Alice glanced at her phone’s GPS, then lifted her head to stare at the figure leaning against the wall in a black hood.

Yep. This was the spot.

“Alice Colette?”

Lin Zhong gave her a cursory once-over. Of course he knew exactly who she was.

“That’s right. Yours truly.”

Alice patted her ample chest, her haughty expression screaming: *Yes, I’m that top-tier rated genius. Praise me already.*

“Oh.”

Lin Zhong ignored her. He pulled out his phone and tapped *Ready*.

【Student ID Loading】

【Loaded】

【Dungeon Instance: Werewolf Village Mystery. Team: Lin Zhong (Year 2), Alice Colette (Year 1)】

【Entrance: Room 964】

With a rumbling sound, the crimson-black walls twisted like a Rubik’s Cube. Stone slabs shifted, revealing an entrance.

“Inside.”

Lin Zhong nodded at Alice still standing outside.

“Hmph!”

Alice snorted and strode through first.

*When did I offend her?*

Lin Zhong was baffled. He’d barely exchanged three sentences with her. Nothing that should’ve sparked this attitude.

He hadn’t said anything offensive—but his utter indifference had perfectly trampled her pride.

Room 964, the S-rank dungeon entrance, stood deserted. From afar, Lin Zhong spotted Alice staring blankly at the door.

Understandable. Freshmen only trained in safe simulation rooms before their first real dungeon.

This was Alice’s true dungeon debut. And this crimson-black stone chamber? Utterly alien.

Lin Zhong stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and pulled her inside.

“Ah!?”

“Requesting entry.”

The stone door sealed shut behind them, seamless as the walls.

Before Alice could react, a voice cut through the silence:

【Verifying Team Composition】

【Lin Zhong (Confirmed). Alice Colette (Confirmed).】

“What are you doing!?”

Alice glared at him, her beautiful eyes flashing with resentment. Lin Zhong released her hand.

“No time for your tantrums. Inside, do as you please.”

【Loading Dungeon Instance】

【Weapon Generating: Snowfall Thousand Chills – Complete】

The familiar stone coffin emerged. Its lid slid open. Icy mist seeped into the air, frosting the coffin’s surface.

【Identity Verified. Weapon Tier: Exclusive. Owner: Lin Zhong】

“Achoo!”

The sudden chill made Alice sneeze. Summer uniforms were thin. She hugged herself against the cold.

“Wear this. It’s colder inside than you think.”

Lin Zhong shrugged off his black hoodie and draped it over Alice’s head.

“I—I don’t need it! I won’t wear—”

Alice flung the hoodie to the floor, turning away. But her legs trembled. Her eyes kept flicking back to Lin Zhong.

Even from behind, the details were clear:

A white shirt, sleeves rolled up. Silver-white hair pulled into a high ponytail, with twin three-strand braids framing his face.

*A girl?*

“I suggest you put it on. Or you’ll regret more than just sneezing.”

Lin Zhong turned slowly. His elfin face froze Alice mid-thought. She prided herself on her beauty—*she* was always the most beautiful.

But seeing Lin Zhong shattered that belief. This otherworldly beauty sparked a flicker of insecurity.

Then her gaze dropped to his flat chest. Confidence surged back. She thrust out her own chest, haughtiness plastered on her face.

“Whatever inappropriate thoughts you’re having—I’m male. Stop flaunting your assets.”

Lin Zhong lifted the exquisitely crafted War Spear from the coffin. He gently placed the hoodie back on Alice’s head.

*M-Male?*

Alice’s eyes widened, locked on his face. Less delicate than a woman’s—undeniably masculine.

But those twin braids…

The system interrupted her stare. A message flashed:

【Weapon Generating: Sage Thousand Thoughts – Complete】

A second coffin appeared beside the frosted one. It opened silently, releasing no chill—only warmth.

The staff *Sage Thousand Thoughts* lay within, an open book flipping its pages atop its shaft.

【Identity Verified. Weapon Tier: Exclusive. Owner: Alice Colette】

Unlike Lin Zhong’s slender War Spear, *Sage Thousand Thoughts* was a long staff crowned by a perpetually turning grimoire.

“Put the hoodie on. Unless you want frostbite.”

Lin Zhong watched Alice reach to discard the hoodie again.

“Hmph! I absolutely won’t!”

“Oh?”

Lin Zhong’s fingertip brushed her cheek. Bone-deep cold drained the color from her face.

“Wear it. Good girl~”

He raised his index finger—now wreathed in icy mist—and smiled like an indulgent parent. The frost betrayed the threat.

Alice snatched the hoodie and yanked it on.

“Hmph! Since you insist, I’ll *graciously*—”

“Good girl~”

Lin Zhong reached to ruffle her hair.

“Don’t touch me!”

She jerked away before his hand landed.

“……Take your weapon.”

Lin Zhong chuckled, nodding at *Sage Thousand Thoughts*.

“Annoying!”

【Dungeon Instance: Werewolf Village Mystery – Generated】

The crimson-black chamber dissolved. Rough wooden walls replaced stone. A dilapidated cabin took shape.

Icy mist seeped through broken window panes.

【DUNGEON START!】