“I really fucking hate you,” Davick said after Kaiden finished his tale.

  Kaiden couldn’t help but laugh at Davick’s reaction. The two of them had taken seats while Kaiden told his story, and now Davick sat there, staring at him with mock bitterness.

  “I mean c’mon,” Davick continued, shaking his head. “You got to hang out with one of the Petal sisters and even bathe with her! Maaaan, I’m so jealous.”

  Kaiden rolled his eyes. “But I almost died multiple times.”

  Davick waved the thought away as if it were inconsequential. “It would’ve been a worthy death,” he said with a chuckle, but then his tone turned light and teasing. “Yeah, I’m totally joking. I’m saving myself for Sergeant Farron, hahaha.”

  “You gotta move on, man,” Kaiden said with a grin.

  “Okay, but seriously,” Davick said, leaning forward now. “I’m only jokin’. I really don’t envy you. That shit sounded intense. Like... how did you even survive a Diamond-grade dungeon? And you were in there for weeks!”

  “A lot of potions, my Regeneration ability, my healing class, and a whole lot of luck,” Kaiden replied simply. Not too mention my powerups.

  “And they didn’t let you keep any of the loot? That’s messed up,” Davick said, frowning.

  “Well...” Kaiden hesitated, then said, “That’s not the whole story.”

  Kaiden had explained most of what he went through in the dungeon but had deliberately left out parts—his gains, titles, artifacts, General Thorne, and his clash with the mercenary. There was so much to unpack, and he wasn’t sure how much he should share with Davick. Titles were rarely shared amongst even friends as they were some of the most private things a person had.

  “What else are you holding out on me?” Davick asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

  Kaiden smiled, leaning back. “Well, quite a bit actually. But honestly, you might be better off not knowing.” This was especially true when it came to General Thorne.

  Davick’s expression grew serious as he leaned closer. “You seriously expect me to just say, ‘Okay, sure,’ after dropping that on me? You’re out of your damn mind. Spill it!”

  Kaiden chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, check this out.”

  He pulled out his storage ring and slipped it onto his finger.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Davick asked, his eyes lighting up with unrestrained greed.

  Kaiden grinned. “Yep. Storage ring. The swordsman gave it to me.”

  “I take it back,” Davick said, shaking his head. “I’m totally jealous of you. Do you even know how much those things are worth? Not to mention how useful they are.”

  Kaiden shrugged casually. “Yeah, I realize they’re expensive, but really, they’re not that useful to us. Not yet anyway. Every dungeon we dive, we have to give up all the loot.”

  “Ah, yeah, there’s that,” Davick said, leaning back in his chair with a resigned sigh.

  Kaiden said, “The swordsman also let me keep this.”

  A shield appeared in Kaiden’s hand. It was the same shield that Ashkar had given him. Davick’s eyes widened as he stared at it, his mouth slightly open.

  “Is this…” Davick began.

  “Yeah,” Kaiden said, finishing the thought. “This is one of the shields that the swordsman gave me.”

  He handed it to Davick, who took it gingerly, holding it as if he’d just been entrusted with an incredible and fragile treasure. He turned it over in his hands, his expression full of awe and reverence.

  “Whoa,” Davick breathed. “I can’t believe he let you keep it.”

  “It’s not fancy, but it sure does work well,” Kaiden said with a shrug. “You can have it.”

  “What!? Really?” Davick asked, his voice rising with excitement.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Yeah,” Kaiden replied, his tone casual. “I don’t need two of them, and you’re a Defender. Makes sense for you to have it.”

  The truth was Kaiden didn’t even need the other one, thanks to his shielding artifact, but that wasn’t a detail he felt ready to share yet.

  “This is amazing. I can’t believe you’re just giving this to me. I mean, you could sell it for quite a bit,” Davick said, still marveling at the shield.

  Kaiden smiled. “I thought about that, but I’d rather give it to you.”

  Davick looked up at him, his excitement tempered by genuine gratitude. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate this—and no take backs!”

  Kaiden chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask for it back.”

  “Good,” Davick said with a grin, running his hand along the surface of the shield. “Because this thing really is amazing. It’s made from nightsteel.”

  “Nightsteel?” Kaiden asked, tilting his head. “I’ve never heard of that. Is it good? And how do you even know?”

  Davick smirked, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “I’m a blacksmith. Of course I know what this is. And is it good? Obviously! Nightsteel is only the second most precious metal in the world. This is what A-rank and S-rank adventurers use.”

  This was news to Kaiden, and for a split second, he felt a small pang of greed and regret at giving away something so valuable. But he pushed the feeling aside—it was better off in Davick’s hands. “Why’s it called nightsteel?” Kaiden asked.

  “The guy who discovered it was Joseph Night,” Davick said matter-of-factly.

  Kaiden’s jaw dropped slightly at the simple explanation. “That’s it?” he asked in disbelief.

  “Huh?” Davick said, looking up from his trance of admiring the shield.

  “I thought it’d be something like it’s only harvested at night under a full moon or gains its power from dark magic or something like that,” Kaiden said, shaking his head.

  Davick chuckled. “Reading too many fantasy stories, huh?”

  Kaiden laughed along with him. “Anyhow, it’s all yours. But are you even able to use it in a dungeon? I thought we had to use issued equipment.”

  “Of course we can use our own gear,” Davick said. “There wouldn’t be a point to earning contribution points for sweet gear if we couldn’t actually use it.”

  “So basically,” Kaiden said, “if we never wanted to use our own stuff, we wouldn’t have to because the army provides everything?”

  “Exactly,” Davick replied.

  “Okay then,” Kaiden said, standing up and stretching. “Shall we get going? I think I’ve pretty much seen everything this room has to offer.”

  “Yeah,” Davick said, holding the shield tightly. “Let me just drop this off in my room, and I’ll meet you back here in a minute.”

  “Okay,” Kaiden said, watching as Davick ran upstairs with a giddy energy to stash his new shield.

  Two minutes later, Davick was back downstairs, his grin just as wide as before. The duo walked off toward the mess hall, Kaiden letting Davick take the lead as his unofficial guide.

  After a quick tour of the mess hall and the bathhouse, where Davick gave detailed explanations Kaiden barely needed, it was time to head back.

  They met back up with Staff Sergeant Treyne, who stood outside the admin office chatting with three other people. Kaiden immediately guessed that they were his new party members. Dressed in casual clothes as if off duty—which they likely were—the trio looked relaxed but carried themselves with the confidence of seasoned Dungeoneers.

  The first was a tall brunette woman with her hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She had sharp green eyes, a lean but muscular build, and wore fitted black pants with a gray tank top under a loose blouse. Her expression was calm but focused, the type of person who probably didn’t miss much.

  The guy was of average height but broad-shouldered, with dark, slightly messy hair that looked like it hadn’t been combed in days. He wore a simple brown tunic and dark slacks, his boots scuffed as if he’d walked miles in them. His eyes were a soft brown and he wore a mischievousness smirk.

  The second woman had a petite frame but an air of quiet intensity. Her blonde hair was cropped short, just above her shoulders, and she wore a plain white shirt and dark gray breeches tucked into sturdy boots. Her dark brown eyes scanned Kaiden briefly, giving him a quick once-over.

  As Kaiden and Davick approached, Treyne noticed them and nodded. “Right on time,” she said, motioning them closer. “Hayward, meet your new party.”

  The brunette stepped forward first, extending her hand. “Name’s Corporal Anya Greaves. I’m the Defender and party leader.”

  Kaiden reached out and shook her hand. “Private Kaiden Hayward. Pleased to meet you.”

  Her firm grip surprised Kaiden slightly, but what caught him off guard was the way her green eyes widened when she felt his grip.

  She grinned, her surprise quickly replaced by approval. “Hell of a grip,” she said. “If your support is half as good as your grip, then we’re in for a treat.”

  “Thank you, Corporal,” Kaiden said with a polite smile.

  Next, the guy stepped forward and offered his hand. “Private First Class Joren Locke—Caster,” he said. His tone was laid-back but friendly.

  Kaiden shook his hand, nodding. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Finally, the petite blonde stepped up, extending her hand with a faint smile. “Specialist Lena Voss. I’m the Striker, obviously,” she said with a hint of humor. Then, with a small sigh, she muttered under her breath, “Last as usual.”

  Kaiden caught the muttered comment but chose not to react. He shook her hand and said warmly, “Pleasure meeting you as well.”

  As they exchanged pleasantries, Kaiden noted that Lena was the first Specialist he’d met—a rank under Corporal but above PFC. That made her two ranks above him. This was clearly what Davick meant when he’d said newbies wouldn’t be paired together. He was happy to have a party with higher military ranks than him. He already that after the Diamond-grade dungeon there wouldn’t be anyone at his rank that could match him. Although, he was especially surprised to be partied with a Corporal as his leader. Surely a corporal would be doing higher level dungeons.

  Treyne clapped her hands together, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Great. Now that the introductions are out of the way, we can get down to business.”

  “Right,” Corporal Greaves said, nodding in agreement.

  All eyes turned to the Staff Sergeant, who looked at Kaiden’s new party with a steady gaze. “Tomorrow, you’re going on your first dive.”