The next morning, Kaien arrived at school earlier than usual.
The expedition was all anyone could talk about.
Students crowded around the academy's mission board, checking team assignments and dungeon information.
Kaien stood near the back, reading through the details.
"Forest-type dungeon..."
He memorized the map.
Three known entrances.
Two emergency exits.
One unstable section that students weren't supposed to enter.
Simple enough.
Until he noticed something.
Ren's name.
Aria's.
Kai's.
Reina's.
Mira's.
All on the same expedition team.
Kaien stared at the list.
"...Of course."
Mira appeared beside him.
"You sound disappointed."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm just realizing I'm surrounded by trouble."
Ren suddenly appeared behind them.
"Hey, that's rude."
Kaien looked over.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"You heard that?"
"Yeah."
Kai walked up behind him.
"We all heard it."
Aria smiled faintly.
"At least he's honest."
Reina looked at the mission board.
"We should establish roles before entering."
Kaien nodded.
"Good idea."
The group began discussing their formation.
Ren would take the frontline.
Reina would handle close-range support.
Aria would provide ranged attacks.
Kai would handle recovery and utility.
Mira would move between the frontline and rear depending on the situation.
Kaien looked at the formation.
"And me?"
Ren pointed at him.
"You're our wildcard."
Kaien raised an eyebrow.
"That's not a role."
"It is now."
Kai nodded.
"I like it."
Kaien sighed.
"Great."
Mira smiled.
"Sheep the wildcard."
"I'm going to regret this expedition."
Across Seoul, inside an underground room beneath an abandoned building, Seraphina walked into the main hall.
She looked around.
"Where's Gluttony?"
Lucien looked up from his phone.
"School."
Seraphina stopped.
"...Right."
Selene raised an eyebrow.
"You forgot?"
Seraphina calmly sat down.
"I temporarily forgot that our newest member is fifteen."
Darius gave her a look.
"You've been treating him like an adult since he joined."
"He acts like one."
Noah, half-asleep on the couch, muttered,
"He's still fifteen."
Seraphina looked toward him.
"You're awake?"
"No."
She sighed.
"Fine."
Lucien smiled.
"So our terrifying Gluttony is currently attending class."
Seraphina nodded.
"Apparently."
Selene leaned back.
"Imagine being hunted by monsters at night and then having homework the next morning."
Kaien would probably agree.
Seraphina glanced at the clock.
"Make sure nobody gives him unnecessary assignments."
Lucien smiled.
"You're worried about him."
"No."
"Sure."
Seraphina gave him a flat look.
"I simply don't want our newest member dying before his first month."
"That sounds like concern."
"It sounds like management."
Selene laughed.
Back at the academy, Kaien stood at the entrance to the expedition transport.
The academy had prepared several armored vehicles.
Students loaded their equipment while instructors checked everyone's mana readings.
Kaien adjusted the strap of his weapon case.
Mira walked past.
"Sheep."
Kaien didn't even look up.
"Yes?"
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
Ren stepped beside him.
"This is going to be fun."
Kaien looked at him.
"You say that now."
Ren smiled.
"What could go wrong?"
Kaien stared at him.
"Never say that."
Kai laughed.
"Why?"
"Because every time someone says that, something goes wrong."
Aria nodded.
"He's correct."
Reina looked toward the transport.
"Enough talking."
She stepped inside.
"Let's move."
Kaien followed the others.
As the vehicle doors closed, the academy disappeared behind them.
The expedition had begun.
And somewhere beneath Kaien's awareness—
the system was already counting down.
[Special Milestone Quest: Active]
[Objective: Survive the Expedition]
[Hidden Requirement: Protect Your Assigned Team]
[Progress: 0%]
Kaien looked at the notification.
Then out the window.
He had a feeling this wasn't going to be a normal school trip.
Not even close.