The steady rhythm of the carriage wheels clattering against the stone path filled the quiet afternoon. Outside, rolling fields gave way to the shimmer of sunlight on water. They were crossing a massive bridge that arched over the Aria River, a structure of pale marble and silver railings that stretched endlessly in both directions. The air was cool and still, the kind that carried memories. Shunjiro’s gaze drifted out the window. His reflection trembled faintly against the passing light. He knew this bridge. This was the very path he had taken when he first came to the Kingdom of Radiance, tired, uncertain, but full of hope. Back then, he had crossed it alone. Now, surrounded by friends, he still felt that same ache in his chest. His shoulders slumped slightly as the carriage rolled onward, and Itsuki, who had been watching him from across the seat, noticed the change. “Shunjiro?” she asked softly. “You okay?” He blinked, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… tired, I guess.” But she could tell from his tone and the faraway look in his eyes, that he wasn’t being honest. The bridge ended, giving way to a cobblestone path that led into a small, quiet village. The driver slowed the carriage as they passed a wooden sign that read: Suncrest Village. Shunjiro immediately sank lower into his seat, pulling his hood slightly over his head. Itsuki’s eyes widened in realization. “This is…” “Yeah,” he said quietly. “My home.” The others looked out the window curiously. The village was peaceful, small houses of wood and stone, smoke curling from chimneys, farmers tending their fields as children chased each other along the dirt road. It was simple, beautiful… and full of the life Shunjiro had left behind. Itsuki leaned forward gently. “You could visit them, you know. We have time before we reach Dungeon Valley.” Shunjiro stared out at the winding streets. His chest tightened. “I can’t,” he said finally. His voice was soft, but there was something solid beneath it. “Not yet.” Itsuki tilted her head. “Why not?” He took a deep breath. “Because I made a promise. The next time I see my parents… I’m going to have Takeshi with me.” Silence filled the carriage. Itsuki’s expression softened, her eyes glimmering with quiet sympathy. Yoshinori glanced away, his usual stoicism replaced by something thoughtful. Even Tetsuo’s grin faded, his expression turning solemn. No one spoke for a while. The only sound was the creak of the carriage wheels and the river’s faint whisper behind them. Shunjiro kept his gaze forward, the faint outline of the village fading behind the trees. “I’ll come back,” he murmured to himself. “When I’m stronger.” Itsuki placed her hand gently over his. “You will.” And for a moment, the air inside the carriage felt warmer, a silent understanding passing between them all. Each of them carried something heavy from their pasts. But together, it felt just a little lighter. The journey stretched into the late afternoon, the sun dipping low as the carriage rolled down a winding dirt road surrounded by towering hills. The air grew thicker, heavier, a hum of energy seemed to ripple through the land itself. When the valley finally came into view, the group fell silent. Waves of tall, golden-green grass rolled across the landscape like an endless sea, bending and swaying in the wind. The horizon shimmered under the dying sunlight, and nestled between the slopes were dozens of gaping cave mouths. Some were jagged and narrow, like deep scars in the earth. Others yawned wide and dark, as if waiting to swallow anything brave or foolish enough to enter. The carriage rumbled to a stop beside a small outpost. Tents of varying colors flapped in the breeze, and the smell of roasted meat mingled with metal and smoke. Merchants shouted over each other from wooden stalls; blacksmiths hammered glowing blades at makeshift forges. Adventurers milled about everywhere, some laughing as they compared spoils, others limping and bloodied, their armor dented but their spirits high. Shunjiro, Itsuki, and Tetsuo stepped down from the carriage, eyes wide with awe. “Whoa…” Tetsuo breathed, looking around. “This place is huge.” Itsuki took in the sight of the caves with a mix of fascination and unease. “It’s… beautiful, in a strange way.” Yoshinori climbed down last, adjusting his gloves. “Try staying here for a week. The smell of burnt and monster guts loses its charm real fast.” Tetsuo wrinkled his nose. Before they could say more, a voice called out. “Ah, you must be Illumina.” They turned to see a man approaching tall, broad-shouldered, his beard and hair streaked with grey. His cloak was worn, his armor dented in places, but his eyes gleamed with sharp awareness. This was a man who had seen hundreds of battles and lived to tell every one of them. He stopped in front of them and smiled. “Name’s Cal. I’ll be your handler while you’re here.” Shunjiro immediately straightened, smiling brightly. “Nice to meet you, sir! We’re really excited to start.” Cal chuckled. “Oh, I can tell. You’ve got that fresh sparkle in your eyes. Don’t worry, it fades after your first close call with a dungeon boss.” Tetsuo blinked. “…What?” “Anyway!” Cal clapped his hands together. “Let’s give you the quick tour.” He led them down a narrow dirt path weaving between the tents. “Dungeon Valley’s home to thousands of dungeon entrances. No two are alike; some appear, disappear, or shift over time. That’s why we post officials like me here to track what’s safe, and what’s likely to eat you.” Shunjiro’s curiosity peaked. “So… can you just pick any dungeon and go in?” Cal laughed, though there wasn’t much humor in it. “You could. You’d just never come out.” Itsuki blinked. “Never… come out?” “Yep,” Cal said casually, kicking a pebble. “Few months ago, a group of C-rankers decided they were hot stuff. Thought they’d take a peek into an SS-rank dungeon. Haven’t seen them since.” The group went quiet instantly. Tetsuo paled. “You’re kidding, right?” Cal grinned. “Course I am.” Everyone exhaled. “Well,” he added, smirk widening, “not about them never coming back. That part’s true.” The four froze again, exchanging nervous looks. Cal barked a laugh and waved it off. “Relax, relax! You’ll be fine. You’ve got Kaito’s recommendation and that man doesn’t send greenhorns unless they’ve got real potential.” Shunjiro scratched his cheek nervously. “That’s… comforting. I think.” “Besides,” Cal said, gesturing toward the fields of cave mouths stretching into the distance, “not every dungeon’s a nightmare. Some are good for training. That’s what you’re here for, right?” “Right,” Shunjiro said with determination. “We’re here to train and grow stronger as a team.” “Good answer,” Cal said approvingly. “Then you’re in luck. I’ve got a perfect assignment lined up for you.” He stopped and turned, his grin sharp as ever. “C-rank dungeon. Stable energy, decent payout. You’ll get to fight something small, ugly, and annoying.” Tetsuo perked up. “Sounds fun already.” Cal smirked. “You’ll be going up against goblins.” Itsuki’s smile vanished. “…Goblins?” Cal nodded. “Yep. The little green pests are breeding faster than usual in one of the lower caverns. You’ll clear them out. Easy enough.” Tetsuo pumped his fist. “Finally, something I can hit!” Yoshinori sighed. Shunjiro chuckled. “Don’t worry, Itsuki. They’re basically angry little green people.” Itsuki frowned, folding her arms. “That’s exactly why I hate them. I’ve seen illustrations in textbooks they’re hideous.” Tetsuo laughed. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep them away from you.” He flexed his arm proudly. “You’ve got three goblin crushers right here.” “Just don’t crush the cave with them inside,” Yoshinori muttered. Cal laughed. “You four are a good bunch. You’ll do fine. The dungeon opens at dawn, so get some rest at the outpost tonight.” Shunjiro nodded, his grin returning. “Got it. Tomorrow, we show Radiance what Illumina can do.” As the sun dipped behind the valley hills, casting long shadows over the sprawling fields of golden grass, the group followed Cal back toward the outpost, their first mission waiting just beyond the darkness of a dungeon’s mouth. By the time the sun disappeared behind the distant peaks, the sky over Dungeon Valley had turned a deep, molten gold fading into indigo. Torches flickered across the outpost, and the air was filled with the scent of smoke, roasted meat, and metal cooling after a long day. Cal led Guild Illumina through a winding trail that circled the outer camp. “You’ll be sharing a site tonight,” he explained, his gravelly voice rising over the hum of distant laughter. “A lot of new guilds double up when they start out. Builds camaraderie or rivalry, depending on the personalities.” Shunjiro grinned. “Guess we’ll find out which one we get.” The trail opened to a small clearing with a crackling campfire at its center. The orange glow danced across a group of familiar faces seated around it armor glinting, plates of food balanced on their knees. One of them, mid-bite of roasted chicken, looked up. His black eyes widened, and he immediately stood, pointing his drumstick like a weapon. “What the hell are you doing here, shrimp?” Shunjiro blinked. “…Oh, great.” He stepped forward, matching the glare. “I’d like to ask you the same thing.” It was Sora Ayanami. The rest of the Mars Guild turned their heads, groaning in unison. Lars Tanabe, their leader, let out a deep sigh and rubbed his temples. “Sora, shut up and sit down before you start another scene.” “Hey, I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking!” Sora shot back, still pointing his chicken like a sword. “Of all the people to run into out here, it had to be Shrimpy.” Shunjiro’s eye twitched. “Keep calling me that, and I’ll shove that chicken up your-” “Easy there,” Yoshinori interrupted coolly, stepping between them. Tetsuo chuckled under his breath. “I dunno, I kinda wanna see this.” Itsuki shot him a glare. “No, you don’t.” Before Shunjiro could fire another insult, Ryota waved them over, grinning. “Come on, you guys. No fighting before dinner. Sit, eat. We’ve got more food than we can finish.” Yuki Kyosei, her long golden hair glimmering in the firelight, smiled warmly. “Yes, please. It’s not often two new guilds share a camp. Let’s make it a friendly night.” Her calm, polite tone seemed to cool the tension instantly. Shunjiro gave a small nod and sat down across from Sora pointedly, so they could glare at each other across the flames. As the smell of roasted meat filled the air, laughter began to return to the circle. Sparks drifted upward into the star-filled night as the two guilds shared a meal under the valley sky. “So,” Shunjiro began between bites, “what dungeon are you guys tackling tomorrow?” Lars leaned back on his hands. “C-rank goblin dungeon. Figured we’d start light, get everyone warmed up.” Shunjiro froze mid-bite. “Wait a second… that’s our dungeon.” Yoshinori sighed without looking up from his plate. “There are dozens of goblin dungeons, you dope. It’s not the same one.” “Oh,” Shunjiro said, relaxing. “That makes more sense.” Sora snorted. “Ha! You? In a goblin dungeon? Please. You’d be shaking in the corner while the grown-ups do the work.” Shunjiro slammed his plate down and stood up. “Oh yeah? Why don’t you come over here and find out how hard this ‘shrimp’ can hit?” Sora grinned, already standing. “Gladly. Let’s see if your fists are as big as your mouth.” Lars and Yoshinori both groaned at the same time. Lars waved a hand. “Sit down, both of you. We’re not starting a war in front of my dinner.” Yoshinori sighed. “I second that.” Itsuki frowned, her tone gentle but firm. “You two can fight later when we’re not trying to have a nice evening.” Tetsuo bit into a chunk of meat, muttering through a mouthful, “Yeah, save it for the goblins.” Sora and Shunjiro glared at each other across the fire, neither willing to back down first. Finally, Sora smirked. “Don’t get yourself killed in there tomorrow, Shrimpy. I’d hate to have to explain to Kaito that one of his prodigies got eaten by something knee-high.” Shunjiro smiled back but his grin was sharp. “Funny. I was gonna say the same thing.” The two locked eyes for another long second before both sat down at once, still glaring, still smirking. Lars let out an exhausted sigh. “It’s gonna be a long night.” But despite the bickering, the campfire’s warmth spread between the two guilds, laughter slowly replacing the tension. They were rivals, sure, but there was a strange comfort in the noise, the heat, the smell of cooking, and the shared anticipation of what tomorrow would bring. Above them, the stars shimmered over Dungeon Valley, their light glinting off the cave mouths in the distance like a thousand unseen eyes watching. When the campfires burned low and the two guilds drifted into sleep, some snoring loudly, some curled quietly beneath blankets, one person remained awake, eyes wide open beneath the dark canvas of the tent. Shunjiro couldn’t sleep. His stomach churned. His hands wouldn’t stop trembling. Every time he shut his eyes, he saw flashes of what tomorrow might bring: a dark cave, goblins rushing at him, his energy failing him at the worst possible moment. This would be his first real dungeon. No instructors. No safety nets. No Kaito watching over him. Just him… and whatever darkness waited inside those cave mouths. Unable to bear lying down any longer, he slowly sat up, careful not to wake Yoshinori, Itsuki, or Tetsuo. He slipped out of the tent flap, the cold air brushing against his face. Dungeon Valley under the night sky was breathtaking. Tall grass swayed in waves, silvered by moonlight. The sky was wide and endless, stars scattered like shards of crystal. Shunjiro walked through the field, his boots brushing against the dew-tipped grass. He stared at his fist… Confused. Frustrated. Lost. “Why…?” he whispered to himself. He squeezed his hand tight. “Why was I able to sneak up on Kaito that day…? How did I hide my spiritual energy?” It made no sense. Even Kaito, someone who could sense the tiniest flicker of power, hadn’t noticed him until it was too late. Shunjiro looked down at his palm as if the answer would appear there. “I don’t know how to use my energy.” His voice was small, carried on the wind. “It just… happens.” Sometimes it roared out of him like a storm he couldn’t hold back, like when he knocked Jayiden out with a single punch, shocking everyone, including himself. Other times? Nothing. Not even a spark. “Why can I hide it perfectly one moment… then explode to an S-rank level the next? Why can’t I control it… even a little?” He shut his eyes and let the breeze pass over him. The air felt heavy here, not in a dangerous way, but in a mysterious one. Dungeon Valley carried an ancient aura, as if secrets slept beneath every inch of soil. Shunjiro clenched his fist again. “I have the power,” he said quietly. “I know I do. I felt it with Kaito… with Jayiden… but I can’t call it out when I need it.” His voice cracked slightly. “How am I supposed to protect my friends… if I can’t even control myself?” The wind rustled through the grass as if answering him soft, patient, unwavering. He looked up at the stars, searching for something. Hope. Guidance. Maybe Takeshi, wherever he was, staring up at the same sky. “Yo, Shrimpy.” Shunjiro nearly jumped out of his skin. He spun around, fists raised, heart pounding only to see Sora Ayanami sauntering over with his hands in his pockets, a cocky smirk plastered on his face. “S-Sora?! What the hell, man? Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Sora shrugged. “Not my fault you’re out here brooding.” He flicked Shunjiro’s forehead. “Relax, you look like you’re about to faint.” Shunjiro rubbed his forehead, scowling. “Ugh… What are you doing up?” Sora yawned loudly. “Had to take a leak.” “Oh.” Shunjiro looked away toward the horizon. “…Well, good for you.” Sora studied him for a moment, actually studied him, something he rarely did without a joke ready to fire. “So,” Sora nudged him with an elbow, “why are you out here shaking in your lil’ shrimp boots?” Shunjiro let out a slow breath, the grass swaying around them like waves. “It’s my spiritual energy,” he said quietly. “I can’t control it. I don’t understand how it works. It never listens when I need it to.” Sora blinked once, then twice. “Oh. Damn. You’re actually being serious for once.” He scratched the back of his head. “Alright, fine. Let me grace you with my wisdom.” Shunjiro narrowed his eyes. “That’s already concerning.” Sora ignored him. “Look, here’s the thing about you, Shrimp… You think too much. Way too much. Your brain’s probably overheating half the time trying to control something that’s supposed to flow naturally.” Shunjiro frowned. “…Flow naturally?” “Yeah.” Sora gestured vaguely at the sky. “Energy isn’t some equation. It’s instinct. Movement. Breath. You try to force it, you choke it.” He pointed at Shunjiro’s chest. “But when you just react, when your body moves before your brain overthinks everything that’s when your power actually shows up.” Shunjiro swallowed hard. “…But what if I need it, and it doesn’t come? What if I freeze at the wrong moment?” Sora snorted. “Then you die. Simple.” Shunjiro’s eyes widened. “What-” “I’m kidding,” Sora said, rolling his eyes. “Mostly.” Shunjiro made a noise somewhere between a choke and a groan. Sora continued, surprisingly serious for once. “Listen. Powers like yours? They wake up when your life’s on the line. That’s just how it is. You’re not gonna figure it out by pacing around fields at midnight. You’ll figure it out inside the dungeon when it matters.” Shunjiro frowned. “That’s the part I’m scared of…” Sora scoffed. “You think you’re alone? You’ve got your guild, idiot.” Shunjiro blinked. “…You mean-” “I mean,” Sora interrupted loudly, “your team’s gonna protect your sorry ass until you get your act together.” He crossed his arms. “Pitiful, really. A guild leader who needs babysitting. Embarrassing.” Shunjiro glared. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, jerk.” Sora cracked a grin. “Hey, I never said you’re weak. I said you’re an overthinking shrimp with unstable energy. Big difference.” Shunjiro looked down at his hands. “I just… wish it wasn’t like that. I wish I didn’t need protecting.” For a moment, Sora didn’t respond. Then he stepped closer, poking Shunjiro’s chest. “Tough luck,” Sora said quietly. “Everyone starts somewhere. Even me. Even Kaito. Even King Shadis.” He smirked again. “But hey, when you finally figure your energy out, I wanna be the first one to kick your ass. So hurry up and get stronger.” Shunjiro couldn’t help but smile. “Deal.” The two stood there beneath the stars. A cool wind swept across the grass as Sora turned away. “Alright, Shrimp. I’m going back to sleep before you start crying or something.” “I wasn’t crying!” “Sure.” “Go away!” “Already am.” Sora waved lazily over his shoulder as he walked back toward the tents. Shunjiro remained in the field a moment longer, looking at his hand… feeling a little less afraid. If even Sora believed he’d figure it out… Then maybe he really could. Shunjiro let out a slow breath and decided it was time to head back. The night air still clung to him as he slipped into the tent, careful not to make noise. The soft rustling of blankets was the only sound. He lay down slowly. A moment later, Itsuki rolled over, her eyes faintly open in the dim glow of moonlight filtering through the canvas. She didn’t say anything, just watched Shunjiro settle onto his bedroll. He must have a lot on his mind… she thought, her chest tightening. His brother, the dungeon tomorrow… and everything he’s trying so hard to hide behind that smile. Shunjiro shifted once, exhausted. Then the steady rhythm of his breathing began. Itsuki turned away again, lying on her back as she stared silently at the tent’s ceiling, a thin sheet of fabric separating her from the cold, star-filled sky outside. Her thoughts drifted to a place far away. To a warm kitchen where her mother used to hum while cooking. To a front garden where her father repaired old tools. To the quiet evenings when her older sister would braid her hair and promise her all kinds of adventures they would one day go on. “…I hope I see them again,” Itsuki whispered to herself, so softly even she could barely hear it. Because in truth, she was just like Shunjiro. Both of them searching. Both chasing shadows of people they loved. Both afraid they might never find them, yet refusing to give up. She bit down on her lower lip, fighting back the sting in her eyes. After a moment, she released a long, quivering breath. The tears never fell. She closed her eyes, letting the quiet breaths of her teammates lull her back toward sleep. Tomorrow they would enter the dungeon. Tomorrow everything would begin. And as she drifted off, one thought lingered softly in her heart: At least… I’m not searching alone anymore.