First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System
Chapter 245: Haunted House

Chapter 245: Haunted House

The trio stepped into the dimly lit corridor, the heavy wooden door creaking ominously shut behind them.

The soft echoes of their footsteps filled the narrow hallway as Orion walked calmly forward, holding the hands of Rina and Fiora, whose grip was tightening in nervous anticipation.

Rina glanced around curiously, her excitement bubbling through her nervousness. "It doesn’t seem so scary yet," she commented lightly, attempting to keep the mood playful.

Orion chuckled softly. "Don’t speak too soon. If what the poster boy said was correct, then the mages here specialize in illusions—either through their own affinity or with runic formations. The real fright might begin at any moment."

Fiora, who was walking closer to Orion’s side than ever, trembled slightly. Her voice was soft, tinged with worry. "Y-Young Master, d-do you really think there will be ghosts?"

Orion smiled warmly at her concern, his reassuring presence calming her fluttering heart. "Even if there are, they’re nothing but illusions. Stay close, and you’ll be fine."

They reached the first gate, an imposing structure covered in intricate symbols glowing faintly with magic.

As they stepped through, reality blurred subtly around them, the temperature dropping noticeably, their surroundings transforming instantaneously.

Now they found themselves in a vast, eerie graveyard bathed in silvery moonlight. Tombstones stood crookedly scattered around, weathered statues of unknown figures looming ominously from every angle.

A distant howl echoed, causing Fiora to shiver involuntarily, gripping Orion’s arm even tighter.

"Quite atmospheric, isn’t it?" Rina mused, though her voice trembled slightly, betraying her brave façade.

Before Orion could reply, shadows began flickering at the edge of their vision, vanishing whenever they tried to look directly. Soft whispers rose from the graves, murmuring incoherent words just loud enough to unsettle their nerves.

Suddenly, a pale hand shot out from the ground, clawing at empty air inches from Fiora’s feet.

"Eek!" Fiora yelped, jumping almost entirely into Orion’s arms, clutching him desperately. Orion, unfazed but amused, wrapped his arm around her.

Rina laughed nervously, quickly stepping closer herself. "Maybe we should hurry along?"

Nodding in agreement, Orion gently guided them forward through the winding graveyard path, dodging grasping hands and ghostly apparitions.

Eventually, they reached the second gate, another mystical doorway shimmering softly.

Passing through, the landscape shifted dramatically once again. They now stood at the edge of a dense, misty forest.

Eerie, indistinct noises drifted through the foggy air—rustling leaves, faint footsteps, distant whispers.

"Young Master..." Fiora whispered nervously, her voice barely audible, clutching Orion’s arm tightly. "It’s so dark..."

Orion gently squeezed her hand. "It’s alright, Fiora. Just stay close."

They walked cautiously through twisted trees, their branches clawing at the dim, clouded sky.

Occasionally, shadowy figures darted just beyond sight, provoking startled gasps from both Rina and Fiora, though Orion’s calm presence steadied them.

"You’d think they’d at least clear some mist," Rina joked, attempting to ease her nerves. Orion chuckled softly at her attempt.

After several tense moments, another glowing gate appeared through the fog.

Quickly passing through, they stepped onto a precarious stone bridge arching above a boiling lava-filled cavern.

The heat was intense, radiating upwards in waves. Fiora pressed herself tightly against Orion, her heart racing nervously.

Even Rina, who was being playful, fell silent all of a sudden looking at the sea of fire, staying remarkably close to Orion as they carefully crossed the narrow, crumbling bridge.

"Don’t look down," Orion advised calmly, keeping them steady as he looked to the side to see Rina being silent. He then remembered what had happened in her childhood and attributed her behavior to that.

He tightened his grip on her hand and continued crossing the bridge.

Reaching the other side, they found a massive volcanic cavern, with glowing rivers of molten rock snaking around dark, jagged stones.

A stone plaque near a sealed gate read, "Find three hidden switches to proceed."

Orion nodded, turning toward the two of them. "Let’s split up carefully but stay within sight."

Reluctantly agreeing, the trio began searching the cavern. Orion spotted the first switch quickly, cleverly concealed behind a boulder. Rina soon found another hidden behind a small outcropping.

"Young Master, I-I found mine!" Fiora called timidly, carefully pressing the third hidden button embedded near a lava flow.

With a rumble, the gate opened, and they quickly regrouped, stepping through into another unsettling environment.

They continued traveling, passing through chilling catacombs, cursed villages, and shadowy temples, always discovering hidden mechanisms to open the path forward.

Lumi’s playful commentary broke the tension occasionally, whispering excitedly in Orion’s mind, [Wow, Master! They really spared no effort. Fiora is adorable when scared, and even Rina is trembling slightly now!]

Orion gently shook his head, amused by Lumi’s observations, while ensuring Fiora remained comforted and calm, her shy nature causing her to cling closer with every fright.

Rina also became quieter, her playful confidence gradually giving way to genuine nervousness as the scares intensified.

Eventually, they reached a wide cavern with three separate, ominous cave entrances. Another plaque read, "To proceed, three levers must be pulled simultaneously. Courage alone will reveal the exit."

Rina nervously swallowed, laughing quietly. "I suppose this is our final test?"

Fiora clutched Orion’s sleeve tightly, clearly anxious. "Young Master... must we really separate?"

Orion smiled reassuringly. "It’ll be brief, Fiora. Remember, these are all just illusions."

Reluctantly nodding, Fiora entered her cave slowly, glancing back at Orion anxiously. Rina followed suit into her own tunnel, taking a calming breath.

Inside his cave, Orion easily found his lever, pulling it without hesitation. A hidden door immediately opened ahead. He stepped through, emerging into a quiet, ordinary chamber. Moments later, another door opened, revealing a relieved-looking Rina.

"You made it through easily, Young Master," she sighed in relief, smiling warmly.

Orion nodded calmly, scanning the room. "Where’s Fiora?"

Rina looked around, suddenly concerned. "She isn’t here?"

Orion’s brows furrowed slightly, worry flickering briefly through his calm demeanor. "Let’s check the tunnels again. Perhaps she’s just finding it."

They quickly backtracked, peering carefully into Fiora’s cave entrance. The lever inside was already pulled, and the exit door stood open. But Fiora herself was nowhere to be found.

"Fiora?" Orion called softly, stepping cautiously into the dim cavern. No response came.

Rina’s expression grew more anxious, following Orion closely. "Young Master, where could she have gone? Do you think something frightened her too much?"

Orion shook his head gently, his expression turning serious. "She was scared, but I doubt she’d wander far alone."

Quickly returning to the ordinary room they’d initially found, Orion carefully examined every corner, calling softly, "Fiora? Are you here?"

Silence was their only answer.

Rina placed a comforting hand on Orion’s arm, sensing his growing concern. "Perhaps the mages have something special planned? Maybe this is another test of courage?"

Orion sighed softly, unconvinced. "Possibly, but I doubt they’d separate someone without warning."

[Master, I don’t sense any real danger, but Fiora’s mana signature is genuinely not nearby.] Lumi’s voice was unusually serious.

’Then they have a more complex setup than expected,’ Orion replied inwardly, his concern deepening.

"Let’s retrace our steps," Orion decided quickly. "If she became separated, she might have returned toward the entrance."

They quickly retraced their path, carefully checking every corridor, cavern, and gate. Yet despite their thorough search, Fiora remained nowhere in sight.

Orion’s heart tightened, feeling a genuine pang of worry. "We should inform Edgar and Lucan immediately."

Rina nodded quietly, her playful demeanor replaced by earnest concern. "I hope Fiora is alright."

Orion took a deep breath to calm his heart and softly said, "She’ll be fine. We’ll find her no matter what."