The Author's Viewpoint-Chapter 114 - One More Step into the Dark

Tave and the others made their way back to the hideout. Thankfully, the path remained clear. No ambushes, no roaming monsters. Likely, the chaos from the earlier battle had scared off anything nearby.

They arrived without further trouble.

Eron was immediately brought to a more comfortable spot. He was unconscious, pale, but breathing. Lina went straight back to work, carefully tending to him.

The wound, deep across his lower left abdomen, had stopped bleeding, but the damage was severe. It would take time before he could move again, let alone fight.

For now, they could only hope that rest and proper care would be enough.

One thing was clear: They needed full recovery before they even considered hunting again.

Still, this night was a victory. And with that, the team gathered, settling in a loose circle as they began to review the loot they’d claimed from the fallen enemies.

Only two monster cores had dropped from the charging lizards, and though valuable, they weren’t much.

But the real reward came from the demons.

Several intact weapons and armor pieces, blades with unusual edges, dark-hued armors reinforced with unknown alloys, were gathered. Most were still usable, and a few even looked enhanced with faint runes.

Tave examined them quietly, but none of the weapons suited him. His current blade was a Relic, far more attuned to his combat style.

"I’d like to take one full set of this armor," he said finally, glancing at the gear.

Velion nodded. "Go ahead. I don’t think anyone else needs a full set. Though a few gloves and chest plates might serve well as substitutes."

Tave sorted through the demon gear in silence, methodically selecting a full set that matched in style and fit. Helmet, body armor, lower plating, boots, and gloves. He made sure each piece was close enough to his size, even if the style was crude.

The gear wasn’t anything special. Just standard equipment, really. Judging by the craftsmanship and material, it was likely Tier 3 armor at best. Solid, but nothing extraordinary.

A bit disappointing, if he was being honest.

Still, maybe that was a blessing. If the demons had been equipped with higher-tier weapons or armor, the battle might’ve gone very differently, and not in their favor.

He had enough space in his storage ring, so there was no harm in keeping a few spares. Maybe he’d repurpose them later, or use them to reinforce someone else.

Once he finished inspecting and organizing the pieces, Tave quietly stored them away. Another small win added to the pile.

Velion pulled out one final item from the spoils. A ring, dark and metallic, its surface patterned like scales, glinting faintly in the firelight. It gave off a quiet, ominous aura as he held it up for everyone to see.

"This dropped from the Swamp Hydra," he announced.

"Not bad," Finn said with a shrug. "Though that bastard didn’t even drop a monster core. Cheap. What’s the ring do?"

Velion studied the item for a second, then glanced around the circle of tired faces.

"I was hoping for something more practical... but this one’s a bit unconventional. When you channel Gaia Force into it, it emits a sharp scent. Strong enough to attract any monsters nearby. It’s essentially a beacon."

Finn’s face twisted. "Ah, damn. That’s awful."

But Darian leaned forward, interested. "Not necessarily. That kind of effect is actually perfect for a defender. It forces monsters to focus on us while giving the rest of you space to deal damage from range."

Finn scoffed. "Sounds like a death wish. But hey, if they’re all trying to rip you apart instead of me, I’m good with that. You want it, Darian? Be my guest."

"Hah! Figures you’d say that," Darian replied with a snort, then turned to Velion. "Anyone else want to argue for it?"

Velion looked around. There were no objections. Just tired eyes and silent nods.

Still, he raised the ring again. "Well... the ring’s effect might not be exactly what you think, Darian. It doesn’t just draw aggro in battle. It’ll attract any monsters in the surrounding area. If you activate this recklessly, you’re putting the entire team at risk."

Darian responded without hesitation. "I won’t use it carelessly. I’m not that stupid. I know the risk, and I won’t endanger the team."

Velion gave a final glance around the circle. "Anyone still have objections?"

Silence. That was answer enough.

"Alright then," Velion said at last. "Darian, it’s yours."

Darian took the ring, and slipped it onto the little finger of his left hand. It settled against his skin perfectly, snug and natural.

He grinned, turning the black metal in the firelight.

"What a useless mini boss," he muttered. "But at least it left behind something interesting."

After finishing the review of the spoils, the team shifted their focus back to what mattered most. The fight itself. And this time, there was no denying it.

They had performed incredibly well.

Just as Tave had thought earlier, having one person wounded that badly was a price they couldn’t avoid in exchange for a victory this significant. Everyone was just hoping Eron would pull through.

But his injuries were serious. Too serious to be healed quickly. Even with Lina’s healing magic or their best potions. There was nothing else to do now but wait and let time do its work.

"Yeah, I think we could use the same strategy to take down the rest of the demons," someone said.

"That strategy was brilliant," Darian added, laughing with satisfaction.

Elowen, tilted her head. "Wait, wait! Didn’t you all hear what Tave said yesterday? Those demons aren’t stupid. They think. They learn."

Velion nodded. "Exactly. And with one of them escaping... I doubt we’ll be able to use the same trick again. Especially since Tave’s entire plan tonight hinged on days of prep. Slowly herding them into that final trap. And let’s not forget... there’s only one Swamp Hydra in this rift."

What they had pulled off was exceptional, yes. But it wasn’t something they could repeat easily.

They continued the discussion, more grounded now, shifting toward strategic evaluation. How to adapt their tactics, how to remain flexible, and what kind of follow-up they’d need to plan next.

And quietly, in the back of their minds, they all knew the same truth:

This was day twenty in the rift. They had made big progress...

But this expedition was still far from over.

Once everything had settled, and the last of the planning and reviews were done, Tave stood up, brushing the dust from his gloves.

"I need to go," he said. "This time... it might take a bit longer."

Velion turned to him. "Are you sure you don’t need more rest tonight, Tave?"

Tave shook his head. "Don’t worry. I’ll be fine."

But just as he was about to leave, he paused. His eyes scanned the group, until they landed on one person.

"Panpan. I need your help."

The girl blinked in surprise. Tave rarely asked. Normally, she was the one who volunteered.

A moment passed. Then Panpan smiled, soft and steady, and stood beside him without hesitation.

Together, they turned and began walking away from the group, silent and swift, stepping into the shadows of the forest.

For Tave... This might be the first time he was about to share something real, and important to someone else.

And the truth was... He didn’t have a choice anymore.