The walk along the staircase leading to the twenty-third floor proceeded with a welcoming tranquility. The air circulating through the polished stone steps carried a refreshing lightness, free from the dense smell of sulfur or the battle dust that marked the chambers of the lower floors. As we advanced, the magical illumination of the arcane ceiling began to undergo a gentle gradation, transitioning from the golden tone of midday to an orange and purple hue, imitating with impressive accuracy the sunset of the outside world.
As we passed through the entrance portal of the twenty-third level, we found ourselves facing a landscape of singular serenity. The environment was dominated by a forest of tall and widely spaced vegetation, whose silver-trunked trees supported leaves of a brilliant blue-green. The twilight bathed the soft ground covered with low grass, casting long and gentle shadows between moss-covered blocks of rock. The silence of the forest was interrupted only by the constant rustling of the leaves beneath the warm breeze of the approaching night.
"The gradation of the magical illumination on this floor is incredibly precise," Liriel's assistant observed, adjusting her glasses and holding her clipboard against her chest while inspecting the ceiling of the floor. "The tower's day and night cycle was configured to simulate the natural passage of time, allowing the explorers' bodies to maintain a regulated circadian rhythm even while inside an isolated structure."
"That is a spectacular biological advantage for us," Liriel commented, walking beside her assistant with her sacred wooden staff resting on the ground with each step. "The sensation of nightfall signals to the body the ideal moment for slowing down and resting, preventing the accumulation of stress and mental fatigue."
"Visibility is still excellent, but the darkness will begin to thicken within the next hour," Scarlet pointed out, maintaining a firm pace at the vanguard while examining the contours of the silver trees. "We need to locate a suitable area for setting up our nighttime camp before darkness covers the paths of this level."
"Rai'kanna, Elara, do you notice any sign of hostile presence nearby?" I asked, turning my head to observe the two companions covering our flanks.
"The air is completely clear," Rai'kanna replied, landing lightly on a high rock and testing the wind currents with her attentive gaze. "There is no trace of monster odor or horde vibrations within a five-hundred-meter perimeter. This sector is surprisingly silent."
"I agree with Rai'kanna," Elara added, replacing an arrow in her quiver and maintaining a relaxed posture. "The density of the vegetation is uniform, and there are no claw marks or signs of wear on the bark of the silver trees."
We advanced along the main path at a steady and constant pace for another twenty minutes, going around a small hill of smooth rock until the low vegetation opened into a wide circular plateau. At the center of this cleared area stood a singular structure that stood out from the natural architecture of the biome.
It was a large enclosure delimited by short columns of gray marble, whose surfaces were completely covered with crystal-blue runic inscriptions. The symbols carved into the marble emitted a soft and constant glow, creating an invisible dome of energy that covered an area of almost thirty meters in diameter. The ground inside the runic perimeter was perfectly flat, clean, and free of any moisture or loose gravel.
"We found the Safe Point of the twenty-third floor!" Liriel's assistant declared with restrained enthusiasm, approaching the edge of the perimeter and consulting the reference maps. "The arcane structure of this enclosure is a direct protection sanctuary maintained by the tower's own core. The runic inscriptions repel the entry of any entity with a hostile magical signature."
"It is an absolute monster-rejection barrier," Liriel explained, passing her gloved hand a few centimeters from the blue light of the runes without touching the marble. "No native creature of the tower possesses the ability to cross this protective line. It is the ideal place to establish our night's rest."
"Excellent," I ordered, making a stopping gesture to the marching column. "The Safe Point has been located exactly according to our schedule. We will set up the main camp here."
We entered the area protected by the runes, feeling an immediate sensation of comfort and thermal insulation. The cold twilight wind, which was beginning to blow outside the hill, was gently diverted by the invisible barrier, keeping the temperature inside the perimeter at a pleasant twenty-one degrees.
The camp setup proceeded with our team's usual efficiency and discipline. In less than fifteen minutes, the large travel tent had been erected in the center of the plateau, the blankets and sleeping bags were organized inside, and a small smokeless campfire was lit on the iron stand brought by Lyannis.
"Tonight's dinner will be hearty and very tasty," Lyannis announced, taking a reinforced ceramic pot sealed with lard and seasonings from her backpack. "I brought monster meat hunted on the previous floors and preserved in salt and spices. Slow cooking over the embers will release an excellent aroma and provide us with high-quality protein."
"The smell is already making me hungry!" Scarlet said with a sincere smile, placing her longsword on the weapons stand set up beside the tent entrance and sitting on a clean wooden log. "Nothing compares to a hot meal after hours of walking and intense battles."
Lyannis placed the heavy iron pot on the campfire grate, slicing the preserved meat and adding pieces of dried vegetables and pure water from the canteen. The sizzling of the food against the heated metal and the rich scent of the herbs filled the Safe Point, creating a cozy and familiar environment that made us completely forget that we were deep inside a dangerous structure.
We served the portions in deep metal plates, eating calmly and enjoying one another's company. The conversations flowed with lightness and serenity; Liriel and her assistant discussed the efficiency of the runic barrier, Vespera and Elara recalled small details of crossing the forest floors, and Rai'kanna savored her portion of meat with evident satisfaction.
As I watched the serene faces of each of my companions illuminated by the yellowish glow of the campfire and the bluish tone of the runes around us, I allowed a calm and profound thought to enrich my view of the journey. The true strength of a squad is not tested only in the fury of the battlefield, but also in the ability to cultivate peace and unity during moments of retreat. Being surrounded by dangers in a monumental tower requires the commander to create spaces where the mind can rest in absolute safety. The Safe Point of the twenty-third floor was not merely a landmark on the map of the ascent, but rather the refuge where the warmth of simple conversations and mutual care renewed the unbreakable bonds that kept us strong. The shared food and the trust shining in the eyes of each warrior were our greatest source of power for the challenges that would come next.
"The meat turned out spectacular, Lyannis," I praised, finishing my meal and taking a sip of clean water to finish. "Your management of the supplies throughout this entire ascent has been impeccable."
"Thank you very much, Takumi," Lyannis replied in a warm and satisfied tone. "Knowing that my work ensures everyone's well-being and readiness is my greatest reward."
With the meal finished, the cooking utensils were cleaned and stored, and the campfire was reduced to a handful of calm embers to maintain the gentle warmth of the environment. The synthetic sky of the twenty-third floor had darkened completely, revealing a dark expanse dotted with small magical lights that imitated bright stars.
"The camp is fully set up, the supplies have been inspected, and all members have been properly fed," Scarlet reported, standing beside me while looking at the runic barrier glowing around the perimeter.
"Excellent work from everyone," I declared, turning toward the group with a confident and serene smile. "We have reached the Safe Point of the twenty-third level in perfect health, with plenty of supplies and high morale. The first half of our journey through this block has been successfully completed."
With the camp properly prepared, the night established, and the group enjoying the unshakable safety of the runic sanctuary, our squad prepared for a night of rest, with renewed determination to face the higher levels that awaited us the following day.