With that final thought, Morca closed his eyes, allowing himself a rare moment of peace.
.....
The next morning, Friday. Morca stepped out of his room, dressed entirely in black. A black sweater, matching pants, and a short black suit jacket completed his look. Today's outfit wasn't a fashion statement; it was a battle choice. Black absorbed all colors, including red, making it ideal for combat. Bloodstains would go unnoticed, though the scent would linger. Morca didn't mind, if it was the scent of blood, so be it.
His ink-black hair and the eyepatch covering his left eye gave him an aura of quiet menace. With his sharp features and striking presence, one could easily mistake him for a young mafia boss on an outing rather than a warrior heading to battle.
As soon as he stepped into the hallway, he spotted Emmett Lee leaning against the wall, his focus on a mobile device. The blue-haired man appeared to be browsing for information, but his relaxed posture suggested he had been waiting.
Unlike Morca, Emmett was dressed in a sophisticated brown business suit, a scarf wrapped loosely around his neck. His long sky-blue hair was tied back, giving him an air of effortless elegance. At a glance, he looked like a man waiting for his lover. But there was only one person he could be waiting for, Morca.
Noticing Morca's arrival, Emmett glanced up, his sharp red eyes scanning his younger brother's all black ensemble. A knowing smile crossed his lips.
"You look exceptional today," he mused. "Seems like your awakening has influenced your taste. Your bloodline must be at play here. Not that I'm complaining, it suits you. Adds a unique aura."
Then, his tone turned serious.
"Did you pack your things? We won't be coming back after your training. We're heading straight to the academy."
Morca scoffed. "Why bother? With you around, there's no need to carry unnecessary baggage. It'll only slow us down. We can buy whatever we need later."
Emmett chuckled. "Smart choice. It's good to have someone like me watching your back."
He turned on his heel. "Let's go. We're heading to Section Three, it's an hour from the academy, and that's where your training will take place."
A dangerous smirk played at the corner of his lips.
Together, the two brothers strode out of the Sherman estate, walking shoulder to shoulder like celebrities on a private tour. The early morning streets were still quiet, allowing them to move unnoticed.
Waiting for them outside was a sleek gray private spaceship. It was built to accommodate around fifty passengers, yet it was clear they would be the only ones boarding.
Without hesitation, Emmett led the way, and Morca followed. The moment they stepped aboard, the ship took off, heading west from their eastern section.
.....
Section Three – Dungeon DX1.5
Section Three was already bustling. People moved in all directions, and among them were a handful of awakened experts, few heading toward a single destination, the DX1.5 dungeon.
After the apocalypse, human leaders had developed a classification system to assess dungeon threats. Dungeons were categorized into levels, from One-Star to Eight-Star. A One-Star dungeon posed the lowest risk, while an Eight-Star was a catastrophic nightmare, monitored closely by the academy.
The DX1.5 dungeon fell between One and Two Stars, making it an ideal training ground for newly awakened experts.
At the outskirts of Section Three, past rows of abandoned buildings, a massive metal gate loomed. It was reinforced with thick steel gears, sealing the dungeon's entrance. A small crowd had gathered outside,ten people in total, grouped in twos and threes.
On the other side of the gate, behind a worn-out desk, sat an older man. He was the dungeon's guild official, responsible for registering those entering. He wasn't particularly powerful, but he had enough experience, and a few tricks up his sleeve, to survive if a monster ever broke free.
Clearing this dungeon required at least six awakened experts and four cultivators. The numbers present seemed sufficient, except for one problem. There were only four awakened among them. They were still two short.
Then, from a distance, two figures approached.
One was clad entirely in black, his left eye concealed beneath an eyepatch. His ink-black hair blended seamlessly with his dark attire, making him look both enigmatic and lethal. The other figure, by contrast, was dressed in a brown business suit, his long sky-blue hair giving him an air of nobility. Even from afar, it was clear, this man wasn't here to fight. His presence screamed wealth and power.
As they drew closer, murmurs rippled through the crowd. It didn't take long for people to recognize them, Morca and Emmett Lee.
After five hours of travel, they had finally arrived.
Emmett didn't waste time. Striding straight to the guild official, he spoke with calm authority.
"I want this dungeon cleared for the next three days. Evacuate all other parties within thirty minutes. We need full access."
The guild official hesitated. "Sir, that's not allow..."
Before he could finish, Emmett placed a metallic ID card on the table, silencing him instantly.
The moment the man saw the card, his face drained of color.
"Yes, sir Sherman. I'll do as you say immediately."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. A few adventurers had been on the verge of protesting, but the name Sherman shut them up instantly.
The Sherman family... ranked fourth among the Seven Ancient Families, had just claimed this dungeon for themselves. No one in their right mind would dare stand in their way. If anything, they would consider themselves lucky just to be present.
With the matter settled, Emmett turned to Morca.
"This is a Level DX1.5 dungeon. Your task is simple, clear it within three days. If you fail, don't even think about coming out."
Morca smirked. "A day or two should be enough."
Emmett's eyes narrowed. "Don't be so cocky, kid. You have no idea what's waiting for you inside. The dungeon won't reopen until the boss is dead. So good luck… and try not to die."
"What are those two discussing? Clearing a DX 1.5 dungeon in just two days? How arrogant. I'll just wait and watch as that arrogant kid embarrasses himself," the guild official muttered under his breath.