„Melissa's Family, the Whitebrand family wanted to go on an expedition to collect herbs."
„They do this every few months to collect them, and later on sell them to the Viskton family that specializes in alchemy."
„You sell what you are the best in, everything is connected in some way."
„Unfortunately, they encountered a rare phenomenon called a 'Dungeon Break'."
Dungeons are places where the dense mana affects the animals in the surroundings. Their habitats change, and so do the animals.
Animals like these are called magic beasts.
They are dangerous creatures to fight against as they a lot stronger than the ordinary human.
Their physique, abilities and senses are enhanced.
Some of them even awaken magical abilities that can rival the spells of humans.
A dungeon break means that the dungeons seal that keeps the monsters inside is lifted and thus the monsters can roam outside.
For a group of herbalists that's a suicide mission.
After Tom came to seek help, Lucy decided it to be the wisest decision to go look for her grandfather.
They are currently riding on two horses.
Gerald with Lucy on one horse and Tom with the right hand of Gerald, called Winchester sharing the other horse.
They needed to be fast, that's why Gerald was explaining briefly about the Whitebrand situation.
The Dungeon of Hado was located in the center of Clearwater Forest.
And to Lucy's shock, it was the same location like marked in the purrspectiv map she got from the Beginners Giftpack.
„When we arrive there, I want you both to support Melissa. Stay away from the danger or else you will lose your life." Gerald told them with a dark expression.
It's a bad decision to take children to a hunt, much more to a Dungeon Outbreak.
'At least Tom has a bit of experience with the sword. If the worst case scenario happens, he will be able to stall for some time' Gerald thought, having a good expression of the 8 year old knight apprentice.
'It may be regarded as dangerous nowadays but… nevermind, let the past be the past.'
The hoofbeats echoed through the forest outskirts.
The beautiful setting sun in contrast to the screams and howls of wolves brought a chill down the kids back.
The Whitebrand family was right infront of them, running in their direction in hopes of finding an opportunity to flee.
But the wolves were faster than them.
They caught up in no time, one of the wolves bit off the arm of an elderly woman who tripped because of a root.
The other wolves caught up and shredded her to pieces.
Melissa looked in fear as one of her aunties got bitten to death right infront of her.
The fear etched itself into her face as she sat on the ground like a statue.
„Gerald!? Gerald..!? Is that really you? Please help us. There, there.. my daughter… please rescue my daughter!" a middle aged man with brown hair and a full beard cried aloud.
„Lucy" Gerald whispered with an ashen face, „take the lead" he said, giving the lead of the horse to Lucy.
He then pulled out a sword from behind his back and changed his position so he can jump down the horse anytime.
Gerald lead the horse past William Whitebrand, stretched out his hand and grabbed Melissa who was standing still like ice.
He then pulled her up and put her into Lucy's arms.
Both Lucy and Melissa were frozen in fear.
A few meters ahead was a group of fierce wolves.
The wolves had blue hair and ice spikes on their backs.
With a height of around two meters they looked like an abomination straight out of the depths of the ice mountains.
Seeing their prey coming towards them, the leading wolf who shredded the elderly woman into shreds, licked his lips in amusement.
Contrary to its expectations, Gerald jumped into the air, spinned above the horse and with his sword beheaded the leading wolf.
Like a chain reaction, he moved swiftly and beheaded every single one of the wolves.
Those were just cannonfodder of the dungeon.
The first to come out were the weakest of all.
The feeling group looked in astonishment.
'This is my grandfather?!' Lucy was in pure shock.
„I thought he is a merchant, since when is he using a sword?"
After asking, William Whitebrand looked at Gerald in relief.
„You need to learn a lot about your grandfather. He is not just a simple merchant. If he was, then everyone would attack him on his travels."
„Being the richest of Serpentshade makes him a great target. But they are scared. Every single one."
„Because when you once awaken his wrath, then you need to fear the swordsmaster or Serpentshade."
William Whitebrand explained to Lucy.
In his mind they are just kids.
They need to grow stronger with an idol in their minds.
After clearing the monsters, Gerald came back to the group.
„We need to defeat the boss of the dungeon. Only then will it be sealed again. Winchester and I will handle it. William, protect my granddaughter at all costs." Gerald's yellow eyes pierced William.
The meaning is clear.
Gerald risked the life of his granddaughter when coming here.
She is the highest priority for him.
To learn about the harsh world.
For Lucy, the once friendly old man was replaced by a strong cold man.
Gerald and Winchester then moved to the gate of the old ruin.
A circular mossy gate around 8 meters high.
The Whitebrand family and Lucy's group returned to their former camp.
Surrounding the campfire, they ate the flesh of the wolves.
The predator became the food of the prey.
They will sleep the night here.
Gerald and Winchester are their hope to come out alive the forest.
That's why they would risk to wait here rather than try to go out.
When the night settled and the group wanted to go to sleep.
Lucy went to her tent together with Melissa.
Melissa recovered from her near death experience.
Even though it would leave its influence on her.
Lucy held her Clawger in her hand.
It was the dagger she got from the beginner giftpack.
It had a special use; to sense the danger of enemies.
When she went to sleep with Melissa, the steel dagger began to glow in the middle of the night.
A lone wolf was going around the dying out campfire.
Gerald and Winchester didn't come back yet.
So it means someone of them needs to kill it.
Thankfully, it was a smaller wolf than the others.
Probably a deserteur.
The wolf went to a tent opposite her.
It then started to bite and claw at the tent, barking as it tore everything down.
Everyone woke up from the screaming of the person in the tent.
But they stayed in their own tent.
So did Lucy and Melissa.
They were quivering in fear and waiting for someone strong to deal with that monster.
How could weak little girls take care of such a monster?
They were filled with fright— unable to move.
‚It's just like before' Lucy thought in fear.
Always being uncapable of directing your own life.
Always being in the shadow of others.
Staying under the mercy of others.
Lucy had enough of it.
'Enough it being weak. I don't need to fight it on my own.'
Her gaze then became firm.
She will change, here and now.
'I will live my own life under my own decisions.'
She then screamed, „Tom! Tom where are you!?"
„I am here! Lucy? Lucy are you okay?!" the once joyous voice was now filled with insecurity and fear.
„Tom.. we need to kill it! Are you the knight you boasted about all the time. This is now your time to prove yourself!"
„Protect the ones in need!! A Knight is the vanguard that secures the path ahead. Those are your words!!" Lucy screamed aloud.
Her plan was simple.
Tom will distract the wolf while she will sneak behind and throw her Clawger.
Tom was influenced by her words and a stream of adrenaline filled him to the brim.
He opened his tent and rushed out.
He drew his short sword and without having any kind of experience in fighting monsters together with the rush of adrenaline, he swung his sword more fiercely than the beast he is fighting.
Tonight, the little Tom proved himself to be a knight.
To stand for others, be the wall to protect.
Lucy used this opportunity and with the 5% agility effect of the dagger, she moved swiftly behind the wolf.
Tom was swinging his sword around without any play what he was doing.
But the wolf was scared back and retreated slowly.
Lucy then used the dead angle and threw her dagger at the wolf.
It penetrated its skin, and with a howl to the back.
Now Tom used this opportunity to slash at the wolf and cut right into its eye.
He screamed aloud as he slabbed and stabbed into the wolf.
After a few minutes, the camp returned to silence.
[Killed Icespike Wolf Level 3, gained 30 XP]
[Level up! Level 1 –> Level 2]
[Gained 3 Attribute Points, 1 Skill Point, 1 Talent Point]
…
[Level 2: 10/250 XP]