With the orientation over, I exited the Diver Guild building, my mind still repying Garen's fiery words. I had no intention of breaking any rules, but the weight of what y ahead settled in my chest.Shaking off the lingering unease, I headed straight for the Market District to pick up my gear. The streets bustled with activity as vendors called out their wares, the smell of grilled meat and spices wafting through the air.After weaving through the crowd, I finally arrived at my destination: the old smith's shop, Bear Paw. The wooden sign hanging above the door creaked as the wind moved it slightly. The shop looked as rugged as its name, with soot-stained windows and a sturdy door.The door was closed, so I knocked. A gruff voice called out, "Come on in, d."Pushing the door open, I was greeted by the warm glow of a forge and the familiar scent of iron and leather. Orm, the old smith, was standing behind a heavy wooden table, where a newly polished set of gear was id out.The leather chest piece, cuisses, and shin guards looked brand new, repaired and polished to perfection. The leather boots had been resized to fit me better, and the vambrace—which was already in good condition—had been recolored to match the rest of the armor.

  The entire set was now a sleek bck with faint red accents, making it look like it was custom-made for me.As I stood there staring at the gear, a grin stretched across my face. I couldn't help it—it looked amazing.Orm chuckled, breaking my trance. "Hey kid, close your mouth. You're drooling."Snapping out of it, I quickly replied, "No, I'm not!"

  Though my defensive tone only made him ugh harder."Alright, alright," he said, waving a hand. "Pack it up and get going. I need to sleep—I was up all night refitting this set for you."A pang of guilt hit me. He'd done all this for free, despite me not being able to pay. While I carefully packed the armor into a bundle, I gnced at him.

  "Sir, I just realized I don't even know your name. You've done all this for me, and I haven't properly thanked you."The old smith looked up from his forge, his expression softening for a moment."My name is Kael," I continued, standing straight. "And I swear, when I become a successful diver, I'll repay you for this. I promise."He let out a deep ugh, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it too much, kid. Just come back here for repairs, and I'll give you a discount. How about that?"Before I could respond, he turned back to his forge, already busy with whatever project was next. As I reached for the door, his voice stopped me."Name's Orm," he said without turning around.I smiled to myself, adjusting the bundle in my arms. "Thanks, old man Orm. I'll see you again."With that, I stepped out of the shop and made my way home, feeling a bit lighter despite the challenges ahead.Kael made a final stop before heading home, slipping into a potion shop tucked in a quiet corner of the market district.

  The bell above the door chimed as he stepped inside, the smell of herbs and magic potions filling the air.

  He walked up to the counter, where a woman with gsses perched on her nose was organizing various bottles."I'll take 5 vials of healing potions and 5 vials of stamina potions," Kael said, his voice firm.

  Each vial was small, about the size of an adult's finger, the liquid inside a deep, vibrant color—red for healing, green for stamina.

  The shopkeeper nodded and retrieved the potions, pcing them in a small specialized pouch that could hold up to 20 vials. Kael paid for the items, grateful for the extra protection.With potions secured, he made his way home, his mind focused on what was to come.Once inside, he went straight to his room, dropping his purchases on the bed. He id out the five axes, the leather armor set, and the left arm guard that Abigail had gifted him.

  The potion pouch was carefully pced beside them. His gaze lingered on the book from the library, the one he had tucked away in his drawer for ter use.Kael took a deep breath, steeling himself for what y ahead. "I am ready."The next morning, before the sun had even begun to rise, Kael was up, moving quietly through the house. He washed up quickly and grabbed a piece of bread for breakfast, eating alone in the silence of the early hours.When he entered his room, he stood for a moment, staring at his gear spread out before him. The weight of it all settled on his shoulders as he picked up each piece, one by one. The leather armor felt different than before, now that it was all put together.

  The left arm guard fit perfectly, and though it felt a little off at first, Kael was surprised at how banced everything seemed when he curled his arm up to shield his body.

  It was like the weight had been evenly distributed, making the gear feel almost natural.After donning everything—armor, guard, and strapping the axes and potion pouch onto his belt—he stepped in front of the mirror.His reflection showed a young diver, not fully grown but determined. He studied himself for a moment, making sure everything was in pce.

  Then, he picked up one of the single-edge axes, swinging it through the air. The motion felt fluid, and Kael adjusted into his combat stance, curling his left arm to cover his upper body.It felt right.With a final gnce at his gear, Kael pced the axe back in its holster, left the room, and went to meet his parents outside. His younger siblings were still asleep, their little bodies curled up in bed.His father gave him a nod, acknowledging his readiness.His mother, on the other hand, looked at him for a moment before speaking softly, "Good luck, be safe."Kael nodded back, determination in his eyes. "Yes I'll be careful."With that, he set out for the Dungeon Diver Guild, ready to face whatever the dungeons would throw at him.I made my way to the city center, where the three dungeons towered like giants over everything else, their massive forms impossible to ignore.

  They weren't just structures—they felt alive, radiating a constant energy that prickled the skin.

  Their shadows stretched across the streets, a reminder of both danger and opportunity.As I got closer, the usual city noise faded. The ughter of children and the calls of merchants were repced by the murmur of divers. The air here was heavy with tension and excitement, like standing on the edge of a storm.

  Divers of every rank and background moved purposefully, their armor clinking and their weapons gleaming in the pale morning light. Vendors lined the streets, hawking st-minute essentials.

  A woman waved brightly colored potions in the air, shouting about their superior quality. Another stall dispyed an array of charms and trinkets, each promising to ward off curses or bad luck.The first dungeon I passed was the Red Underworld Dungeon, and I felt its weight even before I saw it. The entrance was heavily fortified, guards standing shoulder to shoulder in gleaming armor. Their gazes were sharp, their weapons ready.

  A faint, ominous red glow radiated from the arched doorway behind them, and chains crisscrossed the outer gates as if to seal something monstrous inside. Even standing a good distance away, I could feel the dungeon's presence—a suffocating, almost predatory aura.

  A few people lingered nearby, whispering in hushed tones, but none of them looked brave—or stupid—enough to try their luck. I shuddered and quickly looked away.The Green Open Pne Dungeon was different. Its entrance was marked by an archway of glowing, vine-like runes that twisted together in an almost inviting pattern. Groups of divers passed through in clusters, ughing nervously or exchanging st-minute instructions.

  One group huddled together, their leader speaking quietly but firmly, "Stick close. If you get separated, it's your funeral." Others carried rolled-up maps, talking about terrain changes and strategies. The soloists, though fewer, caught my eye.

  They were quiet, their faces set with determination, their weapons and armor worn but reliable. I wondered briefly if I'd end up like one of them—alone, relying only on myself.Finally, I reached the Bck Labyrinth Dungeon, my destination. Its entrance was a massive set of dark stone doors carved with intricate, swirling patterns.

  The designs seemed to shift subtly as I stared, as if the dungeon itself was alive. The crowd here was the rgest, a mix of groups and soloists like me.

  I watched as small teams prepared to enter, some adjusting their gear while others shared potions and snacks.

  A group of four stood in a circle, their leader barking instructions as the others nodded. Another group ughed a little too loudly, trying to mask their nerves.

  The soloists were quieter, standing off to the side, checking their weapons or simply staring at the dungeon with unreadable expressions.My heart was steady, but my grip on my axe tightened as the line moved forward. When my turn came, I stepped up to the guild representative at the entrance.

  He was tall and broad, his uniform marked with the guild's crest. His eyes lingered on my Iron Badge for a moment before gncing at me.

  His gaze swept over my armor and my left arm guard, then he nodded silently and gestured for me to continue.I swallowed hard and stepped forward. It's a big entrance but it was like a mirror in gray liquid and the huge doors seemed to be stuck or glued to the side. The moment I crossed the threshold it was like entering another world.

  It really is another world inside.The air inside was dense and cool, carrying a faint metallic tang that reminded me of blood. The walls of the entrance corridor were smooth bck stone, etched with glowing runes that pulsed softly.

  Their faint blue light illuminated the path ahead, casting strange, shifting shadows. The silence was heavy, broken only by the soft echo of my footsteps.As the corridor opened into a rge chamber, I felt the dungeon's presence settle over me like a weight. The ceiling was impossibly high, vanishing into darkness, while glowing crystals embedded in the walls hummed faintly.

  Their light pulsed in sync with the runes, creating a rhythm that felt like the heartbeat of the dungeon itself.I wasn't alone. Other divers were scattered throughout the chamber. Some were finishing their preparations, checking their weapons or adjusting their armor.

  A few groups moved toward the next corridor, their torches flickering as they disappeared into the shadows.

  The soloists stood apart, their eyes scanning the room or focused on the path ahead.I adjusted the strap on my potion pouch, feeling the reassuring weight of the vials at my side. My hand brushed the handle of my axe as I tightened my grip.

  The dungeon felt alive, its oppressive energy crawling over my skin. But I'd made it this far, and there was no turning back.I took a deep breath, letting it steady me, and muttered under my breath, "This is it."