I woke with a jolt, hand instinctively reaching for Blood Thirst before realizing there was no threat. Just the quiet crackling of our campfire and the soft breathing of my companions. My watch had ended hours ago, but old habits die hard—I'd never truly learned the art of deep sleep in dungeons.

  The night had passed without incident. No Shark-Men emerged from the puddle portal triggering Eva's precautions, and no monsters ventured down the tunnels into our cavern sanctuary. It was almost suspiciously peaceful, but I wasn't about to complain about our good fortune.

  I watched the campfire flickered and dance with flames. The scientific impossibility of it struck me again as I studied the smokeless fire. Back on Earth, lighting a fire in an enclosed underground space like this would have killed us all within hours—carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, oxygen depletion. Basic chemistry.

  But here? The smoke simply... disappeared. It rose about ten feet above the flames before fading into nothingness, as if the dungeon itself was consuming it.

  "Magic trumps science again," I muttered to myself, absently reaching for my hook hand which I took off before sleeping. I was getting more and more used to seeing a stump where my hand was. Some bitter part of me didn’t like how familiar it was becoming. I tried burying the feeling as I went back to my thoughts on fire and dungeons.

  The smoke dissipating feature wasn't perfect, of course. I remembered a particularly nasty fight against a Fire Elemental when I was with the Heroes Party. We'd cornered it in a narrow tunnel, and despite the dungeon's smoke-eating properties, our eyes had watered uncontrollably. Those closest to the creature—Andy and Patrick—had doubled over in coughing fits, nearly costing us the battle. But outside of extreme cases like that, dungeons seemed designed to accommodate adventurers' basic needs, including the use of open flames.

  Across from me, Duncan was already awake, meticulously testing the straps of Tidecaller's Breastplate. His fingers worked with practiced precision, tightening and loosening until he found the perfect fit. The magical blue patterns swirled hypnotically across the metal surface, resembling ocean waves caught in perpetual motion.

  "Do you think we'll need to establish a point three before reaching the boss?" he asked without looking up, his voice low enough not to disturb Hellene and Eva.

  I considered his question, mentally reviewing what I knew about Four Sigil Dungeons. I'd been through two others during my time with the Heroes Party—the Whispering Cloud Dungeon and the Arctic Depths Dungeon. Each had shown a abnormal large scale in size compared to other dungeons.

  "Actually, I'm pretty certain we'll need to find a point four before we're close to the dungeon boss," I replied, keeping my voice equally quiet. "Four Sigil Dungeons are massive compared to other dungeons. The journey from entrance to boss typically takes at least five days of careful progression."

  Duncan nodded, his expression thoughtful as he continued adjusting the straps. "Explains why you insisted on us bringing so many supplies.”

  "Do you know what kind of boss we're facing at the end of this dungeon nightmare?" Hellene's voice startled me, coming unexpectedly from her bedroll. I turned to see her propped up on one elbow, her white hair tousled from sleep but her violet eyes alert and focused.

  "According to the records the monk left, the Silver Swords fought a giant floating jellyfish," I replied, recalling the sparse notes I'd studied. "Massive tentacles, translucent body—huge ocean monstrosity floating in the air."

  Eva sat up abruptly, her dark hair sticking out at odd angles. "I don't care what we fight as long as it isn't underwater," she grumbled, reaching for her water flask. "One underwater battle is enough for me."

  "You didn't even enter the puddle," I pointed out.

  She shot me a withering glare. "And I intend to keep it that way."

  Duncan paused his adjustment of the breastplate straps, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You know, I just realized something. We don't have a name for our group."

  I blinked, the observation catching me off guard. He was right. Every adventuring party had a name—it was practically tradition. The Silver Swords was the last adventure group to delve down here. My old group used the name Heroes Party, on the nose but accurate. These names appeared on quest boards, in tavern tales, and official guild registries.

  "Duncan's right," I said, suddenly feeling the absence of this small but significant detail. "We never did decide on a name for our adventurers party."

  Eva snorted as she pulled on her boots. "What's the point? We're operating outside the law and incognito. It's not like we can register our name with the Adventurers Guild or announce ourselves to townsfolk."

  Her logic was sound, but something about going nameless felt wrong. Like we were just four random people thrown together by circumstance rather than a united force with purpose.

  "Hidden Heroism," I said quietly, the words slipping out before I'd fully formed the thought.

  All three heads turned toward me, expressions ranging from surprise to curiosity.

  I felt heat rise to my cheeks and awkwardly shrugged my shoulders. "It just seems to fit with what we're doing, you know? Trying to do the right thing in secret."

  For a moment, no one spoke. Then, to my astonishment, Hellene's weathered face cracked into a rare, genuine smile.

  "Hidden Heroism," she repeated, testing the name on her tongue. "I like it. Let's use that."

  Duncan nodded enthusiastically, his red hair catching the firelight. "It has a nice ring to it."

  Even Eva's eyes crinkled slightly above her scarf—the closest thing to approval I'd seen from her. "It's not terrible," she conceded, which from her felt like glowing praise.

  Something warm settled in my chest—a sense of belonging I hadn't felt since before the Heroes Party betrayed me. We were a real team now, with a name reflecting our purpose.

  "We should get moving," I said, reaching for my gear. "Eva was there a specific tunnel you think we should scout first?”

  “Let’s go with the one opposite of where we came from just to keep it simple,” she said, finishing up strapping her leather armor on.

  With myself leading the way, we slipped into the darkened tunnel. I focused on keeping my footsteps silent, carefully placing each step on stone rather than mud. The passage curved and twisted, forcing us to move slowly to avoid alerting anything that might lurk ahead.

  The air grew cooler as we ventured deeper, and the faint phosphorescent moss on the walls cast everything in an eerie blue-green glow.

  "Hold up," I whispered, my hand instinctively reaching out to stop Eva as my Wisdom-enhanced intuition tingled.

  She froze instantly, her body going completely still. I pointed ahead to where the tunnel opened into another intersection, then held up three fingers. Eva's eyes narrowed as she understood my meaning.

  We crept forward, pressing ourselves against the damp wall. At the junction where several tunnels met, three Shark-Men stood in a tight cluster. They growled to each other in their guttural language, occasionally gesturing down one of the tunnels with their weapons.

  Eva and I watched them for several minutes, studying their movements and interactions. They eventually turned together to one tunnel and walked through it, but we knew they’d be back. Just like with the first three Shark-Men we ran into.

  We retreated silently back to camp to report what we found to Duncan and Hellene.

  "Three Shark-Men at an intersection about two hundred feet down," I reported in a hushed voice once we returned. "It’s just like the first squad of three Shark-Men we ran into before."

  Duncan's expression grew serious as he polished his sword. "And this time we have no raw meat to lure one away from the others."

  "So we fight them together," Hellene said, her tone matter-of-fact rather than concerned.

  I glanced at each of my companions. In the days we'd spent in this dungeon, everyone had grown stronger. Duncan had gained three levels since we entered, now at level 34. Hellene and Eva had each gained two levels, reaching level 37 and level 34 respectively. I'd only gained one level, but that had been enough to push me to level 39.

  But more important than the raw numbers was our experience. We'd learned how these monsters fought, discovered their weaknesses, adapted our tactics to counter their strengths. We'd developed a rhythm as a team that hadn't existed when we first entered this watery hell.

  "I think we can take them," I said with more confidence than I'd felt in a long time. "But we need a solid plan."

  Eva nodded in agreement. "Their tridents can pierce armor, but they're predictable with their attacks. And they're not very bright—they'll charge straight into a trap if we set it properly."

  "What did you have in mind?" Hellene asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Eva smiled as she explained her plan. I could see why she kept basic components for making traps- she had a good eye on how to set one up.

  ***

  We gathered our wineskins and water containers, each taking one as we made our way down the tunnel. Upon reaching the narrowest section—a passage barely six feet wide with a slight downward slope—we began our preparations.

  I uncorked my wineskin and started pouring water across the stone floor, watching as it pooled in the natural depressions. The others followed suit, methodically drenching every inch of the passage until the already moist ground was covered with puddles and soaked stone.

  "This should work perfectly," Duncan muttered as he emptied the last of his water.

  Eva secured her bow across her back and checked her quiver. "I'll draw them to us. A Shamble Shot should get their attention and slow one down."

  "Are you sure?" I asked, concerned. "That's three Shark-Men at once."

  She gave me a confident nod. "Trust me. I do this for a living."

  Right, thief, I need to stop forgetting that.

  Duncan pulled his sword out. "Just get them to follow you here. We'll handle the rest."

  Eva disappeared down the tunnel, her form melting into the shadows with practiced ease. The rest of us took our positions, Hellene standing furthest back where she'd have a clear line of sight to the wet floor, Duncan and I positioned on either side of the passage just after the prepared section.

  Minutes stretched into an eternity as we waited in tense silence. I found myself counting my breaths, trying to keep my heart rate steady. Five minutes passed. Then ten.

  A distant roar echoed through the tunnel, followed by another, deeper growl. The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps slapping against stone floor, accompanied by the unmistakable stomping of large webbed feet.

  "Here they come," Duncan whispered, raising his sword.

  I drew Blood Thirst, feeling the familiar warmth of the hilt against my palm. The blade was doing a wonderful job of keeping me alive and just holding it put me at ease.

  Eva burst around the corner, her boots sliding across the wet stone as she sprinted toward us. Her face was flushed with exertion, but her eyes were alive with excitement. She made a graceful leap as she reached us, sailing past Duncan and me to land safely on dry stone beside Hellene.

  "They’re coming," she panted. "Very angry."

  Hellene didn't wait for visual confirmation. Her staff flashed as she spoke words of power, her Frost spell taking shape. Only this time she wasn’t targeting a live opponent. The water we'd poured onto the ground crystallized before our eyes, transforming into a sheet of ice that glistened in the dim light. The wet stone became slippery cold, perfect for our trap.

  I held my breath as the first Shark-Man rounded the corner. He was massive, his blue skin glistening with moisture. Fangs gleamed as he charged toward us with his trident posed in front, ready to skewer whoever came within reach.

  What happened next would have been comical if it weren't also terrifying. The Shark-Man's right foot hit the ice and immediately flew upward, his momentum carrying him forward while gravity pulled him down. The rest of his body decided to follow his foot, creating a spectacular fall which sent him crashing to the frozen ground with a thunderous impact that cracked ice and vibrated stones.

  Without hesitation, Duncan and I lunged forward, our blades descending in perfect synchronicity. I used my hook to yank upward on the chainmail, exposing the blue flesh beneath as Blood Thirst sank deep into the monster's torso. Duncan's sword pierced the other side of the belly, pinning him momentarily to the ice.

  A guttural roar echoed down the tunnel as a second Shark-Man appeared, his massive frame filling the passage behind his fallen comrade. He paused, clearly uncertain how to proceed. The tunnel was barely wide enough for one of the hulking creatures, leaving him no way to aid his companion without climbing over him.

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  I caught the subtle shift in his grip on the trident—fingers repositioning for a throw rather than a thrust. My heart hammered against my ribs as I prepared to dodge, but then I noticed the fallen Shark-Man's massive webbed hand slapping against the stone wall, claws digging into cracks as he pulled himself upward.

  Duncan and I exchanged a quick glance, silently agreeing to let the creature stand. We stepped back slightly, weapons ready but making no move to keep him down. It was counter-intuitive, but strategic—as long as the first Shark-Man was upright in the narrow tunnel, his companions couldn't get past him to overwhelm us.

  The monster regained his footing, slipping slightly on the ice but managing to stay upright. His black eyes darted between us, assessing which target to attack first.

  Duncan didn't give him time to decide. With practiced precision, he thrust his sword forward, not at the creature's body but at the weapon. The blade slid between the Shark-Man's arm and torso, effectively pinning the trident against his side—a tactic he'd used successfully in a previous encounter.

  I didn't waste the opportunity, driving Blood Thirst toward the exposed belly of the beast. The Shark-Man's reaction was instantaneous—his massive jaw unhinged, opening wider than seemed physically possible as he lunged for my head. Those rows of razor-sharp teeth were inches from my face, close enough that I could smell his putrid breath.

  But Duncan was already one step ahead. He'd freed his left hand from his sword hilt, thrusting his arm directly in front of the monster's face. The Shark-Man's jaws clamped down on the offered limb with bone-crushing force.

  Instead of the sound of splintering bones, there was a sickening crack as teeth shattered against Duncan's mithril bracer. The monster's eyes widened in what could only be described as shock, dark blood spilling from his mouth as broken teeth tore into his own gums.

  I felt a rush of air as Eva's arrows whistled past my ear, striking the second Shark-Man who was still trapped behind his companion. His pained growl told me she'd found her mark. From the sound of more splashing, I guessed the third monster was also approaching now from further back.

  A contest of strength developed before my eyes. The Shark-Man strained against Duncan, trying desperately to push forward, but his webbed feet found no purchase on the icy ground. Each time he attempted to shift his weight, his stance slipped slightly. With Duncan keeping the trident pinned against his side, the creature couldn't even use his weapon to gain leverage.

  Frustration was evident even on a Shark-Man’s face when wrinkles formed around those black, inhuman eyes. The Shark-Man raised his free arm, massive claws extended as he prepared to slash downward at Duncan's face. I reacted instinctively, not willing to risk Duncan taking the hit. Blood Thirst flew forward in my hand, sinking deep into the creature's bulging bicep mid-swing.

  I twisted the blade, feeling it cut through dense muscle. I hadn't dared go for another torso strike—too risky with how the two were positioned—but a limb that came within reach? That was fair game.

  Behind the first Shark-Man, the second monster had clearly reached the limits of his patience. I could see at least three of Eva's arrows protruding from his shoulder, dark blood oozing around the shafts. With a guttural roar that echoed through the tunnel, he suddenly lunged forward, massive webbed hands slamming against the back of his wounded companion.

  The first Shark-Man had no chance to resist. His feet slid helplessly across the ice as his comrade shoved him forward, clearly intent on pushing past the bottleneck to where the passage widened ahead.

  I caught Duncan's eye and noticed a smile playing at the corners of his blood-spattered lips. With practiced ease, he pulled his sword back, freeing the blade from where it had pinned the trident. In one fluid motion, he lowered the point, angling it directly at the incoming Shark-Man's heart.

  Everything happened exactly as we'd anticipated. These creatures were nothing if not predictable with their impatience.

  The first Shark-Man was caught in a deadly vice—sandwiched between his comrade's relentless shoving from behind and Duncan's waiting sword in front. Pounds of blue-skinned muscle propelled him forward onto the blade, which slid through chainmail and flesh with sickening ease.

  The monster's only reaction was a wet, gurgling cough that sprayed crimson across Duncan's face and armor. His massive body went instantly slack, his heart literally torn apart by Duncan's sword.

  I had no time to enjoy the victory. The second Shark-Man wasn’t going to let something as simple as his comrade’s death stop him. He kept pushing, now using the corpse as a battering ram. Duncan in turn bent his knees, boots digging into the ground, as he tried to stop the momentum. If it wasn’t for the ice still covering the ground in front of us, even Duncan’s strength wouldn’t have stood against such a charge.

  We were back to a standstill only now Duncan’s sword was deep inside a corpse. No chance of pulling it out without allowing the second Shark-Man to get past the bottleneck section of the tunnel. But this too was part of the plan. I just really didn’t like this part of the plan.

  I took a couple of steps back, my heart hammering in my chest. This was either going to be awesome or get me killed. I drew in a deep breath, steadying myself, then lunged forward, a hand grabbing Duncan's broad shoulders while a hook grabbed onto a armor strap.

  "Still think what you’re doing is crazy," Duncan muttered so only I could hear him, I couldn’t really disagree.

  With a desperate heave, I pulled myself upward, using Duncan's frame like a climbing wall. My knees found purchase on his shoulders as I scrambled to balance myself. I must have looked absolutely ridiculous, perched atop the knight like some bizarre acrobat while he grunted and strained against the pushing force of the Shark-Man and corpse.

  Duncan gritted his teeth, muscles trembling with effort as he braced against ground. "Hurry up!" he growled.

  I crawled forward, digging into the dead Shark-man’s shoulder with my hook to move forward. The knight's face turned red with exertion beneath me as I carefully positioned myself directly above the scene. The second Shark-Man was completely focused on pushing the corpse forward, his shoulder pressing against the dead one's broad back. From my vantage point, I could see the perfect target—the creature's unprotected face.

  The Shark-Man never looked up. Never saw me. Never noticed the danger until it was too late.

  Blood Thirst gleamed in my hand as I brought it straight down with all my strength. The blade slashed across the monster's face, carving a deep furrow right over his eye. Dark blood erupted from the wound as the creature released a surprised roar which shook the tunnel walls.

  The Shark-Man's hands flew to his face as it staggered backward, webbed feet slipping on the ice. Just like the first one, his legs went out from under it, sending his massive body crashing onto his back with a sound like thunder.

  Pride surged through me—the maneuver had worked perfectly. Then movement at the far end of the tunnel caught my eye, and my moment of triumph evaporated.

  The third Shark-Man stood with feet braced wide apart, muscular arm already cocked back, trident gleaming as it prepared to throw. I had no time to think, no time to crawl backwards. The trident was already flying through the air, his prongs gleaming in the dim light as they hurtled toward me.

  Pure instinct took over. I launched myself from Duncan's shoulders in a desperate dive, no longer caring about looking ridiculous. I could feel a ripple in the air as flying prongs missed me by an inch. My body slammed into the half-blinded Shark-Man just as it was trying to rise. The creature thrashed beneath me, claws slashing wildly as it tried to dislodge me.

  The plan was in shambles now. I definitely wasn’t supposed to be with two pissed off Shark-Men all by my lonesome self.

  I jumped off the half-blinded Shark-Man, making a split-second decision to charge forward toward the third Shark-Man instead of engaging the wounded one behind me. With feet running, I sheathed Blood Thirst—I'd need at least one good hand and my agility for what I was planning.

  The third Shark-Man stood at the intersection, watching my approach with what I could only describe as a predatory anticipation. I raised my hook hand threateningly, making it look like I was planning a direct attack. That's when I saw something I never expected to see on a monster's face—smugness. The corners of his wide mouth turned upward in a half-smile as he formed one hand into a fist and slapped it against the other palm, clearly anticipating crushing me.

  But I wasn't feeling suicidal today. A frontal assault against a fresh Shark-Man while one other was still in play? Not happening.

  Instead, I waited until the last possible moment before throwing my upper body backward, dropping low in a move that Eva had spent hours drilling into me. My momentum carried me forward as I slid between the Shark-Man's thick legs, the slick ground making the maneuver possible despite my awkwardness. My hook hand made proper rolls impossible—forget about using Acrobatics Dodging—but those practice sessions with Eva had paid off. Even with my limitations, I managed a sloppy slide across the moist ground, passing beneath the monster before he could react.

  I heard the Shark-Man's startled huff of surprise above me. The sound gave me a rush of satisfaction as I scrambled back to my feet on the other side, not wasting a second before sprinting down the tunnel.

  The thundering footsteps behind me confirmed the creature didn’t want me to escape. Fine by me, I didn’t mind being a distraction. The heavy stomping grew louder as the Shark-Man gave chase, sending a weird rush of fear and thrill through me. My friends could handle the wounded one while I led this one on a merry chase through the dungeon.

  I ran full tilt until I reached the intersection of tunnels, my lungs burning with the effort. Without slowing, I activated Darken Stealth and veered into another passage, pressing my back against the cold, damp wall. My form melted into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible to the naked eye.

  I focused entirely on controlling my breathing—slowing it, quieting it, making each inhale and exhale deliberate and silent. The pounding of my heart seemed deafening to my own ears, and I willed it to slow as well. Darken Stealth might render me invisible, but it wouldn't mask the sound of heavy breathing.

  The Shark-Man's massive form barreled into the intersection seconds later, his head swiveling as he searched for his vanished prey. I remained perfectly still, knowing my stealth ability wouldn't matter if the creature could hear my ragged breathing. The monster paused, raising his nose to sniff the air.

  My mind instantly went to the blood staining my leather. I may not have gotten drenched like Duncan, but I had enough blood on me to create a distinct scent. A crazy idea came to mind—I pulled out Blood Thirst, the blade coming out silently. Then placed Blood Thirst against the place where the blood stain was largest. The sensation was immediate and strange—I could feel the blade pulling the blood from the tough leather, the crimson stain disappearing before my eyes as the weapon consumed it.

  The Shark-Man was growling now, still sniffing the air, his confusion evident as the scent trail suddenly vanished. Would he believe the blood scent disappearing meant I had run off? I held my breath, remaining perfectly still as the creature's black eyes scanned the intersection.

  After what felt like an eternity, the Shark-Man gave a frustrated glare at the tunnels, then turned to run back toward where his comrade was in trouble. I exhaled silently, relief washing over me as I watched his massive form disappear around the corner.

  After giving the creature a moment's head start, I quickly followed, staying close to the wall and moving as silently as Eva had taught me.

  When I rounded the final bend in the tunnel, a welcoming sight greeted me. The second Shark-Man lay dead on the ground, dark blood pooling beneath his large form. Duncan stood waiting patiently, his sword poised for the next fight, determination etched across his blood-spattered face.

  The third Shark-Man burst into view just ahead of me, roaring as he charged toward Duncan. The knight didn't flinch, meeting the creature's charge with a ready blade, not needing to worry about a trident to parry. His sword pierced the Shark-Man's chest in a perfect thrust, the blade sliding between the links of chainmail to find blue-skinned flesh beneath.

  I seized the opportunity, darting forward from my position behind the monster. Blood Thirst plunged deep into the creature's back, the crimson hilt warm against my palm as the blade sank into muscle.

  Hellene's voice rose in a familiar incantation, her staff flaring with magical energy as she cast another Frost spell. This time she wasn't aiming to create ice on the ground but to slow the monster. Crystalline patterns spread across the Shark-Man's skin, slowing his movements to a painful crawl.

  Caught between Duncan's sword in his chest, my dagger in his back, and Hellene's magic freezing his limbs, the last Shark-Man died quickly. He collapsed with a final gurgling growl, his massive body crashing to the stone floor.

  We all stood there for a moment, panting heavily as we stared at the three corpses littering the tunnel. No one spoke, but I could feel a sense of shared accomplishment hanging in the air between us. We had just pulled off fighting three Shark-Men in an all out fight. We could never have pulled this off when we first entered the dungeon.

  "Level up!" Duncan exclaimed, his grin stretching from ear to ear despite the blood and grime coating his face. I must have been getting used to seeing him soaked in blood, the sight of him happy while covered in it didn’t unsettle me anymore.

  "Me too," Eva added, not bothering to hide the smugness in her voice. "We’re making great progress."

  They both made the familiar gesture to open their party windows, translucent blue screens materializing before them. I watched as their eyes darted across the information, weighing their options for how to allocate their new skill points.

  While they deliberated, Hellene moved closer to me, nudging me with amusement. "Perhaps our future plans shouldn't involve you literally climbing onto Duncan," she suggested in a low voice. "It looked rather... undignified."

  Heat rushed to my face as I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, not my finest tactical moment."

  I glanced down at my hook, a familiar twinge of frustration washing over me. "Might have worked better if I had two hands," I muttered, trying not to sound bitter. "The balance was all wrong."

  Hellene's expression softened slightly, but she mercifully didn't offer empty platitudes or pity. She simply nodded and turned her attention back to Duncan and Eva.

  Duncan finally looked up from his window with satisfaction. "Done. Added one point to Wisdom for more mana. Those abilities drain me too quickly."

  "I increased my Dexterity," Eva announced, dismissing her window with a flick of her wrist. "Better accuracy means I waste less arrows."

  "So continue exploring?" I suggested, eager to move forward. "We still need to map out the tunnels branching from this intersection."

  Eva nodded, already moving to retrieve her arrows from the Shark-Men corpses. After she'd collected what she could salvage, we headed off together, leaving Duncan and Hellene to loot the bodies and wait for us.

  The first tunnel we chose after the intersection sloped gently downward, the ceiling dropping lower as we progressed. The air grew noticeably damper, and the sound of dripping water echoed around us. After about a hundred feet, the passage widened into a small chamber.

  "Look," Eva whispered, pointing toward the far wall.

  A wooden chest sat there, its surface darkened with age and moisture. Metal bands circled its frame, the once-bright iron now dulled with a patina of rust. It looked both ordinary and strangely out of place in the natural cavern.

  I activated my Heightened Senses ability, feeling my awareness sharpen as I studied every detail of the chest and surrounding area. I moved closer, examining the lock mechanism, the hinges, the ground beneath it, the ceiling above. I checked for tripwires, pressure plates, any sign of magical wards.

  "I don't see any signs of traps," I said finally, turning to Eva.

  She nodded in agreement, her eyes equally focused as she surveyed the area. "Looks clean to me too."

  I approached the chest cautiously, muscles tensed and ready to spring away at the first sign of trouble. Despite our thorough inspection revealing no traps, opening a chest in a dungeon didn’t always lead to good things. With one steady motion, I grasped the lid and lifted it open, holding my breath as the hinges creaked with age.

  No darts shot out. No explosion. No poison gas. Just the musty smell of long-contained air.

  Inside lay a single pair of boots. They looked remarkably ordinary—simple brown leather with worn soles and frayed laces. Nothing about them suggested magical properties or special value. But appearances were often deceiving in dungeons.

  I activated Scan immediately.

  [Boots of Blinking Step—leather boots, rare item, Active Power—Blink Step—Once a day you can teleport up to thirty feet away from your current location. Warning, position you teleport to must be visible to your eyes at the time of teleportation.]

  "Whoa," I whispered, carefully lifting them from the chest. "These are incredible."

  "What is it?" Eva asked, peering over my shoulder. "They look like regular boots to me."

  "Not every rare item is obvious," I explained, turning them over in my hands. "They're called Boots of Blinking Step. Once per day, they let you teleport thirty feet in any direction. Perfect for getting out of tight spots."

  Eva's eyes widened slightly—that slight expression was considering thrilling excitement when coming from her.

  "You should take them," I said, holding them out to her.

  She hesitated, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Why me? You found them."

  "I already have my earring if I get surrounded," I explained, touching the silver earring with a hanging crystal. "It's saved my life more than once. These boots would be more useful to you, especially with your ranged fighting style. If something gets too close, you could blink away and keep firing."

  Eva took the boots with uncharacteristic reverence, turning them over in her hands. "Thank you," she said quietly, already sitting down to remove her current footwear.

  I watched as she pulled on the boots, the leather immediately beginning to shift and change. The boots seemed to mold themselves to her feet, shrinking and adjusting until they fit perfectly. Eva stood, taking a few experimental steps.

  "How do they feel?" I asked.

  "Like they were made for me," she replied, a hint of pleasure in her voice.

  She bent to pick up her old boots, but I waved her off. "I can store those in my Inventory Box until we get back to point two."

  She handed them over with a grateful nod, and I quickly stashed them away with a thought. My Inventory Box was definitely one of the perks of being a Hero that I'd never take for granted.

  "Let's check the next tunnel," I suggested, already moving toward the exit. "We still have a lot of time for exploring."

  And with that we moved on to scout deeper down Reflecting Water Dungeon.