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The next morning, Dabi took a deep breath as he approached the meeting spot.
He felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety, knowing that this was his chance to prove himself in the eyes of more seasoned fighters.
Zen had been a steadfast friend, encouraging him since they were children, and his confidence had always bolstered Dabi.
Yet, he couldn't shake the nervous energy buzzing through him.
As Dabi arrived, he saw Zen waiting with three others.
Zen waved eagerly, his broad grin never failing to lift Dabi's spirits.
"Dabi! Glad you made it!"
"Hey, Zen," Dabi replied, managing a small smile. His gaze drifted to the others.
Zen introduced them with pride. "Everyone, this is Dabi, my friend I told you about."
Standing to Zen's right was Kara, a tall, muscular woman with a stern expression.
Her armor was scuffed from countless battles, and the massive axe strapped to her back showed she was no stranger to intense combat.
Kara eyed Dabi up and down, crossing her arms. "So…this is the guy? Looks like he'd snap in half with one swing."
Dabi's face reddened, but he remained silent, determined to let his actions speak for him.
Zen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, sensing his discomfort.
"Don't mind her. Kara's all bark…mostly," he added, earning a glare from her.
Next to Kara was Milo, a lanky archer with a smirk. He looked at Dabi with barely concealed amusement.
"Zen, I hope you're right about him. This job isn't for the faint of heart."
He shrugged nonchalantly, checking his bowstring.
"As long as he doesn't slow us down."
Finally, Fiora, a quiet, soft-spoken healer with an aura of kindness, offered him a polite nod. "It's nice to meet you, Dabi.
Don't mind them. They're just cautious. I'm sure you'll do great."
"Thank you, Fiora," Dabi replied, giving her a grateful smile. Her warmth was a welcome relief.
With the introductions over, Zen explained their mission. "
We'll be entering a low-level dimensional gate. It's been causing trouble around the village.
The objective is simple: clear the monsters inside, ensure there are no more threats, and come back out.
Stay close and listen carefully to directions, alright?"
Dabi nodded, clenching his fists in anticipation. "Got it."
As they stepped forward, the dimensional gate loomed before them like a swirling vortex of dark energy, humming with a strange and powerful aura.
The sight was intimidating, even to Dabi, who had only heard about such gates from stories. Each one was a gateway to another dimension, filled with unknown dangers and rewards.
Low-level though it was, he knew better than to underestimate it.
The team moved as a unit through the gate, and a sudden chill washed over Dabi as the world around them shifted.
The dark forest they entered was eerily silent, with twisted trees and mist-covered ground stretching in every direction.
Shadows moved among the trees, and Dabi could feel his heart pounding with every step.
Zen looked back at him, giving an encouraging nod.
"Remember what we practiced, Dabi. Stay alert, and trust your instincts."
Dabi returned the nod, forcing himself to stay focused. He activated his Enhanced Quick Analysis skill, letting the system survey its surroundings.
Immediately, details about the area and lurking monsters flashed in his mind.
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System Notification: Multiple threats detected.
Monster: Shadow Lynx Level: 14 Weakness: Light-based attacks; vulnerable during pounce
---
Dabi shared the information with the group, earning a raised eyebrow from Kara.
"Not bad, kid. Let's see if you can handle yourself when they're clawing at you."
As if summoned, a pair of Shadow Lynxes materialized from the mist, their eyes glowing a malevolent green.
Kara was the first to react, swinging her axe in a powerful arc that forced one of the lynxes back.
The second one darted toward Dabi, moving faster than he'd anticipated.
Zen shouted, "Dabi, watch out!"
In an instant, Dabi sidestepped, his body reacting instinctively as he brought his sword down in a swift strike.
The blade grazed the lynx's flank, and the creature hissed, retreating briefly.
Milo loosed an arrow that struck the lynx's leg, pinning it temporarily.
Dabi seized the chance, lunging forward to deliver a decisive blow.
His sword connected, and the creature dissolved into wisps of dark energy, leaving behind a few silver coins.
"Not bad," Milo admitted with a slight nod of approval. Kara grunted in satisfaction, while Fiora offered a soft smile.
Zen clapped him on the back. "See? I told you he'd be fine."
The group pressed on, each battle gradually becoming more intense as they delved deeper. Dabi quickly realized just how skilled his teammates were.
Kara's raw strength and Milo's accuracy combined to create an unstoppable offense, while Fiora's healing magic kept them in top shape.
Zen, with his mix of swordsmanship and elemental magic, danced through the fights with a grace that left Dabi in awe.
But as they encountered stronger monsters, Dabi felt the toll.
His stamina was dwindling faster than he'd expected, and every battle seemed to push him to his limit.
At one point, a hulking Dire Bear emerged from the trees, its roar shaking the ground. Zen and Kara engaged it head-on, but it soon became clear they needed more power.
"Dabi hit it from the side! Go for its legs!" Zen instructed, barely dodging a swipe from the beast's massive paw.
Gathering his remaining strength, Dabi circled around, waiting for the right moment.
He felt a surge of determination as he gripped his sword tightly, dashing forward to land a blow against the bear's hind leg.
The creature stumbled, giving Kara an opening to land a devastating strike with her axe.
With a final combined effort, the bear fell, dissipating into darkness.
Dabi staggered back, breathing heavily. His limbs ached, and his vision blurred slightly, but he couldn't deny the rush of satisfaction.
As they paused to recover, Kara glanced over at him, her expression softening slightly. "You did good back there.
Didn't think you had it in you."
Dabi managed a small smile, feeling a sense of pride welling up inside him.
"Thanks. I've been working hard."
Fiora knelt beside him, casting a soft green glow over his wounds to ease the pain. "You'll get used to it.
Gate-clearing can be tough, but you learn to pace yourself."
Zen chuckled, looking at his friend with admiration.
"He's tougher than he looks. Always has been."
They continued their journey through the gate, taking down monsters and collecting loot along the way.
Every fight was an opportunity for Dabi to learn and grow, and he absorbed each lesson like a sponge.
By the time they reached the heart of the gate, where the core monster awaited, Dabi's confidence had soared.
In the clearing stood a Greater Shadow Beast, a hulking creature with obsidian fur and eyes that glowed like embers.
It snarled, and the ground trembled as it advanced.
"This is it," Zen said, his tone serious. "We take down this beast, and the gate will be clear."
Kara and Milo moved into position, while Fiora readied her healing spells. Zen looked at Dabi. "You ready?"
Dabi nodded, gripping his sword tightly. He could feel the weight of his progress, the strength he had gained through each level, and the trust Zen had placed in him.
The battle was fierce. The Shadow Beast's power was unlike anything Dabi had faced before.
It swiped at him with claws that seemed to cut through the air, and every hit landed with a force that rattled his bones.
But Dabi didn't back down. He dodged and struck, his moves becoming sharper, his mind racing to find openings.
Zen's fire magic flared, illuminating the dark creature and revealing its vulnerabilities. "Now, Dabi! Aim for its heart!"
Seizing the moment, Dabi dashed forward, pouring all his strength into one final strike.
His sword pierced the beast's chest, and with a deafening roar, it dissolved into shadows, leaving a shimmering crystal behind.
System Notification: Mission Complete – Gate Cleared!
Reward: Crystal of Fortitude and 600 Gold Coins
The team gathered around, each of them breathing heavily but triumphant.
Dabi picked up the crystal, marveling at its beauty. Zen patted him on the back, beaming with pride. "You did it, Dabi. You really did it."
Milo smirked. "Guess you're not so fragile after all."
Even Kara offered a nod of approval. "Not bad, rookie. Not bad at all."
Dabi's heart swelled with joy. For the first time, he felt like he belonged like he was truly capable of keeping up with the others.
His journey was only beginning, but this victory was proof that he could stand alongside those he respected.
As they made their way back, Zen clapped a hand on Dabi's shoulder.
"Welcome to the world of adventurers, my friend. You've earned your place here."
Dabi stepped forward with the others, ready for the next challenge.
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