Kevin found his way back to the stairway but he noticed something strange. It seemed a fresh set of footprints were collected in the white substance on the floor. What was that stuff anyway?

He could tell it was a different set, not created by the woman he escaped earlier because the woman's footsteps were beside it untouched.

They were of a slightly different shape.

(“There's another one on this floor!?”)

He didn't know whether this statement was true or not but he wasted no time heading down the stairs, at a quickened gait.

When he finally reached the fourth floor, his eyes continued onwards with the path.

He felt the wound on his back and winced. He breathed in deeply before continuing his journey.

----------------------------------------

In the darkness of the third floor, a light pierced the floor, slowly going from hallway to hallway.

(“Whew, they don't think it was my own.”) Elizabeth thought as she led the group holding up a torch. Behind her were Lily, Tina, Nora and Agatha.

(“Any more of them I might have to worry about spreading myself thin protecting them if things go wrong. Who knows how many men like that lion man might be down here, in addition to that priest's magic? Tina should be able to cover one of them while I cover the other two.”)

She looked at her sleeve covered in blood.

(“Thankfully they bought the excuse that it was the enemy's blood and not mine. Given I use a sword I'm not sure why they believed I shoved my whole arm into someone's torso to kill them but I should be glad it was dismissed this quickly.”)

“What's up with the murals?” Lily asked, looking at them as she walked.

Nora looked puzzled as well. “They're flames, I think? Though, maybe they drew some crappy cotton balls. For all we know this is what they worship.”

“It's unlikely this dungeon has anything to do with them in the first place,” Elizabeth added.

“Huh?” Lily mused.

“Oh, right this place is pretty old isn't it?” Nora added.

“Correct. These markings and murals are irrelevant to its current occupants. It'd do you two more good to think about how you'll deal with the priest and his minions before you let the decor of this dungeon sit on your mind.” Elizabeth said, focusing on her surroundings.

“Worship… oh right!” Agatha commented.

“Hmm, what is it, Aggie?” Lily responded.

“Lily, you don't even know her that well, plus leave the pet names for lovers,” Nora commented, disinterested.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“What's wrong Norrie, jealous you don't have one?”

“Don't call me Norrie, you little undersized alcoholic. Plus what's even the point of a pet name if it's longer than the name you're shortening?”

“It's not shorter, it takes just as long to say.”

“How's that any better?”

Lily stuck her tongue at her, while Agatha patiently waited for them to stop bickering, cleaning her blades to pass the time.

“Whatever. I'm sure you'd love it if Jake called you that every once in a while.” Lily continued.

“Hmph, I don't why you guys keep mentioning Jake. I just respect him yet all you people do is misconstrue and willfully misinterpret my words.”

“Really?” Agatha interjected.

Nora's face turned sour. “Ugh, what do you mean ‘really’?”

“No, actually don't mind what I said.”

Nora slowed down and walked beside her. “Actually I mind. What did you mean by that?”

“How creepy, are you gonna bully her for knowing who you love?” Lily added.

“Screw off, only women taller than children are talking here.”

“Well, we both got chests like a child so I don't think your height is gonna do much for you in the looks department.” Lily venomously responded.

“How vapid, I wasn't talking about looks… besides they're not that small.”

“And anyone could tell I'm not a child with these puppies.” She said before putting her hands on her meagre bosom.

Agatha chuckled at this and she quickly took her hands off and turned around embarrassed.

“Wait, Lily, I didn't mea-”

“So what were you talking about?” Nora said. Agatha realised they had gotten sidetracked.

“Oh right, so it isn't true that you like him?”

Her eyes shot open but she quickly recovered.

“Wha- I mean he's my guild leader, of course, I like him…” She paused. “But not in romance of course.”

“Really? I guess it makes sense, besides he probably already has a girlfriend.”

“... what do you mean by that?” She asked, cautiously.

“I mean I've heard other girls talk about how cute they are. I've heard some refer to him like a puppy dog they wanna take for themselves…”

“Puppy dog? He's a grown man, talk about him like one!” she shouted before clearing her throat.

“Yeah, but he's so passive they can't help but find him a bit cute.”

“Agatha please stop talking about him like that, it's unpleasant.”

“Oh sorry.” She said dejectedly.

“No, it has nothing to do with you, just those tasteless harpies. Women, who see nothing but surface-level details. He isn't a puppy that's only good to look at, he's a kind soul who looks out… he has more to him.” She sounded genuinely upset when she heard how others viewed him. She also stopped herself for some reason when she started listing a positive aspect of him.

“Oh, so you want him to be more aggressive. What a pipe dream.” Lily commented.

“Wah? Stop saying that of course I don't, I'm fine with him as is.”

“Really?” She started brief vocal exercises before putting on a half-hearted attempt at Jake’s voice. “Norrie, I feel like I want to take our relationship to the next-”

Nora slapped Lily's head while rubbing her own face which developed a hint of blush. “Shut up you harpy, how would you like it if I said you loved Ezek-”

She hushed up.