The luminous transition through the portal deactivated by the arboreal guardian led our squad directly into the frozen and structured vastness of the thirtieth floor, a completely different environment from the suffocating Green Labyrinth that we had overcome after days of exhaustion in the previous stage. As soon as our feet touched the polished basalt slab floor, we were greeted by a current of cool, dry air that seemed to instantly invigorate the body and mind of every member of the group. The time simulated by the tower's magical cycles indicated the beginning of the nighttime period, which gave us a considerable tactical advantage, as the corridors around us were in absolute silence, devoid of any sign of hostile patrols in the immediate vicinity. Maintaining the strict chain formation — with Scarlet leading the vanguard, followed by Liriel's assistant, Rai'kanna, Elara, Vespera, Lyannis, Liriel, and me closing the rear with my sword fully ready —, we advanced with firm steps in search of suitable shelter.
It took no more than ten minutes of cautious marching for us to locate a spacious alcove protected by pillars of solid stone, perfect for setting up our nighttime camp without the risk of being caught by sudden ambushes. Vespera and Lyannis conducted the usual magical sweep of the walls and ceiling of the cavity, quickly confirming that the perimeter was completely clear of aggressive mana residue or hidden mechanical traps. With the shelter properly secured, we began our routine preparations with the efficiency of a well-oiled mechanism. Liriel's assistant organized the supplies, while Elara and Liriel checked the condition of the potion bottles and the alignment of the protective barriers around the perimeter. Looking at that flawless synergy filled me with deep pride, reminding me that the unity and understanding built throughout so many trials were the true foundations of our unquestionable success in the depths of that legendary tower.
"This place seems perfectly isolated and safe for us to spend the night," I commented, loosening the straps of my travel cloak and placing the heavy equipment in the corner of the alcove. "We can rest peacefully, as the safety marking of this sector gives us an excellent margin to catch our breath before exploring the rest of the floor tomorrow morning."
"The architectural structure of this floor is fascinating," Liriel observed, approaching with a small notebook open in her hands as she analyzed the geometric inscriptions engraved on the basalt pillars around us. "Unlike the previous levels, which imitated chaotic natural ecosystems, the thirtieth floor seems to have been designed based on advanced mathematical and runic principles. This indicates that the density of tactical intelligence of the enemy in here is considerably higher."
"Whatever their architectural logic may be, the final result will be the same as always," Rai'kanna interjected with an amused smile, stretching her arms to relieve the tension in her muscles after the long walk. "As long as we have a solid plan and fresh meat guaranteed in the magic bag, no monster on this floor will be able to ruin our night's sleep."
The mention of the magic bag brought up a very pertinent reflection on the logistics supporting our long-term expedition. With the help of the dry firewood stored inside the dimensional artifact and a controlled ignition spell cast by Lyannis, we lit a welcoming campfire whose golden flames cast dancing shadows against the basalt walls. We sat around the fire to enjoy our evening meal, consisting of nutritious broths, soft bread, and generous slices of fresh game that we had hunted days ago. The meat retained exactly the same texture, the same aroma, and the same freshness as the exact moment when it had been stored, seeming as though it had come out of the mansion's kitchen only a few minutes earlier.
As I savored the food and watched the girls converse in gentle tones, I allowed a serene and contemplative thought to occupy my mind. The arcane technology of temporal stasis applied to the magic bag represented a revolutionary milestone in the history of adventurers, eliminating the main cause of failure on prolonged expeditions: the scarcity and deterioration of basic supplies. Knowing that we could venture for weeks into the depths of the dungeon without worrying about hunger or the loss of the quality of our provisions transformed our strategic perspective, allowing us to focus entirely on overcoming the challenges and protecting one another within the group. Effective leadership required anticipation and investment in intelligent resources, and acquiring that artifact proved to be one of the best decisions of the entire campaign.
"It is truly impressive how the dimensional stasis magic preserves every detail of the food," Elara commented, cutting a piece of the roasted meat with evident appreciation as she examined the juiciness of the dish. "Under normal conditions of humidity and temperature in the tower, any organic provision would spoil or lose its nutritional properties in less than forty-eight hours. Having this convenience at our disposal completely changes the burden of our march."
"That is the result of extremely high-level arcane engineering, developed by master smiths who understood the fundamental laws of temporal flow," I explained, leaning slightly forward as I fed another piece of dry firewood to the flames. "Investing fifty thousand gold coins in this artifact seemed like a financial exaggeration to many in the capital, but its practical usefulness in the field proves every day that every coin was worth it. The squad's food security is the foundation upon which we build all our victories."
The conversation continued in an atmosphere of complete harmony, punctuated by light laughter and relaxed comments that helped drive away the weight of the tower's hostile environment. After the meal was finished, we organized the watch shifts rigorously, ensuring that there were always two members alert to safeguard the group while the others rested deeply in the padded sleeping bags. I lay down beside my companions, feeling the comforting warmth of the fire and the reassuring presence of each of them around me. The certainty that we were steadily advancing toward our final objectives filled my spirit with unwavering peace, fully preparing me for the mysteries and battles that the thirtieth floor would reveal with the light of the new day.