Morning light filled the hallway as the door slowly opened again. This time, Hena stepped out. She looked a little tired, but much better than before. Yash glanced at her once, making sure she was steady, before stepping aside.
Emily walked straight toward her without saying anything.
Emily: "Come here."
Hena blinked slightly but didn't resist. Emily placed her hand lightly on her forehead, checking her temperature.
A few seconds passed.
Emily nodded.
Emily: "You're fine now."
Hena gave a small smile.
Hena: "I told you."
Yash stayed quiet, but his eyes softened slightly.
Before the moment could settle, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Andre approached them.
This time, his expression was more serious.
Andre: "There's an update."
Everyone turned toward him.
The tone alone was enough to tell it was important.
Andre: "The tournament rules have changed."
Igna focused immediately.
Andre: "Instead of the top five…"
He paused slightly.
Andre: "…only the top three teams will be allowed to enter the seventh floor."
Silence followed.
The weight of that change was clear.
Andre: "Not just in this kingdom."
He continued.
Andre: "With permission, they can enter the seventh floor of other kingdoms as well."
That made it even more serious.
The competition just became tighter.
Harder.
More dangerous.
Igna thought for a moment, then asked.
Igna: "Why don't all eleven kingdoms participate?"
Andre's expression shifted slightly.
Andre: "Because one of them doesn't follow the rest."
A pause.
Andre: "That kingdom is isolated."
His tone became heavier.
Andre: "The king there is… cruel."
The word stayed in the air.
Andre: "They cut off all ties with other kingdoms."
Another pause.
Andre: "They don't participate in events, alliances… nothing."
Hena looked slightly thoughtful.
May stayed quiet.
Sele listened carefully.
Igna nodded slowly, then asked again.
Igna: "Then what about the tenth kingdom… the one without a dungeon?"
Andre looked at him, then answered calmly.
Andre: "They don't rely on dungeons."
A small pause.
Andre: "That kingdom is rich in natural metals."
Andre: "Rare ones."
He continued.
Andre: "And more importantly… they have the best craftsmen."
Igna listened closely.
Andre: "The most powerful weapons in the market…"
A pause.
Andre: "…come from there."
Emily smirked slightly.
Emily: "And the most expensive."
Andre nodded.
Andre: "Yes."
Igna looked down at the dagger in his hand for a moment, then back at Andre. The world felt bigger again. More layered.
More complex.
Andre looked at all of them one last time.
Andre: "Prepare well."
A short pause.
Andre: "This won't be easy."
Yash didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
After that, there wasn't much left to say. The group slowly moved out of the palace together. The guards stepped aside again as they passed, and soon, they were back in the open city.
The familiar streets felt different now.
Quieter.
Heavier.
The weight of what was coming had settled on all of them.
They walked back toward their base without much conversation.
Igna stayed slightly behind for a moment, looking at the dagger again.
The same strange feeling remained.
Old.
Silent.
Waiting.
Then he tightened his grip and walked forward.
Because whatever was coming next—
He needed to be ready.