Chapter 47: Strength Assessment

Kelly turned her attention back to the three doors.

’’I chose the right one. Tommy chose the left, and you picked the middle.’’

She paused.

’’So, we have three different choices.’’

’’I’m the oldest among us.’’

Tommy’s voice suddenly interrupted.

He began walking towards the left entrance with an air of absolute confidence.

’’We’ll follow the door of my choosing.’’

Kelly closed her eyes briefly.

A tired sigh escaped her lips.

’’I was hoping Damien’s brother would pick the right one.’’

Aaron turned towards her with an unimpressed expression.

’’My name is Aaron.’’

Silence.

Kelly and Tommy exchanged a brief glance.

Then, after a moment, Kelly nodded.

’’Okay, Aaron.’’

She studied him for a few seconds before continuing.

’’To be honest, I also don’t understand how you ended up with a Fifth-Dimensional Nature.’’

Her expression became more serious.

’’If we’re going to work together, we need to be honest with each other.’’

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

’’Who are you, really?’’

Aaron stared at her.

For a moment, he genuinely wondered whether she was joking.

’’I’m Aaron Goldilock.’’

Kelly chuckled.

Tommy, on the other hand, shook his head in disapproval.

’’It took my family generations of careful planning and preparation to produce me.’’

He raised his chin slightly.

’’The first Fifth-Dimensional carrier in the history of the Warian family.’’

He then jerked his head towards Kelly.

’’And it took the accumulated rewards of several powerful Dungeon conquerors to produce her.’’

His expression gradually became more serious.

’’But the Goldilock branch?’’

He scoffed.

’’That branch is far too insignificant and unaccomplished to produce someone like you. Having Damien is already a lifetime achievement for your family.’’

His eyes narrowed.

’’But you...’’

He looked Aaron up and down.

’’Where the hell did you come from?’’

Aaron sighed and massaged his temples.

He was beginning to regret waking up.

’’Well, it took nothing to ’produce’ me.’’

He glanced at Tommy.

’’So perhaps I’m the real Fifth-Dimensional carrier.’’

Kelly slowly shook her head.

’’No one can naturally become a Fifth-Dimensional carrier.’’

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

Before he could respond, she continued.

’’However, since we’re going to be working together, we need to understand each other’s abilities. It’ll make things considerably easier.’’

Her expression softened, and she offered a faint smile.

’’I’ll start.’’

She straightened her posture.

’’I’m Kelly Jones, third daughter of General Jones.’’

Her voice carried a certain firmness.

’’Just like my father, I’m expected to protect the weak and helpless. My strength exists to serve those who cannot protect themselves.’’

She paused briefly.

’’I’m a Fifth-Dimensional Nature carrier. My ability allows me to freeze anything I touch.’’

Aaron nodded slightly.

Kelly then turned towards Tommy.

The boy remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

’’Tommy Warian.’’

He placed a hand against his chest, his expression filled with confidence.

’’The greatest combatant in the history of the Warian family.’’

He spoke as though the title required no explanation.

’’I was trained to kill. My duty is to protect the nobles and safeguard the interests of our country.’’

He raised his hand slightly.

’’I can control any metal I touch.’’

With that, both of them turned towards Aaron.

Their eyes settled on him, clearly expecting him to introduce himself.

Aaron hesitated.

He wasn’t particularly interested in revealing anything about himself, especially when he barely understood his own ability.

Nevertheless, he had little choice.

’’I’m Aaron Goldilock. The youngest child of Commander Goldilock.’’

He scratched his cheek.

’’Uhm... I want to survive this Dungeon, find someone, and return to my sister.’’

He paused, trying to find the right words.

’’And, well... my ability allows me to have strong intuition.’’

Silence.

Kelly and Tommy frowned simultaneously.

’’Intuition?’’

Aaron shrugged.

’’I don’t know. I haven’t fully figured it out yet.’’

Tommy glanced sideways at Kelly.

She let out a quiet sigh.

’’I know...’’

Her gaze briefly shifted towards Aaron.

’’You said he’d be a burden.’’

Then, her expression hardened.

’’But regardless of how useless he might be, he carries a Fifth-Dimensional Nature.’’

’What?’

Aaron’s eyebrows twitched.

He opened his mouth, intending to correct her, but neither of them seemed particularly interested in his opinion.

Kelly continued.

’’The royals wouldn’t want him to die just yet.’’

Tommy’s expression changed slightly.

He considered her words for a moment before slowly nodding.

’’That... might actually be true.’’

He turned away and began walking towards the left entrance.

’’Goldilock boy.’’

He glanced over his shoulder.

’’Make yourself useful and carry the Soul Sack. We’re taking the left door.’’

Aaron stared at him.

’Goldilock boy?’

He was beginning to understand why Kelly seemed constantly exhausted.

Kelly, perhaps sensing his irritation, approached him with a slightly concerned expression.

’’If you need help carrying it, I can assist you.’’

Aaron gave her a blank look.

The two were certainly an interesting pair.

Kelly and Tommy were practically polar opposites.

One was considerate, calm, and seemingly guided by a strong sense of responsibility.

The other was arrogant, confrontational, and appeared to have been raised with the belief that the world revolved around him.

Yet, despite their differences, they seemed to work remarkably well together.

Aaron suspected they had known each other long before the Awakening Ceremony.

And judging by their earlier conversation, they were already aware that both of them possessed Fifth-Dimensional Natures.

There was clearly more to their relationship than they were letting on.

But that wasn’t particularly important at the moment.

Aaron drew a deep breath and bent down to pick up the makeshift Soul Sack.

The moment he lifted it, he felt its considerable weight pull against his injured shoulder.

He grimaced slightly but managed to steady himself.

’’I’m good.’’

He adjusted the bag against his body.

’’Let’s go.’’

Kelly nodded and followed behind Tommy, although she occasionally glanced back at Aaron to ensure he was keeping up.

A few moments later, the three of them stood before the enormous left door.

Up close, its sheer size was even more intimidating.

The stone surface was covered in strange markings, and the edges seemed to have been carved from a single enormous slab of rock.

Tommy stepped forward.

He raised his hand and placed his palm against the door.

For a brief moment, nothing happened.

Then—

RUMBLE!

A deep vibration travelled through the chamber.

The enormous stone entrance began shifting, gradually separating into two halves.

The sound of grinding stone echoed through the surroundings as the doors slowly dragged open.

And beyond them...

A new passageway gradually revealed itself.