Light faded from the Forbidden Dragon's heart. The chains of mana shattered into sparkling crystalline fragments that hovered in the air before drifting away like stardust.
In that instant, the entire maze began to tremble. Stone walls cracked, the ceiling collapsed, and the floor split into massive fragments.
A burst of light from the teleportation array flared just for a moment before the group was returned to the surface of the Ancient Green Forest, standing amid the ruins where the Forbidden Dragon had ravaged.
The treasure chest and rare items from the maze lay intact beside them. Remaining mana from the epic battle still filled the air, but above, the dark clouds had vanished. The scorched earth remained, yet there was no longer the dragon's roar or the breath of despair.
Lania had been freed earlier, as the dark seal around her body faded. When Kael Phong and the group stepped back onto solid ground, she collapsed into his arms, breathing weakly her eyes finally clear.
"Thank you…" she whispered, then lost consciousness. Those were her first words in days of captivity.
Louis, Thanh Bach, and the survivors gathered around them. A hush fell, then erupted into cheers and tears that washed away the weight of pain.
"The Forbidden Dragon is destroyed. The S-rank mission is complete. But the price… was borne in blood and tears!!"
Back at the Adventurers' Guild, the triumphant cheers were replaced by hearty exhaustion wounds still dripped from shoulders and arms.
The gravely injured including Lania were taken to treatment chambers surrounded by cleansing and healing arrays. Her breathing steadied and her pale complexion gradually regained color.
Not all returned whole.
Three more warriors had fallen. Wooden plaques with their names were hung in the main hall a permanent memorial memory.
Kael Phong stood in silence before the memorial board. He clenched his fists and whispered, "If only I were stronger… maybe I could have saved them."
Then the survivors began examining their spoils from the battle.
From the fallen dragon came legendary drops: arcane-infused armor shards, special dragon scales, a gleaming black mana crystal all treasures ripe for forging, enhancing, or summoning high-level beasts.
The sealed chest from the maze remained locked. Many tried keys, magic, even ancient chants all failed.
Only when the S-rank mission certificate was claimed and Louis declared victory did the paper burst into golden flame and vanish one glowing ember drifting to the chest's lock.
Click!
The lock snapped open.
Hearts pounded.
Inside lay true riches:
A bone-forged beast dagger with arcane veins
An enigmatic sword exuding primordial power
A silver rune-inscribed magical shield
Two beast contract scrolls desired by summoners
High-grade enhancement materials: mana crystals, dragon scales, fire cores
Ancient jewelry: rings, amulets, especially a pendant bearing the mark of Obsidian Flamehound King
Gold, jewels, and rare arcane manuscripts
Louis asked, "Who claims what?"
Silence followed, until every pair of eyes turned toward Kael Phong.
No objections. No hesitation.
"Without you… we'd all be under that dragon," Louis rasped.
Kael chose:
The bone beast dagger
The mysterious sword
The Obsidian Flamehound King pendant
One beast contract scroll
A share of enhancement materials
Louis nodded in approval, recognizing Kael's strength.
Instead of keeping the pendant, Kael handed it to Eiden:
"You helped me through the deepest maze. This belongs to someone with your talent." He also gave the arcane scrolls to Eiden.
Eiden paused, then smiled understanding that this was more than a reward; it was profound trust.
All survivors received generous rewards for completing the mission.
Two weeks passed since the Forbidden Dragon's demise.
News of the victory and loss spread across the region. The mission board marked this as a legendary victory. The Guild erected memorial stones for the fallen including eight who fought alongside Kael's group.
Lania, fully recovered after treatment, regained her vibrant strength though her complexion was still pale. Her mana had stabilized.
Kael Phong and Draven spent most days training, inspecting their new loot, and planning their next endeavors.
In the warm glow of late afternoon, the three sat at a simple stone table in the Guild's courtyard their usual meeting spot before missions.
Displayed lay their treasures: the dragon-bone dagger, the sealed arcane scroll, a pouch of mana crystals, and the mysterious sword radiating ethereal energy.
Kael spoke first:
"We've earned these rewards… but it's time to divide them fairly."
Lania smiled knowingly:
"I only ask for one contract scroll. My Fire Fox spirit saved me many times, but now it's gone. To fight with you, I need a new companion."
Draven nodded:
"I'll take the beast dagger and some enhancement materials. I need to upgrade SoulSever Blade maybe even forge a secondary weapon."
Kael kept the mysterious sword.
No dispute. No negotiation needed.
They understood that without each of their contributions… the battle would never have ended.
Kael quietly placed three small gold pouches on the table.
"This is the mission reward, divided equally as promised."
Evening light drifted over the Guild rooftops. The three friends young warriors sat in silence, each contemplating their own path. No more monster roars or dragon's breath only the breeze through the trees, and the invaluable peace they earned through bloodshed.
[End of Chapter 19]
Next Chapter 20: A New Home