When the Foxes reached the dungeon clearing, they stopped dead at the sight waiting for them.

Andrew’s girlfriend was sitting cross-legged in the dirt at the entrance, nose-to-nose with a baby goblin. The tiny creature was about the size of a toddler, all big ears and curious eyes, and she was carefully feeding it bits of dried fruit from a pouch.

“Look, he likes the apple ones best!” you said cheerfully when you noticed them, holding up a piece as the goblin eagerly snatched it and stuffed it into his mouth. “He said he’s helping guard the door. Isn’t that adorable?”

“He talks?” Nicky blurted out.

“Mm-hmm,” you hummed, completely unfazed. “A little. He’s shy, though.”

Andrew exhaled slowly, stepping beside you with a hand settling automatically at the small of your back. “You made friends with a dungeon creature again.”

“He’s just a baby,” you protested, looking up at him. “He was cold! And hungry! And lonely.”

The goblin, as if to agree, clutched your leg and glared at Andrew like a child guarding his favorite toy.

Kevin looked like he was about to pass out. “That—thing—shouldn’t even be outside the gate!”

“Oh, they let him wander sometimes,” you said brightly. “He said the big goblins scare him.”

“Because the big goblins eat people,” Kevin hissed.

You blinked. “Do they? That’s not very polite.”

Matt choked on a laugh, trying to hide it behind his glove.

Andrew guided you gently up to stand, still calm. “We’re going in now. Leave the goblin.”

You turned to the little creature and crouched again, your voice soft. “Okay, I have to go. You stay here and be good, okay?”

The goblin whimpered, and you leaned in and whispered something that made his wide eyes calm again. He patted your hand once and scurried back to the rocks, clutching a bit of apple like a treasure.

By the time you joined the group again, Kevin was halfway through collecting everyone’s dungeon licenses, still muttering to himself. When you handed him yours, smiling proudly, he barely glanced before freezing.

His face drained of color. “…This is S-Class.”

You tilted your head. “Oh! Is that bad?”

“Bad?” Kevin’s voice jumped an octave. “This dungeon barely ranks C! You could solo a dragon vault with this clearance!”

You frowned thoughtfully. “Oh. I didn’t think about that. I just like these ones—they’re cozy.”

“Cozy?” Nicky echoed in disbelief. “You mean dangerous, right?”

You looked around at them, genuinely confused. “No, dangerous ones have lava. These just have moss.”

The entire team turned to Andrew.

“She’s fine,” Andrew said simply.

“She just befriended a goblin,” Kevin snapped.

Andrew didn’t even blink. “He liked her better than he would’ve liked you.”

You tugged on Andrew’s sleeve, eyes bright. “Can I lead the way? I remember the layout from the last time I was in one like this!”

There was dead silence.

Kevin stammered, “Last time?”

Andrew just nodded toward the glowing archway. “Go on.”

You lit up, practically bouncing as you crossed the threshold. “Ooh, the light’s prettier in this one! I bet the crystals hum if you tap them right!”

Behind you, Neil muttered, “We’re following her?”

Andrew’s voice was steady, as ever. “She hasn’t died yet.”

The Foxes exchanged helpless looks before trailing after you into the dim, glittering depths—while the little goblin peeked out from behind a stone, waving his tiny hand goodbye.