The sun rose gently over Orario, but tension clung to the city like fog.
Noah stood atop the Guild's outer balcony, overlooking the entrance to Babel Tower. Below, dozens of adventurers rushed in and out—some laughing, some arguing, others already covered in monster blood.
His fingers tapped against the railing, flame-etched pistols at his hips. Heaven's Judgement was almost ready to evolve—but something else stirred beneath his skin.
It wasn't just power.
It was pull.
A voice in the back of his head whispering: Down. Keep going. You haven't reached the truth yet.
Behind him, Eina stepped out with a clipboard in hand. "Your party has been finalized."
He turned. "Let's hear it."
She flipped through the files. "All cleared by the Guild for floor 18 clearance. You'll be leading a six-person team."
She handed him the list.
> Expedition Team – Hestia Familia Provisional Unit
– Noah (Leader)
– Cassandra Illion (Support, Healer)
– Welf Crozzo (Blacksmith, Fire Elemental Weapon User)
– Naaza Erisuis (Ranged/Trap Expert)
– Raul Nord (Scout, Fast Blade)
– Liliruca Arde (Porter, Tactical Inventory)
Noah frowned at the last name. "Lili?"
Eina raised a brow. "You know her?"
"Ran into her once. She tried to scam me."
"She's reformed… mostly."
He handed back the list. "Fine. I'll meet them before the descent."
As he turned to leave, Eina grabbed his sleeve. "Be careful, Noah."
He looked at her.
She hesitated. "There's movement in the shadows. Unofficial reports of deaths—quiet ones. People who knew your name… disappearing."
Noah's expression hardened. "Assassins?"
"We think so. Nothing confirmed. But something is hunting you."
He nodded. "Then let them find me."
---
Later that afternoon, Noah stood in one of Orario's abandoned combat training lots. His coat fluttered in the breeze, one pistol drawn, the other holstered.
He wasn't training.
He was waiting.
It didn't take long.
The first attacker appeared without warning—a flash of silver in his peripheral vision.
Noah twisted just in time to dodge the poisoned dagger aimed for his throat.
[Serpent Reflex activated.]
He brought his elbow up, slammed it into the assassin's side, and followed with a flaming shot to the gut.
The man collapsed, body twitching.
Then two more emerged from the walls—cloaked figures wearing bone-white masks carved into wolfish snarls.
Noah didn't blink.
He leapt forward with Flame Step, dodged both blades mid-air, and twisted as he landed behind them.
BANG. BANG.
Two shots—one to the knee, the other to the shoulder. Both assailants crumpled.
But one still moved—crawling toward a hidden dagger.
Noah knelt beside him, grabbing the mask and ripping it off.
Beneath was a young human—no older than Noah himself. Eyes bloodshot. Tattooed collar on his neck.
"Who sent you?" Noah demanded.
The boy smiled through broken teeth.
"We are the White Knives," he whispered. "The Dungeon belongs to the deep. And you are getting too close to its heart."
Then—click.
Noah's eyes widened.
The assassin's collar flared red and exploded.
Dust and blood splattered the stone.
Noah stood slowly, breathing hard, his coat ripped at the shoulder.
He didn't speak.
But the system did.
> [Warning: Hostile Organization Recognized]
Designation: White Knives – Subterranean Execution Syndicate
Threat Level: A-Rank Faction. Purpose: Prevent discovery of Lower Dungeon Truths.
Then another alert pulsed:
> Template Sync Progress: 68%
New Legacy Fragment Awakened: Heat Armor (Lv1)
Temporarily coats user in a defensive exo-layer of kinetic flame armor.
Duration: 30 seconds. Cooldown: 3 minutes.
Noah looked down at his arm.
It shimmered. Briefly.
Like molten energy dancing just beneath the skin.
A shield made of living flame.
He stood up straight.
"I'm getting close."
---
That night, he met his new team at the Guild's briefing hall.
Welf Crozzo raised an eyebrow first. "So this is the Flameborn."
"You bring the swords," Noah replied. "I'll bring the fire."
Liliruca frowned from behind a crate. "You're taller than I remember."
"You stole my change the first time we met."
"It was a test."
Noah chuckled. "You failed."
Cassandra the priestess bowed softly. "If I may… do you believe we'll survive?"
Noah met her eyes, serious. "I'm not asking anyone to follow me down unless they're ready."
"Then we follow," she said simply.
Raul and Naaza nodded as well.
"Gear up," Noah said. "We descend tomorrow."
---
Back at the church, Hestia waited at the door as Noah returned.
"You're late."
"Had to test my reflexes," he said, flicking a bit of blood off his glove.
She frowned. "You're bleeding."
"Not mine."
She relaxed slightly. "The new team?"
"Good balance. Smart. Scared—but that's healthy."
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Don't die."
He returned the hug, resting his chin lightly on her head.
"I don't plan to."
Then he leaned down and whispered near her ear, "You gave me something better than luck."
"What's that?"
He smirked.
"Reason."
---
The next day, under dawn's glow, six adventurers stood before the Dungeon gates—packs ready, weapons clean, nerves tight.
And at the center stood Noah.
Eyes forward.
Flame rising.
And behind him, the Dungeon stirred… deeper than ever.