Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

The flickering, dim light of the campfire surrounded each of them, frail yet warm.

The dancing shadows eased the tension in the air, if only by a little.

Everyone was exhausted after the long battle and nearly two continuous hours of navigating the labyrinth beneath the dungeon.

This was their second time setting up camp to rest.

Ren's bright blue eyes stared intently at the flames. The warmth enveloped him, offering a sense of protection. Even though Ren hadn't contributed much, hadn't helped finish off monsters or faced them head-on. He hadn't found any treasure chests either.

He gained nothing from this expedition except for a constant fear and an overwhelming drowsiness.

Yawning deeply, Ren tried to let his thoughts wander to fight off the sleepiness.

He was sitting the farthest from the fire. No one had pushed him away. Ren chose to sit there on his own.

The others didn't make him feel comfortable when he talked or stayed close to them.

His eyes shifted away from the flames and towards the people gathered nearby.

Copper, Scholar, Tarek...

They seemed to be discussing something. Probably about ending the expedition and returning.

Ren hoped that was the case.

"Mind if I sit here?"

A gentle voice suddenly broke through Ren's thoughts. He looked up.

It was Eylis, the only girl in the group, and the one who had been kind to him from the start.

Ren didn't respond immediately. He looked at her for a moment, as if considering something, then gave a slight nod, shifting over to make some space.

Eylis sat down beside Ren, her hand gently adjusting her tousled hair.

"You look troubled. Is something bothering you?" Her voice was light, more of an observation than a question.

Ren was startled by Eylis's perceptiveness. He lowered his gaze, his fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the dry earth.

"...It's nothing," he murmured, but even he didn't believe his own words.

Eylis quietly watched him, her gaze gentle and unhurried. That look made Ren uncomfortable. Not because he disliked her, but because he wasn't used to receiving this kind of concern.

Finally, he sighed, his voice faint, almost blending into the night.

"I just... feel like being here is meaningless. I'm not contributing at all."

Eylis remained silent for a few moments, as if carefully choosing her words.

Then she smiled—a smile free of ridicule or pity.

"No, Ren. No one is useless. It's just... you haven't found your true value yet. Who knows, maybe you'll become useful..." Under the firelight, her brown eyes reflected a rare warmth amidst the tense atmosphere.

Ren didn't say much but continued to stare at the group discussing by the fire.

"Are you curious about what they're talking about? We're about to reach the end of the dungeon's first floor," Eylis seemed to have read Ren's mind. She paused, looking at him for a moment before speaking.

"The first floor?"

Ren frowned, his eyes widening briefly. He didn't know what he had expected, but it certainly wasn't that answer.

A chill ran down his spine.

He had thought that after navigating this dark maze, surviving the deadly traps, and fighting those grotesque monsters, they would finally get to leave... or at least truly rest. But everything they'd endured so far... was just the first floor?

"Yeah. Did you think this dungeon only had one floor? Even in the beta test, we couldn't reach its final level."

Eylis stretched casually, her brown eyes still fixed on Ren as she continued,

"Our goal is to defeat the Mini Boss on the first floor and reach the treasure room."

"What if... it's a trap?" Ren hesitated for a moment before asking.

His hand unconsciously tightened on his knee.

Memories of narrowly dodging monsters' attacks, the nerve-wracking battles that drained their stamina, and the treasure chests that could have easily turned into death traps flooded his mind.

They could've been Mimics with razor-sharp teeth capable of swallowing a full-grown man.

The most vivid example was Tarek.

...

The dark corridor stretched endlessly, heavy with a suffocating atmosphere. Only the echo of their footsteps filled the void.

But then, a faint glimmer reflected from deep within the shadows... A wooden chest lay hidden behind some fallen rocks.

Tarek's eyes lit up, like a starving beast catching the scent of prey.

Greed overtook his gaze.

"Treasure!"

Ignoring all warnings, he rushed to the chest, his hands trembling with excitement.

Without a second thought, he grabbed the lid and yanked it open.

Click.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze.

There was no gold, no valuable items.

Only a bottomless blackness... and then, a long, slimy tongue shot out like a serpent striking its prey.

"A...!"

Before Tarek could react, the monster's tongue wrapped tightly around his waist. The pull was so powerful that his ribs creaked.

His breath caught in his throat, feet dangling as he was lifted off the ground.

And then, the chest opened its mouth.

No longer an inanimate object, its hinges stretched grotesquely into a maw filled with jagged, drooling teeth.

The stench of rotting flesh and dried blood assaulted Tarek, sending him into a frenzy as he thrashed against the slimy tongue constricting his body.

"H... Help me! Damn it, help me!!"

He struggled wildly, but the tongue's grip only tightened. The sharp teeth scraped his skin, leaving fresh, crimson gashes.

His already low health was now dangerously close to the yellow warning line.

The others stood frozen, the horrifying scene unfolding too quickly. Ren could only watch as Tarek was dragged towards the creature's razor-lined throat.

Just one more second, and he would be devoured.

But at that exact moment...

Slash!

A silver flash cut through the air.

The Mimic's tongue was severed, black pixels spraying out like blood. A horrific screech echoed down the corridor.

Tarek fell heavily to the ground, gasping like someone who had barely escaped drowning.

Copper stood behind him, his blade gleaming. Eylis lowered her slender sword, her eyes cold and sharp.

"If you won't listen, at least use your eyes, idiot," Scholar scoffed, his voice dripping with annoyance and a touch of smug contempt.

Tarek trembled, his breaths still uneven. His eyes were haunted by the image of the Mimic's drooling fangs, those that had almost swallowed him whole.

But deep within his gaze, envy and greed grew darker.

...

"Hey, Ren. What's your relationship with Tarek?"

Suddenly, Eylis's gentle voice pulled Ren back to the present.

She hesitated before continuing, "You seem to know him quite well..."

Ren stayed silent.

Eylis's question seemed harmless, but it tangled his thoughts.

His relationship with Tarek...?

Ren wasn't sure he could even call it that.

A manipulator and a pawn or rather?, a weakling forced to obediently follow along. 

How should he respond? 

Should he tell the truth, that he was coerced into coming along? That he didn't trust Tarek at all? That he knew full well Tarek wouldn't hesitate to abandon him if necessary? 

But how would Eylis react if he said all that? 

Unconsciously, Ren clenched his hand on his knee. If she suspected him and tried to extract information, would that put him in even more danger? 

He was too tired to keep thinking about all these schemes. 

So in the end, Ren just shrugged, avoiding Eylis's gaze, his voice so soft it almost blended with the crackling of the campfire. 

"Nothing special." 

Eylis seemed to see the fear and deep-seated anxiety in Ren's eyes. She moved closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his. 

But Ren quickly pulled his hand away. She glanced over at Tarek. He was watching them too. Whether by coincidence or intention... 

"You don't have to endure this torment, Ren," Eylis said softly, as if she understood him completely. 

She paused, observing the expression on his face, a faint smile forming as she noticed the confusion, hesitation, and a flicker of anger on his pale face, so pale it could make any girl envious. 

"It's okay, Ren... I'm here... I'll protect you." 

Ren didn't know how to respond. 

He was used to threats, scrutinizing eyes, and harsh words—certainly not gentle reassurances like this. 

The lingering warmth from Eylis's hand still tingled on his skin, but it only made him feel more uneasy. 

He didn't believe it. 

He didn't trust this concern. He didn't trust anyone in this group. 

Ren bit his lip, his eyes glued to the ground. 

"...You don't understand anything." 

His voice was soft but firm, like a fragile wall rising between them. 

Eylis continued to look at him, her brown eyes shimmering under the firelight. 

"Is that so?" She tilted her head, smiling as if his words hadn't bothered her at all. 

She didn't press him for any more answers. 

But Ren could still feel the lingering anticipation in her gaze.