Zone was unlike how Izik imagined them. He heard about how guilds gathered there and he was also familiar that it was where the dungeons usually appear or at least it where it was opened. However, he was not prepared for how big a zone was and how it can host at least 3 dungeons at the same time.
Through time, Serene's greatest Restorers had managed to increase the prediction accuracy of when and where a dungeon will appear. They were also able to mass-produce certain artifacts that can contain certain dungeons before they fully opened so that they can bring them to the zone. It doesn't work on every dungeon but luckily, it worked for most.
Izik stared at the three opened gates before them while the guild waited for their turn. Aleksi together with Quinlan was talking to the head Restorer about their dungeon.
"I want to sleep already," Kameron yawned. Ryo was just sitting on the ground while Smythe was staring at her fingernails that were painted in sapphire blue. Kameron turned to the lady, asking, "Any plans after this?"
"We would have to close two more dungeons within the next month so I don't think I can do much," Smythe sighed. "And if I have an option, I would have gone and looked for Izik Arden." Izik almost choked on his saliva that he had to clear his throat several times.
"You saw that too?" Kameron's eyes lit up like a kid that was suddenly excited.
"I feel like the more days pass that no one can find Izik Arden the higher the prize money will be," Even the quiet Ryo commented.
Izik doesn't even want to be there to hear his name being tossed out like that. Stopping a sigh from leaving his lips, he mentally sent the strongest kick he can manage to Xanthe Soleil.
"I heard people were also looking forward to how high the prize money will be," Smythe smiled. "If I had the time I would definitely hunt that guy, imagine all the clothes and weapons I can buy with that money. I can probably rest for three years."
Izik wanted to fucking cry. He hated Xanthe Soleil so much.
"What about you, Error?" Kameron nudged him. "Interested in the bounty?"
"Who isn't?" Izik replied. It's not like it's a lie because even he was tempted to walk right back into the north mansion and demand for the Crown Prince candidate to pay up.
The topic was immediately dropped when Aleksi and Quinlan returned much to Izik's relief. Before Aleksi could speak a guild exited one of the dungeons. They looked beaten up but what really snatched everyone's attention was the bloodied man they were carrying with them. The Acolytes who were on standby, immediately rushed to the scene as they laid him down on the ground.
"What a mess," Kameron muttered under his breath. Izik turned away and just looked as the other guild members closed the dungeon gate.
People had always been hyped about being a Hunter. They would always glorify how great it would be to enter dungeons and kill monsters but the reality of it was it was the kind of job that would always involve death. You have to kill in order to survive and win and if you failed to do that, your life could be the price for it.
"We'll be entering in 10 minutes," Aleksi spoke as everyone turned to look at the Guild Master. "And as you can see and as you have all known, it's not going to be easy and our lives could be on the line, especially since there's only six of us and we are going to enter a medium-sized, Class B dungeon. It is given that we have to work together but I need you all to also carry your own weight."
Izik thought it will be strange to see Aleksi serious, however, he looked reliable as he briefed them. He really thought he would be all about having 'fun' and 'working together' like the naive beliefs of Elys, the protagonist of the novel Seasons of the Storm. Somehow Izik appreciated his approach more.
"Aside from Quinlan and Error, we all are experienced with dungeons, so you all better use whatever experience you have, understood?"
"Got it, Guild Master," Kameron playfully saluted. Ryo also gave a silent salute.
Smythe grinned, "You worry too much, Guild Master."
"Augh, it's Aleksi," Aleksi sighed before turning to Izik and Quinlan. "You two, not because this is your first raid you'll just rely on us. We can give you some support but you still have to give your best." Izik just nodded while Quinlan kept that friendly smile of his on.
"Do we have more information about the dungeon?" Smythe asked.
Aleksi grinned and opened his palm in front of them which held a small gemstone. A translucent window popped up
+
[ Lovelia
Level: Class B
Dungeon Type: Respawned ]
+
"Lovelia?" Kameron furrowed his brows. "Why does it sounds familiar?"
"Because it's a respawned dungeon," Aleksi replied. Respawned dungeons were dungeons that were once explored and closed, however, like the named implied, respawned or returned. It will have either the same treasures and monsters inside or it will be completely different.
The window then changed into a map that showed one huge island in the middle of six smaller islands and they were all connected by nothing but bridges. The entrance of the dungeon was on one of the smallest islands which were then connected only to another small island. Each island only has two bridges. No island was connected to two islands or more. The exit was on the opposite side of the map. Way too far from the entrance of the dungeon.
Smythe whistled, "That's one big map."
"It is," Aleksi confirmed.
Quinlan then began distributing silver ear cuffs to everyone—an artifact. The moment they put it on, it briefly lit up and tightened perfectly against their ears. Izik noted how the artifact was perfectly fitted now on his ear.
"Ideally, we would have to stick together with this kind of map but we don't know what could happen, so we need to at least have a communication device on." Aleksi tapped on the ear cuff.
This kind of preparation told Izik how Aleksi wasn't just any dumb kid who read a book and got inspired to foolishly build a guild. Rather, the guy was prepared and knew what he was doing. He could also be overthinking it but seeing how Aleksi was taking it seriously opposite to how he expected him to be, that's enough for Izik to know that he was way beyond experienced.
Aleksi proceeded to tell them everything they needed to know about the dungeon. Three minutes before they have to go in, they gathered in front of the dungeon gate.
"Seasons of the Storm?" The Restorer asked and Aleksi proudly nodded. Izik still thought the name was too much but it seemed like the others were okay with it. "My name is Max and I am the Restorer assigned to your dungeon gate." He kept his eyes on the glowing tablet before him. "For this dungeon, there's no boss but you would have to defeat four mini-bosses instead that are scattered throughout the dungeon."
Izik could see the excited reaction of everyone as Max stepped aside, "You can start with your raid. May the Heavens continue to protect and bless the Empire of Serene."
They repeated the Empire's greeting back as they walked inside the dungeon gate. Izik stared at the gate. It was not even one-fourth of the mythical dungeon gate but it was still as fascinating. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside the gate as bright lights swallowed him.
When Izik opened his eyes, he turned behind him as he heard the sound of crashing waves. He couldn't believe he was looking at an endless sea. Minutes ago, he was in the Zone and now they're in a completely different world.
A window popped up.
.
.
[ ✨ ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED! ]
[ ✧ You started your first raid!
Congratulations on taking the big step and joining a raid!
Here are your rewards:
— 200 Gold Coins
— Vitality Potion ]
[ EXIT × ]
.
.
Dismissing the window, Izik focused on the dungeon. Looking around they were on a wooden dock toward the first island. The place looked stunning with the cloud-free night sky, filled with stars. The island was teeming with coconut trees and varying sizes of houses. There were also beautifully designed lanterns that adorned the pathway.
It looked like those places described in the novels he read where people take vacations that's until he remembered what Aleksi told them about the whole dungeon.
"Lovelia is a mythical town that was said to be built for a daughter of a count of the same name. Thus we can find a huge mansion built on the main island. It was home to almost a thousand residents until it was swept away by a plague that was brought by unwelcomed traders," Aleksi explained earlier. "Soon, the town became an isolation area for everyone who's infected by the vicious plague. They are brought to Lovelia where they are left to die."
"Isn't this too big?" Smythe asked, staring over the island. "Are they sure this is a medium-sized dungeon?" She unlatched the scabbard pulling a blade off it that was attached to a small baton. The baton lit up with runes and extended to its full length turning the weapon into a spear.
"I am with you," Kameron also pulled his weapon out which, to Izik's surprise, was a metal fan. Ryo also grabbed both his Jian swords, making sure they settled well in his hands.
"It is a lot smaller than you think it is," Aleksi assured while putting on his brass knuckles, making sure they fit nicely on both his hands. Quinlan only looked at the island before them with amusement as he summoned his own weapon—a whip.
They began to walk towards the first island. The whole place looked like people lived there minutes ago with all the lights lit up and how they could see traces of a lively town. There were even tables outside the houses that had food on them. Hot freshly made food. It gave him the creeps but he pushed the feeling down. They continued to walk, wary of their surroundings.
"It's empty," Smythe commented. No one replied because they knew the kind of monsters that lurked in the dungeon.
It's not that there's none...
"Oh, there's the other bridge." She pointed out.
As Izik was about to take another step, a window popped up before him.
[ !!!! ]
And it was as if he was automatically made aware. "Kameron, duck!" He shouted and Kameron moved instinctively as Izik's blade flew, the chains making a rattling sound. The monster showed itself as the blade jammed inside one of its eyes.