The moment Ethan and Reyna stepped out of the boss room, the stone beneath their feet started to shake. Just as they were about to leave, the dungeon exit sealed shut with a heavy slam.
"What the hell?" Reyna placed her hand on her greatsword as quick as lightning, eyes narrowing. "This wasn't part o' the plan. Ya know somethin' about this, Ethan?"
Ethan's system interface materialized in front of him, golden letters flashing across his vision.
[Sudden Quest Activated]
["Unlock the Heart."]
[Objective: Kiss Reyna.]
[Reward: Dungeon Exit Unlocked.]
[Failure: Permanent entrapment.]
Ethan sighed. "No fucking way."
He turned to Reyna, who was already staring at the sealed exit.
"Somethin's off," she muttered. "I've cleared plenty o' dungeons before, but nothin' like this's ever happened."
Then she glanced at him, squinting suspiciously. "Ya seem unusually calm for a newbie who's 'bout to be trapped in here forever."
"I'm just good at hiding my emotions, that's all," he replied, stepping a little closer to her.
[Charm: passive aura activate.]
Reyna blinked, her expression softening just a touch. She looked at his face.
"What… are ya doin', Ethan?"
Ethan gently placed a hand on her shoulder, locking eyes with her.
"Look. We don't know how long we'll be stuck here. But maybe... we don't have to panic."
The tension thickened in the chamber. His voice was calm, smooth, and sincere.
"I think there's something about you, Reyna. You fight like you've been alone a long time... but you don't have to be."
She stared at him, brow furrowing. "Where's this comin' from now?"
"Call it a gut feeling," Ethan said softly. "Or maybe it's just something I realized watching you take down that boss. You're strong. Beautiful. Fierce."
He gently brushed a loose strand of her hair aside.
"I'm drawn to you, Reyna."
The silence between them seemed to stretch forever. Reyna's eyes widened at his words. She looked away — not angry, just unsure.
Ethan leaned forward slowly, giving her every opportunity to push him away.
But she didn't.
Their lips met. Gently at first — a soft, uncertain contact. Then it grew deeper, more passionate. The air around them seemed to still, as if the dungeon itself paused to watch.
When they pulled apart, Reyna gasped for breath, face flushed.
"Ya... idiot," she muttered, blushing so hard it reached her ears.
Before either could say more, golden light wrapped around Ethan. He felt the now-familiar pull of teleportation, his body dissolving into light.
When he reappeared, he was standing in front of the Adventurer's Guild gate — alone.
He touched his lips and smirked.
"Well. At least I cleared a quest."
Reyna's POV
She stumbled out of the dungeon — but not to the same place. She looked up, heart pounding in her chest.
It was the capital city of the Empire.
"That idiot..." she muttered, pressing a hand to her chest.
Still, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"I'll find him again. I sure will," she murmured. "Ethan Graves… ya better wait for me."
She turned to face the gates of the capital, still burning with a blush.
"Next time… I'll be the one who surprises ya, Ethan."