Sasha's sudden betrayal sent shockwaves through the remaining members of the party. Marcus, Elara, and Lena were understandably furious and confused, demanding an explanation for Sasha's actions.

Marcus's fury resonated in his voice as he confronted Sasha, demanding answers. "Hey, Sasha! What’s the meaning of this?!"

Elara echoed her sentiments, her tone a mix of anger and surprise. "Yeah, what’s the meaning of this?!"

Lena's voice joined the chorus of confusion and frustration. "Why?! Just why are you doing this to us?!"

Meanwhile, Zealot, having anticipated Sasha's betrayal, remained silent, knowing that his best course of action was to stay out of the conflict. Having delved into Sasha's thoughts, he understood her motivations for the treacherous act. It became evident that Sasha's thirst for personal gain and the desire to claim the valuable loot for herself outweighed any sense of loyalty or camaraderie she once shared with her companions.

As Sasha's comrades demanded answers, her expression remained cold and indifferent, her eyes fixed on the fallen bodies of those she had just slain. With a flick of her sword, she cleaned the blood from the blade before sheathing it once again.

"You were all simply means to an end," Sasha finally spoke, her voice devoid of remorse or empathy. "I needed your strength and skills to overcome the challenges of this raid, but now that I've achieved my goal, I have no use for any of you."

Marcus's eyes blazed with anger as he stepped forward, his sword gripped tightly in his hand. "You're a traitor, Sasha! We trusted you, fought alongside you, and this is how you repay us?!"

Elara's fists clenched at her sides, her voice trembling with rage. "We risked our lives for you, and you betray us like this?!"

Lena's bow remained trained on Sasha, her gaze unwavering. "You won't get away with this betrayal, Sasha! We'll make sure justice is served!"

But Sasha merely scoffed at their words, her arrogance palpable. "Justice? There is no justice in this world, only power! And I have claimed that power for myself!"

With a flick of her wrist, Sasha drew her sword, the metallic clang echoing through the grand throne room. Marcus, Elara, and Lena mirrored her actions, their weapons at the ready as they prepared to confront their former ally.

Marcus's voice boomed with righteous fury. "You may have turned your back on us, Sasha, but we won't go down without a fight! We'll make you pay for your treachery!"

Elara's daggers gleamed in the bright sunlight, her eyes narrowed with determination. "You're not getting away with this betrayal, Sasha! We'll stop you, no matter what it takes!"

Lena's arrow remained steady, her aim unwavering despite the chaos unfolding around her. "You've made a grave mistake, Sasha! We trusted you, and you betrayed us! We won't let you get away with it!”

"You all seem rather talkative for individuals on the brink of demise. It should be evident by now that none of you have posed a challenge to me from the outset," Sasha remarked, her tone dripping with disdain and superiority.

WHOOSH!

With a sudden movement, Sasha lunged forward, her sword flashing through the air as she aimed for Marcus's throat. Despite Marcus's quick reflexes, Sasha's strike was too swift and powerful to block completely. Her blade grazed Marcus's neck, drawing blood and sending him staggering backward.

CLANG!

“Die, you traitorous wretch!!!”

“Go to hell, you fucking bitch!!!”

Elara and Lena sprang into action, their blades flashing as they attempted to fend off Sasha's relentless assault. But Sasha's strength and skill were unmatched, her strikes precise and devastating. Despite their best efforts, they found themselves struggling to keep up with Sasha’s ferocious onslaught.

As the battle raged on, the throne room became a chaotic whirlwind of steel and magic. Sasha's overwhelming power seemed to eclipse the combined efforts of Marcus, Elara, and Lena, leaving them battered and bruised.

With each passing moment, Sasha's victory seemed more certain, her superiority undeniable. Despite their bravery and determination, Marcus and his companions found themselves outmatched and outclassed by Sasha's sheer strength and skill.

“This is the end. Goodbye, my friends,” Sasha said, her voice cold and resolute.

In a final, devastating move, Sasha unleashed a flurry of strikes that left Marcus, Elara, and Lena on the brink of collapse. With one last powerful blow, she sent Marcus crashing to the ground, his sword clattering away from his grasp.

CLANG!

Elara and Lena, though battered and exhausted, refused to give up. They launched a desperate counterattack, their blades flashing with determination. But Sasha was relentless, her every move calculated and deadly. Within moments, Elara was disarmed and thrown to the floor, and Lena's bow was shattered in her hands.

Sasha delivered the final strikes with precision, ending their lives swiftly. Marcus, Elara, and Lena lay motionless on the stone floor, their eyes wide with shock and betrayal.

Sasha's lip curled into a sneer as she looked upon their fallen forms. "Bunch of fools!" she scoffed, her voice laced with disdain. "Did you all think you could stand in my way?! Pathetic!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Sasha turned her attention to the fallen Stone Golem King. As the mighty creature collapsed, its stone body shattered, revealing a cache of valuable loot scattered across the throne floor.

With excitement coursing through her veins, Sasha approached the loot drop, her eyes scanning the array of treasures before her.

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Among the items, she found:

* Ancient Stone Golem Core (Rare Crafting Material)

* Golem King's Hammer (Epic Two-Handed Weapon)

* Stone Golem Crown (Rare Headgear)

* Golemheart Pendant (Epic Amulet)

* Bag of Gold (1000 gold coins)

Each item held the promise of power and wealth, a fitting reward for her hard-fought victory, despite the cruelty of her actions.

Suddenly, Sasha's voice cut through the air with authority, beckoning Zealot to her side amidst the glimmering treasures. "Hey, Zealot! Come here and lend a hand with this loot!"

Zealot's heart lurched at the sound of Sasha's summons, a blend of apprehension and compliance seizing him. "Y-Yes, boss!!!" he responded hastily, his voice betraying a tinge of fear. After witnessing Sasha's brutal efficiency, he understood the importance of staying on her good side.

Approaching Sasha cautiously, Zealot made sure each step was deliberate, mindful of the consequences of provoking Sasha's ire.

As he assisted Sasha in gathering the valuable loot, Zealot couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him. He treaded carefully, knowing all too well the thin line between earning Sasha's favor and facing her wrath.

Together, they swiftly packed away the treasures, Zealot taking extra care as he handled each item. He was fully aware that he would be the one to shoulder the burden of carrying the loot. This, he knew, was precisely why Sasha spared his life—to serve as her pack mule.

As Zealot considered his predicament, a sense of urgency washed over him. 'This is dire… I must devise a plan to escape from this unhinged and malevolent woman. Otherwise, I may meet my demise one day, discarded when she no longer needs me,' he thought.

After ensuring everything was looted, Sasha and Zealot prepared to leave the dungeon. They approached the glowing exit portal, the treasures securely packed. With a final glance around the grand throne room, they stepped through the shimmering portal. In an instant, they were transported back to the dungeon's entrance, the oppressive atmosphere giving way to the fresh air of the outside world.

“Ah, it’s good to be finally back outside!” Sasha exclaimed, her mood buoyant with satisfaction. She was pleased to have secured all the loot for herself.

Zealot, nodding in agreement, replied, “Yes, it's nice to be out of the dungeon."

“Alright, let’s head back to Zealot City!” Sasha declared, with a hint of urgency in her voice, knowing she still had unfinished business in Zealot Castle.

Zealot, having read her thoughts with his mind-reading skill, already knew she was thinking about entering the small world for the Demon King’s treasure. Despite the loot she gained from killing the Stone Golem King, it wasn't enough—she still craved for more.

‘This demon woman's greed is truly next level…’ Zealot thought, astonished by her insatiable desire.

As Sasha and Zealot made their way back to Zealot City, a sense of unease settled over Zealot like a heavy cloak. The weight of his complicity in Sasha's treachery bore down on him, gnawing at his conscience with each step. Despite his inner turmoil, he knew he had to bide his time and plan his next move carefully if he wanted to break free from Sasha's grasp.

‘Let's hope she doesn't change her mind at the last minute and peacefully enters the small world... Demon Queen Terasia, I'm truly sorry, but you're the only one capable of putting an end to this evil madwoman,’ he thought.

Upon arriving at Zealot Castle, Sasha wasted no time in asking Zealot to prepare dinner, her stomach growling with hunger. The journey had left her famished, and the thought of a warm meal was irresistible.

Despite her initial plan to explore the small world today, the encroaching nighttime sky made her reconsider. With dusk settling in, Sasha decided to postpone her adventure until the next day. She resolved to take the evening to rest and recharge, knowing that a fresh start awaited her in the morning.

"Yes, right away!" Without question, Zealot nodded obediently and set about preparing the dinner.

As Sasha made her way to the grand luxurious Roman-styled bathhouse, her steps echoed softly in the corridors of Zealot Castle. The warm glow of torchlight flickered against the stone walls, casting dancing shadows around her. Despite the events of the day, Sasha remained composed, her mind already drifting towards thoughts of relaxation and indulgence.

Entering the bathhouse, Sasha was enveloped by the grandeur of beautiful marble floors and greeted by the heavy scent of exotic oils and perfumes. The steam rising from the hot springs in the center of the bathhouse filled the air with a tantalizing warmth, beckoning her closer with its alluring embrace.

She breathed deeply, allowing the heady aroma to wash over her, soothing her senses and preparing herself for the blissful relaxation to come.

With practiced grace, she shed her armor and clothing, relishing the sensation of freedom as she slipped into the hot springs. The water enveloped her in its warmth, soothing her tired muscles and easing the tension of the day.

‘Ahh… so nice and comfortable…’ she thought. With a sigh of contentment, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift, letting the gentle embrace of the hot springs envelop her in a cocoon of warmth.

Lost in thought, Sasha barely noticed the passage of time as she soaked in the soothing waters. It was only when a gentle knock sounded at the bathhouse’s entrance door that she was roused from her reverie.

"Boss, dinner is ready!" Zealot's voice called from outside.

Reluctantly, Sasha emerged from the waters, her beautiful soft skin tingling with the lingering warmth of the springs. Wrapping herself in a soft robe, she made her way to the grand dining hall where Zealot had prepared a lavish meal.

The table was adorned with an array of delicacies, from succulent roasted meats to fresh fruits and cheeses. Sasha's mouth watered at the sight, and she wasted no time taking her seat at the head of the table.

MUNCH! MUNCH! MUNCH! NOM! NOM! NOM!

"Mhm, delicious!" Sasha exclaimed with a grin, savoring the dish. "I have to admit, you're surprisingly good at cooking. It's another reason why I’m sparing your life, so you should be grateful," she added with a teasing tone.

Zealot forced a smile and bowed slightly. "Thank you, boss. I'm glad you're enjoying it," he replied.

"In recognition of your good behavior and obedience," Sasha said, gesturing graciously, "as a token of appreciation, come, sit down, and dine with me."

Hungry and eager, Zealot didn't hesitate. He replied with a grateful nod, "Thank you, boss. I appreciate the offer. If that's the case, I’ll help myself."

As Sasha and Zealot dined together, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed. Gone was the tension of the dungeon, replaced instead by a sense of camaraderie and shared indulgence. For now, they set aside the events of the day, content to enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and company.

As the meal came to an end, Sasha reclined in her chair, a contented smile playing at the corners of her lips. Despite the events of the day, she felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that she had emerged victorious and claimed all the loot for herself.

“What a delightful meal! I must admit, I’m starting to like you more and more now,” Sasha remarked happily.

“Thank you, boss,” Zealot responded, appreciating the praise.

“Alright, I’m going to sleep now,” Sasha said, her voice softening with concern. “You should rest up too and be prepared for tomorrow,” she added, her words carrying a genuine tone of care for Zealot's well-being.

"Of course, boss. I'll make sure to get some rest," Zealot replied, appreciating Sasha's consideration.

“Alright, stop calling me boss. From now on, call me by my name, Sasha. After all, we’re going to be adventuring together from now on, so let's treat each other as companions,” Sasha said, her tone warm and inviting.

"Understood, Sasha. I'm looking forward to our adventures together," Zealot replied, his voice tinged with reluctance.

Before Sasha left the kitchen, she unexpectedly leaned in and forcefully kissed Zealot on his lips, leaving him momentarily stunned.

"S-Sasha, what are y—?!" Zealot stammered, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“Once again, thank you for the delicious meal. I look forward to enjoying your cooking more in the future. Good night,” Sasha said with a playful smile, her tone lightening the mood as she departed from the kitchen.