https://i.imgur.com/QVDqEGt.png [https://i.imgur.com/QVDqEGt.png]

Asher and Liam eyed the badge, their interest piqued and a glint of desire apparent in their eyes. This wasn't just any accessory; it was an amulet, a crucial piece to complete one's character setup. Its defensive capabilities were impressive. Not only could it decelerate an enemy's movement and attack speed, but it would also inflict this debuff on any foe deemed an 'enemy' within the wearer's 'line of sight.' This 'line of sight' feature was its most game-changing attribute. Unlike other items that had fixed radius or limited enemy counts, this amulet's influence was boundless. If someone were to stand atop a vantage point and gaze upon an entire army, every single soldier would experience diminished stats. The potential was staggering.

With wide eyes, Liam slowly reached out to pick up the badge, its surface shimmering mysteriously. "This... this is quite good," he whispered, looking at Asher.

Asher nodded, trying to keep his composure but clearly excited.

Liam looked at the badge, turning it over in his hand. "But who gets to wear it? It's a singular item, and both of us could benefit from it."

Asher pursed his lips, contemplating. Then said resolutely, "You should have it."

"Really? Are you certain?"

"Absolutely. Without that Blackgold cartridge, which you invested so many points into, we wouldn't have made it out alive. It's only right that you get this. You played a pivotal role in taking down that boss."

Liam looked at the badge, then back at Asher, clearly moved by his gesture. "Thanks, Asher. But, if I'm being honest, I couldn't have done it without you and your guardian. We're a team, after all."

Asher gave a tired smile, "Indeed, we are. But sometimes, the spoils go to the one who made the bravest move. Today, that was you."

Liam gripped the badge, feeling its weight and power. "Alright, but on one condition."

"Condition? What is it?" Asher raised an eyebrow, curious about his condition.

"The crystallized heart from the zombified brute. It's yours. That way, thing will truly be fair."

Asher's eyes lit up with surprise. The crystallized heart was a rare treasure, known to harbor power that could potentially dwarf the benefits of the badge. Though there was always the gamble of its extracted skill not living up to expectations, the sheer potential it held was undeniable. While Asher couldn't immediately tap into its power due to the constraints of the tower's trading system, the offer was undeniably enticing. Liam's generous gesture displayed a level of camaraderie and respect between them.

"Deal," Asher replied, extending his hand for a handshake. The gesture signified more than just a transaction of goods; it marked their partnership and mutual trust.

As Liam equipped the badge to himself, Asher carefully slid the luminous crystallized heart into his pocket. As he did so, he pondered whether the tower's store might offer a spatial or dimensional inventory skill, allowing him to store items securely without having to carry them everywhere. 'I should look into this when i get back', he mused.

Once they had secured their respective treasures, they turned their attention to the vortex forming in the corner. It beckoned, promising a return to the world outside this dungeon.

Before stepping through, Liam paused and said, "You know, I think we make a pretty good team. Even when faced with seemingly bad odds, we find a way."

Asher smirked and nodded in agreement, "Things are bound to get more hectic. Let's make sure to always get each other's back." he said, extending a clenched fist towards Liam.

Recognizing the gesture, Liam grinned and bumped his fist against Asher's. In that simple touch, a deep bond of friendship was solidified.

Liam looked around, pinning the badge securely into his shirt. "We should move."

As they approached the exit portal, the dungeon walls shimmered, and the atmosphere shifted, replacing the oppressive stench with a more neutral aroma. The oppressive darkness began to wane, overtaken by the brilliant glow emanating from the portal. With determined steps, they passed through, leaving the dungeon behind.

Emerging from the portal, Asher and Liam found themselves back in the familiar confines of the subway station. The once roaring dungeon's ambiance was replaced with the silence of the tunnel.

Asher took a moment to adjust to the sudden change in environment. The subway tiles felt strangely welcoming compared to the floors of the dungeon they had just left.

Liam, meanwhile, appeared elated as he observed the now unobstructed path ahead; the once-present portal had vanished from their action of clearing it, granting them free passage ahead. "The portal's gone! We can finally head to the police station!" he declared, gazing intently down the tunnel, his face alight with hope. "Let's return and update the others. They'll be thrilled."

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As they made their way back, Asher noted the graffiti-laden and worn-out walls. "Ever wonder about our future in this changed world? These trains, once bustling with people, now only echo of the past."

Liam paused, letting the weight of Asher's words sink in. It had been just a few days since their reality shifted dramatically. "Every morning, I'd commute on this very subway. It's strange how something so mundane is now something I miss."."

Asher nodded, understanding the sentiment, "We used to take so many simple conveniences for granted. What once was a daily routine, like this commute, now feels like a luxury. And the challenges are only beginning."

After about twenty minutes of navigating through the tunnels, the ambient sounds of people talking and the faint glow of makeshift lighting became visible in the distance. They had reached the subway station's settlement area. However, the scene that greeted them was not the expected buzz of life but rather chaos and confusion. Tents were overturned, provisions scattered, and the telltale signs of a struggle were apparent. The remaining members of the group Liam had been protecting were clustered together, some nursing minor injuries and others with tear-streaked faces.

An elderly woman, approached them, her face etched with worry. "Oh, thank heavens you're back! We've been attacked!"

Liam's eyes darted around the makeshift camp, searching for familiar faces. "What happened?"

The elderly woman's eyes filled with tears as she replied, "'They' stormed our camp. They took a few other children and the young lady that had accompanied the man beside you. They demanded our supplies and threatened to hurt the children if we didn’t comply. We tried to resist, but they were too many, too strong."

"They took away Sarah?!' exclaimed Asher. Asher clenched his fists, anger rising within him. "Did they say where they were taking them?"

A elderly man, bruised and bleeding from a gash on his forehead, stepped forward. "They mentioned something about a 'construction site'. They said they had 'use' for the young ones and that 'he' would be pleased."

Liam's face grew taut with determination. "We need to get them back. Now."

Asher nodded in agreement. "Every minute counts. We can't let them harm Sarah or the kids."

The elderly woman placed a hand on Liam's arm. "Please, save them. The children, we need to protect them until their parents comes back."

"We will bring them back," Liam promised, his voice unwavering.

"But do you know exactly where this construction site is?" Asher asked.

"I do. When I was looking for people to work with, I passed by a construction site just a few minutes from here. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now it seems like it's their meeting place," Liam replied.

"You keep mentioning 'they.' Can you tell me who 'they' are?" Asher inquired.

"Do you remember that group of 'Awakeners' who couldn't handle the easy challenge? Well, it's them. They've joined forces with a tough player from the hard mode, from what I've heard. They're a bunch of folks who faced failures and are now trying to gain power and influence quickly before others stronger than them catch up." Liam explained.

"Those bastards! Let's stop them, before it's to late." Asher exclaimed.

Asher and Liam exited the subway station. The dimly lit underground passages gave way to the city streets above. Their friends were in trouble, held captive by the group of "Awakeners" and their powerful leader. Asher and Liam had no time to waste.

Asher and Liam navigated through the empty streets, keeping a low profile. Thankfully they did not need to avoiding any monsters as they advanced since there wasn't any to worry about most likely because of the dragon Asher had previously encountered.

"This should be the place.", Liam pointed towards a towering construction crane in the distance. "That's the site," he whispered, narrowing his eyes.

"Look, over there!" Asher's voice caught with disbelief as they peered into the construction site. Strewn across the ground were countless bodies, battered and lifeless. The grisly tableau was almost too much to bear; both Asher and Liam gagged, recoiling from the horror before them.

"This...this is monstrous!" Liam whispered, aghast.

An even more chilling discovery awaited them: each of the lifeless forms was eerily deprived of bones. Only limp skin and exposed organs lay in gruesome heaps, as if someone or something had maliciously stripped the skeletal structure from each corpse.

Bam

The sudden noise from within the site jolted them back to the present. A scuffle? A confrontation?

"Sarah!" Fear for her safety propelling him forward, Asher charged towards the source of the commotion, desperate to reach her before whatever malevolent force responsible for the horror could harm her.

As they navigated toward the source of the commotion, they were met with the chilling sight of even more fallen bodies. Yet, amidst the grim scene, one figure stood out, arresting their attention.

The man at the center exuded an chilling and eerie charisma. He had sleek silver hair, combed neatly to one side, that contrasted sharply with the deep black of his intricate attire. His eyes seemed to be void of any human emotion, while the lower part of his visage was hidden behind a menacing mask, reminiscent of intertwined skeletal structures. The ensemble was accentuated with gothic details, from the ornate patterns adorning his dark cloak to the delicate silver embellishments that added to his otherworldly aura. This individual was clearly no ordinary foe.

In the man's grip was the head of another, its lifeless eyes staring blankly into the void. With a swift and almost practiced motion, the silver-haired figure effortlessly extracted the skeletal exoskeleton from the individual he held, leaving behind a grotesque shell.

"Asher, that was the leader of the group. The one that just died." Liam whispered, his voice filled with dread as he recognized the lifeless face of the man who had once led the kidnappers. "Who on earth is this other man?"

Asher studied the individual, sensing an inexplicable bond between them, almost as if their destinies were intertwined. Beside this enigmatic man stood two skeletal companions. The taller one, adorned in stark black and white attire, appeared as a faithful vassal to the man. The other, petite in size, resembled a child of no more than three or four years. Yet, in spite of its diminutive frame, the skeleton exuded a chilling menace, mirroring the ominous aura of the man it stood by. Together, they seemed to play roles of protectors or embodiments of the man's strength.

https://i.imgur.com/cPFMT53.png [https://i.imgur.com/cPFMT53.png]