The air in the cavern shifts, thick with tension and disbelief as I stare at my stat sheet. The numbers dance before my eyes, almost mocking me with their brilliance:
STR: 23 (F)
AGI: 21 (F)
VIT: 23 (F)
INT: 30,017 (B)
LCK: 26 (F)
TOTAL: 30,110 (B)
50 additional points? 50 bloody—stat points?
The stat boost floods through my system like a rush of adrenaline. A grin splits my face—this isn't just a victory; it's a godsend.
It's like being handed a cheat code in a game where every death felt inevitable.
But the moment of triumph is fleeting. The walls seem to breathe around me, and something clicks deep within the dungeon.
A low rumble vibrates beneath my feet—a shift in the energy of this dark place. I glance around at Tam and Mira; their expressions reflect a mix of awe and confusion as they register the sudden change.
"Look!" I shout, pointing toward the far end of the cavern where a soft glow emerges from an unseen passageway. Sunlight filters through cracks in the stone like an invitation back to life.
"What is that?" Tam asks, eyes wide as he steps closer to me, his previous uncertainty melting into hope.
"It looks like an exit!" I reply, heart racing as I begin to move toward it. "We need to go—now!"
Mira hesitates for just a moment longer, scanning our surroundings with suspicion. "Is it safe?"
I throw her a quick glance over my shoulder, determination coursing through me. "What's the alternative? Staying here until we become goblin snacks? We've fought hard enough to deserve an escape."
Tam nods vigorously, and together we start rushing toward that precious sliver of light seeping through the shadows. The rest of the group follows closely behind us—fear replaced by urgency as hope begins to flourish anew.
The passage grows brighter with each step, illuminating our faces as if welcoming us back from darkness.
As we reach the opening, I pause for just a second—turning back to take one last look at what we've faced together.
"This isn't just about survival anymore," I say aloud, voice steady and resolute. "It's about thriving in this twisted world! Together."
* * *
We burst through the dungeon's exit into the open air, sunlight hitting our faces like a long-lost friend. I take a moment to breathe in the freedom, but that breath catches in my throat when I spot what awaits us just beyond the threshold.
A contingent of Capital Military stands ready—two C-Rankers flanking three D-Rankers, all bristling with weapons and intensity. The foot soldiers, mostly E and F ranks, look like they've stepped out of a military brochure that promises glory but delivers nothing but grim realities.
"Uh… guys?" Tam whispers beside me, eyes wide as he registers the scene.
"Yeah, I see it," I reply, scanning the ranks of armed soldiers who seem poised to strike at any moment. Their expressions are hardened and unreadable, ready for anything except the sight of us emerging from the depths of doom.
"What do we do?" Mira hisses, instinctively moving closer to me as if I'm some kind of shield.
I take a breath, steadying my nerves. "We explain ourselves—make it clear we're not monsters."
"Easy for you to say," she mutters. "You're not a G-Ranker."
Before I can respond, one of the C-Rankers steps forward—a woman with sharp features and an expression that suggests she's had just about enough nonsense for one day.
"What's your business?" she demands, her voice steady but laced with skepticism. "Did you emerge from that dungeon? Are you G-Rankers?"
"Absolutely!" I call out, raising my hands in a gesture of peace. "We just survived the Training Grounds, and technically, I'm a B-Ranker! So… yeah, we're not the typical G-Rank fodder you're used to."
The soldiers exchange skeptical glances, disbelief washing over them like a cold wave.
A ripple of uncertainty flickers through their ranks; some wear expressions that mix respect and disdain—survivors or just lucky fools?
The first C-Ranker narrows her eyes. "G-Rankers don't survive dungeons—they're fodder."
"Except we did!" Tam blurts out before I can rein him in.
Tension thickens in the air; everyone's on edge like coiled springs waiting for release. The C-Rankers eye us suspiciously, brows furrowing as they weigh our words against our lowly ranks.
"Your ranks mean nothing now," says another soldier—a D-Ranker with tattoos snaking down his arms like he's worn every scar with pride. "What matters is you've returned from hell. That doesn't happen without consequences."
I swallow hard but stand my ground. "We're not here to fight! We just want to get out alive."
The silence hangs heavy between us, each heartbeat echoing as I realize how close we are to a tipping point.
The tension thickens in the air as the C-Rank soldier narrows her eyes, assessing our ragtag group. "What should we do, Captain?" she asks, her tone revealing a hint of uncertainty.
The captain—a tall man with scars lining his jaw—steps forward. He raises his wrist to check his bracelet, and the moment stretches like a rubber band ready to snap.
"Stand down," he commands, though I can see doubt flickering in his gaze. "Report this back to the Capital."
With that, he gestures toward the soldiers around him, and they quickly tap their bracelets. The atmosphere buzzes with urgency; I feel my own pulse quicken as I glance at Tam and Mira. Their expressions mirror my unease.
A moment passes before a soft blue light flares from their devices. The captain listens intently as an invisible connection transmits information back to whoever awaits in the Capital. My heart races; this feels monumental—the kind of scene that could pivot our fates entirely.
After what feels like an eternity, the captain's expression shifts from skepticism to surprise, and he turns back to us with a grimace.
"We've been ordered to escort you directly to King Veymorr's court," he states flatly.
"What?" Mira gasps, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Why would we be summoned?"
"Doesn't matter," I say, forcing calm into my voice despite the knot of anxiety tightening in my gut. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."