Enter together

As Jasmine looked at Gary walking towards her, Ray could see the fear reflected in her eyes. Her hands trembled slightly at her sides, her breathing uneven.

Jasmine nervously smiled, trying to defuse the tension. "How about we just forget about everything that happened? You can pretend I was never here. No harm done, right?"

Monk sighed with relief, but Gary wasn't finished. He continued walking toward her, his expression unwavering, his steps slow and deliberate.

"Do you really think it's going to be that easy? All we did was talk about breaking the rules. We didn't actually do anything yet. I hardly think we'd be punished for this, but you? You tried to threaten us."

Jasmine's gaze darted toward the door, searching for an escape route. Monk and Ray had already anticipated this and stood firmly in place, blocking her path. Her eyes darted around the dimly lit room, searching for any advantage, any way out.

"Wait, look, I'm sorry. I promise I won't tell anyone," she pleaded, taking a cautious step back.

The fact that she hadn't attempted to run meant she knew she was outmatched. Ray discreetly used his Dragon Eyes to check her aura—it wasn't particularly strong. However, she was exceptionally skilled in Black Sash techniques, enough to evade his detection earlier, which in itself was impressive.

Gary's lips curled into a sly smile. "Why don't you come with us?"

Jasmine frowned, her expression a mix of skepticism and apprehension. "And break school rules? Aren't there criminals down there?"

"That's what they say," Gary replied. "But who knows what's actually down there? Maybe that's just a cover for something else. If we see any trouble, we turn back. Simple."

Ray doubted she would accept. Even under pressure, she probably didn't believe they'd actually harm her.

"When should we go?" she asked, stepping forward and examining the plan sketched on the floor, her voice steady now.

Ray's brow furrowed. That was too easy.

"Honestly, ever since I came to this academy, I've been curious about the red door," Jasmine admitted. "But we can't tell anyone about this, agreed?"

They all nodded in silent agreement.

"Okay. The plan starts tomorrow. We all have the day off because of the meeting, so it's perfect timing," Gary said, his excitement evident.

"Actually, I don't have tomorrow off. I have to be..." Jasmine hesitated mid-sentence before continuing. "Never mind. Don't worry, I'll make it. I've been training to blend with shadows, and I'm pretty good at it now. This is the perfect opportunity to test my skills."

Gary extended his hand, palm facing downward. "Come on, let's all agree to do this together."

The rest of them placed their hands on top of his, and on the count of three, they lifted them with a quiet cheer.

As they parted ways, Ray couldn't shake the feeling that Jasmine had agreed too easily. Was she working for Sir K? Or perhaps another Master Knight? Maybe she would betray them when they reached the red door.

Gary wasn't stupid. He had to be thinking the same thing. But when Ray glanced at him, he noticed that Gary was staring at Jasmine as she walked away, almost dazed.

"I don't trust her. Maybe it should just be us three," Ray muttered.

"Don't worry. Trust me, Jasmine is good... really good," Gary replied with a confident smile.

"I don't trust her at all!" Monk snapped. "You're clearly thinking with the wrong part of your body, Gary."

Gary's face flushed red, and he went to kick Monk, but Monk dodged effortlessly, laughing as he did so.

The next day, after training had ended, the four of them met outside the academy. A full moon hung in the sky, casting an eerie glow over them. The streets were quiet, the academy grounds empty apart from a few guards patrolling in the distance.

They all wore their Black Sash gear—light armor for mobility, black hooded cloaks to conceal their identities, and soft leather boots to silence their steps. Each of them carried a concealed weapon in case things went wrong.

Gary took the lead as they approached the area where the red door lay. He peered around the corner of the hall, then gestured for the others to follow. They moved quickly but cautiously, every movement calculated to remain unseen.

They stuck to the shadows as much as possible, their shadow skills cloaking them in darkness. Jasmine was the most adept—her movements were practically imperceptible. Every time she activated her skill, it was as if she had vanished completely.

Ray kept a watchful eye on her. If she was a spy, this would be the perfect opportunity for her to alert someone. But she seemed just as focused and nervous as the rest of them.

When they finally reached the red door, they all stopped in surprise.

There was no one guarding it.

The door was located beneath the academy, leading even deeper underground—a place meant to hold the most dangerous criminals, always under heavy guard. Yet now, it stood unguarded, its presence looming like a silent warning.

Alarm bells rang in Ray's head. This had to be a trap. But even with his Dragon Eyes, he detected no one lurking nearby. The hallway was eerily still.

"It's time for you to do your thing, Monk," Gary said.

Monk moved to the lock and pulled out a keychain of small tools, beginning his work with nimble fingers. His hands were steady, his focus absolute.

"You two watch the staircase in case anyone comes," Gary ordered, motioning to Jasmine and Ray.

Ray was fine with this—it allowed him to keep Jasmine within sight. As he watched her, he noticed nothing unusual. She seemed just as nervous as the rest of them, her body tense as she listened for any sounds from above.

After a minute or two, Monk succeeded. The lock clicked open, the sound far too loud in the silence.

Gary wasted no time, pushing the door open and signaling for them to enter.

One by one, they stepped through the doorway. Gary shut the door behind them, sealing them in.

Darkness swallowed them whole. A damp, musty smell filled the air, thick and suffocating.

Gary pulled out a circular object with a crystal embedded in its center. He tapped it, and an orange glow surrounded them, casting dim light just a few meters ahead. Shadows danced along the walls, making the underground space feel even more ominous.

They turned their gazes forward. A stone stairway stretched downward into the abyss, disappearing into the unknown.