The trio walked deeper into the dungeon, the torchlight dimming as the stone walls pressed tighter around them. As they moved, Rin suddenly slowed down.
A strange flower caught his eye—a black blossom emitting a soft, pale glow.
"Hey," Rin called out, pointing. "Look at that black flower over there. How did it even grow here?"
Kaela frowned. "What flower? How could anything grow in a place crawling with monsters?"
"That flower, right there! It's clear as day!" Rin snapped.
Kaela crossed her arms. "You're seeing things. There's nothing there."
Taro leaned in. "Yeah, Rin. I don't see anything either. Maybe you're imagining it?"
Rin scowled. "I'm not imagining anything!"
He stepped forward and reached for the flower. The moment his fingers brushed the petals, pain shot through his hand.
"Rin! You okay?" Taro rushed forward.
The pain vanished just as suddenly as it came—and so did the flower.
Kaela groaned. "You're wasting our time with this nonsense. Come on, Taro."
Rin clenched his fists. I know I saw something. I'm sure of it.
"Maybe you're still tired from earlier," Taro offered. "Want to rest for a bit?"
Rin spun around. "Do you think I'm joking?!"
Kaela scoffed. "Yeah, we do. Because neither of us saw anything. Whatever game you're playing, it's not working."
Taro sighed. "Let's just keep moving."
Rin said nothing. He walked behind them, his expression dark.
Suddenly, a massive Minotaur charged out from the shadows.
Kaela's eyes narrowed. "Second trial. Get ready!"
Taro and Kaela dove out of the way, but Rin stood frozen, lost in thought.
Was I really seeing things? Why did I fell pain—just from touching it? Am I going crazy?
The Minotaur's horns were seconds from impaling him.
Kaela launched forward, ice forming under her feet. She grabbed Rin and yanked him aside just in time.
They crashed to the ground.
Taro rushed over. "Are you insane?! What were you thinking?! Snap out of it Rin!"
Kaela winced. "Ugh... I twisted my ankle."
Taro turned to Rin, furious. "Are you happy now?! We just lost a team member because of your crap!"
Rin stood up calmly, staring at Kaela. "Why'd you bother helping me? You clearly hate me."
Kaela gritted her teeth. "What the hell are you talking about?"
The Minotaur roared again, charging.
Taro scooped up Kaela, yelling, "Dodge, idiot!"
Rin dodged at the last second. His foot ignited in flames, and he delivered a burning kick that knocked the beast back.
But two more Minotaurs appeared.
Kaela pulled out a potion and poured it over her ankle. The swelling eased as she stood. "Alright. Two more."
"You sure you're okay?" Taro asked.
"I'm fine. Focus."
She raised water from her canteen, shaping it into sharp streams. Taro engaged one Minotaur, while Rin faced the third.
Kaela dodged with ease, remembering Kobe's words:
If you face a Minotaur, remember—they dump everything into strength. They're smart, but their attack patterns are predictable. Just don't let your guard down.
Spotting an opening, she formed an ice blade and slashed across the Minotaur's stomach, finishing it off.
"Phew..."
Taro was dancing around the second Minotaur's strikes.
"Want help over there?" Kaela called.
"Nah, I got this."
"If you want help, don't be shy!"
She glanced toward Rin.
What's wrong with him? First, he was excited to clear the dungeon. Then that weird flower, and now... he's just dodging without attacking. Does he want to die?
Taro ended the second Minotaur with a clean strike to its throat. "That was actually fun."
"Need help, Rin?" Taro asked.
"No."
"Then why are you only dodging? Attack already!"
Rin stayed silent.
Minutes passed. He still wouldn't strike.
Taro turned to Kaela. "Let's take care of it ourselves."
Kaela nodded. "Finally."
She rushed in, slicing off the creature's arm. Taro followed up with a finishing blow to its skull.
The dungeon fell quiet. The air reeked of iron and blood, thick and stifling. Cracked stone and scattered bones surrounded them.
Kaela wiped sweat from her brow. "That's all of them, right?"
Taro nodded, but his fists remained clenched. The silence wasn't calm—it was sharp, ready to snap.
Rin spoke quietly, "Why did you interfere?"
Taro walked over, grabbed Rin's collar, and growled, "If you keep this up, we'll leave you behind. You're not special. You teased Kaela about being isolated—but you're the one who's been shutting everyone out. If Kaela hadn't packed that potion, someone would've been seriously hurt because of your selfishness."
He let go, stepping back.
"Kaela, let's go."
They walked past the fallen beasts in silence.
Kaela didn't say a word. She focused on the path ahead, though her mind wandered elsewhere.
That moment… when Rin just stood there. The way his eyes looked past the Minotaur like it wasn't even there…
She didn't care what he said—no one should look that empty.
Something's wrong with him. Even if he deserves a punch in the face, no one stares death in the eye and just… lets it happen.
An hour had passed since they entered the dungeon.
...
To be continued...