Morning sunlight spilled across Dawnview Village, washing the timber roofs in pale gold and making the crystal lanterns flicker like dew-kissed stars. The air buzzed with excitement, tension, and the unmistakable smell of freshly baked bread mixed with sweaty adventurers who hadn't logged out all night.
Today was Day Six.
And Dawnview had transformed.
The central plaza—normally a peaceful hub of vendors—was now a chaotic recruitment market. Players grouped in circles, waving signs, shouting offers, bargaining, arguing, and occasionally bragging loudly enough to annoy the birds perched along the rooftops.
Riley stepped through the crowded gate with Luna perched on his shoulder, wobbling proudly. Lumi hovered beside her, radiating alpha energy like he owned half the village.
Aria took one step into the plaza and gasped dramatically.
"BEHOLD. THE THIRSTIEST MARKETPLACE EVER CREATED."
Dot clicked in agreement, pointing a tiny leg at a rowdy group holding a giant wooden sign:
"TANK and DPS NEEDED — Level 6 plus ONLY — MUST HAVE META SPIRITS."
Hayes muttered, "They're level five at best. And half their gear is cracked."
Hayley hugged Bramble protectively as they passed another group chanting:
"JOIN THE MIGHTY OAKS! We offer loot priority! Free potions! A guild invite!"
Aria scoffed. "Guild invite? They don't even have matching boots."
Sofia flinched as a swarm of players rushed past, chasing someone like a pack of hungry wolves.
Riley recognized the victim instantly.
Andy Lendrim.
Skyrazor Falcon perched proudly on his shoulder.
Level eight already.
Clearly enjoying the attention.
Dozens of players shouted after him:
"Andy! PLEASE join our team!"
"We'll give you all uncommon loot!"
"You can take the dungeon orb reward!"
"I'll trade you my iron staff and my sister's number!"
Andy kept walking, smug but polite, waving them off like a tired celebrity avoiding paparazzi.
Aria clutched her chest.
"Oh my god, he's literally a walking Black Friday sale."
Dot clicked: "embarrassing."
Sofia, gentle as always, murmured, "He must be overwhelmed…"
Hayes snorted. "He loves it."
Riley watched the chaos unfold—but something else pulled at his attention.
Across the fountain, the three kids he'd seen yesterday sat on the edge of a stone bench.
Kalyani with her Fire Cat.
Jonathan with his striped Tiger Cub.
Rezion with his icy Husky pup.
The three spirits sat close together—trying to look brave.
The kids didn't.
Jonathan kicked a pebble.
Kalyani's eyes were red like she'd been crying.
Rezion kept staring at the ground, knuckles white around his staff.
A group of older players walked past them—
"Level four losers."
"No wonder no one wants them."
"They'll get one-shot in the dungeon."
The kids flinched.
Aria's fists balled instantly.
"Oh HELL no. Who said that? LET ME AT THEM—"
Riley placed a hand on her shoulder.
"No. Leave them."
He didn't look away from the trio.
They reminded him painfully of himself once—
left out, overlooked, underestimated.
He stepped toward them.
The kids stiffened as if expecting another rejection.
Rezion spoke first, voice quiet and guarded.
"If it's about joining your team… we get it. We're too low level. You don't have to say it nicely. We've heard it enough."
Jonathan looked away.
Kalyani bit her lip.
Riley knelt so he wasn't towering over them.
"We already want you."
All three froze.
"No test?" Jonathan asked.
"No conditions?" Kalyani whispered.
"You don't… want loot priority?" Rezion added.
Riley smiled softly.
"No negotiations. You're with us."
Aria marched up behind him, fists on her hips.
"YEAH. WELCOME TO CHAOS FAMILY. APPLICATIONS CLOSED. NO REFUNDS."
The Fire Cat meowed proudly.
The Tiger Cub puffed up.
The Ice Husky barked—frost swirling from its nose.
The kids brightened—slowly, carefully—like they weren't sure it was real.
Hayley waved excitedly. "Hi new friends!"
Sofia smiled warmly. "We're happy to have you."
Hayes nodded, arms crossed. "As long as you train hard today."
The kids nodded vigorously.
Riley stood, turning to his team.
"Alright. Aria, Sofia—take them to the forest.
We need them all at level five by the end of today."
Aria saluted. "I shall train them with the ferocity of a caffeinated squirrel."
Hayes added, "Level five is where their next major skill unlocks. They'll need it tomorrow."
Jonathan swallowed hard.
"We… won't slow you down."
Riley shook his head.
"Don't worry about that. Worry about learning. You're with us now."
The kids straightened with newfound confidence.
Then—
A trio of players approached from across the plaza.
All level six.
All wearing polished starting-rare gear.
Their spirits—a stone wolf, a wind hawk, and a thornback stag—stood tall.
The leader smirked at Riley's group.
"You guys are recruiting?" he asked casually.
Aria narrowed her eyes. "No."
He ignored her, looking at Riley.
"We're forming a top-tier dungeon team. We could take all of you. In exchange—"
He raised three fingers.
"One: we get all spirit orbs.
Two: your healer prioritises us.
Three: you don't roll on any epic drops."
Aria exploded.
"HAHAHAHAHA—NO."
Hayes looked insulted.
Hayley hugged Bramble protectively.
Sofia's eyes widened in disbelief.
Luna growled—soft, tiny, adorable.
Lumi glowed aggressively, alpha-style.
Riley just smiled politely.
"No thanks."
"But you'd guarantee a first clear with us," the leader insisted. "Don't you want the prestige?"
Riley shrugged.
"No amount of prestige is worth teaming up with people who don't respect their allies."
The leader's expression twisted.
"Fine. Enjoy losing."
He stormed off with his team.
Aria shouted after them,
"ENJOY YOUR LOOTLESS, FRIENDLESS EXISTENCE!"
Dot clicked triumphantly.
Riley turned back to the group.
"Alright. Enough chaos."
He pointed toward the Dawnview gate.
"Sofia, Aria—get the kids into the forest.
Level them. Teach them. Make sure they feel safe."
Sofia nodded firmly.
Aria cracked her knuckles, grinning like a goblin ready to commit crimes.
Hayley added, "We'll gather more materials too."
Hayes looked to Riley.
"And you?"
Riley took a deep breath.
"I'm going to Kipp's."
Luna perked up.
Lumi glowed with approval.
"I'll help him batch as many Mirage Draughts as we can before tomorrow. We need at least twenty… maybe more."
Hayes nodded once.
"That's smart."
Aria chimed,
"Tell the tiny wizard gremlin I love him."
Dot clicked as if to say the same thing.
Riley smiled.
"Alright, everyone.
Today is training.
Tomorrow is preparation.
Day Seven… the dungeon opens."
The kids swallowed nervously.
Riley crouched and placed a gentle hand on Kalyani's fire cat.
"You're safe with us."
"Promise?" she whispered.
"I promise."
Aria pointed dramatically toward the forest path.
"TO TRAINING!"
"Aria—" Hayes sighed.
But she was already marching.
The kids followed—excited, nervous, hopeful.
Sofia waved Riley goodbye.
Hayley gave him a thumbs up.
Hayes offered a respectful nod.
Riley turned toward Kipp's workshop.
Luna nestled into his neck.
Lumi hovered proudly at his side.
Day Six had begun.
And they would be ready.
For the dungeon.
For the first clear.
For the future Riley had already seen.