How lucky they are...

Charlotte’s clear emerald eyes stared blankly out the window at the throng of students crowding the dungeon instance entrance below. He longed to join them—but that spot wasn’t his to claim.

*Two or more participants required.* That was the rule for freshmen attempting dungeon instances. The promise of hefty credits, boosted combat ratings, even bounties... it all made his heart ache with yearning.

This was the Freshman Gauntlet—a nightmare for newcomers, a carnival for upperclassmen.

With teachers escorting students in batches, all classes had been suspended. No one would bat an eye if students left early to sleep or explore the city. Yet not a single fool would skip this frenzy. The classroom—and the entire academy building—lay eerily silent.

"Wanna go?"

A low, smooth voice cut through the quiet beside him.

"Of course I—*you*?"

Charlotte’s lifted head dropped again. Under that hood was the guy everyone called "Scaredy-Cat." Talking to him was pointless.

"Huh?"

Lin Zhong leaned against the window frame, blocking the sunlight. The girl who’d clung to his arm earlier had vanished.

"About Mom—"

"Forget it. Pretend I didn’t ask."

The disappointment in Charlotte’s voice laid his thoughts bare. He still hoped someone would invite him. But that someone would never be Lin Zhong.

"Go?"

Simple. Baffling. Only Lin Zhong would say such a thing.

"Go? I can’t."

"Tried?"

"How? I don’t even get a chance to try..." Charlotte’s fists clenched. Just *entering* required a partner—a condition he couldn’t meet.

"I’ve worked so hard... but I’m still..."

He forced a smile. Only a bitter twist of lips emerged. Effort was all he had left to boast about. Talent? He had none. As a second-year, grinding was his only weapon.

"So what?"

Lin Zhong’s tone stayed flat. He didn’t care about Charlotte’s effort. Yet those two words shattered Charlotte’s last comfort.

"S-so what...?"

He had no answer. *Then what? What’s left for me?*

"W-what about you? You haven’t cleared any dungeon either—"

"Seen it?"

Lin Zhong cut him off. The question silenced Charlotte. Had he *seen* Lin Zhong fail? No.

Lin Zhong was a joke at this academy—but rumors weren’t proof. No one could confirm if he’d ever entered a dungeon. Except for one thing: his bounty. Zero bounty meant zero dungeon runs. Some had checked the bounty boards. No "Lin Zhong" appeared. Zero bounty wasn’t rare—you could earn credits working campus shops. But surviving *only* on handouts? Unforgivable.

"You’ve been inside?"

Charlotte stared, incredulous. He’d heard the rumors—cruel ones that had reshaped his view of Lin Zhong.

"..."

Lin Zhong turned away without answering.

"Go? Team up with me."

Same low voice. Same slow pace. But no trace of joking.

"It’s a *high-tier* dungeon..." Charlotte whispered. Even gifted students risked death in S-rank instances. With his strength alone? He’d die. But... trust a coward everyone despised? His heart warred with itself. This dungeon was his chance—massive credits, combat ratings, rare loot. His dream’s first step. How could he walk away?

"Going?"

Lin Zhong lifted his phone. The screen glowed before Charlotte’s eyes:

**[Dungeon Instance: Shadow over Innsmouth]**

**[Tier: S]**

**[Type: Multiplayer Team Instance]**

**[Team Composition: Lin Zhong (Year 2), Charlotte Flore de Jeanmair (Year 2)]**

**[Confirm Registration?]**

"I..."

Charlotte’s pale, slender hand hovered over the screen. It trembled.

*Go? Or not?*

The question looped in his mind. A gamble. Win, and his dream drew near. Lose... and everything ended.

**YES OR NO?**

**[Registration Confirmed]**

The "YES" button was pressed—not by Charlotte, but by Lin Zhong.

"You—"

Charlotte froze. Lin Zhong had already pocketed his phone.

"We’re in."

Lin Zhong tugged his hood lower, gaze fixed below. The crowd at the entrance had thinned. Only a few remained. Dungeon gates didn’t require long queues.

"Shouldn’t *I* have confirmed?" Charlotte raised a timid hand, his delicate, ashen face pitiful. Lin Zhong’s next words made him want to slam his head against a wall.

"No. Just showing you."

Lin Zhong grabbed Charlotte’s wrist, yanked open the window, and leaped. Charlotte plummeted alone, tears streaming.

*This guy’s insane.*

Their jump caught another pair of eyes.

"...Lin Zhong?"