Rook woke up from his bed with red eyes but a satisfactory face. He immediately went to check on his mental dimension, where he saw all the 25 gene crystals.
"Yes, I did it. My plan succeeded," he cheered joyfully. But it soon turned to shock as he looked at the time; it was nearly time to go to university. He quickly shrugged off his success and prepared for college.
By the time he finally arrived at the university, he could see Professor Arya waiting at the entrance. She spotted him and shouted, "Rook, come this way!" She took him around at the back of the university as he watched the same vehicles he had travelled to the portal in.
The yard was surrounded by forest on three sides; the entrance was open. The officers and their assistants stood next to the vehicles, flanked by a group of students from another university, distinguishable from all of them only by their different uniforms.
These other university students were not mixing with his peers; though some girls chuckled among themselves.
Rook knew he was late by the cold, piercing stares he received from his classmates. If looks could kill, he thought to himself again, he'd have died a hundred times over by now. "Alright, people, inside the vehicles. We've got a mission to a D-rank portal. Have you all readied your weapons?" the officer said.
Rook drew his favorite gun, a present from Ayush. When he thought of Ayush's name, a voice beside him remarked, "Oh, you brought it." Rook's expression turned unsatisfied, even though he hadn't turned to look at the person who spoke.
The elation that had been coursing through Rook's body disappeared as he turned to confirm his suspicions. There, standing beside him and smiling like a goblin to scare newborn babies, was Ayush.
"When did you show up?" Rook asked in a feeble tone, his displeasure evident. Before Ayush could answer, an officer's voice sliced through the air, "Everyone, into the APCs!" Rook and Ayush were all that was left outside the vehicles.
Rook got into the vehicle, his face crimson with embarrassment. They were going deeper into the forest for a D rank portal. All students except Rook and Ayush had very serious expressions, their bodies giving off essence that marked them from being prodigies at different universities.
Rook looked at each student; their focused behaviour didn't miss his eye.
The APC they were riding in came to a sudden stop. Rook and the other students turned confused glances toward one another as the vehicle's door slid open with a loud creak that echoed through the cabin. They had arrived.
As soon as they got out of the vehicle, a sea of dense and vibrant forest stretched out in front of Rook, directly contrasting to that of the cityscape. It was almost hard to breathe from the thick filling of the earthy ambiance and fragrance of leaves—occasionally a burst of a distant roar reassuring them the dangers really were at hand.
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The officers started piling up the kids into groups, their commanding voices piercing among the babbling of conversation.
Rook cast a look at Ayush, who appeared entirely too nonplussed by their surroundings. "Stick close," Ayush said, his grin only adding to Rook's irritation. Still, he knew what skills Ayush brought to the table.
"Students, you all should be cautious in this dungeon, even though you are powerful students from your universities," the officer's voice rang out, stern and commanding. The students nodded in unison, understanding the gravity of the situation. "This dungeon is a level more powerful than any you've faced before. This decision was specially taken by your principals to form a team of first-year prodigies to raid a D-rank portal."
The officer's words sank in as the students listened attentively. "Get ready for your new challenge!" he shouted, aiming to boost their excitement. The students' eyes shone with hope and determination, ready to prove their mettle.
They approached the portal, which stood three times the size of an F-rank portal, approximately the height of a three-story building. Its green vortex swirled with a mesmerizing intensity, pouring out essence like liquid clouds. The plants around the portal shimmered, nourished by the abundant essence.
One by one, the students entered the portal, accompanied by their professors for safety. The officers remained outside, ensuring everything went smoothly. As they stepped through the portal, they were greeted by a vast expanse, stretching 100 square kilometers. The landscape was barren, devoid of trees, and covered in withered grass plains. The essence density was palpable, saturating the air around them.
Rook scanned the horizon, taking in the desolate yet awe-inspiring sight. The barren plains seemed to stretch endlessly, the withered grass crunching beneath their feet. Despite the lack of trees or prominent landmarks, the area held a certain eerie beauty, amplified by the shimmering essence in the air.
The students formed small groups, each led by a professor. Rook found himself teamed with Ayush and a few other students he hadn't met before. Their professor, a stern-looking woman with a no-nonsense attitude, gave them a brief rundown of their objectives. "Stay together, watch each other's backs, and don't take unnecessary risks," she instructed.
As they ventured deeper into the portal, the air grew colder, and the sense of foreboding increased. Despite their initial bravado, the reality of the D-rank portal began to set in. The essence here was potent, almost suffocating, but it also fueled their abilities, heightening their senses and power.
They soon saw before them several enormous snake-like creatures slithering through the withered grassy plain. These magnificent creatures had scales that shone like rich brown and moss green; their eyes gleamed like polished jade, filled with a bloodlust that chilled to the very bone. Their mouths were lined with multiple fangs, and the ground shook as they moved.
Out of the tall, dried grass tumbled six such hellish snakes in their intimidating sizes. These students, so confident a little while ago, suddenly paled but stood in position for combat. Anger brimmed over upon the hissing of the snakes.
Rook felt his excitement mixed with a thread of trepidation as he unlocked the gun. At that moment, the gun's AI system voice came alive, stating how all the different features were now available at his command. Rook smiled, already itching to test the gun's output. This weapon was bien different from any he had used before, and its mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
Ayush stood beside him, himself preparing for combat. Now his suit was aglow, its circuits filling up with the essence from around them. He began to radiate mighty fire-like essence coming out of Ayush's body. He resembled some kind of legendary figure ready to unleash his powers on enemies.
Rook inhaled heavily, bracing himself. His very being stirred, quickening the sense, sharpening concentration, preparing him at all costs. The snakes drew nearer, wriggling in impulse—rational, ordered. No room to hesitate.