Chapter— Signs Beneath the Surface
"Chika—left side! Push it back!"
Marin's voice cut sharply through the air.
Chika reacted instantly, her fear vanishing as instinct took over. She thrust her palm forward, aura surging outward in a compressed sphere. The blast slammed into the monster's flank, forcing it to stagger sideways.
"Now!" Marin shouted.
From above, Uno dropped down.
His aura flared as he twisted midair, striking straight at the monster's exposed core. The impact echoed through the dungeon corridor, cracking stone beneath their feet. The monster let out a distorted shriek before collapsing into fragments of fading aura.
Silence followed.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then—
"…We did it," Loid said, breathing out slowly.
"Yes!" Chika raised her fist. "We actually did it!"
Uno landed and steadied himself. "That was cleaner than last time."
Marin nodded, her expression calm but satisfied. "Good coordination. No unnecessary risks."
Luke who was giving cover to all was standing near liod.
We're improving, he thought.
He turned his head slightly.
"Shuri," Luke called.
She stood a little distance away, eyes wide, still absorbing everything she had witnessed.
"How was it?" Luke asked.
Shuri blinked, then smiled—bright and honest.
"It was… amazing," she said. "I've never seen teamwork like that before."
Luke nodded. "That's Aurafiest."
They moved deeper, reaching the end of the dungeon chamber.
Nothing.
No glowing artifact.
No treasure.
Loid sighed. "Another dungeon with no item."
Marin crossed her arms. "Not every dungeon has rewards. And this one appeared suddenly. Clearing it itself is valuable."
Uno shrugged. "Also, we were getting bored."
Chika laughed lightly. "True."
They turned back toward the exit.
As they walked, Chika glanced at Shuri.
"Hey, Shuri," she said. "You'll be going back after New Year, right?"
"Yes," Shuri replied softly.
"Then let's go to the New Year fireworks festival," Chika said brightly.
Luke's eyes widened slightly. "That's a great idea."
He looked at Shuri. "What do you think?"
Shuri froze.
Fireworks…
Crowds…
And—
Loid…
Her heart skipped.
No—don't think like that.
Luke noticed her hesitation. "Something wrong?"
"N-No," Shuri said quickly. "I was just… imagining the festival."
She smiled awkwardly.
They exited the dungeon.
Evening light bathed the street in gold.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
People stood aside.
Whispers spread.
Luke stopped walking.
Ahead of them—
A group.
Powerful.
Overwhelming.
A-rank guild members.
Their presence alone bent the air. Aura pressure rolled outward like invisible waves.
"…No way," Uno muttered. "That's an A-rank squad."
Chika's breath caught. "Why are they here?"
Marin frowned. "They're not the kind to gather without reason."
Luke's gaze sharpened.
Something's wrong.
People tried to get closer, but guards blocked the area.
Among the crowd—
Luke saw him.
Kaizen Ryuga.
He stood slightly apart, speaking quietly to someone. His voice didn't reach them, but his expression was serious—focused.
Loid whispered, "Why is even Kaizen here?"
Marin approached a nearby guard.
"What's happening?" she asked calmly.
The guard lowered his voice. "An A-rank dungeon has appeared nearby, thats only knken and tell to us."
Marin stiffened.
Luke felt a chill.
An A-rank… here?
Uno frowned. "That's not unheard of."
"But look around," Chika said. "There are too many guilds."
Luke nodded slowly.
"That's what bothers me."
He leaned closer to Marin and whispered, "Send Mie. Let her listen."
Marin blinked. "Good idea."
"Mie," Marin commanded softly. "Scout."
Mie closed her eyes.
A moment passed.
Then she shook her head.
"There's a strong aura barrier," Mie said. "I can't pass through it."
"…Barrier?" Marin murmured.
Mie continued, "It's extremely refined. Controlled. This isn't a normal restriction."
Luke's eyes narrowed.
"…Kaizen," he whispered.
He stepped slightly away from the group.
Auru hovered near him, unseen.
"What do you think?" Luke asked quietly.
Auru hesitated. "I can break it… but—"
"I know," Luke replied. "It would expose us.What could be the reason?"
Auru added softly, "I also dont know but I think they can handle this. Kaizen is there."
Luke exhaled.
"…So that's how it is."
He turned back to his friends.
"I think we're overthinking it," Luke said calmly. "If it's dangerous, Kaizen and the A-rank guilds are capable of handling it."
Marin nodded slowly. "You're right."
Uno stretched. "Yeah, we'd just get in the way."
Chika smiled. "Let's head home."
They walked away.
Luke didn't look back.
But his instincts screamed.
This isn't normal,there is something they are hiding I have to keep eye on them.
---
Elsewhere
Kaizen Ryuga stood before his assembled squad.
Their armor gleamed.
Their expressions were firm.
"Everyone ready?" Kaizen asked.
"Yes, sir!" they answered in unison.
Kaizen's gaze hardened.
"This isn't the first time we've faced an aura leakage event," he said. "But last time, it happened far from human settlements."
He paused.
"This time… it's close. Too close."
The squad tensed.
"Our people are nearby," Kaizen continued. "Failure is not an option."
His fists clenched slightly.
"This leakage is stronger than any before. We don't know how far it will escalate."
He turned away.
"Give everything you have," he said quietly. "We protect them—no matter the cost."
"Yes, sir!"
Kaizen walked alone for a moment.
His thoughts were heavy.
Last time nearly broke us.
And this time… it feels worse.
He looked toward the sealed area.
"…Can we really stop this?"
The aura beneath the earth pulsed.
Unseen.
Unstable.
And growing.
---
End of Chapter.