As Colm made his way back to the lobby, a simmering excitement began to bubble within him. After spending so much time running, surviving, and learning, he was eager to dive back into combat and test the limits of his new attunement.

The guild's atmosphere had shifted from the quiet of the early morning to a lively buzz of activity. Adventurers filled the space, their chatter blending with the clinking of weapons and the rustle of parchment. Colm glanced toward the sign for his assigned Echo, Dusk Caverns, Slot 3, but no one else had arrived yet. Shrugging, he wandered and explored the guild's central area while he waited.

At the back of the lobby, Colm looked at the job board again—a sprawling collection of flyers neatly organized by tier. Curious, he stepped closer and browsed the Tier 1 postings. Most of them seemed mundane: helping on farms, guard patrols, escorting supply wagons. "Guess they don't want rookies biting off more than they can chew," he muttered, mildly amused at the lack of combat-oriented options.

Moving on, he drifted toward the tavern. The rich aroma of stew wafted through the air, making his stomach growl despite knowing he didn't need food. His mouth watered as he eyed patrons hungrily devouring bowls of the hearty dish. First payday, he promised himself. That stew is mine.

His wanderings brought him to the heart of the lobby, where the lines at the reception desks had grown considerably. Leon was busy handling a queue of adventurers, his easy demeanor barely hiding the strain of the workload. Clerks at neighboring counters handled their own swath of visitors with equal efficiency.

Several hallways led deeper into the guild, but Colm opted to stay close to the lobby instead of venturing too far. Eventually, he returned to the sign marked Dusk Caverns, Slot 3. Conveniently placed chairs surrounded the waiting area, and Colm sank into one.

With nothing else to occupy his time, he skimmed through his abilities and status. He felt a flicker of pride looking at his progress. I want to be stronger, he thought, his jaw setting with determination. I never want to feel weak or powerless again. I've come too far to lose myself again. No more despair. No more running. I finally feel alive.

But the weight of loss still lingered. His thoughts drifted to her. The ache was still there, but it was becoming more bearable with each passing day. I miss you, he reflected, but I'll keep moving forward.

So lost in his thoughts, Colm didn't notice the shadow looming over him until a firm tap on his shoulder jolted him back to the present. Startled, he looked up to see two figures standing above him, an unreadable expression on their faces.

* * *

"You ready for the delve today, sis?" Luke asked, glancing over his shoulder as they made their way toward the guild.

"Of course I'm ready!" Tessa huffed, a hint of irritation in her voice. "We've gone through the Dusk Caverns so many times, I could do it in my sleep. I just can't believe we're still stuck fighting the same damn bugs over and over."

Luke chuckled, trying to lighten the mood with some laughter. "Just a few more days of this, and we'll finally have enough funds to move on like we planned."

Tessa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I know, I know. It's just frustrating. I'm so tired of running the same Echo over and over. We haven't gained any levels in a while now. And Frank bailing on us? That's what really pisses me off. I just hope whoever the guild pairs us with can actually pull their weight."

Laughing, Luke nodded. "Yeah, Frank's officially on my blacklist. I hope we never see that guy again. Bastard left us high and dry just because he didn't want to do another couple of days. What an ass."

The siblings weaved through the crowded street, the bustling sounds of Brimhope surrounding them. As the adventurer's guild finally came into view, Luke crossed his arms. "I still can't believe he ditched us. Frank was strong, you know? He held the front line like a pro. He really paired well with your agility, too."

"I know, right?" Tessa threw her hands up in exasperation. "Between his defenses and my speed, we could slice through those damn bugs like they were nothing. Now we're stuck hoping our new teammate is half as capable."

"Don't worry," Luke said with a small grin as they stepped up to the guild's entrance. "Let's go find whoever the guild stuck us with. Hopefully, they can hold their own for the next few days."

"Fingers crossed," Tessa muttered, pushing the heavy doors open.

As the duo stepped inside, they were immediately met with the bustling energy of the guild. Adventurers hurriedly grabbed jobs off the notice board, some loudly haggling with clerks over pay, while others swapped stories or made last-minute preparations for their delves.

Their eyes drifted to the Echo slots near the entrance, where they noticed someone already sitting in a chair under the sign for Slot 3.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Looks like he's already here," Tessa said, nodding toward the figure.

Luke tilted his head, studying the man. "He looks interesting," he mused. "I wonder what kind of abilities he has to pair with us? Those glowing veins along his skin are definitely unique. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before."

"Hopefully, it means he's capable," Tessa muttered as she adjusted her gear and started walking toward him. She activated Analyze, her gaze narrowing as she prepared to assess their new teammate.

Colm (Level 60) - Morvyn

Tessa's step faltered as she tugged on Luke's arm, her voice dropping to a cautious whisper. "Have you heard of a Morvyn before?"

Luke frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think I've seen the term in some library documents, but I'm not too familiar. I think they're something like undead, but not quite. Should we bail and ask for a new member? It's eerie to be grouped with such an unknown."

Tessa hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she studied Colm from a distance. After a moment, she shook her head. "I think we should just go for it. He doesn't seem hostile—honestly, he hasn't even noticed us staring at him for the past few minutes. He's around our level, too, so he could be a good temporary fill-in. Besides, the guild's matchmaking system is pretty solid. It hasn't let us down before."

Luke nodded, though his expression remained wary. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go introduce ourselves."

As the duo approached Colm, Luke cleared his throat loudly to catch his attention, but Colm remained oblivious, lost in thought. After a few moments, Tessa stepped forward and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey there," she said, her voice light but firm, breaking him from his reverie.

* * *

Colm blinked, startled, as he snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to see two figures standing over him. He hadn't even noticed their approach, and the realization made him feel slightly self-conscious. Quickly gathering himself, he cleared his throat and stood, brushing off the momentary awkwardness.

"Ah, sorry about that," he said, offering a small smile. "I didn't realize how lost in thought I was." His gaze flicked between the two. "I take it you're my teammates for the Echo?"

As he spoke, he noted their striking similarities—both had blonde hair and lean yet strong builds that gave off an air of confidence. Curious, he activated Analyze to learn more while waiting for their response.

Luke (Level 62) - Human

Tessa (Level 60) - Human

The duo exchanged a glance before Luke stepped forward and spoke. "That's right. Our last member dropped out on pretty short notice, so the guild matched us up with you. Hope that works for you. We're planning to run this Echo a few more times to top off our funds. If things go well and we all mesh, we'd definitely ask you to join us for a few more delves—if you're interested."

Colm nodded at the pair, his gaze steady. "That sounds good to me. I'm a bit new to town and the guild, so I might need a hand getting up to speed on some of the basics—like where this Echo even is. But I'm a quick learner, and I'd be happy to stick with you for a few more delves if we work well together."

Extending his hand, he introduced himself. "I'm Colm Arden. Nice to meet you both."

Luke clasped his hand firmly, grinning as he motioned toward his companion. "I'm Luke Bryn, and this is my little sister."

Tessa hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. With a brief, somewhat guarded shake, she introduced herself. "Tessa Bryn."

"Before we head out to the Echo, we should probably discuss our combat specialties," Luke said, taking the lead as they talked.

"I'm more of a caster type," he continued, "focused on pure damage. Tessa here is quick on her feet and specializes in precise, hit-and-run strikes to wear enemies down. Neither of us is really suited to hold the front line for long, so we're guessing that's where you come in. What's your role, Colm?"

Colm paused, processing Luke's words. Did the guild pair us like this on purpose? he thought. How much does the guild really know about me? How much detail did that crystal know when I registered? He filed the thought away for later, refocusing on Luke.

"I guess you could say I can handle the frontline, though not directly," Colm began. "I'm a summoner, and my phantoms do most of the heavy lifting for me. I stay back while they handle the fighting up close. They're pretty reliable in combat."

Tessa perked up at this. "A summoner, huh? Interesting. We've never grouped with one before. What are your phantoms like?"

Colm glanced at her, quickly recalling Jerry's warning about standing out too much. Deciding to downplay his capabilities for now, he said, "I've got two phantoms—a warrior and a spearman. They handle the frontline while I keep my distance. I don't have much in the way of ranged support yet, so I'm glad to have you onboard, Luke."

Tessa waved dismissively. "That works for us. We're a team for now, so we'll help each other out. But let me be clear—the Echo is dangerous. I'm sure you already know that, given you're sign up to be an adventurer, but I don't want any misunderstandings. If it ever comes down to choosing between you or my brother, I'm saving him every time."

Luke nodded in agreement and added, "Exactly. We're just emphasizing that this isn't a game. We could die in there, and no one would remember our names. It's serious, so if you're not ready for this, now's the time to back out. The guild paired us up for a reason, but we're still strangers putting our lives on the line here."

Colm took their words to heart, nodding solemnly. "I understand," he replied firmly.

Luke smiled. "Good. Now that's out of the way, get your gear sorted, and we'll head out."

Colm hesitated, glancing down at his worn clothes. "Uh, well… this is all I've got on me," he said, gesturing at himself.

Luke and Tessa stared at him, their expressions incredulous. Colm quickly added, "It's a long story, but don't worry—my phantoms can handle themselves, and I'm pretty durable. That's why I need to do some delving. I need the money."

The siblings exchanged a glance, sighing in unison. "Great," Tessa muttered under her breath.

Luke waved him along. "Alright, let's head out. The Echo is just outside the city walls, near some rocky terrain. Stick close and let's hope this works out."

With that, the trio began their journey toward the exit. Colm, despite his lack of proper gear, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He was ready to see where the road would lead.

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