After several more minutes of discussion, the tension in the room slowly eased. Plans were made in brief, practical sentences. Supplies would be reorganized. Rotations would be stricter. No one would venture out alone again.
One by one, they began to leave.
Tim was the first, giving Arjun a firm nod before stepping out. The others followed, each casting one last glance at him—as if reassuring themselves he was truly awake.
Only Divya remained.
She stood near the bed, arms folded, her earlier tears gone but her worry still visible in her eyes. Even in silence, her presence felt protective—like she was guarding him from the world itself.
Just as she was about to say something, the door creaked open again.
Rohit entered carefully, carrying a wooden tray. Steam curled upward from a bowl placed at its center, filling the room with the rich aroma of herbs and slow-cooked meat.
"Recovery stew," Rohit announced lightly. "Specially made for reckless fools."
Arjun rolled his eyes faintly but pushed himself up slightly as Rohit helped adjust the pillows behind him.
The first spoonful burned slightly, but the warmth spread through his body, easing the stiffness in his limbs. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.
"Finish it," Rohit said. "Your body needs fuel to repair itself."
Arjun obeyed quietly.
Once the bowl was empty, Rohit collected the tray. "That's enough for today. No thinking. No planning. Just sleep."
He gave Divya a meaningful look before leaving the room.
Silence returned once more.
Divya stepped closer. "Are you really okay?"
Arjun met her gaze and smiled softly. "I'm fine. Go rest. I'll just sleep."
She hesitated.
Only after he insisted again did she finally nod and walk out, closing the door gently behind her.
Alone at last, Arjun leaned back against the pillows.
For now, he would rest.
The next morning, pale light filtered through the window as Arjun slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds, he stayed still—measuring his body.
Then he carefully shifted his arm.
A dull ache answered.
He rotated his shoulder.
Pain flared sharply, forcing him to flinch. "Tch…"
He tried sitting up straighter. That was manageable. But when he twisted his torso slightly, a sharper sting shot across his ribs.
"…Still not fully healed," he muttered under his breath.
Even though he could move now, any intense motion triggered pain immediately. His muscles felt stiff, his wounds tight beneath the bandages.
He exhaled slowly. "Fine. I'll rest today too."
There was no point rushing and reopening injuries.
His gaze shifted to the sword resting near the wall.
He reached for it carefully and lifted it into the light.
The blade was chipped in multiple places. The edge was uneven, small cracks running along the steel like spiderwebs.
"That wolf really did a number on you," he murmured, running his thumb lightly along the flat side.
If he tried fighting with this, it could snap mid-battle.
"I'll have to visit the smith."
After washing up, he made his way downstairs.
The dining area was lively. Everyone was already seated around the table, eating and discussing plans for the day.
"We should split into two groups," Tim was saying. "One near the forest edge, one closer to the river."
"That'll increase efficiency," Rohit added between bites.
Arjun casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
The conversation paused briefly.
"You're up early," Rohit remarked.
"I'm not dead yet," Arjun replied dryly.
A few chuckles broke the tension.
He picked up a bowl and continued calmly, "Just go hunting today. At your current pace, by tonight you should reach around forty-five percent Wood Core fragments."
Everyone blinked.
"Forty-five?" Rita asked.
Arjun nodded. "Yes. If you focus on mid-tier monsters and avoid deeper zones. That should complete one of the conditions needed to access the second floor."
The table fell silent for a moment.
"…So close already," Tim murmured.
Excitement flickered across their faces.
Divya looked at Arjun carefully. "And you?"
"I'm resting," he said simply. "Don't look at me like that."
"You sure?" she pressed.
"If I overdo it, I'll slow everyone down tomorrow."
After a few seconds, she nodded reluctantly.
Rita tilted her head. "Then what are you going to do all day?"
Arjun took a sip of water before answering.
"I'm going to explore the town."
"The town?" Rohit raised a brow. "Sightseeing?"
"Yes," Arjun said calmly. "You can say that"
After breakfast, Arjun walked with the group toward the town gate.
The morning air was cool, and the streets were already beginning to fill with adventurers heading out for hunts. Armor clinked, weapons gleamed, and quiet determination hung in the air.
"Don't overdo it," Divya said once more before stepping beyond the gate.
"I won't," Arjun replied calmly.
One by one, they left—Tim, Rohit, Rita, and the others—disappearing down the forest path until their figures became small silhouettes against the trees.
Only after they were completely out of sight did Arjun turn around.
Instead of heading out, he walked back into the town.
His first destination was clear.
"The Town Hall," he muttered. "Let's formalize Level 5."
If level registration offered benefits—access to quests, higher-tier resources, or floor progression—he needed to secure it immediately.
On the way, he passed through the commercial district. The metallic clang of hammer striking steel echoed from the smithy.
He paused.
Might as well handle everything at once.
Inside, the blacksmith examined his sword with a critical eye. "This blade's been abused."
"It survived," Arjun replied.
"Barely."
After some negotiation and a short wait, the repairs were completed. The chips were smoothed out, the edge reforged, and the balance restored.
When Arjun counted his remaining coins afterward, he had just under 200 gold left.
"Still manageable," he thought.
Stepping back onto the main road, he continued toward the large stone building at the center of town—the Town Hall.
But as he approached its entrance, something caught his attention.
Three people stood near the steps.
Their clothes were worn. Their expressions desperate.
They were stopping adventurers entering the building, bowing repeatedly.
"Please… just a little more gold…"
"We're short on tax payment…"
"If we don't pay today, they'll throw us out …"
Most adventurers brushed past them without slowing down.
Arjun observed quietly.
He stepped forward to enter—
—but suddenly, a hand grabbed his wrist.
"Please!" one of them said urgently. It was a middle-aged man, eyes red from lack of sleep. "You look strong… successful. Can you help us pay the town tax? Just a little contribution would save us."
Arjun's gaze shifted to the man's grip on his arm.
His expression remained calm.
But his eyes—
Became sharp.
The Tower had already taught him one thing.
Nothing here was ever simple.