Raphael had just finished a quick training session when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket, squinting at the notification that had just popped up.

  Kael: Dungeon run tonight. You in?

  It was a simple message, but the casual tone felt like a breath of fresh air after weeks of feeling stuck in the monotony of his own life. Raphael smiled, thumbs hovering over the screen as he typed back.

  Raphael: Always in. Where and when?

  Kael: Meet at the North Pza at 8 PM. I’ll have the details.

  Raphael hit send and set his phone down. A sense of anticipation flooded through him. He hadn’t expected much when he’d first met Kael—after all, he was still adjusting to this new world. But Kael, with his easy confidence and smooth demeanor, made everything feel a little less overwhelming. Plus, something about Kael’s quiet strength and unspoken charm always seemed to draw Raphael in. Each dungeon run with him had felt like a step closer to something more, even though neither of them had said it outright.

  He grabbed his gear and headed out.

  At the North Pza, the area was bustling with other Chosen coming and going, preparing for raids and dungeon runs. The usual electronic buzz of the city had been repced by a heightened sense of excitement. It was strange, really—people weren't just living in the moment anymore; they were chasing something. Power, status, and answers to questions they hadn’t even known to ask before.

  Raphael spotted Kael near a corner café, leaning against a post. As always, his posture was rexed, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the crowd. When they met Raphael’s gaze, a small smile spread across Kael’s lips.

  “You’re right on time.” Kael’s voice was easy, teasing. “I was starting to think you were backing out.”

  “Not a chance,” Raphael said, grinning as he walked over. “Ready to dive into the unknown again?”

  Kael raised an eyebrow. “Always.”

  “So what’s the pn this time?” Raphael asked, adjusting the straps on his bag. “Last time, we barely made it out alive.”

  Kael chuckled. “Well, that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? This time, we’re tackling an elemental rift. Water-based monsters. The boss is supposed to be an Ice Wraith.”

  “Sounds... cold,” Raphael joked, and Kael’s smile widened.

  “It’s going to be a little tougher than st time, but we’ve got this.” Kael’s confidence was infectious, and Raphael felt a flutter in his chest.

  Kael’s confidence wasn’t just in his abilities—it was in Raphael, too. They had grown so much together, each dungeon run an opportunity to see what they could do as a team. It made Raphael feel something strange, something deeper than just camaraderie.

  The two of them made their way to the entrance of the dungeon, a massive stone archway covered in runic symbols. As they stepped inside, a cold wind greeted them. The dungeon’s atmosphere shifted immediately—dark, foggy, and chilled to the bone. Ice crystals shimmered in the air, and the walls were slick with frost. The air smelled like old stone and something metallic, like the chill of a forgotten world.

  Quest Alert: Eliminate the Ice Wraith, cim the Frost Jewel. Complete the dungeon for a chance to earn rare loot.

  Raphael tapped his screen to dismiss the notification. He gnced over at Kael, who was already checking his own skill list.

  “You ready for this?” Kael asked, his voice low.

  “Let’s go,” Raphael said, more determined than he realized.

  The dungeon was tense, every step echoing through the icy caverns. They fought through waves of ice wolves and frost elementals, their attacks freezing the ground beneath their feet as they closed in. Raphael used his Seraphim skills with more confidence now—Runic Light lighting the way in the dark, Mana Pulse giving him a burst of energy when he needed it most.

  Kael, with his fluid movements, was a whirlwind of strikes and evasion. He expertly used his speed-based rogue abilities to outmaneuver the elementals, every movement sharp and precise. Raphael couldn’t help but admire the way Kael worked—everything about him was effortless, even in the heat of battle.

  At one point, Kael was surrounded by two ice wolves, their jaws snapping. In an instant, Kael darted between them, disappearing and reappearing behind them, slicing through their frozen hides with a flurry of quick strikes.

  “You’re getting better at this,” Kael called over his shoulder, as they both cleared out the st of the enemies in the room.

  Raphael smiled, a little breathless. “Guess I’m starting to understand my skills.”

  Kael grinned. “Let’s see how you handle the boss.”

  The Ice Wraith was unlike any monster Raphael had faced before. It was massive—its body made of shifting ice and cold fog, its form barely visible as it glided across the frozen ke in the center of the dungeon. Its glowing blue eyes seemed to pierce through the mist.

  “You ready for this?” Kael asked, his eyes narrowing in focus.

  Raphael nodded. “Let’s take it down.”

  The fight was brutal. The Wraith’s icy breath chilled them to the core, freezing the ground and causing ice spikes to erupt from the floor. Raphael used Luminous Ward to protect them from the worst of the damage, while Kael dodged and attacked from the shadows.

  They worked in tandem—Raphael using his defensive skills to keep the Wraith from overwhelming them, while Kael struck with precise, deadly attacks. The Wraith howled, its body disintegrating into shards of ice with every blow. The temperature dropped, and a sudden blizzard erupted around them, the wind biting at their skin.

  “Keep it together!” Kael shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the storm.

  Raphael focused, casting Celestial Thread to bind the Wraith in pce for a moment. With one final strike from Kael, the Ice Wraith shattered into a million glittering pieces.

  With the battle over, they stood panting in the aftermath, surrounded by the remains of the Wraith. Raphael’s heart was still racing, his adrenaline high. Kael was leaning against a rock, wiping his brow.

  “That was... something,” Raphael said, trying to catch his breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever fought something that tough.”

  Kael smirked, walking over to the loot pile. “It was nothing. You did great, Raphael.”

  The loot was glowing, shimmering in the mist. Raphael could feel the rush of excitement as he approached. Among the loot, there was a Frost Jewel, along with several other items—some ice-based reagents and potions.

  “That was the boss,” Kael said, eyeing the Frost Jewel. “And that’s a pretty rare drop. We’re lucky.”

  Raphael held up the Frost Jewel. “It’s beautiful,” he said, his voice almost reverent.

  Kael chuckled. “That’s one way to put it. Anyway, we should get going before more of those ice wolves come back.”

  As they exited the dungeon, the cool night air greeted them. Raphael felt a strange sense of satisfaction. They had made it through another dungeon—stronger, smarter, and more connected than ever before.

  Kael cpped him on the shoulder. “Same time next week?”

  Raphael nodded. “Absolutely.”

  They parted ways, but this time, as Raphael walked back to his apartment, a smile lingered on his lips. There was something in the way Kael looked at him—something that felt more than just a teammate. But for now, Raphael let the feeling simmer. It was a feeling he wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge yet, but he knew it would grow.

  [End of Chapter 4]