"Did we… succeed?"
Ryuu, Daphne, and Cassandra stared in disbelief.
With only four people, they had defeated the floor boss of the Water Capital.
And without question, Roy had contributed the most.
With the Development Ability Adventure, the Oni King Armor, and the Spirit Holy Sword fused with Giant Slayer, his firepower had reached the level of a Lv. 5's long-chant magic.
And in one decisive strike—
He had slain Amphisbaina.
The four of them looked at one another inside the cavern and couldn't help but laugh.
It had been utter madness.
Roy collected the massive magic stone Amphisbaina had dropped. Forcing a smile despite his overwhelming exhaustion, he said:
"Let's go back."
The three girls nodded heavily.
Only by returning to the surface would this expedition truly be complete.
The azure flames of Amphisbaina and Roy's final Burn the Heavens had already cleared most nearby monsters. Supporting one another, they walked out of the cavern.
Roy's injuries were the worst.
His body was covered in severe burns. After being smashed away by Amphisbaina's head, he had no idea how many bones were broken.
This was the most serious injury he had ever suffered. No contest.
Next were Daphne and Ryuu, who had risked their lives to buy him time.
Protected by the Goliath cloak, Cassandra had avoided serious physical harm. But after casting more than a dozen healing spells, her mind was completely drained.
Before losing consciousness, she saw the crimson flames of the Spirit Holy Sword.
Her prophetic dream had come true.
A faint smile rested on her lips.
"—Noah Heal!"
Ryuu chanted hoarsely, her small face pale with fatigue, casting healing magic on Roy.
Roy took out the last two mind potions. He tossed one to Ryuu and drank the other himself. Otherwise, he too would have collapsed from mental exhaustion.
Even so, the fatigue was overwhelming.
Potions were still just potions—not miracles.
Once injuries and mind depletion reached a certain threshold, their effects diminished sharply.
Especially for someone half a step from death.
The same applied to healing magic.
Daphne carried the unconscious Cassandra on her back.
Ryuu and Roy took point and rear guard as they made their way toward the upper passage, slaying monsters that emerged along the path.
As they approached the 24th Floor, Roy caught sight of something in the rushing depths of a nearby river.
On a reef stood a beautiful mermaid girl, watching him like a statue awaiting her beloved's return.
Taking advantage of a moment when Ryuu and the others weren't looking, Roy offered her a small, grateful smile.
On the way back, he had learned how Ryuu had found him.
Mari had seen them wandering frantically on the 25th Floor, calling Roy's name.
She had secretly left shells behind to guide them along the correct path.
Seeing Roy's response, Mari's innocent face lit up with joy. She leapt into the water and swam freely, happily.
Roy and the others continued their journey home.
The Dungeon was almost sentient.
As if it possessed intelligence, it delighted in baring its fangs at weary, weakened adventurers at critical moments.
Walls shattered.
Monsters spawned endlessly, as though determined to keep them buried forever.
Roy didn't know how many monsters he had killed.
His face had grown numb. He swung his sword purely on instinct.
They were far too exhausted to even collect magic stones.
Led by Ryuu, they passed through six floors and finally climbed out through the Great Tree passage of the 18th Floor.
When they saw the crystal ceiling of the 18th Floor—
The tension snapped.
Roy, Daphne, and Cassandra lost consciousness.
Rivira Town – Inn
When Roy opened his eyes again, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
His consciousness quickly sharpened.
"If you've rested enough, get the hell up. Don't get in the way of my business."
A middle-aged adventurer with an eyepatch and a burly face—Bors—spoke coldly.
Roy glanced at him and calmly gathered information.
"How long was I out?"
A hint of admiration flickered in Bors' eye.
As expected of someone crazy enough to challenge Amphisbaina with only four people.
"Three days."
Within moments, Roy pieced everything together.
They were at an inn in Rivira Town.
Daphne and Cassandra had already awakened.
He had been unconscious the longest—three days and three nights.
And understandably so.
He had been gravely injured.
Even moving slightly made his entire body feel as though it were falling apart.
He heard that during those three days, Ryuu and Cassandra had continuously cast healing magic on him.
"What about the lodging fees?" Roy asked.
Bors snorted.
"Consider it my treat. Next time you come, I'll bleed you dry."
Roy had killed the enhanced mermaid and saved the entire subjugation party.
Bors still had some pride.
If he dared overcharge them now, the others would not let it slide.
As for the adventurers Roy had killed in the cavern—
By the time Ryuu and the others arrived, Amphisbaina's azure flames had already burned the bodies to ashes.
It spared Roy the trouble of explaining anything.
"Kid. You did good."
Bors snorted and left the room.
Now alone, Roy took the opportunity to check his status.
After selecting Update, the results were as expected.
Defeating Amphisbaina had caused his abilities to soar.
Several of his stats now surpassed veteran Lv. 3 adventurers who had been stuck at that level for years.
And there were the 1500 free attribute points granted by the system.
Name: Roy
Level: 3
Strength: 611 (C)
Endurance: 685 (C)
Dexterity: 455 (E)
Agility: 631 (C)
Magic: 768 (B)
Development Abilities:
Adventure (H)
Abnormal Resistance (I)
Roy distributed the free attribute points, mainly increasing the other four stats.
After his magical aptitude had been enhanced by the Spirit King's Blood, he hardly needed to worry about Magic.
Defeating Amphisbaina had increased his total stats by 1650 points.
Combined with the system's 1500 free points—
That was a total gain of 3150 points.
A knock sounded.
Apparently, Bors had informed her that Roy had awakened.
The golden-haired elf girl entered the room.
Roy opened his eyes and met her sky-blue, gem-like gaze.
Under the dim glow of the magic-stone lamp, they stared at one another for a long moment.
Ryuu spoke first.
"…I'm sorry. Back then, I panicked…"
"It's enough that we survived."
Roy shook his head.
It hadn't been panic.
She had intended to sacrifice herself.
He loved adventure—but that didn't mean he didn't value his life.
Her attempt to give up fighting had angered him deeply.
The image of the boy charging forward against an enemy deemed impossible—like a hero—was etched firmly into her heart.
Ryuu pressed her lips together. Her voice trembled.
"…Someday… will you save me?"
In Roy's eyes, she was no longer the Lv. 4 adventurer known as Gale Wind.
She was simply a wounded girl, covered in scars.
"That day won't be far."
Roy's tone was firm.
He knew what she meant.
The most terrifying nightmare lingering in her heart—
The calamity of the Dungeon, the Juggernaut.
One day—
They would defeat it.
"…Thank you."
A shimmer of tears glistened in Ryuu's sky-blue eyes.
She extended her small hand toward him.
Roy froze for a moment.
Unlike the time she taught him magic—
This time, she had taken the initiative.
A pure elf only allowed physical contact with someone she truly acknowledged.
Her cheeks were flushed red like apples.
Without a trace of impure thought, Roy took the hand she had offered in recognition.