Day one. Akira Namiki’s squad assembled just as the sun began to rise over the training grounds, golden light stretching across the stone courtyard like a promise. All four recruits arrived on time. Akira stood with arms folded, her golden armor catching the early light, her black hair tied back in a sharp ponytail that swayed slightly in the breeze. Her yellow-green eyes scanned them with the steady, calculating gaze of a seasoned warrior. “Alright,” she said, voice firm but calm. “Before we begin, introductions. One by one.” The first to speak up was a tall, broad-shouldered boy with an energetic grin. “My name is Ryota Masuda,” he announced, giving a half-salute. His spiky orange hair practically glowed in the sunlight, and his equally bright orange eyes radiated confidence. He wore a loose martial artist gi tied, looking ready to throw a punch at any second. “Nice to meet ya. Hope you all can keep up.” Next was a cloaked figure who stepped forward in silence. His black cloak swept slightly as he moved, and when he spoke, his tone was low but clear. “Lars Tanabe,” he said simply. His spiky black hair framed a pale face, and his dark red eyes gave him a quietly intense presence. He didn’t say more, but the way he carried himself calm, deliberate, sure said enough. Then came a girl with golden blonde hair that shimmered like starlight. Her long hair was tied back into a neat braid that draped over her shoulder. She wore a flowing blue cloak over sleek pearl-white armor, her poise giving off a noble air. “Yuki Kyosei,” she said, offering a short bow. “I look forward to learning with you all.” Her voice was soft but carried a sense of strength beneath it. Lastly, a frail-looking girl hesitantly stepped forward. She was small, almost doll-like with long silver-grey hair that cascaded to her waist. Her wide blue eyes flicked between the others nervously. She wore a white mage’s robe with a long skirt that brushed the ground, and as she approached, the sunlight caught the subtle shimmer of silver thread in her sleeves. But what stood out most were her ears, long and pointed, peeking through her hair. Ryota was the first to speak up, scratching the back of his head. “Uh… hey, what’s with your ears?” The girl froze up slightly, her fingers tightening on the hem of her robe. After a beat, she answered in a quiet voice. “I… I’m an elf. My name is Emi Tsuda.” Her voice trembled, but there was a quiet resilience in her eyes. Akira gave Ryota a quick side-glance that shut him up. Then she turned to all four of them. “Good. Names are out of the way. I’m Akira Namiki. I’ll be your instructor.” She took a slow step forward, her presence alone enough to command silence. “Our task is simple. You’ll be clearing a dungeon, one of the ones located in Dungeon Valley.” Lars raised a brow. “What type of dungeon?” Akira gave a slight smirk and gestured toward the road ahead. “You’ll find out soon enough. We’ve got a bit of travel ahead. We’ll go over the details on the way.” With that, the group turned and boarded a black-carriage waiting at the edge of the grounds. The horses stamped restlessly, and a cool wind rustled through the trees as they climbed aboard. The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed against the dirt road as the carriage rolled steadily through the forest path. Shafts of morning light filtered through the trees, casting fleeting patterns across the dark wood interior. Yuki, Lars, and Ryota sat close together on one side, their laughter and small talk filling the quiet space. It was easy to tell they’d known each other for years, their words flowed naturally, teasing without hesitation, a warmth that came only from long friendship. Across from them sat Emi, quiet and composed, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her wide blue eyes darted between the others, not wanting to intrude but clearly listening. Every laugh or joke drew a faint smile she tried to hide, as if she wasn’t sure she belonged there yet. Lars noticed. He leaned forward slightly, his red eyes softening. “Hey, Emi,” he said, his voice calm but kind. “If you’re in our squad, you’re one of us. So relax, alright? Friends don’t have to sit on opposite sides of the carriage.” Emi blinked, startled by his sudden attention. Then, slowly, she nodded. “O-Okay.” Ryota grinned wide. “Yeah! Stick with us, you’ll be fine. We’re pretty awesome.”  Yuki sighed, smirking faintly. “Don’t mind them. They are always like this.” The air lightened for a moment, and even Akira allowed herself a small smile before clearing her throat. “Alright,” she began, her tone cutting through the chatter like the edge of a blade. “Time to go over your mission.” The carriage quieted instantly. The clatter of hooves filled the pause as Akira leaned forward slightly, her golden armor catching a flicker of sunlight. “The dungeon we’re entering is within Dungeon Valley. Based on your ranks, it’s manageable… but not without risk.” She paused, her expression turning unreadable. “There’s about a fifty-fifty chance this will be too much for you. If that happens, you die.” The words hung heavy in the air. The warmth vanished. Even the sound of the horses seemed to fade. Emi swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on her robe. Lars and Yuki exchanged a glance. Ryota’s grin faltered but only for a moment. Then, slowly, it returned. “Fifty-fifty, huh?” he said, leaning back with a confident smirk. “Those are better odds than I expected.” That earned a quiet chuckle from Lars, and even Yuki’s lips curved in a faint smile. Akira’s eyes flickered with surprise not at their bravery, but at the excitement she saw in their faces. “The dungeon is an A-rank Ghoul Nest,” Akira continued. “And the highest rank among you is Yuki, a B-rank. The rest of you, Lars, Ryota, and Emi are all C-rank. That means this fight will be… difficult. Especially if it’s your first time in real combat.” Ryota’s smirk widened. “Perfect. I’ve been waiting for something difficult.” Yuki shook her head with a quiet laugh. “You’ll eat those words when a ghoul’s chasing you through the dark.” “Then I’ll punch it in the face,” Ryota replied. Their energy stirred something in Akira. For a moment, she remembered her own first squad: young, reckless, hopeful. She leaned back, crossing her arms. “You’re a strange bunch,” she said with a small, knowing smirk. “But that’s why I chose you. I saw potential in each of you during the entrance exams, flashes of something more.” Her eyes glinted. “This dungeon will prove whether what I saw was real… or just luck.” By the time the carriage rolled to a stop, the sun had already begun its slow descent. The air grew cooler, touched by the scent of earth and grass. Outside, the world opened into a vast valley with endless waves of tall, golden-green grass rippling like an ocean beneath the wind. Nestled between the slopes were dozens of cave mouths. Some were jagged and narrow like old scars carved into the hills. Others gaped wide and dark, open maws waiting patiently for the next group to enter to never return. Ryota leaned out the window, eyes wide. “So this is Dungeon Valley…” Yuki nodded quietly beside him. “They say hundreds of dungeons form here every year. Some vanish… others swallow entire squads.” That earned a low whistle from Lars. “Cheery thought.” The carriage came to a stop on a flat rise overlooking the valley floor. Akira stepped down first, her golden armor catching a glint of the setting sun. She scanned the horizon, her gaze sharp and unflinching. “Another group’s already here,” she said, nodding toward a line of tents pitched near the ridge. “That’s Hiroto’s squad. They’ll be handling some lower-ranked dungeons in the area.” Ryota hopped down after her, stretching his arms. “So we get the tough one, huh?” Akira smirked faintly. “Naturally.” She turned toward the valley, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the dozens of entrances. “The A-rank Ghoul Dungeon could be in any one of these caves. It’ll take roughly four days to locate and defeat the boss. Day one was travel. That means today’s almost over.” The group gathered around her as she set down a heavy, canvas bag onto the grass with a dull thud. Dust puffed up from the impact. “These are your supplies,” Akira said, crouching to unfasten the clasp. Inside were compact rations, rolled sleeping bags, torches, rope, medical kits, and more. “Everything you’ll need for the next four days. Use them wisely.” Yuki crossed her arms and gave Ryota a look that was half-serious, half-playful. “Ryota can carry it.” Lars smirked, immediately backing her up. “Agreed. Definitely Ryota.” Ryota blinked, looking between them. “Wait, what? Why me?” Yuki tilted her head. “Because you’re the one who’s ‘been waiting for something difficult.’” Lars chuckled. “Consider this your first trial.” Emi let out a small laugh, covering her mouth. “You can handle it, right?” Ryota straightened his back, grinning through the teasing. “Of course I can! A little bag like this? Easy.” He slung the massive pack over his shoulder and immediately sank an inch into the ground. “…Okay, maybe not that easy.” The group burst into laughter. Even Akira’s composed expression softened for a moment before she turned toward the valley again. “Get used to the weight,” she said, her voice carrying through the cool air. The sun had almost vanished beyond the ridge, leaving Dungeon Valley bathed in streaks of gold and violet. The group had gathered near their small campfire, the orange glow reflecting in their eyes as Akira stood before them, arms crossed. “Before we wrap up for the day,” she began, her tone firm but thoughtful, “I need to know, do any of you know what a Ghoul is?” Ryota and Emi exchanged glances. Ryota shrugged. “Nope.” Emi shook her head quickly. “I-I don’t think so…” Lars, sitting cross-legged, looked up from sharpening his blade. “I’ve heard about them,” he said. “There were reports years ago, attacks along the northeast mountain range. Whole villages wiped out.” Akira gave a small nod. “That’s right. Those reports were never officially confirmed… but they weren’t wrong either.” Then, casually, Yuki spoke up from across the fire. “Oh, I’ve seen plenty of Ghouls.” The group went quiet. Even the fire seemed to still. Akira blinked, caught off guard. “You’ve seen them?” she asked carefully. “Where?” Yuki looked up, her blue eyes reflecting the flames like frozen water. “In the Shadow Realm.” Akira’s expression hardened in disbelief. She turned slightly toward Lars and Ryota, who both just shrugged. “Don’t look at us,” Ryota said. “We didn’t know that either.” Akira’s voice lowered. “When exactly were you in the Shadow Realm, Yuki?” Yuki smiled faintly, almost nostalgic. “When I was young. My father and I used to travel a lot. We crossed into all kinds of places.” Akira narrowed her eyes. “Traveling… just the two of you?”  Yuki nodded. “Just me and him.” That made Akira pause. Her thoughts raced, even I wouldn’t survive traveling there alone. The Shadow Realm was chaos incarnate, a place where light itself died. How could a father and daughter wander it safely? Akira’s tone softened slightly. “Then your father must be very strong.” Yuki gave a small laugh. “He is. Anytime we ran into trouble, he handled it. I never had to worry.” Akira hesitated, then asked, “Who is your father?” The fire popped between them. Yuki’s smile faded, her expression unreadable. “I can’t say.” Akira studied her for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Understood.” Then she straightened, her commanding tone returning. “Then tell me, what do you know about Ghouls?” Yuki’s eyes flickered with memory. “They look human at first,” she said quietly. “Until you get close. Then you see… they’re not. Their skin is pale, stretched tight. They smell like rot. Some don’t even realize they’re dead.” Emi shivered. Ryota grimaced. “That’s freaky.” Yuki continued, her tone steady. “Their claws are like blades. Even if you cut off their heads, they keep moving. They don’t stop unless…” “Unless the heart is destroyed,” Akira finished. She looked around the circle, her eyes serious. “That’s how you kill a Ghoul. You stop its heart. But don’t think it’s that simple. Their skin is thick, harder than iron in some cases. Ordinary weapons will barely scratch them. You’ll have to strike through the ribcage.” Lars frowned slightly. “How many are we expecting?” “Most of the ones you’ll encounter will be C to B-rank,” Akira said. “Occasionally, a low A-rank might appear. But the boss…” She glanced toward the darkening valley. “The boss will be high A-rank. That one won’t go down easily.” Ryota cracked his knuckles. “Sounds like fun.” Akira gave him a flat look. “You won’t think that when one’s chewing on your leg.” That drew a small laugh from the group, tension easing for a brief moment. Then Akira’s tone hardened again. “There’s more you need to know. Ghouls are… territorial. They fight alone. If one Ghoul interferes with another’s prey, they’ll turn on each other instantly.” Lars smirked. “So we can let them kill each other.” “Exactly,” Akira said. “If you see two Ghouls fighting, let them. Wait until one wins, then take out the survivor before it recovers. But-” Her eyes swept the group, “-there’s a rare case when they don’t fight each other. When they cooperate.” Ryota frowned. “You mean… team up?” Akira nodded. “It’s uncommon, but it happens. And when it does, you’ll need to rely on each other more than ever. If they swarm you, not even I can guarantee your safety.” The fire crackled again, casting flickering light over their faces. Emi raised her hand timidly. “A-Akira… what happens if we can’t reach the heart?” Akira looked at her. “Then you run.” The group went silent. The only sound was the soft hum of the wind and the distant rustle of the tall grass. After a long pause, Yuki spoke again. “You said the dungeon takes four days. What if the boss finds us first?” Akira’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “Then,” she said quietly, “we adapt… or we die trying.” As the fire dwindled to glowing embers, Akira rose to her feet and stretched her shoulders. The night air was cool, the distant hum of the valley carrying a quiet unease. “Get plenty of rest,” she said, her tone steady but calm. “We’ll be up before the sun.” The group nodded, exhaustion settling in after the long day. One by one, they drifted toward their tents. Ryota was out within minutes, sprawled on his bedroll. Lars stayed awake a little longer, sharpening his blade under the faint light of the dying fire. Yuki sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the valley. And Emi, small and quiet, whispered something that might have been a prayer before finally lying down. Akira lingered for a while, staring into the last flicker of flame before dousing it completely. Morning came, the horizon still swallowed by mist. Akira woke them long before sunrise, her voice sharp and certain. “Up. We move now.” By the time the first rays of dawn broke across the valley, the group was fully equipped and assembled. The tall grass rippled around them as they trekked through the basin until the ground began to dip into a hollow path of stone. At the end of that path stood the dungeon entrance. A wide, jagged cave mouth exhaling a faint, fetid mist. The smell hit immediately. Damp. Metallic. Rotten. An official stood nearby, his uniform clean and crisp despite the terrain. He looked up as they approached and immediately straightened. “Miss Namiki,” he said, surprised. “Didn’t expect to see you leading this year’s recruits.” Akira gave a polite smile. “These four have good potential,” she said. “I want to see what they’re really capable of.” The man glanced at the group, four young faces filled with determination and barely hidden nerves. “Potential, huh? If they’re tackling an A-rank dungeon while still F-rank… I’d say that’s more than potential.” Ryota grinned, puffing his chest out. “We’ll make it back in one piece.” The official chuckled. “I’ll hold you to that.” He then turned back to Akira, his tone sobering. “You’ll be going in with them, right?” “Of course,” she replied without hesitation. “Good. Then may the Light guide you all. Ghouls aren’t forgiving.” He gave a short nod, stepping aside as the group approached the cave. The moment they crossed the threshold, the air shifted. The world behind them seemed to vanish, swallowed by the heavy darkness pressing in from all sides. The scent of decay was immediate and suffocating, thick with the coppery tang of dried blood and rot. Every breath felt like inhaling death itself. The faint sound of dripping echoed through the tunnel, steady and cold. Akira’s voice broke the silence, low and controlled. “From this point on, I’ll stay behind you.” The group turned, surprised. “I won’t be giving orders. I won’t answer questions,” she continued. “You’ll move, think, and fight as a unit. Figure things out yourselves. My only role is to make sure you don’t die.” Ryota frowned. “Wait, so you’re just watching?” Akira met his gaze evenly. “Observing.” Lars adjusted his cloak, eyes narrowing into the dark. “Understood.” Yuki simply nodded, calm and unreadable. Akira stepped back, letting them take the lead. “Then go,” she said quietly. “The dungeon won’t wait forever.” The torches flickered as the four of them took their first cautious steps into the abyss, shadows swallowing their light one by one. The Ghoul Dungeon had begun to breathe. The cave air felt alive, thick, wet, and breathing. Every drip of water echoed down the tunnel like a heartbeat. The torches they carried barely pushed back the dark; their flames quivered under the weight of something unseen. They had taken only a few cautious steps when a low rasp rolled out of the black ahead. Then a blur of pale motion erupted from the wall. Lars reacted first. “Contact!” The creature slammed into the stone beside them, leaving a smear of black blood. It straightened, its spine cracking with a sound like dry wood. The torchlight revealed a corpse that should have stayed dead, skin stretched thin, veins bulging dark beneath, half-healed gashes still wet. Its jaw hung slightly open, teeth chipped and uneven. “Damn,” Lars muttered, settling into stance. “It was waiting for us.” Akira stayed silent behind them, her shadow tall and still. Ryota grinned despite himself. “Well, it didn’t wait long.” “Just one,” Lars replied. “Let’s test it.” He drew his sword in a single fluid motion. The steel hummed, pulling stray bits of iron dust and metal filings from the air toward its edge, his weapon’s magnetic ability coming to life. The faint tug of its power rippled across the group’s armor clasps. The Ghoul tilted its head, eyes glowing dull red in the dark. Lars could feel its presence like static crawling up his arms. B-rank, he thought grimly. Of course. He lunged, the tip of his sword skimming sparks off the ground. The blade connected with the creature’s ribs hard, unyielding. The impact rang out like striking stone. The Ghoul barely flinched. It retaliated in an instant, claws flashing. The swipe tore through the air where Lars’s head had been a moment ago. Yuki lifted her hand and the air crystallized, ice forming from nothing. A spear of frost shot forward, hissing through the air. It pierced the Ghoul’s palm with a crack, splintering bone as it burst out the other side. Black blood sprayed across the cave floor. Ryota’s eyes widened. “She actually pierced it!” Lars didn’t waste the opening. He charged his energy, the pull in his sword deepening until it buzzed like thunder. “My turn.” The Ghoul twisted toward Yuki, but Lars was already in motion. He swung with both hands, channeling everything into the cut. The blade bit into its ribs, cutting several inches deep before grinding to a halt. The resistance was monstrous. He yanked the sword free with a wet crunch. “Still not enough.” The Ghoul’s leg shot out, faster than expected. Lars barely brought his blade up in time, blocking the kick, but the impact rattled through his bones and threw him back several feet. He slid across the dirt, boots screeching against stone. “Damn thing hits like a wagon,” he spat. “It’ll take everything I’ve got just to kill one.” “Then step aside!” Ryota shouted. He thrust his palm forward, spiritual energy spiraling in his hand. The air vibrated, the glow bright enough to paint the walls white. “Ryota, wait-” Lars started, but it was too late. A roaring sphere of energy exploded from Ryota’s palm, hurtling toward the Ghoul. It struck dead-center, the shockwave slamming into them all. Dust, smoke, and shards of rock filled the air. The tunnel trembled. When the ringing in their ears faded, Lars coughed through the haze. “Great. Now every Ghoul in the dungeon knows where we are.” The smoke cleared slowly. The Ghoul was still standing. Its left arm was blasted down to bare bone but it moved it anyway, fingers twitching like a puppet’s. “What the hell,” Ryota whispered. The creature’s energy pulsed weak, but unmistakable. Then it vanished from sight. It reappeared in front of Emi. “Emi!” Yuki’s voice broke through the chaos. The elf froze for half a heartbeat then thrust out both hands. Light flared between her palms. The Ghoul’s head separated from its shoulders in a single invisible slice, tumbling across the ground. For an instant, victory. Then the body kept moving. It staggered forward, momentum carrying it straight into her. The punch landed square against her chest, sending her gasping, air ripped from her lungs. “Emi!” Lars sprinted forward. But Yuki had already moved. She raised both arms, her aura flaring icy blue. The ground erupted as jagged spikes of ice shot upward, forming a massive glacier that impaled the Ghoul clean through the chest. The creature writhed, shrieking, a sound that made the torches flicker. It clawed at the ice, tearing itself apart in desperation until its upper body ripped clean off. The torso hit the floor with a sick thud, twitching weakly. Lars dropped beside Emi, sliding his arm behind her shoulders. “Talk to me, are you okay?” Her breathing came in short, painful bursts, then steadied. She nodded once, managing a small smile. “I’m fine… really.” Yuki lowered her hands slowly, frost spreading from her boots across the stone. The half-body of the Ghoul dragged itself a few inches forward, stubborn even in death. Lars stood, wiped the sweat from his brow, and drove his sword straight through its chest. The vibration traveled up the blade before the creature went still. For a long moment, no one spoke. Only the echo of dripping water filled the cave. Then Ryota let out a shaky laugh. “One down, right?” No one answered. Akira watched from the back, her expression unreadable. In her eyes, the faintest spark of approval flickered before the darkness swallowed it again. Their first Ghoul was dead. But now, the dungeon knew they were here. The tunnel ahead narrowed into winding paths of cracked stone. The air grew colder, heavier, filled with a faint hum that made the torches flicker blue at the edges. Their footsteps echoed softly, mixing with the distant sound of dripping water. They had just left the site of their first kill, the stench of blood still clinging to them. None of them spoke for a while until Lars finally broke the silence. He glanced toward Emi, who walked a few paces ahead, her silver hair faintly glimmering in the dim torchlight. “Hey, Emi,” he said, his tone light but curious. “That move you pulled back there… how did you cut that Ghoul’s head off without even moving?” Emi stiffened. “I-I… um…” Her voice trailed off, and her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. Lars tilted his head, waiting. “Come on, don’t be shy. That was clean like, scary clean.” Emi’s cheeks turned pink, and her long ears twitched slightly as she tried to explain. “I-It’s not really that special. I can create… um… strings. They’re invisible, but really sharp. Like razors.” Lars’s eyes widened. “Strings? That’s awesome! You mean you can just slice through anything?” She nodded timidly. “If I put enough energy into them, yes… but it takes a lot out of me.” Lars let out a low whistle. “Still, that’s super cool. Way sharper than my blade. You cut that Ghoul’s head off like it was nothing. If we run into another one, you might be our best bet to take it down quick.” Emi’s face grew even redder. She waved her hands nervously. “P-Please don’t say that! I don’t like everyone watching me…” Lars chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “Relax, I’m not trying to embarrass you. I’m saying you’re strong. Ease up, alright? You’re doing great.” Emi’s voice dropped to a whisper. “…Thank you.” Yuki smiled softly from the side. “Her strings are impressive,” she said. “My ice can pierce through Ghoul skin too, but if I keep forming ice at that density, I’ll burn out fast.” She held up her hand, a small shard of ice forming between her fingers before fading. “Every spear like that drains more energy than it looks.” Lars nodded. “Then we’ll save those for when we really need them.” He turned to Ryota, who was walking behind them, whistling casually like nothing happened. Without warning, Lars reached back and smacked him on the head. “Ow! What was that for?!” Ryota shouted, clutching his hair. “For nearly burying us under this damn cave,” Lars said flatly. “You don’t fire off explosions like that underground. You could’ve brought the whole ceiling down on us or worse, called every Ghoul in this place right to us.” Ryota frowned, rubbing his head. “Hey, it worked, didn’t it? That thing’s dead.” “Thanks to the other two,” Lars muttered. Yuki stifled a laugh. “He does have a point, Ryota.” “Yeah, yeah,” Ryota grumbled. “No big blasts. Got it.” The group continued forward, their light carving narrow paths through the dark. Despite the danger, the tension from before had softened. Emi’s nervous glances turned into shy smiles whenever Lars spoke. Yuki’s calm confidence balanced Ryota’s reckless energy. And behind them, Akira followed in silence, eyes sharp and unreadable, watching the way they moved, how they adapted, and how they grew together. For the first time since they entered the dungeon, she saw a spark of what could one day become a real squad. The tunnel widened suddenly. The group stepped out into a hollowed space that stretched far beyond the reach of their torches. The air here was damp and heavy, thick with the stench of decay. Jagged stalactites hung from the ceiling like teeth, dripping water into small black pools below. The flicker of their flames reflected in those puddles like faint, trembling stars. Lars took a slow breath. “This… doesn’t look like a normal passage.” Yuki nodded, her voice quiet. “It’s too open.” All around them, smaller tunnels branched out like veins feeding into a heart. Some sloped upward, others down into deeper darkness. The air carried faint vibrations, the echo of movement far away. Ryota frowned. “How big is this dungeon, seriously? We’ve been walking forever, and it keeps going.” Yuki closed her eyes, focusing on the faint traces of energy that pulsed through the tunnels. When she opened them again, her blue irises shimmered faintly. “There’s one path ahead that feels… different. Stronger energy. It’s coming from that tunnel.” She pointed to a narrow passage on the far right. Lars stepped beside her, feeling the faint hum through the air. “I feel it too.” Ryota grinned. “So that’s where the big one is.” Akira stood silently at the back, watching as they decided among themselves. When Lars turned to her, she gave a faint nod of approval. “Alright then,” Lars said. “We follow the strongest energy.” They stepped into the narrow tunnel. The walls pressed close, rough stone scraping against their shoulders. The air was colder here, dead still. “Stay sharp,” Lars said quietly. “If we run into anything in this space, we won’t have room to swing.” Ryota glanced around. “So what’s the plan if something does show up?” Lars looked ahead, his expression calm but serious. “Then we let Emi handle it.” Emi froze. “M-Me?” Lars gave her a small smile. “You’re the only one who can cut through them fast enough in a space like this. We’ll cover you if anything slips through.” Her hands trembled slightly, but his tone steadied her. “O-Okay. I’ll… I’ll try.” They walked for nearly twenty minutes. Then, from up ahead, came a faint sound. Dragging footsteps. Emi’s breath hitched. “Something’s coming.” The shadow took form, a lone Ghoul shuffling through the narrow tunnel toward them, its red eyes catching the faint glow of their torches. Emi stumbled back a step, panic flashing across her face. Lars’s voice cut through it, calm and firm. “Emi. It’s yours.” Her heart pounded. She could barely breathe, but she knew if she didn’t act, she’d be the first one gone. She lifted her hand, focusing all her energy into her fingertips. A faint, silvery shimmer flickered in the dark. The Ghoul hissed and lunged forward. A sharp sound echoed through the tunnel. The creature froze mid-motion. Its body went rigid before collapsing in two halves, cleanly sliced across the torso. A heartbeat later, its heart rolled free, severed perfectly in two. Emi exhaled, shaking slightly. Lars was already beside her, his hand steady on her shoulder. “You did great,” he said softly. “Clean and fast. Exactly what we needed.” Her eyes met his for a brief second and for the first time, she smiled, faint but genuine. Her heart still raced, but being near him made the fear fade. Then, suddenly a pulse of energy rolled through the tunnel behind them. Yuki turned sharply. “Did you feel that?” They all did. A heavy, suffocating pressure, the kind that made their skin prickle. Lars looked back instinctively. “Akira?” But the space behind them was empty. Akira was gone. Ryota’s voice cracked slightly. “Wait, what? When did she-” “She was right behind us,” Emi whispered. Her voice trembled. “I-I didn’t even hear her stop walking.” Yuki’s eyes narrowed, her tone steady despite the unease. “Something’s happening back there.” Lars hesitated. “Akira can handle herself here. If something found her, it’s already dead.” He turned toward the others. “But we should still check it out. Stay close.” They backtracked carefully, retracing their steps until the tunnel opened again into the large cavern they had left earlier. The sight that met them froze them where they stood. Hundreds of Ghouls filled the chamber. They stood shoulder to shoulder, packed into the room like a congregation of the damned. Their bodies twitched in eerie synchrony, some missing limbs, others half-decayed, yet all perfectly still. Waiting. The dim light revealed rotting flesh and glistening eyes that burned faintly red in the dark. Emi stumbled backward, falling to the ground. “N-No…” Lars stepped forward, sword half-drawn, eyes wide. “They’re… gathering.” Yuki’s voice was barely above a whisper. “A meeting.” Lars nodded grimly. “Yeah. And I’m betting it’s about us.” Ryota’s throat went dry. “You mean they’re… planning?” “Either that,” Lars said, “or something’s making them organize.” In the center of the horde stood a larger Ghoul, its body broader, its presence suffocating. Its flesh was darker, harder, its eyes glowing with a cold intelligence. “The boss,” Yuki murmured. Her tone shifted almost nostalgic, almost fearful. “It’s like the ones from the Shadow Realm.” Lars turned to her. “You’ve seen something like that before?” Yuki nodded slowly. “All the ghouls in the Shadow Realm looked like that one. But the ones there… they were stronger. Much stronger.” Ryota frowned. “If this one’s weaker, I don’t wanna see what the others are like.” The group crouched low, staying just within the shadows of their tunnel entrance. Lars scanned the scene. “Look at the tunnels. Every one of them connects here. This place is… the core. A meeting chamber for the entire dungeon.” Emi’s voice quivered. “S-So all the ghouls here… they come through this place?” “Exactly.” Lars’s jaw tightened. “And that means if we make a move here, we’re dead before we can swing twice.” Ryota leaned closer, whispering. “What if Emi just… I don’t know, uses those threads of hers? One big slice, cut ‘em all down?” Emi blushed deeply, shaking her head furiously. “T-That’s impossible! You’re flattering me too much. My strings aren’t that strong or that long.” Lars smirked. “Would’ve been nice, though.” Yuki’s eyes stayed fixed on the boss. “Whatever they’re doing… it’s not random. Ghouls don’t gather like this. Not unless something’s commanding them.” Lars exhaled slowly. “Then we’re lucky they haven’t noticed us yet.” The sound of low growling rolled through the chamber like thunder. The Ghouls began to move not toward them, but toward the other tunnels. “They’re spreading out,” Yuki said quietly. Lars cursed under his breath. “We need to move. Now.” They backed out of the passage as quietly as they could, their breaths shallow, every scrape of their boots sounding deafening. When they finally slipped back into another adjoining corridor, the air felt different, stale but safe. The new chamber they entered was smaller, filled with scattered bones and torn cloth. The smell was unbearable. Ryota gagged. “Ugh this must be where they sleep.” Yuki nodded grimly. “Or where they feed.” The group exchanged a look, fear mixed with grim determination. Lars tightened his grip on his sword. “Either way,” he said quietly, “we can’t stay here long.” They didn’t know where Akira was. They didn’t know what the Ghouls were planning. They moved in silence, the only sounds their weary footsteps and the faint dripping echo of unseen water. The tunnels twisted endlessly. Lars kept his sword drawn, its edge dull with dried black blood. “From here on,” he said, voice low but firm, “we should assume they’ll attack in groups. That many ghouls gathering back there? They’re planning something. Stay ready for anything.” No one argued. The thought of hundreds of ghouls swarming the tunnels made the silence between them heavier. The darkness around them felt closer now. Time slipped by in uneasy quiet. The dungeon seemed to stretch forever, passage after passage leading to more of the same walls, more suffocating dark. They hadn’t run into a single ghoul since leaving the meeting chamber. It was almost too quiet. Ryota finally muttered, “Either we scared them off… or they’re saving us for later.”  “Don’t joke like that,” Emi said softly. “I’m not,” he replied, half serious, half forced humor. They rounded a corner and heard the faint trickle of water.  “Finally,” Lars said. “Maybe we can refill our flasks.” But as they approached the sound, Yuki’s expression shifted. The water ran dark, murky, with a faint shimmer of oil floating on the surface. The smell hit next, the same foul scent they’d come to know too well. Emi covered her nose. “That smell…” Yuki crouched beside the stream, frowning. “Ghoul residue. Their corruption seeps into anything it touches. This isn’t safe to drink.” Ryota grimaced. “Guess that means we keep moving.” They followed the stream until they found a narrow side chamber. It was small, about ten feet wide, the walls uneven but sealed on all sides. No visible exits except the one they entered from. Lars scanned it quickly with his torch. “No openings. Good. We’ll rest here for a while.” No one argued. They were too tired. The floor was rough, but dry enough. They laid out their sleeping bags and small supplies, the faint sound of the stream just audible in the distance. The flicker of their torchlight cast long shadows over the stone. Yuki sat down first, removing her gloves and flexing her fingers. “Before anyone collapses,” she said, “who’s got the most energy left?” Ryota raised his hand immediately. “That’d be me.” “Good,” Yuki said. “Then you’re on watch for the first half of the night. Lars, you’ll take second. Emi and I will sleep through.” There was a beat of silence. Then, in unison, both Lars and Ryota turned to her. “Wait what?!” Yuki blinked innocently. “What? Emi and I are the only girls here. You can’t expect us to stand guard all night.” Ryota frowned. “That’s not fair!” Lars crossed his arms. “Yeah, using the ‘girls’ card already, huh?” Yuki smiled faintly, resting her chin on her hand. “We need our rest.” Emi let out a small laugh, hiding her smile behind her sleeve. “Fine,” Ryota said with an exaggerated sigh. “But when I get eaten, I’m haunting you.” Yuki smirked. “Good to know.” They all settled in. Ryota took his position near the entrance, sitting with his back against the wall. Lars kept his sword resting across his knees, eyes closing just enough to catch a bit of rest before his shift. Yuki and Emi lay side by side, the warmth of their sleeping bags barely cutting the chill. The faint crackle of torchlight filled the small chamber. For a moment, there was peace. Ryota glanced back at the others Yuki already still, Emi curled up tightly under her blanket. Lars’s breathing evened out. But as Ryota stared into the dark tunnel beyond, that comfort slowly began to fade. The flickering light made the shadows move, stretching long fingers across the floor. He could’ve sworn, just for a second, that something blinked back. His eyelids felt heavy, but he forced them open, tracing the shadows along the rough stone walls. He tried not to think about it. Then he heard footsteps. Soft. Slow. Coming from the dark tunnel beyond. Sweat gathered on his forehead. He created an orb of Spiritual energy in his palm, his pulse hammering in his ears. No way… already? He swallowed hard, trying to stay calm and composed. “Okay, okay, it’s nothing,” he whispered under his breath. “Just air… or rocks… definitely not something trying to eat me.” The footsteps grew louder. Each one deliberate. Closer. Ryota’s fake calm broke instantly. He jumped to his feet, energy sparking faintly around his palm as he prepared to blast whatever came out of that tunnel. And then, out of the shadows, stepped Akira. Ryota froze mid-charge, his jaw dropping. “Wha-?! Don’t sneak up like that!” he hissed, lowering his hand as his heart tried to climb out of his chest. “You almost got blasted!” Akira didn’t respond. Her expression was unreadable, eyes half-lidded with fatigue. Without saying a word, she walked past him, the sound of her boots echoing softly in the silence. She stopped by the far wall, sat down, and leaned her back against the stone. Then, with a quiet sigh, she closed her eyes. Ryota blinked, waiting for her to say something. Anything. “…Uh, welcome back?” he tried. “We were kinda worried about you, you know. You disappeared, there were like a hundred ghouls-” No response. Akira shifted slightly, getting comfortable, and crossed her arms clearly settling in for rest. Ryota stood there, dumbfounded. “Really? That’s it? You just show up, scare the hell outta me, and then take a nap?” Still nothing. He stared for another few seconds, arms out in disbelief. Then he muttered under his breath, “Unbelievable. Not even a ‘good job staying alive,’ huh? Tough crowd.” He turned back toward the tunnel, muttering louder now, mostly to himself. “And people say I’m the reckless one.” Ryota sat back down, rubbing his head, still muttering under his breath about Akira’s lack of gratitude. His torchlight flickered, stretching his shadow long against the jagged walls. Minutes passed. Then hours. The dungeon’s silence pressed against his ears like a weight. Eventually, exhaustion won. His head began to nod. Once. Twice. Then he was out cold, sprawled across the stone floor, snoring softly near the entrance. A few hours later, Lars stirred. His instincts woke him before his turn. He stretched, his back popping audibly, and glanced across the dim room. Akira was leaning against the far wall, arms folded, sleeping. Seeing her there eased something inside him. She was back. At least that much was certain. He looked toward the entrance and his relief evaporated. Ryota was lying flat on his back, mouth open, drool on his chin, snoring loud enough to wake the dead. Lars sighed heavily, rubbing a hand down his face. “Unbelievable.” He stood, walked over, and without hesitation smacked Ryota on the side of the head. Ryota jolted up, half-asleep. “Ow! What the hell-” “Wake up, genius,” Lars muttered. “You’re supposed to be guarding, not in hibernation.” Ryota blinked blearily. “Sorry, man… I must’ve dozed off for just a second- “”Yeah,” Lars said dryly, “a second that lasted four hours.” He jerked a thumb toward the others. “Go lay down somewhere before I change my mind.” Ryota grumbled but obeyed, stumbling toward his sleeping bag and collapsing instantly. Lars shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Idiot.” He took Ryota’s place at the entrance, sword resting across his lap. The blade gleamed faintly in the half-light, its surface etched with runic patterns that pulsed ever so slightly. Time passed in silence again. Lars adjusted his posture, eyes scanning the black tunnel that stretched endlessly forward. The quiet was almost too perfect, the kind that made every sound seem louder than it should be. After what felt like hours, he glanced over his shoulder. The group was still asleep. He looked back into the dark and murmured to himself, “I can go a little longer… Let them rest.” But the longer he sat, the stronger the unease became. That feeling crawled up the back of his neck. Someone was watching. Lars tightened his grip on his sword. He waited. Listened. The air was thick, heavy with something faint and foul. Then, from the edge of his vision, he thought he saw movement. He stood, his boots silent against the rock. “Alright,” he muttered quietly. “Let’s see what you are.” He stepped out into the tunnel, each step deliberate and measured. The air got colder, damper. His torchlight flickered, struggling to push back the dark. He stopped and glanced behind him at the narrow path leading back to the chamber where his team slept. “Only one way in,” he whispered. “As long as nothing gets past me, they’ll be fine.” Then he saw it. A shape on the ground ahead low, hunched, moving on all fours. The faint glint of pale skin under the torchlight. A Ghoul. It froze when it saw him, its red eyes gleaming. For a moment, neither moved. Then it turned sharply and began crawling the other way fast, almost spiderlike retreating into the dark. Lars’s expression hardened. “Oh, no you don’t.” He lifted his sword, pressing two fingers against the flat of the blade. A deep hum resonated through the air as the weapon came alive, glowing faintly with a purple aura. The runes along its edge pulsed brighter, the spiritual magnet engaging. The Ghoul shrieked as an invisible force tugged at it, dragging it backward against its will. Its claws scraped the stone, sparks flying as it tried to resist, but the pull was too strong. “Got you,” Lars muttered. The creature hurtled toward him, flailing. He met it head-on. With a single precise swing, his blade sliced through the air and cleaved off the Ghoul’s arm in one clean motion. The limb hit the ground with a wet slap. The creature howled in agony, thrashing wildly. Lars smirked, lowering his sword slightly. “You’re a weak one,” he said. “I can take you easily.” He charged energy into his weapon again, the glow intensifying. The hum deepened the sound of power building in the steel. But the Ghoul wasn’t done. Its remaining arm slammed into the ground, propelling it backward. Then, suddenly, it turned not toward Lars but toward the tunnel leading back to the others. Lars’s smirk vanished. “Oh, hell no.” He raised his hand to reactivate the spiritual magnet, but the blade flickered its glow fading. The cooldown had kicked in. “Damn it.” He switched to the normal magnetic pull, but the Ghoul had no metal on its body, nothing for the blade to grasp. The air crackled uselessly as the creature sprinted away, its claws scraping and echoing through the tunnel. Lars cursed under his breath and took off after it. His boots pounded the stone, echoing through the corridor as he ran. The tunnel wind rushed against his face, the sound of his own heartbeat mixing with the Ghoul’s screeching ahead. If that thing reached the others… if it attacked while they were asleep- “Not happening,” he growled, pushing harder, his blade flaring faintly in his grip. “You’re not touching them.” Lars’s lungs burned as he sprinted down the tunnel, the echo of the Ghoul’s screech bouncing off the stone walls ahead. The creature was fast, too fast. It twisted its body moving with unnatural speed as it crawled toward the chamber where the others slept. Lars muscles screamed, but he refused to slow down. Then he stopped. He had an idea. He planted his boots firmly into the ground and exhaled, eyes narrowing. Enough chasing. He raised his sword, holding it horizontally at his side. The faint violet glow along its edge flared brighter, crackling like lightning. The air around him vibrated with pressure, the raw pulse of spiritual energy gathering along the blade’s surface. The purple aura expanded, swirling upward like a storm ready to burst. “Let’s see how far you can run from this.” He slashed forward. A wave of energy exploded from the sword’s edge, a brilliant arc of violet light that screamed through the tunnel, tearing up rock and debris in its path. The ground quaked beneath him, dust raining from the ceiling as the attack shot forward like a crescent moon of pure destruction. The Ghoul turned its head just in time to see the light before it consumed it whole. The flash illuminated the entire tunnel for a split second. Every jagged rock, every streak of black blood then silence. When the light faded, the Ghoul was gone. Nothing left but drifting ash. Lars dropped to one knee, planting his sword into the ground for balance. His chest heaved as the purple glow faded from the blade, leaving it dull and cold. He stared at his hands, faint tremors running through them. “What… was that?” he whispered. He’d never drawn that much power before. It felt incredible and terrifying. A faint shimmer of residual energy flickered around the blade before vanishing completely. He knew that attack had drained him nearly dry. I can’t do that again… not in this place, he thought. Not unless I have to. When he returned to the chamber, the others were already awake. The blast had rattled the ground, waking even Akira. She stood near the wall, her expression calm but alert. Ryota rubbed his eyes, yawning. “What the hell was that earthquake?” Yuki’s gaze snapped to Lars. “You used your energy. We felt it all the way here.” Emi’s ears were twitching nervously. “L-Lars? Are you okay? What happened?” Lars leaned against the wall, still catching his breath. “Yeah I’m fine. We had a visitor. A Ghoul.” Ryota stiffened. “You mean one got this close?” “Not anymore,” Lars said. “It’s gone.” He glanced down at his sword faint traces of ash still clinging to the edge. “It was a weaker one. Probably a scout. But if it doesn’t report back…” He looked at the others, his tone sharpening. “They’ll come looking. Maybe a dozen. Maybe more.” Akira’s eyes narrowed slightly but she didn’t interrupt. She wanted to see how he’d handle it. Lars pushed himself upright, his resolve settling in again. “Pack up. We’re moving out now. The longer we stay, the worse it gets.” Yuki nodded, already rolling up her sleeping bag. “Understood.” Ryota groaned but started helping Emi with her gear. “Man, I was just starting to get comfortable.” Emi smiled faintly, her voice small but steady. “Better uncomfortable than eaten.” “Good point,” Ryota muttered. Lars gave him a flat look. “Just getting comfortable? You were out for over seven hours.” Ryota blinked, pretending not to hear him as he tightened the buckle on his belt. Lars’s eye twitched. “Oh, so we’re ignoring facts now?” “Yep,” Ryota said quickly, already walking past him. “Let’s move, Captain Serious.” Lars sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Unbelievable.” Behind them, Yuki’s quiet laugh echoed softly, and even Emi covered a smile. Akira, standing near the entrance, watched their small exchange without a word. “Alright,” Lars said finally, turning toward the exit. “Enough talking. We move out.” The group stepped into the narrow tunnel once more, the light from their torches pushing against the darkness. The air felt heavier now, the silence denser. Every sound, every drip, every step seemed amplified. The smell of decay thickened as they advanced. Streaks of black sludge trailed along the walls, remnants of Ghoul passage. No one needed to say it aloud: the deeper they went, the closer they were getting to the heart of the dungeon. Lars led the way, blade in hand. Yuki followed, her eyes flicking from shadow to shadow. Ryota grumbled under his breath, but stayed alert. And Emi walked quietly beside Yuki, her fingers twitching nervously. From behind them, Akira’s steady footsteps echoed, silent but ever-present. The farther they walked, the more the tunnel began to slope downward into the unknown.