The trio slowly neared the enormous plaza surrounding the golden bridge. The crowd here was massive, but under the stern gazes of the soldiers no one dared to make trouble.

In some designated areas one could observe warriors trading valuable materials while towards the side of the plaza luxurious restaurants offered a place to connect.

From time-to-time musicians managed to make themselves heard over the loud voices, singing touching ballads about humanity’s heroes.

Everywhere the name of certain warriors was spread in one way or another, with most of them praising the mighty Lord Sword Demon and his heroic deeds.

Tepo had to take a deep breath as the commotion felt as if waves brandished against his body, letting him find out that he doesn’t enjoy these chaotic crowds.

Yerive on the other hand was fascinated. He looked with bright eyes at the many warriors, listened to the musicians’ songs, and imagined the glory of his own name being spread like this.

“Welcome to the golden bridge!”, exclaimed Alria with pride in her voice. She eyed a few idle people lingering about, which were her competitors, before talking to Yerive and Tepo.

“So, what did you have in mind? Are you leaving today?”

“Yes.”, said Tepo. “We don’t have anything left to do in the city.”

“Alright. Do you see those soldiers gathered over there? This is where you have to apply for the next group. Only special VIPs are allowed to use the golden bridge without the alliance’s guides.

Come, follow me.”

The two friends gazed at the spot Alria was pointing at. It was an area no warriors dared to linger around.

Stern-fazed soldiers gathered around the only building on the plaza. Apparently, this was somewhat like their office as some assistants manned counters before it and registered people who wanted to leave this world.

As their guide began moving, Tepo and Yerive naturally followed, albeit with difficulties. While Alria walked like a fish in water, as if reading the crowd, the two young men could only push and get pushed like anyone else.

But after a few seconds the two friends had to stop entirely as the crowd suddenly parted some meters away. Tepo looked towards the opened area with annoyance written all over his face. Surprised voices reached his ears.

“That’s Seven Strikes!”

“Wow! That’s how I always imagined upcoming heroes!”

“I’ve heard they solved two extremely difficult dungeons over the last few months!”

“Ahh, Lord Lendias, I want to carry your children!”

“Feva has to be one of the most gorgeous women in the world!”

“Are you suicidal? Watch your mouth or she will cut your head off!”

“She could do with my head whatever she wants!”

Tepo shivered as he looked in so many fervent eyes. He saw a hint of madness which made him unsettled. He narrowed his eyes as he observed the target of the crowd’s adoration.

It was a team of seven warriors which had suddenly appeared and drew everyone’s attention. The team’s members each had different characteristics form handsome faces to someone hiding their appearance behind a mask. From shining golden armor to a dark leather coat.

But the most outstanding individual was definitely the tall man walking in the front. With his bright smile, blueish shimmering, white armor, and a golden crown on his head the man called Lord Lendias emitted the pressure of a powerful warrior.

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Suddenly the seven warriors came to a stop in the middle of the crowd. They basked in admiration until Lord Lendias finally spoke up.

“Thank you, thank you. Yes, you are seeing correctly! We are Team Seven Strikes!”

As Lord Lendias opened his arms widely, applause sounded from the surrounding people.

“I, the powerful Lord Lendias, am happy to announce that we indeed solved the dungeon of king-ranked difficulty which has been activated in the ruw’s territory.”

Surprised gasps echoed within the crowd. Tepo also had to admit that solving a king ranked dungeon was an impressive feat. But Yerive looked somewhat confused as he addressed his best friend:

“Hey, Tepo. Do you know what a king-ranked difficulty means?”

“Yes. Dungeon difficulties are adapted from core rankings.

It starts with common, squire, knight, hero, until king. There should be higher ones, but I don’t know them yet. Those are probably not something our small world has ever seen.”

“Ahh, there are so many ranks. Now Ganaph’s knight rank doesn’t sound that impressive anymore…”

Tepo shook his head at Yerive’s disappointed expression.

“Don’t confuse the two rankings. Dungeons are entirely random, and the rank is only an estimation given by humans. But a core signifies the potential you are born with. Higher ranked cores are incredibly rare compared to higher ranked dungeons.”

While the two men conversed, the Team Seven Strikes continued to sing their own praise. Tepo grew increasingly annoyed until they finally left.

The crowd also loosened a bit. Finally, the two friends could continue. As they approached the soldiers’ office, they could already see Alria anxiously looking around.

“Ahh! Precious custo… friends! Here, here!”

Chuckling the two friends approached their young guide.

“Sorry, guys. I didn’t notice you got lost. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t mention it. We just aren’t used to such crowds.”

Alria was relieved that Tepo and Yerive didn’t blame her. What if they withheld her pay or just ran away with it? Then the young guide would have no place to complain.

“Thank you. Should I help you register then?”

“Go ahead.”

Nodding at her customers Alria turned around and approached one of the assistants manning a counter. She helped the two young men register their names and destinations and find a group.

Tepo and Yerive were somewhat surprised by the meticulousness as they received small tokens which made them identifiable by the Hub City Alliance, easing the process in the future.

Now all that was left was to wait for a few minutes until their group left. Tepo and Yerive felt some nervousness as they spent the time conversing with Alria and paying her what she deserved.

Finally, two soldiers left the office. They wore the alliance’s typical golden armors but without the long capes, inducing respect in everyone who laid their eyes on them.

Tepo and Yerive knew that the time had come. They said goodbye to Alria as they approached the soldiers. A few other warriors also separated from the crowd.

Just as the group formed, at the last second a boisterous voice rang in everyone’s ears.

“Haha, as always, we are perfectly on time! Come, guys! We will join this group!”

Sighing faintly, Tepo turned his head towards the side. He saw seven powerful warriors striding through the crowd with their heads up in the skies.

What a sh*t luck. This guy’s attitude is too repulsive. I would really prefer not being in the same group as him…

Tepo eyed Team Seven Strikes as they confidently approached the two soldiers. He was surprised as even the soldiers nodded slightly, showing the team or maybe their leader some respect.

“Your team can join us of course. But you know the rules. We take the lead, and no one is to separate from the group.

This goes for all of you!”

The soldier eyed all the approaching warriors, his voice dropping a lot as he said the last sentence.

Tepo didn’t appreciate being looked at like this.

He eyed the second soldier, a woman with her shoulder long, braided hair adorned with pearls. At least her face was more nonchalant, like someone just going through the motions.

A short while later about forty warriors had gathered around the soldiers. They had to show their tokens before the group finally began moving towards the golden bridge.

Yerive and Tepo were amazed as they observed the monument up close. The golden bridge with dark railing was made form a material even unknown to Tepo. Extremely faint, black lines could be seen forming a dense net on its surface, marking the paths taken by the many moving platforms.

Just now a big group of warriors came out of a portal. They even had some horse-like beasts with them, which were packed with storage bags.

A large white platform suddenly separated from the floor beneath the golden bridge. It shot upwards along the bridge’s surface before coming to a stop in front of the group.

After everyone safely got on, a faint white energy railing supported its edges as it descended at high speeds.

As the new arrivals got off, the soldier leading Tepo’s group suddenly waved at them.

“Hurry up everyone!”

Their group walked past multiple guards before reaching the empty area around the bridge and stepping on the platform.

Despite having to carry so many people, the platform was still not filled up. It effortlessly ascended. Tepo and Yerive drew in sharp breaths as they got higher and higher.

Soon, an incredible view opened up before them. They looked down on the city’s roofs which expanded for miles. Ant-like beings filled the broad street. Only the massive Sword Demon Castle still overshadowed them.

“Everyone, get in! We don’t have all day!”

An impatient shout brought the astounded warriors back to reality. Under the soldier’s orders the large group gradually stepped through the portal.