The walk back to Dawnview felt nothing like yesterday's.
Same path.
Same trees.
Same scattering of storm-light still clinging to the Wilds.
But this time, nobody limped in silence.
They drifted.
Floated.
Dragged themselves along like overcooked noodles, but victorious ones.
Aria rode halfway on Bramble because walking was "emotionally impossible."
Hayley let Terror carry her sword because her arms had gone on strike.
Rezion kept absent-mindedly touching Frostwing like he still didn't believe it existed.
Kalyani fell asleep twice while walking, only woken each time by her Fire Gecko sneezing sparks.
And Jonathan?
Jonathan carried Stoneback in both arms like the world's angriest, heaviest baby.
Riley walked at the front, Arcial pacing beside him with the smug swagger of a creature who had just murdered a thunder-deity and would like a second serving.
Lumi floated above Riley's shoulder like a tired lightbulb that refused to dim out of pride.
Ether slept curled on Sofia's shoulder, tiny threads of soft light keeping them all topped off just enough not to fall over.
Even Dot looked exhausted, draped across Aria's hair like a melted tarantula rug.
Outside Dawnview gate, the guards took one look at them and stepped aside fast.
"Stormbreakers!" one guard whispered.
"No, no," Aria corrected hoarsely. "It's Stormbreakers of Dawnview, thank you, put some respect on it—"
Ether twitched in her sleep and Aria immediately shut up.
The moment they stepped into the plaza, a system announcement rang out:
> Dawnview Announcement:
A roaming Stormfront alpha-beast has fallen.
The village honours the Stormbreakers of Dawnview.
A cheer rippled through the plaza.
Actual NPCs clapped.
Players froze mid-craft.
Somebody dropped their fishing rod.
Someone else took a picture.
A group of beginners stared at Arcial like he was a legendary mount you unlocked by sacrificing your entire family tree.
Aria weakly lifted a hand.
"Yes, yes, you may bask in our glory—"
Terror bonked her in the back of the head with a stone fist.
"OW—TERROR?? TRAITOR??"
Hayley laughed until she nearly fell over again.
Riley led them toward the Adventurer's Bureau — a building that always smelled like ink, steel, and mild bureaucracy.
The receptionist NPC gasped when he placed the Stormback Heart Core on the counter.
"That's— That's— Are you— You actually—"
Hayes gently pushed the man a glass of water.
The NPC swallowed and straightened.
"Congratulations. Dawnview recognizes this as a Primary Region Threat Subjugation."
Windows popped up for all of them:
> Azure Hollow — Phase Two: UNLOCKED
Dungeon Level Range: 10–14
Difficulty: High
Special Modifier: Stormfront Infusion
Another window appeared:
> Dungeon First-Entry Bonus Available: 10 Slots.
Eligible: Party + designated village affiliates.
Aria blinked. "Is… is that?"
Riley nodded.
"Kipp and Mira get seats. We promised."
Sofia smiled softly.
"They'll be so excited."
Kalyani added, "Are we sure Kipp won't explode inside the dungeon?"
"No," Hayes said honestly.
"Absolutely not," Jonathan agreed.
"That man will die of joy before anything kills him," Aria said.
Dot slapped her forehead with a leg.
They didn't even make it through the workshop door before it happened.
Kipp sprinted out, screaming.
"You–YOU– YOU ACTUALLY DID IT—THE WHOLE TOWN IS TALKING—WE'RE FAMOUS—WE'RE HISTO—OH MY GOD—"
Mira shoved him aside.
"SHOW ME THE PLATES—THE CORE—THE NEW SKILLS—THE DAMAGE PROFILES—WHO GOT FRACTURE MARKS—WHY IS ARCIAL SMUG—WHAT DID YOU BREAK THIS TIME—"
Kipp fainted mid-celebration.
This time Bramble caught him.
Mira held the Stormback Plate to the light, eyes huge.
"This is… this is Tier Three potential. No—Tier Three-plus. Riley. Hayes. Please tell me I can come to the dungeon so I can study everything before ANYONE ELSE touches it—"
Riley placed the sigil window in front of her.
> Dungeon Access Slots: 10
Kipp
Mira
Mira made a noise that sounded like metal melting.
Aria whispered, "Should we be scared?"
Jonathan answered, "Yes."
They gathered around the workshop table — a battlefield of blueprints, half-finished potions, and crumbs from Aria's emergency muffin stash.
Riley pointed to the map.
"Azure Hollow opens at noon. We go after lunch."
Hayes nodded. "Roles stay the same?"
"Mostly," Riley said. "But dungeon format means:
• More traps
• More element cycles
• More puzzles
• Fewer safe spots"
"Mossling should come then," Sofia said. "They're good with puzzles."
Riley nodded. "Right. We rotate spirits. Keep Arcial and Lumi for me, but bring Luna back after the first chamber. She's good for tight corridors."
Aria groaned happily. "YES! Luna returns! The round one is BACK!"
Dot patted Aria's cheek to calm her.
Rezion added, "Frostwing says Azure Hollow is very cold at the bottom."
"Can it talk?" Kalyani asked.
Rezion blinked. "…Emotionally."
Hayley tied her hair back. "What's the win condition?"
Riley didn't hesitate.
"First clear. Dungeon mastery. And the special Stormfront reward."
Aria perked up. "Reward??"
He passed the scroll to the center.
The system text shimmered:
> Azure Hollow – First Clear Reward (Stormfront Variant):
• A random Rare Weapon Core
• A guaranteed Spirit Evolution Catalyst
• Dawnview → Emberton Fast-Travel Route (Permanent)
• Stormfront Reputation: Major Increase
• ??? (Hidden Reward)
Aria fell off her chair.
Jonathan whispered, "An… evolution catalyst."
Even Arcial's ears flicked up.
Sofia's breath caught. "Ether… could evolve."
Ether glowed faintly in shy, hopeful blue.
Hayes cracked his knuckles.
"Then we clear it clean."
Kipp woke up just to shout, "DUNGEON FIELDTRIP!" before fainting again.
Everyone ignored him.
Final Preparation Before the Dive was happening
Potions brewed.
Armor repaired.
Spirits rotated.
Snacks acquired (Aria insisted; no one objected).
Riley checked the time:
> 11:24 AM
Azure Hollow opens at 12:00.
He looked at his team — exhausted, patched, buzzing with energy.
And then thought of Mum.
Of arrears.
Of Emberton.
Of Edward waiting unknowingly for him.
Of the corporation scouts who would soon be watching.
He placed his hand on Dawnstring.
Arcial leaned against his leg.
Lumi brightened.
"Next step," Riley murmured, "starts here."
The dungeon gate shimmered into existence at the far edge of Dawnview.
Azure mist poured from the archway.
Sofia breathed, "It's beautiful."
Aria fist-pumped weakly. "I'm going to die but in style."
Hayes smiled. "Let's give Dawnview something to brag about."
Riley nodded.
"Alright, team."
He stepped forward.
"Azure Hollow awaits."