As Kosu and his team emerged from the ancient ruins, the sunlight enveloped them like a warm embrace, washing away the shadows that had lingered in the depths. They took a moment to breathe in the fresh air, feeling the weight of their harrowing experience begin to lift.

Kosu fished out his communicator, fingers trembling with anticipation. "Let's see if we can get a signal now," he said, glancing at the others.

As the device powered up, a familiar voice crackled through the static. "Kosu! Are you there?"

"Sakura!" Kosu exclaimed, relief flooding his chest. "We made it out! But we couldn't contact you while we were inside."

"I was so worried!" Sakura replied, her voice laced with concern. "We couldn't reach you. I thought something had gone wrong. The wave emitted from the dungeon core must have been too strong, disrupting our signals."

Kosu nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "It was intense in there. But we made it out. We found Thorn and destroyed the dungeon core!"

"Oh, thank the stars!" Sakura's voice radiated joy. "I was so worried! I can't believe you all managed to pull it off! I'm so proud of you!"

"Well, but bad news is we lost the fight with Ken, he fight us wanting to keep the core for himself" Kosu continue, his tone is sad.

"Who is this Ken?" Sakura asks, she questions about the name of an unknown man that Kosu suddenly brought up.

"About that,  I want you to dig up some info about him for me, Sakura." Kosu continue. "The only thing I knew about him is he was an officer from the City Hall, and had been missing since a mission related to the Black Sun."

"But the person we met today is a monstrous Ken, and we believe he was experimented on by the Black Sun." Kosu tell what he thought to Sakura, his voice is as quiet as possible.

"Understood, I'll see what I can dig up on Ken's background," Sakura promised. "The Guild may have some records or information that could help us understand how he was targeted and what might still be redeemable in him."

"Thank you, Sakura," Kosu replied. "We need all the help we can get."

"Kosu? You sound hestitate, what happened?" Sakura asked, her voice tightening.

Kosu took a deep breath and recounted the events, explaining the confrontation with Ken and the tragic transformation he had undergone. "We lost to him. He completely destroy us... We... I... I don't think I can win against something like him"

"Kosu," Sakura said, her tone firm but gentle. "You are winners, despite the setback. You saved Thorn, you achieved your mission, and you learned valuable information about Ken. You can't let one battle define you."

"You've accomplished a lot," Sakura reassured him. "Ken surely is a strong opponent. But you still alive, you still have chance to become stronger."

Her words resonated with the team, igniting a flicker of hope within them. Kosu felt a surge of determination. "You're right. We need to regroup and prepare for what's next."

"Exactly," Sakura replied, her voice softening. "Head to the rendezvous point. I'll ensure you have new weapons and items ready for you. And take the time you need to rest and recover. You've earned it."

Kosu's heart lightened at the thought of a moment of peace. "Thank you, Sakura. We'll make our way there now."

"Becareful on your way,"Sakura continued, her tone shifting to urgency. "While the core is destroyed, there may still be monsters roaming within the dungeon. The likelihood of them respawning is low, but it's best to be cautious."

"Thank you," Kosu said, gratitude swelling within him. "We'll be careful."

"Stay safe," she urged, her voice laced with concern. "I'll be waiting for you."

Kosu shared a glance with his teammates—Kara, Elara, Thorn, and Thrain—each of them wearing expressions of disbelief and triumph. Despite the pain of their recent battle, they felt a swell of accomplishment.

As the connection ended, Kosu turned to his team, a renewed sense of purpose igniting within him. "Let's move. We've come too far to let our guard down now."

With their weapons at the ready and hearts steeled, they began their trek back through the ruins, navigating the familiar paths with heightened awareness. The shadows of the dungeon no longer felt suffocating; instead, they were a reminder of their strength and resilience.

As the team moved steadily toward the rendezvous point, Kosu felt the weight of their recent experiences settling on his shoulders. The air was filled with an uneasy silence, each member lost in their thoughts. Suddenly, he heard footsteps quickening behind him.

Thorn caught up, his expression serious but softened by a hint of gratitude. "Kosu," he said, slightly out of breath. "Can we talk for a moment?"

"Of course," Kosu replied, slowing his pace to match Thorn's. The two walked side by side, the others a few paces ahead.

"I just wanted to say," Thorn began, his voice low but earnest, "that I really admire how you handled everything back there. You kept us together during that fight with Ken. Your leadership made a difference."

Kosu felt heat rise to his cheeks, a mix of humility and gratitude. "I was just trying to do what was best for the team," he replied, not wanting to take sole credit. "We all fought hard."

"No, you don't understand," Thorn insisted, stopping for a moment to face Kosu. "You stepped up when it mattered most. You kept us focused, even when things looked bleak. It takes strength to lead in those moments, and you showed that you have it."

Kosu met Thorn's gaze, appreciating the sincerity in his words. "Thank you, Thorn. That means a lot coming from you."

Thorn nodded, and then reached into his pack. "I wanted to give you something," he said, pulling out a small, intricately carved wooden token. It glimmered faintly in the sunlight.

"What is it?" Kosu asked, intrigued.

"It's a good luck charm," Thorn explained, holding it out. "I've carried it with me since my days in the academy. It's helped me through tough times, and I think it could help you, too. You're going to need all the luck you can get, especially if we face Ken again."

Kosu took the charm, feeling its weight in his hand. The craftsmanship was beautiful, and he could sense the history behind it. "Thank you, Thorn. I'll carry it with me. It'll remind me of our bond and the strength we have as a team."

"Just remember that you're not alone in this," Thorn said, a hint of a smile breaking through his serious demeanor. "We've got each other's backs, no matter what."

As they resumed their pace, Thorn added, "And Kosu, I believe you'll find Jinpei one day. I know it. You just have to keep believing."

Kosu felt a flicker of hope at Thorn's words, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there was still a chance for reunion. "Thanks, Thorn. I'll hold onto that thought."

With renewed determination, they continued toward the rendezvous point, united by trust and the strength of their friendship. Kosu knew they would face whatever challenges lay ahead together, and the charm nestled in his pocket served as a tangible reminder of their bond and the journey still to come.