Kael's grip loosened on his dagger, but he kept his stance ready. Then, with quiet but deliberate steps, he moved from the shadows and into the dim glow of the campfire.
The reaction was instant.
Weapons were drawn, and boots scraped against stone as the adventurers sprang to their feet. A longsword gleamed in the firelight, a staff crackled with faint energy, and one of them—a man with a heavy axe—shifted into a defensive stance.
"Who goes there?" The one with the sword barked, a noble cadet judging by his fine armor. His sharp eyes narrowed as he took in Kael's appearance—
Dark silver eyes which looked cold and unreadable, and carried a faint unexplainable glimmer. His midnight-black hair looked sharp and unkempt, framing his angular features. And a lean frame marred by the tattered cloak he wore.
Kael met his gaze without flinching. He didn't raise his hands in surrender, nor did he make any sudden movements.
"Just another adventurer," he said calmly. "Same as you guys."
There was a pause. The tension in the air didn't ease, but no one attacked. They were wary, but they weren't reckless.
One of the women, a mage judging by the silver runes on her robes, stepped forward slightly. "You're alone?" Her voice was skeptical, but not openly hostile.
Kael nodded once.
The noble with the sword exchanged a look with his comrades. Then, he took a step closer, eyes scanning Kael with an assessing gaze.
"You don't look like you're a part of any of the noble squads," he stated. "Which means you're either a mercenary… or a stray."
Kael didn't answer immediately. He could feel their eyes on him, weighing his worth, trying to decide if he was a threat or an opportunity to explore further into this third level.
He let the silence stretch before speaking.
"I survived the previous floors alone," he said, his voice even. "I just made it here."
A ripple of interest passed through the group. The mage raised a brow, slightly surprised. The man with the axe grunted, lowering his weapon slightly.
The leader, however, remained skeptical. "That Dire Bear…" His eyes flickered toward Kael's dagger, recognizing the fresh stains of beast blood. "You killed it by yourself?"
Kael kept silent, not answering.
Another pause ensued. Then, the leader exhaled, sheathing his sword.
"Name?"
Kael studied him for a moment before answering. "Kael."
The leader nodded slowly. "I'm Reiner. Second son of House Aldric." He gestured to the others. "That's Luthen, Oris, Mira, and Sera."
Kael didn't miss the way he introduced himself first, emphasizing his noble lineage. 'House Alaric...' he mused, 'one of the viscountcies in Valoria.'
But he also didn't miss the subtle shift in their posture. The immediate hostility had lessened. They were still cautious, but now they were curious.
"You're heading deeper, then?" Reiner asked.
Kael glanced at the tunnel ahead, the path leading deeper into the third floor. "That's the plan."
Reiner studied him for a long moment. Then, to Kael's surprise, he smirked. "Then maybe we should talk."
The fire crackled between them as Kael sat across from the noble squad. He didn't fully relax though—his body remained ready, muscles coiled beneath the surface—but he listened.
They were discussing the dangers ahead. The third floor was different from the previous two floors. There were stronger beasts and complex labyrinths. And, more importantly—other human challengers.
"The dungeon isn't just monsters anymore," Mira, the mage, said, leaning forward. "We've already run into two other groups. One ended in an alliance. The other…" She hesitated.
Luthen, the axe-wielder, finished for her. "Turned into a bloodbath."
Kael's eyes flickered. He had expected as much. The deeper they went, the more valuable the dungeon's rewards became. And that meant competition.
"Dorian Valcroft is already ahead," Reiner added, his tone sharpening. "He and his elite squad took control of the central hunting grounds. Anyone who crosses into their territory…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but Kael didn't need him to.
Dorian.
One of Duke Valcroft's heirs. The arrogant noble who saw this dungeon as his birthright.
Kael exhaled slowly. He had a feeling their paths would cross sooner rather than later.
Reiner leaned forward with a thoughtful expression. "Since you're heading deeper, you'll run into them eventually."
Kael met his gaze. "And?"
Reiner studied him for a moment. Then he smirked. "And that depends on whether you're smart enough to stay out of their way."
Kael said nothing. He wasn't here to pick pointless fights—but if someone tried to stand in his way, he wouldn't hesitate.
Luthen grunted. "Dorian's squad isn't just strong, they're well organized. He's got three knights from noble houses, a high-tier mage, and at least two artifact users. Most challengers know better than to provoke them."
"Most," Mira added, her sharp eyes lingering on Kael.
'Oh, a test.' Kael caught on. They were trying to gauge him to see if he was reckless, desperate, or just another fool seeking glory.
Kael let the silence stretch before answering. "I don't plan to pick a fight. But if someone tries to get in my way, I won't run either."
Reiner chuckled. "Fair enough." He leaned back, seemingly satisfied.
Oris, the quietest of the group, finally spoke up. "The dungeon's changing. The third floor is different from the ones before. The deeper we go, the more... unnatural things feel." His fingers tapped against his staff. "Something's wrong with this place."
Kael had already felt it. The air here was heavier. The dungeon walls seemed to pulse with something deeper than just abyssal corruption. As if the place itself was alive.
He had no interest in debating it.
"What's your plan?" Sera asked, crossing her arms around her full chest. She had been watching him with open suspicion the entire time.
"Move forward," Kael said simply.
Reiner exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Figured as much." He glanced at his squad. "We'll be resting here for a bit longer before heading out. You're welcome to join us."
Kael considered for a moment then gave a short nod. It wasn't a bad idea. He wouldn't be able to clear the third floor alone, so joining a group temporarily wouldn't hurt.
He leaned back slightly, listening as the conversation shifted to minor details about routes, monster sightings, and other challengers on the floor.
One name came up more than once—Dorian.
The Duke's heir wasn't just moving ahead. He was establishing dominance, crushing competition, and securing the best dungeon rewards for himself and his followers.