The fourth floor safe point felt like a small town inside the dungeon. Houses made of stone and wood stood in rows, lights glowing softly as adventurers moved around, resting, trading, and preparing for deeper exploration. It was almost peaceful, but Drake's warning still lingered in everyone's mind. A human killer was far more dangerous than any monster.
Yash didn't waste time. He moved forward calmly, scanning the area.
Yash: "We investigate."
May: "Stay together."
Igna walked close to them, alert, while Hena stayed slightly behind, ready to support if needed. After a few steps, Yash suddenly stopped.
Yash: "Before that… we rest."
May looked at him with slight confusion.
May: "Now?"
Yash turned his head slightly.
Yash: "We need information first."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
Yash: "And there's someone who won't forgive me if I don't visit."
May sighed.
May: "…Emily."
They walked through the safe point and stopped in front of a slightly larger house. Without knocking, Yash opened the door and stepped inside. Igna followed and instantly froze.
Inside stood a girl who immediately drew all attention. She was extremely beautiful, standing confidently in a pink bra and shorts, completely unbothered by their sudden entry. Igna's face turned red instantly as he quickly looked away, then accidentally looked back again before turning away once more.
The girl blinked once, then her eyes widened in shock.
Emily: "YASH?!"
She rushed forward and jumped onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.
Emily: "YOU'RE ALIVE?!"
Yash remained calm as always.
Yash: "Yeah."
Emily pulled back slightly, staring at his face as if confirming he was real. Then she smiled widely, clearly happy.
Her attention suddenly shifted to Igna.
A playful grin spread across her face.
Emily: "Oh… what is this?"
She walked toward him slowly. Igna instinctively stepped back.
Igna: "W-what…?"
Emily leaned in very close, her face just inches from his.
Emily: "He's cute."
Igna froze completely.
Before he could react, she pinched his cheek.
Emily: "So soft… I feel like kidnapping you."
Igna's face turned even redder.
Igna: "S-stop…"
She didn't listen and grabbed his face with both hands, turning it left and right like he was a toy.
Emily: "Yash, where did you find this one? I'm keeping him."
Igna: "I'm not an item!"
May stepped in and pulled Emily away.
May: "Stop messing with him."
Emily laughed lightly.
Emily: "Relax, I'm just playing."
She crossed her arms but continued staring at Igna with amusement.
Emily: "But seriously… he's adorable."
Igna turned away, embarrassed.
He leaned slightly toward May.
Igna: "Who is she…?"
May sighed.
May: "An old friend."
After a short pause, she added calmly.
May: "The one who tried to get with Yash."
Igna blinked.
Igna: "Tried?"
May: "He rejected her."
Igna slowly turned to look at Yash, then back at Emily, clearly confused.
Emily clicked her tongue.
Emily: "He's too loyal."
She glanced toward Hena.
Emily: "Painfully loyal."
Hena looked away slightly, trying to hide her reaction.
The atmosphere became lighter after that. They talked for some time, joking and sharing small moments that made the place feel less tense. But Yash didn't forget the real reason they came.
After a while, his expression turned serious.
Yash: "We need information."
Emily's smile faded slightly as she leaned back.
Emily: "You heard it too?"
Yash nodded.
Emily: "People are dying."
The room became silent instantly.
Emily: "Not by monsters."
Igna's expression changed.
Yash stepped forward slightly.
Yash: "Show me."
They moved to one of the locations where bodies had been found. The scene was unsettling. The bodies lay still, with no signs of struggle, no chaos, no resistance. Just clean, precise deaths.
Igna felt a chill run through his body.
Yash crouched down, carefully observing the bodies. His eyes moved from one detail to another, analyzing everything.
After a moment, he stood up.
May: "What do you think?"
Yash looked at the bodies again before speaking.
Yash: "No need to panic."
Igna frowned.
Igna: "What do you mean?"
Yash turned slightly toward them.
Yash: "This isn't random killing."
He pointed at the surroundings.
Yash: "No signs of struggle."
Another pause.
Yash: "No stolen items."
His gaze sharpened.
Yash: "No unnecessary damage."
The meaning was clear.
Yash: "This killer has a reason."
Silence filled the area again.
Igna clenched his fist slightly.
A human who could kill like this… was far more dangerous than any monster.
The real threat of this floor had nothing to do with creatures.
It was something far worse.