Victory Spoils

20 silver coins. That was the lifeworth of the four fools who challenged the dungeon. Kayle had recovered a couple of magic mumbo jumbo, some metal scraps, and 20 silver coins. That was the loot for this dungeon assault. 

'At least we got some jerky and booze' She thought as she felt seething pain in her shoulder, the potion was doing effect, since they were low grade they took their time to regenerate fully, but at least she wasn't bleeding anymore and the wound was slowly closing thanks to the increased healing factor given by the potion. 

They had to wait until they got prepared to enter the second level of the dungeon, even if they were leaving shortly after that, because if they fall into a trap they would be doomed if they fight all battered. 

<<Achivement Accomplished: Act of mercy>>

Raven didn't fully understand what that entangled, but now it was engraved in her Stats, it annoyed her, she couldn't understand it, the rest seemed to have an idea but she didn't want to ask cause she would feel even more stupid. The elf was bowing to Thorsen who was just telling her to relax, it seemed like the test of the elf was practically done, in the end at least the cat could understand some of it without the need of her telling her.

'It was some sort of coming of age' 

The bravery displayed by the elf was notorious, she braved the first floor of the dungeon, reunited a team, and saw it through to the end of the expedition, she even took the lives of some enemies and reacted accordingly, she remembered the first time she took down an enemy and blushed at the memory, back then she was terrified and screamed like a little girl, Raven at that time wasn't reliable like Eruru had proven to be right now, and for some reason, she felt annoyed by it, it seemed like everyone had an easier time than her in all meaning of the word. 

"You guys won't believe this!" Screamed Kayle excited holding a strange egg in his hands "I found a dragon egg!" 

"So, can we eat it?" Asked Raven in a mischievous tone to mock him.

""No!!"" Eruru and Kayle answered in unison. 

Thorsen laughed and added.

"I heard it is great with some wine"

Eruru hugged the egg, she had felt sad when the creatures vanished before, but for some reason, her heart fluttered, as if this was the second chance for all of those tiny whelps. Raven just shrugged, the elf was too good for her own good, but she was a rich mage of the tower, she could do whatever she wanted. 

"We are gonna take the Dragon Egg" Eruru said "15 silver coins will go to Thorsen and 5 will go to Raven" 

"Is that good with ya lass?" Asked the dwarf looking at the bandit. 

Raven just shrugged.

"Seems okay with me, you did the heavy work, and you are the one with the highest level here" 5 silver was plenty for her anyway "But I will not renounce my part of the important stuff" Raven said looking at the Thorsen to the eyes. 

What Raven didn't understand was what the dwarf earned from this, and there was not enough trust between them to just ask him, she was shameless, but not a fool, one doesn't simply mingle in the business of the people who can bash your skull. 

"Are you seriously going to keep that thing?" she asked looking at the elf, half-joking but also genuinely curious.

The mage just nodded, it seemed she had plans for it, or maybe she just wanted a pet. But finally, after resting and healing their wounds she signaled the group, that it was time to move on and end this excursion. They had potential, but they weren't a real party, and this marked the end of the little shared experience. With Thorsen leading the march and Raven following behind with a relaxed posture, hands behind her head they adventured towards the portal. 

<<You have set a new milestone>>

<<Second level is now added to your destination>>

<<New scenario selected, The infested garden>>

As the group crossed the portal to the second level, they could notice this place was alive, pulsing with a strange energy. Twisted, gnarled trees loomed above them, their branches dripping with glowing, toxic-looking vines. The ground was covered in a dense carpet of flowers, but they weren't the kind you'd find in a normal garden... the petals were black and deep purple, some of them giving off a faint, sickly glow, there were even bushes with yellow thorns and viscous flowers covered in a strange slime. 

"Well, this is charming" Raven muttered, her hand instinctively reaching for her weapon "Thorsen, I didn't know you wanted to bring me on a date" she mocked as she witnessed the second floor, it seemed like a poisoner wets dream. 

Thorsen chuckled, his deep voice rumbling in the eerie silence of the twisted garden "Aye, lass, figured ye'd appreciate a little walk through nature"

Eruru wasn't as amused, her gaze darting around as she cautiously cradled the dragon egg "This place is unnatural... it's teeming with dark magic. Good thing we ain't challenging it, this seems like the place where you don't want to be sent"

As the group prepared to leave since they achieved their goal, Raven leaned closer to the dwarf and asked him "How many floors have you conquered?"

"I have been to floor 9" Answered Thorsen "Never seen this place lass, but I'm grateful towards that, nothin' good on fighting in cursed forest" 

The last time Raven was in the labyrinth, she had to limp her way out, and barely made it, but this time she felt like she made some progress. Thorsen words made her remember the swamp she arrived for the first time, she wouldn't like to go back to a place like that... the enemies seemed unending since they kept surging from the water. With a last glance behind, she could swear she saw things getting near them, so she just hurried and left through the portal. 

But as she left the place, she couldn't help, but feel as if someone hugged her with strength and wickedness, as if someone whispered in her ear "Come back soon~" and she pushed away those emotions, the pull to move back inside was strong, but the idea was so stupid that it made her smile, it felt like a challenge.