As I pondered this, the fatigue I had accumulated resurfaced in my mind. My thoughts were half-submerged, half-floating, when suddenly they plummeted to the bottom of the dark water.
...
He resumed breathing.
I suddenly rolled over and sat up, coughing violently a few times. I gasped for breath, which barely dispelled the stuffiness in my lungs.
My limbs seemed to be on strike, trembling uncontrollably. The clothes on my back were soaked through. I couldn't tell if I was still in the water or if I was just sweating from the experience.
The incident happened suddenly. Although it was just a matter of letting my consciousness enter another world with the help of the device, I unexpectedly felt a heavy, suffocating feeling, like drowning. If my chaotic brain hadn't suddenly recalled the memory of struggling and rolling in the tide a long time ago, and subconsciously intercepted the oxygen still in my body, and followed the knowledge I learned in the academy to make magic form another life-sustaining cycle in my body, I would probably have suffocated to death.
However, I really didn't expect that I would be back so soon after leaving here.
The initial surprise and wariness have completely disappeared; it's more like eating and sleeping that they've become as familiar as they are now.
I waved away the meaningless azure screen, and a deep emerald green plant wall stood quietly at the edge of my vision. A group of people sat in front of me around a burning fire, whispering about meaningless topics.
We really did end up here.
I smiled weakly, grabbed the clothes covering me, and got up to walk towards the group of people.
Sheng, who was facing me sideways, and [Shadow Butterfly], who was sitting quietly in the corner, were among the first two people to notice that I had woken up.
Sheng deliberately made a loud, boisterous gesture, gesturing, "Hey bro, are you awake? Looks like you didn't sleep very well today."
Despite saying that, the swaying blue hair behind him moved as lively as energetic vines, clearly indicating that he was in a good mood.
After nodding gently to me, [Shadow Butterfly] greeted me again, who was deep in thought with his knees drawn up to his chest. I walked to the empty seat that Sheng had made, sat down, and gave him a perfectly timed smile: "Isn't it because I was lured in by the aromas here? I even dreamt of the smell of food."
Although I didn't come here of my own volition, seeing these people I've known for a while, who still live with such vitality despite all the troubles they've gone through, brought me a sense of relief.
It's much better than the days when the team had to split up due to a series of unexpected events, and those dark, stagnant days.
...even though I knew in my heart that this was not the real world.
Sheng interrupted my thoughts with a grin, then deliberately let her hair curl up a skewer of perfectly grilled rabbit meat, dangling it enticingly in front of me for a few moments before quickly pulling it back to her. Ignoring the dripping hot oil, she took a big bite, exclaiming how hot it was and praising the deliciousness of the grilled meat.
It's like she's turned into a spoiled and mischievous little kid.
I've been doing this on purpose for a while now. When I encounter difficulties, I think quickly like a truly mature adult. When I'm sure nothing is wrong, I imitate the exaggerated behavior of a child. I guess it's to liven up the increasingly dull atmosphere so that everyone can break free from the accumulated pressure as soon as possible. Surprisingly, it hasn't made anyone feel disgusted.
Perhaps it was that youthful and beautiful androgynous face that was at play, because even the usually upright and composed Shan would show a slight smile when facing our spirit master.
I shook my head helplessly and handed him a napkin that had been prepared nearby. I spread it out on his chest so that he could protect himself from the dripping hot oil, and then looked back at the people sitting together.
Before going to sleep, Shan and Xiaoxi sat side by side opposite the campfire, checking if it was safe nearby. Before I woke up, they were wiping and calibrating their shields and crossbows respectively. At this moment, Shan looked at Sheng with a helpless expression, put down his weapons, and then threw himself into grilling food.
[Shadow Butterfly], who was resting with his knees drawn up to his chest, seemed to be lost in thought.
She has always been like this, taciturn as if she has truly blended into the shadows, coming and going silently, always quickly recognizing her role in difficult and dangerous situations and putting it to good use.
In another spot, a little further from the campfire, several unfamiliar faces huddled quietly, heads bowed like ostriches, occasionally casting scrutinizing and fearful glances from beneath their messy bangs.
"Those are the people that Shan and the others rescued on their way back from the reconnaissance."
Sheng suddenly leaned close to my ear and blew a breath that smelled of roasted meat, gently tickling my earlobe: "They say they've been trapped in this maze for over a month and can't find any possible way out."
"A month?"
My eyes widened, and I immediately turned to look at the boy.
A month ago, let alone this current mission, it was questionable whether the dungeon we were in even existed.
Sheng shrugged indifferently, took another bite of meat and chewed, speaking indistinctly: "They said that there is a power to distort time and space in the maze. We entered with our companions, but we got separated halfway through. We couldn't find the exit or return to where we came from. We just kept wandering around inside until we met them."
I frowned.
"So, does that mean Shan and the others should also be lost among them?"
“I asked, but the answer was that they didn’t sense anything unusual, and the return route was very smooth,” Sheng said. “Anyway, it’s not in the information I know. Maybe it’s some bad guy trying to take advantage of us, or maybe they have some other intention. Just like some other guys.”
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