The squad moved faster as they approached the southern region.
The forest was already in view from afar, stretching wide like a dark sea of trees. Even from this distance, sothing felt wrong. The air carried tension. The ground seed restless under their feet.
Arthur walked with the bronze squad, keeping pace with steady breaths. His eyes scanned the surroundings while his mind stayed calm. The excitent of yesterday’s growth had settled, replaced by quiet focus.
This was a real mission.
And danger was ahead.
Captain Ryn finally slowed slightly, enough to speak while still keeping his guard up. His eyes never stopped moving, checking the terrain, watching the tree line, listening for anything unusual.
"Listen up," Ryn said, voice firm but controlled. "Ergency reinforcent mission. All divisions and available squads have been deployed."
That alone told Arthur everything was serious.
Ryn continued.
"There has been a major break. Two D rank dungeons mutated and overflowed at the sa ti."
A few explorers stiffened.
Arthur didn’t need the full explanation to understand the weight of that statent. A single D rank dungeon was already dangerous. Two breaking at once, and rging, ant chaos.
Ryn pointed ahead.
"Ironroot Pass stronghold was breached."
The broken structure soon ca into view in the distance. Even from afar, the damage was visible. Sections of its walls had collapsed, watchtowers were torn apart, and smoke still rose into the sky.
It wasn’t as massive or well protected as Grimwatch, but the level of destruction was still shocking.
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
That kind of damage ant the defense had not just failed. It had been overwheld.
Ryn continued speaking.
"Ironroot Pass Stronghold guards this entire forest zone. Multiple dungeons are located here. If the defense collapses, monsters spread freely into surrounding territories."
Arthur nodded slightly.
So that was the real danger.
Not just the stronghold.
The chain reaction.
Ryn moved on to their role.
"Our task is not to enter the dungeon. That’s for the silver and gold squads."
Arthur noticed several powerful explorers already advancing ahead, their presence heavy with authority and confidence.
Ryn’s voice remained steady.
"Our job is civilian protection and elimination of stragglers. Monsters have scattered around the stronghold and nearby settlents. We clean them up."
Simple.
Clear.
Necessary.
Arthur liked that.
The strongest fought the source. The rest controlled the damage.
Ryn glanced at the group.
"We fight for the sa goal. Different roles, sa result."
The explorers listened closely, including Arthur. There was no panic in him. Only curiosity and readiness.
Then Ryn began briefing them on the monsters.
"The first type you’ll encounter are Vine Beasts."
A few new explorers looked confused.
"Plant-based monsters," Ryn explained. "They’re easy to cut, but they regenerate rapidly."
A murmur spread among the group.
Arthur listened carefully.
"Fire stops the regeneration," Ryn continued. "Burn them and they stay down."
His gaze briefly rested on the fire mages present.
Then it paused on Arthur for a mont.
Arthur pretended not to notice, though a smirk tugged at his lips.
So his new power already had been known by the captain. He really was well inford.
Ryn continued after the pause.
"Each Vine Beast has a core inside the mass. Locate and destroy it to end them completely. Don’t just hack blindly."
Arthur stored the information quickly.
Find the core. Burn or destroy.
Simple logic.
"The second threat," Ryn said, "are spider-type monsters."
The tone of the group shifted slightly. Even experienced explorers frowned.
"Strong shells. Fast movent. Their web cannot be cut easily."
Arthur imagined the situation imdiately. Restricted movent, tough defense, and ambush potential.
Troubleso enemies.
"Again," Ryn continued, "fire is highly effective. Burn the web. Soften the shell."
He raised a finger.
"But if you don’t have fire, target joints and weak points. Legs, connection areas, and underside."
Arthur appreciated how direct the explanation was.
No unnecessary detail.
Just enough for their survival.
They continued forward while Ryn finished the briefing.
"Work together. Follow orders. Stay in formation."
He glanced back at the newer explorers, many of whom looked tense.
"Treat this as training," he added. "I’ll guide you during combat. Trust my commands and you’ll live."
His voice carried confidence, not arrogance.
Arthur could tell Ryn ant it.
The captain’s personality was clear. Direct. Responsible. Calm under pressure.
Arthur respected that.
The ruined stronghold grew clearer as they approached.
The destruction was worse than expected.
Large sections of the defensive walls had been crushed inward. Buildings were torn apart, and deep claw marks scarred the stone. Burn marks spread across the ground, evidence of desperate resistance.
The sll of smoke and damp earth filled the air.
So new explorers swallowed nervously.
Arthur simply observed.
This is what happens when defense fails. Teak were destroyed while the strong survived.
Ryn suddenly raised his hand.
"Stay sharp. Contact ahead."
The squad tightened formation instantly.
Arthur felt his senses sharpen. His intent stirred quietly beneath his calm expression.
This was what he had chosen.
This path.
Ahead of them, several higher ranked squads split from the main force. Silver and gold badge explorers moved toward the dungeon entrances farther outside the damaged stronghold.
Their movents were swift and disciplined with no hesitation as Arthur watched them briefly.
A signal was passed between squads.
Orders were given rapidly across the battlefield.
The mission had officially begun.
Bronze squads were directed inward, spreading within and around the stronghold’s periter to protect civilians and eliminate wandering monsters.
Ryn imdiately turned to his team.
"Bronze squad, formation!"
They responded at once.
"Defensive spread. Pair system. No one moves alone."
Arthur found his position smoothly, adjusting his pace to match the formation. His movents were natural, controlled.
Ryn continued.
"Priority one, civilian safety. Priority two, eliminate threats. Do not chase targets deep without permission."
He looked directly at the group.
"Understood?"
"Yes, Captain," several voices answered.
Arthur nodded silently.
As they moved into position, signs of chaos beca clearer.
As the Civilians were being evacuated from damaged structures. So were injured, others still shaken.
A/N:
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