Before the dungeon entrance, the ominous red glow from within washed over the six warriors as they stood ready.
Marco exchanged a few final words with them while Daniel and the other young shamans watched from a safe distance.
At a glance, anyone could tell each warrior’s role. The man wielding a shield and mace was the team’s tank, the one carrying twin crossbows was the marksman, and the woman in the green robe with a crystal staff served as the healer or mage.
Basic human knowledge.
However, what truly caught Daniel’s attention were their weapons.
The spikes on the mace shimmered with a faint golden glow that pulsed rhythmically, fading before flaring to life again as though it were alive.
"Far," Daniel whispered, activating his ability.
——————
Name: Star Crusher
Type: Mace
Rarity: Epic
Durability: 98%
Imbued Element: Earth
Description: A destructive mace forged to crush both shields and armor with overwhelming force. Well-placed strikes carry a chance to stagger the target for several seconds, making it an exceptional weapon for both offense and defense.
Killer Move: After landing five consecutive critical strikes on the same target, the wielder may activate its special move at will.
Upon activation, heavy chains erupt from the handle and bind to the mace’s head.
With a mighty swing, the mace expands into a massive wrecking ball capable of crushing everything in its path.
Mana Cost: 70% of maximum mana.
Cooldown: 7 Minutes.
——————
So this is what a real warrior carries...
As the warriors stepped into the dungeon, the translucent screen before Daniel’s eyes gradually faded away.
Silence settled over the training grounds once more.
"Students, don’t worry. It won’t take long," Marco said, turning to face the young shamans. "Starting tomorrow, we’ll resume our training again."
"But, Master, why did you have to call those other Masters to deal with this dungeon?" Tridon asked, wearing a puzzled expression. "Can’t you clear it yourself like last time?"
Marco let out a nervous smile.
"Tridon, that dungeon was different," Marco explained, turning his gaze back to the structure. "Look at the size of this one. It’s far larger than the dungeon I allowed you all to enter.
This is called a Group Dungeon, and it’s meant for warriors."
"But why, Master?" Bernard asked, frowning. "It’s still just a dungeon, isn’t it?"
"Yes, but without imbued weapons and proper teamwork, entering a Group Dungeon is nothing short of suicide," Marco replied solemnly.
With that, the young shamans gradually went their separate ways.
Some gathered around the well for a bath, some inside the building, while Bernard, Daniel, Molex, and Tridon returned to the corner of the training grounds to continue practicing their lightning control.
...
As the sun slowly drifted toward the western horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange mixed with dark clouds.
The young shamans left for the marketplace. Daniel, however, remained behind, washing himself beside the well.
*Splash-Splash-Splash*
’I should hurry before the sun sets. That jerky was really good,’ Daniel thought as he scrubbed the soap from his body, quickening his pace.
Just as he rinsed himself, something caught his eye.
A nearby bush trembled.
At first, he paid it no attention, assuming it was only the evening breeze, an animal, rabbits, squirrels? Maybe. But as it continued to rustle, his eyes gradually narrowed.
’Is someone there?’ he wondered, his gaze fixed on the bush beside a nearby tree.
Daniel slowed his movements, careful not to make a sound. Quietly, he crept toward the bushes, right hand raised, ready to channel lightning at a moment’s notice.
Parting the leaves just enough to see through, he caught sight of a man crouching low behind the shrub, as though trying to avoid being seen.
"Status," Daniel whispered.
——————
Name: Zane Marrow
Age: 43
HP: 6303/10700
Mana: 4390/8700
Description: A calm yet intimidating man who has worked as an investigator in Exil for over a decade and holds a high reputation within the organization.
——————
"Zane?" Daniel called out in surprise.
Zane flinched and quickly turned toward the voice. The tension in his face melted away as he let out a long sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness it’s you."
Daniel frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Shh... keep your voice down." Zane raised his index finger to his lips before glancing cautiously around them. "Let me explain, but stay quiet."
...
Daniel sat opposite Zane with his legs crossed on the grass, watching in silence as Zane treated his wounds. He split open a palm-sized green fruit resembling a passion fruit, squeezed its seeds, and let the thick juice drip onto several fresh cuts scattered across his body.
"How did you end up with all these injuries?" Daniel asked, concern creeping into his voice as he looked over Zane’s battered condition.
Zane lowered his eyes and let out a weary sigh.
"I was on my way to this town early this morning. Just as I reached the town gate, a wagon pulled in. The moment one of the men inside saw me, he grabbed a mace and came straight at me.
I don’t know why, but he treated me like I was some kind of criminal."
Zane glanced down at the fresh wounds covering his arms.
"He swung that mace at me without hesitation. I blocked the blow with my Earth Element, but it turned out he wielded the same element. His attacks were far stronger than mine, so I had no choice but to retreat."
Daniel’s eyes widened at the revelation, but he remained silent, allowing Zane to continue.
"Eventually, he stopped chasing me after I sprinted into the forest. And later, I don’t know why, but when I went into the marketplace to buy some food, everyone kept staring at me like I have done something wrong.
Then I found this."
Zane pulled a folded sheet of paper from inside his tunic and laid it on the ground between them.
Daniel picked it up and unfolded it.
It was a detailed hand-drawn portrait of a man who looked exactly like Zane, as though it had been drawn by a skilled artist — a wanted poster in all but name.
"What the..."
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