The gacha wheel spun in Alex's mind again, glowing faintly in the dim light of his rented room.
> [Reward Rolling…]
[Congratulations! You've obtained: Spell — Ignis Vein (Uncommon).]
Effect: Channels inner mana into searing flame through the bloodstream. Amplifies weapon strikes with fire. Risk of burnout if overused.
Alex stared at the floating text, a slow grin creeping across his face. "Fire, huh? Alright. Let's see what you can do."
---
The Dungeon welcomed him back with silence and shadows. Every time he descended, it felt like walking into a living throat—humid, pulsing, and hungry.
On the fifth floor, he found a pack of killer ants. Fast. Coordinated. Hard shells.
"Let's test it."
He drew in a breath and whispered, "Ignis Vein."
The words burned in his throat—literally. Heat exploded under his skin, veins glowing faintly red. His sword shimmered, fire licking across the edge.
He swung. The first ant split in two, flames devouring its husk.
But the heat didn't stop. It grew. His vision blurred. The magic was feeding on his body.
> [Warning: Mana Overload Imminent.]
"Damn it—!"
He tried to cut the flow, but the spell clawed at him, wild and hot. His muscles screamed. He fell to one knee, gasping as fire bled from his arm.
The killer ants closed in.
Then—a flash of gold.
A blur cut through the swarm, fast and silent. In seconds, the floor was littered with dissolving monster dust.
Ais Wallenstein stood in front of him, sword dripping green ichor, her golden eyes sharp and unreadable.
Alex blinked, still catching his breath. "You again…"
"You're hurt." Her voice was soft but steady.
"I noticed." He forced a shaky laugh.
She looked at his burning arm, the faint glow fading now. "Magic backlash?"
"Something like that. First time trying it. Went great, as you can see."
Ais tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You don't have a Falna."
He froze. "You can tell?"
"Yes." She glanced at the faint, flickering light that still pulsed under his skin. "You fight like someone without one… but you're strong."
"Strong?" He snorted, wincing. "Barely survived five ants."
"Strong," she repeated. "Most without Falna wouldn't make it to floor five."
For a moment, silence filled the tunnel. The only sound was the faint hum of the Dungeon breathing around them.
Finally, Alex spoke. "You ever get tired of this place? Of killing things that just keep coming back?"
Ais looked past him, eyes distant. "Sometimes. But if I stop, I stop getting stronger."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. That's the same reason I'm here."
She turned to leave, then paused. "Your magic… It's dangerous to use like that alone."
"Yeah. I'll figure it out."
Her gaze softened—barely, but enough for him to notice. "Don't die before you do."
With that, she walked away, sword resting at her side, golden hair catching the Dungeon's light.
Alex watched her go, the pain in his arm fading beneath something else—a quiet pull. Not love. Not yet. Just recognition.
Two people who'd chosen the same road for different reasons.
When she disappeared into the dark, his system chimed softly.
> [New Passive Quest: Follow the Sword.]
Objective: Reach Ais Wallenstein's level of strength.
Reward: ???
He smiled faintly, blood still drying on his skin. "Guess that's one hell of a goal."