The first rays of morning light filtered through the wooden shutters of my room, painting the walls in streaks of gold. The familiar scent of home—warm wood, fresh air, and a lingering hint of breakfast—greeted me as I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Today wasn't just another day. Today, Elise and I would dive into the dungeon fully equipped for the first time.
No more training weights. No more worn-out practice weapons.
It was time to put everything to the test.
I pushed off my bed and stretched, feeling my muscles shift under my skin—firmer, stronger, sharper than they had been just a month ago. I had changed, whether I liked it or not.
With a deep breath, I got up, grabbed my armor, and began my morning routine.
The cold splash of water against my face jolted me awake as I washed up, the fatigue from training still clinging to my bones but fading fast. My armor, though considered light, still carried weight. It was made of hardened leather with steel reinforcements covering my chest and shoulders, sturdy enough to take a hit but flexible enough for quick movement. I strapped it on, securing the buckles with practiced ease.
My weapon—a sharp, well-balanced battle axe—rested against the wall. I gripped its handle, feeling the familiar weight in my palm before slinging it over my back.
Today would be different.
Today, we weren't just diving in like reckless fools. We were ready.
As I stepped out of my room, the sounds of my family filled the small house—the clatter of dishes, the laughter of my siblings, and the soft murmur of my parents talking. A normal morning. A peaceful moment before stepping into the dangers of the dungeon.
I grabbed a piece of freshly baked bread from the kitchen, taking a bite as I passed through. The warm, slightly sweet taste melted on my tongue, a comforting reminder of home.
"Heading out already?" my mother asked, leaning against the kitchen doorway.
I nodded, swallowing my bite. "Yeah. I'll be back later."
My father, sitting by the window, glanced up from his sharpening stone, where he was working on one of his old daggers. "Watch yourself in there, Kael." His tone was firm, but there was a hint of something else. Worry? Pride? Maybe both.
Aiden and Lyra—my ever-energetic twin siblings—ran up, tugging at my arm. "Play with us later?" Lyra asked with big, hopeful eyes.
I smirked. "If I'm not too tired."
Aiden pouted. "You always say that!"
I ruffled his hair and chuckled. "Then I'll try not to be tired."
With that, I downed the rest of my water, slung my axe over my back, and stepped out into the morning light.
Dragnir was alive with movement. The streets buzzed with merchants setting up their stalls, their voices mixing into a chaotic symphony of bartering and sales. The scent of freshly baked pastries, sizzling meats, and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the familiar metallic tang from blacksmith shops.
But today, something was different.
As I approached the city center, I noticed a large crowd gathering. People—adventurers, merchants, and civilians alike—had stopped to watch the growing spectacle near the Dungeon Diver Guild.
I slowed my pace, listening to the excited murmurs around me.
"Another guild is attempting a record-breaking run in the Black Labyrinth!" someone whispered.
"Silver Dragon Guild is going to push past Floor 55 and aim for Floor 60!" another voice added.
That caught my attention. Not the Warlords? That was surprising. The Warlords had held the record for years, dominating the dungeon's challenges. But the Silver Dragon Guild stepping up meant they believed they had the strength to push further.
I shifted my gaze toward the assembled warriors.
They were intimidating.
Polished armor gleamed under the sun, weapons sharpened to perfection, auras of confidence and raw power radiating off them like a force field. They weren't just experienced divers—they were elites.
Then, another whisper caught my ear.
"I heard a new team is going to challenge the tenth floor today."
I turned toward the smaller group standing a bit away from the elite guild members. They looked nervous yet determined, armed with new equipment but lacking the seasoned presence of veterans.
And that's when I saw her.
Silver hair. Deep blue eyes. A presence that was both composed and commanding.
She stood at the front of the group, staring directly at me.
My breath hitched for a second. She looks familiar.
For a moment, my mind scrambled, searching through memories, trying to place why this girl felt so recognizable.
Then, like a flash of lightning—Abigail's face crossed my mind.
The resemblance was uncanny.
But before I could dwell on it further, a sudden elbow to my ribs jolted me from my thoughts.
"Hey, do you have a crush on her or something?" Elise teased, her tone light but amused. "I heard she's the top student from this year's academy graduates."
I scoffed, rubbing my side. "No, I'm not. She just reminds me of someone I know."
Elise arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Who?"
I exhaled, shifting my axe on my shoulder. "A friend from the library. Abigail. Now that I think about it... I miss chatting with her."
That was true. I hadn't seen Abigail in a long time. Training, diving, and surviving had taken all my focus.
I turned to Elise. "When I have time, I'll set up a meeting. You'd like her. She's a dungeon nerd—you can ask her anything about dungeons."
Elise gave a casual shrug. "Alright, alright. Just set a proper date, okay? Not too sudden."
I smirked. "Got it."
With that, we turned and headed toward the dungeon entrance.
Today was different.
This time, we weren't diving in like unprepared fools.
This time, we had our own weapons, our own armor, and the experience to back it up.
--------
The city center of Dragnir was more alive than ever, bustling with activity as divers, merchants, and spectators filled the streets. The air hummed with an electric energy—a mixture of excitement, tension, and anticipation.
At the heart of it all stood the towering structure of the Black Labyrinth Dungeon, a behemoth of a fortress that loomed over the city like a monument to both greatness and despair. Every diver that entered either rose in fame or vanished into its dark depths, never to be seen again.
But today, something monumental was happening.
Word had spread like wildfire—the Silver Dragon Guild was making their move. Unlike the famed Warlords, who had long held the record at Floor 55, the Silver Dragon Guild had declared their intent to push through to Floor 60.
Their members—towering warriors in full plate armor, lithe assassins with cloaks that barely fluttered, mages radiating a faint aura of power—gathered at the entrance. They weren't just strong; they looked invincible.
Onlookers whispered among themselves.
"Do you think they can make it?"
"They wouldn't attempt it unless they were confident. But still… Floor 60?"
"The Warlords couldn't even go past 55! If they fail, the dungeon might tighten its defenses."
While the elite guild made their final preparations, another group stood gathered on the side of the city square, clearly separate from the powerful warriors.
Among them, Luna stood, arms crossed, her expression blank yet elegant—a composed mask hiding the impatience brewing underneath.
Her silver hair, neatly tied in a loose braid, shimmered under the daylight, while her deep blue eyes flickered with quiet contemplation. Her dark, form-fitting combat attire gave her an air of discipline, but the way she tapped her foot against the cobblestone showed her growing boredom.
As her flamboyant team captain—a young noble by the name of Eldric Vale—yapped on about their strategy for attacking the tenth floor, Luna paid no mind to him.
"Now, as you all know, we'll proceed cautiously. Formation A-3 if we encounter any high-tier goblins, and Formation B-7 if we face…"
His voice droned on, and Luna zoned out.
Instead, her attention drifted to something more interesting—the crowd.
Her eyes methodically scanned the mass of people, as she often did when she was bored, searching for something—or someone.
And then, she saw him.
Kael's Gaze
Kael.
He walked into the city center, his red hair catching the sunlight like a flame among embers. He was clad in light armor, an axe slung over his back, moving with the relaxed but aware gait of someone who had been through his fair share of battles.
He wasn't gawking at the dungeon entrance like the others. Instead, his sharp red eyes were observing the Silver Dragon Guild, analyzing them.
Luna's gaze, however, never wavered.
She had been searching for him.
And then—to her surprise—their eyes met.
Her breath hitched.
For a moment, everything else faded away—the chatter, the city noise, even Eldric's annoying voice. It was just the two of them, locked in an unspoken exchange.
At first, she expected him to glance away as he usually did, like when she had secretly observed him before. But this time…
It was different.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze lingering longer than before.
Luna stiffened. Why is he looking at me so intensely?
A realization struck her.
Did… did he recognize me?
Her heart pounded slightly—a feeling both thrilling and unnerving. She had been careful, incredibly careful, to keep her two identities separate.
But Kael's stare wasn't just idle curiosity.
He was thinking.
Putting the pieces together.
Before she could decide whether to look away, something else happened.
A girl elbowed him.
Luna blinked.
She recognized the girl immediately—Elise, Kael's dungeon partner.
The playful way she nudged Kael, the teasing smirk on her lips—it triggered something in Luna. Annoyance? Jealousy?
Luna didn't know, but she found herself narrowing her eyes, watching them closely.
Reading Their Lips
She wasn't close enough to hear, but her sharp vision allowed her to vaguely read their lips.
Kael said something. Elise smirked.
Then—Luna caught a few words.
"...crush…?"
"...she reminds me…"
"...a close friend from the library…"
Luna's mind froze.
They were talking about her.
Her face heated up instantly. What—?!
Did he mean her as Luna or as Abigail?
Was he thinking about her this whole time?
And then—another phrase.
"...miss chatting with her…"
Luna's mind spun into chaos.
Kael misses me?!
Wait. Does that mean he loves me?!
Does he want to marry me?!
Oh, he wants to meet me?!
He wants to—date me?!
Luna, utterly lost in her own spiraling thoughts, murmured under her breath, her face now lightly tinged with pink.
Beside her, Shen, her ever-reliable butler and bodyguard, cleared his throat.
"My lady," he said in a firm, quiet voice. "Please don't be like this in public. People might think you're casting a curse on them."
Luna snapped out of her daze, realizing she had been muttering to herself with a slightly crazed expression.
She coughed, composing herself, but then clicked her tongue irritably.
"Tsk. Shen, remind me to visit the public library as Abigail when we don't have any plans."
She paused.
"No—scratch that. Make plans to visit the public library after this mission."
Shen inclined his head, as ever, calm and professional. "Yes, my lady. I will do so."
Luna huffed.
"Good."
She folded her arms, gaze drifting back to Kael just as he and Elise entered the dungeon.
As she watched him disappear into the abyss, a determined glint flashed in her deep blue eyes.
Kael.
If he wanted to meet Abigail…
Then she would make sure he got his chance.