Solo in Dungeon

Chapter 2 - The Red Dungeon

After the intense ordeal of reviving someone, Jarred needed a long rest. He slept for nearly 24 hours, his body drained from the monumental effort of bringing someone back from the brink of death.

The morning light filtered through the blinds, and the jarring sound of his alarm jolted him awake.

**Beep, beep, beep, beep**

With a groan, he fumbled for the alarm clock and turned it off. It was another ordinary day, or so he hoped. Jarred dragged himself out of bed and proceeded through his morning routine: splashing water on his face, brushing his teeth, grabbing a quick breakfast, and finally taking a bath.

As he was about to finish his bath, his phone chimed with a notification.

**TING!**

It was a message from the Hunters' Association. The association, a government-funded body that oversees and regulates hunters, was summoning him for a raid. It was a D-rank dungeon this time.

"Yeah, yeah," Jarred muttered, barely containing his irritation at the interruption.

He was almost done getting ready when his sister arrived, looking concerned.

"Brother, are you okay?" she asked, her brow furrowed with worry. She had come home to find him sleeping soundly and noticed he hadn't touched the meal she had prepared.

"I'm fine. Just needed the rest. I'm all charged up now, thanks to that full day's sleep," he said with a light-hearted grin.

She still seemed unsure. "You don't have to go today; you can rest if you need to."

Jarred patted her gently on the head. "I'm good. Don't worry. You trust me, right?"

She nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, without a doubt."

"Oh no! I'm going to be late for school," she exclaimed, glancing at the clock. "See you later, brother!"

With that, she hurried out the door, leaving Jarred to finalize his preparations. He locked up and headed out.

The dungeon was just a ten-minute walk from his apartment. As he approached, he spotted a familiar face. Shaine Duran, a petite girl with black hair and warm brown eyes, was making her way toward him. She was a C-rank healer known for her skill and, more importantly, Jarred's childhood friend.

"Good morning, Jarred!" she called cheerfully.

"Morning, Shaine," he replied.

"Are you heading to the raid today too?" she asked.

"Yeah, the association summoned me," he answered.