The group stood together, bruised but victorious. Kara leaned on her shield, smiling. "Looks like we survived the second dungeon floor."

    Roselia smirked faintly, brushing some dust off her shoulder. "Barely."

    Marian stepped forward, her staff glowing softly as she began to heal the minor injuries among the group. "We should rest before moving on. That thing wasn''t easy."

    The group stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath.

    "That... was intense," Lyric panted, lowering his bow.

    "We''re lucky we had Kara''s skills," Marian said, wiping sweat from her brow.

    Leon walked over to the faintly glowing remnants of the core floating in the air. "Rest, yes, but we can''t get complacent. This was only the second floor. Eight more to go."

    The team chuckled tiredly, but there was a spark of determination in each of their eyes. Together, they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited deeper within the dungeon.

    Leon then turned his attention to the creature''s remains, sifting through the ash. Among the debris, a crimson gemstone pulsed faintly with heat.

    "A Magma Core," he said, holding it up for the group to see. "It''s rare and valuable. Perfect for forging fire-resistant equipment or enhancing fire-based magic."

    Lyric tilted his head curiously. "So, who gets it?"

    Leon shook his head. "Let''s save it for now. It''s not going to power any of us up in the short term, but it''ll definitely come in handy later."

    He then held up another glowing item—the second-floor dungeon core, which Roselia had retrieved.

    "This, however, is immediate. Now, who''s going to get the floor core?" Leon asked, lifting the core for all to see.

    The group exchanged glances, then turned to Leon, who smirked at their silence.

    "So, who gets it?" Lyric asked again, this time with a teasing grin.@@@@

    Leon chuckled. "Let''s play the lottery again."

    The group groaned in mock protest but quickly gathered around, ready to test their luck once more. Leon pulled out a set of sticks, each marked with a number, and held them out.

    Leon crouched near a makeshift table they had assembled from the rubble, inspecting the Magma Core. It pulsed faintly in his hand, its warmth coursing through his fingertips. His thoughts drifted toward the battles ahead. We''re only two floors in, and the challenges are already pushing us. How much tougher will it get as we descend?

    "Captain," Kara''s voice broke through his musings. "What''s the plan for tomorrow?"

    Leon placed the core down gently, his expression thoughtful. "We''ll rest here for the night. Tomorrow, we''ll tackle the third floor. From the map we''ve been piecing together, it looks like it''ll have environmental hazards—lava streams, collapsing paths, maybe even traps. We''ll need to be careful."

    Marian looked up from her practice, her face serious. "Environmental challenges are one thing, but if there''s another creature like what we just faced, we''ll need a strategy."

    Leon nodded. "Agreed. Kara, your Shockwave ability was crucial in disrupting its movements. Lyric, we''ll need precise, long-range attacks to control the battlefield. Marian, your Flame Ward and Magma Knight will help with both offense and defense. Dren..." Leon''s gaze shifted. "Keep doing what you do best—holding the line and dealing heavy hits."

    Dren smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Got it."

    "And Roselia," Leon added, turning to her, "you''re our wild card. Stay in the shadows, strike when needed, and protect the group if anyone''s in danger."

    Roselia''s lips curved into a faint smirk. "Understood."

    As the night crept in, the cavern grew eerily silent. Each member took turns on watch while the others rested, the glow of the Magma Core and the occasional flicker of Marian''s flame aura illuminating the darkness.

    When it was Leon''s turn to watch, he sat quietly, his hand resting on his sword''s hilt. His sharp gaze flicked between the cavern''s darkened corners and his team as they slept soundly. Each member was exhausted yet secure, the faint glow of Marian''s Flame Ward casting gentle shadows over their resting forms.

    They''re strong, but we''ve still got a long way to go, Leon thought. His grip on his sword tightened. I need to get stronger, too—strong enough to protect not just them, but the city when the monster invasion comes.

    The old guards'' warnings echoed in his mind. They spoke of the Abyss Dungeon as challenging but isolated—a place where you could face one powerful foe at a time. But the monster waves would be a completely different beast. Endless hordes. Countless creatures surging forward like a flood, testing every defense, exploiting every weakness. A chill ran down his spine at the thought of the city''s walls being overrun.

    His gaze fell to the faintly glowing dungeon cores resting in his inventory. These were valuable artifacts, capable of granting skills or powerful enhancements. Should I absorb them? The question lingered, tempting him. He knew that gaining more skills would undoubtedly increase his power.

    But he shook his head. No, I shouldn''t. Even if I complete the insane difficulty Trial, the Insane reward will give me at most ten total skills. These cores can bypass the system''s restrictions, but if I use them now, I risk wasting their potential. It''s better to hold onto them, keep them in reserve. There might be a time when we desperately need them. Or when someone else does.

    With a sigh, Leon leaned back against the cool stone wall, his sword resting across his knees. Patience. Strength isn''t just about what you can gain for yourself—it''s about knowing when to use what you have.

    The faint rumble of the dungeon deep below echoed in the cavern, a reminder that their journey was far from over. Leon adjusted his grip, his senses alert. His watch continued in silence, the resolve in his heart firm as he stood guard over his sleeping team and the weight of the battles yet to come.

    Back in the city, Luna was working tirelessly, her determination unwavering as she pushed herself harder with each passing day. I''ll make this city great for you, Leon, she thought, her resolve shining in her eyes.

    Unbeknownst to many, after achieving her goal of revenge, Luna''s focus had shifted entirely. Leon had become her top priority. Her heart had fallen for him, and she was determined to build a thriving city for her man. The thought of his approval and pride drove her to take on challenges without hesitation, working hand in hand with others, leading by example, and ensuring the city flourished.