The Kiss?

The instant Ethan and Reyna exited the boss room, the ground below them started to shake.

As soon as they approached the exit, the dungeon doors slammed with thunderous force.

"What the bloody hell?" Reyna growled, hand going to the hilt of her greatsword, eyes narrowing. "This wasn't part o' the plan. Ya know somethin' about this, Ethan?

Ethan's system interface materialized in front of him, golden letters flashing across his vision:

[Sudden Quest Activated]

["Unlock the Heart."]

[Objective: Kiss Reyna.]

[Reward: Dungeon Exit Unlocked.]

[Failure: Permanent entrapment.]

Ethan let out a long sigh. "No fucking way."

He turned to Reyna, who was glaring at the sealed exit.

"Somethin's off," she muttered. "I've cleared plenty o' dungeons before, but nothin' like this's ever happened."

Then her gaze shifted to him, squinting suspiciously. "Ya seem way too calm for a rookie who's 'bout to be trapped in here forever."

"I'm just good at hiding my emotions, that's all," Ethan replied, stepping closer.

[Charm: passive aura activated.]

Reyna blinked, her expression softening slightly as her eyes flicked back to his.

"What… are ya doin', Ethan?"

Ethan gently placed a hand on her shoulder, locking eyes with her.

"Hey. We have no idea how long we're going to be here. But perhaps… we don't need to freak out."

The air between them constricted. His voice was steady, soft, genuine.

"I get the feeling there's something about you, Reyna. You fight like a loner who's been alone a long time… but you don't have to be."

She glared at him, brow crinkling. "Where is this comin' from all of a sudden?"

"Call it a gut instinct," Ethan whispered. "Or perhaps it's something I came to understand observing you take down that boss. You're tough. Gorgeous. Ferocious."

He reached up and softly smoothed the strand of hair away from her face.

"I'm attracted to you, Reyna."

There was a moment of silence between them. Reyna's eyes went wide. She turned aside—not offended, merely confused.

Ethan leaned in slowly, giving her every opportunity to retreat.

She didn't.

Their lips touched—tentatively at first, a gentle, questioning touch. Then it intensified, becoming warmer, more ferocious. The dungeon itself appeared to be holding its breath in anticipation of them, as if even the walls were observing.

When at last they parted, Reyna gasped for breath, red in the face.

"Ya. idiot," she grumbled, her cheeks burning all the way up to her ears.

Before either of them could utter another word, golden light enveloped Ethan. He sensed the comforting pull of teleportation, his form breaking down into shining particles.

When he materialized, he was outside the Adventurer's Guild gates—alone.

He pressed his lips and released a grin.

"Well. At least I completed a quest."