The Chronomancer's Odyssey

The King's office was a blend of elegance and modernity, with a large, polished desk at its center and walls lined with glowing displays of historical records and tactical maps. The squad took their seats as the King gestured for them to relax.

"First and foremost," the King began, his voice steady, "I want to thank you all for your efforts in subjugating that massive creature. You saved countless lives, and your bravery will not be forgotten."

He paused, his expression softening. "However, I must also apologize. The quest was mistakenly rated as a two-star mission when, in reality, it should have been classified as four stars. This error led to unnecessary risk for your team, and for that, I am deeply sorry."

Arion exchanged glances with his squad before replying, "We were just doing our job, Your Majesty. But we appreciate the acknowledgment."

The King nodded. "As compensation for the oversight, I have decided to reward each of you with 100,000 universal currency. Additionally, as a token of my gratitude, Arion, I am granting you a plot of land in the oasis you recently cleared. It is yours to develop as you see fit."

Arion blinked, momentarily stunned by the offer. "Thank you, Your Majesty. That is... more than generous."

The King smiled, then reached into a drawer and pulled out a spatial ring, tossing it to Arion. "Inside this ring, you'll find the entire carcass of the massive creature. It is yours to do with as you please. I trust you will find value in it."

Vespera whistled low. "That's quite the reward."

After a brief discussion about the mission and their plans moving forward, the King rose from his seat. "I won't keep you any longer. The commander will guide you to the transport terminal. I wish you all safe travels."

The squad bowed once more before leaving the office. The commander was waiting for them outside and led them back to the private spaceship. The journey to the nearest transport terminal was smooth, and soon they boarded a massive interstellar transport ship bound for their home planet.

As the massive interstellar transport ship docked in the transport terminal of Elaris, the squad couldn't hide their relief. The familiar sights and sounds of their home city brought smiles to their faces.

"Finally, home," Kira said, stretching her arms. "I never thought I'd miss this place so much."

Damon grinned. "I'm just glad to be back in one piece."

Torrak chuckled. "This calls for a drink, don't you think?"

Vespera smirked. "Let's take care of business first. Then we celebrate."

The squad made their way through the bustling terminal and headed straight to the Crimson Blade Mercenary Guild headquarters. As they entered the grand hall, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

"Those are the ones who defeated the four-star monster," someone whispered.

"I heard they took down the beast with just their squad," another voice added in awe.

"The gossip travels faster than we do," Arion muttered with a smirk.

Vespera laughed lightly. "Let them talk. We've earned it."

They moved toward the mission hall, where an employee stood behind a holographic desk. Arion stepped forward, pulling out the mission slip. "We're here to report the completion of our mission."

The employee's eyes widened as they scanned the details. "You... you're the ones who took down the monster on Khorad-7?"

"That's us," Arion replied calmly.

The employee stammered for a moment before nodding vigorously. "I'll log it in right away. Congratulations on a job well done!"

As they checked the logs, the mission had indeed been updated to reflect its true difficulty—a four-star classification. The employee nodded, then added, "Since the mission rank was adjusted, you're entitled to additional rewards." They tapped a few buttons on their console. "I'm transferring 1,000 contribution points to each of your quantum watches."

One by one, their watches beeped, confirming the transaction.

Torrak grinned, holding up his watch. "Looks like drinks are on me tonight."

Vespera smirked. "Don't get too excited. We've still got plenty of work ahead."

With their mission officially marked as complete, the squad turned to leave, ready to finally unwind after their harrowing adventure.

Torrak led the group through the bustling streets of Elaris, his towering frame parting the crowds effortlessly. "I know just the place," he said confidently, guiding them through the neon-lit city. The sounds of laughter, chatter, and music filled the air as they passed by various shops and street vendors.

After a short walk, they arrived at a cozy yet vibrant pub tucked into a corner of the city. The exterior was adorned with glowing signs and intricate metallic designs, giving it a welcoming yet futuristic vibe. The name "Starlit Haven" was etched in shimmering letters above the entrance.

Inside, the pub was alive with energy. Warm lights illuminated the polished metal walls, and the air was filled with the hum of conversation and the soft melodies of live music. A holographic chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting shifting patterns of light across the room. The bar counter was a sleek masterpiece, with rows of glowing bottles lining the shelves.

The squad found a large table near the back, settling into the plush seats. Torrak immediately ordered a round of drinks, his booming voice drawing amused looks from nearby patrons.

"To victory and survival!" Torrak declared, raising his glass.

"To sticking together," Vespera added with a smirk, clinking her glass against his.

The night passed in a blur of laughter and stories, the squad finally allowing themselves to relax. For a while, the weight of their responsibilities faded, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie and the comfort of being home.

As the hours stretched on, the pub began to quiet down, and the squad finally decided to call it a night. They stepped out into the cool night air, their spirits lifted despite the challenges they knew still lay ahead.