Ryuto carefully opened the trapdoor, revealing a narrow set of stone steps leading down into the darkness. The air that wafted up from below was cold and stale, and the faint glow of torches flickered in the distance.
"Well, this looks inviting," Ryuto muttered sarcastically.
Nina was right behind him, practically bouncing with excitement. "This is it! The final showdown! I bet the thief has some kind of elaborate lair down there, maybe traps, puzzles, hidden treasures..."
"Or a cold, damp basement," Celeste added dryly, clearly not sharing Nina's enthusiasm.
Roland stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Stay on guard. If this is really the thief's hideout, they might have prepared for our arrival."
With a nod from Ryuto, the group descended the stairs, their footsteps echoing through the narrow passage. The further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became, the weight of the stone walls pressing in on them.
