The door chimed shut.
Elara stood there while Naaza's drowsy eyes fixed on her with an intensity that contradicted the sleepy affect completely.
"You didn't have to do that," Naaza said finally.
"You were pushing too hard."
"He would've paid."
"Maybe." Elara kept her voice even. "Once. Then never come back."
Naaza's fingers drummed on the counter—three taps, considering. Then she exhaled through her nose.
"...Fair."
She turned back to the workbench. The double potion formula lay spread across the scarred wood. Naaza picked it up carefully.
"The crystallization timing is still the problem," she muttered.
Elara moved closer. Looked at the formula over Naaza's shoulder. Lines of ingredients. Ratios. Temperature sequences.
"The resin ratio might be affecting it," Elara offered.
"Tried that." Naaza's finger traced a margin note. "Didn't hold. Separated completely at the bonding stage."
Silence. Both of them staring at the scroll. The problem sitting there unsolved.
"There's something missing," Naaza said quietly. Frustrated. "An ingredient I haven't tested."
Elara waited. She knew that tone.
"Fourteenth floor." Naaza looked up. "There's a herb. Phantom Vine. Grows near water sources."
Elara's mind registered the depth immediately. Mid-floor territory. Where monsters spawned in groups.
"Properties?"
"Stabilizes volatile mixtures. Keeps crystal suspension intact longer." Naaza's voice carried certainty. "Should prevent the separation I keep hitting. Theory only. Haven't tested it."
"You think it'll work?"
"Maybe." Naaza set the scroll down carefully. "Worth trying."
Elara considered. Fourteenth floor. Dangerous, but not impossible. "I'll get it."
Naaza nodded, unsurprised. "Take Raska with you. Not safe solo."
Elara nodded. She'd already known that.
"And one more. At least."
Elara frowned slightly. "One more?"
"Mid-floor depths." Naaza's tone stayed practical. "Monsters cluster. Two people isn't enough for material gathering and defense simultaneously. Three minimum."
The weight of the request settled across Elara's shoulders. Party leadership. Other people's safety depending on her decisions.
Her mind started running through options.
Raska. Level two. Strong. Reliable. That covered primary combat.
Who else?
Most adventurers wanted drops. Magic stones. Not standing guard while someone harvested herbs.
Need someone who understands material gathering.
An image surfaced. The boy from the pantry. Crouched by that wall. Knife working carefully. Blue Latheon Wings wrapped in cloth instead of stuffed in a bag. Every movement economical. Precise.
He collects materials.
She'd watched him work. Cautious but competent. Not flashy. Not heroic. Just practical. Efficient.
Silence stretched. Elara staring at nothing, calculations running.
"You thinking of someone?" Naaza asked.
Elara paused. "...Maybe."
"Who?"
"Herb gatherer. Came in earlier."
Naaza's eyes opened slightly. "That kid?"
"He knows materials. Moves carefully."
Naaza said nothing for a long moment. Then "Your call," she said finally.
Elara's hand rested on her sword hilt. Habit when thinking.
The logic lined up. But she still didn't know his name. Didn't know his familia. Didn't know anything except that he gathered herbs and survived encounters that should have killed someone inexperienced.
I'll ask him.
The decision settled.
"When?" Naaza asked.
"Soon as I find him and get the party together. Few days at most."
Naaza nodded. No further questions.
"I'll let you know," Elara said, turning toward the door.
"Elara."
She stopped. Looked back.
"Don't die for a theory."
Elara smiled. Small. Brief. "Wasn't planning on it."
The bell chimed as she left.