

In a flash, realization crossed her face.

“Oh my gosh, I forgot about that thing.”

The sound of shuffling behind them set their nerves on edge and their heartbeats quickened. Before Shelly could take another breath, she instinctively drew her whip and lashed out at a rock behind her. The force of her throw shattered the rock into thousands of pebbles scattered across the cave floor.

The shadow they were tracking made a break for it, darting across the room. Shelly’s fixed gaze followed, almost like a gazelle after its prey, though this time she felt like she might be the prey. Her whip cracked again, a sound like thunder clapping in the surrounding air, aiming at the mysterious shadow as it scuttled away. They were ready for battle.

But more shadows joined in, leaping and darting around the room as if taunting them. Shelly’s whip danced through the air faster, laying waste to anything it touched. Mushuko turned to face the commotion, observing the elusive shadows with a sigh. He tapped Shelly on the back, but she brushed him off.

“Not now! I need to focus—these critters are quick, hehe.”

Mushuko shook his head wearily. “Look with your magic.”

Shelly’s face lit up with a grin.

“Oh, right! I forgot!” Her eyes glowed purple as thin veins popped up around them. By changing the flow of mana to her eyes, she amplified her vision in the dark. Too much use of this skill could strain her eyes, and uncontrolled use could blind her if she channeled too much mana at once.

She lashes out again, cleaving a creature in two. A look of confusion crossed her face.

“Rats? No, not rats… roaches maybe?” A rat encased in brown, flaky armor lunged at her. Shelly ducked and squealed, barely avoiding the grotesque mutant.

“Gross, gross, gross!” She whipped the creature’s head clean off its body and began jumping around, running in place, shuddering at the thought of these grotesque creations. “I can feel it crawling on me, ew!”

Mushuko watched her, disappointment in his eyes, as he pulled out the map again to figure out their next move while Shelly dealt with the remaining creatures.

After walking for about 30 minutes, they came across a perfectly preserved wooden door, its hinges freshly attached. Without hesitation, Mushuko kicked it open and entered, Shelly following close behind.

Inside, they found a room that resembled a bar, with barrels and boxes of food and beverages stacked around. Beyond the cafe door, they entered an enormous chamber dominated by a tree as tall as Aisenhower’s castle. Its life force and the mana-filled fruits shimmered visibly, casting a soothing glow. Nearby, a pond full of aquatic life sparkled, while above swarmed masses of insects feasting and finding shelter in the tree.

“This is the first safe zone,” Mushuko said to Shelly. “The other paths should lead here too.”

“Hey, Mumu,” Shelly piped up, using the playful nickname she had given him. “They have Sourplants here!” She rushed over to a patch of the edible plant, her face lighting up with joy as she picked and ate one. “They’re just as good as the the first time I’ve had them… Would be alot better with some alcohol though.”

Curiosity got the better of Mushuko, and he picked a Sourplant for himself. Lowering his scarf to reveal a smile-shaped scar, he tasted the plant. As the sweetness filled his mouth, his eyes widened slightly, his cheeks flushing with a rosy hue as the edges of his lips curled into a subtle, uncharacteristic smile. In one swift motion, he pulled his scarf back up and resumed exploring the safe zone.

“Mumu,” Shelly said, popping another handful of Sourplants into her mouth, “how much longer until we reach the ribbon?”

Mushuko checked his pocket watch, staring at it for a moment before closing it and tucking it away.

“We’re about a day away from the ribbon, provided we’re efficient. If we want to make it to the next safe room, we need to rest now.” With that, he settled against the tree to rest.

Shelly stretched her arms and exhaled in satisfaction.

“Sounds good to me. I’m getting a bit tired anyway.” She sauntered over to Mushuko and snuggled up next to him.

Mushuko cracked an eye open and glanced down at her. “Must you be so close?”

“I feel safe when I’m with you. I can move if you don’t like it.” Shelly’s sly smile deepened as she nestled closer to him.

He exhaled loudly, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned his head away, shutting his eyes once more.

“Just be quiet already.”

She chuckled. “Whatever you say, sugar.” She pops another sourplant into her mouth as she drifts off into a deep sleep. Mushuko however cant, his weary eyes look look up to the crystalline sky. The glowing of rocks is reminiscent of a starry night filled with comets and distant worlds. How far could he reach. His eyes fall upon Shelly as he adjusts her air on her face. 

“Goodnight Mumu.” Shelly whispers gently in his ear. 

He jolts away “Gah, you’re still up, go to sleep, wwe’ll have an intense day tomorrow.” Mushuko rests his head once more as the two fall unconcious falling into the slumber of that night.