With a plan in mind, the two of them left the scene under the complicated gazes of the camp’s residents. However, Anders, after digesting this new information, chased after them.

“Hey! Are you going to look for this dungeon?” He caught up to them and asked.

“Of course!” Sera exclaimed, clashing her axe and shield together. “We can’t pass up this opportunity!”

Anders was a bit shocked that she considered fighting monsters ‘an opportunity’, but decided not to question it. With a determined glint in his eyes, he announced, "I want to join you. If there is indeed a dungeon around, it poses a threat to everyone here. I don’t want to see more people die like they did tonight."

Zayzal studied Anders, noticing the sturdy resolution written all over the man's rugged features. With a slight nod, he consented. "Prepare yourself. We move at dawn. However, you will listen to either Sera or me when we’re in there."

“No problem! And thank you!” Anders didn’t have any problems with those arrangements. He’d never been in a dungeon anyway, so it was better for them to take the lead. “I’ll prepare plenty of supplies and meet you in the morning!”

After saying that, he ran off with a hint of excitement written on his rough appearance.

Zayzal and Sera watched him leave with serious expressions. They felt like he was taking things too lightly but didn’t want to ruin his mood, so they kept quiet.

“I thought you wouldn’t have accepted him,” Sera said as they walked back to the tent.

“At first, I didn’t want to,” He admitted with a shrug. “We don’t know him or his strength. I also don’t want to watch another teammate die right before my eyes, but after a little thought, I understood that we couldn’t be picky. It’s too risky for us to try to take on an unknown dungeon with just the two of us. A third person can make things a lot easier. Besides, if monsters have been spotted nearby, he’d probably get into trouble eventually. Better to be proactive than reactive.”

Sera nodded in understanding before glancing around at the other people in this camp with a hint of disdain. She saw how most of these people just huddled together in fear instead of helping, something she absolutely despised.

If just a few more people were brave enough and stepped up to help, they could’ve taken down that troll by themselves with minimal casualties. Instead, they were cowering while Anders took charge and put his life on the line for them.

“Tsk. I guess he is the only warrior out of this group of cowards.” She muttered in disappointment.

“Hahaha~! Don’t look down on them too much.” Zayzal tapped her on the shoulder and shook his head. “They’re just normal people who grew up in modern society. You can’t blame them for freezing up after seeing such a bloodthirsty monster.”

“...This is normal?” Sera’s eyes widened, and she stared at him as if he had grown two heads. “If this is normal, then humanity is doomed!”

“...” Zayzal kept quiet, neither confirming nor denying her question, but his opinion wasn’t much different from hers.

Here they were, trying to get stronger in this new world, while others were too busy searching for people to protect them.

It was… embarrassing.

Coupled with that, those same people were afraid of them due to their power. Sooner or later, changes in society would be made, for better or worse.

That’s why he was fine with entering a dungeon despite being worried about his family. Greece was almost 3,000 kilometers away from his current position. On the way, there would surely be more challenges, ones that they would only be able to move past so long as they were strong enough. .

He didn’t want to have to be in the same position as these people, forced to hide while someone stronger took up the challenge. Not when he had such a great companion.

“...Let’s just get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us.” Zayzal said, to which Sera nodded.

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***

When dawn arrived, casting long shadows over the land, Zayzal, Sera, and Anders emerged from the settlement, packs slung over their shoulders.

Anders, clutching his spear and supplies, hesitated for a moment, looking back at the camp that had been his refuge for the past few weeks. The tents, muted in the early morning light, seemed more fragile than ever. With a deep breath, he turned away and joined the others.

The trio moved with purpose, following the faint traces left by the troll the previous night. Accustomed to following tracks, Sera led the way while the two men followed right behind her.

“So, Anders, tell me a little about yourself. What’d you do before all this craziness?” Zayzal asked, understanding it might be a while before they found the dungeon.

“Well, I served in the German Military for a little bit before traveling abroad, searching for anything interesting. Due to my experience, I was usually able to find a bouncer, bodyguard, or other such gigs. I’ve had a good time doing so, even if it wasn’t sustainable. At some point, I ended up in Denmark and here I am, in this shithole. What about you two? You don’t look like you’re from around here.” Anders spoke with a hint of excitement in his voice, as if he was looking forward to the hunt. “By the way, I don’t think I caught your names.”

“Ah, that’s right. My name’s Zayzal, and that’s Sera.” Zayzal introduced them before saying, “And you’re right, I’m from Greece. I just graduated college and took a trip to Norway to enjoy the scenery and go on a few hikes. That’s where I met her.”

“Greece, huh? That’s a long way away.” Anders muttered, but inwardly, he was thinking, ‘Those weren’t the moves of a college student.’

“As for Sera…” Zayzal smiled mischievously, “She’s a Viking. Need I say more?”

“I’m not a Viking!” Sera turned and kicked a rock at Zayzal’s abdomen.

“Ooof!” He keeled over in pain but kept his smile. “...S-See? Only a Viking could be that strong.” He whispered.

Anders chuckled but decided not to comment. He didn’t want to take a rock to the gut, after all.

The three continued on their way, talking, joking, and having a good time despite searching for monsters. Anders' English was fluent, and his accent wasn’t so strong. Thus, Zayzal was able to have a better time communicating with him.

Unfortunately, this brief moment of peace didn’t last long before Sera stopped. She raised her hand to her mouth, signaling them to be quiet, and looked into the distance.’

There, beyond the trees, was another troll just wandering about.

“Anders.” Sera said without turning around, “Go fight that troll.”

“Wha-?!”

“Shush! Go fight it or go home!” Sera ordered, not allowing any room for negotiation.

In a blink, Anders found himself under the intense gaze of both Zayzal and Sera, a silent ultimatum in their eyes. With his heart pounding, he gripped his spear tightly and advanced towards the creature.

The troll was immense, a grotesque humanoid creature with grey, bumpy skin that looked as hard as a rock. It roamed aimlessly, seemingly unaware of the trio's presence until Anders stepped on a dry twig, sending a crackling echo through the silent woods.

The creature’s head snapped around, its malevolent red eyes locking onto Anders. Without warning, it lunged, the ground trembling under its colossal weight.

Anders tensed, raising his spear defensively. As the troll bore down on him, its gigantic arms swinging, Anders dodged, using his training to sidestep the blow. He thrust his spear towards the creature’s abdomen, but the weapon merely glanced off its hard skin.

Taking advantage of the troll’s momentary confusion, Anders lunged again, aiming for its eye like how Zayzal did last night. The tip of his spear found its mark, sinking into the soft tissue. The troll roared in pain and fury, swiping blindly at its attacker.

"Good move!" Zayzal commended quietly from the sidelines, his eyes flickering with approval.

Sera nodded in agreement but kept her focus on the unfolding battle, ready to intervene if necessary.

With the troll temporarily blinded and disoriented, Anders seized the opportunity to strike again, targeting its other eye. The creature howled, flailing and stumbling, clearly in agony.

“Now, finish it!” Sera’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a blade, startling Anders slightly.

But he did not hesitate. With a resolute expression, he drove his spear deep into the troll’s chest, aiming for its heart. The beast gave one final, shuddering roar before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Anders stood there, panting, his weapon still embedded in the creature's torso. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his eyes were wide with a mix of adrenaline and disbelief.

“Adequate,” Sera finally spoke, her tone serious but not unkind. “However, you were too simple and stupid. You only won because the troll was less intelligent than you.”

“...”

Zayzal clapped a hand on Anders' shoulder, offering him a small, understanding smile. “Ignore that barbarian. You did a good job. Now, let’s go find some more!”

As the trio resumed their journey, the atmosphere between them subtly changed. Anders was no longer an outsider; he had proven himself, earning a measure of respect and acceptance from both Sera and Zayzal.

Hours passed, marked only by the shifting light filtering through the dense canopy. Eventually, they stumbled upon a clearing, at the center of which stood a large, ancient-looking stone door adorned with runes and symbols unfamiliar to any of them. Behind it was a cave that looked extremely out of place in this sparse forest.

The air around the door pulsated with a strange, magnetic energy, drawing them in while simultaneously sending chills down their spines.

Without needing to guess, they knew. This was the entrance to the dungeon.