Outside the dungeon, the sky was black, filled with a handful of stars scattered across the dark canvas. Down the smooth grassy hillside, sitting at the bottom was a small campsite. Five tents were pitched in a circle facing each other with a fireplace in the middle. Sitting on logs around the warm glow of burning wood were four figures, each dressed distinctively.
On one side was a large, bulky man wearing scale pauldrons that covered two-thirds of his biceps. The edges of chainmail could be seen glinting from beneath a metal breastplate, almost touching the bottom of the great helm. Piercing blue eyes were visible through the two thin rectangular slits. Sitting beside the rigid man was a two-handed broadsword and a kite shield, both decorated with the Adventurer's Guild emblem.
Relaxing beside the silent warrior was a woman. She was dressed in a white robe inlaid with golden trimmings of stars. A long white pole tipped with a star-shaped Onyx sat on her lap. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell steadily. The air around her stirred, pulsating with energy.
Sitting across the two was a man and a woman, completely entranced in their conversation. The female adventurer wore a robe similar to that of the priestess, differentiating slightly in style and colour. The robe was plain red and resembled the style of dress favoured by nobles. A wooden stick tipped with a diamond poked out of her left breast pocket. Upon her head sat a peculiar hat consisting of a wide brim with a tall cone sitting in the centre.
Her companion wore light, plate armour with a sheathed sword swinging from his belt. The young man turned to the giant man, "Aren't you hot in that thing? Take it off! Our rogue is on guard. Nothing can sneak up on us!"
The preoccupied man looked up, "I prefer to have my life in my own hands. I ain't putting my life in some freshly conscripted rookies looking for easy pay!" The sentence shut the newbie's mouth with a click. Silence fell upon the campsite.
Trying to alleviate the awkward atmosphere, the warrior turned to the white-robed mage, "So, which Go-" His query was interrupted by a rustle in the bushes. Four pairs of eyes snapped to the source simultaneously. The adventurers rushed into combat formation, grabbing their weapons while kicking the makeshift benches aside to create space.
A man in leather armour stepped out, hands in the air, "Calm down, it's just me."
The tower of steel gently placed his sword and shield on the ground before striding forward, reaching the scout in two steps. The wiry man backpedalled in a mixture of fear and surprise. His retreat was halted as a scarred hand grabbed onto the rim of his leather chest piece. The hand pushed forward, shoving the man down into the dirt. A handprint appeared on the armour.
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"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"
The muscular man snorted in disgust, picking up his equipment and gingerly dusting the dirt off before looking up at the enraged man, "Act according to guild protocol next time!" Without another word, the muscular warrior lumbered back to his seat. Surveying his teammates, he advised, "Let's get some sleep! You two mages, set up a barrier!" The team disbanded, each setting off for their tents. A thin bubble soon covered the site.
[You are under the effects of [BARRIER] Enchantment! +50% perception stat!]
As the neighbouring lamps flicked off, one after another, the tank sat his helmet on the sleeping bag and pulled out a thin envelope from beneath the pillow. Opening the letter, his eyes scanned it with familiarity before pulling out a second paper from the same location. He placed the two side by side, comparing the contents.
"The old dungeon assessment team said that the dungeon would open within a week or so...and my contract is five weeks..." The man mulled over the discrepancy between the information before hiding the two papers from sight. He turned off the lamp.
As the sun slowly rose above the horizon, his eyes fluttered open, his mind roused from a dreamless sleep by the buzzing of insects, the chirping of birds and the fluttering of the leaves in the wind seeping into his ears. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, the adventurer began his daily stretching routine, yawning throughout. Buckling on his armour, latching his scabbard to his belt and placing the helmet on his head, the warrior strode out, ready to confront the day ahead. The campfire was all but ashes. No people in sight. Faint snoring drifted from closed tent flaps. Massaging his temple, the fighter grabbed a spoon laying randomly in the dirt and slammed it against a pot. Chaos ensued. Drowsy from sleep, the adventurers rushed for their weapons, clumsily putting on whatever pieces of armament they could get their hands on before drunkenly stumbling outside in anticipation of an attack.
Smirking in satisfaction, the man looked at his shabby crew, expecting curses and insults to be thrown in the air. Silence greeted him. His gaze narrowed as he inspected their expressions, eyes wide, mouths agape. Tracing their line of sight, he found the dungeon core plaque propped up beside a log. The gem inscribed beneath the words had turned green. The dungeon was open. Sleep and weariness evaporated in an instant.
After eating a meagre meal of rationed meat and dried vegetables, washed down with a mouthful of water, the team bounded up the slope, giddy with excitement. Upon reaching the unimpressive stone door, the tank stopped and waited for the troops to compose themselves. "CHECK YOUR GEAR, POTIONS AND MANA! ENSURE EVERYTHING IS READY TO GO!"
A flurry of motion accompanied his words as the adventurer's obeyed without protest, knowing full well their lives rested on these small components. The mood was serious and professional. All ill will was left behind temporarily. Surveying his team, the leader nodded in satisfaction and replaced his bucket helm, resuming the image of a towering wall of glimmering steel.
Readying his shield and sword, his metal boots slammed into the double doors, kicking them open. Settling into a fighting stance, he led his troops into the darkness, eyes scanning from one corner of the room to the other, taking note of potential ambushes and traps. No details were unaccounted for. Time to get this delve started.