Weeks later, Kaiden finally arrived in the capital. They had managed a successful detour, meeting with the army detachment that took custody of the wounded and the dead. After a few days of rest, recovery, and reports, he was back on the road with bolstered numbers to ensure they reached their destination. Now, they had finally arrived, and Kaiden was stunned by what he saw.

Archehaven might as well have been a metropolis compared to the cities he had encountered so far. Towering white-stone walls stretched high into the sky, adorned with intricate carvings. The gates were just as impressive, reinforced with metal and adorned with glowing runes that seemed more functional than decorative. Beyond the gates, wide streets paved with smooth stone stretched in every direction, lined with sturdy, well-crafted buildings that spoke of wealth and careful planning.

The city hummed with life. Markets bustled with vendors calling out their wares, shops lined the streets offering everything from fine fabrics to exotic trinkets, and travelers moved purposefully among the locals. Everywhere Kaiden looked, the scale and energy of Archehaven were on full display. It wasn’t just a city—it was the heart of something much larger, and it left him feeling both small and awestruck.

“Time for sightseeing will come later,” Corporal Jenser said with a grin, noticing Kaiden's expression.

“Right, sorry,” Kaiden replied sheepishly, but inwardly he was glad to see Jenser smile for the first time since their deadly encounter.

“No problem,” Jenser said, his voice lighter than it had been in weeks. “Let’s go, everyone.”

Their escort had already left them at the gates, needing to report in and attend to their own business. Kaiden’s group was now down to just the survivors who could still walk. Some remained under medical care in the garrison when they departed.

Among the group were the two women who had been the original targets of the bandits. Over the course of the journey, Kaiden had gotten to know them a little. One was Tessa Morell, the Bracer, and the other was Lyra Avelle, the Caster. The last one was Rallen Venn, a Striker and the one Kaiden had saved from a bandit's killing blow. Rallen’s hand, which had been badly injured, was now fully healed. Together, they made up the five Dungeoneers, including Jenser, who had survived the attack and were still able to walk.

“There are two dungeons in the city, one on the west side and one on the east,” Jenser explained over his shoulder as everyone followed. “You’ll all be assigned to the east one, though, since that’s the newbie dungeon. It’s got Bronze- and Silver-grade doors, while the west side has Silver, Gold, and Platinum doors.”

This was exciting news to Kaiden. After surviving a Diamond-grade dungeon, he knew he was more than prepared for Bronze-grade and likely even Silver-grades with his increased stats. Gold and Platinum didn’t intimidate him as much as they once would have, but he knew he wasn’t quite ready for those yet. Still, the idea of steadily advancing through the ranks of dungeons in Archehaven thrilled him.

“So that means we’ll still be together then, right?” Rallen asked.

Jenser paused, rubbing his chin before replying, “Hmm. I can’t say. The capital is huge, and there are many units stationed all over the city. We’re heading to the main garrison, and from there, you’ll be sent to your assigned units. Could be together, could not be.”

Tessa chimed in, “There are really that many units?”

“Of course,” Jenser replied with a slight chuckle. “Don’t forget, the army’s here too. It’s not even guaranteed you’ll be with a full Dungeoneer unit.”

“How does that work exactly?” Rallen asked, his brow furrowed.

Jenser sighed, clearly trying to think of a simple explanation and failing. “Ah, it’s all complicated,” he admitted. “Just wait and see, alright?”

“Okay,” Rallen said with a shrug.

Kaiden just nodded along, taking in all the information as they walked through the bustling city streets. He didn’t mind waiting; the prospect of exploring Archehaven’s dungeons and testing himself against the challenges inside was enough to keep his mind preoccupied.

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After about 30 more minutes of walking and light conversation—mostly Jenser pointing out landmarks and notable buildings around the city like an impromptu tour guide—they finally arrived at the headquarters of the army garrison.

The garrison was an imposing structure, standing several stories tall with a commanding view of the surrounding area. Its walls were made of dark gray stone, reinforced with metal bands. The design was practical yet authoritative, with banners bearing the army's crest hanging from the upper balconies. Tall archways served as entrances, guarded by stoic soldiers in polished armor who watched the bustling crowds with hawk-like focus. Above the main archway was a carved inscription in bold letters: "Strength and Order Through Unity." A large courtyard spread out before the building, filled with training grounds, stables, and rows of supply wagons. The clanging of steel and shouted commands echoed through the air, adding to the impression of disciplined efficiency.

Inside, the garrison was just as busy. Soldiers moved with purpose, carrying papers, weapons, or supplies. The sound of boots on stone floors and the low hum of conversation created an atmosphere of organized chaos. Despite the activity, everything seemed to operate with precision, as if each person knew their role perfectly.

Kaiden quickly noticed that while the majority of people here were army personnel clad in standard military dress, there were a few Dungeoneers scattered among the crowd. They were easy to spot. Unlike the army uniforms, their attire consisted mostly of uniform armor sets in dark, muted tones. Each piece seemed practical and battle-worn, lacking the polish of ceremonial gear. The distinguishing feature, however, was the armband each Dungeoneer wore on their left arm. Adorned with the Dungeoneer coat of arms, it featured a circle containing four symbols representing the Art of Four: a shield for the Defender, a sword for the Striker, a fireball for the Caster, and an hourglass symbolizing the Bracer.

“Stick close,” Jenser said, leading them through the bustling interior. “This place can be a maze if you don’t know where you’re going.”

Kaiden followed quietly, his eyes scanning the activity around him. The sight of the Dungeoneer insignia sent a flicker of excitement through him.

They reached a desk where another corporal sat, a man who looked busy but accustomed to the chaos around him. He had a short beard and brown hair, his uniform neat but showing signs of wear from long hours. Jenser approached confidently, handing the man a stack of papers.

“Dropping off new Dungeoneers,” Jenser said.

The corporal behind the desk grabbed the papers without looking up at first, scanning them quickly before glancing at Kaiden’s group. His eyebrows raised slightly as he took everyone in, clearly noting their small numbers. “Welcome to the capital. Give me a moment, and I’ll hand out your new orders.”

“Great,” Jenser replied. “I can lead them to their units.”

The corporal shook his head. “Not necessary. Their units already have representatives on the way to collect them. I just need to notify them of the arrivals.”

Jenser hesitated for a moment, the realization that his time with the group was ending now caught him off guard. “Ah, okay,” he said, nodding slowly. “In that case, I’ll return to my unit.” His tone was awkward, but he quickly recovered, offering the group a genuine smile. “It’s been a pleasure traveling with all of you. We’ll run into each other again, I’m sure.”

“Thanks for everything, Corporal,” Rallen said, his voice sincere. Tessa and Lyra echoed his gratitude, their tones warm despite the formal words.

Kaiden stepped forward, offering Jenser his hand. “Next time, we fight side by side in a dungeon.”

Jenser grasped his hand firmly, smiling. “To boss and back,” he said.

“To boss and back,” everyone repeated, their voices carrying a mix of camaraderie and respect.

With that, Jenser turned and walked away, his hand lifting in a final wave before he disappeared into the crowd.

The corporal behind the desk cleared his throat, drawing their attention back. “I’ve got your orders right here,” he said, holding up a small stack of papers. “Your escorts should be here any second now as I hand these out.”

Kaiden gulped. This was the moment he had been waiting for. His new unit could potentially be his home for the next few years—maybe even for the rest of his military career. The weight of it pressed down on him as he stood there, waiting for his name to be called.

The corporal glanced at the papers and called out, “Tessa Morell and Rallen Venn.”

Both stepped forward, raising their hands slightly to signal themselves. The corporal handed each of them a paper. “DCG 2-17,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

Kaiden watched as they glanced at each other briefly before stepping back to their spots. The corporal called again, “Lyra Avelle,” and handed her a paper. “DCG 2-23.”

Lyra took the paper, nodding in acknowledgment, then stepped aside.

Finally, the corporal looked at the last paper in his hand and said, “Kaiden Hayward, DCG 3-12.” He handed it over without pause, not needing to check who was left. Kaiden took the paper, his fingers brushing the edge nervously as he stared down at it.

He couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “Corporal,” he asked, “what do the unit names mean exactly?”

The corporal raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the question. “Doesn’t everyone know? DCG stands for Dungeoneer Command Group, and 3-12 means 3rd Battalion, 12th Company.”

Before Kaiden could respond, a voice interrupted, catching everyone off guard.

“Don’t mind him, Corporal. He’s from Chicago.”