The dungeon didn't attack them.
That alone felt wrong.
They sat near a broken stairway where dim blue torches floated in the air, casting soft light over cracked stone. For the first time since Fenrik entered this place, the silence didn't feel threatening.
It felt… expectant.
The blue-flame guy broke it first.
"So," he said, leaning back against the wall, "we're not monsters. We're not dead. And we're definitely not dreaming."
Fenrik nodded. "That's about right."
The girl crossed her arms. "Then we should talk. Before this place decides to test us."
She looked at Fenrik. "You first—or should I?"
Fenrik shook his head. "You two go. I already know my part's messy."
The blue-flame guy chuckled. "Fair enough."
The One Chosen by the Blue Flame
He stood up, brushing dust from his jacket.
"Name's Aoi Kanzaki," he said. "Back home, I was just… normal. College student. No fights. No drama."
Fenrik raised an eyebrow. "And now?"
Aoi lifted his hand.
A faint blue sigil appeared above his palm, flickering like a candle in wind.
"Now I can manipulate mana flow. Not raw power—control."
The dungeon reacted instantly.
Blue light crawled across the floor and formed words only Fenrik could feel rather than see.
Rank: B
Aoi continued, unaware of the text.
"I can reinforce my body, shape simple constructs, and stabilize unstable energy. That's why this place hasn't crushed me yet."
"So you're support-type," Fenrik said.
Aoi smirked. "Yeah. Not flashy. But useful."
Behind Aoi, something emerged from the blue flame—slow, deliberate.
A weapon.
A long, elegant spear, translucent like frozen moonlight.
Aoi's eyes widened. "Wait… that's new."
The spear settled into his hand as if it belonged there.
Weapon Classification:
Name: Seiryū Lance
Type: Mana-Control Spear
Rank: B
Ability: Enhances precision, reduces mana loss, stabilizes allies' skills within range
Aoi swallowed. "Guess this dungeon finally decided I'm worth arming."
Fenrik smiled faintly. "Welcome to the team."
The Girl of Amber Steel
The girl stepped forward next.
Her eyes didn't waver.
"My name is Koharu Tsukino," she said. "I didn't come here by accident."
Fenrik stiffened slightly.
"I was already looking for power," she continued. "My city wasn't safe anymore. Gangs. Corruption. People disappearing at night."
Her jaw tightened. "I fought back. And one night, this place answered."
She extended her hand.
The amber weapon reappeared—this time clearly.
Twin short blades, curved like crescent moons, glowing with restrained heat.
Weapon Classification:
Name: Engetsu Blades
Type: Dual Close-Combat Weapons
Rank: B
Ability: Burst acceleration, heat-edged slashes, short-range dash
"I don't have magic like him," Koharu said, glancing at Aoi. "My power is physical enhancement. Speed. Reaction. Precision."
The dungeon responded again.
Amber markings briefly appeared along her arms—then vanished.
Fenrik felt it clearly.
She was dangerous, but controlled.
"B-Rank," Fenrik muttered.
Koharu nodded. "Strong enough to survive. Not strong enough to win alone."
She looked straight at Fenrik.
"And that's why allies matter."
The Silent Acknowledgment
The ground trembled softly.
Three symbols appeared in the air—blue, amber, and silver.
They didn't merge.
They aligned.
Fenrik felt the axe on his back pulse once, approving but restrained.
No wolf mark.
No shard.
Just a reminder.
Not yet.
A low, distant voice echoed—not a command, not a threat.
"Three stand.
B-Rank acknowledged.
Growth permitted."
The symbols faded.
Aoi let out a long breath. "Yeah… I definitely wasn't hallucinating."
Koharu smirked. "Good. Because this was just the