"Already?" Kai asked, stepping just behind Xerxes. Lucas and Nova re-entered the living room after hearing the announcement.
"I still haven't chosen my room yet," Nova complained, crossing his arms dramatically.
"I need to grab something from my suitcase," Lucas added, heading to the suitcases stacked near the entryway. His voice was calm, but there was a flicker of annoyance as if their abrupt summons had disrupted his plans.
It took them ten minutes to leave the dorm and arrive at the office as instructed. The office itself was small, most of it concealed behind another door. A half wall of wide, clear glass served as a window where issues and requests were addressed. They waited in line, the soft hum of muted conversations filling the air. When their turn finally arrived, Xerxes stepped forward, only to be handed a silver, slim card the size of his palm before he could speak.
"Take this and go outside," a 'cyan' worker stated flatly. "There's a bus waiting for your team. Show this card to access the bus and the dungeon."
The instructions were brief and left no room for questions.
They returned to the elevator, descending to the ground floor of the sleek black-and-white building that loomed over the dorms. As they exited, an electric minibus awaited them. The vehicle looked efficient, with just enough seating for ten passengers. A man stood beside it, wearing a black full-body suit, his posture straight and disciplined.
"Death's Angels?" the man inquired, his voice steady.
"Yes... we have the card," Xerxes replied, holding up the silver card. The polished surface gleamed faintly under the dim evening light, revealing an engraved address alongside their team name. The man gave a curt nod before slipping into the driver's seat, gesturing for them to follow.
"Can't I just take my own car to the address?" Nova asked as they settled into their seats.
"No," the man replied, starting the bus. "The only transportation for infiltrators is what we provide. It's protocol." His tone was final, discouraging further questions.
Lucas and Kai sat together in the front row, discussing something in low voices. Xerxes opted for the back seat, eager to enjoy a moment of silence before being thrust into yet another high-stakes scenario. However, Nova was not the type to sit alone or leave others to brood. He slid into the seat beside Xerxes, leaning closer.
"Do you think it'll be another one-toilet situation again?" Nova asked, his voice tinged with humor.
Xerxes didn't respond. He closed his eyes, leaning against the window, hoping his silence would end the conversation. To his relief, Nova didn't press further. The rhythmic hum of the bus filled the silence, and before long, they arrived at their destination.
The bus stopped in front of a sealed urban house. Family members stood outside, clustered together, their faces tight with worry. Nearby, several officials in black suits spoke to them in hushed tones. The moment the group stepped off the bus, the driver made a U-turn, leaving them behind without a word.
Xerxes knew that they needed to present the silver card. But his patience for social interactions had evaporated. He handed the card to Nova.
"Here. You handle it," Xerxes said, his voice flat.
Nova accepted eagerly. He approached the officials, flashing the card with a flourish. In no time, he was laughing with the children and even taking selfies with a few. Meanwhile, one of the suited officials—a woman with sharp features and an unfriendly air—approached the rest of the group. A large tablet rested in her hands as she scanned them critically.
"You only have four members in your team?" she asked, her question directed at Xerxes.
"Yes, we currently only have four members," Lucas interjected before Xerxes could reply. "The team was just formed an hour ago when we received our positions." His tone mirrored the woman's bluntness, earning him a sharp glare.
The woman's eyes narrowed as they flicked over Xerxes. "With a leader like that, I'm sure you'll do great in the dungeon," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Xerxes said nothing, though his jaw tightened. The woman didn't wait for a reply.
"Since this is a Tier One dungeon, we don't have additional teams or infiltrators ready to assist. Typically, we fill gaps with freelance infiltrators, but today we've only secured one—a resource investigator. The five of you will enter the dungeon in a few minutes."
She turned and gestured for them to follow.
The house looked unremarkable at first glance, its interior warm and lived-in. There were scattered signs of life: a half-empty coffee mug on the counter, toys strewn across the living room floor. But upstairs, in a bedroom, the illusion of normalcy shattered.
A massive black hole gaped in the wall, its edges pulsating faintly like a living organism. Dungeons yet to be entered had this uncanny appearance—dark and foreboding, as if waiting to swallow anyone who ventured too close. Xerxes was relieved to see the family safe and accounted for. At least no one had fallen in accidentally.
Standing by the dungeon was a petite girl with a bright, bubbly demeanor. Her bobbed hair was dyed a striking yellow with brown highlights, and she wore bubblegum-pink shorts paired with a matching crop top. She gripped the straps of her backpack, her excitement palpable.
"This is Alexa," the woman announced briskly. "She's your resource investigator for this dungeon. There's no time for introductions; we're nearing the expansion limit."
The woman handed each of them a silver bracelet. Xerxes had noticed that Alexa already wore one, the band snug around her slender wrist.
"Put these on. They'll indicate if you're alive. If you fail to clear the dungeon, we'll need to evacuate the area and find replacements. Don't take them off. And don't try the 'I lost it' excuse. These are tested to pass through dungeon barriers."
The woman's tone was harsh, bordering on dismissive. Nova, who wasn't used to such rough treatment, looked more shocked than angry. Lucas, however, seemed ready to argue, while Kai was entirely engrossed in taking pictures of the hole in the wall from various angles.
Xerxes stood still, slipping on the bracelet without a word. He was used to this kind of treatment. As the team prepared to enter, he steeled himself mentally.
Just think about the money, Xerxes. Clear this dungeon, get the reward. And don't let anyone die. No one can die but me.