In the Shadow of the Dragon: Isekai Adventure

Victory and the Road Ahead

Li Ran exhaled sharply, his blade still humming from the sheer force of the battle.

Darkmoon Dragon Princess lowered her staff, the blackened shadows dissipating into the void, her eyes locked onto the remnants of their fallen foe.

Neo, who had been watching in stunned silence, finally collapsed onto his knees, gasping. "You… you two… are monsters."

Li Ran smirked, resting his sword against his shoulder. "You'll get used to it."

But as the silence stretched on, an unsettling realization crept over them.

The Hellhound King was not the final threat of this labyrinth.

Somewhere deeper within the abyss, something far more terrifying was waiting.

And it had just felt them coming.

Neo carefully etched the final markings onto his map, meticulously reviewing every notation to ensure accuracy. With a deep breath, he straightened up and spoke in a firm, professional tone:

"The map is complete, and we've finished exploring this layer. Based on our findings, the road ahead is highly dangerous, and we lack the necessary intelligence to proceed safely. As a representative of the Adventurers' Guild, I strongly recommend that we return to the city immediately and report our discoveries."

Darkmoon Dragon Princess crossed her arms, her crimson eyes glinting with quiet authority as she cast an indifferent glance at Neo. Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight:

"You don't make the decisions here, Neo. Only our master has the final say."

Neo twitched slightly at her unwavering loyalty to Li Ran, inwardly muttering:

This woman's devotion to him is downright terrifying…

All eyes turned to Li Ran. He absentmindedly ran his fingers along the hilt of his Boundary Severing Blade, lost in thought for a moment before a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Indeed, we've made remarkable progress. The information we've gathered is far more valuable than expected." He lifted his gaze, meeting both of theirs with a calm and decisive expression. "We'll head back to the city today and deliver our report to the Guild. As for the deeper layers… we'll return once we're better prepared."

Darkmoon Dragon Princess frowned slightly, but the expression quickly faded. She smirked, brushing a lock of silver hair behind her ear. "If it's your decision, then so be it."

Neo almost collapsed in relief.

Finally, no more risking our necks in this creepy labyrinth!

The group packed up their gear and cautiously retraced their steps, ensuring no lurking monsters followed them. Before long, they had successfully exited the Forbidden Abyss.

Return to the City & A Warm Night's Rest

That evening, Li Ran, Darkmoon Dragon Princess, and Neo returned safely to Alva City, submitting their findings to the Adventurers' Guild.

Their report caused a major stir within the Guild. In a remarkably short time, they had completed mapping sections that would have otherwise taken months, and the information they provided held immense strategic value, ensuring future expeditions would be safer and more efficient.

Guild Master Regnas, unable to hide his excitement, patted Li Ran on the shoulder with a broad grin.

"Your contributions this time are truly unprecedented!"

Laughing heartily, he announced that the Guild would host a banquet in their honor, celebrating their groundbreaking achievements in labyrinth exploration.

"With this detailed map, we can efficiently plan adventurers' movements, minimize casualties, and significantly enhance exploration efficiency. More importantly, it will accelerate the stable production of magic stones, furthering Alva City's economic growth!"

His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he spoke, fully aware of how this breakthrough could shape the city's future.

Regnas even mentioned that Lord Casaren, the city's ruler, and Duke Kadar, who managed its finances, would likely express their gratitude to Li Ran and Darkmoon Dragon Princess. After all, the magic stone supply played a crucial role in the city's economy, and the progress they had made far exceeded expectations.

"Rest assured, your efforts won't go unnoticed." Regnas declared with confidence, thumping his chest. "I'll personally petition the Lord and the Duke to grant you higher honors and medals—recognition befitting your contributions!"

However, Li Ran merely smiled, uninterested in accolades, while Darkmoon Dragon Princess listened indifferently. The only thing she truly cared about was Li Ran's decision.

After the banquet, neither Li Ran nor Darkmoon Dragon Princess lingered. Having endured the Guild's formalities and Neo's endless chatter, they quietly retreated to the Moonveil Silken Inn, eager for a well-earned rest and the tranquility they truly desired.

The room was dimly lit, the warm glow of candlelight flickering across the elegantly furnished space. The subtle scent of lavender filled the air, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

"Li Ran, I did well today, didn't I?"

Darkmoon Dragon Princess leaned into him, her soft voice laced with a hint of playfulness.

Li Ran chuckled, his fingers threading through her silken silver hair, tracing its smoothness with affectionate ease.

"Yeah, you were amazing."

Satisfied with the praise, she closed her eyes, a small, content smile playing on her lips. The glow of the candlelight cast a gentle blush on her porcelain skin, highlighting the peaceful warmth radiating from her expression.

After an entire day of battles and exploration, they could finally enjoy a moment of peace, cherishing the quiet companionship between them.

Outside, the moonlight spilled through the window, illuminating their intertwined figures in a soft, silver glow.

Tonight, there were no labyrinths, no monsters—only the warmth of each other's presence.