Snow's face turned pale the instant he saw them—but he said nothing. Silently, he turned his back before Ruciel or Kyle could notice him.
"What are you two doing?" Snow called out, forcing his voice into a casual tone. The words snapped them out of whatever moment had distracted them.
He walked forward and handed something over. "Here's my payment," he said with a short, practiced smile.
"Thank you," they replied, though their voices were hesitant. They could feel something was off. The sudden shift in his mood, the emptiness in his eyes—it was impossible to miss. But none of them dared to ask. Snow looked too fragile, too distant, as if a single word would shatter him.
Then, without another word, Snow turned and began to walk away.
But he had already seen it.
He had seen her.
His footsteps froze when he caught sight of the figure approaching Kyle. Ruciel turned as well, seemingly confused... until she stepped forward—and kissed Kyle.
She hadn't even recognized Snow.
She kissed another man... right in front of him.
Snow clenched his fists but said nothing. He swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing himself to walk again—past them and into a quiet room down the hall. The door shut behind him, muffling the world.
The streamer who had been broadcasting the event stopped abruptly, disturbed by what they'd just witnessed. The internet exploded into chaos, speculations running wild.
Inside the room, Snow slid down against the door and collapsed onto the cold floor.
Tears silently streamed down his cheeks as he curled into himself. No more strength. No more masks.
He never thought it would come to this.
He had given her a choice, hadn't he? He had told her—if she wanted to end things, she could just say so. But to see her so bold... so open... with someone else...
The betrayal tore through him like a blade.
He had loved her. Even after vowing not to. Even after resisting his feelings for so long, he gave in. And yet, she—
His only regret was loving her at all.
Snow cried until his body gave out. There, in that dark, silent room, he eventually fell asleep in that same curled-up position—crushed and alone.
He didn't leave the hotel room.
And then... the day of the dungeon raid arrived.
His phone rang.
// "Hey, Snow." //
Ruciel's voice was far too cheerful, too normal, as if nothing had happened.
// "Where are you? I'm waiting at the dungeon gate. Hurry up and come meet us." //
The call ended before he could respond.
Snow sat in silence for a moment, staring blankly at the ceiling. His body was heavy. But eventually, he forced himself to stand.
He changed into a black, body-hugging combat shirt, strapped with a long utility coat layered over it. His pants were tactical, fitted with multiple pockets, and he wore heavy black boots that thudded against the floor with each step. A dark pair of shades concealed his dull eyes, and a black mask covered his pale face—both recently bought, now doubling as armor against the outside world.
He left the hotel room, descended through the elevator, and emerged into the lobby.
His presence was cold—so cold that even Lisa, who spotted him by accident, couldn't bring herself to call out to him. She instinctively knew... this was about the scandal flooding the media.
He arrived at the dungeon site where a glowing blue gate stood tall.
As he approached, Ruciel dashed toward him, throwing her arms around his waist without hesitation.
"What took you so long?" she asked with a smile.
Snow said nothing.
"C'mon, say something," she urged.
"...Sorry. I'm feeling under the weather," he muttered.
"You should've told me instead of pushing yourself."
"It's fine. It's for my growth."
The rest of the team greeted him politely, though the air was tense. Awkward. They, too, had seen the net explode. They knew what happened. Only Kyle and Ruciel seemed completely unfazed.
Snow gave them a half-hearted wave before walking past them.
Without another word, they stepped into the dungeon.
DING!
============================
WELCOME TO THE ARACHNE DUNGEON
============================
"Before we begin," Snow said calmly, reaching into his inventory.
He brought out a set of vials—faintly glowing, their contents swirling with silver-blue light. He handed one to each of the five other party members.
"This should boost your agility and strength," he added.
"Thanks," they replied, gulping the potions down without hesitation. Light shimmered across their bodies as the effects took hold.
The group advanced into the dungeon, their footsteps cautious. The entire place was a maze of cobwebs—thick strings clinging to the stone walls. Cocooned remains of past adventurers dotted the sides of the path. Tension gripped the air.
Monsters began to crawl from the shadows—spiders of various colors and grotesque forms. The others fought ferociously, slashing and casting spells. Snow, silent and still, looted the fallen monsters' cores without engaging in combat.
Eventually, they arrived before a giant stone gate—plain and ominous.
Snow reached for another set of vials to hand out before the boss fight... but stopped.
"...Huh? Where's Ruciel?" he asked, scanning the area.
"Kyle said he wanted to talk to her before we engaged the boss," Alfred answered, glancing away awkwardly.
"I see. I'll go give them their share," Snow said, turning before anyone could stop him.
"W—" Lucy tried to speak, but he was already gone.
As Snow walked down the corridor, a different thought crossed his mind.
Why hasn't the system issued any quests... even after entering a dungeon?
He frowned, lost in that question, when he rounded the corner—then froze.
There they were.
Ruciel and Kyle. Again. Entangled in yet another intimate moment.
The vials in Snow's hand tightened in his grip.
Ruciel immediately jumped back, fumbling to explain.
"H-Hey, don't get the wrong idea!" she stammered, panic in her voice. "This is a misunderstanding!"
Kyle, leaning casually against the wall, just smirked.
Snow sighed and handed her the potion. "Here's your share."
He tossed the other toward Kyle, who caught it with a chuckle.
"Are you listening to me, Snow?" Ruciel asked, desperation building in her voice.
"We should hurry and clear the dungeon," he said flatly. "Afterward, you can return to whatever it was you were doing. Besides..." His tone grew cold. "You shouldn't be risking your teammates' lives for personal distractions."
Kyle blinked. How is he so calm...? he thought, his smirk faltering. Doesn't it bother him?
Snow turned away.
"And please—apologize to Lucy, Alfred, and Ivon," he added, then walked off without another word.
DING!
===============================
WHAT OPTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHOOSE?
FORM ONE / FORM TWO
===============================
A screen popped up in front of Snow as he walked. His eyes narrowed.
Now, of all times? he thought, furious. Without even glancing at the options, he closed the screen as he always did.
The boss room loomed ahead. The gate opened.
The Arachne Queen revealed herself.
Her upper body resembled that of a regal human woman, clad in woven silk, but her lower half was an enormous black spider, bristling with glimmering armor-like chitin.
The fight lasted less than a minute.
Scarlet—Snow's contracted dragon—let out a roar and unleashed his dragon breath, flooding the chamber with blazing fire and elemental energy. Everything within was incinerated, including the queen.
DING!
===============================
CONGRATULATIONS
===============================
DING!
===============================
YOU HAVE CLEARED THE DUNGEON
===============================
DING!
===============================
REWARDS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED
===============================
DING!
===============================
DUE TO SYSTEM UPDATE, YOU ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE LEVEL INCREASE
===============================
DING!
===============================
PLEASE EXIT THE DUNGEON IN 00:25 SECONDS
===============================
As the team exited, Snow moved toward the portal—but Ruciel suddenly ran ahead and blocked him.
"Why are you making this so difficult?!" she shouted. "Give me a chance to explain!"
Her voice echoed across the open field, drawing attention. Phones came out. Streamers began filming. The atmosphere turned electric with tension.
"A chance to explain?" Snow repeated, his tone dull, almost confused. "What is there to explain?"
"You're misunderstanding everything!" she insisted.
Snow's gaze turned sharp. "Are you saying that kissing Kyle Fredhind was a misunderstanding?"
Ruciel's face turned pale.
"Then tell me—how about the love moment you shared with him at the Bright Hotel, two days ago?" he said, voice rising slightly.
"How long are you going to make a fool out of me?!"
He removed his sunglasses and mask—revealing bloodshot, tear-streaked eyes.
Ruciel stood frozen.
"Do you enjoy looking down on me that much?" he asked.
"T-That's not it, Snow!" she cried, reaching for him.
"Don't touch me with those filthy hands."
SLAP!
Her palm met his cheek. The sound cut through the air like a whip. Everyone around gasped.
Snow blinked, stunned for only a second—then simply nodded, as if accepting it.
"I... I'm sorry, Snow," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to..."
"...You could've just told me you weren't interested anymore," Snow said, voice heavy. "I gave you that choice. You could've ended it cleanly."
"We could've parted ways with dignity."
His voice cracked.
"Was I that much of a loser to you?" he asked—and finally, the dam broke. Tears fell freely down his face.
"You're right," she whispered. "I... I should've told you. I should've ended our relationship properly."
She took a breath. "So I'll say it now."
"...Let's end this. All of it."
Snow stood silently.
"...You're too late for that," he said.
DING!
===============================
WHAT OPTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHOOSE?
FORM ONE / FORM TWO
===============================
Snow stared at the notification hovering before him.
A bitter smile tugged at the edge of his lips.
"...I hope we never cross paths again," he muttered.
He reached out—and tapped Form One.
DING!
===============================
YOU HAVE CHOSEN FORM FORM 1
===============================
DING!
===============================
ACCORDING TO THE USER'S WILL THE SYSTEM SHALL IMPOSE A PUNISHMENT
===============================
DING!
===============================
THE GEM HAS BEEN PUNISHED
===============================
DING!
===============================
THE GEM EVOLUTION HAS BEEN HALTED
===============================
DING!
===============================
A PART OF THE USER HAS BEEN TAKEN AS PAYMENT
===============================
Snow watched the flood of system notifications, but his face remained impassive.
No reaction. No resistance. Just silence.
He turned away, walked toward his vehicle, and drove off into the city—without looking back.
In the following days, Snow Quincy's breakup with Ruciel Faithhood became the talk of the city.
Speculation was rampant. Every corner of the net buzzed with clips of the public confrontation, and every streamer had their take.
Some sympathized with Snow—calling him a victim of betrayal.
Others defended Ruciel, framing her choice as the personal growth of an S-Rank hunter who deserved a partner more aligned with her level.
But what truly shocked people... was Snow himself.
Everyone expected him to disappear. To wallow in misery. To fall apart.
Instead, he was seen entering C and D-rank dungeons—solo.
Again. And again. And again.
Each time, the dungeon was cleared.
Whispers turned to suspicion.
"Isn't he supposed to be F-Rank?"
"How can an F-Rank clear mid-tier dungeons alone?"
The Association took notice—and soon, action.
Today, Snow Quincy was brought into the Association building by none other than Shura, the infamous "Association Dog."
Rumors were flying. It was now two days past the date Snow had previously claimed in his so-called "vision." Doubters were out in full force.
Was it all a lie?
The headquarters was buzzing with activity. The lobby was crowded, phones were raised, cameras rolling.
In the center stood Ruciel and Lora, locked in a tense argument that quickly drew a crowd.
That's when a familiar voice cut through the air.
"...Are you two arguing again?" Snow said as he entered, his presence commanding.
All eyes turned.
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Snow was in handcuffs, escorted by Shura and several guards.
"Snow?!" Lora's eyes widened. She rushed to him. "Why are you in cuffs?!"
"Well..." Snow replied, as calm as ever. "It's past the date of my vision. And with all the other allegations stacking up, Shura brought me in."
Lora looked pained. "I believed in what you said. I've already warned people. Told them to prepare... just in case."
"...Thank you," he said, his voice low but sincere.
Then his eyes met hers. "Still, you should limit who you argue with."
Lora blinked, stunned by his composure.
"Why are you so calm about all this?" she asked.
"Shouldn't you be furious about her—her gold-digging behavior?!"
Snow looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"...Coming from you, that sounds a little ironic," he said coldly.
"..." Lora fell silent. She couldn't refute it.
"Don't be sad. I didn't say that to hurt you," Snow added, raising his hand to gently pat her head. "I'm... simply thankful."
Lora stared at him, her heart quietly stirred by the small, familiar gesture.
"I'll try to get you out of this," she whispered. "So just be patient, okay?"
Snow shook his head lightly. "Instead of that... do me a favor."
"...What kind of favor?" she asked.
"I don't know when it'll happen. But it'll be in Seoul, South Korea."
"What are you talking about?"
"That's where Chronos' Avatar will appear."
Her eyes widened. "But... what if you're wrong?"
Shura, watching silently until now, finally spoke. "If you're mistaken, this entire narrative collapses."
Snow's gaze turned to him, cold and unwavering.
"Then the 'three-year premonition' will end with the extinction of humanity."
A tense silence followed.
"...Fine," Lora said at last. "I'll gather those who can hold their ground."
Snow shook his head. "That's not why I'm telling you this."
He looked her directly in the eyes. "Tell Arthur and Ibrahim. If possible... let the top 10 S-Rank Hunters know."
"...Got it," she said. But before she could turn away, Snow gently ruffled her hair again.
"Take care of yourself," he said quietly. "And above all... avoid direct confrontation with Chronos. No matter what."
Her heart clenched. The sensation of his hand... it felt nostalgic, like something she'd long forgotten had suddenly returned.
"...Alright," she whispered, almost to herself.
Snow gave her a final nod and took a few steps forward.
He turned to Ruciel.
"Don't disappoint me," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Especially after receiving all those upgrades."
Ruciel's eyes trembled. She couldn't speak.
His gaze pierced through her—but there was no warmth, no hate, not even disdain.
Just... emptiness.
Why...? Why did he still speak kindly to Lora—but not to her?
Why did he look so distant?
Snow said no more. He turned and walked away, flanked by Shura and his team—both male and female agents silently escorting him.
Ruciel clutched her chest, feeling a sharp sting she couldn't explain.
Was it regret? Guilt?
She didn't know.
She just knew... he was gone.
Lora continued to stare in the direction he disappeared.
"You felt it, didn't you?" she said quietly.
Ruciel glanced over.
"That emotion... that something's missing," Lora continued, her voice low. "That's what I warned you not to regret."
Her cold stare landed on Ruciel for a moment longer before she turned and walked off.
Even dressed in their guild uniforms, they stood out.
Their brief confrontation was already being clipped, streamed, and dissected—two elite guild hunters, both from rival factions, at the center of a silent storm.
-----------------------------------
To be continued....