Rod's POV
After multiple battles and a couple of close calls, the entire party was gathered around a flickering flame.
"Let's explore a few more floors tomorrow and leave," I said, watching the fire crackle. "That's where the upper floors start. Our mission was to investigate an anomaly in the final floor of the upper level. Isn't that right, Frey?"
She nodded, her expression stiff as always. "I apologize. I cannot say much. But I heard from a certain oracle about an incident that will occur on that floor. Of course, I have no intention of engaging. I'm only hoping to find some proof so I can convince the authorities. That is all I can tell you."
"That's fine. This ain't our first rodeo with a secretive mission," I said, leaning back. "As long as you guarantee that we're not walking into something above our pay grade, we're good. We won't ask too many questions. Right, guys?"
Everyone nodded. Except for Adrian.
Because Adrian was snoring.
"How the hell does he fall asleep so fast?" Elara muttered, glaring at him like he'd personally offended her.
The guy was leaning against a rock, arms crossed, completely unconscious. It was eerie, honestly. No normal person could sleep this easily in a dungeon. It was almost like he didn't care about his surroundings. Or maybe he trusted us that much.
Either way, I still wasn't sure what to make of him.
The first time I met Adrian, I was convinced he was a noble. Sure, he was wearing ragged clothes, but then he casually pulled out a pouch of gold coins to pay for a three-copper meal. We thought he was joking. He wasn't.
The man had money, faint callouses from sword training, and that ever-curious gaze—like someone seeing the world for the first time. Every trait screamed 'young master from a noble family who ran away for some reason.'
But that wasn't the strangest thing about him.
His growth was terrifying.
When we first picked him up, the guy fought like he was holding a sword for the first time. Then, just two weeks later, he was moving like a seasoned warrior. He learned too fast.
It wasn't just talent—it was like he already knew how to fight, but something had been holding him back.
Even now, I wasn't sure if I should admire him or be scared of him.
Because no sane person fights monsters the way Adrian does.
Once, he jumped into the mouth of a giant snake and carved his way out from the inside.
I still get chills thinking about it.
"Maybe that's why Elara is so overprotective of him," I thought, glancing at her. She was still glaring at Adrian, arms crossed, mumbling something about idiots with no self-preservation.
She'd never admit it, but I could tell.
She was worried.
We all were.
Because if there was one person in this party who was going to get himself killed, it was Adrian.
And the scary part? I don't think he cares.
I glanced back at Adrian. Still sleeping like a damn rock.
The thing is… I had a feeling this mission was more than just a random dungeon raid.
Frey clearly knew something. Adrian definitely knew something.
And yet, neither of them were talking.
Coincidence? I don't think so.
I didn't know what they were hiding. But I did know one thing.
After this dungeon raid, we'd all go our separate ways.
But something told me Adrian's story wasn't ending here.
It was just getting started.