Freedom and Power Restored

(Samuel's POV)

As we finally stepped out of the Forgotten Abyss, the weight of the dungeon's oppressive energy slowly lifted. The air felt different—freer. More alive.

The towering shadows that had loomed over us in the dark depths faded as the sunlight broke through the ruins, casting a warm glow on the path ahead.

The ground beneath my feet felt solid again, and for a moment, it almost felt like we were walking back into normal life.

But I knew better. We were still far from home. The real challenge was still waiting for us.

Just as I was about to speak, a System notification popped up in front of me, breaking the silence between Henry and me.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

You are out of the Dungeon and now your abilities are fully functional.

---

I blinked, a surge of relief and anticipation coursing through me.

That familiar weight—the suppression that had held us back in the dungeon—was gone.

"Finally," I muttered, grinning.

Henry looked over at me, already knowing what had happened.

"I'm guessing that means we're back at full strength."

I nodded, flexing my fingers and feeling the surge of power returning to my body.

My Abyssal Gauntlets felt lighter now, as though they were purring with the potential energy that had been temporarily suppressed.

"Yeah," I replied, clenching my fists, feeling the raw power that came with it. "And that means we can finally unleash everything we've been holding back."

Henry's expression shifted into something sharper.

"Good. Because whatever's next is going to require it."

I looked toward the horizon, where the road ahead stretched out into the unknown.

The New World awaited, and I knew that with our powers restored, we were ready to face anything that came our way.

Henry placed a hand on my shoulder, his grin matching mine.

"We've got three years, Samuel. Let's make them count."

I smirked, feeling the weight of what that meant.

"You can bet on that."

With our powers fully restored and the next phase of our journey ahead, I knew one thing for sure: We weren't just surviving this new world. We were going to own it.

As we walked out from the ruins, the sunlight hitting our faces felt almost refreshing after the intense battle inside the Forgotten Abyss.

The oppressive weight of the dungeon had lifted, leaving a rare moment of peace in its wake. The adrenaline from the fight was still buzzing through my system, but there was an undeniable need for something else.

I glanced over at Henry, who was walking beside me, still holding the Sword of the First Dawn loosely in his hand. His expression was sharp, but I could see a hint of relief underneath the surface.

"Hey," I started, breaking the silence. "Wanna hit the bar? I'm in the mood for some whiskey."

Henry raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Whiskey, huh?" He chuckled. "I didn't take you for the type."

I smirked, giving him a playful shrug.

"I'm full of surprises."

Henry grinned, his usual confidence slipping back into place.

"You know what? After everything we just went through, I think I could use a drink."

We both shared a quiet laugh, the tension of the dungeon fading as we moved away from the ruins.

The idea of hitting a bar seemed almost absurd given the dangers we'd just faced, but that was what made it so appealing. It was the perfect way to unwind—a break from the madness before the next storm hit.

I glanced at him, eyes glinting.

"Let's find a place and grab a drink. We've earned it."

Henry nodded in agreement.

"To three years of chaos ahead, then."

We set off, walking toward the nearest town, both of us anticipating that first sip of whiskey, the taste of freedom, and a brief respite before we dove back into the fight that awaited us in the coming days.

After all, we both knew that with our restored power, the next challenge would be even more brutal than the last. But for now, we could afford to enjoy this moment.

Casual Conversation Amidst the Chaos

The whiskey burned down my throat as I leaned back in my chair, the quiet murmur of the bar surrounding us. The flickering light from the neon signs outside painted the room with a dim, hazy glow.

It was a stark contrast to the chaos and bloodshed we'd just left behind in the Forgotten Abyss. But for now, the drink in my hand was the only thing that mattered.

I glanced over at Henry, who was nursing his own drink, his eyes still sharp and calculating, but the slight smirk on his lips told me he was enjoying the rare moment of peace.

"So, what's next? USA, or here, still in Russia?" I asked, leaning forward.

Henry looked at me, a smug grin playing on his lips.

"Why do you wanna get rid of Roselle so quickly?"

I smirked right back at him, feeling the heat of the whiskey settle in my stomach.

"Of course I do. She'll empty my balls dry if I'm not careful, and trust me, she's even more dangerous than any boss in that dungeon we just cleared."

Henry let out a deep sigh, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, I get it. But in the USA, Nocturne's there to do the same to me. And I'm really not in the mood to warm my bed right now. I think I've had enough of fighting on two fronts for the time being."

I chuckled, taking another sip of my whiskey.

"Fair enough. But you know as well as I do—if anyone can rival our strengths, it's them. Hell, I bet their levels are already way above us."

Henry nodded, his gaze shifting slightly as he thought it over.

"No doubt. They're monsters in their own right."

I leaned back in my chair, the plan already forming in my head.

"Then how about third place? A dungeon that's not in the USA, and not in Russia?"

Henry looked at me, the smirk still there, but now with an intrigued glint in his eyes.

"You've got something in mind?"

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a whisper.

"There's a rumor about an unexplored dungeon somewhere in Eastern Europe. No one's dared to enter it. They say it's uncharted, untouched by anyone with half a brain. The core is said to be unlike anything we've faced before. If we can get to it before anyone else does…"

Henry raised an eyebrow, clearly interested.

"An unknown dungeon, huh? If it's as dangerous as you say, it might just be the perfect place to hone our skills before we face Roselle or Nocturne again."

I grinned.

"Exactly. The real challenge will be getting there before anyone else does. But with our restored powers, we can handle whatever comes next."

He smirked, finishing his drink.

"Alright, I'm in. Let's go find this third place, then. But after all this, if we end up in a fight with those two… I expect you to cover me."

I laughed, raising my glass.

"You know I've got your back, Henry. Always."

We clinked our glasses together, sealing our decision. The next step in our journey wasn't going to be easy, but we were more than ready for it. The world was full of monsters and dungeons, and it seemed the best way forward was to face them head-on, together.

One final drink. A shared laugh.

And the road ahead.