A bright blush crept up her pale cheeks.
"You really are a true hero. I will never forget what you did for my family today."
"You did great out there, Gina," Kai praised her, offering a warm and genuine smile.
"We could not have beaten that giant snake without your ice magic keeping it pinned down."
They gathered their things and started the long climb back up the stone stairs toward the surface.
Kai walked into the quiet tavern and headed straight for the stairs.
The day's exhaustion should have dragged his feet down, but the recent level-up kept his blood pumping with pure energy.
A rush of fresh mana filled his tired muscles and erased the lingering soreness from the boss fight.
He opened the door to their room and found Lora and Eliza resting in the large rented bed.
They were completely asleep before their heads even hit the pillows, worn out from the terrifying dungeon run.
He closed the door quietly because he needed some fresh air to clear his racing thoughts.
