Reverse Dungeon

Keith’s face went blank, every trace of emotion wiped away in an instant. Even the elf, in a rare flash of awareness, seemed to notice the shift in atmosphere.

“Of course, I’ll let go,” he muttered, reluctantly releasing Ian’s hand after lingering for a moment. Then he spread his palm open toward Keith with a smug expression, as if to say, See? I let go.

Keith’s eyebrow twitched.

“......”

A heavy silence settled over them.

For some reason, Ian’s heartbeat quickened. It felt like standing directly in front of a boss monster while deliberately pulling aggro.

“Lord Ian.”

“Yes?” Ian answered cautiously.

Keith appeared to have decided to ignore the elf’s behavior entirely. Turning back to Ian, he lowered his head.

“I’m relieved to see you safe. I should have said that first.”

Keith dropped to one knee before him, took Ian’s hand, and repeatedly pressed kisses against it. Normally, Ian would have yanked his hand away immediately and called the whole thing unbearably cringeworthy. But the sheer relief radiating from Keith made it difficult. Pulling away now felt oddly heartless.

“I was planning to come find you as soon as I escaped the traps,” Ian said awkwardly. “But there was no need. You got here way too fast.” 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“Yes. Because you left me behind, I resolved to climb the tower and fulfill my wish as quickly as possible.”

“...Well, good for you. Having goals and achieving them is always a positive thing.”

“Yes. It is all thanks to you, Lord Ian.”

‘Wait. Is he blaming me right now? But what exactly was I supposed to do back there? It’s not like I abandoned him on purpose. I tried my best with these pathetic physical stats.’

Ian felt unfairly accused, but wisely kept his mouth shut. Arguing now would only make things worse.

“What happened while you were trapped?” Keith asked, carefully examining Ian despite the absence of any visible injuries.

“Oh, it was incredible,” the elf cut in immediately. “The moment he saw the traps, he figured out the mechanism and handled everything perfectly. As expected of my very first regular!”

The elf pumped his fists proudly.

Keith did not so much as glance at him.

“Lord Ian.”

“Um... am I forbidden from speaking now?” the elf asked innocently.

“I merely wish to hear Lord Ian’s answer,” Keith replied flatly. “Please learn to distinguish appropriate moments for interruption.”

“Ah, understood.” The elf’s eyes sparkled mischievously as his gaze darted between the two of them.

Ian frowned.

Why is he looking at us like that?

“Lord Ian?”

“Oh, the traps? Nothing serious. I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I? Though I’ll admit the elf was surprisingly useful.”

“I see.” Keith’s voice remained calm. “More useful than me?”

“...What?”

Ian stared at him, genuinely questioning whether he had heard correctly.

Meanwhile, Keith wore an expression of complete sincerity, as though he had not just asked something absurdly childish. Worse, he looked fully prepared to wait for a proper answer. Still kneeling, still holding Ian’s hand, he met Ian’s gaze unwaveringly.

“...Obviously you’re more useful.”

‘That sounds terrible when phrased like that.’

Ian immediately regretted it. Comparing people based on usefulness made him sound like he was ranking equipment.

But Keith’s expression softened slightly, reassured.

“Good. I was concerned you left me behind because you considered me a burden.”

“Why would I think that?”

“Please don’t. I swear I will never become a burden to you.”

“Yeah, yeah. You won’t.”

“If I ever do, you may dispose of me immediately.”

“That’s what you meant?!” Ian snapped. “Don’t say insane things like that! You’re not a burden, okay? I won’t leave you behind again. Got it? And if you ever point a sword at yourself over something stupid, I’ll personally beat the hell out of you.”

‘Maybe I should just confiscate his sword if he’s ever seriously injured.’

Then again, if Keith ever ended up critically wounded, Ian himself would probably already be half-dead. Realistically, the situation was unlikely to happen.

In the end, all Ian could do was threaten him verbally, which only made him feel more powerless. Keith simply watched him in silence while he ranted.

“...You worry about me so much....”

“......?”

“What did you just say?” Ian asked, having missed the quiet murmur.

Keith slowly shook his head.

“Why did you go with the elf?”

‘Ah. So that’s what this is really about.’

The zealot was clearly still disturbed by the fact that the divine agent he was meant to protect had chosen someone else over him.

“I already told you, next time I’ll just let the elf die in the trap instead. Happy now?”

“That is not an answer, Lord Ian.”

“What’s your problem now?” Ian sighed.

“I want the truth. And only you can give it to me. Why did you choose the elf at that moment?”

Was that even a choice?

Ian’s life had never really offered him choices. And whenever it had, he usually ruined them himself.

‘I shouldn’t have punched that bastard. I shouldn’t have caused a scene. I should’ve endured it better so I wouldn’t get kicked out....’

Ian had always been the type to realize the importance of something only after it was gone.

But if this counted as a choice, then the answer was obvious.

‘Keith or Dorian?’

As much as Ian loved unlocking new content, this was not even remotely a competition.

“If I absolutely had to choose, I’d choose you.”

“But you took the elf’s hand.” Keith gently unfolded Ian’s palm and traced his fingertips across it.

The touch tickled. Ian instinctively curled his fingers.

What the hell is he doing?

“That was because ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) he was weak. What was I supposed to do? Leave someone to fall into a trap and die?”

“If I had fallen into the trap, would you have followed me?”

“...Obviously. How else would I beat the boss monster without you?” Ian answered automatically, then immediately regretted the second half of the sentence.

He really should have stopped talking sooner.

‘You’re the one I worry about most. There’s no comparison.’ If he had said something like that instead, Keith’s loyalty would probably have maxed out instantly.

And yet Keith smiled brilliantly.

“You trust me.”

For a moment, Ian was genuinely dazzled. Keith’s smile was so radiant it felt as though the room itself had brightened.

“So you did not leave me behind because I was useless. You left because the elf was vulnerable, and you trusted that I would come for you.”

“...Right?”

Had Ian really thought that deeply about it? Probably not. Still, he nodded anyway.

“I knew you would return to my side.”

“Obviously. My guardian belongs beside me. Where else would you even go?” Ian replied smoothly. Raising Keith’s loyalty was always beneficial.

“As expected of you, Keith. You never betray my trust. You climbed the tower without me even needing to ask, just to destroy the Life Vessel.”

“......” Keith faltered slightly under the praise.

“Yes. We came here to destroy the Life Vessel.”

“You never forget your duty. So dependable.”

“Lord Ian,” Keith said gently, “are you giving me empty praise?”

The question caught Ian off guard.

“What’s wrong with praising you?”

“Not every pleasant word brings comfort....”

“Why wouldn’t it? Why would you doubt praise from God’s agent?”

“...I’m not doubting you.”

“Then say things properly!”

“Am I allowed to interrupt now?” the elf asked brightly from the side. “The two of you seem to have entered your own little world, and I’m starting to feel excluded.”

“You may,” Keith replied smoothly, evading the awkwardness with the polished ease of an experienced knight.

At last, they reached the tower’s highest floor.

Before them stood an enormous stone door, plain and undecorated, carved from the same gray rock as the tower itself. The only notable feature was the pair of long handles set into its center, as though it had been made for a giant to open.

The three of them rested before the entrance. After a brief nap to clear their minds, they began preparing for battle, carefully applying every necessary buff.

Watching Keith invoke blessings as a Holy Knight was strangely mesmerizing. Every prayer and movement was disciplined, precise, and almost beautifully elegant.

Most of his blessings were specialized for melee combat and therefore of limited use to Ian, though Ian did accept one that amplified holy power.

Afterward, Ian distributed a “Well of Life” potion to each party member. Once every bottle had been drained, they rose to their feet.

The elf stretched lazily. “Honestly, it’s been so long since I fought that I barely remember how. I’m not sure I’ll be much help.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t expecting much from you anyway. Just stay hidden and use your spirits when I give the signal,” Ian replied.

“Wow. How reassuring. Absolutely no pressure at all,” the elf said cheerfully.

“I’ll open the door,” Keith announced.

Grasping the massive handles, he braced himself and pushed his weight forward.

With a deep, thunderous groan, the stone doors slowly began to open.

Guuuuung....