The night before his first dungeon, Suho couldn't sleep. His small rented room in the adventurers' quarter was quiet, save for the distant laughter of drunken mercenaries and the rustling of the wind outside. He stared at the ceiling, heart pounding with excitement and nerves. He had cleared small hunts before—wolves, goblins, and the occasional wild boar—but a dungeon was different. It was a test of courage, teamwork, and survival.
That morning, Suho reported to the guild hall where dozens of rookies milled about, waiting for their assignments. The guild master, an older man with a scar across his nose, barked instructions as adventurers scribbled down contracts. Suho's hands itched to sign up, but he knew the rule: rookies had to join an established party for their first dungeon.
That's when he saw them.
A small party of four stood by the quest board. At their center was a young healer—slim, with bright eyes that shone like dew under sunlight. Their white robes were patched and worn, but they clutched their staff with quiet determination. Around them were three rougher-looking adventurers, their armor mismatched and weapons chipped.
Suho approached, bowing slightly.
"Excuse me," he said. "Are you heading into the Copperfang Cavern? I… I'd like to join you."
The leader, a stocky man with a crooked smile, gave him a once-over.
"A rookie with no proper party, huh? What rank are you?"
"Bronze. But I can handle myself," Suho replied firmly.
The man laughed. "We'll see. Fine, come along—but don't slow us down."
The healer gave Suho a small nod of encouragement, as if silently saying welcome.
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The Copperfang Cavern was damp and suffocating, the smell of moss and wet stone filling their lungs. Bats scattered from the ceiling as their torchlight cut through the shadows. At first, it was easy—slimes and small kobolds fell quickly under the combined strikes of the group. Suho moved with instinct, blade flashing, determination steady.
But as they ventured deeper, the mood shifted. The monsters grew stronger, and the air grew colder. When they reached the final chamber, the roar of a Copperfang Alpha filled the cavern. The beast, larger than a horse, emerged from the shadows, its fangs glinting.
"Formation!" the leader shouted. But instead of fighting together, the three adventurers exchanged a glance.
"Time to lighten the load," one muttered.
Before Suho could react, they shoved the healer forward into the beast's path.
"Use your magic as bait, priest. We'll circle around."
The healer's eyes widened in horror. "Wait—what are you doing?!"
Suho's blood boiled. Without thinking, he rushed forward, blade drawn.
"Stay behind me!" he shouted, placing himself between the healer and the Alpha.
The beast lunged. Suho's arms shook as he blocked with his sword, sparks flying. The healer whispered frantic prayers, casting barriers and small bursts of healing light to keep him on his feet. Blow after blow, Suho's muscles screamed, but he refused to step aside.
Finally, with a desperate strike, he drove his sword into the beast's exposed chest. The Alpha collapsed with a shudder, shaking the cavern floor.
Panting, Suho turned to the others—only to see that they were gone. Cowards. They had abandoned them.
The healer sank to their knees, trembling. Suho offered a hand.
"They left you to die," he said quietly. "But I won't."
The healer looked up, eyes shimmering. Slowly, they took his hand.
From that moment, they walked out of the dungeon side by side—not as strangers, but as the beginning of something more.