Orion reached the building and was immediately met by Diana Reed at the entrance.
"Orion, good to see you," Diana greeted him with a hint of urgency. "We've got a situation. Let's head to the meeting room. Lila Bright has some important news."
"What's happened, Diana?" Orion asked, sensing the seriousness in her tone.
"We'll get all the details from Lila. It's about the investigation into Alex and Theo," she replied, leading him towards the meeting room.
Inside the meeting room, Lila Bright was waiting for them, her expression grave.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Lila began. "We've made some significant discoveries. The interrogation of Alex and Theo revealed that they were indeed after the Recipe of the Minor Soul Strengthening Potion. But it's more complicated. They were spies for the Azure Serpent Clan."
Orion's eyes widened in disbelief. "Spies? Within the Keepers of the Void?"
Lila nodded grimly. "Yes, Orion. It's a serious breach. Not only were Alex and Theo working for the Azure Serpent Clan, but we've also identified seven more within our ranks who were covertly aligned with various other clans. This has compromised us significantly."
"The recipe's leakage... that's a huge problem," Diana said, her voice tinged with concern.
Lila sighed deeply. "Indeed, it is. The revelation that such critical information has slipped from our grasp has put us in a vulnerable position. Other clans have begun to put pressure on us, seeking the potion and its recipe. To make matters worse, the Global Awakener Registration Bureau, GARB, is now involved."
"What's their stance?" Orion asked, apprehensive about the answer.
"They've offered assistance," Lila replied. "But it comes at a price. We need to provide them with five potion recipes each month. Given the rarity of these drops, that's a steep demand."
Orion ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation. "That's an almost impossible rate, given how rarely they drop."
"That's why we need you and your team to return to The Lost Souls' Caverns as soon as possible," Lila said. "Your team has had the most success in acquiring these recipes. To bolster your efforts, we're assigning Hank, a level 30 mage, and Shia, a Mortal Realm - Initiation Rank 9 broadsword user, to join you. You'll need to ensure you land the final hits on the bosses."
Diana nodded, her expression one of resolve. "We'll head out immediately. We won't let the clan down."
"Good," Lila said with an approving nod. "Also, for your role in uncovering the espionage within our clan, and for drops from last time, each member of your team, including you, will be awarded 500 Guild Contribution Points. Additionally, Orion, for your bravery and pivotal role in this discovery, you'll receive an extra 1000 points."
Diana's eyes brightened at the news. "That's generous, Lila. We appreciate it."
Orion nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Lila. We'll continue to do our best."
"Hank and Shia will be waiting for you at the dungeon portal in an hour," Lila added. "I trust you'll coordinate well with them."
"We will," Diana assured her. "We understand the urgency and the importance of this mission."
After leaving the meeting with Lila, Orion and Diana made their way to the clan headquarters to pick up their teammates Emma and Sarah.
As Orion, Diana, Emma, and Sarah approached the dungeon portal, they spotted Hank and Shia waiting for them. The siblings, members of the Blackwood family branch, stood with an air of casual confidence.
"Hey there, you must be Hank and Shia," Diana greeted them first, extending a hand.
"That's us," Hank replied with a friendly smile, shaking her hand. "I'm Hank, and this is my sister, Shia."
Shia nodded at the group, her expression warm. "Nice to meet you all. We've heard quite a bit about your team's exploits."
Orion stepped forward. "I'm Orion. Thanks for joining us on this delve. We appreciate the support."
"Happy to be here," Shia responded. "We're looking forward to seeing you all in action. Let's keep things relaxed and have some fun out there."
Emma and Sarah exchanged greetings with the siblings, everyone quickly falling into an easy rapport.
Hank chuckled, looking at Orion. "We've been told you're the one to watch for the final hits on the bosses. No pressure, right?"
Orion grinned. "No pressure at all. We work as a team, and that's how we'll succeed."
Shia clapped her hands together. "Well, let's not keep the dungeon waiting. Time to see what The Lost Souls' Caverns has in store for us today."
With the introductions and pleasantries out of the way, the team readied themselves. They stepped through the portal together.
The dungeon delve commenced with a smooth start. Orion was careful to utilize the spectral power of his amulet, enhancing their effectiveness in battles and making the encounters considerably easier. Hank and Shia, despite their higher levels and cultivation still used Orion's help.
As they progressed through the dungeon, Hank and Shia observed Orion's fighting style. His skills, while not as polished as theirs, were supported by astonishingly high stats, even surpassing their own in certain aspects. This observation piqued their curiosity, but in a world filled with anomalies and secrets, they refrained from probing too deeply, respecting Orion's privacy.
Upon reaching the boss chamber, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation. The team prepared for the battle, understanding the importance of allowing Orion to deliver the crucial final blow to the boss. The Warden, a formidable opponent, soon emerged, challenging them with its might.
The battle was intense, with Hank and Shia unleashing their most powerful spells and techniques, while Emma and Sarah provided crucial support. Finally, as the boss weakened under their relentless assault, Orion seized the opportunity. With precision and timing honed by his experiences, he delivered the final blow, ensuring the success of their mission.
[ Experience Gained: 20000 ]
[ Drop Acquired: 10 Minor Soul Essences, Recipe(unidentified) ]
[ Level Up: Level 13 Achieved ]
As the team gathered the spoils from their victory, Hank and Shia were quick to praise Orion for his decisive final strike. "Nice work on the boss, Orion!" Hank exclaimed, clapping him on the back. "And congrats on hitting level 13, too."
"Yeah, that was some solid timing," Shia added, nodding in agreement.
Orion, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the team, smiled and thanked them. He then turned his attention to the unidentified recipe they had acquired. Knowing how rare these items were, he activated his Basic Inspection Skill, a skill he rarely had the chance to practice due to the scarcity of such items. The system promptly responded:
[ Inspection Success: Recipe of Minor Soul Strengthening Potion ]
Excited by the discovery, Orion handed the recipe and other drops to Diana. Despite the addition of higher-level teammates, Diana remained the undisputed leader of the team, coordinating their efforts with a keen tactical sense.
"Looks like we hit the jackpot on our first run," Diana said, examining the recipe. "Great job, everyone. Shall we go for another round?"
The team agreed enthusiastically, energized by their recent success. They prepared themselves for another delve, their spirits high. The prospect of acquiring more recipes and further strengthening their capabilities as a team spurred them on as they re-entered The Lost Souls' Caverns, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.