Cole and Zachary kept walking, their conversation drifting between half-formed theories and unanswered questions about the dungeon.
None of it fully made sense.
Not the sudden clear.
Not the 'boss'
Not Kairoth.
They had only been walking for a few minutes when—
"Zachary!"
The voice cut through the noise of the street.
Sharp.
Confident.
And oddly…Familiar.
Both of them turned.
The bustling road beside them was loud—cars passing, horns blaring—but that voice stood out clearly above it all.
Zachary's eyes focused.
Then widened.
"…Charlotte!?" he called out, surprise breaking through his usual calm.
She walked toward them.
Confident strides.
Hunter gear fitted perfectly to her frame, light armor layered with practicality and style.
Her blonde hair flowed behind her, catching the sunlight as she moved, and her presence alone carried the weight of someone experienced in countless battles.
She didn't look like a civilian.
She looked like someone dangerous.
Cole froze.
His brain lagged for a second—
Then caught up.
"C–Charlotte…?" he stammered, his eyes going wide. "Like—the Charlotte!?"
Zachary glanced at him.
"…Yeah," he said casually. "She's my older sister."
Charlotte Quinn is a Level 23 Archer, widely recognized for her exceptional precision, her calm-under-pressure combat style, and her signature flowing blonde hair.
Despite her strength, she's known for her enthusiastic and kind personality, often helping lower-ranked hunters during dungeon clearances.
At just 26 years old, she ranks within Australia's top 40 hunters, placing her among the more notable figures in the global hunter rankings
There was a pause.
A very long pause.
"S-S-SISTER!?" Cole practically exploded, his voice jumping an entire octave.
Charlotte stopped in front of them, her sharp gaze immediately locking onto Cole.
Her eyes had a distinct glow—green, but with a faint reddish hue that gave them an intense, almost predatory edge.
"Who are you?" she asked, her tone instantly protective. "What's your relation to my broth—!"
"He's a friend," Zachary cut in quickly.
Silence.
Cole blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then, comedically—
"…Y-you mean it?" he sniffled, his eyes suddenly watering.
Before anyone could react—
He dropped to the ground dramatically.
"He finally called me a friend—!" he cried, clutching his chest like he'd just been struck by fate itself.
Zachary stared at him.
Expressionless.
A complete poker face, head tilted upwards
Charlotte tilted her head slightly, clearly confused at the sudden emotional display.
"…Is he always like this?" she asked.
Zachary didn't even look at her.
"…I'm starting to think so."
Cole continued his over-the-top reaction for another second before slowly sitting up, wiping imaginary tears from his eyes.
Meanwhile—
Charlotte crossed her arms, watching the two of them.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
'He finally made a friend'
The thought came quietly.
Naturally.
Back then—
Zachary had always been alone.
From the time he was a kid, he never really connected with anyone.
No close friends.
No one to rely on.
Just expectations—heavy ones—stacked on his shoulders because of their family name.
From age five…
To sixteen…
It was always just him.
But now—
Seeing him stand there, casually talking—even if it was with someone like that—
Charlotte's smile softened just a little.
Things had changed.