The scene faded with the final wedding kiss, marking the end of the cutscene. Despite the sweet love story, the dungeon exploration continued. As I disarmed a trap, the rest of the party chatted away, savoring the lingering sweetness from the tale.

"Turkel, you’re married, right? How did you propose?"
"Ah… Well, I booked a restaurant for her birthday."
"Tell us more!"

It seemed like Eldrin was enamored with Nianbah’s proposal, eagerly listening to Turkel recount his own experience.

It felt like a world far removed from my own. I enjoyed listening to their stories from the sidelines—at least until the conversation turned toward me.

"So, Da-eun, how much dating experience do you have?"
"Uh… what?"
"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

The question blindsided me, and I froze. A boyfriend? I may be in a female avatar, but I’m a man and, well… Wait, does that mean I should be dating guys now?

For a moment, my head spun. I’d never thought about it, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about it. If I date a girl now, does that make me straight? And if I date a guy, then… What?

I must have hesitated too long because it probably looked like I was dodging the question. I blurted out an answer as quickly as I could.

"N-No, I haven’t."
"Come on, no way. Guys couldn’t have just left you alone."
"Seriously, not even once."
"Did you go to an all-girls school or something?"
"Uh, yeah. Sort of."

Well, that wasn’t exactly a lie. I had gone through an all-boys school, barely interacting with girls, so it wasn’t completely off-base.

In my younger days, I was too engrossed in kendo to consider dating. I’d heard too many stories of athletes losing focus once they started dating. People might call it an excuse, but for me, it was a real concern. If I ever fell in love, I’d throw everything into it. My entire focus and energy would have shifted from kendo to the relationship.

So I didn’t date. Not because I couldn’t, but because I chose not to.
…Really, I mean it.

"You’re telling me no guy ever confessed to you, Da-eun?"
"Maybe you just didn’t notice. No confessions, ever?"
"Never. Anyway, let’s move on."
"Odd, I could see you getting confessions from girls, too."
"…"

Ignoring the barrage of questions, I focused on the task at hand. Romance, huh? Could I even fall in love? I didn’t know, but it seemed like a remote possibility. Could I really handle giving as much as I received?

Right now, I could only yearn for others, unable to share anything of myself. I was terrified of exposing the darkness within me.

At least there was something to break my train of thought.

"Up ahead—two with axes, two with spears. Four total. Should I kite two of them?"
"You think you can handle it?"
"Yeah. I won’t die."
"Then go for it."

As we fought through a few waves of minotaurs, we eventually encountered the dungeon’s mid-boss: a monstrous chimera.

[You have defeated the Epic Monster ‘Chimera A-327’.]
[Please check your rewards.]

The battle was brutal. The chimera’s abnormal patterns and sheer toughness, with blades hardly penetrating anywhere except weak spots, made it a formidable foe. Thankfully, we managed to clear it without any casualties.

The mid-boss was tough, which meant the final boss would be even more difficult. But for now, we could enjoy the victory. And, of course, it was time to check the loot.

"Rewards! Let’s see what we’ve got," Eldrin announced, her voice tinged with excitement.

I eagerly followed her to the boss's corpse, as did everyone else.

We gathered around Sulbbang as he checked the drops.

[Mark of the Ancient Kingdom]
[Nianbah’s Curse: Greaves]
[Chimera Hide Gloves]
[Rabbit Ears]
[Chimera A-327 Core]
…

A dazzling array of items appeared. We set aside the materials and coins for later and focused on the five standout items.

Two of the items clearly had dedicated owners. The Mark of the Ancient Kingdom suited Sanse, while the cursed greaves went to Turkel due to a compatibility penalty.

I initially eyed the gloves, but they were too stiff, making it difficult to grip my weapon. Despite the high defense, I couldn’t afford the lack of dexterity, so I handed them over to Sulbbang. That left two items.

I had no intention of claiming the Rabbit Ears. In fact, I hadn’t even considered it until I read the item description.

"Then I’ll take the core."
"The Rabbit Ears are yours, Gawol, right?"
"Huh?"
"Yeah?"

[Rabbit Ears]
[Type: Head Accessory (Unique)]

Fluffy, magical rabbit ears that feel adorable to wear.
[Effect: Increases hearing by 12% when equipped.]
[Can be worn with other items as an accessory.]

What…? Why is a cosmetic item classified as Unique?

Normally, these items are at most of Rare quality, offering minor, almost pointless bonuses. I had never seen something like this. This item would fetch a high price on the market due to its rarity.

Sure, it could bring in a good amount of gold if I sold it. But, for now, it was just an embarrassment on my head.

"Cute. Really cute!"
"Hey, Gawol, look over here and smile."
"Agh…"

Normally, my role as a scout doesn’t demand much charisma. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to ruin Eldrin and Sulbbang’s eager smiles.

"Come on, make a ‘V’ sign!"
"V-… V."

I wanted to go home. Though I was already at home.

[You may now exit the dungeon after defeating the mid-boss.]
[Do you wish to continue? Y/N]

…

[The party has chosen to continue.]
[A story cutscene will play.]

The banquet hall was in disarray, with scattered cups and cold food strewn about. The sound of measured footsteps echoed through the wreckage.

Nianbah lay fallen, reaching a hand out, only for it to be stepped on by a polished shoe. Blood oozed where sharp shards had pierced his skin. But deeper than blood, his anger burned crimson.

The prince sneered.

"Nianbah, why? Why have you done this?"
"Didn’t you know? It’s obvious. If a half-breed like you seizes control, the kingdom would fall. A chosen bloodline must protect it."
"I have no interest in the throne—"
"It’s a shame. Growing up in the palace makes you appreciate clear paths. It’s a one-way journey, but you won’t be alone for long. Your wife and child will follow shortly. You won’t have to be lonely."

The poison from the wine spread through the sorcerer’s body, turning his mana into something lethal. A concoction made solely to kill him.

Nianbah felt hot tears or blood—he couldn’t tell which—streaming down his face as he cried out from deep within.

"Ugh… Aaaargh!"
"Pointless resistance. Just stay down and… What, what’s going on?!"

With that, the sorcerer’s fury engulfed the palace.