A notification spawned in Raven's mind as the group left the portal.
<<2nd floor is now accesible>>
What felt like an hour of expedition inside the dungeon was poorly reflected outside, the skies now red, marking the near end of the day, the first time Raven went inside she didn't notice something like that, but maybe it was because she was inside for a couple of minutes and then she came out very beaten.
After walking away from the dungeon entrance, Kayle received the egg from Eruru's hands. Then she turned toward the dwarf and the cat girl, giving a bow towards them, which of course made Rave feel very awkward.
"Thank you" She said with deep gratitude "Thanks to both of you I was able to achieve my first goal in this city"
Raven shifted uncomfortably as Eruru bowed, scratching the back of her head "No need to get all formal on us, princess. We were just hired for this, remember?" she said with a smirk, though there was a hint of something softer beneath her usual bravado.
Thorsen grunted in agreement, though a small, proud smile tugged at his lips "Aye, lass. Ye handled yerself well for a first-timer. It's not every day ye see someone survive their first dungeon dive, let alone lead a team through it"
Raven actually believed that one way or another at least Kyale would die, but she wasn't letting that information leak. Compared to the swamp she felt this level was easier, even if it took more time to cross it, the swamp was a continuous battle of enemy after enemy... but well... maybe with a proper party, it wouldn't be so hard.
'But a proper party is not a luxury I have' She thought looking at the red sky, the night was closing in 'I need to get stronger'
But still, there was something important. She had survived. Again.
Until now her whole life had been surviving different kinds of battles, but she grew tired of just surviving, she wanted to win. To not just barely cut the chase, to feel like everything went easy for her.
Thorsen gave her a knowing look as if he could sense her unease. "Ye alright, lass? Ye look a bit lost in thought"
Raven nodded "I just need a drink"
"We still have to share the things we collected from the storage room, no?" Asked Kayle.
"I think I will pass on that..." Said Eruru with worry on her face.
"Come on princess... not good enough to drink with the common folk?" Said Raven taunting her.
"Hahahaha!" laughed Thorsen being jovial "Well if she withdraws there is more food and ale for us!"
The mage looked at the two shameless companions surprised, she wasn't used to people like them, even if the mage tower had a strong relationship with mercenaries and adventurers, she was just too new to this, and her master didn't want to give her any tip or advice.
"Soooo!!"
"What will it be?" Asked the dwarf.
Kayle looked at her with puppy eyes...
...
...
...
It was a mistake.
She had finally succumbed to the social pressure, but she didn't want to go back to the slum tavern, of course, she ain't going back there, she was scared all the way back to the tower after that since she felt the intense stare of everyone the whole way. And now... even in a better tavern with supposedly decent people...
But stuff got spiced up when they drank the orc booze, she warned them to not be reckless, but it seemed it was too strong and tasted like trash, even so, the three did it, actually, she didn't believe Kayle would do it. And now they were fighting over the jerky.
"Hey, gimme that!" Raven said.
"Nay it's mine, lass, let it go!" Said Thorsen.
"We gotta share this!" Said Kyale grabbing a piece of the meat.
The three of them looked like savages. Other groups in the tavern were looking at them with suspicious eyes. Of course, Thorsen was much stronger than the other too, in the end, the piece of meat split, and the warrior got the biggest piece, he stood up victorious and laughed, ate a big chunk of it, and took a beer that was brought by one of the waitresses, for some reason he looked more victorious here than in the dungeon. Raven sulked and ate her portion and Kyale turned towards Eruru and ate his like a hamster, scared of them taking it from him.
Eruru could feel her public image shattered, or that was her impression... to other groups they were just an annoyance, but tried to ignore them as they loudly celebrated, using the excuse of Eruru completing her goal as an excuse to misbehave.
Even so, the night was way quieter than the fight at The Fat Boar. They were loud and acted like idiots, but somewhat the new experience brought a smile to Eruru.
The rest of the night went on quietly, in the end, they had to pay for a room for Raven who fell asleep on her chair, it seemed that surviving that boss attack at the end took a tool on her, so Thorsen just dragged her as a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and threw her to the small bed in the room.
Kayle was nearly knocked out too, so Eruru took him and carried him to the tower.
Thorsen then just leaned back on his chair and enjoyed a freshly served beer and rested looking at the fireplace, dwelling in his memories, after a peaceful time when there were almost no patrons left, he went to his room and fell deeply asleep.
...
...
...
Meanwhile on the mage tower, on one of the top floors, the peaceful night was interrupted by a sea of endless screams, the suffering of men, women, and children alike. The figure of an old man, wearing dark brown robes and a big staff was standing in front of a desk when he got interrupted by a helper.
"Master Valgaris... your disciple has returned" Said the trembling voice of a young man.
"So... the stupid girl got bored of playing adventurers" The man said with little to no emotion in his voice "I don't care" he said without raising his stare from the manuscript he was writing "Tell her I want a report for tomorrow at first hour"
The helper was paralyzed by the terrible view of the experiment he was conducting.
"Now go, or would you like to join them?"
"At once sire!" The helper said eagerly and ran away in fear.
The mage then looked towards a window, the moon was high in the sky.
"Ah... Eruru, my foolish apprentice, can't you see there is no time for playing?" He sighted and closed a book 'But there is always time for experimenting'.
As he moved, the manuscript signed by him had all the information he had about a certain girl, slowly, but certainly, the strings of fate were beginning to spin.