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"Welcome back...

"

nTalia, Shamac, and Ana came out of ROOT's portal, as well as 30 percent of my consciousness. The three of them all have exhausted looks, their attire all worn out, even though the clothes have resistance for wear and stain.

n

"They must have worked really hard, then

" I smiled

nI have come to realize, after receiving memories of the time spent with them... That these three have come very far in terms of abilities. I'm happy I spent much time with them, well... Technically, a part of me did.

nThey have all grown considerably well.

n

"Tomorrow, it begins,

" I said.

n

"Get some rest, you've earned it.

"

nI sped ROOT's time up quite a bit, making them spend about 50 days within it. I could have made their training last longer, but this is their limit. Any more, and their bodies wouldn't be able to handle it.

nWith the information I obtained from my fragmented consciousness, and the preparations I have made while they were within ROOT, everything is going perfectly well.

nTomorrow should be good.

nTHE NEXT DAY

n

"Everyone... It is finally the moment you have all been waiting for! The Vanishing Dungeon has appeared

" A speaker announced, standing on an elevated platform as he addressed the crowd energetically.

nHe used a sound-enhancing Relic to make his voice travel to everyone who watched and listened to him.

n

"Whoooooooo!!!!!

"

nThe crowd gave out exciting noises.

nCurrently, we are beneath the Vanishing Dungeon which is floating above our heads.

nHowever, the Dungeon placed anchors that attached themselves to the ground. These anchors generated Gates, distorted points in space which links the Anchors to the Dungeon itself.

nThere are a total of four anchors, making four distinct centers, or points of entry to the Dungeon.

nThe massive crowd belongs to the first center, consisting of the bulk of the Adventurers. The second center is used by the Diamond ranks, the third is used by the Platinum ranks, and the final... That is reserved for only one.

nEveryone cheered excitedly, at least... Nearly everyone. The ones who remained silent and observed the situation calmly, not giving themselves to the excitement that seemed to radiate around everyone, are the top-ranked Adventurers. Since we aren't even staying among the rest of the crowd, we only watched them from our distance, smiling at their desperation and enthusiasm.

n

"How pitiful. See how they scurry about like mice

" One of the Platinum ranked mused, watching the adventures who pushed among themselves impatiently.

nHe's not wrong.

nIt is finally time to begin the Raid Conquest. According to Lamar's Adventurers Guild Rules, there are protocols to be followed when challenging the Dungeon.

nWhile it is free for any Adventurer to challenge it, there had to be some laws and restrictions put in place, lest the event became an unruly occasion.

nSome Adventurers are given priority in the order of entry, starting from the topmost rank to the bottom ranks. This means, we Platinum Adventurers get to enter the Dungeon before others, followed by Diamond and so on. This has attracted some dissatisfaction from other Adventures, calling it bias... But it's no one's fault that they are weak.

nCurrently, the mob who keep bellowing beside us Platinum ranked Adventurers are Bronze rank to Gold. The Diamond Ranks also have their centers, different from the masses.

nI looked around me and observed the other Adventurers with me. Apart from my party of four, the Platinum ranked Adventurers are only five. They all possess at least three Relics on them, and their pieces of equipment are all impressive.

nI observed one, in particular, the one who is said to have amassed riches and fame in the last Raid... I noticed the Relics he had, feeling drawn toward them.

n

"Those are... Mine...

" I muttered.

nNow I see why he is placed at number two among the highest-ranked Adventurers. With such treasures, it'll be a breeze.

n

"The top-ranked Adventurer isn't here...?

" Shamac whispered to Talia.

n

"Idiot, don't you know? He has a center all to himself. They say he is in a separate class on his own!

" Talia replied, fishing Shamac.

nWe are, after all, among the most seasoned of veterans it won't do well if we appear to be inexperienced.

nStill, though... Not to sound conceited, but I thought they would be paying a little more attention to our group. We did shoot up the Rankings in no time at all. But, they don't seem to be even looking at us.

nOh well, as long as they don't get in my way... I don't need to bother about them.

nIf I count the top Adventurer in Lamar combined with the rest of us, we Platinum Ranked Adventurers make a total number of 10.

nWe have our Adventurer badges, with our respective placements on them.

nI am Platinum Rank Adventurer, Rank 8

nAna is Rank 9

nTalia is Rank 10

nWhile Shamac... Is Rank 7.

nHe did finish the earliest in our tests. Plus, I'm sure Jared wouldn't reveal what really happened in our fight to the Adventurers Guild.

n

"The Rank is inconsequential. After this expedition, a lot will change anyway.

" I muttered to myself.

nThe Adventurers below us are numbered in hundreds, no, thousands. At least three thousand of them are there. Too bad most of them will die in this Raid.

n

"Like lambs to the slaughter

" I smiled.

n

"We will now commence warping!

" The Announcer said to everyone present.

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"Platinum Ranks, you may enter!

"

nOne by one, the higher-ranked Platinum Rankers entered the portal which was placed before us, directly in front of the anchor. We waited until they were done. Finally, it became our turn.

n

"Everyone, hold onto me as we enter

" I instructed.

nTalia and Ana held both my hands while Shamac trapped my side a little, feeling nervous as he did so.

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"Pull yourself together,

" I told him.

nWe're only doing this out of necessity. Due to the nature of the Vanishing Dungeon, if we do not maintain physical contact with ourselves when we enter the Gate, we would end up reappearing at different locations within the Dungeon.

n

"Let's go!

" I gleamed.

nWe entered the shimmering blue portal, delving into the distorted point in space as we could feel our body warp into uncharted territory.

nWe appeared at a desolate place, filled with nothing but an endless hallway with large stone pillars holding the ceiling with their tough structure.

nIt was dark and empty, the feel exhibited an ancient and dreadful feel. The darkness was dimly contrasted by tiny bulbs of stones that shone. They possessed different colors; blue, red, and white.

n

"Aspectal Stones...

" I muttered.

nThey are ores which contain concentrated Aspect properties. They make good mineral resources for the humans, quite pricey too. However, to me they barely pass as a good light source.

n

"We're here... Within the Vanishing Dungeon... Whoah, it looks so ominous!

" Talia said with wonder.

nShamac also beamed as he looked around him. Ana, though she tried to hide it, looked excited as well.

nIt's no surprise they are this way, after all this should be their first time in a Dungeon. But for me, it's not really anything special. I know where we currently are.

nWe are in the hallway leading to the room that will take us to the next floor. Not bad. I would have preferred it if we had arrived directly at the fifth floor, but this will suffice.

nI should use this opportunity to observe how these little ones have grown.

nAfter all, to advance to the next floor one needs to conquer the room that grants access to it. It is popularly known by humans as the 'Boss Room'.

n

"Let's move, everyone

" I ordered, walking forward without a moment's delay.

nTalia and Shamac snapped from their gawking and followed behind me quickly, while Ana still maintained her pace a short distance behind me. She's sharp, out of everyone here she still has the highest capabilities.

n

"Where are we going?

" Talia asked excitedly.

n

"The Boss room. We'll advance to the fourth floor, then to the fifth floor. Once we get there... The fun will truly start

" I responded.

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"O-Oh wow! I can't wait then! It's time to show you just what I can do!

" Talia grinned with

ndelight.

nIf only she knows what the 'fun' actually means. There is a 'Hidden Scenario' of the Vanishing Dungeon they only I know of, since no one has discovered it yet. For me to get what I want from the Final Boss Room, I'll need to activate it. However, once I do... Nearly everyone's life here is forfeit.

n

"What an Idiot. Boss already knows what you can do. He was instructing all of us, wasn't he?

" Shamac heaved a sigh as he shook his head.

nTalia's face turned red as she looked mortified. She made a face at Shamac, who simply ignored her and gave a mischievous smile.

nI smiled at this. Shamac is finally becoming more comfortable with the group. That's good progress. What a surprise though, to think he would point that out to Talia. He's smarter than I gave him credit for, rather... Maybe it's the other way around.

nPerhaps it's just Talia who is stupid.

nAfter walking for some time, we finally made it to the gate leading to the Boss Room of the 3rd Floor.

nAs the massive gate stood before us, my party and I all smiled confidently. After all, we all know this will be a breeze.

nThe true goal is still far ahead.

n