Chapter 104: [A VERY DARK DUNGEON]

The world snapped as Kairo stepped forward, carrying Eli through the gate.

Light bled away. Color drained. And then—

Dark.

Pitch dark.

It wasn’t just dim. It was a suffocating, absolute black, as if someone had pulled a shroud over reality itself. Eli barely registered the shift before his thoughts began spiraling again.

’Okay, okay. Two options. One: kiss him now. Just lean in, peck his cheek, play it off as a “good luck” kiss. Totally casual. Hunters do that all the time, right? Right?!’

His pulse was a wild drumbeat. His throat so dry it scraped when he swallowed.

’Or two: wait. But wait for what? There is no better time! If I stall, I’ll just end up trying to kiss him mid-battle in front of a monster, and then I’ll really die.’

His eyes flicked up again, drawn helplessly to Kairo’s face—the hard line of his jaw, the stoic stillness that gave nothing away.

Even here, surrounded by swallowing dark, the man radiated calm like an anchor.

Eli’s stomach flipped so violently he thought he might puke.

’Fuck, I can’t. I can’t do this. But I have to. Points, points, points—just do it before you chicken ou—’

“Do you sense danger?”

Kairo’s voice—low, steady, carrying just enough edge—sliced through his panic.

Eli froze, breath hitching. His eyes widened as the realization finally hit him.

They were inside.

Not hovering at the threshold anymore—no comforting glow of the gate behind them.

Inside the dungeon.

And it was nothing. Just endless, stifling black.

’I can’t see a damn thing ahead of us… that’s…’

The air pressed damp and cool against his skin, clinging like wet cloth. Somewhere, faint but steady, came the sound of dripping.

Drip… drip… drip.

’…creepy. Really creepy.’

Every step Kairo took sent small ripples across the unseen water beneath their boots. Eli’s chest constricted, each splash magnified in the silence until it felt deafening.

“…N-No,” he stammered finally, voice cracking as his nails dug lightly into Kairo’s shoulder without realizing. “I don’t feel danger.”

Not danger.

But wrong. His gut twisted all the same, as if the dungeon itself was holding its breath, waiting.

Behind them came more splashes. Mio, Zaira, and Mel emerged through the gate, their presence grounding the void for a heartbeat—until the entrance sealed shut with a soundless snap.

The silence deepened. Then a faint hum, mechanical, broke it.

Drones. Four of them. Their red lights blinked to life, thin beams slicing across the black and glinting faintly off the water’s surface as they hovered overhead.

“…Why the hell is it so dark?” Mio muttered, tilting his head up as though the void might answer him. His voice was sharp but laced with curiosity. “And water? That’s—unusual.”

Eli clung tighter to Kairo’s shoulder, knuckles whitening.

’Unusual how? Please don’t just drop ominous statements like that, explain it—’

Zaira unhooked a flashlight from her belt and clicked it on, aiming forward. A strong white beam cut through the dark… and vanished. Like it had been swallowed whole.

Her brows shot up. “Aw, man. It’s way too dark. Do we just… go ahead?”

“Yes,” Kairo answered without pause, voice cool and commanding. “Eli says he doesn’t feel danger, so for now it’s safe. Stay close.” He started forward, water splashing softly beneath his boots.

Eli’s jaw dropped.

’Does he just… have no fear at all? He’s walking like this is a morning stroll, while I’m two seconds from pissing myself.’

“Alrighty, but I’m getting such bad vibes from this place,” Zaira muttered, adjusting her grip on her weapon.

“Pfft. You’re just scared, Zai.” Mel grinned, stepping close. “Want me to wrap my arms around you and—”

Before he could finish, Zaira shoved him—hard.

Mel shrieked as he lost his footing, arms flailing, and toppled straight into the shallow water with a dramatic splash.

“Zaira! What the fuck!” he sputtered, scrambling upright, his clothes soaked and dripping.

Zaira’s grin widened, smug. Mio let out a sharp laugh, covering his face with one hand.

Mel stomped after Zaira, still dripping wet, his scowl more theatrical than sincere.

Water squelched with every furious step, his boots leaving ripples that broke the mirror-still surface.

“You didn’t even warn me!” he shouted, pointing at her like she’d committed a crime. “Do you know how gross dungeon water is? What if I catch some monster disease, huh? I’m gonna sue you.”

Zaira only barked out a laugh, tossing her damp hair back with zero shame, her grin sharp and unrepentant. “Please. You falling in was the funniest thing that’s happened all week. I regret nothing. In fact, I dare you to sue me.”

“Of course you don’t regret it!” Mel flung his arms out dramatically, sending droplets everywhere as he pouted. “Do you know how much this coat cost? This is premium leather—custom made! Took forever to get this tailored! Forever!”

He wrung out one sleeve with a pitiful groan, muttering under his breath about the ruined stitching.

Mio pinched the bridge of his nose with all the weary patience of a babysitter, though the slight curve tugging at his lips betrayed the truth.

He was entertained. “Unbelievable. We’re five minutes into an S-Class dungeon, and you’re already bickering like kids on a playground.”

“But it’s Zaira’s fault!” Mel shot back, his voice cracking as he jabbed a finger at her. “What if I died in there? What if some freak slime monster crawled up my pants and melted me alive?”

Zaira leaned forward, her grin wicked, her voice dropping into mock pity. “Relax, Mel. If you die, I’ll make sure it’s a pretty death.” She tapped her chin in thought. “Closed casket, tasteful flowers. And don’t worry—I’ll even commission a statue. Though, I doubt your body will physically let you die a virgin.”

“You—!” Mel nearly tripped over himself lunging for her, water splashing high around his boots. Zaira only laughed harder, darting back like she’d been waiting for it, her laughter echoing sharp through the hollow dark.

Eli couldn’t help it. His lips tugged upward, a small, quiet smile slipping free despite the nerves coiling tight in his chest.

Watching them snap at each other—it felt almost… normal.

For a moment, it didn’t feel like they were standing in a suffocating void where monsters could be lurking in every shadow.

It felt like banter he might overhear in a café, classmates trading barbs just to fill the silence.

And for the first time since stepping into this pitch-black dungeon, Eli’s pulse slowed. The knot in his chest loosened just slightly.

’Hunters… are supposed to be unreachable, and serious. That’s what I always thought, anyway.’

But here they were, squabbling over wet leather and teasing each other like siblings.

’Even S-Class hunters are still… people.’

The realization sat strangely warm in his chest.

’If it weren’t for this stupid System task, I’d actually… love this. Having them here. Not being stuck alone with Caelen, not drowning in silence with Kairo… this feels better. Safer.’

But the glowing mission text in the corner of his vision mocked him still, refusing to fade.

His chest tightened. ’A kiss. On Kairo’s cheek. How am I supposed to…’

“Enough.”

Kairo’s voice cut like a whip, and all three guild members instantly straightened. The splash of their boots in water quieted as if the whole dungeon held its breath.

“Don’t forget where we are.” His black eyes flicked between them, sharp as blades. “Stay alert. Eyes peeled.”

“Yes, sir,” Zaira drawled, though her smirk softened. Mel only muttered under his breath, wringing out his sleeve one last time.

The group pushed forward again, water sloshing underfoot with every step. The silence crept back in, heavier this time.

Eli tightened his hold on Kairo’s shoulder, his own breathing uneven. His mind was split—half straining to sense that flicker of danger Kairo trusted him to find, half spinning uselessly around the mission he was avoiding.

’Do I do it now? Just—lean in, but …Ugh, no, no. We’re literally in the middle of a dungeon. The last thing I want is to throw him off when his head needs to be in battle mode.’

He sighed quietly, biting the inside of his cheek. ’Not now. Not yet. I’ll wait. Somehow.’

“Eli,” Mio’s voice slid in beside him, breaking the quiet. His tall frame strode at Kairo’s other side, red drone light brushing against his cheekbones. “You’re still not feeling anything?”

Eli startled, shaking his head quickly. “N-No. Nothing.”

Mio’s gaze sharpened, thoughtful. “Strange, isn’t it?” He angled his chin toward Kairo. “Normally, by now, low-tier dungeon spawn should’ve crawled out to greet us. But it’s been nothing.”

Kairo’s jaw flexed, his tone firm. “Something’s off.”

Zaira hummed, twirling her dagger lazily. “Maybe it’s just waiting for us deeper in. A warm welcome, you know?”

But before Kairo could answer, Mel groaned. “Ugh. Tell me it’s not just me, but… I’m dizzy all of a sudden.”

Zaira smirked instantly. “Probably because you fell in. Waterlogged your brain. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Excuse me?!” Mel’s squawk echoed down the cavern, bouncing back off the unseen walls.

But Eli didn’t laugh this time. His grip on Kairo’s shoulder tightened, eyes darting into the swallowing dark ahead.

His stomach twisted.

Because Mel wasn’t the only one starting to feel off.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep