Chapter 226 – Like They Fought a War

Chapter 226

Like They Fought a War

Date : Day 9 of Deepwinter 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Now that Jackey's most life-threatening wounds had been taken care of, Hyoren finally allowed himself to relax. But only slightly.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Arianna, calm down. His worst injuries are already taken care of.”

He gave her a reassuring smile.

“He'll live.”

Arianna stared at him through tear-streaked eyes. For a moment, she said nothing. Then her shoulders finally loosened.

She nodded.

“Thank you, Leader.”

Her trembling hand moved to Jackey's head, gently caressing his hair. The tabby cat ears that had been twitching constantly throughout the battle were now completely still.

Arianna's fingers brushed against one of them.

“Hear that, Jackey? Leader's going to save you...”

Jackey didn't respond. But he was breathing. And that was enough.

Behind them, Elise finally let out the breath she had been holding. She had been worried too. She knew how powerful Hyoren's Healing Light could be despite its limitations. She had experienced it herself once, when Hyoren had healed her after she had suffered near-fatal injuries after their fight with Hifoppe, the Servant of Gidol.

She trusted him.

But knowing that Hyoren could do it and actually watching him do it were two different things. Seeing Jackey lying there, barely breathing, had made her realize just how close they had come to losing him. Now, at least, he was going to survive.

Elise's shoulders relaxed.

Hyoren, however, was already looking at Jackey again. 

He slowly exhaled and checked his own Aethell reserve.

I can only use Healing Light two more times...

That was all he could manage now. He was exhausted. The battle against the Guardian had forced him to use numerous skills and spells, and he had already spent a considerable amount of Aethell on the first two Healing Lights.

Now he had to decide how to use what remained.

His Magic Eyes scanned Jackey's body again.

I need to prioritize...

The remaining injuries were clear. Brain hemorrhage. Ruptured spleen. Fractured humerus. Fractured radius and ulna. Multiple lacerations.

Hyoren's gaze lingered on the fractures in Jackey's limbs.

The fractures aren't immediately life-threatening… They could wait…

Under normal circumstances, some fractures could remain stable for a few days before surgery was performed. He could deal with them later. After he recovered enough Aethell. Or once they returned home.

His eyes moved toward Jackey's torso.

But the brain hemorrhage and ruptured spleen… Those were different… 

Both could become fatal if left untreated for several hours.

Hyoren made his decision.

My last two Healing Lights are for those.

He raised his hand. His attention turned to Jackey's abdomen. His hand hovered over the area where the spleen was located.

Grade II...

Hyoren recalled what he knew about the organ. The spleen was roughly fist-sized. It was a lymphatic organ, supplied by the splenic artery and splenic vein, along with its lymphatic vessels. More importantly, it contained a large number of blood vessels.

That was why blunt trauma to the spleen could be so dangerous.

A tear could cause severe internal bleeding. If that bleeding continued, the blood loss could eventually become fatal.

Hyoren focused.

I need to repair the tear… And I need to remove the blood that's already pooled in the abdominal cavity…

He couldn't simply repair the spleen and leave the blood there. The accumulated blood could cause further complications, including infection.

He needed to remove that as well.

“Healing Light.”

The light gathered around Hyoren's hand.

He carefully guided the magic into Jackey's abdomen. His Magic Eyes showed him the damaged spleen. He imagined its anatomy clearly in his mind. The torn tissue. The damaged blood vessels. The blood that had escaped into the abdominal cavity.

The Healing Light followed his intent.

Slowly, the tear in Jackey's spleen began to close. The damaged tissue was restored. Then Hyoren focused on the blood that had pooled inside the abdominal cavity. He carefully removed it, making sure not to leave behind a dangerous amount.

When he finally finished, Hyoren let out a slow breath. He could feel his Aethell dropping rapidly.

Elise noticed.

She reached out and touched his arm.

“Don't push yourself too hard, Hyoren.”

Hyoren looked at her.

Despite his exhaustion, he smiled and briefly placed his hand over hers.

“I'm fine, Elise.”

He turned his attention back to Jackey.

“I'll heal him one more time. It'll be the last life-threatening wound.”

He paused.

“After that, I'll rest.”

Elise looked at him for a moment.

She knew he was already exhausted. But she also knew he wouldn't stop while Jackey still had a life-threatening injury.

She nodded.

“Okay...”

Arianna watched them silently. Her eyes were still wet with tears, but she no longer looked as panicked as before.

Hyoren returned his attention to Jackey.

His hand slowly moved upward until it hovered above the Cat-clan Beastkin's head. He examined the brain hemorrhage carefully.

Epidural hemorrhage… Typical…

From his medical studies, Hyoren knew that traumatic brain injuries commonly involved either epidural or subdural hemorrhages.

Considering the force of Blancorn's charge, it made sense. That attack had been enormous. Blancorn had charged with its entire body. The force had been comparable to being hit by a moving truck.

Hyoren focused on the damaged area.

The volume… About ten cubic centimeters…

It was small. But an epidural hemorrhage could continue bleeding. As the amount of blood increased, pressure inside the skull would increase as well. If the pressure became severe enough, it could cause brain herniation.

Hyoren's expression hardened.

I need to remove the blood… Then close the artery…

He concentrated.

“Healing Light.”

His hand began glowing again. The light flowed into Jackey's head.

Hyoren carefully guided it toward the damaged area.

He imagined the blood that had accumulated inside Jackey's skull. Slowly, he removed it. Then he focused on the damaged meningeal artery. He carefully repaired it, closing the source of the bleeding. 

He maintained his concentration. His breathing grew heavier. His vision began to blur slightly from exhaustion.

But he didn't stop. Not until he was certain the bleeding had stopped.

Eventually, the tension in Jackey's body began to ease. His breathing became steadier. His chest rose and fell with a more natural rhythm. The tension around his eyebrows disappeared. His expression relaxed.

He looked almost as though he were simply sleeping.

Hyoren watched him for another moment. Then he finally allowed himself to relax.

He's stable… Good…

His body suddenly gave out. 

Hyoren crumpled.

“Hyoren!”

Elise reacted immediately, catching him before he hit the floor.

Arianna looked up in alarm.

“Leader?”

Hyoren leaned against Elise, breathing heavily. He managed a tired smile.

“I'm fine...”

He closed his eyes for a moment.

“I just used almost all my Aethell. With enough rest, I should be fine.”

Elise supported him carefully. She clearly wasn't completely convinced, but she knew he was still conscious.

Hyoren then looked toward Arianna.

“Jackey should be fine, Arianna.”

His voice was weak, but reassuring.

“All of his life-threatening wounds have been taken care of.”

Arianna looked down at Jackey. His breathing was steady now.

Her lips trembled. She finally released the breath she had been holding.

Hyoren continued.

“I'm sorry I couldn't treat every wound.”

He glanced toward Jackey's broken arm and the other injuries.

“But the lacerations and bone fractures should be stable enough, as long as he doesn't move too much.”

Arianna slowly exhaled. Then she shook her head.

“You did what you could, Leader.”

She smiled.

“I trust you.”

Her fingers gently stroked Jackey's hair again.

“And thank you...”

Hyoren nodded.

He then looked up at Elise. The silver-haired elf was still supporting him, his head resting against her lap.

“Thank you, Elise.”

Elise smiled softly. She reached down and gently parted his dark hair with her fingers.

“You're welcome.”

She gave him a warm smile.

“Now rest. You deserve it.”

Hyoren didn't argue.

He was too tired. His eyelids slowly became heavier. Then he closed his eyes. For the moment, there was nothing more he could do.

He had just performed field surgery on a critically injured patient in the middle of a battle arena. No hospital. No surgical instruments. No medical team. Only his Healing Light, his knowledge from four years of medical university, and the body of a dying Cat-clan Beastkin in front of him. And somehow, it had worked.

Jackey would live.

The Freedom Party had finally survived the Guardian of the third floor. Now they could finally take a breath.

The colosseum-like arena was silent. In the middle of that enormous chamber, two women remained beside the men they loved.

Arianna continued cradling Jackey in her arms, gently stroking his tabby ears as his breathing remained steady.

Beside her, Elise supported Hyoren's exhausted head against her lap, quietly running her fingers through his hair.

There was no celebration. No cheering. No words of victory. After everything they had endured, none of them had the strength for that.

They simply stayed there. Together.

***

Freedom Party spent about an hour resting.

The tension that had filled the Guardian chamber had finally subsided. For the moment, there was nothing left for them to fight.

Hyoren remained asleep, allowing his exhausted body to recover the Aethell he had nearly depleted during the battle.

Jackey was still unconscious as well.

However, his breathing was steady, and his complexion had returned to a much healthier state. He no longer looked like someone standing at the edge of death.

After about an hour had passed, Hyoren finally opened his eyes. His vision was still slightly hazy from sleep. The first thing he noticed was Elise sitting nearby.

The silver-haired elf noticed him waking and immediately smiled.

“Good morning, Hyoren. Did you have a nice dream? Fufu.”

Hyoren blinked a few times before his expression softened. He slowly pushed himself upright.

“I dreamed that we finally killed the Goblin Rider. It wasn't just a dream, right?”

Elise giggled.

“We did. It wasn't a dream, Hyoren. Fufu.”

Hyoren smiled, the answer putting his mind at ease.

“Good.”

“You've been asleep for about an hour, you know.”

“An hour...?”

“Fufu. You really were exhausted.”

Hyoren let out a small chuckle. Then his gaze moved toward Jackey. 

The Cat-clan Beastkin was still sleeping on Arianna's lap. He looked peaceful now.

His left arm was still hanging at an unnatural angle, a reminder that his bones had not yet been treated. But aside from that, his condition was much better than before.

Arianna had apparently given Jackey multiple Healing Potions while Hyoren was unconscious. Most of his wounds and lacerations had already disappeared. Only the fractured bones remained for Hyoren to treat.

Arianna noticed Hyoren looking at Jackey. She gave him a gentle smile.

Hyoren smiled back. With that, he slowly stood up.  Elise rose as well, moving to stand beside him.

It was then that a cascade of notifications suddenly reached Hyoren's mind. The Voice of Aethell had apparently waited until he was awake before delivering them. Hyoren paused as he listened to the series of notifications.

[Spear Mastery - Level Up to 5]

[Shield Mastery - Level Up to 6]

[Shield Mastery - Active Skill Acquired - Shield Stance]

[Strong Legs - Level Up to 3]

[Dual Wield - Skill Acquired]

[Indomitable - Skill Acquired]

[Light Magic - Level Up to 5]

[Magic Eyes : Diagnostic Sight - Level Up to 2]

One notification followed another. Hyoren almost chuckled as he listened to the cascade of information.

Quite a lot has changed, huh...

Among the notifications were two completely new skills.

The first was Dual Wield.

It was similar to the skill Jackey possessed. The skill allowed Hyoren to use two weapons at the same time without having to consciously think about coordinating them. 

Considering how often he had begun using his spear and sword together, it wasn't particularly surprising that he had acquired it. His spear-and-sword fighting would only become better with this skill.

Then there was the second new skill—Indomitable.

The skill reduced the pain he felt whenever he suffered an injury. Jigor possessed the same skill. He had explained to Hyoren before that such a skill was indispensable for a tank. And Hyoren knew exactly why.

Hyoren then turned his attention to the other new ability, Shield Stance. It was an active skill obtained from Shield Mastery.

When used, it would make his stance considerably harder to break, allowing him to tank attacks more effectively. There was, however, one obvious drawback. It would considerably reduce his speed.

Hyoren scratched his cheek.

This skill actually makes me less flexible... Haha…

He chuckled at his own observation. He didn't think he would use it very often. His philosophy as a tank had never been about simply standing in one place and becoming an immovable wall.

Hyoren preferred to fight as a mobile tanker.

He moved constantly, redirected attacks, avoided attacks when necessary, and counterattacked whenever he found an opening. Standing still and refusing to move wasn't really his style.

Elise had been watching him during his inspection of the new skills. The amusement in her emerald eyes was obvious.

“Did you get a lot of notifications from the Voice of Aethell, Hyoren?”

Hyoren glanced at her.

“Yeah, Elise...”

He then explained what he had received, telling them about the many skills that had increased in level as well as the two new skills he had acquired.

Afterward, he looked toward both women.

“Arianna, Elise. What about you two?”

Elise's smile widened slightly.

“Yeah. When you passed out... Arianna and I both got some.”

She gestured toward the crimson-haired mage, who was still sitting with Jackey resting on her lap.

Arianna smiled.

“Yes, Leader. Me as well received considerable growth. Ohoho.”

Hyoren chuckled. Arianna finally could laugh. That was good.

“So, we got rewarded with growth...”

Elise tucked a strand of silver hair behind one of her pointed ears.

“That's right. My Tracking, Poison Mastery, Aethell Sense, and Enchant Magic : Sacred Wind all increased in level.”

Hyoren nodded.

It made sense. Elise had relied heavily on all four of those skills during the battle. Her Tracking had helped her pursue and keep up with the Goblin Rider. Her Poison Mastery had been one of the key factors in weakening Blancorn. And Enchant Magic : Sacred Wind had ultimately delivered the finishing blow against the Goblin Rider. Aethell Sense had also been used throughout the battle.

“I see... You grew a lot.”

Arianna carefully shifted her position, making sure not to disturb Jackey as she continued supporting him.

“Some of my skills increased in level as well, Leader. Magic Conversion, Wind Magic, and Water Magic all increased.”

Her hand gently rested against Jackey. She looked down at him for a moment before continuing.

“And I'm sure Jackey would have grown as well...”

Hyoren smiled.

“That's right.”

His gaze moved across the arena. 

The battle had been hard. Far harder than any of them could have casually overcome. It had taken almost everything they had. Their strength. Their Aethell. Their skills.

Even Hyoren himself had collapsed after using nearly all of his remaining Aethell to save Jackey. 

Yet they had survived the Guardian battle.

And now, the Law of Aethell had rewarded them with growth.

Hyoren couldn't help but feel satisfied.

They had survived. They had pushed themselves to their limits and overcome an opponent that had nearly brought Freedom Party to its knees. And in return, they had all taken another step forward.

For Hyoren, that satisfaction was enough.

The battle was over. Freedom Party had survived. And now, they were stronger than they had been before entering the Guardian arena.

***

Hyoren looked around the Guardian chamber.

The silence felt almost strange after the battle.

Only a short while ago, the chamber had been filled with the roar of Blancorn, the clash of weapons, and the sound of magic tearing through the air. Now, the two Guardians were gone, leaving the party with a quiet battlefield and the lingering exhaustion of their fight.

The Goblin Rider and Blancorn had both been defeated.

Hyoren's eyes moved across the chamber.

They should have left something behind…

At the very least, there should be a magic stone. Floor Guardians could also drop equipment, and on rare occasions, defeating one could even cause a gold chest to appear.

That thought immediately caught his attention.

Hyoren turned toward Elise.

“Hey, did the Floor Guardian drop something?”

Elise's eyes curved with amusement.

“Fufu. Actually, yes, Hyoren. We got quite a good haul.”

She reached down toward the storage bag attached to her belt.

“I already took the loot and opened the gold chest.”

Hyoren's eyes lit up.

“Oh?”

He leaned slightly toward her.

“What did we get for all our trouble this time, Elise?”

Elise giggled at his sudden interest.

“Other than the two magic stones... each guardian dropped one item.”

She reached into her storage bag and pulled out a leather belt.

The belt looked sturdy, but that wasn't what caught Hyoren's attention. Intricate runic inscriptions covered its surface, their fine lines clearly carved into the leather. Two pouches were attached to the belt as well, making it look like something designed for an adventurer who actually intended to use it rather than merely display it.

Elise held it out.

“This belt was dropped by the Goblin Rider.”

Hyoren looked from the belt to Elise, then back at the belt.

“This belt looks sturdy.”

He took the belt and slowly turned it over in his hands, studying the runes.

“It definitely has a magical effect too.”

Elise giggled.

“It should…”

She reached into her storage bag again.

“And there's one more.”

This time, she pulled out a pair of boots.

White fur covered their surface, soft-looking but thick enough to provide proper protection. The construction was sturdy, with a design that looked more suited to surviving a dungeon than simply looking fashionable.

Hyoren's attention shifted to them.

“And this one?”

Elise held the boots up for him.

“This one came from Blancorn.”

Hyoren blinked.

He looked at the boots, then at the belt still in his hands.

“Two equipment drops from a single Guardian...”

He looked back at Elise.

“That's really rare, huh?”

Elise nodded.

“It is.”

She smiled as she watched his eyes wander over the equipment.

“You look pretty happy about it.”

Hyoren smiled wryly.

“Of course I am. After everything we just went through, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for something good.”

Hyoren examined both pieces again, his interest obvious as he turned the belt once more and looked over the sturdy white boots.

After he finished examining them, Elise carefully took both pieces back. She placed them inside her storage bag before reaching into it once more.

This time, she pulled out a single earring.

Hyoren's gaze immediately settled on it.

The earring was made of gold and shaped like a small but sharp dagger. It was considerably bigger than an ordinary earring, and intricate runic inscriptions had been carved along its surface.

Elise held it between her fingers.

“And this earring came from the gold chest.”

Hyoren leaned closer. He carefully examined the gold surface and the runes etched into it.

“This is definitely a magic tool.”

He straightened.

“We need to get them appraised after we get back.”

Elise nodded.

“We should.”

Hyoren smiled.

They had become stronger. And now they had obtained good loot on top of that. After everything they had gone through, it was difficult not to feel satisfied.

Then—a faint groan came from nearby.

“Ugh...”

Hyoren's attention immediately snapped toward the sound.

Jackey's body shifted. His tabby cat ears twitched, and his eyelids slowly opened. He blinked several times, his expression still clouded with sleep.

For a few moments, he simply stared ahead.

Then he seemed to realize something. His head was resting on Arianna's lap.

Jackey looked up at her in confusion.

“Eh... Arianna? What happened?”

Arianna's expression changed the moment she heard his voice.

Relief washed over her face. She quickly gathered Jackey's head into her arms, and tears began spilling down her cheeks again.

“Jackey... You finally woke up.”

Her voice trembled.

“Huhuhu...”

This time, however, they were tears of joy. Jackey was alive. He was awake. That was enough for Arianna.

Hyoren and Elise moved closer.

Hyoren smiled down at him.

“Good morning, Jackey. Sleep well, I reckon?”

Jackey blinked at him.

Then he tried to sit up. The moment he moved his left arm, pain shot through it.

“Hghh...”

He stopped immediately.

Arianna's hand came to his shoulder.

“Jackey, don't move so quickly.”

Her voice tightened with worry.

“You almost died!”

Jackey stared at her.

“Huh…?”

He looked down at his arm. Then back at Arianna.

“Huh!?”

Elise giggled.

“You don't remember, Jackey?”

Jackey frowned. He tried to search through the hazy memories in his head.

“I...”

His tabby cat ears twitched.

“I remember Blancorn...”

Elise's smile softened.

“That's right.”

She waited a moment before continuing.

“You took Blancorn's charge to protect Arianna.”

Jackey's eyes widened slightly.

“Oh.”

The memory finally came back.

“Oooh... Right...”

He looked down at his injured arm and gave a wry smile.

“No wonder I felt like I got hit by a carriage! HAHA.”

Hyoren laughed. Elise laughed as well. Even Arianna, still wiping away her tears, couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of his comparison.

The tension that had remained after the battle finally loosened.

Hyoren reached into his storage bag and pulled out a piece of cloth.

“Here. Let's keep your arm still for now.”

Jackey looked at the cloth.

“What are you doing, Big Bro?”

Hyoren carefully wrapped the cloth around Jackey's left arm.

“Making a sling. To help fixate your broken arm, Jackey.”

The moment he adjusted the broken arm into position, Jackey winced.

“Hghh...”

Arianna's expression tightened again.

But Hyoren finished securing the makeshift armsling and checked that it was holding properly.

“There. I'll heal your arm later, Jackey.”

He gave the sling one last adjustment.

“For now, do not move it or the fracture will worsen. Bear with it for a while, okay?”

Jackey nodded.

“Thanks, Big Bro!”

He looked at his sling for a moment. Then he shifted his weight.

Arianna immediately noticed.

“Jackey... What are you doing?”

Jackey slowly pushed himself up.

“Only my arm hurt, Arianna. I can at least walk.”

Arianna reached toward him, ready to catch him if he lost his balance.

Jackey's body swayed slightly once he was standing. But he steadied himself.

“See?”

He gave Arianna a reassuring smile.

“I'm fine. Big Bro's healing magic is the best!”

Arianna's expression remained worried.

“I know Leader’s healing magic is powerful… But you almost died, Jackey...”

Jackey gave an awkward little smile.

“I know. But I'm standing, aren't I?”

Arianna opened her mouth to argue again.

Hyoren stepped in first.

“Arianna, give up. He seems like he can at least walk.”

He activated Magic Eyes once more.

The familiar information appeared before his eyes.

State : Mild Weakness. Mild Bloodloss. Fractured Humerus. Fractured Ulna and Radius.

Hyoren examined the result carefully.

Most of his wounds were already gone…

Jackey was still weak and had suffered some blood loss. The fractures remained, and those would need to be treated later. But at least he could walk normally.

Hyoren looked toward Arianna. He smiled at her, trying to reassure her.

“He's alright for now. He just needs to rest.”

Arianna looked at Jackey again. Her eyes still carried worry, but she finally relaxed slightly.

Elise giggled.

“If Jackey has already started joking again, you know he's fine. Fufu.”

Jackey grinned. He gave a thumb up with his healthy hand.

“Exactly!”

Arianna looked at the two of them. For a moment, she seemed ready to object again. Then she looked at Jackey standing in front of her, joking around as though nothing had happened.

Her shoulders finally relaxed.

“Alright...”

Everyone laughed.

After resting long enough for Jackey to walk without swaying, and for Arianna to finally stop trembling with worry, Freedom Party began making their way toward the back of the chamber.

Their steps were slow. Nobody had any reason to hurry now. The battle had taken almost everything from them.

Jackey was still wounded. Hyoren had only recently recovered enough Aethell to stand, and everyone else carried the exhaustion of the fight in their movements.

Yet the mood among them was different now. They were tired. But they were triumphant.

At the back of the colosseum-like arena, the Teleport Orb waited for them.

Hyoren stopped in front of it.

He turned around and looked at his companions. Everyone was tired. Jackey was wounded. Their equipment still bore the marks of the battle they had just survived. But they were all still standing.

Hyoren looked at them for a moment. Then he gave one final nod.

“Let's go home?”

Everyone nodded.

“Mmh.”

“Ready to sleep in our home, Big Bro!”

“Yes, Leader.”

One by one, they reached out and touched the Teleport Orb. The cool surface pulsed beneath their hands. Their thoughts became unified.

Exit dungeon.

***

The familiar, sickening lurch of teleportation seized Hyoren's body. For an instant, his stomach seemed to drop beneath his feet. Then it was gone. The oppressive energy of the dungeon vanished with it. In its place came cool, echoing air.

Hyoren blinked as the surroundings settled into focus.

They were back in the adventurer's waiting room inside the main tunnel of the old quarry. The familiar stone walls surrounded them once again. The ceiling was high enough for the sound of footsteps and quiet conversations to echo through the chamber, and the faint smell of stone and dust felt strangely comforting after spending so long inside the dungeon.

Freedom Party had returned.

And judging by the sudden silence around them, everyone had noticed.

Several adventurers who had been waiting nearby turned toward them. Then they stared.

Hyoren understood why.

Freedom Party looked terrible. Their equipment was battered and covered in the marks of battle. Hyoren's shield was gone, his armor was damaged, and dried blood stained his arms. Elise looked exhausted, her silver hair no longer as neat as it had been when they entered the dungeon. Arianna's robes were worn from the battle, and even her usually composed expression carried obvious fatigue.

And Jackey—Jackey looked as though he had been dragged through the middle of a battlefield. His left arm hung inside the makeshift sling, his armor was damaged, and traces of blood still remained on him.

The waiting room slowly filled with murmurs.

“What happened to them?”

“That cat is covered in blood! And look! What happened to his left arm?”

“Look at their leader! Where's his shield? His arms are covered in blood... and his armor is broken!”

“The mage and ranger look exhausted too.”

“They look like they just came back from a war…”

More people began glancing over. Some adventurers whispered to one another. A few vendors paused what they were doing to look at the battered party passing through the waiting room.

Freedom Party, however, paid little attention to them.

They had spent twelve days inside the dungeon. They had fought countless goblins. They had endured the Third Floor. They had defeated its Guardian.

At this point, the curious stares and murmurs around them barely registered.

Hyoren simply continued walking. Elise followed beside him. Arianna stayed close to Jackey, keeping a watchful eye on him despite knowing he could walk. Jackey himself seemed more interested in getting home than in the attention.

The party walked straight through the waiting room and toward the Adventurer's Guild branch. Soon, the familiar heavy wooden doors came into view.

Hyoren pushed one open. The door groaned softly as it swung inward.

Inside, the atmosphere was considerably calmer than the waiting room.

Behind one of the counters, Sherly was busy working through a stack of paperwork. The bespectacled clerk looked up at the sound of the door. 

Her eyes found Freedom Party. 

Her hand stopped. The paper in front of her remained forgotten.

“Freedom Party?”

Sherly stared for a moment. Then her professional expression completely shattered.

“You're back…”

She leaned forward, her glasses slipping slightly crooked on her nose as she looked over the group. Her eyes moved from Hyoren's battered armor to his bloodied arms. Then to Jackey's injured arm. Then to Elise and Arianna.

Her expression became increasingly incredulous.

“And you look like you fought a war...”

Hyoren gave her a tired, wry smile.

“We did, actually, Sherly.”

He reached into his belongings and placed his Guild Card on the counter.

“We fought the Third Floor Guardian.”

He paused.

“And won.”

Sherly stared at him. Then at the Guild Card. Then back at Hyoren.

“...The Third Floor Guardian?”

Her voice had gone noticeably quieter.

She picked up the card and placed it onto the runic reader. The device immediately flared to life. Lines of information appeared across its surface.

Sherly leaned closer.

Her eyes moved down the information. Then stopped. Her eyebrows rose. She read further.

They rose even higher.

“It's... it's confirmed.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

“Third Floor Guardian kill...”

She swallowed.

“Goblin Rider... and Blancorn?”

She slowly lifted her gaze toward them. For several seconds, she simply stared.

Hyoren rested both arms against the counter.

“It was a hard fight, Sherly.”

He glanced down at his own battered equipment.

“I lost my shield.”

Then he nodded toward Jackey.

“Jackey almost died.”

Jackey raised his good hand.

“Hey, I'm still alive!”

Arianna immediately glanced at him.

“You almost didn't.”

Jackey's tabby cat ears drooped slightly.

“Oh, right…”

Elise giggled.

Sherly looked between them, still trying to process everything she had just heard.

Hyoren leaned slightly closer over the counter.

“Want to hear the details about the Third Floor and the Guardian?”

Sherly's face went pale. She immediately raised both hands.

“No!”

The answer came so quickly that Hyoren blinked.

Sherly hurriedly pushed her glasses back into place.

“Please, no!”

She took a breath.

“Do not give me details that are going to make me break down like before.”

Her eyes moved between the battered members of Freedom Party.

“I've learned my lesson.”

She gestured in the direction of Akela City.

“Go report to Senior Ina in the main branch, please.”

Then she pressed a hand against her chest.

“For my mental health.”

A moment of silence followed. Then Hyoren laughed. 

Elise covered her mouth as she giggled.

“Fufufu, Sherly please…”

Even Jackey couldn't hold back.

“HAHA! She is surprised by how STRONG Freedom Party is! WOHOO!”

Arianna's lips curved into a small smile.

“Ohoho.”

Sherly's shoulders slumped. She was easily flustered whenever Freedom Party returned with another absurd report. Aside from that, she was a perfectly competent and professional guild clerk.

Unfortunately for her, Freedom Party had a habit of turning ordinary guild reports into incidents that tested the limits of her composure.

Hyoren shook his head with a smile.

“Okay, okay, Sherly.”

He took his Guild Card back.

“We'll just report the kills and sell the loot.”

Sherly visibly relaxed.

“Thank you.”

Elise stepped forward. She reached for the storage bag attached to her belt.

“Then let's start with the magic stones.”

She opened the bag and began pouring out the magic stones they had gathered during their twelve-day dive into the prepared counting magic tool. 

One after another, the stones landed inside. Then more followed. And more. The sound continued for several moments.

Sherly's eyebrows slowly began twitching. She stared at the growing pile. Her expression became increasingly complicated.

She had seen Freedom Party return with absurd quantities of magic stones before. She had told herself she was becoming accustomed to it. She wasn't sure that was actually true.

Still, she took a slow breath and reached for the counting magic tool.

“Alright...”

Her fingers moved across the device, activating its runic functions. Numbers appeared.

Sherly carefully checked them. Then checked them again.

“Okay... okay.”

She nodded slowly.

“Confirmed.”

Her eyes narrowed as she continued reading.

“5,100 total Level 14 magic stones…”

She paused.

“And one Level 16 Guardian magic stone.”

Another pause.

“And one Level 18 Guardian magic stone.”

Sherly stared at the final calculation. Then she looked at Hyoren.

“The total reward is 73,100,000 Kres.”

Silence.

Sherly slowly lowered the counting magic tool. Then she shook her head.

“You guys really want to rob the Adventurer's Guild, don't you...?”

Hyoren laughed.

Elise laughed with him.

Jackey's shoulders shook with laughter as well.

Even Arianna couldn't stop herself from smiling.

Elise glanced down at the battered equipment they were still wearing.

“Well, we do need to buy new equipment.”

She lightly touched Hyoren’s battered armor.

“We need to replace the things that were destroyed in this battle, so I'm glad we got this much. Fufufu.”

Jackey immediately nodded.

“Yes!”

He looked down at his battered leather armor.

“I need a new axe and new armor!”

He seemed to have completely forgotten that his left arm was still broken and he was still wearing a makeshift armsling.

Hyoren looked at his own damaged equipment and gave a wry smile.

“That's right.”

He glanced down at the remains of his armor.

“I need new armor and a new shield.”

Sherly stared at the three of them. Then she sighed.

“Freedom Party...”

She shook her head, though there was a faint smile on her face.

“You never cease to amaze me with your absurdity.”

Everyone laughed again.

Sherly returned her attention to the counting magic tool and finished processing their earnings. Once everything was settled, she returned their Guild Cards.

Hyoren accepted his card and gave her a grateful smile.

“Thank you as always, Sherly.”

He slipped the card away.

“Now we need to rest. Please excuse us.”

He gave her a small wave.

Sherly straightened behind the counter and gave them a slight bow.

“May fortune always come to you, Freedom Party.”

Hyoren nodded.

“Thanks.”

With that, Freedom Party turned away from the counter. They left the guild branch together.

Outside, the winter air of the town greeted them once more. For the first time in twelve days, they were no longer surrounded by dungeon walls.

No monsters were waiting around the next corner. No Goblin Rider and Blancorn stood ahead of them. There was nothing left to fight.

Freedom Party simply headed home. All they wanted was their home, a warm place to rest, and the long sleep they had more than earned.

They were exhausted. They were battered. But they survived.