"Are you sure you want to enter an S-Rank Dungeon with just the two of us?" a familiar voice asked.
Ruciel stood beside him, clad in a sleek, custom-tailored uniform unique to her guild—though, truth be told, she was barely considered a member. Despite her rank as an A-Class hunter, the Guild Master and Vice Master had long since dismissed her presence. Rumors of betrayal and disgrace swirled around her, and the higher-ups secretly hoped she'd vanish into some deadly dungeon, taking the gossip with her.
Snow, unfazed, smiled gently. He wore a long black coat over matching dark attire—shirt, pants, and combat boots. At his waist hung only a small bag, light and unassuming, holding the few items he deemed necessary.
"It's not such a bad experience," he said with calm confidence.
Ruciel frowned, arms crossed. "An S-Rank dungeon isn't a picnic. It's designed for team raids. You're aware of that, right?"
"You do trust me, don't you?" Snow replied, turning to meet her gaze.
She looked stunning—her hair elegantly styled in a way that made it hard not to stare. It was a sight that silenced whispers and turned heads, the reemergence of a fallen hunter, more refined and beautiful than ever before. Although no one dared to speak aloud, everyone knew exactly who Snow was. The same man who once proposed to her at a global summit that dominated the news cycle for days.
Upon arrival at the gate, the two submitted their entry tickets. A stationed officer scanned them without question, then stepped aside as an orange portal shimmered open before them.
They stepped through.
The world beyond was dim, rocky, and damp. A vast cave stretched ahead, echoing with unseen movement.
==============================
Welcome to the UKIRS DUNGEON
==============================
Snow looked around with curious eyes. "So this is the Ukirs Dungeon... why does that name sound familiar?"
"That's probably because this dungeon is a fragment," Ruciel answered softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It once belonged to a world called Ukirs."
==============================
QUEST
Find the shattered totem to the Temple of Ukirs
CLEAR CONDITIONS:
Locate all four totem fragments
Defeat the Zodiac Guards of Ukirs
Offer a prayer at the Temple
QUEST PENALTY:
Death
REWARDS:
Legendary-grade Equipment Set
Blessing of Ukirs
Skill Card
Title Card
100 Dungeon Points
10% Favorability Increase with Ukirs
==============================
The enticing rewards made both of them pause. But the conditions? Far from easy.
"I've heard about these totems," Ruciel said, brows furrowed. "No one's ever completed the quest. They say there are twelve floors before you even reach the temple."
Before she could continue, another message appeared.
==============================
PATHFINDER HAS LOCATED A SUITABLE PATH
==============================
==============================
PATHFINDER SIDE QUEST ACTIVATED
You are now acknowledged by the gem beside you. Your path is clear.
CLEAR CONDITIONS:
Gather 145 exotic herbs and poisonous flora
Locate 10 hidden items using Pathfinder
Complete the primary dungeon quest
Defeat at least 50 enemies, including 1 Boss
Brew a potion of Legendary grade or higher
Soak the Pathfinder Gem in the potion
QUEST PENALTY:
Death
REWARDS:
500 Dungeon Points
45,000 EXP
Title Card
Skill Card
??? Ego Evolution
==============================
Snow chuckled softly, almost amused. "Is that so?"
Then, without warning, he leaned down and kissed her—brief, gentle, full of unspoken promises. As he pulled away, a warm glow appeared before him, casting a faint trail of light ahead.
Ruciel blinked at the sudden development. "So... what now?"
"Follow me," Snow said, already taking his first steps. "I think I have a plan."
The first floor resembled a forest, its thick canopy letting through only scattered shafts of light. It was here Snow revealed his secret weapon—a drone. Sleek and nearly invisible, it hovered just out of sight, capturing every movement.
But not of him. Of her.
This was his plan all along—to let the world see her as she truly was. Strong. Graceful. Redeemed.
As they navigated deeper into the foliage, the forest opened up into a lush, grassy field.
That was when the monsters arrived.
Creatures of every shape and size emerged from the woods, surrounding them on all sides. Ruciel shifted into battle stance while Snow calmly adjusted the strap of his bag.
Flaming wolves burst through the treeline, followed by screeching phoenix-like birds and wild, monstrous chimeras that charged the moment they laid eyes on the pair.
"I'll handle this. Stay somewhere safe," Ruciel said firmly, stepping forward without hesitation.
Though a mage by classification, she was anything but fragile. Her strength lay in close-range magic combat—raw, explosive, and beautiful. As she advanced, flames erupted around her, licking up her arms and hair like living threads of fire. The blaze didn't burn her—it danced with her, responded to her will like a trusted companion.
Then came the inferno.
With a single sweeping gesture, her flames struck out in all directions, tearing through the creatures that dared get close. In a breath, the frontlines were cleared. But she wasn't done.
Raising one finger to the sky, she summoned a burning sphere—a miniature sun. It hovered for only a heartbeat before crashing down at her command, engulfing the battlefield in a brilliant explosion. When the fire faded, only ashes remain. Scattered among them were monster cores and loot—items glinting with system-bound auras.
Snow watched with a small, content smile. She had grown strong—far stronger than the girl he once knew. Once upon a time, these monsters would've overwhelmed her. Now, they were just sparks against her fire.
A few monsters had slipped past her flames, darting toward him. He dealt with them effortlessly. Snow's movements were minimal but lethal—his dagger slicing through air and flesh alike. The blade shimmered as he activated a hidden skill: Shattered Form.
In an instant, the dagger broke into glowing shards that shot into his enemies' weak points. Each hit was a guaranteed critical—instant death. And no one but Snow knew what the dagger could truly do.
Ruciel began walking back to him, wiping soot from her cheek, but stopped mid-step.
A shadow blotted out the light above.
A massive lizard-like beast descended from the sky, its body crashing toward her like a falling meteor.
"Ruciel!! Watch out!" Snow shouted.
But it was too late—or so he thought.
Ruciel didn't flinch.
She raised her hand in a sharp line, and in a flash of brilliance, a blade of fire arced through the air.
Shhhhk!
The beast split in two mid-air, its halves crashing into the forest behind her in smoking ruin. The trail of her flame cut through the trees, still glowing.
She blinked, staring at the devastation in disbelief.
"I... did that?" she murmured.
Snow rushed over, eyes wide with worry. "Are you hurt?!"
When he reached her, he tugged her close, checking for burns or wounds—but found none. Overwhelmed by relief, he pulled her into a tight hug.
Ruciel blinked again—then smiled softly. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"You worrywart," she teased, giving his cheek a playful pinch.
"Damn right I am! That was a mid-boss, and you sliced it like tofu!"
She laughed quietly, but her heart was heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Why was he so concerned?
No one had cared like that in a long time. Her father—now comatose, locked in a sleep with no known cure—had been the only one who truly loved her. Her younger sister lived with their mother, who'd remarried, but Ruciel had never felt that warmth again.
Until now.
Until him.
"...Fine. I get you," she said, eyes softening.
Snow grinned, sensing her unspoken acceptance. "Come on. Let's see what our crispy lizard friend left behind."
They approached the dragon's remains, and among the ashes, two items shimmered—one a jagged sword, the other a pristine fang.
Snow bent down, examined both, then held the sword out to her.
"Here. You should keep it."
Ruciel stared at him, puzzled. "You've been giving me everything we find. Why?"
He shrugged, smiling. "No real reason. I'm not interested in any of it."
It was true. Unless the system explicitly marked something for his use, he passed it to her without hesitation. And for good reason—certain items couldn't be stored in the inventory due to their rank or enchantments. He made sure she kept them safe in her physical pouch.
Though still doubtful, Ruciel accepted the gift.
They continued their exploration, taking a new path that soon opened into a shimmering cave. Inside, walls sparkled with herbs, minerals, and crystals. Snow's eyes lit up.
"Whoa..." he whispered.
Without missing a beat, he got to work—grabbing herbs, scraping crystals, collecting anything unique. He moved like a man on a mission, fingers practiced, quick, and careful. Ruciel followed close behind, collecting materials of her own.
After some time, the cave gave way to a vast, chamber-like room.
Inside, the air shifted. The walls were lined with shattered eggshells and broken fragments of glowing crystals.
"Let's split up and see if there's anything worthwhile," Snow suggested.
"Yeah, good idea," Ruciel nodded, eyes already scanning the surroundings.
They separated, each heading toward a different section of the chamber. Snow's sharp eyes picked out rare flowers, odd moss, and crystal clusters that shimmered differently from those before. Everything he could store, he did.
But as he walked deeper, something strange drew his attention.
At the center of the room, atop a stone pavement, something pulsed faintly.
Snow approached, cautious.
There, suspended in mid-air, lay a pure white egg, unblemished, glowing softly.
He took one step closer.
Crk.
The pavement shattered beneath his foot.
================================
PATHFINDER HAS FOUND AN EGO
================================
================================
YOU HAVE BECOME THE FIRST PATHFINDER TO DISCOVER AN EGO
================================
"An EGO...?" Snow muttered, staring down at the egg levitating before him.
==========================
EGO
Name: UNKNOWN
Level: UNKNOWN
Rank: EGG
Evolution: Incubate for 20 Hours
Description: This egg is the offspring of something that no longer exists. It holds high compatibility with flame, and once acknowledged, it becomes fiercely loyal and proud. Currently incubating, it requires exposure to a signature mana to identify its parent upon hatching.
Note: The egg has marked you as its FATHER. It is extremely loyal to you - but desires to bond with the powerful flame it senses nearby.
===========================
"...Aren't you just trying to hurt my feelings?" Snow whispered with a dry chuckle.
He stared at the egg for a long moment, watching its faint glow pulse gently. "Well, it doesn't matter. Guess I'll gift you to her, then."
Cradling the egg with surprising care, Snow stood and went to look for Ruciel.
He found her in another chamber of the cave, fixated on a curious flower. Unlike the other flora, this section teemed with just this one variety—deep violet in color, with glowing veins and a soft shimmer that felt... dangerous.
Something about it made Snow uneasy.
And he was right.
The moment he stepped closer, the flower's petals peeled back—and a gaping mouth revealed itself beneath, already forming a glob of poisonous spit.
"Watch out!" he shouted, dashing forward.
The venom flew—and Snow took the full hit.
They both crashed to the ground.
Pain shot through him. The poison tore down his right shoulder and arm, leaving deep, sizzling burns. He grit his teeth, not wanting to alarm her.
Ruciel's eyes widened. "Snow...!"
In that moment, her fury ignited.
With a snap of her fingers, flames surged forth. The entire patch of venomous flowers was swallowed in her wrathful blaze. Screeches echoed through the chamber—and then silence. All that remained were darkened seeds scattered among the ash.
Snow, despite the pain, noticed them immediately. Seeds glowing faintly—something valuable. He reached out and gathered them with trembling hands, slipping them into his inventory.
Then, grimacing, he pulled out a potion and downed it. Another vial was poured over the burns on his shoulder. The skin hissed as the healing took effect. He winced but didn't complain.
Finally, he looked at her and smiled faintly.
"You're okay, right?"
"I should be asking you that!" she said, kneeling beside him.
He ignored the pain and held out a small vial to her. "Here. Just in case."
"I'm fine, Snow."
"Still... just to be safe."
Reluctantly, she accepted the potion and drank it—just to calm his anxious gaze.
Then, with a gentle gesture, he pulled the egg from his pouch.
"What's this...?" she asked.
"A gift."
"...An egg?" Her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Not just an egg.Perhaps a pet."
"A pet?" she echoed, even more puzzled.
He nodded. "It'll hatch in twenty hours, but it needs your flame and mana. It's drawn to you, not me."
She looked at the smooth white surface, its warmth pulsing faintly beneath her fingertips. "What do you think will hatch from this?"
"Maybe a chicken," he said with a straight face.
"Pfft—what?! A chicken? In a dungeon?" She laughed, caught off-guard by his nonsense.
"You never know," he said with a shrug, clearly amused by her reaction.
Then, without warning, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Standing up, he offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet as well.
She blinked, the moment catching her slightly off balance. "Snow... how did you even find this place? This path, the chamber... I've never heard of any hunter exploring this deeply before."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah. I guess I should tell you the truth now."
"I'm not a combat-type hunter."
"What?"
"Yeah... my real skill? It's dungeon mapping."
She tilted her head. "So you're saying... your skill is like a living map?"
"Exactly," he nodded. "Everyone else only knows the basics of this dungeon. But with my ability, I can explore the hidden paths—like this one."
"Whoa... with that kind of skill, every guild would want you."
"Pfft." He laughed, hollow. "Haven't you ever wondered why I quit? Why I was just that loser dumped by Lola?"
Her expression dimmed. "Don't tell me... the Association didn't value your skill?"
"You're sharp, Ruciel," he said with a faint smirk. "I was ranked F because they saw no combat value. But my ability lets me see everything—enemy locations, rare items, even hidden boss rooms."
"Then you could be famous if you wanted to..."
"I could," he said flatly. "But I was too busy chasing clout back then."
His voice was quiet. There was no anger. Just the dull weight of a mistake long accepted.
"But that's the past," he added with a small breath. "By the way... I forgot to mention..."
He grinned.
"I've been broadcasting this raid in real time. The world's been watching."
She froze.
"W–WAIT... WHAT?!"
Snow laughed, watching the color drain from her face.
"You WHAT?!"
"Oh come on, it's good content," he said with a mischievous grin.
"You mean to tell me people saw everything?! The kissing?! The flirting?!"
He could barely hold back his laughter. "Pretty sure they loved it."
"YOU—!!"
With a red face, she lunged at him, chasing him down the long, winding corridor of the dungeon while he dodged and weaved ahead, laughing like a man running for his life—but also running toward it.
------------------------------------------
To be continued....