The entrance to the mine still looked the same as the day before, rough, silent, and layered in stone dust.
Familiar sounds echoed through the air: the sharp clinking of pickaxes striking hard rock, mixed with the shouts and clashing of swords from players battling not far away.
Though the atmosphere remained heavy and worn, today the mine felt more crowded, more alive, almost as if the entire place was slowly waking from a long slumber.
The three of them...Ren, Yuna, and Nautilus, quietly stepped into the mine, leaving behind only the sound of their footsteps echoing against the cold rock walls.
Ren trailed behind, one step slower. The distance between him and the two ahead gradually widened, like a crack that refused to be mended.
Nautilus glanced back occasionally, his eyes filled with conflicting emotions, as if he wanted to say something...but always held back.
Yuna remained silent, her eyes fixed straight ahead, not looking back even once.
"Today, we'll be hunting the cave bats," Nautilus said. His voice held a slight hesitation, as if he were testing the waters of leading a group...something clearly unfamiliar and challenging for him.
Normally, Ren would be the one to plan things out, assigning tasks, laying out objectives.
But today, something in the air was different.
Ren said little, following quietly behind, as if he'd retreated into his own separate space.
Yuna, too, stayed silent, seemingly uninterested in participating in the conversation.
And so, reluctantly, Nautilus had to shoulder the remaining responsibilities.
"I also gathered some information about the safe zones. Not many monsters there," he added, trying to ease the tension, though his words fell quietly into the void between them.
He let out a soft sigh, the heavy atmosphere clinging to them, but he continued forward, leading the way.
It was only when they turned a corner that familiar silhouettes appeared unexpectedly before them.
"Oh, didn't expect to see you all here," Diavel said, his eyes showing clear surprise, though also a hint of admiration.
Usually, after an ordeal like theirs, players would need at least a few days to recover, keeping their distance from dangerous quests or hunting grounds.
Especially these three, they had ventured deep into the lower levels of the mine and had barely escaped from brutal monsters.
Yet here they were, back again the very next morning, without hesitation, after being saved by Diavel's group just the day before.
Diavel gave a faint, unreadable smile, as if wondering whether to call their return courageous… or foolish.
Surprise flickered across the faces of all three, Nautilus, Yuna, and Ren.
Nautilus felt a subtle wave of relief at seeing someone familiar, the tension around them lightening just a little.
He wasn't exactly happy...but at least, in that moment, there was someone to lean on.
Yuna's expression was different. Her eyes lit up with admiration as she looked at Diavel and his team.
It wasn't the admiration of infatuation but something deeper, a shared resonance of ideals.
Even with only a brief encounter, she could feel the unity within their group and the burning conviction in Diavel's eyes.
There was something about the way they worked, the way they lived, that felt close to her heart, like a model she couldn't help but respect.
Ren, on the other hand, showed a more complicated expression. There was a blend of closeness and distance in his gaze a sense of unease, as if he were slowly losing something inside himself.
That feeling didn't come from Diavel or his team, it stemmed from somewhere deeper, something Ren himself was beginning to realize.
Still, Ren couldn't deny his respect for Diavel. The man exuded a solid, unwavering confidence; every word and action was clear, decisive, and sincere.
Ren could feel the strength in that resolve, something he himself was lacking.
"Hello. We didn't expect to run into you either," Nautilus replied, his gaze drifting to the people standing behind Diavel.
Lind stood with his usual arrogance, eyes full of confidence, as if everything already belonged to him.
Shivata lingered nearby, a relaxed smile on his face, like all of this was just part of a routine he'd long grown used to.
And Chest, the young man who seemed only slightly older than the three, carried his massive backpack as always, looking like nothing in the world could faze him, not even the smallest thing.
Each of them carried their own distinct presence...but all were undeniably essential to the team.
Diavel's deep blue eyes glanced over the three of them, as if he already knew exactly what they were planning to do today.
He spoke, his voice firm yet laced with warning. "Don't get yourselves lost again like yesterday. Luck isn't always on our side."
Nautilus froze, his gaze quickly shifting away. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed by Diavel's reminder.
Yuna, though still slightly shy, unexpectedly spoke up. "Thank you and everyone for helping us yesterday," her voice soft but clear, filled with genuine gratitude.
Diavel gave a slight nod, as if it were nothing significant, just something he felt he had to do. "It was what I had to do." He paused for a moment, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, as if contemplating something left unsaid.
Finally, he continued, his voice deeper, more caring. "To be safer… if you don't mind, you could join us on the hunt. The rewards and experience will be split, but at least we'll all be safer."
A moment of silence followed, as if the three were weighing the offer, but in truth, each of them was sensing the shift in their relationship.
The three exchanged glances, clear surprise in their expressions. They hadn't expected Diavel to invite them into his party, an action that was not just unexpected, but made them wonder if there was something more behind the offer.
However, the ones more surprised were Shivata, Lind, and Chest. They couldn't help but glance at one another, as though everything had changed in that single moment.
Shivata, with a light smile, quickly nodded in agreement. He understood that Diavel was not someone who acted without reason, and he wouldn't have invited them unless he truly believed it was the right decision.
Diavel wasn't just an exceptional warrior, he was also a talented leader, someone who knew how to recognize and choose the right teammates.
Chest, always silent and reserved, didn't show any dissatisfaction with Diavel's decision. He also nodded in agreement, with no objections.
But it was Lind who made the atmosphere tense. His eyes swept across each member of the group, gaze filled with judgment and scrutiny.
Eventually, Lind's eyes settled on Ren, with a hint of unmistakable disdain.
Even so, upon meeting Diavel's determined gaze, Lind said nothing. He merely gave a slight nod, seemingly accepting the leader's invitation without another word.
They had all seen Yuna and Nautilus's combat skills, there was no need for lengthy descriptions. The precision in each movement was undeniable.
A stark contrast to the other players Diavel's group had encountered, players who flailed awkwardly or overcomplicated every attack.
They were too focused on leveling up or finding better gear. They had strength, yes...but was strength truly everything?
Diavel didn't think so.
To him, efficiency and synergy in battle were far more important, and Yuna and Nautilus had demonstrated exactly that.
Ren looked at his two friends, his eyes complicated and reflective. Though he didn't say it, he knew Diavel's offer made a lot of sense.
More teammates, especially ones like Diavel's group, meant more safety.
With their knowledge and power, they could venture deeper into dangerous areas, face stronger monsters, and grow accustomed to greater challenges.
The looks Yuna and Nautilus gave Ren startled him slightly, but it also felt like a silent affirmation. He knew what they were thinking.
Ren gave a gentle nod, his agreement clear in the gesture.
"We'd be honored," Yuna spoke up, stepping forward and meeting Diavel's eyes with unwavering determination.
Hearing the response, Diavel gave a small smile, but only for a moment, before his serious demeanor returned.
He took a deep breath and began to speak, his tone no longer light.
"You're free to reconsider. But before we proceed, I must make one thing clear." He paused, his eyes calm and unwavering. "Our group's goal isn't just to survive and explore deeper areas."
He stepped closer, carefully observing each member, as if making sure they understood the weight of what they were about to undertake. "We're aiming for something greater, we want to defeat the boss of the first floor. And not just the first floor, but the ones after that too."
The air grew heavier, and Diavel's gaze sharpened more than ever. "This will be extremely dangerous. I want you to think carefully before making your decision."
The tunnel suddenly fell into a strange silence, only footsteps echoing across the cold stone floor. Every glance exchanged was weighted with thought. Then, a voice rang out...firm, strong, and unmistakably Yuna's, breaking the tension.
"We accept."
Upon saying those words, Yuna's heart pounded in her chest...but with it came an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
Diavel's goal, though different from what she once imagined, resonated with her deeply.
If the boss on the first floor could be defeated, how many people would see a spark of hope from that alone?
How many would dare to rise, take up their weapons, and fight together toward a different future?
Her eyes began to shine, and her hand tightened around the sword at her side. That feeling, of determination and belief, had become the very force driving her forward.