"Welcome back. You survived." The Chief Alchemist said, and Godfrey could feel the subtle relief and gladness in his tone.
A little smile graced his lips as he sat down. Godfrey leaned forward, interlocking his fingers. "I am back. You knew the dungeon wasn't going to be easy."
"None of them are." All the Alchemists responded with a single accord. Then the Chief Alchemist continued, "We've done a brief count, and at least eight hundred thousand people in your world are already dead in less than two weeks since the Ruination began."
Godfrey squinted. "A painful number indeed. The unfortunate thing is I can't save everyone, and even if I do, not everyone will appreciate it." He paused, then sighed.
"... Even if they don't, at least Earth will live on with its civilization."
"Will you face the next?" The Chief Alchemist probed.
Godfrey responded with a nod. "Definitely. I just don't know when the gate will open, I only know of the plague that will come."
