The moment the teleportation light disappeared, Memory's legs finally gave out.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Her scream echoed through Crowned Era's headquarters as she stumbled forward, crossed the common room in three unsteady steps, and threw herself face-first onto the enormous sofa near the center of the room. The cushions swallowed most of her body with a satisfying flump, leaving only her legs hanging over the edge and a few strands of disheveled pink hair visible above the backrest.
For several seconds, she remained completely motionless.
Then, very slowly, one trembling hand emerged from beneath a cushion.
"...I'm alive."
Akari, who had barely regained her balance after the teleportation, stared at her best friend with a mixture of concern and amusement.
"Memory?"
"I'm alive..."
Memory's voice came muffled from somewhere inside the sofa. She slowly lifted her head, revealing a face that looked as though she had just returned from the depths of hell rather than a routine expedition into a dangerous area of Floor Three. Her pink hair was a complete mess, her cheeks were pale, and her eyes carried the hollow exhaustion of someone who had reached the absolute limit of what a beginner adventurer should reasonably be expected to endure.
"I survived the Ganzame. I survived the dungeon. I survived the Terracotta Warden. I survived the Frostbite Leonas. I survived getting nearly flattened by two giant sand sharks..."
She paused, her expression growing increasingly desperate as she recalled each terrifying experience.
"...I'M DONE!"
Having made this solemn declaration, Memory dropped her head back onto the cushions and disappeared beneath them once more.
Akari finally burst out laughing.
"You were the one who wanted to explore Dragon's Peak in the first place!"
"THAT WAS BEFORE I KNEW ADVENTURING MEANT ALMOST DYING EVERY FIVE MINUTES!"
"You survived."
"BARELY!"
Memory rolled onto her back and stared blankly at the ceiling. Her arms spread across the sofa as though she were trying to claim every available inch of its surface. After everything she had endured, even the thought of standing up again seemed like an unreasonable demand.
"I've had enough close calls for one day. No more dungeons. No more mountains. No more giant monsters. No more terrifying legendary summons. No more sand sharks."
She paused, then slowly raised one finger to emphasize the final point.
"And absolutely, positively, under no circumstances, am I ever going near another Ouzame."
A cheerful little bounce came from beside her.
"Pyu!"
Bubbles had somehow managed to climb onto the sofa without attracting much attention. The little blue slime landed directly on Memory's stomach, wobbling happily from the impact.
Memory immediately wrapped both arms around her companion and pulled it against her chest.
"You're the only one who understands me, Bubbles."
"Pyu!"
Bubbles wobbled in agreement, apparently unaware that its owner had nearly squeezed the life out of it during their recent adventures. Memory buried her face against the slime, finding what little comfort she could in its familiar softness.
Akari shook her head with a smile and sat down beside them. She was exhausted too. Her arms still felt heavy after the fighting, and her body had not entirely recovered from the strain of the expedition. Nevertheless, watching Memory finally relax made the tension in her shoulders begin to ease.
They were safe.
For now, that was enough.
Across the room, Rio placed the remaining fragments of the Emergency Guild Teleport Crystal on a nearby table before opening her inventory to check her equipment. She methodically reviewed the items she had brought back, ensuring that nothing else had been lost during their desperate escape. Beside her, Ryota stood with his hands on his hips, looking between the exhausted girls and the ceiling as though he still couldn't quite believe they had survived the expedition.
"...So," he began cautiously, "does this count as a successful trip?"
Rio slowly turned toward him.
Ryota immediately reconsidered his question.
"...I'll take that as a no."
"We lost the sand cruiser, used an emergency teleportation crystal, and nearly became the filling in an Ouzame sandwich."
Rio closed her inventory and gave him a level look.
"What do you think?"
Ryota rubbed the back of his head, searching for a response that would not make the situation worse.
"Well, when you put it like that..."
"How else would I put it?"
"Fair enough."
Despite her dry response, Rio couldn't completely suppress a faint smile. The expedition had gone badly, and the loss of the cruiser was an inconvenience she would have to address later. They had also failed to obtain the rare ore they had originally gone to collect. Nevertheless, everyone had returned alive, and that was the one result she could not afford to dismiss.
The Ouzame could wait.
She would return to the danger zone after gathering more information, preparing a better strategy, and finding a way to escape that didn't involve sacrificing an entire sand cruiser. There was no reason to repeat the same mistake simply because she disliked leaving a task unfinished.
Before Rio could continue considering their next move, a gentle voice came from the kitchen entrance.
"Um, everyone? Would anyone like something to eat?"
Silla appeared carrying a small serving tray. Her purple hair was neatly arranged, and she looked considerably calmer than the last time Rio had seen her. Unlike the four adventurers who had just returned from the desert, Silla appeared to have spent the evening enjoying a relatively peaceful time at the headquarters.
She paused when she noticed the condition of the girls sprawled across the sofa.
"Is everyone all right?"
Memory's head snapped upward.
The transformation was astonishing.
Only moments earlier, she had looked like someone who intended to retire from adventuring forever. Her limbs had been spread across the sofa, her eyes had been lifeless, and she had declared that she would never approach another dangerous monster again. Yet the moment she heard the words something to eat, her eyes brightened as though someone had activated a hidden skill.
"FOOD?!"
Silla blinked.
"...Yes?"
Memory sat upright so quickly that Bubbles nearly bounced off her stomach.
"I'D LIKE FRENCH FRIES!"
The sudden enthusiasm caught everyone off guard. Akari stared at her best friend, while Ryota slowly turned his head toward the sofa with the expression of someone witnessing a miraculous recovery.
"...You were just saying you never wanted to move again," Akari pointed out.
"That was before food entered the conversation."
Memory clasped her hands together and looked at Silla with an expression of absolute sincerity.
"Please! French fries! Lots of them! Crispy ones, preferably!"
She then looked down at Bubbles, who was bouncing excitedly beside her.
"And Bubbles would like a hamburger!"
"Pyu!"
The little slime bounced twice in agreement.
Silla smiled at the enthusiastic pair. "French fries and a hamburger. Understood."
She glanced at Bubbles, considering the practical problem of feeding a small slime that apparently wanted to share a meal with its owner.
"Would you like the hamburger cut into smaller pieces?"
"Pyu! Pyu!"
Memory nodded enthusiastically.
"That's a yes!"
Silla giggled at the response. "All right. I'll prepare everything."
With that, she turned toward the kitchen, carrying the tray with her.
Memory watched her leave with an expression of profound gratitude. For a few seconds, she remained perfectly still, as though the offer of food had restored her faith in the world.
"...I love this guild."
Akari slowly turned toward her.
"You've been here for less than a day."
"And?"
Memory folded her arms, looking entirely unashamed of her declaration.
"A guild that provides emergency teleportation, comfortable sofas, and food deserves my loyalty."
Ryota nodded thoughtfully.
"That's actually a pretty solid recruitment strategy."
Rio gave him a flat look.
"Don't encourage her."
"I'm just saying. We could advertise free meals to attract new members."
"Ryota."
"Right. I'll stop."
He immediately stepped away from her, deciding that the conversation had reached a point where further contributions might endanger his continued comfort.
Memory, meanwhile, had returned to hugging Bubbles. The little slime bounced happily on her lap while she waited for Silla to return, apparently satisfied that her immediate needs had been addressed. The threat of the Ouzame had not vanished from her memory, but the prospect of hot french fries and a hamburger had given her something else to concentrate on.
For the first time since entering the Endless Sand Valley, the atmosphere inside Crowned Era's headquarters began to feel normal again.
Unfortunately, that peace lasted only a few minutes.
The door leading to the workshop opened, and Cynthia emerged with several NPC guards following behind her. The blonde craftswoman's clothes were slightly disheveled, and she looked as though she had spent the last hour dealing with a particularly unpleasant problem. One of the guards carried a damaged sword, while another had a bandage wrapped around his arm. The remaining NPCs appeared equally exhausted, and several wore armor with visible dents and broken fittings.
Cynthia looked toward the common room.
The moment she noticed Rio, her expression brightened with relief.
"Rio! You're back!"
Rio turned toward her.
"Cynthia."
Cynthia hurried over, but as she approached the sofa, she passed Sayanaki, who was sitting comfortably among the cushions.
There was blood on the assassin's cheeks.
Quite a lot of it, actually.
Yet Sayanaki appeared completely relaxed, as though she had just finished an ordinary afternoon of shopping rather than some particularly unpleasant task. She was eating a piece of bread and drinking soda, showing no visible concern about the red stains on her face.
Cynthia glanced at her, then let out a small, relieved laugh.
"Honestly, it was a close call. Thank you for helping us, Sayanaki. If you hadn't been here, I don't know what would have happened."
Sayanaki shrugged casually.
"No big deal."
She took another bite of bread, chewed, and swallowed before continuing.
"The thing was annoying, though."
Rio's expression immediately became more serious.
"Wait. What happened here?"
Cynthia turned toward her.
"You didn't know?"
"We've been dealing with a few problems of our own," Rio replied. Her eyes shifted toward the damaged weapons carried by the NPC guards. "Judging by their condition, I'd say yours involved something rather unpleasant."
Cynthia sighed.
"That's putting it mildly."
She gestured toward the guards standing behind her and began explaining what had happened while Rio and the others were away.
"Earlier, a wild bear beast wandered away from its usual territory. We think it was looking for somewhere new to hunt, and somehow it discovered the hidden area where Crowned Era's headquarters is located."
Rio raised her eyebrows slightly.
"A wild bear beast found its way here?"
Cynthia nodded.
"Apparently. It must have approached from the grove."
She rubbed her forehead, still looking troubled by the memory.
"At first, we thought it was just another ordinary monster wandering near the mountain. The NPC guards spotted it outside and attempted to drive it away before it could approach the entrance."
Her expression darkened.
"That was when everything went wrong."
Cynthia glanced toward the damaged sword held by one of the guards.
"The beast attacked them almost immediately. It was much stronger than we expected, and it started tearing through the guards before they could properly organize themselves. Some of them were killed, while others had their weapons broken during the fight."
Rio's gaze moved from one guard to another, taking in their injuries and the state of their equipment.
"And it managed to get inside?"
Cynthia nodded reluctantly.
"Yes. It forced its way past the outer defenses and entered the headquarters."
She paused, remembering how quickly the situation had deteriorated.
"Silla and I were frightened at first. We didn't know what to do when it got inside, and we certainly weren't equipped to fight something like that ourselves."
Cynthia then gave Sayanaki a grateful glance.
"Fortunately, Sayanaki had just finished with the things she was doing. She heard the commotion, came out of the common room, and dealt with the beast before it could cause any more damage."
Sayanaki casually raised her bread as if acknowledging a compliment.
"It was easy."
Cynthia smiled awkwardly.
"Easy for you, perhaps."
Sayanaki shrugged again, apparently seeing no reason to make a big deal out of it. She took another sip of soda before turning toward Rio. Although her posture remained relaxed, the expression in her crimson eyes became noticeably more serious.
"Although you might want to increase the NPC security around the headquarters."
Her voice was casual, but the warning was clear.
"The guards outside aren't strong enough. If another beast like that wanders into the grove, the same thing could happen again. The location is well hidden, but that doesn't mean we're safe from monsters that happen to stumble across it."
Rio nodded slowly.
"You're right."
She folded her arms and began considering the situation.
Crowned Era's headquarters was built within a secret area on the largest mountain on Floor Three. Its hidden location was one of the guild's greatest advantages, offering a defensible sanctuary that other players would struggle to discover. However, the very features that made the headquarters difficult to find also created a different kind of vulnerability.
The headquarters had only two entrances: the tunnels running through the ancient cave ruins and a separate pathway leading toward a grove.
The tunnels were relatively easy to monitor. Their narrow passages limited the directions from which an intruder could approach, and anyone attempting to enter would have to pass through a confined space where guards could respond quickly.
The grove was another matter.
It was filled with dangerous creatures whose attack patterns were troublesome enough that most players would simply avoid fighting them. That difficulty made the area an excellent natural deterrent against intruders, but it also meant the guild couldn't assume every creature in the grove would remain where it belonged. A monster didn't need to understand the importance of secrecy to stumble across a hidden base. It only needed to wander far enough from its usual territory while searching for food.
The bear beast had apparently done exactly that.
It had left its usual hunting ground, followed the unfamiliar surroundings, and discovered Crowned Era's sanctuary by accident.
Rio exhaled quietly.
"We'll need to strengthen the defenses around both entrances. More guards, better equipment, and a more reliable system for detecting approaching monsters."
Sayanaki nodded.
"That would help."
She leaned back against the sofa, looking entirely too comfortable for someone whose cheeks were still stained with blood.
"Preferably before another giant animal decides to visit."
Ryota glanced toward the red stains on her face.
"...Did you kill it?"
Sayanaki looked at him.
"Obviously."
"...How?"
She tilted her head, as though the answer should have been self-evident.
"With a dagger."
Ryota stared at her for a moment.
"...Right."
He seemed to decide that asking further questions would only make the situation more confusing.
Rio ignored the exchange and turned toward Cynthia.
"How many guards were lost?"
Cynthia's expression became solemn.
"We haven't finished checking every report yet, but Silla and I counted approximately fifteen who were killed during the attack."
Rio's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Fifteen?"
Cynthia nodded.
"Most of them were swordsmen and crusaders. They were the ones positioned outside the entrance when the beast appeared. Their equipment wasn't strong enough to withstand its attacks."
Rio fell silent for a moment.
Fifteen NPC guards.
That was a substantial loss, especially for a guild that was still establishing its presence on Floor Three. Replacing them would take time and resources, and simply recruiting more guards without addressing the weaknesses in their equipment would accomplish very little. If another monster of comparable strength found its way into the grove, the same disaster could happen again.
She needed to recruit replacements, improve the equipment available to them, and establish a more reliable defensive arrangement. She also needed to consider whether the headquarters required a separate force specifically responsible for patrolling the surrounding territory.
"Understood," Rio finally replied. "I'll review the security arrangements and work out a replacement plan. For now, make sure the surviving guards receive medical attention and have their equipment repaired."
Cynthia nodded.
"I'll take care of it."
Rio's gaze shifted toward Sayanaki.
"And thank you for handling the beast."
Sayanaki waved a hand dismissively.
"Like I said, it wasn't difficult."
She finished her soda and placed the bottle on the table.
"Although if you want me to keep doing this, you'll have to give me something more interesting to fight next time."
Rio smiled faintly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Sayanaki seemed satisfied with the answer. She finished the last of her bread, wiped her fingers, and stood from the sofa with the same casual confidence she had displayed throughout the evening.
"Anyway, I'm done with the event."
Rio looked toward her.
"Already?"
Sayanaki nodded.
"There's nothing else I need to do here for now. I've helped with the security problem, and I have other things to investigate."
She glanced toward the teleportation crystal at the far end of the common room.
"Once I find more information about Sarrow's whereabouts, I'll message you."
Rio nodded.
"All right. Let me know as soon as you find anything useful."
Sayanaki smiled.
"Of course."
She walked toward the teleportation crystal, moving with the same relaxed confidence she had displayed throughout the evening. Before activating it, she turned back toward Rio, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Try not to get yourself flattened by another monster while I'm gone."
Rio stared at her.
"...That happened once."
Ryota slowly raised his hand.
"Technically, it happened to the cruiser."
Rio immediately turned toward him.
"Whose side are you on?"
"Survival."
Sayanaki laughed.
Then she activated the teleportation crystal.
A brief flash of light surrounded her, and the crimson-haired assassin disappeared from the headquarters, leaving behind the faint glow of the crystal and the lingering question of how she had managed to kill a powerful bear beast with so little apparent effort.
The common room seemed noticeably quieter without her.
Rio watched the empty space for a moment before returning her attention to the others. By then, Silla had returned from the kitchen carrying a large tray. The smell of freshly prepared food filled the room, immediately drawing Memory's attention away from the horrors of the Ouzame danger zone.
On the tray sat a generous serving of golden french fries, a freshly prepared hamburger, and several smaller dishes intended for the rest of the group. The fries were crisp and lightly salted, while the hamburger had a soft bun and a thick filling. Steam rose gently from the freshly cooked food, making it all the more difficult for Memory to pretend she was still too exhausted to move.
Her eyes practically sparkled.
"IT'S HERE!"
Silla carefully placed the tray on the table.
"Be careful. The fries are still hot."
Memory nodded solemnly.
"Understood."
She waited exactly one second before grabbing a french fry.
"OW! HOT!"
Akari stared at her.
"...Silla literally just warned you."
Memory blew on the fry frantically, waving it around as though the extra movement would somehow cool it faster.
"I KNOW! I WAS EXCITED!"
Bubbles bounced onto the table and immediately approached the hamburger.
"Pyu!"
Memory carefully broke off a small portion and placed it in front of the slime.
"Here you go, Bubbles. Your hamburger."
Bubbles happily absorbed the piece into its jelly-like body.
"Pyu!"
Memory smiled proudly.
"See? Bubbles appreciates good food."
Akari shook her head, but she couldn't hide her smile as she began eating her own portion. After the danger and exhaustion of their expedition, the simple act of sitting down for a meal felt unexpectedly comforting. There were no monsters trying to drag them beneath the sand, no dungeon traps threatening to crush them, and no desperate need to calculate the safest route through hostile territory.
For once, they could simply eat.
Rio watched the two girls for a moment as she pulled a chair away from the table. Memory had spent much of the expedition terrified, and her dramatic complaints had not been entirely exaggerated. She had faced creatures far more dangerous than anything a beginner should have been expected to handle. Yet when her summons had been threatened, she had still tried to protect them, even when she had been frightened enough to freeze.
Akari had protected Memory without hesitation, relying on physical swordsmanship rather than the overwhelming power of Narukami. She was still learning to trust herself, but her movements had become more decisive, and she had demonstrated that she could protect someone without surrendering to the fear of losing control.
They were both inexperienced.
They still had much to learn.
But they were improving, and more importantly, they were learning how to rely on one another.
Rio sat down beside the sofa where Sayanaki had been resting earlier. Ryota took the seat opposite her, finally allowing himself to relax now that the immediate danger had passed. For a few minutes, the common room was filled with nothing more than the sound of eating and occasional conversation.
Then Rio looked toward Akari and Memory.
"So," she asked, "what are you two planning to do now?"
Akari paused with her food halfway to her mouth. Memory, meanwhile, was too busy eating to answer immediately. She had apparently decided that every french fry needed to be consumed before she could spare any attention for a conversation.
After swallowing, Akari looked toward Rio.
"Honestly? We'd like to rest for a while, if that's all right."
She glanced at Memory, who was already reaching for another handful of fries.
"We've had a pretty exhausting day."
Rio smiled.
"Of course. You don't need to ask permission to rest here. Eat as much as you like, recover your stamina, and take the time you need."
Akari's expression softened.
"Thank you, Sis."
Rio's smile grew warmer.
"You're welcome."
Memory raised a french fry in agreement.
"Mmph! Thish guild ish amazing!"
Akari slowly turned toward her.
"...Swallow before you talk."
Memory quickly swallowed.
"This guild is amazing!"
Rio laughed quietly.
"Glad to hear it."
For a little while, the conversation returned to lighter subjects. Memory described how the Ganzame had dragged her enhanced Terracotta Archer beneath the sand, retelling the incident with increasingly dramatic gestures. Every time she reached the part where her summon disappeared, her expression became more tragic, and she would pause to hug Bubbles as though reminding herself that at least one of her companions had survived the expedition intact.
Akari, in turn, recounted how she had cut down the three monsters that attempted to attack the cruiser. She explained how she had stepped between Memory and the incoming Ganzame, drawn her katana, and relied on Retsugeki to finish the creatures before they could reach the deck.
Ryota occasionally added comments, usually exaggerating the danger until Akari corrected him. Silla listened from the other side of the table, smiling whenever Memory demonstrated her increasingly dramatic version of the events.
Gradually, the headquarters settled into a peaceful rhythm.
Then a notification appeared in front of Rio.
[Private Message Received]
Rio's eyes moved toward the floating system window.
The sender's name was unfamiliar to most people in the room, but it was one she recognized immediately.
Suo.
Her expression changed almost at once. The faint amusement that had remained on her face faded into quiet concentration, and a small smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as she opened the message.
Ryota noticed the change.
He leaned slightly forward, his curiosity overcoming his desire to enjoy the brief period of peace.
"...What's that?"
Rio read the message in silence.
She didn't respond immediately. Her eyes moved across the text, and for a moment she seemed to be considering something beyond the words themselves. Then she closed the window and pushed her chair back.
"We need to go to Floor One."
Ryota blinked.
"...Now?"
Rio nodded.
"Yes."
The abrupt decision was enough to catch his attention, but he didn't ask for an explanation. He had traveled with Rio long enough to recognize that she wouldn't make a decision like this without a reason. Whatever Suo had told her, it was important enough to interrupt their recovery and send them back to the Town of Beginnings.
"All right. I'm ready."
Ryota stood and began checking his equipment, making sure everything was in place before they left. Rio did the same, her thoughts already moving toward their next destination.
She turned toward the girls.
"Akari, Memory, we'll be leaving for a while. You can stay here and rest until we're back."
Akari nodded.
"Got it."
Memory, whose mouth was currently stuffed with french fries, raised one hand and waved enthusiastically.
"Mmph! Guhbye!"
Rio stared at her.
"...Please finish chewing."
Memory swallowed hurriedly.
"Goodbye!"
Bubbles bounced beside her.
"Pyu! Pyu!"
Silla also raised a hand in farewell.
"Take care, Lady Rio."
Rio smiled at her.
"I will. Thank you for the food, Silla."
"You're welcome."
Rio and Ryota walked toward the teleportation crystal at the far end of the common room. The crystal stood within an engraved stone pedestal, its surface glowing faintly as the system recognized their approach. Intricate patterns had been carved into the pedestal, and the crystal's gentle light reflected against the surrounding stone.
Rio placed her hand against the crystal.
Ryota did the same.
A notification appeared before them.
[Destination Selected: Town of Beginnings — Floor One]
[Teleportation Confirmed.]
Blue light spread across their bodies, gradually enveloping them from their feet to their shoulders. Memory waved with one hand while holding another french fry in the other, and Akari leaned against the sofa beside her, finally looking relaxed.
Silla stood nearby, gathering the empty plates.
Then the light intensified.
Rio and Ryota disappeared from Crowned Era's headquarters.
A moment later, the teleportation crystal returned to its normal glow.
The common room became peaceful once more.
Memory leaned back into the sofa with a satisfied sigh, her stomach full and Bubbles happily resting beside her. The exhaustion of the expedition had not disappeared, but at least she had a comfortable place to recover, good food to eat, and no immediate reason to venture back into the desert.
"...I'm never going on another expedition without bringing snacks."
Akari looked at her.
"You say that now."
Memory slowly turned her head.
"...Don't remind me."
Outside the hidden headquarters, the dangerous creatures of Floor Three continued roaming the mountains and forests. Somewhere beyond the grove, monsters wandered through their territories, while the paths leading toward the ancient cave ruins remained quiet. Crowned Era's sanctuary was hidden from most players, but the incident with the bear beast had proved that secrecy alone could not guarantee its safety.
The guild would need stronger defenses, better-equipped guards, and a more reliable way to detect approaching threats. Rio would have to deal with those problems when she returned.
For the moment, however, Crowned Era had survived another disaster.
And Rio was already moving toward the next one.
Suo's message had interrupted their recovery, sending her and Ryota back to the Town of Beginnings before they had even finished discussing their disastrous expedition. Whatever awaited them on Floor One, it had been important enough for Rio to leave immediately.
Memory closed her eyes and sank deeper into the sofa, determined to enjoy every remaining second of peace.
Akari settled beside her, while Bubbles bounced once before resting against Memory's arm.
"...Next time," Memory murmured, "I'm bringing enough snacks for everyone."
Akari smiled.
"Next time, let's try not to get nearly eaten first."
Memory opened one eye.
"That's even better."
For the time being, the girls were safe, the food was delicious, and the headquarters had returned to its usual routine. Yet beyond its hidden walls, the dangers of Evermount continued to grow, and Rio's next decision would soon pull her and Ryota into another situation that might prove just as troublesome as their encounter with the Ouzame.
Their expedition into the Endless Sand Valley had ended in failure, but the consequences of that failure were far from over.