Chapter 47: The Calm

“Come in,” Niko said, moving back towards the window, his gaze lingering on the vast, unfamiliar landscape beyond. The stillness in the room hung heavy, punctuated by a strange, hollow feeling that gnawed at him.

The door creaked open, revealing Ivanic, looking slightly different. His appearance, while familiar, now seemed cleaner, more refined. The white beard and wild hair that once gave him an air of ruggedness were now well-groomed. His once tattered purple robe had been replaced with a fresher, newer version, the dirt and grime of their recent ordeal completely washed away.

Niko blinked in surprise but kept his expression composed, unwilling to show the confusion he felt. Everything about Ivanic’s transformation seemed surreal, too fast, too clean after everything they had just been through.

"You did it! You killed that monster, Nik—Lord," Ivanic said with a smile, scratching at his freshly trimmed beard. There was a brightness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before—a kind of subdued joy, a relief perhaps, after surviving such a horrific trial. For Ivanic, being alive was enough to feel grateful. This world had a way of breaking people, and the longer you lived in it, the more you learned to let go of the burdens that weighed you down. He, more than anyone, knew that clinging to the tragedies of this place would only drive you deeper into despair.

“Lord?” Niko raised an eyebrow, the word sounding foreign in his ears. He wasn’t used to titles or being addressed with such deference.

Ivanic nodded, his grin widening. “Of course! In fact, many people probably know of your new title by now.”

Niko tilted his head in confusion, unsure of what Ivanic meant. His mind was still struggling to keep up with everything that had happened. The battle with the wise ratman, the blood, the deaths—his thoughts were a tangled mess of guilt and exhaustion.

Sensing Niko’s confusion, Ivanic chuckled softly and continued, “After you killed that damned thing, a wave rippled through the ground—a tremor, really. I’m sure anyone near this territory would have felt it. That tremor usually signifies the completion of a dungeon.”

Niko frowned, the weight of the new reality settling over him. If others knew of the dungeon’s completion, it meant he wasn’t alone in this victory. Others, stronger perhaps, might come looking. This territory—his territory—might not remain his for long if they decided to take it from him. A cold sweat broke out on the back of his neck.

Ivanic’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Everyone leveled up after the rat monster died. You collapsed from exhaustion—no surprise there—so Fumito, Dharma, and I took you and Zheng to separate rooms to let you rest.”

The mention of Zheng sent a pang of guilt through Niko. Zheng had nearly died because of his plan. He had pushed the man to risk his life in a reckless gambit, and though it had worked, the consequences weighed heavily on him. Niko swallowed, his voice low. “How is he?”

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Ivanic’s face darkened slightly, his expression hardening. “He’s breathing, which is a good sign, but… you should see for yourself.”

A knot formed in Niko’s chest, his brow furrowing in worry. The exhaustion, the confusion—it all threatened to overwhelm him, but he pushed it down. There were too many things happening at once, too many responsibilities now. The territory, the dungeon’s completion, the looming threats. He needed to focus. One thing at a time.

Ivanic cleared his throat, sensing Niko’s tension. “We buried the dead outside—gave them proper burials, except for the monsters. I assumed you’d want to use their bodies for something later.”

A flash of anger flickered in Niko’s eyes. “No. I won’t be using the bodies of our friends. They deserve to rest in peace, not be twisted into spirits. They were… they were human, Ivanic. Not tools.”

Ivanic nodded solemnly, respecting Niko’s decision. “I understand. It was a suggestion, nothing more.”

Niko exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dirty, matted hair. “So… was it just the five of us who survived?”

Shaking his head, Ivanic’s expression turned bitter. “No. Veronica escaped during the battle—fled before things got really bad. Dharma saw her running out of the dungeon. It seems she’s got more skill than we gave her credit for.”

Niko’s teeth clenched at the mention of Veronica. Her cowardice had left them vulnerable, forced them into a tighter corner than they already were. If she had stayed, and fought with them, perhaps things might have gone differently. More of them might have survived.

As Niko’s frustration bubbled, Ivanic offered a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. “And yes, Dharma speaks now—short sentences, mostly. Sometimes just a word or two, but it’s progress.”

Niko barely registered the comment, his mind too occupied with the weight of responsibility that had fallen on him. His heart pounded, his chest tight. He had always been cautious, a planner, but now the pressure was suffocating. Too many things were spiraling out of control, and he could feel the panic creeping in.

“How long was I out?” he asked, trying to regain some sense of stability.

“A day and a half,” Ivanic replied.

Niko’s eyes widened in surprise. A day and a half. He had been unconscious for far longer than he expected, and the world outside had likely shifted in ways he wasn’t prepared for. He couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

“I need to see Zheng,” Niko said firmly, standing from the window.

Ivanic raised a hand, trying to stop him. “Wait, maybe you should check the loot first. No one’s touched it, but it’s there. And there’s a lot.”

Niko shook his head, his voice tense. “I’ll deal with that later. Zheng comes first.”

Ivanic frowned but relented. “Fine, but at least clean yourself up before you go. You’re a mess.” He gestured to Niko’s bloodied and dirt-caked robes. “There’s a bathroom in one of these rooms—surprisingly clean. And robes in the drawers. Also, I’ve settled in one of the other rooms, if that’s alright with you, Lord.” He flashed a playful grin, bowing mockingly.

Niko sighed heavily, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the weight pressing down on him. “Okay, okay. Enough with the ‘Lord’ stuff. Just call me Niko.”

Ivanic laughed and waved a hand. “Alright, Niko. But seriously, clean up. You reek.”

Niko hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. He hadn’t felt clean in what felt like ages, and the grime and blood covering his body was starting to become unbearable. He needed to wash away the horrors of the past few days, if only for a brief moment.