The heavy wooden doors of the Dawnstead Adventurer's Guild swung open with a weighty creak. As Garrick Voss strode in, every adventurer in the hall instinctively turned toward him. The usual hum of voices and clinking tankards faded as Belle, Kai, and Trinity Blade followed in his wake.
The confrontation at the gates had already spread like wildfire, and now, every pair of eyes in the hall was locked onto them.
Curious whispers. Wary glances. Some adventurers leaned in to quietly murmur their own theories.
"Did you see what happened outside?"
"They almost fought right in front of the gates."
"Who pissed off the guildmaster this time?"
Kai let out a low whistle, his voice a murmur meant only for Belle. "Feels like we're walking into an execution."
Belle remained silent, focused on the path ahead.
Meanwhile, Trinity Blade walked as if they were marching toward their next victory.
Garron led the way, his armor catching the glow of lantern light, head held high with a cocky stride. Darin twirled his staff idly, unfazed by the weight of the stares, while Lena followed in perfect silence, her face unreadable.
Despite their confidence, no one dared to speak under Garrick's looming presence.
The guildmaster's expression was unreadable, but his mere presence was enough to silence the entire hall. He walked with purpose, each step measured, leading them past the main reception area.
At the far end, Alina, the guild receptionist, stood by a side door, waiting. She cast a brief glance at the group but said nothing, her usual composure unshaken.
Garrick pushed open the door, motioning them inside.
"Inside. Now."
No one hesitated.
The shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Garrick's office was dimly lit, lined with wooden bookshelves filled with battle reports, old maps, and guild records. The faint scent of aged parchment and polished wood lingered in the air.
A large desk stood at the center, but Garrick didn't sit. Instead, he remained standing, arms crossed, his piercing gaze sweeping over them.
To the right of the room, Boris, the guild's quest coordinator, leaned against a cabinet with his arms folded. His broad frame and grizzled features made him look more like a retired warrior than a guild official. He eyed the group with a tired expression—one that suggested he already knew how this conversation would play out.
Alina entered last, closing the door behind her before taking her place beside Boris.
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
Then, Garrick's voice cut through the silence.
"You're causing trouble."
The accusation wasn't aimed at just one person. It was meant for everyone in the room.
Garron scoffed, crossing his arms. "We didn't do anything wrong."
Garrick's gaze pinned him in place. "You caused a public disturbance in front of the town gates. Do I need to explain why that's a problem?"
Darin smirked, leaning casually on his staff. "A little magic display isn't a crime."
Boris let out a tired exhale. "In front of the merchant district? What were you thinking? You're lucky the knights weren't the ones handling this."
Lena said nothing, her face unreadable as always.
Kai, clearly uninterested in the scolding, yawned dramatically. "Well, if that's all this is about, can we go now? I'd love to get back to not caring."
Garrick ignored him, his tone shifting as he moved to the real reason they were here.
"A new dungeon has been discovered."
Kai's eyebrows raised slightly. "That fast? Didn't a new one appear just last month?"
The room was in total silence.
Belle didn't react outwardly, but she sensed the tension shift.
Garron's arrogance flickered into something more serious. "A dungeon?"
Garrick nodded. "Not far from Dawnstead. A scouting party discovered the entrance last night, but something about it isn't normal." He tapped a parchment on his desk. "Most dungeons follow predictable patterns. They form in areas where mana accumulates over time. Their depths, structure, and monster ecosystem depend on the density of that mana. But this one—" his voice darkened slightly, "—doesn't fit the pattern."
Darin's smirk faded. "How so?"
"The mana readings are unstable. The entrance appeared overnight with no prior signs of buildup. And most concerning of all…" Garrick's gaze flicked toward Boris.
Boris exhaled through his nose. "The monsters inside aren't acting normal. We still don't know why."
A beat of silence followed.
Lena spoke for the first time. "If it's an official dungeon quest, the requirements are the same, aren't they?"
Garrick nodded.
"Normally, to take on a dungeon expedition, an adventurer must be at least D-Rank or higher. And they must operate in an official party. That means our first choice is obvious." His gaze landed on Trinity Blade.
Garron smirked, confidence returning. "Well, of course. We're the strongest party in Dawnstead." He cracked his knuckles. "We'll clear it in no time."
Darin chuckled. "Should be a good warm-up."
Lena remained quiet, but the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at her lips.
Garrick didn't react to their arrogance. Instead, he dropped the next piece of information.
"Belle and Kai will also be investigating the dungeon."
Garron's smirk vanished instantly.
Darin blinked. "Wait, what?"
Lena narrowed her eyes slightly.
Even Kai looked surprised. "Huh?"
Alina, still standing near the door, spoke up next. "Since the dungeon is behaving abnormally, the guild has decided to send in an additional team to gather information. However—" she gave Belle and Kai a firm look, "—you must form an official party before accepting the quest."
Garron took a step forward, glaring at Garrick. "You can't be serious. You're sending them?"
"They're more capable than you think." Garrick's tone was neutral, but his words hit like a hammer.
Garron's fists clenched. "They're not even an official party. They're just—"
Kai grinned, stretching his arms behind his head. "Just what? Too strong for you?"
Darin scowled. "Tch."
Belle, however, remained quiet, her gaze thoughtful.
Lena finally spoke. "That means they don't even meet the minimum qualifications."
Garron scoffed, voice filled with irritation. "And yet you're still considering them?" He turned his glare toward Garrick. "Why waste resources on inexperienced nobodies when we are more than enough?"
The room's tension thickened.
Belle, up until this point, had remained quiet.
Now, she finally spoke.
"We never said we wouldn't form a party," Belle said simply, her voice calm but unwavering.
Kai shrugged. "Besides, shouldn't you guys be more focused on proving yourself than worrying about us?"
Garron's jaw clenched. "You think this is a joke?"
Kai smirked. "No. But I think it's funny how much it's bothering you."
The tension was about to break.
And then—Garrick's voice cut through once more.
"That's enough."
Everyone fell silent.
His gaze pierced through the room.
"This is not up for debate," he stated firmly. "Trinity Blade will be assigned to the dungeon."
He then turned to Belle and Kai.
"If you want in on this mission, then form your party immediately."
Kai exhaled, clearly already annoyed by them.
But Belle?
She was already thinking ahead.
This dungeon wasn't normal.
And something told her that this quest wouldn't be an easy task.
The Rusty Keg Tavern was as lively as ever. The scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spiced ale filled the air, mingling with the low hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter. The warm glow of candlelight flickered against the wooden walls, casting shadows that danced across the tavern's rustic interior.
At one of the corner tables, Belle and Kai sat across from each other, their plates filled with steaming food. The exhaustion of the day weighed on them, but the tension from the guild meeting still lingered in the air like an unspoken thought.
For a while, they ate in silence.
Kai tore off a chunk of fresh bread, dipping it into his stew before taking a hearty bite. His sigh of contentment was almost exaggerated.
"Man, I missed real food," he muttered between bites. "Two days of dry rations? Never again."
Belle looked up from her plate, arching an eyebrow. "You say that every time."
"And I'll keep saying it," Kai said with a mouthful, waving his spoon dramatically. "Doesn't make it less true."
Belle rolled her eyes but took a sip of her drink, letting the warmth of the liquid chase away the lingering chill from the night air.
For a brief moment, it was just a normal meal. The kind that adventurers had after a long day.
But the weight of the earlier conversation still hung between them.
Kai glanced up and caught the thoughtful look in Belle's eyes as she poked at her food. He let out a knowing sigh.
"Alright, what's on your mind?"
Belle hesitated for half a second before setting down her fork.
"That dungeon quest."
Kai smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Figured you'd bring it up sooner or later." He lazily tapped his fingers against the table, as if debating where to start.
Belle met his gaze. "What exactly is a dungeon?"
Kai exhaled, setting his fork down. "Alright. Listen up, then. I'll break it down for you."
Kai rested his elbows on the table, his expression shifting to something more serious.
"First off, dungeons aren't like ordinary caves or ruins," he started. "They're natural phenomena, created when mana accumulates in a specific area over time. That mana distorts reality and forms a self-contained space—an ecosystem of its own."
Belle's eyes narrowed slightly. "An ecosystem?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah. See, dungeons don't just spawn randomly. They generate monsters, traps, and even entire landscapes inside them. And the deeper you go, the stronger those monsters get." He took a sip of his drink. "It's almost like the dungeon itself is alive."
Belle narrowed her eyes. "You mean it's sentient?"
"Not exactly." Kai shook his head. "But it does want to survive. Which brings us to the most important part—" He leaned forward. "The real heart of a dungeon, is its core."
Belle tilted her head. "The dungeon core?"
Kai grinned. "That's right. Every dungeon has one. The core is what keeps a dungeon alive. It's a crystallized mass of pure mana, and it acts like the dungeon's heart and brain at the same time. It maintains the structure, regenerates monsters, and warps reality inside."
Belle absorbed the information, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup. "So if you destroy the core…?"
"The dungeon collapses," Kai confirmed. "The mana disperses, the monsters stop respawning, and the whole place turns into just another cave." He took another bite of his food before adding, "That's what we call conquering a dungeon."
Belle frowned slightly. "And what happens if no one conquers it?"
Kai shrugged. "Depends. Some dungeons stay stable for years, just acting as monster nests for adventurers to clear. Others…" He hesitated. "Let's just say some dungeons don't like being left alone."
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Belle finally asked, "How long does it take to conquer a dungeon?"
Kai scratched his chin, thinking. "That depends on a few factors—the dungeon's rank, the number of floors, and the strength of the adventurers inside." He pushed his empty bowl aside and leaned forward slightly. "Dungeons are classified from D-Rank to A-Rank, just like adventurers. Most of them range between 10 to 25 floors, but some of the bigger ones?" He exhaled. "They can go even deeper."
Belle crossed her arms, considering his words. "So… how long does it take to clear a dungeon like that?"
Kai smirked. "On average, each floor takes about a day or two to clear. That's if you're well-prepared and nothing unexpected happens." He leaned back in his chair. "But the deeper you go, the harder it gets. The monsters are stronger, the traps deadlier, and the layout more unpredictable."
Belle frowned. "What do you mean by unpredictable?"
Kai gestured vaguely with his fork. "Dungeons aren't static. Some floors shift and change over time. One day a passage might lead to the next level, and the next day it could be a dead end—or worse, a trap." He took another bite of food before continuing. "Not to mention, some dungeons have 'special conditions' that affect how you progress. Things like restricted magic, unique monsters, or even time distortions."
Belle absorbed the information, feeling the weight of what a dungeon expedition truly meant. "So, if the difficulty increases the deeper you go… how long would it take to clear a high-rank dungeon?"
Kai let out a low chuckle. "A week. Maybe more. If you're unlucky, you could spend a whole month just trying to break through a single floor."
Belle's eyes widened slightly. "A month? Just for one floor?"
Kai nodded. "Yep. Some dungeons are designed to grind down adventurers—to test their endurance, their resources, their sanity. If you don't bring enough supplies, or if you get lost… well, you can probably guess what happens."
Belle's fingers curled slightly. The idea of being trapped inside a dungeon for weeks on end, surrounded by monsters, running low on food and water—it wasn't exactly comforting.
Kai noticed her expression and gave her a lopsided grin. "Relax. Most expeditions are well-organized. That's why the guild requires teams to have exit strategies—supplies, teleportation scrolls, or emergency beacons." He shrugged. "Still, once you're in, you're committed. Turning back halfway isn't always an option."
Belle exhaled slowly. "So that's why dungeons are considered such a big deal."
"Exactly." Kai took another bite of food before speaking again, his voice more serious this time. "And that's why we're going to have to prepare if we're taking this one on."
Belle's grip on her cup tightened slightly.
Kai continued. "Dungeons can expand over time. Their mana can leak into the outside world, causing monster outbreaks or creating areas where the laws of magic get… unstable." He sighed. "And in the worst-case scenario, some dungeons evolve into something even worse."
Belle didn't like the sound of that. "Worse?"
Kai smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Ever heard of a Dungeon Break?"
Belle shook her head.
Kai leaned back. "If a dungeon overflows with mana and isn't kept in check, it can forcefully open a rift to the outside world. The monsters inside spill out in waves, attacking anything in their path." He twirled his spoon between his fingers. "That's why we have dungeon quests—to keep dungeons under control before they get to that point."
Belle absorbed the information, eyes flickering with thought. "So that's why the guild is so strict about dungeon expeditions."
Kai nodded. "Exactly. That's why you need to be D-Rank or higher and part of an official party to even take on a dungeon quest. It's not something just anyone can walk into."
Belle set her drink down. "So what about us?"
Kai raised an eyebrow. "What about us?"
Belle leaned forward slightly. "Are we going to take the dungeon quest?"
Kai exhaled through his nose, as if he already knew this conversation was coming. He took another bite of his meal before speaking.
"Before we even think about that, we'd need to form an official party first."
Belle rested her chin on her hand, her gaze thoughtful. "Why is that a requirement?"
Kai tapped a finger against the wooden table, his expression turning serious. "Because dungeons aren't just dangerous—they're unpredictable. Doesn't matter how strong you are; the moment you let your guard down, you're done for." His crimson eyes flickered slightly under the dim tavern lights. "Traps. Ambushes. Environmental hazards. Even the best adventurers can get caught off guard. And when that happens? If you're alone… no one's there to pull you out."
Belle frowned slightly. "So even if someone is strong enough to fight on their own, it's still a bad idea?"
Kai nodded. "Exactly. Strength alone isn't enough. You need backup—people who can cover your weaknesses, watch your blind spots, and make sure you don't bleed out from some poisoned dagger you didn't see coming." He leaned back, crossing his arms. "That's why the guild has strict rules about dungeon expeditions. They don't just send in random adventurers; they send in coordinated teams. You have to be part of an official party, registered and approved. No exceptions."
Belle drummed her fingers against the table. "So the guild isn't just trying to be strict. It's about survival."
Kai smirked. "Now you're getting it. Dungeons don't play fair. So neither should we."
Belle frowned. "Why aren't you in a party already?"
Kai was quiet for a moment. He set his spoon down, eyes flickering toward the lantern light above them.
"I don't like being tied down," he finally admitted. "Most parties have rules, expectations, rankings. Too much structure for me." He glanced at her. "You saw Trinity Blade today, right? They act like a pack of wolves, always trying to be at the top." He smirked. "Not my thing."
Belle studied him. "So you've never done a dungeon quest before?"
Kai chuckled. "I've joined expeditions here and there, but never as part of a registered party. I usually just take solo commissions or short-term jobs." He leaned forward. "But official parties are different. They have guild recognition, access to better quests, resources, and a shared ranking system. Basically, they're the backbone of any serious adventuring group."
Belle nodded, absorbing the information. "And we need to form one to take on the dungeon."
"Exactly."
Belle looked at him for a long moment. "Would you be okay with forming a party with me?"
Kai blinked, then let out a short laugh. "You really don't waste time, do you?"
Belle didn't answer. She just waited.
Kai exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Obsidian Dawn."
Belle tilted her head. "What?"
Kai gave her a lazy grin. "That's what we're naming our party. Obsidian Dawn. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
Belle considered it, then nodded. "Obsidian Dawn."
Kai held out a hand. "Guess that makes it official."
Belle grasped his hand firmly, sealing the agreement.
Tomorrow, they'd go back to the guild and make it official.
And with that, their first dungeon expedition was about to begin.
End of Chapter 32