Fito stood alone before the long table, his eyes dazed.

He was still savoring the sweet warmth of the witch's kiss on his lips.

I can still smell it… the scent of mandala…

Inside the Oval Chamber, candlelight flickered.

Tongues of flame licked the vaulted ceiling, casting diamond-shaped patterns that danced across the silver shield.

Just as Fito lost himself in the moment, an inexplicable chill crept up his spine.

Enemy intrusion!

The guard spun around, his silver shield blocking the fatal strike with pinpoint precision.

A sharp, ear-splitting clang of metal shattered the chamber's silence.

He felt a massive force slam into him, sending him flying backward. His back crashed hard against the heavy table.

The table splintered into pieces, wood shards flying everywhere.

It hurts!

The guard's back felt like it was on fire, but he had no time to dwell on the pain—for the intruder's bizarre appearance shocked him far more.

Jet-black armor, sapphire-blue eyes, a frosty white longsword…

It's not a werewolf!

"Who are you?" Fito shouted.

The black-armored warrior said nothing, swinging his blade again.

Fito raised his shield to meet it. Sparks flew as blade and shield clashed. Having gauged his opponent's strength, Fito chose not to clash head-on this time. Instead, he used the momentum to leap backward, rolling to the edge of the wall.

From their brief exchange, he had roughly assessed the enemy's power.

This devilish creature is no weaker than Wolf the "Adamantium Wolf"!

When did the wolf army gain such a formidable fighter?

Fito cursed his own carelessness.

Damn me for letting my guard down in such danger!

Fito had assumed that even if the werewolves broke through the dungeon's iron gate, it would take them time to reach the lowest-level Oval Chamber. So after watching his brothers file into the secret tunnel, he'd lingered, planning to detonate the flint runes once they were far enough away for safety.

But he'd severely underestimated the enemy's speed.

I'm doomed! I let myself get lost in romance, and now I'm about to make a catastrophic mistake!

The secret tunnel wasn't the dungeon's real secret—that lay hidden within its stone pillars and walls.

The moment the werewolves breached the Frostwall, Orek had heard the explosion and acted without panic, assigning Fito a secret mission. That was why the guard had stayed behind: to see this task through.

"The werewolves will break into the dungeon soon. We must retreat to the Snowwood Forest via the tunnel. You'll stay until the end, and then do one thing."

"Even the scholar doesn't know this: hidden in the dungeon's pillars and walls are countless flint runes. Their purpose is to destroy the entire dungeon in a crisis."

"For hundreds of years, the dungeon has never faced a true emergency. But tonight, I want you to activate this secret mechanism and detonate the dungeon. It's the only way to ensure we retreat safely to Awakening City, build a second line of defense against the werewolves, and bury any wolves that enter the dungeon with it."

"The trigger for the flint runes is the third candelabrum directly opposite the Oval Chamber entrance. Remember: after twisting the mechanism, there's a short delay. Use that time to get into the tunnel immediately—don't make a mistake."

"You are the guardian of the night. I trust you'll complete this mission and protect our retreat."

Fito's mind raced with the Commander's words, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The boss entrusted me with this vital task, and I had plenty of time to finish it. But I let my emotions cloud my judgment, and now a powerful enemy is right here.

If I don't activate the mechanism soon, once the wolf horde arrives and chases into the tunnel, it'll be over for us all!

I'll be the Frostwall Legion's greatest sinner!

With that thought, Fito leaped to his feet, darting through the gaps between walls and pillars, racing toward the candelabrum trigger.

Can I still protect them?

Naturally, it wouldn't be easy.

The black-armored warrior struck like a bolt of dark lightning. Fito dodged the blade, trying to dart around from another angle, but the warrior kicked out at an impossible angle, slamming his foot into Fito's knee.

Dammit!

Fito crashed into the stone wall. His vision spun, the gray vaulted ceiling whirling above him, and his silver shield nearly slipped from his grasp.

Dizzy…

Before he could recover, the warrior swung his blade again.

Feeling the cold edge of the sword, the battle-hardened guard ducked instinctively.

Thud!

The blade wedged into the stone wall, sending chips flying. One shard sliced across Fito's cheek.

He seized the split second while the warrior pulled his blade free, rolling out from under the attack.

I can't delay any longer!

Fito knew he could keep dodging and fight the warrior for a long time, but if he didn't activate the mechanism soon, the wolf horde would arrive and make things even worse.

Forget it! I'll take the hit, but I must finish this mission!

Fito gritted his teeth and charged forward blindly, his eyes fixed only on the fateful candelabrum trigger.

Wind whistled behind him—he knew the blade was coming, but he didn't dodge.

Everything depends on this!

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing came from behind him, but it wasn't his own counterattack. His fingers stretched out, and finally touched the candle groove.

Yes!

Fito twisted the candelabrum hard.

Click-click-click-click—

A faint mechanical whir came from the candelabrum. A surge of joy filled his heart.

Mission accomplished!

"Aah!"

A scream cut through the air. Fito spun around, and saw a man impaled on the black-armored warrior's blade, blood gushing like a fountain.

When did someone else get here?

Fito was stunned. He had no idea what had happened in the split second he'd activated the mechanism!

The warrior's blue eyes glinted. He flicked his blade, sending the man flying like a piece of rags. The body landed right at Fito's feet.

Ding Rui!

Fito finally recognized him. "You were supposed to retreat into the tunnel! Why are you still here?"

Ding Rui's mouth overflowed with a streak of red. His lips trembled: "I'm not… a traitor…"

Fito understood instantly. Ding Rui had turned back to help him.

During their days as adjacent prisoners in the dungeon, they'd talked at length. Fito had been certain then that Ding Rui had not "turned."

He hugged the civilian's body, his eyes stinging: "I know! I know!"

Ding Rui's lips curved into a faint smile: "Finally… I can sleep… peacefully…"

Rest well…

Fito sadly closed his eyes. He had always respected civilians, believing Divine Folk and civilians were interdependent, lips and teeth protecting each other. Protecting civilians was a guard's duty and honor.

Failing to protect you… is my greatest regret…

Tears welled in the guard's eyes.

Rumble-rumble-rumble—

A sound of shifting stone came from the walls. Fito's heart tightened: the mechanism is activated!

He tried to pick up Ding Rui and escape, but the black-armored warrior struck again like an evil spirit, his blade aimed straight for the guard's vitals.

Fito was forced to let go of the civilian, flipping backward. His silver shield narrowly brushed the incoming blade.

Boom!

A deafening explosion shook the chamber. A nearby stone pillar split down the middle, flames bursting forth, stones flying everywhere. A shard hit Fito's right leg.

"Aah!"

Agony ripped through him, making his body convulse. His mid-air flip went horribly wrong, and he crashed hard to the ground.

His ordeal wasn't over yet. The broken pillar was falling straight toward him.

Crap! Crap! Crap!

Fito tried to dodge, but the pain in his leg made him immobile. He could only watch as the pillar, like a giant beast, crashed down on him.

All I can do is raise my shield and fight to the end!

Boom!

The pillar slammed into Fito's right arm. The massive force made his chest heave, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Looks like tonight won't be a quiet one…

Trapped under the pillar, Fito watched the black-armored warrior approach slowly, blade in hand. He could only shake his head with a bitter smile. The pain in his arm told him his right bone was definitely broken. Add that to his leg injury and the pillar weighing him down like a shackle… he knew he was doomed.

Boom!

Another explosion rocked the chamber, and another pillar collapsed, sending stones flying.

Boom! Boom!

More explosions followed, filling the Oval Chamber with chaos. Fito smelled the acrid stench of gunpowder.

At least I'll take this enemy down with me. I won't die with regrets.

He found himself hoping the dungeon would collapse faster, burying all the intruders.

But the black-armored warrior had no intention of dying with him. He sheathed his blade quickly, turned, and sprinted out of the Oval Chamber.

Dammit, coward! Don't run if you've got the guts!

Fito cursed under his breath.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Three more pillars fell.

As death loomed, Fito's heart grew calm.

Many years ago, when he'd chosen to become a guard in Silver Hour Village, the Silence Elder had told him: A guard's duty is to burn himself to light the way for others. Young Fito had understood then that one day he might die for someone else, but he'd still chosen to become a guard without hesitation.

That day has finally come, but I have no regrets.

I completed my mission, protected the boss and the others, and got them to safety. I have nothing to regret.

And… I got her kiss…

Shana's pretty face appeared in his mind, filling his heart with sweetness.

I promised her I'd meet her in the Snowwood Forest.

I broke my promise. Sis Shana will be so angry.

But she'll forgive me eventually, understand me. And I know… she'll remember me forever.

Thinking this, Fito seemed to forget the pain. His eyes grew dazed again.

Just then, he saw a figure flash through the chamber.

Is someone else here?

Am I hallucinating?

A cloud of dust billowed up, blurring his vision.

Note: Flint Runes: A type of magical stone that ignites on impact, causing explosions.