As I slide on my back through the tunnel, the light increases.

Will it be the end of the tunnel, or did I really die and this is the afterlife?

I throw my body back, and now I have the view of the end of the tunnel!

The lighting takes over, and then I see the end of the tunnel, I can't see what's on the other side because of the clarity.

I get to the end and notice a problem.

The problem is that the exit of the tunnel is in mid-air!

I am thrown into mid-air and begin to fall!

I expected everything, but that I was going to fall to the next level!

Even in mid-air, I can see some of the level. The vision I have is of a giant blue forest. I look down and see a bluish lawn.

I'm sure I'm at level 11!

As I fall, I cling to the walls of the dungeon behind me and finally stop falling. I descend slowly, clinging to the rocks, until I reach the ground.

Slowly descending, I can finally get a better look at where I am.

The place has black earth with grass of blue color. The trunks of the trees have a brown coloration that is very dark, almost close to black, and their leaves are blue, the trees resemble pines. The petals of the flowers glow a blooming blue. On the ceiling, there are crystals that illuminate the region. These crystals emit their own light, on a small scale they do not illuminate very well, but this level is full of luminous crystals in the ceiling, which makes the whole area visible, but they are only crystals of the white color.

Behind me is the huge wall of that level, I'm probably quite far from the exit.

Well, there's nothing to do; I'll get my map and see where I go.

...

I DIDN'T GET MY MAP!

My God, I must be paying for every sin I've ever committed...

I had no way of predicting that this was going to happen, and that map shouldn't have information about this level, I think that's just so I can keep my conscience clear.

I look at my arms, and they are completely cut off, with blood dripping from the cuts. My shirt is torn in some parts, and the same thing happens with my pants. My leg was also cut off, especially the back.

I open my small bag and grab some bandages. I place them over the cuts on my arms and legs, but quickly the bandages run out.

Looking at the wall, I see where I came from, a hole in the middle of the dungeon wall.

Somehow I'm alive, at least that.

Do I try to climb that wall?

I place my left hand in one of the places on the stone wall, which is quite irregular.

I start climbing, and it's a lot easier than it sounds.

If I follow a rhythm, maybe I'll get there.

I'm climbing pretty fast. I think I can get there.

But I step on false and fall to the ground again.

Luckily, I didn't get hurt.

There's no way, I'm going to have to look for the way out myself.

In front of me is a dense, bluish forest. If I want to find the way out, I'm going to have to get into it.

I begin to enter the forest and realize that it is not as closed as it seems. This place is really very beautiful. Too bad I have to get out of here as soon as possible; I don't want to have to face a monster alone here.

Stopping to think, this what happened was a double-edged sword; I could have died to the bats.

Okay, dying I think is overkill, but at least leaving without an arm or something.

Now that I'm paying more attention, this forest is extremely quiet, like, there's not even a little bird to liven it up here.

I really have no idea what kinds of monsters there might be here. I just know that I'd rather stay as far away from any danger as possible.

How many crystals did I even catch?

Opening my backpack, I see that I only picked up a measly crystal.

I'm seeing that I'm not going to be able to have lunch today... That's if I can get out of here at lunchtime.

Walking until the whole forest surrounds me, I have the slight impression that finding the way out will take FUCKING TIME.

Of course, it's just an impression... Right?

I have no idea where I am; I don't have a map; I have no idea if there's any adventurers at that level, and I have no food.

Basically, I'm screwed.

Suddenly, I hear a noise coming from my right.

I immediately hide behind a tree, I'm certainly invisible.

Behind the tree, I try to snoop on what that noise is.

If this is a monster, I think I'll run out as soon as possible. I'm not some kind of crazy to try to face them alone.

The noise continues and seems very similar to a person's footsteps.

It gets closer and closer until, passing through the trees, I see a silhouette of a boy slowly begin to reveal itself.

It can only be a miracle!

I have to think of a way to introduce myself to him. This could be a golden opportunity for me to get out of this place!

I need to get his attention.

Hmm...

"You can stop hiding." A voice coming from in front of me says.

I come out from behind the tree and now have the full view of the boy.

White and youthful skin, a long face with a thin chin, black eyes the color of charcoal, black hair that covers the entire forehead, smooth and untidy with most of the tips pointed to the left. A serious look along with a sulking expression. He wears a tight shirt that goes up to his elbow, the shirt is dark blue in color, reminiscent of the deep ocean. On his hip, he wears a strap that holds a small beige leather backpack, which sits on the right side of his hip. Black tight pants seem to be very light. On his feet, a simple brown sneaker... Pretty simple.

Finally, he carries a Claymore-style long sword, which is in his hand, pointed at me. I have no idea why!

Putting his hands up, I realize he's looking furious, like he's going to kill me, a bloodthirsty look, looking for prey to hunt.

Looking further into his face, I notice he's a little panting.

Is he running away from someone?

Will he use me as a hostage?

What does he want from me?

He steps forward, bringing the sword closer to my face.

"I have a question to ask you." He speaks in a stiff voice.

"You can ask whatever you want me to answer, boss!" I say trying to put him at ease.

Is he doing all this for a question?

"The question is pretty simple: How do I get out of this level?!" He says elated.

...

"Good question!" I say next.

He lowers his sword, looking a little dejected.

"Tsc."

I think I can already lower my arms.

"So... Are you lost too?" I ask.

He stares at me without saying anything; it's kind of obvious the answer, but c'mon, I'm just trying to start a conversation!

He gives a sigh, tucks the sword into its scabbard, and looks down at the ground.

"Do you have any idea how you get out of here?" He asks in a calmer tone.

"My plan is pretty simple: walk until you find the exit." I confess it's not a very smart plan, but it's better than doing nothing.

"Genius." He responds in a wry tone.

"By the way, I still don't know your name." I speak.

"And why should you know?" This guy...

He lifts his head up, staring up at the ceiling, and puts his left hand on his forehead, which slowly descends to his chin along with a long sigh he gives.

He looks into my eyes.

"Reinier." He speaks his name, with an expression of disapproval.

"I'm Kaiser."

"So, Reinier, do you have any plans to get out of here?" We're in the same situation, and looking at him, he seems to be someone very cold and calculating.

"Nope. By the way, don't speak my name so casually; it bothers me," he says in a serious tone. Now that I'm noticing, he's too serious.

"C'mon, Reinier, I didn't do it badly." Flexing my shoulders, I speak.

He begins to unsheathe the sword.

"I'm kidding, relax." I take a few steps back with a little fear, but I don't think he's crazy.

"I think we should walk around until we find something; what do you think?" I question.

"It's not like we have a lot of options; let's go."

Reinier turns forward and starts walking without even waiting for me.

As we walk through this immense forest, I begin to wonder about some things about him.

"So, how did you get lost?" I ask.

"I was in the mood to explore." He says, without even turning around, just keeps walking forward.

"Explore without a map?"

He pauses for a small moment, as if he has received a slight shock.

I think he got lost just like me.

"I... I lost my map... at level ten." He speaks.

It sounds like a lie...

"You forgot your map, right?" I speak.

He's quiet for a few seconds.

"Yes." He responds with such confidence that it even feels like he knows where he's going!

"Don't worry, even the most experienced adventurers forget maps." I say it with propriety.

"And you're an experienced adventurer? How old are you?" He speaks in a mocking tone.

"Sixteen long years, okay?" He can't be much older than me.

"Hmph. I'm seventeen, brat." He says like it's a big difference, and talking like that, it even seems like it is.

"You might be even older, but I bet it's weaker." Clearly, I'm challenging him.

He stops walking and turns to me, and stares at me. I stop in front of him.

We look each other in the eye; he's a little taller than me. I can't contain a small smile on my face in excitement.

"Do you want to test?" He asks with an air of superiority, but keeping the expression neutral.