Daren dropped his spear.
It hit the stone floor with a dull clang that echoed louder than it should have. For a heartbeat, none of us moved. The night wind slid between us, carrying the smell of ash and blood from the dungeon mouth behind me.
I stood there breathing, feeling my pulse in my throat, my fingers tight around my sword. They stared at me like I was a ghost. Maybe I was.
"Eron," Lysa whispered. Her voice cracked on my name. "That's not possible."
I almost said her name back. Almost asked why. Almost demanded answers I already knew.
Instead, I smiled.
It felt wrong on my face. Too stiff. Like I was wearing someone else's expression.
"Funny," I said. "That's exactly what I thought when you dropped the lever."
Korrin stumbled back a step, staff scraping stone. "You— you were torn apart. I saw—"
"I know what you saw," I said. "I was there."
Daren swallowed hard. Sweat shone on his forehead despite the cold. "Listen. We didn't have a choice."
That old familiar anger surged up, hot and painful. I remembered nights on watch together. Remembered how he'd clapped my shoulder and called me brother.
"No choice," I repeated. "You chained me to a trap."
Silence stretched.
The system flickered at the edge of my vision, blue light pulsing like a heartbeat.
Emotional Volatility Detected. Recommendation: Act Before Regret Increases.
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath.
Lysa flinched. "Who are you talking to?"
I didn't answer.
Instead, I stepped closer. My boots crunched on gravel. Every step felt heavier than the last. Not because of fear—but because of memory.
"I trusted you," I said quietly. "All of you."
Daren straightened, jaw setting. I recognized that look. Decision made. "If you're alive," he said slowly, "then the dungeon failed. Which means the boss may follow."
Always the leader. Always thinking ahead.
"Drop your weapons," he added. "We can talk."
The system chimed, amused.
Negotiation Detected. Betrayal Opportunity Window: Open.
My hand trembled.
For a split second, I imagined it. Dropping my sword. Letting them explain. Pretending the chains hadn't burned into my skin. Pretending I hadn't died screaming while they ran.
The Isolation Meter ticked faintly into view.
Isolation Meter: 2% Warning: Mercy reduces rewards.
I laughed softly. "You really don't understand."
Korrin lifted his staff, magic gathering at its tip. "Daren—"
I moved.
I didn't think. My body just… reacted. The world narrowed. Sound dulled. I felt the ground under my feet and nothing else.
I was faster than I'd ever been.
My blade slid between Korrin's ribs before his spell finished forming. His eyes went wide, mouth opening in shock. Warm blood soaked my hand.
"I'm sorry," I whispered automatically.
The system exploded with light.
Betrayal Confirmed. Target: Ally (High Trust) EXP Gained: +48,000 Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step (Lv.1) Stat Points Earned: +30 Isolation Meter: +10%
Korrin collapsed at my feet.
Lysa screamed.
That sound—raw, broken—cut deeper than the blade ever could. She rushed toward him, dropping to her knees, hands shaking as she tried to stop the blood.
"No, no, no—Korrin, stay with me!"
I stared down at them, chest heaving. My stomach twisted violently.
I'd killed monsters before. Bandits. Even people who tried to kill me.
This was different.
This was someone who'd shared food with me. Someone who'd laughed at my terrible jokes.
The power rushed through me anyway. It didn't care.
My vision sharpened. My limbs felt light, coiled with strength. The ache in my muscles vanished like it had never existed.
Daren roared and charged, spear thrusting toward my chest.
I barely had to think.
Shadow folded around me, the world blurring. I reappeared behind him, my new skill burning cold in my veins.
His eyes widened just before my blade punched through his back.
He gasped. "E… ron…"
The name almost broke me.
I pulled the sword free and stepped back as he fell.
Betrayal Confirmed. Target: Party Leader (Extreme Trust) EXP Gained: +120,000 Skill Unlocked: Traitor's Instinct (Passive) Title Earned: Oathbreaker (Minor) Isolation Meter: +20%
The system's tone was almost cheerful.
Excellent start. You're learning fast.
"Stop," I whispered. My hands were shaking now. "Stop talking."
Only one left.
Lysa looked up at me, face streaked with tears and blood. Her hands were red. Her eyes searched my face desperately, like she was still hoping to find the old me there.
"Eron," she sobbed. "Please. I didn't want this. I begged him not to—"
"I know," I said.
She froze.
I did know. I remembered her hesitation. Her tears.
That was why this hurt the most.
"I know you hesitated," I continued. "I know you felt bad."
The system flickered again.
Target Remaining: Emotional Anchor (Maximum Trust) Reward Projection: Exceptional Warning: Isolation Spike Imminent.
Lysa shook her head. "You're not a killer. You carried me when my leg was broken. You shared your last ration with me."
Every word stabbed deeper than any blade.
I took a step back.
For the first time since I'd returned, fear crept in—not of dying, but of myself.
If I did this… there was no going back.
The Isolation Meter hovered at 32%.
I imagined walking away. Letting her live. Letting this be the end.
The system waited.
Then, softly, almost kindly, it spoke.
Reminder: They already chose.
My jaw clenched.
"I don't want to become a monster," I said hoarsely.
Lysa looked hopeful. "Then don't."
I met her eyes.
"But I already died," I replied.
My blade moved.
I didn't watch her fall.
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Betrayal Confirmed. Target: Core Bond (Maximum Trust) EXP Gained: +300,000 Class Evolution Available. Isolation Meter: 55%
I dropped to my knees and retched, empty stomach heaving. Tears burned my eyes, hot and humiliating.
The power settled anyway. Cold. Heavy.
A new blue box unfolded slowly, deliberately.
Class Evolution Unlocked. Shadow Betrayer → Traitor Adept New Skill: Guilt Suppression (Passive) Effect: Emotional overload reduced by 15%.
I wiped my mouth with a shaking hand and laughed weakly.
"So that's it," I murmured. "You fix the pain by taking it away."
The system responded with mock sympathy.
Efficiency matters. Feelings are optional.
I stood alone among the bodies.
Family.
Gone.
The night felt colder than before.
As I walked away from the dungeon, a final notification slid into view.
New Objective Available. Former Guild Location Detected. Trust Density: High.
My steps slowed.
The thought made my chest ache—and my pulse quicken.
I didn't know which scared me more.
And somewhere deep inside, beneath the guilt and grief, something dark smiled and leaned forward, eager for what came next.