Dawnview was unrecognizable by evening.
The same cobbled streets they'd walked that morning were now crowded to bursting, torches and lanterns flickering against stone walls as hundreds of players pushed, bargained, argued, and shouted over one another. The entire beginner town looked like a festival mixed with a stock market meltdown.
And tomorrow, at sunrise, the gates to the first dungeon would open.
Riley moved through the crowded square with the team right behind him. Luna slept tucked in the crook of his arm, Lumi perched proudly on his shoulder like a smug star-king surveying the chaos.
Kalyani, Jonathan, and Rezion stuck close, half hiding behind Hayes as though expecting to be rejected again. They kept exchanging uncertain glances, flinching every time a nearby team shouted.
They'd spent the last hours training hard—reaching level 5 just before sunset—and while pride glowed in their eyes… so did fear.
Fear of being left behind again.
Aria noticed and snorted loudly.
"Relax, kiddos. We're not dumping you because someone cooler walks by."
Kalyani looked down, cheeks pink. "We just… didn't want to assume. Everyone else made it pretty clear we're… not good enough."
Jonathan rubbed the back of his neck. "We're trying. Really trying."
Rezion's husky spirit pressed against his leg. He exhaled into the fur. "We'll do anything. Just don't bench us."
Aria gasped as if mortally offended. "BENCH YOU? WHAT DO YOU TAKE US FOR? AND DO YOU SEE DOT? DOES SHE LOOK LIKE SHE WOULD PERMIT BETRAYAL?!"
Dot clicked menacingly.
Riley shook his head with a small smile.
"You're part of the team now. No questions. No conditions. No negotiations."
All three kids froze.
Then Jonathan let out a slow exhale, one hand over his chest. "Thank you… seriously."
Rezion gave a tiny nod. "We won't let you down."
Kalyani wiped her eyes quickly. "I'll train twice as hard."
Riley smiled softly.
"We all will."
Shouts echoed from all directions.
"LOOKING FOR TWO MORE — LVL 6 MINIMUM! WE HAVE A HEALER!"
"PAYING FIVE SILVER TO JOIN A HIGH-TIER RAID TEAM!"
"NEED AN ICE SPIRIT FOR THE FINAL PHASE! MUST BE LEVEL FIVE!"
"JOIN US AND KEEP ALL GREEN RARITIES!"
Some teams stood on crates, waving banners. Others threw coin purses at passing players to lure them in. A guild of three high-level beginners—each level 7—marched toward Riley's group with judging eyes.
The leader, a tall boy with gold-trimmed armor, stepped forward.
"You six look decent. And you have a dragon. And whatever that—" he pointed at Dot, who clicked aggressively, "—thing is."
Aria took offense on her spider's behalf.
"Dot is BEAUTIFUL."
The leader ignored her.
"We're offering a spot for three of you. We get all dungeon materials, including spirit cores. You get… experience and bragging rights."
Hayes' expression darkened.
"No."
"Think about it," the boy said smoothly. "First clear rewards are insane. But you won't get them on your own team. Too many low-levels. Too many liabilities."
His gaze flicked to the kids.
Jonathan's fists clenched.
Rezion stared at the ground.
Kalyani bit her lip.
Riley stepped between them.
"We said no."
The boy huffed. "Don't come crying when you fail."
"We won't," Riley replied calmly.
Dot hissed, a tiny war cry.
The guild retreated, muttering.
The kids looked at Riley with something like awe.
"You didn't even hesitate," Rezion whispered.
"We stay together," Riley said simply. "That's the whole point."
After a few hours of grinding
Each of the new members now stood proudly at Level 5, newly unlocked abilities gleaming on their screens.
Kalyani — Fire Cat Spirit
New Ability: Ember Dash
A flame-laced charge attack. Small burn DoT.
Perfect for burning away the dungeon's creeping spores.
Jonathan — Tiger Cub
New Ability: Savage Swipe
Heavy front-paw slash. Shreds armor on hit.
The frontline bruiser Riley secretly needed.
Rezion — Ice Husky
New Ability: Frost Wave
A small cone of chilling air. Slow effect.
Perfect for the enrage phase at the end.
All three beamed with pride.
"These will matter tomorrow," Riley said.
Aria cracked her knuckles like a villain. "Our boy has GAME KNOWLEDGE."
Hayes smirked. "And apparently paranoia."
"Preparedness," Riley corrected.
Riley then went to check on Kip.
Dawnview's alchemy lodge glowed softly, lit by bubbling mixtures and floating herbs. The moment Riley stepped inside, Kipp nearly leapt on him.
"RILEY! RILEEEEY! LOOK!!"
He pointed dramatically.
On the counter sat rows of glass vials—shimmering, distorting the air around them like heat waves.
30 Mirage Draughts.
"Mossling helped," Kipp said proudly. "Also Mossling exploded twice. I'm ignoring that part."
"Mrrrph," the Mossling said, offended, then sneezed spores.
Riley stared at the potions.
"Kipp… you did all this today?"
"YES. I AM AN ALCHEMICAL GOD."
Lumi chirped in agreement.
Luna blinked at the potions in awe.
Riley picked up twelve and handed Kipp all seventy coins he had.
Kipp froze.
"R-Riley? Why—this is—ALL YOUR MONEY—"
"Buy ingredients. As many as you can. Tomorrow, these will be… valuable."
Kipp narrowed his eyes.
"…How valuable?"
Riley smirked.
"You'll see. Just be ready. When I message you—put them on the marketplace auction at minimum purchase ten silver each."
Kipp dropped a flask.
"T-T-TEN SILVER?! Riley, that's… That's illegal. That's financial dominance."
Riley smirked.
"Trust me."
Kipp didn't understand.
But he trusted Riley anyway.
The night market had transformed again—now filled with merchants shouting about discounted gear, panicked buyers, and opportunistic sellers charging triple for healing potions.
Riley gathered the team.
"Spend everything. Healing items, antipoison, stamina tonics. Gear won't matter tomorrow—flat damage ignores armor."
Hayes raised a brow.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
And so they did:
Sofia bought mana tinctures and threadwraps.
Aria bought three shock tonics "for aesthetic."
Hayley bought extra bandages for everyone.
Hayes bought a new shield grip.
The three kids bought simple upgrades—scrolls, spirit food, and basic charms.
Riley spent the last of their pooled gold on healing draughts and stamina pills.
By the time they regrouped at the center fountain, their pockets were empty.
Their bags were full.
And the dungeon loomed like a silent promise only hours away.
Luna curled up in Riley's arms, exhausted.
Lumi perched atop his head like a glowing crown.
Aria stretched and cracked her back.
"Okay team. We're broke. We're prepped. We're caffeinated. We're traumatized. PERFECT."
Hayes nodded.
"We're ready."
Jonathan looked at his tiger spirit.
"We'll do our best."
Kalyani's fire cat purred, tail flicking flames.
"We won't let you down."
Rezion's ice husky released a frosty puff.
"I'm nervous… but excited."
Riley looked at them all.
His mismatched, chaotic, imperfect team.
And smiled.
"Ok team let's log off and get rest, Tomorrow," he said softly,
"we complete the dungeon.
And we get the first clear."
The lanterns flickered.
The night wind carried anticipation.
The whole village buzzed with dread and hope.
And eight players—in the quiet center of the storm—prepared themselves for fate.
Day Seven awaited.