Until Lily Winters spoke, the group of five hadn't realized she was already standing behind them.
They didn't show any hostility—not even a hint.
They didn't dare.
Just one look made it obvious. They had gone through hell in the last three days. Their clothes were torn, their bodies scratched, and they were covered in sticky sap from the maze vines. They looked like they had barely survived.
Meanwhile, Lily was different. She was only slightly out of breath, her clothes spotless. She looked completely untouched. That sharp contrast between her and them was embarrassing. She looked like someone who had taken a peaceful stroll. They looked like they had crawled through thorns.
How could they possibly be hostile toward her?
When Lily asked a question, the leader of the group quickly explained, "It must be a newcomer. I saw him riding a professional dungeon bus."
"He looked very young. When we first met him outside Ravenshade City, he wasn't guarded at all—just a total rookie."
"And the two dungeons we passed through, we've cleared them plenty of times before. We've never encountered a boss like that."
As one of the top talents of the powerful Winters family in the Dragon Kingdom, Lily suddenly found herself intrigued.
A newcomer… stronger than her?
Even though she hadn't relied heavily on her family resources yet, the weapon she held was a rare growth-type item—something most noble families couldn't afford. Not to mention her SS-level talent, which made her one of the best of her generation.
And yet, this so-called rookie had cleared not just a stage, but the entire dungeon ahead of her?
From the time the leader started talking to now, maybe ten minutes had passed.
In that time, Lily estimated, she could take down a single vine dryad boss—if she moved fast.
But this unknown rookie had cleared all the bosses in that time?
Even if the final boss appears near the player who kills the most enemies, you still have to get to it.
That meant this rookie was far, far stronger than her.
Her curiosity now burning, Lily walked straight toward the portal that led to the next dungeon level.
One of the younger team members tried to warn her, kindly saying, "Be careful, the next boss is gold-ranked."
But Lily didn't stop or even look at him.
Just then, a low rumble shook the dungeon.
The entire maze began to shift and reshape itself. The hedge walls moved on their own. It was the usual reset process after someone cleared the dungeon.
A golden portal suddenly lit up not far from the group.
It was the exit—a reward for dungeon completion.
"Boss, we passed! We cleared it!"
The five of them froze, their eyes wide in disbelief.
"What?! That fast?"
"How is that even possible?"
It hadn't even been five minutes since Lily walked away. And now the dungeon was cleared?
It couldn't be that the boss was weak. No, they all knew the gold-ranked boss was a real nightmare.
Which meant only one thing—that rookie's strength was terrifying.
Even the group leader nearly burst into tears from relief.
"It's finally over," he muttered, barely able to stand from exhaustion. "I don't have to pretend anymore…"
Pretending to be strong in front of the others while silently suffering had been a nightmare.
Without hesitation, he gave the order. "Let's go. Leave the dungeon, cash in our rewards, and regroup tonight."
Meanwhile, Lily stood frozen as the ground shook. Her eyes widened. Someone else had completed her trial—one specifically set up for her by the family.
Without hesitation, she bolted into the closest portal, determined to see who had cleared it.
This dungeon wasn't just any challenge. It was her final test before the entrance exam. And she hadn't even finished it herself.
Whoever cleared it had done so before she could even reach the last floor.
As she entered the portal, the scene changed from thorny hedges to open rock walls.
In the center of the cavern stood the final boss: a massive, shattered mirror—the signature of the gold-level monster.
But the mirror had already been destroyed.
And in the distance, she saw a blurry figure putting something away and walking through the exit portal.
Only his back was visible. But Lily knew—it was the same person.
Without a second thought, she activated her shadow ability and launched herself forward, her body merging into darkness.
She sprinted across the field like a black arrow.
But it wasn't enough.
She arrived just a second too late.
Sunlight hit her eyes as she emerged from the dungeon, squinting.
A bus was driving away in front of her.
"A bus…"
She remembered the leader saying the boy had traveled by bus.
That was it. He was gone.
Beep!
Her phone buzzed.
> "Congratulations on completing the ultimate mission of this trial. Rewards are being processed and will be delivered to your residence. Please sign on delivery."
> "After the trial, you are allowed to reconnect with your family. After your entrance exam, return to headquarters."
Lily stared at the message.
They thought she had cleared the trial?
She replied instantly: "It wasn't me. A new recruit did it."
After a moment of silence, her phone buzzed again.
> "Acknowledged. The reward will be delivered, but a new trial will be assigned to you shortly."
Lily watched the bus disappear around a corner and whispered, "So now I owe you a favor…"
That back she saw—familiar somehow—stayed in her mind.
She had received the reward because of him. Technically, she didn't deserve it, but now she could gain even more benefits after the trial.
For a beginner, that kind of head start was massive.
A difference in rewards and timing at this stage could change a person's future. It wasn't an exaggeration.
It was fair to say that she owed him more than just a thank-you.
She owed him a real favor.
And oddly enough, Lily felt more than curiosity now—she felt a strange interest in this mysterious rookie.
Who was he?
But then, she shook her head.
The Winters family had rules. Responsibilities.
She couldn't let emotions cloud her path.
Her expression turned cold as she whispered again, "I'll return the favor. Then, we're even."
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