Silence hung like mist in the air. Caelum was in shock that the fact that two of his former best friends, who he evaded like the plague, were now right in front of him.

Still stuck in his stupor, Leon shook him and whispered, “Hey do you know who these guys are?” Regaining his senses Caelum said “yea, sorry I was just surprised to see them here.”

Seeing Leon and Caelum exchanging quick words William spoke up “Hey… no hostility ok we’re just here to get some food for our camp.

At those words, Leon stopped focusing on Caelum and turned to William “Wait we came to collect food too. We’re also staying at a camp filled with students and we desperately need this.”

William moved to respond but Camellia quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him back whispering into his ear. After a few seconds, she turned to Leon and said, “We both need supplies, so how about we split everything that we find in here?”

Leon turned to Caelum with a questioning look on his face. Caelum looked at him for a little before turning his head.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Caelum saw Leon turn back and agree to Camellia’s terms. With that, they went in opposite directions of the cafeteria collecting various items.

Caelum quickly walked into the head lunch lady’s office and started shoving various items into his bag. After a few minutes of trashing the office looking for anything remotely useful, Leon appeared by the doorway.

“Hey, um those other guys tried entering the door into the kitchen but it's locked, so they want some help he said slowly.

Caelum turned and blurted out “Well I don’t want to fucking help them ok!” With that, he turned around slowly going red in the face.

Not hearing a word from Leon, he continued to speak “Fuck! They’re probably planning to go off with all the supplies anyways. We can’t trust them… ok… we just can’t.

Seconds passed and Caelum turned around ready to berate Leon for not saying anything. But as soon as he saw Leon looking at him he felt terrible.

He had done it again. Taking out his emotions on someone who had risked his life for him. As his eyes fell, he saw Atlas by Leon’s feet his eyes piercing into him just like last time.

It felt as if the entire world was judging him… for being a terrible person. And deep down he knew it was true.

“Hey, it's ok, I can tell you have some history with them and I’m not going to pry about it. Whatever happened I’m not going to tell you to get over it but right now we need to focus on survival, ok?”

“So are you gonna help me out with the doors or not,” Leon said with a small melancholy grin on his face.

Looking back up Caelum said “yea, yea I will.”

A quick walk over to the middle of the cafeteria he saw Will, Camellia, and Ashley staring at the door. Noticing them coming over Camellia said “Oh good we need everyone’s help. The door is locked and I’m sure that all the canned foods and other items are behind it.”

She looked from Leon to Caelum and said, “I propose that we all collectively attack the doors and force it open.”

Sighing Caelum said a little irritated “So basically you want us to all rush the damn door force it open.”

“Y-yes… that exactly she said.

After planning for a little they thought it would be for the best if only Ashley, Caelum, and Leon attack the double doors due to having classes related to physicality.

With that decided the three of them lined up a few feet away from the door. Here goes nothing Caelum thought as on the count of three they all slammed into the door with their shoulders.

They tried this several times until Caelum felt like his shoulder was about to break off. “I don’t think this is working Ashley stated after their 5th time hitting the door.

“Maybe we can try to go around the school” suggested Camellia. “Oh, yea and get killed by some random monster, an awesome idea Camellia Caelum scoffed.

“Well do you have a better idea! You’re just sitting there complaining not doing anything! Just like you always do.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean! Caelum stood up as he faced Camellia. She turned away and said “Exactly like last ti-

A resounding roar echoed from outside the cafeteria. Caelum hadn’t even realized but his head was pounding.

The usual static he felt through his skill Rogue’s Senses was now a dull pounding at the back of his head. He turned to the cafeteria doors they had come through just to see a black skeleton fist punch a hole through the door, followed by another roar.

“SHIT! We need to get out of here now!” Leon began to attack the door with more strength than he had before.

Caelum felt time slowing down, there was no way they would get the door open before the draugr got through the door. They were just going to die there, and there was nothing he could do about it.

A resounding meow cut through his thoughts. He looked down and saw Atlas looking at him once again, calm even with death waiting right outside.

NO.

He couldn’t, WOULDN’T die here.

Leon told him to focus on survival and that’s what he would do.

He had defeated a ghoul within seconds of the system integrating.

Energy, no mana began coursing through his body. Just like when he had helped to save Leon but this time, he knew what he was doing.

Forcing the flow of mana into his hand he turned and slammed his now glowing white hand into the door.

For a second nothing happened, then cracks appeared in the wall surrounding the doors.

With a resounding boom, the double doors launched right of their hinges, then everything went black.

[Above and Beyond!]- First dungeon discovered, uncover its mysteries, and defeat the boss for great rewards!

[Dungeon- The Castles’ Dilemma]