Standing by the one and only entrance of Ant Dungeon, Gabriel felt the vibes of a real Dungeon for the first time.

The Mana Shield was definitely there, but nowhere to be seen; the entrance was one wide mouth in the rock, descending into darkness itself. Pillars were supporting the access; they were present even on the inside of the massive hall and for as long as his eyes could see. The wind howled through the pillars, which was ominous by itself but made even more so given the total absence of other sources of sounds.

Standing by the guarded opening were Gabriel, Greta, Varcivald, who could fit the same kind of buffs needed for Gabriel to bit the Challenge; a two-hundred Tier 5 Dwarf named Gilga, the real expert and the one who figured out the possibility of farming this Dungeon Boss had chosen to accompany them himself. The Dwarf usually would send his apprentices, but having figured out that the Herald would be the one using the trick he invented, he had decided to take full responsibilities. After all, it wasn't unheard of people dying even taking the best measures; the mortality rate had reduced to seventy-five percentù. However, it derived mainly from the challenger's actual battle experience. Finally, the last member of the party which had already seen its complexion was Wang Fang Liu, the Reevers' family butler apprentice.

Initially, the party did not include Fang, but after leaving Wagner's manor, Gabriel and Greta found Fang waiting for them by the gates. He was battle-dressed and would not live no matter what.

It was inevitable that the Reevers would get to know at least part of their plans. Even if nobody had talked, the dungeon registration had changed, and it wasn't hard to put two and two together for the ruling house. Wand Fang was their assurance that everything would go as it should, at least until Gabriel entered the Dungeon.

"Are we sure this is the Dungeon?" Gabriel asked, looking at the dark and very distant ceiling. "It's goddamn-ominous."

"Yes, it is. Isn't it beautiful?" Gilga said.

"Of course, it is. For shooting horror movies, that is."

Gilga exploded in laughter; it reminded Gabe of Commodo.

No stereotypes, Gabe. You're better than that.

"So," he started as they commenced venturing in the darkness, "How is it that you figured it out?"

"Oh, that's pretty easy," Gilga answered, "It was that or my death. Back then, I didn't even want to enter the damn thing. I did it by mistake."

"You killed a Boss monster by mistake? That must have been a pretty powerful mistake," Varcivald joined in.

Varcivald, too was not originally part of the party, but he knew the Elf that would act as a buffer, and when he heard about what was going on, he asked the favor to take his place. Of course, he would not steal his money, merely act in his stead.

"You want to say that you've never gone through a Challenge, Master Elf?" Gilga asked.

"I've never had the pleasure or the spontaneous will to commit suicide, at least if that means facing a Boss."

Gilga burst laughter again. But it was Gabriel, the one that intervened.

"In my experience, when you enter a Challenge it asks you to defeat the Challenge, not the Boss. Well, my occasion was a little bit special. But how did it go for you?"

"Once you defeat the easy Challenge, the Anchor asks you if you want to face the Hidden Challenge. If you are positive, it opens the gate and releases the Boss. So, you need to confirm it."

"Which means that you chose yes back then, Master Dwarf?" Vald asked.

"Aye. But it wasn't in my plans. My mind thought something, my mouth said something else."

"Oh! That's happened to me too!" Gabriel said loud.

"Lower your voice! Or we'll have to face an entire horde!" Said Greta.

"No, worries, Ms. Wagner," Varcivald said, "I'm holding up a muffling spell."

"You are? I can't see anything with my senses!" She said, marveled.

"We all have our trick, Ms. Wagner. Master Dwarf has patented one of the profitable instances in The Den. I can make invisible shields."

The Dwarf kept laughing at Vald's ostensive comments.

"That's extremely worthy of praise too, Master Elf," joined Fang. To which Vald nodded.

"Really. I'm not a full kekkaishi, but my Skills delve into that area. I would… love to be able to study some of your abilities if you'd allow me to," was Greta's really energetic comment.

Varcivald stopped and with him the whole group. He placed his gaze on hers, and she held on. It soon turned into a contest of will.

"Very well," Vald said after a while, "It seems you are not far-fetching that request. Or at least, not in the way Gabriel would."

"Wait a moment," answered Gabe as the party started advancing again, "why are you throwing me in? It's unfair! I've got lots of things in my mind!"

"Who was the one that wanted to learn Magic and went from a Destiny shop! Not me!" Vald said, then he beat his staff on the ground, requiring silence. Gabe did not reply.

"That's… you might be right. However, Vald, you know Life Magic, right?"

"Of course, and you already know, so why ask?"

"Because I'll need a thorough teacher for that too. And when I evolve my Recovery Skill, that will be exactly the Soft Magic I'll unlock."

"Shaman Magic," Fang said. "That's not really well seen in The Cradle, Gabriel."

"If you call it Spirit Magic, though, the effect changes. Am I right?"

Only the Dwarf laughed at that joke.

"If you say so…" said Fang.

The place they head to reach was, of course, the farthest reaches of the Dungeon.

Gabriel and his party knew that they had to descend all five basement floors of the Dungeon to reach the Challenge. It was, of course, the alternate path that led to the actual Boss.

The Dungeon seemed to be made of darkness itself. Dark walls, obscene sounds, of clicking, spurting, gashing, echoes of screeches. It was disgusting. Gabriel thanked his Dark Magic Skill for not having gifted him with the ability to see through the darkness.

When it was inevitable that they got their feet tangled with the monsters dwelling in the Dungeon, their vanquishing was instantaneous.

Fang launched swiping claws attack at them most of the time, bisecting the insects at blinding speed. Other times, the Dwarf, which was a venom specialist, blew at them, and the monsters withered away. He assured them that his venom had been calibrated not to remain suspended in the air and thus hurt them too. Nobody questioned him. It was his job, after all. He was a Tier 5 on top of that, the highest among them. Varcivald was the second, one, on the verge of Tier 5, then there wereFang, and Greta both at Tier 3, and Finally Gabriel at Tier 2.

The last free spot in the Party had been filled by somebody whose name or status was shown on Varcivald's Party leader Perk, Gabriel's shadow.

There was no need to invite formally into a party; as long as the party leader was informed of someone wanting to join, it was necessary only a thought and the willingness of both parties. In this case, Varcivald had been told by Fang. When Vald realized the presence of a shadow, he couldn't help but praise them greatly; it had escaped him entirely.

"I'm growing too soft here in The Cradle. It's… cradling me too much," he said.

Thus, the shadow had not shown themselves even then. When Gabriel understood that they had joined too, he questioned why Fang was there at all? Well, not that he was an annoyance; on the contrary, Gabriel found his presence pleasant.

As time passed and they kept descending the Dungeon's levels, Gabe felt almost as if he had been robbed by a wonderful experience. The Dungeon itself was of the most classical type he had ever seen. It reminded him of classic narration and video games. He would have probably enjoyed exploring it on his own, adapting to it. Fighting its traps and monsters together with a proper team, but the mission called for him, he had to rush it. And to be fair, if he did the Dungeon at his current level, he would be extremely disappointed by the lack of challenge.

It took but a swipe of his spear with the Form of the Tide to kill each monster in one single hit. Not even the most dangerous ones, the half-ant, half-goblin ' princesses' could withstand it. The same could be said for Liz, who was currently walking beside him and was quite annoyed by the lack of any challenging ant as well. Now she could really gulp them down with one bite, mostly. The monsters gave so little experience that the Experience resume showed three zeros after the comma before any positive number.

The previous day, Gabriel had taken his take Built to Fly to Tier 9, and if it wasn't for the Dungeon run and the fact that he needed his Mana to face the Boss, he would have already maxed it, which brought his Stamina to 30.4. It was starting to be adequate, but he wouldn't be satisfied until it edged around the forties; only then would he start thinking about adding points to Power.

Once they reached the bisecting tunnel, Gabriel knew they had arrived at their destination.

"That's it. It's the one on the left. Let's get you to it before giving you the equipment," said the Dwarf.

They had rehearsed the plan the previous day, and Gabriel knew that he just had to follow the script and wait while remaining alive, and he would be good to go.

"I still can't believe you picked Skill Trap," said Greta as the other cleared the low-leveled insects from the tunnel that led to the Challenge portal, "And sincerely, if you don't make it out even with that, you might not be worth your title."

"Hey, I've never even used the Perk; let's not be hasty. Besides, if I die, you'd be sad. You wouldn't be thinking about worthy or not worthy. You'd be thinking of this amazing piece of meat you missed out on," Gabriel answered.

"Pfft. Keep dreaming Gabriel, you are entirely not my type. Besides, I don't like someone shorter than me," she answered.

Gabriel raised his eyes to the metaphorical sky, "Don't you know that good things come in the small package?"

"So you do have the small package? Wasn't it because of the cold?"

"What? I didn't mean that… uh," Gabriel surrendered, "There's no winning with you."

"Just do as we discussed and try not to die, Gabriel. Really, try not to die, please, again."

"I won't," Gabe reassured her.

***

Gabe stood in front of the runic circle, already lighting up for his presence.

Welcome to Ant Dungeon’s Challenge, Gabriel Walker.

You have received one (1) free Attribute point to allocate as a reward for finding and activating this Challenge.

If you wish to test yourself in The Challenge of the Ant-King and defeat it, a unique reward will be bestowed upon you.

Do you wish to commence the Challenge?

Yes/No

Warning. If you choose to enter, be sure that the only way out is beating the Challenge.

Warning. A horde of Ants is reaching your way. Ant Dungeon’s Challenge doesn’t deem anyone who doesn’t accept it worthy of survival.

However, if you still refuse to enter it, you will face the horde. In case of victory or escape, a unique reward will be bestowed upon you.

Oh, horde warning message, again! I wonder if I would be able to take them on?

"Liz, it's time to join, come."

The second after Gabriel assimilated Liz, he accepted and disappeared in a patch of fuming air.

***

"One week."

"It's not enough, Arch-bishop Zane. And you know it," answered the Deacon. Informally dress as he was, nobody would have recognized him as one. But the cross he always wore was proof enough that he was a member of the Church of Lore. Not that any civilians would recognize the Church of Lore. Because whoever did would for sure come from Alter or be part of it.

"One week’s all you're gonna get, Matthieu."

Matthieu sighed. Then he nodded and left the black sedan.

The car strode away with the sound of new tires screeching on smooth asphalt.

It didn't take long for Matthieu to reach the place where he was expected. After all, it is renowned, all the roads lead to Rome, and being in Rome at that very moment, Matthieu reached his destination in less than five minutes.

He arrived in St. Peter's Square at eleven in the morning. Yes, one would say that St.Peter Square would be in the Vatican nor in Rome. However, things had changed after the seventies, when Italy had been the first state annexed by the Vatican. Now it was called The Vatican State of Italy and was only one of many the church had annexed.

Life was peaceful in Rome even today, families wandered carefreely, and the economy was as stable as it could get. The theft had disappeared almost entirely; public debt was nonexistent, and there wasn't even the most remote trace of malaise from the populace.

Matthieu was proud of what they had managed to reach, and it had all started with Pope Alexander Fifth, the first Legend that back in the sixties had the audacity of taking the role directly from the hands of the weakest of the Church of Lore's branch, the Catholics.

Since then, he had remained in power, of course, in the shadows as he looked as young as forty years old given his powers.

Matthieu was in St. Peter Square for a reason, though. He had to meet what would be his partner in crime .

Like his father, Zane, Matthieu was an African man. His family originated from Cameroon, one of the very first Vatican annexed states. To tell the truth, it had been their salvation.

The Vatican blew new life in the poorest African states, while in the shadows, it looked for prime subjects whose Affinity soared through the roof. Subjects to bring to Alter and forge as warriors for their Lore.

His father had been one among many at first but he quickly shone brighter than most. The Archbishop wielded Space Magic like nobody else in Alter or on Earth. He was a force to be reckoned with, and Matthieu was deeply proud of his father.

Matthieu was still thinking about his father and losing himself in his fantasies of becoming like him when suddenly, a vast, overflowing sea of aura power removed him from his torpor.

In front of him were just the regular families moving about the square without a worry in the world, kids eating ice cream, youths on the scooter or the bike passing through, street artist, the regular… but beyond them, sitting on a marble staircase, a pale man blond and oh, so confident, was licking an ice cream and staring right at him.

Matthieu was drawn in, his feet moved toward the men as if they had a mind of their own, and in a matter of seconds he was standing in front of him.

The man, amused, smiled at him. Then he got up, threw the last piece of the ice cream in the nearby bin, scoring a perfect hoop, and cleansed his mouth with a kleenex.

"You must be Matthieu," he said.

His voice was relatively high-pitched, not enough to be annoying but noticeable; he had a thin pointy nose, a narrow face, and eyes… eyes red as shining blood.

"Then you must be Thomas," Matthieu answered.

"Bingo. How's the old man?"

"Archbishop Zane? He's perfectly fine. You know…” continued Matthieu, “I've heard about what you d-"

Thomas put an arm around his shoulders, "Come on, Matthieu! Relax! Why so tight? It's not like you've just met the devil, you know?"

He hadn't even seen him move. He hadn't!

Matthieu was a Tier 4. An Aura Templar with a Skill called the Eyes of God. And he hadn't seen the movements of somebody on his same Tier? Just how?

"Come. Victoria is not exactly waiting for us. That woman is everything but patient, you know?"

"Cardinal Victo-"

"I wonder how she'll be when she has kids…" Thomas continued as if he hadn't even heard him speak. Before Matthieu knew, they were in another black sedan, heading to the Cardinals' office.

"Now that I think about it…" Thomas continued, "What does her man do when she's menstruating? God, I'd never wish to be him. And what happens when they have sex during her period? Man… I bet she's holding the poor guy by his balls. He must be strung like a dog on a leash."

"I'm… not following. Who are we talking about now?"

"What? Ah! Victoria's man, of course, Cardinal Virgil."

"Cardinal Virgil and Cardinal Victoria are…!" Exclaimed Matthieu surprised.

"Oh, there are so many things you should know, Matthieu. But don't worry, I'm here for you. I'll teach you the ropes. I owe at least that much to Zane. How old were you again, Matt?"

"Twen-twenty-two."

"Then we're almost peers then! Oh! That'll be fun! We are going to have a lot of fun, me and you."

"If I may ask, Thomas-"

"Just call me Tom. I'm used to it."

"Alright, Tom. If I may ask. Is this the woman?" Matthieu pointed at the woman sitting on their left. She was a brunette with a heavy but feminine build, she had American Indian traits, and her eyes were those of a dead animal, but she very much breathed, but… she looked dead inside. As if everything that held was contained in her humanity had been drained from her.

"Oh, yes, it's her. But don't look at her now. You'll have to judge in the post-treatment. She's gonna burn as bright as a star."

Matthieu couldn't help but stare at her. He wished these things weren't necessary, but for the perfect world they wanted to build, they sadly were.

"She has the blood, like you, right?"

Tom did not answer right away. But when he did, his eyes shined in the peculiar way they did. "Oh, yes. She does indeed."