The group arrived at the foot of the mist-shrouded mountain range. DA squinted at the winding paths that disappeared into the haze.
"The vehicle's useless from here. We walk," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority.
Lia leaned closer to Carter, whispering, "Sir… will everything be alright?"
Carter sighed. "How would I know? Ron said he has some kind of cure for the aging gas. Let's hope he's right."
They began their climb. Near the entrance to the Ancient Mill, a torn bag lay discarded among scattered skulls and bones—grim evidence that someone had ventured in before them. According to their information, the aging gas would activate within minutes of entry.
Without wasting time, they pressed forward.
Just minutes inside, they stumbled upon a body lying on the stone floor, twitching slightly. Ron knelt, but DA grabbed him by the shirt from behind.
"Don't touch him," DA warned. He knelt, inspecting the wound.
"He's been bitten. This place is crawling with cursed monsters—beasts whose venom doesn't just kill… it transforms. They can even shift in size."
From seemingly nowhere, DA produced an injection and jabbed it into the wounded man's neck. "This'll slow the curse," he muttered.
They carried the man back outside, Lia contacting the department to retrieve him safely. Once regrouped, Carter assessed the situation.
"We'll cover more ground if we split up," he suggested.
Lia cast a subtle glance at Carter, which Ron noticed immediately.
"Fine. Two groups," Ron decided. "Me and this clow—uh, DA. Carter and Lia, you take the other path."
The Ancient Mill's entrance split into two corridors: left and right. Since the injured man had been found on the left, Ron and DA headed that way, leaving Carter and Lia to the right.
Before parting, DA handed each of them three syringes. "Use them wisely," he warned. "And pray they're enough."
Carter and Lia's path was immediately hostile. Feral, screeching monsters lunged at them, fast and relentless. Together, they cut down their attackers with practiced precision. But the air was thick, and the aging gas began to take effect.
Carter pressed forward with unwavering focus, while Lia, perhaps trying to distract herself, asked softly, "What's your favorite food? Drink?"
Carter remained silent, slicing down another beast. Lia let out a soft, awkward laugh.
They cleared the first floor with relative ease, stepping onto a glowing circle on the ground—and vanished, teleporting to the next floor.
The second floor was worse: larger monsters, a mid-tier dragon, and a denser fog of gas.
Lia grew quiet, weighed down not just by exhaustion but by memories. She thought of their graduation day—the day she had almost confessed her feelings.
She took a shaky breath. "Sir… do you have someone you like?"
"No," Carter said without pause.
Lia smiled faintly, relieved.
Carter turned toward her, then hesitated. "What about you? …Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
He resumed walking, but Lia reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
He stopped. Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"Yes. I do. I've liked him since childhood. He was popular… but he always talked to a loner like me. I wanted to tell him during graduation, but I couldn't. Then he moved away. Years later, we met again—and he remembered me. We've been on missions together since."
Carter's eyes widened, stunned. He opened his mouth to speak—but dozens of monsters erupted from the shadows, cutting off any conversation.
The duo fought fiercely. Initially, swordplay and Ki attacks were enough, but the gas thickened, slowing their reflexes. Poison seeped into the air. Their powers weren't sufficient.
Lia's mind spiraled. What if one of us dies? What if Carter turns into a monster? What if I never get to…
Her attacks faltered. Carter noticed, gripping her hand. "Run!"
They sprinted through the corridors, ducking into a downward-sloping cavern. Desperation guided their steps.
Inside, they found something unexpected: a coffin, surrounded by hundreds of burning candles. The sight could have been lifted from a vampire movie.
They hid. Carter held Lia close, trying to calm her trembling breath.
Then—a noise.
The coffin creaked open. Carter turned. They both stared—and everything went black.
Meanwhile, Ron and DA reached the second floor with minimal trouble. The monsters here were stronger but manageable. DA, however, began to show signs of fatigue—the gas was affecting him. Strangely, it had no effect on Ron.
"Weird," Ron muttered. "Why isn't the gas affecting me?"
[FOURTH WALL HAS BLOCKED THE AGEING AND MIND CONTROL GAS]
Fourth Wall? Like in fiction? Ron's mind raced, confused.
DA, panting slightly, warned, "As we climb, this place gets worse. Aging gas isn't the only danger. On this floor, mind control gas begins. The next one? Who knows. Every floor adds a new type."
He paused, beginning to walk again. Ron's thoughts flickered to Carter and Lia. They'd be in trouble.