2 days after the report of Grand Ecstasy and Wanderer.

  The entrance of Reverse Tower are full of adventurers of myriad appearance and personalities. the expedition group are calm and confident as they do few inspections of their gears and supplies before venturing the dungeon depths.

  These people are not your run-in-the-mill adventurers but selected individuals chosen to partake to a special quest. They came from Zelestre and Nattunia with support coming from the Church and Academia. Bolaire didn't managed to send their finests due to the ongoing uprising on their kingdom which more prioritized at the moment.

  Nattunia sent Gilmore Vandril, their latest member of Hero-rank adventurers and also one of the captains in Knights order of Nattunia. Alongside him are few elite knights picked to assist him and Niana and Kiana Fernicine, the two personal deligates of the king.

  As Gilmore checks his gear, he got interrupted by a women walking towards him. The lady looks very regal and refined compared to the rest of the people partaking in the joint mission as her well tailored dress and long silky purple hair are very out-of-place on the scenery.

  "You must be the esteemed Gilmore Vandril? I'm honored to join you in this mission." The refined lady's introduction.

  Gilmore approriates himself and face the lady.

  "The honor is same for me Ms. Niana. Nice to meet you." Gilmore offers a handshake which Niana accepts.

  Gilmore then recieves a slap on his back.

  "Hahahha! No need to be so formal, same to you sis." Kiana's informaly joins the two, Niana chuckle softly on her twin's remark.

  "A lady should always be refined dear sister. But I guess I can be a little bit looser now that we're not in a diplomatic mission."

  Unlike her sister Kiana, Niana is more refined and gentle on her demeanor and appearance. A prim and proper lady which great on establishing good diplomatic relationships on neighboring kingdoms.

  While Kiana represents the wrath and disdain of the Nattunian king, Niana represents the opposite and being sent to give the King's positive favor.

  "But why he sent you two here?" Gilmore's honest question.

  "We got personally asked by the king himself. Also, we're currently have no diplomatic mission planned for the whole month so me and sis decides to accept this and blow off some steam." Kiana answers while stretching.

  "And joining this expedition is the way to do that?"

  "Yes. We didn't have a good fight for a very long time due to our job so it's better that do some maintenance of our capanilities. And it seems our beloved beloved king also knows that. That's why they sent us to assisst you."

  "I assumed the king also told you two my real mission in Reverse Tower?"

  Kiana gives a confident and excited smirk.

  "Yes. To think we going to have a chance to fight a potential copy of the legendary hero. I can't wait any longer."

  "Hehe... Dear sister, you're so itching to fight."

  "You can't blame me sis. I want to use my magic again."

  "Well, I feel the same to be honest." Niana gives a soft sigh.

  Gilmore only watch as the battle thirst of the twins leak. He scoffs which caught the attention of the two.

  "What's funny Mr. Vandril?" Niana asked.

  "It's just, Klein really choose likeminded people to be around him."

  "Hahahaha! I think I get what you saying. He must be tried joining us here only to get denied by the council, he's the king afterall." Kiana's casual words.

  "Dear sister. You should not speak ill of the king."

  "Oh come on. Don't be a killjoy sis. Besides, we're his personal assistant so we can speak casually of him.",

  "Good grief." Niana just face palmed.

  Joining the Nattunian representatives are 2 Zelestrean Hero and 5 Platinum adventurers personally chosen by the Kingdom for the expedetion. They just casually having a meal under a tree. Observing their fellow participants.

  The first of the Zelestrean hero is Byrstan Kolig. A veteran Hero (Mithril) adventurer which was in retirement but decides to joins the expedition after hearing the news.

  The second Zelestre hero with a tan skin is Vauricia Farif. An Orihalcum hero which forced by her noble family to join the expedition in order to increase their status on the Zelestrean society.

  Joining the two heroes are the Dfnir Blade. A Platinum ranked party who directly respond on Zelestrean leaders' request. They consist of.

  The Leader Yarkol.

  The mage Herma.

  Another mage named Zasstal.

  The paladin Vaught.

  And Cleric Jhishna.

  "Was retirement that boring Mr. Kolig?" Yarkol casually asked which make Kolig laugh.

  "You got it right young lad! But still, retirement is fun on its own if you know what to do. And I already burned out those options!"

  "You've personally asked by the leaders right Mr. Kolig?" The young mage Herna asked.

  "Yes. Apparently, the other Heroes refused with their varied reasons om declining."

  "They refused because they can't stomach joining forces with commoners."

  Dfnir Blade and Kolig look at Vauricia who just continue to eat her soup.

  "Aren't you also a noble Miss Vauricia?" Yarkol confusedly asked.

  "Well yeah. But I still have roles I need to do being a Hero of Zelestre."

  "You must be a noble from East Wing?" Kolig asked which Vauricia just answer with a nod.

  Kolig scoffs rudely.

  "Those fucking West Wing Nobles and their high horses huh?"

  "Still, it's weird for them to ignore such opportunity given their desire for glory." Vaught's opinion.

  "Orihalcum Heroes are always pain in the ass as they always think they're superior to us just because they're born to a renowed family. Fucking snobs." Zasstal rants.

  "Just want remind you lad there's an Orihalcum Hero joining us right now." Kolig points his thumb to Vauricia.

  "I don't mind. I also feel the same." Vauricia smirks to the surprise of others.

  "I'm just glad that Bolaire Heroes are not joining us here. If you think West Wing Heroes are intolerable, Bolaire heroes are far worse." Kolig sigh as he remembers his past encounters with the Orihalcums of Bolaire.

  "How worse we're talking here?" Jhishna asked.

  "If West Wing Orihalcums just look down on you. Bolaire Orihalcums will treat you like you just a mere scums on the earth while also thinking they can just order you around to their heart's content."

  Feeling the frustration of Kolig. Everyone sighs as they imagine the stress of dealing with such individuals.

  Kolig looks around and see the others that joins them in the expedition.

  "The other faction also sent their big shots on this mission huh?" Kolig commented.

  "You think so?" Vauricia asked as she clean herself after eating soup and bread.

  "Yeah. Gilmore alongside those twins are powerhouses. The Church also sent their finest warriors. Even the Academia sent their powerful mages.

  "I kinda understand why the Academia join us but the Church of Vivvily?" Vauricia continues to ask.

  On the Church of Vivvly side. The small troop consist of multiple Paladins and Clerics that came from different churches around Yhigressia. They quickly answered the call after reading the content of the mission.

  Leading the pack of devout followers is Bhest. A high ranking blessed warrior. There's a serious look on his face as he think of the main objective of their participation.

  The Vivvilus fruit which the church thought gone extinct decades ago.

  If Bhest can verify and secure the fruits or gather an entire tree. The church can answer a very extinctential question while also potetially fix the problem of their dwindling influence in Yhigressia.

  "Sir all preperations are complete!" One of his commanders reported.

  "Good. Tell the other factions that we will start the mission after 10 minutes."

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  "Yes Sir!"

  The commander leaves to tell the news. Bhest look on the group they gathered. His church have 20 individuals, Nattunia sent 13 and Zelestre sent 7 while the Academia sent 5 of the finests academics. Their force have a power of 45 people full of highly experienced fighters and mages from different backgrounds.

  But he can feel that each faction have their own more direct mission and the collaboration is just a pretext and a way of checking each other.

  After 10 Minutes. The squadron finally enters the Reverse Tower which they closed for outsiders for the full duration of the mission. As expected, the combined might of esteemed individuals steamrolled the layers with ease until they reach the target location.

  "So this is the rumored hole? It's a lot larger than I expected." Kolig commented as he view the gaping hole in the bloody snow, what remains of the a cabin.

  "I can't even see the bottom of it." Herna gaze on the what seems to be an empty abyss.

  "Everyone remember what we discussed back in Nattunia!" Bhest shouts.

  "YES!" His followers shouts back.

  "I don't know. I'm still kinda dubious on the method proposed by Grand Ecstasy." Zasstal's doubt.

  "I kinda agree. Their tale is just too... Bizzare." -Herna.

  "Yet here we are on the same hole which Grand Ecstasy entered and survived for days. This is a good start that their reports are correct." Yarkol commented.

  "Even the stupid monkey they mentioned?"

  "It seems that's the case." Yarkol followed.

  "Enough talking and get ready! Mages, start building the platform now!" Bhest's orders.

  The mages of four factions proceeds to cast magic to simulate the platform where Grand Ecstasy and Wanderer fell with. They start by building an ice floor by manipulating the nearby reddish stained snow. The ice platform now shuts the hole and will then become a support for the thick layer of snow they gonna use as cusion.

  As the mages do their work. The fighters protects the perimeters from nearby beasts who attempted to interrupt their work.

  It takes half a hour for them to cover the entire whole and now ready for their descent.

  "Is everyone ready to get down!?" Bhest's question which recieve a loud YES.

  "I believe they're ready." Kolig answered.

  "Good. Everyone prepare yourselves, we going down. Mages! Prepare the explosions!"

  The mages points their magic towards the edge of the snow cover they made.

  "Wait!"

  The mages got interrupted by Gilmore's command.

  "Why you suddenly stop us Sir Gilmore?" Bhest's unamused question.

  "We have guests."

  Hearing Gilmore's words. Bhest also feel what Gilmore's implying as then he saw hundreds of White Stalkers appears from the camouflage of the snow and now surrounding them. But there's one that really caught their interest.

  "White Queen..." -Gilmore.

  The White Queen only watch yet she have a firm grasp on her tail sword. Like ready to act for a moment's notice.

  Gilmore, the Fernicine Twins and Nattunian Knights leave the drop point.

  "What are you doing?" Bhest asked.

  "Just go down there. We going to handle the stalkers." Gilmore's words which make Bhest sigh.

  "She's the real focus of your mission huh? Well then suit yourself. Just don't get salty that there's nothing left for you down there." Kolig's taunt which Gilmore only respond with a calm smile.

  "Mages! Prepare the explosion magic!"

  The mages channel their magic all pointed around the edge of the drop point.

  "Go!"

  With Bhest's command, the mages finaly cast their magic fireballs causing a circular explosion which instantly breaks the ice platform. The snow layer alongside its passengers plummets down with incredible speed as Gilmore, Niana, Kiana and the Knights watch.

  "And now they're gone. Engulfed by the abyss." Niana's comment.

  "Ok. Lets focus on our main objective here."

  Gilmore face the White Queen who looking at them but there's no hint of superiority nor mockery on her gaze and posture. She just standing menacingly as if she's analyzing the individuals who decide to face her.

  Gilmore meanwhile feels a very weird familiarity on the White Queen and it's not just because of its aura resembling the legendary hero. Like he encountered her a long time ago but in a different circumstances.

  "She's really radiating a very intimidating presence. I'm worried that such monster suddenly appears here." Niana's uncertainty.

  "But if we consider Grand Ecstasy's words. We can try to reason on her."

  Gilmore walks forward, not wielding his sword but focus his gaze on the White Queen.

  After showcasing himself. Gilmore then gives a respectful bow to the White Queen.

  "Please let us test our abilities with you!" Gilmore's request. Hoping that his words reach the White Queen.

  The White Queen just stand still for a while. Then she command her horde of White Stalker to leave which they did, leaving the White Queen alone to face Gilmore and others.

  "Is that a yes?" Kiana's confusion.

  "It seems like it. I'm glad she understands our intentions." Niana sighs.

  The White Queen walks closer to the area where Gilmore are. She's wielding her tail sword with refined stride that the three hastely understand that they gonna face a formidable enemy.

  Gilmore unsheaths his rapier.

  "Knights, don't attack and just stand still. She's something you can never handle."

  Kiana open and activates her coat, the innerside of her coat is magic circles which what used on Bag-of-Storages. Inside her spatial storage are hundreds of daggers which Kiana pulled a dozen to arm herself.

  Niana unleashes a very thick and powerful mana radiating outside her body. The dense magic got instantly asorbed back inside Niana, coating her body as she go on her combat posture.

  "Kiana, Niana. Don't hold back at all as I can guarantee that our opponent will handle everything we can throw at her."

  "You don't need to remind me. I can feel that." Kiana smirks.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  "Hmmmm?"

  Mateo opened his eyes and findbhimself inside a very nostalgic place. A row of computers, the sound of people playing different games with enjoyment, the smell of cigarettes and sweat and the claustraphobic dark space.

  He see some familiar faces. Romel, Derek, Kelvin and others. Some are even already dead. Some plays Dota 2, Special Forces, and Ran Online. Games that hot topic on that specific moment of his life.

  "A dream huh?" I kinda miss this scenery."

  "What you miss exactly?"

  A girly voice echoes on Mateo's dream. He didn't recognize it and there's no any female costumers inside the shop for such feminine voice to appear.

  But instead to get bothered, Mateo just let it go and instead choose to indulge on his dream.

  "This scenery exactly. Just having fun with no care for the world. Making small talk and memories with others."

  "Uhhmmm? Reallyyyyy? But it seems that you're not really included on their fun at all?"

  Mateo went silent and softly scoffs.

  "Haha I can agree that's the case."

  Mateo look on his friends playing games.

  "Most of the time, I'm just an observer on their games. At the time, I have no money to play Dota with them nor make a powerful characters on what MMORPG they playing."

  Mateo looks on Kelvin playing RAN Online and smile.

  "I also want to join them fighting bosses and monsters you know? Leveling, grinding, getting rare loots and beating other players. But all I can do is just watch and in some occassion pilot their accounts."

  Mateo sighs.

  "Years after. I tried to play RAN Online again but it's not the same anymore. It seems this fleeting moment is really unique on this time."

  "If you have the money to join them. What you wish to achieve?" The girl voice asked.

  Mateo ponders for a moment as the question piques his interest.

  "I want to join them when visiting other internet cafes and play Dota against other shops. I want to have my very own character and join them in guild wars. I want to create a powerful Extreme Class in RAN Online. I want to feel really included on their small group and not feel like I just trying to put myself."

  "But that's not the case anymore right?"

  Mateo laughs.

  "Yeah. Back then, I'm just a stupid teenage kid with insecurities but as time goes by. I realized that they really consider me as a real friend since the beggining."

  Mateo shrugs with a smile.

  "But I still want to have an Extreme Class and become stronger than them. Too bad, they're not playing RAN Online anymore."

  "Hahahahahaha! You're really a unique specimen aren't you?" The girly voice joyfully asked.

  "I almost forgot. Who are you?"

  "That? You gonna find the answer soon."

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Mateo opened his eyes and see the familiar ceiling of his room. Beside him in the bed are Beltrand and Shirna still sleeping peacefully.

  "I can't...." Shirna's happy whispers. Dreaming about food.

  "What a nice dream." Mateo mumbles.

  "!!!"

  Mateo then suddenly engulfed by intense shock as she feel something wrong on his body.

  "Huh?"

  Mateo look on his hand and clench then repeatedly. He feels off and in unease.

  He stand up and wakes up Beltrand and Shirna.

  "Hmmmm... Just one more minute." Beltrand mumbles.

  "There's no time for thi- Huh?"

  He tried to pull both Beltrand and Shirna to surprisingly wake them up but he's the the one that got surprised instead.

  Both of his friend's body didn't even bulged on his pulling. He tried again to no avail.

  "What the fuck is happening?"

  .

  .

  .

  Beltrand and Shirna are sleeping peacefully when.

  SPLASH.

  "UWAAAAHHH!!! FUUUCK!"

  "WHAAAAATTTT?!"

  The two wakes up with shocked and angered state after getting drenched in water. On side on the bed is Mateo with a empty plastic bucket.

  "What the fuck dude?!" Beltrand is clearly annoyed.

  "M-Mateo this is not a good joke!" Shirna is mad.

  "You can mad at me later. Change clothes while I wake up the others."

  Beltrand and Shirna softens as they see the serious expression of Mateo.

  "Why you look so bothered bro?"

  "There's an emergency. We need to return in Yhigressia ASAP."

  Then Mateo leaves the two on his room dumbfounded.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  In a random forest near Nattunia. Mateo is standing in front of a tree while his friends are behind him looking with confusion.

  "What's wrong Mateo? You look so worried about something?" Sophia asked with concern.

  But Mateo didn't answer his friend's question. Instead, he goes in his combat stance and holding his sword.

  Without saying a word, Mateo swings his weapon with all his might to the intrigued of everyone watching.

  And the intrigued turns into confusion after Mateo's sword strike only chip few chunks of the tree's bark.

  "Y-you wake up us for this?" Beltrand's irritated question.

  "That's my full power?"

  "Huh?"

  "I put all my power on that swing." Mateo's admittance.

  He face his friends and give a worried laugh.

  "It seems my powers suddenly dissappeared."

  Everyone are unable to process what Mateo just said. Leading to them to get engulfed by uncomfortable silence.

  .

  .

  .

  Back on Mateo's home in Nattunia. Grand Ecstasy is having a meeting, questions rise as they have no idea what happened to their party leader.

  "Mateo. What really happened inside that room in Reverse Tower?" Claustrine's serious question.

  Then Mateo retells the incident and the potential thing that enters his body to the further confusion of his friends.

  "Looks like you picked up something nasty Bro." -Beltrand.

  "Do you feel like there's something that blocks your mana flow?" Sophia's worried question.

  "Nothing. In fact, I feel completely weak and manaless. But..."

  "But?"

  "It seems there's some power beating inside me."

  "That's just your heart Mateo?" -Helyna.

  "No."

  "Do you think it's some kind of curse?" Mateo asked.

  "I never know a curse like this. Most magic curses can only inflict damage to the physical body unless this is a new kind entirely?" Claustrine theorized.

  "Given our reputation. I can see that's the case. Someone might turn you into a test subject." -Beltrand.

  "I think the real question here is what we should do now that Mateo is..." Shirna stops talking.

  "What? What of me now?"

  "Don't become offended but, you just going to be put in danger if we go on a quest when you're in that state." Shirna politely continues her cutted words.

  Mateo sighs as he can't refute Shirna's reasoning. He can't even kill a goblin now that he just got the power of an average man.

  Yet he wants to answer Shirna and say that he would be fine. They can just find a way to fix him. Despite that, rationality wins over desires and Mateo went silent. His friends looking at him with sad expression on their face.

  "Fuck. This is so sudden." Beltrand clench his fist.

  Mateo admits defeat and gives a warm yet pained smile. He wants to ensure everyone that everything would be ok. He almost speak the first word until.

  "Unbelievable. I guess it's time for me to reveal myself."

  "Huh? Who is that?" Beltrand's surprised question.

  Everyone panics as they try to find where the girly voice came from. Mateo especially become more alerted as he recognize the voice.

  And their answer reveals itself when a white orb exits on Mateo's body and hover inside the room with haste.

  "W-What?!" Sophia's surprised.

  The orb stops above Grand Ecstasy who left silent.

  "Hai hai! Nicety nice to meet ya'll!"

  "Y-you..." Mateo's only word.

  "Yup it's me!"

  The white orb spins around which Grand Ecstasy followed their gaze.

  "What are you? Are you perhaps the reason why Mateo loses his powers?" Claustrine inquiry.

  "Oh dearly dear. I don't call it losing his power. More like just spicing things up a little bit!" The orb's excited explanation.

  The orb lowers herself to the level of Grand Ecstasy.

  "Before that, let me introduce myself first! My name is Revto and as what I am? Let' just say that I'm the manager of Reverse Tower." Revto's ethusiastic introduction.

  "M-manager? Wait don't tell me..."

  "Yuppers Mateo! That's me you met inside that room."

  "Ehhhhhhh..." Everyone's mind got hit with confusion as they failed to make sense of what Revto just said.