Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The dungeon was different from a public map. Once a player entered, they would be transported into an isolated, instanced area. However, unlike traditional dungeons, those in Dreamscape could be challenged an unlimited number of times.¹　

As an additional note, dying inside a dungeon would not cause a level drop. Instead, it deducted 20% of the experience of the current level. If the remaining experience was less than 20%, it would simply be reduced to 0%.

There was also an unspoken rule everyone understood: the first party to defeat a boss would receive the highest experience rewards and drop rates, and this applied to dungeons as well.

All of this had been discovered through trial and error by the top-tier players. Although only three hours had passed, someone had already cleared the “Pursuit of the Frostcrystal Giant” on Easy difficulty.

The top three fastest clear times were automatically recorded on the system leaderboard, allowing all players to view them clearly.

First place was Leafyleaf. That’s right, the party had only one member, meaning it had been a solo clear, completed in 24 minutes and 17 seconds. Second and third place were both over forty minutes, and their rankings were unstable, constantly being replaced by new records within minutes.

It was said that even on Easy difficulty, there was a small chance for a piece of Epic set to drop. Epic-tier equipment with set bonuses was not much weaker than standalone Unique gear, which was one of the reasons driving players to keep challenging the dungeon.

***

“Did you all remember?” Endless Sea turned back and asked once more.

“Mm!” YoyoPink nodded.

“What about Stupid Orange?”

“I… I remember!”

“…” Apparently not.

“Anyway, this is the last run. It’s already eleven. If we mess up again, there won’t be time for another attempt. We two guys can handle staying up, but it’s not good for you girls to pull an all-nighter,” Endless Sea said.

Dukeette nodded confidently. “Don’t worry, I completely get it now!”

“Alright, I’m starting it.”

“…Not to mention. They haven’t even reached phase two yet,” Dukeette replied, rubbing her temples in frustration. “Without a high-level tank, it’s just too hard. When people get one-shot, even Seraphine can’t heal them back. They tried bringing in a random tank too, but the guy had zero skill. Honestly, it was worse than just running with five people.”

“…”

“Stop chatting. This is the last run, so focus.” Endless Sea took a deep breath.

“Mm.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

***

“Can you stop climbing all over me already?!” Zane groaned, staring helplessly at the butterfly girl clinging tightly to him.

“It smells so nice… big sister’s scent.”

“Wait, forget the climbing for a second. You’ve got to get the title right!” the blonde girl said seriously. “Call me big bro.”
“B-big… bro?” she repeated, puzzled.
“Hey, that’s it! Exactly like that. Say it a few more times!” Zane said, clearly delighted.
“Big bro… big bro!”

“Mm, such a good girl!” He patted the butterfly’s small head, and she seemed to enjoy it, breaking into a sweet, contented smile.

Suddenly, a chilling wave of cold burst out from the distance, and Zane instinctively shuddered. ‘Seriously, that water spirit is still spying on us?’ But thanks to that, he was reminded of something important.

“What’s your name?”

“My name…? I can’t remember.” The girl lowered her head.

“That’s easy. Big bro will give you one. How about… Bella?”

The butterfly girl shook her head vigorously, side to side, like a rattling drum.

“Then… Daisy? Or maybe… Celeste, the Goddess of Illusions?” Each suggestion was rejected just as quickly. With a quiet sigh, Zane dropped the flashy approach and went for something softer. “Alright… then how about Lyra?”

There was no response.

“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes.” After all, a name was just a label. Once she recovered her memories, she would probably laugh at it anyway.

“Lyra, can you help me save that elf lying on the ground?”

The little butterfly followed Zane’s gaze. On the ground, Lightchaser Treka lay in a frail state, as if she might pass away at any moment.

“Mm… let me see.”

“Your Majesty, don’t be deceived by this sinister adventurer! The elf lying there is the one responsible for turning you into this! If you save her, everything will be over!” Linnoska could no longer hold back as frost gathered in her hand and she stepped forward.

“Don’t come any closer!” Lyra cried out as she clung tightly to Zane.

“…”

‘What’s with this awkward atmosphere?’

Zane had no intention of explaining any further. He had no idea what was happening outside, and the sooner they resolved things here, the sooner they could leave—provided she still remembered how to control the illusory realm.

The little butterfly slowly leaned her head sideways onto the light elf’s body, remaining completely still.

“This is…” As if recalling something, her gaze grew distant and unfocused. After a long pause, she gently placed her hand on Treka’s forehead.

**Crack—snap.**

A faint sound of something shattering echoed. Then, the previously locked HP bar began to recover at a slow but steady pace.

“All done, big bro!” Lyra raised her hand, signaling cheerfully.

“Nicely done, little sis!”

“…” If one were to ask Linnoska what she felt at that moment, she only had one answer—Frozen Expanse.

***

After searching for several hours and circling through more than half of Spiritwood, Starry was almost certain that Treka was no longer here. The lingering aura and traces all pointed toward the northwest.

‘Could it be that Kesius had taken her away?’ Thinking back, she realized she had only connected the dots too late. The very first time she encountered the light elf, she had already heard this piece of information, that Kesius was Treka’s target for pursuit.

She should have realized it sooner.

Now that half a day had already passed, there was no way to catch up even if she gave chase. Still, it wasn’t as if she had gained nothing.

Those peculiar Phantasmal Butterflies all followed specific movement patterns and routes. When plotted together on the minimap, they formed a small circle. Which meant… if she headed toward the center of that circle—

…

Ten minutes later, after cutting her way through dense obstacles, Starry arrived at her destination.

Inside was a crude, makeshift cave. She walked straight in without encountering any resistance, pulling out a Magic Lantern as its glow spread and illuminated the dim interior.

Ahead stood a massive white cocoon. There were also several unconscious creatures; squirrels, wild boars, and the like. Looking further in, there were even a few humans… and gnomes as well? All of them had their eyes closed, breathing steadily, as if trapped in a deep slumber.

‘What happened here?’ Suddenly, a dull thump came from within the white cocoon. A handprint bulged outward, tearing through its surface. A delicate hand reached out, and a clear, youthful voice called, “Big bro!”

**Flap—flutter.**

The cocoon ripped apart as half-human-sized wings unfurled from within, and the butterfly girl inside joyfully threw herself into the arms of the white wolf.

Starry stood frozen, completely stunned by the bizarre scene unfolding before her.

“Big bro?”

***

At the Frostcrystal Mine, a female knight clad in silver armor leaned against the wall beside the dungeon entrance.

“Jan, aren’t we going to try for a better record?” The man gripping his bow asked eagerly.

“No. There’s no hope of surpassing her on Easy difficulty anymore.”

“No way. How could one person be faster than all six of us? There must be some hidden mechanic. As long as we figure it out—” he insisted.

“That’s enough. I know my own limits.”

“…Damn it. We’re both hidden classes, so why is that person so much stronger…”

“You’re mistaken. Classes don’t determine strength or weakness. What matters is the player’s own skill.”

“Fine, fine. So we’re just going back with a second-place record like this?”

“Hmph. When did I ever say we were leaving?”

“Huh?”

“We’re going for Medium difficulty.” Trickling Stream curled her lips into a confident smile.