MMORPG: REBORN MARK ADVENTURE IN ONLINE GAME

Raven moved cautiously, his dagger still gripped tightly in his hand. The newly revealed passage was narrow but stable, its walls strangely smooth in some areas, as if intentionally carved rather than naturally formed. The flickering light from their torches cast long, shifting shadows, but unlike before, there was no oppressive presence in the air—no lingering poison mist, no aura of lurking danger.

The silence was unnerving in its own way.

Behind him, the others followed. Mist Low led with an eager stride, practically humming in amusement, while Daniel and Liz kept a wary eye on their surroundings. Ana, still recovering from the battle, leaned slightly on Liz for support, her breathing steady but her mana still drained.

Raven's instincts remained sharp, scanning every nook and cranny of the dimly lit chamber as they entered its wider expanse. He had expected traps, another guardian, something—but instead…

His steps halted.

There, in the center of the chamber, resting atop a slightly elevated stone platform, sat an ornate treasure chest.

It was massive, its gleaming gold surface adorned with intricate patterns and symbols, the kind found only on ancient relics or royal treasures. The chest looked untouched by time, its metal fittings free of rust, its golden sheen untarnished by dust.

Mist Low let out a low whistle. "Now, that is a thing of beauty."

Daniel folded his arms, a smirk playing at his lips. "After all that hell, something finally goes our way."

Liz, ever cautious, narrowed her eyes. "No signs of traps?" She picked up a small rock from the ground and flicked it toward the chest.

Clink.

The rock bounced off harmlessly. No sudden bursts of magic, no hidden spikes, no shifting walls. Nothing.

Mist Low chuckled. "For once, the universe decides to hand us a gift instead of a curse."

Ana, still catching her breath, spoke softly, her voice laced with disbelief. "Are we… sure this isn't some elaborate trick?"

Liz shot Mist Low a look. "You're the Trickster. Any thoughts?"

Mist Low grinned, tilting his head as he observed the chest with playful curiosity. "Oh, I'd love to say this is some grand illusion meant to lure us in—but," he made a dramatic sweep of his arms, "even my senses aren't picking up anything suspicious. Just good old-fashioned gold, ripe for the taking."

Daniel rolled his shoulders, relaxing slightly. "I don't know about you guys, but I say we take the win."

Raven, however, remained silent, his gaze lingering on the chest. His instincts weren't screaming at him to stop, and yet… something about this felt too perfect.

Still, after everything they had fought through, did they really deserve to second-guess their first true stroke of luck?

For now, he chose not to voice his doubts.

Instead, he stepped forward. His fingers brushed against the smooth, cool surface of the chest, feeling the faint ridges of its golden engravings.

Liz exhaled, placing a hand on her hip. "Well? What are we waiting for?"

Mist Low flashed his signature roguish grin. "The moment of truth?"

Raven's fingers found the latch.

Raven's fingers hovered over the latch, but before he could lift the lid—

Click.

A light, deliberate sound, followed by a grinning Mist Low twirling a small golden key between his fingers.

"Now, now," Mist Low chuckled, his usual smugness turning downright insufferable. "No need for all that effort, Raven. The lock's already taken care of."

Raven narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Liz crossed her arms. "Excuse me?"

Ana, still leaning against the stone wall for support, blinked at Mist Low. "Wait… You had the key this whole time?"

Mist Low gave an exaggerated shrug. "What can I say? Special class quest reward. Turns out, only I can open this baby." He tapped the golden key against the side of the chest for emphasis. "Fate, luck, or just my devilish charm—it all led to this moment."

A tense silence followed.

Then—

"I'm going to kill him."

Daniel lunged, pure murder in his eyes.

Raven reacted instantly, grabbing Daniel around the waist before he could get his hands on Mist Low.

"You conniving, arrogant—!" Daniel struggled violently, his fists clenched, his bow forgotten as he tried to wring Mist Low's neck. "You let us go through that whole fight when you had the damn key?!"

Mist Low laughed, taking a graceful step back. "Now, now, no need for violence. I wanted to see if you guys were strong enough to handle it! Consider it... an evaluation."

Liz groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mist, you absolute bastard."

Ana, watching the chaos unfold, suddenly smirked. "I have an idea."

Everyone turned to her.

Ana straightened up, dusting off her robes, then pointed at Mist Low and Liz. "Kiss."

The cavern fell dead silent.

Mist Low, caught mid-smirk, froze. "I'm sorry—what?"

Liz looked like she had just been slapped. "Excuse me?"

Ana folded her arms. "You heard me. Mist Low clearly wants to be dramatic, so let's give him a reason to really make this a moment to remember." Her smirk widened. "He doesn't open the chest until he and Liz kiss."

Mist Low's expression **shifted rapidly—**amusement, then shock, then something unreadable.

Daniel stopped struggling. "...I approve of this punishment."

Liz, however, looked ready to kill Ana instead. "You're insane."

Ana only shrugged. "Mist Low loves being the center of attention. I'm just playing along."

Mist Low opened his mouth—to **protest, deflect, something—**but then…

He grinned.

A slow, wicked smirk that sent a bad feeling crawling up Raven's spine.

"Well," Mist Low purred, stepping toward Liz, "if that's the price of unlocking treasure, who am I to deny fate?"

Liz grabbed her dagger. "Try it, and I swear—"

"Alright, alright!" Raven cut in, shoving Daniel further away before he restarted his murder attempt. "Enough. Mist, just open the damn chest before Daniel actually kills you."

Mist Low laughed, clearly enjoying every second of this.

But, with a dramatic flourish, he slipped the key into the lock—

Click.

The chest was ready to open.