The activation of the magical anchoring mechanism enveloped our group in a spiral of bluish light that instantly dispelled the gloom of the tower's base, replacing it with the familiar and dense atmosphere of the thirty-fifth floor. The spatial transition occurred with the characteristic smoothness provided by the high-precision teleportation runes, avoiding any dizziness or tactical disorientation among the companions traveling with me. As soon as the luminous flash completely faded, my feet touched the gray basalt slab floor once again, identical to the one we had left behind weeks earlier when we decided to temporarily return to our domains on the surface of the Kingdom of Vailor. The air around us carried that cold humidity and the unmistakable metallic smell of ancient dust, immediately reminding us that we were back in territory where every square centimeter of space was closely watched over by lethal dangers.
Reflecting on our return, I understood that familiarity with the environment should never be synonymous with carelessness or mental relaxation. The dungeon possessed its own dynamics of regeneration and adaptation, which meant that corridors that had previously seemed clean and safe could now harbor new automatic traps or hordes of wandering monsters attracted by the resonance of the residual mana left behind by our teleportation beam. I kept all my senses alert, channeling my spiritual perception to scan the surroundings for any thermal anomaly or suspicious magical signature hidden beyond the supporting columns of the circular hall where we had materialized upon our arrival.
"We arrived exactly at the anchoring point stipulated in the guild records," Liriel commented in her calm and analytical voice, quickly adjusting her glasses on her face while consulting a small holographic map projected onto the palm of her right hand. "The mana density in this specific section of the tower has increased by approximately four percent since our last passage, which indicates that the activity of the upper floors is exerting direct pressure on the intermediate strata, accelerating the dungeon's magical breathing cycle."
"That explains why the air is a little heavier than usual," Scarlet interjected, lightly crossing her arms while moving her shoulders to test her muscular flexibility after the period of confinement in the travel carriage. The swordswoman kept her crimson eyes fixed on the gloom of the main corridor stretching before us, where magical torches flickered faintly. "In any case, a little extra pressure will not stop us from advancing. My blades are perfectly sharpened, and I am eager to test some combinations of strikes that I have been practicing at the mansion."
"Scarlet's confidence is contagious, but caution remains our best ally on this floor," Elara pondered, removing a small vial of purifying reagent from her belt and checking its safety seal. The alchemist positioned herself strategically beside Vespera and Liriel's assistant, forming a highly resilient magical support core at the center of our tactical formation. "Remember that the thirty-fifth floor serves as a transition gate to the green and rocky labyrinth that awaits us ahead; the creatures around here tend to use advanced environmental camouflage."
While the group adjusted their equipment and checked the condition of the potions and emergency scrolls, Rai'kanna moved a few meters ahead toward the dark corridor, lowering herself slightly to touch the stone floor with her fingertips. The warrior wolf closed her eyes for a few moments, concentrating on sensing subtle vibrations propagating through the solid rock, an instinctive tracking technique that rarely failed to alert the squad to imminent ambushes even before the enemies could be seen with the naked eye.
"There is no movement from large groups within a radius of two hundred meters," Rai'kanna informed us upon returning with light and silent steps to our side, maintaining a serene expression, although her furry ears continued moving subtly to capture any distant echo. "Only a few minor patrol animals roaming the side galleries, but nothing that represents a real threat to our advance toward the great gate leading to the thirty-sixth level."
"Excellent sweep, Rai'kanna," I thanked her with an encouraging smile, lightly stroking her hair before formally assuming leadership of the march. "In that case, let us maintain a fluid and compact formation. Lyannis and Vespera cover the left flank with light projection barriers, while Scarlet and Rai'kanna secure the vanguard. Liriel and Elara control the rear guard with the support fiefs. We will advance firmly and without wasting time."
The squad's movement through the corridors of the thirty-fifth floor unfolded like a millimetrically rehearsed choreography developed over months of joint campaigns. Every step taken across the basalt slabs was calculated to minimize unnecessary noise and maximize each member's field of vision. The austere architecture of the place, composed of colossal black stone pillars carved with enigmatic geometric reliefs, created long shadows that distorted beneath the intermittent greenish glow of the arcane torches fixed to the walls. The silence was broken only by the muffled sound of boots against the ground and the measured, synchronized breathing of all the companions marching alongside me, united by an unbreakable purpose.
As we advanced through the labyrinthine galleries, the temperature around us continued to gradually fall, announcing the proximity of the climatic transition zone that characterized the following floors of the tower. Small luminous crystals began to sprout from the cracks in the rocky walls, emitting a cold, bluish radiance that gradually replaced the yellowish light of the ancient torches. This visual change indicated that we were rapidly approaching the structural limit of the thirty-fifth floor, where the great access portal to the arboreal and rocky sector patiently awaited adventurers brave enough to challenge it.
After approximately thirty minutes of continuous marching without any significant setbacks, we finally arrived at the immense underground plaza where the runic portal to the thirty-sixth floor stood. The monumental structure displayed deep carvings that seemed to pulse with a life energy of their own, subtly reacting to the approach of our combined mana. Before the massive threshold, I stopped for a moment and turned to face the group, observing the determined and confident faces of Liriel, Scarlet, Rai'kanna, Elara, Vespera, and Lyannis. Each of them carried in their eyes the burning flame of overcoming and the absolute certainty that we were ready to face any challenge that fate dared to place in our path toward the top of the colossal dungeon.