This time, when Miles checked his inventory, the rewards were there: gold, materials, and a rare item called “Essence of Shadows.”

The party gathered together, battered but victorious. Lancy looked at Miles with a mixture of awe and gratitude.

“You saved us back there,” she said.

Miles shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Just lucky, I guess.”

But as the party made their way out of the dungeon, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging—a feeling that, for the first time, he wasn’t just lucky. He was part of something greater.

The walk back from the dungeon was filled with muted celebration. Nancy and John exchanged lighthearted banter, their spirits lifted by the victory, while Lancy remained unusually quiet. Miles, drunk on the adrenaline of the battle and their success, felt emboldened.

“See? I told you,” he said, grinning at the group. “I’m more than just luck. Admit it—you’d be lost without me!”

Nancy chuckled and gave him a playful nudge. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that.”

John smirked but remained quiet, clearly still processing everything.

Lancy, however, didn’t respond the way he expected. Her expression was tight, her lips pressed into a thin line as she avoided his gaze. Finally, she stopped walking and turned to face him.

“Miles,” she said, her tone unusually firm, “you’ve been incredibly helpful, but don’t let this victory get to your head. You’re valuable to the party, but you shouldn’t put yourself in danger. Next time, let me protect you.”

Her words, though intended to sound protective, struck a chord of unease in Miles. There was something in her tone—a sense of control, perhaps possessiveness—that made him uncomfortable.

“Lancy, I appreciate it,” he said cautiously, “but I’m not a damsel in distress. I’ve got my own skills.”

Lancy’s gaze hardened for a moment before she softened. “I know. But you’ll need someone like me if you want to survive here.”

Her words lingered in Miles’ mind as the group continued walking. He recalled his agreement with Lancy—it was supposed to be temporary, just long enough to help him clear the dungeon near the Village of Faelwen. But something about her tone felt...final, as if she had no intention of letting him go after their task was completed.

The unease gnawed at him. Trust had been the cornerstone of their party dynamic, but now, doubt crept in.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Deciding he couldn’t shake the feeling, Miles quietly rolled to assess Lancy’s trustworthiness.

Roll Result: Critical Failure.

The system’s response appeared in his mind, cold and direct:

Warning: You cannot trust Lancy anymore.

Miles’ heart sank.

“What do you mean?” he asked the system internally. “How can something like this change so suddenly?”

The system’s response was disconcertingly neutral:

Human nature is fluid. Intentions can shift with circumstances. Your current assessment reflects a significant change in her thoughts or goals. Proceed with caution.

The realization hit Miles like a brick. Trust wasn’t something static; it could waver and break at any moment. He had relied on his luck and the system’s guidance, but now he felt exposed, vulnerable to the whims of the people around him.

As they neared their campsite, Miles replayed the system’s words in his head. His mind raced with questions: Had Lancy always been this way, or had something about his performance in the dungeon shifted her perspective? Could it be his luck?

He had seen the awe in her eyes after his abilities had come to light. Maybe she saw him as a resource, a tool to achieve her goals.

But what were her goals?

Miles’ eyes darted to Lancy, who was ahead of the group, scanning the surroundings with practiced vigilance. She seemed the same as always—calm, composed, and confident. Yet, the warning loomed over his thoughts, making him second-guess every glance and word.

Miles knew he couldn’t leave the party just yet. The dungeon in Faelwen was still unresolved, and the villagers were counting on him. He needed Lancy’s strength, especially now that her true level had been revealed. But staying meant walking a tightrope of trust, knowing the person leading the party might have ulterior motives.

He clenched his fists.

I’ll play along for now, he thought. But I need to figure out what she’s hiding and make my move before it’s too late.

For the first time, Miles felt a pang of regret about his incredible luck. It had brought him here, but maybe it was the very thing that was now turning the people around him into strangers.

The party trudged back into town, exhaustion etched on their faces. Nancy stretched her arms with a groan, muttering something about collapsing onto the first soft surface she could find. John followed suit, his steps heavy but his expression lighter after their hard-won victory.

“Well, I think we’ve all earned a good night’s rest,” Nancy said, glancing at the group. “See you all tomorrow morning.”

“Same here,” John added with a weary smile before the two of them split off toward their respective lodgings.

Miles watched them go, relief flooding him at the thought of some time to himself. He turned toward the inn district, eager to find a quiet place to unwind.

“I’ll walk with you,” Lancy said, falling into step beside him.

Miles felt a prickle of unease. “Uh, you don’t have to,” he said quickly. “I’m fine on my own.”

She gave him a calm, unreadable look. “I know. But I wanted to talk.”

The words made his chest tighten. Every step they took together felt heavier. What does she want now?

Lancy’s presence wasn’t menacing, but it was suffocating in a way he couldn’t quite place. Her earlier tone and the system’s warning lingered in his mind, making every word she spoke feel like it carried hidden weight.

“So,” she said casually, her gaze fixed ahead, “what’s your plan after Faelwen?”

Miles hesitated, his mind racing for a safe answer. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet,” he replied, keeping his tone light.

Lancy didn’t respond immediately. When she finally did, her voice was soft but firm. “Wherever you’re going, I hope you’ll think about sticking with us. We make a good team.”

Miles forced a smile, his unease deepening. Do we? he thought.