Chapter 357: Kael Team Purpose
A bright light enveloped Ethan and the others as they passed through the teleportation gate together.
For several seconds, their surroundings blurred into streams of white energy before the sensation finally disappeared.
When Ethan opened his eyes again, he immediately realized something was different.
The atmosphere here was calm. Very calm.
Warm sunlight shone from above, illuminating vast green fields stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Tall trees swayed gently in the wind while birds flew peacefully across the sky.
There were no ruins. No blood.
No monsters waiting nearby. Serena blinked several times in confusion.
"…What kind of floor is this?"
Kael slowly lowered his greatsword.
"Honestly, I was expecting another death zone."
Milo looked relieved instead.
"I'm not complaining."
Even Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly.
After everything he experienced on the lower floors, this place almost felt unreal.
The group carefully walked forward while remaining alert, but nearly an hour passed without encountering any danger at all.
Instead, they discovered flowing rivers, fruit-bearing trees, and vast areas covered in colorful flowers.
Eventually, Gareth suddenly pointed ahead.
"There's something over there."
The group climbed a small hill before finally stopping at the top.
Below them lay a massive lake surrounded by lush vegetation.
Crystal-clear water reflected the sunlight beautifully while countless fruit trees grew near the shore. Some areas even contained wild vegetables and edible mushrooms.
Several small animals wandered peacefully nearby without showing aggression.
Serena's eyes widened.
"No way…"
Kael let out a quiet laugh.
"We found paradise."
The group immediately descended toward the lake. For the first time in a very long while, none of them needed to prepare for battle.
Milo crouched near the water and touched it carefully.
"It's clean."
Gareth immediately sat near the lakeside with a relieved sigh.
"I almost forgot what normal food looks like."
Serena climbed one of the nearby trees and picked several red fruits.
"These are edible," she said after taking a bite.
Kael smiled faintly before glancing toward Ethan.
"You should relax too."
Ethan remained standing quietly for several moments before finally sitting near the water.
The calm atmosphere felt unfamiliar. Too peaceful.
Still, he could not deny that his exhausted body welcomed the rest.
The group eventually gathered near the lakeside while preparing food using whatever they found nearby.
Roasted fish. Wild fruits. Fresh water.
Simple meals, yet far better than surviving on dungeon supplies alone. Serena stretched her arms comfortably.
"I could stay here forever."
"Until monsters appear," Gareth replied.
"That too."
Kael looked toward Ethan afterward.
"You've been strangely quiet since we met."
Ethan stared at the lake silently.
"…I'm not used to traveling with others."
"That obvious, huh?" Milo asked awkwardly.
Ethan ignored the comment. For a moment, only the sound of wind and flowing water filled the area.
Then Kael finally spoke again.
"So… why are you climbing these floors?"
Ethan's expression darkened slightly.
"To kill someone."
The group immediately fell silent. Serena slowly lowered the fruit in her hand.
"The Telmarians?"
Ethan nodded once.
"They destroyed my city."
No one interrupted him afterward. Kael quietly looked toward the lake.
"…Then your reason is revenge."
"Yes."
The atmosphere became heavier. Several moments later, Gareth suddenly spoke.
"At least your goal is clear."
Ethan glanced toward him slightly.
"What about yours?"
Gareth gave a bitter smile.
"I'm searching for my younger brother."
The large armored man lowered his gaze.
"We entered the dungeon together months ago. We got separated around Floor 34."
"I've been climbing ever since."
Milo adjusted his glasses quietly afterward.
"I came because my family is dying."
Everyone turned toward him.
"There's a disease spreading in my hometown. Someone told me a healing relic exists somewhere in the upper floors."
"So I became a player."
Serena leaned back against a tree while staring upward.
"I just want freedom."
The others looked toward her.
"My family wanted to sell me into political marriage."
"So I ran away and entered the dungeon instead."
Kael chuckled softly.
"That sounds like you."
"And what about you?" Serena asked him back.
Kael remained quiet for a few seconds before answering.
"…I want to reach the top floor."
"Why?"
"Because no one ever has."
The swordsman stared toward the distant mountains calmly.
"My father died trying."
"I want to know what exists at the end of this dungeon."
Silence returned once again afterward. Ethan quietly listened to all of them.
For the first time in a long while, he realized something important.
Not everyone climbing the dungeon was driven by greed or cruelty.
Some were desperate. Some were searching for hope. Some simply wanted to survive.
The peaceful lake reflected gently in Ethan's eyes as he looked toward the group.
These people had their own burdens. Their own pain.
Yet they still continued climbing. Serena suddenly looked toward Ethan again.
"So?"
"What about you now?"
Ethan frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"You already destroyed the Telmarian city."
"After your revenge ends… what will you do?"
The question caught him off guard. Ethan fell silent. Truthfully, he had never thought beyond revenge.
Ever since Gor City was destroyed, killing his enemies had become the only thing pushing him forward.
But now…
Sitting beside this peaceful lake with other players…
For the first time, the future no longer felt completely empty. Kael stood up afterward and stretched lightly.
"Whatever happens later, surviving comes first."
"Especially on upper floors."
Milo nodded nervously.
"The higher we go, the worse the monsters become."
"And stronger players too," Serena added.
Ethan looked at the group quietly for several moments.
Then finally—
"I'll help you."
The others blinked in surprise.
Gareth frowned slightly.
"Help us?"
"You all have goals."
Ethan slowly stood up while gripping Bloodblade Ashura beside him.
"And if we're climbing together anyway…"
"…then I'll make sure you survive long enough to reach them."
The group looked genuinely surprised after hearing those words.
Especially Serena.
"You know," she said softly, "you're a lot nicer than your face suggests."
"…Shut up."
Kael suddenly laughed loudly.
For the first time since entering the dungeon, the atmosphere around Ethan felt strangely warm.
As evening slowly approached, the five of them remained near the lakeside together, resting peacefully beneath the golden light of the setting sun before continuing their journey toward the higher floors.