The New Student

Outside the dungeon gate, the sky had shifted to dusk, casting a golden hue over the recovering hunters. Goro, Sena, Tyke, and Kellan stood in silence as they were questioned by the Dungeon Authority.

"We just remember entering the boss room," Sena muttered. "Then… nothing."

The officials raised an eyebrow. "You remember nothing?"

"Nothing useful," Goro said, brow furrowed. "I swear."

Their memories had been clouded, altered by the sheer magical residue left behind by the king's death—and Juno's rapidly evolving shadow system. None of them remembered betraying Juno and Jaemin. All they recalled was the chaos, then waking up just outside the dungeon.

Except for Jaemin.

He stood silently beside Juno, watching the scene unfold. Jaemin remembered everything—from the betrayal to the bloodshed to Juno's transformation. And he had made a silent vow never to forget.

"Guess you're not just an E-rank," Jaemin muttered, nudging Juno as they walked away from the crowd.

"I never said I was," Juno replied.

Jaemin smirked. "Well, you've got competition now. I'm not just tagging along anymore."

---

Blackridge Academy, one week later.

The high-tech modern campus buzzed with students in uniforms, some bearing the patches of minor guilds. Juno walked through the courtyard, eyes as cold as ever, a hood pulled low over his face.

Then, a voice cut through the crowd.

"Oi, step aside unless you want your self-esteem murdered in front of your crush."

Students turned.

Jaemin had arrived.

He strutted across the courtyard with the confidence of a king, stylishly disheveled uniform, one earring glittering, and that ever-present sarcastic smirk. Behind him trailed a group of stunned upperclassmen who had just been verbally disarmed.

"Do you even lift, or are you just here to keep the bench warm?" he threw at a muscular student blocking his path.

The guy turned red. "What did you just say?!"

Jaemin tilted his head. "I said I admire your courage—showing up with that face in public."

Laughter erupted. The guy stormed off.

Juno watched from the hallway window, lips twitching slightly.

Later that day, as Juno sat in class, Jaemin casually slid into the seat beside him.

"Assigned seating," Jaemin said before Juno could speak. "Totally fate."

Juno raised an eyebrow. "You bribed the admin, didn't you?"

Jaemin grinned. "Only a little."

Word spread fast—Jaemin was a rising star, already rumored to be A-rank potential. And strangely enough, despite his sass and sharp tongue, no one dared to mess with him. And anyone who tried to bully Juno? Well…

In one incident, a senior tapped Juno's head with a pencil and sneered. "Still weak, shadow boy?"

Before Juno could react, Jaemin materialized behind the guy. "You've got two choices: swallow that pencil or walk away with your dignity. Choose fast."

The bully turned pale and left.

Jaemin flopped into the seat beside Juno. "Seriously, these people act like they're in a reality show. I should start charging for comebacks."

"Thanks," Juno muttered.

"Please. I'm just keeping the idiots in check so you can focus on your creepy shadow stuff."

Despite the banter, a bond began to form. Where Juno was reserved and intense, Jaemin was loud and chaotic. But together, they were impossible to ignore.

---

One evening after class, Juno trained in the abandoned gymnasium. Shadow tendrils curled around him as he practiced weapon forms summoned by the system.

[Strength +2 | Intelligence +1]

"Okay, scary shadow prince," Jaemin called from the bleachers, sipping soda. "What exactly are you training for?"

Juno didn't pause. "To stop getting stabbed in dungeons."

"Fair."

Jaemin stretched. "Mind if I tag along next time? I'm kinda itching for something more exciting than lecture halls."

Juno nodded. "You can keep up?"

Jaemin smirked. "You haven't seen what I can do yet."

The system flickered in Juno's vision.

[New Party Option Available – Partner Detected: Jaemin | Rank Unknown]

Juno narrowed his eyes.

Something told him Jaemin wasn't ordinary either.