The air on Floor 24 was thick with heat and tension. Jagged stone walls pressed inward, and the smell of sulfur clung to everything like smoke after a fire.
Rover walked carefully behind his team, the leather pack on his back filled with mana cores, healing potions, and extra gear. Sweat beaded on his forehead—not from exertion, but from nerves. This was his first raid, and though he wasn't a fighter, every step deeper into the dungeon felt like diving into the unknown.
"Stay close, Porter," Jin muttered over his shoulder. The A-rank fighter, tall with a long spear strapped to his back, had a quiet confidence about him that comforted Rover.
"I will," Rover said softly.
Next to Jin, Eun Ji, the B-rank healer, hummed softly while checking her supplies. Her aura was calm, radiant—like the eye of a storm. Bo Gun, the B-rank tank, carried a massive rectangular shield, his hulking form moving with surprising grace. Sera Moon, B-rank mage, floated beside them, her long black hair tied back, a small orb of flame flickering between her fingers. Lastly, Nox, their C-rank assassin, brought up the rear, silent, eyes scanning every shadow.
They moved like a well-oiled machine—each one aware of the other's strengths and weaknesses.
Then the tremor hit.
A thud. Then another. The stone floor rumbled beneath their feet.
From the darkness, a monstrous figure emerged—a Taurus, easily 12 feet tall, covered in cracked obsidian-like armor. Its horns glowed a molten red, steam puffing from its nostrils.
"Engage!" Jin ordered.
Rover ducked behind a rock outcropping, heart pounding.
The battle unfolded like a deadly ballet.
Jin dashed forward, his spear glowing with runes, drawing the Taurus's attention. Bo Gun intercepted a brutal strike with his shield, the sheer force pushing him back several meters. Sparks flew. Sera unleashed volleys of fireballs and lightning bolts, keeping her distance. Eun Ji chanted softly, her magic mending wounds mid-combat. Nox blurred past the Taurus's legs, slicing tendons, weaving between shadows.
Rover could only watch—powerless but focused.
He memorized every movement, every command. His fingers twitched at every blow the team took. Sweat dripped from his chin. The longer the fight went on, the more he wanted to help.
But he couldn't.
He was just a porter.
Eventually, after a grueling 20-minute battle, the Taurus let out a thunderous bellow and collapsed, its body crumbling into stone and smoke.
"Boss down," Jin confirmed, lowering his spear.
Bo Gun wiped blood off his arm. "That thing hit harder than expected."
Sera smirked. "You're welcome for the backup."
Eun Ji approached Rover. "You okay?"
He nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just… overwhelmed."
Nox grunted. "You'll get used to it. Or you'll die."
"Don't scare the kid," Sera said, rolling her eyes.
The team gathered. Jin looked around. "We vote. Proceed or retreat?"
"Retreat," Eun Ji said. "We're low on mana and potions."
Bo Gun agreed. "Floor 24's enough for today."
They turned back. Rover's legs ached, but his mind was sharper than ever.
---
That evening
Back at Professor Kuroda's boarding house, the door creaked open.
"Rover?" Ayaka turned from the kitchen, eyes narrowing when she saw the cuts on his arms and the dried blood on his shirt. "What the hell happened?!"
"I'm fine!" Rover raised his hands. "Just some scratches. The Taurus fell. I stayed back."
Mina peeked out of her room. "You made it back."
Ayaka stepped closer, poking his shoulder. "You need to stop scaring people."
Vex, lounging on the couch, grinned. "The kid's turning into a real dungeon rat."
Professor Kuroda appeared from the hallway. His eyes settled on Rover, and for a moment, he didn't speak.
Then he smiled faintly. "Welcome home."
Rover lowered his head. "Thanks, Professor. For everything."
Kuroda ruffled his hair. "Go clean up. Food's almost ready."
---
Later that night, Kuroda stood outside, a cigarette between his fingers, staring up at the moon.
Smoke drifted past his lips. His gaze turned somber.
"I guess… I did something right today, didn't I?" he muttered to the night sky.
He thought of Arumi, his late wife—killed during the first Tower eruption twenty years ago, crushed by falling debris while trying to save a child. He never forgot her smile. Or her last words.
He looked back toward the apartment where Rover laughed faintly with Ayaka and the others.
"Maybe… just maybe."
He took another drag, eyes misty.
---
To be continue...