I roused from sleep in my room, awakened by the aroma of breakfast wafting up from downstairs. The events of the previous day lingered in my mind and today promised a new adventure. I dressed quickly and headed down, eager to meet the Solstice party members at the Adventurer’s Guild.

  I entered the guild hall, laughter and chatter filling the air. Todd waved me over, his excitement palpable. “You ready?” he asked, grinning widely.

  “Absolutely,” I replied, feeling a rush wash over me.

  Devin sat nearby, polishing her daggers. “We’ll need to stick together out there,” she chimed in. “The road can get tricky if we run into trouble.”

  Kell leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a laid-back smirk on his face. “Just don’t fall behind, Koa. You might miss out on all the fun.”

  I chuckled at their banter, appreciating how quickly they’d welcomed me into their fold. Ozzy and Jane joined us shortly after, their energy lifting the mood even higher.

  “Let’s get moving,” Ozzy declared, clapping his hands together. “We have two days ahead of us before we reach Renhold.”

  With that, we set off on foot along the well-trodden path leading from Tolany toward Renhold. The sun hung high in the sky as we traveled through stretches of verdant fields dotted with wildflowers. The landscape rolled gently beneath our feet, a stark contrast to the more rugged terrain I had traversed during my time hunting goblins.

  As we walked, Todd regaled us with tales of past adventures with each story more outrageous than the last. Jane added her commentary here and there, providing a playful counterpoint to Todd’s bravado while Kell often jumped in with sarcastic quips that drew laughter from everyone. Devin joined in occasionally, her quiet humor breaking through her typically reserved demeanor as she shared snippets about their past missions. The journey unfolded without issue; our pace was steady as we deepened our friendships along the way. We took turns leading conversations while also falling into comfortable silences punctuated by shared smiles and glances.

  As dusk approached on our second day of travel, Renhold finally came into view. Its silhouette was framed against a canvas of fading light.

  A sense of anticipation filled me as we entered the town’s outskirts and began to navigate its winding streets lit by flickering lanterns. The buildings rose around us with an elegance that reflected both Quara’s history and its vibrant life.

  Our first stop was an inn, The Hold. It was a reputable establishment frequented by adventurers. We pushed through its wooden doors into a warm atmosphere filled with laughter and good-natured conversation.

  “Rooms first,” Ozzy said, already making a beeline for the bar. Behind it, an older man wiped down the counter with slow, practiced motions.

  The innkeeper glanced up as we approached, his tired eyes softening with a familiar, knowing smile. “What can I do for you lot?”

  “Five rooms for the night,” Ozzy said, casual as ever.

  The innkeeper chuckled, nodding as he jotted something down in a worn ledger. “Lucky for you, I’ve got just enough. Twenty copper per room and meals are included.”

  Ozzy slid a handful of coins across the counter. “We’ll take ‘em.”

  I pulled out my own, creating my own pile. The innkeeper gave me a quick glance but didn’t say anything, just scooped up the payment and handed over our keys.

  “Second floor’s all yours. Food’ll be up soon,” he said before heading toward the kitchen.

  We made our way to a long wooden table near the hearth. The fire crackled, wrapping me in its warmth as I sank into my seat. After a long journey, this was exactly what I needed. My companions settled in easily, their banter filling the space with a comfortable hum.

  A few minutes passed before Jane leaned forward, resting an arm on the table as she eyed me over her tankard. “First dungeon?”

  I nodded, interest piqued.

  She exchanged looks with the others. Ozzy stretched out under the table, while Kell leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face. No one said it outright, but I could tell they were sizing me up.

  “Alright,” Jane said, turning back to me. “Here’s the rundown. Dungeons? They reflect the Guild ranking system. Floors rank higher the deeper you go.”

  Kell picked up from there. “Each floor has different Areas. Low, Mid, and High. Just like Guild Missions, Low’s like a warm-up, Mid is where you figure out real quick if you belong on that floor or not, and High?” He let out a short laugh. “That’s where you earn your right to the next floor.”

  Devin, who had been silently picking at her food, spoke up. “We haven’t hit Silver yet, but here’s what we do know. Silver floors are the first without safe zones. Once you're in, you're in. No rest stops, no checkpoints. Just each Area to overcome.” She set down her knife and fork. “And that stays the same all the way up to Diamond.”

  Ozzy nodded. “That’s right. And since every floor follows its own ranking rules, Silver floors come with Silver-ranked threats. Monsters are right on the edge of Adept and get stronger from there.”

  Todd leaned in, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Translation? If you’re walking into a Low-level Area, expect monsters strong enough to be Low-Adept. Mid? You’re pushing up against Adepts and High-Adepts . And High? That’s where Low Experts emerge.” His grin faded slightly. “Getting caught off guard…well you get the risks.”

  Jane took a sip from her tankard before setting it down with a quiet thud. “Monsters, traps, terrain, it’s all working against you. A lot of people hit higher ranks thinking they’re hot shit, but dungeons are not always predictable. Awareness and learning are key drivers to not end up as dead weight.”

  Kell smirked. “But hey, the best adventurers adapt. They play to their strengths, figure out the dungeon’s rhythm, and make sure they don’t get in their team’s way or their own. That’s how you make it through.” He glanced at me. “Though, from our spars alone, I think you’ll manage just fine.”

  I nodded, accepting their advice.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “We’ll be running a High Bronze clearance tomorrow,” Devin added, stretching before standing up. “Not too crazy, but not a cakewalk either. We’ll clear it, collect our drops, and head back for the Guild reward.”

  Todd cracked his knuckles. “Gonna be a good time.”

  Devin looked at me. “Meet us back here in two days?”

  “Sounds good,” I said, the spark of excitement growing.

  We ate and drank as the night stretched on, sharing stories about their past dungeon runs. They had experienced close calls, narrow escapes, and the adrenaline of taking down something bigger than themselves. Beneath the laughter and bravado, I caught the real truth behind their words.

  Dungeons helped adventurers push themselves, stepping past limits, and redefining standards.

  And I was more than ready.

  * * *

  The morning air was crisp as we set out. The dirt path crunching beneath our boots and a faint breeze carried the scent of damp earth and wildflowers.

  Todd walked beside me, his energy barely contained. “You’re in for a treat,” he said, motioning ahead. “Renhold’s Dungeon's only been around two years, but it’s already become a hotspot. Place exploded with activity.”

  I didn’t have to take his word for it. As we crested a small hill, the Dungeon’s entrance came into view and the organized chaos surrounding it.

  A makeshift settlement sprawled outward, buzzing with adventurers. Stalls lined the paths, vendors hawking potions, weapons, and supplies. Healers moved all over the settlement, tending to the wounded near a row of white-canopied tents. Clusters of parties gathered around notice boards, discussing strategies or boasting about their latest dungeon run.

  “Like this every time?” I asked Todd, watching a group of well-armed adventurers unload crates of gear from a wagon.

  “Pretty much. Coppers, Irons, Bronze, and Silvers cycle in and out constantly. Dungeons print coin for those who know what they’re doing.”

  We wove through the crowd, dodging a trio of mages in matching green cloaks, their insignia marking them as part of a larger guild. They barely spared us a glance before heading toward a reinforced checkpoint where a Silver-ranked party blocked the way, checking their equipment.

  My gaze went to another gathering near the entrance. Bren.

  She stood with whom I guessed to be her party laughing at something one of them had said. Unlike the other parties around us, hers didn’t seem weighed down by tension or status. Their focus was on each other, loose and easy.

  I began to move toward her, Todd staying with me, as the rest of the Solstice party members went off to gather other supplies.

  Then she saw me.

  A slow smile spread across her lips as she stepped forward, her movement fluid with the kind of confidence that didn’t need announcing. “Didn’t expect to see you here so early.”

  “I like to get a head start,” I said, meeting her gaze. “Less waiting, more doing.”

  “Hmm,” she mused, tilting her head slightly. “You sure you’re not just eager to see me again?”

  I let the silence stretch, watching the hint of amusement play at the corner of her lips before answering. “You caught me.”

  She huffed a short laugh, shaking her head. “Smooth.”

  “I try.”

  Behind her, her party exchanged glances.

  “Elara,” she said, turning to the shortest of the three, a woman with silver-streaked hair pulled back into a tight braid. “She’s a water mage.”

  Elara nodded once. “Hello.”

  Bren’s eyes flicked to the lean, sharp-featured man beside Elara. “That’s Verren. Wind mage. Talks more than he should.”

  Verren scoffed. “And yet you still enjoy my insight.”

  “I tolerate it,” Bren corrected before finishing with the last member, a taller woman adjusting the sleeves of her robes. “And Mira. Earth mage. Sensible one in the group.”

  Mira gave a small nod. “Someone has to be.”

  I acknowledged each with a glance and my name before Verren spoke up, his sharp eyes flicking to me. “And you? I can sense a mage practitioner by your signature but what’s your element?”

  “Space.”

  A brief silence. Then, a low whistle from Mira. “Rare.”

  Bren whispered. “That’s an understatement.” I was close enough to overhear as she looked at me and smiled knowing I must have heard.

  Elara’s gaze sharpened. “Did you pick it up naturally, or did someone teach you?”

  I met her eyes and answered. “Secluded Master.”

  She blinked, processing my words. “...Seriously?”

  I didn’t elaborate, letting her decide for herself. I glanced back at Todd to which he chucked. “You don’t have to introduce us, Koa. We already know each other.”

  I raised a brow at him, and Bren added. “The adventuring world’s not as big as you think.”

  I glanced at the dungeon entrance. “You aiming for the High Area as well?”

  “Yes,” Bren said simply. “We’re getting a bit of looting in.”

  Elara adjusted the strap on her satchel. “The mana crystals from High Areas are the goal today.”

  Todd spoke up. “Same for us. We’re going for the clearance.”

  Verren crossed his arms, giving a knowing nod. “Then I guess we’ll see you with a floor stone in hand.”

  Mira smiled faintly. “Luck to you, then.”

  Bren held my gaze a moment longer before speaking. “Dungeons can be tricky but Todd and the others are good to have with.”

  I answered back. “Going solo for this but” I looked at Todd and continued. “They’ve been good to me”

  Todd returned my smile. “He’s dungeon crawler approved. Honestly, we’d breeze through with Koa. Silver ranker and all.”

  Bren rolled her eyes, still smiling. “I’ll see you when we get back.”

  She turned, her party moving with her, and just like that, they were gone, swept into the current of adventurers heading toward the Dungeon’s entrances.

  The moment Bren and her party disappeared, Todd let out a low whistle, shaking his head with amusement.

  “Well. That was something.”

  I shot him a glance. “What do you mean?”

  He smirked, crossing his arms. “I thought I laid it on thick with Devin, but this?”

  I smiled back. “Can’t blame me for having good taste.”

  Todd smiled, nudging my shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. Come on. We’ve got a dungeon to clear.”

  We reached the rest of the Solstice party as the moment passed. Ozzy was the first to acknowledge our return with a sharp look. Devin gave Todd a knowing glance before turning to me. “You all set?”

  I held up my floor stone. “I’m ready.”

  Jane smirked. “Can’t have you lagging behind, Koa.”

  I rolled my shoulders. “I’ll manage.”

  Kell twirled his staff once before resting it against his shoulder. “Just like any posting at Guild. We clear out the designated areas, get proof of subjugation, and report back. Straightforward, but it gets rougher the deeper we go.”

  Todd nodded. “We have time to get our feet under us when we enter the Bronze floor.” He tapped my chest lightly. “Don’t forget with Silver there’s no safe zone.”

  I reached into my pocket, feeling the smooth weight of the floor stone between my fingers. We moved toward the dungeon entrance, closing in on the formed lines. The path leading up to it was worn smooth by countless adventurers and the dirt was packed firm beneath our boots.

  Clusters of adventurers gathered around an ancient stone well within a cave opening, its surface covered in thick moss and overgrown vines. The structure pulsed faintly with mana, a conduit for the floor stones they clutched in their hands. One by one, they pressed their stones to its rim, vanishing in flashes of light. Some groups disappeared entirely at once, while others staggered their entries.

  Ozzy let out a sigh. “No matter how many times we’re here, the lines always feel longer.”

  Jane adjusted her gloves. “It’s efficient. I’d rather this than a clogged entrance.”

  Ozzy stretched his arms behind his head. “Yeah, yeah, but I still prefer walking in the old-fashioned way. Waiting just kills the momentum.”

  I smirked. “Favoring the dramatics a bit?”

  Ozzy shot me a grin.

  I looked back at the stone well. “These are not much different from the transport arrays I’ve used before, just a smaller scale.”

  Kell grinned. “Yeah? Well, no backing out now. That stone’s gonna drop you right into the thick of it.”

  “I’d be disappointed if it didn’t.” I glanced between Todd and Kell. “Try not to embarrass yourselves too much while I’m gone.”

  Todd chuckled. “Oh? Acting like you’re the teacher now?”

  “Did you forget already?” I held up my hand and hunched my back. “Remember your training.” I smiled at them, Devin rolling her eyes at my impression. “If you fall behind, I’ll have to start charging for lessons.”

  Kell scoffed. “Great. As if your ego needed more inflation.”

  Jane snorted, but there was a glint of respect in her eyes. “Don’t get yourself killed.”

  Ozzy and Kell nodded in agreement.

  Todd grinned. “Yeah. Good luck in Silver, Master Secluded.”

  I smirked at the title but said nothing as we moved toward the dungeon’s entrance.

  The challenge was waiting.