Raven sat in the guild hall, her mismatched eyes scanning the pages of a random newspaper. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chatter of adventurers exchanging tales of triumph and failure. Her moment of peace was interrupted by a towering figure approaching her table.
"Hey! You're Wraith, right?" the man asked, his voice warm and inviting. "We heard you're pretty strong. We were wondering if you'd like to join our party. We're planning to raid a dungeon."
She tilted her head to look at him. The man was tall, his muscular frame making his double-sided axe look almost weightless. His short brown hair was slightly tousled, and his brown eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
Glancing past him, Raven spotted a group of four adventurers chatting near the mission board. Though she'd been enjoying her solitude, the thought of joining a party intrigued her. It could be a chance to build connections—or at least stave off boredom.
"Yeah, sure. Why not?" she replied casually, setting the newspaper aside.
The man beamed. "That's great! I'm Angus. Our party's called the Red Band—mostly because our leader has red hair and, uh… an odd naming sense. Hope you don't mind."
Raven chuckled. "Don't worry. My naming sense is probably worse."
It absolutely is, Mavis chimed in telepathically.
I didn't ask for your opinion, Raven shot back.
"I'm Wraith," she added aloud, offering a small smile. "Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too!" Angus said with genuine excitement. "Our party's got five members—six now with you. Oh, and we're all Four-Star Adventurers, so no imbalance. What about you?"
Raven considered lying, then committed. "Same as you. Looks like we'll get along just fine."
"A balanced team! I love it!" Angus turned and gestured toward the others. "Let me introduce you."
The group approached one by one, each member giving her a quick once-over.
"Meet Kara," Angus said, motioning to a petite woman with violet hair that cascaded in soft waves. Her glasses glinted in the lamplight, and her flowing robe was adorned with glowing runes. "She's our mage. Fire and ice specialist."
Kara adjusted her glasses, her tone reserved but friendly. "Pleased to have you join us. I hope you're good at not getting burned."
Next was a quiet man with jet-black hair tied back into a short ponytail. His gray eyes were sharp, almost predatory. "I'm Dren. Rogue." He said nothing more, his hand brushing over the hilts of his twin daggers.
Fiora stepped forward with a bright smile, her golden hair tied into a messy bun. She carried a staff that glowed faintly at the tip. "Hi! I'm Fiora, the party healer. Don't worry, I've got your back!"
Lastly, a striking woman strode up, her crimson braid swaying with each step. Her green eyes were piercing, her confidence unmistakable. She held a crimson-enchanted bow in her hand. "I'm Serine, the leader. Welcome to the Red Band."
Raven nodded. "Thanks. Looking forward to working with you all."
"Alright!" Angus said, clapping his hands. "With Wraith here, we're ready to take on anything!"
Raven leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. "Can I ask what this mission is about? What kind of dungeon are we raiding? Any details on it?"
Serine stepped forward, her green eyes sharp and focused. "The dungeon is classified as a Five-Star. That's why we decided to bring in an extra member. It's a precaution—better to be safe than sorry when it comes to something this dangerous."
"Five-Star dungeon?" Raven repeated, raising an eyebrow. "And no one's cleared it yet?"
Kara adjusted her glasses, her violet hair framing her pale face. "Correct. Several parties have attempted it, but no one has succeeded. According to their reports, the dungeon is infested with ants—swarms of them. The sheer numbers are what make it overwhelming, not to mention the depth of the dungeon. The further in you go, the tougher it gets."
"And the boss?" Raven asked, her tone calm but inquisitive.
Angus grinned, hefting his massive axe onto his shoulder. "The boss is the Ant Queen. Officially classified as a Three-Star boss, but don't let that fool you. Her strength isn't in her raw power; it's in her command. She controls the entire swarm. She can direct them to attack, defend, or overwhelm you. She's also huge—bigger than any of the other ants by far."
Raven placed a finger on her chin, thinking it over. "Any known weaknesses?"
"Fire," Serine said confidently, tapping her crimson bow. "The ants and the queen are particularly susceptible to fire attacks. If we can get Kara to focus her fire magic at the right moments, we'll be able to carve through the swarm."
Kara gave a modest nod. "That's the plan. I'll try not to burn you in the process."
"And the queen?" Raven asked, glancing at Serine.
Serine smirked. "Her thorax. If we can get above her and strike her thorax, it's a done deal. That's her weak point."
Dren, who had been silent until now, spoke up. His voice was quiet but firm. "Easier said than done. The swarm isn't just there for show—they'll protect her with their lives. Getting close to her is the real challenge."
Angus chuckled. "That's why we've got a perfect team! Kara for fire magic, Dren for sneaking in, me for smashing through the lines, Fiora for keeping us alive, Serine for precision, and now Wraith for… well, whatever she does best."
Raven smirked. "I'll make sure we get the job done. Just don't slow me down."
Fiora giggled, holding her glowing staff. "This is going to be fun. Dangerous, but fun."
Serine's expression turned serious. "We leave at first light. Everyone, prepare whatever you need tonight. Once we're in that dungeon, there's no turning back until we've either cleared it or failed. Understood?"
The group nodded, their faces set with determination. Raven leaned back in her chair, a small grin tugging at her lips. A Five-Star dungeon filled with giant ants and a commanding queen? This should be interesting.
Later, Raven decided to head out into the bustling streets of Eldoria to gather supplies for the upcoming mission. The city buzzed with energy, even at night, its cobbled streets illuminated by soft, magical lanterns that glowed with hues of amber and blue. Merchants called out to late-night shoppers, their stalls brimming with wares ranging from shimmering potions to gleaming weapons.
For some reason, I have a feeling something interesting is going to happen, Mavis said telepathically, her tone filled with amused certainty.
You always say something like that wherever we go, Raven replied mentally, rolling her eyes.
And have I ever been wrong?
Raven sighed, deciding to let Mavis bask in her self-assurance. She adjusted her katana at her side and continued down the main street, weaving through the crowd.
"Wraith, right?" a familiar voice called out from behind her.
Turning, Raven saw Serine, the Red Band's leader. The woman's crimson braid caught the glow of the lanterns, making it appear as if her hair was aflame. Her sharp green eyes regarded Raven with curiosity and a hint of amusement.
"Yeah, that's me," Raven said casually, raising an eyebrow. "Is there something you need?"
Serine smiled and stepped closer. "I just wanted to get to know our new member a little better. This is the first time I've seen you, and I've got a pretty good memory. Someone with a unique appearance like yours? I'd definitely remember."
Raven chuckled softly, noting the irony. Serine's own striking appearance—crimson hair and commanding presence—was just as memorable. For a moment, Raven thought of her older sister, Celia, whose crimson locks and fiery spirit had a similar aura. I wonder where she is now…
"Thanks," Raven replied smoothly. "I'm pretty new around here. Raised in the countryside, far away from all this civilization. You know how it is."
Serine nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. You've got that… untamed vibe about you. No offense." She grinned. "Come on, let me show you some fun things around Eldoria. I bet you haven't seen half of what this city has to offer."
Raven hesitated for a moment, surprised when Serine extended a hand toward her. "Okay, why not?" she said, clasping it. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity. It had been three years since she last walked the streets of Eldoria. Who knew what had changed since then?
Serine led the way, chatting as they navigated the winding alleys and bustling plazas. "This is my favorite spot for late-night snacks," she said, stopping at a brightly lit stall where a cheerful vendor was flipping something sizzling on a griddle. The smell of spiced meat and herbs wafted through the air.
Raven accepted a skewer Serine handed her, biting into the savory treat. The flavors burst in her mouth, and she raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Not bad."
"Right? Best food in Eldoria after sundown," Serine said, her tone proud. "And over there—" she pointed to a towering spire in the distance, its peak glowing faintly "—that's the Arcane Spire. They've added some crazy light shows at night. You'd love it."
As they walked, Serine shared bits of her own story—her upbringing in Eldoria, the founding of the Red Band, and her adventures as an adventurer. Raven listened with genuine interest, finding herself unexpectedly at ease in the redhead's company.
"Why did you become an adventurer?" Serine asked suddenly, her tone curious.
Raven paused, considering her answer carefully. "For the challenge," she said simply. "And to make a name for myself. What about you?"
Serine laughed. "To get away from the boring life my family wanted for me. Guess we both had something to prove."
The two wandered the city until the lanterns began to dim, signaling the late hour. Serine finally stopped in front of the guildhall, stretching. "Well, Wraith, thanks for humoring me tonight. I think we'll make a good team."
"Yeah," Raven said with a small smile. "See you in the morning."
As Serine walked away, waving over her shoulder, Raven lingered for a moment, looking out at the quieting city. Maybe Mavis was right. Something interesting did happen.