In spite of having lost two of their fellow adventurers, the group that composed the extermination raid to the Dungeon of Ember pushed forward. The battle, which was far from over, continued with intensified fervor.
_____________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
System Notification:
Guardian: Inferno Lion
Health: 52%
Status: In Combat
_____________________________
Miss Valentine's blade clashed with the lion's fiery attacks, her strikes fiercer than ever. “Its defenses are weakening!”
“I can see its movements getting sluggish!”
“Your stamina is holding, keep it up!"
Miss Valentine's eyes locked onto the lion's movements. “Now, Simon!"
With a roar, Simon charged, his blade a blur of steel. "Eat this, Cat son of a bitch!!”
“We're wearing it down!”
_____________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
System Notification:
Guardian: Inferno Lion
Health: 47%
Status: In Combat
_____________________________
_____________________________
Confirm the invasion as an existencial threat [Sign Contract]:
[ACCEPT] [DECLINE]
____________________________
The Inferno Lion's roars grew more desperate, its attacks faltering. “It's on its last legs!”
“Not yet, but we’re getting there, Sir!”
Clang!
"Good hit, Simon!" Miss Valentine's voice cut through the battle's din, a note of satisfaction in her tone.
Simon grinned, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. “Miss V. Let's keep this up!”
Miss Valentine's strikes grew more ferocious, her determination unwavering. "Finish it, everyone!”
As if understanding the adventurers exchanged words, the Inferno Lion roared in response, its fiery mane aglow with renewed fury. But the adventurers stood ready, undeterred by the beast's ferocity. At least until it unleashed an earth shattering roar.
“Back off everyone!”
Seeing a change on the floor, Aiden readied himself to flood the room but he quickly understood that what was about to happen next wasn’t [Fire Floor] wasn’t preparing himself to unleash but rather its other ability [Summon Fire Fiend].
_____________________________
[Status]
[ Inferno Panther Lvl.15 (Enhanced) ]
- H.P: 750 / 750
- M.P: 870/ 870
- S.P: 645 / 645
- Defense: 256
- Offense: 365 (155+)
_____________________________
More than a dozen of Lvl.10 Inferno Panthers spawned across the room.
“Ignore the spawns, we'll take care of them,” Davion declared, summoning his lightning magic and blasting them vigorously at the freshly summoned spawns. “Focus on the boss.”
“We'll leave them up to you then," Simon shouted back.
Miss Valentine's voice joined in, strong and resolute. "Counting on you."
Davion took the lead, his stance firm as he urged the mages to follow. “Blast everything you all. Let's keep those creatures away from them while they work to take the boss down.”
The mages responded with a chorus of incantations, their spells converging in a dazzling display of elemental magic. Lightning crackled and fire roared as the room became a battleground of chaos and power. The Inferno Panthers were met with an onslaught of magical assault, bolts of energy tearing through their ranks.
__________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
System Notification:
Guardian: Inferno Lion
Health: 32%
Status: In Combat
_____________________________
_____________________________
Confirm the invasion as an existence-threatening threat [Sign Contract]:
[ACCEPT] [DECLINE]
____________________________
As the mages unleashed their fury upon the spawns, the rest of the party surged forward, their focus locked onto the Inferno Lion. Miss Valentine's swordsmanship was a whirlwind of precision, her strikes calculated and lethal. Simon's brute force carved a path through the chaos, his brawn a force to be reckoned with.
__________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
System Notification:
Guardian: Inferno Lion
Health: 17%
Status: In Combat (Critical)
_____________________________
_____________________________
Confirm the invasion as an existence-threatening threat [Sign Contract]:
[ACCEPT] [DECLINE]
____________________________
As the battle raged on, a sense of determination filled the air. The Inferno Lion's health was steadily diminishing, its once-mighty roars now tinged with desperation.
“Appraiser, how’s it looking?"
"Its health downed to the two digits, just a few blows and we’re good.”
“You heard that, everyone!” Simon's voice carried over the din of battle. “Keep pressing! We're almost there!”
A resounding chorus of agreement echoed through the chamber. Each strike, each spell, each moment of unwavering resolve brought them closer to victory. The Inferno Lion's defenses were weakening, its flames flickering as its health dwindled.
_____________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
[Sign Contract]
[ACCEPT] [DECLINE]
____________________________
Amidst the chaos, a resolute determination radiated from the adventurers. The end was within their grasp, the culmination of their efforts and teamwork driving them toward triumph. Yet, in that moment, when victory was within reach, as the battle reached its crescendo, something happened – something that snuffed that hope away.
_____________________________
[ Aiden Σ's Interface ]
System Notification:
Quest (Main) updated
Dungeon Contract accepted
『Expand』
_____________________________
In a mere breath, the entire room's atmosphere suddenly shifted, prompting the adventurers who were charging toward the Inferno Lion to halt in their tracks.
“What's going on?”
“What the hell happened?”
Not only the adventurers, but the Inferno Lion itself came to a halt, its fiery eyes narrowing in confusion. The momentum of battle had frozen, an eerie stillness descending upon the chamber.
Miss Valentine turned around to see that the summoned Inferno Panthers had disappeared, not vanquished, but seemingly unsummoned, leaving them all in a state of speechlessness.
Yet, their bewilderment was nothing compared to what they witnessed next. Their gazes shifted to Davion, who stood across the room, his expression a mix of shock, confusion, and disbelief. It was as if time had frozen around him, his stance rigid and unyielding.
At first they couldn't process what just happened but as he coughed a mouthful of blood, they simply couldn’t ignore it anymore—an arm had speared through his chest from behind tearing a bloody way to the other side. The gasps of the adventurers filled the air as they watched in horror, the reality of the situation sinking in.
“Considering how long that idiot hesitated before accepting this contract, I had a feeling this would be a pain in the ass,” a voice remarked from behind Davion.
Davion recognized the voice immediately, his shock turning to a mix of disbelief and anger. He turned around in spite of his wound, locking eyes with the one who had impaled him from behind. His voice came out as a low, murmured whisper, “You…”
Locking eyes with his assailant, Davion's hand rose, fingers cracking with the energy of his lightning magic as a magic circle formed. But before he could unleash his power, his assailant swiftly withdrew, retracting the arm that had carved a large hole in Davion's chest. The pain surged through Davion's body, his vision blurring as his strength wavered.
As the arm pulled away, life seemed to drain from Davion's form. His body fell limp to the ground, his consciousness fading as he succumbed to the severity of his wound.
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Mage, Level 15]
_____________________________
The chamber that was just instant before a loud and vivid battleground was now a silent witness to the abrupt turn of events, the atmosphere heavy with shock and grief.
Miss Valentine's voice trembled as she called out, her words a mix of disbelief and confusion. “Davion!”
“Leader!”
“Leader!”
Miss Valentine and Simon rushed over, but upon seeing the one who had so casually speared through their comrade, they came to a sudden halt.
One arm bloodied to the shoulder—the same arm he had used to impale their friend—while the other arm remained completely clean, clutching onto a white staff that he had, just moments prior, used to heal them all.
“You… Why, Aiden? Why?!”
“Why, huh?”
“At this level of fuckedupness I doubt any explanation I give might explain this. So let’s just say that I simply did it.”
“You fucker!”
Miss Valentine was about to rush over when Simon wedged himself in front. “Miss V, calm down. I don't know what’s happening; this could be an effect of this dungeon,” Simon surmised, though doubt seeped potently from his voice. “Appraiser, what’s you’re seeing?!”
Simon was left with no answer, prompting him to ask Miss Valentine’s second, “Appraiser girl, did you go deaf or something? What's going on with him?”
“This can't be....” she mumbled, frowning upon whatever she was seeing.
“What can't be?” Simon pressed.
“This doesn't make sense....”
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“Melaine!” Miss Valentine called, finally bringing the woman back to her senses. “What's happening? What are you seeing? Is that thing Aiden, or is he possessed or something?”
With her senses brought back to her, the appraisal girl finally spoke up. “This is Aiden, but something's different. No it’s not that! It’s everything that is different.”
________________________
[ Aiden σ's Interface ]
Name: Aiden σ
Level: 20
Race: Verdenkind
Class: Classless
Title: Monster Slaughterer / Kinslayer / Champion / Angel Slayer
Experience: 143478 / 221684
[Status]
- H.P: 770 / 770
- M.P: 740 / 740
- S.P: 900 / 900
- Fatigue: 12%
- Defense: 540
- Offense: 620
[Skills]
- Swordsmanship: Level 15
-Martial Art: Level 12
- Heightened Physique: Level 15
- Heightened Regeneration: Level 3
- Elemental Arcane: Lvl 10
- Memorial Magic: Lvl 12
- Elemental Resistance: Level 9
- Elemental Protection: Level 10
- Elemental Infusion: Level 9
- Identification: Level 10
- Appraisal: Level 10
[Abilities]
- Spacial Inventory (Ring)
- Spawn: Unlocked
- Memory Manipulation: Unlocked
- Beast Mastery: Unlocked
- Monstrous Resilience: Unlocked
- Feral Instinct: Unlocked
- Predator's Strike: Unlocked
- Monster Slayer's Mark: Unlocked
- Merciless Control: Unlocked
- Death Dealer: Unlocked
- Weapon Enhancement: Unlocked
- Bloodlust: Unlocked
- Brutal Assault: Unlocked
- Epic Duelist: Unlocked
- Corrupting Touch: Locked
- Heaven's Bane: Unlocked
- Extract Dungeon Core: Unlocked
- Ω
『Expand』
_____________________________
“His stats, his titles—none of them match those of the Aiden from just a moment ago.”
“Is he possessed?”
“I detect no signs of possession in his status,” responded the appraiser girl.
“That's because I am not possessed,” Aiden replied, storing away the white staff he had in hand. "I am simply myself.”
_____________________________
[ Aiden σ's Interface ]
System Notification:
Quest (Main) updated
Dungeon Contract accepted
『Expand』
Objectives:
- Ensure the survival of the dungeon core to prevent permanent damage.
- Ensure the safety of acquired G.P
- Gather enough G.P to reach [Vessel of Godhood]
- Clear Dungeon of Intruders
『Collapse』
_____________________________
Maybe it was the fact that they perceived his act of stowing away his staff as an opportunity to attack, prompting them to leap into action. Alternatively, it might have also been that it was only at that moment that the realization only crystallized within them. Or perhaps it was simply both. Regardless, in that moment, the mages who just instant before were under Simon's leadership, launched an attack against Aiden.
“Traitor, Die! Fire bolt!”
“Bastard!”
“You’ll pay for what you’ve done!”
They spat curses as they unleashed their spells upon him.
As the spells hurtled explosively towards Aiden, the air crackled with energy and the scene was enveloped in a billowing smokescreen. The acrid scent of magic filled the air, and the deafening clangor of clashing forces reverberated all around. In the midst of the chaotic turmoil, Aiden's silhouette became a ghostly figure obscured by the dense haze.
“Did it work?”
“Did they get him?” Simon mustered, somewhat hopeful if not straight delusional. However what it was, delusion or perhaps just hope, it was shattered by the Appraiser’s words.
“It did not. He’s completely untouched.”
Then, just as the smokescreen slowly began to dissipate, a fleeting shadow blurred past the bewildered mages, their faces frozen in shock. The shadow came to a sudden halt behind them, a gleaming blade raised high, glistening with a malevolent aura. A spray of crimson droplets splattered onto the ground as the blade's descent found its mark.
In an instant, before the mages could even muster a semblance of reaction, they crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud. Their bodies were torn asunder, cleaved in half as though the very fabric of reality had been brutally severed. The ground was painted in gruesome hues as lifeblood spilled freely, mingling with the dissipating remnants of the smokescreen.
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Mage, Level 13]
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Healer, Level 9]
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Mage, Level 13]
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Mage, Level 11]
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Healer, Level 10]
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Mage, Level 14]
_____________________________
“Aaaaah,” he sighed, before turning around toward Simon, Miss Valentine and the others.
Standing there, Aiden was covered in the blood of his raiding party's comrade. He reached to unsheathe the second black blade from his back—a blade that he had never used so far, for, as he had put it in his own words, it was more of a beacon than a weapon.
His gaze meeting that of Miss Valentine, the latter inquired, the latter inquired "Weren't those two swords supposed to be more of a badge for you rather than actual weapons?”
“I did say that, didn’t I?” He calmly said, passively yet menacingly approaching them. “Just so you’d know. I wasn’t lying, not in a technical sense?”
Miss Valentine's voice trembled as she spoke, her expression marked by a mix of shock and desperation, “How can you be so... ca-tsk, that doesn't matter. Appraiser, what's your prognosis? What are our chances?” Her gaze shifted towards her second-in-command, their eyes locking in a wordless exchange of despair. “That grim, huh?” she added, her voice tinged with resignation.
"Running away is our best bet,” the appraiser offered.
Miss Valentine sighed deeply, the weight of their situation sinking in.
“I see. Now the question is, will he let us do that?” she mused aloud, her voice heavy with uncertainty.
A wry smile touched Simon's lips as he stared at the menacingly approaching young man. “Pretty sure the answer is obvious.”
“We've tangled with dangerous foes before,” Miss Valentine declared, her voice steadier now, “and we've always come out on top. We're not going down without a fight, especially not against a brat.” Her second nodded in agreement, their eyes, though devoid of even the faintest glimmer of hope amidst the bleakness, remained resolute enough to up a front.
With a shared nod, the trio and the remaining adventurers steeled themselves for the impending confrontation, prepared to confront the inevitable storm that awaited them. The air crackled with a palpable dread, a silent acknowledgment of the fate that had been sealed for them.
“Bastard!” Miss Valentine's voice dripped with venom as she and Melaine rushed over, their magically enhanced rapiers thrusting forward with potent rage and killing intent. Aiden stepped back, not to back off, but to provide himself with the necessary edge to deflect their thrusts with his two black blades.
----------------------------------------
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Monk, Level 13]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Rogue, Level 14]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Swashbuckler, Level 13]
_____________________________
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Barbarian, Level 15]
_____________________________
“Simon!”
“Mister Simon!”
With Aiden withdrawing his black blade from the man's viscera, Simon fell to the ground, completely lifeless at his feet. This left Miss Valentine and her second as the last ones standing from the raiding parties sent for the expedition.
“Bastard!” Miss Valentine's voice dripped with venom as she and Melaine rushed over, their magically enhanced rapiers thrusting forward with potent rage and killing intent. Aiden stepped back, not to back off, but to provide himself with the necessary edge to deflect their thrusts with his two black blades.
In a swift display of skill, Aiden managed to avoid the lethal thrusts aimed at him. He took advantage of the opportunity he created by deflecting their blades, using the momentum to close in on Melaine. His intention was clear – to strike her down. However, before he could carry out his plan, Miss Valentine caught up and intercepted his attempt, her own weapon clashing against his black blades with a resounding clash.
The clash of steel echoed through the chamber as Miss Valentine and Aiden locked blades. Their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills, both fighters backing off from each other, creating a brief distance between them.
Clearly both Melaine and Miss Valentine were visibly exerted. Sweat glistened on their brows, their breaths coming in uneven gasps. Melaine's grip on her rapier was tense, her stance faltering slightly as fatigue gnawed at her. Miss Valentine's façade of control was barely holding together, her eyes reflecting the emotional turmoil beneath the surface. The weight of the situation bore heavily on both of them, the toll of the battle and the shock of their fallen friend taking its toll.
“What was that, just there?!” Miss Valentine barked at Aiden.
“What was what?”
“How can you so casually parry our attack with those fake weapons! Weren’t you supposed to be a healing-and-elemental-wielding focused Paladin.”
“Frustrating, isn’t it?” Aiden casually taunted.
“I think this is the ability called [Weapon Enhancement],” replied Melaine, before reporting. “I think it works similarly to the skill [Enhance Weapon].”
“An ability to enhance weapons, huh? Is that an innate one or an acquired one? I can’t even tell; I’ve never heard of that one. Tsk! Just what are you?! What do you want? Why did you do all of this?!” Miss Valentine's voice trembled with a mix of frustration and desperation.
“Who knows? Who cares? What will it change if I tell you?” Aiden responded, his tone nonchalant. Then, he added, “Anyway, can we get it done already? I don’t think I have the patience to entertain this 'wait and see' strategy of yours any longer."
At these words, Miss Valentine wore a bitter smile. “You’re not a very patient man.”
“That’s not true. I am very patient; I just reached my quota of the day,” Aiden retorted with a touch of sarcasm.
The air was heavier and more ominous than ever, crackling with uncertainty and apprehension as the duo faced off against him. Each question met with evasion, and each response was frustrating to hear.
The truth seemed elusive, and the motives behind the actions of the man who clearly wanted them remained shrouded in mystery.
Amidst the charged atmosphere, Miss Valentine cast a glance at Melaine, their eyes locking in a moment of shared determination. There was a silent understanding between them, a resignation to the reality they now faced. "Sorry for this, Melaine," she said, her voice tinged with regret.
"No, Leader, I'm the one who's sorry. As the appraiser of our group, I should've noticed that something was wrong with him," Melaine responded with a mix of guilt and resolve.
“Don't apologize,” Miss Valentine replied. "I too fell right into it. Was it the suit or simply how strangely innocent he looked? I should’ve known better. Now here I am. I'm so ashamed of myself; I feel like hiding in a hole."
"But you can't do that, Leader, right?"
Miss Valentine let out a sigh. “Yep, I can't. So let's do this.”
“Yes, Mam.”
With their hands gripping their weapons tightly, they exchanged a nod of readiness. Unleashing a warcry to steel their resolve, they charged forward, determination fueling their every step as they closed in on Aiden.
***
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Swashbuckler, Level 13]
_____________________________
“Why?” she asked, her gaze locked onto his eyes, unable to recognize the boy who, just earlier, had been actively helping them clear the dungeon just moments earlier.
“Why, huh? You most likely won't understand, so it's better for you to simply never know,” he replied, his tone laced with a hint of bitterness.
_____________________________
[ Contractual Guardian have slain Verdenkind Intruder, Swashbuckler, Level 15]
_____________________________
As the blood pooled on the ground, inching closer to his feet, Aiden took a few steps back to avoid getting stained by it. Not that he wasn’t already stained by it.
He took a look around and observed as the dungeon was already at work. Many of the corpses were beginning to be engulfed in a fog-like shadow that seeped from the ground. With the invaders slain, the dungeon was claiming its prize.
Aiden watched coldly as the adventurers’ corpses along with their equipments were subsumed by the shadow, until his contemplation was suddenly interrupted by a sudden move from the creature that from the moment he slew Davion, had gone into a still silence.
Closing in on him with a failed but clearly asserted attempt at stealth, the Inferno Lion clawed violently at him, shaking the ground itself. Aiden's focus shifted abruptly from the eerie scene to the immediate threat before him. The sound of the lion's enraged roars echoed through the chamber, its fiery mane blazing with renewed fury as it lashed out with deadly intent.
Jumping back just in time, Aiden's annoyance was clear in his voice as he confronted the beast. “What do you think you're trying to do here, huh?” His words carried pure seeping irritation.
The Inferno Lion responded with a series of clawing attacks, its massive paws swiping through the air in an attempt to rend Aiden apart. However, with deftly executed backsteps, Aiden managed to avoid the onslaught with practiced ease, his movements fluid and precise.
Creating a considerable distance between himself and the Inferno Lion, Aiden gathered momentum, his determination evident in his focused expression. With a sudden lunge, he closed the gap between them, his blade gleaming in the dim light of the chamber. The blade sliced past the beast, leaving a trail of energy in its wake as Aiden's strike found its mark.
__________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
System Notification:
Guardian: Inferno Lion
Health: 9%
Status: In Combat (Critical)
_____________________________
The creature screamed in pain, turning around to face Aiden, its fiery eyes filled with rage. But as it turned, Aiden had vanished from sight. The creature's eyes darted left and right, searching for its elusive opponent, failing to check the one place Aiden was hiding – up in the air.
From above, Aiden struck, his blade descending heavily upon the creature. The strike caused the Inferno Lion to stumble back, its steps unsteady as it struggled to regain its balance after the powerful blow.
__________________________
Dungeon Core Interface
System Notification:
Guardian: Inferno Lion
Health: 2%
Status: In Combat (Critical)
System Notification:
- Permanent damage sustained
- G.P safety compromised
Please take immediate action to address these concerns and prevent their escalation.
_____________________________
The creature was struck heavily but Aiden's attack was not yet over. As he prepared to launch another assault, he, upon noticing the creature’s vitals, abruptly halted his charge.
“That was close, had I landed that attack, I would’ve killed it.”
He then looked at his blade, his gaze shifting to their sheaths on his back. He seemed to be considering whether or not to sheathe them back, only to choose a surprising option. He struck the two short swords against each other, shattering them both in the process.
Casting the handles, all that was left of his previous swords, aside, only to be almost immediately consumed by the dungeon, his attention returned to the large creature in front of him. “I didn't kill your guardian, so now remove that thing from my sight before I change my mind.”
Silence hung in the air, and for a moment, it seemed as if there would be no response. Yet, the unexpected happened. The Dungeon boss, the Inferno Lion, began to be absorbed by a black fog-like substance rising from the ground. In a matter of seconds, the creature was enveloped entirely, before, as per Aiden’s order, disappearing from his sight.
Aiden cast a glance around the now eerily empty boss room. The adventurers' corpses had vanished as well, leaving him alone within the chamber. He stood there for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before he murmured to himself, “...no need, I'll deal with him myself. Besides, I have something I want to tell him personally.” A small pause followed before Aiden's voice filled the room again, this time softer and filled with gratitude. “If you don't mind... thanks.”
As if snapping out of his reverie, Aiden extended his hand as if he were holding a spherical object, like a ball. His stance mirrored that of someone preparing to cast a spell, like the so-common fireball. However, this wasn't the case here. He was attempting to summon something, but it wasn't a fireball. Instead, it was something entirely different.
A mysterious energy seemed to gather in his hand, swirling and pulsating with an otherworldly aura. The air around him crackled with an unfamiliar tension as the summoning process intensified.
With a final surge of energy, the summoning reached its climax. In a burst of light and shadow, a shape materialized within Aiden's outstretched hand. It was not a weapon, nor a creature, but a spherical crystalline object that seemed to radiate an otherworld radiance.
What Aiden had summoned was none other than the Dungeon Core itself—the heart of the dungeon, the source of its power and existence. The Core hovered in his hand, emitting a soft glow that illuminated his surroundings. It pulsed with a rhythmic energy, as if acknowledging its summoner.
“I can understand that you're a newly awakened sentient being, but…” Aiden expressed haughtily, Aiden's grip on the dungeon core tightening. “Who do you think you are to not only waste our precious time but also attempt to attack us?”
As Aiden's words echoed in the chamber, the Dungeon Core's radiance seemed to waver. The crystalline object that had exuded power moments ago now appeared to tremble, as if responding to an emotion that it had, since its very inception, never experienced before—fear.
The Core's glow flickered, its once steady pulsations faltering. It was as if the entity that had controlled the dungeon, that had once held dominion over all those fiery creatures, was now faced with someone or perhaps something that it could only but bow its head in the presence of.
“No answer, huh? As expected of a mere A-ranked dungeon. I guess we've all been there. But there's no doubt that you're sentient enough to understand the implications of what you've agreed to by accepting our contract.”
As Aiden's words hung in the air, a subtle shift occurred within the Dungeon Core's radiant glow. It began to oscillate gently, as if responding to his words with a silent affirmation.
Aiden's gaze remained fixed on the Core, his expression unyielding. “You may have been in control up until now,” Aiden's voice carried a tone of authority, “but that ends today. From this point forward, you, your spawns, and everything else in your possession belong to “us”. You will be nothing more than a tool for the “harvest” that is to come.”
***
On that day, a raiding party consisting of 17 adventurers from three different groups entered Gardavah, the Dungeon of Ember—an A-ranked dungeon in the Duchy of Vermont. Out of the three A-ranked parties that formed the temporary raiding party charged with clearing the Dungeon of Ember, only one person emerged alive from the tragic ordeal: a church envoy, a Vicaris Executor, who had joined the raid as an observer.