n

n

n

"So this is the fourth floor.

" Ariel muttered

nThe four had already picked up the magic stone on the third floor after washing it with water before descending down the stairs.

nThey were in a cave like hall with red molten lava flowing down the holes on the sides.

nAt the end of the cave stood a large door which most likely led to the boss room. The cave itself was completely lit up by all the fire and lava

n

"It's hot...

" Serena muttered

nIf not for the fact that John was using both wind and thermal manipulation magic, they would've been sweating bricks.

n

"Let's go... Just 1 more floor after this.

" John muttered as he began heading towards the door

nAs the four walked towards the door, they noticed that something was strange

n

"Hey... Shouldn't we be getting attacked by monsters by now?

" Serena asked

n

"I was thinking the same thing... It's too empty.

"

n

"Yeah, I can't detect any monsters around with deprehended either.

"

n

"Another party has been through here, that is most likely why.

"

n

"Another party?! A-Rank? Wow... I wonder what they're like...

" John muttered

n

"Why do you look so excited? If they're strong, they'll beat the dungeon before us.

"

n

"That's impossible.

" Master Sylvia Said unintentionally

n

"What?

" The three simultaneously asked

n

"What's that-

"

nJohn interrupted Serena by asking

n

"Master Sylvia, what's that supposed to mean?

" John asked

n

"The final boss, is something only an S-Rank party can beat.

" Said Master Sylvia

n

"S-rank...?

" Serena muttered

n

"Then, how are we supposed to beat it?

" Ariel asked

nTo this question Master Sylvia simply smiled as she looked at the three

n

"You'll have to use your strongest spells

" She said

n

"And what if it fails?

" John asked

n

"Then we'll try again tomorrow.

" Said Master Sylvia

nJudging from the straight face Master Sylvia had on, John could tell that she wasn't joking. Not only that, but she was never much of a joker,

n

"...

"

nFor a moment everyone was silent, or rather, they didn't know what to say.

n

"Then, that means we have to beat it in the first try.

" Said Serena

n

"What do you mean by that?

" Ariel asked

n

"I don't want to re do this dungeon, that's boring and tiring, more importantly, I'm looking forward to the ball

"

n

"The ball?

" Ariel asked

n

"Mhm, I've heard that the sweets they serve there are amazing.

"

n

"Ohh? Really?!

" Ariel asked as her eyes began to sparkle

n

"That's right, they have all kind of flavoured cakes and pudding too

"

n

"Pudding?

" Ariel asked

n

"Yeah, pudd-

"

n*Bang*

nSerena was interrupted by the door in front of them which was suddenly slammed open, a party of 4 emerged.

n

"Tch! How many times do I have to tell you?! Use water magic the moment it charges up it's fire attack!

"

nThe one who came out was a tall and muscular man, with a big frame, he wore light armour with shorts and magically enchanted gauntlets on his hand. Spiky long scruffy brown hair with a small scar on his eyes.

n

"I-I didn't have enough time to cast...

" Said the girl mage

nShe was around john's height but looked older around 18, john himself was 5 ft 4 now. With short red hair and a fragile air around her, the girl seemed the be shivering in fear as the man shouted at her

n

"Cut her some slack, she was too busy healing and protecting our asses.

" Said another guy

nShort clean dark orange hair with light armour and daggers on his waist, his frame was balanced and he gave off a calm and relaxing vibe, he looked to be in his 20s

n

"That's right, she's had the most assists so far, don't take it out on her. Don't forget that it's temporary, just because we joined your party, doesn't give you the write to force your job upon us.

" Said the last girl

nlong, yellow hair, tied up into a ball on her head and dark blue eyes with a piercing gaze to them, like the other girl, she carried a staff and wore a robe, another magician. She also looked to be as old as the red haired girl.

n

"Yeah, I'm the one who's in the wrong, gang up on me, why don't you? I'm doing you all favour, Tsk, we're going in again.

"

n

"Huh? Are you crazy? It's wounds have healed since we left, we're in no condition to fight.

"

n

"Then don't come, I'll kick you off the party and keep the reward for myself when I'm done,

" Said the guy

nHearing this the girl angrily gripped her staff and hung her head

n

"I-It's fine, it'll be better if we just do as he says...

" Said the red haired girl

nZestari, Can't she just take her part of the reward and head back?

nsince he's the leader, he's probably holding all the magic stones they've gathered so far. If he were to head back and say they didn't do anything to help, if they don't have any evidence to support that they did, he'll end up with the reward all to himself. So, in cases like these it's better to obey.

nHuh, so things like these can happen...

nIt's quite common.

n

"You heard the man, let's go.

" Said the dark orange haired man as he placed his hands on the door

n

"Fine...

" said the yellow haired girl

n

"Good, open the do-

"

n

"Wait.

" Said John as he grabbed on to the guy's shirt

n

"Huh? Where did this little punk come from?

" The man asked

n

"You've had your turn, get in line.

" Said John

nThe man made an intimidating, angry expression but without flinching John stared straight at it

n

"Haha... I see...

"

nSuddenly the man placed his hands and rubbed john's hair for a while as he said

n

"It's just another person trying to get on my nerves...

"

nThe man pulled back his fist, before sending it straight towards john at a high speed.

nBut the fist stopped right before it reached him

n

"Tch, lucky kid, fine.

"

nThe moment the man had shown hostility to John. Serena and Ariel had formed 10 combined upgraded fire and wind arrows all formed around the man, pointing straight at him.

nMaster Sylvia simply watched

n

"Try it, we dare you.

" Said Serena with an angered look

nJohn was prepared to fight the guy himself, but it seems like he didn't need to John thought to himself

nHe was rather happy to see his friends get angry for him.

n

"We'll wait here, don't come crying to me later.

" Said the guy

n

"Good.

" Said master sylvia as she moved her dagger away from his neck

n