Chapter 20 — Castaways and an Impromptu Adventure Lesson

Section: Part 1 — Exile, Then Saving the Nation

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“Dan, hurry!” Mimi hissed, grabbing my sleeve. “Two people ahead. A man and a woman. He’s alive but can’t walk. She’s keeping him conscious.”

“What?” We were in an unmapped floor. Civilians shouldn’t be here.

“Any armor?” I asked.

“No. Just plain clothes. I only saw a single knife,” she said. “No other presences nearby. After we killed the floor boss the rest are hiding.”

Too strange. No gear, no escort, this deep in a “new” dungeon.

“You’ve heard the situation,” I told the group. “I’m honestly torn. Do we help, or walk away? Thoughts?”

“Of course we help,” Ellie said immediately. “How could we not?”

Elza raised a hand. “May I speak? I believe we should leave them. We’re escorting beginners; we can’t afford unknown risks. It smells like a trap.”

Ellie tightened her grip on her staff. “Maybe. But I’m clergy. I can’t ignore people in need.”

“Even if it endangers your comrades?” Elza asked coolly.

“Yes,” Ellie insisted.

“Both of you, enough.” I cut in. “I already know what we’ll do, but answer me this, Bill, Meg. If only the two of you were here, would you help or walk away?”

They stared like I’d fed them poison. “Why us?”

“Because you’re the ones who’ll face this choice someday,” I said quietly.

Bill swallowed. “I’d leave them.”

“Why?”

“Because keeping us alive would already be hard. I don’t think I could protect strangers too.”

“Meg?”

She nodded. “Same. Survival first.”

They looked miserable, waiting for judgment.

“That’s the right call in your situation,” I said. “Choosing to leave isn’t evil. Remember that.”

They exhaled shakily.

Ellie scowled. “Is this really the time for a lecture?”

“Because it’s relevant,” I said. “Experience sticks more than any sermon. I don’t want them dying because no one taught them. If they’re struggling with the choice now, it’ll be easier next time.”

She huffed. “Fine. But we’re talking later.”

Mimi tugged my sleeve again. “So we leave them?”

“No,” I said.

“But—”

“The only reason we can help is because we have a dragon who one-shots floor bosses, two wyverns, and more magic than a royal court. That doesn’t mean the twins should think this is normal.” I glanced at Chloe. “Right?”

She smirked. “Translation: ‘we’re about to act like monsters; don’t copy us unless you’re monsters too.’”

Exactly. She patted the twins on the head. “You heard him.”

We cleared two more packs on the way—better safe than sorry if we needed to carry a man between us. It doubled as training; the mobs were small and perfect for the twins.

At the end of a narrow passage, Mimi pointed. “There.”

In the dim glow of moss I spotted them: the man sprawled on the stone, the woman cradling his head.

“We’re adventurers,” I called. “Not bandits. Coming over, okay?”

A pause, then a thin voice. “Please. My companion is hurt. We need help.”

“All right. Eyes open,” I murmured to the others, stepping forward.

----- End of chapter -----