The air in the narrow, constricted passage where they had landed was cool and still, a welcome relief from the humid, venom-laced atmosphere of the Black Queen's lair. Adam and his team, battered and exhausted, squeezed through the shimmering fissure, stumbling into what appeared to be a natural tunnel, thankfully devoid of the Black Queen's sticky, treacherous webs.
"We... we made it," Panchenko gasped, collapsing against the rough rock wall, his spear clattering beside him. He was covered in grime, sweat, and what looked like congealed spider ichor, but a wide, disbelieving grin stretched across his face.
"That was... too close," Astrid panted, leaning on her daggers, her usually vibrant expression pale with exhaustion. "I thought we were done for."
Roman, a silent giant, merely grunted, his massive frame trembling slightly from the exertion. His greatsword, though dulled, was still clutched in a white-knuckled grip.
Julian, though composed, leaned heavily against the tunnel wall, his sword arm visibly trembling. "A truly desperate gambit, Adam. But brilliant. We bought our lives with cunning, not just strength."
Mei Jing, breathing deeply, nodded in agreement. "Her focus was entirely on the direct confrontation. She did not anticipate a retreat, nor the hidden path."
Ronda, wiping sweat from her brow, looked at Adam with a new depth of respect. "You have a knack for pulling rabbits out of hats, Adam Ashbourne. That was a high-risk, high-reward call. Most commanders would have ordered us to fight to the last."
"We are here to survive, and complete the objective," Edward rumbled, his voice calm, though even he showed faint signs of strain, a subtle flicker in his crimson eyes. "Not to die needlessly in a display of misplaced heroism. A wise decision, Adam."
Adam, his own body screaming in protest, managed a weary smile. "No sense in being a dead hero. We've come too far for that. But we're here. We made it to Floor 10."
He pulled out his comms unit. "Mysterio, you went in first. What's the situation? Anything on your sensors?"
Mysterio's voice, surprisingly clear and steady despite the harrowing escape, came through the comms. "Negative, Adam. No active biological signatures detected nearby. No monsters, no traps, no immediate threats. This passage appears to open into a very large cavern, but it's currently clear."
A collective sigh of profound relief went through the group. No immediate monster encounter. It was a reprieve they desperately needed.
"Tom, cross-reference Mysterio's readings," Adam ordered, pushing himself to his feet, his exhaustion a heavy weight. "Confirm the area is clear."
Tom, though visibly tired, immediately activated his comprehensive scanners. The soft hum of his devices filled the narrow tunnel. Moments later, his voice, laced with relief, confirmed the good news. "Confirmed, Adam. My scans align with Mysterio's. There are no monsters nearby. It looks like we've landed in a stable, unoccupied sector of Floor 10. We have a clear perimeter of at least five hundred meters."
Adam nodded, his gaze sweeping over his weary, battered team. Their clothes were torn, their armor scratched, their faces grimy. They had pushed themselves beyond their limits.
"Alright, everyone," Adam announced, his voice firm, radiating a renewed sense of purpose. "This is it. The final floor. We're here for the Floor 10 Boss Monster's Energy Core. But we're not going in blind, and we're not going in exhausted."
He looked at each of them, his eyes holding a shared understanding. "Mysterio has given us a window. Tom has confirmed it. So, we make the most of it. We set up camp here and rest. A proper rest this time. We need to be at 100% for whatever Twain has waiting for us. This is the last fight."
A wave of quiet agreement, a sense of grim determination, settled over the group. The relief was immense, but it was good overshadowed by the knowledge that the true final challenge still lay ahead.
They moved forward cautiously, following Mysterio's guidance through the narrow tunnel until it opened into a truly massive cavern. Unlike the organic, chitin-lined passages of the third floor or the shadowy rock formations of the sixth, this chamber felt ancient, almost primordial. The walls were composed of vast, smooth sheets of dark, obsidian-like rock, interspersed with glowing, crystalline formations that pulsed with an internal light. The air was cool, dry, and carried a faint, metallic tang.
They found a relatively sheltered alcove within the cavern, a place where they could set up a secure perimeter. They moved with a quiet efficiency, their actions honed by weeks of survival. Mysterio and Tom immediately deployed their perimeter sensors, setting up a silent, unbreachable electronic watch. Julian, Panchenko, and Roman secured the physical entrances to their chosen spot, creating makeshift barricades with loose rock. Astrid began preparing a high-energy, easy-to-digest meal from their dwindling, but well-managed, rations. Mei Jing their medical supplies, ensuring everything was readily accessible.
Ronda and Edward took turns monitoring the outer perimeter, their senses heightened.
The aroma of rehydrated nutrient paste and high-protein jerky filled the small camp, simple but incredibly comforting. As they ate, there was a profound silence, a sense of calm before the storm. This hasn't just another rest stop; it was . final staging ground.
"We made it through the Black Queen," Panchenko mumbled around a mouthful of food, a sense of awe in his voice. "I still can't believe it."
"She was formidable," Julian agreed, his gaze distant. "A testament to the dungeon's adaptability. And to our own resilience."
"And your quick thinking, Adam," Ronda added, offering him a respectful nod. "Most people would have fought until they dropped."
"No point in fighting a losing battle," Adam replied, taking a long swig of water. "Twain said 'survive.' Sometimes that means knowing when to disengage."
"It highlights the true nature of this 'exam'," Edward commented, his voice a low rumble. "It is not merely a test of combat prowess, but of adaptability, leadership, and the wisdom to choose the optimal path for survival. A direct confrontation with the Black Queen, in her territory, would have been a pyrrhic victory at best, a collective grave at worst."
"So, what do you think the Floor 10 Boss will be like?" Astrid asked, breaking the pensive silence, her eyes wide with a mix of apprehension and excitement. "Twain's last challenge."
Tom, after a moment of thought, spoke, his voice serious. "Astabal Dungeon is known for its elemental shifts. Given the obsidian-like rock and the crystalline formations, I'd venture a guess it will be something elemental. Perhaps a geological or energy-based entity. Something that embodies the raw power of the dungeon itself."
"Could be a construct," Julian mused. "Something inorganic, capable of absorbing or redirecting energy."
"Or a shapeshifter," Panchenko offered, ever the brawler. "Something that can change forms and catch us off guard."
"Whatever it is," Adam stated, looking at them all, "we know one thing: it's going to be the toughest fight yet. Twain isn't going to make it easy. This is the culmination of everything. Our combined strength, our teamwork, our strategic thinking. Everything."
Edward's gaze swept over the team, a profound ancient wisdom in his eyes. "This final confrontation will not merely be against a monster. It will be a confrontation with yourselves. Your limits. Your fears. And your ultimate conviction. Twain seeks to reveal if you possess the unbreakable will to face true, existential threats and emerge victorious."
They finished their meal, the quiet conversation continuing, a mental rehearsal of their final strategy. They discussed their various roles, reinforcing their understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Adam emphasized the need for constant communication, immediate adaptation, and unwavering support.
"No matter what happens," Adam reiterated, his voice steady, "we stick together. We protect each other. We get that core."
They meticulously checked their remaining gear, sharpening blades, testing weapon charges, and preparing their medical kits for instant access. The weight of the final challenge hung in the air, but it was met with a shared resolve, a quiet determination forged in the crucible of their journey.
As the hours passed, they settled into their sleeping arrangements, taking turns on watch as they had before. The profound silence of Floor 10, devoid of monster growls or the scuttling of insects, was both a blessing and a chilling reminder of the unknown power that awaited them. They rested, gathering their strength, each adventurer mentally preparing for the ultimate test. They were on the doorstep of the Floor 10 Boss. The calm before the storm. And they were ready.