SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will-Chapter 78: The One Who Returned Last

Lyra acted immediately.

"Send word to the surrounding divisions," she ordered calmly. "Immediate reinforcement required."

Her voice was steady, yet no one mistook the urgency behind it. Orders spread quickly, and messengers moved without delay.

Time passed in tense silence before the first response arrived.

Only the silver squad was able to answer quickly, their mission having taken place nearby. The gold squad, however, remained engaged in a separate operation. They could only spare a few members, and even those would take time to arrive.

The silver squad captain approached first.

He bowed slightly in respect. "Commander. We came as soon as we received the signal. Please give your instructions."

Lyra acknowledged him with a nod and explained the situation clearly. She spoke of the bronze squad currently inside, of the abnormal monster activity, and of the rapid mutations observed within the dungeon.

The silver squad listened carefully.

They understood immediately.

"You want us to prepare for a full clearance," the captain said.

"Yes," Lyra replied. "The dungeon must be stabilized. We clear it again and restore control."

There was no hesitation in their response. Orders were orders, but more than that, they too understood the danger.

The mutations were happening faster than before.

Dungeon breaks had become more frequent.

The Abyss, the very thing spoken of in hushed fear, seemed to be revealing itself at an alarming pace.

The realization brought tension to every member present. Even seasoned explorers could not ignore the feeling creeping into their hearts.

Things were changing.

And not for the better.

Lyra observed their reactions but intervened before fear could settle.

"Remain focused," she said. We move when all units are ready."

Her words were simple, yet they carried certainty. The tension eased slightly as the explorers steadied themselves.

She then issued another set of instructions.

The remaining gold squad members would take on an additional mission.

They were to investigate the cause of the dungeon’s rapid mutation and eliminate it at its source. Their task was separate from the main operation, and they would act independently.

The gold squad handled matters that most others never even knew existed. They dealt with hidden threats, forbidden forces, and the secrets buried beneath the surface of the world. Among those secrets were the Abyss worshippers, shadowy figures believed to influence dungeon activity, though their methods remained unknown.

Finding how they operated was a priority.

Ending their influence was the goal.

The orders were given, accepted, and preparations continued.

Then, not long after, movement appeared at the dungeon entrance.

The bronze squad emerged.

Ryn walked at the front, his steps steady, his expression calm as ever. Behind him followed the explorers, their bodies tired but their faces carrying relieved smiles. Their clothes were stained with battle, their breathing heavy, yet the aura around them spoke clearly.

They had survived.

They had gained experience.

They had endured.

The squads outside watched quietly as they approached. Even the silver squad, known for their discipline, could not hide their interest.

Commander Lyra observed them with her usual composed expression.

Yet beneath that calm surface, a quiet sense of relief stirred.

They were safe.

Her gaze moved across their faces one by one, confirming their condition, measuring their state. She counted them without seeming to count.

Then her eyes paused.

One face was missing.

The boy she had personally brought into her division.

The one she had told Ryn to watch closely.

Her gaze shifted to Ryn.

For a brief moment, the two shared the same question.

Ryn’s expression showed it clearly. He had noticed as well.

But Lyra did not allow her reaction to show. The flicker of concern vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her usual commanding presence.

She stepped forward.

"Well done," she said, her voice clear and authoritative. "You encountered abnormal conditions and still returned alive. That alone speaks of your discipline and resolve."

The bronze squad straightened instinctively.

"You followed command, protected one another, and completed your objective," she continued. "Remember this experience. Survival is the foundation of strength."

Her presence alone carried weight. She did not raise her voice, yet every word reached them with undeniable force. The air itself seemed to grow heavier under her authority.

The explorers felt pride rising within them.

They had been acknowledged.

But as she spoke, a faint sound came from the dungeon entrance behind them.

Footsteps.

Slow.

Steady.

Unhurried.

The entire area fell quiet as attention shifted toward the gate.

A lone figure emerged from the darkness.

His steps were calm, his posture straight. There was no sign of injury in his movements. The blood staining his clothes was heavy, yet it clearly did not belong to him.

He walked forward without rush, as if the tension around him meant nothing.

Arthur.

A strange stillness followed his arrival. The explorers stared, some in disbelief, others in quiet relief.

He looked untouched.

As if the chaos within the dungeon had never threatened him.

Ryn watched him closely, his sharp eyes studying every detail. The boy showed no exhaustion, no fear, only a quiet composure that felt unusual for someone of his rank.

Commander Lyra said nothing at first.

Her gaze rested on him, measuring, observing.

The tension in her expression eased slightly, though her face remained composed.

Arthur stopped before them and gave a small nod, casual yet respectful.

"Sorry," he said simply. "Took a different path."

His tone was calm, almost relaxed, as if returning late from danger was nothing worth mentioning.

A few of the bronze squad members stared at him.

"You went alone?" one asked, unable to hide his surprise.

Arthur shrugged lightly. "The monsters were scattered. It was easier."

There was no arrogance in his voice. Just a simple statement of fact.

Ryn’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. Instead, a faint smile touched his lips.

"Next time," Ryn said calmly, "stay with the formation."

Arthur met his gaze without hesitation. "I will, Captain."

The exchange was brief, yet it revealed much.

Arthur’s composure.

Ryn’s quiet authority.

And the strange understanding between them.