Just as Sally’s desperately outstretched hand was about to vanish over the cliff’s edge, a small, delicate palm clamped firmly around her wrist.

"S-Sophia…"

Still shaken, Sally stared up at the one gripping her wrist.

Sophia panted heavily, teeth gritted, clinging with all her strength as she strained to haul Sally up.

"ROAR! ROAR!"

The Taunos’s roar echoed again. Sophia’s eyes widened—its clawed hand was still locked around Sally’s waist, sharp talons sunk deep into her flesh.

Sophia knew: if the beast didn’t release its grip, she alone couldn’t pull Sally to safety.

Her hold was slipping. Raging Lion and the others were still rushing over.

Sally noticed too. In panic, she dug her nails into Sophia’s arm—sharp enough to break skin.

Sophia ignored the sting, pouring every ounce of strength into holding on.

"Don’t let go! Pull me up—NOW!" Sally shrieked, voice trembling with terror.

Sophia had no breath to reply. Sweat traced a path down her temple.

But her silence twisted in Sally’s mind.

"You don’t want to save me! You want my position! I know who you are—a wanted criminal! Pull me up, or I’ll expose you!"

Fear had clouded Sally’s thoughts. She hurled desperate bargaining chips.

"My… identity?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Sophia’s heart. Her cerulean eyes locked onto Sally’s frantic face.

"Prince of Haya! Save me, please! Waaah… I’ll repay you! Anything! Even my body! I’m an elf—my body is—"

She choked off. Sophia’s gaze had changed.

Cold. Like snow blanketing the Kelong Mountains at winter’s dusk. A cold that froze the soul.

She felt it—the grip on her arm weakening.

She felt it—the fingers around her wrist slowly loosening.

She felt it…

Death drawing near.

Sophia stared down, silent snow swirling in her cerulean eyes.

She… couldn’t be exposed.

She couldn’t trust her life to a stranger.

And the surest way to silence someone…

Sophia let go.

Sally’s scream faded into the distance as her figure vanished into The Abyss.

Raging Lion and the others arrived moments too late. No one blamed Sophia, kneeling silently at the cliff’s edge.

To them, she had given everything.

Look—her arm was bleeding.

They stood in solemn silence, gazing into The Abyss, mourning their vice-captain.

In an adventurer’s life, losing a comrade was tragically common—even a vice-captain.

Soon, they steeled their hearts and moved on.

Raging Lion approached Sophia, assuming her stillness was guilt. He gently patted her shoulder. "You did your best. No one blames you."

Sophia lifted her head slowly. A faint mist veiled her face, hiding her expression.

He thought she was hiding tears. A strong woman wouldn’t show weakness—just like earlier, when she’d stood straight on an empty mana reserve, staff in hand.

Back among the mages, the mocking glances and whispers were gone.

*Sigh…*

Sophia buried the faint guilt stirring within and packed her gear.

"Sophia, come here," Raging Lion called, tone warmer after witnessing her loyalty.

She walked over. He was carving open the King of Taunos’s chest with his broadsword, then held out the bloody heart. "Here. The extra reward we agreed on."

The heart resembled a human’s—but grotesquely swollen.

Sophia’s brow twitched slightly. The fresh, dripping organ turned her stomach.

Noticing her discomfort, Raging Lion chuckled. "My bad. I’ll have it prepped properly at the guild."

She shook her head. Dragon-scale patterns on her staff glowed faintly—the heart’s blood vanished in an instant. She tucked the desiccated organ into her bosom.

She’d never reveal even the smallest weakness.

Raging Lion sawed off the horns, harvested other valuable parts, and stowed them carefully.

"Mission complete! Let’s head back!" he announced.

A collective breath of relief. Every second deeper in the dungeon meant greater danger.

"Do you often take second-floor commissions?" Sophia asked curiously.

Raging Lion laughed. "Rarely. This is only our second time here this quarter."

"I see…"

Sophia nodded, a thoughtful glint in her cerulean eyes.

The second floor remained shrouded in gloom. Even retracing their steps, tension coiled tight—afraid one misstep would send them tumbling into The Abyss.

Sophia’s brow furrowed. She scanned the darkness. Exhaustion lined every face.

"Captain Raging Lion… are we on the right path?"

He shot her a puzzled look. "Of course. I left markers. Why?"

"Ah… nothing," she murmured, shaking her head.

A strange unease had flashed through her—nothing more.

Soon, the group reached the entrance back to the first floor.