I was the only one who could go down.
Gripping the moss-slick ladder, I climbed for about ten minutes before my feet hit the bottom.
The game stocked its rookie missions generously. There was none of the late-game desperation, ten people clawing over a single dry ration cracker.
Still, I gathered every last supply and pulled it all into my personal inventory.
Elena's voice drifted down from above. "Lea, are there supplies?"
I didn't answer. I bit into a soft bread roll and waited.
Arthur's voice came next, edged with impatience.
"Leona, toss the supplies up here first!"
I cracked open another electrolyte drink.
"Leona, listen to me. If you know what's good for you, throw the supplies up. If you don't, we'll seal this cellar shut."
"The exit for clearing the stage is back at the island entrance. If you can't get out, you'll stay in this dungeon until you die."
I took my time. "And if I hand the supplies over, what happens when you two go back on your word?"
"You don't have a choice! Leona, you owe us this!"
"If it weren't for you, how would we have ended up back in this hellhole?"
Full and satisfied, I leaned against the wall to rest and let Arthur shout and rage.
Eventually he stopped. "Leona, come up. Elena and I are both critically low on stamina. We need the supplies."
I still didn't so much as flinch.
Arthur tried a few more times, then lost his patience and turned to Elena. "Let's find a torch and burn the cellar down. We'll look for another supply point."
"Lea's still down there."
"Forget about her. She doesn't care about us either."
I smiled.
One playing the villain, one playing the friend.
Then Elena started coaxing me. "Lea, come up quick. I can't hold Arthur off much longer."
"Ah——"
A giant wild monster came lunging out, and it took everything the two of them had to put it down.
【At nightfall, small monsters appear on the island, and the temperature drops. Player HP falls by 1 point per hour. Please find a safe house for shelter.】
【Nearest safe house: the cellar.】
Arthur and Elena scrambled for the opening. The moment they touched the wet, slick ladder, it slipped right out of their hands.
Arthur nearly fell straight in.
If his talent points hadn't been slashed, a tumble into the cellar wouldn't have mattered.
But the Arthur of now would shatter to pieces from a single fall.
"Leona!"
I answered, all smiles. "Yes?"
"Should I toss a torch down into the cellar now?"
