The stench of blood clung to our sweat-drenched clothes, mixing with the damp, earthy scent of the dungeon. My arms felt like lead, every muscle screaming in protest, but we couldn't rest here.Elise groaned as she pushed herself up, using her shield for support, her face twisted in exhaustion. "I swear, I almost colpsed at the end there."I wiped some of the blood sptters off my cheek, smearing it instead. "You and me both."We gnced at each other, then at the bodies littering the cavern floor. The goblins had no more breath left to snarl, no more weapons to swing—just lifeless husks, their green blood soaking into the rocky ground.The path out of the dungeon felt longer than before. Maybe it was because our bodies ached so much, or maybe it was the sheer weight of survival pressing down on us.But every step forward meant we were closer to fresh air.As we neared the entrance, the distant glow of daylight seeped in through the dungeon's opening, a stark contrast to the eerie blue light of the mana crystals within the cavern.Then—Step.We crossed the threshold.The warmth of the sun kissed my skin the moment we stepped out of the Bck Labyrinth Dungeon. It wasn't noon yet, but the light still felt blinding after spending so long in the dim underground. I lifted a hand to shield my tired eyes, squinting at the sight of the bustling city center before us.Elise took a deep, shaky breath, stretching her arms above her head. "Damn, that feels good."I wasn't about to disagree.Around us, the market district and pza were as lively as ever—merchants yelling out their deals, vendors calling for customers, the smell of roasting meat and fresh bread drifting through the air. Divers in full armor, armed to the teeth, strode past us, chatting about their hunts like it was just another day at work.And then—The whispers started.People were staring.I noticed it the moment we stepped into the open streets—divers, traders, even passersby. Their gazes lingered, some in amusement, others in disbelief."Those two… they really went in without armor?""Look at them—covered in blood and dirt. How the hell did they make it out alive?""They're crazy. Or just stupidly lucky."I sighed. Great. More attention.I wasn't exactly surprised—Elise and I probably looked like we had crawled out of a battlefield, our clothes tattered, our bodies bruised, no armor to protect us.

  Compared to the well-equipped, high-ranking divers around us, we were walking proof of a bad decision.Still, I ignored the stares. We weren't here to put on a damn show.Elise, however, nudged me with her elbow, a tired smirk tugging at her lips. "Looks like we're famous now.""Famous for being dumbasses, maybe," I muttered.She chuckled, stretching out her sore shoulders. "Hey, we lived. That's what matters."Dragging our exhausted bodies through the bustling streets of Dragnir, Elise and I made our way toward the Dungeon Diver Guild.

  Every step felt like a battle of its own, our legs aching from the brutal training earlier and the sheer hellscape of fighting goblins without armor.

  Our sweat-drenched clothes stuck to our skin, stained with dried goblin blood and dirt, and every muscle in my body screamed for rest.Yet, we couldn't stop just yet.The guild hall loomed ahead, its towering stone pilrs and massive oak doors welcoming the steady flow of divers coming in to exchange loot, cim bounties, or take on new missions. Inside, the air was filled with the chatter of warriors, the clinking of crystals being weighed, and the occasional booming ughter of seasoned adventurers.We smmed our pouch of dungeon loot onto the counter, drawing a bored look from the guild clerk—a middle-aged man with greying hair and half-moon gsses, his face set in the kind of expression that said he had seen too much of this job."Let's see…" he muttered, pouring out the contents of our bag. A pile of dungeon gems—mostly blue, some green—tumbled onto the counter, glimmering faintly under the ntern light.He inspecting the crystals. "You're just exchanging the small ones?""Yeah," Elise answered, stretching her sore arms. "We need the money, but we're keeping anything good for ter."The clerk shrugged, quickly calcuting the exchange rate before handing over a pouch of silver coins. "Here's your cut. Come back alive next time."With that, we left the guild, our stomachs empty but our pockets slightly heavier.Navigating through the market district, the streets were alive with vendors shouting deals, carts rattling over cobblestone, and the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat filling the air.

  Merchants peddled everything from fresh produce to enchanted trinkets, their colorful stalls forming a maze of banners and wares.But we weren't here for food.

  Our destination was Bck Rose, a well-known potion shop nestled near the heart of the market district.The shop stood out among the surrounding stalls, its dark wooden exterior and intricate carvings of roses giving it an almost gothic charm.

  A small, elegant sign hung above the entrance, engraved with the name "Bck Rose" in deep, flowing script.The moment we stepped inside, the air was filled with the sharp, herbal scent of dried herbs and alchemical ingredients. Shelves lined the walls, filled with potions of every color, from deep blues and glowing greens to rich, golden elixirs.

  The counter at the back was covered in gss jars, each containing strange substances—some bubbling, others eerily still.Behind the counter stood the shopkeeper—a woman with long raven-bck hair and piercing emerald-green eyes. Her sharp features and confident posture made it clear that she wasn't just any ordinary merchant. There was an air of authority around her, the kind that could command a room with a single gnce.She eyed us as we approached, her gaze flickering over our filthy, bloodstained clothes.Elise cleared her throat. "Uh, we're here to pick up some alcohol. Sui sent us."The shopkeeper's expression shifted instantly. Her green eyes narrowed, and a small smirk curled at her lips."Sui?" she repeated, her voice smooth but ced with undercurrents of amusement. Then, as if confirming something, she asked, "Is he with old man Orm?"I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Uh… yeah. He is."The woman let out a small chuckle, shaking her head as if remembering something amusing. "Figures."Then, she straightened up and gave a slight nod. "I am Zyra, the owner of Bck Rose," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a hint of pride. Without wasting another moment, she turned and disappeared into the storage room behind her.A moment ter, she emerged with two bottles of dark red wine, pcing them on the counter with a graceful yet firm motion.

  The bottles were thick gss, the liquid inside swirling like rich blood in candlelight."Here's the order, kid," she said, her expression shifting to something colder. Then, with a sharp edge to her voice, she added, "And tell that rude bastard that I said hi."For a split second, her killing intent fred—faint, but undeniable.Elise and I stiffened on instinct.I nodded hurriedly, quickly scooping up the bottles. "Got it. We'll tell him."Zyra's smirk returned, but this time it carried a dangerous amusement. "Good. Now get going before you stink up my shop."With that, we took our leave, stepping out into the sunlit streets once more.As we walked away, Elise let out a slow breath. "Damn… who knew Sui had enemies?"I shook my head. "More like ex-lovers, if I had to guess."Elise shuddered. "That's worse."With our mission complete, we set off once again—this time, to return to Sui and finally end this exhausting day.