As Sophie and I stood patiently outside the imposing doors of an fancy mansion, located in the heart of Los Angeles, California, a sense of awe washed over us. The extravagant estate spanned across a vast two-acre lot, a testament to lavish living. Its grandeur was accentuated by its impressive specifications: 12 lavish bedrooms, 16 luxurious bathrooms, a well-appointed bar, a sprawling swimming pool, a six-door car garage, and numerous other extravagant rooms that seemed to stretch into infinity. Each detail whispered of wealth and abundance, beckoning with a tantalizing allure.

The mansion's pristine appearance was a sight to behold. Recently washed and polished windows reflected the sunlight, casting a shimmering glow upon the carefully curated interior. Expensive couches, exquisite chandeliers, and state-of-the-art appliances adorned the smooth surfaces, each piece highlighting the impeccable taste and refinement of the design.

In moments like these, the temptation to owning a mansion of similar status would occasionally surface. Thankfully, I swiftly dismissed such thoughts, reminding myself of the contentment I found in my own plain home, even if the guilt tends to build up.

"Maybe you should ring the doorbell again, Joel."

"Right…"

Before I could press the button again, the sound of the lock was heard. Seconds later, the door opened.

"There you are! What took ya forever in finding him, Sophie?" said a husky voice.

The man awaiting us at the entrance of the mansion possessed an appearance that defied expectations. His balding head, sporting a few strands of thinning hair, hinted at the passage of time. His face bore the telltale signs of late nights spent in dimly lit pubs, with greasy skin and disproportionately large cheeks that seemed to swell like he had just endured a bee's wrath. A bushy mustache adorned his upper lip, adding a touch of rugged charm to his countenance. However, it was his smile that often caught the attention of those around him, revealing a glimpse of a few glistening gold teeth that sparkled in the light.

Perhaps the most prominent feature was his pot belly. This was a man who could drown a few beers without breaking a sweat. While his outward appearance may make him seem like a deadbeat, he was one of the most hardworking and kindest individuals I'd ever known.

"I looked everywhere for him and found him sleeping in a park in the middle of the city!" Sophie said.

The man looked at me in disbelief. "That's kind of weird, don't ya think Joel?"

"Where's Mr. Reed at, Paul?"

Paul somewhat got the picture that I was peeved and stepped aside. "Come on in and follow me, I'll lead ya to him."

Under Paul's guidance, we stepped inside the magnificent mansion, greeted by a captivating interior that beckoned us further. To our right, a regal spiral staircase ascended gracefully, leading to the upper levels where the bedrooms awaited. On our left, a corridor unfolded, revealing a fusion of the kitchen, bar, and lounge area. The integration of these spaces created an atmosphere of relaxation fit for all ages.

A row of chic chairs faced a sleek black marble counter, adorned with meticulously arranged wine glasses that reflected light itself. In the heart of the room, two coffee tables nestled amidst cushioned seats, inviting intimate conversations and moments of leisure. Dominating the space, a colossal 98 inch flat-screen TV was mounted above a black-bricked fireplace. As we continued our journey through the mansion, we passed by the bedrooms, a theater room, and many other facilities that would make anyone heads swell.

"Man, Mr. Reed has a nice house," I said, darting my eyes at every nook and cranny.

Sophie giggled at my remark. "With how much we get paid as Dungeon Conquerors, you could buy two of them and still have more money to spend."

"Yeah… As Dungeon Conquerors."

We finally arrived at the end of the mansion's premises and found ourselves standing at the far end, where a serene landscape unfolded before our eyes. A few majestic pine trees stood tall, their presence adding a touch of natural beauty to the meticulously reseeded grass beneath our feet. Paul pointed at a particularly large metal shed at the edge. It was big enough to be called a second garage.

"See that shed over there? We're almost there."

He motioned for us to follow. A door stood before us, and right next to it was a keypad. Paul punched in numbers with surprising speed for his age, and the door opened with a click. Once we arrived inside an empty shed, the man walked toward a suspicious door embedded within a wooden floor. He opened it, and stairs leading downwards were revealed.

"That's kind of creepy. Leading us downstairs," Sophie muttered. She was not fond of the dark, especially when it deals with going underground. I learned that the hard way during one of our Dungeon excursions.

"If you got a complaint, send it to Mr. Reed," Paul suggested.

As Paul shut the door behind us, Sophie and I found ourselves descending down a staircase that emitted a disconcerting creak with each step we took. Soon enough, another door popped up, capturing our attention. Paul approached a microphone positioned nearby and whispered a sequence of words into it. The volume was too low for me to discern the exact phrases, but it was evident that he was speaking some form of password or secret code. A moment of suspense followed as the door responded, emitting a haunting creak as it reluctantly swung open. Peering inside, the view looked like it came from a movie.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Stepping further into the room, our eyes were drawn to a mesmerizing display of technology. The space was adorned with an array of monitors and computers, each contributing to a network of information and knowledge. Some screens hummed with life, projecting news channels and various data, while others remained dormant, waiting to be awakened. Among the collection of monitors, one stood out, its size almost the same as the one above the fireplace in the lounge. In the middle of the room, a long table stretched out before the grand screen, its sleek surface reflecting the ambient light. Three seats were arranged on each end of the table, with a solitary seat positioned at the head. All but two were filled. Mr. Reed was the first to speak up as Sophie and I took our seats.

"Sophie and Joel! So glad you could make it, even though you were running a bit late."

I chuckled and said, "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to the time and fell asleep. Hey there, Darion."

Darion slightly tilted his head at my greeting. He wore his usual gray hoodie and shorts and that permanent scowl.

"Paul, you can go ahead and guard the entrance. Make sure no one comes in."

Paul nodded his head and walked out of the meeting room.

"Now, there's a reason why I gathered you all here today. You are the strongest Dungeon Conquerors this country had the fortune of taking care of. What I am about to tell you shall not be leaked or told to anyone. Understood?"

Everyone present nodded.

"Great. Now, everyone take a look at the screen up front."

Mr. Reed fiddled with a remote in his hand, pressing buttons at a great speed. Everyone in the room turned their heads to the front of the room, where the big monitor was situated. What appeared on the screen was the map of the United States.

"I have received reports that a new Dungeon has formed near the Gulf of Mexico- more specifically in a waterfront town. The civilians in the area were evacuated on time. This here is a picture of the scene."

The screen flickered, this time showing an island city overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. It was barren, showing no signs of life. Camila Mendoza, one of my coworkers, spoke up.

"Mr. Reed what is that in the distance?"

Camila, a stunning Hispanic woman, exuded an aura of confidence and style that was nothing short of extraordinary. Her fashion sense was undeniably extravagant, a testament to her innate flair for elegance and glamour. Camila dressed herself in a long, emerald green dress, reminiscent of the sophisticated attire one might find in a high-class restaurant. The fabric cascaded gracefully around her figure, accentuating her natural beauty.

She possessed thin eyebrows that framed her rich, chocolate brown eyes, which boasted enchanting lashes capable of mesmerizing anyone who met her gaze. Her flowing auburn hair cascaded around her shoulders, adding an element of allure to her appearance.

Mr. Reed shuffled in his seat. "I'm glad you noticed, Camila. This is the most worrying part."

With another press of a button, the screen before us displayed a sight that left us all breathless. A colossal figure emerged, towering over the landscape with an imposing presence. The towering statue-like being stood at an astonishing height of at least 50 feet, its form carved meticulously from marble. The majestic figure held a long, formidable sword firmly planted into the ground, and behind its foot stood a gray portal.

"Holy shit that thing is huge! Excuse my language…"

The silence was broken by Leonard Chambers, a man around the same age as Sophie. He carried an air of wisdom and intellect that dwarfs even us full-grown adults. Whenever he spoke, his glasses occasionally slid down his long nose. His jet-black hair, stylishly swept to one side, framed his face, ensuring that his field of vision remained free. For whatever reason, he refuses to cut his hair short.

Mr. Reed smirked at Leonard. "No worries, Leo. I had the same exact reaction you guys are having right now. What you're seeing right now is some sort of guardian protecting what may be a Dungeon."

"A-A Dungeon? Why would something as s-scary as that protect it from the outside?" Sophie said.

I decided it was my turn to speak. "Mr. Reed, The past Dungeons we analyzed mostly consisted of the ranks red, orange, and yellow. This time its gray. Just what does this mean?"

Mr. Reed stayed silent like he was struggling to find the correct words to use in this situation until Leonard piped up.

"Judging by this predicament, the only conclusion is that this is a Dungeon ranked higher than yellow…"

Mr. Reed finally opened his mouth, this time sounding cautious. "Not necessarily. What it actually means is that we cannot accurately gauge its difficulty- meaning it's unpredictable."

A long sigh escaped from his lips as he leaned back into his chair.

"So, what then?" Darion said, kicking his feet up on the table.

The stressed man turned to Darion. "There is nothing we can do but wait. My team has made attempts to enter the Dungeon, but the guardian prohibits us from going in. If we were to enter its strike zone, it would swing its sword at the intruder. I think it is biding its time until something happens…"

"Tsk. "

Mr. Reed ignored Darion's remark and got up from his seat. He paced around the table for a while until he stopped right in front of the big monitor.

"The president and I have made an important decision. Due to this unsettling predicament, we thought it was time to form a sort of special group among the Dungeon Conquerors. Other countries have already formed theirs, and we thought it was finally time."

He started to move again, this time standing right behind me.

"It will consist of you six. You all will now be recognized as the Six Hunters, and the leader of this group is Joel Parker. Any objections?"

I shot up from my seat, appalled. "W-Wait a minute. Why me? Why not Leo? He's the smartest out of all of us."

Leonard chuckled as he shook his head. "No can do Joel. I'm not fit to lead. Besides, I think you're the perfect fit. While you may not be the strongest out of all of us, you show the qualities of a great figurehead. Sophie doesn't have it in her to command us, Darion has a sort of attitude problem, Camila's too eccentric, and Sam rarely speaks."

Sam, the strongest and biggest one here grunted in agreement.

"L-Leo's right Joel," Sophie said.

"Whatever…"

"The audacity to call me eccentric! I just like fashion, that is all."

I signed, rubbing my forehead. "If everyone here agrees, then fine. I'm okay with it."

Mr. Reed clasped his hands together. "Great. Now that it is settled, I will give you all your first mission."

He grabbed the same remote from his pocket and pointed it at the big screen monitor. What was shown on the screen were the words:

"I want you all to create your very own guild and recruit promising prospects."

All five of us looked at Mr. Reed dumbfounded at this new development and yelled,

"WHAT?!"