V2 Chapter 1

"Can you hear me?"

A distant voice asked.

"Are you awake? You've been injured...there was an accident. But you are going to be fine."

Somewhere far off in the darkness, the white noise of humming machinery droned on endlessly. As time passed, another sound became discernable, this one nearby.

Beep…beep….beep.

Slow and constant, like a fine turned-watch.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe now."

What did…?

Rain slowly began to gain awareness. Slowly, he tried to open his gummy eyes but grunted in shock as harsh light seared his retinas. After a moment, he tried again, this time averting his gaze from overhead lights. Squinting and allowing his eyes to adjust for a moment, he was able to make out a small, bulb-like object, no, rather it was a rock, or crystal whatever it is, was emitting the blinding light from above him. Then, everything slowly came into focus around him.

He couldn't feel anything. It seemed that his sight and hearing were the only senses currently available to him. But then suddenly a cool breeze brushed against his cheeks and caused him to tremble.

There was a solid sensation in contact with his face and a chill pierced the lower half of his body. He raised a groan as he woke up. Absentmindedly, he put forth all his effort to sit upright, trying to regain his motor skills, while his whole body scowl as it throbbed with pain.

“Ow, Wha…what is…?”

He turned his head, looking around him the moment his eyes adjust to his surroundings. But what greeted him was an unfamiliar ceiling filled with dirt, rock, and cobwebs.

What happened?

Where am I?

He felt his mind airy, and blank—though a bit painful. It’s as if he had just gone diving in the air, without any preparation.

Holding his unsteady head with one hand, he studied the vicinity whilst he recalled his memories. Even though the surrounding was dim, thanks to the emission from the green light stones, it was not like he was blinded by the darkness.

Well, not like he needed them anyway, as he could still well in the dark with his skill [Night Vision].

But still…where is this?

The place he found himself in was unfamiliar to him.

“This place is …..”

He shivered. The ground was chilly, and he could feel goosebumps on his skin as a shiver ran through his body. With a start, he sits at the very edge of the room, he reclines against the wall behind him and fixes his gaze on what lies before him.

The surrounding area is dark and narrow. And for some reason, it looks like a worn-out, ancient room made with reddish-brown bricks. There was a crack appearing all over the surface of the ground or walls.

He looks around and noticed that the room he was currently in was like a very confining space, with no windows or furniture. Though, several green stones could be seen embedded in the corner and at the ceiling of the room, lighting up the place with a greenish glow.

What a dull room --- he thought.

Just where the hell am I?

Rain held his head with his hands while wondering where he was. Then, he saw. In the space of around 10 Meters in radius, he sees an exit on one of the walls.

That’s right! Lafetti!

Suddenly his mind snapped alert, regaining its clarity, and immediately after, he remembered his beloved Lamian lover. Fortunately, when he turned around, he saw Lafetti lying on the floor, asleep, though her brows furrowed deep. Beside her was Granite, and lastly the Ant Queen; Scarlet. He immediately moved towards them. Despite his staggering balance, and aching head, he crawls towards them.

“Lafetti?” he asked gently while tugging at her.

She groaned, and her brows moved. She’s okay…and she didn’t have any wounds or bruises, thank god. Then, he turned towards Granite and Scarlet and also checked up on them, finding no wounds either. He can finally breathe a sigh of relief. With his worries calming down, his mind finally geared towards the current situation. What had happened to them?

The only thing I can remember and think of was…

As he tried to remember the things that had occurred before finding himself in this strange, worn-out place, a wave of dizziness hit him, but it quickly passed. The memories that he seemed to have missed, came back with full force.

"Ah!! The Gravemark!!"

His eyes widened in shock the moment he recalled what had appeared before he had lost consciousness. And his expression turned solemn. What is happening here?

Just what the hell is going on? Why is a quote from William Shakespeare here? And for some reason, the name 'William Shakespeare' was the key, the magic word that had caused this sudden event. And in this world at that… was that grave mark made from a person of Earth?

Rain wondered. Though, the thing that made him even more doubtful and fearful was the name written on the grave mark--

Rain Revert.

His name.

Was it just a coincidence? Was someone else had the same name as him? In fact, was it even a grave marker in the first place?

“Where am I?”

[Master, I’m not certain where it is. However, all I know is that this is a dungeon]

“A Dungeon?!”

Thank God, Sylphy seemed okay. Well, at the very least, she's still accessible. However, after hearing her reply, his eyes widened in shock. Dungeon…he had never thought that such a fantasy-game-like thing also exists in this world.

[Yes, I’m fairly certain that this is a Dungeon. And the name that Master had uttered is the key to enter the Dungeon.]

“What was that about grave? Why is my name in there?!”

[I don’t know. However, all I know is that that grave mark was not a grave at all, as there is no body or corpse deep underground. It’s more of a landmark, with a special transportation formation hidden underneath.]

“Transportation formation? Does it mean we are not in the Desolate Cave anymore?!”

[That, I’m not sure, Master. There seems to be some kind of power that is limiting my perception of things, therefore I can't truly cover the entire place. Much less, confirm where this place is located.]

Rain’s brows furrowed and he fell in deep thought. There’s just too many weird and strange aspect of this event. What the hell is going on? Suddenly, as he fell into deep thoughts, his attention turned to his side. Lafetti suddenly moved and groaned. Rain quickly turned his eyes to her. She was waking up, and her long eyelids fluttered, slowly opening up.

“Laffeti?! Are you okay?!”

“Cough cough!”

A cough signals Lafetti’s formal awakening.

“R, Rain…?”

Lafetti heard Rain’s anxious and worried voice and slowly opened her eyes. With her groggy mind and vision, she could see Rain’s silhouette in front of her, calling.

“What, happened?”

“A good question, which I also want to be answered. But sadly, there’s no one who knew what’s really going on here…” he smiled bitterly and said.

“What are you—?! Rain, are you okay?!”

Lafetti was confused by his answer. But then suddenly she was reminded of what had happened just before she blacked out and her mind snaps awake. She immediately lunged at him, grabbing his shoulders and checking every angle of his face and parts of his body to see if there were any wounds or injuries.

“I’m okay…"

In actuality, he felt pretty good. The dizziness, the pain along the weakness had passed surprisingly fast. Whether it was this place's fault or was it his resilience working hard, along with his superhuman physique, he didn't know. However, he was really feeling better now.

"...but I fear that’s not the problem right now.”

Rain smiled wryly, but inwardly he was extremely touched and moved by Lafetti’s extreme care. He really loves this kind of moment where she would display her love for him, caring for him before herself. He felt loved. It was blissful.

“It seems like we are sucked inside a dungeon.”

“A Dungeon?!”

Lafetti's eyes widened in shock upon that revelation.

“I never knew there is a Dungeon in the Desolate Cave!”

"Me either..."

She immediately believes him in an instant. After all, it would be different if it was someone else. However, this is Rain who was saying it. Hence, she immediately believes it without hesitation. Even if he claimed that the sun and moon had changed jobs, she would easily believe it. However, despite being so, she was a bit bewildered.

After all, she had been living inside the Desolate Cave for so many years, and yet she had never heard about a Dungeon existing in this place.

“Wait… is this about that grave mark?”

Rain nodded his head.

“It is…” a complicated expression on his face as he recalled about the Gravemark.

“Rain…what is written in the Grave mark?”

Lafetti remembered vividly what his expression was when he had seen the grave mark. And he had even said some strange language she had not heard before. It’s not the most common human language that was used on the Continent. And even there was no such similar language among the Monster Tribes she knew as well.

But what bothered her so much was Rain’s strange expression.

“… …”

“Rain! Is something wrong?” seeing Rain’s queer but worried expression, Laffeti started to feel something really wrong. Just what had happened? What is written on that grave mark? She looked at him with some concern, along with doubt and anxiety.

"Tell me, what is going on?"

“My name…”

“What…?!”

And she heard a shocking reply.

“What about your name?”

“My name is in the Grave Mark…”

“That’s… it could be a coincidental name… maybe you are thinking too much of it?”

Lafetti was someone always cool-headed, as long as it doesn’t involve Rain’s life on the line. She immediately works her brain fast, which normally is quite quick.

“No,” but Rain shook his head.

“[Rain Revert] that’s my name. And it is written in English,”

“English?”

“Language from another world…the one I know most,”

“The one from your dreams? Wait, if that’s the case, it’s not a dream anymore.”

At this moment, finally, Lafetti understands the gravity of the situation. She didn’t really give much importance to his dreams. After all, no matter what or where he came from, it doesn’t change the fact that he was still her Rain. However, if this event has something to do with those dreams, and even has something to do with this Dungeon, then everything would become strangely need for attention.

With a dark expression, Lafetti slowly stood up and surveyed the surrounding. She turned towards Granite and Scarlet, but they are still out, perhaps due to the sudden transition that had disturbed their spirit. They would need quite a while to adapt to it. Though Lafetti didn’t know how Rain was able to wake up before her, she was only able to because of her strength, which was above that of both Granite and Scarlet.

“But if you said is true, then this is really getting stranger… do you remember anything?”

Rain shook his head with a wry smile.

“If I had, I would not be disgruntled. And besides, even though I don’t remember this place, nor anything about this or the grave marker, for some reason, there something strange I’m feeling ever since I woke up in this place.”

“What do you mean?”

“For some strange reason, I felt a strong sense of familiarity… but I don’t know why or how. It’s not coming logically, but steaming from deep within me,” he said with a frown. Although he said this, he actually doesn’t understand this as well. Just what is wrong with this place?

“…I hope I’m not losing it,”

Lafetti furrowed her brows after hearing his word. However, after seeing his clueless and worrying expression, she immediately held back her questions. She walked over and pulled him into her embrace.

“It’s going to be fine,” she touched his cheek and showed him a gentle, reassuring smile.

“Whatever happens, I will be here.”

“Lafetti,” Rain raked his hands into her. “That’s right…you and me,” his furrowed expression slowly softened and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

As if trying to regain assurance, he deepened his kiss. He molded his mouth against Lafetti’s, easing her lips apart so he could invade her with his tongue. He rubbed his hands down her back… that’s right, no matter what happens. He was not alone anymore. And whatever it is that is going on here, Lafetti will always stay beside him.

He's not alone!

Rain felt Lafetti’s hands down his back, stroking, as if consoling him, comforting him. And he felt his heart full of sweetness he can’t describe.

“Cough,” however, a cough broke off their passionate embrace and kiss.

When they turned towards the source, their Granite and Scarlet were looking at them with a bitter expression.

“I don’t know what is going on, but I don’t think this is a good time for…that,”

Granite grinned mischievously.

Lafetti rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to Rain.

“Whatever the case, we need to find a way to leave this place first. Confusing things will be after that,”

“I think so too,”

Rain, relieved of anything that is weighing his heart nodded his head with a smile.

“So, can you now tell us, what is happening here?”

… …