Neo lifts his head from the table, and his eyes widen. "I am back here again? What is going on? Was clearly in Oregon world and was attacked by Jeff and his men. It feels like a dream only it that it is not. I must tell Sandra" he turned his looking around and walked out of the arena and into the hallway was Catherine.
As Catherine entered the adventurer hall, she spotted Neo seated. She cleared her throat and brushed her blond hair to the side. Walking up to Neo, she smiled.
"Hi, Neo Eric! You are finally awake after many hours of sleeping, I healed you from exhaustion. it well that was a splendid fight. You were amazing," she said, extending her right hand for a handshake. Neo turned to face her, returning the handshake with a smile. However, Catherine held onto it as he tried to withdraw his hand.
"I believe that without your strength, Sandra wouldn't have won. So, if I may ask... Maybe the two of us could uhmmm.....go...uhmm... go..go...go... out..." Catherine's voice trailed off, and Neo looked surprised, faking a smile.
"Ask what?" Sandra interjected, standing behind Catherine. Startled, Catherine jumped to her feet, anger in her eyes. She turned her head and angrily said, "The director wants to see you and Neo for a brief meeting." Rolling her eyes, Catherine stormed out of the room.
"What's her problem? And you, aswhole! You were smiling and reveling in the attention," Sandra kicked him and walked away.
"Hey, come on, I didn't do anything wrong. She just wanted to ask me... Sandra, wait!" Neo hurriedly followed her to the director's office. A few minutes later, seven adventurers assembled in a large room with executive chairs and a large TV screen on the wall. The group consisted of Juliet, Catherine, Neo, Sandra, Brody, Gregory, and a short dwarf named Rick. The door opened, and the guild director entered the room.
A stunning lady with flowing white crown hair and piercing red eyes, dressed in a sleek black suit, entered the room.
"Good afternoon, everyone! Thank you for coming on such short notice," she greeted the gathering.
"Good afternoon, Director Marilyn," the team responded in unison. She took her seat in the middle, flanked by the seven-member team.
"Without wasting much of your time, I will quickly explain why I've gathered you here" she began, pressing a button on a remote control. On the screen, ten adventurers appeared.
"Last week, these ten adventurers embarked on a routine exploration of a C-rank dungeon on the west side of California, which was deemed safe by the guild management. However, the team reported an unexpected discovery—a dual dungeon.
After defeating the boss monster, they returned to the guild with their treasures. The secretary receptionist can vouch for them, as they all went home separately after a long day's work. The strange part is that the next day, they all returned with identical reports of stumbling upon the same dungeon and engaging in the same battles. It was like a repeated déjà vu. But this time, they entered the D-rank dungeon on the east side of California."
"Just yesterday, as you all know, every adventurer is equipped with a stress signal tracker in case of trouble. We received a distress signal from the same group and the same dual dungeon they encountered before. What's even stranger is that these adventurers kept repeating the same message, warning us not to send any more help or risk getting trapped. I don't understand how they consistently find themselves in a C-rank dual dungeon, regardless of whether they enter a B-rank or D-rank dungeon. I want you to venture into the C-rank dungeon, rescue them, and investigate the mysteries within. That's why I've gathered you top rankers for this mission."
Neo raised his hand, seeking clarification. "Yes, Neo," Marilyn acknowledged, motioning her hand for him to speak.
"But I'm not a top ranker! Everyone here is an A-rank fighter, so why am I included?
"You are here to assist not just Sandra but the entire team. I observed your earlier fight and realized that your magic abilities cannot be used for yourself. You are unable to utilize your powers directly in combat, which earned you the 'failed rank' designation. However, your mana and abilities can enhance and empower other adventurers, making you incredibly valuable in my eyes. This is a rescue mission, and we need all the combat power we can muster. And as you know..."
" Why not just send the SSS or SS rank hunters and adventurers who are more powerful than us?" Catherine interjected.
"Firstly, most of our SSS rank adventurers are currently engaged in battles against higher-ranked monsters. As for the SS rank hunters, they usually prefer dungeons with bigger rewards and more formidable prey. I believe that A-rank adventurers like yourselves serve as a bridge between the higher-ranked hunters and the lower-ranked adventurers. Besides, substantial rewards are awaiting those who accept this quest. So, do we all agree to undertake this mission?" Marylyn asked.
"Yes!" they all replied simultaneously.
"Good! Meet the armory secretary to prepare your equipment," Marylyn instructed. The team stood up and left the room, heading towards the armory.
They carefully selected their weapons and gear. Gregory chose two sharp-edged axes, while dwarf Rick opted for a square, sharp hammer, and a shield. Juliet picked up her bow, and the rest of the team decided to stick with their usual weapons. Neo grabbed a sword and sheathed it.
A few minutes later, they boarded a black van that drove them through the towering modern city. The van eventually stopped in front of a colossal dungeon tower, covered in vines and trees, resembling a coliseum reaching toward the sky.
"So, this is the C-rank dual dungeon. Let's find out what makes it so special," Neo remarked as lightning crackled and a purple doorway appeared in front of the dungeon entrance. The entrance began to cackle