"Would it be possible for us to share our current skill sets?" Liam inquired. "Knowing what abilities we have at our disposal would allow us to formulate a more effective strategy before delving into the dungeon. How about I start first?"
"Sure" Asher responded, seeing the logic in Liam's suggestion. Understanding each other's strengths and vulnerabilities would be paramount.
Liam began explaining, "As I mentioned, I chose the Gunslinger class. My decision was influenced by what I had on hand at the time of the awakening. I was on duty and had my service handgun with me. Wanting to maximize my resources, I opted for a class that utilized firearms to navigate the trials. From that choice, I was fortunate to acquire a rare ranked skill called 'Explosive Shot'. Liam continued, "As the name suggests, 'Explosive Shot' allows me to infuse my bullets with mana. When they hit a target, they detonate. As of now, I can use this ability twice before needing to replenish."
https://i.imgur.com/0tLqlyG.png [https://i.imgur.com/0tLqlyG.png]
Asher cannot see this information, this was provided for the readers pleasure.
"Not only that, I also have the advantage of engaging enemies from a distance. Thanks to the tower's store page, I've made sure to purchase a good stock of bullets to keep me going for a while," Liam added.
"That's quite the versatility. you're essentially a ranged specialist with the capability for area-of-effect damage. That will be invaluable. Sarah, what about you? What skills do you possess?" Asher inquired, turning to the young girl.
"Oh, I don't think I should go with you," Sarah hesitated. "I should stay back with the others. My class is Enchantress. It's not really for fighting or helping directly, it's more for making things. I took the Easy Difficulty and got a magic ranked skill called 'Imbuement'. Basically, I can enchante common items, converting them to magic rank. However, it uses up all my mana and has a long cooldown."
https://i.imgur.com/13VnLO4.png [https://i.imgur.com/13VnLO4.png]
"You can do that?!" Asher was stunned by Sarah's ability. Such a skill was incredibly powerful, especially in the early stages. Within just a couple of days, she could equip herself with magic-ranked items using this ability. Furthermore, the skill seemed to have a system that determined the best possible enhancement for the item being used. It was hard to believe such a powerful skill was only magic-ranked. Asher couldn't help but wonder just how potent it could become if it advanced to rare or even unique rank. The potential was mind-blowing.
"I know... it's not that useful..." Sarah replied, looking downcast.
"You're wrong, Sarah," Asher interjected. "That skill is incredible. Don't underestimate its potential. Keep using it and leveling it up. It could turn out to be our ace in the hole."
"Really? So, what can you do?" Sarah inquired, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Well, I took on the hard difficulty and chose the necromancer class," Asher began.
"Hard difficulty?!" both Sarah and Liam exclaimed in surprise.
"I can't even imagine how challenging that must be. I struggle enough with the normal difficulty," Liam admitted.
"To be honest, I'm amazed I've come this far myself," Asher confessed. "As for my skill, it's named 'Animate Guardian'. Essentially, it allows me to..." Asher paused, a momentary doubt crossing his mind. Should he really reveal all the details of his power to them? After all, they had only just met. What if they made use of his skill information to cross him.
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Uncertainty clouded Asher's thoughts. In this perilous new world, betrayal could be an everyday occurrence. But they needed to trust each other to some extent. He chose to share some of his abilities, though not all.
"summon a guardian clad in armor and bearing a shield. This guardian can throw its shield at foes, which then ricochets to hit others up to four times. It's also can charge and bash into enemies, knocking them down. Plus, I have a healing skill. Think of me as the team's healer, and my guardian as our front-liner."
Holding back certain details could be crucial in unpredictable circumstances. Asher chose to withhold the fact that his guardian had the capability to equip items and learn skills. It would be his ace up the sleeve, something to rely on when the chips were down.
"Wow, that's quite the skill set," Liam remarked, clearly impressed.
Sarah looked at Asher with curiosity. "That sounds really powerful, Mister."
Asher simply nodded, trying to mask the relief he felt for not divulging everything. He was still unsure of the world they now inhabited, and he knew that every bit of information, every advantage he held, could make the difference between life and death. Still, he hoped that by sharing at least part of his abilities, he could strengthen the trust between them.
"Alright, with what we've shared, it's clearer how we should approach this," Liam began. "Sarah should stay with the group. Her ability isn't suited for the dungeon, and we'd be constantly concerned for her well-being. I propose your guardian takes the lead, I'll provide ranged support right behind him, and you can stay at the back, offering healing support. Does that sound good, Asher?"
Asher nodded thoughtfully, considering Liam's strategy. "That sounds logical. My guardian is built for taking hits, and with your ranged capabilities, we can strike a balance between offense and defense. And I can focus on keeping us both healed and supported from the back. Let's go with that plan."
Liam smiled, "Alright then, we're set. Let's tackle that dungeon."
As Asher and Liam ventured through the dimly lit tunnel, the echoing of their footsteps seemed to magnify, creating a rhythmic soundtrack to their journey. The walls of the tunnel had patches of mold and dripping water giving testimony to the neglect the subway had faced over the years.
As they progressed, a soft, glowing light began to manifest in the distance. It gradually grew brighter, painting eerie shadows on the tunnel walls and drawing them forward with an inescapable allure.
Soon, they found themselves standing before a massive, swirling portal. It towered above them, easily reaching the ceiling of the tunnel. The vortex itself was a stunning shade of white, and it pulsated with an otherworldly luminescence. The edges of the portal seemed to be constantly shifting and melting, with tendrils of light stretching out and then retracting back into its center.
The center of the vortex held a hypnotic, swirling pattern that seemed to pull everything towards it, almost beckoning them to step in. The air around it was thick with a tangible energy, making the very atmosphere buzz with anticipation.
Asher and Liam exchanged glances. The sheer scale and ethereal beauty of the portal was hard to digest. They had finally arrived at the entrance of the dungeon.
https://i.imgur.com/bnVwT1s.png [https://i.imgur.com/bnVwT1s.png]
Taking a deep breath, Asher stepped forward, looking back at Liam to ensure they were on the same page. Liam nodded, his expression firm.
Without uttering a word, Asher's guardian moved to the front, raising its shield in a defensive stance. The trio formed a line, with the guardian leading, followed by Liam with his gun at the ready, and Asher at the rear.
They approached the portal slowly, the bright light engulfing them more and more as they got closer. The humming energy emanating from the vortex grew louder, almost deafening, as they stood at its precipice. The sensation was overwhelming; it felt like standing at the edge of a vast ocean with waves of energy crashing around them.
Taking one last glance at each other, Asher and Liam braced themselves. The guardian, with unwavering determination, stepped into the vortex, soon followed by Liam and then Asher.
For a brief moment, there was a sensation of weightlessness, a swirling chaos of lights and colors, and a feeling as though they were being stretched and pulled in all directions at once. It was a disorienting experience.
And then, as quickly as it had begun, the sensation ceased. The trio found themselves in a new environment, the disconcerting light and energy of the portal replaced by the stillness of their new surroundings. They had successfully entered the dungeon, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
You have entered 'Abandoned Prison Cells'.