I needed at least half an hour of rest after that second trial. What was going on? Alexius had said multiple times when we talked about this dungeon that it was supposed to not be all that challenging. So what was with that crazy thing? Running in a narrow and winding passage with nothing but an abyss on either side. Dangerous traps coming from different directions and a clearly powerful enemy chasing us from behind. I couldn't resist giving voice to my irritations.

“What is going on with this dungeon Alexius? Wasn't it supposed to not be all that dangerous? The first trial was reasonable, but this last one was completely crazy. Care to explain?”

He shrugged and looked as confused as I was.

“I don't know, since details are really scarce, in some ways to preserve the challenge I suppose, I don't really know if the dungeon is behaving differently or if our frame of reference is just wrong. Maybe this kind of thing is par for the course and we just don't know how to deal with it?”

I suppressed a sigh. Now that was great, Alexius had no idea what was going on. Either we were actually too incompetent and this just seems unusually difficult, in which case, maybe we should give up on the whole journey thing, or perhaps the dungeon was more difficult than usual. Either choice has its share of scary implications.

“You know. Maybe I am going crazy, but doesn't it feel like dungeon is kind of changing itself, like, adapting to us? This last trial there were only things that were highly effective against armored targets like me and Alexius. It's really weird.”

It should sound absurd, but it's a dungeon we are talking about, maybe that was it. I must say, in these last few hours my opinion of Kardenon has risen considerably, so much so that I would admit that not having him join us would have been a great mistake. But he seems like the kind of guy that let's these things get to his head, so maybe I will stay silent about that.

“Still...” Alexius wasn't sure if this was the case. “Then why is it focusing entirely on us? Helena isn't wearing that heavy kind of armor, shouldn't there be more monsters suitable to attacking her?”

That is a fair point, however...

“I haven't really been touched yet. You two have done a good job of protecting me, so maybe the dungeon doesn't 'know' what kind of armor I am wearing, so it's focusing on you two since it knows what you're wearing?”

That would make some sense at least. Of course, that was only assuming that the dungeon was this weird “living” thing that is able to adapt to the people inside it.

“That could be it. Hmm...” There is no way Kardenon is considering putting this to the test right? “Naw, it wouldn't be right putting a lady through danger just to be sure of something like that.” Unbelievable! Maybe I should lower my evaluation of him?

Regardless, we have been resting for a while now, it was probably time to continue on, but likely nothing will happen if I don't say something, I get the feeling that Alexius and Kardenon could spend an entire day swapping theories on how the dungeon operates.

“Anyway, I think we've got enough rest now. You said that one of the trials had no dangers to it and was just a puzzle, right?” Alexius nodded. “How about we do that one?”

Alexius looked at Kardenon.

“Seems good enough for me. I wonder what kind of puzzle there might be in a dungeon.”

With all of us in agreement, Alexius led us to the drawing that was likely of the trial that involved the puzzle. After he touched it, it shined like the other and turned into an opening. This time, it was a short corridor that led us to another, square, room. As soon as all of us went inside, the corridor closed behind us. No getting out before the puzzle is done, huh.

“That might be it.”

I point to a wall different from the others. There was the puzzle. There was a hole in the wall of a certain shape, under it was a pile of stones of different shapes. Kardenon let out a triumphant laugh when he saw it.

“Haha! That's it? These kinds of puzzles are child's play, literally. I've played with so many of those that I stopped having all that much fun. Well, part of that was because I had to make some of those as part of my craftsman training.”

Well, that's a relief, because the little that me and Alexius have seen of these kinds of puzzle, it was quite clear that I am very terrible at them. As for Alexius, if I remember correctly, he was okay at them. Anyway, I am actually happy to just leave this to more qualified people.

“Is that so? Good, because honestly I can't for the life of me solve one of those.”

Kardenon walked towards the puzzle, then turned back at us and asked before starting to solve it.

“I could show you how to do it, you know? Once you realize the logic of it, it's quite easy. Want to give it a try?”

I considered it, but really, no. I didn't want to have to deal with that kind of thing. Better leave to those who are actually good at it.

“No... I've never really liked those puzzles. I think I will just watch you, since there's not much else to do, but I'd rather not waste time. So, no need for a class on it.”

Alexius looked slightly disappointed.

“To be honest, I've always been interested in how you solve these in a an easy way...” I shot a glare at him. “But, I guess we can leave that for later.”

Kardenon shrugged.

“Okay, let's see here.” It was very quick, almost in a flash, he put one stone after another in the hole in the wall, soon it was all filled. “There we go, this should do it.”

As he completed the puzzle, it started shining like the drawings in the main room, then disappeared. I expected for the keystone to appear right after somewhere in the room, but things just can't be that easy, not in a dungeon. Then an ominous sound started all around us, the sound of flowing water. The room was filling with water and there were now three different puzzles on three different walls. Damn it.

“Uh, this looks bad. Kardenon, you solve that puzzle, I will solve this one.”

So now there was some kind of time pressure thing, how lovely... I just silently watched as they set to solving the puzzle. But soon weird things started happening.

“Huh? Why is there a new puzzle there? I just solved it, and this one... Huh?”

Both Alexius and Kardenon looked confused, as if things didn't make sense. They walked back and forth, and tried to figure out how things worked. Quickly enough, they came to me. Alexius explained the situation.

“It seems that the three puzzles have to be solved within a time limit, not only that, but it seems that if there's isn't a person near a completed puzzle, all three of them reset and become different puzzles, could you stand near one of them, please?”

If that was all that was needed, then it's okay, but I was starting to get a very bad feeling.

“Okay.”

I stood next to a puzzle as Kardenon solved it with incredible ease. I must admit to feeling a sense of envy at his ability to do it so easily. Then, once it was done, he started moving towards Alexius. As he took but two steps, I saw what happened to the puzzle in front of me, then heard a loud groan of frustration from Alexius. My greatest fear had become reality.

My feet were already completely submerged when Alexius came and put a comforting hand on my shoulder and spoke trying to reassure me.

“Listen, I know you're not going to like this, but if we are going to get out of this, then the three of us have to solve these separately, and that includes you.”

No. no. no. no. no. no... No! I can't!