The adventurers established their camp in the vacant hall that once housed the second-floor boss. In this dungeon, time felt irrelevant—there was neither sun nor moon, only an endless void of cold, dark nothingness. To warm themselves, the party lit a fire near their campsite. The fire crackled softly, sending tiny embers toward the dungeon ceiling as the group gathered around it. Its flickering light created restless shadows on the ancient stone walls. The aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread wafted through the air, blending with their low conversations. Their ughter and chatter resonated through the clearing, sharply contrasting the threats they had encountered earlier in the day.

  As the party settled into the warmth of the fire, Throne stood up and clicked his mug of beer. “Listen up, everyone. I have some things to discuss with all of you. But first, let us pay our respects to the fallen,” he said. The chatter died down, and all their eyes fixated on Throne.

  Throne took a deep breath and began, “Today’s fight with the Twin Gargoyles was a hard-fought battle. We lost two of our party members, Azil and Banks, during this encounter.” He paused momentarily, scanning the faces of his companions, then continued, “Azil was a brave warrior from the West. He used to tell us stories about his homend, where empty, barren nds stretched for miles, filled only with sand. There, monstrous sandworms and the hive queen’s brood ran rampant. The harsh and unforgiving nature of the deserts molded him into a tough, hardworking man.” He raised his gss of beer high. “Let us honor him as we pray for his soce in the afterlife. Brother, may your soul rest in peace.”

  Everyone raised their gsses and mugs, shouting in unison, “To Brother Azil!”

  A moment of silence followed before Throne turned to Frederick. "Frederick, please do the honor for Banks."

  Frederick nodded solemnly. Clearing his throat, he spoke, “The other member we lost today is Banks. I knew Banks personally. Very few are aware of this, but he was once a pirate. He sailed under the bck fg in the dark seas. However, he never sold his soul to the devil. When we formed this guild, I asked him if he wanted to leave his life of piracy and live an honorable life. He agreed immediately and joined our guild. He never looked back. He was a good, honest man. His presence was a reminder to me that if anyone truly wishes to lead an honest life, nothing can stop them, regardless of the circumstances.” He raised his gss. “Please join me as I honor him and pray that the Almighty forgive him for his sins. May his soul rest in peace.”

  Once more, the adventurers lifted their mugs. "To Brother Banks!"

  As the echoes of their voices faded, Throne let the silence linger for a moment before speaking again, “The fallen are no longer among us. Their stories and memories are all that remain now. And we, the living, will carry them with us.” He paused briefly before continuing, “We, adventurers, risk our lives daily exploring dungeons and battling monsters. Death and injuries are occupational hazards for us. And though danger is our companion, so is the reward. With the first and second bosses defeated, we’ve retrieved a total of eighty-seven mana crystals. That, once converted, will amount to a substantial sum of money.”

  As Throne announced this, a murmur started among the party members.

  Throne raised a hand to call for attention. “However, that number is only part of the story. The st boss of this dungeon is still ahead of us. And as you all know, the final boss often contains the greatest treasure.” He let his words sink in. “If we succeed, we could double our earnings. If that's the case, every one of us will receive more than ten mana crystals' worth of coins. That’s a fortune for any of us guild members.”

  The atmosphere shifted from excitement to determination. The idea of such a reward was intoxicating.

  Throne looked around at the faces of the guild members and continued, “I will say this upfront so that no one gets any wrong ideas. Killing the st boss won’t be easy. It's fairly possible that it would be the greatest challenge of our lives. But I strongly believe that if we stand together, nothing can stop us from achieving victory. And I can promise you that the risk will be worth the reward,” he said, letting his eyes drift across the group as he gauged their resolve. “That being said, if anyone wants to leave with their earnings up to this point, they are free to do so. If you decide to do so, I assure you, you won’t be judged.”

  Raul was the first one to shout, “We can do this. Let’s kill the boss!” Others also joined in, “Hell Yeah! We are going to fight.”

  “Well, we’ve come this far. It will be a waste not to fight the st boss and leave from here.” Lisa shrugged, and Olivia nodded in agreement.

  Throne let out a slight smirk before nodding to himself. “Very well then. Just one more thing before we start our feast. Adam has lost one of his arms in the st fight.” he turned toward a party member, who was sitting separated from the group, keeping his head down. His face was partially hidden beneath the shadows. His left sleeve hung empty where an arm had once been. At the mention of his name, his body straightened.

  Throne continued with a steady voice, filled with respect, “Adam, I am sorry for your loss. Healing spells, as strong and effective as they may be, can’t regenerate limbs. On behalf of the guild, I would like to offer you a full payout of ten mana crystals and a teleportation crystal. To get out of this dungeon. You have served us well, brother. Please rest well. And know this: our guild’s door will always be open for you when you decide to return.”

  Hearing this, Adam’s eyes teared up. In a hoarse voice, he uttered just two words in a grateful tone, “Thank you… thank you.”Alex, who was sitting nearby, cpped a hand on Adam’s shoulder. "Cheer up, brother. You have survived. That’s all that matters. Tonight, we feast; we celebrate our victory. Every single one of us deserves this."Throne raised his mug high. "Then let’s begin! To our victory! And to the battle yet to come!"The gang erupted in cheers as the feast began. Their spirits soared in the flickering firelight, ready to face whatever came next.

  **********************************************************************

  Alicia was leaning against the ancient stone wall, a bit separated from the fireside gathering where adventurers were celebrating their hard-earned victory with meat and mead. Her mind was wandering. She has found a new purpose in her life after her master has graced her with his blessings. Her old elven life is a thing of the distant past now, and she has no regrets whatsoever. Instead, her mind was filled with bliss as her master had praised her for bringing in a group of ‘very interesting’ individuals, whatever that means.

  As a newly converted demon, she was still learning the tropes of her new body and its full capabilities. She feels significantly stronger and agile than before. She can still cast her elven healing spells, but now she has cws which can cut through iron like butter. In a one-on-one fight, she can beat anyone in this party purely based on her agility and strength.

  But there was a price. A relentless and deep hunger gnawed at her, a void that no bread or wine could fill. She required flesh and blood to satisfy her need. The craving comes in waves, and when it crests, it drowns all her senses.

  During her stay in the town as the party prepared for the raid, Alicia hunted for food twice. The first was an old beggar, sprawled by the river’s edge, reeking of stale ale. He’d been a husk of a man, snoring into the mud, oblivious to the world. He didn’t even get the chance to wake up from his slumber before Alicia severed his head from the body. She didn’t really like the taste of his flesh, though. It was rubbery and had a metallic smell for some reason. But she did not care, she was hungry.

  Her second and st hunt was the night before they set out for the raid. This time it was a young adventurer from a different guild. Alicia was purchasing some dungeon teleportation crystals as her master ordered when this cute-looking guy approached her and offered to help. He bargained with the alchemist and secured a good discount for her. He invited Alicia for some drinks and she obliged. It had already been five days since she had eaten the old beggar, and the hunger was starting to manifest itself.

  An involuntary smirk appeared on her face as she thought about what happened next. That night, in the haze of a tavern’s dim light and too many shots, she let him carry her to his room. His eager and warm hands roamed all over her body, and Alicia let him have his release. She felt his breath hitch in ecstasy as he spilled his seed. Alicia was waiting for this moment. She bit down on his neck, crushed his windpipe in the process, and drank her fill as his member still twitched inside her. Unlike the previous one, this flesh tasted tender and sweet. She savored every bite of it. It was a perfect romantic night, enough to keep her hunger from running wild for at least a few more days.

  Alicia’s chain of thought was interrupted as two female figures approached her. Olivia and Lisa were walking side by side in uneven steps. Olivia was half-carrying Lisa, flushed cheeks and gssy eyes showed clear signs of intoxication.

  “Miss Alicia!” Lisa’s voice sloshed out, thick with liquor and curiosity. “What are you doing over here, all alone in the dark?”

  Alicia tilted her head and let out a faint smile ghosting her lips. “Nothing worth telling. I just… prefer the quiet. Too much noise wears on me.”

  Olivia snorted, adjusting her grip on Lisa. “Tell me about it. They’ve been at it for hours—gorging on meat, guzzling ale. It’s a wonder the dungeon hasn’t colpsed under the racket.”

  Lisa nearly toppled herself trying to fp a zy hand, “Psh. Let ‘em have their fun. A little drink never killed anyone.”

  “Says the woman who can’t walk straight,” Olivia shot back. “How many mugs did you down? Do you even remember?”

  Lisa giggled as a hiccup punctuated her words. “Lost count after five. Maybe six. Not more than that.”

  “I knew it,” Olivia muttered, leaning her against the wall. “You’re a menace when you’re drunk. Sit—before you fall on someone. You nearly climbed Throne like a tree back there.”

  Lisa slumped onto the ground, pouting. “But he’s so… dependable. Not like that stupid Alex.”

  “Dependable doesn’t mean ‘yours to grope,’” Olivia countered. “Throne dumped you on me to babysit because you’re a liability.”

  “Uhh… you’re no fun, Olivia.”

  Olivia smirked. “And consider Alex’s feelings before you pull stunts like that. His jaw practically hit the dirt watching you flirt.”

  “Serves him right! He always gets on my nerves.” Lisa snapped, crossing her arms with a wobble.

  Alicia couldn’t help but chuckle at the drunken banter between two friends.

  Lisa’s bleary eyes locked onto Alicia with sudden mischief. “Hey Alicia, what kinda guys do you like? Olivia never tells me her type, no matter how many times I ask her.”

  “Lisa!” Olivia hissed in mortification. “Don’t be rude. Sorry, Alicia, she’s a mess right now.”

  Alicia waved it off with a lingering smile. “It’s fine. I don’t really have a type.”

  Her response encouraged Lisa, “Okay, but—do you like anyone?”

  Alicia’s gaze drifted, her voice was soft, like a breeze through dead leaves. “I did. Once. A long time ago.”

  Lisa perked up. She scooted closer and threw an arm around Alicia’s shoulders in a sloppy hug. “Ooh, now I need details! Tell us everything!”

  “Lisa, stop pestering her,” Olivia tugged at her friend’s sleeve. “You’re crossing the line.”

  Alicia looked at them and said, “It’s all right. He was… a childhood friend, back in Elfheim, our vilge. We grew up chasing each other through the groves. He used to have big dreams. He wanted to be an explorer—see the world, sy monsters. I promised I’d stand by him, help him carve that path.”

  “Where is he now?” Olivia’s voice cut through the quiet this time. Curiosity was overriding her usual restraint. She didn’t hush Lisa, who swayed beside her, wide-eyed and waiting.

  “I don’t know. Fifty years have passed since I st saw him. We… didn’t part well.” Alicia let out a bittersweet smile.

  “So, you became an adventurer to stay with him?” Olivia asked.

  “It definitely started with that. But as I began to help people in need and clear low-level dungeons, I started to like being an adventurer more and more.”

  “I became an adventurer because I wanted freedom. You might not know this, but my family, the Underwoods, are quite famous. My father is a member of the Royal Council of the kingdom of Everest.” Lisa said. Her eyes were distant as she reminisced about her past. “He wanted to marry me off to a count’s son who inherited his father’s nds after the count’s death. It was a political marriage, one that would have given my father more control in the Council. So, I ran away from my father’s mansion and joined an adventurer's party. Fire magic is a forte of the Underwood family; it runs in our blood. It didn't take me long to adjust to the lifestyle of an adventurer.”

  “Do you miss them? Your family?” Alicia asked.

  “To be honest, no. Mother died when I was a kid. I barely remember her face. Father and I were oil and water; we never saw eye to eye. Once I escaped, he made several attempts to lure me back. But I did not indulge. I wanted to live my life at my own will.” Lisa replied. “Makes me sound like a spoiled brat, doesn’t it? But I guess that’s who I am in the end.” She shrugged.

  “There is nothing wrong with wanting to live your life as you see fit. Very few can do it.” Olivia paused, her fingers twisting in her p, “I never wanted to become an adventurer. My parents were adventurers, part of the same party. They both lost their lives in a dungeon raid. Left my little brother and me alone. I was seven at that time. My brother was only four years old. Their death traumatised me to the point where I hated all the adventurers. I also had to care for my kid brother.” She paused for a bit.

  Alicia watched her silently as Olivia’s words thickened the air.

  “My uncle welcomed us into his home. He is a kind man who always treated us like his own children. An alchemist by trade, he sells potions to adventurers. I often assisted him in his shop, which sparked my interest in alchemy. I aspired to become an alchemist like him, care for my brother, and perhaps start my own business one day.”

  “So, why did you become an adventurer?” Alicia asked.

  Olivia ughed bitterly on the verge of tears. “Some of us do not have the choice. My idiot brother took after our parents. He joined an adventurer guild as soon as he turned eighteen. At first, everything was fine, but then one day, during a monster-hunting expedition, he was cursed by a demon.” Olivia paused, tears choking her voice. “We tried everything to cure him. But he was getting worse and worse. He required mana infusion. Our uncle had already done more than I could ever have asked of him. I cannot put my burden on him. On the other hand, I cannot let my brother die like this as well. So, to cover the expenses for his treatment, I had to become an adventurer.” She cleared her throat. “I started as an independent agent and worked with Throne on multiple jobs. When Throne mentioned that he wanted to open a guild, I joined him as a founder,”.

  “Sorry to hear about your brother. How is he doing now?” Alicia asked again.

  “Not too well. He requires mana infusion every week now. I’m starting to lose hope at this point.” Olivia could not stop her tears.

  “Once every week? Olivia, that’s expensive! You must be struggling to keep ends meet with the income you get from the guild. Why didn’t you tell me about it? I would’ve loved to help. I am sure Throne would, too, and the others—” Lisa compined.

  “No, Lisa,” Olivia spoke in a stern voice. “I cannot ask for any monetary support from you or from any of the guidmates. I am fully aware that everyone has their circumstances. I am managing it for now. And I will keep doing it as long as I can.”

  A silence fell as nobody uttered a single word for a few moments. The weight of Olivia’s words lingered in the air, making it heavy and hard to breathe.

  Alicia broke the tension. Her gaze was lost in the dungeon’s shadowed depths. “In my vilge, we used to sing a song on nights like this. Want to hear it?”

  Olivia and Lisa nodded. Both wanted an escape from reality.

  With a solemn voice, Alicia started singing an elven song. The melody wove through the air, wrapping around them like a gentle embrace.

  “Oh, the brightest star is waiting,In silence patiently,Every dark night is fading,Into dawn's tranquility.

  Though the skies may feel heavy,Stars remind me tenderly,After every night that's heavy,There's a sunrise meant for me.”

  Olivia and Lisa looked at each other in surprise and joined the chorus with a smile. Alicia’s soothing voice filled their hearts with hope for the future. No matter how dark the night is, a bright dawn is always around the corner.