The triple-tiered gate shimmered as Eron placed his hand on the summoning crystal.
Training Simulation: "Spiral Crypt" – Rank B Combat Sync Test
Objective: Clear all 3 chambers
Party Rank Required: Composite Lv. 30+
Reward: Tactical Bonus Orb – Rare (Team Passive Unlock)
Eron (Lv. 13), Seryn (Lv. 10), and Neha (Lv. 7) stood ready.
Neha cracked her knuckles, a soft red flame pulsing from her gloves.
"Let's see how far we've come."
Seryn gave a silent nod, already drawing a spirit-threaded blade of twilight silver.
Eron looked ahead. "Formation: Diamond. Slime on front-left, Blade Hound front-right. I'll anchor. Neha, rearguard. Seryn, pivot to whichever side is weaker."
Everyone moved without question.
[Simulation Initiated]Monsters Generated: Undead Flame Spitters ×12Terrain Modifier: Hallway – Narrow MobilityDifficulty: Moderate
Seryn opened first, sliding forward with her Spirit-Flash Step, cleaving through two undead before they even turned.
The Slime fired Arc Pulse Cannon, disintegrating a third mid-charge. Blade Hound engaged in a wide arc, fangs glowing with fire runes as it tore a fourth down.
"Collapse formation. Let Neha burn the corridor."
"Gladly."
Neha: Inferna Spiral → Chamber Scorch!
The entire corridor lit up in golden flame, controlled tight enough to avoid friendlies.
[Enemies Defeated: 9/12]
EXP Shared: +540Party Sync Bonus Activated: +5% Skill Efficiency
Eron spun his Requiem Edge, his Kill-Chain Passive stacking higher. The last foe lunged for Seryn—
—but he intercepted with a perfect Arcane Lure + Counter Dash, slicing through the enemy midair.
[Wave Cleared]
EXP EarnedSlime: Lv. 10 ➤ Lv. 11Neha: Lv. 7 ➤ Lv. 8
Objective: Kill only the "real" Phantom Serpent before timer expiresClue: "Light does not lie. Trust only shadow's edge."
Eron frowned. "Which means the clone that doesn't react to light… is the fake."
Seryn stepped up, eyes narrowing.
"I'll sense the mana fluctuations. Give me 20 seconds."
As time ticked, the fake Serpents launched shadow spears.
Neha leapt in front of Eron during one—taking a shallow wound.
He caught her. "Why—?"
"Reflex," she said quickly, cheeks flushing.
[System Prompt: Trust Reaction Logged – Neha Affection +3]
Current Trust: ModerateHidden Bond Perk Progress: 28%
Seryn's voice echoed: "Left one's real!"
Eron launched Requiem Echo—slime amplified the momentum with a water pulse. The blade pierced directly through the true serpent's core.
[Puzzle Cleared]
Two enemies materialized:
▸ Bonefire Juggernaut – Melee▸ Frost Wisp Siren – Caster
Eron called out instantly: "Neha, you're on Juggernaut. Seryn and I will split the Siren. Slime support both."
"Understood."
"Got it."
They moved.
The Frost Wisp attempted a charm cast—Eron redirected it with Mana Filament Chain, letting Seryn strike clean from behind with a Spirit Pulse Lunge.
"Behind you!"
Eron turned—but was too late.
The Juggernaut's massive hammer came crashing down.
Neha screamed—
Seryn's body collided into Eron, pushing him aside. The blow grazed her shoulder.
"Idiot!" she snapped. "You don't get to die first."
Eron froze, caught by the tremor in her voice.
[System Prompt: Bond Reaction Logged – Seryn Affection +4]
Current Trust: Growing
They didn't need words.
With a shared nod, they finished the battle together.
[Simulation Clear: Spiral Crypt Complete]
Reward: Tactical Bonus Orb – Gained➤ Party Passive Unlocked: Arcane Thread – Small Mana Regen boost when all 3 members are within 5m
Team Sync Rating: A+
They sat together, dusk painting the sky.
The slime floated lazily between the three. Neha leaned against the tree, occasionally peeking at Eron.
Seryn sat with knees pulled close, watching the stars.
"You trust us to stand beside you," she said quietly. "That's rare."
Eron looked at both of them.
"I don't want followers," he replied. "I want people who'll shape the future with me."
Neither replied.
But the silence was warm.
And filled with possibility.