The moment the light faded—
The forest was gone.
Stone replaced earth beneath their feet.
A wide, open clearing stretched before them, and behind it—
The dungeon gate.
A swirling mass of distorted energy, pulsing slowly like a living thing.
They were out.
Fresh air filled their lungs, cleaner—lighter—real.
For a brief second, no one spoke.
Then—
"…We're back," one of the knights muttered.
The tension that had quietly gripped them inside the dungeon finally loosened.
Lara turned slightly, her gaze landing on Shadow.
"Will you come back again with us?"
Her question was simple—
But it carried weight.
It drew the attention of the rest of the group almost instantly.
They all knew it.
Despite their rank—
Shadow and Leon had contributed far more than expected.
Shadow shrugged lightly. "I don't know. We'll see about that."
He glanced sideways.
"What do you think, Leon?"
Leon didn't hesitate much.
"Let's head to the guild first and sell what we got," he said. "It depends on how much we make. If it's good money, I don't see a reason not to do it again."
Mike nodded. "That's fair. Don't worry—the leader's fangs are valuable. Weapon crafting. And the bones… they're always in demand."
He looked at them both.
"Your share should be decent for your level."
Shadow gave a small nod. "Alright. Let's go check it out."
---
The group moved toward the gate stationed outside the dungeon.
Unlike the unstable portal they had entered before—
This one was controlled.
Stable.
Constructed.
A faint glow surrounded it, reinforced by engraved runes embedded into the surrounding stone structure.
"Stormwatch really doesn't cut corners," the scout muttered.
Mike stepped forward first.
"Everyone ready?"
No objections.
The gate activated.
Light expanded—
Swallowing them whole.
---
The next moment—
They stood inside the guild.
The transition was instant.
Noise replaced silence.
Voices.
Movement.
They were teleported back to the gate inside the guild
The familiar atmosphere of adventurers, staff, and merchants filled the air.
They moved straight toward the evaluation counter.
---
The process was straightforward.
The guild staff took the materials—
Examined them—
Measured quality, condition, and quantity.
The leader's fangs drew the most attention.
"Clean extraction," one of the evaluators noted.
"Good condition."
The rest of the materials followed.
Bones.
Fragments.
Remains.
Nothing extraordinary—
But for a first run—
And for low-ranked adventurers—
It was more than enough.
"Well above average," the staff member concluded.
A small pouch was handed over.
Mike took it, weighing it slightly before nodding.
"Not bad."
---
They stepped aside.
And divided it.
Equal shares.
No arguments.
No hesitation.
Each member received—
Five silver coins.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then—
"…That's actually really good," one of the mages said.
"More than I expected," another added.
Leon looked at the coins in his hand, silent.
Shadow didn't react much—
But he understood the value.
The system of currency was simple:
100 bronze = 1 silver
100 silver = 1 gold
And five silver—
For a single run—
At their level—
Was significant.
Mike looked around. "Same time tomorrow?"
A few nods followed immediately.
"Yeah."
"Definitely."
"We finish that dungeon."
"Agreed."
---
Shadow and Leon left the guild together.
Night had already fallen.
The streets were quieter now.
Most shops were closed.
Lanterns flickered softly along the roads.
By the time they reached the tavern—
It was almost midnight.
The door creaked open.
Warm light spilled out.
"…Where have you been?"
Marta's voice cut through the air instantly.
She stood near the counter, arms crossed, clearly waiting.
Her eyes moved from Leon—
To Shadow—
And back.
"You even took Shadow with you this time?"
Her tone sharpened.
Leon opened his mouth—
But Shadow spoke first.
"Relax, ma'am. We were working," he said calmly. "A temporary job as guards for a shop in the city."
He lifted the coins slightly.
"They paid well."
Marta paused.
Her gaze lingered on Shadow.
Then softened—just slightly.
"…You?" she said, almost unconsciously.
Shadow nodded.
That was enough.
If it came from him—
She believed it.
"…Fine," she muttered, though her expression still held suspicion.
Gregor, who had been sitting nearby, stood up slowly.
His eyes moved to the coins.
Five silver.
He blinked.
"…That's… quite a lot for a single day," he said.
Leon stepped forward.
"Here, father."
He handed him two silver coins.
"I told you I'd help."
Gregor froze for a moment before taking them.
"…This is more than we make in a week."
Leon smiled faintly. "Expect more."
A pause.
Then—
Shadow stepped forward as well.
"Here."
He placed two more silver coins into Gregor's hand.
"I don't really need it."
Gregor looked up, surprised.
Marta's expression changed completely this time.
"…You don't have to—"
"I know," Shadow said simply.
"But I want to."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No awkwardness.
Just a quiet, straightforward decision.
Gregor closed his hand slowly around the coins.
"…Thank you."
Marta didn't speak.
But her tone, when she finally did, was softer.
"…Go sit. I'll prepare food."
---
Dinner wasn't extravagant.
But it was—
Warm.
Fresh bread, slightly crisp on the outside.
A rich stew, slow-cooked, filled with tender meat and vegetables.
Steam rose gently from the bowls.
The smell alone was enough to ease the fatigue of the day.
They sat together.
No rush.
No pressure.
Just eating.
Leon leaned back slightly after a few bites.
"If this keeps up…"
He glanced at his father.
"I could save enough to leave the city."
Gregor looked at him.
"…Leave?"
Leon nodded.
"A magical academy."
Silence followed.
Not heavy—
But thoughtful.
Marta paused briefly before continuing to serve food.
"…That's far," she said quietly.
"It is," Leon replied.
Shadow listened.
Silent.
Sixteen years.
Alone.
Isolated.
This kind of conversation—
This kind of life—
Wasn't unfamiliar to him.
But not unpleasant.
A magical academy.
A place to learn.
To grow.
To interact.
…Maybe.
He didn't say anything.
But the thought stayed.
For later.
---
That night—
They slept.
The exhaustion from the dungeon took over quickly.
No dreams.
No interruptions.
Just rest.
---
Morning came.
Quiet.
Cold.
Clear.
The city slowly came back to life as the sun rose.
Shadow and Leon made their way back to the guild.
No rush.
But no delay either.
When they arrived—
The rest of the group was already there.
Waiting.
Prepared.
Mike stood near the entrance, arms crossed.
"Good. Everyone's here."
The scout stretched slightly. "Round two."
The assassin said nothing.
Lara glanced at Shadow briefly—then looked away.
Leon stepped forward.
"So—we're doing this again?"
Mike nodded once.
"We finish what we started."
A short pause.
Then—
"Let's move."
The dungeon awaited.
Again.