"Excuse me?"
He couldn't believe his ear, it was unheard of to create a guild. Most fell apart due to a lack of climbers after only a few months.
"It's just like he said, we are going to create a guild. Just me and Leo!"
Nyssa pumped her fists in the air, practically bouncing with excitement.
While all of this was happening, approximately 2 kilometers away an enormous crowd held a banquet.
Ding ding ding
One of the Explorers Guild founders hit his spoon against a glass cup filled with champagne.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming here today. Besides the amazing achievement we came here to celebrate we can't forget something even grander."
All of the participants looked at the clock tower in the distance, being only 5 seconds away from 2025.
"Let's hold a toast for the new, better year!"
5
The journalist coughed a few times as he heard what Nyssa told him, he couldn't believe that such a thing would happen.
4
"And why are you telling it exactly to me? You could go to any news station yourself to say that."
3
Leo's face turned very serious, almost as serious as during his fight with the Ifrit, scaring the man on the other side of the table.
2
1
"Because I have more important matters at hand."
0!
[Due to the 10th floor being completed, Gates and Daily Quests will be introduced]
Fireworks shot out but no one cheered, confusion erupted worldwide as all of the Unbound got this message.
[23:59:59]
[Daily Quest Tier 1]
[0/5]
[Slay monster]
[0/50]
[Reward: Key, Chest of processed materials, 1 500 gold]
[Failure: ???]
Another window appeared, nearly identical to the previous one, except for the updated activity it displayed, reflecting the task they now had to complete.
WOOOSH... CRACK
A purple whirlwind appeared right next to Nyssa's store, towering over it.
Power or the wind that it emitted created an eerie tune against the open windows.
"Nyssa, Gloppy, let's go."
"Yeah!"
The store around them faded away until it was completely gone, leaving them in front of the enormous gate.
Without taking any more time, all three of them entered inside.
[Entering the Orc Dungeon]
Inside they were met with an open cave lit only by colorful crystals around it.
There was a cliff huge enough to swallow a skyscraper whole on the other side of it.
The village of the Orcs was situated on its edges, brimming with life.
Even though this gate was supposed to be populated by tall monsters, the first thing they saw was hellbats, creatures made from eternal fire.
"Gloppy, you will be the one in charge of all the summons."
Leo said while hiding the artifact back in his inventory, he visualized a weapon in his mind and poured that image into the black mass on his forearm.
Cien listened to his Master's desires right away, turning into the hilt of a sword.
[Sentient Weapon: Spirit Sword form]
He poured all of his mana into it, letting it turn into its true form.
[Mana: 0/200]
Blade created from the condensed energy rose, shining with a vibrant blue light inside the dim cave.
All three of them nodded at each other before going their separate ways.
|Wouldn't heading straight towards them be way more effective?|
Leo snuck under the bats, not making a sound and staying as close to the ground as possible.
'It's harder for the bats to spot us this way'
Click click click
The hellbats clicked their tongues in a haunting rhythm that echoed through the entire cavern.
They ducked behind massive rocks and shimmering crystals, using the ragged terrain to trick the swarming bats.
They continued sneaking and hiding until they reunited under the walls of the orc village.
Behind the barricades, bustling screams and chatter of the tall creatures could be heard.
"The bats shouldn't be able to find us now."
The summoner said while sneaking closer towards the cliff.
He was hoping to find a pathway that they could take from that side towards the town hall.
To their disappointment, there was only a very thin strip of rock that looked like it could crumble under any pressure.
Leo stepped on it lightly, feeling the ground shake beneath his feet, but it didn't give out, letting him slowly walk.
Nyssa followed carefully, her gaze fixed straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge the endless void below them. She wouldn't agree to do this if not for the fact that her skills were the most crucial part.
All three of them slowly but surely got towards the town hall. The sight of their footing giving away under them raised their heartbeats.
"RAAAH! I can't wait to finally get a chance to smash a few of them."
An orc ran towards the wooden path above them, its steps shook the whole structure and its screams were loud enough to make the rocks tremble.
It startled the stressed girl and made her lose her balance, falling into the abyss.
"AAAH!"
Without making a single sound, Leo jumped after her, sinking his sword into the wall and using it as a harness for himself and her.
"Did you hear that?"
Another orc approached the first, looking over the barriers into the pit. There was nothing he could see.
"You are just getting paranoid my friend."
The more energetic one patted his friend. Both of them left back to their jobs. And right under them were Nyssa and Leo, who barely made it out in time.
"Let's go"
They got under the town hall where a less narrow path was, letting the girl stand on both her feet and summon Gideon.
"Are you ready?"
Both of them nodded, preparing their weapons.
[Tectonic Shatter]
BOOM
With her increased strength, the damage this attack caused was devastating. It sent half of the town hall into the endless abyss behind them.
Now that the element of surprise was used, they didn't need to limit their voices.
"The bats are still there, switching to plan B!"
Nyssa and Leo jumped into the ruins of the hall and helped Gloppy go as high as possible.
In front of them was a throne room with someone occupying it.
[Orc Shaman level 30]
[HP 7 500/7 500]
'At least we got rid of its vanguard.'
The tall creature stood up, its thick grey skin reflected the lights of the crystals all around them.
"INTRUDERS!"
It shouted, alerting the guards outside, but to no avail as the Slime King used every single slime he summoned to prevent them from entering.
As the shaman realized that, he turned to Leo.
"Well played... but don't think you've already won!"
Screech screech screech
A storm of hellbats swarmed in from every corner of the cave, filling the room with lava and chaos. The lava dripping from their wings melted the floor below them as they flapped around.
They were outnumbered on all fronts with no way out of this situation.
HAHAHAHA
Yet Leo erupted into uncontrollable laughter, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Startling both the boss monster and Nyssa standing next to him.