“Get in,” Uno said, leaning casually against the hood of his car.

The early sun framed him in gold, tracing the edge of his jaw and the curve of his shoulders. He looked as composed as ever with his sleeves rolled up and hands in his pockets. His eyes were half-lidded with the kind of quiet confidence that drew attention without asking for it.

Earlier that morning, Uno had called him out of nowhere. No explanation, just a calm order to come along. It was strange enough that Uno called, but stranger that Lev actually agreed.

Was this Uno’s new way of annoying him? Or maybe the captain finally found another way to keep him in check. Either way, Lev found it amusing.

He wore a black leather jacket over a plain white shirt, jeans fitted and casual. When he stepped out, Uno’s gaze briefly drifted past him…not to his face, but to the layout of the house behind him. His brows furrowed slightly, like he had expected something else.

Their eyes met for a moment. Uno straightened, moving to open the passenger door for him. It wasn’t necessary, but Uno did it anyway. He already knew Lev used to have trouble opening car doors. Though if he let him try now, he’d find Lev didn’t need help anymore.

The ride was wrapped in silence, except for the low hum of the engine. Uno’s focus never wavered from the road. His hands on the steering wheel moved with ease but every so often, his grip would tighten then loosen again as though his thoughts were miles away.

“Today, we’ll be entering an actual dungeon floor,” Uno said after a while, voice deep and even. “Think of it as…your first taste of the real thing.”

Lev turned slightly toward him, brows lifting in interest. “Dungeon floor?”

Uno nodded. “It’s been heavily swept. We shouldn’t encounter any monsters there. Should any remain, they are mine to take care of.” The statement was not a promise, but a simple, confident fact.

A faint, mocking curve touched Lev’s lips. “Right. How brave of you, Captain.”

The city soon faded behind them. Buildings gave way to open stretches of land, the morning light bleeding into pale gold over the fields.

They passed through a tall steel gate surrounded by heavy fencing. The hum of security systems buzzed faintly in the air. A man armed with a modified machine gun approached the car, knocking on the window with the side of his gloved hand.

Uno rolled it down and flashed his Hunter ID without a word. The guard scanned it, then raised a device that glowed faintly as it passed over Uno’s eyes.

Another man came to Lev’s side.

“Please show your Hunter ID,” he said, voice firm but polite.

“No need,” Uno cut in, his voice cold and definitive, cutting through like polished steel. “He’s my apprentice.”

The word ‘my’ hung in the air, heavy with unspoken ownership that instantly elevated Lev above the need for documentation. The guards exchanged a glance, acknowledging Uno’s rank, before settling for a simple retinal scan and waving them through.

There were already three cars parked inside. The air here felt heavier and colder. Lev stepped out, following a few steps behind Uno, his eyes darting to the armed officers stationed by the perimeter.

“Captain!” The greeting was sharp, accompanied by a woman with long ginger hair and a blindingly eager smile. Her freckles scattered across her fair face.

“Where is it?” Uno asked. His voice was businesslike, refusing to engage with her implied intimacy.

“Junha’s handling it.” Her tone softened immediately. There was a small, lingering smile when she looked at him. One that spoke of familiarity.

Lev’s gaze flicked to the woman the moment she appeared. One look, and he already didn’t like her.

She stood too close to Uno, smiling like she’d been waiting her whole life for this exact moment. Lev’s brow twitched.

Her laughter rang out, soft and sweet. Lev blinked. Uno wasn’t funny. He’s not even throwing a joke. What on earth was she laughing at?

Her hair shimmered under the light. She even did that little flick people do in dramas when they’re trying to look effortlessly charming. Lev could practically hear the background music starting. He rolled his eyes… inwardly, of course. Outwardly, he just tapped his foot like he was above all this nonsense.

Uno turned, his attention shifting to Lev, disrupting Marlow’s worshipful focus. It was only then that she noticed Lev standing there. Her radiant smile immediately dissolved into a narrow-eyed scrutiny.

“Oh, you brought someone.” Her eyes went wide. “Huh? Aren’t you Lev?” The recognition was instant, and it brought her gaze back to Uno with a new, pointed question.

Lev blinked once, mildly startled that she knew his name. He didn’t remember ever meeting her.

He didn’t even get the chance to reply before Uno cut in.

“Hurry up. We need to finish the investigation within the day.”

And just like that, Uno walked past her. Not even sparing her another glance.

The inside of the facility buzzed with life. The low hum of generators, the clang of metal, the faint static of energy pulsing through the walls. A few hunters were scattered around. Some cleaning their weapons, others chatting idly.

But the moment Uno stepped inside, the noise died down like a switch had been flipped.

It wasn’t unusual for the Deadeye Captain to appear unannounced, that was typical Uno. What was unusual was the young man who followed behind him.

Lev.

“Who’s that?” one of the hunters whispered.

“Is he new?”

“The exam’s still ongoing… how–”

Uno’s eyes swept across the room, sharp and cold, and that was all it took. Silence returned.

A beautiful woman with sleek black hair, Junha, approached them with a metallic relic box clutched in her hands.

Unlike Marlow, Junha looked more calm and professional.

“Everything’s ready,” she said.

Uno nodded. “Good.”

Her eyes flicked briefly toward Lev. She gave him a brief, knowing nod, as though she’d already been informed. Lev bowed his head politely.

However, there are some…” Junha was cut off by an impossibly loud, booming voice.

“Heya, it’s been a while, Deadeye Guild Captain~”

A woman with golden-tinted sunglasses sauntered in, her steps echoing against the metal floor. Confidence clung to her like perfume.

“What are you doing?” he snapped with pure annoyance.

“What?” she said, grinning. “You think your guild’s the only one allowed to check this out? I just finished my last job and thought I’d drop by. You should be grateful, you know.”

“Tch. Just don’t waste everyone’s time.”

“Yeah, right.” She grinned. From her tone alone, it was clear on the same level as Uno. And it seemed that this was a familiar sight to everyone around there.

She waved a hand dismissively, then finally noticed Lev and froze.

“Oh my…” Kova lowered her shades with exaggerated slowness. “Who’s this hot guy?”

Her grin widened. “I didn’t know you had a hottie in your guild!”

Lev blinked, taken aback but managing a polite smile. “My name is Lev.”

“Kova,” she purred, ignoring Uno completely. “Even his name sounds hot.” She giggled. An infuriatingly musical sound that made Uno’s brow twitch.

The air around him dropped a few degrees.

“Enough with the chatter,” Uno said, his tone was razor-sharp. “Activate the Resonant Crystals. We’re going in.”

Kova smirked, she murmured. “Pfft. Someone’s in a mood today.”

Everyone straightened, their chatter fading as they prepared to enter the dungeon floor. The air was thick with energy, the low buzz of generators mixing with the echo of boots on metal. 

Uno stepped forward and began entering coordinates into the tablet. Lev stayed a few steps behind, watching quietly.

“By the way, my name’s Kova. Captain of the Señorita Guild.” Her voice dropped, almost conspiratorial. She hasn’t left his side yet. “You a new recruit?”

Lev’s lips curved. “No. Just tagging along.”

Kova blinked. “Tagging along? In a dungeon?”

Lev only smiled wider.

Before she could press further, the sound of the portal echoed through the facility. A deep, resonant hum that made the air vibrate. A glowing rift tore open before them, light spilling out in ribbons of blue and white.

Lev’s gaze fixed on the portal, fascination flickering in his eyes. He’d known humans could open dungeon portals before, but watching it tear itself into existence like a wound in the air was something else entirely. The energy pulsed, alive and trembling, almost as if it were breathing.

“We’ll divide into two teams,” Uno said. “I’ll lead the South Zone. Kova, you take the East.”

Kova grinned. “Fine by me.” Her eyes sparkled as she turned toward Lev. “Then I’m taking him with me~”

Before Kova could finish the playful tug, a strong, iron grip clamped down on Lev’s arm.

“He’s with me.” His glare cut toward Kova.

Kova’s brows lifted, a slow grin tugging at her lips. “Spoilsport~” With a playful scoff, she turned away, heels clicking as she joined her team.

“You all go ahead,” Uno told his team, not letting go of Lev’s arm. “We’ll follow.”

The others obeyed and disappeared into the shimmering light. When it was just the two of them left, Uno finally turned to Lev again. His expression was tight, irritation simmering just below that calm surface.

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a strip of bandage.

“All hunters wrap their hands before putting on gloves,” he said, voice low but edged. “Rift energy would seep through your skin if you don’t. It could burn through the nerves before you even realize it.”

His movements were a little rougher than necessary, but careful all the same. The contrast made it almost tender.

Lev watched him, utterly still. Uno’s head was bent low, his dark hair falling forward, obscuring his expression, yet the concentration radiating off him was palpable. He began to wrap the bandage, meticulously, slowly, as if drawing out the physical contact. Lev felt the slight brush of Uno’s knuckles against his skin, the surprising heat of his body and the clean scent of his coat filling the space between them.

Lev’s gaze never left Uno’s face, tracing the sharp line of his jaw and the tension around his mouth.

“You talk too easily to strangers.”

Lev blinked, a slow smile tugging at his lips. “Should I not?”

Uno didn’t answer his question. He just slipped the gloves onto Lev’s hands, tightening them.

Then, in a low voice he said, “Next time, don’t talk to anyone else. Stay where I can see you.”