Ryusei waited for Haku to wake up as the system began counting down to the next floor. The reason it hadn't started earlier, back when the demon was present, was likely because the system wanted them to eliminate an irregular first.
And so, the moment Illios left, the countdown began—there were no enemies left on the fourth floor. They hadn't received any rewards either, since the demon had technically cleared the floor by defeating the Shiro lookalike.
After some time spent waiting and mentally preparing, they were instantly teleported to the fifth floor, leaving behind the blazing desert under a merciless sun.
***
They arrived.
The fifth and final floor of the dungeon revealed itself—a massive, ominous castle of dark stone beneath a world plunged into unnatural twilight. The sun was eclipsed by the moon, casting a haunting shadow across the land.
What was even stranger—
"Snow?" Ryusei murmured, as a white speck landed on his arm.
It was snowing. Yet every snowflake that touched a surface melted immediately. It wasn't natural. But strangely enough the snow reminded Ryusei of something. A distant memory.
"Ryusei, are you ready? The floor master is probably through those doors," Haku said, summoning a sleek spear from his ring.
Ryusei summoned AmeTsurugi, his grip tightening around the hilt.
"Yeah. Let's go."
They walked toward the massive double doors, which creaked open on their own as if inviting them inside.
The moment they stepped forward, they entered the State of Suppression. All unnecessary emotions faded away, replaced by sharpened focus.
The cold from outside vanished instantly. A strange warmth enveloped them.
Inside, the castle was breathtaking—stained glass windows stretched across the ceiling, revealing the eerie eclipse above. Banners bearing ancient emblems hung from the walls, and a red carpet led to a throne at the far end of the hall. Sitting atop it was a woman—ethereal, graceful. Her golden eyes shimmered like stars in a dark cosmos. Her soft pink lips parted as she spoke, her voice gentle and enchanting:
"I have been awaiting your arrival, my beloved."
She smiled, narrowing her eyes as though she saw straight through Ryusei.
Ryusei didn't know what to make of her. But her intent was clear—she was trying to draw him in. It became undeniable when she reached out her hand with a warm smile and said, "Come here."
His expression remained emotionless.
"I'm not whoever you think I am. I'm not your 'beloved.'"
She giggled softly, like a child hiding a secret.
"But of course you are. Are you not… Takeru Mizuhara?"
A sharp shock ran through Ryusei's head.
That name.
His name—long forgotten for reasons he couldn't recall.
"How... How do you know that name?" Ryusei muttered.
He had buried it. Forgotten it. And yet this woman knew.
She giggled again, kicking her legs playfully from the throne, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Your shadow told me everything, my beloved Ryu~"
Both Ryusei and Haku turned toward Ryusei's shadow. It was darker than usual—almost pitch black.
Without hesitation, Ryusei plunged his sword into it.
A black shape slithered out and darted toward the throne, vanishing into the woman's shadow.
That explained how she knew about Ryusei... but Takeru?
He turned back to her. "Who are you, really?"
Her smile softened with a hint of sorrow as she rose from the throne.
"My name is Lithaer Shadow. Or perhaps, Lithaer the Pentagon… But maybe this will jog your memory."
She spread her arms towards him.
"I am the Queen of Shadows—Umbra."
Ryusei's eyes widened.
Umbra?
The name echoed in his mind. Familiar. But unreachable.
Where had he heard it? Who did it belong to?
His knees buckled, head spinning in a downward spiral.
"Why can't I remember…?"
"Ryusei!" Haku rushed to support him—surprisingly, so did Lithaer.
But only Haku reached him.
Lithaer merely watched with longing eyes. Eyes that yearned for something—for him.
She smiled faintly.
"But before I am Umbra, I am the Floor Master."
And with those words, the room trembled.
A wave of chilling mana swept over them—enough to knock out an average person.
Ryusei forced himself to his feet, supported by Haku.
No time for memories.
He gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on AmeTsurugi. Haku did the same, glaring at the woman before them—clad in a flowing black silk dress, black wings twitching behind her, a halo of shadow glowing eerily above her head.
She raised her hand and spoke.
"O, beautiful shadows, heed my call. I summon thee—[Memoria Fate]."
It wasn't a spell.
It was something far more powerful.
A Mythical Skill. It was undoubtedly a Mythical Skill.
Haku's expression changed instantly. Even Ryusei recognized the overwhelming force of it.
In an instant, five shadowy figures emerged and began to take shape.
Ryusei's eyes widened in shock.
Haku's clenched fist trembled with rage.
The Rat King.
The Troll Shaman, Greul.
The desert snake.
The demon, Illios.
And finally—Vazrothvra, The End.
The shadows had taken the form of their greatest enemies.
Only the strongest.
Lithaer's voice echoed once more.
"Shadows may fade in light… but the memories they hold are eternal."
She sat back on her throne, darker than the void, her hair flowing like smoke. She leaned against her hand, golden eyes glowing softly.
"You too shall become my eternal shadows, dear Ryu—and his chosen friend."
She smiled again.
The reason she called him beloved was still unknown to Ryusei.