Tori sprinted ahead, boots slapping against the damp stone floor, his cloak trailing behind him like a comet of excitement. The glow of the dungeon crystals reflected off his golden mana, casting flickers of light across the coral walls. He didn't look back — didn't slow down. The thrill of discovery pulled him forward like gravity.
Behind him, Issac, Sunless, and Mica struggled to keep pace.
"Hey, slow down, idiot!" Issac shouted, grabbing Tori's shoulder with a firm grip.
Tori spun, annoyed.
"What?"
Issac's eyes narrowed.
"You're rushing into battle like a fool. We don't even know the rank of this dungeon, and we don't have the materials to check. We could be walking straight into our deaths."
Tori scoffed, brushing off his arm.
"Please, Issac. This is the first layer. There's no way there's an S-Class dungeon down here. It's probably D-rank or less."
Issac didn't argue further. He just let go.
But the dungeon had other plans.
Without warning, a section of coral wall exploded outward — shards of pink and blue scattering like confetti. A massive crab burst through, its shell glistening with mana, claws the size of shields snapping violently.
"Ha! A crab? Seriously?" Tori said, unsheathing his blade with a grin.
Golden mana surged around him, wrapping his sword in radiant light. He dashed forward, feet barely touching the ground, and slashed through the crab's claw. The blade sliced cleanly, golden sparks trailing behind it.
The crab shrieked, lunging with its other claw — but Sunless intercepted, blocking the strike with a burst of spiraling mana.
Issac raised his hand, eyes focused.
A high-density pressure bullet formed in the air — compact, shimmering, deadly. It shot forward with a sonic boom, slamming into the crab's head.
The beast collapsed.
Azure liquid leaked from its shattered skull, pooling across the stone.
Tori sheathed his sword with a flourish.
"See, Issac? If this dungeon was ranked any higher, that mana beast would've killed us."
Issac exhaled, reluctantly nodding.
"Yeah… I guess."
From behind a glowing crystal, Mica emerged, eyes wide.
"That was awesome, guys!"
Tori turned, playful seriousness in his gaze.
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't hide again."
The four continued deeper into the dungeon.
It was breathtaking.
Luminous crystals lined the walls, casting soft blues and purples across the cavern. Coral reefs bloomed in impossible shapes, twisting around ancient stone pillars. Sea shells littered the ground, some glowing faintly with residual mana. Tiny sea creatures darted through cracks and holes, their bodies flickering like stars.
Another crab appeared.
"I got this one!" Mica shouted, spear in hand.
She sprinted forward, leapt into the air, and unleashed a flurry of stabs. Her spear plunged into the crab's head, each strike precise, practiced. The beast tried to claw her, but she twisted mid-air, yanked her weapon free, and dashed off its shell.
Sunless followed up, spiraling drill bullets shredding the crab's arms.
Tori finished it with a clean slash, grabbing the beast core from its remains.
"Another crab down!" he said, tossing the core into his bag.
With the Eye of Constellation active, no beast could sneak up on them. The dungeon's inhabitants — once threats — became prey. The crew moved like a unit, picking off enemies with growing confidence.
Then they found it.
The boss room.
"Woah…" Tori whispered.
It was an underwater colosseum — vast, ancient, majestic. Pillars carved with Atlantean symbols rose from the floor, glowing faintly. The entire chamber was submerged, but the water shimmered with mana, clear as glass.
And in the center…
A megalodon.
Its body was massive, fins like blades, teeth glowing azure with mana. Its tail dragged a glowing blue anchor — a weapon, not decoration. The shark turned, sensing them, and roared. The sound vibrated through the water, shaking the walls.
Issac's eyes widened.
"Now that's a strong one. I don't think we can handle that."
Tori's grin widened.
"Now that is awesome!"
He dove into the water, golden mana wrapping around him like armor. It shimmered, forming a protective shell that let him breathe and move freely.
The shark charged.
Its tail whipped forward, the anchor slamming into Tori's stomach. He flew backward, crashing into a pillar. Blood sprayed from his mouth, crimson mixing with the water.
Sunless retaliated, spiraling bullets slamming into the shark's hide. The beast roared, turning, and whipped Sunless with its tail. The impact shattered his mana shell, sending him tumbling.
"Damn shark!" Sunless groaned, swimming toward it — but he couldn't match its speed.
The shark whipped him again, slamming him into the ground.
Tori caught him mid-fall, golden mana flaring as he reinforced Sunless's body.
Issac hesitated.
His authority — powerful on land — was weaker in water. He stood at the edge, fists clenched.
Mica didn't wait.
She dove in, knives flashing. With pinpoint precision, she struck the shark's eyes, blinding it. The beast thrashed, roaring in fury.
[The Primordial Observers are amused to some extent.]
[Your overall guild viewers are rising: 23.]
Tori smirked.
He dashed back into the fray, Sunless and Mica at his side. The three fought together, blades and bullets clashing against scales and fins. The shark whipped them repeatedly, slamming them into the glowing pillars, the coral walls, the ancient floor.
Issac still hesitated.
Why am I hesitating? Am I actually scared?
After everything I accomplished on Aspin… I'm scared of a shark?
Even if it's a mana beast… I can still fight!
"Why am I so… Urgh!" he groaned, punching himself in the chest.
"I'm so lame," he muttered, cringing at the thought.
Then he moved.
He dove into the water, unsheathed his weapon, and with a single, clean strike — severed the shark's tail.
The anchor sank.
Tori turned, muffled by the water.
"Oh, so you're not scared anymore, are you?"
Issac swam beside him, eyes sharp.
"Shut up."
And together, the four of them fought — not as individuals, but as a team.
The megalodon roared.
The colosseum trembled.
And the battle raged on.