Artificial dungeon [1]

In a huge circular room, the white of the walls made a striking contrast with the radiant blue that emanated from the central portal. Around the technological apparatus, scientists and complex devices monitored and verified the entrance of the portal constantly. They were the guardians and the responsible for maintaining the balance and the control of the passage to the dungeon.

At the entrance of the room, our class from Room A-1 finally arrived. "We're here…", announced Lizy, with a voice that mixed excitement and caution, addressing us.

The students, eager and containing the excitement, were about to enter the dungeon. It was a moment of expectation and nervousness, as everyone knew that a dungeon represented danger, regardless of the category.

Completing a dungeon alone was an exceptional feat. For that, the individual needed to be, at least, two levels above the dungeon's classification. In the case of an F classification, it was necessary to be, at least, of level D.

As they entered the room with the portal, the students and the main group showed enthusiasm. Ellie seemed especially excited, running towards the portal. Diana, calmer, walked beside Sam. "How about we form a trio? You, me and Ellie?", suggested Diana to Sam. The boy, with red eyes, hesitated for a moment before answering: "And Blake? Is he thinking of going alone?"

"I doubt he wants to join us after what Ellie said", she replied.

Sam lowered his gaze, feeling a bit of guilt. He didn't want things to be like this. Despite Blake's rude attitude since the beginning at the academy, Sam still nurtured the desire to be his friend, after all, Blake was strong.

"Hmm, we can invite Chloe. With her, maybe…", suggested Diana.

"But where is she? I didn't see her today", asked Sam, confused.

---

Today is the big day, huh? The day I will meet a demon in person. Should I bring a bible and holy water? I would be calm to meet a demon, but since I missed the Latin classes, maybe my exorcism won't work. Ok, jokes aside, they are using human skins as costumes, swapping the brains of the poor fools who know nothing. We have impostors everywhere. And guess what? There is one in my class. How lucky I am.

I didn't want to get into trouble, I swear. But this demon has to die. He will annoy me in the future, I'm sure. Thanks to her, the demons will find out the real strength of Sam, a strength that he hasn't shown yet. That will make the demons want to kill him at all costs. Consequently, affecting me, because instead of just killing Sam, they will want to make a massacre with all the other students in his class. Can't this protagonist that I created handle his own problems without affecting others? Doesn't he realize that he is putting everyone's lives at risk around him? Is he that selfish?

I looked with curiosity at a girl who pretended to be innocent, with her tomato hair and honey eyes. She was having fun and chatting with her classmates, pretending to be a normal student. But behind all that sympathy, there was a demon.

The perfect opportunity for me to do this would be inside the dungeon. There are no security cameras there. There are only some supervisors who will be watching the test. But I know they will be busy with the boss, so I will take advantage of the distraction to finish her off.

The boss, who was supposed to be a tame beast of level F, will become stronger because of her demonic mana. The supervisors will have to deal with him. But it's all a waste of time, Sam will take care of it. He is the hero of the academy, right? This event will draw the attention of the demons, who will investigate more about the case. But that is a problem for later. Now I just want to get rid of her.

I was literally isolated from everyone. If there was a line to enter the dungeon, I would be the last one, believe me.

Taking me out of my thoughts, it was the voice of Professor Lizy, who said: "The test will start now. Those who will enter in groups inside the dungeon, organize yourselves in front of the portal".

After her words, the students quickly formed a line in front of the portal that would lead to the dungeon. And guess who was the last one? Me here. I had no group, no partner, no friend. I was going in alone, as always.

With everyone in line, I just took a few steps and secured the last spot. The cool thing about being the last is that no one wants your place, unless the first ones have to jump off a cliff, or something like that. Then, yes, everyone wants to be the last. But I doubt that will happen here. After all, we are talking about a level F dungeon, the easiest of all. What could go wrong?

Seeing everyone organized, Lizy decided not to ask if her students were ready. Their expressions showed that they were prepared and eager to dive into that dungeon. Lizy polished them during the week, so that they wouldn't fail this test. Even if some students lost, as long as the dungeon was completed without interference from a supervisor, it was enough.

"Before you enter, remember that you are not enemies. The grade will be scored on requirements such as: monsters killed and how useful you were for the completion of the dungeon". She looked at each of the students and her eyes stopped at Sam, the boy with black hair and red eyes. Lizy had high expectations for him.

"Now, enter!" She shouted, in a motivating and determined tone.

The students moved quickly, one by one. I, being the last, watched them approach the portal and be sucked in, as if they were spaghetti.

Ok, is there still time to give up? Maybe I should say that I need to go to the bathroom?

As the students were disappearing, I advanced slowly, with a bit of fear, I admit. But also with a lot of curiosity to see what a dungeon was like. I had read about this concept in several books, but it never crossed my mind the interest of seeing one in person. But since we are here, right? It doesn't hurt to go see what's on the other side.

When all the students entered, only I was left. And without hesitating, I headed to the portal and, when I was about thirty centimeters from it, my body was sucked in instantly. I crossed the portal, feeling an indescribable and disturbing sensation in my body. It was as if I was being sucked by a black hole, or as if I was traveling in time. But, come to think of it, I never felt the sensation of being sucked by a black hole or traveling in time…

In an instant, that sensation passed and, with a thud, I fell on the stone floor of the dungeon.