Infinite Cube: Extra's Life in Another World-Chapter 41: Dungeon [4]

"Boom!"

Matthew's violet mana collided with the purple miasma.

(Matthew's POV)

The Von Sliver Duchy one of the four Dukedoms in the dome of Meltonia.

The prodigy of the south. The one who speaks to gods. The Drum of Chaos. The pride of the Von Silver's.

I have been addressed by many titles throughout my life, mainly because of my family status and the fact that I was the prophecy child.

Some could even argue that my family was the most influential in all of Meltonia.

But did I enjoy being born into such a prestigious lineage?

Yes and at the same time, no.

I had all the wealth, resources, and affection any child could wish for, although my talent played a major role in that.

If I desired someone to vanish from existence, I merely had to ask.

But that didn't mean life was all sunshine and rainbows. No, far from it.

As a child, I was subjected to relentless training, whether in magic, spearmanship, or noble etiquette. There was never a moment of leisure or a chance to do what normal children did.

And that wasn't even the most frustrating part. Whenever I did manage to find time for myself, I was burdened with reading history or another ancient manuscript.

Still, I didn't completely loathe it, because I honestly found ordinary children unbearably dull.

Even those who were also awakened looked rather mundane to me. They lacked ambition, direction, or even common sense, playing in the mud as if that would pay their parents' bills or make them stronger.

I would always click my tongue in disdain as I watched them through my window.

That was until a certain young servant gave me a book. A story of heroes and villains, a tale of legendary figures who saved the world alongside their companions.

Those days were fun, days spent hiding the novel within the pages of a large book, feigning interest in ancient texts while secretly indulging in fiction.

But eventually, I grew bored of those too. They were all the same formulaic nonsense, an orphan or abused protagonist gains an incredible power from god knows where and rises to power without anyone's help. As if that were remotely plausible.

And despite being wronged by humanity, he always ends up kind-hearted, foolishly devoted to saving the same people who wronged him.

Yeah, as if life was that simple. Humans will betray anyone for selfish reasons, mankind is far from righteous.

But then a thought crept in: how could I judge him if I never truly knew him? There was no way to understand him... unless... unless if I became him.

That was when I began to change, gradually molding myself into the perfect hero.

Thinking that perhaps then, my life would gain clarity. Maybe I wouldn't think so negatively about everything—I might finally be like normal children.

Matthew Von Sliver, the perfect hero. Long crimson hair, golden eyes, and a fox crest on my forehead that reminded me daily why I wore this mask... Yes, I had become the ideal hero.

My former self often asks: is it fulfilling to be someone else? And my answer still remains unchanged... We won't know until we try.

"My life has always revolved around borrowing from others... so why not borrow once more?" I muttered as I summoned my UI.

Gazing at Kai, I couldn't help but recall the villain from a certain novel, the one who ultimately became the deuteragonist.

Perhaps, my journey as the greatest hero, a tale to be told for generations, had just begun.

[YOU HAVE REQUESTED THE ABILITY OF SAINT EREN... THE LORD OF THE RAZOR DOMAIN]

"Let's not ask the gods for their blessings today," I sighed, turning to the pure energy emanating from the corpse. "Now, let's clean up my sidekick's mess."

-----

The miasma that confronted Matthew had no definitive shape. From various angles, it may have appeared different, but to Matthew, who was standing directly before it... it felt like nothingness.

"Don't bore me, alright?"

He lunged forward, confronting the energy head-on.

[YOU HAVE ACTIVATED THE ABILITY: SERIAL KILLER]

Matthew's eyes ignited with raging violet as he advanced with precision toward the hovering miasma.

The violet light in his eyes soon enveloped his body as he drove his spear into what seemed to be mist.

[THE INNER GOD OF JOKES TAKES PLEASURE IN YOUR IGNORANCE]

[THE FORGOTTEN SAINT EXTENDS HIS HAND TO YOU]

"Just shut up," Matthew muttered, retracting his spear.

[YOU HAVE REFUSED THE REQUEST]

[YOU HAVE ACTIVATED THE ABILITY... JUDGEMENT]

Matthew raised his spear high before slashing through the air.

Winds surged in all directions as a shockwave sent the stairway crumbling.

Amid the swirling debris and dust, Matthew caught a glimpse of Kai's falling body.

He stepped onto a large chunk of rubble, leaping to another until he reached Kai.

Hoisting him over his shoulder, Matthew moved to a stable ledge to his left.

It wasn't that he couldn't escape to where his companions were, but doing so would mean racing against the system, and he wasn't about to take that risk.

As the miasma slowly dispersed, the system echoed in Matthew's mind, causing him to stagger a few steps back, nearly tumbling from the debris pile he stood on.

[YOUR CORE IS BRIMMING WITH ENERGY...]

Matthew clutched his chest tightly as his vision began to blur. Soon, his consciousness faded, and everything descended into darkness.

------

"Haah."

"Those two are unbelievably reckless," Elia muttered, her gaze momentarily drifting toward Kai and Matthew, who were still glowing faintly.

Blue and golden mana converged, creating a mesmerizing fusion.

"It still stings when I remember they're the same age as us," Junpei said.

'Technically, he's older than you two,' Elia thought as she shook her head. "I wouldn't say any of us are weak, they're just unusually powerful."

Lilith nodded at Elia's words, clenching her fists as she spoke with subtle confidence. "But soon, I'll catch up to them."

The rest nodded in agreement. Junpei, noticing Ikenna following along, raised a brow. "Why are you nodding too?" he asked.

"Me?" Ikenna replied, pointing at himself.

"Yes, you," Junpei answered. "I can say with confidence that you're close to their level."

"I am?"

"Yes. In that fight, you went like 'poof' then 'zoom' delivering cold one-liners while thrashing that raider," Junpei exclaimed, mimicking the movements with his hands.

"I suppose I'm strong for my age, but I don't think I'm anywhere near Kai-brouh or Matt-brouh yet," Ikenna replied.

"What does brouh even mean?" Lilith asked, tilting her head.

"Just a title for certain people," Ikenna said, turning away from Lilith, whose eyes had shifted to hazel.

"Do I get a brouh too?" Junpei asked, blinking.

Seeing his expression, Ikenna turned away without responding.

"Come on, man, it's not that hard, just say Jun-brouh."

"Hahahaha."

Elia chuckled softly. "You guys are ridiculous. What do you mean by Jun-brouh?"

Junpei's face flushed crimson. "Hmm... That's what my mom calls me."

"Seriously?" Lilith asked. "Now that I think about it, we don't really know much about each other."

The entire group stared at her before Junpei sighed. "I don't think you're the one to say that, Lilith. You are the definition of mystery."

The rest simply stared at Lilith in silence.

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"I was just trying to fit in, that's why I changed my name, my appearance, and everything else. According to the internet, people like short, cute girls with big jaggies who seem weak and helpless," she said, lowering her gaze.

"Who told you that?" Junpei and Ikenna asked in unison, making Lilith flinch.

"Umm... I thought..." Her words were suddenly interrupted by Elia.

"I think so too!" she announced, raising her hand while still seated cross-legged. "Cutie pies are the best..." She gently tapped her cheeks with both hands, smiling sweetly.

"Are you possessed?" Ikenna asked. "And by what spirit? Because I don't trust any of them."

Elia blinked in mild surprise. "Why would you think I'm possessed?"

"Why wouldn't we?" Junpei shot back.

"Have I lost my charm?" Elia whispered to herself.

The group's attention briefly returned to the glowing figures before continuing.

"Damn, they're really taking their time. We want our rewards too," Junpei complained.

"You'll have to wait until Kai and Matt wake up only then will the system begin appraisal," Lilith explained.

"But..." Junpei said. "Is it just me, or has Elia never been surprised by either Kai's or Matthew's strength not now, nor in any of the league matches we had?"

The others paused to consider, then Lilith spoke. "Now that you mention it, you're right."

Seeing the curiosity in their eyes, Elia finally responded. "I could tell immediately that Matthew was powerful. As for Kai... let's just say it's something I've always known."

"Huh? What does that mean?" Junpei asked.

"Nothing. Just take it at face value," Elia replied.

"Then answer this: if you, Kai, and Matthew fought who would win?"

Elia paused in thought before answering. "Since we're still at the beginning of the story, I'd say Matthew would probably win."

She continued. "But once Kai does his thing, I doubt Matthew could defeat him. As for myself, I could take on either of them if I went all out, not sure if I could win though."

Junpei and Lilith's eyes widened, while Ikenna remained composed. "Are you really that strong?" Lilith finally asked.

"Kai's not the only one who can use the plot," Elia muttered.

'Plot? What is she talking about? Is that something only the powerful know?' Junpei thought, glancing at Ikenna who appeared lost in thought, though Junpei doubted it was anything profound.

"I believe Kai would win, every time," Lilith murmured.

"Why do you think that?" Elia asked, genuinely intrigued.

"I just have this belief Kai always wins. Even if he lost, no one would ever know, erasing a Dukedom doesn't seem too hard," Lilith added.

"I believe Kai-brouh would win too. He's incredibly smart, though it might be tough if it comes down to brute strength," Ikenna said, nodding.

Junpei looked from Ikenna to Elia, then to Lilith. He swallowed hard. 'Why am I stuck with so many weird people?'

------

After that, it didn't take long for both Kai and Matthew to wake up. They were alert, but physically drained.

They remained inside the dungeon for about another hour before finally departing.

Unlike typical dungeons filled with minerals and magic stones, this one offered no such resources but, like all others, it still provided rewards for those who cleared it.

Rewards usually came in the form of stat points or vespers, though occasionally they included titles or even unique abilities.

Dismissing his reward, Kai slowly approached the gate.

'That was exhausting,' he thought, gently rubbing his eyes.

[Should I tell you everything that happened while you were unconscious?]

'What do you take me for?'

[Tch... No fun.]

'Is there something else you wanted to tell me? You seemed oddly excited when you woke me up.'

[Oh right, I almost forgot. I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?]

'Hmm... Bad news, I guess.'

After a dramatic pause, Alpha replied.

[The plot changed again.]