The deeper layers of the dungeon sprawled ahead like a network of veins beneath the earth. Cracked stones littered the path, and the air was heavy with magic. The trio—Kazuki at the front, Garron just behind, and Elara watching their backs—pressed on in silence. The battles before had been rough, but Kazuki’s ever-growing skill with Analysis kept them alert and prepared.

  Suddenly, they heard a distant rumble, followed by the unmistakable crash of magic clashing against stone. Kazuki raised a hand, signaling them to stop.

  “Something’s up ahead,” he muttered, eyes narrowing as he activated Analysis. “Golems… six of them… and one human. Barely hanging on.”

  Without a word, they dashed forward.

  ---

  The room was a wreck—pillars shattered, the ground scorched. At the center, a lone figure knelt behind a rock, shielding themselves with a fading barrier. A staff, cracked and glowing faintly, was clutched in their hands. Around them, towering golems advanced with crushing footsteps.

  The mage raised her trembling hand for another spell, but her mana was almost gone. She could only whisper, “Damn it… not like this…”

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  Then—slice.

  A blur passed by. The first golem’s head dropped with a clean cut.

  Garron roared as he smashed another’s leg with a powerful swing, while Elara’s flames scorched a third. Within seconds, the room erupted in coordinated chaos as the trio engaged the golems.

  Kazuki’s dagger danced through the air like shadows. His movement was unreadable—Swift Swing struck faster than the golems could react. With every cut, another construct fell.

  The mage blinked in disbelief. “Who…?”

  By the time the dust settled, only one golem remained. It raised a fist toward the mage—until a brilliant light arrow shot through the air and pierced its core, shattering it completely. The glowing spell had come from Kazuki, his palm still raised, a faint trace of light magic dancing around his fingertips.

  The final golem collapsed, and silence returned.

  Kazuki walked up to the mage and offered a hand.

  “You alright?”

  The mage, stunned, looked up with a pair of sharp emerald eyes. She had short, white-blond hair, her robes torn, and mana flickering weakly around her. “I… yeah. Thanks to you all…”

  Garron grinned. “That was some crazy situation you were in.”

  “I’m Rinara, a B-rank mage,” she said, accepting Kazuki’s hand. “My party… we were ambushed. Everyone else… didn’t make it.”

  Elara knelt beside her. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it now.”

  Rinara shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’ve been fighting alone for hours. I didn’t expect anyone to come…”

  Kazuki studied her quietly. Her mana had potential—volatile, yet controlled. She had a high intellect, likely rivaling even Elara in magical aptitude.

  After a moment of silence, Rinara spoke again. “I don’t mean to be forward, but… let me fight with you.”

  “Huh?” Garron blinked. “You mean… join us?”

  She nodded. “I lost everything in that last battle. But I don’t want to run. I can still fight—and from what I saw, you all are strong. Stronger than any party I’ve seen.”

  Kazuki glanced at Elara and Garron. Elara gave a small smile. Garron nodded.

  Kazuki finally turned to Rinara. “Alright. But keep up—we don’t slow down for anyone.”

  Rinara’s lips twitched into a smirk. “Good. I don’t plan to.”

  And just like that, the trio became a quartet.