A few days passed and the Party arrived at a set location. The place was inconspicuous, located at some average area by a cliff. The only thing that would gather attention was the players nearing a hundred in number.
Akiol was able to sense their strength, barely any had reached Second Stage. A few individuals stood out and gave off a feeling of an expert.
Clearly these were their ace cards. It was worth noting that very few Players managed to enter Second Stage, the majority were still in First Stage.
Although he had been given a video showing the first bit of the dungeon, he still wasn't quite sure why it wasn't possible for them. If they could get past the first Boss with so little Second Stage fighters, then surely the total difficulty wasn't much right?
Terwin approached Akiol and greeted, "Glad you're here. We're all ready to dive in."
Akiol rose an eyebrow, "You're coming along?"
"Normally I wouldn't, but I want to see this strength my daughter had spoke about personally. She too is joining, you can spot her next to Hank."
"You seem to have a lot of faith in our ability."
"This is merely a trial run. We've already prepared ourselves for failure. We just hope we can make more progress with you here."
"Well, I'm sure you know about us all?"
"Of course."
"Then let me introduce the other two."
Givale and Mira walked out from behind Akiol. Spreading out his hands he placed one on each of their heads, "This is Givale and Mira. I had hoped for them to gain a bit of experience in this dungeon."
"You sure you want some children to join?"
Givale opened her mouth but Akiol was quicker, "Your daughter is here is she not?"
"Fair enough. Is there any preparation you want to do?"
"No, we can start whenever."
"Then allow us to guide you to the bosses."
As the various Players began to organize themselves Wrock spoke with Akiol, "Some interesting individuals here."
"Yeah, the guy you want to keep an eye out for is Hank. The assassin over there dressed in all white."
"For you to say that I assume he's quite special?"
"I failed to pinpoint his location when we first met."
"Such incredible stealth?"
"Yeah."
"What about those guys?"
"Haven't seen them before."
"Hmm."
Terwin called out, "We're heading in!"
Akiol was able to join Dungeons despite not being identified as a Player. This was done the same way NPCs would be able to join. Simply by giving his consent to join them, he would be counted as part of the Party. This allowed Givale and Mira to join as well.
Once this step was completed, his vision swiftly turned to black as he entered the dungeon. Although he was unable to see the system information, it had already been shared with him earlier.
Currently they were in a dungeon inside a Dungeon! The first part of this Dungeon was to defeat waves of crazed prisoners and defeat the Warden. This part had been constantly cleared by Eternal Candle. As soon as everyone was able to move they set up in formation.
The party relaxed towards the back as the Players worked. Waves of crazed prisoners charged towards them, Defenders blocked their approach and several DPS classes began to wipe them out.
Their progress was steady in the beginning, no doubt the result of their constant attempts.
Yielya commented, "This first bit would overwhelm any beginners. Without significant teamwork you would be wiped easily."
Tilia nodded, "Enemies are crazy and unpredictable. Clearly the emphasis is on teamwork. Not half bad".
The dungeon was dark and damp. Only a few torches flickered for light, a thin layer of smoke collected on the ceiling. The walls and floor were made of cobblestone, moss grew between and over the cracks. A show of its age and clear neglect.
Akiol tapped the floor with his foot, "Slightly slippery, would mess up any average Player."
Wrock looked up, "The smoke is also a clear timer."
"Do the torches not run out?"
Jarvis touched one and responded, "System deemed them invincible."
Akiol looked over, "Kan'na?"
She rose a finger and a small magic circle formed. A ball of water hovered and splashed the torch. The flame quickly wilted out and reduced the lighting in the back.
Mira tilted his head, "Something didn't like that."
Givale tapped the walls, "You felt it too?"
Wrock rose an eyebrow, "What did you feel?"
Pointing at the walls Givale explained, "Something is inside the walls. When you extinguished the torch it got mad."
"Keen senses you have."
Akiol smiled faintly, "They aren't human after all. More importantly, this could mean something."
Kan'na asked, "Should we try?"
"Let me confirm with the boss man."
Akiol walked through the crowd and tapped Terwin's shoulder. Looking back at Akiol he asked, "Something the matter?"
"Might've found something. There's something or someone in the walls of this place, the data you sent didn't say anything about that."
Terwin frowned, "We don't know anything about that. What is it?"
"Don't know, but it doesn't like the torches going out. Just wanted to inform you incase you wanted to test it further."
Terwin considered the proposal. As he was deep in though Candy—or rather Corolla—suddenly piped up, "It could summon a Hidden Boss. If we clear the Dungeon with a Hidden Boss under our belt it would only be beneficial."
Terwin nodded, "This is true, however we still have the Warden and the Prisoners to deal with. I don't think we can split our forces."
Akiol smiled and pointed at himself, "Isn't that the reason we're here? If a Hidden Boss does appear let us handle it."
"You positive?"
"As long as it isn't Third Stage, we got it".
"Then I'll leave it in your hands."
Akiol gave a thumbs up and vanished. As he approached the Party he made an 'ok' sign, "We're free to test!"
Kan'na outstretched her fingers, "One dousing coming right up!"
Magic circles appeared over the torches and were swiftly extinguished one after the other.
Then the ground started to shake.
Mira flexed his hand and the blood-red axe formed. Resting it on his shoulder he informed, "It's here."
The torches that had yet to be doused all immediately flickered out. Confusion rapidly spread across the Players, but they quickly regathered themselves.
Someone shouted, "The Prisoners are running?!"
Several magic lights raised into the air as they restored their sight. The quiet and dark room have off creepy vibes.
One second. . .
Temperature was rising, sweat beads began to form.
Two seconds. . .
The layer of smoke on the roof began to thicken and lower to the ground.
Three seconds. . . !
Tilia twitched and a bronze semi-translucent energy formed around them in the shape of a mountain. A wall of flame slammed into the defense.
Akiol whistled, "A party wipe? We struck gold."
The flames flickered and died. Tilia morphed her War Sight into the tower shield, "Incoming!"
<
A creature made of pure flame charged up the hall. Like an explosion of fire.
Kan'na formed several magic circles and fired them off. Jets of water shot towards the beast, but they evaporated as they got closer. A blast of steam hit everyone, stinging their skin. Kan'na tapped the ground with the tip of her shoe and a formation spread. The steam rapidly cleared up and formed back into water droplets, clinging to the walls of the dungeon.
She had managed to cool the room's temperature, but this didn't effect the beast whatsoever.
"Givale!"
"On it!"
Givale formed a bow made of mana and shot three arrows forward. They streaked across the room and exploded upon contact. Sections of the flame were erased, leaving chunks in the beast.
Additional flames restored the holes. Tilia informed, "The beast has a limited amount of flame, disperse it enough and it will die!"
Akiol ordered, "Wrock make a path! Mira stick close to me!"
Wrock raised his fist and steadied his breath. He hadn't been replacing any of his Skills. Now that he had Spirit again, he no longer needed the assistance of the System.
"Let's see who's flame burns more!"
Punching forward a cyclone of blue flame slammed into the beast. The fiery body exploded into flickering flames, leaving its center open.
Mira and Akiol dashed through the opening. Akiol swung Stars as he ran, "We're going to attack it from both sides!"
Mira and Akiol slid to a stop on the other side. Akiol flourished his sword and several thin lines formed on the reforming flame. The beast—who just managed to put itself together again—was separated by Akiol's move!
{Origami Style: Hundred-Fold Lotus}!
Badump~
Mira's eyes turned deadly for just a moment. A red energy swirled up his arm and around his axe. Swinging it forward the red energy took a curved shape and sliced through the beast!