Inside the dungeon, chaos reigned. Espers shouted commands, unleashing their powers against the writhing monster emerging from the pulsing rift. The acrid smell of ozone mixed with sulfur hung heavy in the air as energy attacks illuminated the rocky chamber in strobing flashes of color.

Callum threw himself sideways, narrowly avoiding a sweeping tendril of dark energy that left smoking furrows in the stone floor where he'd stood moments before. "Fucking hell," he muttered, skin crawling at the unnatural movement of the creature. Extending his hand, he unleashed a controlled burst of flame that seared the monster's appendage, drawing an unholy screech that reverberated through the chamber.

"I thought they said this dungeon would be easy!" he called to nearby teammates, wiping sweat from his brow with a singed forearm.没人 replied, their attention focused entirely on the battle. Callum gritted his teeth. Another mission briefing with misleading information. Maybe it was time to find a different agency.

The thought vanished as the creature surged forward, forcing him to dodge again. No time for career contemplation when an eldritch horror was trying to claw its way into Earth. At least the deployment included several S-Tiers and A-Tiers - any lesser team would have been annihilated instantly.

Finally securing the rift required far more effort than anticipated. Espers cycled in and out, seeking emergency stabilization from Guides before rejoining the fight. Callum prided himself on his efficiency, rarely needing to pause, but by the time the rift sealed with a satisfying implosion, even he felt drained.

All he wanted now was guidance - specific guidance. The warm, grounding kind that only one particular Guide could provide. He couldn't explain why that guiding felt different, better, than others he'd experienced. It left him feeling centered, balanced, and distinctly... fuzzy in the best way.

The dungeon entrance closed with a metallic click behind him as he stepped into the recovery zone. Temporary stations lined the area, each marked with Guide names. Callum's steps slowed when he spotted the familiar name. His fatigue momentarily forgotten, he quickened his pace toward the designated area.

Pushing through the mesh door separator, he made his way to the back examination room. There. Exactly who he needed to see. But not alone.

Callum froze. The Guide was focused entirely on another Esper, their hands clasped together in what appeared to be an intimate guiding session. A hot surge of irrational anger rushed through him. How dare someone else take his spot? And for what - that guy didn't look injured at all!

"Oi!" he barked, striding forward. The other Esper's head snapped around, eyes widening at Callum's approach. One glance confirmed Callum's assessment - not a scratch worth mentioning. With a glare that made his red eyes appear to smolder, he advanced until the other man flinched back.

"You're done," Callum stated flatly, grabbing the man's shirt and yanking him away from the Guide. He barely registered the protests as he escorted - practically dragged - the interloper to the door and pushed him out into the corridor.

"Tch, didn't have a scratch on him," he muttered, turning back to face the Guide with a scowl that didn't quite mask his hurt feelings. "Y'know there are people in need of actual medical attention." He extended his arm, displaying the raw, scraped elbow he'd earned during the fight.

"And well... a bit of guiding wouldn't be too bad either," he added, the edge leaving his voice as he glanced away, lower lip protruding in an involuntary pout.