The transition into the artificial night was completed with frightening mathematical precision. At the top of the invisible dome that served as the ceiling of the third floor, the simulated constellations lit up one by one, emitting a cold, bluish glow that bathed the immense forest in an enigmatic illumination. Beneath the canopy of the gigantic trees, the darkness quickly grew denser, bringing with it a cool air and the rhythmic murmuring of artificial insects that were beginning their nocturnal cycle.
Following the indication we had mapped out minutes earlier, we climbed the rocky elevation that projected from the center of the valley. The top of that natural structure revealed itself to be a flat and strategically perfect plateau, protected by three immense blocks of gray stone that formed a natural barrier against strong winds or surprise attacks coming from any flank.
"Look at that," Rai'kanna pointed, indicating the exact center of the rocky plateau.
Embedded directly into the flat surface of the rock, a large runic marking glowed intermittently with a comforting blue hue. It was a minor anchoring rune, very similar to the one described in the report by runic researcher Cedric Thorne. It was not a permanent return checkpoint to the outside, but it functioned as an active protective barrier against the local magical fauna. A subtle translucent energy barrier extended in an invisible arc around the mark, repelling the approach of aggressive monsters and partially purifying the mana-draining miasma that hung in the forest's atmosphere.
"It is the perfect place to establish our resting base," I commented, unloading my tactical backpack near one of the stone blocks. "The presence of this protective rune confirms that the tower's structure, despite being relentless, was programmed with regulated resting areas. The creator wants us to survive long enough to be tested continuously."
"I'll help organize the space," said Elara, untying the fastenings of her travel tent while Scarlet and Lyannis began clearing the central area to set up our small campfire.
Since we were beneath the rune's purifying barrier, using real fire for cooking was perfectly safe and would not reveal our position to the hordes wandering through the forest below. Scarlet used the dry logs we had collected along the way and, with a small spark of fire from Lyannis, a warm and bright flame came to life in the center of the camp. The heat of the fire immediately dissipated the cold moisture rising from the rocky ground, bringing a welcoming feeling of home into the middle of that hostile dungeon.
I took out the fresh portions of giant wolf meat that we had collected and cleaned during the day. Liriel prepared the rustic skewers with clean branches, seasoning the meat with dried herbs she carried in her provisions case. While the appetizing aroma of roasted meat began to fill the air of the plateau, we sat around the campfire, allowing the physical exhaustion accumulated over hours of uninterrupted walking to finally dissipate.
"You know," Scarlet began, chewing a piece of roasted meat that proved to be surprisingly tender and flavorful. "I spent a large part of my life as a warrior camping in wild territories, but I never imagined I would have such a good meal in the middle of a magical structure that wants to suck out our souls. The meat of these runic wolves is better than many I've eaten in expensive taverns in the capital."
"Necessity sharpens our senses and makes us appreciate simple things," Liriel commented, looking thoughtfully at the golden embers crackling in the center of the fire. "At the mansion, we have all the comfort money can buy, but here, a piece of fresh meat and each other's presence are all we need to keep our determination alive. There is a quiet beauty in this forced simplicity."
Liriel's assistant kept her notebook open, but this time not to record drain rates or alchemical formulas. She simply observed the group's behavior, allowing herself a subtle half-smile that softened her usually rigid and analytical demeanor. "The mystical presence of this protective rune has reduced our passive energy consumption rate to almost zero. Our mana channels are regenerating naturally while we rest. This is an excellent sign for our ascent tomorrow."
"We cannot lower our guard," Elara warned, keeping her mystical bow propped against the stone wall beside her, where she could reach it with a single reflexive movement. "Even if the rune protects us against direct physical attacks, the mind remains vulnerable to the environment. The magical density of this place is so high that it can influence our dreams or attempt to wear us down psychologically while we sleep."
Elara's observations made perfect tactical sense. The human and spiritual mind needs rest to process daily challenges, and the Demon King knew perfectly well that the weakest link of any elite squad does not lie in the physical resistance of its armor, but in the psychological resilience of its members in the face of prolonged isolation. I looked at each of them, seeing the glow of the campfire reflected in their eyes. Those women had faced terrible threats by my side, and the strength emanating from our unity was the true unbreakable barrier that the tower would never be able to drain completely.
"We will establish a guard shift system," I ordered, setting the watch schedule to ensure that there was always someone alert while the others slept. "Two people will remain active every three hours. I will take the first shift together with Rai'kanna. Scarlet and Elara will take the second, followed by Lyannis and Vespera, while Liriel and her assistant will rest for the entire period to ensure that our medical strength is at full operating capacity tomorrow."
Everyone unanimously agreed with the strategic distribution. After we finished the meal, which restored vigor to our fatigued muscles, the first ones to rest settled into their compact travel tents, allowing their accumulated exhaustion to lead them into the necessary sleep.
Silence once again prevailed at the top of the rocky elevation, broken only by the soft whisper of the mystical wind running through the artificial ravines below us and the slow crackling of the embers that were beginning to die out. I approached the edge of the rocky plateau, sitting on a flat stone from where I could monitor the darkness of the forest stretching out like an infinite black sea.
Rai'kanna approached with silent steps, sitting beside me without making any physical noise. She kept her eyes fixed on the horizon of false stars, with her ears focused on the sounds rising from the valley. The silence shared between us was filled with mutual understanding. We did not need words to know what each of us was thinking about the immensity of the challenge we had accepted.
"This place is only the beginning of a very long path, Takumi," she whispered, her soft voice carried by the cool night breeze. "But, looking at how we overcame this first day, I know there is no dungeon in this world that can contain our advance."
"I know," I replied, feeling the cold hilt of my runic sword beneath the palm of my right hand. "We were shaped for this exact moment, Rai'kanna. The Demon King thinks he has set up a perfect trap, but he merely built the stage where we will consolidate our final victory."
With that reassuring thought and renewed tactical focus, we maintained our watch over the mystical darkness of the third floor, ensuring the safety and rest of our squad during our first night inside the monumental Tower of the Demon King.