The transition through the immense basalt portal that enclosed the thirtieth floor led our squad directly to the thirty-first floor, a sector whose initial characteristics seemed to promise a calmness that had not been seen for a long time in the suffocating depths of the tower. As soon as the group crossed the threshold adopting the strict chain formation — with Scarlet at the absolute vanguard, followed by Liriel's assistant, Rai'kanna, Elara, Vespera, Lyannis, Liriel, and me closing the rear with my sword fully ready —, we realized that the environment around us displayed a surprisingly stable atmosphere, devoid of that heavy pressure of aggressive mana that marked the previous levels. The galleries were clean, structured in polished stone blocks and illuminated by clusters of natural crystals that emitted a soft and constant glow, creating an atmosphere of unusual serenity for a dungeon of that degree of danger.
We advanced through the sector in a fluid and continuous manner, without the slightest need to interrupt our march every few meters to repel aggressive hordes of wild monsters or disarm complex mechanical traps hidden in the ground. The low resistance presented by the few creatures patrolling the route turned the daily exploration into an invigorating exercise of harmony and coordinated rhythm among all the squad members. I allowed a serene and reflective thought to occupy my mind as I observed how easily we crossed the mineral terrain: the true strength of an elite group is not proven only in the clash of titanic battles against colossal bosses, but also in the unwavering ability to maintain tactical discipline, unity, and constant vigilance even when the dungeon decides to grant adventurers a temporary truce, preventing excessive comfort from causing fatal oversights. Every step taken in perfect harmony reinforced the certainty that our collective evolution had reached a truly enviable and secure level.
"It is almost comforting to walk through a floor where we do not have to worry about ambushes coming out of every dark crack in the wall or jumping from the ceiling," Scarlet commented with a light and relaxed smile, keeping the daggers at her waist while visually checking the safety of the perimeter just ahead of us. "If the rest of this sector continues at such a peaceful pace, we will finish crossing it much faster than initially planned in our marching schedules."
"We should not lower our guard or relax our stance just because the external environment appears harmless and silent," Elara pondered calmly, carefully adjusting the strap of her alchemy bag as she walked just behind Rai'kanna. "The architecture of this cursed tower often plays cruel psychological tricks on the more relaxed adventurers, creating a false sense of security before presenting the true tests of endurance and intelligence that the floor hides beneath this facade of tranquility."
"Elara is absolutely right about keeping caution as our first priority, but a little peace is good for the mental recovery of all of us after so many weeks of accumulated tension," Liriel interjected in a soft and welcoming tone of voice, carefully analyzing the perfectly stable magical readings captured by her runic staff. "The energy density here is balanced, which allows us to advance without the excessive arcane wear that we usually face in intense combat zones."
We continued marching for several more uninterrupted hours, covering a considerable stretch of polished galleries until the tower's simulated cycle indicated the inevitable approach of the nighttime period. With the fall of artificial evening, we began a meticulous search for a suitable place to establish camp, quickly finding a spacious alcove protected by pillars of solid rock that offered excellent lateral isolation against possible currents of cold air. Liriel's assistant organized the supplies with exemplary speed, while Lyannis and Vespera conducted the usual magical sweep to confirm the total absence of hostile residue in the chosen perimeter, ensuring that the place was perfectly clear before we began our collective rest.
We sat in a circle around the campfire we had just lit with dry firewood from the magic bag, enjoying a nutritious meal while talking in gentle tones about the geological peculiarities of that peaceful floor. The absence of intense combat allowed each companion to relax her muscles and exchange sincere smiles, further strengthening the bonds of affection and mutual trust that supported our group in the face of any adversity. After determining the nighttime watch shifts to ensure continuous protection, we retreated into our sleeping bags, resting deeply beneath the comforting warmth of the embers and awakening invigorated for the next day of our journey toward the upper levels.