Student To King: The Transportation To A New World

Chapter 47: Their Time In The Dungeon

A gentle caress drew Ace into a false reality as he slept. A faint, loving fragrance enveloped him, emanating from someone he'd missed his entire life. A calming lullaby filled his ears as he rested peacefully, gazing upon a loving smile. His body relaxed, immersed in this delightful delusion.

"Mother..." he murmured.

Strands of silky black hair fell softly on his face. Her familiar scent and the loving voice he hadn't heard since childhood surrounded him.

"Hehe, did you rest well, Ace?"

Something stirred in his mind. 'Huh? Mother's voice was never like this...'

The moment he registered the discrepancy, the illusion shattered. Ace's eyes snapped open, reality rushing back.

He found himself staring up at Yuni's face. Her silver hair and scent had somehow warped into his dream, creating a false imitation of his mother.

"I don't recall ever resting on your lap," Ace said, his voice tight with anger.

Yuni's smile remained calm. "Hmm...? But you seemed to enjoy it so much. You slept so peacefully, I felt honored that you let your guard down in front of me."

"...Whatever."

"'Mother,' hehe, I'm honoured that you called me that." She said playfully with a big smile on her face.

"Was that one of your succubi tricks? Invading my dream and pretending to be my mother?" Ace asked, becoming guarded.

"Nope," Yuni replied. "I just moved your body into a more comfortable position. Why would I forcibly charm you? I can't do that to you even if I wanted to."

Ace scratched his head and exhaled a sigh, turning his face away from Yuni.

"Alright, let's finish this run. I assume you've replenished your mana already, Darklin?" Ace changed the topic, focusing his attention on Darklin, who was still asleep.

The Dragon slowly opened its eyes responding to Ace.

"Indeed. It seems that you two are ready by your little bickering."

"Let's continue what we started then. Did you even get any rest Yuni?"

"Of course! After I placed you on my lap just looking at you sleep made me doze off"

Ace gave Yuni a judgmental stare before putting on his helmet. The slight annoyance and clinginess she elicited reminded him of someone he couldn't quite place. Shrugging off the thought, he left the resting point.

The group descended to the next floor, greeted by an ordinary hallway. Ace, drawing from his previous dungeon experience, sensed something was off. Despite the eerie emptiness of the dungeon, devoid of other life forms, he knew its true challenge lay in its surprises. Following the current trend, another ambush seemed inevitable.

"Alright, we've seen this before. It's bound to be another golem ambush. Battle stances, everyone," Ace ordered.

Darklin charged a breath attack while Yuni summoned her sword.

Ace dashed forward, expecting to trigger an ambush, but encountered something else entirely. A row of ballistae emerged from the ceiling, firing magical bolts at the group.

Quickly activating his retractable shield, Ace intercepted the incoming bolts.

"[Defensive Art: Draconic Guard]"

A purple shield layered over Ace intercepted the projectiles.

"I do not see any Golems this time. Your prediction was off."