Shortly after this commotion,
The soft rustle of fabric and a faint groan stirred the quiet tent.
Ryuu Leon's eyelashes fluttered. Her brows drew together slightly as consciousness returned, followed by a sharp, instinctive inhale. She blinked up at the unfamiliar canvas-and-wood ceiling, her gaze slowly focusing.
She sat up halfway, wincing. "Where—" Her voice caught.
The memory returned in flashes: the spring, the confrontation, the strike—and darkness.
Before she could react further, a quiet sound broke the silence.
Gurgle. Her stomach let out a pitiful rumble.
Ryuu froze, an embarrassed tint brushing her cheeks. She glanced sideways—and there, sitting in a folding chair beside the bed, was Luthar. Calm. Watching.
He reached into his robe and pulled out a slim, matte-black tube. With a flick, the cap came off, and he took a sip of the thick, nutrient-rich fluid inside.
Before anything could be said, Freya's melodic voice chimed from the other side of the tent. "I don't think she would like that."
She stood and stretched lazily, then turned toward the flap. "I'm going to find Liliruca. We'll need proper food. A real meal—not that grey goop."
Luthar glanced at her but didn't argue. "Suit yourself."
Freya offered a wink before slipping outside. "Try not to let your elven guest faint from hunger."
A short time later, the tent flap parted again. Liliruca returned, arms full of wrapped food and small crates of preserved goods. Plates were distributed, steam rising in gentle wisps.
Everyone began eating—everyone but Luthar. He sat with his energy pack still in hand, sipping it between quiet moments, unfazed by the aroma around him.
Freya, now seated across from him, quirked an eyebrow. "You're going to drink that instead of eating this?"
He didn't look up. "My stomach isn't conditioned for your food."
Liliruca blinked. "Conditioned…?"
"I've lived on nutrient blends for years," he said, "so now it's hard to switch to real food without fixing my stomach."
Freya grimaced. "So are you going to drink that thing for the rest of your life?"
"Well, I am planning to start treatment for my stomach in a month. I should be able to eat solid food."
Ryuu, sitting quietly with a bowl in her lap, gave Luthar a subtle glance. She didn't speak, but her eyes lingered thoughtfully.
The campfire crackled softly between them. Another strange day in the Dungeon passed in quiet, warm tones.
As evening wore on, the gentle din of conversation gave way to silence. Plates were emptied, steam faded into the air, and the crackling fire dwindled to a low glow.
One by one, the group settled in for the night. Liliruca curled up close to the fire, wrapped in a thick cloak. Bell yawned wide, leaning against Welf as the smith stretched with a grunt. Even Hestia, after a few more grumbles about "nutrient-paste addicts," disappeared into her tent with arms crossed.
Ryuu remained quiet throughout, casting occasional glances toward Luthar, who continued sipping from his second energy pack as if it were wine at a banquet.
Eventually, Freya rose, brushing her robes down with an air of contentment. She stepped beside Luthar with a faint smirk. "Well, captain of consistency, don't stay up all night and don't do anything weird with Ryuu." With that, she left with Liliruca.
Luthar didn't respond, but the servo-skull turned to track her briefly as she disappeared into the far side of the tent cluster.
Ryuu stood, quietly nodding in thanks for the meal. Her posture was stiff—but her eyes clearer. She struggled with what to do next. Recalling how easily she'd been defeated and now having supper together made her hesitate.
Before her mind could overheat, Luthar's voice cut through the tent. "You can take the bed, as I'm assuming you did not bring any camping tools. Did you slap any trees yesterday or sleep in those makeshift hotels?"
Coming out of her thoughts, she looked at Luthar, thinking, Why does he know I slapped trees? Is he monitoring me while completely ignoring that he also mentioned hotels?
Luthar finished the last of his drink, then tapped the metal casing twice. The servo-skull responded with a low chime, shifting its patrol route.
His eyes moved to her, and he asked, "What are you looking at—pointing to the blanket? Take that and sleep, since tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day, and you might regret not sleeping."
Looking around for another bed, she asked, "What about you?"
Taking out a medicine, Luthar said, "I just slept yesterday, and tonight I need to do some extra studying." After he drinks the medicine, he starts reading The Terminal for Manufacturing Knowledge.
After not finding anything to talk about, Ryuu lay on a bed, taking the blanket, and tried to sleep.
Another night in the Dungeon passed under the watch of unseen stars.
The soft light of morning filtered through the upper canopy, dousing the camp in a gentle gold. Birds stirred, and the faint trickle of water from a nearby stream mingled with the rustle of travelers preparing for the day.
One by one, the others left camp—some to explore the 18th Floor's market paths, others to scout the surroundings, or simply to stretch their legs. Luthar began preparing his guns. Yesterday may have been—or perhaps it will be tomorrow—when a monster wood appeared on the safe floor. Of course, he had no interest in staying another day. His plan was to leave today, so he started packing.
Outside, members of Loki were also packing to explore further.
Ryuu moved quietly. She had finished her meal with minimal words, eyes distant. Now, she slipped on her cloak and adjusted the collar with deliberate calm. Her fingers paused briefly near her sword's hilt—out of habit, not tension.
Luthar didn't look at her, but his voice broke the morning stillness. "You're going to the graves."
Ryuu's step faltered.
She didn't turn around. "Yes."
A beat passed. Then she spoke again, quieter. "I go every time I pass through this floor. I won't stay long."
Luthar finally looked over. "I'll come with you."
This time she did turn, a trace of surprise flickering across her otherwise composed expression. "You don't have to."
"I know," he said simply, then walked past her to Freya's tent. He informed her they would be leaving today and asked Liliruca to tell the team so they could decide whether to go with them. He also asked her to notify Ais Wallenstein to retrieve her weapon and to be careful.
After a few explanations, Ryuu and Luthar moved through the forest in silence. The path was narrow, shaded, and speckled with wildflowers. A breeze danced through the leaves, and the trees whispered with age.
At the edge of a small glade, the graves stood—simple markers, worn by time, yet tended with care.
Ryuu stopped before them, bowing her head.
Luthar said nothing, standing a respectful distance behind her, the servo-skull hovering just beyond the trees, silent in reverence.
No words were needed. Only the quiet. And the memory of those long gone.
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