Arthur did not ask why Ryn stuck close. He already knew the answer.
The commander.
It must have been arranged so Arthur would not be left alone during the mission. The thoughtfulness behind it did not escape him. Soone had carefully considered his situation, his inexperience, and the danger ahead.
Arthur glanced briefly at Ryn walking beside him.
"First ti with silver rank making you nervous?" Ryn said quietly, without looking at him.
Arthur nodded. "It shows that clearly?"
Ryn allowed a faint smile. "You’re watching everything."
Arthur did not deny it. "I’m learning how things worked here."
"That’s good," Ryn replied. "Just don’t fall behind."
Arthur t his eyes for a mont. "I won’t."
Their steps continued in steady rhythm until the silver squad captain, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped.
The casual chatter faded almost instantly.
The captain turned to face them, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
"Listen up," he said.
Even his calm voice carried weight.
"You all know the about the ogres monsters, including Ryn," he continued, glancing briefly at them. "But we’ll go over it again. This is for Arthur."
Arthur straightened slightly. The captain’s attention was direct, asuring, but not hostile.
"The ogre is always a difficult opponent," the captain said. "And the state of dungeons these days has been... unpredictable. So prepare for the worst."
His tone grew more serious, and even the experienced mbers listened closely.
"Ogres are powerful and slightly intelligent monsters. They don’t just charge blindly. They form crude formations. They know when to attack, and when to defend. Compared to lower rank monsters whose instinct is simple aggression, these ones think."
Arthur absorbed every word.
Intelligent enemies were always more dangerous.
The captain continued.
"There are two main types you’ll encounter."
He raised a hand, signaling the first.
"The first type is larger and more bulky. Their ability is called Tough Skin. Their bodies are extrely durable. Weak slash attacks are almost useless. So we aim for their weak points. Behind the knees first, then the neck."
He paused before adding, "So of them even resist magic. But they are vulnerable to magic that counters earth attributes."
Arthur morized it carefully. Weak points. Knees, then neck. Earth weakness.
"The second type," the captain went on, "is rarer."
A few mbers exchanged knowing looks.
"They’re usually protected by the first type, and they maintain strong formations. That’s the real problem. But with our strength, formations alone aren’t an issue... unless they suddenly beco smarter."
A few chuckles spread through the group.
The captain allowed a brief smile before continuing.
"Their ability is called Seismic Pulse. A shockwave that disrupts everything around them. It breaks our formation, interrupts spells, and throws off montum."
Arthur frowned slightly.
A skill that disrupted it’s enemies.
"The good part," the captain added, "is that there’s a fixed ti interval between each use. We observe the timing and move during the gap."
That was valuable information. Strategy, not just strength, was what kept them alive.
The briefing ended, but Arthur’s mind remained active.
The ogres sounded terrifying. Durable bodies, intelligence, abilities that disrupted combat flow. Compared to the creatures he had faced before, this was another level entirely.
And yet, instead of fear, anticipation filled him.
A C rank dungeon.
Rewards. Experience. Growth.
A chance to prove himself.
He felt his heartbeat quicken.
The captain’s voice pulled him back.
"We’re close," he said.
The forest around them had grown quiet without Arthur noticing. The air felt heavier, thicker, as if the world itself warned of danger ahead.
Soon the dungeon entrance ca into view.
A distorted space, swirling with unstable energy, like a tear in reality. The ground around it was lifeless, stripped of color. Even the wind seed reluctant to pass through.
The captain raised his hand.
"Final checks."
The relaxed mood from earlier vanished completely.
Every mber inspected their weapons with practiced precision. Bags were tightened. Armor straps secured. Blades drawn and tested. Movents were efficient, disciplined, and silent.
Arthur followed their example.
He checked his armor carefully, adjusting the straps around his shoulders. Then he drew his dagger, inspecting its edge. The blade reflected his focused gaze. Satisfied, he returned it to position.
Watching them, he got to learn their habits.
This was what real preparation looked like. Not rushed movents driven by fear, but steady actions built from experience. Every detail mattered.
The captain began calling out the formation.
Positions were assigned quickly. The front line stepped forward, weapons ready. Support mbers adjusted their spacing. Everyone moved without confusion, like parts of a single body.
The atmosphere changed.
The relaxed laughter from the journey felt distant now. In its place was sharp focus. Alertness and Readiness.
Arthur felt it too.
His breathing steadied. His senses sharpened like the world had beco clearer.
This was the mont he had been waiting for.
As they approached the dungeon entrance, Ryn leaned slightly closer.
"Stay aware," he whispered. "Don’t rush ahead. Watch their movents first."
Arthur nodded once. "Understood."
There was no fear in his eyes. Only determination.
The captain stepped forward first, crossing the boundary of the dungeon without hesitation. One by one, the squad followed.
When Arthur’s turn ca, he paused briefly at the edge.
This step was more than entering a dungeon.
It was a step into a greater world. A chance to rise beyond the limits placed on him at awakening. A chance to prove that rank did not define his future.
He exhaled slowly, letting go of the last traces of anxiety.
Then he stepped in.
The world shifted instantly.
The air grew heavier, carrying the scent of damp earth and sothing foul. The sky above was dim, covered in a strange haze. The ground trembled faintly beneath his feet, as if sothing massive moved sowhere in the distance.
Arthur tightened his grip on his dagger as excitent stirred within him.
A/N:
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