Aelyra Vaelis stood alone in her room, staring at the bracelet around her wrist.
I should tell them.
She clenched her fists.
The guild.
The city.
The Paladins.
She could expose Talis Symphorien. The Demon King. The danger lurking beyond the world.
And yet—
Her chest tightened.
She couldn't move.
Every time she imagined his calm voice… his eyes… the way he trusted her—
Her resolve crumbled.
"…Idiot," she whispered to herself.
Unable to decide, Aelyra left the room.
She threw herself into work.
Mission after mission.
Dungeon after dungeon.
She remembered Talis's words.
If you want to grow stronger, aim for multi-floor dungeons.
So she did.
She entered a Rank E multi-level dungeon alone.
Floor after floor, monsters fell.
Her fire magic burned brighter, hotter. She learned to control it better—compressing flames, reinforcing her saber, conserving mana.
On the final floor, the Guardian awaited her.
A massive beast of stone and flesh.
Aelyra didn't hesitate.
"Flame Burst."
Her saber ignited.
One decisive strike.
The guardian collapsed.
She stood there, breathing heavily.
I'm getting closer.
Not to power.
To him.
Days passed.
Her name began circulating quietly in the guild.
"Fast growth."
"Reliable."
"Talented."
Aelyra didn't care.
She only thought of one thing.
When will I see him again?
That evening, she returned from a mission and approached the reception desk to submit her report.
Before she could speak—
A loud bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The guild fell silent.
An urgent voice echoed through the hall.
"Emergency announcement!"
Aelyra turned sharply.
"Dungeon rupture detected near the city!"
The ground trembled.
From beyond the walls—
Screeches.
The doors burst open.
Giant spiders poured into the streets, their black legs tearing through stone and flesh alike.
Screams filled the air.
Aelyra's eyes widened.
"…No."
She drew her saber.
This wasn't a mission.
This was a disaster.
And it had only just begun.