Chapter 57
In one of the Elemental Nation’s border zones, inside a lush overgrown forest with canopies so thick the sun couldn’t reach the ground, Annallee hid behind a trunk, her face weary with exhaustion. The rest of her squad took up positions amongst the branches, keeping a lookout for any movement.
During the brief respite, Annallee fiddled with her bracers. A week of skirmishes had left her equipment in terrible condition. She was especially annoyed by the demon’s frequent use of corrosive liquid.
On the upside, her team had managed to kill six demons thus far.
The equipment they looted was far superior to their own - both in levels and grade.
If not for that, they would’ve had to fall back and resupply days ago.
Amidst the sounds of wildlife, Annallee’s captain spoke in a hushed tone, “I’ve got less than ten potions left. Another fight and I’ll be out.”
“Same here,” someone answered.
Annallee responded, “I have three remaining.”
The team tallied their potions and re-distributed them to make sure everyone was even. Afterward, the captain glanced around, “What do you think? Should we head to the nearest supply station or continue?”
“I say we play it safe. No need to take any unnecessary risks,” Annallee voiced her opinion.
“Agreed,” another said.
“Very well,” the captain nodded. “Let’s head back.”
Like a well-oiled machine, the team traversed the overgrown forest with adept movements, each covering the other’s blindspot. The demons could attack at a moment’s notice, so they had to be on constant alert.
Suddenly, the person in the lead came to a halt and raised their fist, signaling for the team to stay silent. Thinking that they encountered demons, the team held their breath with grim expressions.
The person in the lead pointed forward, whispering, “Look at that.”
Annallee jumped over and squinted. “A structure?”
Up ahead was a square brick building covered in moss and vines, blending in with the rest of the forest. An untrained eye would’ve missed it.
“Strange. Is it a demon den?” The captain spoke warily.
“Doesn’t look like it, not their style,” Annallee shared her doubt.
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Their team had been in this zone for a week and it was the first time they encountered such a structure. Growing curious, the captain turned to the team’s assassin, “Yale, are you willing to check it out?”
Typical of the Innate’s military, the captain didn’t abuse his authority and force their subordinate to take a risk. Instead, they asked for the other’s opinion.
“No problem,” Yale answered, his body turning invisible.
As Yale checked out the unknown structure, the team kept their guard up.
A minute later, Yale appeared nearby, his expression bewildered.
“What’s wrong?” The captain noticed the abnormality.
Yale responded with a tone of confusion, “It’s a celestial grade dungeon.”
A few members of the team were perplexed, unaware of what a dungeon was. However, Annallee, being Mariane’s adopted daughter, and the captain, knew full well what a dungeon entailed.
“Did you say celestial? Are you sure?” The captain pressed anxiously.
“Yes,” Yale tilted his head, wondering why the captain was so emotional.
Annallee hastily turned to the captain, saying, “We need to report this immediately. A celestial grade dungeon has only appeared in the Grandsky Realm three times, and each time, it caused a massive war to break out.”
“Let’s go. We can’t stay here,” The captain nodded, taking out a stat boosting potion to drink.
The team immediately left the area.
As they traversed the jungle, Yale approached Annallee and asked, “What’s a dungeon?”
Annallee thought briefly, then answered, “They’re places of great peril and opportunity. Once you enter, you need to complete a challenge. You’ll be rewarded should you succeed.”
“What type of rewards?” Yale was astonished.
Annallee lowered her voice. “As far as I know, the last celestial grade dungeon that appeared gave out several transcendent grade items to the people who beat its challenge.”
“What!” Yale yelped in surprise. “Then why did we leave? We should have given it a try.”
Annallee shook her head, berating, “Fool! How do you know you won’t be surrounded by demons when you leave the dungeon?”
Yale immediately got goosebumps.
“That’s why we’re reporting in, so we can get back up. If we can monopolize the dungeon before it disappears, our army's power will shoot through the roof!” Annallee explained, her eyes glimmering with excitement.
Soon after Annallee’s squad left, a group of demons landed on the branches her team had just stood on. One of the demons sniffed the air. “The scent’s fresh. We’re close.”
Just as the team was about to give chase, a demon spotted the moss-covered brick building. “Wait, what’s that? There was nothing there yesterday.”
The demons approached the building warily.
When they got close enough, a notification appeared before each of them.
(Celestial, Dungeon) Colosseum of Limits
Remaining time: 377 hours.
After a brief moment of shock, the demons whooped in celebration. “A celestial grade dungeon!”
Unlike Annallee’s team who cared about the overall picture, these demons were innately selfish. They had no desire to report to their superiors. Intending to enter the dungeon, they stepped forward when a blue light simultaneously flashed in their pupils.
Following the appearance of the light, their expressions shifted between greed and reverence. The weakest among them struggled for a moment before their greed subsided. They turned to look at their fellow demons, their hand hovering over the hilt of their weapon. It was only when the blue light completely covered the rest of their team’s pupils did they relax.
“Pride needs to hear of this,” One of them spoke, the blue light in their eyes flickering.
“Indeed. Victor, go back. We’ll stay here and guard the area.”
“Understood,” Victor replied, his figure dashing into the distance.
The remaining demons promptly hid nearby, waiting.
Their previous desire was nowhere to be seen.
Even with the allure of the dungeon beckoning to them, they remained still, silently waiting for the arrival of their Master.