The spacious conference room hummed with subdued tension as twelve figures sat around the polished, circular table. A sleek, holographic projection hovered in the center, casting soft, bluish light on their faces. Each person wore a distinct expression, ranging from mild curiosity to grim determination. At the head of the table sat a man whose presence dominated the room.
Drax, the Guild Federation Head, adjusted his transparent glasses and leaned forward. Clad in a pristine white tuxedo, he exuded an air of authority and unshakable confidence. Every movement he made seemed deliberate, calculated. His piercing gaze scanned the holographic map of the Golden City and the wastelands surrounding it.
"What's the latest update on the portals?" Drax's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Ren, a sharp-eyed woman in a crisp white corporate suit, tapped on the tablet in her hand. Her posture was as straight as her tone. "We've observed a significant increase in dungeon anomalies. Fatalities have risen by 20%," she said, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of concern.
Drax's expression darkened. "Have we identified the cause?"
A man clad in resplendent golden armor leaned forward, his serious demeanor reflecting his station as one of the city's leading guild masters. "This is no small matter. What have our specialists uncovered?"
Ren shook her head. "Nothing definitive. The anomalies defy current understanding. Our specialists are still investigating."
Before anyone could respond, another voice broke the silence. "Well, we did find something unusual," said a woman lounging in her chair with an air of casual defiance.
All eyes turned to Seraphina Wildhart, or Sera, guild master of the Berserkers Guild. With fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders and a mischievous smirk, she seemed more at home in a battlefield than a boardroom.
"We stumbled upon a double dungeon," she said, letting the words hang in the air like a challenge.
The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief. Even Drax's carefully maintained composure faltered momentarily, his sharp gaze narrowing.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his tone heavy with skepticism. Double dungeons were the stuff of legends—rare, dangerous, and often precursors to catastrophic events.
Sera crossed her legs and leaned back, utterly unbothered by the scrutiny. "Why do you all look so shocked? It's not like this is the first one we've encountered."
Drax's jaw tightened at her nonchalant attitude, though he refrained from addressing it. She wasn't entirely wrong; double dungeons had appeared before, but only during catastrophic events. Their rarity made them more myth than reality.
"That was decades ago," said John, the White Tiger Guild's master. His voice carried an edge of worry. "Double dungeons only emerge when the balance of our world is in jeopardy. Why now?"
"Why now?" Sera shrugged. "Who knows? We've been asking that question for centuries. These dungeons appeared out of nowhere, and their origins are still a mystery. All we can do is deal with them."
Drax's expression turned grim. "How long has it been open?"
Sera tilted her head, her fingers tapping idly on the armrest. "About a week, give or take."
A murmur swept through the room again. Drax's eyes narrowed in calculation. A dungeon's lifespan depended on its rank, with higher-ranked ones lasting longer. The fact that this one had stayed open for a week suggested an S-rank—or worse.
"An S-rank double dungeon," Drax muttered. "This is bad. If it breaches…" He didn't need to finish the sentence. Everyone knew what a dungeon break meant.
Portals acted as gateways to the dungeons, preventing the beasts within from escaping. However, if a dungeon remained uncleared past its time limit, the creatures would pour out, wreaking havoc. A single dungeon break was devastating; a double dungeon break could spell annihilation.
"The dungeon must be cleared immediately," Drax declared. His tone left no room for argument. "Sera, you'll lead a team of guild masters to the site."
Sera raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Why do you always make me do the hard stuff?"
"Because you're the only one here with experience dealing with this level of chaos," Drax shot back, his sharp gaze locking onto hers.
Sera held his gaze for a moment before sighing dramatically. "Fine. Hope you boys can keep up." She gestured lazily at the other guild masters, her tone dripping with mockery.
The golden-armored guild master smirked but said nothing. The tension in the room lightened for a brief moment before Drax brought them back to the grim reality.
"Ren, what's the status of the anomalies in the city?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
Ren hesitated. "They're still ongoing, sir. If we divert too many resources to the dungeon, the city will be left vulnerable."
Drax leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The situation was precarious. Ignoring the anomalies could jeopardize the city, but leaving the double dungeon unchecked was an even greater risk.
"Can we contact the Guilds of other Outposts?" he asked after a moment.
Ren nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Send an urgent request. Ask for reinforcements—three guild masters at least. They'll assist with the anomalies while we focus on the dungeon."
Ren's lips thinned, but she nodded. "Understood."
Drax turned back to Sera. "You'll take five guild masters with you to the dungeon. Your team will assess its contents and devise a strategy for clearing it."
Sera smirked, standing up. "Guess it's time for some action. Let's hope this dungeon has something interesting to offer."
The other guild masters exchanged looks, their expressions a mix of apprehension and determination. The meeting wrapped up shortly after, with most of the attendees leaving to prepare for their respective tasks.
As the door closed behind the last guild master, only Drax and Ren remained. The atmosphere in the room shifted, the weight of unspoken concerns settling between them.
"Still no information about it?" Drax asked, his voice low and measured.
Ren hesitated. "The only clue we have is the Hydra symbol—a three-headed dragon. Beyond that, nothing."
Drax sighed, running a hand through his hair. "A Hydra… Where is it? The power you spoke of?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.
Ren watched him for a moment before bowing slightly and leaving the room. The sound of the door clicking shut left Drax alone with his thoughts.
He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. The Hydra symbol was no ordinary marker; it was a sign of something ancient, something that could tip the balance of power in their world.
For now, all he could do was wait—and hope they were prepared for what lay ahead.