The heavy stone doors of the 2nd floor groaned open behind them, the sun outside the Tower spilling warmth onto their tired faces as Chosa, Cass, and Theo stepped out into the light. The air was fresh, a welcome change from the suffocating dampness of the jungle dungeon.
Chosa stretched, letting the sunlight hit his face. "Man, I forgot what normal air felt like."
Cass scoffed with a faint smirk. "Try spending three floors straight in the Tower without exiting. That was just a day."
Theo chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Or you'll go crazy. Fifty-fifty shot."
They walked together toward the stone benches that lined the plaza in front of the Tower, a brief pause before they'd go their separate ways.
"So…" Theo said, glancing toward Chosa. "You ever think about joining a guild?"
Chosa blinked. He had been expecting it. "Depends on the guild."
Cass crossed her arms. "Well, we did just survive a miniboss together. Most people bond slower than that."
Theo reached into his coat and handed Chosa a small ID chip, flicking his wrist with flair. "We're both part of the Obsidian Guild. Not a bad crew, honestly. Ranked up quick, but we've got strong leadership and a killer training program."
Cass handed hers over more casually. "You'd fit in. And… you surprised me back there. You're stronger than you look."
Chosa looked down at the two guild IDs in his palm, quiet for a moment.
He smiled faintly and handed them back. "No thanks."
Theo raised an eyebrow. "Any reason?"
Chosa shrugged. "I just… I know I'm not ready yet. Not to join anything. I've got my own path to walk for now."
Theo accepted the response without judgment, tucking the chip back into his coat. "Understandable."
Cass didn't say anything right away. She just looked at Chosa for a long second. Then, suddenly, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.
"Sorry for doubting you," she muttered, her voice lower. "I was… arrogant."
Caught off guard, Chosa stiffened slightly, then chuckled nervously. "It's fine. I get why you did. I did look kind of useless at first."
She blushed, barely visible through her dark hair. "Maybe. But you proved me wrong."
She pulled back and offered a half-smile. "Hope to see you on the higher floors, Chosa."
"You will," he said confidently.
With a final wave, Cass and Theo turned and headed off toward the teleport gates that would take them back to their guild's base. Theo held up a hand and called out over his shoulder, "You've got our numbers! Use 'em if you change your mind!"
Then they were gone.
Chosa stood there for a moment, feeling the breeze against his worn armor. Then he turned and began the walk home.
By the time he arrived back at his apartment, dusk had settled in over the city. The streets buzzed softly with hovercars, streetlights flickering to life one by one.
When he stepped inside, he was greeted with silence—save for the light snoring coming from the living room.
Yomi was passed out on the couch, her textbooks sprawled across the table and floor, highlighters still clutched between her fingers. Her laptop screen glowed softly beside her, a slideshow frozen mid-slide.
Chosa smiled.
"Still grinding, huh?" he whispered with a quiet laugh.
He pulled a blanket over her, careful not to wake her, then slipped into the bathroom to shower. The warm water washed away blood, grime, and stress. Another day survived.
After drying off and changing into a loose shirt and pants, he flopped onto his bed, letting his muscles finally relax.
"Luna," he said aloud, "open the interface."
"Interface opened," she replied.
Chosa's stats floated before his eyes in soft, glowing blue panels. He scrolled over to his skill screen and hovered over his unspent points.
"Let's put both into Physical Resistance."
"Confirmed. Assigning now."
A warm pulse ran through his chest as the system absorbed the points.
Then, with a flick of his hand, he moved to the Inventory tab. There, nestled safely in the corner of his grid, was the new weapon: the Ancient Dagger of Verdance.
He selected it and examined the details.
Weapon: Ancient Dagger of Verdance
Type: Dagger
Durability: High
Skill Gem Socket: 1
Skill Gem:Bramble Pulse – Causes short-range burst of thorned vines that entangle and briefly slow targets.
The design was even more beautiful up close—intricate tree motifs danced along the handle, and the embedded green gem glowed softly like a firefly trapped in crystal.
Chosa grinned.
"Looks like I finally have a blade that won't snap the second I swing it."
He leaned back against his pillow, arms folded behind his head.
Tomorrow, he'd hit the 3rd floor.
But tonight—tonight, he was home. Safe. With his sister snoring softly in the next room and a new weapon ready to carve the path forward.
He closed his eyes.
Sleep took him before Luna could even say goodnight.