Raid Gone Wrong (Part 2)

The dungeon was eerily silent, save for the steady clatter of boots on stone and the occasional scrape of claws from their summoned Beasts.

Alan's breath echoed softly in the chill air, every exhale visible in the dim torchlight. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, ever-vigilant.

They had been through enough dungeon runs to know that danger could strike at any moment. It was the kind of tension that always hung in the air, making even the smallest sound seem like an omen.

Despite the quiet, the group carried on as if the dungeon was just another ordinary walk.

They made small talk, trying to ease the anxiety that came with the unknown. Alan found himself not fully participating, his thoughts wandering, and his gaze often drifting to the woman walking ahead of him — Bianca.

Bianca was… different. She wasn't just another party member — she had a presence. Her brown hair was tied back in neat, practical braids, and there was a quiet grace in the way she moved.

Her crimson eyes, sharp and focused, always seemed to catch the light in a way that made her seem almost otherworldly.

Alan couldn't help but watch her, his mind racing with thoughts he knew better than to entertain.

Unlike Alan, who wore the simple robe of a D-rank adventurer, Bianca's vest bore three stars. She was a B-rank, two whole levels above him.

And from the way she carried herself, it was clear she had earned it.

Alan was still trying to get a grasp on his abilities, still finding his footing in the dangerous world of Taming. But Bianca? She exuded confidence, and it was easy to see why people looked up to her.

He was aware of his own feelings for her, but he kept them carefully hidden. She was out of his league, and even if she weren't, he wasn't sure what he could offer someone like her.

So, he kept his distance, watching her from the edges of their conversations, his thoughts clouded with doubt.

The conversation among the group continued, but Alan's attention remained fixed on Bianca. Her movements were so fluid, so sure.

He couldn't help but admire her. As his gaze lingered on her for just a second longer than it should, her eyes flicked over to him. For a split second, their gazes locked.

Alan quickly looked away, his face flushing. 'Damn it, did she notice?' He cursed under his breath.

He hoped she hadn't, but there was no way to know for sure.

His heart was racing, and he tried to distract himself with the conversation happening around him. But the moment had passed, and it wasn't long before he felt the weight of an arm drape casually over his shoulders.

"Heh, looks like someone's got a thing for Bianca," Ray teased, his voice loud enough for the entire group to hear.

Alan froze, his heart sinking. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks. Ray's grin was teasing but not unkind, his arm still draped over Alan's shoulders.

It was the kind of easy camaraderie that only came from long years of friendship. But this? This was a different kind of attention, one that made Alan squirm.

"I — I don't have a thing for her," Alan muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

Ray raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Come on, don't try to hide it. We all saw you staring at her. At least you've got good taste, though, right?"

Alan didn't know how to respond. It wasn't like he was hiding his feelings, but acknowledging them out loud? That felt different.

Bianca was… well, she was something else. And admitting anything about it felt like a risk he wasn't sure he was ready to take.

"She's... way out of my league," Alan mumbled, looking anywhere but at Ray or Bianca.

Ray chuckled and gave him a friendly shove. "Maybe. But don't sell yourself short. Who knows? Maybe you've got something she's looking for."

Alan shook his head, but a small smile tugged at his lips. He appreciated Ray's attempt to lighten the mood.

Still, the thought of ever having a real conversation with Bianca beyond the usual "party member" dynamic was almost laughable.

As if sensing Alan's discomfort, Ray leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Just don't get too worked up, man. You've got plenty of time. Let's focus on the mission first, alright?"

Alan nodded, grateful for the change in topic. That was the best advice he could get right now — focus on the task at hand.

But as the group continued walking, the faint sound of footsteps behind them cut through the conversation. Alan's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword.

"Did you hear that?" one of the Tamers ahead of them asked, his voice tense.

The group immediately fell silent, straining their ears. Another sound, distant but unmistakable, echoed through the dungeon — an eerie howl that sent chills down Alan's spine.

"Beasts," someone muttered. "They're coming."

Alan's heart skipped a beat. The mood shifted instantly from lighthearted to serious. The laughter from moments ago vanished, replaced by a focused determination.

The air seemed to thicken, the stillness around them suddenly oppressive. Alan could feel the presence of his Summon beside him, its posture tense as it sensed the approaching danger.

Bianca was already drawing her weapon, her movements swift and deliberate. The sight of her —calm and poised in the face of danger — was oddly reassuring. She was a veteran of these kinds of runs, and her presence steadied the nerves of the group.

Alan's mind was a whirl of thoughts, but he pushed them aside. There was no time for distractions now. His hand gripped his sword tighter, and he motioned for his Summon to step forward.

They had trained for moments like this, but nothing could truly prepare them for the chaos of battle.

The howls grew louder, and the ground beneath them seemed to tremble with the approach of the Beasts. Alan's pulse quickened as the first of them emerged from the shadows — a hulking creature, its eyes glowing with a menacing red light. It snarled, its sharp teeth gleaming in the low light.

The group fell into position, weapons drawn, ready to defend themselves. Alan's mind raced, but his body moved on instinct. His Summon surged forward, its form materializing from the air as it prepared to engage.

"Stay sharp!" Bianca's voice rang out, commanding and calm. "Focus on the Beasts and keep your formations tight."

The battle had begun.

Alan didn't have time to think about anything other than survival. His heart pounded in his chest, and adrenaline surged through his veins. This was the moment they had trained for, the moment when all the skills they had honed in the academy would be put to the test.

And in that moment, with the Beasts closing in, everything else faded away — his crush on Bianca, his insecurities, his doubts.

There was only the fight. And together, they would face it.