It was 8 AM when Archael finally spotted Joenie. It wasn’t that he couldn’t find the location—he knew exactly where Joenie would be. The problem had been knowing when Joenie would actually show up, so Archael had been waiting in this spot for hours.

Joenie appeared, dressed in the exact same outfit he had worn seven years ago before time had turned back. Archael recognized every detail instantly, down to the watch on Joenie’s wrist—a piece he never parted with unless heading into a Gate, where he would store it safely in his inventory.

His hair was jet black, styled in a tousled yet intentional manner that framed his sharp, angular face. His eyes, a piercing shade of steel blue, always seemed to hold an intense focus, as if constantly calculating his surroundings.

He wore a light blue dress shirt with a collar, the top two buttons casually unbuttoned, and around his neck hung a navy tie with subtle silver patterns. He paired the shirt with black jeans and white sport shoes that had seen better days.

Archael stood in the shadows, his body pressed against the side of a narrow alleyway, blending into the dark crevices between old brick walls and a thick canopy of vines that hung down, creating a natural curtain. The dim light from a nearby streetlamp barely touched him, casting uneven patterns of shadow across his form. His posture was stiff, calculated, making use of every shadow to remain concealed. It would have been nearly impossible for anyone to notice him unless they looked very closely—and certainly not from this distance.

Yet, somehow, Joenie’s eyes seemed to cut through the darkness. He suddenly turned, his movements sharp and precise, staring directly at Archael’s position. Joenie’s gaze was unwavering, his steel-blue eyes narrowing slightly as if he had caught a glimpse of something unusual.

Archael quickly ducked further into the shadows, his body moving in a fluid motion, silent and quick. He knew it was impossible for them to have truly locked eyes considering the darkness and his hidden position, but Joenie’s reaction was unnervingly accurate.

“What is it?” asked the man beside Joenie, his appearance striking in his own right. The green-haired man had vibrant emerald locks that fell messily to his shoulders, framing a youthful, freckled face. He wore a black leather jacket adorned with silver zippers, giving him a rebellious look. His bright green eyes contrasted sharply against his sun-kissed skin, and a thin silver chain hung around his neck, glinting as he moved. His jeans were ripped and faded, paired with black combat boots that completed his edgy, street-smart style.

Joenie glanced sideways at him, his expression calm but alert.

“Nothing. Just felt like somebody was staring at me just now.”

The green-haired man laughed, shrugging it off.

“Geez, you and your paranoia! You’re not on duty right now; can’t you just relax your spidey sense a bit?”

Joenie’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze shifting away.

“It’s not like there’s a switch between being on guard and not.”

“Whatever, let’s go quickly or we’ll miss the show!” 

The green-haired man bounced on his feet, eager to keep moving.

Joenie’s lips twitched in a half-smile, though his eyes remained sharp.

“You really think it’s real? It’s definitely some stupid marketing stunt by a game company, probably for an AR game they’re about to release.”

“Well, no matter what, it looked so cool though. And if it’s really a game launch, I definitely need to be one of the first to try it! It’ll be a chance to get more followers!”

Joenie shook his head, his expression skeptical.

“Geez, we’re not teenagers anymore. Do you even have time to play it?”

The green-haired man waved a dismissive hand, his green eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Hey, if it’s a game with that kind of large-scale stunt and I get to be the very first player, who needs another job? I’ll just become a VTuber on Twist, stream, and play all day long.”

Joenie chuckled, unable to hide his amusement.

“As if anyone would watch you. Your rank’s been stuck for seven years playing LoD.”

“Hey! That’s only because I don’t have a stable group and I keep getting matched with toxic players who play like sh*t!” 

The green-haired man scowled, his voice tinged with frustration.

Joenie’s smirk deepened, knowing his friend was exactly the kind of player he was complaining about. The green-haired man continued to grumble profanities as they walked, their voices fading as they moved out of Archael’s earshot.

Archael kept his distance, trailing them from the shadows. He maintained just enough proximity to avoid losing them but kept far enough to stay hidden. A system window hovered at his side, showing the countdown.

Time Left until Dungeon Break : 10:13:31

The time ticked down relentlessly. At precisely 6:13 PM, the dungeon break would occur, and the world as these humans knew it would be irreversibly altered, evolving into a new routine and system.

Reine’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere of the room.

“Excuse me? Are you guys high or something?”

“Reine! Watch your words!”

Cherra shot her a warning look, but Reine’s outburst continued.

“No! Don’t scream at me, Cherra! You should be screaming at these idiots!”

Cherra’s voice dropped to a calmer, icy tone.

“Reine Atreides, enough.” 

She forced a tight smile toward the men seated across from them. 

“Please forgive her, she’s just hot-headed by nature.”

The men wore impeccably tailored suits in dark, sharp tones with subtle, almost imperceptible patterns. Gold cufflinks, engraved with intricate designs, gleamed on their sleeves, exuding authority and wealth. Among them, one man stood out with slicked-back, graying hair that contrasted against his dark suit with a unique metallic sheen. His striking accessory—a lapel pin shaped like an eye with a black diamond at its center—glinted ominously under the light. He stared at Reine with bored indifference, his presence more commanding than the rest, further igniting her anger.

“You want me to put my team and our research on the line to figure out what that thing is, when it literally vaporized a group of people who got close to it?!” 

Reine’s voice escalated, her frustration pouring out. 

“MIGHT AS WELL SHOOT US TO DEATH RIGHT HERE!!”

“Reine!” 

Cherra’s glare was a mix of anger, guilt, and disappointment.

Reine’s eyes burned with defiance as she continued.

“What’s the difference, Cherra? Tell me! Explain to my idiotic brain why I should willingly risk everything because of these gentlemen.”

Cherra’s voice was strained as she tried to maintain control.

“Enough! Reine. Get out. We’ll talk later.”

The man with slicked-back, graying hair and a steely expression stood up, his black diamond eye pin catching the light. His voice was deep and cold, each word deliberate and heavy with implication.

“There’s no need for that, Ms. Cherra. I understand Ms. Reine’s feelings, truly.” 

He paused, maintaining eye contact with Reine. 

“Of course, it’s frightening. Scientists like you often work in the safety of your labs, and now the government is asking you to put your life on the line.” 

His gaze never wavered, drilling into Reine as he spoke slowly, letting every word sink in. 

“But, Ms. Reine, think of the lives of everyone in this country. Think of the life of your... beloved... big brother. If this thing isn’t contained, who knows what might happen to them?”

Reine’s body stiffened. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He had just threatened her, using her brother as leverage.

The man’s expression remained calm, almost bored.

“The thing in the plaza is guarded by the military and police officers. What of their lives, Ms. Reine? Don’t you want them to be safe?”

Reine’s eyes narrowed, anger simmering just below the surface.

“Are you saying you’d put my brother there to guard it?”

The man remained composed, his tone calculated.

“I’m just saying that others, like your brother, are already there. Their lives are at risk every second we don’t understand what we’re dealing with. I would be very sad if something were to happen to them... including your brother, of course.”

“YOU PIECE OF SH*T! DON’T DRAG MY BROTHER INTO THIS!” 

Reine’s rage boiled over. She lunged forward, leaping over the table with her fist drawn back, ready to strike. But the man’s bodyguard reacted instantly, intercepting her mid-air. His grip was ironclad, locking her shoulders and slamming her onto the table with a heavy thud.

“Nooo!! P-Please let her go!” 

Cherra rushed forward, desperately trying to pry the bodyguard off Reine, but she was powerless against his strength.

Reine struggled, her muscles straining against the grip that pinned her down. Every movement sent a sharp, searing pain through her shoulders, but she didn’t care. Her eyes were fixed on the man, fury burning bright.

The man looked down at her, unfazed, as if observing a troublesome child.

“Your research is valuable, and I believe in your team’s abilities. But do not make me question your worth, Ms. Reine, or you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

With that, he turned and left the room, followed closely by the other officials, leaving Cherra still half-sobbing and pleading with the bodyguard. As soon as the door closed behind them, the bodyguard released Reine, not before giving her head one last forceful shove against the desk.

“Ms. Cherra, please arrange your team as briefed. We will escort you to the location.” 

The bodyguard’s tone was mechanical, devoid of any emotion, before he exited the room.

Cherra rushed to help Reine up, her hands trembling as she reached out. But Reine slapped Cherra’s hand away, pushing herself up on her own.

“Cherra Hanz... You. You signed us up to die.”

“No... I-I don’t have a choice! They were going to take all our research if I didn’t sign!” 

Cherra’s voice cracked, tears streaming down her cheeks. 

“All our hard work for ten years! They were going to repossess everything under the guise of national security. But they said if we help identify it, they wouldn’t take it!” 

Cherra’s voice cracked, her eyes darting towards Reine, searching for a response. She took a step forward, her breathing uneven, as if she were struggling to find the right words.

Reine’s eyes snapped up, locking onto Cherra’s with a sharp intensity. She straightened her posture, folding her arms tightly across her chest. The two women stared at each other, neither willing to break the tense silence. Reine’s gaze was unblinking, her jaw clenched as if holding back unspoken words, while Cherra’s eyes glistened, widening slightly as she gripped the edge of the desk in front of her.

“What’s the difference between losing our research and losing our lives? That research is my life!” 

Cherra’s voice rose into a shout, the sound echoing off the walls. She tightened her grip on the desk, her hands shaking violently now, holding on as if the furniture was the only thing keeping her upright. Her breath came in shallow, rapid bursts as she continued to meet Reine’s unyielding stare, neither willing to back down from the silent confrontation.

Reine’s voice was cold, cutting through Cherra’s hysteria.

“But that is NOT my life. My life and the lives of our team members are NOT yours to trade.”