Four years have passed since Lumina's immortality was confirmed. In that time, Team Emberlight had risen to A-Rank, their reputation forged through relentless quests, unwavering teamwork, and battles that would have broken lesser parties.
Today, they stood at the edge of Deadspire Caverns, a cursed labyrinth where a recent B-rank party had vanished without a trace. No signals. No bodies recovered.
Now, it was Emberlight's mission to uncover the truth.
Kairyuuha stepped forward, wind rustling his blue short-sleeve jacket. His mismatched eyes—one glowing red, the other a deep, piercing blue—glinted in the shadows of the cavern. “The mana here is twisted. Get ready.”
Kazuki, unawakened to his necromantic path, adjusted his sword with silent resolve. He moved in sync beside his companions.
Reiya, ever poised, her sword drawn in anticipation.
Yuno, towering and broad-shouldered, wielding a heavy axe with practiced ease.
Thora, fists clenched in gauntlets laced with runes, ready for close-quarters combat.
Kael, both a fire-wielding mage and swordsman, sparks igniting in his palm.
Mei, quiet and calculating, staff steady and eyes focused.
And Lumina, golden eyes glowing faintly—appearing human, but with the power to shift into her hybrid dragon form if danger demanded it.
“Stay alert,” Kael said, sensing the growing tension in the air. “This place already feels like a grave.”
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They descended deeper.
Then the beasts struck.
Distorted creatures, hunched and shrieking, burst from the tunnels. Misshapen limbs and bone-armored hides made them hard to read and harder to kill.
“Take formation!” Kairyuuha barked.
Reiya sliced through the front line.
Thora intercepted a charging beast, grappling and slamming it into the ground.
Yuno swept his axe in a wide arc, tearing through a wave of attackers.
Kael launched a searing flame barrier, splitting the horde in two.
Mei shielded the rear, her spells repelling incoming ambushes.
Kazuki moved cleanly, his swordplay precise.
And Lumina, eyes gleaming, burst into her dragon hybrid form, wings flaring and golden scales crawling up her arms. She dove from above, raking a monster's spine.
Then came the quake. A low, unnatural roar echoed.
From the heart of the cave emerged the boss—a towering, armored monstrosity with six red eyes, stone-like skin, and a jagged blade for an arm.
Kairyuuha’s gaze hardened. “Kazuki, right flank. Yuno, Thora, distract the arms. Kael, Mei—focus fire. Lumina, now!”
With a furious cry, Lumina flew straight at the creature, clashing midair as Kael launched flames at its feet. Kazuki darted in, slashing behind its knee. Reiya scaled its side to blind one of its eyes.
Yuno struck the arm-blade, forcing it to shift targets, while Thora struck its exposed ribs. Mei enhanced their weapons with a piercing buff, amplifying every blow.
The beast roared—but a sudden ripple in space appeared beside it.
Kairyuuha dashed through—one strike.
The boss collapsed.
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Class Skills Enhanced. Stat Proficiency Increased.]
Screens appeared in front of them, listing new skills, improved stats, and unlocked proficiencies.
Kael whistled. “Man, I still can't believe you coded this, Kairyuuha. A whole system and a new guild structure?”
Kairyuuha didn’t respond. He was already walking past the remains.
That’s when Mei stopped. “Wait… there's someone under here!”
They hurried over. Among the corpses of the previous party, one girl—barely conscious, bloodied and broken—was barely clinging to life.
Kazuki rushed to her side. “She’s alive.”
He tried healing. It failed.
Kairyuuha stepped forward and raised two fingers.
A massive violet sigil unfurled above the girl. Magic poured into her, golden light wrapping around her wounds, sealing flesh, resetting her broken form.
Her eyes fluttered open.
“Wha… where…”
“You’re safe now,” Mei said softly.
The girl looked around, weak and dazed.
“What’s your name?” Reiya asked gently.
“…Aika.”
She recounted the horror—how her team was overwhelmed, devoured by monsters too powerful to fight.
“You’re with us now,” Thora said gruffly, offering a hand.
They returned to the guild and turned in the drops. After the report, they all gathered again, Aika sitting nervously beside them.
“So where are you staying?” Kael asked.
Aika hesitated. “I… I think my team’s inn rooms were cancelled. I have nowhere to go.”
Yuno snorted. “Easy. We’ve got room at the mansion.”
“Come with us,” Reiya added with a warm smile. “You’re not alone.”
Aika’s lip trembled, but she nodded. “Thank you.”
And under the evening sky, Team Emberlight walked home together—one member stronger, and one soul saved.
The mansion’s doors opened wide.
Aika’s new chapter had begun.
