The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 100: Gerrard Freya Flashback (1)

[Gerrard Freya flashback]

[37 Years Ago...]

[A- Rank - Dungeon Of Horns]

Gerrard Freya's eyes adjusted to the dim interior of the dungeon.

The cave seemed to breathe with moist air, it was heavy as the scent of earth and the sharp rotting smell of lurking creatures.

His team, young and experienced heroes of countless subjugations, moved in practised formation.

The faint luminescence of their equipment and the careful beam of the mage's flashlight were the only light, revealing rough walls, dripping stalactites, and shadows that seemed too alive.

An uneasy tension rippled through the air, a sense of oppressive wrongness that toyed with Gerrard's senses

Somewhere ahead, the quiet shuffling gave way to something else... monstrous roars and slithers cutting through the air.

Every footstep felt like taunting a waiting beast. The infestation was heavy in this place.

"Where did you go now? She always does this..." A young Gerrard muttered under his breath.

[Gerrard Freya, Age: 21 - [Member Of The Golden Horizon] - ]

His worry wasn't just for her reckless habits but for his whole team. Her absence made the unease grow even sharper.

"We need to clear the boss ASAP," Gerrard ordered, his voice low and urgent. "Lady Florentina needs to get out of here."

"Tough job, isn't it?" One of his subordinates chuckled darkly. "Mr. Garrick trusted you to look after her."

THUMP!... THUMP!!!

A chilling sound shattered the moment.

It began as a distant rumble, then built into a terrifying increase – a stampede of enraged creatures and the heavy thud of something massive.

Gerrard lunged forward, sprinting towards the source of the noise.

"Fuck... Her father's going to kill me if she gets hurt!" Gerrard sheathed his weapon and dashed yelling "Move along with me! and ensure to have weapons ready!"

He burst through a set of massive, doors, sword drawn.

"...!"

The sight that greeted him made his blood run cold.

In the centre of the chamber, a woman sat perched atop a pile of monstrous bodies.

Her silver hair tied up in a neat bun, separated the carnage surrounding her.

As her fiery red eyes, glowing with pleasure, met his, she casually rested her sword across her nape.

[Jianna Florentina Age: 20 [Guild: The Golden Horizon] - (Before she got married to Gerrard)-]

"What took you so long, ugly blondie?" she tossed over her shoulder, facing towards Gerrard and his team.

The minotaurs, once so terrifying, lay broken.

Blood painted the walls, the coppery tang thick in the air.

Jianna's robe, usually immaculate, was a mess of gore, yet she wore it with pride.

Gerrard's scowl could've soured milk. Relief battled frustration.

"Don't call me that," he managed.

With a catlike leap, Jianna landed before him, smirking.

"Please, Ms. Florentina," he said, exasperation and a hint of worry in his voice, "stop running off. We can't protect you if you keep facing danger alone."

Jianna tilted her head, her red eyes sparkling mischievously.

"I told you, I don't like being called that. So formal and cold... you never give any thought to how I feel..." She pouted for a moment, "Perhaps...if you called me by my first name, I'd be less inclined to wander off."

Gerrard looked at her with an exhausted look and sighed.

"Very well... Jianna. Now, let's rejoin the team and clear out this dungeon. The sooner we locate the boss, the sooner we can get out of this mess."

Jianna's pout disappeared into a smile. "Excellent plan! Onward, brave leader!"

She linked her arm through his, playfully clinging onto Gerrard.

As they walked ahead, the team's whispers drifted behind them.

"Gerrard's so lucky," one muttered, envy clear in his voice. "Having someone so powerful, so untouchable, care for him…"

"Yeah..." another agreed. "Must be nice. I bet she never had to work a day in her life."

...

...

...

hmm! hmm! humm!

Jianna hummed cheerfully, her arm still firmly linked with Gerrard's.

He shot her a pointed look, attempting to subtly pry his arm free.

"What are you doing Jianna?"

"Nothing!" she said, all too innocently. "Just enjoying the walk! Aren't you eager to defeat this dreadful boss and escape this gloomy dungeon?" Her voice took on a playful lilt. "We should hurry then, shouldn't we? You can escape out of my… lov-… lock, I mean."

Gerrard rolled his eyes. "Easy for you to say. I can practically feel you holding me back, slowing me down."

Jianna's eyes widened in mock surprise.

"Whatever do you mean? I'm practically sprinting us towards the boss!"

[20 minutes later...]

The team moved deeper into the dungeon's core. finally reaching the boss room.

The energy pulsed from behind the massive gates.

Gerrard finally yanked his arm free from Jianna's grip. "Stay alert," he ordered, his voice low and urgent. "We don't know what lies beyond this point. Be ready for anything."

As his team members nodded, a grim determination settling over their faces, Gerrard spotted a keyhole nestled in the centre of the gate.

"Sir," one of the soldiers spoke, "I think... we need a key for this."

Gerrard turned, raising an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Well, yes, sir," the soldier stammered under his gaze. "The keyhole…I'm certain..."

Gerrard's expression remained calm. "Ah, but I have a key," he said, drawing his sword. "A rather large one, in fact."

The soldier blinked. "Sir, I don't think that's—"

SLASH!

Gerrard unsheathed his sword and imbued it with aura, slicing cleanly through the gate.

a giggle escaped Jianna's lips. "Cute..."

Gerrard whipped around turning. "Did you say something?"

Jianna's eyes widened innocently. "Nope!" she chirped.

Gerrard shook his head, then turned back to the gaping room. "Let's go."

...

...

...

The boss room beyond the gate was massive, its rough walls barely visible in the dim, flickering torchlight.

A monstrous chill hung in the air, prickling their skin with raw, predatory energy.

Dominating the room was a monstrous throne of bone, and seated upon it, a form of pure nightmare.

The minotaur was unlike any they'd ever encountered.

Three massive heads crowned its hulking frame, muscles rippling beneath thick, matted fur. Its voice boomed from all three throats in a terrifying voice.

Right Head of the minatour spoke "Ahh, survivors arrive... I sense both strength and fear here."

Middle Head spoke "You've slain many of my kind. That is... regrettable. Still, their deaths will not be in vain."

Left Head "Fools! I'll tear your bones from your flesh! Make you scream until your lungs give out!"

Gerrard's eyes widened.

His breath caught in his throat, and for a frozen moment, his instincts faltered.

Never had he encountered a monster capable of speech.

That kind of intelligence... it marked the creature as something far more dangerous than any high-ranking beast they'd faced.

A horrifying realization bloomed in his gut – they were inside an S-Rank dungeon.

"Get back!" His voice was a harsh command, hiding the tremor he felt within.

"You won't survive this. Fall back to the gate, now!" He met Jianna's eyes, his gaze pleading in a way she'd never seen before.

"You too, Jianna. This battle... it's mine alone."

________________

Authors Notes:

- Guild: Golden Horizon

Leader: Garrick Florentina

Vice Leader: Dawn Frisk