The room fell into silence after Lilian's explanation. The warm amber light continued to pulse softly through the chamber while the healing Ether slowly restored their bodies, yet the atmosphere had grown noticeably heavier.
The possibility of encountering another group inside this dungeon trial hung over them like a shadow.
For a while no one said anything.
But then Myles finally leaned forward in his chair. His elbows rested on his knees while his gaze moved across the group.
"Well," he said calmly, "that doesn't really change anything."
Several heads turned toward him.
"The only thing that's certain is that we keep fighting. No matter who or what ends up in front of us."
His voice was simple. Not loud or dramatic. But the certainty in it carried a clarity to them.
In this world they had already learned the truth the hard way. Strength was survival. Weakness meant death. There were no shortcuts and no safe paths waiting for them.
