Echoes of Shadows

The moment they stepped into the dungeon, a wave of oppressive energy washed over them. The air was thick, as though steeped in ancient magic. This was no ordinary dungeon. Cracks in the obsidian floor pulsed with eerie purple light, and twisted creatures lurked just beyond the misty veil ahead.

The guild's elite charged forward, led by their confident A-rank and B-rank members. They were seasoned, powerful, and prepared—or so they believed. Jaemin and Hanni moved in sync with the frontline, while Juno was told to remain in the back, "for his safety."

Juno clenched his jaw. It wasn't anger at their words—it was frustration with himself. Still labeled E-rank, his power was hidden, a secret buried deep within. But he could feel the shadows pulsing inside him like a heartbeat. Waiting.

Suddenly, chaos erupted.

The first wave of monsters lunged out of the darkness—massive, armored hounds with crimson eyes and jagged teeth. The frontline clashed with them, blades ringing, spells igniting the gloom. Jaemin fought fiercely, his movements elegant and calculated, but even he was beginning to falter.

A screech pierced the air.

A second, larger wave surged from the depths, and among them towered a massive beast—a creature formed from bones, shadows, and rage. It was no dungeon king, but a high lieutenant, powerful enough to be a raid boss on its own.

Jaemin shouted, "Everyone fall back! Regroup!"

But in the confusion, he was surrounded.

"Jaemin!" Hanni screamed, blasting an enemy with a spear of lightning.

Juno didn't think. The system's cold voice rang in his head:

[Emergency Alert: Ally Life Force Critically Low.] [Penalty Imminent if Host Does Not Intervene.]

"I'm not letting him die," Juno muttered.

The shadows around him burst forth like a storm, writhing and alive.

In one blink, he was among the enemy, his sword materializing in his hand, forged from the abyss itself. One strike—two—three. Every move was a blur. The creatures fell around him like shattered glass.

"W-what?" one of the B-rank hunters gasped.

Juno caught Jaemin mid-fall, his body bleeding and torn. "Stay with me."

Jaemin smiled weakly. "Took you long enough…"

Then the dungeon trembled.

A portal opened at the far end, wider and darker than anything they'd seen before. Out stepped a figure—a humanoid, cloaked in darkness with eyes that glowed with malevolence. The dungeon king.

"An S-rank king," one of the higher-ups whispered, stepping back in fear.

No one moved.

Except Juno.

The system chimed:

[New Mission: Defeat the Dungeon King.] [Survival Chance: 8%.]

Juno stepped forward.

He didn't wait for a plan. He charged.

The battle was hellish.

The dungeon king moved with inhuman speed, wielding dark blades and hurling spells that tore the ground apart. Juno's shadows lashed out to defend him, striking and shielding. He blinked across the battlefield, slashing and dodging, but it wasn't enough.

He was struck—once, twice—blood spilled. But he stood again.

[System Boost: Shadow Drive—Unlocked Temporarily.]

Dark armor formed around him. His sword grew longer, pulsating with raw energy. With a guttural roar, Juno drove his blade into the king's heart.

The king let out an earth-shaking cry before exploding into shadow fragments.

Silence fell.

Juno collapsed to his knees, panting, bleeding, victorious.

The team gathered slowly, eyes wide in disbelief. A few clapped, a few gasped. But then…

"Who was that guy?" someone muttered.

"I don't know. Wait… what were we doing?" another said, rubbing his head.

Memories began fading.

One by one, the guild members blinked in confusion, forgetting the entire event—the shadows, Juno's power, even the king's appearance.

All… except Jaemin and Hanni.

As they walked back from the dungeon, Jaemin glanced sideways. "They're already forgetting, huh?"

Hanni nodded. "Just like before."

Juno looked between them. "Why aren't you two forgetting?"

Jaemin gave him a look that was far too knowing. "Maybe we're not as normal as you think."

Juno frowned, a storm of questions brewing inside him.

The system pinged quietly in his mind:

[New Mission Unlocked: Uncover the Truth Behind Jaemin and Hanni.]

Something bigger was at play.

And Juno was at its center.