The second descent felt different.

  The first time, it had been curiosity wrapped in terror.

  This time, it was logistics wrapped in responsibility.

  The gemstone cavern shimmered under artificial lighting. The crystals weren’t uniform — some were sharp and blade-like, jutting from the walls like frozen lightning. Others were smooth, curved, and translucent, bending light into warped rainbows across the floor.

  Every step produced a faint chime.

  Not an echo.

  A chime.

  As if the dungeon itself resonated when touched.

  Kaede was half a step behind me.

  Close enough that our sleeves brushed.

  That meant she was nervous.

  She only did that when she thought something might explode.

  Ahead of us walked Guildmaster Liora, cigarette tucked between her lips, smoke curling upward and dissolving into crystal light. She looked casual.

  She always looked casual.

  Like nothing here could surprise her.

  Then I saw the Association representative.

  I blinked.

  “…That’s him?”

  Kaede leaned slightly.

  “He looks like someone who organizes spreadsheets.”

  He did.

  Brown spiky hair. Blue eyes. Glasses. A sky-blue blazer with white trim and dark accents. Red tie with a star stitched in the center.

  Short.

  Very short.

  I wasn’t used to looking down at Hunters Association officials.

  He adjusted his glasses once.

  “Acting representative Simon Belfrie.”

  His voice was steady.

  Measured.

  Controlled.

  His hands were clasped behind his back.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Too tightly.

  He’s terrified.

  Guildmaster Liora nodded once.

  “Shino’s right hand.”

  “Yes, Guildmaster.”

  He didn’t hesitate.

  But the way he swallowed afterward said enough.

  We resumed walking.

  The deeper we went, the stronger the crystalline glow became. The dungeon here wasn’t dark like most stories described.

  It was bright.

  Too bright.

  Like being inside a gemstone lantern.

  The path widened, revealing the three entities once more.

  Two Lemon Guards.

  One smiling mask.

  One tragedy mask.

  Between them, the Slime Princess shimmered faintly, her translucent form refracting our silhouettes into distorted reflections.

  The smiling Lemon Guard raised its arms.

  “You return.”

  The blank one added, “With representative.”

  Simon stepped forward.

  His shoes made a sharp click against crystal.

  “I am Simon Belfrie. Acting liaison for the Hunters Association.”

  He raised one hand.

  Blue light erupted outward.

  Not violently.

  Cleanly.

  Structured.

  Holographic panels layered themselves into existence. A three-dimensional projection of the dungeon formed midair — rotating slowly, lines tracing corridors, flashing indicators marking activity zones.

  Kaede gasped quietly beside me.

  I didn’t blame her.

  It wasn’t just a map.

  It was alive.

  Miniature glowing figures represented Hunters. Energy clusters flickered red where demon concentrations had been recorded. Lines shifted as he adjusted the model with small finger movements.

  He wasn’t just projecting data.

  He was manipulating it.

  “Your kingdom resides here,” he said, rotating the lower strata. “Demon General activity radiates from this sector.”

  He zoomed in.

  A massive distorted energy signature pulsed in the hologram.

  Even scaled down, it made my stomach tighten.

  That’s big.

  The Slime Princess leaned closer.

  “You see much.”

  “I see patterns,” Simon corrected gently.

  His wrist trembled.

  He steadied it.

  “I confirm your claims. If alliance terms are honored, Hunter forces will assist in phased reclamation.”

  The blank Lemon Guard tilted its head.

  “You trust us?”

  “I trust data consistency.”

  No arrogance.

  No emotion.

  Just fact.

  The smiling Lemon Guard clapped dramatically.

  “Alliance!”

  The gemstone walls hummed.

  Not loudly.

  Subtly.

  Like something deeper had acknowledged the agreement.

  For a brief second—

  I thought I felt something.

  A pulse.

  A faint green flicker in the air.

  I blinked.

  It vanished.

  Probably just reflected light.

  Probably.

  The Slime Princess inclined her crystalline crown.

  “We accept.”

  The tension eased.

  Hunters behind us shifted slightly.

  Kaede exhaled audibly.

  “…We’re not fighting today, right?”

  I whispered back, “Please don’t jinx it.”

  Simon lowered his hand.

  The hologram collapsed into shimmering dust and vanished.

  Only then did his shoulders drop.

  Barely.

  But enough.

  He’s holding himself together.

  We began the ascent.

  Crystal steps chimed beneath our feet.

  Halfway up, Simon exhaled slowly.

  “…I believe I may require water.”

  Kaede stared at him.

  “You look like you ran a marathon.”

  “…Social negotiation,” he replied quietly.

  I had to bite back a laugh.

  Guildmaster Liora glanced over her shoulder.

  “You did fine.”

  He straightened instantly.

  “Yes, Guildmaster.”

  Once she faced forward again—

  He sagged.

  Like someone who’d just taken off armor.

  Interesting.

  I studied him quietly.

  He wasn’t flashy.

  He wasn’t physically imposing.

  He wasn’t reckless like Shoji.

  But he walked into a dungeon full of unknown entities and negotiated calmly.

  That counted.

  We reached the exit.

  Sunlight filtered in from above.

  The dungeon entrance shimmered behind us like fractured glass.

  Hunters dispersed to relay updates.

  Simon adjusted his glasses again, already returning to business mode.

  “I will compile this into strategic projections.”

  Kaede whispered, “He’s amazing.”

  “He’s terrified,” I replied.

  “So are we.”

  “…Yes.”

  That was true.

  And beneath all of it—

  Far below—

  That pulsing holographic signature lingered in my thoughts.

  A Demon General.

  Waiting.

  The dungeon hummed faintly.

  Like it knew we were coming back.