As they continued walking, the mood grew relaxed again.
Tessa swung her arms lazily. "You know, if all floors are like this, we'll clear fifteen by tomorrow."
"We should pace ourselves," Aria said softly. "We don't know what's deeper."
"Are you worried?" Mira asked.
"No," Aria replied. "Just cautious."
Isolde walked beside Elion.
"You really don't need the experience?" she asked quietly.
"No."
"And you're not even trying."
"Not yet."
She gave him a long look.
Behind them, Aria watched that exchange quietly.
The next chamber was different.
The air was colder.
Mist clung to the ground.
And in the center stood a pack of C+ Grade Frostfang Direwolves.
At least eight of them.
Their eyes glowed pale blue.
"Formation?" Tessa asked.
Aria nodded.
The wolves attacked as one.
What followed was not a fight. It was pure art.
Wind boosted Tessa's leaps. Fire forced the wolves into choke points. Earth shaped the battlefield. Water froze the mist into slippery traps.
