Developing - Part 2

The air inside the mine was dense and heavy, the darkness stretching further than the eye could see.

After stepping inside, Sans suddenly stopped walking.

Mira, who had been following closely behind, paused as well, her gaze steady.

She didn’t ask why. She simply waited.

Sans turned slightly, subtly glancing back toward the entrance, as if checking whether anyone was watching.

After ensuring they were alone, he let out a small exhale and—without another word—his eyes shifted again.

That same unfocused stare.

That same motion with his right hand, as if scrolling through something invisible.

Then—in an instant—everything changed.

A pulse of light flickered around him, and before Mira could fully register what was happening, Sans was suddenly fully geared up.

The Phoenix Alliance outfit was gone.

Instead, his body was now clad in something entirely different.

Something… legendary.

The armor was unlike anything she had ever seen—intricate, radiating power, lined with an aura of unmistakable strength.

His shield, massive and imposing, shimmered with a golden glow, while his sword pulsed with raw energy, its blade appearing almost ethereal, as if cutting through the very air itself.

For the first time, Mira’s neutral expression shifted.

She was genuinely impressed.

Even in her deepest calculations, she had not expected Sans’ true gear to be this powerful.

Even she had underestimated him.

She took a slow step forward.

"Sir… if I may ask—"

Her voice remained calm, but there was a slight edge of curiosity to it.

"Is this your strongest equipment?"

Sans hesitated for a moment.

Then, he turned his head slightly, looking at her with an expression that was… almost apologetic.

"Yeah… I know it’s not much, but… it’s what I have."

He gestured slightly to his armor as he spoke.

"It’s a Legendary Set—armor, shield, and sword."

Then, he listed them off.

"The helmet— Level 1,110, 1 Purple Star.

The chestplate—Level 980, 10 Yellow Stars.

The leggings—Level 1,100, 9 Yellow Stars.

The boots—Level 1,000, 2 Purple Stars.

The shield—Level 1,105, 10 Yellow Stars.

The sword—Level 990, 1 Purple Star."

He let out a small sigh.

"It’s… really low. But the resources needed to upgrade this stuff? Insane. It takes an unreal amount of materials, resources, level requirements, prestige ranks, ascensions… and even then, it’s still not enough."

His expression turned slightly distant, almost as if he was frustrated with himself.

"Sorry if this disappoints you…"

Mira blinked.

Then—she laughed.

A quiet, short, but very real laugh.

Not one of mockery.

But of genuine disbelief.

She placed a hand lightly against her forehead, tilting her head slightly downward before exhaling softly.

"Disappoint?" she echoed, her voice carrying a slight, amused undertone.

She finally looked back at him, her gray-blue eyes glinting slightly.

"Sir… your definition of 'low' is beyond reason."

She crossed her arms, glancing at his gear once again.

"To say I’m disappointed would mean that I had expected more. But quite frankly…"

She smirked slightly.

"I didn’t even expect this much."

Mira was not someone easily impressed.

But even she had to acknowledge—this gear was beyond anything she had imagined.

"You surpass even the highest-ranked guards and warriors of Silivia, Sir. And yet, you claim it is 'not enough'?"

She tilted her head slightly.

"That… is fascinating."

Her respect for Sans had already been high.

Now?

It had increased tenfold.

UltSans tilted his head slightly, his expression calm yet thoughtful.

"I see… Well, maybe from your point of view, it seems impressive. But to be honest… it’s very weak compared to what it could be."

Mira raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing at first.

Then, after a brief pause, she spoke.

"Sir, if it is not too much to ask… could you forge some gear for me?"

Sans blinked, as if the request caught him slightly off guard.

"...Well, I’d need to check your current equipment, assess your level and attributes. Only then can I forge something new or improve your existing gear."

Mira nodded once, without hesitation. "Understood, sir. After this mission, would you grant me new gear?"

UltSans gave a small nod. "Of course."

Then, his expression sharpened.

"But right now, we need to find that hole."

The two continued forward, their steps slow and cautious, taking great care to avoid weak spots that could potentially trigger another collapse.

The mine was deathly silent, the air thick with dust and tension.

After a long while, Mira’s sharp gaze caught something in the near distance.

It was difficult to see at first, the darkness of the mine swallowing its form.

But then—she recognized it.

"Sir, I believe I have found the hole."

Without waiting, she led Sans toward it, guiding him until they reached the edge.

Both of them stopped.

Mira stood still, her usual neutral posture unwavering, quietly observing the deep abyss below.

Meanwhile, Sans leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness.

A heavy silence filled the air.

Then, Sans spoke, his voice low but certain.

"…There’s something here.

Mira’s eyes flickered slightly. "Sir?"

Sans didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he continued analyzing the hole, his posture tense.

Then—

"I can sense it—there’s a warning of danger. This isn’t just *some* hole.

This is the secret entrance to the secret dungeon."

Mira’s expression didn’t change, but internally, her mind began racing.

A hidden dungeon? Here? How had no one known about this?

As if sensing her thoughts, Sans muttered to himself.

"I wonder why I wasn’t warned about this…"

His fingers twitched slightly, as if scrolling through something invisible again.

"Well… no matter. Even if I wanted to do something about this… there’s nothing we can do."

Mira remained silent for a brief moment, considering the situation.

Then, she asked, "Sir, what may be our options?"

Sans crossed his arms. "A few.

A—Jump down and hope we survive, or find a way to descend safely.

B—Seal the hole, preventing further deaths.

C—Leave it open and let others recognize it for what it is, so no one accidentally falls in again.

He sighed slightly.

"I don’t see any further options… but it’s not as if I could really do something… I think."

Mira exhaled softly, then spoke—calmly, but decisively.

"Sir, I believe sealing the hole would be the safest choice. However… if this dungeon has gone unnoticed for so long, then it may hold secrets—or threats—we are unaware of."

She turned slightly, looking at Sans directly.

"I do not advise rushing in blindly… but neither do I advise ignoring this entirely. Information is our greatest weapon, and right now, we have none."

Her expression remained calm, but there was a weight to her words.

She wasn’t just suggesting a plan—she was making a choice.

For the first time, she wasn’t just following orders.

She was taking initiative.