The fleeting sensation of dematerialization dissipated in a gentle breath, replaced by the familiar smell of ancient stone and controlled dust from the tower's entrance hall. The white and golden light of the teleportation quickly converged toward the center of the large circular plaza on the first floor, where my body and those of my companions reappeared in a perfectly aligned formation. The contrast between the solemn coldness of the twenty-fifth floor and the contained bustle of the ground floor was immediate, bringing a comforting relief that instantly relaxed the accumulated tension in the shoulders of all the combatants.
I looked around and saw that the entire squad was already recovering from the chain transition process. Scarlet adjusted the sheath of her long sword with precise gestures, while Liriel checked the condition of her sacred staff and her assistant stored the measuring panel in the side bag. Rai'kanna stretched her arms with a satisfied smile on her lips, and Lyannis, with the war axe firmly resting on her shoulder, laughed at a casual comment made by Elara. Vespera completed a visual sweep of the surroundings, confirming that our arrival had occurred exactly at the building's initial anchoring point.
"Teleportation completed without any loss of rhythm or instability," Liriel observed, taking a deep breath and adjusting her garments. "The chain system worked with absolute precision, bringing the entire group intact back to the starting point."
"Excellent," I commented, feeling the magical armor's energy deactivate completely and return to its resting state within my clothing. "Each and every one of you performed admirably throughout this entire ascent. Now we are back at the base."
While we organized ourselves to cross the hall toward the large exit gate, I allowed a serene and analytical reflection to occupy my thoughts. Returning to the first floor after more than a week of continuous exploration represented not only the end of a physical stage, but proof that methodical planning and the synergy of a united group overcome any barrier imposed by the tower. While many adventurers spend months stagnating on intermediate floors or succumb to a lack of coordination, our squad conquered the twenty-fifth floor with surgical efficiency, proving that true power lies in tactical harmony and unshakable mutual trust. This victory served as a definitive milestone of our maturity as a team, consolidating our name in the realm of great expeditions.
Giving the signal to the group, we began marching toward the monumental oak and iron gates that separated the interior of the tower from the capital's outer plaza. The immense door began to open with a deep metallic creak, revealing the golden light of late afternoon that bathed the busy streets of the outer kingdom.
As we crossed the threshold of the exit portal, we were immediately noticed by the guards of the Adventurers' Alliance who were patrolling the control post. But what drew the most attention was the presence of a tall and imposing figure standing just ahead, wearing the distinctive cloak reserved for elite veterans: the S-Rank adventurer who had warned us about the extreme difficulty of the twenty-fifth floor weeks earlier.
The veteran crossed his arms, staring at us with an expression that fluctuated between absolute astonishment and profound disbelief. He examined each of the girls, observing their impeccable posture, the absence of serious injuries, and the serenity on the faces of those who had just returned from one of the deadliest zones known within that structure.
"By the gods..." the S-Rank adventurer murmured, approaching with long strides and wide eyes. "You... you have already returned? And judging by the condition you're in, it looks like you just took a morning stroll through the countryside, not a deep expedition all the way to the twenty-fifth floor!"
"The journey was long, but it went exactly as planned," I replied with a calm smile, stopping a few steps away from him while the squad maintained a relaxed yet attentive formation.
The veteran scratched his head, letting out a nervous laugh as he looked at the records he held in his hands.
"This is unbelievable!" he exclaimed, gesturing with his hands to emphasize the magnitude of the achievement. "It takes months, sometimes years, for an elite group to even reach halfway through this journey without suffering severe casualties or requiring emergency rescues. You explored the entire sector in record time and returned unharmed? How in the world did you accomplish such a feat?"
"The secret was never merely individual brute strength, but precision in tactical coordination, respect for logistical limits, and absolute trust in teamwork," I explained politely and modestly, without boasting, valuing the collective effort of every companion at my side.
Scarlet and the others smiled discreetly at the veteran's spontaneous recognition, while Liriel's assistant took advantage of the moment to archive the mission data on the clipboard. Our squad's reputation within the Adventurers' Alliance had just been consolidated at a level unreachable for the vast majority of the kingdom's warriors.
"You truly have a legendary team in your hands, Takumi," the S-Rank adventurer admitted, nodding in a gesture of sincere respect. "The reports you will need to present to the castle tomorrow will certainly make the King reconsider the danger classification of that area of the tower."
"Thank you for your words and for your support with the previous information," I thanked him cordially, extending my hand for a firm handshake. "Now we need to leave. We have a mansion waiting for us, a hot bath, and three full days of well-deserved rest before we think about the next step."
"Go with the gods, you deserve every second of that rest," the veteran replied, clearing the way for us to proceed toward the carriages that would take us back to the heart of the human capital.