"Alright, before we leave let me recap the purpose of this dungeon expedition."
Zenon who has gather everyone around a huge table presents some glass crystals for San-Min's group while giving me a folder.
"During the Geom's invasion last week, their attacks has blast open a massive tunnel that leads to a natural labyrinth that is form inside the mountains. And the moment that hole was open, many can sense the presence of a very powerful magic item and or artefact inside it. I'm sure you can feel it can't you, San-Min Ssi and Lady Xuyin nim?"
They nod and Zenon then looks at me saying:
"And thanks to a friend here who gain the favour of the Guild master and our generous sponsor, we super rookies are given permission to dive towards the dungeon and retrieve the artefact. Simple and Clean... Well that's how we hope it would be."
Zenon then turns to look at the station's exit, there a massive fleet is parked out alongside a massive living quarters of Treasure Hunters belonging to the Crimson Carps.
"Some group have dip their toes into the dungeon as well and is also after the treasure, probably from bribing Geom. Though I am not a fan of the rivalry between the Hunters and Adventurers, we shan't let them have their ways! So the orders are now to find that treasure before they do! Also, my aide will be staying here as HQ and support us from above, reporting news from in and out to the outside and to us."
Zenon then tightens his gloves before saying:
"Just a word of precaution. Since the dungeon is found by blasting open the middle of it, we are basically entering through an unusual path so keep that in mind as we travel. Better yet if we can also find the entrance to it, it will be beneficial as well. Now, depart!"
*************************************
*Shock* *Smash* *Cleave*
Our battle echo throughout the empty caverns. Lights flicker and fade while combat ensues, stopping only when one side wins.
"What a shame..."
Zenon probably the strongest amongst us lift the last enemy with both his arm up with a huge smile as if he's hugging it. The monster we face is not small, its even taller and much bigger than me but seeing Zenon who exceed its height and carrying it around like a toy is still surreal. As the monster tries to rip him, its claw doesn't seem to do much without any momentum to swing and Zenon's armour is pretty durable.
"I wish I could keep something so cute back home but I am not someone responsible enough to keep a pet when I'm busy most of the time. And leaving to the servants might work but it won't be my pet anymore."
*SHOCK* *FLASH*
A large flash coupled with the smell of burning flesh wavers through out now. The burned and charred corpse of the monster turns black before crumbling to ash.
"Dammit, with this smell other monsters would definitely come here! Shit, if only we have the special incense to burn their bodies faster too... Ye-Hua filter it."
San-Min complains as he burns the bodies with Ye-Hua while Juha wipes her sword. Jana on the other hand is resting close to me as she fans her head saying:
"As expected of a group of genuine Adventurers this much is definitely nothing, Fufufu!"
"Stop laughing and help us out!"
Ye-Hua shouts but Jana seems to hide behind me saying:
"Sorry, can't hear you while I'm mentally supporting Sova. Ain't that right?"
*Pat* *Pat*
"Well, I don't mind the head pats."
Shortening my spear I look at the burning corpses asking:
"What are those monsters anyways?"
"Those are called, Dudeji. They are a very territorial moles local to this place, they only appear during Spring and Autumn in the southern part of the northern peninsula where most of their staple crops are grown in fields and bloom in wilds."
Ye-Hua comes along wearing a monocle and reading through a book. Nodding along I realize,
"Wait, spring and autumn? This is winter."
"Yes, they usually hibernate in winter and summer or extreme weathers. According to the files of present times, no matter how many times we try to exterminate it they always came back in numbers. So basically this is a huge deal, we finally found out where those buggers are hiding. But this is also a huge step back for us since..."
*Rumble* *Rumble*
"We have just entered a nest of vicious predators. Though they prefer fruits and vegetables they are also omnivores."
As Ye-Hua says that, I can feel the tremors rising. I can hear more than hundreds of monsters are digging their way through us from all directions. Juha pulls out her baton saying:
"Hmph! Then we better move, Sova lead the way and make sure we don't hit any dead end!"
Jana and Juha sticks close to me while Zenon cracks his fists saying:
"Phew, now this is what I'm talking about. I can only imagine those Hunters are going to have a rough time as well."
As he says that I also notice the sound of battles and screams with my echolocation. I extend my spear once more and say,
"This is such a huge step from just picking up herbs near the city walls."
"Please don't remind me of that."
Juha comments as we start to rush ahead.
*************************************
*Clash* *Shatter* *Clash*
"Hold on! Form a proper defense line as we start our retreat!"
"Argh! Captain, I can't hold on my longer!"
"Shit, my sword broke! Argh!"
"They're coming from below and our rear- captain behind you!"
I could hear sounds of struggle on one side that leads to a dead end. Pondering what to do while rush close, I clench my spear tighter asking:
"Say, mind if we help them out?"
"You serious? I don't know if we have that much luxury."
"I hate to agree with him, but we can't stop now."
"But..."
Despite the negative reply from Zenon and Juha, San-Min who is quiet the most of the run looks at me with a stern gaze shouting:
"What gave you the right to say that?!"
"H-Huh?"
I was baffled by his reply but before I could comprehend San-Min summons an extra sword on his other hand. Clicking his tongue he shouts:
"Tch! Ye-Hua!"
"Got it! Jana, stay with, Sova!"
"Mm!"
Jana nods and the two quickly split from us towards the dead end. Ye-Hua summons forth light orbs and shards of glass and salutes us shouting:
"We'll regroup with you at the ruins!"
As the two leaves our sight, my impression of him change.
(I suppose he is a good person? Wait, ruins?)
I look back at Jana who is somehow keeping up with our speed...
(Maybe Juha and Jana might be quite strong or fast since we are following Zenon's speed who is slowing down to a reasonable pace).
As the sound of battle grows faint and their footsteps becomes softer, we have completely separated from them. Zenon who's running beside me and also the one knocking out anything that pops out of our way shouts:
"Alright! I don't know about you three but we've been here for more than half a day now. I wish we could rest but I'm not seeing any option here."
Juha who is barely keeping up and moves by my advice to avoid surprise obstacle also cuts anything that pops out while also freezing them with an ice elemental magic replies asking,
"So, you're tired huh, Prince?"
"Yup! You three are crazy if not!"
"No girl would like that compliment, dumbass!"
When one appear before me I try to follow their example and instead of killing them I smash my spear at its forehead before it could fully appear asking:
"Seeing you all didn't kill it I did right, right?"
"Yup! This is protocol since thousands of years ago."
"But why?"
"Simple, we don't want another Monster King wrecking havoc! Now keep your eyes forward!"
(Monster king huh? I wonder what about me then?)
We're rushing forward with insane speed that could follow close to a vehicle to outrun our pursuers but...
"Something is waiting up front. If we keep running forward this single path we'll reach a large opening and I can hear an uncomfortable amount of creatures up front!"
I shout as I ready my spear for a technique and Zenon raises his hand and a small ball form in his palm shouting:
"Well we'll be damned if we return and damned if we don't! Alright, I'll clear the way!"
Zenon lops a lightning bolt similar to the ones at the Advancement quest and the bolt travels so fast incinerating any bystanders and a few seconds when the lights grows smaller I saw the entrance and countless numbers of claws-
*BOOM*
Fire burst from where it landed as pebbles and dirt fall from the ceiling from the ground shaking impact. Juha who almost lost balance shouts:
"Dammit, you dumb fuck! Are you trying to bury us? Don't fire any explosive shots!"
Juha who saw the corpses quickly set fire to it with magic and Jana helps along the way as we are forced to slow down a bit. Zenon shrugs it off by knocking out two monsters replying:
"Sorry!"
The entrance to the large clearing comes ever closer as we sprint like Zenon's bolt. I try to control my breathe to preserve my stamina and the deeper we dive and explore this dungeon the harder it is to circulate air, but I can tell the strain is already catching up to Jana and Juha, their breathing have become erratic and their movement has started to become sluggish and slow. Zenon on the other hand who yelled out being tired is actually much more energetic than the two.
*Clang* *Clang*
After the shaking stops, I can hear the sound of battle right underneath the large opening... No, more like the battle is happening in both the above and below, they're moving at such a rapid paste destroying the terrain while water is gushing in like a waterfall.
"That explosion might not be just from your attack, Zenon! I sense someone fighting up ahead, they're super fast!"
"Hoh? I'm happy you're calling me more casually but prepare to assist!"
Zenon shouts as he pulls out his tonfas. As I see light beyond that's not there we have entered the large opening.
*Clang* *Clash* *Smash*
Battling mid-air is the leader of the Crimson Carp wielding a giant Sword-Cannon and...
*Slash*
"Roaaaar!"
*Bang*
Miria fires her cannon towards a mighty monster that have the silhouette of human and swords for hands and fish scales on its body alongside its fur like an exoskeleton.
"Lady Miria, we have to return to the surface!"
"Lord Miria, we've taken too much damage, requesting to return to the surface!"
It is clear pandemonium out here. Groups of Hunters are fighting against an uncountable numbers of Dudeji all across the opening. From small ravines, edges, narrow bridges, thin cliffs, and also the countless orbs of light that follow those groups everywhere. Though what fascinates me most is the things waiting at the end of the opening. A ruin of some Sealed gate buried in moss and rubble, and a large stair entrance that leads upwards.
(Woah, is that what Ye-Hua means? But...)
Zenon chugs in a bottle of green drink and shouts:
"Puhah! Sova since those two will follow you go assist the Hunters. I'll help that arrogant red carp with that monster. Don't worry, since we're all here we can kill them."
Zenon lights up covered in lightning as he then storms the monster from the side as his Tonfas smash across its face surprising Miria and it smashes across the ruin door like a meteor shaking the earth. Miria follows after landing close when Zenon says,
"Sup, seems the Famous Hunters are having trouble."
"Tch, I was going to kill it soon."
Hearing him speaking with the common tongue to Miria, I start follow Zenon's instructions. I rush down on the edge helping anyone on the fly. Jumping on the walls and running vertically using the rat technique while keeping balance with the monkey movements while I swing thinking,
(Almighty tiger technique, power path: six fold almighty tiger claws!)
*SLASH*
I jump from wall to wall, dishing out 24 claw attacks with each swing and killing out over a hundred in total as I did my 6th jump.
(I'm glad I could count so far! After 100 we use and, so 100 and 1 right? Oh! Am I finally improving my mathematics? And I'm glad Malia have a blade that can cut too, utility is nice. As expected of the weapon used by the previous Ansei A Jusei).
Rescuing the hunters that is in group of threes, I could see the shock in their eyes as I mow through swaths of monsters that is above and the ones that just pop up. Juha and Jana is trying their best following behind me while burning corpses and Helping out the wounded. Monster from above fell through the ceiling as blood and flesh rain while I start feeling fear coming from the survivors. The monsters start to flee and abandon the powerful one.
As I see them bury away and the ones that is moving towards us takes a U turn, I hear the cheers of the hunters as they clamour in victory while...
"Hoh? Is she done? I suppose that's much expected of someone strong enough to defeat multiple High Rank Hunters."
Zenon arrogantly says as he grabs the monster by its neck on one hand while combining both tonfas on the other while looking down at Miria who's a level below him. Even through the helmet she wears I can guess she's biting down her teeth before replying:
"Just finish it off."
The monster who has lost all four limbs is completely helpless before Zenon's might when he does the same to it.
*SHOCK* *FLASH*
A huge flash of light engulf the entire opening before I see the monster burns to ash. We move closer to Zenon and Miria who's standing close to the Ruin gate and I notice something in Zenon's hand beneath the blacken ash.
"What is that?"
I ask while Zenon brush off the filth and I see a beautiful rainbow scale with pearl textures the size of his palm.
"Yup, it's a broken tip from the legendary F.A.B.L.E.D [F]."
"Fabled?"
"The very same 6 ruler of monsters. It must've bump itself, no wonder it became so powerful. Hey, Sova catch."
"W-Woah!"
Zenon toss and I barely grab it without dropping my spear. Holding the scales on my hand I felt something pounding inside of me. As if I remember something...
"Urgh!"
*************************************
"[Who dares awaken me from my slumber!?]"
Something speaks in words my head just seems to understand I hear another voice shouting:
"Hey, Tyo! Run! There's no way that leviathan monster would actually listen- Waah!"
The girl was about to fall when a boy manage to stop her and help her up saying:
"Careful, Jqui. I got this... Hey, ********, I got a request for you. I'm sure you won't refuse since it's from you mama right?"
Speaking in the ancient language of the Northern Kingdoms I learned when studying with Nicole and words that just doesn't comprehend. The vision swirls and move as it then closes down on these two young people that's a bit older than me. One is a boy with blue hair that seems to have the shape of dog ears and the most eye cathing is his missing arm, and the other is a girl with blue hair as well, wearing thick clothes that seems to fit the raging blizzard they're in and standing on top of a giant ice. I hear,
"[I see, I can sense her presence deep within you and somebody else... Apostle of two. I am ashamed on why you take on the form of such weak race for mama's vessel but tell me Mama's wish].
"Good, she need you to head to the south and..."
*************************************
"Hey, Sova, you okay?"
Juha holds my shoulder as she asks and I nod holding the monster part wondering what I've just seen. I nod along grasping the shell? Replying:
"Yea, must've started getting tired."
"Hmph! It would be weirder if you don't after unleashing such devastating attack."
As Juha hands me a drink from her watch, I see Miria commanding the hunters that survived to collect the bodies of their comrades that fell and salvaging monster parts as well before burning it.
(Oh? Now that I see it, we didn't harvest any of the monster parts).
As she creates a make-shift ridge and stabilize this place to be more accessible and easier to walk in, she comes closer to me bowing down shouting:
"Sorry! I didn't know you're from the Tiger family! I have been extremely rude to you, my brethren."
"Oh, um..."
She speaks in Runician while I try to put words together, she stands straight and reach her hand out saying:
"Let's start over, I'm Miria Hongyu, leader of the Crimson Carp Hunting group. Thanks for saving us, this is how Owlians greet no?"
I take her hand replying:
"No problem! I'm Sova Anmao."
I answer back in Runician when she tilts her head replying:
"Hmm? Anmao? I suppose you're a vassal family then. But Owlian or not you have mastered the Tiger Arts for being so young which deserve much respect. Call upon us if you need anything! We're more than happy to gain a favour from the Tigers."
Miria shakes my hand enthusiastically with both her hands before letting go. She waves towards the Hunters shouting:
"Alright men, we'll set our second base here! Send the wounded and materials above, and the remaining will stay down here and secure a path for ease of travel."
She then turn to us saying:
"Since you're a brethren this simplify things. Though unofficial what say we form a mutual cooperation? We'll share maps and supplies in exchange you'll be helping our group for this dungeon? As for the artefact, I suppose the first to find it will be theirs? Just make sure the founder let us borrow it later, yes? We of the 13 great family must help each other while outside of the city after all."
Zenon taps my shoulder asking:
"What's she talking about? I know it's the language of the Gods but..."
I turn back looking at the others, saying:
"She's saying if we should form an Unofficial alliance? I Say it's great to work together."
Zenon who rubs his chin before shrugging his shoulder speaking in Hwansea saying:
"I see, I should brush up my language studies more. Well I leave it up to you. I say it's not that different from our main objective."
Juha folds her arms saying:
"Having an ally is never bad. The basics to surviving is to always make allies first after all."
Jana seeing the other two walks away to rest on a nearby rock saying:
"If it makes things easier just take it."
I nod and look at Miria saying:
"Then sure! Let's help each other out."
"Glad we got on the right track. Rest and recover. Just ask me if you need anything, I'll provide you with it."
(Hmm... Maybe they're not too bad?)
Seeing the Hunters set up tents and distributing supplies as they carry the wounded away, time seems to pass even though the darkness stayed the same. Taking a rest as Miria shared her food with us, I wonder when will San-Min and Ye-Hua arrive?
*Chomp*
"Delicious! W-What is this!?"
A harmonious sensation of sweet and sour sweep across my mouth as I start to devour the content of the bowl given to me. Miria who has opened her helmet sits next to me heartily replies,
"That's one of the local dishes at the Fish Segmentum. It's preserved minced mobulas mixed with our family's special olanum sauce. Pretty good for rations am I right?"
I nod vigorously replying:
"Yea!"
(My world, it was just last month I said I hate seafood to Rana and now I'm happily chowing down fish like its my favourite dish. Traveling the outside the city might be worth it).
Even inside the cave she still wears her sunglasses and soon toggles it saying:
"Heh, if only the girls at our family could eat as carefree as you."
"Hum?"
"I don't know about the Tiger Sector but the noble girls at the fish family have pretty weak stomach all for the sake of keeping their shape. I suppose I can't fault them since their main method of money making are stocks, free market, and all those Owlian capitalist crap."
"Mhm?"
As we seem to get into a conversation, I look around my other teammates. Zenon seems to be talking to a crystal, probably the aide helping us from above, then there's Juha and Jana who seem to be getting along well as they share their meals while Juha is also doing maintenance on her weapons. I try not to listen to them as I'm busy listening to Miria but I'm still curious.
"Compared to the other fish families the Red Carps favour military tradition before monetary gains. So we focus more on mercenary work and thanks to that we have numerous Vassal Family compared to the other 13 Great Families. Seeing as how you learned a technique from the main family you must be very trusted, keep that attitude up and you might be lucky enough to marry one from the main family."
"Huh?"
"No need to look so surprised, you're as pretty as a mastercraft doll for someone with a scar on her face and strong for someone so young. I'll be surprised if the main family doesn't ask for marriage, especially the White Tigers and their Immortal Patriarch who is vehemently trying to improve the whole Tiger Bloodline Ability."
*Gulp*
"I'm sorry, but this is the first time I heard of it."
She looks at me surprised that her sunglasses almost fall off revealing her yellow eyes asking:
"Really!? Have you been living in a cave? Are you really part of the Tiger family?"
"I hear people say that a lot but no, I live underground and I rarely meet people I know and I spend everyday sparring, learning, and training.
Miria sunglasses almost fell while seemingly losing her energy and lowers her shoulders replying:
"Sigh, sorry I ask. But that would explain this gut feeling I have of you being stronger than me. Well, want seconds?"
"Yes, please!"
"Good, good, just make sure you don't forget about me okay?"
Miria pours me a bowlful and I nod replying:
"Don't worry, I don't think I'll be able to forget a girl with such a colourful look and sunglasses."
"Hehe, sunglasses are pretty cool right? Heard that if you walk away from an explosion wearing one you'll become an ultimate warrior. Worry not, if I appear without sunglasses you can bet that's an impostor."
"That's the first I heard of it. And don't you think specifying your entire character on your sunglasses is a bit... Sad? I mean you have your long crimson hair and tall height."
"Sad how!? My father loves Sunglasses, and so does his mother, and so does her father! Our lineages thrives on the slickness of our glasses!"
"I can only imagine your family all wear sunglasses or glasses."
"They sure do! Even our family would always make our newborn picks their glasses when they learn to crawl."
(I wonder if their family has what they call a obsession?)
Miria pumps her chest out as she shouts and I can only wonder replying:
"I-I see... That's pretty interesting. Now I'm curious to see the red fish sector and visit you family."
"Hahaha! You're the first one to say that truthfully. Now I know what my father meant, here."
She hands me a business card with a red pin of a small fish wearing sunglasses on it while saying:
"Come visit me at the Red Fish Sector and show that pin towards the main resident gate. Since many of our family wears glasses and even fake ones, we do have one booming business about Spectacles. They're pretty popular with Owlians since Zerians rarely have bad eyesight so I'm sure you'll like it."
"Neat!"
(Truthfully... I wonder how do people really tell I'm speaking so sincerely? And talking about glasses I rarely do see anyone wear glasses).
As the station they set up is slowly entering its final stages, I see some Hunters cleaning the moss and placing magic items and other devices onto the ruin doors. Miria sets aside her bowl and says:
"Alright, I'm glad we could be more amicable. It seems we're about to operate the gate, bring your group along."
"Sure!"
(I'm glad to make more friends).