The entrance to the dungeon stood just outside the city, guarded and constantly active. Adventurers moved in and out without pause, some confident, others exhausted.
At the center of it all—
Was the dungeon itself.
It looked like a massive crack in space, dark and unnatural, as if reality had been torn open. Even from a distance, Igna could feel it.
Heavy.
Cold.
Alive.
He swallowed slightly as he followed May, Stela, and Maxe toward the entrance. This was his first time stepping into a dungeon, and no matter how much he tried to stay calm, his heart refused to slow down.
"You're nervous, aren't you?"
Stela's voice came lightly from beside him.
Igna looked away. "No."
She smiled, clearly unconvinced, and poked his cheek.
"Relax, cutie. You're not going to die on your first day."
Igna frowned. "Stop calling me that."
May didn't turn, but her voice cut through calmly. "Stay focused. The dungeon isn't a place for jokes."
Stela raised her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, leader."
Beside him, Maxe walked quietly, her presence steady.
"Just stay close to us," she said softly. "We'll support you."
Igna nodded.
Even with the teasing… they were watching out for him.
That thought eased him, just a little.
They showed their IDs and stepped forward.
The moment Igna crossed the boundary—
The world changed.
The light dimmed instantly. The air turned cold, pressing against his skin. Even the ground beneath his feet felt different, as if it carried a faint, unnatural pulse.
They had entered the dungeon.
The first floor.
They moved forward carefully. The path ahead was wide, but multiple routes branched out into darkness. The deeper they went, the more the silence began to feel wrong.
Then Maxe suddenly stopped.
Her expression shifted.
"Monsters nearby."
May raised her hand slightly. "Get ready."
Igna tightened his grip on his dagger. His heartbeat quickened.
This was it.
His first real fight.
From the shadows above—
They dropped.
Dungeon bats.
Dozens of them.
Igna barely had time to react—
Before lightning tore through the air.
"Too slow."
Stela's magic exploded across the ceiling, cutting through the swarm instantly. At the same time, May stepped forward, finishing the ones that got close with clean, precise strikes.
Within seconds—
It was over.
Igna stood still, his dagger in hand.
He hadn't moved.
Stela tilted her head, looking at him. "You have to take chances, cutie."
She stepped closer and patted his head.
Igna immediately stepped back. "I said I'm not a dog."
She laughed softly. "You're easy to tease."
Igna stayed silent, but inside—
Frustration burned.
I couldn't do anything…
They continued deeper.
On the way, they passed another team returning from inside. Their bodies were covered in injuries, their movements slow and heavy.
Igna watched them quietly.
A reminder.
This place wasn't safe.
Not even close.
After a while, another group of monsters appeared.
Dungeon wolves.
Faster. Stronger.
This time, Igna moved.
He stepped forward and struck.
His dagger landed cleanly.
One wolf fell.
But before he could follow up—
The rest were already dead.
May and Stela had finished them without effort.
Igna stood there again.
Late.
Stela walked over and patted his head once more. "Oh~ our little Igna got one."
Igna's face flushed slightly. "I'm not a kid. And stop treating me like a pet."
He tried to move away, but she grabbed his cheek and pinched it.
"You really are fun to tease."
He couldn't stop her.
May watched briefly, then turned forward.
"Focus. More are coming."
A heavier sound echoed through the dungeon.
This time—
A pack of wolves appeared.
And among them—
Something else.
Larger.
Darker.
A corrupted dungeon wolf.
Its presence alone was different.
Heavier.
More dangerous.
Igna's grip tightened.
His eyes sharpened.
This one…
Before May could step forward—
Igna moved.
"I'll take that one."
May looked at him for a moment.
Then a faint smile appeared. "Alright."
Stela raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"
"I am."
She smirked. "Then we'll handle the rest."
The battle began instantly.
The corrupted wolf moved first—
Fast.
Faster than the others.
It lunged.
Igna barely dodged, his body reacting just in time. His heart pounded violently.
If I mess up… I'm dead.
He forced himself to focus.
Watched.
Waited.
The wolf attacked again—
And this time—
Igna moved.
His blade struck its eye.
A sharp, clean hit.
The beast roared.
He didn't hesitate.
Another strike—
Its leg.
The wolf stumbled.
Igna stepped forward, closing the distance without pause.
And with one final motion—
He cut cleanly through its neck.
The head fell.
Silence followed.
Behind him, the rest of the wolves were already gone.
Stela approached, smiling.
"Not bad."
She patted his head again. "Our little Igna is growing."
Igna let out a quiet breath.
"I'm not a dog…"
But this time—
He didn't stop her.
Stela leaned closer, amused. "Then stop acting like one."
She laughed.
Igna looked away.
But a faint smile appeared on his face.
Just slightly.
They moved deeper into the dungeon.
The battles would only grow harder.
The danger would only increase.
But for Igna—
Something had changed.
For the first time—
He had stepped forward.