The cavern gradually came to life as the group stirred awake, the golden barrier dissipating as JC lowered his hand. Mark stretched with a groan, Angel yawned loudly, and Jackson rubbed his eyes while mumbling something about needing more sleep. Lissy woke last, her head still resting on JC's shoulder.
"Morning," JC said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
She blinked, her green eyes meeting his before realizing their position. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly sat up. "Morning," she mumbled, avoiding the teasing glances from the others.
---
The Decision
As they gathered their belongings, Jackson pulled out a map of the dungeon from his inventory. "We've explored most of the floors," he said, tracing their path with his finger. "But we're running out of time. If we stay too long, the dungeon will collapse, and we'll be trapped."
JC nodded. "We've accomplished enough here. It's time to leave."
Angel frowned. "I wanted to see what was deeper in."
"There will always be another dungeon," Mark said, patting her shoulder. "This one's not worth the risk."
Jackson rummaged through his bag, pulling out a Travel Scroll. "This should take us back to the guild building."
---
The Escape
The group stood together as Jackson activated the scroll. A shimmering portal appeared before them, glowing with a soft blue light.
"Everyone ready?" Jackson asked.
They nodded, stepping through one by one. JC lingered for a moment, his crimson eyes scanning the dark tunnel behind them. He could feel the weight of the dungeon's secrets pressing against his mind, but he pushed the thoughts aside.
"Let's go," he said, stepping into the portal.
The sensation was instant—like being submerged in water before surfacing into fresh air. When they emerged, they were back in the familiar hall of the Devil's Shadows Guild.
---
Back at the Guild
The guild building was alive with activity. Adventurers bustled about, exchanging stories of their quests, checking the mission board, and reporting to higher-ups. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with the clinking of armor and the hum of conversation.
The group stepped aside, catching their breath from the journey.
"Home sweet home," Mark said, stretching his arms.
Angel grinned. "I'm starving. Let's grab something to eat."
Jackson nodded. "I'll head to the mission board later and see if anything interesting has come up."
JC stood quietly, his gaze drifting to the large emblem of their guild—a black and crimson insignia of a shadowy figure wielding a blade.
Lissy touched his arm gently. "You okay?"
He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. Just thinking."
---
Plans Moving Forward
After settling down, the group gathered in one of the guild's private rooms to discuss their next move.
"The dungeon gave us a good amount of loot and experience," Jackson said, pulling out a list of their findings. "We've got materials, mana stones, and some rare items. But we'll need to restock on potions and gear."
"We also need to take on more quests," Angel added. "Our guild rank won't increase if we don't keep pushing."
JC leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We'll take it one step at a time. Rest up, resupply, and then we'll decide on our next mission."
The others nodded, their trust in him evident.
---
A Quiet Resolve
As the meeting ended, the group dispersed to handle their tasks. JC remained behind, his thoughts drifting back to the dungeon.
The journey's only just begun, he thought, clenching his fists. I need to make sure they're ready for what's coming.
He glanced at the window overlooking the bustling guild hall, his reflection staring back at him.
Peak Godhood is still out of reach, he thought. But I'll get there. For them.