"Since we are all done with the introduction, shall we?" Kanji said, making his way towards the entrance of the instant dungeon.
He stepped through it and the other members followed according to the order of introduction.
Nuel also followed after, the swirling energy around the gate of the dungeon sucking him into the dungeon like a fluff of nothing.
Stepping through the rift and descending into the dungeon, Nuel took a quick inspection of the dungeon he had stepped into.
Kael was quick to light a torch with his fire ability; a blue flamed mana energy, and he spread the spell to other torches that hung around the walls of the dungeon, pulling the darkness that cloaked around into the past.
In the distance, they could hear the faint sound of dripping water pooling in stagnant puddles, mingling with the unsettling creaks and groans of crickets and tiny insects.
The air was thick and musty, filled with the scent of mold and decay. Rough, uneven floors were scattered with debris, and the faint rustle of unseen creatures skittered in the darkness.
The mist in the air was dense, making every breath harder than the last as they walked deeper into the dungeon.
"It seems a party has been here before us." Kanji, who was walking up front said,
"My thoughts exactly. This dungeon seems to be too serene like someone had cleared this floor before we arrived." Kael agreed with a sinister smile playing on his lips.
Nuel could not understand what Kael's deal was. Kael had his own way of irking him or maybe he was just overthinking it, but certainly, there was more to the void expressions Kael made in certain situations.
Even though they had only met roughly thirty minutes ago, Nuel couldn't help but feel a little restless about Kael's presence.
"We've been walking for quite a while now, why don't we rest for a bit before we continue the journey?" Thorne Moonstone suggested, resting his giant shield against the wall as he was preparing to rest as well.
"Talk about letting someone as huge as you into the party; all you do is slow us down." Lila commented with an irritated look.
Kanji took a glance at Nuel, and after reading his expression, he smiled.
Nuel was not in for a talk, as existing within the dungeon walls that seem to be endless was exhausting already.
"Thorne is right, Lila. We don't know what monsters we will be facing on the next floor if perhaps this floor has been cleared." Kanji said.
"What do you say, twenty minutes are enough, right, leader?" Kael asked with a snicker, saluting Kanji.
"Right, Nuel?"
[(Ding!)]
"Whatever you say." Nuel replied, walking towards a wall to check on the system's notification while Aria followed after him briskly.
The holographic screen appeared in front of Nuel with the flash notification.
[Dungeon quest activated]
[(Description: A dungeon quest is basically an adventure where the player has to explore dark, dangerous dungeons with specific goals in mind. This could mean battling monsters, solving puzzles, or finding valuable items within speculated timings)]
'A dungeon quest? Interesting.' Nuel thought to himself, taking a side peek at Aria who wouldn't leave his side for a minute.
[(Quest I: Difficulty level: Lv 3)]
[Defeat 5 dungeon monster]
[Reward: 10x ability on current stats for a specific timing]
[(Quest II: Difficulty level: Lv 5)]
[Reward: A Guide to Make a Elixir of Life]
'Elixir of life?' Nuel asked, his eyes glistening with surprise with the closest possibility of what the reward actually meant delving through his mind.
[The "Guide to Make Elixir of Life" is a promised reward that will be granted upon completing the current quest. It likely contains detailed instructions and information on crafting the legendary Elixir of Life]
[The player will receive the guide once you fulfill the quest requirement.]
'Could this be a chance to bring aunt Zixuan back?' He marveled in his thoughts.
The next minute, a crooked slam jagged into his flesh in a gruesome attack which sent him hurtling away from the wall he was resting on.
"What the hell?" Nuel grunted as he tried to regain himself.
He looked straight at where he was standing a second ago and right on top of his head was a titan arachnid, slittering its webs like a viper's tongue.
The attack on Nuel was unprecedented as it was more of an ambush. The party had completely let their guard off for just a short while and Nuel had suffered the consequences.
"Lila, attend to Nuel, fast!" Aria shouted, rushing towards the wall Nuel had been tossed into.
Nuel flinched as he finally got aware of the wound the titan arachnid had perched through his skin.
Lila finally got to Nuel and began to cast her healing spell on his wound.
"Talk about bad luck on your first raid." Lila said with a sadistic smirk as she poured more mana to heal his wound.
Nuel's flesh regenerated, getting back into form. He grunted a bit, unable to bear the pain of watching his torn flesh joining back together.
It felt like he was walking on burning coal, ice and sharp nails all at once and soon, Lila was done with her job, casting her spell perfectly well to heal Nuel.
"Thanks!" He whispered, unsheathing his sword immediately.
The other party members finally caught up with them, their breath hitched as they watched more titan arachnids crawl towards them from every angle of the dungeon.
"These monsters are D-rank monsters, but do not undermine their prowess, people. They can be very cunny and calculative with their attacks." Kanji said to them.
"Thorne and I will take the front line. Kael, you and Nuel should guard our backs while the ladies should do what they know best." Kanji continued and they gave him a nod.
"On my signal, we attack!"
'Talk about a quack plan.' Nuel thought with a smirk.
The monsters began to crawl towards them like mad creatures, their horrible, cranky legs digging into the dungeon floor with a loud stink fuming out of their bodies.
"Now!"