Surviving the Simulation: The Grand Crusade

Half an hour later, the church spire came into view, its shadow stretching long across the ground. Xander called the group to a halt. Pulling a pair of binoculars from his pack, he surveyed the area. The church itself had undergone a transformation, taking on a more dark, gothic, and foreboding air.

Various undead wandered the graveyard at the side of the church. He would have liked to have gone straight to the dungeon, but the graveyard was between them and the church entrance. The groups of undead looked small and far enough apart that it shouldn't be a problem. Xander just didn't think it was going to be worth the effort.

"Lily, where is the entrance to the dungeon? I'm assuming it's in the church." Xander inquired as he still peered through his binoculars.

"It's in the church's basement," Lily responded nervously.

"You ok?" Zoey asked Lily, placing her hand on Lily's shoulder.

"Yeah, this is just my first dungeon, is all."

Xander turned his head to glance back toward Lily. She looked as if she were going to throw up at any moment. He couldn't help but think that Lily had left out some details of why she wanted to come on this adventure. He was positive now that he'd get an earful from JT when the team returned to Starlight about bringing her. There wasn't much he could do about it now, but make sure she stayed safe.

"Alright, let's take this nice and slow with an easy first dance. Kane is out front, and Ford sticks near Lily. Lily, please stay at the back of the group. Starlight couldn't afford to have anything happen to you," Xander said, gripping his spear tightly. "Here we go. Heads on a swivel."

The rusted gate surrounding the graveyard creaked as Kane pushed it open, his shield raised, sword in hand. His eyes scanned the graveyard, taking in the sight of low-level zombies shuffling aimlessly among the headstones.

Sanctuary of Saint Veritas
Status: Corrupted
Description: The Sanctuary of Saint Veritas, once a beacon of illumination and scholarship, served the pursuit of divine truth through study, prayer, and preservation of sacred texts. Pilgrims once came from far-off settlements to consult its revered clergy-scribes and its vast library hidden beneath the chapel floor.

Corruption now taints its hallowed grounds. The church's white stone façade had blackened. Its once-stained glass windows were now opaque with grime and arcane runes. Cracked bells hung silent in the steeple, as if unwilling to sound.

"That wasn't ominous at all. Stick close," Kane said. He took a step forward, banging his sword on his shield to draw the attention of the nearest zombies. Their vacant eyes locked onto him as they staggered in his direction, groaning with hunger.

Xander gripped his new spear. He felt odd not to be the one out front, but if this arrangement worked out, he could bring his full arsenal of abilities to bear. He stood slightly off to the side and behind Kane, poised and ready. "Let's go. Big bucks, no whammies, no whammies."

"Let's keep them focused on Kane. Jo, Zoey, support from the flanks."

Jo nodded, her sword already drawn, reflecting the faint light as she moved into position. Zoey hung back, notching an arrow into her bow. Frost crept along the arrow shaft, a chilling mist swirling around the tip.

As the first wave of zombies reached Kane, he slammed his shield into them, sending a few stumbling back. His sword swung in a wide arc, cutting through the decayed flesh with a sicking sound. The creatures clawed at him, but his armor held firm, each blow barely a scratch against his defenses.

Xander took advantage of Kane's distraction, his spear thrusting forward with precision. The enchanted weapon pierced through a zombie's chest, the magic coursing through the undead's body and reducing it to ash in seconds. Jo darted in from the side, her sword cleaving through another zombie's neck with a single, fluid motion.

Zoey's arrows flew. The frost-infused tips pierced the zombies, freezing them solid before they crumbled into icy fragments. She moved with calculated efficiency, providing cover fire for Kane and the others.

Standing safely behind the front lines, Ford raised his hands and chanted a healing spell. A warm, golden light enveloped Kane and Jo, mending any minor wounds they had sustained. Ford's focus was unwavering, and his connection with Kane was evident in how he expected his brother's needs.

Xander caught a glimpse of Lily near Ford, gripping that oversized smith's hammer like it might turn on her. It was a terrible weapon, slow and off-balance, but it was what she had. She didn't belong on the front line, not yet. Her stance was tense, eyes locked on the fight, jaw set.

A wounded zombie broke through, dragging one leg, half its face missing. Ford didn't see it. Lily did. She stepped forward and brought the hammer down hard, crushing its skull with a sickening crunch. The body crumpled at her feet.

Xander nodded to himself. Not bad. She'd stepped up when it counted.

As the battle raged on, the team found its rhythm. Kane continued to draw the zombies in, his shield a bulwark against their relentless assault. Xander's spear darted in and out, a blur of motion that left nothing but dust in its wake. Jo's sword flashed like lightning, her movements deadly. Zoey's arrows were the death knell for any zombie wandering too close, her frost magic ensuring they wouldn't rise again.

Ford kept the group on their feet, his healing magic flowing steadily, a beacon of support in the chaos. Though nervous, Lily stayed vigilant, ready to defend herself and Ford if needed.

In no time, the defeated zombies' remains littered the graveyard. The group stood victorious, panting, but unscathed. Kane lowered his shield, casting a glance at his brother. Ford gave him a nod, a silent confirmation that they were both unharmed.

"Well done," Kane said. "Looks like we've got a solid team here."

"Not bad for our first time fighting together." Xander replied.

Jo smirked. "Can I pick them or what? I think we'll manage just fine."

With the battle over, Lily bent over and promptly puked all over the ground and several zombies. The stench and gore were more than she could take. Finally, ending up with several dry heaves, she smiled at Ford, grateful that they had made it through without any serious trouble.

"You okay there, Lily?" Zoey asked, concerned. "You've been in fights like this before, right?"

"Uh…"

"Lily, seriously!?" Xander exclaimed.

"Nothing like this."

"It's going to get worse once we're in the dungeon. Do you want us to take you back to town? It's okay if you don't want to continue. This can be a lot," Xander said.

"No, I need to do this. I'll come clean. I've got a quest that's related to my family. I need to clear the dungeon and recover a book from the restricted section of the library, and it has to be done in person."

"So, the crafting materials were a lie?"

"Yes, but no. I need crafting materials here. I wasn't lying about sanctifying the metals. It just wasn't the reason I specifically had to come here."

"Can't say I'm happy you needed to lie to us, Lily." Xander started, "But I get it. Just speak up if it gets to be too much. We can discuss everything else once we're done and get back to town."

Xander moved with the others, eyes fixed on the church. It loomed ahead, its presence heavier now that the graveyard was behind them. The fight had been a warm-up. Whatever waited below would be the actual test.

Kane reached the doors first. Wood groaned, hinges screamed, and the sound rolled into the dark. Xander stepped inside behind him, boots sinking into thick dust. Light filtered through broken glass in fractured lines, painting the ruin in silence.

The gloom of the church's interior barely allowed the faint light to penetrate. Tall, narrow windows lined the walls, their stained glass panes cracked and dull, filtering in just enough light to create an eerie glow. High above, the vaulted ceiling loomed like a stormy sky, its arches carved with intricate patterns barely visible in the dim light. Cobwebs draped from the rafters like tattered banners, swaying gently in the stale air. The walls held towering stone pillars, each etched with faded inscriptions and symbols hinting at the church's forgotten past.

Once orderly and polished, the rows of pews were now a jumble of decayed wood and fragments. Some had collapsed entirely, while others leaned precariously. The altar at the far end of the church was barely recognizable, its once-pristine marble now chipped and stained.

A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals dulled by neglect. It swayed slightly, as if disturbed by an unseen force, casting distorted shadows that danced across the walls. Dust and debris filled the fissures in the cracked and uneven stone floor beneath it.

The air inside the church was thick with the scent of decay, a musty, almost sweet odor that clung to the back of the throat. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional drip of water from somewhere deep within the structure, each drop echoing like a distant heartbeat.

"Wow, look at this place. It looked like it had been neglected for a hundred years, even though it's only been weeks. It makes sense. The outside of the church changed drastically to fit the ambiance the Simulation was cultivating, so it was only logical the interior would have as well," Jo said, marveling at the sight.

Kane took point and led the group deeper into the church. The oppressive atmosphere seemed to weigh heavily on them the further into the room they moved, a palpable sense of dread settling in their chests. Zoey's breath came out in small, visible puffs, her frost magic reacting to the chill that permeated the air.

Dread has affected you! Hope you like jump scares because a sense of dread has filled your mind, making you more susceptible to ambush! While within the area, you suffer a -15% chance to spot traps or ambush.

"Great, there's an area effect here. Jo, take rear guard. We don't want Lily or Ford to get whacked from behind," Xander called out.

A narrow staircase, descending into the darkness below, appeared as they approached the altar. The smooth, rounded, and uneven edges of the stone steps showed the effects of wear. A faint, flickering light emanated from the depths, casting long, twisted shadows on the walls.

"Down there," Kane said quietly. The sound of his voice seemed to vanish into the gloom, swallowed by the church's ancient walls. "It looks like we found the entrance."

One by one, the group began their descent, leaving the eerie stillness of the church behind as they ventured into the unknown depths below.

Congratulations! You have entered the Library of Whispering Shadows. It is an accursed library hidden deep beneath a forsaken church, cloaked in dread and darkness. Within these haunted depths, the undead reign supreme in the form of skeletal knights clad in rusted, war-scarred armor, decaying priests with an insatiable hunger for the living, and powerful ancient tomb guardians. At the heart of the library, twisted librarians draw sinister power from the cursed books, commanding legions of the damned and ensuring that the whispers of the lost and forsaken never fade.

"Library of Whispering Shadows? That's a little on the nose for being under the Sanctuary of Saint Veritas, doncha think?" Kane quipped.

"Maybe, but let's not mock the Dungeon AI, shall we?" Xander replied. "We don't have solid proof, but we've seen enough that some things are best left unsaid."

"Gotcha, don't tease our AI overlords, got it!" Kane replied, continuing his jest from earlier.

Xander just rolled her eyes. He understood the brothers were both putting on a brave front, but in reality, they were more than a little nervous. Still, there were just some things you didn't do to tempt fate.

The party stepped off the last stair and into the room, and the oppressive chill and foreboding they had felt when they crossed the dungeon threshold momentarily softened by the flickering warmth of a fire that crackled in the hearth to one side. The flames did little to dispel the eerie ambiance that clings to the space. Shadows danced along the stone walls, adorned with faded tapestries depicting macabre scenes of skulls, twisted vines, and scenes of torment woven in deep reds and blacks. The images seemed almost alive in the shifting light, as if they might reach out and snare the unwary.

To the left, a heavy wooden door stood closed, its surface scarred and pitted, as if something had unsuccessfully tried to claw its way through. Rust covered the iron bands reinforcing the door and handle. It was an ominous barrier, guarding whatever horrors lurked deeper within the dungeon.

Across the room, another stone staircase descended into the unknown darkness below. The air that drifted down from that direction was stale, carrying with it the faint scent of decay and old rot, which served as a clue to what lay beyond the entrance room they currently occupied.

A squat and sturdy table stood near the center of the room, surrounded by several mismatched chairs. Deep gouges scarred the dark, almost black wood surface, as if someone or something dragged sharp claws across it in a fit of rage. A single candle burned atop it, filling the room with a dim light.

Though a source of warmth, the fireplace only adds to the sense of foreboding. Dark stone, sharp and angular, formed the mantle, and above it hung a twisted iron candelabra; its candles melted into grotesque, waxen lumps. The fire burned low, the embers glowing a sickly orange as if fueled by something unnatural. According to the information in the Data Forge, the room was a sanctuary. A safe room at the start of the dungeon. While the room may be void of monsters, the message of the room's ambiance is unmistakable. Do not linger here.

"Wow, it went all in on the goth vibe. I love it!" Jo exclaimed.

"Tish, how long has it been since we last waltzed?" Xander quoted the favorite movie, which he and Jo had watched practically every weekend since they'd started seeing each other.

"Oh, Gomez… Hours," Jo giggled as she danced around the room to music only the two could hear.

"Okay, lovebirds, we get it. Now head in the game, Xander, as you always say," Zoey said, breaking up the pair while making fake gagging noises at their display of affection.

"You're right. Head in the game. The encyclopedia says this is a small dungeon. The main library and an optional under sewer. No muss, no fuss," Xander said as he smoothly transitioned from goofy relationship partner into adventure team leader mode. "Lily, do you know where your quest items are?"

"All I know is that it's in the library."

"Alright, since we don't need to do a full clear, we'll do the library first, then move down if the group still wants to continue after getting Lily's quest item. Kane first, then me, Jo, Ford, Zoey, and then Lily. Ford, I want you in the room right after the melee, folks, in case we get pressed against the back of the room. Your heals aren't going to do anyone a lot of good if you can't get to us," Xander barked. "Everyone ready? On three. 1…2…3…"

The party burst through the heavy wooden door and found themselves in a vast, two-story library, with dark wood and towering shelves stretching nearly to the ceiling. Countless candles illuminated the room, set in wrought-iron sconces and chandeliers, casting a warm, golden glow that flickered over the rows upon rows of ancient tomes. Books bound in cracked leather and dusty parchment, their spines adorned with faded titles, pack the shelves. Despite the inviting light, the air is thick with the weight of forgotten knowledge and the echoes of a dark past.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Three distinct sections comprised the library, although their boundaries were more felt than seen. A group of skeletons stood vigil at the front of the room, between the party and the central aisles. Clad in tarnished armor and tattered robes, the skeletal warriors gripped rusted swords and shields, their empty eye sockets locked on the intruders. Flanking them were the skeletal priests, their bony hands clutching grimoires filled with unholy rites, and skeletal librarians, once keepers of knowledge, now twisted guardians of this cursed place.

Taking a moment, Xander analyzed the group nearest their position.

[Analyze] Skeletal Fighter | Level: 4 | Status: Hostile | Class: Fighter
[Analyze] Skeletal Fighter | Level: 4 | Status: Hostile | Class: Fighter
[Analyze] Skeletal Fighter | Level: 5 | Status: Hostile | Class: Fighter
[Analyze] Skeletal Priest | Level: 4 | Status: Hostile | Class: Priest
[Analyze] Skeletal Priest | Level: 5 | Status: Hostile | Class: Priest
[Analyze] Skeletal Librarian | Level: 4 | Status: Hostile | Class: Mage

There were only six of them, and their levels weren't terrible against the party. The only question Xander had was to wonder whether the undead at the back of the room would join this fight or if they would get a break in between. Whoever had written the encyclopedia entry for this dungeon had left out several details. He was sure it wasn't intentional, but rather the result of someone assuming the reader's prior knowledge. It was a drawback of user-sourced knowledge. The quality was inconsistent.

Beyond the first wave of defenders, toward the back of the library, another group of undead waited, identical in form but more numerous. They stood before a grand staircase that winds upward to a second-floor balcony. The sign above the stairs indicated that the upper level was the library's restricted section, suggesting shelves lined with more esoteric and forbidden texts. The sign's message seemed credible because the balcony had an unsettling, shadowy aura, as if the books possessed a malevolent will.

Perched on the balcony, overseeing the scene below with a cold, calculating gaze, floated the Head Librarian. Unlike the skeletal minions, she was an undead of a different sort. Her form was still eerily human in appearance, be it legless. With an unnatural beauty contrasting its inner darkness, her flesh was pale, smooth, and almost porcelain-like. Her eyes, however, were voids of darkness, and her presence exuded a chilling authority.

As the noise of the party's entrance reached her, she descended to the edge of the balcony, her voice echoing through the vast space. "Quiet in the library," she intoned with a mocking lilt. "Learning demands silence."

Kane braced as the skeletal fighters surged forward toward the group. Standing next to him, Xander met the charge, taking the surge of fighters trying to make their way around Kane's flank head-on. His spear flashed in the candlelight as he parried a strike from a skeletal fighter, the clang of metal on metal ringing out. The skeleton recoiled, but Xander was quick, his spear finding purchase between the neck and body, severing the unnatural magic that bound it together. The skeleton crumbled into a heap of bones, but another took its place, thrusting a rusted sword toward Xander's chest. Side stepping, he returned the thrust.

Zoey positioned herself just behind Xander, her bow drawn and arrows nocked. Her first arrow flew beyond the skirmish line and into the skull of a skeletal priest. The arrow struck true, shattering bone and knocking the creature off balance. Another arrow followed, embedding itself in the spine of a skeletal librarian, sending it tumbling to the ground. She kept her distance, moving fluidly as she drew and fired repeatedly, each arrow finding its mark with deadly accuracy but inflicting little actual damage.

"I'm not making any headway here," Zoey called out, clearly frustrated.

"Focus on any trying to cast! Disrupt them!" Jo hollered from the other side of the line.

Lily, though hesitant, moved in beside Xander, her hammer in hand. She struck at a skeletal warrior fighter, her hammer crushing the bone with a sharp crack. Though her movements are less practiced than the others, she fought with determination, landing a few solid blows that kept the undead from overwhelming her companions.

"I will have silence in my library!" the Head Librarian screamed, her voice reverberating through the vast room. With a flick of her wrist, she cast a powerful silence spell that enveloped the entire area.

The Librarian's Decree has affected you! You have lost the ability to hear, speak, and cast spells for 30 seconds!

The effect is immediate. Xander gritted his teeth as he continued to fight, his muscles burning from the exertion as the dozen cuts he was currently sporting took their toll on his stamina and health. Meanwhile, the undead seemed to gain strength from the silence, their bones knitting together and their movements becoming more fluid as the dark magic coursed through them.

But amid this chaos, Jo emerges as a force to be reckoned with. A whirlwind of destruction. She weaved through the undead with blinding speed. Her twin blades carved through skeletal fighters as if they were mere parchment. With each swing, she dismantled the undead with brutal efficiency, causing body parts and weapons to fly in every direction with her onslaught. A skeletal priest raised its staff to cast a spell, but Jo was faster, her blade slicing, shattering the staff, and then through the priest's skull in one fluid motion.

Her path of destruction was short-lived as the Skeletal Librarian completed the spell it had been channeling. Holding its grimoire high, a circle of light pulses from the book. As the circle passes over each fallen skeleton, they rose and joined the battle again.

The Librarian's Decree has faded! Once again, you can hear, speak, and cast spells!

"Oi! That royally sucked!" Ford said as he immediately cast healing spells on the group.

"I don't think we can do anything to the Head Librarian from down here, but we've got to kill that standard one immediately," Xander called as he sank the blade of his spear into the skull of the Skeletal Fighter that had risen, "Push forward!"

As one, the three melee fighters pushed back the line of Skeletal Fighters across from them. It reminded Xander of something one would see in American Football at the line of scrimmage. Kane and Jo pushed their counterparts back and to the right while he pushed back and to the left. This left Zoey a clean shot at the back line of opponents.

The twang of her bow cracked across the library as her arrow sailed like a missile toward her target. A snapping sound echoed across the battle as the Skeletal Librarian's head separated from its body. Like a marionette with its strings cut, it fell to the ground in a pile.

"I will have silence in my library!" the Head Librarian screamed again from her vantage point on the second-floor balcony.

The Librarian's Decree has affected you! You have lost the ability to hear, speak, and cast spells for 30 seconds!

The last skeleton dropped, armor clattering against stone as bone gave out beneath it. With the standard librarian down, nothing rose again. The team had adjusted, and it showed.

Above, the Head Librarian laughed. Her gaze stayed locked on them, as if mocking.

The Librarian's Decree has faded! Once again, you can hear, speak, and cast spells!

"None of that was in the wiki!" Zoey fumed.

"It's not a huge deal. We'll update it when we get back to Starlight. Plus, we will run into many situations where we don't have all the information. I don't want us to get complacent," Xander replied. "Next fight, we go for the Skeletal Librarian first. We're in good shape if we can stop it from returning its comrades."

"Look alive. That second group isn't waiting for us to come to it," Kane said. The party barely had time to catch their breath before the next wave crashed upon them with relentless force. The clash was fierce, but with the strategy they honed on the first group, they quickly dispatched the second group.

As they ascended to the second floor of the library, the atmosphere shifted, growing thick with an oppressive darkness that seemed to swallow sound and light alike. The once-quiet sanctuary had become a war zone, its towering shelves now towering shadows in the flickering torchlight.

The Head Librarian floated atop the grand balcony overlooking the first floor, her presence commanding and terrifying. The air crackled with dark energy as a shimmering, magical shield enveloped her, deflecting Zoey's initial attack with ease. She watched them with a cold, calculating gaze.

[Analyze] Head Librarian | Level: 9 Boss | Status: Hostile | Class: Mage

Suddenly, with a malicious smile, she extended her hand. "Allow me to enlighten you with some knowledge!" she sneered. Spectral tomes flew from the surrounding book stacks, their pages fluttering.

The books shot toward the party, each glowing with arcane symbols that pulsed with malicious energy. Xander could practically feel the hatred emanating from the books, if that was even possible. The tomes unleashed volleys of necrotic magic, sickly green tendrils of energy spiraling through the air toward the group. Ghostly chains that appeared as text from the book formed from the tendrils seeking to ensnare and bind the party's movements.

Jo, quick on her feet, deftly dodged the incoming attacks, her blades flashing as she sliced through one of the spectral books, dissipating it into a cloud of dark mist. Kane, right beside her, to smash aside another set of chains.

The chains hit fast, wrapping Xander's arm in glowing script and dragging his charge to a halt. He braced, tried to twist free, but they held tight.

Then Lily's hammer smashed through them, breaking the spell a heartbeat before a blast of necrotic energy tore past.

Xander dropped into a crouch, catching her in his periphery. She didn't speak, didn't gloat. She knew she'd just saved his life, and so did he.

Amidst the chaos, the Head Librarian's shield remained intact, protecting her from the party's efforts. She raised her other hand with a wicked grin, preparing to cast another spell. The room filled with the hiss of turning pages as more tomes emerged, ready to unleash their deadly knowledge upon the intruders.

She taunted the party, her voice dripping scornfully. "This library will be your ultimate resting place!"

The party was on its back heels as the Head Librarian unleashed another wave of necrotic energy. Her voice echoed through the vast chamber, an incantation of power that twisted the surrounding air. Kane gritted his teeth, triggering an ability of his own to rally the group as they struggled to stand their ground.

"Hold the line!" he shouted.

Rally Cry has affected you! Rally Cry will restore ten percent of your stamina every 5 seconds. Damage output increased by 10%. Healing received increased by 10%. Duration: 30 seconds!

Ford quickly cast his heal party spell to exploit his brother's rally cry. A moment of respite passed across the battlefield, allowing the party to regroup.

The Head Librarian's eyes narrowed as she raised her hands, the shimmering shield around her flaring with renewed intensity. Her lips curled back to bare her fangs as she unleashed her next attack. The air around the party thickened as if the library sought to smother the group's resolve.

"I will have silence in my library!" the Head Librarian cried.

The Librarian's Decree has affected you! You have lost the ability to hear, speak, and cast spells for 30 seconds!

The Head Librarian moved from her vantage point on the balcony, eerily floating toward the group. She loomed over them, her dark aura pressing down with a weight threatening to crush their spirits entirely.

But just as despair threatened to overwhelm them, a spark ignited within the group. Xander locked eyes with Jo, his determination shining brightly even in the oppressive silence. With a nod, Jo focused all her remaining strength on a single, desperate attack.

A burst of radiant energy exploded from Xander's spear, cutting through the silence like a blade through the darkness as his thrust penetrated the Head Librarian's shield to deliver a critical strike just below her sternum. The oppressive quiet shattered, the sound rushing back in a deafening roar. The party, invigorated by the break in the Librarian's control, launched a coordinated assault, each member pushing past their limits to land a decisive blow.

The Librarian's Decree has faded! Once again, you can hear, speak, and cast spells!

The Head Librarian staggered back as the tide of battle turned. With a final, desperate scream, she unleashed a torrent of dark energy, but it was too late. Jo's swords delivered a brutal strike, decapitating the Head Librarian's ghostly form.

As the dust settled, the library returned to its haunting stillness, but this time, the silence was peaceful, a stark contrast to the oppressive void the Librarian had wielded. The battered but victorious party stood tall amidst the wreckage, their hard-fought victory echoing in the quiet air.

"Whew! Touch and go there for a bit," Kane said as he leaned against the railing of the balcony. "Still, I think it went well."

"We'll debrief back in town. However, overall, I'm thrilled with how this went. Not bad for a first dance," Xander said, sitting beside Kane. He glanced at both Jo and Zoey, receiving a slight nod from each before continuing, "Kane, Ford, you want to make this a permanent arrangement? We'd like you guys to join us full-time."

A look passed between the brothers before Ford replied, "I was a little worried based on some information we got from town, but after doing this run with you, we're in."

"What information?"

"Well, we asked around about you guys. Everyone had lots of nice things to say about you and Zoey, except for Charlie Osborn. He said you guys screwed him when he partied up with you."

"Oh, Charlie. Yeah, but if you know Charlie, you'd probably understand why we didn't mesh together. That being said, we didn't screw him. He got impatient and got himself to hurt to continue clearing the building, JT needed us to. Charlie was sore that he didn't get a loot cut since he was out of action before we even got through the front door."

"That's what Harvey had said."

"So we're good?" Xander asked. Once he'd received a head nod from both Kane and Ford, he continued, "Lily, see if you can find your book. Everyone else spread out and look for loot. We'll do need before greed on anything we find. Back here in fifteen."

No one argued. Though winded from the fight, the promise of loot spurred them on. Kane moved off toward the far shelves, Ford close behind. The two worked with quiet efficiency, already sliding into the team's rhythm.

Xander watched Lily for a beat. She was already halfway up a narrow ladder, scanning the upper stacks like she'd done this before. Her focus was sharp, movements steady. A second later, she reached into the shadows and pulled out a small, metal-trimmed box.

"Got it!" she called down. "This is the one."

Xander nodded, mostly to himself. One objective down.

The minutes passed in relative silence. Each member conducted their search. Only the sounds of the soft rustling of pages, the occasional clink of metal, and the distant creaking of the old library filled the room. It was a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed the room just moments before, and the calm allowed them to appreciate the gravity of their victory.

They returned to the balcony area one by one. Kane was the first to arrive, his hands full of ancient tomes and a pair of gauntlets he had found hidden beneath a pile of rubble. He placed them on a nearby table, giving Xander a look of satisfaction.

"Found a few things," Kane said, his tone casual but with a hint of pride as each team member moved to place the items they'd found alongside Kane's.

Xander surveyed the gathered loot. "Excellent work, everyone. Jo, you want to do the honors?"

Jo took a few moments to catalog each item, separating them into different piles before speaking. "We've got a bit of everything here. I don't think we will find a handful of skill books helpful as they're mainly starter books, but they'll sell well. The gauntlets are called the Bookbinder's Gauntlets. It increases strength and allows the wearer to disarm traps."

She continued listing the remaining items, but Xander tuned it out. Nothing they'd found interested him, but Ford and Kane picked up some nice pieces of gear that would help compensate for the pair being slightly lower level than the rest of the party.

Xander took the blacksmithing components Lily had used as a pretext for coming to the dungeon and placed them in his survival belt. He considered having Lily carry it all herself as penance for lying to him, but in the end, he really couldn't blame her for why she did it.

With the loot sorted and carefully packed away, the group took a last look around the battered library chamber. The battle's aftermath still hung in the air, but the dark energy that had once permeated the room had faded, replaced by an almost serene quiet. Xander, satisfied that they had uncovered all the secrets this place offered, gave a nod to the others.

"Time to head back to Starlight," he said, his voice steady and clear. "Unless anyone has any objections? I'd like to skip the optional part of the dungeon."

"None here. I think we'd all like to get back in time for dinner," Ford quipped.

The team moved efficiently, gathering their packs and securing their newly gained treasures. While most of it fit in Xander's spatial inventory, each team member had their backpacks and gear they carried with them.

"Ready?" Kane asked, his tone lighter now that the tension had lifted.

Zoey smiled and nodded. "Let's go home."

Xander watched as Lily gave the room one last scan, checking shelves and shadows like she wasn't ready to leave just yet. He understood the impulse, with it being her first successful dungeon dive. When she finally nodded and adjusted the pouch at her side, he knew she'd found what she came for.

The group made their way out of the library, their footsteps echoing softly in the vast, now quiet halls. The once ominous atmosphere had dissipated, and with it, the oppressive weight that had hung over them during the battle. Now, the library seemed like a mere shadow of the threat it had posed, a relic of a past struggle they had overcome together.

As they exited the grand doors of the church above, the cool night air greeted them, refreshing after the musty confines of the ancient building. The sky was clear, the stars twinkling brightly overhead, and the moon shone gently on the path leading away from the library. The journey back to Starlight would be longer in the dark, but the thought of a warm dinner and comfortable bed prevented them from finding a place to pitch camp for the night.

They set off at a steady pace, the night's stillness wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. Xander's eyes shone golden as his Cat's Sight lit up the night as if he were wearing night vision. Cabbot may be a handful at times, he thought, but the gifts their bond had given him were well worth it.

The road was peaceful, the only sounds being the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional call of some monster hunting far off in the distance. The tension and exhaustion from the battle faded as they walked, replaced by a calm satisfaction that only came after a hard-won victory.

As they drew closer to Starlight, the town's silhouette appeared on the horizon, its welcoming lights twinkling. The gates of Starlight stood open, and the familiar faces of the town's guards greeted them with nods of recognition and respect.

"Lily, JT has been looking for you," the guard called as the group passed.

"If you see him, tell him we'll all be at the inn," Xander replied before Lily could say anything.

Inside, the inn was warm and inviting, the scent of fresh bread and brewing coffee filling the air. They dropped their packs by the door and settled into their usual corner, the weight of the journey finally lifting as they sank into the comfortable chairs.

Xander looked around at his companions, a satisfied smile on his face. "Little rough around the edges, but I think this is going to be a great team once we hit our stride," he said, his words met with nods and agreement.

"Ford, Kane, take some time tomorrow and stock up for a trip. We're thinking for two weeks. Grab anything you think you'll need. I can't give you details here, but it's going to be monster defense and maybe even a couple of dungeons," Xander informed the two newest members of their team.

"Not sure how far the gold from the dungeon is going to get Kane and me, but we'll get an adventurer's starter kit," Ford replied.

"The adventurer's kit will be good, but stock up on extra field rations. I'll front you guys the money. This won't be a milk run, so I don't want to skimp on gear," Xander offered as he channeled his survivalist instincts. Having only one of a thing means you have none of a thing.

As they sat together, sharing quiet conversation and enjoying the peace of the evening, they knew that for now, at least, they could rest. The library's trials were behind them, and Starlight, with all its warmth and comfort, was theirs to enjoy, but in a couple of days, it would be another long stint in the wilds.