On the next day, the trio embarked on their journey, making their way to the dungeon they had abandoned during their last quest. However, as the peaceful embrace of sleep started to settle over Creed, his consciousness slipped into the past, blurring the lines between memory and reality.
Suddenly, he found himself back on the battlefield, standing on the front lines, gripping a rifle. Panic and chaos were all around him. He saw Kyru and Shiiyo beside him, along with some of his old comrades falling one by one to enemy fire. It was a nightmare he couldn't escape.
In the heat of the moment, he spotted an enemy mercenary aiming at Kyru. Kyru's voice echoed, urging them to fall back, but Creed's body moved on its own. With a desperate shout, he shielded his friend from the incoming gunfire, taking multiple hits. But even as he was hit, he managed to return fire, eliminating the enemy before his strength waned.
His comrades dragged him to safety while calling out for their captain, their voices echoing in his ears. As his vision dimmed, he continued to fire at the enemy positions, still hearing their pleas: "Captain!... Don't die on us, Captain!" The last thing he saw was the patch symbol of the mercenary he had killed. The echoes of their calls faded, and everything turned black.
Creed slowly woke up from the harrowing nightmare, his comrade Shiiyo calling him, "Captain... Captain, you okay?" Still groggy from the dream, he replied, "Yeah, I guess." Kyru chimed in, "Looks like you had a bad dream, Cap." Creed managed a chuckle, "Yeah, I suppose." He then asked Shiiyo, "Are we there yet?" Shiiyo reassured him, "Yep, just a few kilometers ahead, and we'll get there in no time."
Creed removed his helmet, allowing the fresh air to cool his face, all the while thinking about the enemy he had shot back in their old world. The memories were still haunting him, even in this new realm.
The trio made their way to their destination, and as they approached the dungeon, Shiiyo called out to the others, "Hey, boys! We're here." Creed and Kyru both looked at the looming dungeon entrance.
"All right, boys, let's unload here for a moment," Creed suggested.
As they began to unpack their supplies, Creed ventured deeper into the woods, searching for something specific. He muttered to himself while looking around, "Where could it be?" After a bit of searching, he finally discovered what he was looking for and couldn't help but exclaim, "Jackpot!" He opened a crate that the basilisk had dropped, revealing a treasure trove of loot inside. A wide grin spread across his face as he gazed at the contents. "Booya," he cheered.
Meanwhile, Shiiyo and Kyru were occupied with unloading supplies and setting up a camp near the dungeon entrance. Kyru decided to call out to Creed, "Hey, Captain! You still alive?" Moments later, Creed emerged from the woods, carrying a massive weapon. Kyru noticed this and started tapping Shiiyo's back with increasing annoyance, but when he finally looked at Creed, his eyes widened in surprise. "Holy Jesus," he exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
Creed stood there, holding a brand new M249 SAW in his hands. He asked the two with a groovy tone, "You boys ready to kick some ass?" Both Shiiyo and Kyru responded in unison, "Hell yeah!"
Creed explained to them that the loot crate from the basilisk contained a canister of ammo, providing them with enough supplies for a couple of weeks. However, they were aware it wasn't sufficient for their long-term needs. To secure more ammunition, they would need to venture deep into the dungeon, where they knew danger awaited. But, armed with their newfound loot, they were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the evening settled in and they took a break to rest and prepare for their impending dungeon exploration, Creed found himself lost in thought while gazing at an old photo. Shiiyo, noticing the distant look in his eyes, couldn't help but strike up a conversation. He said, "You really missed them, huh... I mean your family."
Creed snapped back to the present and let out a quiet, contemplative sigh. "Ah... uhh... yeah. I do miss my daughter and wife," he admitted. "But we can't go back now. I mean, we... died in our world, well... sort of. It's the reality I need to accept and move forward with."
Shiiyo smiled and chuckled in response, showing his support. "Guess it's just us, all that's left. Let's watch each other's backs and move forward together."
Kyru, who was perched on top of a tree while keeping an eye on their surroundings, couldn't help but smile upon hearing their conversation. In the face of their shared challenges in this new world, their bond grew stronger, and they were determined to face whatever came their way as a united team.
The morning sun began to rise, and the remnants of the extinguished campfire left behind only a faint, crackling sound. The trio, fully rested and prepared for the day ahead, stood side by side in front of the ominous dungeon entrance. Their faces were serious and determined as they looked at each other, silently affirming their shared commitment to the mission.
Kyru, with a hint of tension in his voice, spoke, "Well... I guess this is it. Let's roll out." With unwavering determination, they proceeded to enter the dark and foreboding dungeon, ready to face the unknown challenges that awaited them inside.