Point of View: Jaune Arc.
The morning sun bathed the streets of Orario with a golden light that seemed to promise Jaune a new beginning. After waking up in the small room that Dia had provided him, he had taken a moment to simply... breathe. To allow himself to exist without the immediate pressure of combat or survival.
But that moment had passed quickly.
Now, as he walked alongside Dia through the increasingly crowded streets of Orario, Jaune could feel the weight of his armor on his shoulders—not physically, thanks to his training, but as a constant reminder of who he was and what he represented. A knight. A protector. Someone who had to be stronger.
He had started the day with a simple but abundant breakfast in the orphanage dining room. The children had bombarded him with questions again, their voices filling the space with a warmth that Jaune hadn't experienced in a long time. Maria had served hot porridge with honey, and though it wasn't the most elaborate meal, the care with which it had been prepared could be felt in every bite.
"Be careful today," Maria had said while collecting the empty plates, her brown eyes full of maternal concern. "The dungeon can be dangerous, even on the first floors."
Jaune had given her a reassuring smile, though inside he had felt a knot of anticipation. It wasn't fear—he had faced worse things than dungeon monsters. It was more... uncertainty. This world had different rules, and he needed to learn them quickly.
After breakfast, he went to Dia's room to pick up his armor. She had handed it to him carefully, as if it were something precious, and Jaune had felt a pang of gratitude toward this goddess who barely knew him but already treated him with such kindness.
Now, as they crossed through the streets of the commercial district, Dia was pointing out various landmarks.
"That's the entrance to the artisan district of the Goibniu Familia," she explained, pointing toward a side street filled with workshops and forges. The metallic sound of hammers striking anvils resonated in the air. "If you ever need to repair your equipment or commission something, that's one of the places you can go; the other is the Hephaistos Familia."
Jaune nodded, memorizing the location. His eyes drifted toward his sheath, where Crocea Mors rested broken and useless. A persistent thought—almost compulsive—kept appearing in his mind: He needed to repair the sword. I can't afford to be at a disadvantage again. Another incident like Valletta can't happen.
He shook his head slightly, puzzled by the intensity of the thought. He had decided the night before that it could wait, but now... now it felt as if it were urgent. As if every second without a functional sword put him at risk.
Strange, he thought briefly, but dismissed the feeling. It was probably just residual anxiety from the combat with Arachnia.
"Jaune? Are you okay?"
Dia's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. She was looking at him with concern, her green eyes scanning his face.
"Yes, sorry," Jaune responded quickly, offering her a smile. "I was just thinking about everything I have to do today."
Dia didn't seem completely convinced, but nodded. "Well, first things first. You need to officially register as an adventurer. Without that, you won't be able to enter the dungeon legally, and believe me, you don't want to have problems with the Guild."
They continued walking, and Jaune couldn't help but observe the people around him. Orario was a melting pot of races and cultures—humans, elves, dwarves, beast people, and more. All coexist in this city built around a deadly dungeon. It was fascinating and a bit overwhelming.
Finally, they arrived at their destination.
The Guild building rose before them like a Greco-Roman temple, with imposing columns and architecture that exuded authority and antiquity. Marble stairs led to a wide entrance where a constant flow of adventurers entered and exited.
"Impressive," Jaune murmured, looking up.
"It is," Dia agreed with a smile. "The Guild is the administrative heart of Orario. This is where adventurers register, exchange magic stones and drop items for money, and receive information about the dungeon."
They climbed the stairs together, and Jaune noticed how several people stopped to look—some with curiosity, others with what appeared to be recognition. There were probably rumors about the "golden knight" from yesterday's attack. Great. Just the kind of attention he didn't need.
The interior of the Guild was as impressive as the exterior. The high ceiling was decorated with elaborate frescoes depicting scenes of adventurers fighting against epic monsters. The floor was polished marble, and the space was divided into several sections—reception counters, waiting areas with wooden benches, and doors leading to what Jaune assumed were private offices.
The noise was considerable—overlapping conversations, occasional laughter, and the clinking of coins being counted. Adventurers of all levels filled the space, from nervous novices to weathered veterans with scars and worn equipment.
"This way," Dia said, guiding him toward one of the reception counters. There was a short line, and they joined the end.
While they waited, Jaune observed the woman behind the counter attending to the adventurers. She was young—probably close to his age—with bright red hair pulled back in a high ponytail, and on top of her head, she had two adorable ears similar to a Wolf Faunus. She had a professional but kind expression, and handled each interaction with practiced efficiency. Jaune could even notice the tail.
When it was finally their turn, the woman looked up and her eyes—of a lighter pink tone than her hair—settled on him. For a moment, she seemed surprised, her eyes widening slightly before she recovered her professional composure.
"Good morning," she said with a clear and melodious voice. "Welcome to the Orario Guild. My name is Rose Fannett. How can I help you today?"
"Good morning, Rose-san," Dia responded with a warm smile. "We're here to register my child as an adventurer."
Rose blinked, looking between Dia and Jaune. "I see. Is this your first time registering?"
"Yes," Jaune confirmed, stepping forward. "I'm new to Orario."
Something flickered in Rose's eyes—recognition? Curiosity?—but she simply nodded and pulled out a form from under the counter.
"Very well. I'll need you to complete this form with your basic information—name, Familia, and some details about your capabilities." She paused, looking at Jaune more closely. "I'll also need to see your Status to verify your level."
Jaune felt a slight knot of anxiety. This was the tricky part. His Status was... unusual, to say the least. But Dia had already prepared an edited version that hid his more problematic abilities.
"Of course," Jaune said, accepting the form. He looked at the paper and...
Shit.
The words were written in that writing system he couldn't read. Symbols and characters that meant nothing to him. He bit his lip, feeling his cheeks heat slightly with embarrassment.
Dia, noticing his dilemma, put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Rose-san," she said tactfully, "would it be possible for me to help Jaune with the form? He is... new to our form of writing."
Rose seemed to understand immediately and nodded without judgment.
"Of course. We have several adventurers who come from remote regions and aren't familiar with our writing system. It's not a problem."
Jaune let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Dia took the form and a pen and began asking the necessary questions in a low voice.
"Full name: Jaune Arc. Familia: Dia. Level: One." She paused. "Main weapon?"
"Sword and shield," Jaune responded.
Dia continued writing with her elegant and fluid calligraphy, filling in the blank spaces under Jaune's attentive gaze. Rose Fannett waited patiently on the other side of the counter, though her dog ears moved slightly, catching the murmur of the Guild, and her eyes occasionally drifted toward Jaune's strange white armor with a curiosity that struggled to remain professional.
When they reached the section on skills and magic, Jaune and Dia exchanged a quick but significant look. They had debated this the night before. Hiding the Semblance was impossible given that he had already used it in public, but magic was a delicate subject. However, Jaune had reasoned that, in the dungeon, summoning an energy shield or launching sacred fire wasn't something that could go unnoticed for long. Lying about not having magic when he would inevitably use it could generate distrust in the Guild later.
Dia nodded imperceptibly and wrote:
Skills: Semblance: Soul Amplification.
Development Ability: Aura Control - Rank F.
Magic: Bouclier Éternelle / Le Chevalier.
Once the form was complete, Dia slid it back to Rose. The receptionist took it and began reviewing it, her eyes moving quickly over the paper. They stopped abruptly when reaching the end of the page.
"'Semblance: Soul Amplification' and 'Aura Control'..." Rose murmured, frowning slightly as she processed the unknown terms. "And I see you also possess two magic spells. Bouclier Éternelle and Le Chevalier. Rather... unique names."
She looked up, her pink eyes drilling into Jaune with renewed interest.
"Could you give me a brief description of what they do? It's necessary for our records in case of emergencies or group formation."
"Of course," Jaune responded, keeping his voice calm and confident, though inside he was calculating how much to reveal. "The Semblance is a support ability; I can temporarily strengthen the physical and recovery capabilities of others. Aura Control is... a technique from my land to manage my defensive energy."
He paused, pointing to the spell names.
"As for the magic... Bouclier Éternelle is defensive magic; it creates barriers. And Le Chevalier is offensive magic based on fire."
Rose noted the information, nodding slowly.
"Support, defense, and magical offense. A very versatile skill set for a novice," she commented, with a tone that denoted approval. "Well, the form is complete. However, to officially verify your registration and confirm your Level, I'll need to see your updated Status directly on your back. The Guild takes the veracity of data very seriously."
"I understand," Jaune said. "We're ready."
Rose stood up, gathering the documents. "Follow me, please. We'll use one of the private rooms."
She guided them through the bustling hall, away from the noise and curious looks, to a sturdy wooden door in a side hallway. Upon opening it, it revealed a small room, illuminated by a magic stone lamp that emitted a soft and sterile glow.
"You can use this room to prepare. When you're ready for the inspection, just let me know. I'll wait outside," Rose said, closing the door behind her and leaving them in momentary privacy.
As soon as the click of the lock resonated, the atmosphere relaxed slightly. Jaune let out a sigh and began unfastening his armor and shirt.
"Dia, can you verify it once more before she comes in?" Jaune asked in a low voice. "I need to know what... what the numbers really say. I know I feel stronger, but after yesterday..."
Dia nodded, her face serious. "Of course."
Jaune turned around, exposing his back. Dia took out a small vial of her ichor and a needle, performing the ritual quickly to update the hidden information on Jaune's skin. As the sacred hieroglyphs glowed and rearranged themselves, Dia's eyes widened.
"Oh, wow..." she whispered, bringing a hand to her mouth.
"What? Is it bad?" Jaune asked, trying to look over his shoulder, which was impossible.
"No, it's not bad. It's... Jaune, look at this," Dia quickly transcribed the new values on a sheet of paper and passed it to him.
Jaune took the paper, and his eyes opened with surprise. He knew he had fought hard. He knew he had spent every last drop of his energy healing people and withstanding the blows of a Level 5 assassin. But seeing the numbers written in ink was different.
Jaune Arc Level 1
Strength: I 0 ➔ I 45
Endurance: I 0 ➔ I 85
Dexterity: I 0 ➔ I 42
Agility: I 0 ➔ I 19
Magic: I 0 ➔ I 99
"Is this... normal?" Jaune asked, astonished. No statistic had exceeded the barrier of 100 points, which meant he was still in the I rank, but the jump from zero in a single day, and in a single event, was astonishing.
"For a single combat, and being your first day... no, it's not normal," Dia murmured, looking at the Endurance and Magic numbers. "Your Endurance went up almost 90 points. That reflects the punishment your body and your shield endured against Arachnia. And the Magic... 99 points. That must be from the massive healing... Though I never thought an ability could increase magic."
Jaune swallowed. Almost 100 Magic points in one day. He understood why. He had felt how his soul stretched to the point of straining to connect with all those lives and be able to heal them.
"We have to act naturally," Jaune said, returning the paper to Dia and putting on his shirt, though he left it unbuttoned so Rose could see. "If we show ourselves too surprised, she'll suspect more. For us, this should be... the result of hard training, or simply talent."
Dia nodded, composing her expression into a mask of divine serenity. "You're right. I'm ready."
Jaune knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Rose entered, closing the door behind her with efficiency. Her professional gaze immediately went to Jaune's back when he removed his shirt again for the official inspection.
The beast woman leaned in to read the Falna, only the essentials. For a second, silence reigned in the room. Then, Rose's dog's ears twitched violently, and her eyes opened with a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"Is this... is this correct?" Rose asked, her voice momentarily losing its corporate tone. "Did you just receive your Falna yesterday?"
There goes being able to simulate. Jaune grimaced, wondering how the rumors spread like wildfire so quickly. What gossipy people, he thought.
"That's right," Dia confirmed with a calm that belied her earlier surprise. "Jaune had a... difficult encounter yesterday."
Rose ran her gaze over the numbers, stopping at Endurance and, above all, at Magic.
"A 'difficult encounter' is an understatement," Rose murmured, clearly impressed. "Raising Endurance to I75 and Magic to I92 in less than 24 hours is unheard of for an absolute novice. Most take weeks to move their magic statistics if they're not of the elf race or have extreme innate talent."
She looked at Jaune, no longer as a simple, confused novice, but as a fascinating anomaly.
After what seemed like an eternity, Rose sighed, letting the matter go, and nodded.
"So... Everything is in order. Your Status matches what was declared." She took out a pen and began writing on several official documents, sealing them with a Guild seal. "Congratulations, Arc-san. You are now officially registered as an Orario adventurer."
Jaune let out a sigh of relief he didn't know he had been holding. "Thank you, Rose-san." As he put his shirt back on.
Rose finished completing the paperwork and then looked at Jaune with a more serious expression.
"As a Guild employee, it's also part of my job to offer advice to new adventurers, especially those who are entering the dungeon for the first time. Would you like me to provide guidance on the first floor?"
Jaune didn't have to think twice. "Yes, please. That would be very useful."
Rose nodded, but then her expression became even more serious, almost severe.
"I must warn you that I'm strict with my advisees. The dungeon is not a game, Arc-san. Even the first floors can be deadly if one is careless or arrogant. If you accept my guidance, I expect you to take my advice seriously."
Something in her tone—that combination of severe professionalism and genuine concern—reminded Jaune painfully of Weiss. Weiss had been like that too: demanding, strict, but only because she cared deeply that the people around her were safe and prepared.
Jaune felt a pang of nostalgia so sharp it almost made him wince. Instead, he let out an exaggerated and dramatic groan.
"Great..." Jaune murmured, an ironic smile curving his lips. "If I could survive Weiss Schnee yelling at me about my posture and scolding me for every mistake, I guess I can do it again."
Rose blinked, clearly confused. "Weiss?"
Dia was also looking at him with curiosity, though her eyes showed understanding—she had probably seen Weiss in the flashes of Jaune's history when she gave him his Falna, because Jaune hadn't told her about her, yet.
Jaune realized he had said too much and quickly tried to deflect.
"Ah, it's... a friend. A very important friend to me." His voice softened involuntarily, and his eyes drifted toward the floor. "She was strict, too. Always pushing me to be better, to work harder. Sometimes it was frustrating, but..." he paused, feeling the familiar weight of guilt and loss settling in his chest, "...she always did it because she cared in her way of being."
And I couldn't save her, he added mentally, but not aloud. Remembering how Weiss fell into the void without him being able to do anything to prevent it, fortunately, she was still alive. He still blamed himself sometimes for having Weiss impaled when he rushed against Cinder at Haven Academy, and then when she fell...
The silence in the room became heavy. Rose and Dia exchanged a glance, both clearly sensing there was more to the story than Jaune was saying.
But Rose, professional as always, didn't press. Instead, she simply nodded with respect.
"She sounds like a good friend. I'll make sure to live up to her standards then."
Jaune gave her a weak but grateful smile, then cleared his throat and deliberately changed the subject. He needed to get out of this emotional space before he drowned in it.
He turned toward the table where he had left his sheath and lifted it carefully. He placed it on the table between them, and then, with deliberate movements, unsheathed Crocea Mors.
The broken sword gleamed faintly under the light of the magic lamp. But what really captured Rose and Dia's attention were the stains that still marred the steel—stains that Jaune hadn't been able to clean, neither physically nor emotionally.
Blood. Penny's blood.
"Rose-san," Jaune said, his voice now completely devoid of emotion, as if he had put on a mask, "do you know where I can find a blacksmith? A good one."
Rose was looking at the broken sword with a mixture of professional fascination and concern. Her eyes moved from the broken blade to the bloodstains, and Jaune could see the questions forming in her mind. But, to her credit, she only asked the essentials.
"What happened to your sword?"
"It broke," Jaune said simply. "Fighting against a bad person. I put all my strength into an attack, and my sword... couldn't withstand it."
It was technically true, though it left out the devastating context. The clash with Cinder's fire dust sword, the impact that had shattered the steel forged by generations of his family.
Rose nodded slowly. "I see. And... the blood?"
"It was from someone important," Jaune said, his voice still flat as he gripped the sword tightly, making the gauntlet creak. "Someone who's no longer here."
That was enough for Rose to understand she shouldn't press further. Dia, beside him, put a soft hand on his shoulder—a gesture of silent support.
Jaune took a breath and continued, forcing his voice to sound more normal.
"Despite it being broken, I can still use the sword in another way."
He put the broken sword back in its sheath, then lifted the sheath and activated the mechanism he had designed during his traveling days in Mistral. With a satisfying mechanical click, the sheath-shield fused with the sword, extending and transforming until it formed a large two-handed sword.
It was the same weapon he had used against the Nuckelavee—a Grimm monster that had terrorized Ren and Nora's hometown. In that form, the broken sword became the base for a larger weapon using the edges of the shield as a blade, still functional though not ideal. Since the sheath folded around his sword's blade, and since it was broken, it was much less resistant and risked possible jams.
"Like this," Jaune explained, holding the great sword so Rose could see it properly. The weight was familiar in his hands, the balance something he had practiced until it became second nature. "I can compensate for the lost length this way. It's not perfect, but it works."
Rose leaned forward, her pink eyes glowing with genuine interest. As a Guild employee, she had undoubtedly seen countless weapons, but this seemed to capture her attention.
"That's... ingenious," she admitted. "The transformation mechanics are impressive. Did you design it yourself?"
"A friend helped me," Jaune said, remembering Ruby and how she had suggested modifications for Crocea Mors, which she had always insisted on at Beacon, but he didn't see the need to do it... not until after Pyrrha's death. "But the original concept was mine."
He deactivated the mechanism, and the great sword retracted back to its sheath form. Then, with another practiced movement, he pulled the broken sword out completely and transformed the sheath into his shield—a large shield with the Arc symbol engraved in the center: two arcs intertwined forming a pattern that resembled a smile.
"This is my preferred combat style," Jaune explained, holding both the broken sword and the shield. "Sword and shield. I'm much more accustomed to fighting this way. Not that I'm bad with the great sword, but..." he paused, his brow furrowing as he remembered his combat with Arachnia.
If I had had my sword at full length, I could have decapitated her. I would have ended the fight right there.
That thought returned, stronger than before. You need to repair it. You can't afford to be at a disadvantage. If you had repaired it when Leon told you or at least had accepted another sword, then Valletta would no longer be a problem for Orario.
Jaune shook his head slightly, trying to clear the almost obsessive urgency of the thought. It was strange. The night before, he had been fine with waiting, with using the great sword as a temporary solution. But now...
"...but being accustomed to a specific sword length matters in combat," he continued, forcing himself to concentrate. "When I fought Arachnia yesterday, I had an opportunity to give her a fatal blow. But my sword was shorter than I expected, and I only scratched her. If I had had my full sword, it would have changed the outcome of the battle."
Rose listened attentively, nodding thoughtfully. Then she frowned, clearly considering something.
"I understand your dilemma. For a blacksmith capable of repairing such a complex weapon—one that not only needs to be reforged but also must maintain its functionality with that transformation mechanism—you would need someone exceptional." She paused, biting her lip. "Honestly, I can only think of one person: Tsubaki Collbrande from the Hephaistos Familia."
The name meant nothing to Jaune, but from the way Rose said it, it was clearly supposed to be impressive.
"Tsubaki Collbrande?" he repeated.
"She's one of the best blacksmiths in Orario," Rose explained. "Second-class adventurer and master blacksmith. If anyone can repair your sword while maintaining its transformation functionality, it's her." Then her expression became uncomfortable, almost compassionate. "But I must warn you... Her services aren't cheap."
Jaune felt his stomach sink. "How much?"
Rose grimaced, clearly not wanting to give bad news, but being honest anyway.
"For a job of this complexity, with a metal that needs to be reforged and mechanisms that must remain functional... you're probably looking at a minimum of at least 5 million valis. Possibly more than five million if she needs special materials."
The number hit Jaune like a hammer to the chest. He looked at Dia, who had also visibly paled. The orphanage barely sustained itself with the funds it had. There was no way they could pay that.
And the funds Leon had given him—approximately 200,000 valis—suddenly seemed pathetically inadequate.
"Ah," was all Jaune could say, feeling the weight of poverty settling on his shoulders like a wet cloak.
Dia, beside him, was biting her lip, clearly feeling guilty for not being able to help financially.
Rose, seeing their devastated expressions, quickly added:
"However, not all is lost. There are blacksmiths in the Goibniu and Hephaistos Familias who could do the job for less—maybe 600,000 to 1,000,000 valis. The quality might not be as high as Tsubaki's work, but it would still be a solid and functional repair."
Jaune nodded slowly, though the figure still seemed astronomically high. He sighed, looking at his broken sword with a mixture of determination and frustration.
"Then I'll have to earn money first. A lot of money." He put his sword back in the sheath. "I guess that means diving into the dungeon and getting serious about monster hunting."
Rose nodded with approval. "That's the spirit. And speaking of that—" she straightened up, returning to her professional advisory mode, "—you said you wanted guidance on the first floors of the dungeon. Are you planning to go down today?"
"Yes," Jaune confirmed. "I need to see what it's like, get used to the monsters and the environment. Though," he added quickly, seeing how Rose's eyes narrowed with concern, "I'm not planning to go too deep. Just the first floors to start. I want to get an idea of what I'm facing before committing further."
Rose studied him for a long moment, as if evaluating how serious he was about being cautious. Finally, she seemed satisfied with what she saw and nodded.
"Very well. That's a sensible attitude. Too many novice adventurers dive too deep, too fast, and..." she didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear. And they end up dead.
Jaune turned toward Dia, knowing he needed to say goodbye. She had accompanied him this far, helping him with the registration and moral support, but she had her own responsibilities—the orphanage children, Maria, and the daily work of keeping her small family running.
"Lady Dia," he began, but she shook her head with a soft smile.
"Just Dia, Jaune. I told you."
He smiled. "Dia, thank you for everything. For bringing me here, for helping me with the registration, for... everything. But I don't want to take any more of your time. I know you have to get back to the orphanage."
Dia looked at him with an expression that was part pride, part maternal concern. She stepped forward and, before Jaune could react, wrapped him in a firm hug.
"Be careful down there," she whispered against his shoulder. "You're strong, I know. But the dungeon is unpredictable. Don't take unnecessary risks."
Jaune returned the hug, feeling a warmth in his chest that had been absent for a long time. It was like being hugged by his mother, that same mixture of unconditional love and fear of letting go.
"I promise," he said quietly. "I'll be careful."
Dia pulled away, but not before giving him one last look—one that clearly said you better keep that promise. Then, with a final nod to Rose, she turned and left the private room, leaving Jaune and Rose alone.
Rose waited until the door closed before speaking.
"You have a good goddess," she commented. "Dia-sama is known for her kindness, but it's rare for her to form a Familia. She must see you as someone special."
Jaune felt his cheeks heat slightly at the compliment. "She helped me at a time when I really needed it. I owe her a lot."
He remembered how Leon had mentioned that having Falna makes a huge difference. He hadn't believed it at first, but after fighting Arachnia, it only showed how right that was. After all...
Jaune with Falna was much stronger than Jaune without Falna. Just as a Level 1 Adventurer is much stronger than a common civilian without Falna.
Rose nodded understandingly, then pulled out a small map from one of the table drawers. It was a detailed diagram of the first thirteen floors of the dungeon.
"Very well, then. Let's talk about the dungeon."
She spread the map on the table, and Jaune leaned in to study it. It was meticulously detailed—every hallway, every room, every section annotated with notes about monster types and danger levels.
"The dungeon is divided into sections based on depth," Rose began, her finger tracing across the map. "Floors 1 to 4 are considered the beginner area. The monsters here are mainly Goblins, Kobolds, and Dungeon Lizards. Nothing a competent Level 1 adventurer can't handle."
Jaune nodded, memorizing the information. Goblins—small, fast, attack in groups. Kobolds—similar but more cunning. Dungeon Lizards—fast reptiles with sharp tails.
"Floors 5 to 6 are where things start to get more challenging," Rose continued. "This is where you start encountering Killer Ants—dog-sized monsters with jaws that can cut steel. Also Purple Moths, which secrete a paralyzing powder."
"Charming," Jaune murmured, but he was listening attentively.
"Floors 7 to 10 are considered the 'Upper Middle Range,'" Rose said, her tone becoming more serious. "This is where most Level 1 adventurers start having serious difficulties. Needle Rabbits—fast, with horns that can pierce armor. War Shadows—ghost-type monsters that are hard to hit. And Orcs—large, brutal humanoids that are incredibly strong."
Jaune frowned, visualizing each type of enemy. He needed to be prepared for anything.
Rose continued her lesson for the next thirty minutes, detailing monster behavior patterns, emergency escape routes, and the unwritten rules of dungeon survival:
Never go down alone past floor 12 until you're Level 2.
Always carry healing potions, even if you have healing magic.
If you feel the dungeon is 'watching you,' retreat immediately—it could mean an imminent Monster Party.
Never, ever, completely trust a map. The dungeon changes.
When she finally finished, Rose looked at him seriously.
"One last thing, Arc-san. And this is important." Her expression became somber. "The dungeon monsters aren't your only problem right now."
Jaune felt an unpleasant sensation, and the only thing he could think of was the people who had wreaked havoc throughout the world. "Evilus."
Rose nodded gravely. "There have been reports of unwary adventurers being murdered inside the dungeon. Evilus has been using the dungeon as hunting grounds—ambushing lone adventurers, especially those on the lower floors where there are fewer likely to be witnesses."
Anger pulsed in Jaune's veins, hot and sharp. Evilus. Those bastards not only attacked on the surface, but also poisoned the place where adventurers went to earn a living, to improve, to survive.
"I understand," Jaune said, his voice harder than he intended. "I'll be careful. If I see anything suspicious, I'll retreat."
Rose studied him, and something in her expression softened—as if she could see the anger bubbling beneath the surface but also trusted he wouldn't do something stupid.
"Good. Then I think that covers everything." She straightened up, extending her hand in a formal gesture. "Good luck, Arc-san. And please... come back in one piece."
Jaune shook her hand, feeling the firm grip of someone who had seen too many adventurers not return.
"I will," he promised.
With that, Jaune left the private room, crossed through the bustling main hall of the Guild, and stepped out into the sunlight of Orario.
His destination was clear: the Tower of Babel, where the entrance to the dungeon awaited.
It was time to test his new abilities. Time to see how far he had come. Hopefully, time to start earning the money he needed to repair Crocea Mors.
As he walked, a persistent thought kept pushing into his mind: You need to be prepared. You need to be strong. You need to repair your sword. You can't afford any weakness.
Jaune clenched his fists and took a very deep breath to be able to reinforce his determination to the point of obsession.
But for now, he only knew one thing: he had work to do.
The dungeon awaited him.
.
.
.
Author's note: Merry Christmas to all, I hope you had a great time or are having a good time. And so here we have another chapter of Jaune, and then we'll move on to an interlude with other points of view and a new canon character.
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Any support is incredibly valuable to me and will help me a lot. It's not an obligation; all my chapters and stories will always be free to read. But your support would motivate me a lot. Of course, if you want me to update a particular story, I'll do my best to do so. Everyone is welcome to enjoy it. PDT: All donations will go towards repairing my computer, as it has broken down. And sorry for any spelling mistakes I may have missed. As I work on a tablet, I may have missed something, but I've tried to proofread everything several times.