The forest stretched endlessly beyond the dungeon's mouth. Rays of sunlight pierced through the canopy, dancing along the damp earth. After days of stone walls and echoing tunnels, the wilderness felt alive, almost too alive.
Andy kicked a pebble down the path as he walked beside Nia. "Fresh air, good weather… this almost feels like a vacation."
Nia raised an eyebrow. "A vacation doesn't usually involve nearly dying three times in a dungeon."
"Depends on your definition of fun," Andy grinned.
Nia sighed, though a faint smile betrayed her. "You're insufferable."
For a while, silence stretched between them, broken only by the chirping of birds. The bond notifications still lingered faintly in their minds, a constant reminder of their connection.
Andy finally asked, "So… you seemed to know a lot about that guardian back there. The spell, the seals, even the dungeon history. How?"
Nia's steps slowed. For the first time since they'd met, her eyes wavered with hesitation.
"My family," she said softly. "We're part of an ancient bloodline… guardians of certain secrets. That dungeon was one of them."
Andy blinked. "You mean… your family built that place?"
"Not exactly. But we were entrusted to oversee it, to make sure its power was never misused." She paused, gripping her staff tightly. "That's why… when I saw the System binding us together, I thought it was a curse. A chain."
Andy walked beside her quietly. Then, with a faint smirk, he said, "Guess I'm not such a bad chain after all."
Nia bit her lip, fighting back a smile. "Don't push your luck."
Before Andy could tease further, the air shifted. The birds stopped singing. The forest's natural hum died, replaced by silence so thick it pressed on their ears.
Andy's instincts screamed. He drew his dual swords, flames and water faintly rippling across the blades.
From the shadows of the trees, a figure emerged—draped in dark leather armor, face hidden beneath a hood. The stranger's presence was suffocating, their steps deliberate and soundless.
"System users," the figure said, voice low and distorted. "So it's true."
Nia's breath caught. "You… you know about the System of Hearts?"
The figure tilted their head, as if amused. "More than you do, little heir. And that makes you dangerous."
Andy shifted his stance, placing himself between Nia and the stranger. "Dangerous, huh? Funny—I was about to say the same thing about you."
The figure chuckled, a hollow sound. "Brave. But foolish. The system you carry isn't a blessing. It's a beacon. And many will come for it."
With a flick of their wrist, a dagger gleamed in the dying light.
The system chimed.
[ Warning: Unknown hostile entity detected. ]
[ Bond Impact Event triggered. ]
Andy tightened his grip on his swords, heart pounding. "Guess vacation's over."
Nia raised her staff, eyes sharp despite the tremor in her hands. "Andy… don't underestimate them. That aura…"
The figure's shadow stretched unnaturally across the ground, curling toward them like living tendrils.
And for the first time, Andy realized—the dungeon was only the beginning.
[ Bond Level: 35%. ]