— Follow my instructions, and let's do everything to pass these trials with panache, ordered Uli, taking the lead.

Hiruko watched, fascinated, as the dungeon door undulated like a luminous curtain.

— Crossing it, I'm stepping into a mystery, I can feel it.

Our six brave souls stepped into the dungeon with determination.

— Let's go, my first step towards freedom! exclaimed Hiruko.

But no sooner had they crossed the threshold than a violent downward current sucked them in, hurling them into a void for several meters.

— Whoaaa, what's happening to us?! Hiruko yelled, thrown off balance.

— Every dungeon has its peculiarities, but not all are supposed to make us fall several hundred meters like this! Uli shouted over the wind.

Ismael, panicking, realized the imminent danger.

— Wait, we're talking, but if we don't do something in a few seconds, we'll crash into the ground! Even our Anima won't be enough to absorb a shock like that!

Hiruko turned to their oldest recruit.

— Federico! You told us your staff was versatile! Can't you make something to slow us down? We must be 500 meters from the ground!

— Don't worry, I'll turn it into a parachute! Federico replied, activating his artifact.

The staff indeed deployed into a large canopy that began to slow them down.

— Well done! Now, we need to hold onto you!

— Uh, sorry, it's designed to carry me, plus one or two people max. Any more, and it won't hold.

Uli made a quick decision.

— Okay! Federico, you take Hiruko and Ismael. Selene, use your whip to slow me and Goki down. Find a solid anchor to cushion our fall without damaging your weapon.

— Alright.

While Federico grabbed Hiruko and Ismael, Goki categorically refused Selene's help.

— I don't need anyone, he said before diving straight towards the ground.

As the others descended relatively safely, Goki, in a dizzying free fall, drew his katana at the last moment.

— Himawari Dansu! (Sunflower Dance)

He performed a series of incredible spins, his weapon tracing luminous circles in the air that dissipated some of the kinetic energy. He hit the ground with a violent but controlled impact, knees bent and sword smoking.

The others joined him, landing more softly thanks to Selene.

— Hey, what were you trying to do?! Couldn't you stop showing off? Hiruko reproached him.

— He likes risk, this gentleman, commented Federico, out of breath.

— You could have been crushed, you show-off! Selene added, still in shock.

— Because of that madness, you wasted your energy for nothing, when you just needed to hold on, Uli reminded him, pragmatic.

— I didn't need anyone. I manage alone, Goki retorted, impassive.

— Shut up, idiot! You don't know how much you missed the chance to hold onto her! Ismael said mockingly.

— Next time we fall, I'll give you my spot, then.

— Argh. I can't stand you anymore.

Goki suddenly pointed behind Ismael.

— You should look where you're stepping.

Ismael, stepping back, stumbled over an obstacle.

— Huh? But what's this?

Federico activated a lamp on his staff, flooding the area with harsh light.

— Wait, I'll light it up.

The light revealed a vision of horror. Bodies, some recent, others reduced to skeletons, littered the ground.

— These are... human bodies, Uli murmured, his throat tight.

— Good God, they're everywhere! Ismael exclaimed, taking a step back.

Federico bent down to examine the remains.

— These ones are candidates from this year. But the others... some bones are centuries old. Let's not linger here. Staying near the dead brings bad luck.

Hiruko noticed a detail on one of the fresher corpses.

— Look, this one has a different Slaker. The socket for the stone is huge.

— We don't have time for that, Hiruko! Okay? Selene urged him.

Goki, meanwhile, was scrutinizing the darkness ahead.

— Let's follow this tunnel. It must lead somewhere.

— It's so dark here, Uli murmured.

Federico pulled a device from his equipment.

— Wait, I'll scan its length.

— Why? Hiruko asked.

— We're not going to walk blind. And we need to know if other candidates have set a trap for us, or worse, if creatures are waiting for us.

— Who would be crazy enough to attack their competitors here, when we're already in danger? Hiruko said, indignant.

— Humans are stupid, it's a pain, Uli confirmed, resigned.

Ismael grew impatient.

— Hey, mechanic, how's it going?

— Walking straight ahead, we'll find an exit in about ten minutes.

— And after that? Selene asked.

— After that, I don't know. I can't predict what's there. Maybe another chasm, maybe a descent.

Uli made the decision.

— We continue. Let's walk straight ahead.

Goki, intrigued, turned to Federico.

— Before the army, what did you do?

— Sold various objects. But I preferred to enlist. Here, at least, my inventions serve a purpose. I was tired of selling trinkets and wanted to create useful things.

— I understand you, Uli approved.

Ismael, however, was preoccupied with a more immediate question.

— Uli! Uli!

— What?

— If we run into a team that means us harm, what do we do?

— We attack them. If they threaten us, we kill them, Goki replied without hesitation.

— You think that's a good idea? Hiruko worried.

— It's the jungle now, Kosuga. Either we kill, or we die. And be sure that I will be the last one alive, Uli declared in a somber voice.

Suddenly, Selene pointed.

— Look! We're approaching the end of the tunnel.

— Natural light at last! Ismael exclaimed, relieved.

They emerged from the tunnel and stood amazed.

— But... it's a city! Selene marveled.

A dead city slumbered in the bowels of the dungeon, prisoner to a tomblike silence. No breath of wind swept through its deserted alleys, only a heavy, still air, laden with dust and an unwholesome cold that clung to the skin. The buildings, carved from the same black stone as the labyrinth walls, seemed to have sprouted like mushrooms rather than being constructed. Their shapes were twisted, their arches deformed, as if the dungeon itself had slowly digested the city. A ghostly glow, from an unknown source, cast pale reflections on the broken windows and faded signs. No bones, no bodies were visible. Only an invisible presence, a deep and crushing melancholy, inhabited the place. All one could hear was the sound of one's own footsteps, echoing obscenely in the void, and the distant drip of invisible water, counting the seconds of an eternal agony. This was oblivion made city.

Goki stopped them with a sharp gesture.

— Careful! Stop! Don't move. Look over there.

A candidate, his face bloody, the one who had refused their offer earlier, was dragging himself towards them.

— Help me... please...

Hiruko recognized him.

— It's him... the one who didn't want us.

— Run... that thing... it devoured several... the others abandoned me...

His words turned into a death rattle as a monstrous creature burst from the shadows, closing its maw on his head and shredding him in a second.

The group stood frozen, horrified.

— But what is that thing? Selene whispered, petrified.

— Its eyes shine with an unwholesome green... its skin is thick, phytomorphic... but is it a Draugr? Ismael asked, incredulous.

— They're supposed to have a humanoid form! This is a hippopotamus bristling with spikes! And did you see its jaw? It crushed him in one bite!

— Let's not panic. If it's a Draugr, its weak point is its core. That's our only chance, Uli reminded them, trying to stay calm.

— And how do we find its core? Its body is covered in spikes! Hiruko cried.

He turned to their inventor.

— Federico! Can you analyze its structure?

— For an in-depth cellular analysis, I'd need upgrades I don't have. But to locate a concentrated energy source... that, I can try.

— Then find its core! We'll cover you.

— Okay, but give me time.

Uli coordinated the defense.

— Federico, analyze. The rest of you, keep your distance and cover him!

The creature, having spotted Goki, suddenly charged with incredible speed for its mass. Goki dodged with a series of backflips but found himself cornered against a ruined wall.

— Damn! This dead end...

As he lowered his guard for a split second, the beast was upon him, its gaping maw ready to swallow him whole.

— I let my guard down... I'm going to pay with my life.

But at the fatal moment, a violent shoulder charge threw the creature aside. Goki looked up, stunned.

— It's you? Hiruko...

— Don't be a burden to the team, my friend.

— Go to hell.

The Golden Hippopotamus was a colossal beast. Its thick skin evoked an armor of bronze and gold, traced with ancient runes. Its entire terrifying mass seemed concentrated in a disproportionate maw, a crevice bristling with blades that could open infinitely. Despite its weight, the beast would suddenly swoop down on its prey with the speed of a meteor, its small eyes gleaming with an unwholesome green, shining with a primitive fury. It was the incarnation of an ancient and crushing power.

Taking advantage of the diversion, Selene wrapped her whip around the beast's body, temporarily holding it.

— Well done, Selene! My turn to finish the job! I'm aiming for the eyes! Uli shouted, charging with his spear.

— No, Uli, not yet! It's too early! Ismael warned.

Too late. The creature, though immobilized, projected a volley of spikes. Uli tried to parry them, but one of them pierced his right eye. He screamed in pain but was immediately pulled back by Federico's rope.

— Uli! Are you okay?! Selene cried, frantic.

— Damn... That'll teach me to lose my cool, he grimaced, holding his bloodied face.

Hiruko came to support him.

— Come on, let's fall back. Let Federico do his work.

A few seconds later, their inventor announced in a triumphant voice:

— That's it! I've got it! I know where its core is! It won't escape us!