Chosa walked away from the guild expedition, careful not to draw attention as he disappeared into the rocky, mist-cloaked terrain of Floor 3. His thoughts were still swirling with what he had seen—how coordinated they were, how powerful that katana-wielding man had been. But he knew better than to linger too long near a guild group, especially one that noticed stragglers.
He was maybe fifty steps away when it happened.
The cold point of a blade pressed against his back, and his body went rigid.
A voice, quiet but filled with lethal weight, spoke behind him. "Who are you, and what were you doing watching us?"
Luna's voice rang in his mind. "Risk of dying is extremely high."
"Thanks for the heads-up," Chosa muttered under his breath, raising his hands slowly. "I was just passing through. Saw the group fighting. I wanted to see how strong everyone was. That's all."
"Turn around," the voice ordered.
Chosa turned slowly—and came face to face with the katana-wielder.
Up close, the man was even more intense. His expression unreadable, eyes sharp enough to cut. There was no malice, just quiet authority.
Chosa blinked, a bit caught off guard. "You're… fast."
The man didn't answer right away. He studied Chosa like one might a strange puzzle.
"You're alone," he finally said. "That's dangerous. You could've been killed for a lot less."
"I know," Chosa replied, lowering his hands. "But I have to clear the floors. No matter the cost."
That seemed to pique the man's interest. He lowered his blade.
"Kaisel," he said simply.
Chosa hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Chosa."
Kaisel gave a faint nod. "You can go."
Chosa exhaled softly and began walking again, trying to calm his nerves. Ten steps. Twenty.
Then he heard footsteps behind him.
He glanced back. Kaisel was following him.
"…What are you doing?"
Kaisel looked at him coolly. "Coincidence. I happen to be going the same direction."
"Right…" Chosa said, clearly unconvinced.
They walked in silence, the cave entrance looming ahead—dark, jagged, and pulsing with faint red energy. The mini boss room.
As they approached it, Chosa noticed Kaisel didn't slow down.
"You're coming too?" Chosa asked, raising a brow.
Kaisel nodded once.
"What about your group?"
"They lost someone," Kaisel said simply. "I was asked to fill in. But they're weak. Not worth the time."
Chosa paused just before the entrance. "So should I be worried about you leaving me behind in there too?"
Kaisel's lips curled into the faintest smirk. "Possibly not. For some reason… I feel drawn to you. I'll be keeping an eye on you until I figure out why."
Chosa sighed. He didn't have the strength to fight Kaisel if it came down to it. He had no choice.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's get this over with."
The two of them stepped into the darkness of the cave—together.