The morning sunlight filtered through the inn’s wooden shutters, casting soft beams over the modest furnishings of Emberlight’s shared quarters. Ash sat at the small table, absentmindedly counting the gold coins they’d earned from their recent dungeon venture. Fifty gold pieces glittered in the sunlight, a reward that felt both substantial and fleeting. Each coin represented their struggle, the blood spilled, and the lives risked.

  As his party began to stir, Ash clinked the coins together, snapping himself out of his thoughts. Leona was the first to rise, her golden hair slightly mussed as she stretched and rubbed her eyes. Grant followed soon after, yawning loudly, while Nel dragged himself from his bed with a theatrical groan, clearly feeling the lingering exhaustion of their battle.

  “Morning, everyone,” Ash said, offering a tired smile. “We need to divide this.”

  Grant plopped down at the table, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Fifty gold… That’s more than I expected.”

  “It’s not a fortune, but it’s enough to get us better gear,” Ash replied. “Ten gold each, and the last ten goes to party expenses. Agreed?”

  Leona nodded. “That seems fair.”

  Nel smirked, snatching his share. “Not bad for a group of misfits.”

  Ash ignored the jab and placed the remaining coins into a small pouch. As the others started discussing what they’d spend their earnings on, Ash stood and retrieved the silver bracelet they had found in the dungeon. Its runes glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat.

  “I’m going to have this appraised,” Ash announced. “Maybe we can sell it for more funds… or figure out if it’s something we can use.”

  “Good idea,” Leona said. “Let us know what you find out.”

  The streets of Valmaris were already bustling by the time Ash stepped out of the inn. Merchants called out to passersby, and the clinking of hammers from blacksmiths echoed through the air. The familiar sights and sounds steadied Ash as he made his way to a small shop nestled between towering guildhouses. A painted sign above the door read “Arcanum Curios.”

  Inside, the shop smelled of parchment and incense. Shelves lined the walls, cluttered with enchanted trinkets, glowing orbs, and dusty tomes. Behind the counter stood an elderly elf with a youthful appearance, auburn hair, and sharp inquisitive eyes. She looked up as the bell above the door chimed.

  “Welcome to Arcanum Curios,” she said, her voice like a soft breeze. “My name is Maelis. What brings you here today?”

  Ash placed the bracelet on the counter. “I need this appraised. We found it in a dungeon yesterday.”

  Maelis’s eyes widened as she studied the artifact. Her slender fingers traced the runes, and a faint hum filled the air. “This… this is old magic,” she murmured. “It’s a protective charm, likely created to shield the wearer from curses and mental attacks. Very valuable.”

  Ash’s heart quickened. “How valuable?”

  Maelis’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “More than twenty gold, certainly. But its value isn’t just monetary. I’d suggest keeping it. Such artifacts are rare.”

  “Can you hold onto it and appraise it more thoroughly?” Ash asked. “I’d like to know everything about it.”

  Maelis nodded. “It’ll take a while to conduct a proper appraisal. I’ll send you a letter when the appraisal is finished.”

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  “Thank you,” Ash said. He gave her a small nod before turning to leave.

  With the bracelet being appraised, Ash headed to the Adventurer’s Guild Association. The grand hall was alive with adventurers haggling over quests and clerks organizing paperwork. As Ash approached the board to look for a minor quest, Mirelle, the sharp-eyed clerk from the previous day, intercepted him.

  “Ash Vale, right?” she asked.

  Ash nodded, curious. “Something wrong?”

  “Not at all. The Head Master, Marsh, wants to speak with you. Follow me.”

  Ash’s stomach tightened as he followed her down a corridor to a secluded room. Marsh, the grizzled Head Master of the Valmaris branch, sat behind a large desk cluttered with maps and documents. On the desk lay the Spider Queen’s Magic Stone.

  “Sit,” Marsh said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. Ash obeyed, glancing uneasily at the glowing stone.

  “I’ll get straight to the point,” Marsh began. “Do you plan to sell this stone or keep it?”

  Ash frowned. “I thought the payment we received yesterday was for the stone.”

  Marsh chuckled. “No, that payment was for the other materials and information you brought back. This stone… this is something else entirely. Named Magic Stones are rare, and re-purposing them into weapons or equipment could give you a significant edge.”

  Ash stared at the stone, its dark tendrils shifting within. “Why didn’t the AGA issue a quest for the dungeon?”

  “No one’s been inside the Silkweaver’s Nest for weeks. We had no idea it had mutated into a Named Monster,” Marsh explained. “Your party was lucky to survive. Think carefully about what you do with this stone.”

  Ash nodded, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. “Thank you for the advice.”

  Marsh leaned back, his gaze piercing. “One more thing. Named Monsters are no coincidence. If Velatrix appeared, it’s only a matter of time before something worse follows. Stay vigilant.”

  That evening, Ash gathered the party in a private room at the inn. The atmosphere was tense as they sat around the table, the Magic Stone resting at its center.

  “Alright,” Ash began. “We need to decide what to do with this.”

  Grant leaned forward, his expression serious. “Sell it. That thing’s worth a fortune. We could upgrade all our gear and have enough left over for weeks.”

  “Or,” Leona countered, “we use it to craft something. Armor, a weapon… anything that could help us survive our next mission.”

  Nel crossed his arms, his usual arrogance surfacing. “Let’s not pretend this is even a debate. None of you could have ended that fight without me. If anyone should get it, it’s the one who actually made the difference.”

  Grant let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. “You seriously think you’re the only one who contributed? We all fought, Nel. We all took hits. Acting like you carried the whole fight is—”

  Nel scoffed. “If it weren’t for my magic, we wouldn’t have defeated the Spider Queen. That's simply the reality, Grant. That stone belongs to me.”

  Ash tensed, he was fully expecting the argument to continue. Before they could start again, he nodded solemnly. “You’re right, Nel. You were the powerhouse in that fight. You’ve earned it.”

  Sliding the stone across the table, Ash ignored the stunned expressions of Grant and Leona. “Just make sure you put it to good use. This isn’t just about you—it’s about all of us surviving the next challenge.”

  Nel hesitantly pocketed the stone, both surprised yet quiet about the decision.

  Grant shook his head, his jaw tightening as he exhaled sharply. "I don’t like this," he muttered. "Nel’s strong, sure, but he’s too damn arrogant. He thinks he’s the smartest one in the room, and that’s going to get someone killed." He leaned forward, fixing Ash with a serious look. "You really think this is the best move? Giving him something this powerful?"

  Ash met Grant’s gaze, understanding the concern. "I know it’s a risk. But we can’t afford to fight among ourselves. Nel’s magic is the strongest weapon we have right now, and if this stone makes him even stronger, then it gives all of us a better chance." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But you’re right. If he lets this go to his head, it could be a problem. I’ll keep him in check."

  Grant didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t argue further. "Fine. But if he screws this up, don’t say I didn’t warn you." As the tension eased, Ash leaned back in his chair, the decision leaving a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

  The path ahead was uncertain.