The massive stone door creaked open with a deep, groaning rumble, revealing a long corridor carved from damp stone. Moss and vines clung to the walls, and faded torchlight flickered from aged sconces, casting eerie shadows across the path.
Cass moved first, shield raised. Theo followed with his staff in hand, humming softly under his breath. Chosa took the rear, eyes sweeping every crevice.
Something felt… off.
There was no sound.
No snarls.
No footsteps.
No monsters.
Just silence.
Chosa furrowed his brow. "So… are we just lucky, or is this floor broken?"
Theo glanced back, casual as ever. "Nah. Sometimes after a raid, the Tower takes time to regenerate the monsters. Kind of like a cooldown. It's rare, but it happens."
Chosa tilted his head. "Really?"
"Yup," Theo nodded. "Only the bosses regenerate instantly. They're core entities of the Tower's design. Monsters are like… background code. Takes a bit longer for them to reload."
Chosa gave a short nod, pretending to understand. Huh… I didn't know that.
Guess it makes sense—I could barely survive Floor One, so there's a lot I don't know. But I'm not about to admit that to them…
He kept his expression neutral, scanning ahead as they walked.
That's when his eyes caught something.
Cass's shield shimmered as she moved, revealing a familiar insignia etched deep into the polished surface—a coiling dragon wrapped around a black flame.
Chosa's breath caught. That emblem belonged to one of the Big Six—the top S-Rank Guilds of the entire Raider Association.
"You're in a guild?" he asked, motioning to her shield. "That's one of the big ones, right? Which guild do you belong to?"
Cass shot him a glance and scoffed, voice like steel. "That's none of your concern."
Before the silence got awkward, Theo chuckled and stepped in. "We're both part of The Obsidian Fang."
Chosa blinked. "Seriously? One of the Big Six? I thought all the members were high-ranked…"
Theo shrugged. "Most are, but every guild takes in lower-rank talent to build up. We're just getting started, really. Cass and I were promoted to B-Rank just a few weeks ago."
Chosa raised a brow. "Then why show the insignia?"
"I don't," Theo said, pulling open his robe. On the inside was a wide, majestic insignia stitched with golden thread, circling the fabric like a sacred crest. "I keep mine hidden. Too many raiders get caught up in guild politics or carry grudges. Safer to look like a nobody, unless you need to flex."
Chosa nodded slowly, absorbing everything.
In the world of Raiders, guilds were everything. They came in all sizes—independent, regional, international—but only six were considered S-Rank Guilds, recognized by the World Raider Association:
The Obsidian Fang – Specialists in frontline combat and strategic clearing.
Silver Covenant – Known for their elite long-range support and magical divisions.
Crimson Vow – A ruthless offensive guild dominating floor boss kills.
Azure Temple – Highly mystical and secretive, with deep ties to ancient magic.
The Divine – A gilded, faith-like order backed by corporate and political giants, rumored to possess weapons blessed by higher beings.
Eclipse Breakers – A rare soloist guild where even their weakest members are A-Ranks.
For Chosa, the idea that he was walking beside two newly minted B-Ranks from Obsidian Fang felt surreal. He didn't know if it was luck or a twist of fate—but he wasn't going to waste the opportunity.
As they rounded a corner, the mossy path opened up, a curved fork branching to the right. Luna's voice crackled to life in his earpiece.
"Energy signatures incoming. Monsters have re-synced. Multiple targets approaching from the east wing."
A second later—
SCREEEEEE!
The air ripped apart as a shriek echoed from above. From the broken ceiling, a flurry of feathers burst through.
Bird-like monsters descended in a vibrant storm—Avitars, their wings glittering with hues of emerald, crimson, and sapphire. Their claws were hooked, glinting in the dim light, and their eyes glowed gold with predatory focus.
Chosa raised his dagger instinctively. "What the hell are those?"
Luna answered immediately: "Avitars. Forest-born raptors. Agile and territorial. Claws contain mild paralysis toxins. Speed is their weapon—avoid direct engagement unless staggered."
Cass raised her shield just in time to block one, the impact echoing like a hammer on an anvil. With a fierce grunt, she slashed upward, her sword slicing clean through the Avitar's midsection.
Theo's hand lit with violet energy. "Guess nap time's over."
He slammed his staff into the ground, a ripple of wind blasting down the corridor. Two Avitars were yanked midflight and slammed into the wall, crumpling on impact.
Chosa ducked a diving strike, slashing across the creature's underbelly as it swooped past. The poison in his dagger activated instantly, coating the blade in a thin, invisible film. The monster flailed midair, its body convulsing before hitting the floor with a lifeless thud.
"They're fast!" Chosa muttered, weaving through the chaos.
"Then don't stop moving," Cass barked. "Or you're dead."
More shrieks came from deeper in the dungeon—feathers, talons, and glowing eyes filling the corridor. Spells and steel lit up the stone walls, and blood sprayed across mossy stone.
But Chosa kept moving, his grip firm around the dagger.
He might not be in a guild.
He might not be high rank.
But he was still standing.
And for now, that was enough.