The mountain's base stood shrouded in a veil of thick mist, the air tense with anticipation as the red beam of light pierced the heavens from the peak above. Ash, perched atop his steed, was a picture of cool confidence, his sharp eyes scanning the scene.
Beside him rode a burly man with graying hair and tired, bloodshot eyes — the Guild Master of the Melanos Branch, his face a mixture of weariness and unease.
For four days, the mercenaries had camped outside the dungeon, waiting for word from the Tethlan branch. Ash had dutifully sent his report, confirming that the rift was indeed a red dungeon, a rare and dangerous anomaly. His efficiency had earned him the role of leader for the expedition, and now, he was at the head of a party brimming with A-class adventurers, handpicked for this mission.
Red dungeons were a treasure trove of opportunity. The Empire and the main, Aegis of the Fates, branch often monopolized them, making this discovery a potential boon for the Tethlan branch. Ash's gleaming eyes betrayed his ambition, though he wore the guise of a disciplined leader. To him, the risks were mere obstacles standing in the way of glory.
The Guild Master of Melanos grumbled, his patience wearing thin. "What are we waiting for, Ash? The rift isn't going to conquer itself."
Ash held up a hand, his tone clipped but calm. "Patience, Guild Master. We don't rush into the unknown without proper reconnaissance."
Moments later, a figure darted from the forest canopy, leaping gracefully from tree to tree before landing lightly beside Ash. It was one of the scouts, an expert in exploration, clad in muted leathers that allowed him to blend seamlessly with his surroundings.
"Report," Ash commanded.
The scout knelt briefly before speaking. "No sign of monster outbreaks near the rift, sir. I've also located the passage leading directly to it. It's stable, for now."
Ash's lips curved into a satisfied smirk. "Excellent. Guide the way."
Just as the scout rose to lead, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble violently. Horses whinnied, and adventurers murmured in alarm, their hands instinctively going to their weapons.
"What's happening?" the Guild Master of Melanos barked, his gruff voice cutting through the noise.
Ash was already looking upward, his smirk vanishing as his jaw tightened. The red beam of light that had dominated the sky began to change, its vibrant crimson hue dissolving into a brilliant azure.
"Look up!" the Guild Master shouted, pointing skyward.
All eyes turned to the beam, now radiating an otherworldly blue, its intensity brighter than before. The sky above seemed to ripple, as if the fabric of reality was being torn apart.
Ash's face turned pale. "No, no, no. This can't be," he muttered, his voice laced with dread.
Before anyone could process his words, the air around the beam shimmered violently, and a portal began to form. The glowing tear in space pulsated with an eerie hum, and then, without warning, four figures burst through.
They moved with unnatural speed, their forms cloaked in the distortion of the portal's energy. The adventurers barely had time to react as the mysterious intruders landed at the mountain's base.
"Who are they?" someone whispered, the question hanging in the air as the strangers straightened, their postures exuding an aura of otherworldly power.
Ash's hand went to the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white as he barked out orders. "Defensive positions! Now!"
The mercenaries scrambled, forming a loose perimeter around the portal. The four figures who emerged were a stark contrast to the chaos around them. As the light from the portal dimmed, their features became clear — two women, one dressed in what appeared to be a battle-worn mage's robe, the other in light armor that bore the telltale marks of a seasoned warrior. Behind them stood a man and a young beast girl, both clad in tattered clothing that spoke of hardship and servitude.
The Guild Master of Melanos squinted at the group, his gruff voice breaking the silence. "Ash, do you know who they are?"
"How in the hell would I know them?" Ash snapped, his voice sharp as he shot the Guild Master an irritated glare.
His frustration faded as his sharp eyes scanned the newcomers. The warrior and the mage stood with a poise that belied experience, their stances ready, their eyes wary. Yet, the man and the beast girl struck a different chord — both were gaunt, their clothes threadbare, and neither carried any visible weapons or equipment. To Ash, they appeared to be slaves, though something about the man's steady gaze unsettled him.
Ash turned back to the Guild Master, lowering his voice. "Watch your tongue. We might be dealing with S-ranked adventurers."
The Guild Master's eyes widened, his grumbling halted by the weight of Ash's words. S-ranked adventurers were legends, capable of feats far beyond the reach of ordinary men. Even the slightest mistake in dealing with such individuals could spell disaster for everyone present.
Considering the dungeon was designed to be cleared within a month, the fact that the duo accomplished this in only four to five days was terrifying.
Ash spurred his horse forward slightly, raising a hand in a gesture of peace. His eyes settled on the warrior woman, Lirien, her weapon sheathed but her hand hovering close to its hilt.
"You there, warrior," Ash called out, his tone firm but nonthreatening. "Identify yourselves. I am Ash, commander of this expedition, appointed by the Aegis of the Fates Adventurers Guild. We have jurisdiction here, and I need to know who you are and what you're doing in this rift."
Lirien exchanged a glance with Aeloria, who gave her a barely perceptible nod. Yomi, standing slightly behind them with the beast girl cradled protectively in his arms, remained silent, his sharp eyes studying the mercenaries.
Ash pressed when she hesitated. "You don't want this to get ugly. Let's keep it civil."
Lirien exhaled, stepping forward cautiously. "We're adventurers," she said, her voice steady but guarded. "We discovered this dungeon..." She paused for a moment, then continued, "...and we conquered it. We didn't mean to intrude on your jurisdiction."