Team Echo moved deeper into the Rift Forest, the fog thickening around their feet.
The air carried a strange pressure—like the dungeon itself was watching.
Charles definitely felt watched.
Specifically by:
the dungeon,
the Rift Beast,
his own teammates,
and fate itself.
Jonah stepped a little closer to him.
"Hey, Charles… just curious… are all Bishop buffs that strong?"
Charles didn't blink.
"Yes."
Jonah squinted.
"Are you sure?"
"Completely normal. They teach this in page… uh… nine of the Bishop handbook."
Mira tilted her head.
"There's a Bishop handbook?"
Charles froze.
"Y-yes. Very exclusive. Not many people read it."
Kyren stared at him like he just lied about breathing oxygen.
"You're… weird."
Charles nodded quickly.
"Correct. Very weird. Not special. Weird."
Liam sighed, calm and collected.
"Let's not overthink it. Support classes fluctuate early on."
Charles internally sent Liam a THANK YOU card from his soul.
---
Rift Beast's Mark — A Pulse
Rift suddenly vibrated sharply.
A cold wave hit Charles's chest like a needle of ice.
He stumbled.
"—gh!"
Liam grabbed him. "Charles? You alright?"
Charles forced a weak smile.
"O-oh, yeah! Just… dizzy! Dungeon air! Low iron levels! Maybe I need more spinach!"
Kyren raised an eyebrow.
"Spinach?"
"Yes! Very important for Bishop health!"
Rift chimed softly:
[Host's divine signature was probed]
[Concealment successful (barely)]
Charles swallowed.
"Let's… keep moving."
---
Second Monster Encounter
They soon entered an area filled with giant twisted roots.
Mira whispered, "Watch out. Something is… crawling."
Charles felt it too.
Shadow Wolves — three of them — burst from the darkness.
Kyren charged.
Liam blocked a pounce.
Jonah darted to the side.
Mira cast a small arc of light.
Kyren shouted, "Charles! Buff!"
Charles snapped his hand forward.
"Holy Fo— I mean—Basic Party Blessing!"
Golden light spread.
Stronger than he wanted.
Stronger than he meant.
Kyren blinked.
"My grip… feels stronger."
Jonah grinned.
"I can SEE better! Cool!"
Mira gasped.
"My spell just sharpened!"
Charles coughed loudly.
"Cough—uh! Beginner fluctuation! Totally unstable!"
Kyren narrowed his eyes.
"…Then why does it feel perfectly balanced?"
Charles choked on air.
"I—I have… good beginner luck! Very rare! Happens once in a lifetime! Probably won't work again—haha!"
Jonah shrugged.
"I mean, that sounds legit."
Mira nodded innocently.
"Maybe he awakened with above-average talent?"
Charles almost cried with relief.
Kyren just squinted harder.
Liam stepped between them, calm as ever.
"Regardless, his buffs help. Let's finish the wolves."
---
The Fight Ends Easily
Kyren's spear pierced cleanly.
Liam shoved a wolf aside.
Mira's magic glowed brighter.
Jonah cut from behind.
They fought smoother than before.
Too smooth.
Charles tried not to look guilty.
When the last wolf fell, Mira smiled brightly.
"We're actually doing… well!"
Jonah punched the air.
"Team Echo is kinda awesome!"
Liam nodded.
"Good work, everyone."
Kyren's eyes stayed on Charles.
"…Your buff felt exactly the same as before."
Charles nearly choked.
"Who—whoa! Really? Haha! Amazing coincidence! Beginner randomness!"
Kyren clicked his tongue. "…Suspicious."
Charles's soul left his body.
---
Threat From the Depths
Rift pulsed again.
[Host's presence noticed]
[Rift Beast awareness increasing]
Charles inhaled sharply.
Not now.
Not here.
He forced a shaky smile.
"H-hey guys? Maybe we should move on before something stronger finds us?"
Liam nodded.
"Agreed."
Mira followed.
Jonah skipped ahead.
Kyren reluctantly turned away.
But Charles felt it—
The mark burning faintly under his skin.
The Rift Beast was beginning to wake.
---