The sun blazed overhead, and the atmosphere outside the campus was buzzing with energy. Eight buses were lined up along the road, waiting for the brave participants of today's event.
It was the Summer Dungeon Hunt, drawing students and onlookers alike.
Crowds gathered around the buses, voices rising and falling like waves, as everyone prepared for the battles ahead. Whether they were participants or spectators, every face was lit up with a mix of excitement and tension.
Lucas stood with his team—Emily, Jeff, and Jack—beside one of the buses, waiting to register and officially form their group.
To others, their team seemed pretty average, maybe even weak.
But Emily, standing at the front with a determined look, exuded a quiet confidence.
"You're all underestimating us," Emily whispered, a small smile playing on her lips.
Lucas chuckled under his breath, thinking, *Are we really planning something big here?*
Just as they were about to finish registering, a commotion broke out in the crowd.
Everyone's attention shifted toward Seraphina, a girl who glided effortlessly through the throng, people instinctively moving aside to let her pass. Seraphina had already made a name for herself by defeating several seniors and earning her place in the Hunt.
And her team was nothing short of a "dream team."
The top-ranked student, Thorne, tall and calm, with an air of authority in every move he made.
Elowen, the top female student, known for her icy beauty and mastery of magic.
And Merritt, a hulking figure affectionately dubbed "The Little Tank," for his near-impenetrable defense.
Everyone was buzzing about this superstar lineup.
"Are they even beatable?" Lucas overheard some students whispering nearby.
"Yeah, any monster in that dungeon is gonna tremble just from seeing them."
Lucas rolled his eyes and thought to himself, *I don't buy it! In the dungeon, popularity doesn't count for much. Skill does.*
Still, he couldn't deny Seraphina's team was formidable.
At that moment, an organizer named Yang approached, carrying a thick stack of papers and wearing a serious expression.
"You're Lucas's team, right?" Yang asked, glancing at the group and frowning slightly.
"You're assigned to the Lightning Goblin dungeon. Of the three dungeons, this one is the most dangerous. I have to warn you, the difficulty is extremely high, and you could be risking your lives. If you're not fully prepared, I suggest reconsidering."
Lucas and his team exchanged nervous glances.
*Lightning Goblins?* Even the name sounded intimidating. Yang's tone made it clear this wasn't going to be a walk in the park—especially for a team like theirs, often seen as "second string."
Jeff scratched his head, visibly uneasy. He had spent a fortune on armor and gear, hoping that would make up for his lack of skill. But hearing Yang's warning, his confidence started to waver.
"Maybe we should switch to an easier dungeon?" Jeff suggested, lowering his voice.
Jack nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, something safer would be nice. No need to take unnecessary risks."
But Emily wasn't having it.
With her arms crossed and a calm but steely gaze, she replied firmly, "No. We're taking on the Lightning Goblin dungeon."
"Are you sure about this?" Lucas asked, feeling a bit concerned. He had confidence, but this was their first time facing a dungeon this tough. Was Emily being overconfident?
"I'm sure," Emily replied simply.
She turned to Yang and said, "We accept the challenge."
Yang sighed, shrugging. "Alright, but good luck. You're going to need it. This one's no joke—stay sharp."
With registration complete, the team prepared their gear and got ready for what lay ahead. Lucas stood quietly, checking his character stats and mentally running through his strategies for the upcoming fight.
Looking over his skills, Lucas felt a bit uneasy. The enemies they'd face weren't your average monsters. These Lightning Goblins could control electricity, had powerful ranged attacks, and were incredibly fast. The dungeon was infamous for its brutal difficulty, and one wrong move could be fatal.
"Why didn't we pick something easier?" Lucas muttered to himself, though he quickly shook off the doubt.
They were already committed, and there was no turning back now.
As Lucas was lost in thought, Emily walked over and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. She smiled.
"Don't worry, Lucas. You're the key to our team. We wouldn't make it without you."
"Me?" Lucas blinked, confused. He'd always considered himself the weakest member of the team. Why was Emily calling him the key?
"You're the mage. You're our main damage dealer," Emily said with a grin. "We all have our roles, and you're crucial for ours."
Lucas felt a bit embarrassed, but he realized Emily wasn't joking. As the team's only magic user, how he managed his spells could make or break their success in the dungeon. Gripping his staff tightly, Lucas silently resolved to do whatever it took to win.
As the day went on, the teams finally boarded the buses, and the Dungeon Hunt officially began. Lucas and his team sat toward the back, quietly going over their strategies. The tension was thick, but each of them was preparing in their own way for the challenge ahead.
Lucas fiddled with his phone, playing a mobile game to distract himself. His teammates exchanged confused looks.
"How can you still be playing games at a time like this?" Jack muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
To Lucas, though, leveling up in his game was far more important than stressing over the upcoming dungeon. He wasn't worried.
This Lightning Goblin dungeon sounds familiar…
Suddenly, Lucas remembered his game actually had the same dungeon.
"I should check out this dungeon in the game first. I can scout it virtually and make sure we don't get caught off guard," Lucas thought to himself.
His game was designed to mirror real-world dungeons, including most of the locations and enemies they'd face.
If he could study the dungeon layout and monster patterns in the game, he'd have a huge advantage going into the real thing.
As the bus rolled toward the dungeon site, Lucas leaned back in his seat, focusing on his game. His mind was already strategizing for both the virtual and real-world challenges ahead.
He might be underestimated, but Lucas knew that with the right preparation, his team could pull off a win—even against the odds.