Chapter 28 - Revealed

Floor Twenty – Duke’s Mansion

A few days after the firedrake was defeated.

A hooded figure entered the audience chamber and knelt. Duke Thorval lounged on his chair, fingers drumming the armrest. Vaerina stood to his right, her staff resting lightly at her side.

The spy lowered her hood—a brown-haired woman, sharp-eyed. “The subject has been sighted on Floor Sixty. She has awakened, at least partially. Her party slew a firedrake.”

Thorval’s hand clenched on the armrest hard enough for the wood to creak. “Awakened already…” His gaze snapped to Vaerina. “We cannot ignore this. Tell me you have a way to neutralise her.”

The dark elf’s lips curved into a smirk. “With the Verdant Orb and—certain refinements—I can break her.”

“See that you do,” Thorval said coldly. He dismissed the spy with a sharp flick of his hand.

From the shadows, Rovan watched in silence, arms folded across his chest. His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

“Can you defeat her?” the Duke pressed.

Vaerina’s eyes glittered. “With the Orb’s power? Certainly.”

Thorval leaned forward, voice low and dangerous. “Do it. Before the Gathering of Dukes. If she rises before then… our plans are at risk.”

Vaerina inclined her head, smiling like a blade in the dark.

***

Floor Sixty – Tavern

The tavern on Floor Sixty buzzed with noise. A bard plucked a lute on a raised platform while mugs clashed and laughter rolled across the room.

Alina, Rikka, Gromul, and Renji sat around a table, meals half-finished.

“The two of you work very well together,” Rikka remarked, approval in her voice. “Definitely not rookies.” The four of them had spent the last several days raiding Floors Sixty-one and Sixty-two.

“Agreed.” Gromul raised his tankard and took a long swig.

“Well, it’s not surprising considering how you took down the firedrake,” Rikka added.

“‘We’ took it down,” Renji corrected flatly.

Rikka smirked and nodded. “Right. We did.” She thought of Alina’s strange surge of power that day but decided not to pry.

“It’s like your hearts beat as one.” Rikka gave Alina a cheeky wink.

“I’ll grab another round,” Alina said, scooping up the empty jug. Her cheeks were faintly pink and not from her first drink.

“So the current objective is to establish a base on Sixty-five?” Renji asked.

“Yup.” Rikka nodded. “More like re-establish a base. There was a fort there decades ago, but it got overrun.”

“Why Sixty-five?” Renji asked.

“There’s a portal. Secure it, and we can start pushing against the monster settlements deeper in.”

“Orc villages. Drake nests. Whole clans working together,” Gromul added, wiping foam from his beard.

At the bar, Alina paid the barkeep and received a full jug of mead. She thanked him and turned, weaving through the crowd.

A broad figure staggered into her path.

“Well, well. Didn’t know angels came down here,” the man slurred with a sloppy grin. “Why don’t you join me instead, pretty thing?”

Alina blinked, startled. “Th-thank you, but I already have company.” She tried to step past, but he blocked her path.

“Don’t waste your time on them. I’ll show you a real night.” He reached for her arm.

Before he could touch her, a hand caught his wrist.

“Renji.” Alina’s voice filled with relief. She stepped quickly behind him, putting him between her and the drunkard.

“She said no.” His tone was calm, eyes cold as steel.

Angry Renji, she thought.

She’d come to call it that, whenever that switch flipped inside him. She’d seen it on Floor Fourteen when they were cornered, and again when the assassin struck on Twenty-Five.

“Who the hell are you supposed to be?” the drunk spat.

“Someone telling you to walk away.”

The man relented for a moment, then pride and ale won out.

“You don’t get to order me around!” He shoved Renji’s chest.

Renji didn’t budge. The drunkard threw a wild punch that had no chance of connecting. Renji slipped aside, twisted the arm, and dumped him across a nearby table. Food and ale went flying.

“Oi!” one of the man’s friends shouted, knocking over his chair as he stood.

Rikka groaned. “Great. First week here and we’re in a tavern brawl.”

Gromul, on the other hand, stood at Renji’s back and laughed. “It’s an unspoken rule. No weapons or magic.”

Most of the onlookers seemed to decide this was the best entertainment they’d had all week. Patrons cheered, dragging tables against the walls to clear space, as if this was routine.

And just like that, the tavern erupted. Benches toppled. Mugs shattered.

Alina pressed against the wall, still clutching the jug of mead. A bottle shattered near her boots. Another brute reached for her but Renji caught him by the neck and slammed him to the ground.

“T-thanks!” she squeaked, shuffling to a quieter corner.

Minutes later, the tavern was a wreck. Splintered chairs, ale pooling on the floor, and half a dozen groaning drunks piled against the wall. Patrons started dragging tables back to their original positions like it was the next scene in a stage play.

Renji didn’t know whether to be impressed or amused.

“Well,” Rikka muttered, sliding back into her seat, “you rookies sure know how to make an impression.”

Renji adjusted his cloak like nothing had happened, while Alina set down the rescued jug of mead with both hands. Gromul promptly refilled his tankard, grinning.

“Does this happen a lot?” Renji asked, scratching the side of his face. “The other patrons seem to know just what to do. Even the owner didn’t flinch.”

Gromul let out a hearty laugh. “Only every other week!” he said, slapping Renji on the back.

“You enjoy this too much, Grom,” Rikka scolded. The dwarf grunted and took a swig.

Alina spotted a shiner on Renji’s face and pouted. She drew her hand close to his face and conjured a small shard of ice.

Renji took the ice from her hand. “Thank you.”

***

Street Outside the tavern - Later

About an hour later, Rikka and Alina stepped out of the tavern.

“So, does he know?” Rikka teased.

“Know what?” Alina tilted her head.

“That you’re in love with him, of course.”

“Huh?” Alina stammered, flustered. “I-I’m… not…” She waved her hands in denial.

“Don’t bother denying it. It’s as clear as day to me.” Rikka glanced back at the tavern door. “He’s dense, though. You’ll need to give it to him straight.”

“B-but…” Alina looked at the ground shyly.

“The way he defended your honour in there. You have nothing to worry about.” Rikka patted Alina’s shoulder.

Yes, I do. He’s not staying, Alina thought.

The tavern door swung open, Gromul and Renji stepped out after leaving behind a big tip—customary after a brawl.

“Finally. Took you long enough,” Rikka moaned. “I’m tired. Let’s go, Grom.” She yanked the dwarf by his collar.

Gromul started to complain, but Rikka was having none of it.

***

Alina and Renji walked in silence for several minutes. The street was quiet, lanternlight flickering against the stone.

Renji glanced at her sidelong. She’s been quiet ever since we left the tavern…

As they rounded a corner into a quiet street, she took several brisk steps ahead and turned to face him.

“Renji… about the summoning. I need to tell you this properly. It wasn’t just a mistake—I gambled with a life that wasn’t mine. Yours. And I regret that, every single day. But at the same time…”

“I’ve said it before, Alina—I’ve never blamed you.”

She raised a hand, gesturing for him to let her finish. She lowered her gaze, fists clenched. “If I hadn’t… if you hadn’t been pulled here… I never would have met you. And I don’t know how to live with those two truths together. That I wronged you… but I’m also glad to have met you.”

When she looked up, her eyes met his. “I just needed you to know. While some of it has been tough, I’ll treasure the time I’ve spent with you.”

What is she saying? What brought this on?

Renji stretched out his hand tentatively. Alina flinched, stepping back out of reach.

“You don’t have to say anything right now.” Her voice softened, almost breaking. “You’ll make your way back to your world soon. All I ask is that you think of me every now and then… because I won’t forget you.”

She turned on her heel, walking briskly, ears burning red, heart hammering in her chest. All she wanted was to reach her room and shut the door.

“Alina!” Renji called after her. “Wait up.”

She stopped and turned, cheeks and ears flushed pink. “What I’m trying to say is…” She drew a deep breath. “Renji, I lo—”

“Alina Mearith.”

A feminine voice rang out from behind, cutting through the night.

They both turned.