The next morning, Haruka stood on the Observation Deck, clutching her rod like a lifeline. Below, the ocean shimmered as the sun filtered through drifting kelp fronds. Lanterns suspended beneath Aqua-Veil cast wide cones of light, cutting faint holes in the darkness below.
"This is Mirelle," Soren said, gesturing to a woman approaching with confident, measured steps. She wore a dark braid down her back and an angular rod-tool strapped across her shoulder.
Mirelle's eyes flicked over Haruka. "Another newbie," she said. Her voice was calm, flat—but there was a spark in her gaze, competitive and sharp.
"Haruka," she said, forcing her voice steady. "I'll do my best to keep up."
"Hope so," Mirelle replied curtly.
Soren grinned. "You two will get along fine. Let's focus. The Kelp Maze isn't forgiving."
A row of elevator platforms creaked on their ropes nearby. The crude raft-shaped pods hung over open water, designed to descend into the tangled kelp forest beneath Aqua-Veil.
"Once we're in," Soren warned, "keep your head on a swivel. Dungeon fish down there don't play nice. You see a glow in the kelp? Don't investigate unless I say so."
Haruka nodded, her stomach twisting.
The three of them stepped onto a pod. A faint energy pulse rippled across Haruka's body as a notification appeared:
DUNGEON PARTY FORMED: Vailthorn, Tassar, Nerimoto
Her chest tightened with both anticipation and fear.
"Ready?" Soren asked.
The pod shuddered. With a groan, it began to descend.
The water grew colder as they sank, and sunlight faded into dim green shadows. The kelp stalks stretched high like cathedral columns, swaying in unseen currents. Strange shapes flitted past the edges of their light—fish, she thought at first, until one sprouted too many fins and a mouth filled with too many teeth.
Haruka's HUD pinged.
COMMON DUNGEON FISH DETECTED. LEVEL: 2–4.
They darted like shards of living starlight.
"Focus on the Swarm Barracuda," Soren whispered. "High spawn, decent loot drop."
Mirelle adjusted her rod-tool, pressing glowing runes that hummed faintly in the water. "I'll open the kelp gates. My job's crowd control. Haruka, stay on Soren's lead."
A voice crackled in their comms overlay.
"Barracuda spawn zones located," said Eamon, calm and clinical. "I've queued buffs for the party. Haruka, apply Hydra-Splash bait before casting."
"Hydra-Splash… right," Haruka murmured. Her hands trembled as she flicked a shimmering glob of algae-magic from her satchel. It dissolved into glowing motes that sank into the kelp.
The water shifted around them, currents pulling at her ankles.
New Skill Unlocked: Marine Gust (Lvl 1)
Haruka's heart thumped faster.
"Cast on my mark…" Soren murmured. "Now."
She exhaled and flicked her rod.
DING! Barracuda Lured.
The water exploded.
A three-meter fish burst from the kelp, its silver body twisting like a spear. Rows of needle teeth snapped dangerously close as it shot toward her.
"Haruka! Defensive evade!" Soren barked.
She fumbled for the new skill, fingers brushing glowing runes on her rod. A dome of water surged around her.
Marine Gust Activated.
The Barracuda slammed into it, stunned briefly.
"Now!" Soren darted forward, his rune-dagger flashing as he slashed ropes of shadow-light at the beast. Blood bloomed in the water, swirling like ink.
Mirelle's rod snapped with light as she activated a Kelp Gate, tangling fronds around the Barracuda's tail. "Don't let it escape!"
Haruka's hands burned as she reeled furiously. The line thrummed like a living thing, pulling her forward as the Barracuda thrashed.
Tension High. Risk: Line Break.
"Hold it steady!" Soren shouted.
She grit her teeth and yanked. The rod vibrated violently.
DING! Rare Catch: 1x Barracuda Fin. +75 XP. Loot: 4x Kelp Crystal, 1x Barracuda Trophy.
The Barracuda dissolved into glowing fragments that zipped into her inventory.
Haruka's arms felt like jelly. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
"Welcome to dungeon-fishing," Soren said with a grin. He clapped her shoulder.
Mirelle raised an eyebrow. "Not bad for your first dungeon run."
Haruka allowed herself a small smile.
But deep within the kelp forest, a massive shadow moved. Something stirred in the darkness, sending ripples through the water.
Her HUD flickered.
WARNING: ELITE MONSTER DETECTED.
"Uh… Soren?" Haruka whispered.
Soren's grin faded. "Yeah. I see it."
The kelp parted. A glowing red eye blinked open.
DUNGEON BOSS APPROACHING: KELP MAULER (Lv.5)