The stars above shimmered like fragments of shattered glass scattered across a velvet sky. Riah sat by the spring, arms wrapped around her knees, the water softly rippling beside her. Her white hair glowed faintly under the moonlight, like embers refusing to die out.
Kazimir: "Did I take too long?"
Riah didn't turn. "You know you shouldn't keep a girl waiting. What if something happened to me?"
Kazimir: "We're on academy grounds. There's nowhere dangerous around here. Besides, you're more of a danger than anything else."
She spun around, her expression sharp.
Riah: "Say that again and I'll kill you."
Kazimir: "Exactly my point."
Her glare softened into a sigh as she stood.
Riah: "Anyway, Tojo wanted to meet up. Said the others would be there too."
Kazimir: "This late? And he only told you?"
Riah: "Well, he told everyone. You just don't check your messages."
Kazimir checked his device and gave an awkward chuckle. "Ah… right. I see."
Riah looked away, voice dropping.
Riah: "So… you're not gonna say anything?"
Kazimir: "About what?"
She turned back, visibly annoyed.
Riah: "The fight, dumbass."
Kazimir: "It was entertaining. I thought it was pretty close."
Riah: "NO YOU—! I'm not talking about the damn fight! I meant the Perpetual Absolute, you piece of shit!" she screamed, fists clenched.
Kazimir blinked. "Oh, right. That. How did you do that?"
Riah folded her arms, turning her back on him with a pout. "Not like you'd get it anyway. It went over your head."
Kazimir: "That move is dangerous. If you mess it up, you could literally explode."
Riah: "I know. It took a lot out of me, even if she didn't push me that far. Gendai just… caught me off guard. Like the devil she is."
Kazimir: "She's a succubus, yeah. But she's not like the others. She's trying to build her strength without relying on those… instincts."
Riah didn't respond right away. But then she stepped closer and rested her forehead against his chest.
Riah: "I still don't trust her… but if you say so, I'll believe you. For now. It just feels… nice here."
???: "Wow. Did I walk into a romance scene or something?"
Lilly stood a few paces away, smirking.
Riah: "You're early. Where are the others?"
Lilly: "Raijin's around the corner, trying to hump some poor girl from the lower ranks. Typical him."
Riah: "Ugh. That guy never learns."
Kazimir: "Sounds like him alright."
Lilly: "So… I heard about the fight with Gendai. What happened?"
Riah: "She got cocky. Challenged me. Lost."
Lilly: "I see… So where's Tojo?"
Angelly: "Right here."
The group turned to see Angelly approaching.
Angelly: "Tojo needed one more member. Called me. It's a B-rank dungeon with bonus points for full parties."
Tojo: "Exactly. That's why I called everyone. We're heading in tomorrow. Eight members, full bonuses. But…"
His voice grew cautious.
Riah: "Let me guess. It's suspiciously high-reward for a B-rank?"
Gendai: "Yeah, no way this isn't a trap."
Riah: "You're more suspicious than the dungeon."
Jessie: "Glad I found you all."
Jessie arrived, dragging Raijin by the collar.
Lilly: "Look who found the stray dog."
Jessie: "As usual, he was off chasing skirts. But listen up—the dungeon might be a trap."
Gendai: "What kind of trap?"
Jessie: "Some dungeons contain hidden areas with stronger parasites. Anything that seems too tempting? It's probably bait. Focus on parasites. Ignore everything else."
Raijin: "Tch. I'll speed blitz 'em anyway."
Jessie (slamming her foot on him): "Who said you could talk?"
Kazimir: "As long as we follow General Jessie's advice, we'll be fine."
Jessie looked around, her expression softening.
Jessie: "I expect victory. Especially from you, little brother."
Everyone froze.
Lilly: "Wait—brother?"
Jessie: "Yes. Kazimir's my younger brother. And the only one who ever entered Overload and survived. That's why he wears the blindfold. His power is… unstable. For now."
Gendai: "What is Overload?"
Jessie: "A volatile state. Usually triggered by extreme emotion. Most people who enter it die. Those who survive… change."
Kazimir: "Alright, enough about me. We should rest. Big day tomorrow."
The next day, Lilly knocked on Gendai's door.
Lilly: "It's almost time. Ready?"
Gendai: "Already? Time flies. Let's go."
On the way to the meeting point, they stumbled upon a sparring match—Kazimir, Raijin, and Xavier in a wild free-for-all.
Gendai: "Uhm—HELLO? What are you guys doing?!"
Lilly: "First time seeing Kazimir without his coat, huh?"
Gendai's mouth dropped. "…Why is he built like a demigod? That black sleeveless compression shirt is illegal."
Raijin: (flying past them) "I'M GONNA SPEED BLITZ—"
Gendai: "You just got speed-blitzed into a wall."
Kazimir: "This is getting fun."
Xavier: "Let's give the crowd a show."
The two clashed again—Kazimir's katana sparking with lightning, Xavier's blade swift and precise. But Kazimir gradually overwhelmed him.
Xavier: "You fight like a Zasia Vandor… but you're not one."
Kazimir: "I don't need the title. Just the strength."
With a final electrified kick, Xavier slammed into a wall.
Lilly: "Show off."
Gendai: "…I never want him to wear that coat again."
Soon after, Tojo gathered the group.
Tojo: "Hope that didn't drain your energy."
Raijin: "That was just a warm-up."
Tojo: "You got thrown like a sack of potatoes."
Raijin: "Shut it. I'll speed blitz you next."
As Kazimir adjusted his blindfold, he noticed Gendai glancing his way. He approached her.
Kazimir: "Feeling better after the fight?"
Gendai: "Yeah… thanks."
Riah: (arriving) "Hey everyone. Kazimir, you look good like that."
Kazimir: (chuckles) "Appreciate it."
The dungeon loomed.
They entered with confidence, cutting through C-tier parasites with ease. But an hour in…
Gendai: "Three hours. We're going in circles."
Riah: "Maybe use your succubus charm and get them to talk."
Gendai: "Maybe I'll yank your feathers out and ask them myself, dumb bird."
Riah: "At least I don't prey on guys to feel relevant."
Kazimir: "Enough. Relax. We'll find the path."
Xavier: "Wait… where's Raijin?"
Tojo: "There—he's holding something—NO, THAT'S A TRAP!"
The ground split.
They plummeted.
Tojo: "RAIJIN YOU IDIOT!"
He hit the ground hard, groaning.
Kazimir: (landing beside him) "Just us. Let me check the comms."
Kazimir: "Lilly and Angelly together. Raijin and Xavier. And… Riah and Gendai."
Tojo: "Those two? Oh hell. They'll kill each other."
A loud hiss echoed as an A-rank parasite emerged from the shadows.
Tojo: "Looks like we've got company."
Kazimir: (drawing his katana) "Then let's make it fun."