The warmth of the hot spring lingered on Felis's skin as he stepped out, his muscles loose and his mind refreshed. With a towel draped over his shoulders, he stretched lazily, ears twitching at the distant sounds of Rivira's marketplace.
'Not bad… I could get used to this,' he mused, rolling his shoulders before making his way toward a shaded area beneath one of the large trees scattered across the 18th Floor's landscape. The gentle rustling of leaves and the cool breeze made it a perfect spot to rest a little longer before he continued his exploration after all he is already inside the dungeon for two days.
But as he approached, he noticed someone already there.
A lone girl sat beneath the shade, her back resting against the rough bark. Her chestnut-brown hair, tied in a high ponytail with a white ribbon, fluttered slightly in the breeze. She looked small, fragile even, her violet eyes dull and distant, staring at nothing in particular. A tattered cloak covered her shoulders, but it did little to hide the bloodstains on her outfit or the faint tremor in her fingers as she held onto her knees.
Felis stopped a few paces away, his tail flicking behind him as he took in the sight.
'…A survivor?'
It didn't take much to piece it together. The rumors from Rivira, the massacre on the 19th Floor, and now, a lone adventurer—a mage, judging by her attire—sitting here, looking completely drained.
His golden eyes softened.
The sight of her—injured, alone, exhausted—stirred something in his chest.
'…I've been there too.'
A memory surfaced—his own near-death experience deep in the dungeon, bleeding out, alone, on the verge of death. If not for his healing magic, he wouldn't be here right now. He still remembered the fear, the helplessness of lying there with no one to help him.
Instead of approaching too suddenly, he lowered himself onto a nearby rock, making sure his presence wasn't overwhelming. "Yo," he called out casually. "Rough day?"
The girl flinched, her gaze snapping to him—startled, wary. Her violet eyes flickered with something between suspicion and exhaustion, as if trying to gauge whether he was a threat. For a moment, she didn't respond, her fingers tightening around her knees.
Felis didn't move, didn't push. He simply met her gaze, patient.
Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something—but she hesitated, swallowing it down. A slow, shaky breath left her.
"…You could say that."
The words came out quieter than before, barely above a whisper, as if admitting it made her reality sink in a little deeper.
Felis tilted his head, watching her carefully. "I heard about what happened on the 19th Floor." He didn't sugarcoat it. "You were part of that group, weren't you?"
A sharp intake of breath. Her hands tightened on her knees.
"…Yeah."
She didn't say more at first, as if speaking the words would make the reality even worse. Felis didn't push. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"You hurt?" he asked simply.
The girl hesitated for a fraction too long before shaking her head. "Not anymore… Just exhausted."
Felis narrowed his eyes slightly. She was lying.
His senses had grown sharp—his magic, Numen Aquae, let him feel the lingering traces of wounds even after they were hidden from sight. She still looked stiff, and her exhaustion hadn't fully faded, and the way she held herself, slightly stiff and guarded, spoke of pain she wasn't willing to admit.
"…Liar," he said bluntly.
She flinched.
Before she could protest, Felis raised a hand, his palm glowing faintly. "Aqua Benedicta."
A gentle, warm light enveloped her. Narissa tensed as a soothing sensation spread through her body, sinking into muscles still tight with strain, fading bruises, and lingering aches. Her breath caught, but she didn't pull away.
When the light faded, her shoulders sagged—not from pain, but relief.
"…You didn't have to do that," she muttered, looking away.
Felis leaned back slightly. "Didn't have to. Chose to." His golden eyes studied her, unreadable yet calm. "Now, try answering again. You hurt?"
Narissa let out a quiet breath. "…Not anymore."
Felis nodded, satisfied this time. "Good."
A short silence settled between them before he spoke again.
"…I'm Felis Veltheris. Solo adventurer. You?"
She hesitated, then sighed. "…Narissa Valein."
"Alright, Narissa." Felis tilted his head toward the steaming hot spring nearby. "That magic took care of your injuries, but you should soak for a while. It'll help with the tension."
Narissa glanced at the spring, doubt flickering in her violet eyes.
Felis picked up on her hesitation and smirked slightly. "I'll wait here. Make sure no one else shows up."
She studied him for a moment before finally exhaling. "…Fine."
Felis simply leaned back against the tree, arms crossed, as she stood and made her way toward the spring. He didn't watch—he wasn't that shameless—but he listened, keeping his senses sharp as she stepped into the water.
Minutes passed, the only sound being the quiet ripple of the spring.
"…You're an adventurer, right?" Narissa's voice finally broke the silence.
"Yeah."
"You heading up or down?"
"Down. I'm scouting the 19th Floor tomorrow. After that, I'll head back to the surface on Dawn Moon 30." He glanced in her direction. "If you want, I can get you there. No rush—just think about it."
A long pause.
Narissa's fingers curled against the edge of the spring. "…My party was wiped out there."
Felis closed his eyes briefly. He had suspected as much.
"I won't tell you to get over it," he said, voice steady. "But I will say this—you made it out. And if you're still here, you have the choice to keep moving forward." He exhaled. "If I was in your position… I'd want someone to remind me of that."
Narissa didn't answer immediately. But this time, when she spoke, she wasn't arguing.
"…Tell me what you know about the 19th Floor."
Felis chuckled. "You first."
She let out a soft huff, but it lacked her earlier sharpness. Slowly, she began speaking—detailing the floor's layout, the dangers, what she had learned before things went wrong.
By the time she finished, the steam had worked its magic, easing the exhaustion in her posture. The tension in her shoulders had loosened, the stiffness in her limbs softened by the heat.
She stepped out of the water, droplets sliding down her skin as the cooler air met her damp body. Without hesitation, she reached for her clothes, dressing swiftly, the fabric clinging slightly before settling against her frame.
"…I'll be staying around here," she finally said, fastening her gear. "I don't have money for an inn. You don't need to give me money either."
Felis chuckled, amused by her stubbornness. He reached into his pack, pulling out a neatly packed camping set. "Fine. Then take this instead."
Narissa blinked at his words, her expression unreadable. "I can't just—"
"You refused the money before I could offer it, so take the gear. Consider it a loan—I'll take it back when we leave." His tone was casual, but firm, making it clear there was no room for argument.
She hesitated, arms crossing as she considered his words. Her fingers twitched slightly, the fight still flickering in her stance. Pride? Stubbornness? Or just habit—the instinct to reject any form of help.
Felis watched as she exhaled slowly, her resistance fading as the warmth from the bath lingered in her bones. Finally, she let out a quiet sigh.
"…Fine."
Felis gave a small nod and set the bundle within her reach before standing. "Get some rest. You'll need it."
A few minutes later, Narissa finally stepped out—now fully dressed, though her damp hair still clung to her shoulders. She grabbed the camping set from where he had left it, gripping it tightly before exhaling.
"…Thanks."
Felis stretched with a yawn, rolling his shoulders. "You're not the only one who's been through hell, you know. Just rest." His tone was casual, but there was a quiet finality to it—like he wouldn't take no for an answer.
Narissa hesitated for a moment, fingers tightening around the camping set. The idea of rest still felt foreign, her body worn yet her mind too restless. But the gentle warmth from the hot spring still lingered on her skin, and for the first time since escaping the 19th Floor, exhaustion didn't feel suffocating.
The air around them was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and faint traces of mineral-rich steam from the nearby water. Bioluminescent plants scattered across the landscape pulsed with a soft, steady glow, painting the clearing in hues of blue and green. Above them, the massive tree branches intertwined like a natural canopy, their leaves shifting lazily in an unfelt breeze.
With practiced ease, Felis struck flint against steel, sending a cascade of sparks onto the dry tinder. A small flame flickered to life, quickly feeding on the kindling until a steady fire crackled within the circle of stones he'd arranged. Warmth spread through the air, pushing back the chill of the 18th Floor's forested clearing.
Narissa settled nearby, unfolding the camping set Felis had lent her—a simple bedroll and blanket that provided a modicum of comfort. As she arranged herself on the soft ground, the gentle heat from the fire mingled with the natural coolness of the forest. Yet each time she closed her eyes, memories of her fallen comrades resurfaced—haunting images that threatened to keep her awake.
She shifted her gaze and saw Felis leaning back against a sturdy tree, arms crossed, his golden eyes half-lidded yet alert in the flickering firelight. His feline pupils glinted as he kept silent watch over the clearing.
…She wasn't alone.
The rustling leaves above whispered softly in the light breeze, and the distant murmur of a nearby stream provided a soothing backdrop. Gradually, as the steady rhythm of nature began to ease her troubled mind, the heavy burden on her shoulders felt just a little lighter.
---
By dawn, the crackling embers had long since faded, leaving only faint wisps of smoke drifting into the cool morning air. The forest around her stirred gently—branches swaying with the breeze, distant calls of unseen creatures echoing softly in the vast expanse of the 18th Floor.
Felis stretched his arms behind his head, his feline ears flicking as he sat near the remains of the campfire, still clad in his blanket. His tail swayed lazily, betraying the ease with which he greeted the morning. The crisp air was a refreshing contrast to the lingering warmth of the night.
A soft rustle signaled movement. Moments later, Narissa slowly unrolled her camproll, her violet eyes blinking against the daylight. There was a sluggishness in her posture, not from neglect but from the weight of exhaustion that had clung to her through the night.
She rubbed her arms absentmindedly before glancing at Felis. "Morning..." Her voice, hoarse and softened by sleep, barely rose above the gentle sounds of the forest.
"Morning," he replied, casually tossing her a piece of dried meat from his rations. "Good. You didn't die in your sleep. That would've been a pain to explain to the Guild."
Narissa paused mid-motion, a fleeting glare in her eyes. "Gee, thanks for the concern."
Felis simply smirked, biting into his own food as he leaned back on his hands. "So… did you already think about my offer yesterday?" His golden eyes searched hers, curious for a response.
Narissa hesitated, gripping the ration in her hand a little tighter. A moment of silence stretched between them, the weight of her unspoken thoughts lingering in the cool morning air.
She exhaled slowly. "...Yeah."
Narissa chewed on the dried meat slowly, her violet eyes shifting toward the treetops as she mulled over Felis's words. The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns across the forest floor. A crisp breeze carried the scent of damp earth and fresh greenery—far too peaceful for the weight of her decision.
"…Yeah," she finally admitted, exhaling as if releasing the last of her hesitation. "I'll return to the surface."
Felis raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
She toyed with the edge of her sleeve. "I need to report to my Goddess… No one even knows I survived and—" she hesitated, biting her lip. "I don't know if I'll keep going as an adventurer or… take a break."
A knowing look flickered across Felis's golden eyes. 'Not surprising. After a wipeout like that, quitting would be the normal choice.'
But he didn't say that aloud. Instead, he stretched lazily, hands behind his head. "Fair enough. You don't have to decide everything now. First step—getting back alive."
Narissa nodded. She wasn't proud of it, but she knew she couldn't make the journey alone—not in her current state. Her mana had barely recovered, and she hadn't held a weapon since she fled the 19th Floor. Having an escort, even an annoying one, was her best option.
Still, his words from yesterday lingered in her mind.
"I'm heading down to scout the 19th Floor tomorrow."
Narissa frowned. "…You're really going, huh?"
"Obviously." Felis grinned, stretching his arms. "Gotta get a feel for the place."
Her fingers curled around the ration, tension creeping into her grip. Wasn't it enough that he made it this far? Why push further? "You could just leave. No one's forcing you to go there."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not about that. Sooner or later, I'll be diving deeper anyway. Better to know what I'm dealing with now rather than later."
Narissa blinked, caught off guard. "…So you're not going because of me?"
Felis arched a brow, amused. "Did you think I was?"
She looked away, feeling unreasonably irritated. "Tch. Whatever. Do what you want."
"I was planning to." He smirked, then, as if sensing her lingering concern, added, "Relax. I won't do anything reckless."
Narissa exhaled slowly. That's what everyone says before they get themselves killed. But she held her tongue. If he wanted to throw himself into danger, it wasn't her place to stop him.
"…Fine," she muttered. "I'll wait here. Just don't take too long."
Felis gave a lazy wave as he stood. "Try not to miss me too much."
She scoffed, turning away.
As he disappeared into the distance, Narissa stared at the flickering embers of the dying campfire.
"Damn fool." The words came reflexively, but they rang hollow. As the embers dimmed, another thought crept in—one she didn't dare say aloud. "Just come back in one piece."