The decision to hunt was a practical one. Their sparring session had been a masterclass in control, but it lacked the raw, unpredictable edge of true combat. Their skills, sharpened against each other, needed to be tested against a common foe.
The dungeon known as the "Frozen Sepulcher" was a perfect, if dangerous, choice. A shifting, multi-layered labyrinth known for its brutal environments and even more brutal inhabitants.
At the entrance, a massive archway of ice that seemed to swallow the light, they presented their credentials. Alex tapped the two plates pinned to his cloak: the polished silver of a registered Adventurer and the burnished iron of a Mercenary for Hire. Saeko did the same. The dual designations were a statement. They were not here for glory or exploration alone; they were here on business, and their business was extermination.
A shimmering, cold barrier accepted their entry, and the world dissolved into a blinding, white haze.
